[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] Continue

[Assistant]
Billy has made it quite clear that no matter what happens you're going to be on the bottom rung of any sort of restructuring so why should you even bother? This whole area is going to shit and it would be best if you just got the hell out of here.

"Do any of you have keys to your vehicles?" you ask.
"I got my truck keys." Lifto remarks.
"Good, we're getting the hell out of here while everyone is distracted."
"What?! We're just going to leave Billy?" Shrimpy asks.
"Look, if YOU want to help Billy then go right ahead, but he's basically said that I'm the low girl on the totem pole, and I am NOT going to go through a bunch of verbal and possible physical abuse for the rest of my time here. I left home to get away from that shit. Quite frankly given how disliked clowns are around here, I'd suggest the rest of you follow me because no matter who wins, you're going to lose." You say and turn to leave

Lifto, Klepto and Fatty don't even think twice, they're following you out the tent and leaving the chaos of the carnival clash behind. Shrimpy however is unsure, his loyalty to his "kind" is still holding him back, but you're not waiting around.

When you exit the tent, things aren't much better. There aren't any guardsmen in the immediate area, but you still hear the shooting and their yelling. You also hear odd growling sounds and a couple of screams.

"I don't know what's going on, but we need to get to your truck NOW!" you exclaim where upon Lifto takes the lead.

You don't get too far when you see Roger staggering from between two other tents. He's wounded heavily and bleeding profusely. He sees you and desperately calls for your help.

"Suzy…hel…" is about all he gets out before collapsing a few feet from you. He tries to crawl towards you and you nearly head towards him to help, but given all the gunfire going on and the big brawl still going on, you focus on your goal of placing as much distance as possible from this place.

"Sorry, Roger." You say quietly and continue moving.

Lifto points towards a pick up truck in the area where you first parked your own vehicle.

"Shh, you hear that?" Klepto remarks.
"No." you remark.
"Exactly. All the gunfire stopped."
"Well we need to hurry up because that either means the guardsmen killed whoever was attacking and they'll be returning to us soon or…"

And then from behind one of the army vehicles you're passing something leaps onto Lifto. It's human but its snarling and growling unnaturally. If you didn't know any better you'd almost think it was a….

"ARGH! ZOMBIE!" Lifto shouts and struggles to get it off of him. Fatty moves in to help immediately and between the two of them they easily knock it to the ground. Lifto then proceeds to stomp on its head repeatedly with his brightly colored clown boots.

While Lifto is determined to smash its head into mush, another one of these creatures pop out of nowhere and nearly grab you. You scream and manage to pull away before Klepto steps in and tries to help.

Unfortunately the creatures manage to bite him in the process. He cries out in pain, but manages to get the creatures off of him thanks to someone else helping by blowing the thing's head off. Blood, bone and brains splatter all over Klepto.

"Come on! I don't know how many more of these things there are!" Shrimpy shouts with one of the guardsmen's assault rifles in both hands. Looks like he's made his choice.

Lifto finishes destroying the one that was attacking him and soon all of you are off and running again. You look around as you run thinking more are going to be jumping out at you, but that doesn't happen. You are slightly concerned about Fatty getting bit though. You don't think anyone else has noticed it yet except you and of course him.

When you get to the truck, Lifto quickly opens up the driver side and opens up the passenger door. You get in, followed by Klepto, meanwhile Fatty gets in the bed of the truck along with Shrimpy.

"Where the hell are we going?" Lifto says as he drives from the carnival.
"I don't know yet, but we probably should stay away from large areas of population if those…things are any indication. Just head further away from the town for now." You say.

Honestly you don't know what comes next, but you're seriously starting to believe Roofie's comments about the end coming soon. Were those creatures zombies? Crazed humans? Alive? Undead? Does it matter? How many are there? Have they overrun civilization already? Has any of your old family survived? Is this the beginning of the end?

And most importantly…do their bites work like they do in the movies?

Klepto sits next to you nervously still clutching his arm where he was bit. Lifto hasn't noticed yet because he's been paying attention to the road and while you haven't said anything yet Klepto's not subtle enough about keeping his wound secret…

"Why do you keep rubbing your arm?" Lifto remarks.
"Uh, that thing grabbed me and its grip hurt a lot and uh…"
"Klepto, I've known you long enough to know when you're lying! Did that thing bite you?!"

Klepto doesn't answer so you try to unsuccessfully help.

"It was just a little bite, we don't even know if…" you start to say before you're interrupted.
"Oh fuck! That's it man! Game over!" Lifto shouts and suddenly stops the truck. Fatty and Shrimpy both knock on the window shouting what's going on.

"Klepto, I know we've known each other a long time, but you need to get out of this truck right now."
"Lifto, I…"
"I don't wanna hear it. Get out before I make you get out or worse."
"Lifto, we don't even know if this is infectious! This isn't a movie you know!" you exclaim.
"And you willing to take that chance? You're sitting right next to him! Not to mention he's covered in that thing's blood when Shrimpy blew its head off. Who knows what the hell he's caught."

As paranoid as Lifto is right now, you have been feeling a little nervous sitting next to Klepto this whole time.

Without another word Lifto shifts towards you and reaches over towards the glove compartment. He opens it up revealing a pistol, though Klepto already figured out what he was doing and tries to grab it before Lifto can.

Despite Lifto being in an awkward position and you being in his way, he's strong enough to get the grip on the gun first. Klepto grabs his hand and the struggle ensues.

At this point Fatty opens up the driver side door and Shrimpy opens up the passenger side.

"What the fuck is going on here!?" Shrimpy asks.
"ARGH! Sonofabitch!" Lifto suddenly shouts, Klepto has bitten his hand causing him to drop the pistol on the truck floor.
"Shrimpy keep that rifle on Klepto!" Lifto shouts.

You're stuck in the middle with Lifto's body half on you. All you know is you're scared and desperate to get out. You manage to wiggle down a bit and grab the pistol on the floor.

Klepto hasn't proceeded with an attack and doesn't look any different.

"I'm not a zombie! Or whatever you think I am! I'm fine! And if you kill me, you're going to have to kill Lifto too!" Klepto exclaims to everyone.

Klepto may or may not be right, but he was pretty quick to bite Lifto. Whether that was a desperate attempt to ensure his own safety or a possible glimpse of what's to come, you don't know.

With the pistol in your hand you don't know if you shouldn't just shoot them both.

[User] You try to save the situation

[Assistant]
You didn't leave the carnival just for MORE in fighting. If the end days are coming you NEED all the people who you are actually on good terms you can get because you don't fancy your chances on going it alone. So you'll be damned if you're not going to try to keep this little group together.

"ALRIGHT GODDAMN IT! STOP IT! JUST FUCKING STOP IT!" you shout pointing the gun towards the truck ceiling. Lifto at this point has returned to his driver's seat position.

"NOW EVERYONE OUT OF THE TRUCK AND JUST LISTEN!" you say looking at Lifto and briefly glancing back at Klepto.

Lifto steps out looks at you as if he is thinking about taking the pistol away from you. He probably could without any problems because as close as you are to shooting someone, you aren't exactly "there" yet.

Thankfully Lifto doesn't try anything.

When everyone exits the truck, you follow and Shrimpy now stands by you as back up (Fatty doesn't have a weapon, but he stands near you anyway)

"Okay, Suzy what next?" Lifto calmly says.

You've got an idea, but it would go better if rope was involved. You take a quick look in the truck bed and see some locks and chains sitting there, which will work just as well.

"Look everyone, we don't have all the information on what this creature situation is, killing someone who got bit, might be jumping the gun. I mean this isn't a movie!" you say.
"Yeah!" Klepto says.
"Shut up, I haven't finished! Of course that doesn't mean we need to be foolish about this because Lifto could be right. Now Lifto we don't know if a bite causes infection, but if it does then you're already doomed unless we cut your hand off, but I'm guessing you don't want that. Do you want that?"

Lifto gives a dirty look at Klepto before answering.

"Look if you're going to shoot me, at least shoot Klepto first so I can watch." Lifto says.
" What the…I thought you two were supposed to be friends! (Sigh) I'm trying to give you another option here! Like I said, we don't know if this sort of thing is contagious. I don't want any of us to die, do you get that? I'm proposing that the pair of you stay in the bed of the truck until we get to a destination where we can get some medical attention. I mean if the pair of you start not feeling well or different in any way, then we can consider shooting you."

Lifto doesn't say anything, but Klepto is certainly agreeable.

"Sure Suzy, whatever you say! I mean that sounds reasonable to me!" he remarks, though you get the impression he'd go along with what you'd say even if he wasn't bitten.
"We're going to have to tie you up you know." You say.
"That's fine. I totally get it." Klepto remarks.
"Lifto?"

He exhales and doesn't say anything while looking at his hand. Then he looks back at you.

"You really don't want any of us to die?" Lifto asks.
"No. Why the hell would I want that? I mean if these are the end days coming then we're all we have left! We need to stick together as much as possible. And in any case you lot are the closest I've had to family for years, well other than the fact that most of you are undressing me with your eyes half the time…but I'm getting off track my point is that despite all the fucked up shit that's occurred this week, I know I want you guys in my corner. All of you."

At first you wonder if you've laid it on a bit too much, but you hear a couple of sniffles in Fatty's direction and Klepto is obviously showing signs of emotion. He probably thinks you just professed your love for him or something.

"Okay. Okay. We'll do it your way, but if I start to turn or if I think I'm going to become something other than I am, then I want YOU to be the one to shoot me." Lifto says.
"Well let's hope it doesn't come to that, but I promise." You say.

With those words Lifto and Klepto both submit to being chained up and to sit in the truck bed. Lifto is still giving Klepto angry looks, but hopefully they can work out their differences during the ride.

