Hi hi! Very new to the community, so I figured I'd participate in this discussion. here's my brief list of video games that resonated with me:
And, finally, my favorite game of all time:
Hello all! I’m quite excited to submit this idea for the contest. I’ve been running a D&D campaign in this world for a few months now, and have been itching to do something more with it. Ideas of novels have crossed my mind, and I may still go down that road. However, I discovered this site via Reddit (today actually) and thought it could be exactly the thing I’m looking for. Be warned: I exposition a lot lmao. This will be quite a long submission, as I’ve poured a lot of time into this world. Ultimately, the first paragraph is all that’s necessary for a basic understanding of what this Tale will consist of. Read more if you please, or don’t if not. I hope you enjoy!
The Divine Deck
In the land of Aenia, every 1000 years, a great challenge is issued. The gods, in all their glory, reassemble the Divine Deck for another round of challengers. Each of the 22 gods select their champion(s), great figures who they believe will be greater than all the others. They that assemble the Divine Deck, in its entirety, are granted a great boon: one wish of their choosing. Two such contests have already passed, and you have been chosen as a champion for the third.
Brief History of Aenia
The land of Aenia came into being by the hand of the gods. They infused their powers into the world and the people within, creating a land of magic and warfare. They utilized a set of cards, known as the Divine Deck, as catalysts for their power. As time passed, they granted mortals these cards as boons for their devotion. They became symbols of divine favor and power. Many a mortal kingdom arose due to possessing a card, while many others faltered because of their influence. The cards have influenced the land for 3000 years now, and they show no sign of stopping their influence.
Setting
As previously mentioned, this Tale takes place on a continent called Aenia (for the most part), a land divided into a few different nations. I’ll give some brief descriptions of the major nations here:
The Humanitas Imperii: A human empire, inspired by the Roman Empire. The ruling family is a bit… closed-minded, to say the least. They’ve declared humanity superior to the other species on the continent, much to the ire of their neighbors. They’ve even proclaimed themselves superior to the other humans, which has gotten them in even more trouble.
The Holy State of Harania: A human kingdom, inspired by the Levant. They generally keep to themselves in most circumstances unless provoked, such as by the Imperii, whom they are currently engaged in a bloody war with.
Szorethin: A Dark Elf state ruled by a council of elected individuals, Szorethin has become an incredible naval superpower. They’ve begun charting expeditions out into the sea, hopeful to discover more islands to expand their influence. They’ve recently merged with several orc tribes, and even added a seat to the council for the orcs in a gesture of good faith.
Moceria: A human kingdom, inspired by medieval Spain. Moceria has been a well-established power for hundreds of years. The ruling family is very well-respected. Tensions with the Imperii have been running high as of late, with talks of joining their war against Harania circulating in the palaces.
Ziradznib: A Dwarven kingdom which has had its borders pushed further into the mountains as of late. The Imperii has made the dwarves their main targets, leading to a very unfortunate destruction of Dwarven culture in many places.
In addition, here’s a map I’ve cooked up. I didn’t talk about all the nations on this map for the sake of brevity. I’d be more than happy to explain the rest to anyone who is interested. (This map was created with the program "Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator". Note that this map was not simply a randomly generated one.)
Characters
Here’s a basic overview of six characters. Three NPC helpers for the player(s), two antagonistic characters, and one character that’s a bit… different.
NPCs
Bodger, Disinherited Lord of Clan Raleigh:
A member of a high ranking Dragonborn clan, Bodger was disinherited of his titles due to his inability to cast magic. Angered and seeking vengeance, Bodger sees the opportunity presented to him by the gods’ challenge as a way to exact vengeance for his betrayal. While not a card-bearer himself, he will certainly make a loyal friend in this quest, provided you have no dealings with his family.
Nari, Shrouded in Shadow:
A dark elf shrouded in darkness is a relatively uncommon sight in Aenia these days. Undeterred by this, Nari remains in the darkness. His past is just as mysterious as he is. What secrets is he carrying? Only time will tell.
