[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]
Her eyes dart from Fire Sage to Fire Sage. Of course, they will all betray her too just as everyone else has, but she can't banish them yet. They must crown her first, but it's a meaningless title now anyway. Fire Lord. Bah, what nonsense. Go back a few hours and it'd be the most powerful position in the world. The Fire Nation rules almost the entire world now, but with her father deciding to make himself the Phoenix King, not the most creative title, it makes her nothing but an honorary… something. Honorary vassal?

Oh, I'm letting my mind wander again. How foolish of me. I'm raving like a madwoman. She'll banish the Fire Sages in a few moments before they could betray her. It all started with Mother. No, it started when Zuko betrayed her, stole all their mother's affection by simply being born. At least Father pretended to like her. Too bad he just dumped her off here when he no longer had a use for her. Helping him commit genocide against the Earth Kingdom would've made some fun bonding moments.

What's taking them so long anyway? Put the crown on my head! It'll make her the youngest, fifteen, and the first female Fire Lord ever. She blows a strand of her hair that's been dangling in front of her left eye. She should've hacked that one off too like all the other untrustworthy hairs. Maybe she doesn't look perfect right now. She can't tell. She destroyed her mirror after Mother wouldn't stop talking to her, from the other side of the reflection of course. She had the gall to not age for over half a decade and not even speak to her in person!

What little remains of the logical part of her brain screams at her, telling her that she's not well in the head. That was a hallucination, not her mother. All her servants, bodyguards, and teachers weren't trying to kill her.

Azula ignores that little voice in her head.

Just as the fools were about to put that crown on her head, she sees him. Him! There he is, returning at the most inopportune moment! He's been a traitor to her and their nation for how long? Weeks? He's been hiding somewhere with this glorious nation's most hated enemy, but he arrives to fight- No! He comes to betray her again, like everyone has done to her and like everyone will always do to her.

Azula stands up and faces him, grinning like a madwoman. She says one word to him. "Zuzu."

[User] You 1

[Assistant]
The baby reaches for the bright ball, but she can never grasp it. Why? Other balls come to her hands. That one doesn't. It makes her angry, but it makes her want that bright ball even more. It warms her, lets her feel alive. She stretches her arms out to seize the ball again. She fails again.

The tall person says words to her. Of course, Azula doesn't understand any of them, but the words seem harsh. She has a distant memory of those words once sounding nice, but not any longer. The being she will one day know as Mother doesn't say nice things to her. Instead, she moves the baby under the shade of a tree.

She decides not to cry. It never does much good anyway. The bright ball disappeared under the green stuff above her now.

The tall person and the short person sit by the water. Azula understands water. Once a day, she is put in water even though she doesn't like the feeling. The water feels bad. The bright ball feels good and warm even though she never reached it.

The two people throw something into the pond. Little fury things swim up and eat whatever the two of them toss into the water. Azula watches them until they run out of stuff to throw. She later learns it's called bread. While the tall person stays by the water, the short one walks over to her.

She doesn't understand what he's saying, but his tone is happy. He stresses one word over and over to her. She watches his lip movements and listens to that sound her makes. Why not copy it? It's how she learns many things after all.

"Z…"

He looks happier with that sounds, so he repeats that word over and over again. Perhaps he's broken? Maybe he'll be fixed by making that sound again.

"Zuzu!"

It's the first word she ever spoke.

[User] You 2

[Assistant]
Azula giggles. It amuses her to see so many metal men run around. They always stand still or walk behind her, but now they seem frantic. They bend away the fire from the stupid, ugly painting. fears their red armor and spiky helmets, but not Azula. No, she's a big girl who doesn't feel scared.

"Azula!"

The girl feels scared as her mother stands in front of the… What was the word? Tapestry! It's a tapestry. Mommy trembles. A tear falls down her face. Why is Mommy sad? I bended fire!

"What did you do, Azula?" Azula lowers her gaze. How come Mommy gets so angry at her and only her? She smiles at everyone else, well, except for Daddy.

"I…" Why am I in trouble? "I bended fire, like Daddy and Zuzu."

"Tell me the truth. You're two. No one bends fire at two. It was rare for Zuko to bend fire at only four."

"But I am tellin' the truth." She crosses her arms.

"Did you hide the candles? Please tell me the fire you burned this with isn't still burning."

"I burned it with my fire!"

"You burned my only reminder of my family. Stop lying."

"I am not lying. I am your family!"

She stomps her foot on the ground. The rug catches on fire where her foot made contact. Unlike before, pure joy, now she feels afraid. Will Mommy be angry about this too?

Instead of saying anything else, Mommy walks away in a hurry. The metal men, maybe they are called guards, bend that fire away too. She watches. They do it so easily. Why doesn't Mommy yell at them? They bend, but she doesn't mind. Why doesn't Mommy love her?

"A… Azula?"

She turns her head. Zuzu stands in the doorway, eyes wide. Zuzu burned something too when he first bended. It was part of Mommy's dress, a pretty and black one. Mommy was so happy when that happened even though the fire made her skin look a little red on her hand. She loves Zuzu.

"What did you do, Azula?" he asks, echoing their mother's words. Again, Azula lowers her gaze.

[User] You show Him

[Assistant]
She shoots some fire. It catches Zuzu's shirt on fire. He screams like a girl before throwing his shirt off.

"Why did you do that, Azula?" He has tears in his eyes. Did I hurt Zuzu?

"I…" She looks at the ground. "I wanted to show you."

He glances at his arm again. "Fire can hurt. It can kill. It's why we're so good at conquering the world." Azula nods at the last part. "Don't do that anymore. I… I have practice coming up about control. Um…" He sighs, or maybe that was a groan. "You can come with me for that."

She tilts her head to the side. "Really?"

"Yeah, really."

Zuzu will help her. She never got to do big kid things with him before. He did all of this after she burned him? Her big brother is either the nicest person ever or a giant dum-dum.

They hear a new set of footsteps. She turns and sees someone she only remembers seeing twice before besides their nightly, tense dinners. Mommy stands behind him. She looks angry and confused. Maybe she's wondering why Zuzu's shirt is smoldering on the ground.

"Daddy?" she asks. Zuzu takes three steps backwards.

"Azula, you bent fire."

"Yes." She clenches her tiny fists. Will he be angry like Mommy?

"Good job." He smirks. At this time in her life, it scared her. Eventually, she will learn to desire such approval.

[User] You 3

[Assistant]
Azula fires another blast of fire with every punch. She imagines a new Avatar, unlike that one who died generations ago, standing in front of her. Each blast burns off more of his face until he's nothing but a screaming skull. She would laugh at the sight, but she needs to focus. Her breathing is already… what was the word her teacher used? Impeccable. That's the word. Her breathing is impeccable.

"That's enough for today." Her teacher's words make the girl stop. She wipes the sweat from her brow and glances at the sun. It warms her aching limbs. As always, she pushes herself the very hardest to make Mommy proud. Not good enough. I must be better. Maybe Mommy will like it more.

Her mother moves from the chair she and the teacher sit at. She rushes past Azula and coddles Zuzu, struggling for breath. That dum-dum hasn't come close to mastering breathing, let alone firebending. She knows she should feel pride. Already, she is better than Zuzu, but that hasn't done anything for making Mommy like her. Why isn't she good enough now? No, that doesn't matter. She'll become the best. That way Mommy must love her. Who doesn't love the bestest of them all?

But… she is already better than Zuzu. He is nice to her, but Mommy doesn't like her. Even if she becomes the bestest ever, what if that doesn't work? I need two plans. Maybe, if Zuzu does bad things too, like burning tapestries, then maybe Mommy wouldn't mind the bad things Azula does. But Zuzu doesn't do bad things. He is nice.

She scratches her head for a moment before smiling. Zuzu doesn't do bad things, but Azula does. Mommy only needs to think Zuzu did those. Maybe then she'll be nice and love her.

What does Mommy like? Mommy likes plays, the beach, Zuzu, and Turtle-Ducks. Azula can't destroy the beach, plus the beach is fun. There aren't any plays around, thank goodness. She doesn't want to hurt Zuzu. But…

She decides to do it at night. Night is dark, so most firebenders sleep. That means no one will see her, right? The girl waits until night. She refuses to let herself fall asleep and counts to six hundred before sneaking out of her room. She sneaks from corner to corner in the darkness.

