[System] Run a text-based dark fantasy adventure game. Describe the world with gritty realism, respond to player actions with narrative consequences, and maintain the tone of a world where survival is never guaranteed.

[User] Continue

[Assistant]
This is no way to live.

Working on a barely profitable rundown farm with far too many family members to feed. It's a damn good thing you're an excellent hunter. However, lately there's even been a shortage of game to thwart your efforts.

You didn't really want to be working on the farm your whole life in the first place, you wanted to see the world but when dad died, things got a lot harder for the family and you had to take over as "man" of the house and stay put.

Something is going to have to change.

While you'd like nothing more than to go through with your childhood dreams of becoming a traveling bard without any responsibility you don't have that luxury. Hell, you barely have time to play your lute anymore in the small amount of free time you do have. You doubt if you'd even be good enough to make a living for just yourself doing it.

But you need to get away, but what can you do that won't allow you to completely abandon your mom and all your brothers and sisters?

You suddenly think of the choice that many in your desperate position have thought of many times before.

The army.

Its not exactly ideal, but you be traveling and seeing the world so to speak. You'd also be making enough money that you could send to your family. Your own living expenses would be provided for by the army.

Of course there's all that fighting that usually goes along with it that you're not to keen on. Not that you aren't a stranger to battle as their have been the occasional bandits or kobold thieves that have attempted to steal from the farm in the past, but you prefer not to fight if possible, especially not up close. The bow has always been your weapon of choice. There's also the matter of mass combat on a grand scale that usually accompanies army life. A lot different than chasing away some thieves in the chicken coop.

As you're thinking about this, you also realize that there is another option. There's a small mercenary company passing through the area. They've been hanging out at the local tavern for a couple days. They don't seem to be the noblest sort from what you can tell, but fortunately they seem to have kept their revelry confined to the tavern. Who knows how they act away from "civilization" though.

Still, it's something to consider. There probably is less attention to discipline and a little more relaxed on rules and regulations. You probably wouldn't be fighting in some mass land war that governments are fond of waging. Mercenaries travel a lot and tend to make more, however they tend to get hired for a lot weirder jobs, usually ones that the employer doesn't want people to know about or ones that nobody else seems to be able to handle.

[User] You enlist in the army

[Assistant]
Well, as much as you're going to hate the whole uniform thing, you'd rather there be some sort of guidelines. The mercenaries look like a rough bunch. You get the impression
you'd have to be watching your back as much as your enemies if you signed up with them.

You explain your decision to join the army to the family one night at dinner. Your revelation comes as a shock. Your smaller brothers and sisters don't want you to go, your
brother Mallack really doesn't want you to leave since he'll be next in line to take the brunt of the manual labor!

Your mother surprises you as much as you surprised everyone else. You expected her to be the most vocal about you not leaving, but she sees that this would help out the family. She gives her blessing.

Before you leave the next day with your packed belongings, your whole family comes to say goodbye to you. You almost hesitate to leave, wondering if it would actually be better for you to stay, but your mother urges you on.

"Don't worry! Mallack is old enough to take over your responsibilities on the farm. He's not quite as skilled of a hunter, but he'll be able to do it. I've always known that you've had a desire to travel. The army isn't an ideal life I hope you realize though." Your mom says.
"Yeah, I know, but I've thought it through."
"Very well, you're old enough to make your own decisions and live your own life, though I'm glad to see that you still want to help the family as opposed to just leaving in the middle of the night."
"I'll start sending money as soon as possible. I'll also try to write and visit when I can."
"I know…okay, you best get going. It's still quite a walk to the capitol."

You begin to leave the farm as your family wave goodbye to you in the distance.

Soon you're on the road to your nation's capitol. You've been to Zal once before a long time ago with your dad when he was trying to sell some kobold eyes to an alchemist there. You remember being overwhelmed with how many people lived there and how big it was. You always did want to go there again one day; you just didn't think it would be to enlist in the army.

Eventually you arrive at Zal. The place is even bigger than the last time you came here. So much has changed and you're a little overwhelmed. You don't have any knowledge of the city so you ask the gate guard who is giving a watchful look to everyone coming in and out.

"Excuse me…"
"Whadda ya want peasant? I'm busy! Market square is three blocks down as soon as you get inside the gate here!" The guard snaps.
"No, I was wondering where I could enlist in the army."

The guard seems to change his tone to a somewhat more cordial tone.

"Oh I see. Well, as soon as you go through the gate, take a left, and walk two blocks. The recruiting office is on the right hand side across from a general store."

You thank him and proceed, but you can't help overhearing the guard laughing to his buddy as you walk away. You don't make out all of it, but "Dumb fucking hayseed peasant." was definitely in there.

At last you arrive at the recruiting office. The man sitting at the desk looks bored at first, but perks up a bit when he sees you.

"Well now, this is a nice break in the monotony. Have a seat."
"I want to enlist in the army."
"Well of course you do son, why else would you be here? To join the Zalan Empire's best right? Okay, but before we start I need to ask you some questions just so we can get a feel of where we think you'll best serve in the Emperor's glorious army."
"Uh, okay."
"Good, so where are you from son? You certainly don't look like you're from the city here. You look like a farmer."
"Well I sort of am sir. My family owns a farm a couple miles from the city, I decided to enlist to help my family monetarily. Times are hard on the farm."
"Mmm, noble of you. Your sense of duty will also serve you well too. Any combat experience?"
"Some, but nothing major I'm afraid. A few bandits. Kobolds in the chicken coop. That's about it."
"Don't worry you'll learn to be a killing machine, but your past experience are more than some we've recruited. Any other talents?"
"Besides farming? Um…I'm a good hunter, I use this bow all the time!" you say and show the recruiter your worn bow.
"Good. Good. We can always use good marksmen. But you'll get the chance to use a better bow than that old thing you've been carrying around. What's that other thing on your back?"
"Oh this? Well this is my uh lute."
"Lute? Ha ha! You a bard or something?"
"Well not really, but…"
"You planning on charming the enemies with your music?"
"Uh…" you say begin to get a little anxious.
"Hah! Settle down son, I'm just messing with you. But I'm afraid whatever your musical hobbies may be you'll most likely be abandoning them. Can't be picking your lute while an angry ogre is charging at you or you're storming a castle. This is the army, not an entertainment company!"

The recruiter at this point begins to look through some papers and grabs one after looking it over.

"Ah. Here it is…you know how to read and write?"
"YES!" you say indignantly for the first time.
"Okay, okay, don't get testy. Its just most of you peasant farmer types don't. Anyway just sign here and we'll get you started on your basic training."

You take the paper, and give it a pointless look over like you actually understand all the legal mumbo jumbo and sign. The recruiter takes the paper from you and then shakes your hand.

"Congratulations son! You're in the Zalan Army now! The best damn one in this world!"

Somehow he's more enthusiastic than you are…

[User] You it's boot camp for you!

[Assistant]
6 months pass…

Six months of the most grueling physical training you've ever had the misfortune of dealing with! However you fared better than some of your fellow cadets. Guess all that farm living paid off.

You've certainly improved what combat skills you had, but your marksmanship has improved greatly. You know that Drill Sergeant Kosser has been paying special attention to your abilities. You're not sure if that's a good thing of not.

In any event you're being told where your first assignment is going to be. Most of those in your group are being sent to Tulan border. Not the most pleasant assignment. The fighting is getting worse there.

What started as a minor border dispute has turned into a series of battles with neither side making too much progress. Even before you joined the military you'd heard stories of the greedy king who runs the Tulan Kingdom. You heard from traveling merchants about how he allows a few demons to walk around in his lands! Utter madness in your opinion. The Zalan Empire might be a little strict on the rules and regulations, but better that than demons letting walking around, in your opinion they should all be killed on sight regardless on whether they're obeying the "law" or not, they're evil.

You sit anxious on your bed in the barracks as name after name gets called off. Finally Kosser calls off your name, and you fully expect to get sent to the Tulan border.

"I want to talk to you in private." Is what you hear instead.

This makes you even more nervous. What's he going to do? Send you on? A mission to assassinate the Tulan King?

After everyone else has gotten there assignments you follow Kosser back to his office. He sits down and speaks direct.