Theron, Officer of the Mage Corps.:
Theron, a dark elf of great renown, has served in the Szorethin mage corps. for a very long time. An esteemed officer, commanding a squadron of war mages, Theron earned many accolades in many wars. Theron withdrew from the armed forces recently, citing “independent study” as his reasoning. His studies have led him here, prepared to help collect cards. His magical prowess would certainly be invaluable.
Ascensor, Lord of the Wyverns:
Born a thousand years ago, Ascensor was the last in a long line of great Wyvern Tamers. Bound to a pact with the leaders of the Imperii at the end of a brutal war, Ascensor was made to serve the rulers after his death. He has finally been granted a chance at eternal rest, if he can complete one last task. His mission? To gather the cards. Pray you aren’t in the vicinity when you hear his wyvern screeching.
Rhag, the War Butcher:
A fearsome orc, leader of the Horde of Bror. He wields two battleaxes, infused with the two cards he was granted. The chosen champion of two gods is always a force to be reckoned with, and Rhag is no different. He has felled hundreds, if not thousands, of enemy soldiers. He will certainly continue to do so now that he has the power of cards.
The Keeper:
He looks like a corpse. He never moves. He never speaks. He just sits. He stares. He watches. Those who have seen him up close say that spiders crawl out of his empty, black eye sockets. They say he always tries to bargain with individuals. He doesn’t deal in gold, though. He deals in memories, skills, and the like. Recently, he’s taken to dealing cards.
Plot Points and Quests:
Obviously, the main goal here will be to obtain the cards. However, there are plenty of other things going on in the world, some of which also relate to the cards. Here are a few examples:
The Grand Tournament:
Brakrukk Shattershield, the orc elected to Szorethin’s council, has organized a great tournament. He has sent out an invitation to all reaches of the land. The invitation was to a grand tournament, the greatest ever held within Aenia. The rewards would be riches beyond one’s wildest dreams, powerful weaponry, and cards. A vast multitude of card-bearers will be in attendance, so why not throw your hat in the ring?
The Slumbering Giant:
Legends abound of a fearsome beast that lies on an island far from the main land. This island, the only portion of the continent which is not inhabited, is said to be home to a great Turtle Dragon, and her great horde. The legends say that she will slumber, just as she has for centuries, until a great event awakens her and her thirst for wealth and power. A terrible roar was heard coming from the direction of the island recently, audible across the entire continent. This can mean only one thing: the slumbering giant has awoken.
Across the ocean:
A humongous event has just occurred. Szorethin's explorers finally found what they've been looking for: more land. An entire new continent, if they're to be believed. They've told of strange inhabitants with their own languages, weaponry, and magic. Many a noble is sending out an expedition to chart and claim these new lands. Your interest may be piqued, should you choose to explore.
Conclusion
If you’ve read everything, thank you so much for your time, and profuse apologies for how long it was lol. If you skipped down here after reading some of it, thank you for reading any of my work. It truly makes me happy that even just a fraction of it was worth reading. Good luck to everyone else submitting Tales for the contest. No matter who wins, I get the feeling that we’re going to create something special here :).
Hello all! I noticed some people were sharing some incredible stories here, and it gave me an idea. I'll be writing here semi-frequently about events which may (or may not) transpire in my Tale, as well as some events which took place long before the plot of my tale occurred. This will (hopefully) give the characters I mentioned, as well as the tale in general, a bit more depth. That aside, I hope you enjoy!
Bodger nearly strangled his lance. Sweat was beading down his brow. He looked askance. He was about to engage in two activities he had never touched before. One may think that he was primarily worried about the potential for injuries from the joust he was soon to engage in, and they'd be half right. In truth, he was scared to joust. It was an activity reserved for the nobles of the realm; an activity he was never allowed to participate in. It was not, however, his primary concern. His primary concern was simple, really.
He was jousting against his family.
He hadn't seen his family in ages. They kicked him out long ago. "Bodger can't cast magic," they said, grimacing at the embarrassment. "He must go." They removed him without another word. Born in the comfort of nobility, Bodger was made to live as an urchin, begging on street corners for money. In the most dire of circumstances, Bodger rose to a state of near-prominence. He had found himself here, in a tournament amongst individuals far more famous than he, ready to face combat like he had never seen before. Until this moment, he never thought he would see his family again. A part of him had always wanted to meet them again. A part of him wanted nothing more than to be accepted once again. It wasn't until now that he realized just how foolish that was.
