Dagger Isle Story (Long)
Lorren
figured I would share it with the group. Comments are welcome. Here goes:
Hail,
My name is Judas and I am about to impart to you a wondrous story of
courage, valor, and love. It all took place on Dagger Island many years ago
when I was young and strong, when I was vying for the position of Guild
Master for the Order of the Erudite Warrior.
Dagger Isle, the place is bitter cold with large bears lurking behind
every snowdrift. But such animals are the least of the horrors that call
that island their abode. If one travels along the south side of the mountain
range you will come across a pass that leads into the heart of the
mountains. In the dark crevasses under the largest of these mountains lies
the entrance to Deceit, a most terrible dungeon. Beware any who would
venture here! Foul creatures call this place home. It was spoken among the
guild that any who could venture to the deepest depths of Deceit alone would
be worthy to lead the Order.
As a young warrior who seeks honor from his fellow guild mates, this is
exactly the kind of place I could earn recognition and fame. I dawned my
chain and plate mail armor, took my finest kriss from the mantel of my home
and booked passage on a ship from Nujel'm to Dagger Island. The captain of
this vessel usually ferried passengers from Vesper to Jujel'm and Moonglow
and was not at all willing to make a trip to Dagger Isle. "Evil undead live
on that isle!" the captain would say as he chewed on his long wooden pipe.
In the end, I parted with 2000 hard won gold pieces to convince the captain
to take me there.
When we arrived two days later, I cannot say I had any regrets
disembarking that rickety vessel. The captain stuck of ale and beer and the
ship hands would drink and gamble into the night making all kinds of ruckus.
The food was as poor as the company. I had seen maps of the island and knew
that the dungeon Deceit lied to the north of me. I set off toward the
mountains in the distance. I can still remember the blasting wind that would
carry sleet and snow. The bitter cold would freeze my armor so that it would
be difficult to move. The howling of snow wolves echoed across the barren
land, tracks of mammoth bears crossed the snowy plains, and ever rising to
loom above me was the mountain range that held evil hosts of undead within.
I was a stout warrior back then. It took a great deal to make me think
twice of my actions in those days, so I persevered. On the fourth day of my
journey I reached foot of the mountain range. I started to head south when I
first heard the scream of death. I rushed ahead to see what was happening.
As I approached the scene, I heard the unmistakable sounds of combat. My
heart began to pound; this is what I had been waiting for: to distinguish
myself in battle.
When I crested the next hill, I came across a terrible sight. An Orc
camp had converged on a lone sorceress and pushed her back into and
indentation in the mountain face. Around the mage were several dead orcs,
and she was in the process of unleashing powerful magi upon the approaching
hoard. I watched in amazement as blue fire flew from the mage's hands
dispatching another orc. The words of power, "Corp Por" echoed across the
valley.
She was clothed in full black garments, cut to show the shapely curves
that blessed members of her gender, and had long flowing brown hair that
matched the hazel color of her eyes. The lovely features of her face showed
strength, both physical and mental. As I crested the hill, her eyes met
mine, and I could see relief fill her gaze. In a loud voice I cried, "I am
Judas the Poetic Warrior! Stay thy hand, O most foul orcs, or prepare for
oblivions embrace!"
The orcs answered in their foul language that I did not comprehend, but
their intention was clear. Several of them began approaching the hill upon
which I stood. There could be only one answer to this challenge. I drew my
kriss and charged toward them. The orcs were in melee range with the
sorceress, and I knew if I could not get to her she would perish. With every
ounce of strength in my body I fought my way to the mage who was grievously
inured.
"Heal yourself, sorceress!" I cried! But it was no use. I was too late
in reaching her. The orc that was beating on her with a club dealt a killing
blow. Those beautiful eyes went dark and she dropped to the ground. The
beast rummaged through her corpse and took a pouch. This brazen act enraged
me and threw myself into the carnage. With potions and bandages flying as
fast as my kriss, the orcs were overwhelmed with the ferocity of my attack.
