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Difference between revisions of "ASCII art reward/G-L"
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Gunslinger (talk | contribs) (→(5 January 2017): December story reward) |
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[[Category:Humor and stories]] | [[Category:Humor and stories]] | ||
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==[[User:Geoffrey|Geoffrey]]== | ==[[User:Geoffrey|Geoffrey]]== | ||
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Soon Suffar would be the last wizard left in the world. Once he had the power, the dwarves would bend to his will and create for him the ultimate artifact. He wanted to create life, not another monster, but a companion worthy enough to be his partner. Only then would he be at peace. | Soon Suffar would be the last wizard left in the world. Once he had the power, the dwarves would bend to his will and create for him the ultimate artifact. He wanted to create life, not another monster, but a companion worthy enough to be his partner. Only then would he be at peace. | ||
| − | + | ===(27th March 2018)=== | |
| − | ===( | + | <pre>kN|kN|#### +++N++M+</pre> |
| − | <pre> | ||
| − | + | “Yes,” said Destra, “I promise you revenge.” | |
| − | |||
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| − | + | “I will eat him,” said the minotaur. “Then I will eat you.” | |
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| − | + | “It's a deal!” said Destra. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | The monster guided the witch out of the cave. With all its strength, the minotaur pushed the boulders aside and he and the witch stepped out into the night air. The witch cast a spell and traced the wizard's path through the ether. They followed the magical trail north. | |
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| − | + | Over stream and under the trees the pair closed in on the wizard's tower. Meanwhile Suffar order his kobold to hunt for dwarven treasure once more. He was on the brink of a breakthrough. All he needed was one more artifact, one more vision into the true nature of magic. | |
| − | It was | + | It had been several days, and the kobold had yet to return. Suffar was becoming concerned. Then there was a knock at the door. The wizard made his way down the long spiral staircase. “I'm coming. I'm coming! Settle down!” grumbled the wizard as he reached to door at last. Opening it, he saw a tall, cloaked figure. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “I have come for you,” said the stranger. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(3rd January 2020)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>kN|++N+M+U+N+k</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Oh Lady of Darkness,” whimpered Suffar. “I meant to summon you earlier, but it was my kobold's birthday and I...” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | was | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Enough excuses!” said the demon mistress. “I knew you were collecting magic powers to bind me, but you are too late. I have arrived.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “But how?” asked Suffar. | |
| − | + | The kobold appeared from behind the demon's robes. That rascal had intoned the rites of summoning without him. Now all was lost. | |
| − | + | The wizard groveled before Mistress of All Evil. Maybe there was still a way out of this nightmare, something in the contract he had signed to make the legal mumbo-jumbo null and void. | |
| − | + | He had to think. Then to answer came to him. | |
| − | |||
| − | It was | + | It was the nature of demons to play the long game. Their machinations took decades to resolve. Suffar didn't have that kind of time. |
| − | + | He knew that sooner than latter the demon would find him of no use and send him spiraling down into the Netherworld. His only chance was to find Destra, if she still lived. | |
| − | + | So when the demon locked the door to the library behind her, Suffar slipped out of castle. | |
| − | + | The ruined dwarf fortress was only around the next bend in the road. Suffar began going over the language that he would use to convince Destra that feeding her to the minotaur was just a big mistake. | |
| − | + | When he arrived at the entrance to the labyrinth he found the the stone had been rolled away. Now he was in serious trouble. Someone behind him cleared their throat. | |
| − | + | “You have a lot of nerve coming back here.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | It was Destra alright, and with her was the hulking minotaur looking hungry as ever. His jaw jabbering, Suffar tried to quickly describe the trouble he was in. Nay, the trouble they were all in. | |
| − | + | “Your kobold summoned the Princess of Darkness?” asked Destra. | |
| − | The | + | The pair of magic users and the reluctant minotaur returned to the castle. The cow man was none to happy to arrive back at the place where he had been created. |
| − | + | The minotaur wiped the tears from his eyes and promised himself he was have his revenge. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Bacabadabis,” said the demon, as she stirred the thick goo inside the magic cauldron, “I think this is the start of a magical friendship.” | |
| − | + | Yapping with alarm, the kobold pointed over the demon's shoulder. Before she could react, the monster lifted her up by the neck and tossed her into the black metal bowl. | |
| − | + | Suffar was relieved that he was now free, until he looked up to see the cow monster standing over him. | |
| − | + | “Your bones will make a good stew,” said the minotaur as he mixed the substance that was Suffar and the demon with a giant ladle. | |
| − | + | Watching with horror, the kobold bolted toward the door. Destra pointed her finger and a bolt of lightning struck the tiny monster. After the dust cleared there was nothing left behind but a long, pink-tailed rat. | |
| + | “Are you going to eat that?” asked the minotaur. | ||
| − | + | THE END | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ==[[User:Gunslinger|Gunslinger]]== | |
| + | ===(7 January 2011)=== | ||
| + | <pre>aa,.a,.W,.%,%%,.T</pre> | ||
| − | + | The wizard walked barefoot along the sandy lake bottom, schools of | |