[User] You go to the Rooftops to Sneak

[Assistant]
Azula sneaks up to a second story window. It is a super far drop to the ground, but she isn't afraid. I'm not afraid at all. This feeling is just excitement. She shimmies over the window and lowers her first foot to the roof. After testing for footing, she puts her other foot down.

The princess keeps her arms out to stay balanced. The roof has a small angle, so it will be easy to slip and fall. She looks around. Everything seems so different up here, but she sees where the pond rests. It isn't far away, but right now it seems like an endless distance.

She gains confidence with each step. Her feet make small clicking sounds on the tile. I can do this to make Mommy love me. Her legs tremble. Almost there. Just a few more minutes.

A tile snaps loose under her feet. She slips and lets out a squeal as she grasps for any handhold. Then, she falls for a moment. Pain engulfs her.

Mommy! Daddy! Zuzu, help me!

She never does get to see her brother again.


[System] Narrate an interactive dark fantasy adventure. The world is brutal and unforgiving. Respond to the player's actions with vivid, immersive descriptions and let their choices carry real weight.

[User] You try riding to safety

[Assistant]
You start to raise your arms and then suddenly yell out "Fuck you, you sons of bitches!" Leaning down in your saddle to try to keep your horse's body between yourself and them you dig your spurs in so deep they draw blood. With a scream your horse bolts, the lawmen fire a few pistol shots which zip overhead but within seconds your horse has carried you down the street, out of town and across the prairie leaving the startled lawmen with their prisoner. Riding your unhappy horse all night you reach safety and over the next few days learn what has transpired.

In a series of raids lawmen and vigilantes have killed Ol and John and captured George, who gets a short prison sentence. For the next few years you live a wondering assistance, moving around Missouri and other states to avoid detection. Finally, in the spring of 1871, you renew contract with Cole Younger and Frank and Jesse James and arrange a meeting at the home of your mutual friend Clell Miller. Despite the loss of three of your companions you are ready to resume your career in banditry.


[System] Narrate a grim fantasy text adventure. The Empire's world is brutal, its people hardened. Respond to the player's choices with immersive storytelling and let consequences flow naturally.

[User] You eat some preserved fruits and vegetables

[Assistant] You delight it some pickled okra and some peach preserves. You think about bringing some food with you, but it will be too heavy for travel. So you try to eat as much as you can now. You decide to have some for the morning as well. It's getting late and with your full belly you are feeling quite tired. You can reenter the farmhouse or sleep in the shed.

[User] You stay in the shed

[Assistant] You remembered the noise you heard early and decide to holed up in the shed.

[User] You find a place in the shed to relax

[Assistant] You use your hands to guide you around the space. Just past the preserved goods on the shelves there seems to be a small rug that is folded.

[User] You adjust the rug to lay on it

[Assistant] As you kneel down to adjust the rug your hand touches something cold and metal-like.

[User] You access the metal object

[Assistant] It seems to be a large metallic ring connected to the floor.

[User] You pull the ring

[Assistant] The floor lifts slightly and a dusty smell wafts out.

[User] You shut the hatch back

[Assistant] It seems to be a hatch that leads to an underground area like a cellar or bunker.

[User] You open the hatch again

[Assistant] You open up the hatch again but a little wider and stick your head in a bit. It's too dark to see anything. All you can do is smell the muskiness of whatever is below.

[User] You close the hatch and resume to try to sleep

[Assistant] You lay on the small rug and try to get comfortable. You hold yourself and try to get a grasp on reality before fading to sleep.

[User] You wake up

[Assistant] You awaken to some sunlight beams leaking in through the shed. You stretch and yawn as you look at the jars of preserves.


[System] Narrate a grim fantasy text adventure. The Empire's world is brutal, its people hardened. Respond to the player's choices with immersive storytelling and let consequences flow naturally.

[User] You go back home

[Assistant]
You don't want any part of this. You indulged in some chaos on a mass scale, killed a bunch of people and now you're done. You don't really want to bother running a town. You leave to go back to your home, a few days later Jim comes by asking you why you left, and you explain, you're a loner by nature and just want to live in solitude for the most part. If you ever desire to go raise some hell, you'll visit Cinderville and bust some heads or something. Jim says he gets it and says you'll always be welcome in Cinderville, as long as you don't get in his way running the place

You tell him that won't be a problem, and then you quickly shove a knife in his throat. Jim gives you a surprised look for a brief second, clutches at his bloody throat, lets out a gurgled hiss and dies. You drag his body inside and chop it up to make a new totem to put outside. You half expect someone to come looking for their new fearless leader, but nobody does, presumably someone else attempted to fill the power vacuum, actually several people did. (Ramon and Dan were among the first to try and fail miserably) Cinderville descends into a chaotic place of constant strife and you go back to waylaying travelers. Though sometimes you take a trip to Cinderville when you want to be "social", but it's mostly to better hone your survival skills, though you also take the opportunity to sadistically murder some of the poor original inhabitants of Cinderville who's lives have become a living hell now. It's like you created your own personal "gym".

Four years pass…

Five years have passed since the bombs dropped and you've enjoyed yourself more or less since it's happened, you have complete independence and freedom to do whatever you want, but as always all things do come to an end.

During your trips to the Cinderville, you've heard  about some new organization called The Combine, attempting to "tame" the wasteland. It seems they're in some sort of war with another organization called the Cybernetic Evolution. From what you heard, neither one seems to be a shining beacon of light in this dark world, and that sort of reassures you too. It means that civilization won't be making a come back anytime soon, however it also means they've both been scouring the wasteland for recruits, neither one really asking for permission either. Eventually The Combine arrives in Cinderville. They quickly subdue the disorganized rabble there and place the town under their thumb. Indeed the original inhabitants are happy to put up with the totalitarianism of the Combine after the years of mindless chaos.

The Combine being the paramilitary organization it is, tends to do a lot of scouting and exploration, so you know its only a matter of time before they find you and chances are that they're not going to leave you alone.

[User] You leave

[Assistant]
You know when you're out numbered and outgunned, no point in sticking around waiting for them to show up. You pack your stuff, fuel up your van and leave.

You don't get far before your van finally breaks down on a permanent basis. It sucks, but you've learn enough in the past few years to survive on foot in the wilderness, which you do for a few months, until you encounter something you've never dealt with before.

Over the horizon you see some shiny figures approaching, they don't look friendly so you fire upon them immediately. As they get closer, you think they're some sort of robots, maybe cyborgs. This must be the other faction fighting the Combine.

When you realize your bullets aren't doing enough damage, you turn to run, only to have your legs blasted by some sort of laser beam. The smell of your own burnt flesh hits your nose and the sight of your new stumps hits your eyes as the cybernetic soldiers advance on your position. You pass out from the pain.

When you wake up you've been fitted with brand new cybernetic implants and legs. The only things going through your mind are to kill humans and to obey someone called Alex. As it turns out you're a very efficient killing machine, and a key cyborg resulting in the eventual destruction of The Combine. The only problem is in your new "remade" state, you are unable to enjoy any of it.

You exist only to follow orders and follow them mindlessly until the very end when you're finally blown to irreparable scrap and bones during a Combine retreat.


[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 talk to the Clans

[Assistant]
You figure that this is worth the chance, so you agree, but Catalina is staying behind. The messenger says that only you were invited anyway so that is not a problem.

"Are you sure about this?" Catalina asks you.
"Not really, but I'm not too sure about our future…I mean I know we're doing okay now, but I get the impression that it's only a matter of time. If dealing with Lord Rostov can help us, then I gotta try."

Catalina nods and kisses and hugs you goodbye before you and this messenger go teleporting off to the secret Vampire Clan fortress. He pulls out a black cube, presses a button and you both are immediately in the throne room of Lord Rostov. You still have no idea where this place is, but you're surrounded by several vampires. Some of which have a regal look about them as opposed to the hideous appearance that most of them have nowadays.

Lord Rostov gets up from his seat and greets you.

