Time's up.
Just to recap: the task was to write descriptions for a selection of the levels that will be found in the upcoming Drod game.
Details and contest rules here.
We've had 8 entries with plenty of imaginative and well written level descriptions.
Here they are:
Tahnan
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×Outer Walls (of the Rasarun Court): It doesn’t take more than a cursory survey of the Rasarun Court to know that they mean business. And given the high walls, the frequent patrols, and the guard towers spaced closely enough for messages to be easily shouted from one to the next, the business they mean is clearly the security business....and business is booming. It’s certain that no one is getting in or out without official approval—though it’s just as certain that, in these times, Tuenan spies have found a way.
The Rasarun Court: The architecture of the Rasarun Court is as functional and impressive inside as it was outside. The corridors are broad, the arches massive, the balconies ubiquitous, all suggesting that, no matter where you are, your scheming can be seen and heard across the wide-open sightlines—unless you have an office behind one of the thick soundproofed doors. At this moment, however, the dominant decorative detail to any neutral observer would surely be the giant roaches swarming around. (A Tuenan observer, on the other hand, might claim he can’t distinguish them from the usual occupants.)
Heaval Hall: Tuenans, whose architectural tastes emphasize form over function and beauty over utility, cannot look at this kind of building without calling Rasaruns “part mountain-skipper,” and probably repeating some ugly stories about how they got that way. In truth, even most Rasaruns look askance at crumbling floors over deep chasms. Only warriors inhabit such buildings, in part for their strength against invaders but mostly for bragging rights over living in ever more inhospitable surroundings.
Grotto Hideout: When Rasaruns set up hidden bases, they scatter their sleeping pads haphazardly around the edges of a cave and sit on the ground in the middle. This grotto, on the other hand, has all the hallmarks of a Tuenan camp: stones evenly spaced around a fire pit, sleeping pads in neat parallel lines, plates and silverware carefully stacked in a corner with no lingering food scraps from previous meals. The vines camouflaging the entrance have a noticable aesthetic to their too-casual draping. It even looks as if someone has begun to draw patterns on the walls with a moss-based paint.
Daskeros Tower: With mosaics and tapestries covering every surface, Daskeros Tower is a monument to Tuenan aesthetic sensibilities. Nevertheless, the trained eye can see that much of the artwork seems designed to draw attention away from the security features: inlaid doors are no less solid than plain wood, glittering gold-tiled walls accented with maroon are no more scalable than smooth stone, sweeping staircases are no less defensible than straight ones. If the Tuenans really are holding a Rasarun chief prisoner here, he’s not escaping on his own and he’s not going to be easily rescued from the outside.
Akandian Tunnels: You have to wonder sometimes if a Great Architect in the Sky designed Akandia to drive people crazy. Aboveground you have the Zealot’s Plague, but down here it’s a short walk to hallucinations and paranoid delusions...and there’s no shortage of passages to walk down. In all directions the way is
claustrophobic, and the faint illumination casts more shadows than light. The occasional humming noise of something awakening and settling back down echoes through the tunnels, impossible to pinpoint.
The Architest
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×Outer Walls You're not an idler, now are you? If you answered no, then you will be fine. But if you instead said the word, "yes" and then tried to say something off-topic, you are so finished if you went to this place called Outer Walls.
You see, they don't like idlers. It's almost like they hate him. I think that's a good word for it. But yes, the people in that place are very strict. If you don't have offical business to say or show, you don't have anykind of chance to get in there!
It's good there's this an another way to there, and you can try find it.
If you're not an idler..
Skondusk Marshes As the mist lands on the marshes of Skondusk, you'll find yourself in a little, yet big
trouble. It's the fact that you possibly can't cross these marshes by walking through it.
No, you're probably going to drown if you would. But wait, they said you could borrow a raft if you had to use one.
Gunthro, in fact was suprised to hear word "raft" in here. Back in the home, these kind of rafts were made of some sort of metal, so they would look "cool". They were very cool, as in the temperature, because they would sink soon as they were sent in water.
Oh well, just hope these are good rafts.
Daskeros Caves Undergrounds can be quite scary and exciting at same time. If you're an adventurer,
you would really love this place. Dark and eerie atmosphere fills these parts of the
Eight, and there's even a beautiful river!