"Alright farmboy, I'm sure you've noticed me watching your marksmanship skills. You're one of the best ones that have come in here for awhile. You have a natural talent and you've only improved it through training. It would be a blessing to have someone like you up at the Tulan border. The gods know we could use anything to help break the stalemate there."
"…but?" you ask hoping that there is one.
"But…your skills might be better served in a place that has a better mortality rate, yet still needs taking care of."
"Where's that sir?"
"Here." Kosser points to a map to a nearby location. It's the Retlad Kingdom. You can't imagine what's going on there, since as far as you know, you're Zalan is at peace with them.
"Retlad? I thought we're at peace with them?"
"We are…in fact rumors are saying we'll probably incorporate them into the empire in the near future. I dunno how much you know about politics out there on the farm, but Retlad is basically a bankrupt kingdom. Their dumb ass royalty spent a shitload of their treasury on building ships in some vain attempt to find more land mass on this world. Hah! Doesn't exist! We learned than centuries ago! Anyway now they don't have enough to pay for a proper military and their kingdom is being overrun by hostile Quillar tribes. They want us to help. Begging us practically and we have, but it's a pain in the ass. Quillars are fast and as their name suggests shoot multiple sharp quills at their enemies. I've seen them go through plate armor."
"That doesn't sound good."
"No, it's not good. The Retlad knight orders got decimated within two months of the first invasion wave. We're taking a better approach. We need to have equally quick troops that can at least match the fire power. We've sent a couple of war wizards, but most of them are serving on the Tulan border. Gunpower weapons are a little too slow for this sort of thing, so we're looking for people good with a bow. Quick enough to at least get a few shots off from a distance and run. Because hit and run tactics are what the Quillars excel at, so you'll have to do likewise."

Kosser pauses his talking for a moment. You take this opportunity to interject a question.

"And this assignment you say has a lower mortality rate?"
"Well, we haven't sent as many people there yet, but so far we've made a little more progress there than at the Tulan border. But of course I won't say it's a safe assignment. Those Quillar bastards are vicious and merciless. Up to you farmboy. You're getting a bonus here. You're actually getting to choose your assignment. Not many that get out of boot camp get that privilege."

Some "privilege"

[User] You go to the Tulan Border

[Assistant]
You don't like the sound of the Quillars and it doesn't really sound all that much safer. You decide that at the Tulan border you'll at least be with a few people you already know from boot camp and you'll be fighting something less scary. (Or at least human)

"I'll take the Tulan Border assignment sir."
"Hm, I'm surprised. Hope your skills come in of some use there. Here's your first month's pay, I suggest you live it up here in Zal, for the couple of days you have off before you leave."

You take the small bag and look inside. This will certainly help your family. You take a few coins for yourself and then ask if arrangements can be made to have your payment sent to your family from now on. He tells you yes, but asks that surely that you will still want some of it. You agree to just taking 10% of it. You don't need much.

"Sheesh, living bare minimum huh? Don't you want to eat anything other than military rations every once in awhile?" Kosser questions again.
"Nah. If I need extra food, I'll just hunt."
"You know there aren't many luxuries on the border, but when a traveling merchant shows up, you might regret not having enough money. You sure you don't want more?"
"Nope. I'll be fine. My family needs that money more than I do."
"Alright then, family man."

You exit the barracks and wander the city a bit. You find it very interesting. You sort of wish you could stay longer to take in more sights. However one thing catches your eye. A small store and in the window is a lute. Looks almost like the one you had before it was taken away from you in basic training. You haven't gotten a chance to play in six months and you'd really like to…

Hey you're a soldier now, you've proven yourself. You figure you can take one personal belonging with you to Tulan as long as you keep them packed properly. You enter the store and with the little money you have you buy the lute. You spend the most of the day and the next practicing it. You didn't forget as much as you thought. You also finish up writing a letter to your family and give it to a Zalan messenger carrier.

Finally the third day arrives for you to move out. A couple of officers arrive to take all of you. You're stopped though as you're picked out.

"Hold up you. What's that?"
"It's a lute sir."
"A lute? What the fuck do you think this is? An acting company? Get rid of that thing, you won't be needing that where you're going!"
"But…"
"You disobeying me soldier?"
"No sir!"
"Alright then, get rid of it!"

You sadly get rid of your lute which you never got to play and basically wasted your money on. You don't know what you were thinking anyway. You're in the damn army. You're going to be doing a lot of fighting and all of that, not playing some stupid instrument. You should've realized that the first time it was taken away from you in boot camp.

You've made this choice; you need to just put these dreams of being a "musician" out of your head right now. You weren't meant to be one, and all those years of deluding yourself in between real work were just fleeting dreams of a teenager. Time to grow up.

While you resign yourself to this mindset, you aren't particularly happy with it. When you get to the Tulan Border you're even less happy. Your first battle is filled with all the bad stuff that usually accompanies such things. It's definitely not a fun assignment and your only consolation is that you know your family is getting more financial aid for you doing this.

After a few months, you're absolutely miserable. You don't have your music to keep your mind off of the conditions and everything is bad here. The fort you're currently stationed at supplies only the bare minimum of living, no magical back up, the captain is a real asshole and the rest of those you serve with aren't too much better. Though so many are killed everyday that you never really grow to dislike (or like) anyone that much in that department. More are sent in and more die, it's like an ongoing cycle, everyone's so expendable in this ongoing border war that gets worse with each passing month.

It doesn't even come to your surprise when the day comes that you're mortally wounded while on patrol. One of the new soldiers tells you to hold on and that he'll get help, but you know he won't get any in time and it wouldn't matter anyway.

As you lay dying, your only regret is that you didn't get to play music like you always wanted to, and now you never will.


[System] You are narrating an interactive fiction game in a dark fantasy setting. Bring the world to life with vivid prose, react meaningfully to player choices, and don't pull punches when the story demands it.

[User] You go check on Mom

[Assistant]
For some reason you feel the urge to check on Mom, you head towards her room.

She's crying. You've never seen her like this! You've always known her to be a hard tough woman, its a little shocking to see this side of her.

She notices you and quickly wipes her eyes and reverts back to her old self.

"What the hell are you doing here?! Get the fuck to school!!"

[User] You attempt to reach out to her

[Assistant]
You ignore her abuse, you now know her lashing out is merely a reflection of her own unhappiness. You continue to ask what's wrong and that you're only here to help.

Your genuine concern and her vulnerable state seems to cause her to open up a bit. She breaks down and says how, she's sorry for failing as a parent, and how she's losing your sister, and she doesn't want to lose you either.

You tell her if perhaps she was less controling, things might be better. You say you'll see what you can do about sis. Your Mom thanks you and after a few more hugs and reassurances, you rush off to school. On your way there, your emotions are a little less surpressed. You feel like you have a goal to accomplish now.

You get to school a little late, which results in you getting sent to the principal's office where you run into Henry, the school bully. He's there for beating someone up as usual. He gives you a dirty look and the finger.

[User] You attempt to reach out to him

[Assistant]
That routine might work on those close to you, but not on anti-social miscreants who hate your guts!

As you attempt to ask why Henry feels the need to be hostile to everyone, his expression turns to repulsion. He thinks you're hitting on him.

"What the fuck are you, some fucking faggot or something?" he says and then attacks you right in the principal's office! He beats you pretty bad before the principal manages to get him off of you. You end up having to go to the hospital.

Your sister and Mom come to visit you and they get into an even bigger arguement resulting in a physical fight. Any goal you had of trying to patch up your family has been shattered forever. You don't seem to care anymore though, you realize playing peacemaker was a fool's quest anyway. Look what it got you. You fall asleep keeping that thought in mind.

You wake up the next day in your hospital bed and you feel nothing...


[System] Run a text-based dark fantasy adventure game. Describe the world with gritty realism, respond to player actions with narrative consequences, and maintain the tone of a world where survival is never guaranteed.

[User] You gather up the gear you need and take down the pack

[Assistant]
You limp over to the table, breathing heavily. You slowly go up to the corpses of your friends, too tired and exhausted to even feel sick or disgusted. You're just a professional doing one more job, you don't have time for disgust.

You strip yourself a mismatched outfit from the corpses to at least afford you some protection from the cold, before grabbing a revolver and holstering it by your side. You grab a knife and sheath, attaching it to your belt, before looking to your shotgun. Running your hands along its familiar contours, you smile, feeling a sense of finality come over you.

"Just one more push," you say to yourself, loading the shells into the cold metal chamber.

Your gear ready and costume on, you look to the map one more time, scanning the paths you can take to get to the equipment area. Once you're sure of the way to go, you head off through the tunnels. Marching through the mine shafts at a reasonable, you keep your shotgun raised and your ears twitching. At this point, the beast is raging again inside of you, its sense allowing you to hear ever creak through the caverns and smell every scent. Its only through focusing on the painful silver throughout your body and fighting the beast every step of the way, but exhaustion is meaning that's getting harder and harder.