"Ah, the necromancer. You've been causing quite a bit of trouble I hear. The Grand Alliance has had many problems with you, though those should be coming to an end soon I should think."
"Because you're gonna kill me?" you ask, expecting trouble.
"Hmm, that's a rather blunt assumption, but I suppose a possible one. However, that need not be the case. That is why I have called you to talk."
"Okay I'm listening."
"Yes. What I'm offering is for you to give up your mad plan of murdering the world in exchange for immortality."
"…what?"
"I'm saying if you give up your plan, you may stay here and become one of us."

You don't really know what to say at this point.

"…I don't know what to say…I mean why would you offer this?"
"Ah, a valid question. Well, as you know we've been monitoring you. So far you've outlasted far longer than you should have, showing that you are a survivor and a man who can thrive under pressure. I personally respect such traits. You would be a fine addition to the clans and quite frankly I wouldn't mind having someone new to talk to. Trust me these lot haven't said anything interesting for a LONG time." Lord Rostov says dismissively to his silent court.
"While your offer has some appeal, I still don't know. I mean…"
"Why the hesitation? You are a necromancer, is not immortality not your ultimate goal? And this is the only way you're going to achieve it my friend, for even if I choose to let you go, you will not last too much longer out there. As I speak the Grand Alliance will be pursuing a more efficient way to deal with you and that ignorant demon Velzix. I'm sure you're aware that we do have influence over the mortal world and we are setting things up to defend the status quo. A demonic playground and a graveyard are unacceptable outcomes."
"I understand that, but you keep saying that I'm going to murder the world. I don't necessarily have any desire to do that. I mean I've been just trying to defend myself for the most part. If I could live in peace with the civilized nations I wouldn't be attempting to take anymore territory. In fact I haven't for a long time. I mean you said you had influence. Couldn't we just come to an understanding and you pull some strings to get the Grand Alliance to leave me alone?"

Lord Rostov laughs at your proposal.

"Even I cannot do that, even if I chose to do so! The living will always distrust and be repulsed by the undead. They would continue to attack even if we used our influence to cause a change in attitudes and policies. And I would not do so anyway. You are too much of a danger to the world. You claim you do not wish to turn the world into a mass grave, and you may even believe it. But how long really will you be able to contain your nature? You won't. Just as we cannot contain our nature either."
"Well if you feel I'm so dangerous, why keep me alive at all, let alone turn me into a vampire?"
"Because as I have said, you are worthy of such a gift and you would be someone new to talk to. Not to mention if you haven't noticed, our numbers are no longer what they once were, and they're even less due to our failed assassination attempts. It would be nice to get them back up again. And if you were to become one of us, your need to kill the entire world would lose its appeal. After all you cannot kill your food supply without killing yourself."
"I guess that's true."
"Yes. And just think, you'll still achieve immortality and in a much better form. Do you really want to be a rotting skeletal lich? Also, you can still control the world; we shall always have our hand in guiding the ways of our livestock. That is why we need more of us, so we can once again gain total control over them. You are being offered a better deal than you could ever achieve yourself. What will your answer be?"

Lord Rostov has basically given you an "out" as it were. A rather generous one, almost too generous. You can't help but think he doesn't have an angle. Still, he's making a lot of sense.

"…Catalina…may she join me?"
"Ah yes. Your mate. I suppose so. Assuming she wishes to join you. So I take it, you are accepting my offer?"
"Yes, yes I am."
"Excellent. You will see that this was the best choice, now you may feel a slight sting…"

Before you know what Lord Rostov means, you are suddenly grabbed from behind and bitten in the neck by a vampiress. You feel your blood drain from your body and soon your life fades completely.

Your heart ceases beating and then you die.

A few hours pass and you rise again. You feel quite different, but definitely stronger. Quicker too. In fact you feel better than ever. Lord Rostov stands by to watch you get up.

"Welcome to your new life, now you may go attempt to convince your mate, but be quick about it, I will have further orders for you."

You nod and head back to Aftermath where you meet Catalina in your new superior form. She can't believe it.

"YOU WENT AHEAD AND DID THIS WITHOUT ME?"
"No! I was thinking about us the whole time! I mean why do you think I came back for you? We can have it all and we can have it together!"
"Yeah, and I'm sure Lord Rostov has offered this gift out of the goodness his rotten heart. Didn't you think he has a hidden agenda?"
"I'm sure he does, but look we can't fight them in our current state. If we go this route we can possibly be in a position where we can defend ourselves better. We won't have to worry about the Grand Alliance or any of that anymore."
"Yeah, just a lot of shifty vampires probably all trying to plot against each other."
"True, but if we're together we can handle it. Come with me Catalina, I want us to be together in this."

Catalina thinks silently about it for a moment, and then allows you to embrace her where you begin to drain her blood. You feel completely invigorated by doing this, possibly because you have such a strong bond with her. She soon dies and after you wait a few hours, she rises again. She now will remain forever beautiful.

"Are you ready my dear?"
"Yes."

You and Catalina return to vampire fortress via black cube and begin your new lives.

 and things change thanks to the influence of the vampire clans. Influence you played a part in.

Velzix never quite managed to succeed in his plan to open up the portal, and was struck down by your Dad's mercenary company of all things. Your Dad died during the battle and he was declared a hero who sacrificed all in the cause of good. A statue of him now stands in the Zalan Empire's capital. Funny how mad men can be made into heroes so easily. Lord Rostov asked if you wanted to have the statue taken down, but you declined. It made your Mom happy.

Your own dominion soon fell into disarray without your guidance. Many necromancers attempted to take your place, but ultimately the Grand Alliance army lead by your sister crushed them all and retook everything that once was under your control.

The status quo is soon restored and the puppet master weavings of the Vampire Clans continue.

You and Catalina will have other journeys during this new life, but your journey as a necromancer is over.


[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 go find a guard and steal the keys

[Assistant]
"I'll be right back,"  you say, turning around.  There's an exit a few yards away, a neat gap in the wall with a spiral staircase behind it.  You head up the staircase as quietly as you can and find yourself at a wooden door. You can hear muffled voices on the other side, probably the guards.  Gently as you can, you turn the knob and open the door. Sunlight floods into the room, blinding you momentarily. Seems the door opens into the courtyard.  Two guards stand on the other side, their backs turned to you, chatting about the weather.

Ever so slowly, you inch out the door, getting closer and closer until they're in your reach.  They still haven't noticed you. Then, quick as you can, you grab them, clapping your hand over their mouth.  Before they have a chance to react, you dash back through the door, carrying them with you. Soon as you reach the edge of the stairwell, you throw them down onto the floor below, killing them instantly.

You hurry down the stairs, taking them two at a time.  After making sure the guards are thoroughly dead, you check their pockets for keys.  It doesn't take you long to find them. Strangely enough, they're made of the same wood as the lock.

"I'm back!"  you say as loud as you dare.

You dash to the first door and unlock it, then go to the next, and the next.  Soon, every cell is unlocked, and you're surrounded by a bleary-eyed crowd of Oalkwardners, staring up at you.

"What now?" one of them asks.

"I'm getting you out of-"  You start to say, but stop.  Above you, you can just hear the sound of muffled voices.  You put your finger to your lips, and creep towards the exit, where you can hear better.

"Why is this door open?"  one asks, "And where are the guards?"

Crap!  You must've forgotten to close the door behind you on your way back down!

"I thought I heard something down there,"  Another voice says, "Let's go check it out, I've got a bad feeling about this."

The sound of footsteps coming down the stairs resonates through the whole room.  You ready yourself for a fight as the bottoms of Oalkwardner feet and red and yellow cloaks become visible on the stairs.

"What on earth?"  one of them says. They must've seen the dead guards at the bottom.  You don't waste any more time. You charge into the room with the stairwell, screaming at the top of your lungs.  Five guards stare at you from halfway down the stairs, too stunned to move, at least for a moment. You use it to your advantage, bounding up the steps and plowing through the first two before they even think to raise their weapons.

Of course, the other three are a little smarter.  They back out of your reach before you can take a swipe at them, and ready their spears for an attack.  You stop ascending for a moment and assess the situation. They've got the high ground, and their spears are ready.  You may be stronger than they, but a shaft of wood through the heart will still kill you, regardless of who's holding it.

