#vengeance of aldrick

[romanoffstarkovs]

ORGINAL CHARACTER: IDRIS VERYAN

In the sprawling lands of the Obsidian Reach, where tales of bravery and honor were etched into the very fabric of the realm, Idris Veryan was born as the firstborn son to Lord Aldrick Veryan and Lady Ceryse Veryan. From the moment he entered the world, Idris exuded a captivating aura of strength, charisma, and nobility, destined to become a leader among men.

As the heir to the prestigious Veryan family, Idris was groomed from a young age to uphold the traditions of his ancestors. Under the tutelage of his father, he honed his martial skills with unwavering dedication. He spent countless hours in the training yards, mastering the art of combat, swordplay, and tactics, becoming a formidable warrior whose prowess was unmatched.

Yet, Idris was more than just a fierce fighter; he possessed a rare and charming personality that endeared him to those around him. His laughter was infectious, his wisdom beyond his years, and his compassion boundless. Whether among the noble elite or the common folk, Idris had a way of making everyone feel valued and understood.

As the years passed, Idris grew into a man of unwavering honor and integrity, standing tall as a beacon of hope for the people of the North Reach. But his idyllic life shattered when the tyrant King Corwin Aurelion, driven by his insatiable hunger for power, betrayed the trust of the realm, and ruthlessly murdered Idris's beloved father, Lord Aldrick Veryan.

Devastated by the loss of his father and driven by a desire for justice, Idris vowed to avenge the heinous act perpetrated by King Corwin. The flames of vengeance consumed him, but he knew that he couldn't face the formidable tyrant alone. Determined to reclaim his family's honor and restore peace to Seraphora, Idris embarked on a dangerous mission – to rally an army capable of toppling the oppressive regime.

During his quest to gather allies, Idris heard tales of House Sunfyre, renowned for their fierce and skilled warriors who stood against tyranny and oppression. To gain their support, Idris knew he must forge a pact with House Sunfyre, and fate decreed that the key to securing their allegiance lay in Lady Nadira Sunfyre, the only daughter of the house.

Though marriage was often a strategic alliance in the realm of nobility, Idris was determined to approach this as more than just a transaction. He wanted to win Lady Nadira's heart and respect, just as he would with any other ally. Thus, Idris, with his charm and chivalry, sought to understand and appreciate Lady Nadira beyond her position as a bargaining chip.

Over time, Idris and Lady Nadira grew to admire and respect each other, realizing that their shared desire for justice and the betterment of Seraphora forged a connection that transcended mere duty. In a poignant moment, Idris, with unwavering sincerity, asked for her hand in marriage, not as a mere formality, but as a testament to their unity in purpose.

With the alliance secured and House Sunfyre's formidable army at his side, Idris set forth to challenge the tyrant king. He led his forces with unmatched skill and strategic brilliance, inspiring loyalty and camaraderie among his men. His sense of justice and compassion even touched the hearts of those who were once aligned with King Corwin, leading some to join Idris's cause.

As the war raged on, Idris fought not just for vengeance but for the promise of a brighter future for Seraphora. In his quest to bring down the oppressive king, he discovered the depth of his own strength, the true meaning of leadership, and the enduring power of love and unity.

The tale of Idris Veryan, the warrior with a heart of gold, spread throughout the realm, immortalizing him as a legend whose name would be whispered with reverence for generations to come. His journey was one of tragedy and triumph, of love and sacrifice, and above all, a testament to the indomitable spirit of a noble soul fighting for the betterment of his people.

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Cave Entrance Revisited

You exit the cave and hide behind a stray tree.

GIEFEA: ([Fuck, that was a bad idea])

GIEFEA: …

GIEFEA: ([Still, managed to stay in there, that’s good. Maybe I can try again when there isn’t a zombie.])

GIEFEA: …

GIEFEA: ([I mean, I’ll be less distracted from it then, but–])

GIEFEA: ([Yah-tah-tah! Focus! Focus on the now! What do I do now?])

GIEFEA: ([Well, fighting him alone definitely won’t work. Feeding him won’t either, because I already attacked him. Either way, I have to wait for Xoknath and the other one. What’s her name? Did she tell me?])

GIEFEA: ([…Doesn’t matter! Okay. Okay, okay….])

GIEFEA: ([Well, if they try to feed him, I can’t be there, but I can gather food in the meantime.])

GIEFEA: ([But how do I stop more deaths today? He’s not just going to stay there.])

GIEFEA: ([Alright, he’s going to finish that corpse soon. Then he’ll be on the move. He can’t go further into the caves, since they’re all goblin-sized, so the only way is out.])

GIEFEA: ([The walls of the trees are impassable, so he’s going to take the path and head south. If the fire’s still going, he’s not going to walk towards it, he’s going to head the opposite way. The closest goblinoids will be at…])

You gasp.

GIEFEA: ([The human village! That’s what I’ll do! I’ll warn them and help them fortify!])

GIEFEA: ([But what if it does go out by then?])

GIEFEA: ([No time to worry about that! I’ll warn them just in case, then head back and check.])

You eat your two SALTED WOLF STEAKS to bring your health up to max, and drink 1 APPLE JUICE to get your MP back up. You don a mask and head back towards the clearing.

[dndeviants]

The one who wrote the book

Linda followed the blond vampire in silence, thinking about the talk she had just had with Strahd. She couldn’t help but feel bad for all of his suffering...

But there was still all the accounts of the wrongs he had done, his evils...

Why? What is the truth? Those questions consumed her.

“Here we are,“ Escher opened the door of the tower room, and allowed Linda to browse freely.

It was large, but comfortable, with tall paneled windows that showed the whole western portion of Barovia...

Glorious mountain ranges capped with snow, glistening rivers in the moonlight, the silhouettes of small villages dotted the landscape... She saw the walls of Vallaki, and even the walls of Krezk, and the faint image of the Abbey looming over the settlement.

She stared out the window... The land was as beautiful as the castle she stood in-

At least the parts Strahd sees fit to care for, she reminded herself.

She returned her attention to the room. The guest quarter itself had two couches sitting opposed on the northern and southern sides, bookcases filled with various literature pressed against the eastern wall.

Books had always been a weakness of hers. She browsed the collection: political treatises, biographies of ancient peoples, exotic recipes, folklore, mythology, epic poetry...

This could keep me busy for a while, she thought. 

She turned to the consort, “So Escher, how did you come to live here?”

Linda moved to the northern couch and sat down. Escher joined her.

He leaned back, musing, "Well, I already told you that I was hired by lord Strahd. One thing led to another, and now I am here. His eternal companion and servant."

"You were hired..." She raised a brow, "To be a personal historian, right?"

He simply nodded.

"You wrote the propaganda piece,” she continued, “And earlier, I had asked you if you knew what in it was real."

 "Indeed. We were interrupted by Lord Strahd's arrival..." Escher folded his hands in his lap.

She nodded and looked to him, "Care to tell me now?"

"Where do I start? Let's see..." He rose from the couch and walked over to the bookshelves, extracting his copy of Barovia and its Histories, along with notes he had made decades ago.

He turned to her, "The beginning is often the simplest, correct?"

"Of course," she replied.

Escher sat down, and flipped open the book, "I took propaganda that survived from Strahd's homelands in regard to his conquest of Barovia. King Barov... chose Strahd to be a general. But had everyone around him think that Strahd was upholding his responsibility as the eldest son.”

He pointed a line to her, “'He was already highly decorated general...' This... is a half truth. Yes, he led his side of the civil war to victory, and he did develop the strategy that quieted rival households at age seventeen..”

He took out an ancient letter, and examined it:

“...but at the time, King Barov took credit for Strahd, and berated him for his 'failure to swiftly put an end to the war' and 'allowing him to be captured by enemies of state'... when he was rescued by Vistani."

Linda blinked in shock, "So that is why he said he lost his youth..." her brow furrowed, and her lips tightened, "His father doesn't sound too pleasant. Berating him for not winning fast enough and having to be rescued..."

"What do you expect from a child?" Escher turned back to his notes.

Seventeen... Timothy’s age. Linda shook her head as she thought,  Gods... I can’t imagine anyone that age being expected to fight, much less win a war... what was wrong with Barov? Shouldn’t he have been thankful that the Vistani rescued his son? Why did he send Strahd to war...?

An evil thought crossed her mind: He didn’t want Strahd to return... But why? It doesn’t make sense-

Escher’s voice snapped her back to the present.