Stumbling down the hallway, you hear the distant growls of a werewolf pack echoing off the walls. You flinch, as your ears perk up and you realize that the sounds are growing louder. A group of werewolves, more than one but no more than four or five, are coming. You swear under your breath, ready to fight them off.

[User] You hide and let them pass

[Assistant]
You find a hiding spot along the mineshaft, a collapsing crook in the wall that you can clamber down into the hole. You tighten your body, moving into the cramped place and dusting dirt across onto you, to cover yourself up. You begin waiting, as the growls grow closer and closer.

Soon, the werewolves appear, prowling along the dirt path. They creep forward, heads low as they sniff the air, slowly stumbling

The lead wolf stops, nose flickering as its ears perk up. It sniffs the air, its head turning as its bright eyes zero in on you. It growls, as you realize it's caught your scent.

Lying on your back, undefended and incapable of fighting, the werewolves tear you apart before you can even reach for your weapon.


[System] Narrate a dark fantasy text adventure. The setting is harsh and morally complex. Describe scenes vividly, react to player choices with fitting consequences, and never shy away from the reality of the world.

[User] The Cataclysm (Fall of Civilization)

[Assistant]
One of the first questions you ask is to be caught up to speed on what the current situation is on the land. Jennifer fills you in on most of this topic though Quintus interjects when it comes to more political matters on the subject.

Jennifer starts off by stating that the cataclysm that destroyed the Empire not only led to a dark age, but as you might've been able to tell it changed the very landscape. Quala, which was once the heartland of the Empire, is now a wasteland. She mentions that besides the numerous orc tribes that live there, the place is also home for outlaw types.

Quintus remarks that the Nalin Republic has made a bit of an attempt to tame the southern most portion of it along the borders and says that he would like it to do more, but then complains that his hands are tied due to pacifistic fools in the senate.

Jennifer tells you Delerg got it even worse than Quala as most of the land just fell into the ocean! Delerg consists little more as an archipelago though a small portion of it is still attached to the mainland. She says there are rumors of horrors that were awakened and now dwell on several of the islands, but the main danger is that the place is now a haven for pirates.

Quintus remarks that the Nalin navy has problems dealing with them on their eastern coast. Again, he'd like to do more about it, but once again most of the senate claims it isn't in the budget and is thinking about dismantling the navy altogether.

When you ask about Rask, Jennifer states that there isn't too much to tell other than wilderness has reclaimed most of it. She says all that's known is that it's now infested with orcs, ogres, giants and worse. There are rumors of a warrior "guild" of some sort, but she can't imagine that they'd be sane living in such a hostile environment.

Quintus doesn't have much to add other than he's sent a few adventurer types up there to explore, but none of them have come back alive. He'd like to send a full expedition up there, but he barely gets approval from the senate about the one he sends to dig up the Quala Badlands. You're sensing a pattern here…

Jennifer next moves on to the more "civilized" areas of what once was the old Empire. She uses the term loosely though.

Arat is fairly lawless though it currently consists of six city-states which supposedly have an agreement of mutual protection (The Arat Alliance, but in practice they're all out for themselves or at the very least concerned with their own problems. In some cases that means attempting to gain control over the rest. Particularly Lenay, which is the most powerful of the cities and is run by svelk.

You interrupt Jennifer.

"Excuse me? Svelk? They finally managed to settle down?"
"Oh yes, for quite a while now. Sovereign Eldolith has been running it for…"
"Wait, Eldolith?!" you interrupt again.
"Yes, do you know her?"
"We were acquainted. She was only a mercenary captain when I knew her." You answer.
"Interesting…well she's come a long way from a simple leader of mercenaries. She's currently ruling Lenay unopposed and has influence over those weak willed idiots in Atinil and the criminal dominated Valizza." Quintus interjects. "As you might expect the svelk treat the non-svelk little better than slaves, if they aren't already."

Quintus goes on to tell you that he's been warning the senate that having a strong unified svelk dominated power nearby would not be a good thing, but as usual his warnings are mostly going unheard. He says that at the very least there should be steps to support more independence amongst the cities if only to keep Eldolith from gaining more power. He says one of the cities, Regnik is fairly friendly towards the republic and basically the most reliable source of information of what's going on in the region.

Telis is the most isolationist of the bunch, but at least it isn't under the influence of Eldolith. Not much is known about it save that it seems to be very well defended.

The last city is Zo. Though Zo is currently in such dire straits that the six cities may soon become known as the five cities. Zo constantly suffers attacks from orcs. How it remains standing is certainly a testament to its citizens' resolve, but if the frequency of the attacks keep going the way they are, it won't matter how stalwart the citizens are.

Jennifer finally comes to what was the newest edition to the Empire during your time, the territory consisting of the Felkan Kingdom. Jennifer says that it mostly consists of small hamlets and even a few towns, but none of them are united like a nation or even as big as one of the six cities of Arat. There is one small nation though that calls itself the Red Cap Kingdom.

The Red Cap Kingdom is a small nation of militant gnomes. Only gnomes live within its borders and they are fiercely independent and hostile to anyone who isn't a gnome. They are extremely well defended too and probably the most technologically advanced. They call themselves the Red Caps due to being so merciless in battle that they supposedly dip their hats into the blood of their fallen enemies.

"Bloodthirsty gnomes…now I've heard everything…" you say nearly laughing. "Well considering all that happened to them, I can't say I'd blame them for abandoning their pacifism. Always knew we didn't get all of them. Surprised they came back to the area though."

Jennifer is a bit confused by your statement, obviously not really knowing the whole story, though Quintus seems a little more up on the topic.

"My dear Miss Mol, during the time of the Empire, the Felkan Kingdom was secretly run by gnomes who did everything in their power to destroy the Empire. Gnomes as you might imagine were specifically targeted to ensure the safety of the Empire." Quintus explains to Jennifer.
"Yeah…something like that. Though to be quite honest I believe the Emperor just really hated gnomes. He explained his reasons, but I always thought there might be another deeper personal motive. In any case never did learn it, and I didn't need to. His will was mine and I followed orders." You remark. This causes an outburst by Quintus who bangs his fist on the table startling Jennifer.
"You see that Miss Mol!? Utter dedication! A ruler gave orders and his soldiers carried them out! This why I wish the old Empire still existed! Shit got done back in those days!"

Considering how much Quintus bitches about the senate he's certainly right about the Empire getting shit done. Jennifer continues.

"Well the gnomes may have re-entered the area due to being on the run from the other new nation that has reportedly arrived in the area, the Xi Hive."
"Now who the hell are they?!" you ask.
"A great danger if the sources are even only half correct." Quintus interjects. "And a perfect reason for the senate to get their shit together, but will they listen? No of course not! I just get accusations of being a warmongering troublemaker when in fact I'm trying to save all of their ungrateful asses!" Quintus shouts causing you and Jennifer and you to stare at him.

Quintus hasn't really told you what his goals are yet and what role you might play in them, but you can already make a good guess at what one of them might be.

"Sorry. Please continue explaining the Xi Hive to our guest, Miss Mol." Quintus says.
"So, the Xi Hive is apparently ruled by a race of insectoid creatures. Almost ant like in nature, they're probably even directed by a queen. They don't really have any proper settlements. We think they might be primarily subterranean, but that doesn't stop them from attacking the humble villages that are on the surface. They don't leave anyone alive and take survivors as captives; presumably underground where I can only guess they might eat or enslave them. They haven't attacked any of the major powers yet like the Red Cap Kingdom or one of the six cities, but they have been slowly moving east, so it's only a matter of time."

You sit there taking all of this in. Orcs running amok, a new gnome nation, united svelk, ant people…and you haven't even heard the whole sad story on the Nalin Republic yet.

"Tell me something is there ANYTHING that didn't go to fucking hell when the Empire fell?" you ask.

Quintus and Jennifer aren't sure how to respond. They think for a moment and then Quintus thinks of something.

"Um…before the cataclysm, Empire was in the process with wiping up gnoll rabble on its western borders wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"Well, they must've never recovered from it, because there hasn't been a gnoll seen in nearly five centuries!"
"Gee…well thank the Empire for small victories." You say shaking your head with your hand on your forehead.


[System] You are the narrator of a dark fantasy text adventure. Describe the world and its consequences with unflinching detail. The player's choices shape the story — for better or worse.

[User] You reject the deal

[Assistant]
"No," you say.

"Oh, pathetic," Lucifer asks. "You've wasted my time here."

