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science | January 25, 2026

CASTLE NOX

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In the distance, silhouetted against the moonlight, the walls of the castle stand tall and bleak. The air here feels stagnant and heavy, your boots crunch on the frost-coated stones, and in the night you hear the faint howling and wailing of beasts. Beasts, or something much fouler. The mists grow thicker, the cold and damp penetrating your clothes. You trudge on, climbing step by step along the icy cobblestone path. Your legs ache, and your fate grows heavier with each step. Each step closer to Castle Nox. [[What is your name?|Your name?]] <<music_main "play">>

<<cacheaudio "bgm_main" "" >> <<cacheaudio "bgm_combat" "" >> <<cacheaudio "bgm_boss" "" >> <<script>> window.sessionStorage.setItem('twinereset', "TRUE"); var menu = $("#menu"); <</script>> <<widget "item">><> <<if !$GOTITEMS[_args[1]]>> <<set _spanarg to ("#" + _args[1])>> <<print "<<script>>console.log('_spanarg: " + _spanarg + "')<</script>>">> <<link "_args[0].name">> <<set _spanarg to ("#" + _args[1])>> <<set _emptyslot to -1>> <<for _i to $INVENTORY.length-1; _i gte 0; _i-->> <<if $INVENTORY[_i].name == "Empty">> <<set _emptyslot to _i>> <</if>> <</for>> <<print "<<script>>console.log('_spanarg: " + _spanarg + "')<</script>>">> <<if _emptyslot > -1>> <<replace _spanarg>> <<set $INVENTORY[_emptyslot] to _args[0]>> Took _args[0].name <<if _args[0].mightbonus>> <<set $might to $might + _args[0].mightbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].magicbonus>> <<set $magic to $magic + _args[0].magicbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].charmbonus>> <<set $charm to $charm + _args[0].charmbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].skillbonus>> <<set $skill to $skill + _args[0].skillbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].faithbonus>> <<set $faith to $faith + _args[0].faithbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[1]>> <<set $GOTITEMS[_args[1]] to true>> <</if>> <</replace>> <<else>> <<replace _spanarg>> Your inventory is full, you must discard something <</replace>> <</if>> <</link>> <</if>> <><</widget>> /*Stat Check difficulty, stat, statname, success, fail */ <<widget "statcheck">><> <<set _statchecknumber to _args[0]+1>> <div> <<set _statname to _args[2].toUpperFirst()>> _statname Check Difficulty: _statchecknumber <div> <div> <div> <div> <<link "Roll">> <<set _skillroll to _args[1] + $blessingbonus + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <<set $blessingbonus to 0>> <<set _successpath to _args[3]>> <<set _failpath to _args[4]>> <<if _skillroll > _args[0]>> <<replace "#checkbuttonbar">> Roll: _skillroll <div> [[Success|_successpath]] </div> <</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#checkbuttonbar">> Roll: _skillroll <div> [[Fail|_failpath]] <<if $blessing == _args[2]>> <div> <<link "Use Blessing">> <<set _skillroll to _args[1] + $blessingbonus + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <<set $blessingbonus to 0>> <<if _skillroll > _args[0]>> <<replace "#checkbuttonbar">> Roll: _skillroll <div> [[Success|_successpath]] </div> <</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#checkbuttonbar">> Roll: _skillroll <div> [[Fail|_failpath]] </div> <</replace>> <</if>> <</link>> </div> <</if>> </div> <</replace>> <</if>> <</link>> </div> <<if $blessing == _args[2]>> <div> <<link "Use Blessing">> <<set $blessingbonus to 2>> <<replace "#blessbutton">><</replace>> <</link>> </div> <</if>> </div> </div> </div> <><</widget>> /*Combat. Keys: name, combat, stamina, maxdamage, success, fail, flee, damagesuccess, death, round */ <<widget "combatmechanics">><> <<if !$incombat>> <<set $incombat to true>> <<set $enemystamina to _args[0].stamina>> <</if>> <<if $bm_on>> <<set _bmbutton to "Disable Battlemagic">> <<else>> <<set _bmbutton to "Enable Battlemagic">> <</if>> <<if $bm2_on>> <<set _bm2button to "Disable Battleblast">> <<else>> <<set _bm2button to "Enable Battleblast">> <</if>> <<set _damsuccesspath to _args[0].success>> <<if _args[0].damagesuccess>> <<set _damsuccesspath to _args[0].damagesuccess>> <</if>> <<set _fleepath to _args[0].success>> <<if _args[0].flee>> <<set _fleepath to _args[0].flee>> <</if>> <<set _successpath to _args[0].success>> <<set _deathpath to "Death">> <<if _args[0].death>> <<set _deathpath to _args[0].death>> <</if>> <<if !_args[0].round>> <<set _args[0].round to 0>> <</if>> <<set _currentcombat to $might + $combatbonus + $aletherbonus>> <<if $weapontype == "gimble gyre">> <<set _currentcombat to $magic + $combatbonus + $aletherbonus>> <</if>> <<if $weapontype == "summon">> <<set _currentcombat to $charm + $combatbonus + $aletherbonus>> <</if>> <<if $weaponmastery > 0 && $masteredweapon == $weapontype>> <<set _currentcombat to _currentcombat+2>> <<elseif $weaponmastery > 1>> <<set _currentcombat to _currentcombat+2>> <</if>> <<if $hiding == 2>> <<set _currentcombat to _currentcombat+2>> <</if>> <<if $bm_on>> <<set _currentcombat to _currentcombat+4>> <</if>> <<if $bm2_on>> <<set _currentcombat to _currentcombat+6>> <</if>> <div> Engage Combat <div> <div> Name: $playername Stamina: $_stamina / $stamina Combat: _currentcombat <<if $hiding == 2>> Max Damage: Unlimited (Backstab) <<else>> Max Damage: $maxdamage <</if>> Max Damage: $maxdamage </div> <div> Name: _args[0].name Stamina: $enemystamina Combat: _args[0].combat Max Damage: _args[0].maxdamage </div> </div> <div> <<if _args[0].round > 0>> Round: _args[0].round Winner: $lastcombatsuccess Damage: $lastdamagedealt <</if>> </div> <div> <<if $_stamina <= 0>> <<set $incombat to false>> <button data-passage=_deathpath>Continue</button> <<elseif $enemystamina <= 0>> <<print "<<script>>console.log('fight over. dam: " + $tookdamage + "')<</script>>">> <<print "<<script>>console.log('fight over. dampath: " + _damsuccesspath + "')<</script>>">> <<print "<<script>>console.log('fight over. succpath: " + _successpath + "')<</script>>">> <<set $incombat to false>> <<if $tookdamage>> <button data-passage=_damsuccesspath>Continue</button> <<else>> <button data-passage=_successpath>Continue</button> <</if>> <<else>> <div> <<link "Fight">> <<set _playerbroll to _currentcombat + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <<set _enemybroll to _args[0].combat + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <<if _playerbroll >= _enemybroll>> <<set $lastcombatsuccess to "You">> <<set _damagedealt to _playerbroll-_enemybroll>> <<if _damagedealt > $maxdamage && $hiding !=2>> <<set _damagedealt to $maxdamage>> <</if>> <<set $enemystamina to $enemystamina-_damagedealt>> <<else>> <<set $lastcombatsuccess to "Enemy">> <<set _damagedealt to _enemybroll-_playerbroll>> <<if _damagedealt > _args[0].maxdamage>> <<set _damagedealt to _args[0].maxdamage>> <</if>> <<shielding>> <<set _damagedealt to _damagedealt-$shielddamreduce>> <<if $heightenedsenses > 1 && random(0,2) == 0>> <<set _damagedealt to 0>> <</if>> <<if $shieldspell_on>> <<set _damagedealt to 0>> <<set $shieldspell_on to false>> <</if>> <<if _damagedealt <= 0>> <<set _damagedealt to 0>> <<else>> <<set $tookdamage to true>> <<print "<<script>>console.log('took hit!: " + $tookdamage + "')<</script>>">> <</if>> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-_damagedealt>> <</if>> <<set $lastdamagedealt to _damagedealt>> <<set _args[0].round to _args[0].round+1>> <<if $bm_on>> <<if $battlemagic > 1>> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-2>> <<else>> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-2>> <</if>> <</if>> <<if $bm2_on>> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-2>> <</if>> <<if $hiding == 2>> <<set $hiding to 0>> <</if>> <<if $hiding == 1>> <<set $hiding to 2>> <</if>> <<replace "#combatcontainer">> <<combatmechanics _args[0]>> <</replace>> <</link>> </div> <<if $camouflage > 0 && !_args[0].noflee>> <div> <<link "Flee">> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-_args[0].maxdamage>> <<goto _fleepath>> <</link>> </div> <</if>> <<if $camouflage > 1>> <<if $hiding == 0>> <div> <<link "Hide">> <<set $hiding to 1>> <<print "<<script>>console.log('hiding: " + $hiding + "')<</script>>">> <<replace "#combatcontainer">> <<combatmechanics _args[0]>> <</replace>> <</link>> </div> <<elseif $hiding == 1>> <div> <<link "Hiding...">> <<set $hiding to 0>> <<print "<<script>>console.log('hiding: " + $hiding + "')<</script>>">> <<replace "#combatcontainer">> <<combatmechanics _args[0]>> <</replace>> <</link>> </div> <</if>> <</if>> <<if $battlemagic > 0>> <div> <<link _bmbutton>> <<set $bm_on to !$bm_on>> <<set $bm2_on to false>> <<replace "#combatcontainer">> <<combatmechanics _args[0]>> <</replace>> <</link>> </div> <</if>> <<if $battlemagic > 1>> <div> <<link _bm2button>> <<set $bm2_on to !$bm2_on>> <<set $bm_on to false>> <<replace "#combatcontainer">> <<combatmechanics _args[0]>> <</replace>> <</link>> </div> <</if>> <<if $shieldspell>> <div> <<link "Cast Shield">> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-2>> <<set $shieldspell_on to true>> <<replace "#combatcontainer">> <<combatmechanics _args[0]>> <</replace>> <</link>> </div> <</if>> <<if $healing > 1 && $healingsurge>> <div> <<link "Heal">> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+10>> <<set $healingsurge to false>> <<replace "#combatcontainer">> <<combatmechanics _args[0]>> <</replace>> <</link>> </div> <</if>> <div> <<link "Surrender">> <<set $_stamina to 0>> <<replace "#combatcontainer">> <<combatmechanics _args[0]>> <</replace>> <</link>> </div> <</if>> </div> </div> <><</widget>> <<widget "combat">><> <div> <<combatmechanics _args[0]>> </div> <><</widget>> <<widget "shielding">><> <<set $shielddamreduce to 0>> <<for _i to $INVENTORY.length-1; _i gte 0; _i-->> <<if $INVENTORY[_i].shield_chance>> <<if random(1,6) <= $INVENTORY[_i].shield_chance>> <<set $shielddamreduce to $shielddamreduce+$INVENTORY[_i].shield_quantity>> <</if>> <</if>> <</for>> <><</widget>> <<widget "hasitem">><> <<set $itemcheck to -1>> <<for _i to $INVENTORY.length-1; _i gte 0; _i-->> <<if $INVENTORY[_i].name == _args[0]>> <<set $itemcheck to _i>> <</if>> <</for>> <><</widget>> <<widget "music_main">><> <<if !$muted>> <<if _args[0] == "play">> <<audio "bgm_main" play>> <<else>> <<audio "bgm_main" stop>> <</if>> <</if>> <><</widget>> <<widget "music_combat">><> <<if !$muted>> <<if _args[0] == "play">> <<audio "bgm_combat" play>> <<else>> <<audio "bgm_combat" stop>> <</if>> <</if>> <><</widget>> <<widget "music_boss">><> <<if !$muted>> <<if _args[0] == "play">> <<audio "bgm_boss" play>> <<else>> <<audio "bgm_boss" stop>> <</if>> <</if>> <><</widget>> <<widget "buyitem">><> <<if $money >= _args[2]>> <<link "_args[0].name : _args[2] Guilders">> <<set _spanarg to ("#" + _args[1])>> <<set _emptyslot to -1>> <<for _i to $INVENTORY.length-1; _i gte 0; _i-->> <<if $INVENTORY[_i].name == "Empty">> <<set _emptyslot to _i>> <</if>> <</for>> <<print "<<script>>console.log('_spanarg: " + _spanarg + "')<</script>>">> <<if _emptyslot > -1 && $money >= _args[2]>> <<replace _spanarg>> <<set $money to $money-_args[2]>> <<replace "#story-subtitle">><<display "StorySubtitle">><</replace>> <<set $INVENTORY[_emptyslot] to _args[0]>> Bought _args[0].name <<if _args[0].mightbonus>> <<set $might to $might + _args[0].mightbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].magicbonus>> <<set $magic to $magic + _args[0].magicbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].charmbonus>> <<set $charm to $charm + _args[0].charmbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].skillbonus>> <<set $skill to $skill + _args[0].skillbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].faithbonus>> <<set $faith to $faith + _args[0].faithbonus>> <</if>> <</replace>> <<elseif $money < _args[2]>> <<replace _spanarg>> You can't afford this <</replace>> <<else>> <<replace _spanarg>> Your inventory is full, you must discard something <</replace>> <</if>> <</link>> <<else>> _args[0].name : _args[2] Guilders <</if>> <><</widget>> <<widget "sellitem">><> <<link "_args[0].name : _args[2] Guilders">> <<set _spanarg to ("#" + _args[1])>> <<hasitem _args[0].name>> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<replace _spanarg>> <<set $money to $money+_args[2]>> <<replace "#story-subtitle">><<display "StorySubtitle">><</replace>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> Sold _args[0].name <<if _args[0].mightbonus>> <<set $might to $might - _args[0].mightbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].magicbonus>> <<set $magic to $magic - _args[0].magicbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].charmbonus>> <<set $charm to $charm - _args[0].charmbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].skillbonus>> <<set $skill to $skill - _args[0].skillbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].faithbonus>> <<set $faith to $faith - _args[0].faithbonus>> <</if>> <</replace>> <<else>> <<replace _spanarg>> Your have no more of these to sell <</replace>> <</if>> <</link>> <><</widget>> <<widget "forceitem">><> <<if !$GOTITEMS[_args[1]]>> <<set _spanarg to ("#" + _args[1])>> <<print "<<script>>console.log('_spanarg: " + _spanarg + "')<</script>>">> <<link "_args[0].name">> <<set _spanarg to ("#" + _args[1])>> <<replace _spanarg>> <<set $INVENTORY.push(_args[0])>> _args[0].name joined <<if _args[0].mightbonus>> <<set $might to $might + _args[0].mightbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].magicbonus>> <<set $magic to $magic + _args[0].magicbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].charmbonus>> <<set $charm to $charm + _args[0].charmbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].skillbonus>> <<set $skill to $skill + _args[0].skillbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].faithbonus>> <<set $faith to $faith + _args[0].faithbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[1]>> <<set $GOTITEMS[_args[1]] to true>> <</if>> <</replace>> <</link>> <</if>> <><</widget>> <<widget "autoitem">><> <<if !$GOTITEMS[_args[1]]>> <<set $INVENTORY.push(_args[0])>> <<if _args[0].mightbonus>> <<set $might to $might + _args[0].mightbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].magicbonus>> <<set $magic to $magic + _args[0].magicbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].charmbonus>> <<set $charm to $charm + _args[0].charmbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].skillbonus>> <<set $skill to $skill + _args[0].skillbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[0].faithbonus>> <<set $faith to $faith + _args[0].faithbonus>> <</if>> <<if _args[1]>> <<set $GOTITEMS[_args[1]] to true>> <</if>> <</if>> <><</widget>>

<<if !tags().includes('nobookmark')>> <<set $lastpassage to passage()>> <</if>> <<if !tags().includes('noheal') && !tags().includes('nobookmark')>> <<if $_stamina > $stamina>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> <</if>> <</if>> <<if $money >= 1000>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[10] to true>> <</if>> <<include Items>>

<> <<script>>window.sessionStorage.setItem('twinereset', "FALSE"); <</script>> <<include Items>> <<if !$playername>> <<set $playername to "Wanderer">> <</if>> <<set $stamina to 12>> <<set $_stamina to 12>> <<set $money to 4>> <<set $might to 1>> <<set $magic to 1>> <<set $charm to 1>> <<set $skill to 1>> <<set $faith to 1>> <<set $skillpoints to 0>> <<set $advancementpoints to 0>> <<set $blessing to "None">> <<set $blessingbonus to 0>> <<set $class to "none">> <<set $incombat to false>> <<set $maxdamage to 2>> <<set $combatbonus to 0>> <<set $weapontype to "none">> <<set $lastdamagedealt to 0>> <<set $lastcombatsuccess to "player">> <<set $weapontypes to [ "sword", "axe", "dagger", "staff", "mace" ]>> <<set $masteredweapon to "nomaster">> <<if !$ACHIEVEMENTS || $ACHIEVEMENTS.length <= 0>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS to [false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false]>> <</if>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS to [false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false]>> <<set $INVENTORY to []>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[2] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[3] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[4] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[5] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[6] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[7] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[8] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[9] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[10] to $i_empty>> <<set $INVENTORY[11] to $i_empty>> <<set $GOTITEMS to {}>> <<set $animalhandling to 0>> <<set $camouflage to 0>> <<set $hunting to 0>> <<set $healing to 0>> <<set $cantrips to 0>> <<set $battlemagic to 0>> <<set $ironwill to 0>> <<set $heightenedsenses to 0>> <<set $weaponmastery to 0>> <<set $rangercircle to false>> <<set $lorecircle to false>> <<set $battlecircle to false>> <<set $bm_on to false>> <<set $itemcheck to -1>> <<set $wolfcurse to false>> <<set $afterfood to "Intro">> <<set $tookdamage to false>> <<set $hiding to 0>> <<set $healingsurge to true>> <<set $shieldspell to false>> <<set $shieldspell_on to false>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "stop">> <<set $gambleguilders to 0>> <<set $darkpowerspell to 0>> <<set $donelion to false>> <<set $donebear to false>> <<set $doneelephant to false>> <<set $stablemet to false>> <<set $stablekilled to false>> <<set $stablefriend to false>> <<set $doneghosthorse to false>> <<set $metghosthorse to false>> <<set $aletherbonus to 0>> <<set $arrows to 0>> <<set $merchantmet to "no">> <<set $merchanthaggled to "no">> <<set $furnacelit to false>> <<set $killedtopiary to false>> <<set $rgrave to false>> <<set $metconnery to "no">> <<set $necrophage to false>> <<set $altarp to false>> <<set $mettristran to "no">> <<set $fuckedstableboy to false>> <<set $cultistskilled to false>> <<set $nickromance to 0>> <<set $tquest to 0>> <<set $arrowspell to false>> <<set $wolfimmunity to false>> <<set $beatbeast to false>> <<set $am_wolf to 0>> <<set $am_donkey to 0>> <<set $am_orc to 0>> <<set $am_darklord to 0>> <<set $horseq_good to false>> <<set $horseq_evil to false>> <<set $midgameskill to false>> <<set $goblinsoul to false>> <<set $evildeeds to 0>> <<set $tinybossrelationship to 0>> <<set $timegoddess to true>> <<set $wolflover to false>> <<set $zeligskill to false>> <<set $altanskill to false>> <<set $smbadend to false>> <<set $wolfpreg to false>> <<set $mightyconnery to false>> <> CASTLE NOX v0.8 The horrors of Castle Nox have claimed many throughout the years, valiant and vile both. Now you stand before it. Will you be the one to penetrate its terrible secrets, or will you fall to the deep dark, like all the others? Castle Nox is an 18+ text adventure RPG. [[Start]] [[Information]] [[See Unlocked Endings|Endings]] [[Achievements]] [[Credits]] <<script>> $("#ui-bar-history").removeClass("hidden"); <</script>>

You have unlocked the following endings: <<if hasVisited("Kiss the goatman")>> [[Joining the Cult|Kiss the goatman]] <<else>> 1. Submit to the cultists <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Succumb to Black Potion")>> [[Surrender to the Black Potion|Succumb to Black Potion]] <<else>> 2. Drink a black potion <</if>> <<if hasVisited("cultistdeath")>> [[Defend the Cult|cultistdeath]] <<else>> 3. Kill at least one cultist, then fall in combat <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Stay and watch")>> [[Join the Pack|Stay and watch]] <<else>> 4. Use a black potion on a wolf <</if>> <<if hasVisited("The Wolf Curse")>> [[The Wolf Curse]] <<else>> 5. Get bitten by a dire wolf (variation if first befriended wolf) <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Addicted to coin")>> [[Addicted to coin]] <<else>> 6. Become addicted to gambling at Zelig's statue <</if>> <<if hasVisited("sbook4")>> [[Zombie Slave|sbook4]] <<else>> 7. Fail to read the spell on Eskander's statue <</if>> <<if hasVisited("DarkPowerFail")>> [[Dark Jailer|DarkPowerFail]] <<else>> 8. Succumb to the lure of Dark Power <</if>> <<if hasVisited("stablehandfailed")>> [[Horse Spirit|stablehandfailed]] <<else>> 9. Perish fighting the stablehand <</if>> <<if hasVisited("StableTraining_Fail")>> [[Loyal Steed|StableTraining_Fail]] <<else>> 10. Accept the stablehand's training <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Altar Corrupted")>> [[Altar Corrupted|Altar Corrupted]] <<else>> 11. Fail to purify the chapel altar <</if>> <<if hasVisited("beastdied2")>> [[Beast's Slave|beastdied2]] <<else>> 12. Defeat the Beast, and continue the fight <</if>> <<if hasVisited("beastwon2")>> [[Beast's Soul|beastwon2]] <<else>> 12A. Defeat the Beast twice <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Tell him you're not interested in Nox, you only want to worship him")>> [[My Derevan|Tell him you're not interested in Nox, you only want to worship him]] <<else>> 14. Return to the cultists after passing them by, and fall to the goat lord <</if>> <<if hasVisited("diedtopiary")>> [[Fertilizer|diedtopiary]] <<else>> 15. Die fighting the topiary lion <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Shout at him and demand that Rayleigh stay with you")>> [[Part of Rayleigh|Shout at him and demand that Rayleigh stay with you]] <<else>> 16. Fail to free Rayleigh from his fate <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Join Rayleigh")>> [[Join Rayleigh|Join Rayleigh]] <<else>> 17. While bearing a donkey curse, speak to Rayleigh in a stable <</if>> <<if hasVisited("CollarFail")>> [[Loyal Pet|CollarFail]] <<else>> 18. While blessed by wolf people, try on a suspicious collar <</if>> <<if hasVisited("JailerDied")>> [[Imprisoned|JailerDied]] <<else>> 19. Perish fighting a Nox Jailer <</if>> <<if hasVisited("fail_box")>> [[Summoned Beast|fail_box]] <<else>> 20. Experiment foolishly with summoning implements <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Drop your belongings and allow yourself to be shackled")>> [[Carriage Puller|Drop your belongings and allow yourself to be shackled]] <<else>> 21. Give yourself up to save a Forsaken <</if>> <<if hasVisited("KilledByCarriageman")>> [[Carriageman's Snack|KilledByCarriageman]] <<else>> 22. Perish fighting a sinister carriageman. <</if>> <<if hasVisited("snakedead")>> [[Snake Food|snakedead]] <<else>> 23. Perish fighting a giant snake (cannot find if you have befriended a wolf) <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Surrender to the cult")>> [[Derevan's Beast|Surrender to the cult]] <<else>> 24. Perish fighting the cult guarding Nox <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Give the healing potion to the dire wolf")>> [[Volk|Give the healing potion to the dire wolf]] <<else>> 25. Cure the dire wolf <</if>> <<if hasVisited("EvilPrisonerDeath")>> [[Fleshcrafted|EvilPrisonerDeath]] <<else>> 26. Die facing a traitorous prisoner (variation if with Derevan) <</if>> <<if hasVisited("armorfail")>> [[Steel Knight|armorfail]] <<else>> 27. Take a sinister reward from the corrupted forge <</if>> <<if hasVisited("forgehogdied")>> [[Forged|forgehogdied]] <<else>> 28. Be crushed by the corrupted forgemaster (variation if befriended Dire Wolf) <</if>> <<if hasVisited("nickctf")>> [[Hog's Hog|nickctf]] <<else>> 29. Become entranced by the corrupted forgemaster <</if>> <<if hasVisited("bbeastdied")>> [[Underpaw|bbeastdied]] <<else>> 30. Lose to the Beast while he is weakened <</if>> <<if hasVisited("beastdiedtrue")>> [[Hellhound|beastdiedtrue]] <<else>> 31. Lose to the Beast at his full might <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Become his lion")>> [[His Lion|Become his lion]] <<else>> 32a. Lose to the Beast at his full might, fighting alone (version a) <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Become his lioness")>> [[His Lioness|Become his lioness]] <<else>> 32b. Lose to the Beast at his full might, fighting alone (version b) <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Surrender to lust")>> [[Surrender to goblin lust|Surrender to lust]] <<else>> 33. Disguise yourself too effectively as a goblin <</if>> <<if hasVisited("ratfail")>> [[Bitten by Zelig's Rats|ratfail]] <<else>> 34. Get bitten by Zelig's rats <</if>> <<if hasVisited("pickedup")>> [[A Tiny Pet|pickedup]] <<else>> 35. Become a pocket pet <</if>> <<if hasVisited("tigervore")>> [[Tiger Lunch|tigervore]] <<else>> 36. Become a tiger's lunch <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Sell yourself for 50 gold")>> [[Minotaur Slave|Sell yourself for 50 gold]] <<else>> 37. Sell yourself at the slave market <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Boar's Slave")>> [[Boar's Slave|Boar's Slave]] <<else>> 38. Attempt to seduce a slavemaster <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Rim that pig")>> [[Boar's Slut|Rim that pig]] <<else>> 39. Become too entranced with a slavemaster <</if>> <<if hasVisited("ratservantbadend")>> [[Rat Servant|ratservantbadend]] <<else>> 40. Try to work off your debt at the casino <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Zelig's Little Pet")>> [[Zelig's Little Pet|Zelig's Little Pet]] <<else>> 41. Lose your humanity at the casino <</if>> <<if hasVisited("zblsno")>> [[Zelig's Slave|zblsno]] <<else>> 42. Face Zelig with the Blessing of Skill <</if>> <<if hasVisited("zeligdie")>> [[Zelig's Trophy|zeligdie]] <<else>> 43. Lose to Zelig in the final confrontation <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Accept Zelig's Cursebrand")>> [[Assassin|Accept Zelig's Cursebrand]] <<else>> 44. Accept Zelig's offer <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Try the food (solo)")>> [[Gluttonous Hyena|Try the food (solo)]] <<else>> 45. Eat the food at Altan's buffet <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Try the food")>> [[Gluttonous Pig|Try the food]] <<else>> 46. Eat the food at Altan's buffet with Nick <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Lose the duel")>> [[Stone Bullet|Lose the duel]] <<else>> 47. Lose a pistol duel <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Perform fail")>> [[Bosco|Perform fail]] <<else>> 48. Fail to impress Altan's guests <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Say you're here to worship Altan")>> [[Eren's Tower|Say you're here to worship Altan]] <<else>> 49. Tell Eren the jackal something he doesn't want to hear <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Lose fight")>> [[Eren's Tower|Lose fight]] <<else>> 50. Lose a duel with Eren the jackal <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Try to resist the dance")>> [[Minor Nobility|Try to resist the dance]] <<else>> 51. Resist the midnight waltz while holding a mask <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Try to resist the dance (no mask)")>> [[Noble Servant|Try to resist the dance (no mask)]] <<else>> 52. Resist the midnight waltz without a mask <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Failed Check")>> [[Altan's Pet|Failed Check]] <<else>> 53. Face Altan with the Blessing of Charm <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Accept the offer")>> [[Baron of Charm|Accept the offer]] <<else>> 54. Accept Altan's Bargain <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Die to Altan")>> [[Plaything|Die to Altan]] <<else>> 55. Lose to Altan's first or second form <</if>> <<if hasVisited("DieToAltan2")>> [[Costume|DieToAltan2]] <<else>> 56. Lose to Altan's true form <</if>> Good Ends <<if hasVisited("Return to life as an adventurer")>> [[Adventurer|Return to life as an adventurer]] <<else>> 1. Defeat the castle <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Stay and become Lord of Skill")>> [[Lord of Skill|Stay and become Lord of Skill]] <<else>> 2. Become Lord of Skill <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Join your wolf mate's pack")>> [[Wolf|Join your wolf mate's pack]] <<else>> 3. Defeat the castle with max feral wolf affection <</if>> <<if hasVisited("WolfEndingNoPreg")>> [[Wolf|WolfEndingNoPreg]] <</if>> <<if hasVisited("The Stablemaster's Will")>> [[Stablelord|The Stablemaster's Will]] <<else>> 4. Defeat the castle with max Stablemaster affection <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Become Lord of Charm")>> [[Lord of Charm|Become Lord of Charm]] <<else>> 5. Become Lord of Charm <</if>> <<if hasVisited("Become a performing donkey")>> [[Performing Donkey|Become a performing donkey]] <<else>> 6. Save Nick, and romance him at Altan's palace while fully donkey cursed by the elves <</if>> [[Back|Intro]]