Without warning, The Oalkwardner in front leaps into the air towards you, ready to bring her spear down on your head.  You leap backwards, nearly tumbling down the stairs, just avoiding what could've been a fatal strike. For a moment, you're both off balance, but you recover first, and drive your fist into her face.

"Noooo!"  one of the other Oalkwardners cries, and charges at you wildly.

You step out of the way just in time, and he trips over his own feet, falling off the rickety spiral staircase to his doom.  That's four down, now where's that last one. You look around wildly, just in time to see the edge of a cloak disappearing through the door at the top of the stairs.

"Come on!"  You call down to the prisoners below, "We have to get out of here, now!  Up the staircase!"

The prisoners obey, flooding into the room, and starting up the stairs after you.  There are about two dozen in all, not as many as you might have thought, but still a substantial number to herd out of a fortress like this.

As you lead them out into the courtyard, a high pitched shriek cuts through the air.  It's an alarm, just like the one back in Arrorn! The entire courtyard is in chaos, people running this way and that, guards and civilians alike.  The gateway out is on the other side, about a hundred yards away, sitting wide open. But it won't be for long, even from here you can see guards gathering by the big swinging doors, getting ready to push them closed and trap you inside.

"Quick, to the exit!"  You shout, breaking into a run.  Everyone else follows as you weave through the crowd, trying your best not to trample any innocent people.  (If, indeed, there are any innocent people in this place). It looks like you might just make it, until you've made it about halfway across the courtyard.  Seemingly out of nowhere, guards on little ponies, like the ones that invaded Arrorn, flank your band of criminals. Slowly but surely, they're closing in, going ahead of you to cut you off.  If you don't do something fast, you're going to be surrounded.

There's no time to think though.  No time to come up with a brilliant plan.  Before you even quite realize it, there's nowhere left to go.  The guards are in front and behind, to the right and to the left.  You are struck with a strange sense of Deja Vu.  This isn't the first time you've been in a situation like this, it happened back in Arrorn too!  So if you just do the same thing you did before, you'll get out of it just fine.

"Don't stop!"  You cry, "I'll clear a path!"

There's no time to pick out the weak link, so you just plow on forward, attacking the guard directly in your path.  Soon as you get within range of the spears, you leap into the air and drive your foot into the guard's chest.  He tumbles off the horse, screaming, and all the prisoners flow through the gap you've created.  After you've ran a good thirty feet from the circle, you glance over your shoulder to make sure everyone got through.  But to your horror, only about half have made it past the circle.  The rest of the guards have closed in further, getting rid of the gap you created.  More of them have to get taken out if you are to have any hope of saving everyone.

Worse, there are more guards coming from the sides, and the doors are halfway closed.  If you don't get the rest of the prisoners out quick, no-one will make it out at all.

[User] You cut your losses and lead those who are left out to freedom

[Assistant]
It hurts more than you could've ever imagined, leaving people behind like this.  But there's no sense in you dying too.  You keep running until you reach the gate and the others follow.  As you pass through it, you notice a few of the Guards coming after you on ponies out of the corner of your eye.  You're about to turn and fight them, when something shoots out from the shadows and knocks the first one off his horse.  Then it takes down the second, and the third!  Kralmer has come to your aid.

"Let's get out of here, Human!"  He cries, catching up to you,  "We've gotta leave the kingdom as fast as we can!  Go somewhere else, where they'll never find us."

"Right," You say, "I hope we've got enough supplies..."

"We'll survive, we can forage if we need to."

"Perfect, you got somewhere in mind?"

"Sure!  I'll lead the way..."

A week of walking later, you cross the border of the land you were in and into somewhere nicer.  You and the former prisoners integrate into a nearby village.  They all celebrate you as their hero, and come together to build you a nice, human sized house.  After a few months of living there, it really starts to feel like home.  You even get used to the food.

As for Kralmer, his family just so happened to be amongst the half you managed to save.  It's a good thing too, you're not sure he would've forgiven you if you hadn't managed to get them out alive.  You have dinner with him most nights, and the two of you become quite good friends.

The villagers are happy to have you as part of their community.  After the brave deeds you committed, they see you as their last line of defense.  If anything ever happens, you'll be there to save them.

But that hasn't happened yet.  For now, you've been blessed with some much needed peace...


[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 keep quiet

[Assistant]
You're fooling yourself. You've only been struggling with your loyalty issues because you were brought up to obey the Emperor and serve the Empire.

But really what have you learned since then? You've learned that a great majority of it is all lies. True, the Shadow Guard has their own agenda, but it isn't just based on following their god, it's actively trying to free others under the tyranny of the Empire. And are they seeking to take the place of the Empire? No, they're just going to return to Derlerg and return to how their lives used to be, before the Empire arrived, everyone else is free to do as they please.

Is that something you really need to fight against? People that want to bring freedom to not just themselves, but to others as well? Dendrin said that he didn't believe you were going to serve him and you were just saying you were to survive. He also said you weren't as rigid as your fellows. He's right on both accounts. You don't think that you'll ever be a true shadow, but perhaps you agree with their goals at least in this case. Besides, you've bonded more with the people at Gloom who have actively helped you in the past than you have with a faceless Emperor who you haven't even seen let alone gotten any help from. If anything the Empire has nearly tried to kill you since the moment you were born.

You make your choice within that moment. You're going to remain quiet and not tell Mr. Mol anything, but if you get accused you doubt if you'll kill yourself, you're more likely to make a valiant escape attempt instead.

Mr. Mol sits down and begins his line of questioning.

"So how are you today?" he asks.
"I'm fine."
"And how are your duties going in the Shadow Guard?"
"Fine sir. The rooting out of dissidents and traitors to the Empire is a tireless one, sir."
"Yes, it is…" Mr. Mol says with a pause. "Tell me, are there times when you have found someone not guilty?"
"Never sir."
"Never? Really? Surely not all your searches come up with violent dissidents. Perhaps some of the citizens are merely just speaking harmless nonsense?"
"If they are, then they would've been wise to keep their mouth shut sir. The Emperor is not to be criticized and his will is what guides the greatness of the Empire."
"I see…" Mr. Mol says and takes some notes.

"Tell me, what do you think of the Shadow Guard?"
"They are the hands of the Emperor, sir."
"His hands huh? That implies they are so important that the Emperor cannot do without them."
"Not at all sir. The hands are nothing compared to the mind that controls it. The Emperor is the mind that controls the hands. They are nothing without his direction and guidance. This is known and accepted as it has been from the beginning. But I am not truly a Shadow Guard, I am an Eternal. My duty is and will always be to the Emperor first. If you order me to abandon the Shadow Guard because you feel my talents would be better served elsewhere, I shall do so."
"Hmm, no I do not think that's necessary."

Mr. Mol asks you a few more questions and you answer in the best way you can. All in all Mr. Mol seems almost bored by your answers, like he was hoping to hear something much more exciting. You're not sorry to disappoint him, but you're definitely trying your hardest to maintain a cool demeanor in the face of certain treason if he suspects the slightest lie.

Eventually he finishes and you are lead out of the room and back into the main room where you see Cyrus and Talia waiting with the soldiers.

"Okay I believe we are done here. I am pleased to find that all of you are obviously living up to your potential. I was a little concerned only because a couple of your non-shadow Eternals already have proven to lack the discipline we thought they had. One was executed for killing his superior officer and another one died by breaking a solid fighting formation during a battle. I'm glad to see all of you are much better in that regard and I can only chalk that up to the Shadow Guard's superior training techniques. Perhaps more Eternals in the future will join as it is obvious you all have tremendous willpower and great loyalty to the Empire." Mr. Mol says.

And with that, the three of you are lead back to the carriage, which takes you back to Lenet, and from there you walk back to Gloom. You're all more talkative at this point, Talia and Cyrus go on about the questions with each other and you. Of course you lie and state you were asked similar ones.

