Ẽrsil (The infinite plane)
Welcome to a world like any other in existence. With an exception, the steel sword by the name of Oltudtad (Stalkmatches). An ordinary sword except for its odd ability to call out to people. Encouraging them to sate its thirst, its voice and influence growing louder with every kill. (I wanted to see how a different kind of succession game would go)
The World
(https://i.imgur.com/rt4C7hB.png)https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15865
The Sword
(https://i.imgur.com/vKXAObY.jpg)
The Sword current state
(https://i.imgur.com/n5sRqXG.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/WaLholf.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/9xGOcuY.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/PPkmxJ2.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/aAenHDT.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/8LYaK2b.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/XNSrGpn.png)
The Concept
- Each person gets one week that starts with them seeking the sword and must end with them storing, gifting the sword to an NPC or something along those lines.
- What you do with your week is up to you, killing isn't required and could lead to some interesting stories.
- You get either 1-3 peasants or 1 hero. After that you can fortress for your week. Maybe even a vault to store the sword.
- Don't kill someone's charcter unless its a kill or be killed situation.
The Turn List
1. AvoltionBrit - Post 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8359802#msg8359802)
2. Salmeuk - Post 1, (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8362116#msg8362116) 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8363115#msg8363115)
3. Unraveller - Post 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8366106#msg8366106)
4. Yarlig - Post 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8367990#msg8367990)
5. AvoltionBrit - Post 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8373543#msg8373543)
6. Salmeuk - Post 1, (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8376790#msg8376790) 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8377532#msg8377532)
7. Yarlig - No post
8. Maloy - Post 1, (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8382367#msg8382367)2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8394200#msg8394200)
9. AvolitionBrit - Post 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8386146#msg8386146)
10. Kesperan - Post 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8387334#msg8387334)
11. Salmeuk - Post 1, (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8389858#msg8389858)2, (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8390887#msg8390887)3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8391802#msg8391802)
12. AvolitionBrit - Post 1, (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8398458#msg8398458)2, (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8398458#msg8398458)
13. Maloy - Post 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8402057#msg8402057),2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8413519#msg8413519)
14. AvolitionBrit - Post 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8413174#msg8413174)
15. Maloy - 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8430751#msg8430751),2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179648.msg8431182#msg8431182)
16. Kesperan-
17. Salmeuk
18. AvolitionBrit
Journal of Erith Springwinters - Found under mysterious circumstances in Mirrorwatch.
Skills (https://i.imgur.com/QDfL3cY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kkA52Vv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/W7utk5Y.jpg)
15th of Granite
Well, it looks like I have been tasked with weapon identification. I have heard that now and again a weaponsmith would be asked to identify a weapon but I never thought I would be asked to identify a weapon. But this request is downright odd. I am to go to the aptly named Dangerous Forest to identify a humanoid carrying a suspected artifact of our people and report back. What makes the request stranger is it comes directly from Queen Oddom Greatestlash instead of our general.
Whilst I don't like the look of the job, I would rather not anger Queen Oddom. Although the weapon sounds interesting and unique, I will still have to cover the large western portion of the Dangerous Forest. I have gathered my stuff and have prepared to set off. As me and Tosid were heading out, Zuglar recommended that I get some weapon experience on animals and said he would pay well for animal hides. Maybe this job won’t be bad afterall.
Kills some critters by Mirrorwatch the old monastery. Managed to get a good distance around the mountain before nightfall.
16th of Granite
Heading to coloursacks, interesting to see what the humans did to this place since taking it over one hundred years ago. As I was arriving I walked past some goblin and gorlack monks. Decided to divine the will of these other gods. Cursed with a week's bad luck that wasn’t right. Then cursed again. Made no sense. The humans clearly are using it as some trick to get people into praying at their temples there. I'm no fool. Arrived at Prestineearlings as night fell. Busy place, but at least i can rest amongst nature
Monks (https://i.imgur.com/5DPq4Fs.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zb3kUAe.jpg)
17th of Granite
Entered Leafyhermit, spoke to the local lord. He knows what I am looking for but will only tell me he will give me the information if I killed some kobolds. Decided to head into the fortress myself. Came across some creature that was frail. One of the necromancer experiments. Tried to speak to her but she started to charged me.
The Creature (https://i.imgur.com/VwfFp70.jpg)
18th of Granite
No luck on finding this sword wielder humanoid. Heading to the local hillocks of spydye to see if anyone has information here. Come across a fellow Dwarf Momus, she is a slave. I agreed to free her from her absent masters. Strange.
20th of Granite
Came across a lair. A giant, it was a giant. The hulking beast drew its unique sword and stabbed me. I tried to grab it from it. Attacked Tosid and Mosus. My poor door lost a leg and is very faint. However after striking Momus, something happened. The skeletons littering the liar rose up. Like fallen spirits and begun to claw at the beast. The beast passed out and I used its sword to kill it. But now I need to get to civilization. We are all hurt and need some help. The sword can wait. Slept in the hamlet Tangled Vessels. The place was abandoned.
Lair (https://i.imgur.com/2YiKiat.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4VwLgQa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8STkGNV.jpg)
21st of Granite
Momus seems to keep bleeding, she said she was okay but still after all that time. Maybe she has a weak body. Me and Tosid are doing okay. Poor girl is hopping on three legs.
Blood Trail (https://i.imgur.com/bCLoStG.jpg)
Woke up to dingos, must be following Momus blood scent. Passed Momus my copper sword and ordered Tosid to help her. I pulled the steel sword out and got to work. Seemed to be going well then the dingos got back up and attacked each other. Tosid is really hurt now and refuses to move now.
Tosid very hurt (https://i.imgur.com/p2yib7I.jpg)
22nd of Granite
Tosid is okay, well as okay for a battle wounded dog as she could be. Struggled to sleep, kept whispering. Think Momus must talk in her sleep. Headed to colorsacks, last port of call.
Campfire (https://i.imgur.com/OFZcmKh.jpg)
Headed behind the entrance, suddenly armed dwarves attacked us. Tosid was taking the brunt of the blows. Poor girl. I was removing this axeman's legs from his body. They wanted the sword, I was confused.
Macedwarf (https://i.imgur.com/lFl57XF.jpg)
Momus was taking a beating, I killed the mace dwarf and was about to help. But he got back up and beat me good. Put the sword in my backpack and crawled away as more dwarfs appeared. I'm hiding in shrubs but im struggl
The journal ends there
The swords current status (https://i.imgur.com/YxVqQPO.jpg)
My name is Artha. I have treated the casualties of warfare for many years, working as a doctor, in and about the human populations near the southern ocean in a kingdom known as "The Honest Kingdom". One of the more suspicious titles I've seen adopted by the mortal human races.
(https://i.imgur.com/QDOdB3b.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/fChkPlt.png)
Working as a doctor was profitable but boring. Occasionally, the wounded soldiers brought tales from the battlefield, and some of these were truly fantastical. One soldier, nearly dead from loss of blood and limb, whispered to me of a mysterious weapon, an artifact blade, and how he had seen it last in the hands of some adventurer, somewhere north of here, near the swamps. He then died, but his words echoed in my mind as I returned home that night.
I was a doctor, but I had my drives like any other.
(https://i.imgur.com/xWumnzo.png)
I couldn't let this go - so I quit my role, sold my abode and changed the coin into a iron spear, adventuring gear, and a large bag of onions. That night, with my companion dog Egu, we set off to the north.
man Elf's best friend!
(https://i.imgur.com/Expco82.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/CPX0rAU.png)
Crossing the north bridge and saying one last goodbye to Shaftraven, my home for the last years, was certainly bittersweet - but Egu was excited to see the parts of the country we had never managed to reach on our long evening walks.
========================
After a morning of pleasant over-country rambling, we came across a large castle nestled in the low country. Inside we met the Baroness, Der Bornsacks. However, during my inquiry into Stalkmatches, my words faltered and I managed to insult Der Bornsacks and her mode of dress. I left quickly after drawing ire.
The castle.
(https://i.imgur.com/nQAQYbC.png)
My first foray into adventure conversation mechanics in many years, and I managed to piss off a baroness. . .
(https://i.imgur.com/ehcysDj.png)
Outside the castle walls, overcome by weariness (as I was unused to travel), I stopped for a short nap, setting my pack against a grassy knoll. However, what was supposed to be a short nap turned into a full 8 hours, and I awoke just after midnight. So we continued north.
Through a desert we traveled, with the smell of Echidna on the air. Concerning. (looking at you, Smallhands. . .)
(https://i.imgur.com/2z3MuMN.png)
It was much colder than I had predicted, and when I went to drink I found the waterskin frozen solid. So we stopped for a bit to make a fire and melt the water. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to go adventuring this time of year.
(https://i.imgur.com/5BkYvWr.png)
Progress at this point. No clue where I'm headed.
(https://i.imgur.com/p60Jtvm.png)
The next day, I arrived at one of the forest retreats where other Elves lived. I asked for directions, to the nearest swampy terrain, however received only vague suggestions of a land to the northeast, just beyond the mountains. The elves live in complete chaos; there is a reason I choose to reside amongst humans instead.
The map of the forest retreat.
(https://i.imgur.com/co7K8EA.png)
========================
So we continued, more east than north. We found evidence of our purported sword, in the form of a dead giant surrounded by his own gore. The cave was surprisingly unlooted and I helped myself to a number of gold and silver coins. The blood trail, however, led nowhere interesting, and thus we were again without a good lead.
With no sign of the sword nearby, we committed ourselves to wandering the nearby region. Me and Egu happened upon another cave. As we were tromping our way through the underbrush, I noticed a beautiful rose gold crown! Should I wear it? Not now. Not yet.
(https://i.imgur.com/i3fVz2T.png)
And then heard the yelps as Egu was attacked by a large mole-beast. I was slow to react, but then in a single strike I drove my spear into the heart, and it slowly died before us.
Then, a giant appeared, with a great convex nose.
I tried talking to the Giant.
(https://i.imgur.com/paylHTz.png)
I attempted to calm him but he quickly insinuated terrible things about my character and we began to fight. I scored a few hits on his chest before he ran into the forest . . where was Egu . . . no!
(https://i.imgur.com/0a6LHpH.png)
Egu's death provoked me into a murderous rage. As angry as any elf ever was. Two precise stabs to the neck and the giant was paralyzed. How many times I stabbed that giant skull, I did not keep track.
After the fight:
(https://i.imgur.com/5vbZEgC.png)
With Egu dead, I was despodent and wandered through the forests without a care for anything, having forgotten entirely about the sword. Over the mountains I traveled, guided by the canyon passes, eventually coming to a large tower on the eastern flank of the slopes.
I would later learn this tower's name: Razorbars.
(https://i.imgur.com/jDsMSH9.png)
Here, I met Atu Scourgevipers, who was introduced as a servant of blight. Whatever that was - he seemed frankly happy to see me. He was living there, alone, and the tower was full of unearthly statues of strange, forgotten beasts. So I gave him a sympathetic smile, you know, asked how life was, and he freaking EXPLODED and slashed me with his knife.