But that's not everything! You see, if there's a cave, there's a life. And if there's life,
there's death. Creatures of underground lurk in the caverns of Daskeran, and they hate
people that come from sunny side of the world. But what kind of creatures are in there,
is a mystery to many people. Maybe they would know if someone would come back
from there? Maybe.
Wraithwing Swamp During the time of traveling, many species of the Eighth would became known. But not many had traveled through this swamp. Survivors would tell stories about winged, black monsters, with strong-looking legs, and weak arms.
They are called "wraithwings", and the swamp is named after them. Being very smart and angry in group, yet cowardly alone. Nowadays people know wraithwings' behaviour, what they eat and when do they seek possible mate. They usually eat many kind of meats, from fish to human, and they usually escape away from floods that strike in their nests, just because they couldn't think up better place to build it.
Many people have tried to mimic their flight, and not many have prevailed. Records show that over 430 people have died to "Wraithwing Syndrome". May the future give us wings, shall be mystery to mankind.
Slithia's Nest
Empire had planned to create bigger and more dangerous snakes than normal ones were.
So, one day they sent 46th Snake Holding Man to collect some snakes for experimental use. Taking them deep in the underground, their... snaky families were left untold about fate of their loved ones, if snakes have feelings. That's what were trying to find out later, but anyways...
Months later, giantic red snake would lurk from the underground! Not just one, many and even more than many word can tell! Nobody could kill them, as their skin was tough. But people weren't giving up, they would send human bait in the underground to lurk snakes back there! So they did, and it was successful! Sad fate of this human bait hasn't been revealed. But they know one thing.
Those snakes, Serpents, are still alive in there. (I don't know where the nest is, but I chosen the underground, feel free to edit it!).
Rock Giant Lair There's an old saying in the Akandia, "Befriend a Golem, and it befriends you". It's kind of cute at first, but if you knew what kind of idiots golems were, you would think twice. I think the inventor of that saying is kind of stupid, too!
Befriend means kill to them, kill means kill to them and even a puppy means kill to them! And these golems aren't those small ones, they're just HUGE! Rock Giants, in fact is their name. Crushing everything at their sight, no matter what it is. But because of their size, they can't fit in small hallways.
But I am sure you wil soon know more about these all-strong dumbheads, as this lair is full of them.
12th Archivist
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×The Rasarun Court
Ancient legend states this was once an old temple of worship. Priests would lead prayer for the local residents and guide them through various hardships. Ironically, when the priests betrayed their principles in the quest for treasure and slew the villagers, the court became a place not of hope but rather fear. The former temple became the seat of modern Rasarun authority, made up of those priests.
But Gunthro knew none of this history, instead choosing to walk ignorantly into the metaphorical foyer of darkness. And the literal foyer of roaches.
Skondusk Marshes
Frankthro groaned as his boots sank into the soggy, unstable mud that threatened to keep his boots permanently. Looking ahead, he saw only deeper, wetter mud broken only by a few stony outcroppings. Being the resourceful smitemaster that he was, Frankthro realized that walking would not get him across the area. Rather, the strange, flat boats that glistened blue looked like they could glide across the mud with ease. They seemed rather cumbersome and bulky -- it would be difficult navigating narrow passages with these -- but they were his only option at this point.
Daskeran Caves
Buzur the goblin disliked crawling through the dark, wet caves. So, when the goblin chief asked him to scout the entrance, he immediately tried to refuse, saying no one in their right minds would pass through the cave system. The goblin chief personally dragged Buzur to the edge of the goblin village and scowled, saying sane men or goblins were not the problem. He then sent Buzur on his way to watch the entrance.
Funny how it was at this time that Frankthro stumbled through the slick rocks that surrounded the cave mouth just as Buzur appeared at the same place.
“You crazy man?” Buzur asked when the strange man raised his head.
“Yeah, probably,” Frankthro replied, still dazed.
“Ahh! Intruder! Intruder!” Buzur screamed and ran off.
“Oh, glub.” Frankthro thought to himself.
Inauro Canyon
Inauro is a large city bound by giant mountain peaks and plateaus. Massive canyons etch lines through the mountains, and the greatest of these is named after the city it tunnels into. Some say gypsies wander through the wastes of the bottom of the canyon, but this is only a myth. One thing was for certain, though. Frankthro realized he was not the only person to have ventured into the dusty flat.