"So do you think he suspected anything?" Talia asks.
"Doubt it. The Empire fool didn't even ask anything remotely important. It is obvious Dendrin's shadow covers his eyes from the truth. So much so that it required minimum effort on our part to even lie to him. I mostly just omitted truth." Cyrus mocks.
"Omissions of the truth are usually better than outright lies anyway. Less of a chance to get caught up in a web." Talia comments.
"Oh I dunno, all I did was lie and he never suspected a thing." You say.

After the three of you report to Master Ebon, he seems pleased with how things turned out, but states that he's pushing to enact the plan sooner for concern that the Empire may still suspect something. He then says to expect things to get hectic soon, but with Dendrin's guidance you all will surely prevail and the Empire will collapse.

You retire to your bed to get some rest as it's been a long stressful day. You're finally glad to have settled your crisis of loyalty though. With these comforting thoughts you drift off to sleep…

As you sleep you begin to dream. You dream that you're in the same void like space when you walked into that portal two years ago. You feel nothing and you sense nothing for a long time then you hear the voice, but it isn't oppressive like the first time.

"So you did not betray me after all…I am a little surprised mortal. Perhaps you see after all."
"I see that the Empire is indeed a corrupt system that needs to be brought down, but I don't feel the need to worship you."
"It is a start, but know that this path you take now will be very dangerous. As strong as you are your survival is not guaranteed. It shall be interesting to see you try however."

With those last words, you wake up. You try to go back to sleep, but it isn't easy. Just like bringing down the Empire isn't going to be easy. You just can't figure out why Dendrin, doesn't take a more active role in helping his followers. He obviously has the power, but you don't know. The best you can do is what you can achieve in the mortal realm and leave the motivations of any gods out of the picture.

[User] Continue

[Assistant]
Chapter 2B2: Dendrin's Shadow

Year 20

"So Brother Cyrus and Brother Draven are going to be assigned to Rask soon?" you ask.
"That's what I've heard from Brother Gray. Them and a few others. Next year at the latest." Murk says
"Good idea, from what I've heard the Empire is always having problems with that area, though I think they'll start having problems in other areas too soon now that they're officially at war with the Felkan Kingdom."
"Personally I don't think we should be waiting around now, we should push things along even more." Brother Shade says. "In fact, I'm going to mention that to Master Ebon next time I see him."
"You don't think that he hasn't already thought of such a plan?" Talia asks.
"Perhaps, but let's just say I've been here a little longer than the rest of you, and while I know Master Ebon is just waiting for the right time to strike, he's been playing the waiting game a little longer than I think is necessary."

This statement from Brother Shade gets a lot of looks, but nobody says anything. Even you are surprised as this is the first time you believe you've heard something close to an open criticism about Master Ebon or the leadership structure in general.

Soon after his statement Brother Shade leaves to attend his duties.

"Brother Shade should watch how he talks about Master Ebon. Ebon speaks directly to Dendrin on a daily basis and knows best on how to proceed." Murk remarks.
"Then why did you not speak up, instead of just sitting there?" Sister Bianca asks.
"Uh…well…"
"Always trying to impress the ladies, eh Murk?" you chuckle and take your leave to go about your duties as well.

Later that night you fall asleep and have an encounter with someone you don't want to interact with unless you have to…

"So I see you're fitting in well after all. Glad to see it seeing as you still don't particularly hold a lot of faith in my help. You are a most puzzling creature Eternal." Dendrin says.
"For someone with god powers, you aren't very omniscient. As I said, I joined the Shadow Guard's cause because it's the best chance to bring down the Empire. Master Ebon is the leader and whether he's getting reliable guidance from you or not is irrelevant, he's who I'm following not you."
"Interesting, so you've just exchanged one Emperor for another."
"No, for one I actually have interacted with Master Ebon and understand his motivations and goals better. As far as I know about the Emperor and the Empire, they're just into power for power's sake. And what do you care? I'm following Ebon and he follows you, so shouldn't you be happy?"

At this point a low chortle pierces your brain.

"Perhaps I am. Perhaps I am. As always I enjoy our little talks Eternal."

Sometime later you wake up from your sleep, still wondering what the hell Dendrin's game is.

Year 21

"Besides the hidden cells we already have, I think we can definitely count on the elven population for support when the time comes, I don't think there's a single one that would defend the Empire, if it meant a true end to it. As for the human population well its hit or miss. We know we'll stir up any slaves and probably criminal types looking to take advantage of the chaos. The poorer folk might be a bit divided. Some are still brainwashed fools happy to toil under the iron fist, though happily a lot seem to be grumbling as of late. It'll probably go more to our favor when the revolution goes full swing." You tell your fellow shadows.
"Good to hear. The reports I get from Cyrus at Fort Defiance are promising as well. He says that he's made contact with the orc commander who has been stirring up a bit of rebellion in the orcs. He's been slowly transferring many of them to Rask and concentrating on having them all rebel there though. This Captain Gruz states it would be too risky to do it with the orc serving on the Felkan frontlines as well since he needs to keep his profile somewhat low and they're probably just going to get killed soon in that meat grinder anyway." Brother Gray remarks.
"And I still say we should've pushed further on sabotage on that front, not to mention try to convince Gruz to influence the orcs stationed there anyway."
"Yes, yes, so you've said. Brother Shade isn't it enough that your voice was heard on the orc issue at all? You should be satisfied with that fact rather than pushing for needless recklessness. Your idea contribution was utilized in the best way that will advance Dendrin's agenda. Be happy for such a thing brother." Brother Gray responds.

Brother Shade sits back down and scowls, but says nothing else except a few grumbles. He does glare at you as if you're to blame, but it's not your fault. You've been putting in just as much work as everyone trying to cultivate dissension and looking for weaknesses to exploit when the time comes, you sort of hope it comes soon though because even you are getting tired of the waiting around. You're still an Eternal and the desire for combat on a grand scale is still there.

After the meeting you head towards your room since you have no more duties for today. As you walk down the corridor Talia catches up with you.

"Where is Brother Murk, normally he's by your side talking to you after these things."
"He had to rush to the Delerg province; he had duties to attend to there immediately after the meeting.
"I see, for a moment I thought you were going to tell me he was attempting to unsuccessfully attempt to charm sister Bianca again."
"He probably still did that before he left."
"I don't know why he puts himself through the hassle. It is obvious she will never feel that way about him." Talia remarks.
"Oh I dunno, with enough time he might wear her down in twenty years."
"Perhaps, but his time would better spent elsewhere pursuing a mate. Certain people just aren't made to be together, unlike say us for example."

While you and Talia have grown slightly closer over the years, you weren't aware it was to that level!

"Okay Talia, you're going to have to explain in greater detail on this issue, because I'm lost."
"I intend to. Basically I am choosing you now as a mate. I think you know there is wisdom in this."
"Wha? Now? Me? Why?"
"Because even though we are all siblings and equals in the eyes of Dendrin, quite frankly WE…" Talia grabs your hand and puts it to her heart and then your own. "…are Eternals. We still have a bond that the others don't and you're the only one I believe is worthy for me. Besides, I'm sure you are sick of waiting around for the revolution to get started and are feeling the urge for combat a lot. I figure we could both blow off some of those urges with other intimate activities."
"…does that really work?"
"I dunno, I've heard it does. It's not like I've tried this before, I guess we'll have to find out, assuming you want to that is…you aren't like Brother Cyrus are you?"
"Hah, no. I just haven't thought about it a lot about it in general. I guess I've got a lot on my mind most of the time."
"I sensed as much, as you always seem to be deep in thought a lot. Is it anything in particular?"

You almost want to tell her how your whole experience with the Shadow Guard has most likely been a lot different from everyone else's. How you don't have faith in Dendrin and how you've personally had several frustrating conversations with him. And most importantly how you always wonder if secretly attempting to overthrow the Empire is even going to work in the first place.

You don't though because it's only going to complicate things and perhaps you should take the time to relax every once in a while. You aren't even going to wonder if getting it on with Talia is even a good idea at this time. You're just going to act on her advances.

The pair of you find a secluded spot and embrace. While it's a completely new sensation to the pair of you, it somehow feels natural. Not just the act itself, but rather who you're with. Perhaps Talia was right in thinking that as Eternals you do still have a bond that the others don't.