| − | + | axolotls swimming around his toes. Through the murky water, the | |
| − | + | wizard could see the remains of a wrecked ship. The salamanders | |
| + | guided him through a hole in the wooden hull. In the darkness the | ||
| + | wizard noticed the faintest light. It was coming from a chest half | ||
| + | buried in the sand. | ||
| − | + | Before the wizard could open the treasure chest a shock wave shot | |
| + | through the water, knocking the wizard flat on his back. The ship | ||
| + | tore in half revealing a huge monster covered in waving aquatic | ||
| + | plants. It was the titan of the lake. The axolotls scattered in all | ||
| + | directions. The wizard scuttled backward. He could not speak, making | ||
| + | his charms useless. It was to be a battle of flesh and steel. | ||
| − | + | ===(24 December 2014)=== | |
| + | <pre>|oW++|#######N#N#N#NN#NN#NN</pre> | ||
| − | + | Many of you remember the tale of the lake. Your dwarf mothers and | |
| + | fathers warned you not to go near, lest the giant axolotl eat you. | ||
| + | Now that the wizard had tempted fate by entering the lake titan's | ||
| + | domain, all were in danger. The wizard was clever, transforming | ||
| + | himself into a fish and gobbling up the magic pearl, then swimming | ||
| + | away before the giant salamander could find him. When he emerged from | ||
| + | the waters, he changed his shape into that of a pelican and flew away. | ||
| + | The titan was furious and took out its frustrations on people who | ||
| + | lived near the shore. | ||
| − | + | “Forgive us, mighty Hetain,” screamed the villagers. | |
| − | + | It was too late and they knew it. The poor people hardly protested as | |
| + | Hetain transformed them into horrible, bloodthirsty monsters and sent | ||
| + | then on their way to find the thieving wizard. They stretched their | ||
| + | new wings and launched into the night's sky. There wasn't much time | ||
| + | before dawn, and the newly reborn night creatures could not travel | ||
| + | during daylight. | ||
| − | + | “Father,” asked one of the night creatures, “do you think that mighty | |
| − | + | Hetain will allow us to die after we return the pearl?” | |
| − | + | “Our lives,” said the older night creature, “have always been those of | |
| + | service and toil. Before Hetain, we served the dwarven king. All we | ||
| + | can do is serve our betters faithfully. Then, perhaps, we shall | ||
| + | receive our just reward.” | ||
| − | + | Arriving at his tower, the wizard threw off his bird shape and reached | |
| + | into his mouth, withdrawing the magic pearl. The old man had spent | ||
| + | most of his life searching for enchanted artifacts such as this. It | ||
| + | was a goal of his since youth to be the greatest wizard the world had | ||
| + | ever known. For this end, he had to take chances. Stealing the pearl | ||
| + | was no small thing. In belonged to one of the Four Titans who had | ||
| + | existed since the world was young. He knew the pearl was cursed, but | ||
| + | it had to be his all the same. | ||
| − | + | ===(7 May 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>|++%++|####h####</pre> | ||
| − | + | “Die in the name of Hetain!” howled the ape-like creature as it leaped through the window of the wizard's tower. | |
| − | + | Speaking a charm just in time to confuse his attacker, the wizard ran to his sword which he kept leaning against the wall of his laboratory. With a slice and a thrust, the monsters was undone, laying in pieces on the floor. This was certainly a first, attacked by a night creature while relaxing at home. The titan, Hetain, meant business. | |
| − | + | Dressing himself in his magic robe, the wizard stepped out of the tower window. He let himself fall for a few seconds, letting the refreshing breeze blow through his long gray hair. Then he transformed into a red tailed hawk. His idea was to travel to the capital of Assura and hire a hero or two to slay the titan. Just getting to the city would prove a task difficult enough to call on his considerable skills. | |
| − | ===( | + | ===(13 June 2015)=== |
| − | <pre>,. | + | <pre>""",.Gm,."",</pre> |
| − | It was | + | It was impossible, even for a hawk, to reach the capital before nightfall. It was suicide to stay in the air after sundown. The titan, Hetain, controlled an armada of flying night creatures. Instead, the wizard dove into the trees and landed in the jungle. There he took the shape of a mighty gorilla. The night creatures would be foolish to mess with him now. |
| − | + | “Hey, gorilla,” said a voice in the evening wind. “I know what you are carrying.” | |
| − | + | “Show yourself,” growled the wizard. | |
| − | + | A tiny rodent scurried out of the brush and onto a patch of moss next to one of the wizard's impressive forearms. Closer inspection revealed that it was actually a mouse man, servant of one of the other three titans. The wizard told the mouse man to speak his piece quickly, for any minute they would be mobbed by vengeful night creatures. | |
| − | + | “I serve almighty Domon and his chariot in the sky,” said the mouse man. “Lend me the pearl and I will ensure your victory.” | |
| − | ===( | + | ===(22 July 2015)=== |
| − | <pre>, | + | <pre>""."",.G->g.,.,~~~~~</pre> |
| − | + | So, Domon sought the pearl as well. The wizard should not have been surprised that the word of his conquest had spread so quickly. Now the wizard must be doubly careful. While Hetain controlled the night, Domon ruled everything under the sun and the eternal vault of sky. | |
| − | + | The giant gorilla shifted his weight unto his knuckles and howled at the mouse man. It was clear that the wizard had made his decision. He would trust no titan. The mouse man ran for his life. This move would not go unanswered, for Domon was a vengeful titan. | |
| − | + | The wizard couldn't stay in the jungle forever, hiding from the angry rays of the sun. He moved to the edge of the final treeline and looked out over the rolling plains of Slusia. Assura was there, just beyond the horizon. Stopping to think for a moment, the giant gorilla scratched its forehead. At last the wizard decided on a shape, transforming himself into a speedy gazelle. | |
| − | + | ===(20 August 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>ccc.,\W,|@</pre> | ||