<<if $healing > 0 && !tags().includes('noheal') && !tags().includes('nobookmark')>> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+1>> <</if>> <<if !(tags().includes('noheal') || tags().includes('nobookmark'))>> <<set $incombat to false>> <<music_combat "stop">> <<set $aletherbonus to 0>> <</if>> <<if $_stamina <= 0 && tags().includes('safedeath')>> <<goto Death>> <</if>> <<if $money < 0>> <<set $money to 0>> <</if>> <<if $animalhandling > 0 && $camouflage > 0 && $hunting > 0 && !$rangercircle>> <<set $rangercircle to true>> <<set $advancementpoints to $advancementpoints+1>> <</if>> <<if $healing > 0 && $cantrips > 0 && $battlemagic > 0 && !$lorecircle>> <<set $lorecircle to true>> <<set $advancementpoints to $advancementpoints+1>> <</if>> <<if $ironwill > 0 && $heightenedsenses > 0 && $weaponmastery > 0 && !$battlecircle>> <<set $battlecircle to true>> <<set $advancementpoints to $advancementpoints+1>> <</if>> <<if visited() < 2 && !tags().includes('nobookmark')>> <<set $item1 to true>> <<set $item2 to true>> <<set $item3 to true>> <<set $item4 to true>> <<set $item5 to true>> <</if>>

<<set $i_empty to { "name": "Empty" }>> <<set $i_laumspur to { "name": "Laumspur Leaves", "use": "Laumspur Leaves", "description": "The rare white leaves used to make healing potions. In this form, you have enough to restore 3 stamina." }>> <<set $i_healthpotion to { "name": "Tincture of Life", "use": "Tincture of Life", "description": "A potion of healing, enough to restore 5 stamina." }>> <<set $i_sword to { "name": "Sword", "description": "A sturdy sword. Maximum damage: 5", "weapon": 5, "type": "sword" }>> <<set $i_shield to { "name": "Shield", "description": "A small buckler. Has a 1 in 6 chance of reducing incoming combat damage by 1", "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 1, "shield_penalty": 0 }>> <<set $i_food to { "name": "Food", "description": "Enough food for a single meal. In an emergency, can be consumed for 2 stamina.", "food": 3, "use": "Food" }>> <<set $i_staff to { "name": "Staff", "description": "A thick oak staff. Maximum damage: 3", "weapon": 3, "type": "staff" }>> <<set $i_goatstaff to { "name": "Goat's Head Staff", "description": "A thick oak staff, tipped with a brass goat's head. Maximum damage: 4", "weapon": 4, "type": "staff" }>> <<set $i_dagger to { "name": "Dagger", "description": "A vicious dagger. Maximum damage: 3", "weapon": 3, "type": "dagger" }>> <<set $i_mace to { "name": "Mace", "description": "A large metal mace. Maximum damage: 4", "weapon": 4, "type": "mace" }>> <<set $i_axe to { "name": "Axe", "description": "A heavy axe. Maximum damage: 5", "weapon": 5, "type": "axe" }>> <<set $i_rope to { "name": "Rope", "description": "A thick spool of rope. Useful in many situations." }>> <<set $i_lute to { "name": "Lute", "description": "A musical instrument." }>> <<set $i_holysymbol to { "name": "Holy Symbol", "description": "A symbol of religous devotion. FAITH+1", "faithbonus": 1 }>> <<set $i_shackles to { "name": "Slave Shackles", "description": "Heavy shackles that mark you as a Forsaken." }>> <<set $i_crown to { "name": "Golden Crown", "description": "A gleaming golden crown carved like olive vines. Simply owning it seems to fill you with confidence. +1 CHARM", "charmbonus": 1 }>> <<set $i_jewel to { "name": "Jewel", "description": "A large and heavy jewel. Surely worth a king's ransom back home, but of dubious use here." }>> <<set $i_stenaxe to { "name": "Sten's Axe", "description": "An enormous axe engraved with runes. It is almost too absurdly heavy to lift, making it difficult to use in combat, but potentially incredibly destructive. Combat Penalty: -2. Maximum damage: 10", "weapon": 10, "bonus": -2, "type": "axe", "use": "Sten's Axe" }>> <<set $i_stenaxe2 to { "name": "Sten's Axe", "description": "An enormous axe engraved with runes. It is almost too absurdly heavy to lift, but you have attuned yourself to its quirks and made it into a devastating weapon. Combat Bonus: 1. Maximum damage: 10", "weapon": 10, "bonus": 1, "type": "axe" }>> <<set $i_debugshield to { "name": "Debug Shield", "description": "A cheating shield", "shield_chance": 6, "shield_quantity": 5, "shield_penalty": 0 }>> <<set $i_blackpotion to { "name": "Black Potion", "use": "Black Potion", "description": "A thin vial of inky black liquid." }>> <<set $i_wolf to { "name": "Wolf Companion", "description": "A loyal wolf, who follows and protects you. In battle, he will sometimes take damage in your place. +1 SKILL", "skillbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 4, "use": "Wolf Companion", "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_wolfmissing to { "name": "Wolf (Missing)", "description": "Your wolf friend was separated from you when you fell from the castle.", "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 4, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_wolfpelt to { "name": "Wolf Pelt", "description": "A heavy, untreated wolf pelt. With appropriate tools, this could be made into a cloak." }>> <<set $i_deerpelt to { "name": "Deer Pelt", "description": "A heavy, untreated deer pelt. With appropriate tools, this could be made into armour." }>> <<set $i_deerantler to { "name": "Antlers", "description": "Antlers from a stag. Could be of some value to a merchant." }>> <<set $i_rawmeat to { "name": "Raw Meat", "description": "Raw meat from wild game. Not of much use in this state.", "use": "Raw Meat" }>> <<set $i_maxhppotion to { "name": "Tear of Erana", "description": "A potion of true healing, one of the most potent in the world. It will restore you to full health, or if drank when already at full health, it will increase your maximum stamina.", "use": "Tear of Erana" }>> <<set $i_shieldscroll to { "name": "Scroll of Shield", "description": "A scroll describing the spell Shield. It will make you immune to harm in-battle for one round. Cost: 2 Stamina.", "use": "Scroll of Shield" }>> <<set $i_darkpower to { "name": "Scroll of Dark Power", "description": "A scrawled scroll describing a spell called Dark Power. It is barely legible, but seems to describe a way to enhance your body with magic.", "use": "Scroll of Dark Power", }>> <<set $i_lantern to { "name": "Lantern", "description": "A smuggler's lantern with a flap. The light seems dim, as if struggling against the thick darkness of the castle." }>> <<set $i_overcoat to { "name": "Ragged Overcoat", "description": "An enormous, filthy overcoat, the hems ragged and torn. Has a 1 in 6 chance of reducing incoming combat damage by 1", "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 1, "shield_penalty": 0 }>> <<set $i_stablekey to { "name": "Stable Key", "description": "A long iron key, found in the stables." }>> <<set $i_horsering to { "name": "Rayleigh's Ring", "description": "A signet ring. Ironically, Rayleigh's house emblem was a stallion." }>> <<set $i_rayleigh to { "name": "Rayleigh", "description": "Once a nobleman, he is now nothing but a ghostly horse spirit who follows you like a loyal steed. He will stand at your side in battle, increasing your combat strength and reducing incoming damage. +1 MIGHT", "mightbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 4, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_rayleighmissing to { "name": "Rayleigh (Missing)", "description": "Rayleigh's ghost was separated from you when you fell from the castle.", "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_alether to { "name": "Alether Berries", "description": "If used on a combat screen, will increase your Might by 2. The effect ends as soon as you are out of combat.", "use": "Alether Berries", }>> <<set $i_bow to { "name": "Shortbow", "description": "A shortbow made of fine polished wood." }>> <<set $i_tinderbox to { "name": "Tinderbox", "description": "Tools for starting fires." }>> <<set $i_tunic to { "name": "Tunic", "description": "A fine leather tunic. Has a small chance of reducing incoming damage", "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 2, }>> <<set $i_bonedagger to { "name": "Bone Dagger", "description": "A finely crafted dagger made from an antler. Maximum damage: 4", "weapon": 4, "type": "dagger" }>> <<set $i_wolfcloak to { "name": "Wolf Cloak", "description": "A cloak made from a wolf's pelt. The head covers your own face, so you look out at the world through a predator's eyes. Makes you feel oddly powerful, and makes your skin itch. +1 MIGHT", "mightbonus": 1 }>> <<set $i_rapier to { "name": "Rayleigh's Rapier", "description": "A fine rapier with a golden basket pommel that covers your hand. Though it is less damaging than a standard longsword, its fine construction slightly enhances your combat abilities. Combat Bonus Chance: 1. Maximum damage: 3", "weapon": 3, "bonus": 1, "type": "sword" }>> <<set $i_aletherpotion to { "name": "Alether Potion", "description": "If used on a combat screen, will increase your Might by 3. The effect ends as soon as you are out of combat.", "use": "Alether Potion", }>> <<set $i_derevan to { "name": "Derevan", "description": "A goat sorceror, once the leader of a growing cult of mindless, brainwashed slaves. Now he has had a taste of his own medicine, and follows you obediently. +1 MAGIC", "magicbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 4, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_derevanmissing to { "name": "Derevan (Missing)", "description": "The sinister mage was separated from you when you fell from the castle.", "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_direwolf to { "name": "Dire Wolf", "description": "A slavering, fur-covered manwolf. He is enormous and lopes around in a crouched gait, his fangs and claws gleaming. +1 MIGHT", "mightbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 4, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_direwolfmissing to { "name": "Dire Wolf (Missing)", "description": "The deadly dire wolf was separated from you when you fell from the castle.", "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_stablemaster to { "name": "Stablemaster", "description": "Once human, he is now a hairy and mutated wolfman. He cowers from combat, but his eyes are oddly gentle, and he is sweet and calm to animals. +1 CHARM", "charmbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 4, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_stablemastermissing to { "name": "Stablemaster (Missing)", "description": "The gentle stablemaster was separated from you when you fell from the castle.", "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_pureblood to { "name": "Pure Blood of Nox", "description": "Purified Blood of Nox. Stripped of its mind-altering effects, all that remains is a droplet of absolute power. If consumed in combat, provides +3 to combat rolls and 30 temporary stamina, even exceeding your maximum limit.", "use": "Pure Blood of Nox", }>> <<set $i_arrowscroll to { "name": "Scroll of Magic Arrow", "description": "A scroll describing the spell Magic Arrow. If you have a bow but no arrows, you can create arrows using magic. This spell's true power can only be unlocked with a Gimble Gyre. Cost: 1 Stamina.", "use": "Scroll of Magic Arrow" }>> <<set $i_singingsword to { "name": "Singing Sword", "description": "A fine blade made seemingly from gleaming silver. Sings to warn you of danger, often allowing you to evade damage in combat. Combat Bonus: 1. Maximum damage: 5", "weapon": 5, "bonus": 1, "shield_chance": 2, "shield_quantity": 10, "type": "sword" }>> <<set $i_gimblegyre to { "name": "Gimble Gyre", "description": "A long, strange combination of a staff and a bow. You can channel the Magic Arrow spell from its tip, allowing you to use Magic for rolling in combat instead of Might. Combat Bonus: 1. Maximum damage: 5", "weapon": 5, "bonus": 1, "type": "gimble gyre" }>> <<set $i_shadowdagger to { "name": "Shadow Dagger", "description": "An empty black hilt, yet the shadow it casts shows a vicious curved blade. Useless normally, but does critical damage on backstabs. Combat Bonus: 5. Maximum damage: 0", "weapon": 1, "bonus": 5, "type": "dagger" }>> <<set $i_goldmace to { "name": "Golden Mace", "description": "A heavy mace with a golden sheen. May have a hidden power, but is also very valuable. Combat Bonus: 3. Maximum damage: 4", "weapon": 4, "bonus": 3, "type": "mace" }>> <<set $i_iceaxe to { "name": "Runed Axe", "description": "A heavy and unwieldy axe engraved with runes. Unlocks its true power only with its twin. Combat Bonus: 1. Maximum damage: 11", "weapon": 11, "bonus": 1, "type": "axe" }>> <<set $i_twinblades to { "name": "Frost and Famine", "description": "The twin rune axes once wielded by Sten himself. Their power is unmatched. Combat Bonus: 2. Maximum damage: 15", "weapon": 15, "bonus": 2, "type": "axe" }>> <<set $i_eranarose to { "name": "Erana's Rose", "description": "A beautiful rose seemingly frozen in time, its petals like hardened glass. Drastically reduces your abilities in combat, but enhances them outside of combat.", "weapon": 2, "bonus": -4, "type": "mace", "mightbonus": 1, "magicbonus": 1, "skillbonus": 1, "charmbonus": 1, "faithbonus": 1 }>> <<set $i_wolfmuzzle to { "name": "Wolf Muzzle", "description": "Your face is like that of a wolf, with a long snout and powerful fangs. Your sensitive wet nose enhances your skills and awareness.", "skillbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_wolftail to { "name": "Furry Tail", "description": "You have a fluffy, wagging canine tail. Something about it makes people find you more appealing.", "charmbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_wolfears to { "name": "Wolf Ears", "description": "You have a pair of furry, pointed ears atop your head. They enhance your senses and make you more aware of your surroundings.", "skillbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_wolfpaws to { "name": "Wolf Paws", "description": "Your feet are now clawed, lupine paws. The feel strangely natural, and enhance your agility", "skillbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_myfur to { "name": "Your Fur", "description": "You are completely covered in fur, and your body is now animalistic all over. Your fur protects you from the cold and reduces incoming damage slightly.", "shield_chance": 4, "shield_quantity": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_donkeyears to { "name": "Donkey's Ears", "description": "You have a pair of long furry donkey ears atop your head. They are silly but they make people less afraid of you.", "charmbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_bray to { "name": "Donkey's Snout", "description": "Your face is pushed out at the front, like an equine muzzle. You sometimes find yourself laughing uproariously with a loud, screeching donkey's hee-haw.", "charmbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_donkeytail to { "name": "Donkey's Tail", "description": "You have a ropey furry tail hanging from your behind, with a tuft of fur on the end. You think it's extremely cute.", "charmbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_donkeyhooves to { "name": "Hooves", "description": "Your feet are now a pair of large, firm black hooves. They feel completely natural to balance on, and you even feel more agile clopping around with them than you did when you had feet.", "skillbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_batears to { "name": "Bat Ears", "description": "You have tall, pointed ears that stand up above your head, like those of a bat.", "skillbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_viciousfangs to { "name": "Vicious Fangs", "description": "You have long, curved fangs in your mouth like the teeth of a viper.", "mightbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_greyskin to { "name": "Grey Skin", "description": "Your skin is grey like stone, and covered in a craggy, rocklike texture.", "mightbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_tusks to { "name": "Thick Tusks", "description": "You have a pair of thick, boarlike tusks that jut from your jaw.", "mightbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_orcmane to { "name": "Orcish Mane", "description": "Your hair is bristly and firm like the hide of a boar, and juts out from your head and shoulders in a jet-black mane that gives you an intimidating aura.", "charmbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_orcbody to { "name": "Massive Body", "description": "You are enormous, and your body bulges with inhumanly hard muscle. At first glance, people would think you are some terrible ogre from myth.", "mightbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_orcskin to { "name": "Stone Skin", "description": "Thick craggy protrusions are growing from your grey skin, like crystalline clusters on the stone of a mountain. They deflect weapons, and make you look even more inhuman.", "shield_chance": 4, "shield_quantity": 2, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_rayleigh2 to { "name": "Rayleigh Reborn", "description": "Rayleigh's soul has fully become part of nature, and he has been reborn as a strong young stallion. He seems to recognise you in some way, and follows you loyally. +1 MIGHT", "mightbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 2, "shield_quantity": 4, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_rayleigharmor to { "name": "Rayleigh Family Armour", "description": "This gold-etched armour has been in the Rayleigh family for generations. It is blessed by generations of paladins, and its protective powers are unmatched. Has a 2 in 3 chance of reducing incoming combat damage by 3", "shield_chance": 4, "shield_quantity": 3 }>> <<set $i_manslayer to { "name": "Manslayer", "description": "An enormous weapon made from the iron plating of a siege engine. Can barely even be called a sword. Maximum damage: 25", "weapon": 25, "bonus": 1, "type": "sword" }>> <<set $i_rayleighshield to { "name": "Rayleigh's Shield", "description": "A kite shield with a crest of a rearing horse. Has a 50% chance of reducing incoming combat damage by 4", "shield_chance": 3, "shield_quantity": 4, "shield_penalty": 0 }>> <<set $i_magiccollar to { "name": "Magic Collar", "description": "Supposedly a magical collar that enhances the skills of dogs." }>> <<set $i_cursedcollar to { "name": "Cursed Collar", "description": "Your collar. You must wear it, because you are a good dog. A very good dog.", "mightbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_packmule to { "name": "Packmule", "description": "A small donkey, which will follow you out of combat and increase your inventory capacity slightly.", "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_magerobe to { "name": "Mage's Robe", "description": "An enchanted silken robe, made to be worn by professors at the college of magic. Enhances magic. Has a 75% chance of reducing incoming combat damage by 2", "shield_chance": 5, "shield_quantity": 2, "magicbonus": 1, "shield_penalty": 0 }>> <<set $i_summonersbox to { "name": "Summoner's Box", "description": "A box to contain a summoned beast. Of no use without a beast to bind, and a professional binding mage to subdue them." }>> <<set $i_poems to { "name": "Raunchy Poetry", "description": "A battered, cheap folio of off-colour poetry." }>> <<set $i_snake to { "name": "Snake Companion", "description": "A powerful snake, who follows and protects you. In battle, he will sometimes take damage in your place. +1 SKILL", "skillbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 4, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_alphawolf to { "name": "Wolf Leader", "description": "Your loyal wolf friend has become an enormous and respected leader among the wolves of Nox. He considers you his equal, and perhaps more. +1 MIGHT/SKILL", "mightbonus": 1, "skillbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 2, "shield_quantity": 4, "use": "Wolf Companion", "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_derevan2 to { "name": "Derevan", "description": "A goat sorceror, the leader of a growing cult of mindless, brainwashed slaves. His full power is returned, and he claims to be fully loyal to you. +1 MAGIC", "magicbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 2, "shield_quantity": 4, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_blackhorns to { "name": "Black Horns", "description": "Two enormous, curving goat's horns that jut from your head like a dark crown. They are ebony black, and the tips glisten red as if wet with blood.", "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_blackwings to { "name": "Black Wings", "description": "A pair of huge batlike wings that spread out from your back. The skin glistens and shines faintly, and is as dark as midnight.", "magicbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_fangmaw to { "name": "Fanged Maw", "description": "Your face has pushed out into a wide, heavy muzzle, like that of a lion. It instinctively pulls into a vicious snarl any time you aren't focusing on it, which shows your gigantic razor-sharp fangs.", "mightbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_barbtail to { "name": "Barbed Tail", "description": "Stretching out behind you is a thick, muscular tail. It is as long as the rest of your body, and twists and moves like a viper. The tip is bulging and heavy, and covered in long, vicious spikes.", "skillbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_shadowskin to { "name": "Onyx Skin", "description": "Your enormous, muscular body is completely covered with perfect, jet-black skin. It shines and glistens like a cut onyx, harder to cut than stone, yet moving and shifting as gracefully as oil.", "magicbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_connery to { "name": "Sir Connery", "description": "Sir Connery, leader of the paladin order, is now a muscular horse-man. He is still getting used to his new body. +1 SKILL", "skillbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_monsterconnery to { "name": "Deathknight", "description": "This creature was once a noble paladin, but its soul has been forever tainted. It is now a hulking equine beast with a permanent black metal helmet, from which red light oozes. +1 MIGHT", "mightbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 1, "shield_quantity": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_mightyconnery to { "name": "Sir Connery", "description": "Sir Connery, leader of the paladin order. Fused with his distant ancestor, he is now a huge, gleaming white stallion-man. He is mightier and more skilled than he was even at his peak. +1 MIGHT/SKILL/MAGIC", "skillbonus": 1, "mightbonus": 1, "magicbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 2, "shield_quantity": 6, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_blacksteelarmor to { "name": "Sootforged Mail", "description": "A partial set of ashen black plate mail. The strange curse within it enhances your fury in combat, but in return also causes you to take more damage from foes.", "mightbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 3, "shield_quantity": -1 }>> <<set $i_beastsummon to { "name": "Summoned Beast", "description": "The ghostly form of a monstrous horned lion looms behind you, fighting in your place with spectral claws and fangs. Uses Charm in place of Might for combat rolls. Combat Bonus: 1. Maximum damage: 20", "weapon": 20, "bonus": 1, "type": "summon" }>> <<set $i_ashenblade to { "name": "The Ashen Blade", "description": "An enormous grey sword. There is no magic in it, but for you it carries an unstoppable weight. Your comrades are still with you. Combat Bonus: 3. Maximum damage: 25", "weapon": 25, "bonus": 3, "type": "sword" }>> <<set $i_greataxe to { "name": "Greataxe", "description": "An enormous and brutal axe. Maximum damage: 7", "weapon": 7, "type": "axe" }>> <<set $i_trueblacksteelarmor to { "name": "Blacksteel Plate", "description": "A full set of ebony black platemail. The strange curse within it enhances your fury in combat, but in return also causes you to take more damage from foes. Might+2. Damage Taken+4.", "mightbonus": 2, "shield_chance": 6, "shield_quantity": -4 }>> <<set $i_mousemask to { "name": "Mouse Mask", "description": "A plain white mask of smooth ivory, shaped roughly like a mouse's face." }>> <<set $i_pigmask to { "name": "Pig Mask", "description": "A plain white mask of smooth ivory, shaped roughly like a pig's snout." }>> <<set $i_stagmask to { "name": "Stag Mask", "description": "A plain white mask of smooth ivory, shaped roughly like a stag's antlered head." }>> <<set $i_charmskillring to { "name": "Ring of Clumsy Charm", "description": "A ring with a flawed enchantment. +CHARM -SKILL", "charmbonus": 1, "skillbonus": -1 }>> <<set $i_magiccharmring to { "name": "Ring of Repugnant Magic", "description": "A ring with a flawed enchantment. +MAGIC -CHARM", "charmbonus": -1, "magicbonus": 1 }>> <<set $i_mightmagicring to { "name": "Ring of Brute Strength", "description": "A ring with a flawed enchantment. +MIGHT -MAGIC", "mightbonus": 1, "magicbonus": -1 }>> <<set $i_skillmightring to { "name": "Ring of Feather Touch", "description": "A ring with a flawed enchantment. +SKILL -MIGHT", "mightbonus": -1, "skillbonus": 1 }>> <<set $i_goblinsized to { "name": "Goblin Sized", "description": "You have been shrunk down to an embarrassing three feet tall. All the creatures of Nox now tower over you, and your smaller body is weaker than it once was. MIGHT -1", "mightbonus": -1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_tigerpelt to { "name": "Tiger Pelt", "description": "A heavy, untreated tiger pelt. With appropriate tools, this could be made into a cloak." }>> <<set $i_tinyboss to { "name": "Tiny and Boss", "description": "The two hapless thieves you met in Brisgoth have been corrupted by the castle. Now one is a massive mute feral tiger, and the other is a very whiny little mouse. +1 SKILL/CHARM", "skillbonus": 1, "charmbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 2, "shield_quantity": 2, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_tinytiger to { "name": "Broken Tiger", "description": "The horrors of the castle have shattered Tiny's mind irreparably. He follows you on all fours like a zombie, and will often take damage on your behalf in combat. He no longer has any will to live. +2 MIGHT", "mightbonus": 2, "shield_chance": 4, "shield_quantity": 2, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_stablemaster_true to { "name": "Stablemaster", "description": "The gentle and hairy wolfman you once knew has returned, but not as he was. He stands tall and firm, his eyes fierce with a desire to protect the things he loves. +1 CHARM", "charmbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 2, "shield_quantity": 4, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_tinyboss_fixed to { "name": "Tiny and Boss", "description": "You have rescued the two thieves you met in Brisgoth from corruption. Now one is a massive and muscular tiger-man, while the other is an even more whiny little mouse. +1 SKILL/CHARM", "skillbonus": 1, "charmbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 4, "shield_quantity": 5, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_orcishblood to { "name": "Orc Heritage", "description": "One of your ancestors was an orc who managed to maintain their mind long enough to have children. You are naturally larger and more muscular than most people, though not to the extent you seem unnatural. +1 MIGHT", "mightbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_petrat to { "name": "Pet Rat", "description": "You have a very intelligent and long-lived pet rat who lives in your pocket. +1 SKILL", "skillbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_blackshield to { "name": "Black Shield", "description": "A shield that is pitted and rough with the countless blows it has stopped. The metal is blackened with ash. +1 MIGHT. 50% chance of reducing incoming damage by 2.", "mightbonus": 1, "shield_chance": 3, "shield_quantity": 2 }>> <<set $i_cattail to { "name": "Cat Tail", "description": "You were born with a black-furred feline tail that gives you grace and agility. +1 SKILL", "skillbonus": 1, "nodrop": true }>> <<set $i_sheepmask to { "name": "Sheep Mask", "description": "A plain white mask of smooth ivory, shaped roughly like a sheep's wooly face." }>> <<set $i_zebramask to { "name": "Zebra Mask", "description": "A plain white mask of polished ivory and ebony, shaped roughly like a zebra's striped muzzle." }>> <<set $i_djinnsummon to { "name": "Djinn Baqaya", "description": "The ghostly form of a helmeted figure looms behind you, fighting in your place with a spectral blade. Uses Charm in place of Might for combat rolls. Combat Bonus: 0. Maximum damage: 5", "weapon": 5, "bonus": 0, "type": "summon" }>>