"That is true... true, true, true... ah, the impalement...” Escher looked to her and shrugged, “Desertion was becoming a problem due to lack of resources given from the homelands to maintain a war... He thought that only a horrible punishment would deter further insolence. And it did... all of the rest is true for his origins listed here- save for one little thing..."

Escher tapped his finger on the page, "’Strahd vowed not to leave Barovia until the war had been won.’ That was a fabrication for political ends in Strahd's own homeland, but in letters I found... Barov would not tolerate Strahd in the homelands until the war had been won."

"What?" Linda’s eyes widened in shock, "He wasn't allowed to leave?!"

This is unheard of...

Escher waved a letter in front of his face to read aloud, "The 'acting general does not take leave for himself' is what the letter said. It was some kind of dishonor, or some rubbish like that. However, his lieutenants were allowed to take leave, and sire families and continue their households. Interesting little fact."

 She sighed and voiced her thoughts, "That's horrible and unheard of."

Escher was quiet, but continued reading, before pausing and turning to Linda, "You already know of the wedding massacre correct? I'm...not supposed to speak on the subject. But you carry his journal with you..."

Ah, so all the vampires can sense it... she nodded, "Yeah I read about what happened."

Escher smirked and continued, "Of course, Strahd's death is completely fabricated, so we can ignore those.... marriage, birth, deaths... although, he did put on grand shows to continue the masquerade of humanity. "

She leaned back, "I knew all of those were made up."

Escher paused, "Ah, Jander Sunstar... that is a sore subject..."

Linda raised a brow, "Why?"

Escher shrugged, "I think because it was one of the first people that Strahd considered a friend since turning... and one of the first to personally betray him."

Linda’s curiosity grew, "What happened?"

“Jander was a foreigner, like you...” Escher looked to his notes, “He called himself a Sun Elf... and was from a group of adventurers from a place he called Waterdeep. He was the only survivor of his party and was turned vampire... before coming here.”

“Strahd invited him into his care and swore to help him figure out the origins of a girl that he was trying to avenge... a girl named Ana. In return, Jander would teach Strahd what he knew... because there was a lot more Jander knew of vampirism than Strahd was able to know... Strahd is the First Vampire, but Jander was older, and wiser than he."

Linda folded her arms, "I still think time moves differently here..."

"I think so too. It seems slower here... but maybe its because I am bored..." the vampire chuckled.

He resumed the lesson, "Well, Jander grew suspicious of Strahd and abhorred his method of ruling, and Strahd's own ignorance of his power, and 'arrogance' turned Jander against him, and he plotted with a priest named Sasha Petrovich, in secret to try to destroy Strahd... especially after discovering that his 'Ana' was Tatayana... one who had been reborn outside the Mists. He held Strahd responsible for her broken state... even though it was the elf himself that killed her."

Linda blinked,  "Petrovich, like Lucien and Lydia in Vallaki?"

Escher tilted his head in acknowledgement, "Descendants. Strahd showed mercy to the priest after Jander died, and after Strahd recovered from the battle. They had used the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind against him... and the priest took it. They made an arrangement. The priest would not return the symbol to Strahd, but keep it hidden for eternity, and take the secret to his grave... so long as Strahd swore not to harm him of his descendants."

She blinked at the revelation, "Oh, I see. Well, we found it."

"And it is in Ruki's care, I know.... " Escher returned to reading, musing, "He does favor impalement as a message, doesn't he? True... another birth, death, marriage.... Ah, Azalin. Another tough one..."

Linda folded her arms, "A lich, right?"

He nodded in affirmation, "Strahd's mentor, and partner when trying to find ways to escape. They may have done it too, but it isn't certain.”

Escher lazily raised a hand, “Rahadin thinks they succeeded briefly, as they both were missing from Barovia for a while, but neither of them could remember the experience. It was all for naught anyway. As soon as Azalin got his own realm... he turned on Strahd and sent this country down the warpath. Ultimately, Strahd won, but he lost a friend in Aldrick Wachter along the way."

Linda nodded, and thought aloud, "I wonder how they did it, if they did escape..."

Escher shrugged, "Who knows for certain? Ah... this is when Strahd's psyche began to slip... the despotic, tyrant mage..."

Escher held up a hand, "He theorizes that when he sacrificed himself to sever Barovia from other realms, he also sacrificed some of his mental stability and well being. He became a monster, truly. Rahadin had taken over for him, but Strahd was fixed on seeking vengeance... on what, he cannot remember, and I do not know.

Linda blinked. It wasn’t uncommon for vampires to lose their sanity over time, but Strahd now seemed to be stable. This was perplexing. 

"How odd... what else is there?" she asked.

"Well... Lord Strahd came to his senses only after being killed again. By foreign adventurers... and then things went back to normal... for a time. There was the whole Lord Soth thing, that was more an inconvenience for everyone involved."

"He was a death knight?" recalled Linda.

"From another world,” Escher replied, “The Mists tested Strahd's patience with him. But he managed to redirect the death knight's wrath until he could get him to flee into the mists... and another dread realm formed."

Escher turned to the last section of the book, pity in his voice, "Ah, poor Volenta... And dare I say poor Strahd. His diplomacy was doing well- until Metus tried to assassinate him, and had poor Volenta killed as well."

Linda blinked, "So, that is the same Volenta?"

The Volenta killed in the book is one of the other consorts?

Escher nodded, "She was not created in the usual manner, if I recall. She died tainted by Lord Strahd's blood, when Malik speared them both through..."

Escher sighed, "Strahd became even more paranoid of traitors and assassins and his secret coming out at this time.... Anyone who conspired with Metus was killed. Anyone he thought a traitor was killed...”

“Some beheaded... particularly bad ones impaled. It's eased in recent times..." Escher looked to Linda, trying to gauge her reaction.

She rubbed her temples and sighed, folding her hands in front of her. He had done truly terrible things. She didn’t doubt that. But he had terrible things happen to him... and it didn’t excuse him, but...

I understand why now. 

 "It seems, I didn't know half of what has happened to Strahd. I see why he is like he is even more, now."

Escher tilted his head and closed the book, "But it doesn't make for good propaganda."

She chuckled, softly,  "I would assume not..."

Linda raised a brow and looked over the dandy, blond consort. This slender, pretty man seemed to know how to speak to Strahd and persuade him to tone down his anger at the very least...

It would be useful to know that.

She coyly looked to the man, "So how did you woo Strahd?"

Escher laughed at her, "It's not that hard when you know what to say, and more importantly, how to say it. You just have to know him well enough."

She tilted her head, "And what does that mean? How do you say things?"

Escher stood and made a flamboyant gesture, "I say things the way they need to be said to get the results I want. "

She pursed her lips,  "And how did this woo Strahd? I don't think you did it."

Escher gasped, offended, "Lady Linda, I am far more charming than you give me credit! Far more charming than yourself, even..."

He put a hand over his chest, emphasizing, "I radiate charisma."

Linda toyed with him, speaking bluntly, "I don't see it."

The man pouted, "I would say more, but I am not permitted to harm the guests."

He huffed and crossed his arms, "Fine. You want to know how I did it? Even when my life on the line?"

"I do."

Escher raised a hand, flippantly, "I didn't try to pretend to be invulnerable for one. I told him that I knew that he had every right to murder me for betraying him, and going where I was not permitted to go. And then thanking him for not allowing me to die..."

Escher looked to Linda, "He didn't even seem to realize that he was the one who rescued me from being devoured by Mila, Ana, and Volly. And that was the thing... I appealed to the goodness in him."

Escher made a gesture, "A man like Strahd knows what makes him evil. A man like Strahd will go out of his way to be the cruelest, wickedest man to ever walk the surface, because a man like Strahd doesn't believe that there is goodness in him. But... as soon as you point out those small flaws in his evil overlord persona..."

Escher raised his hands, gesticulating, "Would an evil overlord go out of his way to save a man who had just betrayed him? Offer shelter to a woman that he unknowingly brought into his dark world? Rescue children from hags and were-creatures? Perhaps he would... it doesn't make him any less evil..."

Escher looked to Linda, weaving his poetic words, "But, it may- for a moment- remind him that his heart isn't truly black. And that he is capable of much goodness and love..."

Escher shrugged, "It was enough to woo him in the moment. He hungers for goodness to be shown him, but is not in the habit of showing it to others first. No, that would make him weak."