He had little time to prepare. He wore simple chainmail and a basic, wooden lance. His opponent's armor glistened like moonlight, his shield adorned with crests Bodger had long stopped associating with. It was apparent to everyone present: Bodger was terribly outmatched. Even still, a flame burned in his heart. He was determined to showcase his worth, no matter who stood before him. With that decided, he trotted his horse forward and raised his lance.
The two faced each other, ready for the contest that was about to take place. A trumpet sounded. To one competitor, it was a sound of triumph, a call to action. To the other, though he did not know it yet, it was a symbol of fleeting hope.
The two charged at each other in a flash. Their lances remained steady, aiming at each other's breastplates. Then, without warning, a bright light began to shine. Bodger was momentarily taken off guard. He saw his opponent's lance flash a golden light, shining like the sun itself. His opponent channeled this energy, harnessing it to imbue his strike with divine might. The energy exploded on Bodger's chest, instantly dehorsing him. The audience began to boo vigorously while the judges declared him disqualified, as such magic was certainly forbidden. Bodger heard none of this, nor did he see it, for all he could see was the golden light of his downfall. His opponent soon made his way to Bodger, kneeling down towards him. For the next several hours, Bodger would hear nothing but his opponent's words, cutting into him like blades of war.
"Back to where you belong; writhing in the dirt. Don't try us again, maggot. You don't know what else we're capable of."
My favorite video game is, without a doubt, the Binding of Isaac. I’ve always kinda dreamed of running a Binding of Isaac themed campaign some time, and I think the randomness of it could turn it into to something really weird and unique, especially if it could be compressed down to a type of game that could complete a “campaign” in 30-45 minutes. Maybe I’m crazy for the idea, but it sounds hella fun to me
Honestly, I'm quite disappointed in mine. I had two more submissions in the works that I just never managed to get put together in time, and I think my current one is lacking in a lot of ways. But that's ok. Live and learn
Honestly, I'm quite disappointed in mine. I had two more submissions in the works that I just never managed to get put together in time, and I think my current one is lacking in a lot of ways. But that's ok. Live and learn
My favorite video game is, without a doubt, the Binding of Isaac. I’ve always kinda dreamed of running a Binding of Isaac themed campaign some time, and I think the randomness of it could turn it into to something really weird and unique, especially if it could be compressed down to a type of game that could complete a “campaign” in 30-45 minutes. Maybe I’m crazy for the idea, but it sounds hella fun to me
Hello all! I noticed some people were sharing some incredible stories here, and it gave me an idea. I'll be writing here semi-frequently about events which may (or may not) transpire in my Tale, as well as some events which took place long before the plot of my tale occurred. This will (hopefully) give the characters I mentioned, as well as the tale in general, a bit more depth. That aside, I hope you enjoy!
Bodger nearly strangled his lance. Sweat was beading down his brow. He looked askance. He was about to engage in two activities he had never touched before. One may think that he was primarily worried about the potential for injuries from the joust he was soon to engage in, and they'd be half right. In truth, he was scared to joust. It was an activity reserved for the nobles of the realm; an activity he was never allowed to participate in. It was not, however, his primary concern. His primary concern was simple, really.
He was jousting against his family.
He hadn't seen his family in ages. They kicked him out long ago. "Bodger can't cast magic," they said, grimacing at the embarrassment. "He must go." They removed him without another word. Born in the comfort of nobility, Bodger was made to live as an urchin, begging on street corners for money. In the most dire of circumstances, Bodger rose to a state of near-prominence. He had found himself here, in a tournament amongst individuals far more famous than he, ready to face combat like he had never seen before. Until this moment, he never thought he would see his family again. A part of him had always wanted to meet them again. A part of him wanted nothing more than to be accepted once again. It wasn't until now that he realized just how foolish that was.