You uncork and drink the potion, and immediately feel a surge of health within you. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+5>>

[[Inventory]] [[Skills]] [[Mute|Muting]] <<link "Saves">><<script>>UI.saves()<</script>><</link>>

[[Return | $lastpassage]] <<for _i to 0; _i lt $INVENTORY.length; _i++>> <<capture _i>> <<print $INVENTORY[_i].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[_i].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[_i].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[_i].name != "Empty" && !$INVENTORY[_i].nodrop>> <<link "Drop " "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to _i>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[_i].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[_i].use>>><<set $dropitem to _i>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[_i].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to _i>><</link>> <</if>> <</capture>> <</for>> [[Return | $lastpassage]]

<<set _blessingname to $blessing.toUpperCase()>> BLESSING: _blessingname MIGHT: $might MAGIC: $magic CHARM: $charm SKILL: $skill FAITH: $faith

STAMINA: $stamina<div><div></div></div>GUILDERS: $money<<script>> var stamina = State.variables.stamina; var _stamina = State.variables._stamina; var s_width = Math.floor((_stamina/stamina)*100) $("#hp").css("width", s_width+"%"); <</script>>

<<if $INVENTORY[$dropitem].mightbonus>> <<set $might to $might-$INVENTORY[$dropitem].mightbonus>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[$dropitem].magicbonus>> <<set $magic to $magic-$INVENTORY[$dropitem].magicbonus>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[$dropitem].charmbonus>> <<set $charm to $charm-$INVENTORY[$dropitem].charmbonus>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[$dropitem].skillbonus>> <<set $skill to $skill-$INVENTORY[$dropitem].skillbonus>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[$dropitem].faithbonus>> <<set $faith to $faith-$INVENTORY[$dropitem].faithbonus>> <</if>> You discard it and free up some space. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

[[Return | $lastpassage]] ''Skill Points'': $skillpoints ''Advancement Points'': $advancementpoints ''Ranger Skills'' <<if $animalhandling == 0>> <div> Animal Handling (Unlearned) Your skill and knowledge of animals allows you to pacify any wild beasts you encounter. You can end combat with wild animals immediately, and will be able to gain hints and information about animals. Advancement: In combat with animals, you can attempt to join them to your side to gain an animal companion. <<if $skillpoints > 0>> <button>Learn</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $animalhandling == 1>> <div> Animal Handling (Learned) Your skill and knowledge of animals allows you to pacify any wild beasts you encounter. You can end combat with wild animals immediately, and will be able to gain hints and information about animals. Advancement: In combat with animals, you can attempt to join them to your side to gain an animal companion. <<if $advancementpoints > 0>> <button>Master</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $animalhandling == 2>> <div> Animal Handling (Mastered) Your skill and knowledge of animals allows you to pacify any wild beasts you encounter. You can end combat with wild animals immediately, and will be able to gain hints and information about animals. Advancement: In combat with animals, you can attempt to join them to your side to gain an animal companion. </div> <</if>> <<if $camouflage == 0>> <div> Camouflage (Unlearned) You know how to disguise yourself, both to stay hidden and to pass as other people. You can attempt to evade many combats through stealth. Advancement: You can hide in combat to set up a devastating backstab. <<if $skillpoints > 0>> <button>Learn</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $camouflage == 1>> <div> Camouflage (Learned) You know how to disguise yourself, both to stay hidden and to pass as other people. You can attempt to evade many combats through stealth. Advancement: You can hide in combat to set up a devastating backstab. <<if $advancementpoints > 0>> <button>Master</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $camouflage == 2>> <div> Camouflage (Mastered) You know how to disguise yourself, both to stay hidden and to pass as other people. You can attempt to evade many combats through stealth. Advancement: You can hide in combat to set up a devastating backstab </div> <</if>> <<if $hunting == 0>> <div> Hunting (Unlearned) Periodically, you will need to eat while in Castle Nox. If you have no food, starvation will permanently reduce your maximum Stamina. If you have this skill, you will always be considered to have food due to your ability to hunt for prey. Advancement: In addition to being able to hunt for your food, you will also have a chance to obtain random supplies such as pelts and antlers <<if $skillpoints > 0>> <button>Learn</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $hunting == 1>> <div> Hunting (Learned) Periodically, you will need to eat while in Castle Nox. If you have no food, starvation will permanently reduce your maximum Stamina. If you have this skill, you will always be considered to have food due to your ability to hunt for prey. Advancement: In addition to being able to hunt for your food, you will also have a chance to obtain random supplies such as pelts and antlers <<if $advancementpoints > 0>> <button>Master</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $hunting == 2>> <div> Hunting (Mastered) Periodically, you will need to eat while in Castle Nox. If you have no food, starvation will permanently reduce your maximum Stamina. If you have this skill, you will always be considered to have food due to your ability to hunt for prey. Advancement: In addition to being able to hunt for your food, you will also have a chance to obtain random supplies such as pelts and antlers </div> <</if>> ''Lore Skills'' <<if $healing == 0>> <div> Healing (Unlearned) You know the art of healing and herblore. You will passively regain small amounts of health any time you are not in danger. Advancement: You can gain a surge of 10 free health restoration even in combat, temporarily even beyond your maximum. You cannot use it again until you next rest and eat. <<if $skillpoints > 0>> <button>Learn</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $healing == 1>> <div> Healing (Learned) You know the art of healing and herblore. You will passively regain small amounts of health any time you are not in danger. Advancement: You can gain a surge of 10 free health restoration even in combat, temporarily even beyond your maximum. You cannot use it again until you next rest and eat. <<if $advancementpoints > 0>> <button>Master</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $healing == 2>> <div> Healing (Mastered) You know the art of healing and herblore. You will passively regain small amounts of health any time you are not in danger. Advancement: You can gain a surge of 10 free health restoration even in combat, temporarily even beyond your maximum. You cannot use it again until you next rest and eat. </div> <</if>> <<if $cantrips == 0>> <div> Cantrips (Unlearned) You know a few minor cantrips that allow you to manipulate small objects, and protect yourself from extreme temperatures. Advancement: You can learn new spells from scrolls and tomes you find in your journey <<if $skillpoints > 0>> <button>Learn</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $cantrips == 1>> <div> Cantrips (Learned) You know a few minor cantrips that allow you to manipulate small objects, and protect yourself from extreme temperatures. Advancement: You can learn new spells from scrolls and tomes you find in your journey <<if $advancementpoints > 0>> <button>Master</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $cantrips == 2>> <div> Cantrips (Mastered) You know a few minor cantrips that allow you to manipulate small objects, and protect yourself from extreme temperatures. Advancement: You can learn new spells from scrolls and tomes you find in your journey </div> <</if>> <<if $battlemagic == 0>> <div> Battle Magic (Unlearned) You can use battle magic to enhance your combat skills. You will gain +4 to a combat roll in exchange for 2 Endurance. Advancement: Your battle magic bonus increases to "Battleblast" at +6, or you can use a weaker version which remains +4 in exchange for only 1 Endurance penalty. <<if $skillpoints > 0>> <button>Learn</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $battlemagic == 1>> <div> Battle Magic (Learned) You can use battle magic to enhance your combat skills. You will gain +4 to a combat roll in exchange for 2 Endurance. Advancement: Your battle magic bonus increases to "Battleblast" at +6, or you can use a weaker version which remains +4 in exchange for only 1 Endurance penalty. <<if $advancementpoints > 0>> <button>Master</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $battlemagic == 2>> <div> Battle Magic (Mastered) You can use battle magic to enhance your combat skills. You will gain +4 to a combat roll in exchange for 2 Endurance. Advancement: Your battle magic bonus increases to "Battleblast" at +6, or you can use a weaker version which remains +4 in exchange for only 1 Endurance penalty. </div> <</if>> ''Battle Skills'' <<if $ironwill == 0>> <div> Iron Will (Unlearned) The most powerful entities in Castle Nox can burn the minds of their foes in combat, causing constant loss of health. Your iron will will negate this penalty, and will also increase your Faith. Advancement: Your mental control has extended to the point you can now read the intentions of others. <<if $skillpoints > 0>> <button>Learn</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $ironwill == 1>> <div> Iron Will (Learned) The most powerful entities in Castle Nox can burn the minds of their foes in combat, causing constant loss of health. Your iron will will negate this penalty, and will also increase your Faith. Advancement: Your mental control has extended to the point you can now read the intentions of others. <<if $advancementpoints > 0>> <button>Master</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $ironwill == 2>> <div> Iron Will (Mastered) The most powerful entities in Castle Nox can burn the minds of their foes in combat, causing constant loss of health. Your iron will will negate this penalty, and will also increase your Faith. Advancement: Your mental control has extended to the point you can now read the intentions of others. </div> <</if>> <<if $heightenedsenses == 0>> <div> Heightened Senses (Unlearned) Your keen senses will give you clues about what is ahead periodically during your journey. Advancement: You have a chance of evading incoming combat damage with your advanced reflexes. <<if $skillpoints > 0>> <button>Learn</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $heightenedsenses == 1>> <div> Heightened Senses (Learned) Your keen senses will give you clues about what is ahead periodically during your journey. Advancement: You have a chance of evading incoming combat damage with your advanced reflexes. <<if $advancementpoints > 0>> <button>Master</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $heightenedsenses == 2>> <div> Heightened Senses (Mastered) Your keen senses will give you clues about what is ahead periodically during your journey. Advancement: You have a chance of evading incoming combat damage with your advanced reflexes. </div> <</if>> <<if $weaponmastery == 0>> <div> Weaponmastery (Unlearned) You are trained in a specific kind of weapon, and will gain +2 to your combat rolls if you have that weapon type equipped. Advancement: You are trained in all weapons, can equip exotic weapons, and your bonus also applies to ranged combat. <<if $skillpoints > 0>> <button>Learn</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $weaponmastery == 1>> <div> Weaponmastery ($masteredweapon) You are trained in a specific kind of weapon, and will gain +2 to your combat rolls if you have that weapon type equipped. Advancement: You are trained in all weapons, can equip exotic weapons, and your bonus also applies to ranged combat. <<if $advancementpoints > 0>> <button>Master</button> <</if>> </div> <<elseif $weaponmastery == 2>> <div> Weaponmastery (Mastered) You are trained in a specific kind of weapon, and will gain +2 to your combat rolls if you have that weapon type equipped. Advancement: You are trained in all weapons, can equip exotic weapons, and your bonus also applies to ranged combat. </div> <</if>> [[Return | $lastpassage]]

Castle Nox is an 18+ fantasy-horror text adventure game, with a heavy focus on furry content, hypnosis, transformation, and gay male sexual encounters. There are many endings to be discovered, so please feel free to play multiple times. You can look at the Endings segment here for hints on how to unlock each one. As you play, you can move the story in different direction by choosing from the large buttons at the bottom of each passage. Within the passages, there are also links which can be clicked to get more information or to react to things. These links will not move you to another page. Some of your choices may affect your stats, which will be shown on the left. ''Stat Information:'' Stamina is your health. It will be reduced when you take damage, and can be increased back up to the maximum by healing and resting. If it drops to zero, the game will end in death. Guilders are your money. There aren't many options to spend money in Castle Nox, but it may come in handy here and there. Might is the primary stat used in combat, and also represents brute strength. Magic is the stat for knowledge, spellcasting, and interacting with the arcane. Charm is the stat used for making friends and influencing others. Skill is used for dextrous tasks such as lockpicking and sneaking. Faith represents your ability to resist the darkness of Castle Nox. It is not necessarily religious. A philosopher's faith in logic and reason is just as powerful to resist Nox as the belief of a priest. You will sometimes be asked to roll your skills against a target number. Two six-sided dice will be rolled and added to your skill value. If the number exceeds the target value, you will succeed. ''Skill Information:'' You start the game with three skills, and can learn others as you play. Each skill gives a specific benefit, and can unlock new options within the castle. Skills come in groups of three. If you have all the skills in a given group, you will be able to advance any one of your skills to gain additional benefits. ''Ranger Skills'' Animal Handling Your skill and knowledge of animals allows you to pacify any wild beasts you encounter. You can end combat with wild animals immediately, and will be able to gain hints and information about animals. Advancement: In combat with animals, you can attempt to join them to your side to gain an animal companion. Camouflage You know how to disguise yourself, both to stay hidden and to pass as other people. You can attempt to evade many combats through stealth. Advancement: You can hide in combat to set up a devastating backstab. Hunting Periodically, you will need to eat while in Castle Nox. If you have no food, starvation will permanently reduce your maximum Stamina. If you have this skill, you will always be considered to have food due to your ability to hunt for prey. Advancement: In addition to being able to hunt for your food, you will also have a chance to obtain random supplies such as pelts and antlers ''Lore Skills'' Healing You know the art of healing and herblore. You will passively regain small amounts of health any time you are not in danger. Advancement: You can gain a surge of 10 free health restoration even in combat. You cannot use it again until you next rest and eat. Cantrips You know a few minor cantrips that allow you to manipulate small objects, and protect yourself from extreme temperatures. Advancement: You can learn new spells from scrolls and tomes you find in your journey Battle Magic You can use battle magic to enhance your combat skills. You will gain +4 to a combat roll in exchange for 2 Endurance. Advancement: Your battle magic bonus increases to +6, or you can use a weaker version which remains +4 in exchange for only 1 Endurance penalty. ''Warrior Skills'' Iron Will The most powerful entities in Castle Nox can burn the minds of their foes in combat, causing constant loss of health. Your iron will will negate this penalty. Advancement: Your mental control has extended to the point you can now read the intentions of others. Heightened Senses Your keen senses will give you clues about what is ahead periodically during your journey. Advancement: You have a chance of evading incoming combat damage with your advanced reflexes Weaponmastery You are trained in a specific kind of weapon, and will gain +2 to your combat rolls if you have that weapon type equipped. Advancement: You are trained in all weapons, and your bonus also applies to ranged combat. ''Combat Information:'' In combat, you will be presented with an enemy's stat block. This includes their STAMINA, WEAPON DAMAGE and SKILL. Each time you attack, you roll two six-sided dice and add it to your MIGHT stat. The enemy does the same, and adds it to their SKILL. The difference in the two numbers is then dealt as damage to the loser's STAMINA. The damage dealt cannot exceed the WEAPON DAMAGE of the winner's weapon. If you have no weapon, this max damage is 2. Whoever runs out of stamina first loses. You may flee from some combat encounters, but the enemy will take a free hit to your stamina as you do. It is possible to find items which will reduce the damage you take in combat. ''Blessings:'' You may encounter blessings on your journey. In Castle Nox, these come from the power of the great beings within the castle. You can carry one blessing at a time, and they will allow you to either add 2 to a stat roll before you roll it, or re-roll a failed attempt. They are consumed upon use. Sten's Blessing: Usable on Might rolls Eskander's Blessing: Usable on Magic rolls Altan's Blessing: Usable on Charm rolls Zelig's Blessing: Usable on Skill rolls Blessing of the Pure: Usable on Faith rolls Be wary; it may be dangerous to carry the blessing of a great being into battle with that same great being... ''Inventory:'' You will find many items on your journey, some useful and others less so. You can view your inventory at any time from the menu on the left. You have ten slots to carry items, after which you must discard something if you want to pick up more. Some items can be used or examined, and you may do so from the inventory screen. Some items are small and do not take up inventory space. These will not be counted against your inventory limit. [[Back|Intro]]

Writing: Blueballs Writing: Toucanplay Coding: Blueballs Coding Assitance: Synth Castle Icon: Blueballs Additional Scenes: Kur Background Images: Rachel Chen (purchased license) Music: Tim Beek (purchased license) [[Back|Intro]]

''A Warrior'' Might 5 Magic 2 Charm 2 Skill 4 Faith 3 Starts with: Sword, Shield, Foodx2 [[I am a Warrior]] ''A Mage'' Might 2 Magic 6 Charm 2 Skill 4 Faith 3 Starts with: Staff, Tincture of Life, Foodx2 [[I am a Mage]] ''A Rogue'' Might 2 Magic 2 Charm 4 Skill 6 Faith 2 Starts with: Dagger, Rope, Foodx2 [[I am a Rogue]] ''A Bard'' Might 2 Magic 4 Charm 6 Skill 2 Faith 3 Starts with: Dagger, Lute, Foodx2 [[I am a Bard]] ''A Priest'' Might 3 Magic 4 Charm 4 Skill 3 Faith 4 Starts with: Mace, Holy Symbol, Foodx2 [[I am a Priest]] ''A Forsaken'' Might 2 Magic 2 Charm 2 Skill 2 Faith 1 Starts with: Slave shackles [[I am Forsaken]] <<if $bloodknight>> ''A Blood Knight'' Might 10 Magic 3 Charm 3 Skill 3 Faith 1 Starts with: Greataxe, Blacksteel Plate, Foodx2, Bonus Skill Point [[I am a Blood Knight]] <</if>> <<if $assassin>> ''An Assassin'' Might 4 Magic 3 Charm 3 Skill 10 Faith 1 Starts with: Shadow Dagger, Bat Ears, Fangs, Foodx2, Bonus Skill Point [[I am an Assassin]] <</if>> <<if $newgameplus>> ''A Returner'' Might $ngmight Magic $ngmagic Charm $ngcharm Skill $ngskill Faith $ngfaith Starts with: Foodx2, Bonus Skill Points [[I am a Returner]] <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[17]>> ''A Summoner'' Might 0 Magic 6 Charm 6 Skill 3 Faith 3 Starts with: Bound Summon, Summoner's Bindings, Foodx2, Bonus Skill Point [[I am a Summoner]] <</if>>

You are a warrior, trained in the art of combat and in the ways of the battlefield. Your body is hale and strong, and the path to the castle, though it may be steep and treacherous, is well within your power. Will your training in battle be enough, once you pass beyond those black walls? You have fought men and beast, but the legends of Castle Nox tell of otherworldly horrors far beyond your experience. Perhaps you have come here to hone your skills. Perhaps you mean to slay the lords of this dread fortress. Your reasons are your own. You are trained in the art of Weaponmastery with your trusted sword, your close companion. You have two other skills; spend them now in the Skills screen. If you unlock all the skills within a group, you will be able to master one of the skills, which provides additional effects. <<set $might to 5>> <<set $magic to 2>> <<set $charm to 2>> <<set $skill to 4>> <<set $faith to 3>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_sword>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_shield>> <<set $INVENTORY[2] to $i_food>> <<set $INVENTORY[3] to $i_food>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "warrior">> <<set $maxdamage to 5>> <<set $weapontype to "sword">> <<set $skillpoints to 2>> <<set $weaponmastery to 1>> <<set $masteredweapon to "sword">> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

You are a mage, an initiate in the secret arts, and a scholar of the many-folding paths. Though your body is weak, your mind is keen and sharp, and you force yourself up along the mountain path by force of will. You have read many tomes about the old magic, perused many bestiaries about monstrous foes and ancient curses. You already have sought that which man should not know; will you now survive the castle that no man should enter? Perhaps you have come here to learn the ancient secrets of old magic, kept hidden within the castle for thousands of years. Perhaps you seek great power from the dread paths of the dark castle. Your reasons are your own. You are no fighter, but you are trained in the art of Battle Magic, which will make you as potent as a warrior, at a steady cost to your stamina. You have two other skills; spend them now in the Skills screen. If you unlock all the skills within a group, you will be able to master one of the skills, which provides additional effects. <<set $might to 2>> <<set $magic to 6>> <<set $charm to 2>> <<set $skill to 4>> <<set $faith to 3>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_staff>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_healthpotion>> <<set $INVENTORY[2] to $i_food>> <<set $INVENTORY[3] to $i_food>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "mage">> <<set $maxdamage to 3>> <<set $weapontype to "staff">> <<set $skillpoints to 2>> <<set $battlemagic to 1>> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

You are a rogue, and you have plied your trade under cover of night for many years. No pocket or chest has been safe from your skilled fingers, and this icy mountain path is no fear to one who has skittered across rooftops in the dead of winter. You have stolen from palaces and temples, from priest and pauper. Yet never have you stolen into a place such as Castle Nox. In these walls, will you finally tempt fate once too often, and come to your end? Perhaps you have come here to plunder the treasure of ages said to be hidden within the castle. Perhaps you wish to prove your skill and training by penetrating the fortress unconquerable, and returning unharmed. Your reasons are your own. You are trained in the art of Camouflage, with which you can evade combat and take on disguises. You have two other skills; spend them now in the Skills screen. If you unlock all the skills within a group, you will be able to master one of the skills, which provides additional effects. <<set $might to 2>> <<set $magic to 2>> <<set $charm to 4>> <<set $skill to 6>> <<set $faith to 2>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_dagger>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_rope>> <<set $INVENTORY[2] to $i_food>> <<set $INVENTORY[3] to $i_food>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "rogue">> <<set $maxdamage to 3>> <<set $weapontype to "dagger">> <<set $skillpoints to 2>> <<set $camouflage to 1>> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

You are a bard, a wandering entertainer and speaker of lore and histories. You know every song and fable in this country, and many from countries beyond beside. You are welcome at every hearth, a friend to all. Yet you will find few friends in the bleak walls of Castle Nox. Past its black-iron gates there will be peril and despair. Will your bright heart remain true even in the depths of darkness? Perhaps you have come here to speak with the denizens of the castle, those who retain their sanity, and learn their ways. Perhaps you wish to create a ballad of wondrous adventure by risking your life and soul. Your reasons are your own. You are friend to beasts and man alike, and are trained in the art of Animal Handling, which makes animals no threat to you. You have two other skills; spend them now in the Skills screen. If you unlock all the skills within a group, you will be able to master one of the skills, which provides additional effects. <<set $might to 2>> <<set $magic to 4>> <<set $charm to 6>> <<set $skill to 2>> <<set $faith to 3>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_dagger>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_lute>> <<set $INVENTORY[2] to $i_food>> <<set $INVENTORY[3] to $i_food>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "bard">> <<set $maxdamage to 3>> <<set $weapontype to "dagger">> <<set $skillpoints to 2>> <<set $animalhandling to 1>> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

You are a priest, and a healer. You have spread the word of your faith, and sought to show its value in your good deeds and your resistance to injustice and corruption. In times of war, you have even taken up arms to protect the innocent. In Castle Nox, you will find few innocents. Only a darkness that may engulf and destroy you. Can your faith remain uncorrupted even in this cursed place? Or will you find a new lord and master here, in the fortress unconquerable? Perhaps you have come here to prove your faith in the face of absolute darkness. Perhaps you mean to to purify these dread halls in the name of justice. Your reasons are your own. You are trained in the art of Healing, with which you will automatically tend to your wounds, and can save others from the brink of death. You have two other skills; spend them now in the Skills screen. If you unlock all the skills within a group, you will be able to master one of the skills, which provides additional effects. <<set $might to 3>> <<set $magic to 4>> <<set $charm to 4>> <<set $skill to 3>> <<set $faith to 5>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_mace>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_holysymbol>> <<set $INVENTORY[2] to $i_food>> <<set $INVENTORY[3] to $i_food>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "priest">> <<set $maxdamage to 4>> <<set $weapontype to "mace">> <<set $skillpoints to 2>> <<set $healing to 1>> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

You are forsaken, and abandoned. You have been stripped of everything you own, everything you once were, and abandoned here at the foot of Castle Nox. Behind you lies only your captors, and a certain death. Whether the crimes you are accused of are true or false, there is no justice here. Before you lies the dark castle itself. Legend says that it feeds on the souls of the wicked, transforming them into part of its terrible army of the damned. Your body is malnourished, beaten and tortured. Your muscles are wasted from starvation, your mind dull from isolation. Your face is scarred and your fingers shake. Even your faith in yourself is down to a mere candle's flicker. Your body may be broken and beaten, but your memories remain strong. Before you were forsaken you were master of three skills; assign them now in the Skills screen. If you unlock all the skills within a group, you will be able to master one of the skills, which provides additional effects. <<set $might to 2>> <<set $magic to 2>> <<set $charm to 2>> <<set $skill to 2>> <<set $faith to 1>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_shackles>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "forsaken">> <<set $skillpoints to 3>> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

<<if $incombat>> You have no time to do that in the midst of combat. [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<elseif $necrophage>> Human food seems repulsive to you now. Your stomach turns, and you crave blood and raw flesh. [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<else>> You eat your food, and feel your strength returning. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+2>> <</if>>

<<set $maxdamage to $INVENTORY[$selecteditem].weapon>> <<set $weapontype to $INVENTORY[$selecteditem].type >> <<if $INVENTORY[$selecteditem].bonus>> <<set $combatbonus to $INVENTORY[$selecteditem].bonus>> <<else>> <<set $combatbonus to 0>> <</if>> Your equipped weapon type is now $weapontype and your maximum combat damage per round is $maxdamage. [[Inventory]]

An icy wind draws up against you, biting against your skin. You raise your arm and back up against the mountain walls, seeking shelter for a moment against this treacherous weather. In an alcove against the stone, you see a shrine, almost totally concealed by snow and frost. A small stone statue of a rabbit, a plea to the Goddess of Time that she may remember and protect those who pass by. //The Goddess watches over you. While she looks upon you, you can undo your mistakes. If you forsake her, you will face the castle alone, with only your wits to guide you.// [[Say a small prayer]] [[Carry on alone]] [[Skip straight to new content|Swept away...]]