(https://i.imgur.com/lfAFf10.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/b0cUbqP.png)
I was heavily wounded after this fight.
(https://i.imgur.com/P1r8cVJ.png)
I searched the tower after recuperating. Scourgevipers had a bag of coin on his body.
(https://i.imgur.com/HufopKW.png)
I found multiple pamphlets and scrolls, mostly relating to this tower, apparently called Razorbars. Home to multiple different entities over the years, and each one wanted to write about how great it was. . weird.
(https://i.imgur.com/L4vgopV.png)
On my way out, I saw a second, smaller tower to the south. Feeling brave, I looking inside, only to see strange shadows and machines in the passages. Traps. I did manage to steal a jelly opal earring on the way out, but left this second tower unexplored.
the second tower
(https://i.imgur.com/9mJzy8N.png)
I entered a region known as the purged swamps. This felt right. Like I was approaching the sword. I passed strange, corrupted terrain, where the ground itself was warped into evil, chaotic spirals.
(https://i.imgur.com/mfAKZMa.png)
I also traveled through an abandoned hamlet, on the outskirts of which I met a group of traveling humans. I asked about the region, but they began to fight so I quickly ran into the forest and resumed my search.
That night, I dreamt of a bridge, small, over a brook. Somewhere near this I would look.
========================
I arrived at a place known as Colorsacks, finally, after a weeks journey, the passing of Egu, and the two dangerous fights with crazed beings - this was beginning to feel like the resting place of that sword, as described by the dying soldier.
A lone dwarf speardwarf runs past, shouting, "Yield! Yield!", but continuing to run as he does so. Wha. . . ?
Then, two hostile macedwarves. Obviously angry about something. They run past me at first, but then stop and double back - they want to know who I am. I decide to boast about killing Atu Scourgevipers. They seemed impressed and chose to ignore me, running off towards some unknown threat.
I began to search for the sword. This looked like the place - willow trees everywhere, and pools too. I then saw something glinting in the distance - the sword?
(https://i.imgur.com/09agzcx.png)
No. A silver bolt, stuck in some rotten wood, catching the high sunlight and provoking me. Bastard bolt.
Up the cliff, another glint - this time a hefty silver morningstar, and evidence of a fight. I take this weapon to trade later.
(https://i.imgur.com/hj5IUT6.png)
I spent the rest of the day searching to no avail. I slept the night away next to a fire and a pond, continuing my search in the morning.
And it just so happens my search found success, as I discovered a suspicious body - another well-equipped adventurer. Someone who might have, up until recently, posessed a magnificent sword. At first, no sign of a sword, just a poor, dead soul. But I lifted the backpack and it was oddly heavy . . .
(https://i.imgur.com/gp3mvNl.png)
there it was. Oltudtad. Stalkmatches. I knew not how to use a sword, but surely this one blade was meant for my exact hand? being so lightly forged, and well balanced as it was? A graceful weapon for a graceful creature such as myself. And for me to find it, alone, after a circuitous and perilous journey.
I looted some other goods from this poor dwarf, and decided to send off the body, clothing and all, in a large funeral pyre. Something felt right about this act.
As the smoke rose, I looked past at the red-green leaves of the swamp willows, and then further towards the autumn sun, setting in the western sky above the mist-shrouded valleys of the Purged Swamps, I wondered aloud, "What next for this old elf? What next?"
========================
ooc: so. for whatever reason, legendsviewer literally crashed whenever I tried to locate colorsacks by name, and I couldn't find it on the map, so I only had the title of the swamp and your EXTREMELY vague directions that you lost it nearby. I was so unfamiliar with the chat system I had trouble getting directions, and then managed to misinterpret them horribly and end up literally circumnavigating the local mountain range, encountering that awful tower and almost dying. I only lived because the dude's knife broke lol
Finally, I ended up at colorsacks proper, coincidentally after I had kind of given up on ever finding the place. I realized I then had to manually search for your dead body and just hope the sword remained, which luckily I have the patience for this kind of shit so I did just that, and luckily the sword HAD remained, and it was kind of a glorious moment honestly, finding your body on the edge of the slope.
In hindsight, I could have taken a single day to walk to where I eventually discovered the sword. But, alas... :] adventure was had
After lighting the funeral pyre, I went south, ending up at an abandoned fortress known as Visedmonstrous. Those tall, brown walls framed the cold spring sunlight as I approached the eastern gates. A lone hooded executioner was there, and he immediately attacked me despite my protests. I ordered him to yield, he said no, so I stabbed him in the kidney. He then ran away and I couldn't be bothered to chase. Nothing else was found here. My arm was badly wounded and I prayed it would fully recover.
Some people take their job too seriously.
============
I then traveled back into civilization. A hamlet named Parchedsquid. I was told many disturbing tales of forest titans and rocs, attacking villagers, but when I asked for directions everyone told me to talk to some goblin named Arthu. And no one knew where Arthu was.
(https://i.imgur.com/6bGCOYL.png)
What a useless place!
============
I ditched Parchedsquid, stealing some berries on the way out. I followed a river east, running into some kind of strange monastery. An overgrown garden arranged in a curious spiral surrounded a rose gold statue of a writer, unknown to me.
(https://i.imgur.com/xjojYp1.png)
Immediately north, I found a mysterious stone grotto, filled with a still pool and covered in engravings. Above, large statues made from gems were arranged chaotically.
(https://i.imgur.com/iPsk8sA.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/UxPUPpf.png)
Here, too, I found a brilliantly furnished but completely empty dining room. And throughout all this, the only sign of life was a herd of elk grazing outside. How odd.
(https://i.imgur.com/c0xwcnj.png)
This place was known as Commonclosets. I left the elk and the statues, and continued east, aimlessly.
============
It was here I came to the sobering conclusion that, during my fight with the executioner at Visemonstrous, my lower right arm was irreparably damaged. I could no longer hold a shield. Except... with some effort, I discovered a technique to hold both shield and sword with a single hand. And still fight effectively. Brilliant!
============
South of civilization, in the swampy midlands, I was ambushed by a lone goblin bowman.
My first real fight with the sword.
(https://i.imgur.com/K1PQA5f.png)
I pushed further south, hearing rumors of goblins, entire cities of evil. But the frozen wastes forced me to turn back when I ran out of water, with no way to melt the ice. I would need more waterskins beforehand.
A hulking zombie yeti ambushed me, but was so slow and lumbering I could easily target the braincase. It fell with three strikes.
(https://i.imgur.com/kjr256b.png)
============
(https://i.imgur.com/syxmpdZ.png)
I entered the town of Cudgeldusks, a sprawling metropolis with a ring wall protecting the town center. I traveled there, and up the main street into the tall castle made of purple pitchblende.
(https://i.imgur.com/6ybqZyy.png)
I learned here of a desert fortress, full of bandits, known as Slunkmalign. I would travel here and fight for the honor of Cudgeldusks.
============
Eastward, through the marshlands. Further than I had ever traveled. Dingoes attacked me, but were little threat with as sharp a blade as I had.
One heavy-optioned slash later. . .
(https://i.imgur.com/VWX9ubw.png)
============
I caught a huge river north, following the broad canyon, into a desert of obsidian sand. Ahead, a tower, certainly evil, and located right nearby where this huge river met an even LARGER river. Then, laughter and ironic greetings from behind. Strange hell-creatures, indescribable, with bows each of them, and foul intent.
(https://i.imgur.com/HdDh8Ix.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZRJtdyh.png)
Panicked, I drew the silver morningstar I had found earlier this week, and bashed the closest demon with great effect. I finished the creature off, how pitiful, then turned to face the others when -
(https://i.imgur.com/bf9wWiu.png)
The last map scribbled by Artha only a few hours before he died. The yellow X is his location.
(https://i.imgur.com/Zy90RbL.png)
============
Save here: https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15873
While I wish I had time to play a fortress, my week is up. Avolition you might as well sign me up for another turn. This sword is an amazing weapon.
Don't read unless you want help finding the sword, which honestly you will probably need. But the above story might have enough clues to make it an adventure - like I had lol.
The sword is nearby these marks. I was successfully able to start a fortress and find the sword, so I presume that an adventurer might recover it.
(https://i.imgur.com/4B8l0fG.png)
EDIT: Sword status with my entire kill history at the top.
(https://i.imgur.com/vkLmQtU.png)
Ur is very good rat man.
Ur live with stinky dwarfes.
Ur like to write prose.
Stinky dwarfes no like Ur's poems. . .
Ur try very hard to be good fisher for dwarfes, since dwarfes give Ur home.
But Ur no thinks that stinky dwarfes like Ur, they is always laughing at Ur, laughing at poems.
Ur wonders why they thinks poems is funny.
(https://i.imgur.com/cXfiPXW.png)
Ur was delivering fishes to market when dwarfes surround hims.
'Hello dwarfes, what can Ur do for yous?' says Ur.
Dwarfes say, 'We's just wanting Ur's fishies'
'But Dwarfes! Ur can no give fish, hims is delivering thems!' Ur says back.
But would you believe dwarfes no take Ur's word for it!? They says Ur is stealing fishies, and that fishies is theirs.
Ur is not sure anymore.
But they keep following hims!
(https://i.imgur.com/56O4Pl9.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/dswCxgt.png)
Ur no had choice, dwarfes kept coming.
Ur was corned in house, he had no choice.
Ur had to bash dwarfes away with bow, no expected to die.
What is Ur to do?
(https://i.imgur.com/p3akKdh.png)
Ur decides to leave, as Ur no likes stinky dwarfes anyway.
But there is many mountains in Ur's way. . .
(https://i.imgur.com/grgIEVZ.png)
After sniffing around as Ur is good at, him sees best way to go.
Ur hears that west is where tall humies and green gobbies live.
Ur thinks they are more friendly, more literary minded.
(https://i.imgur.com/LvxTqgw.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/vvB8llx.png)
After not long Ur finds hairy man named Dumat.
Dumat no can come with Ur, but say that more of his people are just past mountains in big big towers.
Dumat say they like poems. Maybe Ur go see them first?
(https://i.imgur.com/dsTGihE.png)
Ur finds tower!
Inside is some hairy men, and one small hairy man, but they don't know Dumat.
Inside is also pale man in many robes, him pays no mind to Ur, so Ur is fine.
Him say Ur is 'x-quiz-it'. Ur writes this word down for later.
Ur want to stay, but there is no food and Ur is hungry. So him keeps walking.
(https://i.imgur.com/VKXlPDz.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/bqCQHo3.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/OZH36hf.png)
Ur is surprised when he meets green gobbie for first time!
But gobbie, who's name am Tikes, is wrapped in ropes.
Ur helps Tikes out of ropes, and Tikes says him will follow Ur as thanks!
Then Tikes guides Ur to other roped gobbie, Osmu is name, who am also follow Ur!!
(https://i.imgur.com/mITYz4u.png)
Ur says good poem to Tikes and Osmu.
Think we am becoming troupe!