Fatty takes the wheel, Shrimpy gets in the middle and you sit near the passenger's side. You've never exactly been the best with directions, so you just tell Fatty to stay on the main road and hopefully you'll reach a place that is in better shape than your own home town which probably is a warzone by now. You can't help but wonder how your real family is doing, but really you'd rather not dwell on it.

Fatty turns on the radio in the hopes of finding out something, but he doesn't get much other than a few random religious stations talking about salvation and end times, but those things are ALWAYS talking about the end times so its hard to tell if they're even referring to what's currently going on. You'd think something like the news or an emergency broadcast might pop up, but nothing. Oddly you do get some stations just playing nothing but those infernal Ground Zero advertisements.

Hours pass of driving through farm country and Klepto and Lifto aren't moaning or even arguing so you're guessing that they're feeling okay. Still, even though you don't want any of them to die, you do know it still might be a possibility.

As it begins to turn to night you're already tired from the events of the day. Feeling somewhat safe you allow yourself to close your eyes and drift off as the truck drives onward.

[User] Next day…

[Assistant]
FRIDAY

"…don't delay, buy a Ground Zero shelter today!"

"Fatty turn that radio off, there hasn't been anything on it of importance for hours. It's just those damn Ground Zero ads. Christ, you'd think someone would be reporting about oh you know a zombie apocalypse?" Shrimpy says.
"I still say those things are still alive. The ones we saw didn't look like they came back from the dead or anything." Fatty remarks.
"Well whatever, still seems like reporting SOME sort of outbreak would be of importance."
"Maybe its local and not happening anywhere else?"

At this point your eyes open and you completely rouse from your sleep.

"(Yawn) What's going on?" you ask.
"So you're finally awake." Shrimpy says.
"We've been driving all night?" you ask.
"Somewhat. Fatty here pulled over at one point and we both slept a little. If you're wondering about the gruesome twosome back there, we checked on them and from what I can tell both of them feel fine. In fact I think they're both still sleeping. Guess all that bite drama yesterday really exhausted them. Dunno if that means they're okay or not, but right now we do have another problem." Shrimpy says.
"What's that?" you ask.
"Well Fatty here managed to get us fucking lost."
"Hey it's not my fault, I couldn't see shit in the night and I thought we were on a main road. Damn GPS." Fatty says.
"Told you that it was broken and hasn't worked correctly for years. Anyway, I know you're native to this area so I'm hoping you know your way around." Shrimpy says.

A brief glance of the practically non-descript landscape to the left and right of you leaves you at a loss.

"Sorry, but like I said, I never was a big traveller. Never left the basement if I could help it." You say.
"Oh yeah, that's right. Well any suggestion regardless of that fact?" Shrimpy asks.

You don't really have any, though you probably should be near some sort of farmhouse as you do know there are some out this way. You could get your bearing by stopping at one and asking for directions.

You also remember Fatty's comment about supplies.

"There should be some sort of farmhouse nearby. Just keep driving along this road and we'll probably hit one where we can ask for directions and possibly get supplies."
"Sounds like as good of an idea as any."

You really don't know if that will be the case, you're just hoping at this point.

Fortunately, your hopes come true this time.

"Well, there's a house. Can't tell if anyone is home or not though." Fatty says pulling up to a large traditional looking farmhouse.
"Okay, so how are we doing this?"
"Well…I suppose I'll go up to the front door and see if anyone's home and the rest of you guys stay in the truck." You say.
"You nuts? This place looks like it's out of a horror movie! Might be a bunch of psycho rednecks living in there! They see a pretty young thing like you and they'd grab you before we could even do anything." Shrimpy remarks.
"Right like arriving at a door with a group of clowns isn't straight out of a horror movie. I'm currently the only one dressed in regular clothing and not covered in blood, I think it would be best if I just asked for help at first."
"Hey what are we going to do with Klepto and Lifto?" Fatty asks.
"Well check on them again and if they seem to be well unchain them I guess. I mean they could use a stretch. Anyway like I said I'm going to the door. I'm taking the pistol with me and I'm confident that if something does happen you'll be able to react in time to save me from getting chopped up or whatever you think is going to happen. We need help getting back on track and looking at the gauge we might even need gas so hopefully they got that here too. Don't worry I'll be fine." You say and get out of the truck.

You make your way towards the front porch looking around the entire time. This place is creepily quiet. Seems like you should at least hear the sounds of animals or something. Shrimpy's got you totally paranoid now. You really weren't worried until he mentioned psycho hillbillies. You look back at the truck.

"Goddamn it Suzy, you need to brave through some of this shit yourself. You survived your serial killer uncle for Christsake. Nothing is going to happen, probably just some kindly old farm couple that lives here." You mutter to yourself and walk up the stairs and knock on the door.

You knock several times with no answer, but just when you're about to give up it opens.

"WHO YOU!?" a large disfigured man exclaims completely scaring the shit out of you and causing you to fall backwards.

You're in a state of utter fear as this large freak approaches you with his hand outstretched towards you…

Even in your fearful condition, you're still able to react to a dangerous situation. You pull the pistol that you had on you and shoot the disfigured man. You hit him twice in the body and he reels backwards bellowing loudly as his body hits the front door and then the house's front room floor.

"WHHHHHHY!? GOING TO HELP YOU!" the man shouts.

"Junior? What in tarnation is goin' on down there? I hope you didn't shoot yourself in the foot carrying your father's rifles again, you know how he hates a waste of ammo." An older female voice shouts from inside.
"MAMA! MAMA! HURT A LOT! BAD GIRL HURT ME!" the man cries.
"If you've been fightin' with you're sister again…oh my god…JUNIOR! CLEM SOMEONE SHOT JUNIOR!" you hear the older female voice scream.

By this time you're running back to the truck, which Shrimpy has gotten out of. Lifto and Klepto are also both awake and shouting at this point.

"Get back in the fucking truck! We gotta…" you start yelling and then a shot from one of the farmhouse windows rings out. You hear it whiz by your ear causing you to drop to the ground immediately.

You continue to crawl towards the truck where you hear more gunfire behind you and the sounds of an assault rifle returning fire. You hear someone trying to start the truck, but a few more shots hitting metal seem to put an end to that causing the engine to make a less than operational sound.

"Fatty get out of the front seat!" Shrimpy shouts.

You hear more gunshots followed by Fatty crying out, though you don't know if he's actually gotten hit severely since you just hear "OW MY ASS!"

The whole time you're praying that you don't get shot in the back, but you're the lucky one…

Ever the white knight, Klepto attempts to go "rescue" you.

"Klepto get out of the open!" you hear Lifto shout.
"Suzy's out there I can't…" Klepto's words are cut short when a bullet to his skull drops him. In fact he drops about a few feet in front of you. You try to put the sight of his death out of your mind as you continue to crawl towards the truck.

"YOU FUCKERS AREN'T TAKING THIS FARM! THIS FARM IS MINE! ALL OF YOU SONSOFBITCHES ARE GONNA PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO MY BOY!" a male voice shouts.

You finally reach your destination where the rest are hiding behind the back of the truck, though Fatty's having a hard time of it due to his size and the fact he's got a bullet in his ass.

The shooting on both sides for now has stopped though.

"Shit, shit, shit, Klepto's dead! That redneck bastard says that we're going to pay, no fucking way, HE'S gonna fuckin' pay!" Lifto says which is a bit surprising considering that he was ready to kill Klepto himself just yesterday.

"Fuck, my ass…ah! Shit…wish I had a gun, I'd shoot that fucker in the ass. Not the cheek either, the fucking HOLE!" Fatty says who is normally calm, but given he got shot his anger is a bit understandable.

"Well luckily I picked up a few extra clips back at the carnival and Suzy's probably still got a few shots left. I say we can probably take out the shooter with a bit of strategy. Just as soon as we come up with one of course." Shrimpy remarks.

You don't know how to feel about all this. Maybe it's all the increased violence over the past few days along with losing Klepto, but your clown crew is starting to become a lot more vicious, though events haven't exactly been encouraging a peaceful life lately.

You can't help but feel a little responsible for this current situation though. The retard was just trying to help you up from your fall, but you couldn't have known that…you just reacted to your fear. You were the one who harmed the farm inhabitants first even if the rest of your clown friends think you were being attacked.

Part of you wants to just run from this place, but where would you go? Staying of course means doing more things you don't necessarily want to do…but then you think if you can put yourself in the "right" frame of mind you'll be able to do it.

The farmer HAS tried to kill all of you and did succeed in killing Klepto who attempted to save you, surely revenge for that isn't totally wrong?

[User] You get revenge

[Assistant]
If you ran, you doubt if the rest of them would follow and despite the feeling that this isn't the greatest idea, you're tired of running. You've got nothing to run to anyway, if you can deal with the inhabitants inside, you'll at least have a place to catch a breather from the ever-growing chaos in your life.

You hope at least.

"Shrimpy can you get inside the truck without getting hit and put it in neutral?"
"Yeah I think I could." Shrimpy says.
"Good, give me the rifle and the clips, get in the truck and when it's in neutral Lifto and Fatty I want you to start pushing it forward. We should be able to get close enough to the house using this thing as a large shield."
"What are you going to be doing?" Fatty asks.
"I'm going to be crawling around in the truck bed taking shots at that bastard firing at us when I can. Hopefully the closer we get the more likely I'll be able to hit him. Now you want to avenge Klepto or what?"

This statement gets a nod from everyone.

"Let's do this." Lifto says and all of you enact your plan.

It goes well, or about as well as a plan can when someone is shooting at you. Another person soon joins the farmer the closer the truck gets to the front of the house. Presumably the farmer's wife. The pair of them unleash a torrent of curses at you, but nobody is hitting each other yet.

Bullets tear into the truck and while you're all safe, when the two front tires get blown out, it makes Lifto and Fatty's pushing a lot harder.

"Goddamn it. (Wheeze)" Fatty gasps.
"Fuck." Lifto grunts.

