text: [Themes: fantasy, serious, puzzle]
  
  You are Vingrad Coldslayer, king of the mighty land of Farnorth. Your home was once a part of the huge empire known as the Odranithic Order, until the people rebelled. There had been a bad harvest followed by a long winter, which killed many of the Northmen people. When the Odranithic Order had not sent any food northward, Vronar Coldslayer and his friend Bortusken Thunderbeard led the city of Norgurune in rebellion. After the war, both Vronar and Bortusken wished to rule. In the end, they fought After several years, the Order granted them all land north of the River Star. Over the years, the Northmen conquered the region known as Nearnorth, which was south of River Star and north of the present day border of Odranith.
  
  You are sitting on your throne in the palace of Norgurune. You are very tired, as the last few nights, you have been plagued by vivid nightmares. In these dreams you saw undead creatures in the ruins of your home, wandering aimlessly. You were also visited by a spirit that claimed to be your ancestor, Vronar Coldslayer.
  
  He told you that Norgurune was in danger. Bortusken's curse, given to Vronar before his death, is coming true.
  
  According to ancient scrolls, Bortusken said that when Farnorth began to forget about Bortusken, the children would die first. Then the nobles and kings, and then the common folk. Farnorth would become a barren wasteland, inhabited by the dead.
  
  As you sit and think, three ideas come to your mind about what you can do.
  
  The Norgurune Library is managed by a wizard named Forixis, who may be knowledgeable on the subject. In addition, there may be books or scrolls that could help you learn more about this topic.
  
  Your Court Wizard, Dardis is not as wise as Forixis, but he was born in Farnorth and seems to know a lot about legends.
  
  Your last idea is to search the city for clues. Although there is no guarantee that you will find anything, it may give you a chance to find evidence and talk to your people.
  
  > speak to your Court Wizard
  You walk over to Dardis and sit down. He is currently painting a forest in great detail. By the dark trees and red thorns, you can see it is of Delfaven, the dark elves' home.
  
  "What do you need, my lord?" he asks.
  
  "I had a dream last night," you explain. "I would like for you to interpret it to me."
  
  Dardis nods.
  
  "No problem."
  
  "First I saw Norgurune infested by the walking dead," you say. "I was among them. My bones were showing and my skin was stretched over my flesh. My eyes were hollow and lifeless."
  
  Dardis nods.
  
  "That may mean a catastrophe will strike here," he suggested. "Or the people of Norgurune will die."
  
  "Then I saw a wight, his ancient flesh stretched across his bones," you continue. "What does that mean?"
  
  "Maybe he is the one who you have been warned about," he says.
  
  You are Vingrad Coldslayer, king of the mighty land of Farnorth. Your home was once a part of the huge empire known as the Odranithic Order, until the people rebelled. There had been a bad harvest followed by a long winter, which killed many of the Northmen people. When the Odranithic Order had not sent any food northward, Vronar Coldslayer and his friend Bortusken Thunderbeard led the city of Norgurune in rebellion. After the war, both Vronar and Bortusken wished to rule. In the end, they fought After several years, the Order granted them all land north of the River Star. Over the years, the Northmen conquered the region known as Nearnorth, which was south of River Star and north of the present day border of Odranith.
  
  You are sitting on your throne in the palace of Norgurune. You are very tired, as the last few nights, you have been plagued by vivid nightmares. In these dreams you saw undead creatures in the ruins of your home, wandering aimlessly. You were also visited by a spirit that claimed to be your ancestor, Vronar Coldslayer.
  
  He told you that Norgurune was in danger. Bortusken's curse, given to Vronar before his death, is coming true.
  
  According to ancient scrolls, Bortusken said that when Farnorth began to forget about Bortusken, the children would die first. Then the nobles and kings, and then the common folk. Farnorth would become a barren wasteland, inhabited by the dead.
  
  As you sit and think, three ideas come to your mind about what you can do.
  
  The Norgurune Library is managed by a wizard named Forixis, who may be knowledgeable on the subject. In addition, there may be books or scrolls that could help you learn more about this topic.
  
  Your Court Wizard, Dardis is not as wise as Forixis, but he was born in Farnorth and seems to know a lot about legends.
  
  Your last idea is to search the city for clues. Although there is no guarantee that you will find anything, it may give you a chance to find evidence and talk to your people.
  
  > Go search the city for clues
  You leave your throne and begin walking away.
  
