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| Thread: Official HC short story contest opening! | |
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Lady_Milena
Honorable
Known Hero
Grannie Sweet Cheeks
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posted April 21, 2006 05:14 PM |
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Official HC short story contest opening!
As of today, 21 April, the HC short story contest is finally a fact! We are still looking for judges, so please get in touch with me if you'd like to take this prestigious position! For conveniece (yours and mine) I decided to extend the contest time for 2 months instead of 8 weeks, so the deadline is 21 June. Please, make sure to sign up and hand in your story before this date!
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I am proud to open the contest with the first story today. I hope you will enjoy it as well.
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Title:Heroes Community and the Seven Little Heroes
Written by: I_HaT3_CT
The Beginning:
At the center of the World of Azwarth lies an island, an island with a deep dark secret. The island has been surrounded by a thick layer of fog all year round. Having the fog there not only adds on the difficulty to travel, but also adds on a thick layer of mystery the island already possess. Adventurers around the World hope to unravel its secrets but those who did enter the island vanished from this World. Soon, seven brave souls will enter this Island and reveals the island’s dark secret.
Forming of the Community:
Those who intends to go to the island has to register under the Adventurer’s Guild. However, the guild has imposed a rule stating that whoever is under the height of 1 meter should be banned from joining their guild. This greatly angered the dwarves and gnomes as they were also considered one of the strongest races in the whole of Azwarth. However, a young dwarf called Valitry quickly came forward and created the guild of Heroes. The small community gradually grew bigger as each day past. More and more gnomes, dwarves and even goblins came to join the guild. Eventually, the guild of Heroes became the largest community in the whole World of Azwarth. Valitry soon rename it to Heroes Community and many of its members agreed on the change in the name.
Team of Seven:
With Valitry as its leader, the community came together and began the search for the final team of 7 who will be the ones going to the Island. However, they must foot their own bills for the journey as Heroes Community isn’t that rich. After several months of voting and recommending, the final seven has been confirmed. They are: Valitry himself, ItchKing the Undead Gnome, Pandara the Mountain King, Hexagon the Gnomish Priest, DeHydrate the Goblin Knight, Conman the Dwarven Assasin and finally Redoxf the Goblin Mage.
With this team assembled, Valitry assigned each member with their task respectively. The spell casters, ItchKing, Hexagon and Redoxf will stick with Valitry if the situation appears hostile while Conman, DeHydrate and Pandara will take the front, killing any monster that came near to the group while the spell casters cast their spells. With this, the group set off confidently to the Island.
Journey Begins:
With the guidance of Hexagon’s Holy Light spell, the fog poses nothing much of a problem for the group. The group advances steadily until they saw the land up ahead.
“Land Ahoy!” Pandara shouted, since he has the loudest voice. Immediately Valitry ordered the ship to stop on its course. The group lowers the boat quickly and silently enough so as not to be seen or heard by anything that is living on the Island. The eeriness of the surrounding atmosphere already made some of them shivered while ItchKing still remain as calm as ever.
“ItchKing, why don’t the cold air and the surrounding fog scare you?” asked Hexagon, curiously.
“Cold air? I felt nothing. And the surrounding fog you ask? I consider them appropriate and cute in this world. Why you ask?” ItchKing replied, feeling quite uncomfortable with a priest nearby. The boat soon reached the nearby beach where Pandara first spotted the Island. They disembark and prepare their weapons and spell books for the long journey ahead. Valitry recommend separating the group into 2 and each sub-group goes on a separate direction. Valitry propose that he will go alone while the other 6 seperates themselves. ItchKing, Hexagon and DeHydrate will be in group A where they will travel west while Pandara, Redoxf and Conman will be in group B heading for the East direction. With the groupings set, they set out on a journey searching for answers to the secrets of this Island.
Death and Decay:
Wondering around the west side of the Island for almost half a day, the group can set down and rest for a couple of minutes. Just as Hexagon was about to post another problem to ItchKing, the ground below them began to shake greatly. In the next minute or so, the trees nearby began to die out and the smell of rotten bodies began to fill the air. ItchKing suddenly turn to face Hexagon and commanded him to cast a Holy Word spell. Hexagon being shocked and disgusted by the smell in the air black out on the spot. Luckily the brave goblin knight DeHydrate charge to the front and attempts to slash any creatures that is casting this spell.