Still crawling around in the truck bed, you head over towards the back and speak to Lifto and Fatty.
"Okay, stop pushing, no point in straining yourself, because you're going to need to save your energy. I don't think the shooter on the left is quite as skilled so run to the left and around the back of the house, there's got to be a back door. I'll provide cover, I still got a half a clip left in this thing and one more full one, so when I go full auto, start running. Here take the pistol." You say tossing the pistol over the back end of the truck.

Honestly you'd rather have Shrimpy do this since he's a much smaller target, but the little guy is probably hiding in the leg area of either the driver or passenger's side of the truck hoping not to get hit.

You take a deep breath as more bullets tear into the sides of the truck. You grip the rifle and exposing only a bit of your hands, you blindly fire and spray the left area of the house where the second shooter is.

Luckily through the gunfire a small cry is heard, you think you've hit someone again.

In any case it allows time for Lifto and Fatty to crouch run towards the house, hug the wall and then crawl around the corner. Fatty sure is fast when he wants to be, you just hope he doesn't suffer a heart attack. Meanwhile you hear shouting within the house.

"Clem! I'm hit! Ohhhhh…(sob)"
"Honeypie?! Honeypie? No no no…"

With the gunfire completely stopped Shrimpy takes the opportunity to get out of the truck and run behind it.

"Suzy? You still here?" you hear him ask.
"Yeah, I'm still here. Just stay behind the truck I'm gonna…" you start to say before you're interrupted

"NO! GODAMNIT! NOOOO! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU ALL!" Clem the farmer shouts and now the sounds of gunfire start up again, except this time he's not firing a rifle anymore, the booming sound indicates a shotgun of some kind.

As you try to reload your last assault rifle clip, the truck continues to suffer the impact of shotgun rounds. In fact they are starting to damage the truck enough that one of them going through and hitting you is a very real possibility. You roll over to the other side of the truck in an attempt not to get hit.

"I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!" you hear him bellow. You're too busy keeping down and redloading.

And then you hear nothing, followed by a pistol shot and then another. You take the opportunity to quickly climb out of the truck bed altogether.

"Suzy, did they get him?" Shrimpy asks
"I don't know…" you say and peek your head out hoping that this isn't a mistake.

You soon see Lifto standing in the front doorway with the pistol in hand.

"We got all of these bastards. It's safe." He says.

You and Shrimpy both step out from the cover of the truck and make your way to the house.

First thing you notice is the first man you shot near the entryway, apparently he tried to crawl away soon after the shoot out started and died shortly afterwards. Given his disfigurement and from what you could tell of his voice, he might've been mentally retarded. You remember hearing "junior" being said, so you're guessing he was the son. You don't exactly feel great about shooting him. It really was an accident.

Seeing the other two bodies don't exactly make you feel any better.

The farmer's wife lies dead in the dining room area. She's actually bigger than Fatty which means she's indeed quite on the large side. She has several gunshot wounds to her upper body. You knew you hit her, but you just didn't know where. Your stomach begins to feel slightly bad when you think about it.

Finally you see the farmer himself, or Clem as you heard being shouted. Lifto mentions that Clem was so focused on you that he realized too late that someone was sneaking up on him. Lifto mentions that he shot him in the back and then while Clem was still flopping about on the floor trying to turn over with his shotgun, Clem put one in his skull.

You didn't even kill Clem and you still feel weird about it. You don't understand why you're feeling slightly sick about all this. Or rather you've got an idea why, but considering the little creature rampage at the carnival it isn't like you haven't seen gruesome death before, but this is somehow different.

The adrenaline and survivalist mindset you put yourself into has disappeared now that the danger has passed so you are left with the grim aftermath of your actions.

The realization that you've killed an entire family that was really just defending their home is what is getting to you. That and the fact that you feel like this whole incident is your fault. Adding Klepto's death to the mix and you're directly and indirectly responsible for four people's deaths.

"Toilet." You say in a daze.
"What?" Shrimpy asks.
"I'm gonna be sick…"
"I think I saw one over towards the back of the house, it's…"

You don't wait for Lifto to finish you just run in the direction. Trying to keep from throwing up and you just manage to make it to the toilet where upon you promptly vomit your guts out.

Your fellows come to see how you're doing.

"Suzy, are you alright?" Shrimpy asks.
"Yeah, you aren't sick are you?" Lifto asks.

It takes you awhile to answer, but eventually you manage it.

"Uh…(pant)…I just…I dunno…yeah I'll be fine. I think the stress of all this just got to me. Uh…" You say.
"Well, it's understandable. Look, why don't you go lie down somewhere? You've done enough for today. The rest of us are gonna drag these bodies out of here. It'll take all of us, lord knows what the hell they were eating on this farm, but everyone here seems to be Fatty's size or bigger. Probably should look around the rest of the farm as well. Make sure nobody is hiding in the barns or something." Lifto remarks.
"Yeah…okay…" you say walking past Shrimpy and Lifto.

As you slowly walk back towards the front of the house, Fatty comes down the stairs.

"Well the upstairs is clear from what I can tell. Nobody up there. Hey Suzy, you okay? Could hear you retching from up there." Fatty asks.
"Yeah, just need to lie down." You say.
"You and me both, but I suppose Lifto is going to need me to help him move out these bodies. Anyway, there are some nice beds upstairs, probably should take one of them."

At this point you feel so wobbly that you wonder if you can even make it up the stairs.

[User] You use the upstairs bedrooms

[Assistant]
Given that everyone is going to be making a bunch of noise, moving bodies and such downstairs, you decide to head upstairs. You think you could really use the solitude anyway. You think you've spent more time in the close company of people this week than you have in your entire life and that includes when you had a boyfriend.

With everyone else doing a bit of cleaning up, your mind goes a bit numb as you go up the creaky stairs. You put everything that you've experienced this week out of your head. All you want to think about right now is resting from this ordeal.

You reach the landing and look to your left and see a room which is fairly messy to the point of being disgusting. You hear flies buzzing in there and it smells like something died in there, which doesn't improve how you're already feeling. You guess that this was probably the son's room. You close the door so as to keep the odor in and move on.

Across the hall you find a much better room with a big bed. You guess that Clem and his wife slept here, or maybe just his wife, given her size. Unfortunately that smell from Junior's room is still strong enough for this room to catch a bit of the fallout. You can't rest here either so you move on again.

You pass another bathroom and then at the far end you find another bedroom. This one is free of a bad smell and has a comfortable looking bed so you immediately go to it.

You collapse on the bed, with a deep exhale. You lie there in silence for a moment trying to wrap your mind around the situation.

"(Sigh) Ohhhh…shit…never should've left the basement." You say.

You think about what might've happened had you actually stayed home earlier this week rather than going with the idea to go join the circus. You also wonder what would've happened had you gone to live with your younger sister or even made up with Bobby. You then remember of how the National Guard were stationed in your town and then there were those creatures (Still don't know what that was all about or if Lifto is out of the woods as far as that's concerned) so chances are things might've still turned out hectic.

"I was fucked no matter what." You laugh as your eyes start to close a bit. In fact you laugh quite a bit. You laugh at this entire hell week.

It may be your mind trying to cope and a combination of being tired, or you may have snapped a little but in any event you can't stop quietly giggling to yourself.

And then as you're in your minor giggling fit, your eyes stay open longer when you begin to realize your surroundings.

This room. This is the room of a young female. There is a whole area dedicated to make up and such. The walls have a flowery print. You even see a few feminine undergarments sitting on top of a dresser.

You then remember back when you first shot Junior, his mother telling him that he had better not be fighting with his sister again. Funny what you remember during intense situations.

There were only three dead bodies, which means the daughter of this family is still alive and possibly hiding somewhere. Fatty said he searched upstairs, but he could've missed something.

And a quick glance to your left you see a closet door slightly askew, which then begins to open further.

Feeling a sudden burst of energy brought on by danger, you manage to sit up and get off the bed just in time for the owner of this room to reveal herself. Apparently she thought you were going to be easier pickings than Fatty, she finds out how dreadfully wrong she is.

You immediately rush at the woman who holds a large knife in one hand. It's enough to catch her off guard and she fails to hit you with the knife or rather fails to hit you in a meaningful way since the blade does slice your upper arm.

The pair of you fall to the closet floor where she slams her head against the wall. You grab the hand holding the knife and smash it on the doorway until she drops it. You feel a punch to your face by her other hand, but you ignore the pain and with all your weight you slam your elbow into her nose.

You stop her from crying out by following that up with a punch to her mouth. You repeatedly punch her in the face to a point where she temporarily stops resisting entirely. Clothing is falling on the pair of you and you grab a shirt and wrap it around her throat and pull tightly. Your mind goes into a very dark place.

"Shhhh…it'll all be over soon, just let the darkness take you" you whisper.

The woman gasps for air and tries to punch and scratch at you, but you manage to pull your head back just enough for her to miss. She tries to wiggle and squirm away, but you're sitting right on her stomach and there's nowhere for her to go. The woman continues to choke and tries to pry your hands away, but she's unable to do so and her struggle becomes less intense.

"…there we go…now you'll be with your family forever…" you say and watch her face turn unhealthy shade due to lack of oxygen and her eyes roll up into her head.

The woman stops breathing and the deed is done. You don't even feel tired anymore, it's like killing her energized you or something. You don't have the sick feeling either. You just went into a kind of trance. Like this woman was garbage that needed to be disposed of. You wonder if this is what your Uncle Ed felt when he killed whores.

If you were in your old frame of mind, you'd know how fucked up that is. In your current state of mind you still know how fucked up that is, however you no longer care.

Something may very well have snapped within you, whether it was a combination of the entire week, or just this one bad day, the damage has been done and you're not quite the same person that you were anymore. She was going to kill you and you stopped her from doing so, that's the important thing. Nothing else. You survived. There are no limits to what you're capable of, you realize that now.