<<audio "bgm_space" play>>

<<print $INVENTORY[0].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[0].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[0].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[0].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 0>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[0].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[0].use>>><<set $dropitem to 0>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[0].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 0>><</link>> <</if>> <<print $INVENTORY[1].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[1].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[1].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[1].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[1].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[1].use>>><<set $dropitem to 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[1].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<print $INVENTORY[2].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[2].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[2].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[2].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 2>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[2].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[2].use>>><<set $dropitem to 2>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[2].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 2>><</link>> <</if>> <<print $INVENTORY[3].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[3].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[3].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[3].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 3>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[3].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[3].use>>><<set $dropitem to 3>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[3].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 3>><</link>> <</if>> <<print $INVENTORY[4].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[4].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[4].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[4].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 4>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[4].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[4].use>>><<set $dropitem to 4>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[4].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 4>><</link>> <</if>> <<print $INVENTORY[5].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[5].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[5].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[5].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 5>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[5].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[5].use>>><<set $dropitem to 5>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[5].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 5>><</link>> <</if>> <<print $INVENTORY[6].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[6].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[6].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[6].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 6>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[6].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[6].use>>><<set $dropitem to 6>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[6].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 6>><</link>> <</if>> <<print $INVENTORY[7].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[7].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[7].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[7].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 7>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[7].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[7].use>>><<set $dropitem to 7>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[7].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 7>><</link>> <</if>> <<print $INVENTORY[8].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[8].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[8].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[8].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 8>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[8].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[8].use>>><<set $dropitem to 8>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[8].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 8>><</link>> <</if>> <<print $INVENTORY[9].name>> <<if $INVENTORY[9].description>> <<print $INVENTORY[9].description>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[9].name != "Empty">> <<link "Drop" "Drop Item">>><<set $dropitem to 9>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[9].use>> <<link "Use" $INVENTORY[9].use>>><<set $dropitem to 9>><</link>> <</if>> <<if $INVENTORY[9].weapon>> <<link "Equip" "Equip Weapon">>><<set $selecteditem to 9>><</link>> <</if>> [[Return | $lastpassage]]

[[Obtain Blessing]] [[Test Take Items]] [[Test Take Items 2]] [[Test Stat Check]] [[Test Combat]]

[[Might Blessing]] [[Magic Blessing]]

<<set $blessing to "might">> [[Testing Room]]

<<set $blessing to "magic">> [[Testing Room]]

<<item $i_healthpotion healthpot>> [[Testing Room]]

<<set $_target to 7>> <<set $_success to "Succeeded Test Check">> <<set $_fail to "Failed Test Check">> <<statcheck 8 $might "might" "Succeeded Test Check" "Failed Test Check">>

/*Combat. Keys: name, combat, stamina, maxdamage, success, fail, damagesuccess, death, round */ <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Training Dummy", "combat": 7, "stamina": 10, "maxdamage": 2, "success": "Succeeded Test Check", "fail": "Failed Test Check", "damagesuccess": "Succeeded With Damage", "death": "Death" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> [[Testing Room]]

You faaaaailed [[Testing Room]]

You did it woo [[Testing Room]]

<<set $weaponmastery to 1>> <<set $skillpoints to $skillpoints-1>> <<set $weapontypes to [ "sword", "axe", "dagger", "staff", "mace" ]>> <<set $masteredweapon to $weapontypes.random()>> You have learned the art of Weaponmastery with a $masteredweapon. [[Skills]]

<<textbox "$playername" $playername "Who are you?">> [[Who are you?]]

Your life and your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]] <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "stop">>

You won at what cost [[Testing Room]]

<<item $i_staff istaff>> <<item $i_sword isword>> <<item $i_crown icrown>> <<item $i_food ifood>> <<item $i_healthpotion ihealth1>> <<item $i_debugshield ihealth2>> [[Testing Room]]

You kneel for a moment, closing your eyes. The wind abates briefly, but you feel nothing more. If time is on your side, her help will be subtle. [[Continue up the path]] <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS.length > 0>> Before you carry on, you have an odd feeling you should check your pockets and think of the events that brought you here... [[Collect unlocked rewards]] <</if>> <<script>> $("#ui-bar-history").removeClass("hidden"); <</script>>

You came to this place alone, and you will defeat it on your own. You ignore the shrine and carry on, trusting to your skills to guide you. [[Continue up the path]] <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS.length > 0>> Before you carry on, you have an odd feeling you should check your pockets and think of the events that brought you here... [[Collect unlocked rewards]] <</if>> <<script>> $("#ui-bar-history").addClass("hidden"); <</script>> <<set $timegoddess to false>>

Your feet ache, but bit by bit you grow closer to your fate. The scent of burning tickles your nostrils, and as you cross a bend in the path, you see you are not alone up here. Before you, a snow-covered set of stone steps leads across a deep chasm, to the gateway of Castle Nox. Between you and the steps, however, is a ragtag assortment of tents, lit by flickering braziers. Figures in ragged robes move between them, and some stand at the edge of the chasm, kneeling and gesturing wildly to the castle in the distance. [[Approach openly]] [[Sneak into a tent]]

You walk up to the robed figures, remaining cautious. Legends tell of terrible creatures that surround Castle Nox, twisted monsters that were once men. One figure notices you, and scurries off. After a moment, they return with a taller person in a longer and less torn robe, who holds a long staff but keeps his face shrouded by his cloak. "Greetings, pilgrim. We are the Church of Nox, subservient to the great ones who dwell within the castle. What brings you here, to the foot of our blessed lands?" <<if $ironwill > 1>> //A pilgrim perhaps? If they are worthy, we shall let them enter the castle and become part of the glorious design. If not, we will welcome them as part of the herd...// <</if>> [[My reasons are my own|NeutralEnter]] [[I seek something within the Castle|NeutralEnter]] [[I seek knowledge|KnowledgeEnter]] [[I seek power|NeutralEnter]] [[I wish to worship the castle, as you do|FriendlyEnter]] [[Castle Nox must be destroyed!|HostileEnter]] <<hasitem "Slave Shackles">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Show them your shackles]] <<else>> //No Slave Shackles// <</if>>

<<statcheck 8 $skill "skill" "An Empty Tent" "Caught by Cultists">>

You creep down to the tents, avoiding the flickering light of the braziers. When you are sure no one is around, you lift the edge of a tent and slide underneath. This tent is one of the larger ones, though it is empty for now. There are several wooden pews facing some sort of altar, on which five paintings are surrounded by votive candles. You take a closer look, and find that the altar is also filled with a small selection of items. They seem to be offerings to whatever these people are worshipping. You may take them if you wish. <<item $i_food tentfood1>> <<item $i_food tentfood2>> <<item $i_healthpotion tentpotion>> <<item $i_blackpotion cultistpotion>> If you wish to take any of these items, do so now. You will not be able to return to this screen after moving on. [[Examine the paintings]] [[Sneak out of the tent]]

You creep down to the tents, trying to avoid the light of the braziers. You wait as long as you dare for the robed figures to move away, then lift the edge of a tent carefully and peek through. To your shock, you see a robed person right before you, praying on his knees. He notices you, and shrieks with alarm. "Brethren! To me, to me! An intruder violates our sacred space!" Three of the robed figures rush up to you, surrounding you before you can slip away. You must fight! [[Fight|cultists1]]

The paintings are crudely made, but stir faint revulsion in you. They look vaguely like people, but made from whorls of colour and shape that leave the details fuzzy yet evocative. Each one has a board beneath, with text inked on. The first is mostly red and gold, and looks somewhat like a muscular lion. "Altan the Red. Chieftan of the Golden Lands. Our lord in love." The second is mostly grey and purple, and looks like an elephant in flowing robes. "Eskander Inkfinger, Sage of the Old Ways. Our lord in knowledge." The third is mostly blue and white, and seems to be a polar bear in heavy armour. "Sten the Icebreaker, Rune Lord. Our lord in war." The fourth is green and brown, showing a hunched ratlike figure. "Zelig Cursebrand, Atop His Silver. Our lord in wealth." The fifth painting is wider than the others, and set behind them. It has no board or text explaining it, and just looks like a twisting mess of pustulant colour. As you squint to make sense of it, it seems to almost writhe and lash out. You step back, your heart pounding, and shake your head. <<linkreplace "On the boards there are four guilders. You may take them if you wish." t8n>>You pocket the coins.<<set $money to $money+4>><</linkreplace>> You hear someone approaching, and must leave quickly before you are caught. [[Sneak out of the tent]]

You slip back out of the tent, and look around. You are closer to the edge of the chasm here, but there is still only one path to Castle Nox, and it is blocked by the robed figures. You must either approach them now, or, if you have a rope, climb down into the chasm from here and hope to reach Castle Nox from below. [[Approach|Approach openly]] <<hasitem "Rope">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Rappel down the chasm]] <</if>>

You carefully tie your rope to a protruding stone, and tug on it heavily to test its strength. Once you are satisfied, you slide down into the chasm, and soon reach the snow-covered forest floor beneath. <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <<hasitem "Wolf Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[The chasm floor|Chasm floor safe]] <<else>> [[The chasm floor]] <</if>>

The first cultist lunges towards you, wielding a simple oaken staff. As he attacks, you realise he is a mutated beastman, with curved horns and a furry muzzle. He holds his staff clumsily in cloven hoof-hands. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Cultist", "combat": 2, "stamina": 6, "maxdamage": 2, "success": "cultists2", "death": "Death", "flee": "Escape the Cultists" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You flee desperately from the cultists, towards the chasm. As you do, your foot slips, and you tumble forward. Your gut lurches as you fall off the edge of the chasm, down into the abyss below. Your body is bruised and battered as you crash against trees, the branches snapping and cracking as you fall. Finally, you land on the snow far below the mountain pass. You are bruised and battered, but alive. <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-3>> //You have lost three stamina// <<hasitem "Wolf Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[The chasm floor|Chasm floor safe]] <<else>> [[The chasm floor]] <</if>>

No sooner have you struck down your first assailant, than another one lunges towards you from the side. He too is a sheep-like beast, but his hands cling more firmly to his weapon. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Cultist", "combat": 3, "stamina": 4, "maxdamage": 2, "success": "cultists3", "death": "cultistdeath", "flee": "Escape the Cultists" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>>

The other cultists begin to flee from your powerful attacks, leaving only the leader. He pushes back his hood, revealing he has a horned goat's head with black eyes. He then raises a staff tipped with a bronze charm, and strikes fiercely. <img src=""> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Cultist Leader", "combat": 3, "stamina": 6, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "cultistsdone", "death": "cultistdeath", "flee": "Escape the Cultists" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>>

You pant and wheeze, and finally lower your weapon. You are covered in blood, and the broken bodies of your enemies lie before you. The rest have fled in terror. The light of the braziers gutters, and goes out. Only the moon illuminates you now, in cold monochrome. You may loot your fallen foes, if you wish. You find the following items. <<item $i_staff cultiststaff1>> <<item $i_staff cultiststaff2>> <<item $i_dagger cultistsdagger>> <<item $i_goatstaff cultiststaff3>> <<item $i_food cultistfood>> <<item $i_blackpotion cultistpotion>> <<item $i_shieldscroll cultistscroll>> When you are done, there is nothing else to do here but continue across the bridge, to Castle Nox. As the blood dries on your skin, you feel an odd pulse from the looming castle, as if it bears witness to your victory and approves. [[The Path to Castle Nox]] <<music_main "play">> <<music_combat "stop">> <<set $cultistskilled to true>>

You leave the cultist's tents behind you, and begin walking along the icy path towards the castle. The journey feels somehow longer than the one up this mountain, for with each step your foreboding grows. Castle Nox, the fortress unconquerable. It has existed for thousands of years, appearing and disappearing across the world. Each time it does, it brings disaster with it. Monsters and plagues emit from its walls, destroying the land and drawing in a dark age. Many have been drawn to it in return, heroes and villains alike. They enter the walls, and never return. Legend says they live forever inside the castle, transformed into hideous beasts. Now, it is your turn. The gates stand before you, open and waiting. The walls of the castle are gleaming black stone, rimed with frost. Above the entryway, the sharp points of a portcullis hang. [[Enter the Castle]] [[Climb down the side of the path instead]] <<if !$cultistskilled>>[[Sneak back when the cultists are asleep]]<</if>>

<<if $heightenedsenses > 0>> As you uncork the potion, a faint acrid scent wafts to your nostrils. You sniff carefully, and your heightened sense of smell picks up a faint scent. Black lotus blossoms. A subtle poison that affects the mind. This bottle is very dangerous. [[Drink the black potion]] [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<else>> As you uncork the potion, a faint acrid scent wafts to your nostrils. At first it makes you wince, but after a moment the smell becomes more complex, like a many-layered floral perfume. //Heightened Senses check failed// [[Drink the black potion]] <</if>>

You lift the vial to your mouth and gulp it down. The flavour is intense and powerful, like an expensive liquer. You vision blurs for a moment, as the world around you seems to sway and twist with oily colour. <<if $ironwill > 0>> Immediately, you realise what is happening. The potion is attacking your mind! You focus your iron will to fight against the potion's corruption. <<statcheck 8 $faith "faith" "Resist Black Potion" "Succumb to Black Potion">> <<else>> //Iron Will check failed// This feels wonderful. Your eyes close over slightly and a vapid grin spreads across your face. A giggle bubbles out of your mouth, which twists into a beastlike bleating, until you are baa-ing like a sheep. [[Succumb|Succumb to Black Potion]] <</if>>

You feel the potion's effects spread through your body, filling you with warmth, and with a sticky, sinful feeling of pleasure and delight. Is this the darkness of Castle Nox? How could it be wrong, when it feels so wonderful? The world around you twists and swirls. You see visions of powerful creatures, lions, elephants, bears. Your legs weaken, and you fall to your knees. Such glorious beasts! Such magnificent paragons! How did you ever dream of entering the golden halls of the Blessed Castle? No, you are not worthy to enter, to be in the presence of such incredible heroes. Instead, all the pleasure you need is in looking at the castle from afar, in praying to the creatures within. You are nothing but a worshipper, a mere insect, an insignificant bug beneath their feet. You wander in a daze, heedless of the icy winds. You clutch at your clothes with hands that are twisting, turning hard and firm as they bulge into dark cloven hooves. You toss aside your clothes, your belongings. You do not need them. Your old life was meaningless, worthless in the face of your newfound devotion. As you struggle through the snow, your feet toughen, your toes turning black and smooth, your heels rising as you grow sheeplike hooves. The cold wind feels less bitter, as hair grows all over your naked body, thick hair that curls and swirls into a pelt of wool. You mumble prayers and devotions to the castle, your voice cracking, mixing with sheeplike bleats and baas. Your face stretches forward into a muzzle, while your ears flop down, your body mutating into that of a twisted ovine beastman. You do not know how long you have been wandering, but you find yourself at the base of the path to Castle Nox once more. Your eyes grow wide as you stare at that glorious sihoette, that miraculous castle. Other beastmen walk up to you, also praying and kneeling. One passes you some tattered robes, and you don them eagerly. This is where you belong. You will spend your life praying to the mighty lords of Castle Nox, your thoughts melting away into nothing but obedience and subservience. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You cough and gag, falling to your knees as you clutch your chest. For what feels like hours you steel your mind against the burning pain of corruption that is crawling through you. Your veins bulge out, your mouth froths. Yet you remain strong, and bit by bit, the pain abates. Eventually you stand, your knees shaking. You have been tested by a foul force, and remained strong. Though your body is deeply pained by the poison, your faith in yourself feels stronger than ever. //Faith has increased// //You have lost three stamina// [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> <<set $faith to $faith+1>> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-3>>

The robed figure nods. "As you wish. Castle Nox draws in many souls, for many reasons. It is a sacred place, not a cursed one. You are welcome to pass us by, and seek your desires. We ask only one thing of you, and that is that you allow us to bless you on your way, to keep you safe..." Something about the robed man's words sends a tingle of dread up your spine. The other cultists are watching you quietly from the shadows. [[Try to befriend them with charming words]] [[Insist that you are already blessed by their gods]] [[Refuse outright]] [[Accept a blessing]]

The robed figure leans forward, and for a moment his breath wafts against your face. In the shadows of his hood, you briefly catch a glimpse of shining black eyes. "Is that so? You understand your subservience, your inferiority before the lords of Castle Nox? You are willing to submit your life and will to them, forever?" Two of the other cultists step up behind you, blocking your path. The leader reaches up, pulling back his hood and revealing his true form. He is not human, but in fact a walking goat. Four horns curve back from his head, and he has a fur-covered muzzle and black, sinister eyes. He reaches into his robes and pulls out a vial of black liquid, which he pours into his mouth. When he opens his muzzle, the black fluid glistens on his tongue. "Come, surrender yourself to the service of our lords...", he says as he leans in towards you <img src=""> [[Kiss the goatman]] [[Fight back|Refuse outright]]

The robed figure clutches his staff, and a guttural inhuman growl utters from his robe. "That I cannot allow. Castle Nox is sacred ground. You are a fool, and your journey ends here!" Two other robed figures rush up to you, surrounding you before you can slip away. You must fight! [[Fight|cultists1]]

<<statcheck 8 $charm "charm" "CharmSuccess" "Refuse outright">>

The robed man clicks his fingers against his staff, and you notice the skin of his fingertips is black and firm. "Oh? So you are already one of the faith? Tell me then, which blessing do you bear, and what is the name of your patron lord?" You think carefully. If you know nothing of their religion, you will simply have to guess their lord's name based on what you remember of Castle Nox folklore. <<if $ironwill > 1>> //Suspicious...if they speak true, they will know our gods Altan the Red, Eskander Inkfinger, Sten the Icebreaker, and Zelig Cursebrand// <</if>> [[Altan the Gold|Refuse outright]] [[Eskander Inkfinger|Right answer]] [[Sten the Rockbreaker|Refuse outright]] [[Zelig Swordbrand|Refuse outright]]

The robed figure snarls at you. "You are not truly a seeker of the Castle. You are a heretic, come to harm our lords! Brethren! To me! We must defend the castle!" Two other robed figures rush up to you, surrounding you before you can slip away. You must fight! [[Fight|cultists1]]

The cultists surround you slowly, mumbling and making odd noises. Some of their voices sound more like the bleating of sheep than the words of men. "Thank you, my friend. I will bless you in the name of our divine lords. Do you wish a blessing of might from Sten, lord of runes? A blessing of sorcery from Eskander, greatest of sages? One of charm from Altan, of the golden lands? Or a blessing of skill from subtle Zelig? [[Blessing of Sten]] [[Blessing of Eskander]] [[Blessing of Altan]] [[Blessing of Zelig]]

The man's grip on his staff relaxes. He reaches up and pushes back his hood, and for a moment you are taken aback. Underneath the hood, he is not human at all. Four horns curve backwards from his goatlike face, and his eyes are black and inhuman. As he steps forward, you see that the feet under his robes are cloven hooves. The other cultists around you bleat and baa in appreciation. "Very well, so you are brethren to the flock after all. Seek your fortune within the holy castle, acolyte. You will be welcome among us whenever you return." He pats your shoulder, and the cultists recede. You are free to carry on your way. You feel a surge of faith for not giving in to their blessing. <<set $blessing to "faith">> [[The Path to Castle Nox]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[0] to true>>

The cult leader pulls back his hood, revealing his monstrous true face. He is not human at all; four horns curve backwards from his goatlike face, and his eyes are black and inhuman. As he steps forward, you see that the feet under his robes are cloven hooves. "Take this blessing, seeker of Nox!" He places the tip of his staff on your head, and your vision blurs. You see a whirling, roaring wind of ice. The ice parts for a moment, showing a longhouse in the snow. In the vision, you move inside, feeling the roaring heat of the fire. It is filled with warriors, drinking, carousing, fighting. For a moment, a man at the head of the longhouse turns to you, and grins. As he does, you see his is no man, but in fact an enormous, manlike polar bear. Then, the vision ends. When your vision clears, you feel a surge of strength within you. "Go now, with our blessing, Seeker." He and the other cultists step aside, and you may pass. You feel a strange sensation of oiliness on your skin, which gradually fades. <<set $blessing to "might">> [[The Path to Castle Nox]]

The cult leader pulls back his hood, revealing his monstrous true face. He is not human at all; four horns curve backwards from his goatlike face, and his eyes are black and inhuman. As he steps forward, you see that the feet under his robes are cloven hooves. "Take this blessing, seeker of Nox!" He places the tip of his staff on your head, and your vision blurs. You see a tower, wreathed in clouds of swirling mist. The mist parts for a moment, you move inside, the doors of the tower creaking open. Within, the walls rise to a dizzying height, all filled with books of all sizes and shapes. A scent of thick smoke surrounds you, and you find yourself beside a fire. A man in front of the fire turns, his robes swirling, and you see he is no man but in fact an enormous elephant-man, his tusks plated in silver. When your vision clears, you feel a surge of knowledge within you. "Go now, with our blessing, Seeker." He and the other cultists step aside, and you may pass. You feel a strange sensation of oiliness on your skin, which gradually fades. <<set $blessing to "magic">> [[The Path to Castle Nox]]

The cult leader pulls back his hood, revealing his monstrous true face. He is not human at all; four horns curve backwards from his goatlike face, and his eyes are black and inhuman. As he steps forward, you see that the feet under his robes are cloven hooves. "Take this blessing, seeker of Nox!" He places the tip of his staff on your head, and your vision blurs. You feel a great height pressing down upon you. The scent of wine wafts to your nose, and the taste of fine treats lingers on your tongue. In a vision, you move through ivory columns, seeing gold and gleaming tapestries. For a moment, you enter a room filled with silk and velvet. A man lounges on a long chair, and turns to glance at you. He grins, and you realise he is no man, but in fact a mighty lion. When your vision clears, you feel a surge of charm within you. "Go now, with our blessing, Seeker." He and the other cultists step aside, and you may pass. You feel a strange sensation of oiliness on your skin, which gradually fades. <<set $blessing to "charm">> [[The Path to Castle Nox]]

The cult leader pulls back his hood, revealing his monstrous true face. He is not human at all; four horns curve backwards from his goatlike face, and his eyes are black and inhuman. As he steps forward, you see that the feet under his robes are cloven hooves. "Take this blessing, seeker of Nox!" He places the tip of his staff on your head, and your vision blurs. Your vision plunges below the ground, and you are carried along with it. You see yourself moving through hidden tunnels, secret passages. A green glow emanates from the walls, and it seems that all around you, terrible beasts lurk and wait. Then you slip through another secret path, and for a moment you see a towering mountain of silver coins. Atop it stands an inhuman creature, a rat that walks like a man. It flicks a coin in its beastlike hand, and winks at you. When your vision clears, you feel a surge of speed within you. "Go now, with our blessing, Seeker." He and the other cultists step aside, and you may pass. You feel a strange sensation of oiliness on your skin, which gradually fades. <<set $blessing to "skill">> [[The Path to Castle Nox]]

You twist the conversation, instead asking about the cultists and their beliefs. The robed man tell you about their four great lords, each ruling over a wing of the dark castle, and how they pray to them in the hopes of being their slaves in the afterlife. You spin that into a discussion about the many people throughout history who have journeyed to Castle Nox, and you start to recite the folktale of Tamberlin, who sought the castle to retrieve his lover, and the tragic results of his quest. The cultists crowd up to you, listening rapturously to your rendition of the story. You twist the usual telling, adding in lines about the glory and beauty of the castle. Even the leader of the cultists seems entranced by your story, and he leans in to hear more closely. You finish the tale, describing how Tamberlin became trapped forever as a pawn of his former lover, now a Lord. The cultists bleat and baa with delight. "You spin a tale as fine as silk, traveller. Clearly you appreciate the divine castle as much as we. Here, take this, for your journey." The leader reaches into his robes and offers you a selection of items, which you may take. <<item $i_dagger cultiststaff1>> <<item $i_food cultistfood>> <<item $i_healthpotion cultistpotion>> He and the other cultists step aside, and wave you on your journey as a friend. [[The Path to Castle Nox]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[0] to true>>

You seem to have no choice. You lean in, pressing your face to the goat's muzzle, and you feel his tongue slide into your mouth. The black fluid feels floral and strange, and your vision sways and grows blurry. Colours seem to swell and twist at the edges of your eyes, and your body grows weak. Before you fall, the goat wraps his arms around you, and holds you tightly to his chest. His tongue pushes deeper into your mouth, sliding down into your throat and pushing deep inside you, thick and hot and wet. You struggle slightly, but you feel so weak and helpless in his grip. The black fluid seems to soak through your body from within, creeping up to your mind and crushing away any thought of resistance or freedom. Finally, the goat releases you. His tongue slides free from your throat, and you collapse to the ground, your mouth open and dripping with drool. As you sit helplessly before him, the other cultists move forward and begin to pull away your clothes and belongings. You try to speak, but all that emits from your mouth is a plaintive, sheep-like bleat. The other cultists bleat in return, pulling back their hoods to reveal sheep-faces with curled horns. Soon you are naked in the snow, and you can only watch as the cultists throw your belongings over the chasm into the darkness below. "You are part of the flock, now", the goat says. You close your eyes, shuddering as you feel your body changing, shifting. Hair grows all over your naked skin, thickening and swirling into curls of rough wool. Your hands and feet start to stiffen, your fingers and toes fusing and hardening into black, clumsy cloven hooves. "You are one of us. You follow and obey me", the goat says. You nod, your face pushing forward into a sheep's muzzle as your ears flop down, growing longer. Yes, you must obey him. You are helpless and weak alone, just part of a herd. "You were nothing before now. This is your only life." You shudder, a rush flowing through your head as your memories melt away, sinking into darkness. Heavy weights stretch from your skull, forming into horns. "You worship and adore the Lords of Nox. You are one of us, one of the flock" You look up at your leader, and bleat obediently. Your brethren bring you some tattered robes, which you don with some difficulty. The leader turns to point your head to the castle in the distance, and a flood of adoration and worship fills your simple, broken mind. This is where you belong. An inferior, adoring sheep. Worshipping the mighty ones from afar, hoping one day they might wish to consume or enslave you. You fall to your knees, joining the other sheep who are gibbering and prostating themselves before the distant castle. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The leader of the robed figures moves forward, and touches against your neck where the shackle is clasped tight. "A Forsaken. Of course, of course. Sent here against your will. Know this, Forsaken. We do not hate you for your crimes or your sins. You are beloved of Nox, a holy pilgrim!" The other figures fall to their knees, bowing to you. Even the leader bows slightly. "It is said that one day a Forsaken shall unlock the true power of Castle Nox, and lead us into a golden age. Take these, that they might help you on your journey." The cultists scurry away, and return with food and offerings. The leader even offers you his bronze-tipped staff. You may take what you wish. <<item $i_goatstaff cultiststaff3>> <<item $i_food cultistfood1>> <<item $i_food cultistfood2>> <<item $i_food cultistfood3>> <<item $i_healthpotion cultistpotion>> "Go with our blessing, holy one, and seek your destiny within the sacred castle." He and the other cultists step aside, and you may pass. [[The Path to Castle Nox]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[0] to true>>

Though you have struck down some of your foes, you are no match for the others. Eventually, you are surrounded and beaten down. You lie on the floor in front of the cult leader, who pushes back his hood, revealing he has a horned goat's head with black eyes. "Violent, wretched creature. You would strike down the followers of the Lords of Nox? You are accursed. Yet your strength may be of use to us yet." You try to stand, but the goatman steps down on your head, his cloven hooves forcing your face into the dirt. "Strip this wretch, and fetch the body of our acolyte." The sheeplike cultists paw at your clothes, tearing them from you and leaving you naked under the goat's hoof. Then they drag forward the corpse of the sheep creature you killed. The goat leans down and draws a knife from his robes, before slicing it into the sheep's flesh. You watch helplessly as he skins his former follower, soaking his hands in blood while he cuts free a wooly pelt. He takes a bottle from in his robes, and uncorks it, before letting the blood drip inside. He then pours the bottle over your head, the stink of blood and flowers mixing in it. Your vision blurs for a moment, the acrid stink of the potion making you feel dizzy and strange. You feel the goat draping the wet pelt over your naked back. In your dazed, drugged state, you almost feel like the skin is creeping over your flesh, surrounding you, engulfing you. Your head pounds, your vision blurring between darkness and pulsing red. "You are nothing but a beast. A violent, mindless wretch", the goat says. You try to speak, but only a rumbling, growling snort emits from your mouth. "You have no mind, no thoughts. Only obedience, and bloodthirst." You struggle to think, but your mind seems to be melting away, slipping into shreds of random thoughts and sensations. Your fists clench, your mucles aching as they seem to pulse and grow. "A savage beast, a slave, a wretched thing..." The wool clings to your back, spreading across your body. You snarl, frothing as you feel a weight on your empty head. Enormous black horns curl from your temples, the weight of them crushing down your mind, making you even stupider, angrier. You stand up, feeling your huge hooves sink into the snow. Your muscles bulge and thicken, growing bigger, heavier, your arms getting longer as your knuckles drag against the ground, becoming heavy hoof-hands. "You are mine. My guardian, my blood beast." You try to focus on the goat, but your vision blurs. You have to turn your head from one side to the other to see past your enormous, spit-dripping muzzle. You snarl and huff, scratching at your twisted, musclebound chest. Your body seems to get bigger, heavier. You tower over the goat, yet you cannot crush him. You struggle, wanting to eat, to fight, to destroy, yet your body and mind seem shackled to the goat's will. You bleat out a monstrous howling mix of sheep's cry and monster's roar. The goat smiles, and with a flick of his finger, forces you to stomp over to the entrance to the mountain path. You sniff the ground, smelling the scent of travellers. Maybe some will come by soon. Maybe Master will let you crush and devour them. You wait, obediently. A massive, muscular ram-monster guarding the entrance to Castle Nox. No one will be killing the cultists again, now that they have a brainless beast like you. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You pass through the gate to Castle Nox. There is no going back now. As you step across the threshold, an oily sensation washes over your skin. You shudder, feeling for a moment as if some invisible force was prying against your very soul. The sensation passes, and you find yourself standing in an empty courtyard, the snow falling gently onto the smooth stones. <<set $afterfood to "Courtyard">> [[Courtyard|Eat Food]]