Wraithwing Swamp
Frudu was a renowned explorer, cartographer, and analyzer in his time. Drawing upon his hard work, Benedict made the Master Map of the Eighth that marked the start of “civilized” times when people thought about things before doing them. During one of his adventures, Frudu found a collection of winged creatures that almost resembled mythical creatures known as “wraiths”. Thus, he named them “wraithwings”. He learned a lot about wraithwings, such as how they ate and interacted with each other. Much to his surprise, he noticed that their behavior mimicked that of wraiths; they were cautious and wary alone but became dangerous foes when working together. Also like wraiths, they used their large claws to shred prey.
Rock Giant Lair
Rocks are strange things. They are incredibly dense and heavy and can resist very hot temperatures. With effort and knowledge, one can even make them come alive. Of course, one rock is not much. An organized collection of rocks functions better, but is still ineffective.
Then we get to rock behemoths. Dozens of rocks of titanic proportions blending together in a chaotic harmony of strength and anger can form the most powerful beings ever to lurk within the Eighth. Even the strongest of sword strikes -- strikes that could cut an ordinary rock golem cleanly in half -- could not bring down one of these legendary beings. Not in one blow, anyway, as Frankthro would soon realize.
techant (1st entry)
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× Outer Walls:
"Report!" The corner guard yelled at him for the 129th time tonight. "All Clear!", he yelled back. Only 10 more days of this dreadful night duty. That would be the last time he went snooping where he had no business.
A smuggler might pay a hansom fee to get the location of that secret entrance, but his last attempt at finding it had landed him on four months of night watch. It was not worth it to miss his sleep. Only ten more days he thought to himself as he yelled "All Clear!" one more time.
Heaval Hall:
"That path had looked more stable than it really was", he said to no one in particular as he dusted himself off. Grumpy from his spill he decided to have a look around before he moved any further. It was a good thing too. On closer inspection it was clear that the ground might give way anytime. And to make things worse it seemed some Rasarun warrior had placed trapdoors all over the place. "I hate trapdoors!" Gunthro grumbled to no one in particular as he took his first few calculated step. This was going to take longer than he had planned.
Skondusk Marshes:
He had waited for long enough. Where was the operator for the ferry service anyway. It was getting dark and this constant warm mist had him soaked to the bone. A guide would mean he could get dry again faster, but everyone was either off to a party he had not been invited to or they had fled for their lives.
As he launched out he settled on the first option. After all it was best not to be thinking about strange and scary monsters of the marsh. Suddenly the raft seemed smaller than it did just a moment ago.
Wraithwing Swamp:
"Wraithwing Swamp" that is what the locals called it. Declared a breeding ground for Wraithwings. No one had actually seen a baby Wraithwing or even a nest, but the name stuck. If you came across one Wraithwing you were bound to find more. They seem to come in groups in this swamp. It was the grouping that seemed to suggest that they were breeding. We will have to see about that, he thought to himself. Maybe I can find a nest if it is not to much out of the way. That would make quite the story back home.
Akandian Tunnels:
As he entered the first tunnel which lay under the great Akandian mountains Gunthro had that creepy itchy feeling he always got on the back of his neck when he was being watched. But, who or rather what was watching him. These tunnels were known to harbor all kinds of evil but the "Eyes" were the thing he hated most. Best to stay out of their line of site if you wanted to get out alive.
There goes that creepy itchy feeling again he thought to himself as scratch the back of his neck.....
Slithia's Nest:
Slithia's Nest even the name sounded slithery. A nest of the most vile creatures, slithering serpents winding there way around each and every crevasses and corner. There was no way around this nest. He would have to transverse it somehow. It was a good thing he had a few tricks up his sleeve.
Now was it serpents or something else that you had to come up to them from behind... hum...
techant (2nd entry)
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× The Rasarun Court:
A roach..chey here
A roach..chey there
A roachey roachey everywhere...
The cook hummed to himself as he stirred the pot of black beet stew. Did I just see something moving in there?
Grotto Hideout:
Dazed but still alive Gunthro checked to see if he still had his sword where he hid it. Good thing they had not searched him. Yes, it was still there. His plan had worked perfectly. They had delived him just where he wanted to be. Right in the middle of their secret hideout. Now all he needed to do was to escape. Then he would know where he was.
