by David Petrie
Tusker readies his sword. “If you think you’re taking my city, you have another thing–”
His words cease as Farnsworth raises a clawed hand. The Lord’s body lurches forward as if yanked by a cable bound to his heart. The dark Shield snaps her fist shut, and all at once, a torrent of red light explodes from the ruler of Torn’s body. His health swirls toward the Death Grip’s glowing claws.
The player recording the events steps back as if in disbelief. GingerSnaps slinks forward.
“I am sorry for the trouble, but this was… convenient for us. You are recording everything, right?”
The player gives a slow nod before speaking, “Aren’t you taking the throne?”
Ginger laughs as if the idea of ruling Torn was a joke. “No thanks.” She gives the player a predatory grin, then gestures to the Fury. “Give him the message.”
MaxDamage stalks closer, ignoring the sword pointed in his direction until he’s standing face to face with the player. A painted grin of bright white teeth stretches across his scarf where his mouth would be had it not been covered. He tugs it down, showing his face clearly.
There’s no grin underneath.
Max pushes away the player’s sword with the muzzle of one pistol before raising his other gun to the man’s face. He takes aim, almost as if targeting the audience watching through the player.
“I hope we have your attention, Nix.”
He tightens his finger around the trigger.
“Because we’re coming for you.”
Afterword
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About David Petrie
David Petrie discovered a love of stories and nerd culture at an early age. From there, life was all about comics, video games, and books. It’s not surprising that all that would lead to writing. He currently lives north of Boston with the love of his life and their two adopted cats. He also runs an indie tabletop company on the side.
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About Mountaindale Press
Dakota and Danielle Krout, a husband and wife team, strive to create as well as publish excellent fantasy and science fiction novels. Self-publishing The Divine Dungeon: Dungeon Born in 2016 transformed their careers from Dakota’s military and programming background and Danielle’s Ph.D. in pharmacology to President and CEO, respectively, of a small press. Their goal is to share their success with other authors and provide captivating fiction to readers with the purpose of solidifying Mountaindale Press as the place ‘Where Fantasy Transforms Reality.’
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Mountaindale Press Titles
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The Divine Dungeon by Dakota Krout
The Completionist Chronicles by Dakota Krout
A Touch of Power by Jay Boyce
Red Mage: Advent by Xander Boyce
Ether Collapse: Equalize by Ryan DeBruyn
Wolfman Warlock: Bibliomancer by James Hunter
Axe Druid by Christopher Johns
Skeleton in Space: Histaff by Andries Louws
Appendix
Character Stats
MaxDamage24
TITLE: Pale Rider
HOUSE: Lockheart
LEVEL: 147
RACE: Human
TRAIT: Versatile – All stats develop equally
CLASS: Fury
SUB CLASS: Reaper (-30 HP every 3 seconds while active)
STATS
Hit Points: 3584
Skill Points: 400
CONSTITUTION: 112
STRENGTH: 64
DEXTERITY 196
DEFENSE: 102
WISDOM: 0
FOCUS: 0
ARCANE: 0
AGILITY: 23
LUCK: 38
ACTIVE SKILLS
SLOT 1: Custom Rounds, level 6 – Convert a magazine to a different type of ammunition. May be used once per magazine.
SLOT 2: Last Stand – Fire an empty pistol by creating bullets from your hit points. Duration lasts until death or reloading.
SLOT 3: Heavy Metal – Drastically decreases range and increases recoil enough to damage the wielder and make firearms difficult to handle but grants +75% damage.
REAPER SLOT 1: Unbreakable defense, summon the blades of death to deflect all incoming melee damage (ranged only) - Activate by holding one’s breath, lasts as long as breath is held.
PERKS
SLOT 1: Duel wield – Allows a second pistol to be equipped. -5% damage output for each missed shot with an off-hand weapon for a maximum damage penalty of -40%. Penalty lasts until both weapons have been reloaded.
SLOT 2: Last chance – The last round fired from a magazine deals +50% damage, increasing the likelihood of finishing an enemy before needing to reload.
SLOT 3: Quick draw – Any shot fired within two seconds of a weapon being drawn from a holster will gain +25% damage.
Kirabell
TITLE: Archmage
HOUSE: Lockheart
LEVEL: 147
RACE: Fairy
TRAIT: Fragile – Receive a significant bonus to arcane, wisdom and focus, however strength and constitution are soft-capped. Physical capabilities are also limited due to character size.