You do not trust the main entrance. Legend says this cursed castle contains many traps to ensnare or kill, and you may be safer with a more unusual route. You climb down the side of the path, seeing a route down to the chasm floor below. You'll need to be cautious, as the rocks are slippery with frost. <<hasitem "Wolf Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<statcheck 8 $skill "skill" "Chasm floor safe" "Fall to death">> <<else>> <<statcheck 8 $skill "skill" "The chasm floor" "Fall to death">> <</if>>

You are far below the road to the castle. The mountain path that brought you here towers above you. Down at the base of the chasm, the floor is mossy and wet. Coniferous trees have formed a dense forest down in this valley, and their branches leave only flickering beams of moonlight. The undergrowth crunches as you walk forward. In the distance, you hear a howling, and you shiver slightly. You creep further, as quietly as you can, exploring the outer edges of the cliff face where Castle Nox stands far above. Another howl, this time much closer. Through the trees, you see a flash of bodies. Creatures on all fours, bounding across the snow. You move faster, hearing them all around you. But you are too slow, for they have picked up your scent. You walk out into a clearing, and glowing eyes surround you. From all directions, wolves begin to surround you. Legends did say that Castle Nox drew beasts to itself, to defend it. It seems you have found them. <<if $animalhandling > 0>> [[Use Animal Handling on the wolves]] <<else>> //You lack the skill of Animal Handling// <</if>> <<if $animalhandling > 1>> [[Use Animal Mastery on the wolves]] <<else>> //You lack mastery of Animal Handling// <</if>> <<hasitem "Black Potion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Use the Black Potion]] <<else>> //You do not have a Black Potion// <</if>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Wolf Pack", "combat": 6, "stamina": 10, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "wolfkilled", "death": "Death", "flee": "Chasm floor safe" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

Your foot slips on a rock, and you panic. You flail your arms, trying to grab onto something, but there is nothing to grab. You fall down into the chasm far, far below. At least your death will be instant. Or so you think. Your fall is broken by a series of trees and branches, each one hitting you with a bone-shattering crack. You land on the ground crumpled, badly injured, yet alive. Barely. [[The chasm floor]] <<set $_stamina to 1>>

You stand within the walls of Castle Nox at last. Even the air here feels different, stagnant and stale as if it has remained still for thousands of years. The ground here is free of snow, and you realise the ever-present snow outside is not falling within the walls. Above you, the night sky looks different. Unfamiliar stars cluster in alien constellations. So the legends are true, then. Castle Nox exists outside of the world, unlinked from both time and space. An unholy place. The area you stand in now is some sort of outer courtyard. The black walls of the castle surround an open space, with buildings and gardens. Seeing grass and flowers so high in the mountains is a jarring feeling. The castle building itself lies further ahead, beyond further walls. Your journey is still only beginning. Facing the gatehouse are four statues on elegant columns. To the sides you can see what appears to be a stablehouse, along with other workhouses lined up against the walls. A garden lies beyond them, next to what appears to be a chapel of all things, here in this cursed place. [[Four Statues]] [[Stables]] [[Workhouse]] [[Garden]]

These wolves may be affected by the dark powers of the castle, but you know animals, and you are friend to them. Beasts have no concept of evil or sin, and the castle can only loosely affect them. You use your knowledge of wolves to show you mean no harm to them, with body language and sound. The wolves circle you curiously, light flickering in their eyes as the castle's power fights against your skills. Finally, two lead wolves stand up, and stop baring their teeth. They turn and bound away. After a moment, the others follow. You are safe, for now. [[Safe|Chasm floor safe]] <<music_main "play">> <<music_combat "stop">>

These wolves may be affected by the dark powers of the castle, but you know animals, and you are friend to them. Beasts have no concept of evil or sin, and the castle can only loosely affect them. You use your knowledge of wolves to show you mean no harm to them, with body language and sound. The wolves circle you curiously, light flickering in their eyes as the castle's power fights against your skills. You sense that the wolves are becoming more calm. One by one they stand up, and stop baring their fangs. In a moment they will follow the eldest of their family and leave you be. If you wish to use your Animal Mastery, now is the time. It will not be easy to lure a wolf away from its pack. <<statcheck 10 $charm "charm" "Wolfsuccess" "Chasm floor safe">> <<music_main "play">> <<music_combat "stop">>

You are at the base of the chasm, and no longer in immediate danger. From the clearing you are standing at, you can see two possible points of interest. To the north, at the base of the cliff where Castle Nox stands, a crevice in the rock seems to lead into a cave. Perhaps this is another way into the castle? Further back, you can also see something else. At the bottom of where the cultists have their camp seems to be a pile of items that do not fit with what you would expect to be here. A rubbish tip, perhaps? [[Enter the cave]] [[Investigate the heap]]

Two of lead wolves stand up, and stop baring their teeth. They turn and bound away. After a moment, the others follow. You are safe, for now. One wolf, however, stops. He watches his pack bound away, then turns towards you. He trots up, standing tall and proud. To your animal-ken, you can sense his loyalty and desire to protect. He will stay at your side and face the terrors of Castle Nox, if you will have him. <<forceitem $i_wolf wolffriend>> [[Carry on|Chasm floor safe]] <<music_main "play">> <<music_combat "stop">>

You pant, soaked in blood and exhausted from your ferocious battle against so many foes. The bodies of the wolf pack lie scattered across the ground, and you feel a pang of sorrow that you were forced to kill such proud creatures. It was not their fault that the dark powers of Castle Nox turned them against you. If you have the skill of Hunting, you can skin one of the wolves for their pelts, if you wish. <<if $hunting > 0>> <<item $i_wolfpelt wolfpelt>> <</if>> [[Carry on|Chasm floor safe]] <<music_main "play">> <<music_combat "stop">>

Your journey so far has tired you. You must now eat, or else your strength will be severely diminished. <<if $wolfcurse && !$wolfimmunity>> Before you can eat anything however, you feel a terrible pain inside your chest... [[The Wolf Curse]] <<else>> <<hasitem "Food">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Eat some of your rations]] <</if>> <<if $hunting > 0>> [[Use your Hunting skill]] <</if>> [[Eat Nothing|Starve]] <</if>> <<set $healingsurge to true>>

The crevice is narrow and uncomfortable, but you squeeze between the stones into the dark. As you move through, you hear the dripping of water getting closer and closer. Finally, the path opens to a wider area, illuminated from above. Beneath you, you can see a flooded segment of cave, and the walls here are covered in moss. Hanging from above you see a long chain, and when you inspect it closer, you realise it is part of a well. You can climb it and reach Castle Nox from here at last. [[Climb the rope]]

You weave through the trees towards the pile, but as you get closer you wrinkle your nose at a foul smell. It seems you have found the cultists' trash pile. You peek through the trees to get a look, and in the light of the moon you see that it is not just trash. Mixed in among the refuse is clearly the weapons and armour of fallen travellers. One particular item catches your eye. A gold-stopped potion that glitters like a jewel, not far from where you stand. Before you can reach for it, however, you hear a snuffling noise, and see something move. You lean back and watch carefully. Crawling across the trash is a hunched-over, twisted beast. It still looks mostly human, but its face is stretched out into a lupine snout, and a scraggly tail stretches out behind it. Its body is twisted and transformed, and its hands are gnarled and pawlike. Froth oozes from its fanged mouth as its mad eyes glance around its filthy lair. Judging from the tattered rags still clinging to its form, this was once an adventurer like yourself. Now nothing but a monstrous beast. Yet it looks terribly dangerous. Fighting it may be unwise - especially if that frothing mouth carries whatever horrible curse made it this way. <img src=""> <<if $ironwill > 1>> Your head aches as your telepathy links to the creature's tortured mind. //KILL KILL...PAIN...MINE! MINE! KILL! why... PAIN KILL!// <</if>> <<if $camouflage > 1>> [[Use your mastery of invisibility to grab the potion]] <<else>> //You lack the Master skill of Camouflage// <</if>> <<if $animalhandling > 0>> Even with animal handling, it is unlikely you would be able to communicate with the creature. Attempting and failing would mean certain death. [[Use Animal Handling on the dire wolf]] <<else>> //You lack the skill of Animal Handling// <</if>> <<if $cantrips > 0>> [[Use a cantrip to grab the potion]] <<else>> //You lack the skill of Cantrips// <</if>> <<set $tookdamage to false>> [[Return to the cave instead|Enter the cave]] [[Fight the beast]]

While this beast could sniff you out in any normal disguise, it is no match for a master of stealth such as yourself. You draw on all your knowledge of shadow and silence, and sweep across the chasm floor like a breath of wind. The potion is in your hand with the beast none the wiser. As you examine it, your eyes raise in shock. This is no mere potion; it is a Tear of Erana. One of the true healing potions made by the Saintess Erana herself. No other potion in the world can compare to its power. <<item $i_maxhppotion garbagetear>> The only place left to explore now is the cave. [[Return to the cave|Enter the cave]]

<<statcheck 7 $magic "magic" "cantrip1yes" "cantrip1no">>

The beast turns to you, its mad eyes gleaming as you approach. This is a terribly dangerous battle. One bite of those fangs might seal your doom. Fleeing will guarantee that it bites you. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Dire Wolf", "combat": 7, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "direwolfkilled", "damagesuccess": "direwolfbite", "death": "Death", "flee": "direwolfflee" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You draw on your magical abilities, and focus on the bottle, trying to make it roll down towards you with a subtle tug of magic. With a waft of your spellcasting, the potion silently rolls across the forest floor into your hand. As you examine it, your eyes raise in shock. This is no mere potion; it is a Tear of Erana. One of the true healing potions made by the Saintess Erana herself. No other potion in the world can compare to its power. <<item $i_maxhppotion garbagetear>> The only place left to explore now is the cave. [[Return to the cave|Enter the cave]]

You draw on your magical abilities, and focus on the bottle, trying to make it roll down towards you with a subtle tug of magic. Unfortunately, you pull too hard. Garbage tumbles down, and the beast turns swiftly to examine the source. You must quickly leave before you are discovered. The only place left to explore now is the cave. [[Return to the cave|Enter the cave]]

You pull the jeweled stopper from the potion, and drink the tiny amount of fluid within. Immediately, you feel a wash of radiance flow through your body. It is like you are being bathed in pure sunlight. You feel completely safe, and utterly protected. The glorious moment fades, but you feel a surge of strength within. <<if $_stamina < $stamina>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> <<else>> <<set $stamina to $stamina+2>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> <</if>> <<if $wolfcurse>> You feel the curse inside you fading, burned away by the Saintess Erana's radiance. <<set $wolfcurse to false>> <<set $wolfimmunity to true>> <</if>> <<if $necrophage>> You feel the necrophagia inside you fading, burned away by the Saintess Erana's radiance. <<set $necrophage to false>> <</if>> <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+3>>

The beast howls one final time, and collapses, dead at last. Miraculously, you are unharmed, and safe from whatever dire curse infected this poor wretch. The potion is yours to take, along with any of the other items in the garbage heap that interest you. As you lean down to examine the potion, your eyes raise in shock. This is no mere potion; it is a Tear of Erana. One of the true healing potions made by the Saintess Erana herself. No other potion in the world can compare to its power. <<item $i_maxhppotion garbagetear>> <<item $i_sword gbsword>> <<item $i_mace gbmace>> <<item $i_shield gbshield>> <<item $i_dagger gbdagger>> <<item $i_axe gbaxe>> <<item $i_rope gbrope>> <<set $tookdamage to false>> When you are ready, the only place left to go is the cave. [[Enter the cave]]

You turn and flee, running for the cave. Before you can escape, however, the beast pounces on you, and bites down hard on your shoulder. You wriggle out from under it and run for your life, but your wound aches and throbs. You can already feel the curse taking root inside yourself. Before long, you are doomed to the same fate as that poor wolf. <<set $tookdamage to false>> Dejected and with doom hanging over you, you carry on to the cave. Only a miracle can save you now. <<set $wolfcurse to true>> [[Enter the cave]]

The beast howls one final time, and collapses, dead at last. Unfortunately, before it died, it bit you with its horrible fangs. The wound throbs and aches, and your veins look black where the creature's teeth penetrated your skin. You can already feel the curse taking root inside yourself. Before long, you are doomed to the same fate as that poor wolf. At least the potion is yours to take, along with any of the other items in the garbage heap that interest you. <<set $tookdamage to false>> As you lean down to examine the potion, your eyes raise in shock. This is no mere potion; it is a Tear of Erana. One of the true healing potions made by the Saintess Erana herself. No other potion in the world can compare to its power. You are fortunate indeed, for no curse can withstand the healing force of such a potion. So long as you drink it soon, you need not fear the curse. <<item $i_maxhppotion garbagetear>> <<item $i_sword gbsword>> <<item $i_mace gbmace>> <<item $i_dagger gbdagger>> <<item $i_axe gbaxe>> <<item $i_rope gbrope>> When you are ready, the only place left to go is the cave. <<set $wolfcurse to true>> [[Enter the cave]]

You climb up the rope, and the walls around you turn from rugged rock to engraved stone, carved with unsettling symbols. As you climb higher, an oily sensation washes over your skin. You shudder, feeling for a moment as if some invisible force was prying against your very soul. The sensation passes, and you pull yourself out of the well to find you are standing in an empty courtyard, the snow falling gently onto the smooth stones. <<set $afterfood to "Courtyard">> [[Courtyard|Eat Food]]

Your lack of food makes you feel direly weaker. <<set $stamina to $stamina-3>> [[Carry On|$afterfood]]

You eat some of the food you brought with you, and feel ready to face what comes next. <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> [[Carry On|$afterfood]] <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+2>>

With your hunting skills, you are never in need of rations. You hunt for your meal, and feel ready to face what comes next. <<set $huntname1 to random(1000)>> <<set $huntname2 to random(1000)>> <<set $huntname3 to random(1000)>> <<if $hunting > 1>> <<set $HUNTINGSUPPLIES to [$i_wolfpelt,$i_deerpelt,$i_deerantler,$i_rawmeat,$i_alether,$i_laumspur]>> Your hunt goes particularly well, and you end up with more resources than you need. <<item $HUNTINGSUPPLIES.random() $huntname1>> <<item $HUNTINGSUPPLIES.random() $huntname2>> <<item $HUNTINGSUPPLIES.random() $huntname3>> <</if>> [[Carry On|$afterfood]]

You fall to the ground, your body seized by a terrible, firey pain that surges through your veins. When you look down at your skin, you can see your blood flowing purple-black under the surface. You clutch at your head, feeling your skull beginning to stretch and transform. It pushes out from your head, your teeth sharpening into terrible fangs, while your ears become pointed and tall. You drop to all fours, your hands shifting and mutating. They curl up, claws emerging from your knuckles as your mind crumbles and burns up with the pain. Any attempt to think or focus is met only with a terrible, overwhelming urge to hunt, to eat, to bite. Froth drips from your muzzle onto the ground, and you feel your backside stretch and shift, a tail forming behind you. You claw at your clothes, tearing them from your body, and lope on all fours, trying to escape the sensation of corruption and darkness inside you. For a moment, you pass out. When you awaken, you are out in the chasm once more, unsure how long you have been there. When you look down at your hands, you see they have changed more, becoming longer as dark hairs begin to coat them. Your mouth tastes of blood, and you look down beneath you to see a corpse under your feet. Your mind blanks out once more. <<hasitem "Dire Wolf">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your sleep is filled with nightmares. Dreams of blood, of pain, of your body cracking and tearing, your flesh no longer your own. The nightmares threaten to consume you, to destroy you utterly, and you feel yourself sinking. Until the dream is interrupted. You dream of a rangy, filthy beast swimming down towards you, gripping your fur in his teeth. He pulls you from the darkness, fighting to keep you from sinking into insanity. You awaken, and feel your muzzle aching, your claws wet. Your canine nose is pressed against something warm and furry, and the rank scent of it seems to soothe the pain. You open your glowing eyes, and see another Dire Wolf. He is embracing you tightly, his filthy furry arms wrapped around you. He wakes too, and your eyes meet. You no longer remember who you were, what you are. There is only instinct, savagery. But there is no pain. You lean in towards the other wolf, and lick him. Somehow you know that here, with your mate, you can survive this madness. That together you can make a life, strange as it is, in the shadow of Castle Nox. Your journey ends here. <<else>> When you awaken again, you are hunched above your garbage pile. You must protect it. Your territory. Somewhere in here, is something you need. Something you lost. You scratch at your raggedy fur, your eyes glowing yellow. Yes, all yours. So hungry. Must eat. Must find. Kill. Fight. Kill! Your head turns as you sense something moving in the woods. A human. Here to take your secrets! Your mouth froths as you creep on all fours, thinking of nothing but hunger and blood. You are part of the castle now, nothing but a mindless, savage beast. Your journey ends here. <</if>> <img src=""> [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Hastily, you uncork the potion, and toss it at the wolves. The thin glass cracks, and the black fluid splatters across their muzzles. A strange, flowery scent fills the air. The wolves yip with dismay, and start to sway drunkenly. The others who were not affected back away, afraid. Now is your chance to flee. In the distance you can see a crevice leading into a cave that you could squeeze in, where the wolves could not follow. [[Stay and watch]] [[Flee|Enter the cave]]

Your curiosity outweights your survival instinct, and you are fascinated by what is happening to the wolves. The ones who were splashed by the potion start to approach the ones who were not, and begin nuzzling and licking them. Bit by bit, all of them start to act the same, docile and dazed. Their tails wag, and they rub up against each other eagerly. Then they turn to you, surrounding you and walking closer, but seemingly with no hostile intent. The scent grows stronger, and you begin to feel dizzy too. One tackles you, knocking you to the ground, and the others surround you. Their furry faces press against you, licking you, nuzzling you. With each lick, the black fluid drips over your skin, soaking into you. You struggle slightly at first, but soon you are filled with an intense sense of contentment and belonging. You find yourself pressing against the feral wolves, rubbing their fur, feeling their warmth. You open your mouth and press it to the lead wolf's muzzle, kissing him. His long tongue slides against your face, across your tongue, into your throat. Your clothes begin to feel tight and strange, and you pull them off awkwardly with hands that aren't moving like they used to. The wolves press against your legs as you strip naked, and you quickly fall forward onto all fours. As they lick you, you feel a strange warmth in your body. Your skin begins to prickle as fur grows everywhere the wolves lick. Your hands clench against the grass, your palms forming pads while sharp claws grow from your fingertips. A wolf presses his muzzle to your face, licking you all over, and you feel your skull shift and reshape. Your jaw stretching forward, your teeth becoming sharp fangs. The scent of the forest around you becomes more intense, more vibrant, especially the thick musk of the wolves. Behind you, your tailbone stretches out and grows, thickening as fur coats it. You flex your body, stretching and twisting, as your bones reshape and adjust to a quadrupedal form. Your mind starts to fade, thoughts and memories melting away under the force of instinct and pack mentality. You clench your eyes closed, and when you re-open them, they are the amber shade of your fellow wolves. The potion's effects start to wear off, and your pack shakes themselves and then bounds off into the woods. After a moment, you follow them. The pack is your family, and this is your territory. You are a loyal and strong member of the wolf pack, and always have been. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Unlocking achievements will provide optional bonuses on new runs in the area where you turn on/off the time goddess. The following achievements can be found in the game: 1. Pass through the cultists without getting a Dark Blessing <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[0] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 2. Save Lord Rayleigh from a terrible fate<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[1] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 3. Perfect Sten's axe<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[2] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 4. Learn Dark Power, and survive its use<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[3] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 5. Battle the Beast and defeat his first form<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[4] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 6. Craft a Pure Blood of Nox<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[5] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 7. Befriend a giant snake<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[6] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 8. Recruit Sir Connery in his most powerful form<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[7] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 9. Defeat the Beast once and for all<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[8] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 10. Reforge the Ashen Blade<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[9] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 11. Have over 1000 gold in your wallet<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[10] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 12. Become an adventurer's beloved pet rat<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[11] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 12A. Become one of Zelig's assassins<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[12] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 14. Become Lord of Skill<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[13] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 15. Become a wolf alongside a mate for life<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[14] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 16. Return the Stable Lord to his throne<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[15] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 17. Beat the game with any good ending<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[16] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> 18. With Derevan's help, confine the Beast in a Summoner's Binding<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[17] == true>> Unlocked<</if>> [[Back|Intro]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

<<if $muted>> <<audio ":all" volume 1.00>> <<set $muted to false>> All music unmuted. <<else>> <<audio ":all" volume 0.00>> <<set $muted to true>> All music muted. <</if>> [[Return | $lastpassage]]

The robed figure nods. "Knowledge, you say? I see a kindred spirit in you. I too once sought forbidden knowledge. Powers of the arcane. Now I have a new calling, but my old learning remains." He reaches into his cloak, and reveals a rolled-up scroll. "I would be willing to part with some of it, for a scholar who is worthy." You may try to impress this man with your magical knowledge. <<statcheck 7 $skill "magic" "knowledgeyes" "knowledgeno">>

You chat with the old man for a short while, trading information on the fundamentals of magic and in research into the arcane. To your surprise, he has a keen intellect and even some knowledge of advanced theories. "Yes, I am satisfied. Here, take this. May it serve you well." He offers you the scroll. You may take it if you wish. <<item $i_shieldscroll cultistscroll>> The robed figure stands and holds his staff. "Castle Nox draws in many souls, for many reasons. It is a sacred place, not a cursed one. You are welcome to pass us by, and seek your desires. We ask only one thing of you, and that is that you allow us to bless you on your way, to keep you safe..." Something about the robed man's words sends a tingle of dread up your spine. The other cultists are watching you quietly from the shadows. [[Try to befriend them with charming words]] [[Insist that you are already blessed by their gods]] [[Refuse outright]] [[Accept a blessing]]

You chat with the old man for a short while, trying to show your knowledge of magic and spellcrafting. You assume it will be easy, but to your surprise this old cultist has knowledge of theories and arcane mysteries far beyond your own. Eventually, he shakes his head. "No, I think I will hold onto this after all. It is a memento of my past I will not part with easily." The robed figure then straightens up and holds his staff. "Castle Nox draws in many souls, for many reasons. It is a sacred place, not a cursed one. You are welcome to pass us by, and seek your desires. We ask only one thing of you, and that is that you allow us to bless you on your way, to keep you safe..." Something about the robed man's words sends a tingle of dread up your spine. The other cultists are watching you quietly from the shadows. [[Try to befriend them with charming words]] [[Insist that you are already blessed by their gods]] [[Refuse outright]] [[Accept a blessing]]

The four statues stand in front of the main entrance to the castle, all visible as soon as someone enters. Each is intricately carved from white stone, and shows a beastman standing proudly atop a column with a plaque. <<if !$donelion>> [[The lion statue]] <<else>> The lion statue stands damaged and bereft of its golden crown. <</if>> <<if !$donebear>> [[The bear statue]] <<else>> The bear statue is ruined and cracked. <</if>> [[The elephant statue]] [[The rat statue]] [[Stables]] [[Workhouse]] [[Garden]]

Even the stables in this place seem cold and ominous. The walls are made of gnarled black wood, and each plank is warped and twisted, leaving gaps into the dark gloom beyond. You hear no sound of snuffling or breathing within. The only hay around the entryway is ancient and rotten. <<if $stablekilled>> The stables stand empty now. [[Empty Stable]] [[Courtyard]] <<elseif $stablefriend>> You walk inside, and the stablehand clutches at his hat. When he sees it is you, he relaxes slightly. "Friend of beasts...come to learn? To become strong? For a single coin..." If you have a coin for him, you can try his training again. <<if $money > 0>> [[Train with the stablemaster]] <</if>> <<if !$fuckedstableboy>> [[Get closer to the stablemaster]] <<else>> [[Try to convince the stablemaster to be your mate]] <</if>> [[Attack him when he turns his back|Ambush them]] [[Courtyard]] <<elseif $stablemet>> The creature within the stable is still there. A cautious glance through the slats shows the swaying of the lantern at his hip. [[Sneak around]] [[Speak to the person]] [[Ambush them]] <<else>> When you move closer, you see a person moving inside, hunched over and wearing a battered black hat. A dim lantern at their side barely illuminates the gloom. <<if $ironwill > 1>>//Feed the beasts...fill the stalls...all for the castle. For the castle. Must serve...must feed...// <</if>> [[Sneak around]] [[Speak to the person]] [[Ambush them]] <</if>>

This statue depicts a lion-man, dressed regally in a thick cloak and with a shining wreath of olive vines on his head like a crown. His arms are outstretched benevolently, and a confident smirk is carved into his powerful face. Despite the jewels and cloak he is shown with, he is otherwise completely naked, in full detail. A plaque on the column reads "Altan the Red" The wreath shines and gleams atop his head, standing out from the marble. It appears to be actual gold. [[Try to pry off the crown]] [[Four Statues]]

<<if $doneelephant>> This statue depicts an elephant-man, dressed in the tunic and robe of a master sorceror. One hand is clasped to his chest, and the other is outstretched and holding a carved stone grimoire. The elephant's head is carved on the forehead in the shape of a stylised third eye. A plaque on the column reads "Eskander Inkfinger" The fingers of the hand holding the book are indeed inky-black, unlike the white marble of the rest of the statue. The book itself is now completely blank, just plain smooth stone. [[Four Statues]] <<if $darkpowerspell > 0>> [[Cast Dark Power]] <</if>> <<else>> This statue depicts an elephant-man, dressed in the tunic and robe of a master sorceror. One hand is clasped to his chest, and the other is outstretched and holding a carved stone grimoire. The elephant's head is carved on the forehead in the shape of a stylised third eye. A plaque on the column reads "Eskander Inkfinger" The fingers of the hand holding the book are indeed inky-black, unlike the white marble of the rest of the statue. When you look closer, you see that the book seems to have actual words carved on its pages. [[Read the carved book]] [[Four Statues]] <</if>>