Ur, Tikes, and Osmu are heading west for many days.
They say we go to The Abyssal-Lock Confederacies where tall humies and green gobbies live together.
Sound much better than stinky dwarfes to Ur.
We stay in many towers and meet many hairy men who listen to Ur poems.
Some towers has treasure that Tikes and Osmu like.
Some towers has smelly shamblers that try to eat Ur.
But Ur is fast and Tikes and Osmu have long pokers, so we safe.
But then. . .
(https://i.imgur.com/lGfrqk3.png)
As Ur, Tikes, and Osmu were running from many smelly shamblers.
Ur steps on gross body, whom he thinks is more shambler at first.
But is just dead. But in the sticky wet mud, Ur finds shiny-shiny new sword.
Mud no stick to shiny-shiny sword, it feel many more powerful than bow.
Ur's eyes dance along edge,
But they are not cut,
Ur's eyes bright as if him found cheese wedge,
Him wishes him had cheese, but all has is walnut.
(https://i.imgur.com/9dHkzIS.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Iecp0oa.png)
Ur feels uneasy walking, near corpse is hut with many angry looking scary-men.
Tikes and Osmu attack scary-men even though we am outnumbered!
(https://i.imgur.com/oB61M4R.png)
Ur become very sad.
Then Ur become very mad.
Him charge at little horn-men and swing shiny-shiny sword.
Ur am very very mad.
(https://i.imgur.com/ESDGjuM.png)
Even though Ur is mad, him is tired, and cannot fight all.
So Ur has to run away, leaving Tikes and Osmu dead.
Stinky dwarfes put dead in coffins and seal them up.
Ur is very sad him cannot do this with Tikes and Osmu.
Ur is very sad there is no one to listen to poem.
Shiny-Shiny Sword listens to Ur's poem.
Shiny-Shiny Sword reflects Ur's sad, black, beady, hurted eyes. . .
On that night, just as the sun had weaned off the last remaining motes of daylight, and the common people of the Abyssal-Lock Confederacy town of Watchedsimple had begun to turn in, to prepare supper, and enjoy the cool breeze down from the eastern mountains, a haggard and lone figure had appeared on the outskirts. The few that took the stranger's gaunted and swaying shape into memory could say only that they believed it to be a haunt of the night, a shell of a creature that bore no sense of self any longer. The farmers just beyond the platinum walls of Watchedsimple boarded themselves up that night, and rightfully so. It wasn't long after, when the rat was first spotted in the center of town that it begun.
(https://i.imgur.com/r7QbEVU.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/qw364Wy.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/p6vlP2P.png)
It would burst into any home that it could manage, catching the residents unaware and afraid. Looming there at the threshold, the blood-streaked rat man began a horrendous verse, searching for some kind of praise for its only passion. Yet it seemed this loathsome being was doomed to receive no such reward in life, and nary for whatever semblance of life it had come to there and then. No matter the response from the townsfolk, the rat-beast darted forth with a wild gait, swingy haphazardly the impossibly mirrored sheen of the now-legendary armament, Stalkmatches. None were safe from the despondent cry of that creature, Ur Grippedhigh, the Gray Feast. The Butcher of Watchedsimple.
(https://i.imgur.com/L19uwAf.png)
Near by the dawning of the next light, no less than a hundred men and goblin alike were cut down in the butcher's path from the south to the keep, those beyond escaped its fury. It stood there in the town's center, just before the castle-keep that contained all the land's nobility. Amidst the gore, amidst the viscera, amidst the blood-stricken cobbles, Ur stood, Stalkmatches reflecting the moon and dawn's light with a focus, perhaps, a malevolence. The creature beckoned for resistance to sally out from the inner-most walls with another croaked verse. Yet none came then. And perhaps lucky for one Baron Adi Brownhummed, the Butcher did not approach. It's mortal body by then was all but spent, nothing more than a huffing, wounded animal that seemed to beg for death for its twisted existence.
Reorganizing themselves in the dead of morning, the Baron put out a missive to all noble souls of the realm, 'Whosover puts an end to the Butcher of Watchedsimple, and wrests the gleaming blade from its cold, lifeless fingers, shall receive everlasting glory, fame, and riches, the like!' All the while mustering their own men to heed the call.
What happened there on that night in Watchedsimple was a mere footnote in the terrible tale of Stalkedmatches, one overshadowed by the many bearers who came after, but perhaps a look into the first notions of legendary armament bearing some kind of vile curse. . . Yet who can say? Who can blame a mere sword for the actions of the ratman Ur Grippedhigh? Perhaps it merely gave the frustrated creature the power, the means to allow it to lash out at any and all that it saw fit. . . The next chapter in this story will illuminate you of the blade, and perhaps even, the Butcher's fate. . .
(https://i.imgur.com/4roCVF0.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/97szxRb.png)
For those that might need some help locating Ur, word on the wind is that the Butcher of Watchedsimple lurks yet still in the town. Scurrying through hollowed out homes or through the sewers. The most recent spotting was to the west, just beyond the platinum walls of the city. If you're swift, perhaps you can find them there. Put an end to their terror! -- I unretired Ur a couple of times in Stalkmatches and it seemed as if they were always in this particular location of town when I did so. I cannot guarantee that they won't move about the town, but that might be a good place to start. If that doesn't pan out, perhaps leveling tracker and using O to find odors might help. And if that doesn't pan out, you could always unretire Ur as your companion to fish him out.
(https://i.imgur.com/A5xlXjm.png)
For those that actually intend to fight and kill Ur, which I'm 100% CONSENTING TO, here are his stats by the end. I made sure not to level him to be a multi-tier legendary fighter and swordsman, so there should still be a relatively good chance to completely out-skill him and take Stalkmatches. I do think it could be an interesting choice to play as a hearthperson of Watchedsimple and muster the soldiers of the keep to come execute the Butcher, multiple skilled fighters could likely easily defeat him. Regardless, I think it'd be fun to give him a good death! So go for it! If not, it probably would be just as easy to ask for Stalkedmatches, as I don't believe he'll be hostile to any given adventurer without provocation.
(https://i.imgur.com/RP1eUVg.png)
SAVE GAME -- HERE -- (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15876)
Guys' I think I messed up.
To wit: I died in such a way as to make the sword... well' maybe not unrecoverable' but significantly more difficult to recover than it reasonably should be.
I found a vault and almost cleared it out' before an archangel (a dinosaur made of gemstone) ambushed me and bashed my head in.
However' if you feel up to the challenge' I might just post the original save. Please' let me know what you think the best course of action is.
Also' I'm writing down my adventures' although I'm not the most efficient of writers; the first part should arrive soon enough.
Ok' so this is the first part. Much more to come' hopefully soon.
Let’s get acquainted with our hero; he’s quite a mellow fellow, a humble bobcat man by the name Alim Questedbalanced. His closest companion is a wise and well adjusted snail „Seba”.
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rlyw-884d5d34-c248-49c6-8931-0d63087632ba.png/v1/fill/w_1280,h_297,q_80,strp/alim_by_yarlig_df3rlyw-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9Mjk3IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvYTEzMzQ0NjMtODgwMS00NmUxLTk4MWUtYjY0NjBiY2M0NDc0XC9kZjNybHl3LTg4NGQ1ZDM0LWMyNDgtNDljNi04OTMxLTBkNjMwODc2MzJiYS5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.WT0kgxtJWLxXHbW5rrMMZMuwP5ctnM8gY75xlNLNDY8)
We’ve been receiving strange rumors from beyond the Inky Gulf. Some say the dwarves are expanding and have started to encroach on elven lands, and that war is imminent. Others claim that the great city of Watchedsimple was decimated by a horde of rat people. Rat people, of all things! Nobody has seen them in the last twenty years, let alone muster an army! This belongs to the same bag as the stories about two-headed gorlaks.
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rlya-7a1b24f2-cabc-4fae-99b1-d630d011b014.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExMzM0NDYzLTg4MDEtNDZlMS05ODFlLWI2NDYwYmNjNDQ3NFwvZGYzcmx5YS03YTFiMjRmMi1jYWJjLTRmYWUtOTliMS1kNjMwZDAxMWIwMTQucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.wJyzT6ssSJXvVYLTfAX4mRgGj1IXh44T3ifPza5J8nU)
While doing a routine patrol of the village outskirts, I was attacked by a hammerman. Killed him in selfdefence. Two other brigands, who may or may not have been his companions, accused me of murder and I couldn’t talk them out of it. I took the simplest solution and killed them as well.
Found a bigger die with more sides at a shrine of Erthok. I rolled 14!
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rly3-d6c3ce13-45cf-4b55-9384-27d380a5fc69.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExMzM0NDYzLTg4MDEtNDZlMS05ODFlLWI2NDYwYmNjNDQ3NFwvZGYzcmx5My1kNmMzY2UxMy00NWNmLTRiNTUtOTM4NC0yN2QzODBhNWZjNjkucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.atBarM6_grkNIdlkH-SE96WCmJxoSrijP1RZoLr3AFI)
I decided to stay the night at Botherallied, a hamlet whose every denizen seems to be a soldier. That was a mistake. It came under attack at night, a motley crew of dwarves, goblins and humans stormed the mead hall and I had no choice but to try and fight my way out. At least I got a new sword of dwarven iron out of it.
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rlyr-fded09fc-a8ce-47f8-8009-ab97cbc7284c.png/v1/fill/w_1280,h_576,q_80,strp/atack___by_yarlig_df3rlyr-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NTc2IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvYTEzMzQ0NjMtODgwMS00NmUxLTk4MWUtYjY0NjBiY2M0NDc0XC9kZjNybHlyLWZkZWQwOWZjLWE4Y2UtNDdmOC04MDA5LWFiOTdjYmM3Mjg0Yy5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.Xh4epkIHobHU4iUOeD4hrEcg0Dr4J4DAVvqHIi-3WJE)
As I approached Pricesscribed, I saw a peculiar man, prancing around naked through the snows.
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rlwq-150a9325-32df-454a-95a1-95df568d9cd9.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExMzM0NDYzLTg4MDEtNDZlMS05ODFlLWI2NDYwYmNjNDQ3NFwvZGYzcmx3cS0xNTBhOTMyNS0zMmRmLTQ1NGEtOTVhMS05NWRmNTY4ZDljZDkucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.N5nPlSNCFGsGIvMhWphDPmqJch0tJh4On34PYzbLYHU)
More travels, more unsavory characters. This time, one of the nobles gleefuly told me about his past career choices.
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rlym-e467b722-f693-4b91-932c-07ecbcae1361.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExMzM0NDYzLTg4MDEtNDZlMS05ODFlLWI2NDYwYmNjNDQ3NFwvZGYzcmx5bS1lNDY3YjcyMi1mNjkzLTRiOTEtOTMyYy0wN2VjYmNhZTEzNjEucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.7tek_iF6J0A-ToB6b9UstqyKn5BwdDBan1AxBNA0n14)
The writing becomes increasingly unsteady as you read on.