Escher folded his hands behind his back, "Point out the goodness genuinely. Don't try to make the lion a lamb. And keep it honest and gentle. Those are my rules when speaking with Strahd. And... if you desire his... favor... "

Escher winked at the woman, rakishly,  "... you will do the same."

Linda smirked to hide her blush, "So how else do I become as charismatic as you?"

"Well, join a guild or practice. I do recommend studying the classic poets. But that is a personal preference..." Escher looked to the door.

Volenta entered the room with a tired looking Aric and Jeeves. They chatted briefly before retiring to the room beyond. Volenta folded her hands over her skirt and walked over to Linda and Escher.

She spoke lightly,  "How are we tonight?"

“Just splendid,“ Escher replied.

 "Doing well, just speaking with Escher about Strahd..." Linda looked up to the masked woman...

She was murdered... and Strahd’s blood turned her... and now she is here. She seems happy enough...

Volenta shrugged, "Lot's of people talk about him. You should hear what they say in the towns...” She looked to Escher, “But Mila wanted me to tell you that dawn approaches..."

Escher nodded and put the book back on the shelf,  "I will be down soon. No worries."

"It's that time already...?” Linda was shocked, “Sorry if I am keeping you. I should probably get some rest too."

Escher looked to Linda, "Do not worry, Lady. You aren't keeping me from anything. But I will tell you..."

Escher inspected her, "You may want to take down your hair and brush it... use some water to wash, make yourself a little more presentable... it will help your natural charm greatly.... and if you need help on your charisma..."

He turned back to the bookshelf, and pulled out a tome, "Here... The Diplomat. This book is probably best for learning what you want to learn."

Escher presented the book to her. Linda took the book and showed her gratitude.

“Thanks...“ she set the book beside her, took off her hat, and let her hair down. She turned to the vampire, “Better?“

Escher tilted his head, "Getting there. A wash is what it needs. You got black stuff in it."

Linda sighed, "Probably gun powder.... I'll wash up. Is there a place for that in here?"

Escher pointed to a table, "You will have to use one of the basins on the table...” He looked at the copy of The Diplomat, “...But I think you will be able to grasp the book easily."

Escher bowed to her, "I shall have to take my leave. Thank you for pleasant conversation."

Linda tilted her head, "Thank you for your insight. I hope you both rest well."

As Escher and Volenta retreated from the room, she rose and pulled out her mirror. She grimaced... I looked like this? In front of Strahd-

She hurried over to the basin and washed her face and hair in the cold water- the temperature waking her up a bit...

The water was murky gray with the powder residue. She sighed and took out her mirror again...

Much better... clean... I look like a proper lady now- It was odd for her that she even cared about such things... 

She pat herself dry and walked over to the couch, using her newfound energy to read.

[romanoffstarkovs]

WIP: THE SHADOWS OF THE CROOKED

In the realm of Seraphora, where noble Houses vie for power and ancient secrets lie dormant, Adira Veryan, the spirited daughter of Lord Aldrick Veryan, finds herself torn between tradition and her true passion. Strong-willed and tempestuous, Adira's heart yearns for swordplay and adventure, shunning the conventional roles imposed upon noble ladies like her sister, Larissa, who excels in the art of needlework.

Adira's world shatters when her father is brutally murdered before her very eyes by none other than the ruling king himself. Fueled by grief and an unquenchable thirst for justice, Adira sets her life's course on a dangerous path of vengeance, determined to unravel the truth behind her father's assassination and bring the king to his knees.

As Adira's quest for retribution begins, she stumbles upon a mysterious figure—an exiled prince with a tarnished legacy. Despite his haunted past, the prince proves to be an invaluable ally, sharing the burden of loss and betrayal. Together, they navigate the treacherous political landscape, unearthing secrets that could shake the foundations of Seraphora.

However, amidst the chaos of her vendetta, Adira finds herself inexplicably drawn to someone unexpected—the enigmatic son of her father's murderer. Burdened by conflicting emotions, she must wrestle with her growing feelings for a man from an opposing House, questioning whether her heart can afford to harbor love amidst the darkness of revenge.

As Adira's journey progresses, she learns that the lines between good and evil are blurred, discovering hidden truths that reveal a deeper conspiracy that threatens not only her family but the entire kingdom. Faced with unimaginable choices, Adira must determine whether to succumb to the darkness of vengeance or forge a new path, one that may offer hope for redemption and the chance to heal the wounds of a fractured realm.

“The Shadows of the Crooked” is an epic fantasy tale of love, betrayal, and self-discovery, where a fierce young woman's quest for revenge leads her to question her beliefs and find unexpected allies in the most unlikely places. The fate of Seraphora hangs in the balance as Adira's journey unravels a tapestry of secrets that will change the course of her life and the destiny of the realm forever.

[romanoffstarkovs]

ORIGINAL CHARACTER: ADIRA VERYAN Adira Veryan was born into a life of privilege and nobility in the Obsidian Reach, the daughter of the esteemed Lord Aldrick Veryan. With her long black hair and a constellation of freckles across her cheeks, she possessed an arresting beauty that was matched only by her spirited and free-willed personality. From an early age, Adira rebelled against the rigid gender roles and expectations imposed on her by society. She yearned to break free from the traditional mold and find her own path in life.

Her relationship with her father, Lord Aldrick, was a special one. He supported Adira's desire for independence and encouraged her to pursue her dreams, even if they were unconventional for a young noblewoman. This nurturing environment allowed Adira to blossom into a bold, adventurous, and free-spirited individual, unafraid to challenge the norms.

However, tragedy struck one fateful night when Adira witnessed the unthinkable. Her father, Lord Aldrick, was murdered right before her eyes by the very hands of the king himself. The shock and trauma of that night forever changed her. The loss of her father, and the betrayal by the very figure who was supposed to protect her family, shattered the carefree spirit she once had. The pain and anguish she experienced transformed her into a cold and bitter soul, seeking only one thing: vengeance.

In the aftermath of the massacre, Adira made a crucial decision to cut her long black hair short as a symbol of her determination to shed her former self and embrace the harsh realities of her new life. The freckles that dotted her face became like battle scars, reminding her of the pain she endured and the anger that now fueled her every action.

Amidst the darkness that consumed her heart, there was one glimmer of light - her loyal companion, Nightwind, a magnificent Direwolf. Nightwind had been with Adira since she was a child, a gift from her father, and their bond ran deep. Nightwind became her sole confidant and source of solace in the midst of her quest for vengeance. Together, they formed an unbreakable bond that served as a testament to Adira's enduring strength, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Driven by a burning desire to avenge her father's death, Adira embarked on a dangerous and treacherous journey. Along the way, she honed her skills in combat, strategy, and deception, becoming a force to be reckoned with. Her interactions with others became guarded, as she struggled to trust anyone after the betrayal she endured.

Yet, deep within the shadows of her heart, the memory of the free-spirited young woman she once was still lingered. In moments of solitude, she found herself yearning for the carefree days of her past, but the thirst for vengeance drowned out any hope of reclaiming her former self.

Adira Veryan, once a spirited and unconventional soul, now walked a path of darkness, seeking retribution against the king who shattered her world. Her journey was fraught with peril and sacrifice, and she knew that her quest for vengeance might consume her entirely. The warmth of her old self may have waned, but the flame of revenge burned brighter than ever, propelling her forward on a relentless pursuit that could alter the very course of her fate.

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Concept art for Giefea!

(I realize I described the green stone as a “chisel” in the book, so I’ll have to revise this art later.)

[ID: Digital art of my character Giefea, a goblin woman with green skin, four-fingered hands, orange hair, and a cat-like face. She’s wearing a blue cloak, a black leather shirt and pants, and brown leather boots. She’s holding a staff with a blue crystal on one end and a lumpy green rock at the other. End ID.]