Silence consumes you, and you wait patiently. After a few minutes, you open your eyes. The deer skull sits there, the same as ever. You stand, turning and walking out of the cave. You clamber down the hill, and start walking towards Rose. After a few minutes, you find her.

"Jacob! I told you to leave!" she says.

"I tried to talk to your father, but..."

"Jacob! No! Please, please don't take any of his awful deals! Just go! Leave, Jacob!"


[System] You are the narrator of a dark fantasy text adventure. Describe the world and its consequences with unflinching detail. The player's choices shape the story — for better or worse.

[User] You focus on Lisa

[Assistant]
You made one deal with a powerful being and it didn't go well. No need to do it twice, especially with a vampire. At best you'd probably be a pawn in whatever plans she has.

Your fate is currently sealed and you can't do much to change it, but maybe you can at least help Lisa achieve some of her goals.

"Lisa, how serious are you about leaving this place?" you ask.
"What do you mean?" she responds.
"I mean could you leave right now if you had to?"
"…um…well not right now…I mean I'd have to gather up some things at least and I don't have much money. Like none actually."
"That doesn't matter. In fact forget about money right now, I'm asking could you leave soon, if you had to?"

Lisa wasn't actually expecting this line of questioning, and it's obvious she feels pressured, but if she's serious about her desires, you need to know.

"I… I mean yeah I guess I could if I had to." She says.
"Good. I want you to go home and get everything you think you're going to need, but don't over pack. Meet me here tomorrow morning and we'll set off for Holgard." You say.
"What really?"
"Yes, really. You said you wanted to see it, so I'll take you there. You're not having second thoughts already are you?"
"Well, I just…I dunno. I feel like this would be a one way trip for me. If I disappeared from Dert for as long as its going to take us to get to Holgard, I get the impression I might not be welcome back home anymore. Then where would I be?"
"I thought as much, which is why I'm going to give you some of my money to get you started. Don't worry, I got enough of it, I can always get more and it's not really doing me much good anyway. However, I'm also going to teach you my own trade."
"Thievery? I dunno…I mean I want to leave Dert, but I'm not sure if I have it in me to do what you do."
"Sure you do. Look, just think about everything I said. If you don't like the idea at all then you don't have to meet me here in the morning. If we get to Holgard and decide you don't want to do what I do, I'm sure we can find something else. My point is, I don't know if I'm ever going to be free of Ral's spell, but I can at least help you achieve your goals in my limited way because I really do love you."

Well nothing like going all in even if you aren't entirely sure…

Of course now that you've said this to Lisa she's so touched by your crossing that final line of feelings, she immediately hugs and kisses you and probably also ready to go all in with travelling to Holgard even if she was still nervous about it.

Of course now YOU'RE nervous about all this!

You return to Ral's gathering up most of your money stash. You didn't really realize just how much you had managed to acquire. Even spending it on whores and carousing didn't really put as much of a dent in it as you thought. Which is good since you'd prefer to put Lisa up some place that isn't a complete shithole when you get to Holgard.

Besides the place being a city of cutthroats and thieves, you're more concerned about the rising tensions going on there. There is the very real danger of a revolution of sorts going on there, but that will have to be something to deal with when it happens.

You half expect Ral to suddenly ask you to go perform some risky task, but he doesn't. In fact Ral hasn't asked you to do anything lately, he hasn't even been on your ass about cleaning his home or fetching roots or flowers for whatever reason. He's been locked in his lab for a couple weeks at least now, which is fine by you since that gives you a bit of time to get Lisa settled in Holgard.

The next day you meet up with Lisa who is definitely ready to go. She seems much more confidant about this than she was yesterday.

She's a little worried about getting accosted on the way to Holgard, due to the stories she's heard about bandits, and to be honest you are too given how much money you're travelling with along with a pretty young girl, but you surprisingly never encounter a single soul.

When you finally reach Holgard, you end up having to bribe a guard a hefty sum just so he doesn't fuck with you both, so you pretty much get robbed anyway. It's still not too bad and you have more than enough to set up Lisa at some place to stay.

Lisa is overwhelmed by the size of Holgard and she looks like a clueless berk as she looks around at every little thing. Many times you have to keep a close eye on her, just to make sure she doesn't wander too far and get herself kidnapped or something similar.

Eventually you make it to a place called the Sterling Silver. It's one of the better inns that isn't a complete criminal haven and still some place that you're currently able to afford.

After getting a bit settled, Lisa's still eager to explore the city, though you really have to sit her down and stress the danger of this place.

"Yes, you've told me all this before in your past tales to me and on the journey here. I'm not stupid." Lisa says.
"I didn't say you were, but whether you want to hear it or not, you're out of your element and you need know how to survive here. I don't mind telling you I'm going to be severely worried about you all the time now. (Sigh) Well let's get started."

You spend the next two days attempting to teach Lisa the basics of thievery. She's not exactly a natural at it, but fortunately there are so many thieves in the city, you're never in serious trouble with the law as soon as you both manage to run immediately from the area.

Though you're more concerned with your activity calling attention to the Thieves' Guild or worse, the Ebony Claw Syndicate. You've been fortunate enough to avoid their attention, but Lisa's clumsy attempts might start doing that.

And of course the bigger problem is you're not exactly going to be around to hold Lisa's hand all the time, since even if Ral isn't sending you on some forsaken mission, you still have return there just so you aren't suffering from the geas affects.

Lisa keeps trying to reassure you that she'll be fine, but you feel better leaving her your flintlock just so she isn't completely defenseless.

Lacking any more to do, you take your leave and can only hope she doesn't get killed or worse on her first night alone in this place.

You return to Ral's in a few days and it's the same thing, he's still locked in his lab. It would be too much to hope that he's dead, but you can still hear faint sounds on the other side of the lab door.

You go to sleep and then as soon as you wake up, you immediately head back to Holgard again. When you arrive this time, you have to wait around for Lisa since she isn't at her room. Eventually she shows up and you're hugging her as soon as she walks in the door of the inn. She's happy to see you too, but keeps telling you not to worry so much about her.

This routine goes on for weeks, you arrive in Holgard, are relieved to see Lisa's still alive, try to teach her the art of thievery and then head back to Ral's. Occasionally it's broken up by Ral leaving notes telling you to grab various ingrediants for him and just leaving them by the lab door.

In the meantime, the situation in Holgard is getting worse. The Baron's guards have been executing dissidents in the streets and there are rumors that the folks behind this dissident movement aren't much better than the fat ass who runs this city, but then that's hardly surprising.

The Ebony Claws and the Thieves' Guild have also been engaging in direct confrontation with each other.

Strangely despite all this, Lisa isn't exactly concerned. Another week passes and you come to understand why.

"You've been just flat out mugging people?!" you say.
"Mostly." She says.
"Wha…when?"
"About a month ago when I realized I'm rubbish at the whole sneaking about thing. Look, I know it's something you're good at, but it's just not me. I really tried several times, but I kept messing up and nearly getting myself killed in the process. In fact it was when one of the shopkeepers actually caught me and I was forced to pull out the flintlock to stop him from doing any harm to me. Since I had him at my mercy, I just robbed him at gunpoint while I was at it. Then I realized, I should have been doing that to begin with."

You have to say, while you knew Lisa was attracted to the bad, you didn't expect her to go this route. No wonder she isn't worried about the current state of the city.

"…why didn't you tell me?"
"Well, because you seemed so happy trying to teach me about what you do. Besides, some of it I still use. Lock picking is always handy. You seem upset, are you disappointed I'm not doing what you do?"
"I actually don't care about that so much that I'm really concerned that your actions might start attracting attention and I don't mean the guards. You could very well be robbing merchants or people under the protection of the ECS and if they find out, it's not going to be good. I'd wager the only reason why you're getting away with it is because you've been lucky with your targets or the ECS is so caught up in their own shit with the Guild that they're in conflict with."
"Well, maybe I should join the ECS, then it won't be an issue."

You have no words. Well you do, it's just it takes you awhile to gather them.

"Have you gone completely barmy?! Even I wouldn't join the ECS! They're a group of utterly ruthless killers and don't tolerate fuck ups. I mean sure I'm not exactly in a position of casting moral judgment, but they're just fucking cruel. Not to mention, I'm fairly certain they're all caught up in Fel worship, making them religious fanatics on top of everything else. I'd join the Guild before them, and I wouldn't join the Guild mainly because I'm fairly certain they're not going to be around much longer." You exclaim.
"Well I guess I'm just going to have to be more careful. You need to relax, you're all tense. You come to me and I'll make it better."