STATS
Hit Points: 50
Mana Points: 2101 (+1000 in reserve)
CONSTITUTION: 4 (- 75% racial penalty = 1 total)
STRENGTH: 0 (- 75% racial penalty = 0 total)
DEXTERITY 0
DEFENSE: 50
WISDOM: 142 (+ 25% racial bonus = 177 total)
FOCUS: 153 (+ 25% racial bonus = 191 total)
ARCANE: 0 (+ 25% racial bonus = 0 total)
AGILITY: 70
LUCK: 41
ACTIVE SKILLS
HOUSE SLOT 1: OVERCAST – Increase the potency of any spell by increasing mana consumption. May use from 1% to 100%. Can only be used from spellcraft menu.
PERKS
SLOT 1: Duel cast – Allows a second caster to be equipped. Spells cast with off-hand cost 20% more mana.
SLOT 2: True flight – Wings are the mark of a true fairy.
SLOT 3: Wellspring – Increase the potency of spells while a fairy’s bare feet are in contact with the ground.
Farnsworth
TITLE: First Knight
HOUSE: Lockheart
LEVEL: 144
RACE: Human
TRAIT: Versatile – All stats develop equally
CLASS: Shield
STATS
Hit Points: 5888
Skill Points: 280
CONSTITUTION: 184
STRENGTH: 128
DEXTERITY 62
DEFENSE: 196
WISDOM: 0
FOCUS: 0
ARCANE: 0
AGILITY: 11
LUCK: 14
ACTIVE SKILLS
SLOT 1: DEATH GRIP (CONTRACT) �
� Can’t be unslotted.
SLOT 2: Taunt – Gives weight to your words to draw the attention of an enemy. PVE only.
SLOT 3: Feral Edge (CONTRACT) – Unleash your inner beast.
HOUSE SLOT: Sure Foot – Hold your ground while fighting on any surface, may ignore gravity.
PERKS
SLOT 1: Damage absorption, level 5 – Your shield blocks 90% of damage taken.
SLOT 2: Annoyance – Increases the likelihood of getting an enemy’s attention by attacking it.
SLOT 3: Protector – Increase defense by +15 when standing between an enemy and a party member.
Kegan
TITLE: Deadly Wind
HOUSE: Lockheart
LEVEL: 115
RACE: Elf
TRAIT: Control – At creation, choose one stat to receive a bonus for each upgrade point used and choose two stats to receive a soft-cap.
CLASS: Leaf
STATS
Hit Points: 2848
Skill Points: 250
CONSTITUTION: 89
STRENGTH: 125 (+25% racial bonus = 156)
DEXTERITY 90
DEFENSE: 80
WISDOM: 0
FOCUS: 0 (-25% racial bonus = 0)
ARCANE: 0 (-25% racial bonus = 0)
AGILITY: 45
LUCK: 21
ACTIVE SKILLS
SLOT 1: Camouflage, level 3 – Temporarily change your skin and equipment’s coloring to blend into a variety of terrains. Must be holding still.
SLOT 2: Piercing Strike – The next arrow fired will continue moving through your target to hit another behind it. The arrow will continue until it runs out of momentum or hits an obstacle. Each consecutive hit decreases damage by -10%.
SLOT 3: Light Foot – Remove all sound produced by your movement for five minutes for better stealth.
PERKS
SLOT 1: Speed chain – Increase damage by 5% for each arrow fired within three seconds of the last.
SLOT 2: Charge Shot – Increase damage by 10% for every second you hold the bowstring back.
SLOT 3: Sticky Quiver – Arrows will not fall out of your quiver.
Corvin
TITLE: Nightmarebane
HOUSE: Lockheart
LEVEL: 77
RACE: Reynard
TRAIT: Nine Tails – All nine attributes gain a bonus equal to half your lowest.
CLASS: Blade
STATS
Hit Points: 2272
Skill Points: 150
CONSTITUTION: 58 (+13 racial bonus = 71)
STRENGTH: 55 (+13 racial bonus = 68)
DEXTERITY 26 (+13 racial bonus = 39)
DEFENSE: 41 (+13 racial bonus = 54)
WISDOM: 26 (+13 racial bonus = 39)
FOCUS: 26 (+13 racial bonus = 39)
ARCANE: 26 (+13 racial bonus = 39)
AGILITY: 26 (+13 racial bonus = 39)
LUCK: 26 (+13 racial bonus = 39)
ACTIVE SKILLS
SLOT 1: Phantom Blade – Launch a blade of malicious intent at a target. Damage and range dependent on skill level.
SLOT 2: Hone – Temporarily hone the edge of a blade to increase sharpness and damage. Last for number of cuts equal to skill level.
PERKS
SLOT 1: Awareness – Hear better than most.
SLOT 2: Quick Draw – The first cut executed within three seconds of drawing a blade has a chance to deliver double damage.
Ginger Snaps
TITLE: Lady of House Lockheart
HOUSE: Lockheart
LEVEL: 134
RACE: Human
TRAIT: Versatile – All stats develop equally.