However, even a goblin knight cannot match a spell so powerful. DeHydrate began to suffer from the spell and eventually, lay motionless on the ground. ItchKing, seeing that the situation is looking bad, thought to himself: “I must find a shortcoming of this spell caster who is somewhere around us fast. From the looks on his spells I can deduce that it is an amateur. My only chance against such monster is to….” Immediately ItchKing chanted a Hand of Death spell directed at a distant tree. The tree splits apart at that instant, showing a dark sorcerer. The sorcerer immediately tries to escape but was slowed by ItchKing’s fatigue spell. Knowing that she cannot run or hide the sorcerer surrendered herself to ItchKing. After much interrogation, ItchKing knew where to seek the mastermind and end this mystery once and for all. Hexagon and DeHydrate awoke to find themselves being tied up by a magical shackle. ItchKing threw some apples on the ground, with amount enough to last them for quite a few days. ItchKing gave them a one last smile before heading out into the dense forest. Hexagon manages to cast a Holy Word spell on the magic shackle, hopping that the shackle will disappear. However, it is to no avail.
The Mastermind:
As with group B, their search is`more fruitful. They found a tall tower located deep into the dense forest. The group enters quietly, hoping to not to awake any guards or creatures dwelling in it. The group proceeds slowly upwards until they reach the highest level. There stood a tall and gorgeous woman with her back facing them.
“I can’t find anymore words degrading enough to describe all of you. Searching high and lows to find any clue to the mystery of this Island won’t do you any good. Give up now and I will probably SPARE your live.” The Woman exclaimed, making sure that she is heard loud and clear. However, the team of seven from the Heroes Community isn’t some cowards who just want to be famous. They are willing to even risk their lives for their leader Valitry in his search to solve the mystery of this Island. Being the most impulsive person, Redoxf immediately cast a firebolt spell directed at that woman. Just as the bolt seems to have hit the woman, the bolt of fire suddenly gets redirected towards Redoxf. Since Valitry isn’t with them, the tactics he planned cannot be implemented. With the bolt of fire blazing towards them, the once seemingly quiet Conman suddenly jumps in front of Redoxf to attempt to protect him from the blazing bolt. The swiftness of Conman enabled him to succeed. However, the bolt of fire was to powerful. Conman suffer serious burnt wounds and was already unconscious. amazed by the brave attempt of Conman, Redoxf was fired up.
However, before Redoxf could cast another spell, Valitry appeared. This gave the group a significant morale boost. Redoxf now is very determined of avenging Conman. Conman’s sacrifice should not go to waste. He chanted a fireball spell targeted at the side of the woman, avoiding a direct contact with her [prevent the spell from redirecting again]. Before Redoxf can finish chanting the spell, he was suddenly frosted. Leaving Pandara surprised at what the woman can do. Just as he was about to warn Valitry about this lady’s power, he saw Valitry muttering some words. At first he thought that Valitry is trying to de-frost Redoxf, but within the next seconds, Pandara himself is frosted. The situation looks bad.
The True Identity:
“Lady Azwarth or should I say Lady Melinux”. Valitry said, walking past his frozen comrade. Behind him were ItchKing and another weird looking gnome. The two wore tired expression and their clothes were torn and tattered.
“Sir Valitry, general of the Kingdom of the Dwarvens. Just cannot believe that you will be working under me in any circumstances. Alright since I have gotten what I want, I will reward you accordingly.” Lady Melinux replied. As soon as she finishes saying this sentence, a bolt of fire incinerated Valitry, only leaving a tray of ashes behind. Both ItchKing and the unknown Gnome were shocked about the conspiracy Valitry had with Melinux. However, since Valitry is dead, they did not think they need to pursue the matter with him. Confident and delighted, Lady Melinux prepares her final Inferno spell. Just at that final moment, Lady Melinux suddenly notices there are only 5 of them. She stops and asks: “Where are the other 2?”
“Why you ask Lady Melinux of the Azwarth Empire and why do you want to get to all these fuss just to kill us?” The weird Gnome replied. Asking even more question.
‘Since you all are dying soon, I my as well answer your question. 10 years ago, I foresee my death in my very own kingdom and the people who cause my death were you people. However, to my surprised only 5 arrived. I should have kept Valitry’s head before sending him to the Netherworld.” Lady Melinux replied, laughing out loud wickedly. [LOLW] The moment she finished her speech she noticed that the few who had been frozen, were de-froze and Conman who has been killed by Redoxf’s firebolt spell, was rekindle. Even ItchKing and the weird Gnome have regained their strength. Joining in the now revived group were Hexagon and DeHydrate. With the group now regaining its full strength, Lady Melinux felt threatened. However she has already trapped herself at the very edge of the tower.