She was also right about another thing too, sex does help with some of the pent up energy you both have. The pair of you engage in this activity quite a bit in the months to come.

Near the end of the year, the time to revolt is still no closer, but it would seem a spontaneous riot has broken out in one of the smaller towns just within province and several have been on the verge of doing so. Ever since the Felkan war broke out, the Shadow Guard haven't really been assigned there since the Empire has soldiers coming in and out of the area most of the time so it keeps the idea of rebellion down with the masses.

However it would appear that's part of the problem in the first place as a lot of the soldiers have just been taking advantage such as supplementing their food supplies by emptying entire grain storages or fields. The rumors of worse things abound as well, but as always the Empire doesn't pay any attention to such things. The military and its conquest of the Felkan Kingdom is top priority. The peasants are just going to have to make do and suffer through it as always.

Normally soldiers would put down the dissension going on in the province, but most of the military is currently attempting to make a big push on the Felkan Kingdom to break the current stalemate and it doesn't really want to divert any more soldiers than necessary. As the Shadow Guard are supposed to be the secret police enforcers in the first place, your order has been assigned to take care of the problem and the Empire wants an example made of the town of Hewlif which has openly rioted to the point where they've murdered all the Empire soldiers within it.

While Brother Shade urges that this would be good time to openly strike, Master Ebon again says no and says the charade still needs to be kept. Even you find this to be a little strange since this would indeed be a good opportunity and judging by some of the other reactions of your fellow shadows they may be in agreement.

"But how are we supposed to hide any potential rebels this time? I mean this is a whole town that the Empire wants us to wipe off the map!" Sister Bianca exclaims.
"We aren't. We're going to obey the Empire on this one and do exactly what we're told." Master Ebon says.
"WHAT?! Are you serious? This is supposed to be what we're fighting against! These average ordinary citizens have displayed more courage than you by taking matters into their own hands!"
"Brother Shade!" Brother Gray snaps.
"NO, I will not be silent this time! I must speak! We have the resources, we have infiltrated enough! Now is not the time to sneak about in the background, Dendrin wanted us to be free and I won't let you or this doddering old fool hold us back with your indecisiveness any longer!"

Without another word, Brother Shade speeds himself up and moves in for the attack. He can't possibly win even if he does reach Master Ebon in time…unless you attempted to help him.

[User] You help in the assassination

[Assistant]
Brother Shade has a point, waiting around for things to happen isn't why you're going along with the shadows. You thought they were actually trying to make major changes, but it's apparent a change in leadership might be indeed necessary.

You speed yourself up and fire your armbow at Master Ebon, but instead of hitting him it hits Brother Gray instead. He clutches his eye and falls to the floor. You really didn't mean to hit him though; he just got in the way. Several shadows behind you tackle you to the floor, but this followed by more shadows assaulting your attackers. Apparently you and Shade's actions have caused a minor civil war within the shadow ranks and those that disagreed with Master Ebon are taking their opportunity.

While you're trying to avoid getting trampled to death, Brother Shade's attack isn't as successful; he gets just within reach of Master Ebon before he's struck down with whatever mind power that Master Ebon apparently has. He displays it quite prominently when Shade instantly clutches his head as if it's about to explode. While that doesn't happen, he does begin to bleed from his ears and nose. He lets out one long scream of pain before collapsing to floor, this causes the current in-fighting to stop and just stare at Master Ebon who is now displaying an expression of fury the likes you've never seen on anyone before.

"SO THIS IS WHAT IT HAS COME TO?" He shouts and points over at Brother Gray's body. "How can we possibly defeat the Empire if we're killing each other and doubting Dendrin's will? If Dendrin right now struck ALL of us dead for this blasphemy, I could not blame him! Nor would I because it is not my place, nor anyone else's to judge his plans! It is obvious that this order must undergo purification before we are even able to overthrow the Empire! Centuries of planning completely gone, but this is how it MUST be if we are ever to be truly free under Dendrin's blessed design."

Master Ebon pauses a moment and then points in your direction.

"We'll start with you for your murder of Brother Gray!"

Before you can even react you feel a sharp pain wrack your brain then it courses throughout your entire body. It feels like your entire body is on fire and having thousands of blades stabbing you at the same time.

You begin bleeding, screaming and writhing on the floor just like Brother Shade did with one importance difference, Master Ebon actually makes your head explode into gooey chunks just to get his point across about purifying the shadow order.


[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] You launch a magical attack against him.

[Assistant]
You focus what remains of your mental resources into a ball of pure energy and cast it after the fleeing goblin, striking him from behind.

The magical energy discharges into the goblin's body, and he falls down lifeless.

You, however, having reached your limits, fall down into a deep, dreamless sleep...


[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 split up and take both entrances

[Assistant]
"We split up. Take each side, catch the Thrall in a pincer movement, and get this done."

"Good. I understand. I'll take the back, your weapon is more of a..." Father Féval pauses, looking for the word. "Breaching weapon, no?"

"Fair point. Let's do it."

"Best of luck, my friend. Give me thirty seconds. I'll wait for the gunshot. You walk towards the house, shotgun held tightly in your hands. Surprisingly for a vampire's lair, your surveillance has said that the house is completely lacking in any serious security measures. Locked doors and windows, sure, but they're lacking the reinforced doors, security cameras. It's a young vampire, so you're not expecting legions of Thralls protecting him or runic blood magic protecting the house, but clearly the power's gone to this creature's head.

Striding forward to the house's wooden door, you raise your shotgun, pointing it at the lock and firing. Booting the door open with a solid kick as you pump the shotgun, the door collapses to the ground as you quickly step through, making contact with the Thrall.

The Thrall stands in the kitchen, a short, bearded man with crazed eyes and grime and dirt stuck in his beard and on his face. He shakes his head repeatedly, growling and swearing as he divides a pile of crushed and broken white crystals, no doubt a substitute between his feedings on the vampiric blood he's heavily addicted to.

His eyes dart up to you as he growls, an animalistic sound that could only come from a beast. His blood-shot eyes bulge, as he kicks the table with incredible strength, flipping it onto its side as he dives behind it.

You watch as Father Féval walks into the room, having broken through the back door. He raises his rifles, pointing it as the Thrall's head.

"Hands up," he says.

"You goddamn bastard! We'll take the night back! We'll steal the fucking sun for you! We will rule the darkness, and we will fucking make blood bags of your loved o...!"

"Silencieux," Father Féval says calmly, as the man groans in pain, gritting his teeth. "Les flammes les plus méritées brûlent le plus chaud, pécheur. Que Dieu ait pitié de ce qui reste de votre âme misérable et trouve la miséricorde sur votre âme."

The two pistols fire, the Thrall's face exploding as blood and gore coats his wild hair and thick beard, his head caving in as the bullets carve their way through.

"Let's kill this Vampire and be done with this place," Father Féval says to you.

"Let's," you say, pumping your shotgun as your next shell enters the chamber.

[User] You take out the coffin

[Assistant]
You quickly head down the staircase of the basement, descending into the dark basement, lit by a dim candle. You slow down as you notice the counters piled with jars filled to the brim with red liquid. A bloody metal table sits there with unopened leather straps, a series of tubing and IV's connected to it. You're certain that it's equipment to drain the blood of victims the Thrall captures, to feed his master when he doesn't wish to hunt for himself.

However, the highlight of the room is a large, ornate coffin, leaning against a concrete wall. You've seen enough coffins in your life for any man, but this one is a fairly nice one. It's solid wood, cherry, with brass handles, sitting up on its side so its resident can sleep standing up. The face on the front of the coffin shows a grinning, gargoyle-like face made of brass, its eyes shining at you. You flinch at the sight of it, nervous about what lies behind it.

"Let's do it," Father Féval says.

You hurry up to the coffin, readying your shotgun as Father Féval takes the other side.

"I take the chest, you take the head," you say, as Father Féval nods.

Quickly, the two of you perform the breaching mechanism. Swinging around and standing back, you quickly measure the size of the coffin and roughly calculate where the center of its heart is. You aim, your fingers tightening on the trigger as you fire the weapon, as does Father Féval.