This statue depicts a bear-man of enormous stature. His is clad in thick heavy armour, including a horned helmet, and he is wielding an oversized battleaxe as he steps on the body of a fallen foe. The foe under his stone paw appears to be depicted as human, and his expression is rather more lewd and submissive than you would expect of a warlike carving such as this. A plaque on the column reads "Sten Icebreaker" The axe in the bear's hands appears to be made of actual carved metal, though it is far too large to be a conventional weapon. [[Try to pull off the axe]] [[Four Statues]]

This statue depicts a rat-man in a peaked, cowled hood. He is wearing thief's garb, with a tunic and a belt of daggers, though his inhuman feet are bare. While the other three statues are shown in poses of arrogance and pride, this one is lower to the ground, and the rat has a welcoming and relaxed pose. One hand rests on his hip, while the other is outstretched as if he is asking for a favour. A plaque on the column reads "Zelig Cursebrand" The palm of the outstretched hand has a slot in it, just large enough that a guilder coin would fit inside. <<if $money > 0>>[[Drop a guilder into the rat's hand]]<</if>> [[Four Statues]] <<if $onecoin>>[[A small coin]]<</if>>

<<statcheck 10 $skill "skill" "crown1" "crown2">>

<<statcheck 10 $magic "magic" "sbook1" "sbook2">> <<set $doneelephant to true>>

<<statcheck 10 $might "might" "axe1" "axe2">>

<<if $gambleguilders >= 10>> This is incredible! You can earn as much money as you want, and the odds are always in your favour! With increasing giddiness, your eyes twitching, you drop every penny you have into the rat's palm, your mind focused only on this chance for wealth... [[Addicted to coin]] <<else>> <<set $money to $money-1>> <<if random(1) == 1>> Your coin slips into the rat's hand, and you hear it rolling down the insides of the statue. You hear a rattling and clanking that gradually becomes louder and more complex. Finally, three new coins spill out from a hidden slot under the statue's cloak. <<set $money to $money+3>> <<set $gambleguilders to $gambleguilders+2>> [[The rat statue]] <<else>> Your coin slips into the rat's hand, and you hear it rolling down the insides of the statue. There is a rattling and clanking for a moment, but then the statue goes silent. Nothing seems to have happened. <<set $gambleguilders to $gambleguilders-1>> [[The rat statue]] <</if>> <</if>>

You shudder with delight as you hear the coin clinking and rolling down into the statue. Your whole body tenses with anticipation, your breath growing faster, and then your eyes roll up in your head with utter joy as your prizes rattle and jangle and fall out from the statue. With shaking hands, you immediately put them all back in, your need only growing deeper and more irresistable as one after another, no payout emerges. Finally you reach for another coin, and realise you have none left. No! This can't be happening! You look around desperately, your mouth dry. You were so close! So close to being rich! You fumble at the statue's feet, searching for one more coin, maybe something you missed, one more chance. You would give anything for one more coin! //Anything?// The voice in your head makes your body ache, and you shudder. Yes, anything, you think. //Then give everything.// Your anxiety and fear start to fade. Yes, yes you have a coin. One more coin. One more chance to gamble. Your whole body starts to feel heavy, as you slump onto the ground. You feel yourself compressing, getting smaller, thicker. Your whole identity being squeezed down by some incredible force, like you are being crushed under the foot of a giant. Your limbs grow stiff, your mind swirls and crumbles, but you can do nothing but accept as the incredible weight flattens and hardens you. Finally, you feel released. You are looking up at the statue above you, which seems enormous now. Your whole body is tiny, hard and round. You have your one last coin. One final guilder - with your face engraved on it, except twisted and shifted to a rat's snout. Everything you are, for one last coin. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]] <<set $onecoin to true>>

<<statcheck 10 $skill "skill" "Stable Rafters" "Caught by Stablehand">>

You walk forward, and call out to the person in the stable. They stiffen, mumbling to themselves in a guttural male voice, and back away into the dark. As you get closer, and the light from his swaying lantern highlights his features, you realise the man is not just hunched, but bent over almost double, and yet he is still taller than yourself. From beneath a ragged overcoat, you spy his bare foot, which is clawed and elongated. This creature is not human. The stable doors clatter behind you, locking themselves and plunging you into darkness. Around you, the stalls suddenly shake and knock, as the sound of braying, wailing horses fills the room. "No harm. No harm to the beasts. Protect the beasts...all for the castle...come, come under my protection. Make you strong..." It sounds like he struggles to speak through a mouth not suited for the task. [[Accept his help, cautiously]] [[Fight your way out]]

You wait silently for him to pass beneath you, and then drop from your perch, your weapon held firm. Your strike lands true, hitting into the creature's skull, followed by your body landing on his shoulders and slamming him to the ground. One final strike finishes the job. His hand reaches up for a moment, grasping desperately, then falls limp. [[Look around|stablehandkilled]]

You climb up the statue and try to tug at the crown. It is delicate, but securely fastened to the stone. Attempting to force it off would likely damage it, possibly beyond repair. You instead chip carefully at the stone around the edges of the statue's mane, making a path that lets you cautiously push the crown up and over. Soon it's in your hands, heavy but not as heavy as it should be. With some examination, it seems the gold is just gold leaf. Even so, something about the intricate shining crown feels almost enchanting. Just holding it makes you feel more confident, more charming. <<item $i_crown sstatuecrown>> [[Four Statues]] <<set $donelion to true>>

You climb up the statue and begin to tug at the golden crown. It is delicate, but securely fastened to the stone. You are forced to try and chip at it, attempting to force it loose. Finally, with one too-strong strike, the whole crown falls apart and clatters to the ground. You climb down and pick up the fragments, only to find they are worthless gold leaf over stone. Not even worth taking with you. [[Four Statues]] <<set $donelion to true>>

You climb up onto the statue's plinth, and then take a firm grip of the metal axe. You pull hard, but the heavy stone arms of the statue hold firm. You place your feet against the statue too, and then heave with all your might. Slowly, cracks form on the statue's hands. You keep pulling and straining, until finally the stone gives way, collapsing into fragments. You fall to the ground, wheezing under the weight of the absurdly-sized axe. <<item $i_stenaxe statueaxe>> [[Four Statues]] <<set $donebear to true>>

You climb up onto the statue's plinth, and then take a firm grip of the metal axe. You pull hard, but the heavy stone arms of the statue hold firm. You try holding it from another angle, getting a better grip, but all your efforts prove futile. Finally, you resort to trying to lever the axe free from its heaviest end, using its own length and weight against it. With a creak, it begins to shift. Then with an almighty crack, it falls loose. To your annoyance however, only part of it came off, and it has cracked in half. The piece you ended up with remains a servicable axe, but nothing special. <<item $i_axe statueaxe>> [[Four Statues]] <<set $donebear to true>>

You climb up the statue, and take a closer look at the words engraved on the book as you do. The statue is old, and the carved writing is difficult to parse, so you must focus intently and lean in close. As you do, the text begins to make sense. The words sear themselves into your mind, twisting and writhing on the page. In your mind's eye, they lash out like tentacles, gripping your mind and soul and dragging you forward. You gasp, struggling against them, pulling your magical skills to action to fight off their power. This is a spell of pure malevolent energy, and like all powerful spells it has a mind of its own. It takes all your concentration and focus to push it back, slowly releasing yourself bit by bit from each of its piercing, corruptive thoughts. Finally you pull yourself free, and collapse to the floor, coughing and wheezing. Yet when you look down at your hand, you are shocked to see your fingers glistening and oily black, as if dipped in ink. Your vision fades. --- When you awaken, you are aching and sore. You look down beneath you to see a magical scroll, inked in a deranged, scrawling handwriting that barely resembles your own. <<item $i_darkpower statuescroll>> <<set $magic to $magic+1>> Your fingers on the dominant hand remain stained, and your magical powers seem to be enhanced by your experience. [[Four Statues]]

You climb up the statue, and take a closer look at the words engraved on the book as you do. The statue is old, and the carved writing is difficult to parse, so you must focus intently and lean in close. Suddenly, the letters on the page seem to glow, and start to writhe and twist on the stone pages, as if alive. They whip around, lashing out, each sentence becoming a string of glowing letters that moves like a living tentacle. They spring up, grabbing your neck, your head, pulling you closer to the book. You try to pull away, but your head burns with agonising pain. You flail at the words, but your hands pass through them. This is no physical attack, but one purely in your mind, as the spell has a will of its own and seeks to destroy you. You lack the skills to fight this danger with knowledge. Only your faith in yourself can save you. <<set _fcheck to 10>> <<if $ironwill > 0>> <<set _fcheck to 8>> Your skill of Iron Will rises to your defense, reducing the strength of the cursed book. <</if>> <<statcheck _fcheck $faith "faith" "sbook3" "sbook4">>

<<if $cantrips < 2>> Without earning mastery of Cantrips, memorising spells is beyond your skills. [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<else>> You translate the arcane runes and commit the spell to memory. The scroll disintegrates in your hands as its power transfers into you. As it does, you suddenly clutch your chest and fall to your knees. Your body aches with a vile, oily and corrupt sensation. Your skin crawls, and ichor drips for a moment from your mouth, forming a black pool on the floor. The sensation passes after an agonising moment, yet you still feel oddly filthy. You can cast this spell only at an effigy of Eskander, such as the one where you found the scroll. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $darkpowerspell to 1>> <</if>>

You tear yourself away from the book, fighting the pain, rallying your sapping willpower. You fall to the ground, landing awkwardly and pained, but alive. Above you the book screeches like a beast, then slowly returns to slumber. <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-4>> [[Four Statues]]

The glowing lights wrap around your head, ethereal tentacles plunging into your ears, through your eyes, filling your mind. You feel them pulse and throb, draining you, pulling you forth. You try to focus on who you are, your sense of self and purpose. As much as you try, though, you feel your thoughts fragmenting, becoming lost and confused. Your fingers clench against the book, but your body feels weak. Your eyes swirl and sway, drool dripping from your mouth. You are...who? Where did you come from? You have faint, dreamlike memories of being somewhere else before this, but even as you try to think of them, they disappear into nothing. You came here for...something. Yet everything you think of just makes the tentacles throb and pulse more as they consume it, your mind and thoughts simply feed. The sensation is...oddly pleasing. A brainless grin spreads across your face, and the tentacles seem to thicken, filling your head, pulling you closer. It feels so good. You press against the book, letting your mind wander, feeling every remaining part of your thoughts, desires, sense of self. Releasing it, so the book can consume it, growing stronger. Bit by bit, your head is completely emptied, until there is nothing left to consume. The ethereal tentacles recede, and you slump to the floor, your eyes vacant and white. You feel nothing. You think nothing. You have no concept of time, yet eventually someone from the castle dressed in thick robes walks up to you. "Another failed specimen. You will join the others", he says. A hand presses to your face, and you feel a surge of power, the mage's will anchoring into your own. When he walks away, you shuffle behind him, reacting to his thoughts and needs. He hands you a broom and has you sweep the tower, which you do robotically with no thought or will of your own. You are nothing but a zombie slave now, a puppet for your master. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You begin to cast the spell, and feel that foul, strange sensation flow through your body once more. Your fingertips ache, and you sense a magical connection flowing from you, through the statue, and down into the depths of Castle Nox. For a moment, your vision shifts. You see down through the castle stone, witnessing a glimpse of rows upon rows of prison cells beneath the castle. Ragged, starving wretches wail for release, trapped behind rusty bars. Each cell is carved with sigils and glyphs, ones that you now know you can draw on. This is the spell of Dark Power - if you are willing, you can consume one of these doomed souls and use their very life force to enhance yourself. [[Consume a life]] [[You cannot do this|Four Statues]]

<<set _fcheck to 10+$darkpowerspell>> <<statcheck _fcheck $faith "faith" "DarkPowerSuccess" "DarkPowerFail">>

You focus on one of the cells, and see the glyphs in it begin to glow, first faintly and then with red-hot intensity. The prisoner trapped inside screams, trying to get away from the burning glyphs, but the spell only grows stronger. They fall to the ground, writhing, and then stiffen. Glowing mist is torn from their mouth and nose, their eyes turning white as their life force leaves their body and is pulled into the arcane marks, flowing through them and up into you. You feel their knowledge, their skills, their old life. All of it becomes fuel, filling your veins with heat and power. It is intoxicating. <<set $darkpowerspell to $darkpowerspell+2>> <<set _random to random(3)>> <<if _random == 0>> This prisoner was once a warrior. You draw their might into yourself. //Roll 1d6. If the result if equal to or greater than your current Might, increase Might permanently by 1.// <<set _random to random(1,6)>> //Rolled _random.// <<if _random >= $might>> You are more than you once were. <<set $might to $might+1>> <<else>> It is not enough. You need more lives. <</if>> This is justified, surely. They would only have died in those cells, victims of the castle, not of you. This is survival of the fittest. A cruel smirk stretches across your mouth, before you force yourself to stop it. [[Four Statues]] <<elseif _random == 1>> This prisoner was once a mage. You draw their knowledge into yourself. //Roll 1d6. If the result if equal to or greater than your current Magic, increase Magic permanently by 1.// <<set _random to random(1,6)>> //Rolled _random.// <<if _random >= $magic>> You are more than you once were. <<set $magic to $magic+1>> <<else>> It is not enough. You need more lives. <</if>> This is justified, surely. They would only have died in those cells, victims of the castle, not of you. This is survival of the fittest. A cruel smirk stretches across your mouth, before you force yourself to stop it. [[Four Statues]] <<elseif _random == 2>> This prisoner was once a thief. You draw their dexterity into yourself. //Roll 1d6. If the result if equal to or greater than your current Skill, increase Skill permanently by 1.// <<set _random to random(1,6)>> //Rolled _random.// <<if _random >= $skill>> You are more than you once were. <<set $skill to $skill+1>> <<else>> It is not enough. You need more lives. <</if>> This is justified, surely. They would only have died in those cells, victims of the castle, not of you. This is survival of the fittest. A cruel smirk stretches across your mouth, before you force yourself to stop it. [[Four Statues]] <<elseif _random == 3>> This prisoner was once a bard. You draw their charm into yourself. //Roll 1d6. If the result if equal to or greater than your current Charm, increase Charm permanently by 1.// <<set _random to random(1,6)>> //Rolled _random.// <<if _random >= $charm>> You are more than you once were. <<set $charm to $charm+1>> <<else>> It is not enough. You need more lives. <</if>> This is justified, surely. They would only have died in those cells, victims of the castle, not of you. This is survival of the fittest. A cruel smirk stretches across your mouth, before you force yourself to stop it. [[Four Statues]] <</if>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[3] to true>> <<set $evildeeds to $evildeeds+1>>

You focus on one of the cells, and see the glyphs in it begin to glow, first faintly and then with red-hot intensity. The prisoner trapped inside screams, trying to get away from the burning glyphs, but the spell only grows stronger. They fall to the ground, writhing, and then stiffen. Glowing mist is torn from their mouth and nose, their eyes turning white as their life force leaves their body and is pulled into the arcane marks, flowing through them and up into you. You feel their knowledge, their skills, their old life. All of it becomes fuel, filling your veins with heat and power. It is intoxicating. The pleasure of feeling them suffer, scream and die, all to serve you. It is overwhelming! You arch your back, shuddering and grinning madly with the sensation. You barely even care about the enhancement it gives you any more, only the sadistic glee of feeling the helpless be crushed beneath you. You immediately turn your focus to another cell, controlling that one too. Then another, and another, both hands flexing like you are conducting an orchestra, but one of screams and agony. Your eyes open wide as you grin, your whole body alight with the lust and glee of pure, unforgiveable cruelty. The magic you are gaining is of lesser importance, but it is still of use to you. You accept it completely, feeling it soak into your very soul. The glistening oily black on your fingers spreads down your body, covering your skin until you seem to be dipped in some otherworldly sheen. You focus, somehow knowing what you need as if thoughts are being flowed into you from someone else. From under your armpits, two bulges form, bursting forth into a second pair of arms. Your fingers stretch out into long, dextrous claws, and you wave your four new hands to control and light the cells in your mind with even more dexterity. Your toes burst from your shoes, your feet stretching into black claws, while your skin becomes firm and chitinous. Your ears stretch and grow, swelling into tall points above your head, while your eyes glow yellow on a face that is becoming gaunt and batlike. From your back, a hump-like bulge forms, thickening bigger and bigger, until it bursts open into a pair of enormous wings. Then, alas, you are done. No more living beings are left in the cells you were linked to, only corpses twisted in utter agony. You snort with annoyance, and flap your wings. Well, no matter. You know where to get more. You take off into the sky with a mighty wingflap, thoughts of your old mission now completely gone. Only the pleasure remains, the addiction to consuming others. You fly away from the castle, to the terrified little villages below. In dark of night, you stalk out helpless victims, pouncing on them and engulfing them with your wings, so that your magic can transport them into the cells back at your home. You are one of the castle's terrifying, monstrous jailers. The silent wings that stalk in the night, abducting the innocent for the perverse pleasures of the castle's masters. Your journey as a human ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

<<if $merchantmet == "no">> The workhouses are squat, simplistic cube buildings, with uneven entrances and windows that are simply holes cut into the walls. They sit in a row alongside the wall, the shadows of each one concealing various mysterious implements and dusty machines. As you approach them, you hear a groaning, and a grunt of pain. You peek inside the nearest building, and see a long streak of blood along one wall, leading to a slumped human body. You move closer, and see that it's a stout man with a round belly and the striped garments of a merchant. His tunic is soaked with blood, and he's clutching his shoulder and wheezing. He looks up at you and flinches for a moment, before realising you are not one of the castle's monsters. "Bastards jumped me...managed to barricade the door but not before they stuck me through like a damn pig..." He gestures his head towards the far door, which is blocked by a pile of ancient furniture. His cheeks are pale, and it is clear that he is not long for this world now. <<if $ironwill > 1>>//Damnit. Dying here before I could find the Golden Blade. Stupid to throw my life away over a fairytale...// <</if>> <<hasitem "Tincture of Life">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Give him a Tincture of Life]] <</if>> <<if $healing > 0>> [[Use your skill of Healing]] <</if>> [[Attempt to stabilise him magically]] [[Do not help]] <<elseif $merchantmet == "yes">> The workhouses are squat, simplistic cube buildings, with uneven entrances and windows that are simply holes cut into the walls. They sit in a row alongside the wall, the shadows of each one concealing various mysterious implements and dusty machines. Nicholas waves at you as you enter, using his uninjured arm. He's set up a little area of his own by spreading out a blanket and moving some furniture together. "I'm thinking I'll lurk here a while. Far too dangerous out there. Once I feel better, I'll head out, I've had my fill of adventure. I do have some wares that may be of use to you though, friend." <<if $ironwill > 1>>//This adventurer must be a fool to help someone in this place. Still, lucky for me. Maybe I can offload some gear and this won't be a complete loss.// <</if>> [[Buy items]] [[Sell items]] <<if $nickromance == 0>> [[Ask Nicholas about himself]] <</if>> <<if $nickromance == 1>> [[Play a song and try to get Nick to join in]] <</if>> <<if $nickromance == 2>> [[Seduce Nick]] <</if>> <<if $furnacelit>> "With the furnace on, I think some of these old machines are starting to work again. I reckon all sorts of jobs were done here, once", Nicholas says. [[Craft items]] <<else>> "Be wary of the back room, friend. The beasts that attacked me are still lurking in there." [[The Furnace Room]] <</if>> [[Courtyard]] <<elseif $merchantmet == "dead">> The workhouses are squat, simplistic cube buildings, with uneven entrances and windows that are simply holes cut into the walls. They sit in a row alongside the wall, the shadows of each one concealing various mysterious implements and dusty machines. The body of the merchant is slumped silently in the back corner. <<if $furnacelit>> With the furnace on, some of the old machines have started to move. There are lathes, saws, various tools for crafting and building. [[Craft items]] <<else>> [[The Furnace Room]] <</if>> [[Courtyard]] <</if>>

The garden seems out of place in a place like this. Despite the cold and stagnant air, a field of thick grass fills the center of this outer segment of the castle. To the edges nearest you, thick bushes surround beds of large flowers, from which a sweet, languorous smell wafts. As you get closer, the purpose of the garden becomes more clear. Stone monuments form row upon row leading further up to the gatehouse. Tombs and tombstones, from simple wooden planks to statues of grieving angels. This is no garden, but a cemetery. Each grave bears a name, perhaps of an adventurer who came before you, and now rests here forever. <<if !$killedtopiary>>[[Examine the flowers]]<</if>> [[Pass through the graves]] [[Courtyard]]

Oddly, there's a single guilder lying at the rat's feet. It looks legitimate, but instead of the king's face on the front, there is the face of a scared-looking rat creature. Still, it might be worth something. [[The rat statue]] <<set $onecoin to false>> <<set $money to $money+1>>

You do not trust this situation. While the person's back is turned, you raise your weapon and charge forward, striking true. They fall forward onto the rotten hay of the stable floor, and as you get closer you see that this is no human at all. It is a beastman, hunched over almost double yet still taller than you. He scrabbles at the ground, his tattered overcoat shifting to reveal his feet are elongated and have thick, beastlike claws. He rolls away, his hat fallen aside to show his stretched out, muzzle-like face and glowing yellow eyes. "Fiend! Fiend! The beasts, the beasts! I must feed them!" He raises a lantern in one hand, and the doors of the stable rattle. He sways, blood soaking his face. "No...protect me! You swore to me! Protect me in the dark!" You must fight this mad creature, though you have already dealt him a grievous wound. <img src=""> <<set $stablemet to true>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Twisted Stablehand", "combat": 5, "stamina": 4, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "stablehandkilled", "death": "stablehandfailed", "flee": "Courtyard" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

He seems surprised when you lower your weapon. He reaches out a hand, and as his ragged sleeve slips back you see his hands are bandaged, and the tips have long, thick claws. You grip it gently, feeling the leathery roughness of his palms, and he pulls you closer. His breath, rank and hot, wafts over your face from under his wide-brimmed hat. You see his thick fangs drip with saliva. <img src=""> "Yes...a friend. Protect the castle. Protect the beasts..." He releases you, and shuffles to the back of the stable. "Come...come here. Secret ways. Powerful strength." You follow him, and he opens a door at the back of the stable to show you a small empty dirtlot with a loose oval running path stomped into it by many hooves. As you walk out, he places something heavy around your neck and shoulders, and you grunt under the weight. "Run the track...make you strong..." <<statcheck 9 $faith "faith" "StableTraining_Success" "StableTraining_Fail">>

The creature clicks his lantern closed, and you can see only from the light of the moon filtering barely through the cracks in the walls. If you lack Heightened Senses, you must fight at a disadvantage. You are trapped, and cannot flee. <img src=""> <<if $heightenedsenses > 0>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Twisted Stablehand", "combat": 6, "stamina": 8, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "stablehandkilled", "death": "stablehandfailed", "noflee": true }>> <<else>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Twisted Stablehand", "combat": 8, "stamina": 8, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "stablehandkilled", "death": "stablehandfailed", "noflee": true }>> <</if>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

The creature lies dead at your feet, while his blood forms a sticky pool that shines faintly in the moonlight. The door to the stables sways open in the wind. You roll the creature over, grunting with the effort of moving such a massive beast. At his belt, next to his lantern, you find a long iron key. Other than that, his gigantic overcoat has nothing of value. Nothing except, to your disgust, some chunks of raw meat in one stained pocket. <<item $i_stablekey stablekey>> <<item $i_overcoat stablecoat>> <<item $i_lantern stablelantern>> <<item $i_rawmeat stablemeat>> [[Empty Stable]] <<set $stablekilled to true>>

You can fight no longer. You fall under the crushing blows of the stablehand's long, beastlike arms. As you slump to the floor, and your vision fades, you hear him muttering, growling to himself. "Protect the beasts...keep them here..." --- Slowly, you awaken. The world around you looks strange, like it is illuminated by bright moonlight. Everything is clearly defined, but in monochrome. You stand up, and look down to see the crumpled shape of your own corpse. Around you, inside the empty stalls, you now see people. Men and women, adventurers and warriors and mages. Some are human, but others are twisted and transformed, with hooves, elongated faces and manes. In one or two stalls, full ghostly horses struggle against the walls of their stall, their still-human eyes resisting the last of their changes. You feel powerful clawed hands on your shoulders, pushing you towards an unoccupied stall. You struggle, but you can't seem to fight back. You are as insubstantial as mist. The stablehand pushes you into the stall, and then locks it. When you reach out, you are blocked from passing through, like an invisible wall bars your way. He reaches forward, a brush in his hand, and strokes it against your cheek. The bristles stroke over your ghostly skin, and you feel yourself grow calm. Your eyes lid over slightly, and you press against him as his rough, guttural voice whispers to you. "Be calm. Still, relax...protect horse. Protect beasts. Feed..." His clawed fingers touch to your lips, pushing a lump of sugar into your mouth. You snort, sucking on it idly, while his hands stroke over your face and to your ears. He slowly stretches them out, pulling them up into points, before his hands move back and begin massaging your face, making it stretch out further, becoming more muzzlelike. "Part of the stables...one of the beasts..." Eventually he leaves, and your thoughts slowly return. You can do nothing though, as you are trapped in the stall. Each day he returns, each day soothing you once again, making it hard to think. Slowly changing you more, shifting your spirit form, giving you hooves, fur, a tail. As months pass, the times where your mind return become less and less common. You fall to all fours, snorting and pawing at the ground with your hooves, waiting for your master. In time, your spirit will be fully equine, a horse to the deepest depths of your core. A loyal steed for the spirits of the castle. Your journey as a human ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You wait for the person inside to move out of the way, and then slip in behind them silently. It is an easy task for you to then grip the warped wood and pull yourself quietly into the rafters, where you can perch in the dark unseen. The person inside doesn't notice you. You watch carefully, and see it seems to be a man, hunched over and muttering to himself. On closer inspection though, with how hunched he is and yet still tall, at full height he would be almost double your size. As your eyes adjust to the dark, you see that the stalls for horses are all empty. Even so, the man walks between them, reaching up as if patting invisible snouts. He places hay into buckets that are already overflowing with hay that has long since rotted away, untouched. "Protect the master's beasts...make them strong..." He scratches at his face, his hat shifting so that for a moment you see a dog-like muzzle, covered in scruffy fur. His fingers are covered in bandages, but the tips are clawed. "All for my lord..." [[Climb down and approach him|Speak to the person]] [[Drop on him from above]] [[Sneak away back to the courtyard|Courtyard]] <<set $stablemet to true>>

You wait for the person inside to move out of the way, and then slip in behind them silently. You then pull yourself up onto the rafters to hide from sight, but as you do, your foot kicks against a bucket hanging on a nail on the wall. In the gloomy dark, it rings out like a bell. The person twists, raising their lantern. In its dim light, you see that under their battered hat, it is a man who's face is twisted and stretched forward like the muzzle of a dog. Scruffy hair pokes out from his sleeve and over his face. "Rats! Rats in the stables! To take the beasts? Never! Protect! Feed!" The stable doors clatter behind you, locking themselves and plunging you into darkness. Around you, the stalls suddenly shake and knock, as the sound of braying, wailing horses fills the room. "Crush rats!" [[Fight your way out]]