He had little time to prepare. He wore simple chainmail and a basic, wooden lance. His opponent's armor glistened like moonlight, his shield adorned with crests Bodger had long stopped associating with. It was apparent to everyone present: Bodger was terribly outmatched. Even still, a flame burned in his heart. He was determined to showcase his worth, no matter who stood before him. With that decided, he trotted his horse forward and raised his lance.
The two faced each other, ready for the contest that was about to take place. A trumpet sounded. To one competitor, it was a sound of triumph, a call to action. To the other, though he did not know it yet, it was a symbol of fleeting hope.
The two charged at each other in a flash. Their lances remained steady, aiming at each other's breastplates. Then, without warning, a bright light began to shine. Bodger was momentarily taken off guard. He saw his opponent's lance flash a golden light, shining like the sun itself. His opponent channeled this energy, harnessing it to imbue his strike with divine might. The energy exploded on Bodger's chest, instantly dehorsing him. The audience began to boo vigorously while the judges declared him disqualified, as such magic was certainly forbidden. Bodger heard none of this, nor did he see it, for all he could see was the golden light of his downfall. His opponent soon made his way to Bodger, kneeling down towards him. For the next several hours, Bodger would hear nothing but his opponent's words, cutting into him like blades of war.
"Back to where you belong; writhing in the dirt. Don't try us again, maggot. You don't know what else we're capable of."
Hi hi! Very new to the community, so I figured I'd participate in this discussion. here's my brief list of video games that resonated with me:
And, finally, my favorite game of all time:
Hello all! I’m quite excited to submit this idea for the contest. I’ve been running a D&D campaign in this world for a few months now, and have been itching to do something more with it. Ideas of novels have crossed my mind, and I may still go down that road. However, I discovered this site via Reddit (today actually) and thought it could be exactly the thing I’m looking for. Be warned: I exposition a lot lmao. This will be quite a long submission, as I’ve poured a lot of time into this world. Ultimately, the first paragraph is all that’s necessary for a basic understanding of what this Tale will consist of. Read more if you please, or don’t if not. I hope you enjoy!
The Divine Deck
In the land of Aenia, every 1000 years, a great challenge is issued. The gods, in all their glory, reassemble the Divine Deck for another round of challengers. Each of the 22 gods select their champion(s), great figures who they believe will be greater than all the others. They that assemble the Divine Deck, in its entirety, are granted a great boon: one wish of their choosing. Two such contests have already passed, and you have been chosen as a champion for the third.
Brief History of Aenia
The land of Aenia came into being by the hand of the gods. They infused their powers into the world and the people within, creating a land of magic and warfare. They utilized a set of cards, known as the Divine Deck, as catalysts for their power. As time passed, they granted mortals these cards as boons for their devotion. They became symbols of divine favor and power. Many a mortal kingdom arose due to possessing a card, while many others faltered because of their influence. The cards have influenced the land for 3000 years now, and they show no sign of stopping their influence.
Setting
As previously mentioned, this Tale takes place on a continent called Aenia (for the most part), a land divided into a few different nations. I’ll give some brief descriptions of the major nations here:
The Humanitas Imperii: A human empire, inspired by the Roman Empire. The ruling family is a bit… closed-minded, to say the least. They’ve declared humanity superior to the other species on the continent, much to the ire of their neighbors. They’ve even proclaimed themselves superior to the other humans, which has gotten them in even more trouble.
The Holy State of Harania: A human kingdom, inspired by the Levant. They generally keep to themselves in most circumstances unless provoked, such as by the Imperii, whom they are currently engaged in a bloody war with.
Szorethin: A Dark Elf state ruled by a council of elected individuals, Szorethin has become an incredible naval superpower. They’ve begun charting expeditions out into the sea, hopeful to discover more islands to expand their influence. They’ve recently merged with several orc tribes, and even added a seat to the council for the orcs in a gesture of good faith.
Moceria: A human kingdom, inspired by medieval Spain. Moceria has been a well-established power for hundreds of years. The ruling family is very well-respected. Tensions with the Imperii have been running high as of late, with talks of joining their war against Harania circulating in the palaces.
Ziradznib: A Dwarven kingdom which has had its borders pushed further into the mountains as of late. The Imperii has made the dwarves their main targets, leading to a very unfortunate destruction of Dwarven culture in many places.