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rlxu-e1958981-18b5-4572-b4e0-946bcfbef976.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExMzM0NDYzLTg4MDEtNDZlMS05ODFlLWI2NDYwYmNjNDQ3NFwvZGYzcmx4dS1lMTk1ODk4MS0xOGI1LTQ1NzItYjRlMC05NDZiY2ZiZWY5NzYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.CEzjoZOHK1K6Wzlui48kAu8U9U5OQZ53q6PiNgVsLJw)
Still hurting; I remembered the gods can grant favors to those that roll their dice the correct way. I do have one by me, so I’ll try it.
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rlxw-e0d9bca2-8e84-4a3c-9d12-8741ed4be9dc.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExMzM0NDYzLTg4MDEtNDZlMS05ODFlLWI2NDYwYmNjNDQ3NFwvZGYzcmx4dy1lMGQ5YmNhMi04ZTg0LTRhM2MtOWQxMi04NzQxZWQ0YmU5ZGMucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.rY8tEi92mq4O4y0k4wEYjCLTWIEyno3OJDxydSpGFfg)
Wish it would. Useless!
Food supplies are dwindling. Even worse, I can’t hunt in my current state. Few people keep livestock around these parts, will have to scavenge for meat to gather some strength. I’m starting to feel feverish, may not last long if I find none.
Stumbled into a dwarf fortress. Thought it would be empty, but it wasn’t. Dwarves staring right through me with blank eyes. Scarfed down some meat from the trade depot and slunk off.
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rlyj-953d93ab-ca47-4251-9362-fcc704fa6820.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExMzM0NDYzLTg4MDEtNDZlMS05ODFlLWI2NDYwYmNjNDQ3NFwvZGYzcmx5ai05NTNkOTNhYi1jYTQ3LTQyNTEtOTM2Mi1mY2M3MDRmYTY4MjAucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.rLeij9RTQXzKZLAjtDz8XQj62BDdE2QJuFrN-FKDwRo)
Found a half-frozen coyote corpse. Not sure how it died, could well have been diseased. Have to take the risk though.
Also got attacked by a bunch of other scavengers. Knocked one good over the head and others dispersed. Figure they weren’t as hungry as I am.
Reached a village of dwarves. Asked one for shelter in a hillock. He looked at my mangy fur and glassy eyes and gave me some cooked food and plump helmet wine.
Just kidding. Bearded bastard threw me out to freeze to death. They’re letting this old cat die because they think he’s not housebroken.
The fulll Moon is out. Could swear he’s staring right at me.
I think I might die tonight.
The following several pages appear to have been written frantically, using blood instead of ink.
(https://wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a1334463-8801-46e1-981e-b6460bcc4474/df3rlyu-89a03d46-2188-4511-8308-2acec0211faa.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsImV4cCI6MTY1MDIyMjc3NCwiaWF0IjoxNjUwMjAxMTY0LCJqdGkiOiI2MjVjMTI1NjFkZmJlIiwib2JqIjpbW3sicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvYTEzMzQ0NjMtODgwMS00NmUxLTk4MWUtYjY0NjBiY2M0NDc0XC9kZjNybHl1LTg5YTAzZDQ2LTIxODgtNDUxMS04MzA4LTJhY2VjMDIxMWZhYS5wbmcifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6ZmlsZS5kb3dubG9hZCJdfQ.l7GE9D3O5WonUX73UqB7zY2cI2QrWSYQqSe-E8rH1qE)
I woke up dizzy and disorientated, but I’m feeling much better otherwise. I no longer have fever and my chest hurts no more. Even my fur is gleaming again!
Also had some caked blood in my mouth, but it doesn’t taste like mine, so I won’t worry about this now. Seba has been eyeing me weirdly though. Like he’s disapproving of something I’ve done, but won’t tell me what it is exactly.
OOC: I didn't plan on becoming weremonstered' but I also didn't want to suffocate before even getting to meet Ur, so I had to take that route. The part where I had to find something edible before I transform was getting quite nervy too' I was HungThir' barely dropped out of fast travel in fear of suffocating' and there were few animals. Exciting!
Shem Roadtongue, the gizzly bear man, set forth from Portalwires the dwarven camp in search of a good drink. Besides his bear-like qualities, Shem worked for local nobility as a clothier, and was skilled in the profession.
ignore the fact it says Sigun here, I rolled a new name on accident after taking the screen
(https://i.imgur.com/4OQ48cC.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/jfrFzYy.png)
Or at least, that's what he used to do - he now found himself on somewhat of a binge. In fact, he had run out of money, and taken to stealing whatever booze he could - which is why he spent last night in an abandoned campsite on the edge of town.
But, now, it was morning and he hoped people would simply fail to notice he looked exactly like the strange, fuzzy brown creature that stole everyone's beer last night as he strolled past their houses on the hunt for some breakfast. But all Shem could find was a bag of crusty rhubarb stalks.
His paws took him north, unknowingly closer to the sword. Shem rambled over hill and stream, and struck paths through forest after forest of dense trees. Shem felt an urgent need to explore, searching for food, beer, and excitement, and bear-women. He had never met another bear-person, and often dreamt of love.
In truth, it was a series of innocuous adventures that occurred, and none worth recording - until he stumbled into a strange man carrying a deadly-sharp whip. Shem practically trampled him as they crossed paths, so unexpected was this encounter, and upon seeing the travelers immediate hostility, tried to calm him down. The lasher agreed, "I will fight no more," . .
(https://i.imgur.com/72lgCnn.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/UAMtI6g.png)
. . and then struck true with his bronze whip.
The lasher's first strike caused a mortal wound, opening up a major artery as it did. Also separating Shem from his sword in the process. Panicking, Shem thrust forward and grappled with the lasher, finding no purchase at first, but then some ungodly urge came from within and Shem simply turned his massive head and BIT. The crunching of bone and tendon brought a newfound rage, why should he be attacked and die in this pitiful forest, just as the adventure was beginning? It took another 6 or 7 bites before the lasher was killed.
(https://i.imgur.com/53F2R0U.png)
With a few scraps of cloth, torn from the assailants garb, Shem crafted a tourniquet and was saved from certain death.
==========
(https://i.imgur.com/kauyifF.png)
Next to a blue rock statue of some ancient abbot, Shem discovered a set of cobaltite dice. Feeling a bit klepto today aren't we, Shem? They were stashed for later.
Shem continued north, through the low-lying valleys beneath the towering summits to the west, and the swamps and hills to the east. He had eaten through the rhubarb at this point, when he came upon a very strange thing indeed: an empty town market, still full of goods. The items did not seem any worse for wear, and he found bags upon bags of fresh plump helmets. Some of the buildings were damaged, with large scars torn into the structure. He found a fallen signpost, and apparently this place was called "Clearrake".
And then, the most glorious sight: a field of gemstones, scattered amongst the sand. With the sun above, Shem almost had to look away as the brilliant flashing was too much to handle (I almost said bear but I am better than that).
(https://i.imgur.com/L5G04FP.png)
Shem went to work, after checking for witnesses one last time, and begun scrambling around the sand for gems. As he picked up the various colored cabochons, Shem would throw them into the now-half full bag with the slightest tinkle, smiling as he went. What glorious wealth! And no need to worry about currency exchange and all that, which was a touchy subject for him as much of his trade as a clothier depended on a healthy economy. And he was still in between jobs, assuming this adventuring thing failed to pay off.
There were too many to grab all of them, and eventually Shem retreated back into the forest, with his newfound wealth barely slowing him down. Ok. Maybe just a little.
====
That night, sleeping at the edge of town, Shem dreamnt of a great silver star, flashing down from the sky in the shape of a deadly blade of light, illuminating Shem and his surroundings. What could it mean?
ooc: I cant find the sword ffffffff
With a bag of jewels in one hand, and a bag of plump helmets in the other, Shem traveled north. Passing through the shallow desert valley of the region, and through the dark pits and small villages, and into the seaside foothills full of fruit trees and pleasant breezes.
========
(https://i.imgur.com/gQx0MyZ.png)
Further he went, eventually reaching a hamlet by the name of Stickssinew.
(https://i.imgur.com/rubsAFl.png)
There, at the edge of town, was a grand building, full of artifacts, and entirely abandoned. He found evidence of a recent traveler, and, more importantly, some kind of old sword. It was stained and covered in dirt, but lacked any sign of rust and seemed as sharp as the day it was made. Shem also found a pair of earrings of exceptional quality, and a silver flask engraved with the name "The Blood of Life." Aptly, the flask was full of a strange blood, something inhuman as it swirled with strange magic as it was emptied on the floor.
(https://i.imgur.com/4BfDVys.png)
The blood failed to congeal, instead swirling faster and faster, forming into a strangely familiar pattern. Staring for a moment, Shem recognized it as a map of the region. The blood swirled around a particular point, over the eastern mountains, and seemed to suggest to Shem he should travel there.
Shem figured this was his payment for finding this cool sword, so whatever, he was game for a bit more adventure. It had proved lucrative so far. .
========
(https://i.imgur.com/KbT45lU.png)
The journey east was uneventful. Even crossing the mountains was a quick feat, and soon enough night was falling in the desert just north of the destination. Shem was still unsure what he would find, and as he fell asleep, propped up under a tall saguaro (the only plantlife growing in this region), he dreamt of jeweled cloth, yards of it, falling from the sky and smothering him.
========
Shem woke the next day to a group of two vultures, staring at him, trying to deduce if he was dead or dying. He scared them off and began the climb. Only a few small shrubs clung to this bare, mountain rock. Soon, Shem came to the top of the hill, and looked east. A small stream ran down the mountain, past his vantage point and continued to flow north. No sign of anything amiss, no villainous towers or great pits of death. Just a few yaks.
Shem scrambled down the hill to the stream, and decided to double back north, following the water and searching amongst the low stone walls of the mountainscape.
(https://i.imgur.com/kEfmVZY.png)
Then, Shem looked up to a wall of literal fire. The trees ahead, at the foot of the mountain, were ablaze. It must have been recently lit as Shem had seen no smoke on the way up the mountain. But what could cause such a thing ?
(https://i.imgur.com/qodtesT.png)
There, perched on the stone, surrounded by burning, was a great, green Dragon. This dragon was staring right back at Shem, apparently curious but unconcerned. So Shem approached, and spoke out:
"How are you feeling, O Great Dragon?"
No response.
"How are things, O Great Dragon who towers over me?"
(https://i.imgur.com/tQsCwTy.png)
Still, no response. Shem tried a joke, then simply anything. No response. Not even to the plainest of compliments.
Shem grew bored of this. Obviously, he was meant to slay the dragon, and it wasn't his business if the dragon wanted no part in the fighting. A job was a job, even when the instructions came in the form of strange blood-swirls on the floor of a strange temple.
Shem took his time and, when the dragon looked most distracted, pounced at their neck and struck true.
(https://i.imgur.com/2MHdDsA.png)
Multiple more strikes were landed, with no real retaliation. A stab here, a slash there, the dragon was bleeding now and having trouble breathing. Shem was ecstatic!