"Suzy!? Hey are you okay up there?! I heard some noise!" you hear Lifto shout.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just looking through a closet before I get some rest. Some shit fell, no worries!" you shout back.
"Okay then."

With that interruption out of the way you turn your attention back to your situation. You start looking around the room and find lots of make up. You also go through her clothing and notice a lot of it is about your size though a bit on the slutty side. Oddly enough after going through some more personal belongings you find out her name was Susie too. Or Susie Mae to be precise.

After pulling out some of the clothing from the closet you shove the rest of Susie Mae's body into it and shut the door.

"Hmm, yeah I think I could make a new outfit out of this stuff." You remark. You then grab the scissors and sewing material that lies nearby. It's been awhile since you've done any seamstress type stuff, but you remember when your mother taught you to do it when you were in your elementary school plays. Hopefully you've retained enough of the knowledge.

You spend the rest of the day in Susie Mae's room on your own personal project. It's the most solitude you've had in a long time and you happily enjoy it. The rest of your compatriots are busy searching the rest of the farm for the most part though at one point Shrimpy comes up and asks if you're okay.

"Suzy? Hey thought you'd be asleep…what are you doing?"
"Well I don't exactly have any extra clothes anymore. Even my clown stuff was left back at the carnival, so I'm making a new wardrobe, what's up?" you ask not looking up from what you're doing.
"Um, well just wanted to let you know that we've checked out this entire farm and the place seems all clear and well stocked too." Shrimpy remarks.
"Are Fatty and Lifto okay?" you ask.
"Heh, yeah Fatty's fine, wasn't fun digging that bullet out of his ass though. As for Lifto he seems fine too. Don't think Klepto biting him did anything and he's cleaned out the wound at this point so I guess he's in the clear. Speaking of Klepto, we uh…were thinking we should at least bury him. We already dug the hole in a nice spot. Maybe we should have a small funeral tomorrow?"
"I think that sounds like a fine idea…guess I better finish this thing if I'm attending a funeral." You reply.

Shrimpy pauses for a moment.

"Suzy are you really okay? You seem different somehow."
"I'm just fine Shrimpy. Just fine. I really need to focus on this though."
"Um, okay sure. We'll let you know if anything important pops up." Shrimpy says and leaves you.

You aren't disturbed for the rest of the day or night; in fact they all must sleep downstairs which gives you free reign of the upstairs bathroom to wash up a bit.

After washing up you try on your now finished project. Your outfit is a patchwork of colorful chaos since you just cut up lots of clothing and sewed bits of them together, but you're pleased with your work. In fact you're so pleased with it, you fall asleep in it figuring that it'll save you a bit of time to get ready for Klepto's funeral tomorrow.

[User] Next day…

[Assistant]
SATURDAY

"Suzy? You up?" Shrimpy asks and knocks on your door.

Normally you wouldn't be this early, but in this rare instance you actually are.

"Yeah, I'm awake. I'll be ready in a moment." You say applying make up on your face.
"Okay, we're all about as ready as we're going to be, Lifto and Fatty have already put Klepto's body in the hole we dug, so we're all about as ready for this thing as we're going to be. See you downstairs."
"Hey Shrimpy can I say a few things at this event?" you ask before he walks away from the door.
"You mean like a eulogy? Sure I mean if you've got something to say then by all means go for it. Really we were all trying to come up with something formal, but I think we're all still a little exhausted. Lifto actually broke down in tears yesterday about Klepto's death. I think he's upset that he tried to kill him just the day before and wishes their last moments were on friendlier terms."
"Well, tell Lifto that the time for tears and regrets will soon be a thing of the past. I'm almost done, see you downstairs."
"All right."

You look at yourself in the mirror and finish applying lipstick. Not the exact shade of red you wanted, but it was the only lipstick that the previous owner hadn't used yet. You're just glad the girl had as much make up as she did so you could paint up your face proper.

Satisfied with your face, you stand up and look at yourself in the nearby full length mirror.

"Well it's not my old carnival outfit, but yeah… this is definitely me now. Now and forever." you say and walk towards the door.

Before leaving you stop and look towards the closet.

"Thank you for letting me borrow your make up and clothing." You say and then giggle a bit.

You skip down the stairs and meet up with the rest. They're all a bit more somber than you and are quite surprised to see your slightly energetic temperament.

"Suzy? That's a uh interesting outfit." Fatty remarks.
"Isn't it though? Made it myself. Nothing like a new set of clothes to put you in a different mindset! In fact given that all of you have been running around in the same clothes for day on end, I'd say that all of you could use new clothes too. Those rags must be really filthy by now; you'll all probably feel a lot more positive about things once you change. I'm sure we can gather up enough of this family of deadnecks' clothing and I can make you all something. Anyway, we can talk about this later let us be on our way."

Everyone is a unsure of how to react to your new chipperish behavior especially given the circumstances, but they all just lead the way to Klepto's open grave which has been dug out in the backyard of the house.

Klepto still looks about as dead as he did that last time you saw him, though someone has arranged his body in a respectful way. He even has some freshly pulled flowers in his hand.

"The flowers are a nice touch." You remark not knowing who did it.
"Thank you." Lifto says wiping away a tear.
"Shrimpy probably told you all that I was going to do a bit of a eulogy, but does anyone have anything else to say?"
"No, we were all trading Klepto stories last night. We'll probably be doing it for a while. None of us are really good for formal speeches though, probably best if you do it. Besides, it means a lot that you want to do it despite not knowing any of us that long." Shrimpy says.
"Glad you feel that way because what I'm going to say is going to be towards all of you…"

And before you can finish that thought. Your eyes (and everyone else's) catch sight of something quite spectacular in the distance.

A mushroom cloud.

You're not feeling any tremors or aftershocks, a wave of fire hasn't engulfed you, so you're guessing that it wasn't excessively close, maybe it was even a small one. Still, you can't help but wonder if you're in some sort of deadly radiation radius though. If so there isn't much that can done about it.

"Well I'll be damned, the world finally went and did it…" you say to yourself.

Lifto, Fatty and Shrimpy all at the same time begin to swear and react to the situation as most people would, namely panic, fear and hysteria. You think in the old days you probably would have too, but not anymore. If anything this is excellent timing for your new outlook on life.

You quickly call everyone to attention.

"Hey! Listen up! This might be the end of civilization as we know it, but it isn't the end of the world! Sure life is going to be harder now, but look at we've already survived. Just this damn week we suffered through a military occupation, an internal civil war, an attack by freaks, and took down a bunch of rednecks trying to murder us."

At this point they're all listening to you intently.
"We'll survive this and as long as we stick together there isn't anything we can't do. This is a new beginning and it'll be us against the world if necessary. We are a family and I love you guys." You say.

These words are met with a pause and then of course positive approval by all and everyone goes in for a bit of a group hug. Feelings run a bit high and some more tears are shed.

While your words are genuine and do have feeling behind them, but your mind is still in a dark place. You do see them all as family, but you also can't help see them as useful "tools" in the chaos that's going to come. Even now you're sizing them all up on their weaknesses and strengths.

In any case, you and everyone finish up by completing the burial of Klepto and gathering all the supplies from the farm that will be needed. You all know you'll run out eventually, but for now you've got enough supplies to ponder a long range plan of your future.

No longer are you the shy "good" girl who hid away in the basement, harassed by your family and living as one day blurred into the next. Far from it. Very far from it.

It's a brand new day and this is just the beginning of your brand new life.

[User] Continue

[Assistant]
Karnival of Karnage

The Future…

You sit comfortably in your modified jeep watching yet another small settlement burn before you. Not the first time, and certainly won't be the last. The screams and gunfire are starting to die down which means today's raid is nearly over.

Still, it isn't completely over yet and there's always something fun to see.

"Woo hoo! Looks like that new recruit has got the right attitude!" you say watching a young man wearing an outlandish green wig and novelty nose glasses swing his machete into the skull of another young man who was previously begging for his life.
"Hrm. Wasn't too sure about him at first, but I guess he's proven himself on this raid. Speaking of which, looks like we've made a good haul. Lots of food, water, even medical supplies." Lifto remarks sitting next to you.
"Wheeee! Gimme that map, I want to see where we should hit next." You say.
"I believe Captain Howdy has it."
"Well, call that pierced freak over here then." You say.

Lifto nods and calls for Captain Howdy via bullhorn. Eventually a heavily pierced man wearing a beat up pilot's cap, black face make up and carrying an assault rifle over his shoulder appears.

"Black face today? Isn't that a bit unPC?" you say with a smirk.
"Eh, fuck'em if they can't take a joke." Howdy says apathetically.
"Truer words my friend. Lifto says you've got the map of this area." You say.
"Oh yeah, I do. Here let me get it out of my pack."

Howdy takes off a small backpack and opens it up to give you a well-worn map of the area.

"Let's see…okay…we hit that place…and that one…" you start to say looking for a new target.
"How about Redemption? I hate those religious types." Howdy says.
"While I have no doubt that town of pious zealots is well stocked, they're also very well armed. In fact I've been hearing rumors that they've been launching their own little crusade against neighboring settlements." You say.
"I heard that they went complete Spanish Inquisition on one town. Crucified most of them and burned the rest alive. That was of course after they already had tortured the shit out of all of them." Lifto adds.
"So? We could take those assholes." Howdy remarks.
"That may be, but not in the near future. It would be a very dangerous undertaking and we are not doing this for the risks and to prove how badass we are. We're doing this for survival…well that and to have a little fun in the process." You say with a smile, though Howdy is still one of your more "macho" members and still wants to prove he's got a dick by killing something.

You reach out to his face with a gentle touch and soothing voice.

"I know you like to kill things, but I don't want you to get killed in the process. Just because we tend to pick easier targets just means I really don't want you or any one of us to get killed. We're all family and I don't want to see any one of you die, you understand? That's why our mode of operation is to go for low risk, high reward and I'd say its work for all these years wouldn't you?"
"Yes, I suppose it has." Howdy says.
"That's right. Anyway it's looking like we have hit every place that's worthwhile around here. We should start heading east and raid merchant caravans coming out of those city-states. They're all fucked up after that big war they had with the Ground Zero Corporation so they're lacking in the defense department now. Okay, let's start shutting down this circus and move on." You say and take the bullhorn from Lifto.