In addition, here’s a map I’ve cooked up. I didn’t talk about all the nations on this map for the sake of brevity. I’d be more than happy to explain the rest to anyone who is interested. (This map was created with the program "Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator". Note that this map was not simply a randomly generated one.)
Characters
Here’s a basic overview of six characters. Three NPC helpers for the player(s), two antagonistic characters, and one character that’s a bit… different.
NPCs
Bodger, Disinherited Lord of Clan Raleigh:
A member of a high ranking Dragonborn clan, Bodger was disinherited of his titles due to his inability to cast magic. Angered and seeking vengeance, Bodger sees the opportunity presented to him by the gods’ challenge as a way to exact vengeance for his betrayal. While not a card-bearer himself, he will certainly make a loyal friend in this quest, provided you have no dealings with his family.
Nari, Shrouded in Shadow:
A dark elf shrouded in darkness is a relatively uncommon sight in Aenia these days. Undeterred by this, Nari remains in the darkness. His past is just as mysterious as he is. What secrets is he carrying? Only time will tell.
Theron, Officer of the Mage Corps.:
Theron, a dark elf of great renown, has served in the Szorethin mage corps. for a very long time. An esteemed officer, commanding a squadron of war mages, Theron earned many accolades in many wars. Theron withdrew from the armed forces recently, citing “independent study” as his reasoning. His studies have led him here, prepared to help collect cards. His magical prowess would certainly be invaluable.
Ascensor, Lord of the Wyverns:
Born a thousand years ago, Ascensor was the last in a long line of great Wyvern Tamers. Bound to a pact with the leaders of the Imperii at the end of a brutal war, Ascensor was made to serve the rulers after his death. He has finally been granted a chance at eternal rest, if he can complete one last task. His mission? To gather the cards. Pray you aren’t in the vicinity when you hear his wyvern screeching.
Rhag, the War Butcher:
A fearsome orc, leader of the Horde of Bror. He wields two battleaxes, infused with the two cards he was granted. The chosen champion of two gods is always a force to be reckoned with, and Rhag is no different. He has felled hundreds, if not thousands, of enemy soldiers. He will certainly continue to do so now that he has the power of cards.
The Keeper:
He looks like a corpse. He never moves. He never speaks. He just sits. He stares. He watches. Those who have seen him up close say that spiders crawl out of his empty, black eye sockets. They say he always tries to bargain with individuals. He doesn’t deal in gold, though. He deals in memories, skills, and the like. Recently, he’s taken to dealing cards.
Plot Points and Quests:
Obviously, the main goal here will be to obtain the cards. However, there are plenty of other things going on in the world, some of which also relate to the cards. Here are a few examples:
The Grand Tournament:
Brakrukk Shattershield, the orc elected to Szorethin’s council, has organized a great tournament. He has sent out an invitation to all reaches of the land. The invitation was to a grand tournament, the greatest ever held within Aenia. The rewards would be riches beyond one’s wildest dreams, powerful weaponry, and cards. A vast multitude of card-bearers will be in attendance, so why not throw your hat in the ring?
The Slumbering Giant:
Legends abound of a fearsome beast that lies on an island far from the main land. This island, the only portion of the continent which is not inhabited, is said to be home to a great Turtle Dragon, and her great horde. The legends say that she will slumber, just as she has for centuries, until a great event awakens her and her thirst for wealth and power. A terrible roar was heard coming from the direction of the island recently, audible across the entire continent. This can mean only one thing: the slumbering giant has awoken.
Across the ocean:
A humongous event has just occurred. Szorethin's explorers finally found what they've been looking for: more land. An entire new continent, if they're to be believed. They've told of strange inhabitants with their own languages, weaponry, and magic. Many a noble is sending out an expedition to chart and claim these new lands. Your interest may be piqued, should you choose to explore.
Conclusion
If you’ve read everything, thank you so much for your time, and profuse apologies for how long it was lol. If you skipped down here after reading some of it, thank you for reading any of my work. It truly makes me happy that even just a fraction of it was worth reading. Good luck to everyone else submitting Tales for the contest. No matter who wins, I get the feeling that we’re going to create something special here :).