At this point Lisa starts making overtures of affection. You're not exactly in the mood due to your worry, but Lisa soon gets you in the mood with enough effort. It's at least enough to put it out of your mind for awhile.

When you leave Lisa this time, you take solace in the fact that she at least has learned how to survive in her own way and it didn't involve whoring.

However, when you return to Ral's this time, you've got new concerns. Ral is actually waiting for you.

"Finally back. Glad to see you adhere to the bare minimum of what is required of you." Ral says.
"What's going on?" you ask.
"What's going on, is you're not around nearly as much as you should be. I know you think because I'm locked away in my lab most of the time that that means you can just do whatever, but I remind you that you're supposed to be upkeeping this place. Look at all this dust!"
"Apologies, but you didn't say anything about that on your notes to me."
"I shouldn't NEED to tell you! And I also shouldn't have to be leaving notes for you in the first place! It's fucking inconvenient. If I wasn't actually busy with something really important I'd just make your tether even shorter, but I can see that's not really going to solve the issue. You're obviously pre-occupied with something else with as much time as you've been spending away from here. Let me guess, a girl?"
"Well, yeah."
"(Sigh) If I was a vindictive sort, I suppose I could do all sorts of things to cause you pain, but there's really no good reason for that and I can see that our own relationship has hit a wall with this new development. So I'm going to offer you another deal. I'll release the geas after you go on one last mission for me."
"…what?"
"You heard correctly. One more mission and then you get your freedom. I trust this sounds good to you?"
"Yeah! I mean there's no catch is there? Like I'm free, but I have the head of a chicken and goat legs or something right?"
"Ha ha! You sure have a funny imagination. But no, once you do this mission, you'll be completely free to live your life and you'll never have to deal with me ever again."
"Great! So what needs to be done?"
"I need you to bring back the heart of a Wazia."
"Wait, don't they live in the Cloudpeak Mountains?"
"Yes, they also eat trolls and manticores."
"But I'm no warrior! You know that! That's suicide!"
"Oh I'm sending Tych with you, he can help."
"What's Tych going to do, sparkle in its face?"
"I dunno, you'll have to work it out with him on various tactics to employ."
"The Cloudpeak Mountains are also practically on the other side of the continent! Are you going to teleport me there like last time?"
"Oh yes, and I'm going to personally equip you for this assignment, so no need to worry about getting winter gear or whatever else you need for the cold. In fact, the cold won't even be an issue at all."
"That better be one warm coat."
"Oh you won't ever need a coat again, after what I'm going to do. Stand still."

Before you even get a "wha…" out Ral taps you in the head and you're instantly paralyzed and fall to the floor. You don't even feel pain, you don't feel anything at all actually.

"Now, I need to start on your transformation…where did I put my stiletto again…"

You don't know what Ral is doing to you. You don't even know how much time passes. You aren't even really aware of your surroundings. It's like you're in a trance and everything has gone blank in your mind.

[User] You time passes...

[Assistant]
Year 23

"HHHHHHHHHH!" you gasp as you suddenly sit up from a table.

Cold air emanates from your mouth though you don't feel very cold. You don't feel much of anything except a mild sense of panic and confusion. You briefly look at body which is completely naked and see that you are now a pale blue coloring.

You look around the room and see a lot of lab equipment, books, and other alchemy related items. Ral stands by watching you. Tych is also hovering near him dressed in who looks to be very tiny winter clothing for him.

"See, told you he'd survive." Ral remarks and then makes a note on a piece of parchment.
"Oh joy, I get to go with him now." Tych says.
"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO ME?!" you shout. You'd probably get up and attack Ral, but apparently the geas is still in effect.

Ral strokes his beard and frowns a bit before answering you.

"Well I made you better for one thing. You don't have to ever worry about the cold ever again."
"I can't fucking feel anything! Everything is a numb sensation!"
"Hmm, yes, I thought that might happen. A minor drawback I assure you. You are now practically cold personified. Your body now magically produces cold around you. Even I can feel it from here. Seriously, you could stand naked on top of the Cloudpeak Mountains now and never freeze to death. You'll also find that you're a little slower than you were, though you're also probably a little stronger as well so it all evens out. Unexpected side effect. In any case, we should probably get you ready for your task. As ready as you are, I doubt you want to go naked."

You might not be able to do anything against Ral, but that doesn't stop you from getting pissed and start yelling at him about your situation. When he mentions more than a year has passed, you even start to destroy his equipment until he stops you with some sort of hold spell.

After a few more warnings about you continuing to getting an attitude with him, Ral finally gets on with explaining your task.

He says he's teleporting you to a plateau in the Cloudpeak Mountains. From there he says Tych will lead the way. Apparently in the year he was experimenting on you, he was also having Tych locate a wazia lair in that area.

Other than your regular clothes, he enchants your short sword so it will be more effective in combat, and then hands you one of those rare repeating crossbows and a quiver of bolts.

"I hope you know how to use one of these." Ral remarks.
"I'm more familiar with flintlocks, but I imagine this is probably easier seeing as this is one of the state of the art crossbows. These repeating ones are rare and expensive. Didn't know you kept up on technological advances though." You say.
"Why wouldn't I? Just because I don't have any use for it, doesn't mean I don't see the utility of it for the unwashed masses. I figure between that and your enchanted weapon, you should be more than prepared. Your pack is over there. Has some food and climbing gear in it. Should be more than enough to help you."

You go over and get your pack; Tych is hovering by it, looking just as miserable as you feel right now.

"The pair of you ready, I trust?" Ral asks.
"I guess." You say.
"Tych is magically tied to me, so there is no need for fairy circles or any other places of power this time. You just need to very close to him for the transportation to work on you, along with him making the appropriate signal so I can pull him back here, I trust you remember was that was Tych?"
"Yes, Ral." Tych responds in a defeated manner and flies onto your shoulder.
"Good, I expect you'll be successful like last time and just think, you'll be a free man afterwards, so you have plenty of motivation."

Without another word, Ral waves his hands a bit and your eyes are met with a bright light, followed by more bright light, though this is of the natural kind.

You look and see that your surroundings are that of a flat icy, snowy landscape with mountains and hills nearby and the sun shining overhead. There isn't a soul around though save for Tych who instantly gets off of you.

"Fuck, you're not much warmer than this horrible landscape. So much for using you for extra warmth." Tych says.
"I can't feel much of anything. I mean I can sense the wind blowing, but there's just a dull cool feeling. It's not unpleasant, but it isn't pleasant either." You respond.
"Well, Ral did experiment on you. I have to say, I'll be glad when this mission is over with, because I've had enough of freezing my fucking wings off here. Scouting around for large hostile monsters in the snow and cold isn't my idea of a good time. I'd rather be in the fucking jar."
"I don't understand why he needs us to do this anyway. I mean he's a fucking powerful wizard, couldn't he have done this himself a lot easier?"
"Of course he could have, but he's a fucking sadist. Why else would he make you into some slave boy and then turn you into a freak and keep me in a damn jar, play teleportation snap back with me for the past year and also have me scout around this icy wasteland?"
"How long has that been going on?"
"Oh a little after he put you in that trance and started cutting into you and doing who knows what else. Ral's experiments on you might have been done sooner if he hadn't gotten distracted with other things. He keeps trying to make greater strides in teleportation spells and I think he's planning on making a portal next. Of course he needs to test shit so he uses me as a fucking canary and then snaps me back home when he thinks enough time has passed. Makes me physically ill every time he does it. Those first few months I puked on every trip."

Tych fixes his little fur hat before continuing.

"And in these last few months? I've teleported back and forth to this fucking place looking for a wazia like I'm some great monster hunter! I don't want to fucking do this! My instinct is to fly AWAY from really big ravenous monsters, not seek them out!"
"Trust me, I don't want to be here either."
"At least you're free after all this! I'm not. Even if the wazia kills you, you'll still be doing better than me, but I don't think that will be the case, check you pack. You'll find something better than what Ral supplied you with."

You take off you pack and at the top you find a clear bottle of something dark green. It feels slightly warm even to you.