CLASS: Coin
STATS
Hit Points: 3168
Skill Points: 310
CONSTITUTION: 99
STRENGTH: 60
DEXTERITY 136
DEFENSE: 91
WISDOM: 0
FOCUS: 0
ARCANE: 0
AGILITY: 65
LUCK: 61
ACTIVE SKILLS
SLOT 1: Blur – Decrease a target’s ability to target you. PVE only.
SLOT 2: Paralyze – Immobilize a target after a successful back stab. Removes critical hit bonus.
SLOT 3: Five Finger Discount – Will cause an NPC to turn around. Common items are fair game.
HOUSE SKILL SLOT: ROYALTY – You may claim the throne of any city in Noctem, if you can take it, that is.
PERKS
SLOT 1: Grappling hook – Fire a line from a wrist mounted launcher.
SLOT 2: Sticky Fingers – Any material taken from an enemy can be converted to an item to be used or sold.
SLOT 3: Back Stab – Increase damage by 150% when doing it from behind.
Bestiary
Nonhostile Creatures
LAGOPIN – Being half rabbit and half bird, these mounts are seriously fun to ride. So, saddle up and hang on tight.
JEROBIN – A small kangaroo-like race, these sentient creatures are often seen working in the cities of Noctem.
Basic Monsters
SCALEFANG – A large lizard bearing a mane of bright of feathers. They attack with their entire bodies from their tail to their teeth. Their rotating elemental weakness makes them particularly hard to deal with, especially in large groups.
BASILISK – An enormous black snake with a paralyzing stare/ Avoid direct eye contact at all costs.
GOUL – These animated corpses of the dead are known for their physical attacks, but they have been observed using magic as well.
POPLO – A spherical manifestation of elemental energy, capable of a number of spells that match their affinity.
MISFIT – A cave dwelling monster that likes to bite and kick.
SILVER ANGEL – A silent observer who watches those who travel down the spiral.
PLAGUE TOAD – Wet, slimy and vicious, these creatures exist to eat. They will try to lure you in with their tail and attack from below. They especially like easy targets.
MIND FLAYER – A squid-like creature that inflicts madness on a target by spraying it with ink. Resides in the caverns beneath Rend as well as many other parts of Noctem. Not particularly in and of themselves, but the madness status can easily kill a target or innocent bystanders, as it alters the perception of the target. Players may look like monsters and vice versa. Environmental hazards may also be manipulated.
MIMIC – A monster disguised as a common treasure chest. Recognizable to any experienced player by a bend handle on one side. highly lethal ambush predator, though, mimics give up relatively easily if they have not caught their prey quickly.
MARRIONETES – A low level monster found in the city of Rend. A simple ball jointed doll with a hostile nature. Appears in groups, usually with a leader.
PORCELINE BEAST – A conglomerate of Marionettes. If too many of these weak monsters are brought together, they may combine into one mass of writhing bodies.
Nightmares
RASPUTEN – This mad monk exists to tear and rend all asunder, earning him the title of Destroyer.
SENGETSU – Sometime sacrifices cannot be avoided. It is up to you to fear them or not.
KAFKA – Change is necessary for growth, but will that growth create a monster?
RACKHAM – Not all battles can be won, but that doesn’t mean you should accept defeat.
Unique Nightmares (The Horsemen)
FAMINE – The bell of Famine rings a steady rumble in one’s stomach. Nothing can be eaten in this Nightmare’s dungeon.
PESTILENCE – The hoard is coming and it’s hungry.
DEATH – Like a force of nature, this nightmare claims everyone in the end.
WAR – The embodiment of war, this Nightmare consists of two dragon kings locked in combat for centuries. There is no stopping them. It’s best to just run.
Cities
Valain
The unofficial capital of commerce, Valain runs like a well-oiled machine. Its citizens work hard and party hard. This city and its territories are
the only parts of Noctem that are fully under the control of Checkpoint Systems. (Current Ruler: Alastair Coldblood, Lord of House Checkpoint)
Lucem
The city of light, Lucem stands as a shining example of what can be done through clever negotiations and diplomacy. Artist and entertainers have flocked to its peaceful and vibrant streets. If you’re looking for a night out, you can’t do much better. (Current Ruler: Leftwitch, Lady of the House of Silver Tongues)
Sierra
Previously lost for generations, the City of Sierra hid below ground where it’s people, the Deru, thrived and innovated. Now known for its unique architecture, which makes use of the carven ceiling as much as it does the floor. A complex system of railways connects the city. Its towers are filled with crafting workshops for the diligent, while its streets are line with games and food reminiscent of a carnival.
Tartarus
While now an official city, Tartarus defies logic by existing in the wilds on the dark continent Gmork. It has been constructed of entirely farmed and crafted materials. Enter at your own risk.