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Area 7 - Cave Entrance

Meanwhile, outside a large cave, a lone goblin stands just to the side of its mouth, her back against the cliff. She briefly turns to look inside, only to zip back to safety just after. GIEFEA: ([Damn it! Just when I think I’m ready to come back, this shit happens!]) She sighs, and turns to the large, but steadily shrinking fire to the Southeast. GIEFEA: ([Looks like the monsterfolk have that fire under control, and I’d probably just get in the way, but I’m sure it means no one’s coming to help me on this one.]) GIEFEA: … GIEFEA: ([If that’s the case, I’ll just have to do what I can by myself.]) GIEFEA: ([…But how am I gonna go about it? I could just charge right in there, spells blazing, but that’d be stupid. I would die. Plus, if the monsters had any say in it, they’d want to bring him out alive. They’ll be mad at me if I kill him here.]) GIEFEA: ([…On the other hand, is it really their business anyway? He’s not one of them. They have no jurisdiction here! Besides, I don’t know if I can do this non-violently. Only thing that can calm these zombies down is food, and I just do not have enough. Plus, he’ll fight me again as soon as I try to get that mask on him. I’ll already be within biting range.]) GIEFEA: ([I really need to think this through…]) You are now controlling Giefea! What will you do? [this poll has already been answered]

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Boss Battle - Zombie Knight

[Poll results: 60% responded “Fight the zombie”]

You don a mask and walk into the cave.

GIEFEA: ([If he’s going to fight me anyway, I might as well be ready for it.])

GIEFEA: …

GIEFEA: ([Fuck, I don’t want to be in there.])

You brace yourself and slowly walk in.

You see the zombie, clad in a full suit of iron armor, a good distance away, munching on the corpse of a goblin. You can’t quite tell who at this distance.

He hears you walking in and turns to you, snarling and howling, before charging and swinging at you.

He just barely makes contact as you try to dodge, and the leather armor under your cloak softens the blow. His hands are gloved, so the virus does not set in.

You take 1 damage and have 9 HP left.

You cast PLASMA BOLT, placing your finger on the tip of your spirit crystal, and feel your energy drain by 1 MP. You focus on an area of space, imagining a field of magnetic energy around it, and the atoms inside bouncing around faster and faster.

You see the air in that space turn into a ball of plasma, and you release one side of the field.

You output 8 damage, plus 3, but his armor conducts most of the energy around him.

He takes 1 damage, and has 17 HP left.

The zombie is stunned and cannot move.

You hit him with another bolt. Since it’s already set up, it takes a negligible amount to keep it going.

The zombie powers through it, and starts spraying foam at you.

You dodge, terrified, and cast SPIRIT SLAM, a once-a-day spell that costs zero MP. You point your staff at the zombie.

GIEFEA: [Spirits, grant me thy aid!]

(G: 10 + 2 = 12 vs Z: 3 + 4 = 7 + 8 = 15)

An invisible force slams him in the center of the chest, outputting 10 damage, plus two!

He stumbles backwards, but again his armor deflects it, and he takes only one. 16 left.

He tries to grab you by the shoulders.

He succeeds!

You struggle to break free, and with a 4, plus 2, you worm your way out of his grasp.

He goes for a bite anyway!

He just barely gets into your shoulder. Your armor slows but does not stop his teeth. You take 1 damage and are now Infected. You have 8 HP left.

You get away from the zombie and immediately apply your spirit crystal to your wound.

You spend 1 MP take 2 Burn damage, leaving you with 6 HP, but at least you’re not Infected.

The zombie tackles you!

He slams into you and pins you to the ground. You take 2 damage and are left with 4 HP.

You jab your spirit crystal right into his face.

You roll a 5, plus 1!

He bats it to the side, but you graze him, dealing 1 Bludgeoning damage and 2 Burn damage. He jumps backwards and you are no longer pinned. He has 13 HP left.

You attempt to run.

3, plus 1!

You successfully get away!

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Here’s some cover art I made for the Wattpad version.

[ID: Digital art of my main character, Alexis, a woman with brown hair, a brown leather tunic, blue sleeves, a grey skirt and brown leather boots. She’s holding the Worn Rusty Spear and standing against a forest background. Book is credited to “Maxwell Des Cendres” and the title reads “The Vengeance of Aldrick”. End ID]

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Yitrie’s Court Revisited

As Xoknath, you make your way back out of town. You decide to stop by the queen’s court on the way, so you can turn in those zomblins. Ronan follows behind you, sounding rather distraught.

RONAN: [H-Hey! Xoknath! Did… did you really mean what you said back there? About the human?]

 You sigh.

XOKNATH: [IF I’M BEING HONEST, NOT FULLY. THOUGH I WANTED TO. AND I FEEL GUILTY FOR NOT FULLY MEANING IT. BUT MY ACTUAL ANGER LEVELS ARE WEIRDLY LOW ABOUT HER AND I DON’T KNOW WHY.]

 RONAN: [Why would you want to be angry?]

 XOKNATH: [IT’S JUST… I KNOW SHE HAD REASON TO DO WHAT SHE DID, BUT… SHE STILL DID IT! TO ME! PERSONALLY! SHE DID SOMETHING HORRIBLE, AND SHE COULD HAVE DONE IT TO ANYONE ELSE WERE I NOT IN THE WAY. AND I GET IT, SHE’S CHANGING, AND I GET IT, IT’D BE MORE PRACTICAL TO WORK WITH HER, BUT IT JUST… FEELS WRONG TO LET GO OF THAT FEELING, YOU KNOW? LIKE I’M BETRAYING MYSELF. AND, TO A DEGREE, OTHERS.]

 RONAN: […]

 XOKNATH: [AND I KNOW PART OF THIS IS, LIKE, LEFTOVER SHIT WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED A FEW YEARS AGO, AND HONESTLY, THINKING ABOUT THAT ACTUALLY DOES MAKE MY BLOOD BOIL. AND I FIND THAT WEIRDLY COMFORTING. IF I’M BEING HONEST, I FIND IT REALLY HARD TO BE ANGRY “FOR ME,” EVEN WHEN THAT’S THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO FEEL. SO I TAP INTO HOW I FEEL WHEN OTHERS ARE HURT.]

 RONAN: […Wow, that’s a lot. Okay… Look, I see the value in standing up for yourself, even if it’s just on principle, but… To stay angry about something forever, on purpose, isn’t really healthy either. At some point or another, you’re supposed to finish venting, accept what happened, and move forward, if you can manage it. That’s not a bad thing. It doesn’t have to be right now, it’s just what you’re supposed to do in order to heal.]

 You put your hands over your face and groan loudly.

 XOKNATH: [YOU’RE A LAWYER, NOT A PSYCOLOGIST. DON’T TALK AT ME LIKE YOU KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS. WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN WAYS TO COPE. DON’T JUDGE ME FOR MINE, PLEASE.]

 RONAN: [I’m not judging. No one’s judging here. I’m just repeating generic advice I’ve heard people say. It’s fine to feel the emotions you’re feeling. I’ll shut up now, ‘cause you’re right, I really don’t know much about this. I just felt like I had to try.]

 XOKNATH: […THANK YOU FOR FEELING THAT WAY. I KNOW YOUR HEART’S IN THE RIGHT PLACE.]

 RONAN: [Thank you.]

 XOKNATH: [AND MAYBE THERE IS A REASON SO MANY PEOPLE SAY THAT. MAYBE IT IS APPLICABLE HERE. I’LL HAVE TO THINK ON IT.]

 Ronan nods.

The rest of the trip is pretty silent, each of you taking a mental breather to process what was said, but you both make it to Yitrie’s circle.

 YITRIE: [Ah, you have returned. But where is the zombie? And where’s Alexis? Is she okay?]

 XOKNATH: [THERE’S BEEN A SLIGHT DELAY, YOUR WISDOM.]

 You drop the two zomblins onto the ground in front of her.

 XOKNATH: [WE ENCOUNTERED THESE LITTLE GUYS. APPARENTLY, THE SICKNESS TRANSFERS TO THEM AS WELL. I’M FINE, BUT THE HUMAN WAS INFECTED. SHE HASN’T TURNED, BUT SHE’S IN NESRINN’S HUT RIGHT NOW FOR TREATMENT. HER RECOVERY WILL TAKE A FEW DAYS.]

 YITRIE: [That’s unfortunate. I really wanted to test this human, but we need to ensure the safety of the goblins as soon as possible.]

 XOKNATH: [WELL, SHE MAY NOT HAVE DONE EXACTLY AS YOU’VE STATED, YOUR WISDOM, BUT LOOK:]

 You point to the zomblin with the coil around him.

 XOKNATH: [THAT ONE WAS ALL HER. SHE’S PROVEN HER RESTRAINT. ALL THAT FAILED WAS HER ABILITY. AND, ADMITTEDLY, MY LACK OF FORESIGHT REGARDING MASKS.]