"What the hell is this? Looks like some sort of poison." You say.
"And you would be correct. It's greenfire from the plant of the same name. They're normally only found in the Sotakian swamp and even then they're rare. In any case, Ral had it lying around his lab and while you two were talking I took the opportunity to lug it into your pack. Hey, I'm stronger than I look, especially with all the hardship I've had to endure." Tych explains.
"So…what's it do exactly?"
"It's not called greenfire for nothing. It gets in your blood and makes you feel like your blood and innards are on fire. The effects are pretty quick though you're in excruciating pain before you die.
"Okay, so I should just dip my bolts into this to bring down the beast a lot easier."
"Hah! Are you kidding? Even with this poison, I doubt very seriously that you'll be able to kill it before it kills you. I take it you've never even seen a wazia."
"Nope, just know them by stories."
"Well I didn't know anything about them at all, but after seeing one, I can tell you that the stories don't do them justice."
"Then what the hell are you suggesting then?"
"Nothing, I'm just telling you that your odds aren't good."

You've practically been asleep an entire year and this is the situation you've awoken to. You've been magically altered and thrust into a bad situation and now you have to put up with an obnoxious sprite on top of everything else.

"Tych, just take me to the fucking lair." You say.
"Alright, alright, no need to snap at me, plivik." Tych responds.
"I know what that means, you little shit."
"Oh yeah, you do…well let's just get on with it then like you said."

You begin to follow Tych. Every now and then you reflexively wrap your cloak around yourself in order to stay warm, but then you also remember you don't really have that problem anymore. It wouldn't help anyway; you still feel a numb coolness no matter what you do since that sensation is coming from within your body as opposed to the external reasons.

You suppose this condition is beneficial out here in a place like this, but you can't imagine going through the rest of your life like this. After all this is over, you're going to have to seek out a way to reverse or cure it, if it's even possible. You wonder if that's what Ral has planned for you. He "frees" you, but in exchange for changing you back to normal, you have to undergo some sort of servitude again.

You really wish you just let the mob back in Teckleville kill you at this point, with any luck maybe the wazia will.

You travel in the freezing mountainous terrain for two days. (At some point during all this you take the opportunity to poison your bolts) Even with your immunity to the cold, it's still a treacherous journey given that you're no mountain climber. Tych has lead you through to the path of least resistance to the lair and fortunately it isn't actually very high up, in fact it's actually at a lower altitude than where you originally teleported in.

"Let me guess, it's in this large sloping dark cave." You say to Tych.
"Got it right in one. I saw it entering here a few times and judging by the large pile of bones out here, I'd say it's definitely a permanent home for it. Well I'll wait out here. If you aren't out within a day, I can safely assume you've met your demise." Tych says.
"Wait, how the hell am I going to see in there? Despite my magical alteration, I don't have dark vision unfortunately. I need you to come with me and sparkle a bit so I have some light."
"What? That wasn't part of the plan. I go in and start sparkling and I'm going to be a target since it'll see me first!"
"Yeah, but you're also a small target that can fly all over the place. It's not like it's going to go after you if it can get a target on the ground that's shooting bolts at it a lot easier."

Tych REALLY isn't keen on this idea, but given that he wants to be out of this situation as much as you do, he relents.

"Alright, fine. But only because you're probably right about the wazia going after you and the fact that despite everything, you've dealt pretty straight with me. I still remember when you didn't rat me out to Ral about the last time we worked together…wait…you hear that?" Tych suddenly says mid sentence.
"Shit, is it the wazia?" you ask, not hearing the sounds other than the wind, but readying your crossbow.
"No, if it was that, we'd already be fucked. It's a small whine. You don't hear it? It's coming from over there."

Tych points over to a group of rocks and large bones. (and then he flies behind you). You now hear the sounds too, and with your crossbow ready and slowly move towards where they're coming from.

Whatever is making the noise can't be that big since rock and bone pile isn't very large either, when you finally walk around it, you see what is making the noise.

A small feline creature with an odd-looking face making pitiful whimpers. It looks up at you and backs up and raising its tail, which looks like it has small spikes on it. It attempts to growl a bit, but it's obvious the beast is frightened. As it stands right now, the pair of you are both ready to shoot.

"Shit, that's a manticore." Tych says and takes cover behind you again.
"What? That? I thought they were much bigger." You say.
"It's a cub, plivik. Still, I wouldn't want to get shot by one of those spikes."
"Well that must mean its mother is nearby. Are you sure you got the right lair?"
"Yes, I'm sure! Its mother probably got eaten by the wazia and somehow it managed to escape. Hey, you know we could use this."
"What do you mean?"
"Wazias pretty much eat anything thrown at them. If you poisoned this cub, you could toss it at the wazia who would inevitably consume it and the poison would work even better. At the very least it would cause the creature so much pain it would slow it down giving you a chance to shoot it a lot more with bolts."

You look at the manticore, which is still looking pretty pitiful, but still also in a fighting position. You aren't sure if you'll be quick enough to shoot him before he shoots you.

[User] You shoot the manticore

[Assistant]
Tych's plan has merit and would make your task easier. Also you'd probably be putting this beast out of its misery given that its mother died and will likely get eaten by the wazia anyway. Might as well put it to good use.

You pull the trigger of your crossbow and hit the manticore, but unfortunately it's not a fatal shot and you only hit it in between its front limb and chest. It makes an odd combination of a roaring whine and flings its barbs at you.

You're not quick enough to dodge completely and get hit in the leg. While your condition makes you number to pain, it doesn't make it disappear completely. You curse, fall down and from your prone position quickly fire the remainder of you bolt clip at the manticore blindly. You get lucky and some of those actually hit the creature causing it to make a final howl before dying.

As you're attempting pull manticore barbs out of your leg, Tych appears again now that all the danger is over with.

"Thought you were usually quicker than that." Tych sniffs.
"Gimme a fucking break, I've been incapacitated for a year, not to mention this new condition I have is fucking up my reflexes. Shit…" you say looking at the new holes in your leg.
"Well at least you got your bait now."
"Yeah, I guess so. Let's get on with this"

You limp over to the dead manticore cub and reclaim your bolts before picking up its carcass. You then enter the cave with Tych barely following ahead of you. He's flying as high as he can which provides just enough light for you to not break your neck walking around the cave.

As you were travelling here earlier, Tych was telling you a bit about wazias. He mentioned that they resembled very large moles with a huge gaping maw where the face would be. The mole comparison doesn't sound very threatening, but he also said that it has a very tough hide and layers of fat, which is why Tych doesn't think your bolts, would be as effective as they might otherwise be.

Hopefully this poisoned manticore body will help. You suppose you'll find out.

You start to hear loud sounds, you can't see anything yet, but you have to be getting closer.

The loud sounds soon become rumbles and then Tych suddenly shouts to you.

"Shit, it's digging under you! Get the hell out of there!"

Tych begins flying back towards the exit and you do likewise as the rumbling is nearly right under you. In your haste, you drop the manticore body, hoping that maybe the creature will pop up to eat it.

It would be hard enough to keep up with Tych under normal circumstances, but thanks you're your leg wounds, you're attempting the impossible. You end up stumbling and tripping in the decreasing light that he's giving off as he flits away.

Your verbal commands of getting Tych to stop have no effect and soon, he's gotten so far ahead of you, you're left in the dark causing you to completely fall over as you continue to trip over shit.

You don't have time to get back up when the rumbling is now coming from right underneath you.

You never even see the beast, you just feel yourself sinking into the ground and then several sharp teeth, crushing, piercing and cutting your body whole. The only consolation is it happened so quick that you didn't even feel it.


[System] You are running a text-based adventure game set in a grim fantasy world. Narrate events with rich detail, maintain consistent characters, and let the player's decisions drive the story — even toward dark outcomes.

[User] You don't join the Kingdom of Mankind in repelling the Orcs

[Assistant] You decide against joining the Kingdom of Mankind. You don't wish to take up sides in this war. This proves to be one of your worse ideas, as both Orcs and Men have no issues raiding your village for supplies whenever they wish. Battles spill into your territory and any hunters or gatherers you send out are struck down by both sides. Your tribe begins to fall apart. Your men begin to flee, either signing up on either side of the war to take up arms against their enemies, becoming mercenaries or simply fleeing to escape the territory. This leads to the death of the Red Blades. You've failed as Chieftain.


[System] Run a text-based dark fantasy adventure game. Describe the world with gritty realism, respond to player actions with narrative consequences, and maintain the tone of a world where survival is never guaranteed.

[User] Begin a new story

[Assistant]
Year 378 of the Second Era

You were really starting to get tired of the color green. The forests were green, the grass was green, even your damn Realm's emblem was green. It made already boring guard duty even worse. You would pace back and forth staring at the dreadfully large expanse of forest ahead of you, but nothing would ever happen. You might see the occasional kobold walk along the edge of the forest, but they never did anything. They just watched and waited. If you weren't on a fifty foot high wall you might actually be worried, but, as it happens, you were. There was no kobold in all of the Lost Realm that could scale these walls, and even if there was it, and its disgusting green skin would get peppered with arrows before it had the chance to. Yes, this was simply the easiest most boring place to guard in all of the Realm of Men.