Then, in his jubilance, he dodged when he should have blocked, and was throw off the small hill into the burning foilage below. The shock paralyzed him, giving the dragon time to land a burst of flamebreath, which melted Shem's left paw and left him weaponless. Horrifyed, he tried to crawl away... the dragon showed little mercy. First, Shem's arm was ripped from his body, and then those great teeth found their grip on his head and . . *crunch* . . . Shem was no more.
(https://i.imgur.com/Jk6K5Rs.png)
The dragon Cobim Brandsweltered the Luxurious dropped the lifeless bear-man to the ground, and carefully picked up the small cloth bag, peering inside at the pile of brilliant blue-red jewels. "These dumb adventurers finally brought me something interesting!" thought Cobim, before returning to his mountainside lair. It would take a year to heal from these wounds, but the dragon had time.
As for Stalkmatches? As Shem's corpse emptied of blood, a small trail formed on the ash-covered ground, and trickled down the hillside, to where Shem was first dis-armed, where that silver-steel sword now lay. And so Stalkmatches was sated with the blood of Shem, the bear-man clothier and late (mis-)adventurer.
And there the blade remains, buried in the ash at the foot of the dragon's lair, guarded by Cobim.
=======
thanks for reading, this swords remains OP and great fun. The dragon was dead to rights but then I got a bit lazy and auto-attacked, resulting in a really inopportune series of dodges/ failed strikes. And all it takes is one burst of fire to end you. That DAMN dragon lol
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15946
Good luck to the next adventurer. I never got a chance to roll the chaos dice, oh well..
Journal of Maloy the hero of the Colorless Hills found underneath a pile of rubble
Today is the day of my founding! To prove my worth to my people as a hearthperson I am to be sent out to vanquish a threat to our people. I'll follow in the tradition of my fathers in serving the land and it's people! My dad was so proud when he came by my home this morning and brought a gift: The most finely-crafted copper breasplate in all of Hailenjoyed! He used most of his savings up on it.
After he helped me put it on I packed and would begin by going to the keep to learn what dangers I must face. As the latest in a long-line of heroes and a well known local hopes were high, and my expectations for myself were even higher!
(https://i.imgur.com/WgIZS6i.png)
Maloy bid farewell to his elven roommate, he had mentioned his plans to do even greater than any other foundling in deed, and she told others. Now many were either encouraging him or trying to convince him to not take such a foolish course.
This house was shared with a bone carving store. All the tenants would switch between manning the store and farming. The dual lifestyle was expected and Maloy would continue that between his duties as a soldier.
He stepped out into the bright sunlight. He could barely feel the gentle breeze through his armor. Clad head to toe in copper and with a large copper two-handed sword slung across his back. It looked and functioned more as a huge chunk of metal, a blunt object, than it did as a slicing weapon.
(https://i.imgur.com/KjUiskg.png)
Hailenjoyed was majority elven and those who had either survived or been born from victims of necromancer experiments. Thus the town was a green paradise. Wooden buildings crammed with stores and people lined the streets only broken up by rows or different berry plants and altars.
The wild plants had a simple law: One could take and eat freely, but not pack their bags with them. This was more of an honor code than enforced, but it was rarely broken as having neighbors who liked you when times were tough was much more important than getting some extra fruit that would rot.
(https://i.imgur.com/WplAHXj.png)
Maloy tried his luck rolling die at an altar and beamed at the admission from the heavens that he would be successful.
He crossed into the bustling market square. As you turn the corner the volume difference is staggering for those from smaller hamlets. Laughing, jeering, shouting, and arguing all played out in a cacophony as merchants eagerly worked their magic and customers haggled or discussed amongst themselves.
(https://i.imgur.com/80RXAV9.png)
Many offered him deals on good luck charms and leather gear to help him on his founding day, and Maloy just waved them all off as he continued. At the end of the market stood someone he recognized: Etile
Today was her founding as well and the two would likely be teamed up.
(https://i.imgur.com/loZXIbl.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/FWcAvpm.png)
Her long white hair was hidden by a helm, but her bright olive eyes were perfectly visible from under it.
"So slow, human. One would almost forget that you were a mortal and short-lived race with how much you dawdle" she jabbed
"Well, I must be walking somewhat slower with all this gear I have. Speaking of do you hope to stop a sword wearing nothing, but kindling?" He returned. Her eyes narrowed to slits and she responded "This is the traditional armor of my people. We win battles through skill and grace and not by wearing melted stones"
Maloy threw his hands up in a helpless gesture "Far be it from me to offend the one I'll be stuck with for the next several days. Shall we be off?"
Wooden armor was about as effective as leather, but it was far cheaper to have made. Many elves still clung to it as a matter of tradition though.
The ceremony was brief. The only other humans in town were the political and religious leaders. The duo kneeled in the keep as the local law-giver and abbot spoke of rights and duties and blessed them both. At the end of the ceremony as they both stood the law-giver spoke again "As you both know our town has fallen under new rulership. Lord Almo the first of his name shall lead us into a new age and he has taken great interest in the founding. For the period of your trial he has offered you his sword: Stalkmatches"
At this there was an audible gasp from all in the room. Stalkmatches was the most well-known sword of this world, how did this mysterious lord acquire it? He offered it freely.
The law-giver stepped aside and at the end of the room stood his lordship. Next to him the perfect blade stood. Despite all it's use it shined more beautifully than anything the two of them had ever seen and knew no wear.
His lordship spoke "Take it, Maloy. Show us what caliber of a man you are. Find glory or death"
Maloy approached and drew his copper broadsword. He held it in his left hand and as he approached and took Stalkmatches in the other the abbot piped up from the back of the room "You might want to leave that heap of metal here, young man"
"I will add my legend to that of Stalkmatches, but still I must be able to build my own legend. I shall wield both" and he lifted them both into the air.
Etile audible scoffed behind him "I'll still be healthy and fit when you're legend and bones are long dust, but I will watch your back"
From there they sat out north-west. They found a pasture of horses, incredibly common in these lands, and both claimed one for themselves to ease the travel.
The colorless hills were just that before the elves moved in, but now after so long living with humans the lands were a garden paradise. The founding ensured that threats bordering on their lands were suitably dealt with, or at the least, measured for a true military response.
They passed elven and human refugees from other lands who were being watched over and escorted by other soldiers from Hailenjoyed. They knew nothing of the land they were in, but spoke of the necromancer who had destroyed their home and left them without anything, but the two could do little for their immediate needs other than bid them well and pray for their journey. Despite Etile's exterior she was actually quite compassionate to those in need and dropped her usual façade in their presence.
They followed along the base of the western mountains and then a river up to cursed lands. Here all vestiges of nature had died. Dried, withered and long dead grass broke underfoot never to rise again.
Etile looked visibly ill in the place. Maloy wondered if it was a matter of personal taste or if the elves really did derive power and energy from nature.
From atop a hill they found that the entire area was filled with small spires. They almost looked like crypts and they approached the nearest quietly. Despite this several figures shambled out. Elves. Some were completely rotted skeletons, but most were zombies whose flesh was still actively rotting.
The two dismounted and set to work.
Um, let me just say, this one doesn't count. I barely left the starting town. But it was a fun enough story I wanted to share:
=========
An armor set consisting of a helm, mail shirt (for upper limb protection), gauntlets, and high boots will be the equivalent of full coverage for a gorlak.
Before beginning an adventure as a gorlak or enlisting one into your military, note that they have special considerations for armor usage, as they do not have a torso—a gorlak's limbs connect directly to its head.
Some dwarves like gorlaks for their impressive tusks, their stimulating conversation and their helpful guidance.
=========
Stat Blocks
(https://i.imgur.com/2sxY784.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/aUaaoCH.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/TS6cApm.png)
Hallo. Me is Ral. Me is from Below, Deep Below. Me ate strange mushroom, ended up here after much wander. What is called Dwarf gave me what is called Pick, and Me hit (what is known as) Rock with Pick for Dwarf now. For very long time. . .
You ask, who is Me? Or what is Me . . ?
Me is me, as far as Me know. but Me is also what Dwarf know as Gorlak. So Me is also Gorlak, says Dwarf. Dwarf also says, "Dig, you foul creature! Dig there, and there. And when you're done - dig there!!"
Me no like Dwarf much.
---
Me has dream lasterday. Usual dream is of big arm water thief crawling into Me nest and Me wake up scared. But this dream strange. This dream of bright light, and Me fall into Big Sky and go far west, until Me fall back into land and into more Dwarfs. But these Dwarfs have great silver stick, hidden deep in the Below, and Me is attacked by Dwarf and run away.
Me must find silver stick, Me thinks.
---
Me escape from Boss last night. Was EZ. But also scary. Me wont forget him. . . Me now go South for long time, then West. Then maybe Me find silver stick.
---
Dingoes! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
(https://i.imgur.com/DvczL5q.png)
---
Here lies the corpse of
a Gorlak known as Ral,
who had a strange dream,
crossed a few streams,
then died in the dark to a ding-o!
Onul woke at midnight, as planned, and stepped up from the cold floor of the lower hallways. "Tonight is the night. The rest of them are either drunk or asleep. The sword is mine!" Descending further into the winding staircases of Dragonclaw Fortress, Onul was truly unafraid. Even if he was discovered out of place, he could put on a dunken slurring and feign incompetence. Plus, as a Dragonclaw Ranger, Onul had yet another excuse. "I was merely examining the artifact, as I suspected it might have been replaced with a forgery!," and so on.
(https://i.imgur.com/m3eL8E7.png)
Onul stepped into the dining hall, walked over to the pedestals, and took two items: an artifact bone shield, and a giant steel axe blade, also an artifact. Score!
(https://i.imgur.com/HVs8uCh.png)
Onul wasn't done yet. Downward he went, arriving at the great magma forges, and passing through the golden doors and across the gem-windowed bridge, into a vault of solid gold.
(https://i.imgur.com/lIGOhHB.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/tdmEP4F.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/cZtT4kE.png)
Therein lay Oltudad, the artifact steel sword of great repuation. The last owner had retired the sword after a great journey of conquest and violence, and Onul felt the blade call to him, asking to be released from this golden prison.
No traps were noted, no pressure plates or quick-release magma pistons. Merely the sword, a bridge, and some really drunk guardsmen.
Onul returned to the surface. He was leaving Dragonclaw for the final time, and grew somewhat wistful as he passed the entrance into the snow covered forests of the middle continent. The golden statues that flanked the gate were covered in white fluff, and in the moonlight everything was peaceful and still. Onul walked into the forest, trailed by his large pet water buffalo. A fast pace like this one, and he should be clear of the valley by morning. The heist had been successful, moreso than he had planned. What exactly was he going to do with an axe blade fit for a giant's hands?
(https://i.imgur.com/aVACK32.png)
Onul went north, following a small but fast-flowing river through the semi-frozen forests of the lower valleys. Encountering a thick mist was disconcerting. Too much time in the depths made Onul snow-blind, and the white mist made everything worse.