| − | The | + | Not one. Not two. But, three cheetahs took off running after the wizard as he bounded across the plain. The titan, Domon, meant business. As Hetain controlled the night, Domon ruled the day. None of it would matter if he reached the dwarf fortress of Assura. Jumping just in time to avoid a pouncing wild cat, the wizard narrowly avoided death. He ducked and rolled and transformed once again into human shape, wielding a longsword. The cheetahs stopped where they were as the wizard had reached the gates of Assura. |
| − | + | “Open the gates, I say,” boomed the wizard. | |
| − | + | “Who gives a command to free dwarves?” answered the guards-dwarf. | |
| − | |||
| − | “It is | + | “It is I,” said the wizard, “Suffar the Mighty.” |
| − | + | Even the dwarves of Assura had heard tales of the great Suffar. Not all good, it must be said. Suffar was a rogue and a trickster. The dwarves watched as the cheetahs circled the wizard, waiting for the moment to strike. Maybe they wouldn't have to open the gates after all. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(23 September 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>Wo+++@|</pre> | ||
| − | + | Holding up the magic pearl, Suffar demanded to be let in a third time. The greed of the dwarves was not easy to measure. It seemed they would do anything to acquire the smallest treasure. Suffar stepped through the gates with a final sneer at his pursuers. As the gates shut, the cheetahs disappeared in puffs of smoke. | |
| − | + | “Is that Hetain's magic pearl?” demanded the noble dwarf. | |
| − | + | “One and the same,” said Suffar, dropping the pearl back into his pocket. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “The titans would offer a king's ransom for that treasure,” said the dwarf. | |
| − | + | “And I will offer twice that amount to the hero that slays Hetain,” countered Suffar. | |
| − | + | It was much to consider, coming between titans and wizards. It meant almost certain death to the dwarves involved. This mattered little to the hero class, a group of dwarves raised since birth to laugh at danger. It was at the Temple of Bravery that Suffar met Kogan, the mightiest of the dwarves. | |
| − | + | “Will you kill Hetain for me?” asked Suffar. | |
| − | + | “I have been waiting for a challenge worthy of my blade,” said Kogan. | |
| − | ===( | + | ===(24 October 2015)=== |
| − | <pre>W | + | <pre>###NB######|W+@|##</pre> |
| − | + | The two never actually agreed on a price. Kogan instead offered to go with Suffar if he led him to glory and death. The wizard agreed, knowing it was not a quest for a hero who still possessed reason. There would be no coming back from the titan's lake. All Suffar could do was help his new friend along his final journey. | |
| − | + | “Is it far?” asked Kogan. “These legs weren't made for walking.” | |
| − | + | “Fear not, little one,” said Suffar, “I will summon the appropriate steeds.” | |
| − | + | Standing on the tallest tower of the castle, Suffar spoke to the wind, whilst Kogan watched with interest. After a time, the wizard pointed to the horizon. To specks appeared which grew steadily larger. They were a pair of giant birds. One was an enormous female nuthatch, while the other was a bushtit, the size of a bull. The dwarf stood back, wielding his axe. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Fear not,” said Suffar. “These creatures will take us to the hated lake of Hetain.” | |
| − | + | “Fear is not in my vocabulary,” said Kogan. “I will do anything to speed the march of doom and final destiny.” | |
| − | + | ===(30 November 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>,.@*W,. ?D?</pre> | ||
| − | + | It was more than a day's journey back to the titan's lake and the giant birds would be no good against the creatures Hetain had prepared for them. Kogan watched the terrain unfolding beneath him with wonder. The world seemed so much smaller than it had been. The birds flew quickly, knowing that at any moment, Domon might spy them from his chariot in the sky. | |
| − | + | “Dive for those trees, Kogan,” said Suffar. “I fear that Domon has found us.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | The dwarf kicked the sides of his giant bushtit and the bird dove for the forest canopy. Kogan looked behind him to see a bright green dragon pursuing him. Suffar was nowhere to be found. Jumping off his steed before the jet of flames hit him, Kogan grabbed at tree branches as he fell through the air. | |
| − | + | “Wake up, brave dwarf,” said the wizard. | |
| − | + | Opening his eyes, Kogan found that he had indeed survived. Suffar had built a fire in a small clearing beneath the stars. Here they waited for Hetain's creatures to attack. | |
| − | ===( | + | ===(18 December 2015)=== |
| − | <pre> | + | <pre>,A.,\@*W</pre> |
| − | + | The first night creature to attack was an ape-like creature with a single eye in the center of its forehead. Kogan was ready, battleaxe in hand. The creature huffed and puffed. Its issue was not with the dwarf, but with the scheming wizard, but Kogan would not allow the creature to advance. Finally, the creature sat back on its haunches and held its arms in a pose of tranquility. | |
| − | + | “Shall you let us pass?” asked Suffar. | |
| − | + | “You have my master's property,” said the ape. “You must die for your crimes.” | |
| − | + | “What if we returned the treasure in person?” asked the wizard. “I'm sure my friend here would love to meet the great and mighty Hetain.” | |
| − | + | The ape struck like a snake, but Kogan was faster. The night creature hit the ground, bleeding from a savage and mortal wound. The adventurers watched with wonder as the creature's body transformed into the body of a dead dwarf. | |
| − | + | “What have I done?” asked Kogan. | |
| − | + | ===(22 January 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>W@.T"T"~~~~~~~~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | “It is because of Hetain that this poor dwarf suffered,” said Suffar. “You have only done him a mercy.” | |
| − | + | “You said nothing of killing my own kind,” protested Kogan. | |