With not much effort, Pandara shouted the word “Charge!”. The four brutes charge forward towards Lady Melinux, leaving the other three spell casters to cast protective spells like Steel Skin and Haste on the melee attackers. Overwhelmed by the empowered brute, Lady Melinux jumped out of the tower through a broken part of the wall in front of her. Obviously she has destroyed the wall herself before the group began the attack. However her luck was short-lived. Redoxf cast a teleport spell, teleporting her in front of the now bloodlust gnomes and goblins. She immediately went to her knees and started to beg for mercy. Unluckily, begging only makes the group felt more annoyed. She was at once tied down by a magical shackle which was created by the three spell caster.
The Finale:
With Valitry dead and Melinux captured, the truth of the Island is revealed! The citizens of Azwarth celebrated the success of the mighty group of seven and jeer at the prisoner Melinux, who was their very own Queen. With the end of this mystery, the seven adventurers are now awarded with the title Hero as their first name.
So what is the name of the mysterious weird Gnome? He only reveal himself as Hero Wooky.
[edit] I finally got round to posting the map to the story
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God does not need exist to save us...
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Valeriy
Mage of the Land
Naughty, Naughty Valeriy
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posted April 23, 2006 01:07 AM |
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LOL! I loved the beginning! Itchking and DeHydrate LOL  The last third of the story is not so good 
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You can wait for others to do it, but if they don't know how, you'll wait forever.
Be an example of what you want to see on HC and in the world.
http://www.heroesofmightandmagic.com
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Lady_Milena
Honorable
Known Hero
Grannie Sweet Cheeks
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posted April 24, 2006 10:23 AM |
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I would like to apologize publically to the author of this story for not posting it in time. I have set it as a goal to read a story twice before posting it. It's been Easter weekend in this part of the continent and in all fair I had no chance to go over the submission again. Once again, I'm sorry for the delay.
~edit~ Post edited to fix a few spelling mistakes... mine, from above.
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Obsessed
Written by: Kookastar
Rain. The rain pounds down onto the roof and is seeping through cracks in the ceiling, antagonising me. Each drop is a sordid reminder of where I am, of what I have become. Branches beat against the window with every burst of wind, sounding like a battle anthem calling me into action, waking me from my obsession. Today it must end.
Her image is burnt so deeply into my mind that even when I am away from her, a shadow lingers, clouding my thoughts and slowly driving me to insanity. The howl of the kettle echoes my inner turmoil. I pour the coffee. Two cups; one covered in hearts, a gift I bought her when she first moved in. Not long now…
I can’t believe it has only been three weeks since I first set eyes on her, so pure and innocent with long brown hair and a wide smile. She walked into my life and I knew instantly that things would never be the same again. Dressed to kill, I sucked in my stomach to accentuate my abs and approached her, working my charm, “Hey that dress looks nice. Can I talk you out of it?” She smiled at me, her eyes laughing. My ex-girlfriends had often complained about my shortcomings, but my wit and well-toned body weren’t among them. The bartender placed the drinks I had ordered in front of us and words started flowing. Two hours later we walked hand in hand to my new ride, a Renault Clio. She was suitably impressed. There’s something about a beautiful woman sitting on fresh leather that does it for me. Every time.
The streets were full of people but it felt like we were the only ones in the universe. And those legs, man they went forever. I cranked up the sound, Nightwish’s base keeping rhythm with my heartbeat. My mind kept wandering to the haven I had prepared for her at home. I had spent months gathering all the necessary items to make a room fit for a woman of her calibre. I just had to get that mobile phone from her somehow. We were nearly home.
What the… REM’s puerile chant bellowed loudly. She laughed at my surprise as she answered a call. It was coming from her phone? I suppressed the subsequent nausea and concentrated on her inner thigh. That damn phone had to die. Her giggling banter permeated my thoughts as I drove into the driveway. Thankfully she closed her phone as the garage door closed behind us. Smiling, I took the phone from her, “You’re all mine now baby!” She laughed, and headed through the open door into my living room. Plonk one phone in the bucket, I felt better already.
The next three weeks were filled with all kinds of pleasure as I explored her body, and she surrendered her soul. But as time goes on I am beginning to grow tired of this game. Her once animated face is becoming sour and spiteful. I am spending longer sessions with friends as I try to escape that look in her eyes. And there is a new woman in my sights.