"Alright you clowns gather up all the shit we've looted, pile it in the vehicles and let's get this freak show on the road! We're heading east! Flammo! HEY! That doesn't mean start another goddamn fire, it means let's go!" you shout shaking your head and throw the bullhorn in the back seat.

Lifto starts up the jeep and you stretch a bit waiting for your family to finish packing up. Lifto waits in silence, but you feel like talking.

"A Pennywise for your thoughts." You say which causes a snort from Lifto.
"Oh nothing, I suppose I was just thinking about how much things have changed. The past. Sometimes I miss it."
"Oh that. Well I don't miss it. Glad that part of my life is over."
"Not just the old days, but people as well like Fatty, Shrimpy… Klepto."
"Well that's different. I do miss them. They were family and I'll never forget them. We sure had some fun times back at that farmhouse remember?"
"Heh, yeah. Shame what happened; maybe we could've made a more stable life there rather than doing this raider thing."
"Perhaps, but we can't dwell on what if in the past. Just have to focus on today and if possible, the future. That's what's kept us alive and allowed us to build our new family." You say and touch Lifto's hand.

Lifto looks and smiles at you. You aren't sure if he's ever completely agreed with how you've gone about things, but he loves you enough that he'll stand by your side no matter what and that's enough for you.

To be honest you did latch on to Lifto a bit in the beginning because he was obviously a big guy that could definitely protect you in a time of trouble, but it's a bit more than that now. Given that you're both the only two left from the original group, your ties have naturally grown quite a bit.

You've done a lot of bad things since your new life began, but it's a harsh world and you're just living in it. Sometimes you have bouts where you wonder if you should feel bad about doing the things you do, but then you just laugh and remember to not dwell on the past.

"I love you Kenneth." You say using Lifto's real name, looking at him and touching his hand.
"I love you Suzy." He replies back and leans over to kiss you.

With this exchange of affection, you, Lifto and your gang of clowns drive off in search of new prey.


[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 refuse

[Assistant]
"I can't do it," you say, dropping the knife and let it collapse on the ground.

"Do you really want to make that choice?" Count Grey asks, baring his fangs. They remind you of long, curved thin ivory daggers, ready to strike at any given moment

"Yes," you say.

"So be it," he says. "You've shown courage by refusing an order. Perhaps you're braver than expected. Fine, follow me. Lock the cell door behind you."

You breath out a sigh of relief, closing the door and locking it with a twist of the key. You follow Count Grey along the hall. Soon, you find yourself in front of a large, wooden door. Haygarth has forbidden you from entering, which only mean that you had one less room to clean. Count Grey pulls a short, silver key from his pocket. He opens the door, revealing a massive storage room. The room is filled with cabinets and shelving units. They're all filled with crystal bottles, filled with a scarlet red ichor.

"This castle was built to withstand a siege. It's storerooms could keep a force here going for years with wheat, potatoes, salted meats and more, as well as small gardens. Unfortunately, I require a more… delicate solution to avoid starving."

You look at the endless bottles of blood, wondering how many lives were given to fill them.

"It's quite hard to successfully bottle blood. Let alone hard hard it is to get it from the victim without a needle and a few hours."

"You want me to kill people and bottle their blood?" you gulp. "Are you willing to do that?"

[User] Yes

[Assistant]
"You think so? You're a virgin, aren't you?"

"Yes," you say, raising an eyebrow.

"Then I think you're right. You will fill a few bottles," Count Grey says.

Count Grey bursts forward, grabbing you by the neck and twisting it. His fangs fly forward, stabbing through your neck. You gasp as your blood fills his mouth. The last sensation you feel is your bleeding neck wound being pressed against the rim of an empty glass bottle.


[System] You are the game master of a dark fantasy text adventure. The world is dangerous and choices matter. Narrate with immersive detail and let the story unfold naturally from the player's decisions.

[User] You what's with the headdress?

[Assistant] You can't really find anything of note about this figure's headdress. From what you remember, you don't normally see a statue with a headdress but no beard, especially from this time period.


[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 row back with the murderer

[Assistant] You row back to the island. On the island are the murderer, the brother and the witness. Who do you want to take to the village first?


[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 send them to work as Mercenaries

[Assistant] You send your excess warriors to fight as Mercenaries, fighting against the Elvish Kingdom for the Kingdom of Man, sending their profits home to the Red Blades.


[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 join the Cavalry

[Assistant]
On your horse, you go around to join the cavalry.  As you do so, you signal the archers, the lightning briefly illuminating your warriors.  For a moment, the heavens are silent, the wind stops causing the trees to sway, and a single arrow soars through the air.

The Imperial officer lurches back, the arrow slicing through his shoulder.  He falls off his horse with a thud, and the rest of the soldiers try to escape, but it is already too late.

You and your cavalry have them caught in a pincer movement.  As you ride by, you lop an Imperial's head clean off his shoulders.  Before long, some of the humans have mounted horses in a vain attempt to buy their fellows time to escape.

Galloping through the mud, you rush to meet one of these foes.  Before you is a tired looking man, a wild look in his eyes as he gives a mighty battle cry.  His sword clashes against yours, the rain splattering off the twin blades.  You circle back to face him again, a slight burning sensation on your neck.  To your left an Imperial soldier stands, fixing another arrow, the first arrow's head had just lightly grazed your neck.

Ducking, you spur your horse forward, turning back around to face the man who you had clashed with before.  Three orcs are upon him, as one sends his club into the man's gut, the other two hack and slash him with swords.  It takes some time before they pierce the mail he wears, but they are effective.

Charging towards the small group of archers, you throw your axe.  The blade misses, instead the blunt side slamming into the man.  He holds his face, blood dripping from his nose.  A few arrows almost slam into you, but by the hand of Gigalak they are swept aside.  You ram your horse through, trampling two men and cutting another's chest open.

As you circle back around, you grab a spear from a leather pouch at the side of your horse.  Chucking it, the spear impales an Imperial.

By now your archers have joined the battle, and the Imperials are all but surrounded.  As they group up, they seem to realize the futility of their fight, and some even manage to run into the forest to escape.


[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 try to find the restroom on your own?

[Assistant]
You leave your truck and walk around the side of the mini-mart and enter a dimly lit back alley. You locate the men's bathroom at end of the alley. At the end of the alley is a metal gate that swings open and then crashes closed. You hear footsteps from beyond the gate entrance.

Shrugging your shoulders you enter the smelly, one stall bathroom and lay paper over the toilet seat before sitting down to do your business. You begin whistling and studying the displays of artwork that litter the stall walls. One in particular catches your eye.

It's a hideous picture of a shadow standing over a dead body and a two horned beast climbing out of the dead body's stomach. The shadow has a large hook in place of a right hand. Underneath  the drawing written in large, red letters are the words CANDYMAN repeated five times.

Someone really took some time drawing this masterpiece in this stinky stall and it gives you the creeps.

You quickly finish your business and leave the stall. You start to wash your hands when you look up into the mirror and see a black man wearing a brown leather jacket standing right behind you. You whirl around to find nobody there. You glance back at the mirror and the man is gone.

Man, I'm losing it!! you think.

Just as you  are about to leave the bathroom you notice the mirror begin to ripple and shake violently finally breaking all over the filthy floor. A hole was dug into the  wall behind the mirror and a 9 millimeter handgun and a small flashlight is stashed in the hole. You check the gun for  bullets and find one in the chamber and 2 left in the clip.

Man, I am really losing it now!!!

Do  you grab  the gun and flashlight or is it wiser to just leave those things alone?

[User] You grab the contents in the hidden hole

[Assistant]
Shoving the gun down the back of your pants, you feel the muzzle touch the top of your butt crack.

Whoa!! That's cold!! you think. They always seem to do it on TV no problem.

You exit the restroom and begin to trace your steps back toward the front of the mini-mart.

"Come with me....my sweet!!" bellows a low voice that shakes your brain.

Something touches your right shoulder. Something sharp and cold.

Come with me......

 You slowly turn around and see the same black man...his eyes fixated on yours. You begin to feel light headed. You stumble back and the figure catches you in his arms. He hugs you close and begins to speak...

Like so many others...I was filled with dreams and sharing them with the one that I loved. Just as the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet, this love was not to be but I was to suffer a black slaves fate...and forever ramain...in purgatory.

Even though your head is shoved close to his chest, you hear no heartbeat, no respirations, just a rumbling that seems to take over his body.

He releases you and you quickly back away from the cloaked figure as he begins to shake uncontrollably.

"Bring me a bride so that I may rest....."

His mouth opens wide and hundreds of buzzing insects pour from it, obscuring his face! Soon his whole body is covered in bees!!

You remember the gun in your pants and quickly pull it out and point it at the buzzing mass before you.

What will you do...

[User] You shoot at the figure

[Assistant]
You stare in awe at the swirling mass as it suddenly flies away from you, past the open gate and into the darkness.

What the... you think. .

After a few minutes you holster your gun and contemplate on what to do next.

Suddenly from a short distance you hear..."Find my bride...or I will never leave you...my sweet."

[User] You check the restroom.

[Assistant]
Slamming the door behind you, you start to think of what to do next. This whole night has become something of a nightmare.

You turn to inspect the room and walk back into the filthy stall. To your amazement you find it occupied. A man seems to be sitting on the toilet, slumped over against the wall. The light over the sink poorly lights up the stall due to the metal barrier separating it from the rest of the room.

Suddenly, the figure snaps to attention sitting posture perfect on the toilet. You can't quite tell who this person is or what he is up to but the sudden movement made you jump, your heart pounding at full capacity.