| − | + | “It will get worse before the end,” said the wizard. “You must be strong. Don't let Hetain's evil confuse your heart and mind.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | That night they buried the dead dwarf and Kogan prayed for his soul. Strangely, no more creatures attacked. It was as if Hetain knew he now had the upper hand and would toy with the adventurers. Suffar wondered if he had made a mistake enlisting the help of a dwarven hero. Maybe a true mercenary was called for. | |
| − | + | “Hetain will pay for what he has done,” said Kogan. “You can rest assured of that.” | |
| − | + | The lake was just on the other side of a screen of trees. Kogan had the look of grim determination but Suffar wasn't entirely sure he trusted him. Taking on the titan was an act for the insane brave. While Kogan was clearly not stable, Suffar still didn't know which way his blade would cut. | |
| − | + | ===(28 February 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>W..@.,.,NNNNN~~~~A~~~~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | “Who are they?” asked Kogan. | |
| − | + | “They are the dwarves of the once powerful fortress of Etwersbrot,” said Suffar. “They worship Hetain now.” | |
| − | + | A horde of misshapen monsters ringed the lake, holding hands. Some them had three arms. Some had two heads. They were all monstrous and terrifying. Kogan knew that they were once dwarves. He wished with all his might that he could forget that knowledge and slay them cleanly. Now every dead monster was simply murder. | |
| − | + | The chanting of the monsters intensified with the rising of the moon. There was a bubbling vortex at the center of the lake. Soon the giant axolotl appeared, rising magically above the water. The monsters prostrated themselves before the titan. It was Kogan's chance. Suffar tapped him on the shoulder and he rose, stepping out into the moonlight. | |
| − | + | “Hetain,” shouted Kogan, “why are you trying to control my people?” | |
| − | + | ===(26 March 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>W,.NNNN,.@/(((((A)))))</pre> | ||
| − | + | “The pearl belongs to me,” said the giant salamander. “The villain you work for is no more than a thief. I stand on the side of the righteous.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “It is righteous to turn my kin into monsters?” shouted Kogan. “I have shed the blood of my blood because of you. Are you listening, oh dwarves of Etwersbrot? Serve not this coward and let him fight his own battles!” | |
| − | The | + | The monsters stopped their chanting and stepped aside as Kogan approached the water's edge. Hetain looked nervous. His slaves had never rebelled before. The dwarf stood before the titan, holding his battle axe at the ready. Hetain called on the power of the outer darkness, creating a vortex in the water below him. Suffar saw the danger and began chanting to counter the spell. The little dwarf was in more danger than he knew. Hetain was opening a portal to a dimension of ultimate evil. |
| − | + | ===(27 April 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>W,..,~~~@/~~&&&&&&&</pre> | ||
| − | + | Seeing that now was the time to act, Kogan charged passed the confused looking monsters and into the lake. Suffar spoke a charm and the water became solid as ice where Kogan stepped. He ran across the lake toward the giant salamander. The vortex at the center of the lake was growing larger. A strange howling could be heard from within, like the terrible screams of all of those being tortured in the underworld. | |
| − | + | “You have done my kin ill,” pronounced Kogan as he raised his axe. “Prepare to die.” | |
| − | |||
| − | The | + | Entrails poured into the dimensional portal as Kogan gutted the monstrous titan with a great stroke of his blade. The guts acted as chum, attracting the most hungry of demons up from the depths. Kogan staggered backward as the monsters blasted up and out into the world of the living. |
| − | + | “What have you done?” muttered Suffar. | |
| − | + | ===(30 May 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>@.,@.,@@,.@.&&&&&&&&&&&&&&.W~~@~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | Hundreds of dwarves, finding that they now wore their own bodies, had to quickly stop celebrating and run for their lives. A black fountain of evil blasted up from the center of the lake where Kogan had been standing seconds before. Dark, winged shapes gathered in the sky above. | |
| − | + | “Mul-o-rom, Sul-o-rom,” chanted Suffar as he dragged Kogan's body away from the water. | |
| − | + | The demons had not noticed the wizard yet, choosing instead to fly after the fleeing dwarves. Suffar could not help but think that this was all his fault. The mess he had created was bigger than just a stolen pearl. The entire world was in peril. He had to seek out Domon, in the Palace of the Rising Sun. | |
| − | ===( | + | ===(1 July 2016)=== |
| − | <pre> | + | <pre>N%,..W@,.</pre> |
| − | + | “Where is the sun?” asked Kogan as he awoke. | |
| − | + | “There has been a lasting darkness since Hetain died,” said Suffar. | |
| − | + | “Then we have won,” exclaimed Kogan. | |
| − | + | A dizzy spell forced Kogan to lie back down. “It's a bit more complicated than that,” said Suffar. The stars twinkled as giant bat-like creatures passed through the sky. Kogan turned to witness a horrible sight just a stone's throw away. Three demons were feasting on the body of a dead dwarf. They were more horrible than the night creatures of Hetain. | |
| − | + | “They can't see us,” said Suffar. “Rest, my friend.” | |
| − | + | “There must be a way to stop them,” whispered Kogan. “You said something about Domon, and the sky chariot.” | |
| − | + | “I'm afraid the sun has set forever,” said Suffar. “The four titans cannot help us now.” | |
| − | + | “There must be something we can do?” asked the dwarf hero. | |
| − | + | “Yes,” said Suffar. “As long as we hold the pearl there is hope.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(31 July 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>.,,.NN..,</pre> | ||
| − | + | “The magic doorway will close,” said Suffar, “if we cast Hetain's magic pearl back through the demon gate.” | |
| − | + | “Then do it,” exclaimed Kogan, suffering from another fainting spell. | |
| − | + | “Who ever should cast in the pearl shall die,” said Suffar. | |