 YITRIE: [True! Very true. In that case, feel free to finish what she started. Please bring the armored zombie in before nightfall. Alexis may leave as soon as she awakens.]

 XOKNATH: [FOR YOU, YOUR WISDOM, I WILL.]

 You turn to walk away.

 RONAN: [Thank you, Your Wisdom.]

 YITRIE: [WAIT! One more thing!]

 You turn back around.

 YITRIE: [Tell her that since she contributed to the tribe, she may partake in community meals, even as an outsider.]

 XOKNATH: [OF COURSE.]

 With that, you and Ronan both exit.

[link to first page]

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

The Woods Revisited

You make it once again to the edge of the village, and Ronan waves. You take a piece of cloth from your Inventory and equip it to your Head slot.

You now get +2 to Block against zombie foam!

With no one else to talk to, you walk the path in silence, thinking to yourself.

XOKNATH: ([It will be tough, but I’m strong. I can do this. I have to. For the good of everyone.])

*

In the distance, you spot a wolf. It runs towards you, and you brace yourself. As it picks up speed, you realize it was actually much further away than you initially thought.

BATTLE START!

The DRASTIC WOLF towers over you! It goes in for a chomp!

You force your hands between its jaws to keep its mouth open, then slowly get out from between its teeth.

You let go, and then strike with your axe!

You roll a 3, plus 5!

Its hide reduces the strike to 1 damage, but it takes the 2 Burn damage as normal.

You strike with your other axe!

4 plus 5!

It ducks out of the way. The Drastic Wolf has 34 HP left, but its fur has caught fire.

It slams its head into you, which sends you flying backwards into a tree!

You take 4 damage and have 11 HP left.

You deploy the Pet Hog.

The Hog looks at you.

HOG: [ARE YOU HURT, TALL ONE?]

You nod, and point to the Drastic Wolf.

HOG: [YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS, DOG-MEAT!]

The Hog charges toward the enemy, trying to gore the furred beast with the Hog’s own tusks, but the Drastic Wolf knocks the Hog aside, dealing 2 damage to the Hog.

The Hog has 9 HP left.

You throw one of your axes at the D-Wolf!

3, plus 5!

It sticks in the hide, dealing 1 regular damage and 2 Burn. With the other axe, you try to chop down the tree behind you. Your axe auto-crits against it!

2, plus 5, times 2!

In one swing, you chop right through the tree, which falls on the Drastic Wolf, dealing 4 damage and pinning the enemy in place. The tree and surrounding area are now on fire.

XOKNATH: ([Well, shit, that was really stupid of me.])

The Hog attacks the D-Wolf, to no effect.

The D-Wolf tries to get out from beneath the tree. It fails. It takes 2 more Burn damage from the Spirit Crystal stuck in it, and 1 more from his burning fur. 27 HP left.

It just occurs to you that you could technically leave right now, but if it’s really trapped there, it’s probably going to die anyway. You think it’s better to speed that up if you can. Also, some meat for the tribe might be nice.

You run up and try to strike its neck! You auto crit for striking a vital area!

2, plus 5, times 2!

Sadly, you still only do 1 damage and 2 Burn. It has 23 HP to go.

You begin to cough from the smoke filling the area, and take 1 Suffocation damage. You have 10 HP left.

The Hog tries attacking again, now trying your strategy. 8 damage!

The Drastic Wolf has 15 HP left!

The Hog takes 1 Suffocation and has 8 HP left.

The Wolf fails again to get up, taking 2 more damage from the axe and 2 more from the spreading flame on its fur. Then 1 from the smoke. It has 10 HP left.

You throw a Bottle of Water onto the flames in the surrounding area. It doesn’t stop them, but it slows the spread. You take 1 suffocation damage, and have 9 HP left.

The Hog attacks once more! 4 damage! The Drastic Wolf has 4 HP left.

The Hog takes 1 Suffocation and has 7 HP left.

Finally, the Drastic Wolf manages to lift the tree off of its back! It takes 2 more damage from the axe, and 3 from the spreading flames. It falls to the ground, dead.

 YOU WON!

You got 200 XP!

The Drastic Wolf was too heavy to carry, so you took it apart right there.

You got 3 ROASTED WOLF STEAK and 3 WOLFBONE!

*

LEVEL UP!

Your Max HP increased from 15 to 18!

Your Max MP increased from 2 to 5!

Your Block increased from 3 to 4!

You learned the skill DUAL COMPANIONS!

*

LEVEL UP!

The Pet Hog’s Max HP increased from 11 to 13!

Its MP increased from 1 to 3!

Its Strike increased from 4 to 5!

*

You take 2 Suffocation damage, and have 7 HP left.

XOKNATH: ([Okay, fuck! I really need to get this all put out!])

You head back to the village to get supplies and helpers.

[Yitrie’s Court - 3rd Visit]

[link to first page]  

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Area 5 – The Monster Queen’s Court

Ronan leads you through the village, and you see monsterfolk of various shape, size, and species, each running away as you turn to look at them.  

RONAN: Don’t worry about them. Let’s just focus on the trial for now.  

Eventually, he brings you to a large circle of humanoid trees rooted to the ground, each towering over you, and each with features of various animals. Ronan gestures for you to stay at the southernmost part, while he goes to the west. To the eastern corner, you see an ant-woman staring at you, with Xoknath behind her. In the northernmost part, you see the biggest of the dryads, bearing a face you find all too familiar.

Yitrie. You had met her before, when you fled from the city, and had talked with her after the whole incident. She, High Elder of the Monsters, is usually so kind in appearance, but right now she’s staring down at you with such contempt and disappointment.  

YITRIE: [Hello, Alexis.]  

…You say hello.  

YITRIE: [Is everyone ready to begin?]  

ANT: [The prosecution is ready, Your Wisdom.]  

RONAN: [The defense is ready, Your Wisdom.]  

YITRIE: [Well, then. Let us begin. Today marks the trial of Alexis, leader of the human rebels, who is accused of trespassing, assault of a guard, assault with a deadly weapon, and breaking of a signed treaty. How does the defense plea?]  

RONAN: [The defense pleads guilty, Your Wisdom.]  

YITRIE: [Interesting. The court acknowledges the defendant’s honesty as a show of good faith. Given her reputation, we had expected a fight.]  

Yitrie chuckles at her own joke, followed by all the dryads in the circle. The ant-woman also joins in, and you see Ronan pretend to laugh too, though he makes no sound, and you can sense the fear coming off of him. Yitrie raises a hand and the laughter stops.  

YITRIE: [Regardless, the court accepts this plea. Is there a bargain currently in place?]  

ANT: [No, Your Wisdom, there is not.]  

YITRIE: [Then let us discuss this situation, starting with the defendant’s motive.]  

RONAN: [Your Wisdom, my client was contacted by a human spirit, whose description matches that of the zombie that attacked our village just yesterday. He had told her, much like he told many of us a few days ago, that unless she made her way eastward to the tower of a wizard, said wizard would conquer the human kingdom, followed by our village. When Xoknath interfered, as per his duty, she did not believe she could communicate her reasons for passing through. The fact that Xoknath is new to the English language, and the fact that we’d remained neutral about this threat so far, may have contributed to this line of thought. In an act of desperation, she struggled against him using the tools she had on-hand, thinking it was in our best interest.]  

ANT: [With all due respect, Your Wisdom, this is a very weak motive. Even if we know now that the human spirit may have spoken the truth, there is no way she could have known this at the time. Mere speculation does not justify a crime this severe, nor does it explain how quickly she resorted to said crime. May I call Xoknath to the stand?]  

YITRIE: [You may.]  

Xoknath steps forward.  

ANT: [Xoknath, Guard of the Border, can you please describe what happened during the incident with Alexis?]  

XOKNATH: [OF COURSE. EARLY MORNING, I WAS PATROLING THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE FOREST, ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. THEN, I SAW THE HUMAN CROSS INTO MONSTERFOLK TERRITORY. I DID NOT RECOGNIZE HER AS THE FOUNDER OF THE WESTERN CAMP, SO I STOPPED HER AND GAVE HER THE STANDARD LECTURE, AS BEST AS I KNEW IT… SAYING NOTHING, SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE IRON SPEAR SHE HAD WITH HER, AND DROVE IT TOWARDS MY CHEST. I BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY MAIMED, OR EVEN KILLED, HAD I NOT BEEN WEARING ARMOR. I TOOK MY OWN SPIRIT CRYSTAL WEAPONS AND USED THEM TO DEFEND MYSELF, TRYING AS HARD AS I COULD TO GO MAINLY FOR THE LIMBS. EVENTUALLY, SHE WENT DOWN, AND I TOOK HER INTO CUSTODY.]  