You grab the small flashlight you found earlier and shine it at the dark figure finding you face to face with the same black man you just met before. His face is contorted in a huge grin, his eyes missing their pupils. The eye balls seem to pulsate...almost bulging from their sockets.

The mouth opens again...no bees. Just laughter....HA HE HE HE HE HA....CANDYMAN.....HE HE...CANDYMAN......HAHA HEHEH CANDYMAN...HA HA CANDYMAN....

The man raises his arm and exposes a large hook on the end instead of a hand. It begins to scrape across the metal barrrier...across the creepy image of a man exiting out of the bowels of the devil.

In horror, you drop the flashlight.......the figure beginning to rise off his putrid throne.

HE HE HE CANDYMAN....

The hook quickly swings in your direction, moving at your throat.

Before you know it, blood spews from your neck and you fall too your knees. Looking up at your murderer standing before you, he begins to unbutton his filthy, ragged shirt exposing hundreds of bees.

Tears escape your eyes...you know this is the last image you will ever see...before the bees cover your lifeless body....cover all the blood.

THE END

YOU HAVE REACHED THE "CANDYMAN" ENDING.


[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 don't deal with him at all

[Assistant]
This guy is a complete creep and going to be nothing but trouble. You'd rather continue paying the Klyton supplier. Calwin grumbles a lot about wasting his time, but leaves without too much trouble.

While your mother agrees with your decision, it doesn't really help you in the money department and by the end of the week you haven't saved any money. In fact you've barely broken even.

While you're sweeping up the inn early morning, a non-descript man of medium height enters with two bigger figures. One of them is unmistakably an ogre while the other guy is just a tall muscular human. Either one could break you in half.

"Are you are Mr. Reynolds?" you ask, knowing that it has to be him.

"That would be me. I take it you're the son of my late debtor? I do hope you realize that the debt doesn't end with him dying…" Mr. Reynolds says

"No, no of course not. I've got some of what my father owed."

You hand over the most you can under the circumstances, but Mr. Reynolds looks insulted.

"My boy do you take me for an asshole? Your father used to pay me much more than this pittance!"

"It was a rough week…"

"No, no, I don't give a shit about your excuses, you've chosen to take on your father's debt so you are expected to fucking pay up like he did! (Sigh) Look, since you're obviously new to this, I'll let you off with a warning. Olaf."

Suddenly the ogre steps forward with a smile and punches you the stomach. You temporarily lose the ability to breath and collapse on the floor. When you finally do catch your breath, you promptly vomit.

"That was my warning, let's hope I don't need to do it again. Be seeing you again in a few weeks kid. Let's get out of here."

As Mr. Reynolds leaves, your mother comes running up from the cellar wondering what's going on. She helps you up when she sees you.

"Oh no son I can't let this go on. We're selling the inn right now!"

"No, no mom, it's alright, you'll see. We're going to make this place profitable and payback the loan and after that we'll be able to take the next step."

"Son, I love you, but we're not getting any further ahead. I mean if this keeps up, I'm stepping in before this place goes to hell so I can actually make money selling it to the city."

"You won't get enough for it!"

"Well I'll get enough to pay off the debt, and if worst comes to worst, I'll leave Klyton and live with my sister in Teckleville"

"You can't live with aunt Enora, you always said she's crazy."

"She is, but that still doesn't mean she wouldn't help me out."

"Look, we've still got time, I know my ideas are going to help us out soon."

"Well, I hope all your fancy schooling you gained some sort of insight that I'm not privy to. Alright we'll give it until the next time Mr. Reynolds comes around for payment."

You agree and start wiping up the floor before customers come in.

The next few days are uneventful. The miners seem to be talking to you a little more, mainly to chew your ear, either telling you how rough their jobs are and how your dad was a good man. You aren't really listening to anything they say because you're more preoccupied with the future and trying to figure out how you're going to get out of debt and more importantly how to avoid getting beat up or worse.

"So what's you're problem, Mr. Barkeep?" a miner asks, which none of them has ever done before, so it breaks you out of your trance long enough for you to utter "Huh?"

"I asked what's troubling you? And don't tell me nothin' because for the past few days you've been staring off at the walls." Davin asks. He's a bit of a loner type, mostly drinks alone, which makes his questioning even stranger.

"Oh nothing."

"Heh, I told you not to tell me that. Seriously, what's wrong? Think of it this way, you have to hear most of these idiots tell their stories all the time, now you've got someone willing to hear yours."

True enough, and you don't see any harm so you tell him everything, your schooling, the inn, the debt, and how you're worrying about all of it. He nods and listens to all of it, and it isn't until you're finished that he finally speaks.

"Could you sell this place and get enough money to pay off the debt?" he asks.

"Well probably…yeah."

"Then do it."

"What? I can't do that!"

"Why not? You'll be safe and your mother will be safe, isn't that the main goal?"

"Well yeah, but…"

"But nothing. All your other troubles are secondary when it comes to the survival of your family and yourself, or at least they should be."

"I can't just worry about immediate survival Davin, there's my future to worry about as well."

"Heh, well you'd better or you won't have a future to worry about. Look son, I know you want the whole higher education thing. I remember you used to study all the time when you were little, but sometimes you have to be realistic. I mean I had big dreams too once, I thought about becoming an astronomer."

"Really?"

"Hell yeah, but as I got older I realized that it wasn't going to happen and I was gonna be a miner just like my dad…and that's okay."

"But the inn…"

"It's just an inn son. There's tons of them in the city, it's not like we can't find another place to drink. You've pretty much made it clear you don't like working here and your mother is more than willing to sell it. You have no real attachments to it, so why put yourself through the hassle? You might not get to be a doctor, but you've still got a lot more education than most people, I'm sure you'll be able to easily find something you'll like to do more running an inn."

"I don't know…"

"Trust me kid, you'll feel a lot better if you just let this one go."

And with those words Davin heads to a table to drink by himself, leaving you to ponder your situation.

[User] You sell the inn

[Assistant]
You haven't got off to a good start and you don't think it's really going to get any better. Davin's words ring true, you aren't happy running this place and trying to get to your goals by doing it, is either going to get you killed or burned out and miserable.

You immediately go to your mother and tell her how you feel, and she understands, she's actually a bit relieved that you've decided to let her sell it. She tells you to take the rest of the night off and you return to your room where you feel saddened that you won't get to go back to school, at least not anytime in the near future. Your goals of going into medicine will have to remain just dreams for now and you don't know what your future holds.

During the remaining week the inn stays open to make a last bit of change before closing for good and selling to the city. Some of the miners seem a little sad by it, but there were so many changes within such a short period of time that most seemed content on finding a new place since the old one wasn't like how it used to be anymore.

When the inn is sold off, you barely make enough to cover the debt, but at least you and your mother aren't in any immediate danger now.

Your mother initially was going to find work in the city, but when you express a random desire to leave Klyton altogether, she suggests that you both move in with your aunt Enora in Teckleville. which is to the east on the outskirts of the Delantium Kingdom. You agree eagerly, you've never been out of the city and maybe it's time for a brand new start. You and your mother pack and catch a coach heading west. It feels weird leaving Klyton.

Eventually after a couple days the coach stops in Teckleville. Which is just one of the many small villages on the borders of the Dalantium Kingdom. Probably in time it'll get absorbed like so many others do, but that's not really a concern of yours right now.

Your aunt Enora is happy to see you both, and while this whole living with her thing was sprung on her at the last moment it doesn't seem to bother her. She says there's plenty of room and you can stay as long as you like.

While the house is certainly nice and you're happy to live there rather than in the street, it's sort of on the small side. Teckleville isn't anything like you're used to, but it isn't unwelcome. You just aren't sure what you're going to do here.

In time, your mother works at the local tavern where she serves as a cook. It's not much, but it is something she's used to doing.

You manage to get a job working as an assistant to the old librarian that works here. Not many use it, so she's happy to get some company. You aren't unfond of the job since you get to read a lot of books, some of which you're a bit surprised to find in a small town like this. The librarian mentions that she tends to get a few of wandering adventurers once in awhile that give books to her that they've found in whatever dungeons they've been delving into.

"If it isn't a spell book, they usually sell it for a few coppers. I believe they'd probably just leave the books wherever they found them most of the time, but you know those adventuring types, they're all a bunch of closet kleptos that absolutely HAVE to take everything that isn't nailed down." She says.

For awhile you live at your aunt's house you manage to save what little money you do make and move out. You briefly think about going to the Delantium Kingdom, but you become attached to Teckleville and stay.

As time goes on you take over as the head librarian, get married and have a family. You live the remainder of your life in Teckleville never regretting your decision and die with sense of fulfillment despite never going back to pursue medicine.

There were times though; you always wondered what would've happened had you stayed to run the inn?

You'll never know.


[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 move forward

[Assistant]
You step forward.

"I swear to all the Dark Gods, I will open this bitch up!" Drake yells.

You move forward once again, before Drake slices the girl's throat open, blood dripping down her chest.

"Well. Now what?" you ask.

"I... I'm necessary to operating the ship. You can't kill me."

"So be it," you say. "You're coming with me."

"Sure, sure," Drake says.

You bind Drake's hands together with invisible chains, and force him to march forward. Drake immediately becomes compliant.

"Can I grab a few things?" Drake asks. "My... dreams get pretty bad. I have terrifying nightmares. I have medication that helps. Please, please can I get them?" Drake asks.


[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 join Jim in sitting this robbery out

[Assistant] You hide out with Jim at Hoob Kerry's Farm while the others pull off the robbery and rejoin you. You are all ready now to make the trip up to Minnesota and even Jim joins you to help protect his brothers. At the last moment Hoobs gets cold feet, he has been nervous ever since the train robbery and he insists on staying behind at his farm in Missouri. You and the other outlaws are not impressed but since you can't force him to go with you if he doesn't want to you all agree to let him back out of the planned robbery and make preparations to head up to Minnesota without him.