| − | + | “Then give it to me,” said Kogan. “I care not for my own life.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “That much in obvious,” said Suffar, “but you cannot be the one. Look at your body.” | |
| − | + | Straining to sit up, Kogan was horrified to see that his body was a mere skeleton, barely held together by bits of sinew. Suffar used his magic to keep Kogan alive, but it was only a kind of half-life. Once the pearl was cast, Kogan too would die. | |
| − | + | “Then if you will not stand up and save the world,” asked Kogan, “who will?” | |
| − | + | “We must find the fourth titan,” said Suffar. “He lives in a tower deep in the Garum.” | |
| − | + | “Not Darquan the Deadly,” shouted Kogan. “That wicked old man would never make the sacrifice.” | |
| − | + | “We have no other choice,” said Suffar. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(20 September 2016)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>""N"N.".,|N+++|</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | The | + | Deep in the Garum it was unusually cold. The sun hadn't risen for three days and the plants were beginning to die. Kogan could see the light of a candle in the top room of the tower a way's off in the marsh. Suffar explained to the skeletal dwarf that he should do the talking. The master of the tower was Darquan the Deadly, one of four cosmic titans that had existed since the dawn of time. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | the | ||
| − | + | The wizard of the tower was twisted and evil. He had exhausted every physical pleasure in a search for the ultimate experience. The truth was, now he was bored and wished for the eternal nothingness that awaited his extinction. But if there was one thing that kept Darquan breathing it was his jealous hatred for all living things. | |
| − | + | “Who dares disturb my meditation?” came a voice from above. | |
| − | + | Looking up the dark wet stones of the tower, Kogan could see a pale bald head trailing long white whiskers. Suffar shouted back, explaining the death of Hetain and the demon gateway. The wizard's head disappeared and there was a click at the solid wood door before them, which swung open by itself. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(1 October 2016)=== | |
| − | ===( | + | <pre>|NCN+++?N?|</pre> |
| − | <pre> | + | |
| + | The snake was fast, but Suffar was faster. As the door opened, a king cobra snake man shot his long neck out toward the wizard's face. He dodged to the right and seized the serpent man's throat. Darquan was a coward to leave his minions in charge of greeting the adventurers. | ||
| − | + | “Come forth, dark titan,” said Suffar, “or I will break your pet's neck.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | While Suffar shouted at the open door, the snake man reached with his long articulated arm and pulled a dagger from one of its many belts. Just as it was about to push the blade in, the skeletal dwarf stepped out from behind the wizard and chopped at the snake man's wrist. | |
| − | + | “That'sss cheating!” complained the cobra man. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Save your whining for your master,” said Suffar. “That is, if the coward is brave enough to show his face.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “You have the pearl?” came a voice from above. “Show it to me!” | |
| − | |||
| − | <pre>++ | + | ===(7 November 2016)=== |
| + | <pre>|No+N+++N<|</pre> | ||
| − | + | “Only you can save the world now,” shouted Suffar as he held the pearl over his head. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Hetain's Pearl,” said Darquan. “You are a naughty wizard.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The candlelight vanished from the window as Darquan descended the hundreds of steps of the dark tower. It seemed like ages later when he appeared in the doorway. “Let Anthony go,” commanded the evil wizard. Suffar released the cobra man who disappeared back into the tower. | |
| − | + | “Who is your friend?” asked Darquan, indicating the skeletal dwarf. | |
| − | + | “This is Kogan,” said Suffar, “Slayer of Hetain.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “You can do better for a titan slayer than this, surely,” said Darquan. | |
| − | + | The serpent wizard began chanting in the ancient tongue of magic. The wind began to blow and stir up muddy water and dead vegetation. The muck attached itself to Kogan's skeleton and soon he began to resemble a living dwarf. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Now, Kogan,” said Darquan, “your body belongs to me. Take the pearl from Suffar and give it to me!” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(11 November 2016)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>CNoNN</pre> | |
| − | + | Using his bracers to block a series of strikes and thrusts, Suffar desperately resisted as Kogan tried to wrestle the pearl from him. Anthony returned wielding a pair of swords. The dwarf grabbed the wizard around the legs and tackled him to the ground. The snake man held his blades to Suffar's throat. It was over. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “And now,” said Darquan, “the pearl, if you please?” | |
| − | + | ||
| + | Reaching into his robe, Suffar withdrew the shining pearl. Darquan's eyes lit up with joy. Whoever possessed the pearl held sway over the hand of Fate. Having exhausted the frivolous pleasures of this world, Darquan would use the pearl to enhance his hedonistic lifestyle. With glee, he snatched the pearl out of Suffar's hand. | ||
| − | + | “You will know, before the end,” said Suffar, “what you have to do.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(5 January 2017)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>NB,B..,N+C</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Slay him,” commanded Darquan. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Anthony the snake man brought his sword blade down onto the wizard's neck, but recoiled when his weapon clashed against the stone floor of the tower. Suffar's robes lay empty on the ground, but the wizard was nowhere to be found. Darquan hollered with disapproval. Kogan stood up and brushed the dirt off his chest. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “You, dwarf!” shouted Darquan. “Stop standing around like a moron and find the wizard.” | |