ANT: [Thank you, Xoknath.]  

ANT: [You see, Your Wisdom? Immediately. Centre-mass. Bladed, iron weapon! A stable individual would not resort to such measures without at least attempting discussion or retreat, and yet she did. Clearly, she had come prepared to do something of this nature, and we should not overlook this in the slightest.]  

YITRIE: [Agreed. I personally believe she had reasonable things at stake to do what she did, but the way she conducted herself does give the impression that she had been waiting for an excuse to kill someone anyway, which is horrid. I personally have died many times before, and while it may not be permanent, one’s first few deaths can be extremely painful and frightening, to the point where they affect one’s outlook for all of eternity. This should not be ignored.]  

An uneasy atmosphere fills the room.  

YITRIE: [Even still, not many of our own populace willing to risk leaving the village to deal with this wizard issue, even though it affects all of us. She should definitely face punishment, but it does feel a tad wasteful to let her courage go unused. Perhaps if, during punishment, we got her to change her tactics to focus more on communication, and to use less lethal force when battle is unavoidable, she might be less of a threat. Then, perhaps, we could permit her to continue her quest.]

ANT: [Your wisdom, how could we possibly re-train her in such a way? She is a lunatic!]

YITRIE: [Well, since we are already killing two birds with one stone, why don’t we make it three birds? The goblins still need our assistance with the undead human, and we just so happen to have someone who’s shown willingness to approach danger. If we sentence Alexis to community service, I can send her to the goblin caves to retrieve the zombie, alive and bound. If she complies, we can send her on her way. If she kills him, or becomes infected, we’ll keep her in custody. In any case, at least it won’t be us.]  

ANT: [But how can we be sure she won’t attack the civilians?]

YITRIE: […We’ll send a chaperone to watch her every move, and we’ll only let her use less-than-lethal weapons. If she becomes a problem, the chaperone can step in and deal with her. If she is unable to complete the task, they can take care of the zombie as well. Otherwise, their main goal will be to watch from a distance. All in favor?] About three quarters of the dryads raise an arm-like branch.

DRYADS: [Aye!]  

The dryad next to Yitrie leans in towards her.

DRYAD: [Wait! Who should we appoint?]  

YITRIE: [That’s a good question. We need someone very attentive and cautious, who will watch her like a hawk, but they also need to be strong enough to intervene, should things go awry. With both his suspicion towards Alexis, and the strength of body and spirit he has proven recently, it seems Xoknath would be the ideal candidate.]

You see Xoknath lean forward and open his mouth as if to yell something, but then his posture sinks. He subtly clenches his fist and begins to speak through grit teeth.  

XOKNATH: [I WILL COMPLY WITH THESE ORDERS, YOUR WISDOM.]

YITRIE: [Perfect! Now, without any further ado, we sentence Alexis to community service, and mandate a follow-up trial for when she is finished!]

Yitrie claps once. The other dryads then each bring their hands together into one harmonious clap. The ant-woman exits to the south, while a weaselfolk man appears from the north, carrying a burlap sack.

WEASEL: [Here are your belongings, Miss Alexis. Uh, well, some of them, anyway. We had to throw out any food that had spoiled and confiscate any bladed weapons, so your spear is now a staff. We apologize for the inconvenience.]  

You recovered your LOST ITEMS!

The weasel-man exits as well. Xoknath approaches.  

*

Xoknath joins the party! You can now CRAFT and DECRAFT items, including animals, as well as speak Monster Pidgin and HOGSPEECH while Xoknath is alive.  

*  

XOKNATH: XOKNATH NO LIKE YOU, UNDERSTAND?  

Perfectly clear.

XOKNATH: XOKNATH WORK WITH YOU. YOU NO BE BAD.

You have no intention of getting sidetracked more than you have already.

RONAN: Well, uh, since Xoknath here already knows some English, will you be okay without me? I can take you through the village if you want, but I really don’t wanna leave this safe zone if possible.  

Yes, having him come with you will be helpful for now, (you’re not really thrilled to spend time alone with Xoknath), but you’ll be fine if he doesn’t want to leave the city. You thank him for his work defending you.  

RONAN: You’re welcome. I’m sorry things got as crazy as they did. If there’s anything more you’d like from me, just say so.  

You nod.

XOKNATH: UGH. [DOUBLE-CROSSING SHITFUCK! OKAY,] XOKNATH KNOW WAY, GO FIRST. YOU FOLLOW.  

With that, Xoknath begins leading the way back through the village, and you and Ronan follow.  

Area 6 - The Woods

Link to First Page

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Healer’s Den Revisited

You, Xoknath and Ronan burst into Nesrinn’s hut, catching her off guard as she moves supplies out of a cabinet in the back and onto a pile to her right. You clutch your stomach from the pain this infection has given you.  

NESRINN: [Whoa! What’s wrong?]  

XOKNATH: [SHE’S INFECTED WITH THE ZOMBIE VIRUS! SHE HASN’T TURNED YET, BUT SHE NEEDS HELP, QUICK!]  

Nesrinn remains far calmer than Xoknath, but still appears serious as she replies.  

NESRINN: [Okay. Lie her down on the bed, I know just what to do.]  

Xoknath brings you over to the bed, and you lie down.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------  

As your character lies down, you see the screen flash, as if you are still taking damage. This is a cutscene. You aren’t actually moving your character. Surely, you can’t still be taking damage at this point, right?  

---------------------------------------------------------------  

Nesrinn pulls a clay bottle out of the cabinet, pops the lid off, and brings it over to your face.  

NESRINN: [Drink this. It’ll slow down the harm while I mix something up real quick.]  

You grab the bottle and gulp the potion down. You feel the pain from earlier start to numb, but you still feel like the virus is causing harm you can’t perceive yet.  

Nesrinn puts on a glove and takes a Spirit Crystal out of the cabinet, before dropping it into a nearby mortar. You immediately get up and try to run, but Xoknath pushes you back onto the bed.  

XOKNATH: SIT!  

NESRINN: [Restrain her!]  

Xoknath keeps you pinned while Ronan straps your arms down. You start kicking, so they strap down your legs as well. Meanwhile, Nesrinn uses a pestle to grind up the crystal, then pours water and sugar into the bowl. Without any heat source, the water bubbles, and she begins stirring. The Spirit Crystal dust and the sugar both melt, turning the water a dark blue. She pours this blue potion into another bottle, and brings it towards you. You turn your face away, but Ronan turns your head back over to her.  

NESRINN: [I know you’re scared, but please understand. This illness is a living thing, and we need to kill it before it reaches your brain. This is the only treatment that’s worked before. I’d give you something more for the pain, but nothing will make much difference, short of knocking you out entirely. You need to be awake in order to swallow.]  

With that, she force-feeds you the potion. Your energy drains. Your mouth and throat begin to burn just as intently as your wounds did. Coughing and wheezing, you look up to her for help, and she obliges, giving you some cold sugar water. The pain is soothed slightly, and you regain some energy, only to scream in agony as the potion pools in the pit of your stomach.   A spoon enters your mouth and an unknown substance covers your tongue. You become very dizzy and lightheaded. Your vision fades, and you fall asleep.  

------------------------------------------------------------------  

The cutscene continues as your avatar lays there.  

Nesrinn goes back to the cabinet and pulls out a syringe, slowly injecting it into Alexis’s arm as she sleeps.  

------------------------------------------------------  

XOKNATH: [IF YOU GET A MOMENT, MAY I BORROW SOME CREATION STONE? THERE’S A DRYAD THAT NEEDS HELP AT THE INTERSECTION.]  

RONAN: …  

NESRINN: [Oh, the human’s just fine, thanks for asking. She’ll be up in just a few days. Your concern is so admirable.]  

XOKNATH: [OH, TRUST ME, I DON’T GIVE A SHIT. I’LL KEEP HER ALIVE AS LONG AS I CAN, BUT I WON’T SHED A SINGLE TEAR IF SHE GETS HERSELF KILLED. ANY CONCERN I’VE SHOWN SO FAR IS FOR YITRIE’S SAKE.]  

RONAN: …!  