By midday, the mist had gone, evaporated, but what remained ahead terrified Onul. A dead land, trees without any leaves, just barren, dead and twisted trunks lining the rocky soil. No snow fell there, despite the chill air and the heavy black clouds overhead.
Onul drifted in and out of a paranoid sprinting, afraid of every shadow. He traveled far into the hills and away from the dead land, but then came upon a tall grey tower surrounded by a deep crevass.
(https://i.imgur.com/uilJRQY.png)
Slding down the snow-covered loam, Onul came to the base entrance of this grand tower. There, at the doorstep, lay a perfectly white carved trinket, in the shape of A MEAT.
(https://i.imgur.com/D7prTyh.png)
Nothing else was found. Onul left, going south. Wandering. Thirsty - the rivers were all frozen and it was somewhat desperate that he find water.
At some point, Onul got sick of carrying the heavy artifact axeblade, and strapped it to the Ox. Id the Axe-Ox. Kind of an intimidating sight, to be honest.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZPtdvnJ.png)
Waking in the middle of the night, to 11 pairs of staring eyes is NOT fun. especially when those eyes are attached to some really hungry dingoes.
Id the Ox ran into the pack, tossing the small dingos left and right, as Onul scampered away. He whistled and Id returned, horns covered in gore.. but safe and still carrying the artifact axe.
The two came to a tall grey tower, another one. This time, the smell of death was strong, and soon a group of dwarved husks emerged from the small doorway.
Onul, having trained with many dwarves for some length of time, felt it was right to attack the leader of the pack in a gallant sidestepping cleave that left the corpses neck agape, oozing a foul greenblack liquid.
This was all well and good, but Onul failed to spot the crawling torso behind, crawling up from underneath the sand. . Onul tried to jump away but the strength of the dead is well known. With a dull knife, Onul was slowly eviscerated by the zombies. Id was wounded, tried to run but was caught and devoured.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZmWegiJ.png)
Onul only managed to kill a single dingo, the night before his death.
====
file here: https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=16011
Apologies for the short entry after all this time.
I had a strange issue where the save was partially deleted? or the data was? I think I might have messed up something but I was forced to ignore a much more interesting first go and recreate what I could. Alas.. the bone trinket of 'A Meat' is one such example of a story from the parallel universe.
(https://i.imgur.com/hiQIWu3.png)
The gray stone cairn loomed ahead of them and from its mouth shambled forth a small army of the dead. Skeletons and zombies alike and all elvish.
Upon dismounting they drew weapons
Wooden sword and shield
and Legendary steel and Two-hander
Etile's horse saw the grisly sight and it immediately fled from whence it came, and she briefly looked that direction with total exasperation.
Maloy's horse was seemingly possessed by the spirit of nature that lives in elven lands, and would have lived here at one point, and bolted past the two nearly toppling them as it slammed into the undead and began kicking and crushing in earnest. It's armorless flesh a vulnerable target for a horde of nails, teeth and knives.
The two adventurers sprang forth in full sprint to follow the horse's wake and soon found their group rhythm.
Etile helped keep zombies held off and busy while the horse and Maloy killed zombies. He would swing steel and copper at enemies in one movement, but noticed the copper had no slicing ability while the steel could easily kill zombies alone so he found his own tactic.
As he killed with his dominant hand he would use the copper sword, more a hunk of metal than a sword, and battery enemies away or weaken them until he could work his way around with his steel blade.
They crushed their way through the horde and pressed all the way into the cairn. The horse led the way up the stairs to the uppermost level where more zombies awaited. Another group of elf zombies waited at the top standing around a ledge to the north to some darkness below.
Setting to work Etile cut off any advance from another corridor as she blocked the way and Maloy sliced the first one he saw.
This one was a large brute for an elf and very well muscled and Stalkmatches was caught in the flesh of it's neck rather than the usual beheading.
Surprised by this he began to pull only before hearing the vicious neighing of the possessed horse. It barreled into Maloy to get to the zombie and knocked him off the ledge into the yawning abyss below.
Down and down he fell for what turned out to be be a few floors.
"Maloy?!" Etile yelled somewhere above him although it was almost drowned out by the voices of screeching and groaning zombies and a mad horse.
He had crashed on the floor and it would've hurt, but he landed on wood, not stone. He laid perfectly still waiting on his vision to adjust to the dark and recalled his father's words around a campfire when he was on watch duty. "A normal animal's reaction to the unknown is to flee or charge in any direction. That's what predators use to catch prey. Wait, get an idea of what's going on and then move"
As he began to see the room took shape. It was a small vault of some sort. Grown wood weapons, armor, clothing and statues were all around. The statues were disturbing monsters leering down at him and he feared they would come alive, but they remained stiller than he.
(https://i.imgur.com/Iuc8j0E.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/F014yae.png)
The sounds of fighting continued although quieter. Blood ran down the steps he climbed and at the top of the staircase blocking his way was one last zombie.
It sliced wildly at Etile and it demonstrated far more skill than the previous ones as it blocked sword strikes.
The enraged horse barreled to it as well and kicked Etile off.
She fell with a scream into the same hole he had been launched moments before. Maloy sliced the zombies leg off with stalkmatches and then with all his might stabbed his copper sword into it's brain killing it.
The horse was covered in cuts and bruises and was actively bleeding from the stomach, "serves you right you nuisance" Maloy said turning back down the stairs to check on Etile.
Her armor was in pieces. Chunks and chips of wood torn off leaving clothing visible underneath and her sword was covered in cracks. She seemed battered, but not defeated.
"I'm going to kill your horse" said Etile
"Really? I think he likes you"
She gave him an obviously ingenuine smile and then looked around
"Elven craftship. and good ones too. This gear is better than mine by a long stretch." She said as she picked up the breastplate Maloy landed on during his fall.
"A lot of decorations. Engravings and rings. I wonder if it was ceremonial or armor belonging to some champion?" she continued
"You don't know?"
"Oh yes, let me use my elf powers and tell you exactly where this totally random piece of armor came from and who owned it before, because I should know that being an elf" she responded tone dripping with sarcasm
Maloy actually laughed for once "Well, I'll be sure to file a complaint that my party's elf wasn't very good at being an elf" Etile laughed too now.
She replaced her own gear with the one below and they continued.
After leaving the cairn they decided to climb to the top and see the view.
All around them to the north was brown wasteland. Brown everywhere only broken by small gray spires of other cairns jutting from the earth and in the distance one large tower: Like a gray spear stabbing into the heart of the earth and draining its life.
(https://i.imgur.com/tWWTWy0.png)
They set about clearing each cairn. Neither knew how necromancer powers worked, but the bulk of the undead lived in the cairns and needed to be dealt with. Each cairn was easier than the first. They ran into the occasional trap, but they were built entirely from elven wood weapons and so Maloy would just catch the weapon on him if he couldn't dodge and would continue as his metal armor was unaffected.
At one cairn the horse ran away finally after killing many zombies. Where it went was anyone's guess, but wherever it was it would likely build a legend greater than either of the two of them. Finally after making a circuit around each cairn they finished the last one and were going to the tower. Etile's armor and weapons had been replaced by the stolen treasures of the necromancer and she looked like an elven warrior queen or perhaps a royal guard now.
The tower was surrounded by a furrowed field of brown. Not even dead grass was here. Like the zombies had been sent to dig the soil up like farmers or perhaps the tower destroyed the land in it's immediate area? Etile couldn't hide her exhaustion from her breathing now and sweat poured from her, but they were so close. The battle needed to be finished
From the tower an army of zombies shambled forth. Same size as the first cairn.
(https://i.imgur.com/En6T87g.png)
He looked dumbfounded, but sheathed his blades and ran after her.
Once he caught up with the elf she led them to a stream a short walk away back into the proper living forests.
"You were going to let me die back there!" Maloy yelled
"I did not! I told you to run!"
"If I didn't would you have turned back?"
"Why would I choose to die with you? We're exhausted"
"Friend's don't abandon friends!"
"If you were as beaten as me you might" she replied a little more deflated
"I wouldn't! Friend's stick together, and we're not gonna survive out here if we're not watching each other's backs"
"Fine. I'm sorry!" She shouted back and then walked to the stream to clean the multiple layers of sweat off of her.
(https://i.imgur.com/bu6gqnR.png)
We argued because she left me and I convinced her to change her values of friendship which she did not value it at all before
They returned to the tower after and quickly slew the dead since they had rested.
Now they creeped along in total silence. The zombies could sense them, but the necromancer might not be able too.
As they made their way into the tower this large open room with stair cases all around Maloy crept to a doorway in the Northeastern corner.
There a necromancer waited. human like himself. The man faced away from them and seemed lost in thought. Maloy did not wait. He struck with both swords at the man's neck, but the blades did not cut all the way and the man ran panicking. They struck at his legs, but missed and he ran from the tower the way they had come.
Chasing at full sprint they had to stop as he resurrected each of the corpses they slew. Maloy could easily sprint through, but Etile was already being bogged down by the dead and he would not abandon her and so they killed them all again. The tracks of the necromancer were confusing and so remembering his father's advice Maloy waited inside the tower,
After a long time the necromancer ran back in looking behind him believing he had likely given the adventurers the slip.
Maloy came up behind him and stabbed him in the leg with Stalkmatches and the man fell.
He pleaded for mercy as Etile beat him with her sword.
Maloy put Stalkmatches away and with his copper two-hander he stabbed again and again full force into the man's chest until finally his heart was crushed and he died.
The land was free of this curse, truly. The air lifted in the whole area and the two looked around in excitement and hugged laughing at their success.
Before leaving Maloy insisted on looking around and reading some of the documents here. The tower was poorly organized and a mess and there turned out to be a reason. The records spoke of another necromancer that this one was married too and she had left here sometime ago seemingly at odds with him.
Both documents and their own personal writings spoke of gentle souls full of compassion, and yet they had fallen to such evil? It boggled his mind.
Finally, he found what he had not been searching for:
(https://i.imgur.com/9SeM0yU.png)
For a moment all the world was seen by him and it saw him back. He was in the clouds and in the darkness of an abyss. His mind shattered and pulled itself back together. He was and is.
Etile saw none of it. She just watched him space out before waving her hands before his eyes
"you okay?"
"yeah." he said his gaze not moving at all. He closed the book and set it back on the floor.
"Let's go home" He said. She looked concerned but agreed.
As they left the tower he intentionally let her walk ahead as he looked at the dead necromancer. Once a being full of compassion and a desire to help who fell to darkness. How does this happen to someone? Callousness maybe?
Maloy's heart moved and he reached his hand out. The man lifted off the ground and rose to his feet blue fire filling his eyes.
Life was returned to him, his army was shattered as well as his hope of ruling these lands. Hopefully he would learn from this and accept his second chance with gratitude.
Maloy walked on before Etile could turn around and see what happened.
They were received back with great celebration. Maloy ceremonially placed Stalkmatches back on it's pedestal and bowed to Lord Almo. Etile allowed him to tell the tale since he was "So good at talking and a natural flatterer"
He spoke of the journey from the gaining of the sword to the armies of the dead to the death of the necromancer to all. The land was much safer now and the prosperity of all their people that much closer to being assurred.