Daskeran Caves:
He could hear water rushing ahead. It had been days since he entered this underground system of caves and still he had not found an exit. 'Hopefully there will be a way across", he thought to himself. At least he wouldn't die of thirst.
Daskeros Tower:
You can see the tall central tower from a great distance away. The wall of the strong-hold alone rises almost into the clouds and the tower at its core rises even further. It was built to stop any who would try to defeat it. And to keep secure any prisoner or treasure it held.
As he stood gazing at it in the distance Gunthro hoped it had a back door.
Inauro Canyon
Beware you soldier as you march.
Remember the Canyon Inauro
Many a brave soldier perished there
Among the rocks of Inauro
Oh Great soldier of Rasaruns
Take your shield and wave your sword
March on to fight for those who died
In the treachery of Inauro
A drinking song by Haroow of Rasaruns
Rock Giant Lair:
"When is a rock not a rock?" Asked the 112 Archivist to the 113th Archivist.
"I don't know", he replied, waiting for the punchline.
"I don't know either, I was hoping you knew".
Chaco
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× The Rasarun Court
The Highest Court of Rasarus was originally a well-made facade of splendor and luxury. The opulent banquet halls and meeting rooms were a welcome sight for visitors, but were really just leftovers from hidden stashes of stolen furniture and looted utensils.
Now the court looked dismal and ruined - lights were broken, chairs and tables were askew, and piles of dirt were everywhere. Some of the walls had holes dug into them and looked ready to collapse.
The food pantry was probably the source of this whole mess - the lowest point of the installation and the best foothold for any infestation.
Heaval Hall
Gunthro looked over the balcony at the twisty passages below him. After paying off three separate men in three different towns and getting the same story, he was reasonably sure he would find his next mark here.
Heaval Hall was clearly a practice gauntlet for Rasarun warriors to storm Tuenan underground defenses. The traps and puzzles here would pare down unprepared armies into much smaller groups, and the ground was frequently sloped, narrow or unstable.
Gunthro had dealt with far worse and more deadly dangers before. Reaching the other side of a training course wouldn't be too bad.
Inauro Canyon
The Rasarun brigade was cornered, but they couldn't have picked a better corner to be in. This canyon was aligned with prevailing winds, so apparent temperatures were at record lows with nasty wind chills.
This location was obviously already on the books, since shacks and installations were already set up and provided good cover and refuge for the Rasaruns. From their point of view, they just needed to do three things while waiting for reinforcements: repel imminent Tuenan attacks, stay vigilant in guard duties, and drink soup.
Wraithwing Swamp
Junior smitemasters are regularly warned about the swarming habits of wraithwings, and for good reason - a horde of wraithwings is notoriously unpredictable and chaotic, and are one of the leading causes of death for many fresh smiters attempting their early jobs.
Since wraithwings, like roaches, are capable of surviving a long time in harsh temperatures and with little food intake, wraithwings are actually surprisingly sociable creatures with their own kind. Wraithwings often are only confident to make a kill if they see a stranger approaching from a different angle to share the kill with. One smitemaster once made four wraithwings flee from his steps because they were all in single file and couldn't help each other approach.
Akandian Tunnels
Due to the high incidence of monster attacks in the wild even on the surface, let alone underground, cave exploration in the Eighth is by necessity very similar to smitemaster work, except for one trade-off: no-one owns the land. As a result, travellers and organizations that wish to go underground or dig out dungeons often hire smiters to accompany their scouts and troops and provide both protection and experience with cave and dungeon features.
The advantages of clearing out monsters just because they were there were the lack of imposed deadlines and the lack of secondary objectives. The disadvantages, of course, were the lack of pay and the lack of organized structure in the form of rooms. Caves could just go on forever if you didn't pay attention.
Rock Giant Lair
Previously only the stuff of legends, rock giants have been reported in increasing numbers in golem-infested dungeons the world over. Chalkboards have been filled as to possible reasons for the swell in reports, and geobiologists have been crunching numbers as to the maximum size a golem could possibly reach and still function.
A common facet to the legends is that rock giants, being four to five times the volume of a rock golem, are also four to five times smarter since they're composed of four rock giant brains. This is obviously an absurd notion on the face of it; rocks don't have brains
Trickster
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× Outer Walls
The Outer Walls of the Rasarun Court are nearly impregnable, being hewn from solid mountain rock rather than cobbled together stone by stone. From their vantage point above, Rasuran archers can make short work of uninvited guests from up to a thousand yards away.