  "Where are you going, my lord?" asks your advisor, Kanvar. He is a Mountain Dwarf from the Coldstone Mountains to the east.
  
  "I'm just going for a stroll," you reply.
  
  Outside, the snow is falling gently. . You walk through the roads, looking around for anything interesting to you. After about an hour of searching, you have found three things. There is a woman crying beside the street that you could talk to. There is also a traveler sitting outside of the gate, wearing thick grey robes and a dark hood. The last thing you have found is a message, written in ancient runes, on the side of your palace.[Themes: fantasy, fantasy]
  
  You wake up to a loud crack of thunder. Eyes shoot open revealing a room washed by rays on moonlight piercing through dark cloud. You sit up and reach for your sword. Callous hands grip the massive behemoth but you alone carry that weight. It's a 2-handed heavy piece of work. The steel stretches 2 feet wide and 6 feet long, a truly menacing blade.
  
  You step towards the window as your hand brushes the curtain. A heavy rain falls in torrents across the land. Your brown eyes narrow as you search for them. In the darkness you see their form. They walk aimlessly unprovoked, unhindered, unchallenged.
  
  Just then you hear three knocks at the door. Who would be out here on a night like this with such a violent tempest? You suit up your armor. A tough titanium platemail rests across your chest and back. Worn from extensive battle to a grey dull color, nicks and scrapes litter its surface. Black pants tucked into steel boots stained with blood upon your feet. Many unlucky bastards head has been crushed under your heel. You go down the stair as it creaks to meet the stranger....
  
  [Author's Note: Fight for your life in this thrilling tale of a man struggling to fight the Darkness!! There are Two Major Endings Hero's End and Fool's End. Enjoy]
  
  > Gavin
  You open the door as the wind beads the rain across your face. You recognize this man by the name of Gavin. He's a wizard you've heard about before. His dark cloak rustles in the wind as he stands in the door way. His eyes, they're milky white, skin cold and pale. The wrinkles upon his face show the wear of time, ever ticking, ever lingering...
  
  "What do you want, wizard?" you ask.
  
  "All of those who took the rode before you, they were possessed..... by the dark power!"
  
  "Whoa, hold on. What are you talking about?!"
  
  "But you, you shall do this alone...
  
  As you walk through valley of the Gorgonian Tempest
  
  The tri-elemental black darkness was engulfing the sovereign lands!!!
  
  Defeat the Demon of Rathcor.... and you will restore peace to the land.... and lineage of your blood"
  
  And just like that the man turned and walked out into the darkness, as if possessed himself. You hear the dark things... scraping and clawing at the dirt. A moment later the tearing of a cloak and flesh. Goodbye, Old Wizard. What evil drove you to such madness?
  
  > Journey to Rathcor
  You head for the stable to grab the horse. A fine black steed thats followed you into many battles. This journey will take 2 days if you ride now. Before the horde can surround you, a swift kick to the ribs sends you galloping off into the night toward the mountain.
  
  > The Forest
  As you approach the mountain the trees begin to shield your view as you make your way closer. The woods sing sweet melody, wind coursing through the thick. A wide oak bears a message, scratched into the grain:
  
  East:
  
  I believe there's meaning
  
  West:
  
  no I believe there's nothing
  
  This should be interesting. You leave the horse, the brush is too thick to maneuver with her. Two paths lie before you...
  
  > cut East along the Ridge
  You decide East is the best route to go to make it to the top of the mountain. You go up and down the trail through the wood. Before you know it you stumble upon a woman making her way toward you. She doesn't carry any weapon, at least none in plain view. Red hair falls across her cheeks from under the cowl. Her face is hooded and you can barely make out green eyes staring back at you...
  
  "Stop right there, what are you doing out in these woods." you ask her.
  
  "I came from the top of the mountain. I live not too far from here if you wish to relax for the night?"
  
  > go with the Woman
  Seeing her to be no threat, you decide to take her up on the offer. She takes you up the mountain through a trail. You both soon arrive at a stone cottage, the roof bails of hay.
  
  "Nice place."
  
  She opens the door as you wring the water from your cloak. Good to be inside and out of the pouring rain. She starts a fire and beckons you to sit and let yourself dry. As you relax on the floor she comes back with some bread and a cup of wine.
  
  "Thanks, I wasn't expecting all this" you say
  
  "It's nothing, Gavin mentioned you'd be coming this way"
  
  "What?! How do you know Gavin?"
  