[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 kill the new eternals

[Assistant]
It's a good idea, but probably impractical and you don't have the luxury of being impractical at this time. You'd have to retrain them and everything. No, better to just kill them and get this mission over with.

You and the rest of the shadows search for more derro explosives and find a whole room filled with them. You take your time setting up them up in areas, though quite honestly you don't really know what you're doing. Yvette seems to have a little better grasp on them for some reason, but even she's just guessing since she's never worked with such weaponry before. Talia tries to find some sort of "kill switch" as a safer alternative, but fails to do so.

When you think you're prepared, you tell everyone else to leave the complex and you'll light the extended fuse. You assure Talia that you'll be all right since you'll just speed yourself up. Sister Yvette interrupts you however saying that she'll volunteer to light the fuse since she feels that if anything does go wrong, it would be a greater loss to the shadows if you died instead.

You ask Yvette if she really wants to take the risk and she assures you that risking her life to save a brother isn't a risk, it's an honor to all that serve Dendrin.

"Well…I can't argue with that I suppose. Okay, but I'm sure we're all worrying over nothing."
"You're probably right brother, but just in case we aren't, I was honored to serve beside you brother." Sister Yvette says.

You and the rest of the shadows leave the complex as fast as you can and put a good deal of distance away from the camp before you hear a very large explosion. You turn around and see the entire camp sink into itself. You're guessing it worked.

"Does anyone see Sister Yvette?" you ask looking for a figure running in the distance.
"No, but let's wait a bit."
"Yes well we can't wait too long, that explosion was loud enough to alert someone. Won't be long before the Empire sends troops here."

You wait a few minutes, but Yvette still hasn't shown up. Thinking that maybe she's hurt, you insist on going back to the camp to search for her.

There isn't much left of the camp when you see the destruction caused by the blast. You all look around the wreckage, but you find no trace of her body. You get angry."

"Fuck! She surely had enough time to get out of the blast! I mean that's what our speed spell is for isn't it?!" you shout.
"It is regrettable, but this mission was filled with danger right from the start and she died for a reason. That could've been you." Talia says.
"Yes, but…(Sigh) I dunno. If she had fallen in battle that would've been one thing, but to die like this after we already achieved victory? She deserved better." You says.
"Well, I'm sure she's in a better place with Dendrin now as she has served him well."
"Yeah…" you mutter, severely holding back on what you really think about Dendrin. "Come on let's get out of here before any Empire soldiers show up."

Before heading back to Rask you tell Brother Theo about the new changes. Fortunately he's still alive, when you check to see how those other shadow cell attack turned out. Reports have started to come in about the attack on the camp, which isn't too surprising despite all the chaos going on elsewhere that brother Theo caused. He is saddened to hear of sister Yvette's death and says she was very instrumental in helping him coordinate the shadow cells, but he'll make do.

Eventually you make your way back to Rask which you're happy to find out Cyrus was smart enough to not risk attacking Fort Destiny. Unfortunately he caused a different set back entirely. Talia was about the only one keeping the Flog and the rest of his orcs on good terms. You rarely interacted with him and he never got along with Cyrus who was usually condescending to him. While you were gone apparently a small skirmish ensued between the orcs and shadows. Amazingly nobody was actually killed, but several were wounded and ultimately Flog left with the remainder of the orcs.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" you yell in exasperation.
"Where did they go?" Talia asks.
"How should I know, further north I think where the rest of those overgrown idiots dwell. I don't care, we don't need them anyway!" Cyrus says.

After your recent loss of Yvette, you're not really in any mood for Cyrus' shortsightedness.

"Oh well, I'm glad that YOU decided that for all of us! Did it even occur to you that we might need them if we were going to attack Fort Destiny?"
"Now you think that's a good idea? What about all the arguing you did, saying it was a rotten idea?"
"I said it wasn't the best idea at this time, I wasn't opposed to it AFTER we got rid of the new eternals. Priorities!"
"Sure, that's great when they're YOURS brother. When it comes to the rest of our plans you just ignore them."
"Well that hardly matters now, because you just fucking ruined your own plans by pissing off our orc allies. Nice going with the self sabotage brother!"

Cyrus looks you up and down with distain in his face. "Fine. We'll do it your way." Cyrus begins to storm off

"Wait, brother Cyrus where are you going?" Talia asks.
"Well seeing as our chosen brother of Dendrin is obviously correct about everything and as he pointed out that we cannot do anything without our orc allies any longer, I'm going to follow his suggestion that he gave me not long ago. I'm going to lead an assassination squad myself to get rid of Kane once and for all."
"Hold on! Wait, we need to plan better for something like that we can't just…" Talia runs after him.

You dismiss Cyrus and whatever he plans to do, you don't care anymore. You already offered your help to him on this before and the whole plan at the time was dismissed because of his own pettiness. If he succeeds then that's good. He's done something useful for a change, if not then he'll be out of the way and no longer whining about his our feeble plans. Either way he's on his own on this.

Three days later reports come in on Cyrus' death and all shadows he took with him on the mission. Kane wasn't even severely wounded. In fact all this has done is raise his reputation. Talia doesn't say it, but she implies that you should've helped Cyrus even if claimed he wouldn't have accepted it.

Draven is devastated by the news and commits suicide soon afterwards. With this sudden loss of several prominent shadows, morale takes a bit of a dive, especially since Cyrus was still well liked around Fort Defiance.

Year 31

"So Flog's dead?" you ask.
"Yes, I couldn't get through to him. He insisted that if he didn't keep raiding the northern villages that support us, his people would've just seen him as weak and killed him anyway. Ultimately he said he would've preferred to die by my hand and so he did." Talia replies.
"Well, I suppose that'll stop organized raids, but it won't stop them completely."
"Indeed. Flog's leadership was probably keeping the rest of his tribe in line and all those various ogre tribes as well. With him gone, it's going to be chaos."
"I know. I know. Shit. Well we can only hope that they spend more time fighting each other. In the meantime I've got to figure out a way of keeping up the pressure south of Rask. Captain Roldan is starting to become as much of a problem as Kane, has he even left that fortress yet?"
"Nope, report say ever since brother Cyrus' attempts he doesn't leave it anymore and he's been getting an influx of troops as reinforcements lately."
"Damn it! (Sigh) All right, double up on the shadow protection in key towns. Last thing we need is Kane's mindless scorched land tactics destroying the places that are helping us."

Year 32

You slash through the jugular of Kane and even as blood gushes from his throat he laughs madly claiming that you'll never defeat the Empire. You shove his body out of the window just to shut up his final death throes.

You look over at Talia's body and curse yourself for allowing this to happen. You knew you should've gone on this mission by yourself, but she wanted to be by your side. You don't even have time to morn right now as you hear the rest of the soldiers scrambling up the stairs to defend their now dead master.

You climb out the very window you threw Kane out of and scale down the walls of the fort and make your escape. When you make it back home, you find plenty of time to weep and morn for your dead love.

With Talia dead, a small portion of your own will to go on has died as well.

Year 33

"The south wall of the fort has been breached!" Brother Gannon shouts.
"Well get ready to kill the bastards that are going to be pouring in then damn it!" you shout back.

The situation is grim and getting worse with every passing second. You can't believe how the Empire has managed to turn this all around, though it didn't help that you had a few set backs of your own. Now Captain Roldan is at your gates and there's nothing you can do to stop it.

You watch as the remaining shadows desperately fight the overwhelming number of Empire soldiers.

"Dendrin, if you're still watching, I hope you had a good run of amusement, because it's about to end." You mutter and rush into the hopeless battle.

During Roldan's life, he would go on to speak about how you were a worthy opponent during conversations about the battle of Fort Defiance. Probably out of minor respect that you were an Eternal.

Ultimately though history only remembered Roldan and how he gloriously destroyed the shadow traitors once and for all.


[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 speak to Orvyn

[Assistant] Orvyn stands with a group of other men, all holding ale cups. As you approach he waves you a jaunty salute, but you sense a sullen undertone. You motion for him to follow you. Walking purposefully, you wait until there is no one in the general vicinity before speaking.

[User] You say "We should be wary of Garyn"

[Assistant]
"I'm worried about Garyn"

Orvyn nods vigorously

"I know exactly what you mean; bloody idiot will get us all killed with his recklessness"

Again making sure no one is listening, you put a hand on Orvyn's shoulder

"Can I trust you?'

Orvyn affirms loyally

"Of course Aethelwulf!"

You clap him on the shoulder

"I know, old friend, I know"

You lean in

"I want you to keep an eye on Garyn, make sure he doesn't blunder our men into a trap"

Orvyn checks over his shoulder suspiciously, as though he expects Garyn to materialize from thin air

"Don't worry, I'll watch him like a hawk"

"Excellent, let me know if he does anything foolish"

Orvyn salutes amicably and departs; you walk in the opposite direction, towards the main courtyard.


[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 go to the movies

[Assistant]
You want to avoid Mom for as long as possible! You take Jessica to the movies.

You and Jessica get some food and sit to watch the film. You can't seem to relax. You're still anxious and nervous about going home. You begin not to feel well again. Just as Jessica asks you what's wrong, you puke up popcorn and gummy bears all over her.

"EWWWWWWWW!" she screams and runs out of the theatre.

Not really knowing what to do next you head home, still worrying over what Mom is going to do. When you get home, Mom sees you and starts screaming. She asks where the hell you've been. You say the movies, to which she screams at you some more for saying you never told her you were going there and you need to check in with her first. You'll be getting kicked out of the house like your sister, if you feel the need to disobey the rules she continues to say.

This seems like the Mom you know and are comfortable with! You guess you were mistaken about Mom's feelings towards you and that relieves you. You don't feel as nervous now, it reverts back into that familar numb feeling again. You decide that acting out of your normal routine was a great risk that nearly drove you over the edge. You won't be doing that again.