| − | ===( | + | |
| − | <pre>@ | + | A pair of giant bats landed at the base of the tower. They were fitted with saddles and Kogan had the impression that his new master, Darquan, wanted him to ride. He climbed up the hairy bat and sat astride its back. |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | “That rascal can't get far without the pearl,” said Darquan. “Find him, and snuff out his life!” | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ===(9 February 2017)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>k####@B##CB##</pre> | |
| + | |||
| + | The pair of giant bats launched out of the tower with Kogan and Anthony the snake man on their backs. The dwarf's vision was excellent at night, due to a long life underground. However, he could see nothing in the marsh but wildlife. He called over to Anthony and the snake man replied. | ||
| − | + | “He has changed himself into a bird or beast,” shouted Anthony. | |
| − | + | “How will I know him?” asked Kogan. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “He is the only beast that does not fear the power of Darquan,” said Anthony. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The snake man held up his staff and the end began to glow an ominous red. All around, beneath them, the animals froze in place, the birds so much as freezing in mid flight and falling into the murky water. There was one that still flew, a kingfisher! | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | in | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “That's him!” cried Kogan. | |
| − | + | ===(12 March 2017)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>~~@%%~~</pre> | |
| − | + | Cackling with glee, Darquan watched through his crystal ball as the two giant bat riders chased down the tiny bird. They dove and pounced on the bird at once and there was a scuffle as the group splashed into the water. Darquan was giddy with anticipation. When the fight subsided, Kogan stood up holding the body of a dead bird, but Anthony was stricken dead. The snake man had been in Darquan's employ for many years, but the evil old man could not find it in himself to shed a single tear. | |
| − | + | “Bring me the carcass,” commanded Darquan. “We will feast on kingfisher tonight!” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | Throwing a cloth over the crystal ball, Darquan retired to his private chamber to contemplate the pearl. Something was wrong. The pearl had taken on a dim brown color. Gone was its magical luster. The wizard was furious. He charged back into his laboratory and awaited Kogan's return. There had to be some sort of explanation, and without question, someone would pay. | |
| − | + | ===(13 April 2017)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>++@+=%=N+++</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The dwarf met Darquan in the feast hall below the wizard's tower. The old man commanded that the dead bird be plucked and roasted on a spit. As Kogan made himself busy preparing the meal, Darquan returned to fuss over the blackened pearl of Hetain. A short time later, Kogan announced that the meal was ready. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Here's to you, Suffar,” said Darquan, raising his stein glass. After chewing on a few strange tasting morsels, the wizard realized he had been tricked. He stood up from the table and threw his arms out to the side, calling on his power to reveal the treachery. There, on the table, was the partially devoured body of Anthony the snake man. | |
| − | + | “Suffar,” shouted Darquan, “you will pay for this if I must strike at you with my last breath!” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(16 May 2017)=== | |
| + | <pre>@N...N(OOO)</pre> | ||
| − | + | The was a ringing sound coming from the laboratory. Darquan stomped into the room and pulled the cloth from the crystal ball. There was Suffar, standing on the beach near the portal to the dimension of ultimate evil. Beyond words and consumed with hatred, Darquan could only stand and stare as Suffar beckoned to him. The evil wizard called for Kogan and had the giant bats made ready for takeoff once again. | |
| − | + | “It's a trick, boss,” said Kogan. | |
| − | + | “Don't speak,” said Darquan. “You know nothing save what I have taught you.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | They were airborne a short time later. There was still a huge maelstrom over Hetain's lake and the pair had to land their bats far from shore. Darquan landed behind a grassy hill which he scuttled up to spy on the portal from afar. There was Suffar, strutting back and forth before the portal as freely as you please. | |
| − | + | “You will never have the pearl,” said Darquan under his breath. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(18 June 2017)=== | |
| + | <pre>@.N.o.(OOO).oN</pre> | ||
| − | + | "He means to trick you," said Kogan. "All he wants is the pearl!" | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | "I have had enough of your talk!" shouted Darquan. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | There was a flash of light and where once stood Kogan the dwarf, there was now a statue made of stone. Darquan instantly regretted his action. Not only had he lost a needed ally, but he had also given away his position. He stood up and saw Suffar down by the lake, beckoning to him. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | "You will never have the pearl!" declared Darquan as he stalked down to where Suffar was standing, near the portal to ultimate evil. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | "You mean this pearl?" asked Suffar, withdrawing the shiny pearl from his pocket. | |
| − | + | With a sudden sinking feeling, Darquan reached into his robe and held out the clouded brown pearl. Driven by anger and outrage, Darquan cast the pearl into the maelstrom. Suffar twirled, flaring out his cloak and disappearing in a puff of smoke. The portal began to disappear. Darquan could feel his heart sputtering and giving its last beat. He had been tricked for the final time. | |
| − | <pre> | + | ===(29 July 2017)=== |
| + | <pre>..N%..</pre> | ||