After two grueling hours I stood alone, relishing a victory long-fought and
hard won.
I turned to the fallen sorceress, regretful that I had not been able to
save her life. Then a spark of hope flared as I remembered the ancient map I
had studied in the library in Britain. There were tales of a shrine where
those pure of heart and honest in spirit would be resurrected and their soul
restored. I was determined to find this place.
I carried her body for miles along the mountain ridge until I came to a
path leading into the mountains toward the largest mountain where the
dungeon was located. Standing in the shadows, freezing wind blowing though
my long hair, I saw that if I were going to explore the dungeon deceit and
win the title of Guild Master of the Order of the Erudite Warrior, I would
have to abandon my quest to resurrect the fallen sorceress. I looked down at
the lifeless woman in my arms, her bloodstained hair, the beauty of her
features and a resolve hardened in my heart. I would restore the sorceress
or sacrifice my life in the attempt; fame and title be dammed.
As I passed by the mountan pass that lead to Decete, my dreams of Guild
leadership faded. But something else was stiring in my heart, something
sutile and indescribable at the time. As the hours passed, my cold began to
permiate my amor and cloathing. My strength was slowly being sapped by the
freezing cold and when I though I could go no more, I spotted a shadow in
the rock face. Upon closer examination, I found a narrow passage that was
filled with fallen rock. I was about to pass it by, thinking that a place of
virtue could not be located in such a place, but something caught my
attention. The air flowing from the passage was sweet and carred with it the
sent of Jasmen.
I decided to travel the passage. The going was difficult; broken rock
was scattered everywhere and the passage became tight. Just when I though I
would not be able to go any farther, a great room opened up and flowing
sunshine illuminated a great stone cross. Etched into the cross was the word
Honesty. I laid the body down before the cross and waited. At first, nothing
happened, and I though we would both share this room as our final resting
place. But then the shrine began to glow with magical energy which decened
upon the body of the fallen sorceress. I single tear of joy froze to my
cheek as her eyes fluttered open and met mine. At that moment we both knew
that we had found our soul mate.
After gating back to town, we spent several wonderful months together
afterwhich we made arrangements to get married. While I may have not become
the leader of my guild, I won a prize far more valuable: a kindred spirit.
May all of you who listened to this story be so fortunate.
John Henry
--
John Henry of Napa
GM Warrior, GM Fencer, nearly GM in Anatomy, healing, parrying, and
tailoring.
Owner of two story cabin.
Newbie of only 2000 hours play time.
"Lorren" <silly...@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:uaIm5.4370$Ur3....@news1.sttls1.wa.home.com...
Septimus
>
> The hell with OSI. Great reading!
>
> --
Indeed I must agree. If OSI didn't give you a reason for it's rejection
though, I might be inclinced to think it's because of the length mostly.
OSI seems to like to keep them short. Also a few spelling mistakes that
they probably couldn't be bothered with. You should try knock it down a
tad and read through it slowly a few times, then resend.
Septimus, Master Tailor/Mage of Moonglow.
(Chief Recruiter: Moonglow's Protectors - Oceania)
[http://drink.to/moonglow]
"..and now, through the mists of time,
the legendary Esquilax!
The horse with the head of a rabbit...
and the body....of a rabbit...."
Paula Jakobs
Ariella
Paula Jakobs
Jean-Luc.
Ariella
Wolf Kestris Rowanwood
-Wolf
Baja
"John Henry" <John_...@scrollworld.com> wrote in message
news:RiIm5.5761$K5.1...@typhoon.austin.rr.com...
Mark
i liked it very much
i am a decent artist and would like to consider writing a story with you
if you have any of the same thoughts
email me at
pest...@home.com
ill send you some pics and all of that
farewell and may the love last longer than the sun
from a touched heart, Papillion[t hunter] Lake superior