Gathering the now steaming coffee cups, I walk down the hall into her room. She always looks hottest late at night, with the flickering light of the bedside lamp distorting her face until she resembles the characters in Ashan. For a brief moment I consider rekindling the relationship, but know that now is the time. It seems like my whole life has led me to this place, with her, right now.
Setting the coffee on the table, I can’t help but stroke back the hair that has fallen in her eyes. Those eyes. I move away and reach for the camera, I want to capture our last moments together. A red light flashes, I gather her long hair in my hands, curling the locks around my fingers and speak to her softly, “You’ll always be my little noobie”. Then, swiftly and strongly I wind her hair around her slender neck and pull it tight.
No longer do I fear her escape. I untie the chains binding her to the bed, and return them carefully to the hand-carved chest against the wall. The heavy shackles joining the other mementoes of our time together. I will give her one more night with me. I carefully lay her body in the bed and pull the bedsheets around her. I close her eyes and am reminded of our first night together. Feeling at peace at last, I walk back down the hallway and into my den. Back to the place where it all began.
My feet leave the ground as I park myself in my chair, spin once, then activate the portal to my happiness. The green apple insignia lights up as I open my laptop and log on. The adrenalin is pumping as I enter my password, hoping to see a HCM waiting for me from her. She doesn’t disappoint me, she would not degrade me. I am in the matrix now, I see my reflection in the monitor and know my place in this world. TNT_Addict: Promising Famous Hero of Womanising Pigs.
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God does not need exist to save us...
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Lady_Milena
Honorable
Known Hero
Grannie Sweet Cheeks
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posted May 19, 2006 10:25 PM |
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Stopping the Wall
Written by: Lord_Woock
As the mighty warrior Durel climbed another hill standing on his way, he was feeling very confident. He was experienced. He was incredible. He was a living legend. Bards sang countless songs about his innumerable achievements, and some of those were even relatively pleasing to the ear. As far as the reaches of civilisation extend, there was not a single person who would not be aware of the might of Durel. Whenever there was a village threatened by impending danger, everyone called for Durel - and no wonder. Not dragons, not goblin hordes, not demons from the darkest reaches of hell - nothing could ever stand in his way and live. As he stood on top of the hill, he took a deep breath, and examined the gloomy landscape. A sudden chill ran down his spine. Rummaging in his sack, he recovered an apple, took a bite and thought. This could be a problem. Sure, they will not live after I go there. But what happens when they are dead to begin with? How do you kill a corpse? This did not make him feel any happier about things. But then again, he thought, experience shows that I have a faultless survival rate, so the chances of failing on the next attempt are minimal. This reasoning, however far-fetched, rekindled his enthusiasm, and he marched on.
After quite a bit more walking, marching, striding and such, he finally came close enough to take a really good view at his goal. Not stopping in his journey, he contemplated this undoubtedly interesting picture. Surprisingly enough, he saw a dead looking town, with lots of derelict housing and nobody moving about. This surrounded a much larger building, a citadel or castle of sorts, complete with gargoyles and the like. It made an impression as though the architect either had a morbid sense of humour, or forgot to take his medicine on one particular morning. Either way, it was the kind of building that everyone would like to own, but nobody would want to live in. An oversized lawn ornament, one might say. Further shivering ensued.
When Durel finally reached the dead town, despite not seeing anyone, he felt seen. He felt watched and very exposed. The air was rather unusual. It smelled like yesterday, or perhaps a thousand yesterdays rolled into one. He did not find this surprising, but only because surprise is not at home without expectation. What is one to expect from the air which fills the lungs of people who haven't breathed for many years? And then there was this looming lump of disturbing architecture. Not comforting at all. Still, Durel was not afraid. Uncertain, yes, but never afraid.
He stood before the humongous pile of decorative stone, wondering how expensive it must have been. A terrible waste of money, he decided, and opened the great door. As previously seen outside, the inside of the building was an amazing display of various kinds of obsidian. The walls were lined with candelabra, but their purpose there must have been purely aesthetical – there were no candles. The idea of unlit lighting, although absurd, was not as disturbing to Durel as the unbearably loud echo that accompanied his footsteps. Then he realised that he heard someone else in the echo. His curiosity being stimulated, he started walking faster, and soon noticed that the other person – if it was indeed a person – had slowed down, and then Durel only heard his own steps. As he took a left turn, he ran into someone short, covered in boils and other unpleasant things. He took a few quick steps back and looked at whom he encountered.