He did not mention raising the man back to life or the second chance he offered him.
They celebrated more, shared the story many more times and drank plenty as they had finally been accepted as champions of the Colorless Hills.
So, what's next for these two soldiers? Likely guard duty, but we hope that this is not the end of their tale together.
I'd be willing to take it up starting next week if someone wants to do this week?
Dark Awakening
Maloy had enjoyed years of peace in his homeland since his last adventure. Although there was always something going on he rarely had to do more than guard duty, patrols or escorts to other towns.
His hair had started to grey, but he couldn't fight the feeling of wrongness ever since he read that book The Interpretation of Annihilation
Since that day he had not felt tired a day of his life and, in an act of mercy, brought the slain necromancer back to life. From what he heard he had lived an honest life and even found a wife since then.
Still, now he was requested again by lord Almo. Stalkmatches, which had been used in glorious heroics across the land was lost. It was no in the hand of a dangerous monster, little of the details about it were known, only that it served a conclave of necromancers and was surrounded by an army of darkness.
Maloy was the only credible person in Hailenjoyed to seek it other than Lord Almo who had to rule this great city. He was told his odds of survival were low.
Etile would not accompany him. This left him both incredibly sad and relieved. They had a deep friendship bordering on romance over the years and he was glad of her safety.
Instead a young elf spearman named Penopu would join him. They set off south and spoke very little.
Maloy had no need to rest at night, but he also could not see well in the dark and needed to keep up his cover of total humanity.
They were waylaid
(https://i.imgur.com/oRIDHZ4.png)
They were attacked again in two separate incidents by similar monsters. They had clearly passed through the territory of another necromancer, but they were nowhere near the tower they sought after for it lied across the continent.
All they could do is sneak around and try to avoid attention.
For a time they wandered a jungle of giant trees higher than the eyes could see and realized they were lost, and suddenly cornered.
A Giant Brown Bear: The size of a large building and easily able to scale the walls of Hailenjoyed if it meant to and it had them against a wall of a mountain.
As Maloy prepared to run Penopu charged straight after it. He was very quickly overwhelmed and Maloy had to practically throw himself at the bear to try and buy his elf companion time. Only too late:
(https://i.imgur.com/Me9gPr6.png)
They continued at a crawling pace circling back around to find a way out of this jungle. In the evening they were awakened by shuffling in the woods near them. Maloy snuck around and saw that the bear was near again. It chased them across the land and was sniffing the air...searching.
They snuck away and walked some distance to rest again. The bear appeared again still carrying Penopu's leg in it's mouth.
They snuck away once more and slept through the night finally, and neared the river they would have to cross to get out of this terrible jungle. How they would with a legless elf? Neither knew and didn't need to as before they could reach it the bear finally caught them in it's sights
It still had Pen's leg in it's mouth, but as it laid eyes upon the elf dropped the leg for its true prize, as if it's one purpose in life was to destroy this elf and seized him.
He was torn to shreds. Another arm torn off. Giant gashes torn into his chest and legs and finally his head bitten and torn off. The bear turned to Maloy. This bear would come to be known as Lawalidava
All he could do was swing at its legs and dodge ahead using his limitless energy to his advantage. The bear was unbothered and continued to chase. Finally it charged and slammed Maloy into a tree and he fell to the ground. He slashed again at it's legs and rolled away and then a second time. Finally, it fell to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/TsU3Fq4.png)
He stabbed it in the head and barely did any damage, but did so again and again blinded by his anger at his dead comrade. Again and again doing hardly any damage to the thick ginormous skull. After what must have been 50 strikes finally he broke through and stabbed it's brain felling it.
Maloy fell to the ground in his spent rage and overflowing sorrow and looked at his dead friend. Dead on his watch. What a pitiable excuse for a warrior. That could have been Etile if she had been the one sent. The fact that he was relieved it wasn't her disgusted him.
In sorrow, spite and disgust he threw his hands out towards Pen and the elf's corpse shuddered. Too late Maloy realized what a terrifying mistake this was. Pen had his life restored with all intelligence, but lacking an arm, leg and head he was crawling blindly around. The pathetic scene left Maloy even more disgusted with what he had just cursed his friend to.
How was he going to take on a terrible monster that could slay great heroes alone? Poetic justice struck him. He turned and raised the bear back to life as a mindless zombie. His great assailant and burden would serve and hopefully die again in service to him.
The party of 2 and a half set off to cross the jungle and continue to Stalkmatches
OOC: For real though after this happened I was like "how in the world am I gonna get Stalkmatches when I barely survived this bear...but I did and that will be the next post
The Story of Dari of the Great Moon
27th Malachite 266
I am Dari of the Great Moon. I am a jaguar man, a proud and fierce warrior. I am an endentured servant of the Ring-Confederation of Passes, a small human nation, and I am a hearthperson to the The Cinnamon Councils and Baron Tikbo of Wetbunny.
My secret is that I am in a constant state of internal rage. I hunger for battle and chaos. My dreams are riven with images of a mystical blade, it whispers to me, promising me glory and death. I beg the Baron to send me on a mission to prove myself. He finally relents. His father is the ancient and venerable Ilum Pepperdent the law-giver, and he tells me of a fearsome beast of nature on the outskirts of our lands - a titan!
(https://i.imgur.com/5yBxCiW.png)
I will need to train and gain some skills and armour before taking on such a foe. I decide to scout the nearby tombs of the forefathers of the Ring-Confederation of Passes, it is not long before I spot a lone goblin bandit loitering on the plains between Wetbunny and the crypts. The red mist descends.
(https://i.imgur.com/cTop82D.png)
I spend the remainder of the day roaming the forest around the tomb searching for more bandits - the human bandit Stesto Weakenbelts is next to face my fury.
(https://i.imgur.com/WTZ2QaQ.png)
I enter the tomb silently as dusk falls - this is the last resting place of Kastlet Jestedshocked, a revered former law-giver. I loot some well crafted iron gauntlets when I hear movement in a room to the south. A mummy!
This appears to be Kastlet himself, his rotten and grotesque form lumbers towards me, slicing knife raised. I slash off his hand which he immediatley raises into unlife, before it is unceremoniously destroyed by a trap!
(https://i.imgur.com/hYEbJxc.png)
This is a dangerous place indeed. The undead commander looks almost puzzledly at the stump of his hand before I lop off his putrid head. I find some masterful iron armour amongst the grave goods, and my excursion to the next tomb is no less fruitful. I feast on the flesh of the zombie guardians after slaying the mummy here. The Great Moon will be pleased.
(https://i.imgur.com/2AhldY1.png)
The final tomb is home to a mummy who raises Entombed Ones - some kind of mummy cursed wights? The mummy is fast with his knife, slashing me in the left eye! Grimacing, I renew my attacks. They die all the same, and I loot a masterwork bronze spear and some gems.
28th Malachite 266
I arrive at the fort of Taxvices. The goblin leader tells me of the sinister Dune of Dawning and the evil tower Trammelfeet. I decide to check it out. Now blinded in my left eye, I will need all the power I can get to slay a Titan.
(https://i.imgur.com/EEVam2U.png)
1st Galena 266
Trammelfeet is a small tower set in a barren land of dead trees and sand. At the entrance I spot a woodworker necromancer. I sneak inside, taking out a couple of zombies and stashing their corpses outside.
(https://i.imgur.com/gsNu93e.png)
The final necromancer is a captain, and he runs away squealing after my sword shatters neck. I am sure he will be back.
In one of the smaller ziggurats I am faced with an unsettling sight - a zombie jaguar man! Perhaps he is of the same tribe as me? I will end this brother's suffering. At least the sword strike which takes his head is clean.
(https://i.imgur.com/n3f1Ixi.gif)
I search the tower complex and find meagre treasure. Sadly, there are no books of knowledge here. I will travel north, towards Coloredcircles.
2nd Galena 266
I arrive in Lakesmiles, and find a snivelling naked goblin overlord in the mead hall. I slay him and retake the town for the Ring-Confederation. There are a handful of bandits milling around in the town square and I challenge their leader, Lurit. I kill him and the other two run in fear. I track them southwest for a while. It seems they are returning to their bandit camp. I arrive at the camp in time to see an elderly bandit die of old age. I recognise one of the bandits from Lakesmiles... Diso Syrupsquid. I ambush him from behind and kill him silently.
(https://i.imgur.com/iQ5X50J.png)
3rd Galena 266
Having travelled north from Lakesmiles, I arrive in the town of Clearentries to some commotion. A strange beast is barking orders and a peasant lies dead in a pool of blood.
(https://i.imgur.com/oQnBgA4.png)
I find the source of the commotion in the mead hall. Several humans lie dead, and there are several winged creatures with blood on their weapons. Soldiers of Frostyshowered?
The law-giver is here! I speak with Lord Ilum Pepperdent. He seems nervous. It is clear these necromancer experiments are not welcome here. One of the nobles spits at their apparent leader, Peklod. The tension is palpable.
I draw my sword and all hell breaks loose. The Frostyshowered's attack the humans rapidly and in co-ordination. It is a coup!
When the dust settles, I have slain four of these mandibled abominations, and the law-giver is safe.
I rest overnight, dreaming fitfully of a sword of purest form, how it taunts me. I return to the mead hall in the morning, after burning the corpses of the foul beasts. The law giver expresses his gratitude.
I place the bronze two handed sword of the instigator on a pedestal as a reminder of the insurrection, and bid them good day.
(https://i.imgur.com/TAJLWpG.png)
I head east and spot a raiding party of goblins in Creatureballs - I try to separate them into smaller groups before taking them down.
(https://i.imgur.com/bIU3W3i.png)
I then turn my thoughts to the West and the remaining cities of our civilisation.
5th Galena 266
I stop at the fort of Glowmatched and find a group of soldiers there, garrisoned by humans and also black bear men. A stout macebear agrees to join me, Corust Selldips. We head west to adventure and glory. As we travel west we meet a human lasher travelling east, Asla Fancymist. She tells us she is to be the new Head Chef in Clearentries. I hope she fares better than the last, slaughtered by insurrectionists. We bid her good day.
(https://i.imgur.com/n2iJu62.png)
6th Galena 266
We arrive at dawn in the coastal city of Colouredcircles, famous for its garish green garnierite design. We are alarmed to see human corpses and at least one dead kobold strewn around the central keep. What has happened here? The keep is strewn with bones and limbs, the priests of this place seemingly oblivious to the carnage. I find a glorius pair of underpants - Puzzlingvaults the Impervious Fogs is a loincloth fit for kings! It now adorns my backside.
There is a lone soldier here who tells me the place was sacked and taken by a cunnning goblin - Lord Sasir Goldpumpkin the Truthful Shred of Prisons. Perhaps they still reside here? Perhaps they know of the mystical blade that haunts my dreams?