Your shotgun bucks, firing lead and magnesium shards directly through the heavy wood of the coffin. You fire three times as the wood splinters and explodes away, your shells bursting through them as they tear through the coffin. Father Féval's rounds tear through where the head of the vampire should lie, bursting through the wood and hitting through inside. After a few seconds, the sound of gunfire calms as you look at Father Féval.

"Let us confirm the kill," Father Féval says.

Stepping forward, you grab the handle of the coffin and wretch it open, tearing open the splintered and almost destroyed door. Staring inside, you find splintered wood and torn apart coffin, and thankfully, the piles of ash that would indicate a clean kill. The vampire is dead, his body ash, and your task completed.

"Confirmed," you say.

"Thank God above," Father Féval says, showing the slightest traces of a smile. "We should burn this place to the ground and get out of here."

A bright ringing noise startles you from behind, and you almost open fire in that direction as you redraw your revolver. You find yourself staring at a simple cellphone sitting on a table, vibrating and ringing away. You pause, looking at it with confusion.

"What is it?" Father Féval asks you.

"A phone," you answer, as you walk over slowly, reaching down and flipping open the phone, lifting it to your ear.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Mr Matasan."

Your blood chills for a moment, as you take a deep breath, terror ringing through you.

"And who may I be speaking to?"

"My name is Hrólfr Gaange. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Is there something I can help you with?" you ask.

"You don't seem particularly afraid, Mr Matasan."

"Should I be, Mr Gaange?" you ask, trying to keep your calm.

"Of course not. It's just refreshing to speak to a new person without them being so terrified. Now, let's be quite frank, Mr Matasan. You killed one of my agents, and their thrall, did you not?"

"I did," you say, not wanting to waste the time that would've come from lying, since you know the creature's certain about these facts.

"Interesting. Good. He was a weak, impulsive creature. He wasn't useful. Quite frankly, he was a threat to our existence. But you... you could be of assistance to me. You have potential. I want you to work for me."

"No," you reply, almost instantly, prompting a dark chuckle from the bastard.

"I understand. You've dedicated your life to protecting the innocent. But, so have I, Mr Matasan. I may be a vampire, but I do what's necessary for this world. I don't stalk through the streets at night attacking helpless women hiding in their beds. I'm not one of these crass specimens that wants to blot out the sun, or who wants to enslave mankind, or raise a legion of damned souls. I like the world the way it is. And I'm going to keep it safe from darker creatures of the night. I keep the world of darkness under wraps, as you do. I keep my dark brethren in check. I protect society. You could help me with that, and do a far better job than you do as a mortal."

"No," you say again.

"Think about what I'm offering you. Immortality, riches, power, strength, speed, intelligence. Everything you could want."

"I can't do that, Mr Gaange. I think you already knew that, though."

"Oh, I did. But I'm not looking to recruit you right now. I'm offering you a favor. You types never take the power offer. You don't join my side out of power-lust. You join out of desperation. A day will come when you need me. Perhaps you need some arcane knowledge. Perhaps you need money. Perhaps a cure for some unknown disease. Anything you ever need. Just... keep this phone. My number is under Mr Black. Generic, i know. When you need me, call. I can give you anything you want. And what do you lose for that? Your finite mortality, your weakness, your diseases, your poverty... a fair bargain, no."

"I'm not going to..." you begin to see, before a dark voice interupts you.

"Keep the phone. I know you don't think you'll need it, but you might. I'll talk to you sooner or later, Mr Matasan. Best of luck to you tonight. I've heard it'll be a big one."

The phone beeps as Mr Gaange hangs up on you.

"What was it?" Father Féval asks.

"The target's vampiric master."

"What did he say?"

You pause, looking down at your phone as you try to think through what to do. You know Féval wouldn't support you taking the phone, but he doesn't have to know what was discussed.


[System] Narrate a grim fantasy text adventure. The Empire's world is brutal, its people hardened. Respond to the player's choices with immersive storytelling and let consequences flow naturally.

[User] You kill the men, then the dog.

[Assistant]
You decide that men with swords beat out a hound so you ready your ambush by hiding behind a desk and wait for them to rush in. They do as you predict and you pop up from behind the desk and toss three throwing knives, two at the leader, one at the man following him. The first bounces off the lead man's armor. The second catches him in the neck and he goes down grasping at his throat. The third narrowly misses the following soldier by inches.

You draw your short swords which are a good matchup against the wide swinging barbed scimitars the Turric use, at least in confined spaces. Then you leap over the desk ready to take the second soldier out.

He charges as you rush to meet him. His swing is wild and you parry it ducking into a tumble and swing low cutting his foot off at the ankle. As you roll into a crouch you are hit from the side by the wardog which barrels into you knocking you off balance. It bites for your throat but you sacrifice your arm instead losing your left hand sword in the process. The short sword rings off of the wooden floor and skitters several feet away as you use your other sword to stab the dog in the ribs.

Even as you stab the dog and it yelps, the other soldier levels a boot at your head and kicks you so hard you see sparkles and blackness for a second. The dog rends a massive rip in your bracer and blood spurts from the open wound into it's mouth. You stab it again and it collapses.

The second warrior raises his Barbed Scimitar as you struggle to get the dog's dead weight off of your own body. You scream as the blade comes down cutting deep into your skull. Death is instantaneous.

YOU HAVE FAILED!!!


[System] Narrate a grim fantasy text adventure. The Empire's world is brutal, its people hardened. Respond to the player's choices with immersive storytelling and let consequences flow naturally.

[User] You ignore it

[Assistant]
It probably was just the wind, no need to be paranoid. You hop in bed and close your eyes.

"Cat---"

You head is struck making you collapse. You black out from what you assume to be Greg's doing. Who knew he was so strong? You suffer intensive internal bleeding and die a slow, painful death.


[System] Narrate an interactive dark fantasy adventure. The world is brutal and unforgiving. Respond to the player's actions with vivid, immersive descriptions and let their choices carry real weight.

[User] Continue

[Assistant]
Best Friends With Benefits Forever

The Future…

"I hate dealing with those trailer park assholes." Julie says as you both enter the shelter.
"Yeah, but unless we want to go driving all the way to the next township or waiting around for a wandering merchant, it isn't like we got much choice in barter partners." You say.
"I just feel like we're getting eye raped by all of them whenever we walk into their little enclave."
"Probably are, but Mel's pretty good about keeping his boys in line. He's surprisingly reasonable as well. Besides, they got enough problems ever since the Cult of Tiamat launched a full raid on them."
"Yeah, that's another reason I don't like going out nowadays, the entire fucking town is a war zone between those two."
"Mmm, I'm just glad we don't live where the fighting has gotten the heaviest. It's almost like how it was when all those people were running around like rabid animals. Still never learned what caused that, weird that some people just suddenly went back to normal though."
"Speaking of the cult, do you really believe they won't attack us anymore?" Julie says.
"Well like with anything in this shitty world, nothing is certain, but Bobby has always been a true believer so when he came to us that night saying that Tiamat spoke to him in a dream saying that we were off limits due to recent losses, I'm inclined to believe we don't need to worry about them for now. Personally I think it was that bitch Diana that kept targeting us specifically for sacrifice. She never did like me. Anyway Diana's dead and Bobby isn't under her influence anymore."
"What about his new first wife though?"
"His sister Helen? I only met her a few times back when I was dating Bobby, but she was always okay to me. Seemed to almost want me in the fold as it were. Probably wanted an ally because her older sister Diana was a bully to her…hmm might've had something common I suppose."

As you get ready to relax for the night, Julie ceases talking for a moment and then speaks up again.