‘Ah, it’th you,’ said the stranger. ‘The Overtheer will thee you now’. He turned around and limped away. After several steps, he stopped and turned around.
‘Are you coming or not?’ he said impatiently. Confused, Durel followed. As they walked along these dark halls, he wondered who in the world could possibly need so much of them. The only purpose that came to mind was the possibility of having a healthy morning jog without the risk of being mutilated by rebelling peasants.
Durel was feeling rather uncomfortable with the thought of following this abomination around a sinister castle like this, but whenever he tried to think why he didn’t just kill the filthy little midget, he got distracted by his occasional coughing fits and the irritating echo. Eventually, the limping stopped. This was largely due to the stranger’s general lack of horizontal movement.
‘You will go through thith door now. The Overtheer ith waiting for you,’ he said. Durel looked at the door, looked back at the stranger, who was no longer there. Durel opened the door.
What he saw was an inviting, circular chamber with a fireplace, currently extinguished, and bookshelves lining the walls. There was a rather fancy chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and a writing desk on the side of the room opposite of the door. The desk was stacked with lots of paperwork which was probably as important as it was tedious. Behind the desk sat a skinny looking fellow dressed in a rather flashy robe and an odd hat. Paradoxically, the lack of skin on his face contributed to this impression considerably.
‘Ah, here comes our valiant hero!’ said the oddly clothed being. ‘I am the Overseer of this fine settlement. And you? What is your name?’. If he had any muscles to indicate this, he would probably be smiling now.
`I am Durel,’ said Durel. ‘I have come here to-’
‘Let me guess,’ the Overseer interrupted. ‘To destroy the hive of foul fiends that is us? As much as I appreciate your effort, I would rather have you know what you are trying to do before you wind up regretting things that could be easily avoided.’ Durel gave him a puzzled look. ‘You look at us, and you see undead. Furthermore, you see organised undead, led by a charismatic leader, such as myself. Naturally, you and your people feel intimidated by our presence. You fear,’ – upon hearing the phrase, a muscle twitched on Durel’s face – ‘that we will raid your villages, ruthlessly murdering your women and children, to strengthen our cause. Of course, this is completely understandable. But you see, our goal is not in degrading the living to dust – on the contrary! In fact, what we provide is what religion promises – an afterlife.’
‘But our gods give us that as well. Every child knows where people go when they die,’ explained Durel.
‘But has every child seen proof? Has anyone, for that matter? Did you ever receive a letter from your late aunt? While on the other hand, there’s us. I am living, breathing proof that our way works without failure!’ said the Overseer. ‘A figure of speech, of course,’ he added, noticing Durel’s smirk.
‘Yes, but why would anyone want to choose your way? I can see you are different, but the others are just mindless drones.’ Said Durel.
‘Now now, let’s not be too harsh. They may have their shortcomings, like the inability to think, but they still have feelings. And to answer your question.,, You see, what we run here is the perfect society. Everyone gives according to their abilities and takes according to their needs. When you are dead, you do no eat or sleep and generally your needs are little to none. For the exact same reason, you can contribute a lot to society. They may not think, but they can still experience the joy of a job well done,’ the Overseer explained.
‘And yet I do not see a line of people waiting to sign up,’ Durel commented.
‘True. You see, most people don’t like talking about the guaranteed post mortem events. Most find it uncomfortable to discuss coffins they would like to be buried in, exactly because the choice will inevitably be made. Religion is much more vague, and therefore a convenient conversation topic.
‘And we do not need people to willingly express interest in our… services. You see, people die of many causes. War is a popular one. When a bloody battle is over, it is not winged vixens that take the soldiers’ souls to a better place. It is us who take them to a safe one.‘
‘So you decide their fate against their own will?’ Durel asked.
The Overseer shrugged. ‘I suppose so. But is it not better than choosing your own afterlife which will never come anyway?’
‘Consider this: as I said, we do have our shortcomings, true. But so do you, and disease and fear are not ones of ours. If you still want to vanquish us, then I cannot prevent you from trying. But whatever your decision will be, make sure you don’t leave it to mere emotion or chance’ said the Overseer.
Durel nodded and left the room.
He still hated these wretched halls.
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EDIT: edited because I went back to add italics I missed in the original text.
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God does not need exist to save us...
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