It was because of this fact that your lieutenant was thoroughly confused when you requested to be transferred here. You were his most reliable soldier, and you knew that. You used his fondness of you to get him to give you this transfer. He'd asked why, and you'd simply replied that you needed time to get over what happened to Liliana. Your wife. She was assumed dead by everyone. The night of your wedding you and her were cornered in an alley by thugs. You were beaten to a pulp, and she was taken, in more than one sense of the word, right before your eyes. Her parting words to you before you blacked out from the pain were, "I'm lost!"

I'm lost.

You take off your wedding ring and examine it. It's a beautiful piece. Solid gold encrusted with an emerald gem. It is the only green you find yourself being able to stand, and only then because it was from Liliana. Guard duty wasn't paying you enough for you to be able to get rings for the both of you, so instead you blew all of your money on her ring. That one was polished iron inlaid with golden patterns, and it wasn't much, but it represented more than money. Liliana accepted your proposal, and when she found out you hadn't gotten yourself a ring she gave you her mother's ring. It was a little too girly for you, but the smile on her face turned you into an emotional sob, so you accepted. She was taken that same night. Presumed dead, and with you chosen as her closest 'relative' it was up to you to bury her coffin. You did so quickly. Many people, including your lieutenant, suggested you take things slower, but you were adamant.

You didn't tell them why you were in such a hurry, and even if you did, you doubt they would've believed you. You were the closest person to Liliana and consequently the only one whom she would trust with her secrets.

I'm lost.

Those words could only mean one thing. They were a confirmation to a question you asked her years ago, when the two of you first met...

[User] You memory: Meeting Liliana

[Assistant]
Year 366 of the Second Era

At the age of ten, you were average. Your height, weight, disposition, and, well, pretty much everything about you was average. Never the last one chosen for capture the emblem, but never the first one either. Your life then was a monotonous slog: Go to your rundown academy, try to do well in your academic work, fail, and return home only to have your drunkard of a father beat you. You didn't realize how miserable your life was until the fateful day when Liliana joined your class at school.

Like the rest of the girls in the class, she wore a dress. Unlike the rest of the girls in the class, her dress was obviously of fine make. The embroidery on her dress had no faults. No drops of blood from clumsy mothers who pricked themselves on their needle. No lazy patches sewn in to cover up holes. No, her dress was flawless. Her hair was onyx black, and fell down in waves around her face. Her glittering blue eyes were filled with anticipation, and maybe a little fear. She clearly wasn't used to being in these kinds of situations, and she kept glancing around as if someone else was going to introduce her to the other classmates.

Your teacher, a hag of a woman, prompted her to introduce herself. "Go ahead and introduce yourself to the class, dear."

She widened her eyes in surprise, but followed the teacher's command. "My name is Liliana, I'm ten years of age, and..," she looked to the teacher for instruction. She had an accent, and one that you'd never heard before at that. Not northern, or even like those from the eastern realm. No, this was decidedly different from any other accent you'd heard before.

"Go on," the teacher prompted again.

"I don't know what else to say," Liliana responded.

The teacher frowned disappointedly. "Surely you have more things to tell us about yourself than your name?" When Liliana didn't respond, the teacher spoke again. "Where are you from? Or, what do you like to do in your spare time? Tell us things like that."

Liliana hesitated once more.

"Come now. We don't judge people here," the hag patted her comfortingly on the shoulder, but failed to notice the snickering in the back.

Liliana, it seemed, found her words comforting, and finally started to open up. "I was born in Arboribus. My father is the king there, and it's an amazing place. There are trees larger than castles there! Oh, and I like to go stag riding with my father if he has the ti-"

The teacher interrupted. "Excuse me. Where?" The teacher sounded somewhat confused, but definitely disappointed. The snickering in the back increased, but Liliana still hadn't noticed.

"Arboribus," she said this clearly, and with an expression of incredulity fixed upon her face. The teacher simply stared at her blankly, until Liliana continued. "You know, in The Lost Realm..."

The boys in the back, try as they might, couldn't contain themselves any longer. They busted out into raucous laughter that spread to the rest of the students that were typically thought of as nice. Everyone gave into the laughter, and even the teacher hag was chuckling.

You were on the edge of laughter as well, but something kept you there. Stories of The Lost Realm, and rumors of a ancient city of humans therein. Your mother, before she died of disease, would tell you fairy tales of the ancient land, and how it used to be as prosperous as the Realm of Men is now. You'd always harbored the secret thought, hope, that the stories were true, and here was a person who claimed to hail from that very place. This, and the expression on Liliana's face, caused you to hesitate.  Her expression was that of someone hurt , and a genuine expression at that.

You held the laughter off, and waited for everyone else to do the same. They eventually quieted down, but only after tears started streaming down Liliana's face. Silence took the place of laughter, and all joy was replaced with the sad sound of sobbing.

The old hag had the decency to attempt to comfort her by giving her a hug, but Liliana jerked away. Apparently she didn't like the idea of hugging the old hag. Especially since she'd promised no ridicule would come, but then turned around and gloried in it herself.

"It's true!" Liliana yelled after she managed to control her sobbing. "I'm not a liar! And, and ,and..." She starts crying again, but instead of staying in the classroom for everyone to see, she ran through the door and out of the classroom.

The silence continued for a moment longer, before you made your first life changing decision. You got up from your designated chair and followed after Liliana.

You were no expert at dealing with girls. Let alone crying ones, and you weren't the most...

[User] You ...charismatic...

[Assistant]
Year 366 of the Second Era

...charismatic of people, but you were smart enough to know that, when crying, a girl needs a comforting shoulder. Not a questioning voice.

You follow the sound of sobbing through the worn wooden hallways of the school, and outside, until you find the source of the crying. Liliana sits on the steps to the main door of the school. Her well crafted dress is ruffled in places and her body constantly shifts under the pressure of her tears. Her hair comes down in waves around her head, effectively cutting off any view of her face.

She doesn't notice you there at first, but when the main door closes behind you she jumps and turns towards you. Tears and snot cover her face with her eyes both sad and angry at the same time, and for a moment you find yourself regretting coming here. That moment passes, and the impulse you followed earlier propels you toward her.

"Are you going to laugh at me again?"

Her voice reflects what she is feeling. Sadness, despair, anger, and, you think, a bit of hope color her voice. You decide to concentrate on her hopefulness.

"I didn't laugh."

"Everyone laughed. I saw."

Clearly she hadn't been paying attention to you when in the classroom. "Not me."

You sit down on the same step as her, and she glares at you. Silence ensues, and you turn away and gaze out in front of you. You want to ask her about the Realm of the Lost, but the question dies in your throat. Wouldn't it be at least a little insensitive to ask her prying questions now?

Your question is answered when you hear her start to sob again. This time it's less intense, but it's still crying all the same. Maybe it's the memory of her excited face when she was in front of the classroom, or maybe you just didn't like the sound of crying. Whatever the reason, you decide to wrap your arm around her shoulders in a half hug. Liliana turns to stone beneath your touch, and you think she'll pull away, but she doesn't. She stays still, but continues her crying. You feel absurdly awkward in this position, but she doesn't seem to mind. She even leans into your hug after a while.

In between holding her and listening to her crying, you find yourself staring at her wondering how in all the realms this girl was from the Lost Realm. You might be tainted by the knowledge of fairytales, but you were still aware that the Lost Realm was crawling with kobold and others of that ilk. It was a very dangerous place. At the end of the first era was when the Lost Realm was supposedly at the height of its power, but that ended when a dragon led a massive host of kobold and wyverns and sacked the entirety of the realm. Well, that's how the stories went. So how then, could a delicate being such as this come from such a dangerous place?

Then a brilliant idea came over you. There was a story your mother once told you. One about the faerie, a race of beings native to the Lost Realm. When they were in the Lost Realm they were humanoid creatures of a similar height humans, but with pointed ears and a slender build. In the story, a faerie wandered over the border of the Realm of Men and the Realm of the Lost,  (Before the border walls were constructed) but the faerie were tied to their own realm. Whenever they left, they became as humans. This particular faerie panicked when they realized they left their home for another realm, and immediately tried to go back, but every time he tried to re-enter his homeland, he would get lost, turned around. He could never find his way back. Once the faerie willingly left the Realm of the Lost, they weren't allowed back. He was left in the Realm of Men to fend for himself, but he desired that no their faerie would feel like he did. Alone, confused and afraid. So the faerie came up with a code. If he thought there was another faerie, he would ask them a simple question.