(https://i.imgur.com/3RQvqgV.png)
On the outskirts of town is a suspicously naked human living in a hovel hewn in the dirt. It must be a werebeast. Corust bashes it with her mace until it moves no more.
7th Galena 266
Bandit camp! Several shifty humans loiter on the edge of Rushjade. We set upon them. The black bear woman and I make a good team. I disable the bandits with precise strikes to their limbs, and she finishes them off with her enormous blood-caked mace. She is truly Corust Selldips the Animal of Wind!
A short distance westward we stumble upon a wooden building in the middle of the forest. Several human soldiers mill around outside and within the building is a human priest and a goblin archer. The priest is Rislu Endweather, Sacred Blossom and companion of the goblin Lord Sasir. None of the warriors present can tell me where to find this infamous lord. I suspect he cannot be far away.
(https://i.imgur.com/8gATKSc.png)
The largest city nearby is Fellroad, and that is where we head next.
In Fellroad's ostentatious gold keep there are all manner of oddities. We meet the goblin lady, a human bandit chief, a priest and a human representative, who appears also to be a bandit. The bandits claim the goblin lady is in charge. Oh, and there is a crab man corpse on the floor. And then I see it - the blade from my dreams. Stalkmatches. Resting silently atop a pedestal as if bathed in a cool light. It feels like it belongs in my hand.
(https://i.imgur.com/v3sHXAO.png)
As far as I can tell, there are bandits here from the Heroic Fellowship, not aligned with the goblin lady. I sense tensions are high. The lieutenant and chief eye me cautiously. Quickly I slay the human bandits and confront the lady. I declare that the Ring-Confederacies now hold this town. She disagrees vehemently. Corust smashes her skull into ruin to make the point.
We have the keep, and we have the blade. I must now forge my destiny. I yearn for power. Consulting the maps in the keep I see there are few more necromancer towers within a few days travel. We set out at dawn.
(https://i.imgur.com/59qIlB2.png)
8th Galena 266
Almost by accident we discover a shrine... to a massive bronze colossus! Corust throws caution to the wind and charges the enormous construct. Her feeble mace strikes glance from the monstrous bronze armour of the infernal golem. Sneaking from behind I slash with all my might, merely denting the colossus' bronze neck. This could be a tough fight!
Slowly the hits pile up. The unnaturally sharp steel sword fractures the bronze skull and neck as it flails ineffectually. Corust continues to pummel it with her bronze mace to no avail. Finally the blade strikes true, cleaving the massive metal torso in half, to reveal a masterful statue of some kind of demonic beast - a folly of Vadanelacifa. We haul our prize back to Fellroad and rest a while.
(https://i.imgur.com/0yfPZ15.png)
15th Galena 266
We find ourselves in the tower of Overconjured. It is writhing with undead but, again no secrets. Sadly, a lucky zombie manages to get a unwieldy strike on Corust with a crumbling boning knife, somehow felling the great bear woman. I avenge her by slaying the zombie who took her life, along with all the others. I stash her corpse and belongings in the tower, vowing to restore her to unlife if I ever find a worthy secret.
(https://i.imgur.com/6o9qGbF.png)
Shelllighting is a large city and home to the government of The Contingent Confederation. In the mead hall we find a great many dignitaries and priests, including the law-giver. In a dingy corner a dishevelled woman asks for help. She is a slave, claiming to be a prophet, Epxa Glistenedloved. I agree to take this harmless looking slave back to her brother in a village to the northwest, and we set out on our journey.
(https://i.imgur.com/Zp5jRNO.png)
Not far from the city limits we are ambushed by... wildlife? A huge crowd of alpacas and kestrels appear from nowhere and all hell breaks loose. Beasts fall from the sky and slam into the hard ground, blowing apart. It is raining corpses. What utter madness is this?
The prophet merely shrugs, as if this was a daily occurance. Oh well, I am not one to turn down free meat. Looks like it will be alpaca steaks for the forseeable future.
(https://i.imgur.com/kgMn2jF.png)
A short while further north we arrive at the scene of a battle, a "night's fist" stalks the corpses. Epxa gestures and suddenly we are surrounded by wights and zombies. We fight off the undead and make camp for the night. Epxa has slain over a score of zombies with her silver knife.
(https://i.imgur.com/tSHxTbV.png)
19th Galena 266
We arrive in Glittercontain, where Epxa's brother is a priest. I leave them to reconnect, and continue on my journey. I need power if I am to slay the ferocious Hill Titan!
(https://i.imgur.com/bhAsP3X.png)
In the town of Simpletwinkling I am accosted by goblins in the streets and find their chieftess in the mead hall, along with some suspicous human "snatchers." The chieftess attacks me immediately and I am forced to kill her, and her retinue.
In Burnedwoman there are a number of goblins of The Poisoned Confusion, who admit to being at war with the local human civilisation, The Square Union. Goblin bandits, presumably of the same company from Simpletwinkling! There is an elven ringleader here too, who claims to be a mere performer. When I mention that I slew the chieftess, Ber Circlesteals, the goblin's new chief is incensed and attacks. Oddly his comrades watch on as we brawl. They all fall in the end.
(https://i.imgur.com/o71iTth.png)
27th Galena 266
I find myself in Soulmeads, at night fall. The sole resident is a monk who allows me to rest for the night. On waking I find something wondrous. Steel armour sized for a human - and would fit me at a pinch - and a slab! A lady has also appeared, wearing strange jewellry. I take the steel armour and the slab and learn from it the secrets of life and death. I need... more.
(https://i.imgur.com/ddbkYl9.png)
In the castle of Blotflashes I encounter an enormous steel-clad elk man. His blackened antlers are burned and his body horribly scarred and blistered, and he wields a shield of impossible metal. He eyes Stalkmatches with jealous intent and I quickly leave before any blood is spilled. I must gain more power. Surely there are more secrets to learn? The blade whispers to me, tells me of a cave, a dragon, a secret.
I travel southwest, I find the cave. It is overrun by goblins. I ignore them. I travel deeper underground, throgh scorched halls and muddy paths and I find it... Moldghosts the schist slab. I now have power over Dark Slayers.
2nd Limestone 266
In the foothills to the north of The Square Union is a cave, according to the locals. A great beast lives there, or so I am told. A hydra! I am ambushed by this gigantic many-headed serpent! The beast has seven heads with wickedly sharp teeth and they all attack at once. I managed to slash it across the chest, gouting a hot spray of blood in a wide arc.
(https://i.imgur.com/epK2tSU.png)
My second strike is lucky - Stalkmatches strikes true and find the hydra's great heart, but at a cost. I have left myself open, and the beast rends my shield arm with its massive claw. The shield clatters to the ground and my hand spasms in pain. I taste fear in my mouth and leap away in a panic. The hydra's foul heart is gouting rivers of blood and surely the beast will soon fall.
I rest and bathe in a river. My hand has almost fully healed, only some mild sensory damage. That is a relief. I leave this place and head northeast; towards elven territory.
3rd Limestone 266
I encounter an undead elf cursed butcher in the early morning. I put it down. A short distance away is a strange elf, clad in ornate armour. She is a Dusk Master, a sword lord merecenary captain, wielding a copper sword and masterwork bronze shield.
She comes from Hailenjoyed, a coastal city to the east. I promise to travel to her city, but first I must explore the towers west of here.
(https://i.imgur.com/c3QKvHL.png)
4th Limestone 266
Dunelarge is home to many elf zombies, and it looks to have been cleared out already by some other adventurer or looter. There are no books, no knowledge, only a badly injured necromancer. I put him out of his misery. The towers are crowded together here, but I find few books and no slabs. I visit Lacetouch, Knightplaited, Thriftycleaned and Praisecried. Knowledge evades me. Finally, in Plottaper I find "After Extinction" by Ana Whisperedjudged and learn the mastery of Fetid Stalkers.
8th Limestone 266
The elven forest give way to human lands once more, and many hobold warbands lurk in the forts and castles here. Lustergarlics is eerily quiet, only scampering kobolds remain here. I visit the shrine of The Nail of Scratches and encounter another bronze colossus. It is no match for Stalkmatches.
(https://i.imgur.com/bH5Ozwn.png)
In the town of Baryarns I learn from the people there the true spread of kobold culture. They have many camps, and have taken over many castles. They have a cave to the north, where there is rumoured to be great treasure.
I find Creaturecaverns, and within it I discover the kobolds loot. Many gems, crowns, bracelets. One particular item catches my eye. I read the slab and I have mastery of Sunless Slayers!
(https://i.imgur.com/gMKZWEm.png)
9th Limestone 266
In the tower of Dressmatches, faded ghouls stalk silently through the halls. I hear a commotion from the spire of the tower. On entering I find fresh corpses, rent apart in violence. Atop a table is a further slab - I read Jackalmenaces the Wraith of Burials and gain control of Faded Ghouls.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZyxPwQh.png)
10th Limestone 266
Some bandits are found skulking in a camp in the northern deserts and they are slaughtered. The tower of Cottagescribed lies to the far north of this peninsula, and within it I find Fatepulps the serpentine slab. From it I learn how to master Empty Corpses. I have travelled far and now I must return home, to slay the hill titan, and to keep my promise to Corust the Black Bear woman, by the Great Moon.
27th Limestone 266
I return to my home of Lakesmile, and place some of my treasure there. I head out towards the titan shrine with renewed vigour. I spot a lone bandit, a human. She quickly attacks me and is killed with ease. Trying my new powers, I raise her as a Sunless Slayer. This is a terrible idea. She immediately vanishes from sight and begins raining blows upon me. Pulling a dagger from my boot I throw it in her direction. Luckily, the dagger finds its mark.
(https://i.imgur.com/upYCT6i.png)
28th Limestone 266
Finally, I arrive at The Shrine. Alisa Mintlilac the Drink of Snarling is a hill titan - a towering hairy flat worm, thing wings of stretched skin lift it in the air and it gouts jets of flame from its slavering jaws. A truly terrible beast. The fireballs rain down upon me, shattering on my shield, Serpentbane. Stalkmatches rends the horrible wormlike body, tearing its foul guts, ichor spraying freely. I tear both its wings, grounding the increasingly desperate titan. Finally, I jam my shield through its brain.
(https://i.imgur.com/yXU8qRT.png)
The greatest treasure of the beast is a steel helm sized for humans, decorated with platinum cabachons. I take it and haul the beasts corpse back to the Baron of Wetbunny. He seems to have forgotten the quest he gave me, and answers dismissively. He even refused when I ask to become a hearthperson once more... perhaps as he now considers me to be the Lord of Lakesmile?
In any regard, I decide to rest in Wetbunny for a while, leaving the sword and shield in the keep.
(https://i.imgur.com/feNhs02.png)
So, I don't know if anyone has taken over the save since my turn, but the sword should be in Wetbunny.
In other news, the fort I created in my previous turn has been sacked by goblins and all the dwarves slain. There are now over 4000 goblins in Dragonclaw the Black Spire - cleansing this place and restoring it to the dwarves would be a worthy quest for any wielder of Stalkmatches!