Story Arc #1: The Castle of Shadows
Confrontation
A chapter of a ‘choose your own’ story.
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You decide that there is no more time to lose.
With the mace gripped tightly in one hand, and Balorg just behind you with his bandolier of daggers, you stalk towards the door.
The door is very large, and looks to be made of wood that has darkened with age. You can smell the mustiness of the oak. There is no lock; you push, and it swings open.
You take in a breath as you step forward and look around you. It feels as if you have stepped into the throne room of an ancient medieval fortress.
No — it looks older than any castle you have seen before. It must predate even the medieval era.
Could this really be the Castle of Shadows, from ancient Celtic legends?
You feel sure that it is!
The main area in front of you is oval rather than rectangular. You stand at one end, and there is huge empty throne at the other, with a fire burning low behind it. There are open archways in the walls to both your left and right; despite the many torches in sconces dotted around the walls and pillars, you can’t see what these lead to. However, the main chamber is much better lit than any of the underground areas you have been to so far.
Jade stands in the center of the floor ahead near a table, now flanked by two armored knights in chainmail, and with several more goblins standing just a few feet away from her. The goblins are holding a long wooden casket, around half the size of a coffin. It, too, looks to be made of very ancient oak.
Your eyes are drawn to how inexplicably splendid Jade looks; she is in magnificent silk robes, and ancient-looking jewellery the likes of which you have never seen.
This is not the same woman you have adventured with in the past. She has transformed. She looks more like a Celtic queen, beautiful and dangerous.
And you feel at least half sure that her minions have the Sword of Light in the box.
“Stop right there, Jade,” you call out, your voice echoing around the huge chamber. “As my former partner, you should know better than this! You can’t steal an ancient artefact! The sword should be given over to the care of the local villagers, and this ancient fortress shared with the scientific community.”
Jade peers at you for a moment, and then shrugs. “Oh. I didn’t recognise you for a moment. You are a small and insignificant thing down here, and now that your information has led me to the prize…”
She pauses, glances sideways at the wooden box, and then looks at one of the knights. “Master L’Roche, these intruders are of no further use to me. Kill them!”
One of the knights now stalks towards you, drawing a sword. He’s a huge, muscular warrior. You have no armor, and only a mace in your hand. Even if you can count on Balorg’s help, you realize that you are outmatched.
As the knight closes in, what are you going to do?
- Try to surprise Master L’Roche by leaping forward and hitting out with your mace.
- Run for the exit to the left.
- Run for the exit to the right.
- Try to get past the knights and Jade, and grab the box.
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