Another day arrives and once again you feel nothing...


[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 don't

[Assistant]
You decide to reject the vampirism thrust upon you. If it means dying as a man, so be it. You turn your back to the gateway, and walk back towards the town. Already you can feel yourself growing feverish and weak, as the disease takes hold. Soon, the son will burn you to a crisp; and that's just fine with you.

    You put your head to the ground and close your eyes. You've earned yourself some rest.


[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] A Werewolf

[Assistant]
"You're a werewolf, aren't you? You're one of those fucked up beasts."

"No, I'm far older than even werewolves, I'm afraid. Well, I best be off. Good luck dealing with my boy tonight, Willy."

"Wait!" you growl, aiming your shotgun at him. "You move and I blow your brains out!"

The Fool sighs, shaking his head.

"I don't think you really know how this game works, do you?" the Fool says.

The Fool leans forward, placing his thumb against the shotgun barrel. He scratches at his puffy, burned eyes, sighing.

"You're not going to shoot that gun," he says simply.

With that, the Fool turns, strolling off into the woods. You try to aim your shotgun, but find your arms are incapable of moving, the numb, cold muscles refusing to work. All you can do is watch as the Fool disappears into the darkness.

When he's out of view, you snarl. You sniff the air, smelling the scent of prey, and... you try to focus on the pain for a moment, ignoring your bestial senses, before you smell something else. The smell of smoke, in the distance.

You pause, raising an eye. Smoke means fire. Fire means activity. There needs to be something in that direction.


[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 stay put

[Assistant]
Alison might have a point, but you're not willing to defy the Emperor so directly.

"Nothing can be done, we're just going to have to stay here." You remark.

Alison throws her hands up in the air and rolls her eyes.

"That's not going to change a thing you know." You say.
"Oh believe me, if I thought it would, I would've done it a long time ago. I'm just going to say one more thing, and I don't give a shit if this is stepping out of my boundaries. This little arrangement you have with Eldolith is getting out of hand. I can't believe I'd actually start feeling sorry for a svelk, but a couple nights ago when I was making my own perusal of our perimeter I caught her sitting by herself actually crying. I didn't even think that was possible for a svelk. Of course she tried to play it off and told me to mind my business and called me a blonde monkey, but she wasn't fooling anyone."
"Really? She was crying? Bitch doesn't cry when we're together, glad to hear she at least does though." You chuckle.

Alison is shocked by your gleeful sociopathic behavior.

"By the Emperor, even when I served with fucking Kane, I never heard him speak in such a manner. Look I know most of what we do for the Empire is pretty ruthless and merciless. I also know you're probably among the most cold hearted when it comes to such things. But what you're doing is…"
"What am I doing Alison? What am I doing that is oh so terrible? Didn't you tell me years ago that you've run into Empire officers that take advantage of underlings via sexual favors?"
"Yeah, and I never said that was right either. Also I said sexual favors. The key word being sex. Whatever it is you're doing to Eldolith is going beyond sex and you know it."
"So what? She's a svelk anyway. She's not even a proper Empire citizen, let alone soldier. Hey I'll tell you this, the svelk would treat ALL of us like I treat Eldolith if they could get away with it. I know that from experience."

"So that's your excuse? Because a svelk woman was cruel to you, you're going to act like her? You're going to act like a svelk?" Alison says which causes you to grab her by her throat and slam her to the ground.

Alison's eyes widen in fear when she sees this person that she thought she knew stare at her with a murderous rage and squeeze tightly around her throat.

"Don't you EVER fucking accuse me of that. EVER. You do that again, and you'll be in this tent right along side that svelk cunt. We'll have that three way you said you didn't want. And you know what? NOBODY is going to do a damn thing about it, because I'M in fucking charge here. Got it?"

Alison continues to stare as you slowly release your grip to she can talk.

"Got it." She answers.

You get off of Alison who can't leave your tent quick enough.

Later you begin to feel like you went a little too far with Alison. You really didn't mean to, but her words just set you off. She should've known not to compare you to a svelk. The next day you try to speak with Alison, but she's very distant. She doesn't want to talk about what happened and as far as she's concerned the pair of you should just keep things professional now.

"Alison, I didn't mean…"
"If you really do have any sort of respect for me at all, you'll just leave me be unless its concerning military matters." Alison remarks.

You back away from Alison, you realize you've destroyed your relationship with her forever.

You go back to your tent and begin pacing back and forth thinking about your mistake. The more you think about it, the angrier you get. You're angry with yourself mainly, but then you realize something.

Eldolith was the initial aggressor in your arrangement. Not you. This might've been a set up right for something else right from the start. It was Mistress! She did this! She was jealous of your relationship with Alison, so Eldolith was sent to fuck it up.

Even worse, you fell for it all and you hit the final nail in the coffin yourself.

Now seething with fury, you storm out of your tent and head over to the svelk encampment. The svelk barely have time to realize who is attacking them before you cut down several of them. You start shouting for Eldolith to come out along with how you intend to

The Empire encampment at first thinks gnolls are attacking, but when some of the troops arrive and see you massacring svelk, they aren't entirely sure what to do.

"Sir, calm down! I know you don't…Ack!" a soldier says, trying to restrain you, but only gets a sword in the stomach for his trouble instead. Another soldier tries to reason with you, and you cut him down too. You're completely unreasonable at this point and the only thing that's going to stop you is either your death or Eldolith's.

As you set fire to three more svelk with a fireball you begin laughing at the carnage you're causing. Still you aren't going to be truly happy until you find Eldolith.

And then you see her running in the distance. You cast a lightning bolt at her, which drops her instantly. You know it isn't enough to kill her though, but that wasn't your intent anyway. You pull out your dagger and walk towards her.

"It's time to learn another lesson Mistress. And its gonna hurt you a lot more than it will me." You say.
"I'm…not Mistress…you crazy monkey…" Eldolith manages to utter.

At this point you don't even hear her. Indeed it's probably not only irrelevant at this point, but most likely unclear if you're even mentally in the present because all you can see is Mistress' face. You saw her face on all the svelk you killed. You enjoyed killing her over and over. And now you're going to enjoy killing her again.

Or at least you would have if a arrow through your neck didn't stop you first.

You gasp and clutch at your throat before you slump down to the ground a few inches away from Eldolith.

"Shit! He's dead!" one of the Empire soldiers remarks.
"Hm. I'm surprised myself. It's been awhile since I used a bow." Alison answers.
"You killed him! You really killed him!" another remarks.
"Yes, but he needed to be put down. You saw him kill Empire soldiers." Alison says.
"But wasn't he the Emperor's right hand man or something?"
"Yes. Are there any svelk left alive?"
"No, I think he killed them all."
"Not all of them." Alison says.

Alison takes aim with her bow again and aims for Eldolith who is just starting to shake off the effects of the lightning bolt. She slumps down dead as well.

"Okay this is what we're going to do…" Alison says when turning towards her soldiers.

Alison neatly explains away everything with a gnoll attack. It also helps that the gnolls did attack soon after this incident in greater force than before. Fortunately for Alison she's well respected and liked by the soldiers so nobody ever contradicts her story. Not to mention they're glad to be rid of the svelk and to a small degree you as well given how fearful they all were of you.

Still, part of Alison always regretted that it had to be done at all.


[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 craft makeshift shields

[Assistant]
You look back at the camp, where five thousand farmers, butchers, bakers, and other citizens huddle in their cloaks for warmth, or sit by a fire and listen in awe as soldiers tell them tales of battles in faraway lands. None of them are ready for this, and most will not have the courage to face the prospect of shieldwall combat willingly. Giving them a slight advantage is the least you can do, really.

"If your carpenters can hew some fresh wood, they could make shields for the conscripts. Nothing fancy, just a wood board with a grip. Something to keep them alive. To keep them from breaking."

Harold claps you on the shoulder

"I'll have my carpenters start working right away! Let's turn these farmers into proper soldiers!"

He laughs, and you see the fire in his eyes. This is what King Harold does best. Strategy and rule he manages, but it's the fighting he loves. You understand the feeling all too well. How many times have you knelt before a cross, armor bloody and gore speckled, thinking back with revulsion and guilt at how you loved it.

Loved every bit of it.

Loved the blades flashing, reflecting the rays of the sun. Loved the sound of shields splintering, cracking open.

Loved the bloody chaos of the shieldwall.

In the clash of the shieldwall it is where men like you, and Harold, and no doubt William too, come alive.

This world has molded you.

Molded you into a warrior.

You are bred for this.


[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 put your hands up and compliment the man.

[Assistant]
You brace yourself for another slap, and open your eyes when you see that he's not going to slap you right away. The man says, "That's a good start. Always work with compliments, because nearly everyone, even trained spies, respond to compliments." He spends a bit more time telling you different ways to give the compliments and how to really sound sincere. He gives you some tips on what kinds of compliments tend to work in different situations and how you can talk yourself out of nearly any bad situation.
The man looks at you and says, "We have time for just one more training session. I can teach you more details about what you already know, or I can teach you a different skill, the choice is up to you. And yes, there is going to be a test at the end of this. It will be a real test, and you might not survive. But I hope you do. So what do you select for you final training?"

[User] You stealth training

[Assistant]
The man leads you over to a large table along the wall of the warehouse. Spread out across the table are a number of different types of gadgets and devices. He takes the time and shows you how to use some simple items to pick a lock and how to disable a security system. He shows you how you can use some of the gadgets to help you distract people and allow you time to move about without being seen or heard. He shows you simple ways to break into place and more difficult ways to bypass security systems and other types of systems designed to keep you out.
The man looks at you and says, "We are out of time. You are either ready or you are not ready. And that is what we will determine now." He turns and walks over to a door in the rear of the room and disappears through it. You are alone in the large warehouse, wondering if you were supposed to follow the man.
You have trained the following levels of skills:
Stealth: 2
Charm: 1
Weapons: 0