| + | Suffar rested by the lake, meditating on all that had passed. The pearl was gone, but so were the malevolent titans that sought to use it for evil. Now the stars could resume their course through the sky and Domon could chase the moon in his fiery chariot. After a good long time, Suffar stood and noticed the statue of Kogan for what seemed like the first time. The stoney eyes seemed to follow him as he approached. | ||
| − | + | “Darquan used the power of the pearl to keep you alive,” said Suffar. “If I restore you, you will die.” | |
| − | + | The statue blinked once. | |
| − | + | Calling on all his power, Suffar reversed Darquan's curse. Kogan began to move, struggling to breathe, then collapsed. Suffar held his hand as he died. It was as it should be. Kogan had taken the life of a titan and had to pay the price. He would be with the heroes in Nullset now. | |
| − | + | Darquan would be there too, no doubt struggling to return. Suffar would be there to meet him. It was to this end that Suffar had made his vow. The harmony of Nature must be preserved. | |
| − | + | THE END | |
| − | ===( | + | ===New Story (27 August 2017)=== |
| + | <pre>@&\@H...UH.</pre> | ||
| − | + | Who would throw away such a beautiful baby? The basket had come down the Apagan river. From Etwersbrot. Ever since the outbreak of hostilities, people had looked to the magic city for hope and inspiration. Now they were flinging their offspring into the river. It was a time that would one day be called the Second Nightmare Apocalypse. | |
| − | + | “More demons ahead, Omak,” said the old knight. | |
| − | + | “I see them!” shouted Omak as the pair charged down the caravan trail. | |
| − | + | The most promising rider Sir Twan had ever seen, Omak was a dwarf from the south. He served in the garrison of Akkadin before the Evil One came. In the chaos that followed, Omak stole a pony and ran for the hills. That was where Twan found him. | |
| − | + | “Don't worry Master,” said Omak. “This one is mine.” | |
| − | + | The monster wasn't used to the rules that governed this world. Its ungainly limbs smacked against the dirt as it struggled to get away. Omak smacked the flanks of his dark pony and then lifted his blade to strike. The creature looked back just in time to get a face of steel. A fountain of black blood shot up from the ruined head of the monster. | |
| − | + | “I did it,” cried Omak. | |
| − | + | “Excellent,” said Twan. “I'll make a Beast Maimer of you yet!” | |
| − | + | “What's it got in its arms?” asked Omak | |
| − | + | “A dwarven child!” shouted Twan. | |
| − | + | ===(25 September 2017)=== | |
| + | <pre>!!@!!</pre> | ||
| − | + | “Do you think the babe is from that village, yonder?” asked Omak. | |
| − | + | “If so, all her kin are dead,” said Sir Twan. | |
| − | + | The beast maimers returned to the city of Otla, to seek a home for the child. There were electrical storms all night. Unforeseen to all knights of the realm, the evil Cenaster had been slain, and with his death the Earth had been cast adrift in the cosmic ether. The child cried and cried. At last, the warlord would see them. | |
| − | + | “You say you rescued the babe from a demon?” asked Lord Saster. | |
| − | + | “She is marked with magic power,” said Sir Twan, “and destined for greatness!” | |
| − | + | “Then you and Omak will raise her as a Beast Maimer,” said Saster. | |
| − | + | It was a great honor, and a great responsibility. Omak found a room for the baby in the castle. There was still the need for a name. Sir Twan sought to name her after the great city where she was found. | |
| − | + | “She shall be named Otilla,” said the knight. | |
| − | <pre> | + | ===(28 October 2017)=== |
| + | <pre>.@.@..</pre> | ||
| − | + | As great a fighter as master Omak was a rider, Otilla had grown up and found her place among the Beast Maimers. Every morning at dawn the Maimers would sally forth from Otla Castle and search for demons to slay. The creatures may have stopped pouring into this world since the death of Cenaster, but enough had made their through that a special effort was required to wipe them off the face of the Earth. | |
| − | + | “Grandfather Twan?” asked Otilla as she arrived at the meeting place. “Where is Master Omak?” | |
| − | + | “Omak has gone to speak with the head of our order,” said Twan. “He has yet to return.” | |
| − | + | “He has gone to see mighty Bram?” asked Otilla with excitement. “Is the champion coming here?” | |
| − | The | + | The monster of Otla Hill was the Maimers' greatest shame. They had cleared out the Forbidden Forest and slain enough demons to keep the King's Highway open from Etwersbrot to Akkadin. Still, no knight was brave enough, or skilled enough in the martial arts, to take on the Otla Hill monster. |
| − | + | “He has come to slay the monster,” said Otilla. “I know it!” | |
| − | + | ==[[User:Haedrian|Haedrian]]== | |
| + | ===(11 August 2011)=== | ||
| + | <pre>++@=@++++</pre> | ||
| − | + | Inside or outside, the dwarf fortress was an ugly place. Black smoke | |
| + | rose from its misshapen stacks, and beneath the menacing gatehouse, | ||
| + | poor hill-dwarves moved under armed guard to bring their offerings to | ||
| + | Count Agak. | ||
| − | + | The Count had long been allergic to light. His case of cave | |
| + | adaptation was more pronounced than any ever known. His skin was pale | ||
| + | and shot through with spidery veins. His eyes were red and bloodshot. | ||
| + | Even in the dark, he looked sickly, and he never touched a morsel on | ||
| + | the feast days. | ||
| − | + | "The Count is a vampire," said Roder. | |
| − | + | "Silence," said fair Nel. "What if the guards hear you?" | |
| − | + | "Tell me you aren't suspicious," said Roder. "Have you ever seen the | |
| + | Count eat or drink? Or his guards? I don't know if I would even | ||
| + | recognize them underneath their plated armor. No. We need proof. | ||
| + | Then we need deliverance." | ||
| − | + | ==[[User:Haggle|Haggle]]== | |
| + | ===(18 January 2011)=== | ||
| + | <pre>@@@@++U+%++||,.,.MU,.MU,.MU</pre> | ||
| − | + | "Toward the light," cried Sot, master of the moth riders. The | |
| + | squadron descended in wild corkscrews, falling toward the dwarf | ||
| + | fortress. But Sot had dived too soon. Flaming arrows shot up from | ||
| + | the castle walls, confusing the giant insects. Sot's mount took three | ||