You run along the track, grunting as you try to heave the weight around your shoulders. At first you feel ridiculous, but the further you go, the less severely the weight seems to press down on you. Your heart pounds, your breath pants heavily, but you make a full circuit, and then another, and another. Your muscles burn, aching and swelling. You snort, feeling a rush of power. //Roll 1d6 and add 1. If the result if equal to or greater than your current Might, increase Might permanently by 1.// <<set _random to random(2,7)>> //Rolled _random.// <<if _random >= $might>> When you finally stop, you feel heavier and stronger than before, your muscles more defined. <<set $might to $might+1>> <<else>> When you finally stop, you feel a rush of adrenaline and power. You want to do it again, to get even stronger. <</if>> The stablehand watches you silently, while he remains lurking in the dark of the stable door. When you approach, he nods and takes the weights off your shoulders, which you see now was actually a massive plough collar. "Strength of beasts. Return again. Friend to the stablehand. Bring..." He coughs, and licks his lips with a long tongue. "Bring coin...a coin for the stable. A coin to train and become mighty..." You nod, and return to the courtyard for now. [[Courtyard]] <<set $stablefriend to true>>

You run the track, panting and sweating under the heavy weight across your shoulders. Your muscles strain, your body feeling hot and tense. Your heart pounds, but your feet grow faster, your steps quickening. You want to push yourself, to grow mightier, bigger, stronger. All other thoughts fade away. There is only the track in front of you, the burning of your muscles, the joy of exertion. You come to a stop, dripping with sweat, in front of the stablehand. Oddly he seems shorter than before, as if you've grown bigger. His clawed hands pat and stroke at your clothes. "Remove. Restricting. Need bare, need pure might..." You nod. He's right, these clothes are just getting in the way. You rip them away, exposing your bulging, gleaming muscles. Then you adjust the plough collar around your neck, which feels more comfortable now, as if it's changed to adjust to you. Once again, you take off at a run. Your bare feet slap against the dirt path, the wind rushing past you. This feels amazing! You are moving so fast, your muscles sliding against each other so efficiently, so powerfully. You can go even faster, you are sure of it. Instinctively, you leap forward, landing on all fours and speeding into a gallop. You barely notice as your hands and feet harden against the dirt, stiffening and growing into hooves. All you think of is how it makes it easier to run, to strike against the ground. Your body stretches and grows, your chest barreling out and your limbs adjusting to a quadrupedal stance. A tail stretches out behind you, swaying in the wind, while your neck thickens and grows longer. A mane stretches down your back, and your face pushes out into a snout, your nostrils flaring with exertion. Your only thoughts are of speed, of power. Gradually you slow, and stop, your furry flanks dripping with sweat. The stablehand walks up to you, and lifts his clawed hands. His cupped palms are full of water, and you lap it up eagerly, licking across his fingers as you do. He pats your side, and you snort and whinny. "Fine beast. Mighty steed." His words blur in your head. You don't understand them, you only feel soothed by the calming sound. Your mind drains away as you feel him brushing you, cleaning you, admiring your form. Eventually he leads you into the stables, and leaves you to feed on some fresh hay. No thoughts remain in your head. To all appearances, you are nothing but a fine and powerful horse, awaiting a rider. Your journey as a human ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The stable is empty and cold. The hay on the floor is sticky, and the smell of stale blood hangs in the air. <<item $i_stablekey stablekey>> <<item $i_overcoat stablecoat>> <<item $i_lantern stablelantern>> <<item $i_rawmeat stablemeat>> <<if $doneghosthorse>> The stable is truly empty now, even of ghosts. <<elseif $metghosthorse>> The ghost of Lord Rayleigh looks up at you plaintively from his stall. <<hasitem "Rayleigh's Ring">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Give him his ring]] <</if>> [[Pray for the ghost to move on]] [[Try to convince him to accept becoming a horse]] <<elseif $heightenedsenses > 0>> Now that the stables are so quiet, your enhanced hearing picks up on something. A faint whimper, a mix of cry and whinny, coming from an empty stall. [[Empty Stall?]] <<elseif random(1,6)+random(1,6)+$magic > 10>> Your magical senses tingle. There is something supernatural here. You focus, and pick up a faint, ethereal sensation coming from an empty stall. [[Empty Stall?]] <<else>> For a moment, you think you sense something, like a chill on your neck. Then the feeling passes. [[Empty Stall?]] <</if>> [[Courtyard]]

He leads you out behind his stables once more. This time as he does so, he presses close to you, his hands stroking over your back, feeling your arms, squeezing and touching you. "Yes...a fine beast...mighty steed..." He takes the plough collar, and presses it onto your shoulders once more. This time it feels much more natural, like it has changed to fit your body better. Or perhaps you are getting larger, and more suited to the collar. <<statcheck 10 $faith "faith" "StableTraining_Success" "StableTraining_Fail">> <<set $money to $money-1>>

You walk up to what seems to be an empty stall, and examine it carefully. It contains nothing but rotting hay, like everything else. Yet there is something odd... You close your eyes, and focus. Yes, you can hear something. A cry for help, but on the very edges of your senses. You focus as much as you can, and open your eyes once more. A blue light forms in front of you, slowly becoming more clear. You can see the ethereal outline of a mighty warhorse, but with terrified human eyes. "Can you see me?", it asks. It has the voice of a nobleman, distinguished yet tinged with fear. You explain that yes, you can see him. "I am Lord Rayleigh, last of my house. I was lured here to the castle by the promise of wealth, a way to restore my family fortunes. I was a fool. I perished in this terrible place, and have been held captive here for I know not how many years." He closes his eyes, and whinnies, shaking his head. "It is...it is so hard to stay in control. I have been that monster's simple beast for so long...I can feel my soul changing. My very core becoming...a horse..." He looks at you desperately. "Please! Help me! I may be dead, but I want to move on to the elysian fields of my ancestors. I do not want to lose the most precious part of myself, to become a mere beast. To be reborn as an animal for all eternity, my fate that of a common steed...I cannot bear the thought..." "If you can find my family ring, I feel like I could hold on to myself. Please, I beg you. I can offer you nothing but my gratitude." You could agree to help him. If you are confident enough in your faith, you could even try to help him move on directly - but if you fail, who knows what darkness might answer a prayer, in this terrible place? Of course, you could always try to convince him to accept his fate. To surrender himself to the destiny of a mere horse, an animal for all eternity. [[Pray for the ghost to move on]] [[Agree to find his ring]] [[Try to convince him to accept becoming a horse]] <<set $metghosthorse to true>>

You close your eyes, trying to focus on the spirit before you. You reach out to what you believe in most, trying to push away the cloying darkness of the castle and find something better beyond. <<statcheck 12 $faith "faith" "PrayHorseSuccess" "PrayHorseFail">>

"Thank you. Thank you. I don't know how much longer I can hold on..." He fades away again, seemingly exhausted. [[Stables]]

Pushing him even deeper into this curse would be a terribly cruel thing, and difficult besides. <<if $animalhandling > 0>> [[Use Animal Handling on Rayleigh]] <<else>> //You lack the skill of Animal Handling// <</if>> <<statcheck 10 $charm "charm" "ConvincedHorse" "UnconvincedHorse">>

You reach into the stall and stroke Rayleigh's head. He looks at you in confusion, but you continue to pat his side. "What are you doing?" You step into his stall and rub his ears gently. He nickers and shakes, and you slide your hands to his nostrils, letting him sniff you. You tell him what a handsome, powerful horse he is. How magnificent his pelt is, how strong and thick his muscles. You move to his side, stroking and brushing his flank, and slide your fingers through his mane. "I...", he mumbles, but it becomes a whinny partway through. You pat him again, and stroke him more, assuring him that he's a fine horse, a wonderful steed. You tell him how easy it would be to submit, to stop fighting. These human thoughts are only hurting him, making him upset. If he thinks only horse thoughts, submits to his instincts, he can be happy. He snorts, and shakes his head, but you can feel his will fading. "Please...don't do this...", he mumbles. You hush him, patting him, reassuring him. Bit by bit you break down the last of his resistance, until finally he closes his eyes and lets out a long, slow breath. When he opens them again, his eyes are the simple dark ones of a feral horse. The last of his humanity is gone, and he will be a beast for all eternity. The horse he has become whinnies and nuzzles you, wanting to follow you. You may take him along if you wish. <<forceitem $i_rayleigh rayleigh>> [[Stables]] <<set $doneghosthorse to true>> <<set $horseq_evil to true>>

You feel as if you're surrounded by terrible, clinging fog. An oily smoke of cruelty and selfishness and greed. You focus on what is inside you. You must shine in the darkness, be a light to lead the way. For the briefest moment, the sky above you clears. The moon shines brightly, unhindered by cloud, and its light feels pure and true. Rayleigh gasps. As the light touches him, his equine features melt away, revealing a tired but handsome-looking older man with a dignified moustache. He smiles at you sadly. "Thank you. I remember myself now. I think...I can move on. I can leave this terrible place, after so long." He places a hand on your shoulder, though you feel only a sensation of slight coldness. "I cannot possibly repay this kindness. In a place of terrible cruelty, you have brought me light. I can give you only this, a small piece of who I once was." He leans in close, and embraces you. For a moment you glimpse a strange feeling of his life before he died. A palace, a wife, children. A terrible plague, great loss. "Goodbye, my friend. Do not lose yourself." As he fades, you feel the essence of the horse that he discarded linger in the stable for a moment, before swirling around you and flowing into you. You shudder for a moment, but when the sensation fades, you find you feel stronger, and more durable. Like a draft horse, you are sure you could carry heavy loads without complaint. A strange final gift from Rayleigh. Your inventory space has significantly increased. [[Stables]] <<if !$doneghosthorse>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <</if>> <<set $doneghosthorse to true>> <<set $horseq_good to true>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[1] to true>>

You feel as if you're surrounded by terrible, clinging fog. An oily smoke of cruelty and selfishness and greed. It sinks into your mind, whispering to you, tempting you with promises of power, fame, pleasure. It becomes harder and harder to focus, to think of positive thoughts or joyous things. Rayleigh whimpers, and then gasps in pain. "No...what have you done..." You open your eyes, and feel a sickly sensation wash over you. The air feels heavier, harder to breathe. The ground under you shifts and twists. A cold voice rings out. "You called. The castle answers." You turn to see someone at the entrance to the stables. They are tall, and draped in a white cloak. Their head is completely concealed by a massive stag's skull, the antlers rising into the gloom of the rafters. He walks past you, and you feel weak. Frost coats your limbs, stinging your skin and making it hard to move. Rayleigh tries to back away, but the strange man reaches out and grips his face in one hand. Rayleigh's eyes shake in panic, then grow calm. A deep blue light grows in his pupils, getting larger until it takes over his eyes entirely. The stag-headed man pulls him from the stall, and as Rayleigh steps forward, his hooves leave frost patterns on the ground. The stag-headed man jumps up and lands atop Rayleigh's back. From his hands, frost grows and forms into reins, which stretch over Rayleigh's head, growing and thickening into a fearsome skull-like helmet of ice. The stag looks down at you, his own eyes also glowing blue. "Your sacrifice of this innocent is accepted. I go now to rejoin Sten's great hunt. Prove yourself and reach the Frigid Longhouse, and I will speak on your behalf in your entry to the hunt eternal." He snaps the reins, and Rayleigh gallops from the stable. You feel a terrible foreboding that you have condemned him to a fate even darker than he feared. [[Shout at him and demand that Rayleigh stay with you]] [[Stables]] <<set $doneghosthorse to true>>

You show Rayleigh the ring. It gleams in the moonlight, and his eyes widen. He lifts a spectral hoof, and whinnies with annoyance that he cannot grasp it. You reach forward anyway, and touch it to his hoof. Slowly, the pale lights forming his body shift, and a hand forms from the mist. He grips the ring, more blue mist spreading over him. He steps forward, sliding the ring onto his hands. His equine features melt away, revealing a tired but handsome-looking older man with a dignified moustache. He smiles at you sadly. "Thank you. I remember myself now. I think...I can move on. I can leave this terrible place, after so long." He places a hand on your shoulder, though you feel only a sensation of slight coldness. "I cannot possibly repay this kindness. In a place of terrible cruelty, you have brought me light. I can give you only this, a small piece of who I once was." He leans in close, and embraces you. For a moment you glimpse a strange feeling of his life before he died. A palace, a wife, children. A terrible plague, great loss. "Goodbye, my friend. Do not lose yourself." As he fades, the ring clatters to the ground. You feel the essence of the horse that he discarded linger in the stable for a moment, before swirling around you and flowing into you. You shudder for a moment, but when the sensation fades, you find you feel stronger, and more durable. Like a draft horse, you are sure you could carry heavy loads without complaint. A strange final gift from Rayleigh. Your inventory space has significantly increased. [[Stables]] <<if !$doneghosthorse>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <</if>> <<set $doneghosthorse to true>> <<set $horseq_good to true>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[1] to true>>

You stroke Rayleigh's cheek, sliding your hand down his neck and patting him gently. You explain to him how he's a fine horse, a beautiful steed. How easy it would be to surrender, to accept his fate as a beast. His eyes lid over slightly for a moment, then he shakes his head. "No...no! You are a fiend, a monster like the rest of the castle! No, this is not my destiny!" He rears up, whinnying, and his spectral hooves strike against your head. To your shock, you feel a shuddering pain even though he is merely a ghost. You fall back, and Rayleigh bursts from his stall. As you get up, you hear him gallop away, fleeing into the depths of the castle. //You have lost three stamina// [[Stables]] <<set $doneghosthorse to true>> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-3>>

If you use your animal knowledge, you can focus on the animal part of Rayleigh's mind, and bring it forward. You reach into the stall and stroke Rayleigh's head. He looks at you in confusion, but you continue to pat his side. "What are you doing?" You step into his stall and rub his ears gently. He nickers and shakes, and you slide your hands to his nostrils, letting him sniff you. You tell him what a handsome, powerful horse he is. How magnificent his pelt is, how strong and thick his muscles. You move to his side, stroking and brushing his flank, and slide your fingers through his mane. "I...", he mumbles, but it becomes a whinny partway through. You pat him again, and stroke him more, assuring him that he's a fine horse, a wonderful steed. You tell him how easy it would be to submit, to stop fighting. These human thoughts are only hurting him, making him upset. If he thinks only horse thoughts, submits to his instincts, he can be happy. He snorts, and shakes his head, but you can feel his will fading. "Please...don't do this...", he mumbles. You hush him, patting him, reassuring him. Bit by bit you break down the last of his resistance, until finally he closes his eyes and lets out a long, slow breath. When he opens them again, his eyes are the simple dark ones of a feral horse. The last of his humanity is gone, and he will be a beast for all eternity. The horse he has become whinnies and nuzzles you, wanting to follow you. You may take him along if you wish. <<forceitem $i_rayleigh rayleigh>> [[Stables]] <<set $doneghosthorse to true>> <<set $horseq_evil to true>>

Crafting requires Skill. You could try to create the following items: Wolf Pelt: Wolf Cloak Deer Pelt: Tunic Antlers: Bone Dagger <<hasitem "Wolf Pelt">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Wolf Cloak: Difficulty 14|CraftWolfCloak]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Deer Pelt">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Tunic: Difficulty 13|CraftTunic]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Antlers">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Bone Dagger: Difficulty 11|CraftBoneDagger]] <</if>> [[Workhouse]]

You push the barricade aside carefully, and then peek into the crack of the door. The door itself is damaged heavily, and drying blood stains the floor around it. Looking carefully into the area beyond reveals a gloomy, soot-stained alcove. In the back, a massive iron furnace stands cold. The room looks otherwise empty - except that as you watch, some of the soot seems to move and shift. It creeps along the wall like a snake, then goes still. Watching longer reveals that there are at least three creatures inside the room, each of them hidden among the soot and all seeming like long, soot-black lizards. If you have a bow and you wish to use it, you can attempt to snipe the creatures before they see you. <<hasitem "Shortbow">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Use your bow]]<</if>> [[Fight the creatures]] [[Try to light the furnace magically]]

You take careful aim, then kick open the door and loose arrow after arrow, one after the other. Three shafts fly from your bow, landing perfectly in the heads of the three lizards before they have a chance to respond. They writhe and shake, then go limp. One final lizard leaps at you from the soot where it was hidden. You must fight it. <<set $arrows to $arrows-3>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Emberling Nymph", "combat": 2, "stamina": 2, "maxdamage": 1, "success": "EmberlingsDead", "death": "Death", "flee": "The Furnace Room" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

The creatures emerge from the soot as you approach. They are long lizards, their scales coated in black soot so thickly that they seem to have no features except for a glowing, fire-orange maw that opens like a crack in their muzzles. One snaps at the air, and a bronze spear embeds itself in the wall near your head. You must be careful to avoid being hit like the merchant was. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Emberling Nymphs", "combat": 4, "stamina": 6, "maxdamage": 2, "success": "EmberlingsDead", "death": "Death", "flee": "The Furnace Room" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

<<statcheck 9 $magic "magic" "FurnaceLit" "FurnaceFailed">>

For a place as dark and evil as Castle Nox, you couldn't help but stand spellbound in the beautiful courtyard. All around you the most breathtaking flowers bloomed, with a riot of colors and scents that enticed and drew in the senses even in this dim, monochrome moonlight. No matter where you looked, there was something new for your gaze to feast upon. It was not just those that drew your attention. Surrounding you, each more lifelike then the last, were lovingly cared-for topiaries. Wild beasts carved from the bushes and shrubs; a great bear, a lion, a falcon, and many others in the menagerie of plants. However, you were ripped from your sightseeing as a windy growl reached your ears. Your eyes fell on the lion topiary just as it moved. Its empty eyeholes turned towards you, and it bared a fanged maw of thorns at you, before bounding out of the earth and right towards you. Prepare yourself. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Dandy Lion", "combat": 3, "stamina": 8, "maxdamage": 2, "success": "killedtopiary", "death": "diedtopiary", "flee": "Garden" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

<<if $metconnery == "no">> The graves form a lattice of shadows as you pass between them, shadows which seem twisted and malformed in the moonlight. The cast of an angel statue's arm can seem like a twisted claw, or a simple marker becomes bladelike. You shiver slightly, your skin crawling. Soon you are surrounded completely by the markers of the dead. It is at that point that you hear a creaking, the shift of mud, the scraping of nails against the earth. The sound comes from beneath your feet, and as you back away you see clawed fingers push up from the graves around you. The dead here are not at peaceful rest, and you are trapped on all sides. Escape is impossible. If you have a bow and you wish to use it before the undead pull themselves free, you may do so. <<hasitem "Shortbow">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $arrows > 0>> [[Use your bow on the undead]] <</if>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Undead Horde", "combat": 4, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 2, "success": "killedundead", "death": "diedtoundead", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">> <<else>> The graves form a lattice of shadows as you pass between them, shadows which seem twisted and malformed in the moonlight. The cast of an angel statue's arm can seem like a twisted claw, or a simple marker becomes bladelike. You shiver slightly, you skin crawling. Soon you are surrounded completely by the markers of the dead. Fortunately, it seems the dead are at rest, for now. The scattered, rotting limbs surrounding you show the passing of Connery and his paladins. <<if $metghosthorse && !$rgrave>> One of the graves catches your eye. There is a large crest engraved on it shaped like a charging horse, and beneath it the words: "Lord Rayleigh. Honour was no shield against the Beast of Nox" [[Dig up Rayleigh's grave]] <</if>> [[Rob Graves]] [[Courtyard]] [[Chapel]] <</if>>

Digging up graves is hard work, and you find you are soon exhausted, sweaty and coated in mud. Eventually, however, you finally hit wood beneath the soil, and brush aside the mud to see an old pine coffin. After heaving the coffin open, you see the corpse of Lord Rayleigh, now nothing but a skeleton dressed in rotten tatters of cloth. His arms are folded across a gleaming golden rapier, and on one bony finger you see a signet ring. <<item $i_horsering rhring>> <<item $i_rapier rhsword>> [[Graveyard|Pass through the graves]] <<set $rgrave to false>>

You reach the chapel grounds, and see before you the moat that surrounds Castle Nox itself. The chapel is a small building, and its presence in this place seems almost mocking. The windows are black and empty, long since removed of any stained glass, and the walls are covered in black stains, both from soot and from darker, wetter substances. In the chapel's main room, you see a haphazard pile of trash and rubble, along with an altar that is blackened and filthy from depraved acts. [[Chapel Altar]] [[Garden]] You sense that past the moat, in the bridgehouse, is a point of no return. In the true heart of the castle, you must face your destiny or perish in the attempt. You should ensure you have done everything you wish to do before proceeding. [[Bridgehouse]]

You steel yourself, take a deep breath, and step across the bridge. The moat beneath you is black as void, and as you pass through the stone portal to the inner castle, a terrible feeling of foreboding sinks bone-deep within you. The entryway is narrow and dark, save for the glinting of some things slumped against the walls. Your footsteps make a sticky sound as you walk, though you cannot see what is causing it. Eventually, the entry opens up slightly more, and before you you can see a squat round tower with tall, narrow windows. In the slightly increased light, you can see what was hidden before. The floor is sticky because it is soaked with blood. The glinting shapes slumped against the wall are the mangled, twisted bodies of the knights you saw only moments before. Their gilded armour has been torn through as if it were paper, and the shattered bones and glistening viscera of their corpses has stained the gold in brownish-red. You hear the clanging of a sword, and step forward into the tower room to see a scene of further carnage. More knights lie dead on the floor, their limbs and heads tossed aside as if they were ragdolls. In the center of the room, Sir Connery is wielding his halberd valiantly against a massive foe. His opponent is a humanoid creature over seven feet tall, an enormous man with craggy grey skin and a vast mane of ink-black hair. The gigantic man bats away the paladin's weapon as easily as if it were a twig. He laughs, a booming sound that fills the room, and you see that his lower jaw has a thick set of boar-like tusks that jut up from his mouth. His ears are pointed, and his eyes are bloody red like those of a berserker. The monster slams one gigantic grey foot to the ground, and Sir Connery stumbles for just a moment. The giant man swings his enormous cleaver, and the paladin barely manages to block it, before being thrown across the room. His head slams against the wall, leaving a splatter of blood, before he slumps to the ground and goes still. The giant man chuckles to himself, and stretches to his full height. His muscles bulge and swell under his stony grey skin, thick and enormous like those of a prize bull. He turns to you, his eyes glowing. "So another challenger faces me on this night? Know you this, Seeker. You have breathed your last, for I am the Beast of Nox. Over centuries, Seekers have sought to creep past me, to elude me with magic, to flee from me while they soak their breeches in fear." He lifts his cleaver, as big as a man. "But of all who faced me in combat have death at their heels. Come now, and break yourself upon me!" <<if $ironwill > 1>>//Glorious battle! Combat neverending!// <</if>> [[The Beast of Nox]]

<<if $mettristran == "no">> The back room to the chapel is indeed a small library. Bookshelves are shoved into the cramped back area of the room, and cupboards are filled haphazardly with rolled documents, many of them made illegible by time and damp. A flickering lantern barely illuminates the gloom, showing one table that has been cleared to make space for an array of magical potion implements, along with ink and parchment. There is someone else already here. They step from the shadows as you approach, revealing a slender man in a mage's cloak, with a broad-brimmed pointed hat that covers much of his face. Beneath it, his piercing blue eyes seem to shine brightly. He stares at you for some time, before saying "Ah, a fellow Seeker". His voice is elegant and refined, yet his manners are brusque to the point of rudeness. <<if $class == "mage">> When you don't seem to be making any motion to leave, he blinks and looks away. "I am Tristram. A student of the arcane, like yourself. Mind me not, I am merely studying the castle. You may use my implements if you desire, though as a fellow practicioner I am sure you appreciate the importance of cleanliness when you do so." He turns away, and continues to examine the books on the shelf. <<if $ironwill > 1>>//Another victim of this place. I wonder how long they will last. I must focus on my own quest, I cannot afford to let my guard down.// <</if>> <<else>> When you don't seem to be making any motion to leave, he blinks and looks away. "I am Tristram. A student of the arcane. Mind me not, I am merely studying the castle. You may use my implements if you desire, though I would please ask you to wash your hands if you do so." He turns away, and continues to examine the books on the shelf. <</if>> <<set $mettristran to "yes">> <<elseif $mettristran == "yes">> The back room to the chapel is indeed a small library. Bookshelves are shoved into the cramped back area of the room, and cupboards are filled haphazardly with rolled documents, many of them made illegible by time and damp. A flickering lantern barely illuminates the gloom, showing one table that has been cleared to make space for an array of magical potion implements, along with ink and parchment. Tristram is sitting on a small chair, examining a book. He looks up slightly when you enter, but turns his gaze away before your eyes meet. [[Ask Tristram about himself]] [[Ask Tristram about the castle]] <<elseif $mettristran == "lover">> The back room to the chapel is indeed a small library. Bookshelves are shoved into the cramped back area of the room, and cupboards are filled haphazardly with rolled documents, many of them made illegible by time and damp. A flickering lantern barely illuminates the gloom, showing one table that has been cleared to make space for an array of magical potion implements, along with ink and parchment. Tristram is sitting on a small chair, examining a book. He looks up slightly when you enter, but turns his gaze away before your eyes meet. From behind him, his silver tail slips from his robe and wags gentle to and fro, though he shows no obvious other sign of interest at you being here. <<if $ironwill > 1>>//I never thought someone would accept me. What a strange place this castle is.// <</if>> <<hasitem "Black Potion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Show Tristram the black potion]] <</if>> [[Ask Tristram about the castle]] <<hasitem "Scroll of Dark Power">> <<if $tquest == 0>> [[Ask Tristram if you can assist him]] <<elseif $tquest == 1 && $itemcheck > -1>> [[Give Tristram the scroll]] <<elseif $tquest == 2>> [[Get closer to Tristram]] <</if>> <</if>> [[Use the alchemy tools]] [[Chapel]]

You chew the leaves, and feel a tingling sensation flow down from your mouth through to your body. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+3>>

You uncork the healing draft, and carefully pour it between the man's lips. Gradually the colour returns to his cheeks, and his panting grows more stable. "Damn...that's potent stuff. Should have brought some with me..." He shudders, pulling his bloodsoaked hand stickily from his injured shoulder. "I owe you my thanks, traveller. Who'd have thought I'd find mercy in a place like this? Here, least I can do..." He reaches behind him, grunts for a moment in discomfort, and then fetches something from the backpack he was leaning on. He hands it to you, and you look down to see a bundle of glistening red berries. "Alether, my friend. A potent stimulant, beloved by pagan warriors. Difficult to find, I assure you." <<item $i_alether merchantalether>> He grins at you, slightly pained. "I think I will recover my wits here for a while. My name is Nicholas, and if you have need of supplies, I think I can assist you." [[Workhouse]] <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <<set $merchantmet to "yes">>