"Hey, do you ever wonder what your life would've been like if you'd stayed with Bobby?" Julie asks.
"You're joking right?" you say.
"Well I'm just asking do you think it would've been easier?"
"I really don't see how being the member of an insane cult would've been easier and that's not even factoring in Diana who probably would've been trying to kill me at every turn."
"Ah, I think you would've been okay. You would've found a way to get over on her. Just think you would've been a high priestess with followers or something!"
"And I still would've had to have shared Bobby with Helen and whatever other sisters he choose as a damn wife. Nope, I'm not into polygamy."
"But you weren't into girls either at one time and we wound up together."
"That's a little different Julie, we had a long history. I mean I don't even see you as a female. I mean I do, but (Sigh) …you know what I mean! I'm just saying I'm not the sharing type when it comes to these things. What brought all this weird line of questioning all of a sudden?"
"I dunno, I guess sometimes I play what if and I come up with all sorts of weird scenarios."
"What do you mean?"
"Well okay for example, I can picture you still doing okay even if you made different choices in your life. Like I can picture you surviving and even thriving in this harsh world regardless of what you did. Me? I would've been dead without you around. I just wonder sometimes if your life would've been better without me. Silly I suppose for me to dwell on stuff like that."

You know Julie can still get a little self-conscious at times and would seem tonight is one of those nights. It was annoying at first, but as time has gone on, you've actually grown to find it a little endearing.

"You're damn right it's silly, because how could my life be better without you? I mean I have everything I want with you, what more could I want? To be a leader of one of the many dysfunctional groups out there? No thanks, I was already part of one dysfunctional group, I don't need to be part of another, let alone trying to lead them. I'm perfectly happy down here in our shelter with ample supplies and spending the rest of my years with you. Now come over here."

Julie walks over to you a bit demurely and you passionately kiss her and grab her ass in the process.

"Mmm. Tell you what, since the town has become rather dangerous lately, why don't we stay in for a month or two? Maybe by that time, those idiots will have stopped or killed each off by then. You know we still have lots of supplies left, we can afford a nice romantic vacation of sorts from the world." You say.
"See, you always have the good ideas." Julie says with a smile.

As the two of you embrace in the way lovers do, you realize Julie is right, you do have all the good ideas.

And your best one was choosing to be with your best friend.


[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 let him leave

[Assistant]
As much you don't necessarily relish the idea of possibly sending a man to his death, he's not your responsibility and it's already weird he's been sticking around when there isn't anyone else here maybe it would be best if you let him leave especially if he's implying that he's mentally ill.

Besides if he claims he can sneak past the National Guard, then who are you to disbelieve him.

"Okay, but you probably should go out the backdoor at least." You say.
"Yeah, good idea. You're so thoughtful to look out for my well being. I just wish…things could've been different…" Johhny says and starts stumbling back towards the kitchen.

You follow Johnny just to make sure he doesn't fall or something similar. When you reach the kitchen you're impressed with how clean it is. You'd never know there was a drunk fool lying on a broken table yesterday.

"How the hell did you get this so clean?" you ask.
"Oh, I'm very (yawn) good at cleaning. Always have been. There's also some pizza and another drink for you in the fridge. I got an (yawn) extra one yesterday in case you got hungry today. Don't worry, I made sure nobody touched it."
"Wow Johnny, that was pretty thoughtful. Thank you."
"No problem. I just hope someone will be as good to you as you deserve. Goodbye Suzy." Johnny says and walks out the backdoor.

You walk to the door and peer out the window to see if he's going to jump the fence, but you see him walk around the house. You hope he isn't going to try to go through the front gate again and is just going to cut through a neighbor's yard.

You run back to a couple of other rooms peering out windows, but you don't see him anymore. You look out one of the front windows and he's not out there either. He must've already made his escape you guess or at least you hope so.

Lacking any other ideas of what to do at this particular time, you grab the pizza and drink from the fridge and head back to your room. You also attempt to call up Donna, Julie and even Peter to see if you can find out more information on their situations, but you get no answer from any of them.

After passing some time on your laptop, you suddenly hear a loud banging on a door.
Not the door to your room, but somewhere in the house. Upon exiting your room, it sounds like its coming from the front door.

You remember that the loudspeaker from earlier did say there was going to be a government representative coming to visit the houses in the neighborhood.

You head to the living room and look through the door window and see a well-dressed man and one soldier at the door.

Since you get the impression the government will most likely just break the door down if you don't answer the best thing you can do is be polite and accommodating.

You grab the handle…

"Greetings miss. I'm Mr. Zoll and I've been assigned to be the government representative for this area. May we come in?" Mr. Zoll asks, though it's pretty obvious that this is more of a polite formality rather than asking permission.
"Of course." You answer and let Mr. Zoll and his soldier companion in.

Mr. Zoll sits on the chair while his soldier buddy stands nearby and you sit on the other side of the couch and ask what all this is about.

"My name's Suzy, so how can we help exactly?" you ask.
"Well, before we start I know this isn't an ideal situation. You're probably already concerned about what's going on and why this town is under marshal law in the first place." Mr. Zoll answers.
"It is all a bit worrying." You reply.
"I'm sure. Unfortunately I can't talk about it too much, however I'm sure you're aware that this town has experienced a vast increase in criminal activity and rioting. More than your police force can handle. So until we get the situation under control again, we're here to stay."
"Well I certainly can understand that. I haven't experienced any criminal activity in this neighborhood though, well at least not to my knowledge."
"Hmm, yes this is one of the quieter ones. Some places I'm hearing about are pretty bad. Anyway I'd like to ask a few questions before deciding if we need to search this house further."
"Oh. Um, okay then. I have nothing to hide."
"Good glad to… hear it." Mr. Zoll says.
"So do you own this place?"
"My friend Julie does."
"Oh? You're not the owner? Where is this Julie?"
"Uh, don't know. She skipped out on her own party yesterday and never came back home. She's a bit of a free spirit."
"Hmmm…" Mr. Zoll says and begins to write something down.
"Why are you writing? Did I say something wrong? I mean not that I meant to say anything is wrong, that is. Everything is just fine! Ha ha."

Mr. Zoll's staring and questioning makes you nervous and now Mr. Zoll is looking at you a bit mistrustfully. He thinks something is wrong and now that you're shifting a bit uncomfortably, he starts to think you're covering up something even though you aren't!

"Okay, you know what. I think it'll be easier to just give a brief search of the house." Mr. Zoll says standing up to say.
"Um, all right then. I have nothing to hide as I said." You say.

Mr. Zoll tells his man to go take a quick look through all the rooms while the two of you stay in the living room. The soldier nods and follows his orders. He first goes upstairs and looks through. You half expect him to find a stash of drugs in Julie or Donna's room, but he either doesn't or that isn't their primary concern.

Next the soldier comes back downstairs and searches the ground floor, but once again finds nothing that is going to get you into trouble.

"Searched everywhere sir, well except the basement." The soldier says when he comes back.
"Well you might as well search that too." Mr. Zoll remarks.

The soldier nods and heads back towards the hallway. You hear the door open to the basement and then a few footsteps going down and then nothing.

You and Mr. Zoll sit in silence for a while. You don't say anything, in fact you don't even look in his direction for fear of giving Mr. Zoll an excuse to do something else which might not be as pleasant as a simple search.

"Where the hell is he…shouldn't be taking this long… Jacobs! Jacobs! Did you find anything?! Because if not, we've got other houses to go to!" Mr. Zoll shouts.

There is no answer. Mr. Zoll calls again and still nothing. Mr. Zoll looks at you as if it's your fault.

"Is there someone down there?" Mr. Zoll asks.
"What? No! I mean isn't your man Jacobs the only one down there?" you say nervously.
"That's what I'm asking you…let's go find out shall we?" Mr. Zoll says and then turns your nervousness into flat out fear by suddenly pulling out a pistol from his suit pocket.

You put up your hands and attempt to say you have no idea what's going on, but Mr. Zoll won't hear it, he's convinced you're hiding someone in the basement and you're going first down there. He also tells you to be completely quiet and not make any fuss or else he's just going to shoot you on the spot and have a squad come in and burn this place to the ground.

Meekly you comply and you head towards the basement with Mr. Zoll pointing his gun at you from behind.

You reach the bottom of the stairs and you notice blood on the floor nearby and then suddenly a knife is plunged into your throat from an arm around the corner.

You fall to the floor in what almost feels like slow motion as you gurgle your last words and breathe your last breaths.

With your last vision from the cold basement floor, you think you see Johnny standing over you. You can't hear him, but he's obvious upset when he sees you. Then you see a burst of blood come out of his head and then you feel the heavy weight of his body collapse on top of you before the darkness envelopes your world.