XOKNATH: [I DO STILL NEED THAT STONE, THOUGH. THE DRYAD HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG, AND I PASS BY THEM, LIKE, EVERY DAY.]  

NESRINN: [Oh. Shit. I thought you meant, like, for summoning items, I didn’t know they were injured.]  

She points to a shelf on the other side of the room.  

NESRINN: [Creation Stones are over there. Go ahead.]  

XOKNATH: [THANKS!]  

Xoknath goes over to the shelf and picks up a green rod with a leather-wrapped handle.  

Xoknath got the CREATION ROD! With this, a real magic user may cast CREATION SPELLS, but any party member can spend 1 MP to heal 2 HP.  

NESRINN: [Hurry over and help them out, but please return that to me when you’re done, okay?]  

XOKNATH: [HAVE I EVER NOT RETURNED SOMETHING?]  

NESRINN: [Yeah, I know you’re good for it. I say that with everyone. Just a new policy I have, ‘cause not everyone I’ve trusted has actually remembered to hold up their end of the deal.]  

XOKNATH: [YEAH, I GET IT. PEACE!]  

-------------------------------------------------------------------   The cutscene ends.   You are now controlling Xoknath!  

-----------------------------------------------------------------   You take Alexis’s bag and walk out of the building. 

Yitrie’s Court Revisited

Link to First Page

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Area 6 - The Woods

Your trip westward through the village is uncomfortably quiet. Neither you or Ronan say much of anything, for fear of provoking Xoknath, who seethes with anger at every step. The villagers aren’t running away anymore, but they’re not approaching you, either. They peer at you through the hut windows, or back away by about 10 feet to let you past. They seem to sigh at relief seeing Xoknath near you, though.

You reach the end of the village and Ronan waves. You nod and thank him once again, before following Xoknath into the woods.

A feeling of regret washes over you. You realize now why these people think you are unstable, and yes, they bring up good points about things you should work on. However, you do resent that Xoknath is not getting as much criticism as he maybe should. Even if his axes burn the wounds shut to prevent bleeding, that hurts like absolute hell, and is actually really unnecessary since non-bladed weapons exist. And since they could still kill you if he ever went for the easy target (your torso), it frankly seems irresponsible for the council to let him have these.

 Come to think of it, what is up with that whole “Council of Elders” thing? Sure, in human societies, that works, but only because everyone cycles into that eventually, assuming everyone lives to that age. But given how many animals the elders had fused with, it seems that post-mortem age still counts as age in the monster tribe. No-one cycles into it! It’s just those same 12-or-so people forever. It’s like the bullshit monarchy you dealt with in the city, only worse, because Lord Calvin would still be there no matter how many times he was assassinated.

 But again, you can’t do anything about it. You barely made it out of your own war when it was just regular humans. Add superpowers to the mix, and there’s no way you could feasibly win. Besides, you may see problems with how this other culture handles their government, but… the civilians seemed happy and healthy enough, you notwithstanding. It’s fine. It’s fine… If they need help, they can come to you for it. No need to butt into their business when you have your own shit going on.

 You are quickly snapped back to reality when Xoknath puts his arm in front of you, stopping you in your tracks. Two wild boar stand on the path ahead.

 BOAR #1: [YOU! TALL ONE! DO YOU HAVE ANY FOOD?]

XOKNATH: [SORRY. I DO NOT.] HUMAN! YOU HAVE FOOD?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your Inventory pops up on screen, prompting you to select an item. The only foodstuffs you have are the Salted Ham Steak, the Lightly-Stale Bread, and the St. John’s Wort.

From gaming instinct, you go to select the least useful item you have, but your finger slips, and you accidentally select the Salted Ham Steak.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You hand the Ham Steak to Xoknath. He looks at it for a moment, sniffing it instinctively, before realizing what it is and jumping. The Ham Steak flies out of his hand and lands between the two wild boar. With a happy squeal, both start digging in.

You look at Xoknath, whose expression shifts from fear, to frustration, to embarrassment, and then to exasperation all in, like, a few seconds.

As the hogs finish their meal, both look up at Xoknath.

BOAR #2: [THANK YOU, TALL ONE. I WILL STICK AROUND YOU NOW.]

BOAR #1: [I WILL TOO.]

You got 2 PET HOGS! One auto-equips to your Companion slot and the other to Xoknath’s. Be sure to keep them well-fed!

*

XOKNATH: NO! WE NO USE THESE! HUMANS AND MONSTERS HOLD BACK. BOAR KILL AND EAT.

With that, the two Pet Hogs are de-equipped.

*

You continue on your way, admiring your new pets, when you come across a circle of dried mud, with intricate patterns, poems, and illustrations scrawled into every inch. You look up to see another dryad planted firmly in the center of this circle, with both hands covering a massive wound in their side, leaking tree sap, but not blood.

DRYAD: [Hey, Xoknath!]

XOKNATH: [OH MY GOD, ARE YOU OKAY?]

DRYAD: [Not really! Seems a logger was having an off day and mistook me for a normal tree. I need to get this gash closed up before it gets infected. Will you be able to get me some Creation Stone for me?]

XOKNATH: [OF COURSE! UH… DO YOU HAVE TIME FOR US TO FINISH THIS MISSION FIRST? I PROMISE, WE WON’T BE LONG.]

DRYAD: [Uh… okay? Sure. Thank you!]

Xoknath heads north, and you follow.

*

Now that you think about it, who in their right mind would choose to be reborn a dryad? Sure, you get a tougher body to walk around in those first few years, but having to stay rooted to one spot for years after doesn’t sound fun at all.

Then again, maybe being able to live off of sunlight, with no expectations from anybody, outweighs that. You remember how tired of farming you used to get, and how much you wanted to just curl up into a ball and do nothing for like a month. Makes perfect sense why they’d do that.

Still, you’re sure it’s unfortunate having to be alone constantly, and having to rely on others whenever something happens that they can’t fix.

Whole thing must be a mixed bag. But so is everything, you guess.

*

You make your way north, and two goblins make their way south towards you, one male and one female. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue, but given their hunched posture, limp gait, and foaming mouths, you’re guessing these aren’t normal goblins.

 BATTLE START!

 You rush past Xoknath and try to bash the head of the male zombie-goblin. (Zomblin?)

You rolled a 5, plus 4!

You get a hit in, but the zomblin’s thick skull prevents him from taking much damage. He loses 1 HP, having 6 left, and stumbles back. He hisses at you and lunges forward.

His long fingernails slice through the air as you dodge to the left.

With one hand, Xoknath tosses a rope to you, and with the other, slashes at the female zomblin. He rolls a 1, plus 5.

She grabs the handle of the axe before the blade can hit her.

With her other hand, she slashes at Xoknath, but he grabs her wrist before her nails can make contact.

You try to crack the staff against the side of the male zomblin’s head, but you roll a 1 (plus 4). He blocks with his arm, taking 0 damage.

He goes for a bite. You back up and see him bite at nothing.

Xoknath lifts the female zomblin and slams her into a nearby tree, rolling a 5, plus 2. Of this, she takes about 3 damage, and is left with 4 HP, no longer having a grip on Xoknath or his weapons.

She gets up from the ground, snarling, and goes for a bite at his legs, but she crit fails, and faceplants into the dirt.

You equip the rope Xoknath gave you.

The male zomblin shakes his head all about, flinging mouth-foam in all directions. You try to cover your face, but you are not fast enough. It gets into your eyes and mouth, leaving you Infected.

Xoknath tries to pin the female zomblin down with one hand, rolling a 4, plus 3 (Strike being in place of strength), but she struggles against him and can’t be held in place. He applies the other, but he rolls a 1 (plus 3) and she breaks free of his grasp.

She tries to run away, but Xoknath runs after her and manages to grab her by the arm.

You throw one end of the rope around the male zomblin. You rolled a 5, plus 1 from your Shoot. The zomblin, while not fully bound yet, will have a disadvantage next turn!

You take 1 Infection damage, and have 8 HP left.

He attempts to get the rope off of him, but cannot.

Xoknath tries to bind the female zomblin’s hands, rolling a 5, plus 2 (using Shoot in place of accuracy). He succeeds, and she can no longer attack by scratching.

You run around the male zomblin, coiling the rope around him. Using Dodge in place of speed, you roll a 4 plus 3. He is unable to get out, and you finish tying a knot to keep him bound.

You take 1 Infection damage, and have 7 HP left.

The female zomblin tries once again to escape. Again, she fails.