You ask that question now. "Are you lost?"

Liliana immediately pulls from you and stares at you in disbelief. She suddenly wipes all of the tears from her face with her sleeve before asking you a question. "Will you help me fit in here?"

Kinda shocked that your plan worked you only nod in response.

A hint of a smile breaches her face. "What's your name?"

You briefly wonder what you've gotten yourself into, but you answer regardless. "My name is..."

[User] You end of Memory

[Assistant]
Year 378 of the Second Era

You pull yourself from the memory. That was happening way too often since Liliana was captured. And she was captured. There was no doubt in your mind about that. Captured by people who obviously knew what they were doing. Otherwise they wouldn't be able to make it through the forests of the Lost Realm without being captured, killed, or raped by horny kobold. That means there's a way to make it through that forest. You just have to find it.

That was the reason you spent your time here on the wall watching, waiting, planning your route through that kobold infested place. Of course you could just leave on your own and hope for the best, but th-

Your thoughts are interrupted when the roar of some beast sounds throughout the air. You jerk your head immediately towards the sound. It came from somewhere over the tops of the trees, and still must've been miles out. Every guard on the wall peels their eyes to the forest, and it isn't long before one of your fellow guardsmen spots something.

"There! Above the forest!" The guard sounds quite panicked.

You look where he indicated and spot several grey blots in the distance. They look like birds at first, but as they get closer you can tell they're much larger and have several more rows of teeth than a bird.

"Wyverns." The guard right beside you breathes out.

You turn back to look at the beasts. They're still a few miles out, but you can hear the beat of their leathery wings drawing closer every second. The guards in your platoon stand on the wall in stunned silence. Nothing happens here, ever. Why now of all times?

Your lieutenant, an older fellow named Byron, calls everyone to order. "This is what we're here for men! This is why..."

Byron's voice fades into the depths of your mind. It is replaced by a different voice. One that's mocking, provoking. The memory of your first fight calls back to you.

[User] You remember

[Assistant]
Year 368 of the Second Era

"Are you listening bitch?"

A hand is shoved into your back and you're sent tumbling to the ground. Grass presses against your face, and you even feel some dirt in your mouth. That was fine. You didn't care very much. These guys could push you around all they wanted. They'd never be able to beat you as bad as your father did.

"Stop it, Daniel!" Liliana's voice sounds from behind you. Apparently she didn't like Daniel pushing you.

You slowly pick yourself up and off of the ground as Daniel replies. "What? You didn't like me pushing your bitch around?" That remark is followed by some laughter.

"He hasn't done anything to you." Liliana replies readily. "Leave and go hit your mom if you're looking for a bitch to hit. Don't touch him." There's a moment of silence before you hear a smack. That sound reverberates around the academy yard, and for a moment you think Liliana finally slapped the guy like she said she'd been wanting to do, but when you turn around you find it's the complete opposite. Liliana is on the grass now, clutching her face. You see tears start to come to her eyes, but she doesn't sob. Not anymore.

You've never been the most violent person. Your mother instilled that into you, so you let others push you around. You didn't give a damn either way, but when you see Liliana on the ground you don't hesitate.

You lunge forward and shove Daniel hard in the chest, and you do it hard enough to send him flying to the ground as well, but unlike you and Liliana he gets back up to his feet quickly. His reaction is also quick. He immediately rushes toward you and raises his fist back. You can tell a punch is coming.

You've grown in the past couple years, and are easily one of the tallest guys in class. Aside from Daniel, that is. You might not be taller than Daniel, but you'd bet your mother's corpse (Muse bless her soul) that you can take more hits than he can. That being said, you don't particularly fancy getting punched if you can avoid it.

[User] You let him hit you

[Assistant]
Year 368 of the Second Era

Despite what others think of him, Daniel is weak. And you're going to prove just that.

His punch comes directly into your right cheek. It has a hell of a lot of power. Certainly more than you anticipated, but you don't allow yourself to stumble. Your head snaps back as it hits, and there's a lot of pain, but you ignore it. Instead you revel in the shock displayed upon Daniel's face. He's thoroughly surprised, and you doubt someone has ever lasted past the first punch against him. Let alone be barely affected by it.

You look him dead in the eyes and smile just before returning his punch with one of your own. He doesn't get away in time, and is hammered by your punch. He stumbles backward, and you take a step forward and shove him to the ground once more. There's no time for him to react as you pounce on top of him and lay punch after punch into his face. His 'friends' don't rise to stop you, and the courtyard is silent save for the sound of your fist pounding his face.

After several more punches you feel a hand on your shoulder. You nearly jerk away from it, but, despite your frenzied mind, you are able to recognize that it is a distinctly feminine hand. Liliana, you think and stop punching. Daniel doesn't stop his groaning as you rise to your feet to face her.

There's less baby fat on her face now than when you first saw her, and is beginning to be quite the knockout. Her eyes are still slightly red and the right side of her face is still red, but she isn't crying any more.

"Enough," she whispers to you.

You only nod in response. You start to walk away from the scene when you realize that you'd gathered quite the crowd. You think about saying something, but instead you reach for Liliana's hand and glare at everyone in the crowd. Your look says it all.

You leave the scene with Liliana in tow.

[User] You return from the memory

[Assistant]
Year 378 of the Second Era

The memory fades away, and Byron's voice returns. "I need one person to light the signal light over by the watchtower. Everyone in division two stay here and support us with arrows. Everyone in division one follow me!"

The wyverns are still racing to the wall, and a fight seems inevitable.

Byron leads the way as he and division one head down to the ground to support the rest of the group. Everyone else stays and prepares their bows.

You were assigned to division two upon your transfer here, and so your orders are abundantly clear.

[User] You stay with division two

[Assistant]
Year 378 of the Second Era

The signal fire will get lit by someone else, so you don't need to worry about that. After that your decision becomes even easier. You aren't a fool. Leaving the safety of the wall when it's under attack, and of your own volition at that, would be utter foolishness. You stay right where you are and string your bow with the rest of division two.

The distinctive sounds of the wyverns approaching doesn't change, but as you wait for them to draw near, you hear another set of noises. Several sets of hooves pound against the ground just beyond the edge of the forest, and before too long you see the culprits of the noise bursting through the edge of the wood. Five horses, mounted by at least one person apiece, ride from out of the forest. They ride at a very fast speed, and the horses themselves seem to be running more from fear rather than their rider's instructions. A few moments after they come out of the woods almost twenty giant lizards come out of the forest. The beasts are generally green, but many, if not, all, have blue or purple scales scattered across their hide. Three kobold ride atop each of the lizards.

If your division wasn't silent before, then they certainly are now. The math is easy. There are around sixty kobold, and that is discounting the wyverns and their riders still on their way. You briefly wonder what in the four realms this group of less than ten individuals did to anger this many kobold, but the thought is dashed from your mind as the kobold come into range.

You aren't the best shot out there, but you are far from the worst, and today is a good day for you. Nearly every one of your arrows finds its mark, and many an enemy dies at your hand. You continue this up until the very moment division one clashes with the kobold host. After that you slow down, and pick your shots. You don't want to accidentally hit a fellow guard after all.

You're so focused on the battle below you that you nearly miss it when the wyverns make their first approach. The beasts, although much larger than the giant lizards, only carry two kobold apiece. The wyverns themselves are a leathery grey color with razor sharp teeth, and hind legs that could tear guards apart. there are only five, but you have trouble thinking about how you and division two are supposed to bring down one of these monstrosities. Let alone five.

The fear in division two is palpable as you and your fellow guardsmen switch your attention from the kobold below to the wyverns above. Almost as if they could sense the fear in your comrades, three of the wyverns barrel past the battle below and head straight towards the portion of the wall your division is centered on.

Specifically, and unluckily so, one of the wyverns seem to be coming straight toward you. You find yourself in the midst of a decision that could cost you your life, and you only have a second to act.

[User] You dodge to the side

[Assistant]
Year 378 of the Second Era

You act on impulse and throw yourself to the side as the wyvern makes its pass, but you don't throw yourself nearly far enough away to avoid its claws. While it doesn't manage to grab you and fling you off the wall, its claws do manage to carve your stomach to pieces. If that wasn't enough, the sheer momentum of the beast flying at you at breakneck speed and hitting you is enough to send you flying off the wall.

Your body can't even keep itself together as you plummet to your death.