| + | hits and died in mid air. The moth leader took the reins hard and | ||
| + | tried to pull the moth out of a death spiral. He hit the ground hard | ||
| + | and rolled across the paved stone, jumping up in a combat stance. | ||
| + | When he saw the two dozen dwarves that approached him, he took off his | ||
| + | chitin helmet, pointed at the closest dwarf and spoke. | ||
| − | + | "Let's see what you've got, half-man." | |
| − | + | ==[[User:Hazmat|Hazmat]]== | |
| + | ===(24 April 2010)=== | ||
| + | <pre> ||U+++WWWbbbbWb </pre> | ||
| − | + | Night, thief of all cheer. When has the sun set on a happy soul in | |
| − | + | Bonverland? Everyone knows the terror that lurks behind every shadow, | |
| − | + | ever since the evil knight Galrod took up residence in Highthorn | |
| − | + | castle. Werewolves and blendecs were at his command. It was said | |
| + | that only one thing could end his cursed life, the Golden Shank of | ||
| + | Allmine. The people wailed with misery, for the shank was said to be | ||
| + | in the deep dungeon of a dwarf fortress many leagues to the east. It | ||
| + | was a time of mass panic. That was until the hero Mandack arrived. | ||
| − | + | ==[[User:Hellrider|Hellrider]]== | |
| − | + | ===(12 April 2012)=== | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | <pre>++g+++@@@</pre> | |
| − | <pre> | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Goblin master thief Garu picked his way through the irrigation ditch | |
| + | of the dwarf fortress. The dwarves were fools to leave the floodgate | ||
| + | open during the dry season. There were fewer traps down there. It | ||
| + | wasn't long before he reached the mushroom fields. There were a few | ||
| + | gardeners here and there but nothing that proved much of a challenge. | ||
| − | + | Once inside, Garu shed his black cloak in exchange for the robes of a | |
| − | + | monk of Alak. He passed silently by the dwarves, a long hood hiding | |
| + | his face. Slowly, he made his way to the meeting hall. There were a | ||
| + | bunch of dwarf youths posing and trying to look tough. | ||
| − | + | "You are impressive," said Garu. | |
| − | + | "What's it to you, holy dwarf?" said the most obnoxious of the dwarves. | |
| − | + | "It's just that I heard from Zuglar that you were a weakling and a | |
| + | coward," said Garu. "He said he'd wait for you in the lower warehouse | ||
| + | if you were dwarf enough." | ||
| − | " | + | "You tell that son of an elf I'll be there," shouted the dwarf. |
| − | + | ==[[User:Hellzon|Hellzon]]== | |
| + | ===(17 December 2007)=== | ||
| + | <pre>,.@@~~o~~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | A rock plopped into the cave river from the platform above. There | |
| + | Durgal and the dwarf girl sat, above the murky waters. Durgal | ||
| + | explained, in great detail, his plans for the future. When the riches | ||
| + | of the mountain were plundered, he would diagram the plans for a | ||
| + | second fortress himself. How the dwarves would love him! | ||
| − | + | "But in your haste for riches," asked the girl, "would you have time | |
| + | for the ones you love?" | ||
| − | + | Durgal's face became red as a cave turnip. He looked quickly away | |
| + | from her and stared into the dark water. There, eyes gazed up to meet | ||
| + | him. Durgal reached for his axe, telling the girl to warn the others. | ||
| + | A pale, slimy hand reached out of the depths and pulled the creature | ||
| + | upward. It was an olmman! | ||
| − | ===( | + | ===(3 September 2008)=== |
| − | <pre>@ | + | <pre>ff,@,.@,o~~~~~</pre> |
| − | + | "Back!" cried Durgal, "back to the hall!" The dwarf girl turned and | |
| + | screamed. Two blind cave fish men blocked the way out. Durgal turned | ||
| + | and swung his axe at the olmman, now completely out of the water. It | ||
| + | deftly dodged his panicked swings. The dwarf girl screamed as the | ||
| + | cave fish men crawled toward her, arms outstretched, feeling their way | ||
| + | along the floor. | ||
| − | The | + | "By the power of the Lordaxe!" screamed Durgal, holding his axe aloft. |
| + | The dungeon rumbled. The sound of water crashed through the tunnel. | ||
| + | The fighters were swept away. The olmman grabbed Durgal's axe arm as | ||
| + | they were washed through the watery tunnel. The dwarf pulled a dagger | ||
| + | from his belt and jammed it into the monster's guts. | ||
| − | " | + | "Gula!" cried Durgal, bursting above the surface of the water. He |
| − | + | pulled the axe free of the olmman's grasp and brought the pommel down | |
| − | + | on its head, knocking it senseless. "Gula!" he cried again. With | |
| + | sudden terror, Durgal recalled where this tunnel led -- the chasm. | ||
| + | Only a few seconds until the ultimate terrible plunge. | ||
| − | + | "Durgal!" cried the dwarf girl, Gula. With all his strength, he | |
| + | stretched to reach her in the crashing water. | ||
| − | == | + | ==[[User:HYBRID BEING|HYBRID BEING]]== |
| − | ===( | + | ===(3 June 2014)=== |
| − | <pre> | + | <pre>@.@@.,--.,-,..-.,.,eeeee</pre> |
| + | Sword and axe clashed again and again as the combatants fought and | ||
| + | bled. You and I remember Tasan fortress in the days before the elves | ||
| + | emerged from the hated forest. At one time Fortress Tasan was second | ||
| + | only to the mountain homes in wealth and power. Now it was the front | ||
| + | line in a war to end the age. | ||
| − | + | "Aim low, marks-dwarves," said Kraton. "Make every shot count." | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | It was the height of the Plump Helmet festival when Kraton first | |
| − | + | learned of the elven invasion. An arrow struck his sweetheart dead in | |
| − | + | the chest. The ambush was over in seconds. The castle guard were | |
| − | + | able to chase down the archers before they escaped into the woods. | |
| − | + | ||
| + | As captain of the guard, Kraton was in charge of interrogation. There | ||
| + | was no need in his mind. Elves were not rational. Their reasons for | ||
| + | acting made no sense. He ordered that they be hammered immediately | ||
| + | and prepared the fortress for the assault to come. | ||
| − | ===( | + | ==Insanity Prelude== |
| + | ===(1. I forgot, sometime in 2009)=== | ||
| + | < | ||