With a roll of 2, plus 2, Xoknath binds her feet so she cannot move.

…

Zoknath pulls out 2 rags and puts them over the mouths of each of the two zomblins.

YOU WIN!

You each got 100 XP and a ZOMBLIN CAPTIVE!

Deliver these to the Monster Queen to gain access to communal meals!

*

LEVEL UP! Your Max HP Increased from 9 to 10!

Your Max MP increased from 0 to 1!

Your Dodge increased from 3 to 4!

You now have an EXTRA TURN in combat!

*

You take 1 Infection damage, and have 6 HP left.

XOKNATH: HUMAN! YOU SICK. GO NESRINN. FAST. IF FAST, NESRINN HELP. IF SLOW, YOU BE ZOMBIE.

Initially, you’d just planned to ignore your condition and let Xoknath defeat that zombie knight, but based on what Ronan told you, you don’t think there’s a cure that works after you turn, at least not this early in the game.

At Xoknath’s request, you head back to town.

*

You pass the wounded dryad again.

DRYAD: [Oh. Are you back already?]

XOKNATH: [NO. SORRY. THIS HUMAN ACTUALLY DID GET INFECTED AND NOW THERE’S A MUCH SHORTER TIME LIMIT FOR GETTING TO THE DOCTOR. WE’LL BE BACK FOR YOU, I PROMISE!]

DRYAD: [Okay.]

You take 1 Infection damage, and have 5 HP left.

*

You keep walking.

You take 1 Infection damage, and have 4 HP left.

You eat the St. John’s Wort, bringing you back to 8 HP.

*

You see a downed tree on the side of the path, with another slug-like creature melting it the same way that slojym melted the grass earlier, and turning a very yellowish color to match it. This wood-slojym (or “wudjym”) turns to look at you.

 BATTLE START!

 You take your staff and slam it down against the wudjym, rolling a 1, plus 4.

It tanks your attack effortlessly, and proceeds to eat your staff for good measure.

…You decide not to attack a second time.

You take 1 Infection damage, and have 7 HP left.

Xoknath strikes the wudjym with his right axe. It auto-crits against the wooden foe!

With a 3, plus 5, times 2, he deals 16 damage, out of which the wudjym takes 8. This also saps 1 MP and deals 4 Burn damage, bringing the poor thing down to 8 HP. The beast is also now on fire.

Xoknath strikes again with the left axe, rolling a 4, plus 5, times 2! It takes the beast’s head cleanly off.

YOU WIN!

You each got 100 XP!

You also got 2 WOOD PULP and 1 CHARCOAL. Either can be used as kindling.

Xoknath's axes would have acid on them now, but it burns off really quickly.

*

You take 1 Infection damage, and have 6 HP left.

You finally make your way back to the village.

RONAN: Oh! Back already! Wait, where’s the zombie?

XOKNATH: [TAKE US TO THE HEALER’S DEN. NOW!]

RONAN: [Wha— Oh. Okay.]

As you walk, you take 1 more damage, and are left with 5 HP when you make it to Nesrinn’s hut.

Healer’s Den Revisited

Link to First Page

[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Area 4 - The Healer’s Den

You wake up under a dome-shaped roof made of mud bricks. Your hands are bound, and you’re lying on top of a straw bed, underneath a heavy fur blanket. Instead of your usual clothes, it seems you are dressed in a loose-fitting gown of some sort.  

Your eyes dart around the room. You see knives of varying size and material, clay bottles labeled with symbols you can’t read, several rods and plates, all made of green stone, and a spool of cloth bandages. 

From a doorway at the other end of the room, you see a woman walk in, with green scales, yellow eyes, and the face of a lizard.  

The lizardborn woman turns to you.  

You quickly hop out of bed and stare her down. You expected the impact of the landing to hurt your leg, and are surprised that it doesn’t. You look and feel where the axe had set in. Just like the wolf scratches, it is completely healed.  

The lizardborn shouts something out of the doorway, and a tall, lanky man with the head and fur of a wolf walks in.  

WEREWOLF: Oh! You’re awake!

Who are they?! Where are you?! What happened?!  

WEREWOLF: Whoa, whoa, relax! Relax. Everything’s fine. You’re just in the healer’s den.  

Healer’s den… Right. Yeah, that would explain it.  

The werewolf gestures to the lizard woman.  

WEREWOLF: This is Nesrinn, the doctor. Reports say that around this time yesterday, Xoknath carried you in from the border after you resisted arrest. You were scheduled for a trial as soon as you were all healed up, and that’s where I come in.  

He gestures to himself.

WEREWOLF: I’m Ronan, your translator and legal advocate.  

…Wait, huh? Trial? You ask him to slow down a bit.  

RONAN: Of course, sorry. So, it seems you have been accused of crimes relating to the monster/human separation treaty. Are these accusations true?  

Yes. They are. But you had a good reason for it!  

RONAN: Oh, I’m sure. Go ahead?    

You explain everything to him. The ghost, the wizard, the mission, and even the fights.  

 RONAN: Hmm, I see. Normally, this wouldn’t be enough to reduce punishment. Usually, a dream about a ghost, telling you about a wizard you’ve never seen, would be counted as multiple levels of hearsay. Fortunately, we’re in special circumstances right now. Monster culture is very spiritual, so they will buy the ghost thing wholesale, and last night, our village was attacked by a feral, presumably-undead human who matches your ghost’s description, so the wizard thing might actually be true. Not only that, the danger has leaked into our village, so now it’s of consequence to us. Hopefully, if we play our cards right, we might be able to convince them to grant you passage with minimal punishment.  

Cool, cool, cool, but, like, you did attack someone, and a guard too. So, just so you know, what happens if you don’t succeed?  

RONAN: Yes, that is a problem, and trust me, it will not be forgotten by the court. However, we do not believe in the death penalty here. For humans and goblins, the court doesn’t know where they go if they don’t practice astral projection, and for those of us who grew up around Christians, it doesn’t sound promising. For monsters and spiritualists, though, death’s just a slap on the wrist.  

Okay, cool. So… dungeon, then?  

RONAN: Well, again, we don’t really have dungeons, either. The only jail cells we have are filled up, too, on account of the zombies.  

…Zombies?  

RONAN: Oh. Yeah, the feral human I mentioned earlier? He was carrying a disease that spread to some of our citizens, and that made them feral too. Our only “jail” building ran out of room, so we’ve started tying them to trees. That’s… probably what’ll happen to you if things go south with this trial.  

Okay, noted!  

RONAN: Now, I can tell that that scares you, and that’s a good thing. Us monsters are all about empathy. My advice: Look sad, look scared, and be willing to do anything to atone. Make it genuine, too, because if we know you’re exaggerating, we start to lose sympathy. Alright?  

You nod, solemnly.  

RONAN: See? Like that! That’s genuine!  

…  

RONAN: And hey, even if they do keep you in custody for a while, I promise, it’s not forever. And in the meantime, we’ll make sure that the wizard is dealt with.  

…Okay.  

RONAN: Alright. Now, come along. The elders want us to meet in their circle, ASAP.  

RONAN joined the party!

You can now speak MONSTER PIDGIN and WOLFTONGUE while Ronan is alive!  

The two of you exit the building. 

Area 5 - The Monster Queen’s Court

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[another-stupid-writing-blog]

Boss Battle - Xoknath

[Poll results – 100% responded: “Fight”]  

You take your Worn Iron Spear and thrust it Xokward!  

You rolled a 6, plus 6!  

Xoknath deflects the spear, taking just 1 damage as it grazes his side.  

He swings at your right arm with one of his axes.  

You take your arm out of the way, but your side is still hit. The blade is slowed, but not stopped, by your leather tunic.  

You take 2 chopping damage and 2 burn damage!  

You feel 1 MP drain from your body.  

You have 5 HP and 0 MP left!  

The orc swings his other axe towards your left leg.  

You try to dodge, but unfortunately, you crit-failed on your defense roll!  

You took 4 chopping damage and 2 burn damage!  

In absence of MP to drain, your Max MP was reduced to zero.  

While the wounds are non-fatal, the sheer pain is too much to bear, and you go unconscious. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rather than a game over screen, you are returned to the world map, with your character lying still on the ground.  

Xoknath walks over, picks her up, props her up over his shoulder, and walks off-screen to the right.  

The screen fades to black once again.  

Dream - The Battle at Calvin’s Fort

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