  "The old wizard was my father. He left this morning to tell you of the danger in these mountains. The dark force that resides...Where is he? I thought he would be coming back with you?"
  
  "Sorry... He didn't make it." You say as you look into the embers of the fire.
  
  Her face becomes downcast with the news. You push to change the subject.
  
  "What's your name? I'm Dorian."
  
  "Elyssa."
  
  "Look, whatever is up the mountain, I'll take care of it. You're going to be okay."
  
  "How can you say that?! You know nothing of the Demon of Rathcorf. You couldn't protect my father!"
  
  Clearly she's become quite upset
  
  "Alright, take it easy. I'll rest up for the night here and at first light, I'll take him on. Okay?"
  
  Elyssa gets up and heads to her room without a word.
  
  "Well, looks like it's just you and me tonight..." you say into the cup of wine in hand.
  
  Hours pass and you finally lay down next to the fire to sleep. You wonder how this demon will fight. Can the might of your sword bring him to justice? The wine finally hits you like a battering ram as you slip into your dreams.
  
  > Dream
  The moon is bright and full in the sky. A purple hue covers the earth and you stand alone in a grassy plain, sword in hand. The wind brings the smell of blood to your nose. A dark figure appears before you, clutching Elyssa's corpse in it's arms.
  
  " Wake up, boy. Come to me now so I may devour your flesh!"
  
  The beast rips the girls head from body and begins to drink the blood. A sick and foul creature. Seven feet high, legs like horse, arms the width of barrels. A horn protrudes from it's skull, a menacing twist of bone. The very sight of the creature brings a madness deep into your heart.
  
  "I will bury this sword into your skull and take that fucking horn as a trophy you bastard!!!!!!"
  
  > wake up
  You wake up with your sword clenched in hand. The cup of wine you were drinking is spilled on the floor. Is she alright? You rush to Elyssa's room. Her bed is empty. You call out:
  
  "Elyssa!!, Elyssa!!"
  
  No answer.
  
  "Damn, where did she go...."
  
  You break through the front door out into the light. Your hand shields your face from the bright morning sun. You look left and right, noticing a blood stained cloak up the trail headed towards the mountain. Rushing in a dead sprint, you take it in your hands to try and catch a scent. It's hers alright, you couldn't forget the fresh smell of rose petals.
  
  > continue up the mountain
  She must have been taken up the mountain last night while you slept! The rain makes tracking hard as it washed away any sign of movement. That or whoever took her was very careful. You hike the trail up and up till you reach the summit. The top of the mountain is cold. Snow falls as your breath billows out in clouds before your eyes. He must have taken her here, I know it!
  
  Your eyes dart this way and that. Where is he??? Just then a sharp pain hits your body. Your vision blurred by the agonizing pain...you look down to see an arrow stuck in your abdomen.
  
  "Fuuuckk..." you curse, breaking the arrow in half in attempt to pull it out.
  
  You roll behind a boulder for cover. Sword drawn ready to fight.
  
  "Alright, bastard! Nice try, but i'm still here. How about we settle this Steel to Steel!!" you call out, goading him to fight you.
  
  "I think I have you right where I want you as it is, Dorian!" a familiar female voice calls out.
  
  "Elyssa?! This can't be right..." you say to yourself
  
  Looking down the mountain, you see a group of the dark ones coming your way. Perfect timing, now your enemy is at your front and your back!
  
  > head back down to Kill the Dark ones
  You feel you have a better chance if these mindless zombies go first. Besides, you don't know how comfortable you are with taking Elyssa's life. Maybe she's come under the same darkness that overtook Gavin?
  
  "Bitch!" , Taking one last glance towards Elyssa, you rush down the mountain. The downward momentum sends you flying.
  
  You swing your sword and heads roll. Bodies go limp as they fly into the air. The dark ones keep coming. Wave after wave. How long can you keep this up? A slash of your sword clears a way leading back up the mountain. The twang of a bowstring sends another arrow through your chest.
  
  "Arrrragghh!" you cry out in pain.
  
  There's no use. You're suffering from a bleeding gut and sucking chest wound. Your vision blurs as the dark ones surround you.
  
  "Damn you, Rathcor!" you exclaim
  
  Your hands shake as they reach into your platemail. You draw flint and dynamite.
  
  The dark ones are knawing at your limbs.
  
  "Somehow I knew it'd end like this!" you laugh maniacally. "BOOM!"