Perhaps telling of the underhanded nature of Rasuran society, even the well-fortified Outer Walls have a secret entrance to bypass security. The Rasuran chieftain who ordered its construction no doubt did so to provide himself a means of escape from potential revolt, as well as a silent path back into the Court to exact revenge.
Skondusk Marshes
The Skondusk Marshes are warmer than most of Rasuras, but subject to continual flooding from the melting mountain snow above. Filled with dangerous razorgrass and tall trees covered in slippery moss, there is literally no safe place to stand without sinking into the brackish, skipper-infested water.
Few go to this fetid Rasuran morass, and for good reason: the only possible method of transport is by raft. However, this also makes it the perfect hideout if you don't want to be found...
Grotto Hideout
In a time of war, comfort takes second chair to tactics. Wet, cold, and dark, the uncomfortable hideout of the Tuenans on Rasarus is a testament to their indominable resolve against their Rasuran enemies.
While unpleasant to dwell within, the grotto's location makes it nearly impossible to stumble upon by chance. Still, it provides convenient access to Bractea in under a night's journey, and also lies adjacent to an area of the Smuggler's Maze through which Rasuran ships commonly pass on their journey South.
Daskeros Tower
This stronghold of the Tuenans boldly stands some twenty stories tall in the center of the city of Daskeros in Southern Tueno. The tower is visible for miles around, as if a challenge for anyone foolish enough to dare assault the city. The shadow of the tower is used as a clock, with markings on the streets of Daskeros which count down the hours.
From the top of the tower, one can just barely make out the Overlooked Sea to the Northwest and the Rasalban Ocean to the South. The Tuenans keep a sentry posted here at all times, for obvious reasons.
Wraithwing Swamp
While wraithwings use vision to detect potential prey, their pack tactics rely entirely on scent. Humans often mistake the odd scent of wraithwing pheromone for swamp gas or dungeon mold, since these are their natural habitats.
This theory was confirmed by the demise of an unwitting smitemaster who uncorked a bottle of swampy wraithwing stew while flanked by what he assumed were a couple of harmless wraithwings. The creatures descended instantly upon him from both sides and tore him to bits.
Akandian Tunnels
It's not clear whether the Akandian Tunnels were created by some natural event in the mountains, or by the monsters who dwell there now. What is clear is that the tunnels are anything but safe for casual travellers. Evil eyes roam the underground mountain crevasses in large packs called oculua, eating just about anything foolish enough to wander into their territory.
The Akandian Tunnels seem almost purposefully sculpted to maximize the hiding places for eyes, so only the most wary delver will stand a chance against the covert predators.
NoahT
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× Outer Walls
Gunthro Budkin approached the Rasarun Court's heavily guarded exterior, having heard about their feud with the Tuenans, and being the smitemaster he was, he was inkling to check it out. Having not been officially summoned, Gunthro found what he was looking for--a secret entrance off to the side, a common feature of dungeons and fortresses. Proceeding with caution, Gunthro entered.
Skondusk Marshes
"It's quite moist here. Good thing delver attire is designed withstand it," Gunthro remarked as he entered the marsh.
Grotto Hideout
"One common tactic used within the art of war is to establish strongholds further and further into enemy territory. It often helps if these bases are well hidden so the enemy has a tougher time bringing them down." -Overheard in a Mellenfral University lecture series on War and Peace.
"Well it took me a while, but I think I finally found the Tuenan base the Rasaruns told me about," Gunthro proclaimed once he discovered what had to be the hideout.
Daskeran Caves
"Gee, more water down here. Oh well, at least I don't have to take a raft the whole way," Gunthro declared with relief as he descended into the cave and saw the river flowing through it.
Wraithwing Swamp
"The bat-like creature called the wraithwing is unique for many reasons. It is one of the few monsters capable of flight, and they prefer to attack only when in numbers. They are also known to inhabit multiple environments, from plains to swamps." -From an essay written for a class on Monster Studies at Mellenfral University
Akandian Tunnels
"Well so far, I have been fortunate enough not to encounter anyone with the Zealot's Plague. I had better be careful in these tunnels in case anyone with the plague might be down here." -Gunthro Budkin
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My
Holds and Levels:
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