You examine him carefully, and move his hand away from his wound. Significant blood loss, and his wound is deep but has not hit any vital organs. "What are you doing?", he mutters, but does not resist. The wound is blackened around the edges, and his veins are bulging. Whatever hurt him seems to have had toxic qualities too. Looking around, you see a long metal poker nearby, likely the weapon. You use your healing skills and magical abilities, knitting up his wound and restoring some vitality to him. He shudders and sighs, his breathing calming. When he looks down at his shoulder he blinks in surprise to see the wound closed over. "Incredible. To think a healer would stumble upon me in Castle Nox. I thought your kind were extinct. Here, least I can do..." He reaches behind him, grunts for a moment in discomfort, and then fetches something from the backpack he was leaning on. He hands it to you, and you look down to see a bundle of glistening red berries. "Alether, my friend. A potent stimulant, beloved by pagan warriors. Difficult to find, I assure you." <<item $i_alether merchantalether>> He grins at you, slightly pained. "I think I will recover my wits here for a while. My name is Nicholas, and if you have need of supplies, I think I can assist you." [[Workhouse]] <<set $merchantmet to "yes">>

<<statcheck 10 $magic "magic" "Use your skill of Healing" "Do not help">>

You shove the berries into your mouth and chew them. A tingling sensation rushes through your body, and your muscles ache and tense. The world seems to move slightly slower, your senses seem more keen. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $aletherbonus to $aletherbonus+2>>

You can do nothing to help. You sit down near the man, but his eyes close over and his breathing becomes more and more ragged, then stops. He slumps forward slightly. There's nothing more you can do here. <<linkreplace "In the man's pockets are a handful of coins, which you may take if you wish." t8n>>You pocket the coins.<<set $money to $money+6>><</linkreplace>> He is sitting on a backpack, though many of the items inside are crushed when he slumped back on them. Of the undamaged things, you find the following. <<item $i_bow merchantbow>> <<linkreplace "Six arrows" t8n>>You pocket the arrows.<<set $arrows to $arrows+6>><</linkreplace>> <<item $i_deerpelt merchantdeer>> <<item $i_wolfpelt merchantwolf>> [[Workhouse]] <<set $merchantmet to "dead">>

You clench your fist, focus your power, and unleash a blast of pyrokinetic magic. The ancient furnace suddenly roars into flame, illuminating the small room with orange light. The lizards screech and shake, before slowly collapsing into piles of soot. It seems the light and heat hurt them; perhaps they were responsible for extinguishing the furnace in the first place. There is a tinderbox in the room, which you may take if you wish. <<item $i_tinderbox ftinder>> [[Workhouse]] <<set $furnacelit to true>>

You try to focus your magic and summon a flame in the furnace. As you do, however, one of the lizards spots you. They are long lizards, their scales coated in black soot so thickly that they seem to have no features except for a glowing, fire-orange maw that opens like a crack in their muzzles. One snaps at the air, and a bronze spear embeds itself in the wall near your head. You must be careful to avoid being hit like the merchant was. You cannot focus on your magic like this. You must fight. The beasts surround you, seemingly enraged by the magical energies you were calling on. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Emberling Nymphs", "combat": 5, "stamina": 6, "maxdamage": 2, "success": "EmberlingsDead", "death": "Death", "flee": "The Furnace Room" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

The last of the creatures crumples up on the floor, dead. You move to the furnace and find a tinderbox. You use it, and after a few false starts the ancient furnace finally roars into flame, illuminating the small room with orange light. The lizard corpses shake and vibrate, before slowly collapsing into piles of soot. It seems the light and heat damages them; perhaps they were responsible for extinguishing the furnace in the first place. <<item $i_tinderbox ftinder>> [[Workhouse]] <<set $furnacelit to true>>

Nicholas spreads out his wares for you to peruse. "I'll fill your quiver for free my friend. I owe you that much at least." <<if $merchanthaggled == "no">> <<buyitem $i_bow bow 6>> <<buyitem $i_dagger dagg 4>> <<buyitem $i_staff staff 3>> <<buyitem $i_sword swrd 5>> <<buyitem $i_mace mce 4>> <<buyitem $i_axe axe 5>> <<buyitem $i_wolfpelt wolfpelt 5>> <<buyitem $i_deerpelt deerpelt 4>> <<buyitem $i_deerantler deerantler 3>> <<buyitem $i_food food 3>> [[Try haggling]] <<elseif $merchanthaggled == "fail">> <<buyitem $i_bow bow 6>> <<buyitem $i_dagger dagg 4>> <<buyitem $i_staff staff 3>> <<buyitem $i_sword swrd 5>> <<buyitem $i_mace mce 4>> <<buyitem $i_axe axe 5>> <<buyitem $i_wolfpelt wolfpelt 5>> <<buyitem $i_deerpelt deerpelt 4>> <<buyitem $i_deerantler deerantler 3>> <<buyitem $i_food food 3>> <<elseif $merchanthaggled == "success">> <<buyitem $i_bow bow 5>> <<buyitem $i_dagger dagg 3>> <<buyitem $i_staff staff 2>> <<buyitem $i_sword swrd 4>> <<buyitem $i_mace mce 3>> <<buyitem $i_axe axe 4>> <<buyitem $i_wolfpelt wolfpelt 4>> <<buyitem $i_deerpelt deerpelt 3>> <<buyitem $i_deerantler deerantler 2>> <<buyitem $i_food food 2>> <</if>> [[Workhouse]] <<set $arrows to 6>>

<<statcheck 11 $charm "charm" "HaggleSuccess" "HaggleFail">>

Nicholas talks circles around you, to the point that you feel you are almost about to pay him to take the pants off you. He winks at you. "Don't try to swindle a swindler, friend. I owe you, but I have to make a living." [[Buy items]] <<set $merchanthaggled to "fail">>

Nicholas has a silver tongue, but yours is gold. You explain to him how he owes you, how you need these items, how money will do him no good if an enemy attacks and he needs your help. Every retort you block, every twist he tries you evade. Finally he wipes his brow and reluctantly says he'll lower his prices...slightly. "You are a fiendish bargainer, friend. I should go into business with you!" [[Buy items]] <<set $merchanthaggled to "success">>

"Got some things for me, my friend? Dead men's arms perhaps?" He chuckles slightly. "Just a little fence humour. I'll take any spare weapons off your hands, and any pelts you've come across." <<sellitem $i_dagger dagg 3>> <<sellitem $i_staff staff 2>> <<sellitem $i_sword swrd 4>> <<sellitem $i_mace mce 3>> <<sellitem $i_axe axe 4>> <<sellitem $i_wolfpelt wolfpelt 4>> <<sellitem $i_deerpelt deerpelt 3>> <<sellitem $i_deerantler deerantler 2>> <<sellitem $i_horsering horsering 12>> [[Workhouse]]

<<statcheck 13 $skill "skill" "craftingsuccess" "craftingfail">> <<hasitem "Wolf Pelt">> <<set $crafteditem to $i_wolfcloak>>

<<statcheck 12 $skill "skill" "craftingsuccess" "craftingfail">> <<hasitem "Deer Pelt">> <<set $crafteditem to $i_tunic>>

<<statcheck 10 $skill "skill" "craftingsuccess" "craftingfail">> <<hasitem "Antlers">> <<set $crafteditem to $i_bonedagger>>

Unfortunately your skills were not up to the task, and you have lost the crafting resources used. [[Craft items]] <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>>

The crafting was a complete success! <<item $crafteditem>> [[Craft items]] <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>>

You pant heavily as you watch the plant beast collapse from your blow. The beast emits a weak, pained sound as its form shudders, a mixture of the creak of bark and the growl of a beast. It looks at you, and for a moment, its gaze meets your eye. It raises its head to the sky and lets out a crackling roar as its body blooms. Thick-petalled flowers in a mix of red, blue, and purple burst into existence for but a moment before falling from the beast in a swirling storm. It is over as quickly as it begins. As the last petals fall, nothing remains of the topiary beast but a skeleton of dead wood. You retreat from the flowerbeds, but not before spying something. Where the lion had been standing are thick white-leafed plants, which it had been crouched over protectively. Laumspur leaves, the rare healing herb used in Tinctures of Life. <<item $i_laumspur gardenlaumspur>> [[Garden]] <<set $killedtopiary to true>>

You quickly draw your bow, and as each corpse's head rises from its grave, you fire an arrow firmly into its skull. For some of the creatures this works, and they shake for a moment before going limp. For others however, the arrow seems to bother them no moreso than does their already rotting, damaged limbs. You must fight those that remain. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Undead Horde", "combat": 3, "stamina": 8, "maxdamage": 2, "success": "killedundead", "death": "diedtoundead", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

At last, you strike down the last of the foul creatures. Even as you kill them and their rotting limbs fall away, they twitch and crawl around on the ground for a moment before going still. You are exhausted, but safe. Or so you think, for as soon as you catch your breath, you see more hands push out from the soil, and the assault begin again. You cannot possibly keep this up forever! You hear a loud whinny, followed by a robust voice shouting "For honour!" A horse barrels past you, gleaming white in the moonlight, and atop it you see a knight in gleaming gold-trimmed armour. He slashes to the sides with his halberd, cutting down the undead as they rise. Four more knights follow behind, and between them all the garden is soon filled with still corpses of the monsters. The lead knight sees you and gallops over, then jumps down from his horse. He pulls his helmet off to reveal a handsome but somewhat grizzled face. His beard and hairline are streaked with grey, but his eyes are fiercely determined. "Valiantly fought, traveller. I see you had little need of our assistance! I am Sir Connery, leader of the Paladin Order. We have come to enact justice upon the foul Eskander, the accursed sorceror that our order was founded to defeat." He reaches into a pouch by his side and hands you a Tincture of Life. <<item $i_healthpotion paladinpotion>> "Here, take this. We are duty-bound to offer assistance to those who face the evils of Nox, and that duty has never been more important than now, when we finally stand at the heart of this ancient evil!" He replaces his helmet, and hops back onto his horse. "For those of the order who perished before us, we fight! Tonight, Castle Nox falls!" Before you can say anything, the knights gallop off towards the moat and into the bridgehouse. It seems you are not the only person on a quest in the castle on this night. [[Graveyard|Pass through the graves]] <<set $metconnery to "yes">>

You cannot fight any longer. For each undead you slay, another seems to take its place, and even killing one is a trial when the creatures' limbs seem to wriggle and attack even after being cut off. You are overwhelmed and exhausted. You stumble and fall, and as the undead surround you, you are sure this is the end. Until suddenly you hear a loud whinny, followed by a robust voice shouting "For honour!" A horse barrels past you, gleaming white in the moonlight, and atop it you see a knight in gleaming gold-trimmed armour. He slashes to the sides with his halberd, cutting down the undead in droves. Four more knights follow behind, and between them all the garden is soon filled with still corpses of the monsters. The lead knight finally sees you and gallops over, then jumps down from his horse. He pulls his helmet off to reveal a handsome but somewhat grizzled face. His beard and hairline are streaked with grey, but his eyes are fiercely determined. He kneels down, and presses a Tincture of Life to your lips. Immediately you feel your wounds lessen and your strength return. "A proud stand, traveller, but death will not claim you this day! I am Sir Connery, leader of the Paladin Order. We have come to enact justice upon the foul Eskander, the accursed sorceror that our order was founded to defeat." He replaces his helmet, and hops back onto his horse. "For those of the order who perished before us, we fight! Tonight, Castle Nox falls!" Before you can say anything, the knights gallop off towards the moat and into the bridgehouse. It seems you are not the only person on a quest in the castle on this night. [[Graveyard|Pass through the graves]] <<set $_stamina to 6>> <<set $metconnery to "yes">>

<<statcheck 12 $skill "skill" "RobGraveSuccess" "RobGraveFail">>

You choose a grave at random and dig through the wet, thick mud, until you finally hit onto a rotting, warped coffin. Except before you can open the coffin, it opens itself. A grey hand smashes through the wood, and a foul creature screeches at you as it claws towards you. You back away cautiously. The creature is no mere undead. Its hands are stretched into curved talons, and its mouth is a fiendish bear trap of elongated fangs. This is a ghoul, and one scratch from its vile claws could infect you with necrophagia, dooming you to one day become just like it. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Ghoul", "combat": 3, "stamina": 6, "maxdamage": 1, "success": "GhoulKill", "damagesuccess": "GhoulKillBad", "death": "Death", "flee": "GhoulKillBad" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You choose a grave at random and dig through the wet, thick mud, until you finally hit onto a rotting, warped coffin. Upon ripping it open, you find a mouldering corpse. On each of its eyes, a guilder shines in the moonlight. You take them both. <<if random(1,6) >= 5>> In the corpse's hands are a bundle of Laumspur leaves, believed to have the essence of life within them and thus protect from evil spirits. <<item $i_laumspur>> <</if>> [[Graveyard|Pass through the graves]] <<set $money to $money+2>>

The ghoul wails for a moment with a voice that makes your skin crawl, then collapses, dead. Fortunately you avoided its foul curse, but there is no treasure here to reward your efforts. [[Graveyard|Pass through the graves]]

You manage to escape your encounter with the ghoul with your life, but not completely unharmed. It scratched you, and the scratch aches terribly. You shudder, your mouth feeling dry. A terrible hunger claws at your stomach, an urge for raw flesh. You have been infected with necrophagia. Normal food and rations can no longer heal you, only raw meat can satisfy your hungers now. Necrophagia is incurable by normal means. Eventually you will become a ghoul, or something even worse. Only a mythical Tear of Erana, or a miraculous intervention, can save you. [[Graveyard|Pass through the graves]] <<set $necrophage to true>>

<<if $incombat>> You have no time to do that in the midst of combat. [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<elseif !$necrophage>> The raw flesh is unappetising. You would have to be desperate to eat this. [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<else>> You feast on the raw meat, your chin dripping with blood and gore. You can feel your teeth growing, stretching into pointed fangs as your necrophagia slowly becomes stronger. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+3>> <</if>>

You have to step cautiously over rubble and trash to even enter the chapel building. The floor is completely concealed by filth. Above you, the roof is a gaping hole, through which moonlight shines down. One door leads off to the side, to what looks like a small library. You see the flickering of a lantern from within. <<if $altarp>> The altar of the chapel is a block of smooth stone, perhaps marble. It is stained, cracked and warp, but it still stands strong, even after everything Castle Nox has done. <<else>> The altar of the chapel is a block of smooth stone, perhaps marble. It is impossible to tell for sure, as it is covered completely in foul black, bubbling sludge. If you are confident in your faith and willpower, you could try to purge the altar and sanctify it in the name of your beliefs. You would be exposing yourself to significant risk, however. [[Purify the altar]] <</if>> [[Chapel Exterior|Chapel]] [[Chapel Library]]

<<statcheck 12 $faith "faith" "Altar Purified" "Altar Corrupted">>

You place your hands on the altar, and focus all your willpower. You feel the black sludge soak against your fingers, creep over your hands, but you remain steadfast. You fill your mind and heart with all the things you believe in. Everything that makes life worthwhile, everything that gives you strength to carry on. You make yourself a light in the darkness of this foul castle. The sludge begins to recede, pulling away from you as in in fear. When you open your eyes, the altar is clear. It is damaged, stained and warped, but it is still standing firm. You smile, and feel a little more confident in your journey <<if $necrophage>> You feel the necrophagia inside you fading, burned away by your defiance of the castle's darkness. <<set $necrophage to false>> <</if>> [[Chapel Altar]] <<set $faith to $faith+1>> <<set $stamina to $stamina+1>> <<set $altarp to true>>

You place your hands on the altar, and focus all your willpower. You feel the black sludge soak against your fingers, creep over your hands, moving as if it were a creature. You try to focus on yourself, on the things you believe in, but the sludge continues to move. It wraps around your wrists, crawling up your arms, and as it touches you, you feel almost as if it is sinking inside you, staining and corrupting you from within. You try to step away, but the sludge sticks to you like glue, dragging you back to the altar. As much as you fight it, you can't pull your hands away. It crawls over your chest, down your legs, surrounding you in sticky, glistening black slime. You try once more to tear yourself away, and finally you fall backwards into the trash. Yet the sludge has come with you - it no longer covers the altar at all, but instead is engulfing your body. You look down at your hands, and see the sludge forming into a pair of clawed forepaws. At your feet, it bulges out into a pair of gargoyle-like talons, while a long tail made from a thick dripping strand of goo forms behind you. You feel it soak into your breeches, surrounding your privates, and even pressing against you. With a vile, slippery sensation, it invades you from behind, filling your insides with a throbbing, oily feeling. You try to scream out, but it spreads up over your head, and as your mouth opens it plunges inside you. Everything goes black for a moment, and you flail and claw at yourself in an attempt to free your face from the ooze before finally you black out. Eventually, you reawaken, finding yourself at the side of the moat. When you look down, you see your reflection in the water. You are completely covered in the sludge, which has formed the shape of a horned, quadrupedal beast. You reach up to try and pull it away, but suddenly the ooze inside you becomes hot and sharp, and your whole body writhes in pain. You quickly stop. For days, you wander the castle, unable to escape. Whenever you try to move out of the gates, the sludge tortures you again. It seems to torture you at random sometimes, and your mind reels and your will weakens as you struggle against this constant pain. Until one day you see a Seeker, a human like yourself. You approach, and the sludge does not hurt you. The human spots you, and screams. You try to speak, but suddenly you are filled again with that terrible pain. In a rage, you claw and lash out, only to suddenly feel a wonderful, overwhelming pleasure. Through your whole body, a throbbing, blissful sensation throbs from your head to your toes. After so much pain, the relief is mindblowing. You sigh, and look down. Only to realise, to your horror, that you have killed the human. Their body is torn apart by your claws. As you look at the gore, you feel that pleasure again. That desperate pleasure that you need so, so badly. You lean down, disgusted with yourself, and open your glistening black maw as you begin to feast on your fallen foe. With every bite, the pleasure grows more intense, washing away all your anxieties, your shame, your memories of who you once were. The slime will guide you. The slime will pleasure you. You need only to do as it says. To stalk the halls of the castle, to kill the innocent, to revel in their blood. To escape the pain, you will do anything it says. In time, you won't even need the reinforcement. Your journey as a human ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Alchemy requires Magic. With this level of equipment, you could try to create the following items: Laumspur Leaves: Tincture of Life Alether Berries: Alether Potion <<hasitem "Laumspur Leaves">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Tincture of Life: Difficulty 12|CraftTincture]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Alether Berries">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Alether Potion: Difficulty 14|CraftAlether]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Tear of Erana">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<hasitem "Black Potion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Pure Blood of Nox: Difficulty 16|CraftBlood]] <</if>> <</if>> [[Chapel Library]]

<<statcheck 11 $magic "magic" "alchemysuccess" "alchemyfail">> <<hasitem "Laumspur Leaves">> <<set $crafteditem to $i_healthpotion>>

<<statcheck 13 $magic "magic" "alchemysuccess" "alchemyfail">> <<hasitem "Alether Berries">> <<set $crafteditem to $i_aletherpotion>>

The crafting was a complete success! <<item $crafteditem>> [[Use the alchemy tools]] <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>>

Unfortunately your skills were not up to the task, and you have lost the alchemy reagents used. [[Use the alchemy tools]] <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>>

You gulp down the thick red potion. A tingling sensation rushes through your body, and your muscles ache and tense. The world seems to move slightly slower, your senses seem more keen. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $aletherbonus to $aletherbonus+3>>

Your body aches, your muscles burn, but you are holding your own against a foe of superhuman skill. His gigantic cleaver sends clouds of dust into the air with each swing, his footsteps shake the walls of the tower, and any one solid blow would surely slice you in half. You do not allow him to land any such blow. You barely deflect his every slice, hopping aside or dodging at the last moment. Each injury you give him in return seems to close up and heal before your eyes, but you do not give up. Bit by bit, his healing slows, his grey body begins to bleed inky black. He rises up to strike you, and for just a moment leaves himself open. With a blow that shakes you to your core, you strike at his wrist, and his hand flies across the room, still clutching his terrible cleaver. As he stares at it in shock, you strike again, dealing a terrible wound to his neck and shoulder. He falls to one knee, blood gushing like a fountain into a pool on the ground. His red eyes focus on you, and his mouth stretches into a terrible, deranged smile. "Incredible. To think I would find another mortal who can stand against me even in this limited shape. Not since Sten himself has any human matched me in skill." His body begins to shift. His muscles move and writhe under his skin like snakes, and his black mane of hair starts to glow, a deep firey red building from his scalp up towards the tip of his hair. Red fur spreads down his face, across his chest, and from his temples you see two bulging shapes start to grow into thick, curving horns. To your horror, his wounds heal and close over, and he grows even larger, his whole body changing in front of you. "I will do you the honour of revealing my true, terrible self. I will strike you down, and keep you for myself. I will break your warrior spirit, and crush you beneath my paws." The sheer force of his might makes your knees grow weak. You must flee before he finishes changing! This is not a battle you can win! [[Flee back to the bridge]] [[Raise your weapon]] <<set $beatbeast to true>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[4] to true>>

Every blow you strike, the Beast seems to laugh off. Even when you do harm, his flesh seems to close up around your weapon, leaving only the faintest mark. "Is that the best you can do? Shine for me at the moment of your death!", he roars. His blows send dust sweeping from the ground, every step of his gigantic form seems to shake the room. Your hope fades, and you feel death at your heels. You stumble and fall to your back, your strength exhausted. The Beast raises his enormous weapon, a look of pure ecstacy on his monstrous face. <<hasitem "Wolf Companion">> <<if $mettristran == "lover">> A bolt of light sears across the room, striking the Beast in the face. His cleaver falls, missing you by inches and sending dust flying into the air. He emits a ferocious roar. You look back to see Tristram, his hands raised and his face clenched in concentration. His eyes meet yours for only a moment, then he looks away. "Get up! Flee, I can hold him no longer!" You summon up the last of your strength and run towards Tristram. The beast snarls, lifting his cleaver again. "You would dare? You would deny me my victory? I am death! I am the BEAST!" You reach the bridge, Tristram just ahead of you, only for something to whirl from behind you and smash into the wood. It is the Beast's enormous cleaver, and as it lands, the bridge creaks and gives way under you. You fall, tumbling into the darkness, and land in the icy waters of the moat. <<elseif $itemcheck > -1>> A grey streak flies across the room and slams into the Beast's neck. Your wolf! His muzzle clamps tightly against the Beast's neck, and he roars, his anger making his veins bulge through his stony skin. You summon up the last of your strength and crawl to your feet, then flee towards the bridge. The Beast grabs your wolf and flings him aside, but the wolf lands elegantly and sprints to your heels. "You would dare? You would deny me my victory? I am death! I am the BEAST!" You reach the bridge, the wolf at your side, only for something to whirl from behind you and smash into the wood. It is the Beast's enormous cleaver, and as it lands, the bridge creaks and gives way under you. You fall, tumbling into the darkness, and land in the icy waters of the moat. <<else>> His blade is turned aside just as it falls, a mighty clang reverberating through the room. The Beast turns, and through the dust you see Sir Connery, his helmet lost and his face covered in blood. He grins. "Rude to move on to another chap before finishing off the last one, don't you think?", he says. The Beast's face twists in annoyance, then changes to a grin. "You amuse me, knight! Few mortals can surprise me!" Sir Connery glances towards you. "Run, friend! I will hold him off!" You summon up the last of your strength and flee towards the bridge. The beast snarls, lifting his cleaver again. "You would escape my wrath? I will not be denied either of your heads, mortals! I am death! I am the BEAST!" You reach the bridge, freedom close by, only for something to whirl from behind you and smash into the wood. It is the Beast's enormous cleaver, and as it lands, the bridge creaks and gives way under you. You fall, tumbling into the darkness, and land in the icy waters of the moat. <</if>> [[Swept away...]]

The dark water conceals a vicious current, and you find yourself struggling to keep your head up. You are swept away, bashed against rocks, and then finally dragged into darkness, as the rushing water flows through an underground tunnel. You hold your breath until your lungs ache, but the current slams your head into a rock hidden in the underground darkness, and everything fades away. --- You awaken some time later, your body bruised and battered. You find yourself in a small charcoal burner's shack, with an old woman tending your wounds. She tells you that she found you washed up by the side of the river, and that you are fortunate that she did, as without her herb-knowledge you would surely have died. Your companions are gone, for now. You can only hope you will find a way to re-unite with them in time. Eventually you recover, and ask her about the location of the mountain where you found Castle Nox. She admits that she knows you came from there, and unwraps your bandages slightly. The red stains of fresh blood are unmistakeably marked with streaks of glistening, ebony black. The Castle has marked you, and your fate is tied to it. She gives you the directions you need, and some supplies, wanting nothing in return except the promise that you will not succumb to the castle's curse. When you attempt to re-summit the mountain however, you find only desolate snow. The castle has moved on, and could be anywhere in the world. <<set $afterfood to "Time Passes">> [[Camp|Eat Food]] <> <<hasitem "Wolf Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_wolfmissing>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_rayleighmissing>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_stablemastermissing>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_derevanmissing>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Dire Wolf">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_direwolfmissing>> <</if>> <>

You turn and run as quickly as you can. The Beast's laughter follows behind you, filling the room with a snarling, echoing sound. "You cannot run from me! Our souls are bound together, now and always! You will meet your fate at my claws!" You reach the bridge, freedom within sight, only for something to whirl from behind you and smash into the wood. It is the Beast's enormous cleaver, and as it lands, the bridge creaks and gives way under you. You fall, tumbling into the darkness, and land in the icy waters of the moat. As you fall, you hear the Beast's voice above you. "My soul and yours beat as one. I will await your return..." Even as the waters carry you away, you hear the beating of his heart in your chest... [[Swept away...]] <<set $might to $might+1>> <<set $stamina to $stamina+2>>

You will not flee. You defeated him once, and you will face him again no matter how terrible his true shape is. The Beast's hands clench against the ground, fingers bristling as they are covered by firey red hair. His pointed fingernails thicken into enormous black claws, his hands shifting into massive forepaws. From his head, the growing horns thicken and curve, the black chitin streaked with blood red. They stretching forward into vicious points, while his face shifts and transforms. His already fanged mouth pushes out into a muzzle of gigantic tearing teeth, fur coating his head as it becomes wolflike, and covered in red fur. His body grows enormously, muscles bulging and swelling to massive proportions. The ground cracks under his weight as he falls to all fours, and from his back a pair of gigantic black batwings unfurl and stretch. His eyes glow as he glares down at you, now a true beast. "Your death draws near, Seeker", he growls. His saliva drips to the ground, hissing as it lands. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "The Beast's True Form", "combat": 20, "stamina": 30, "maxdamage": 10, "success": "beastwon2", "death": "beastdied2", "flee": "Flee back to the bridge" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_boss "play">>

It is surely impossible. No one could stand against the Beast and live. No mortal in all of the castle's history has dealt him a grievous wound. Until today. You evaded his terrible blows, despite his gigantic claws being easily capable of tearing apart a fortress. The buffeting of his demonic wings did not knock you aside, the gnashing of his teeth evaded you. And now, finally, he can stand it no more. You faced a monster, and you stand triumphant. His eyes fixate on you, glowing and mad, and his face twists into an expression you would never expect to see. On the monster's face, recognisable even in this form, you see absolute adoration. For a moment, you look into his eyes, and you know you have a kindred spirit. He falls to the ground, still at last. Slowly, his body begins to crumble. It melts away into black ichor that coats the ground around you, and where he once stood is left only an enormous, thumping heart. You stare at the heart. Each thump fills your head, the world around you seems to darken. As your adrenaline ebbs, you feel an emptiness. A dissatisfaction. You stand now, surely the greatest warrior in all of history. Thump. Thump. What more is there to do? To face the lords of the castle, knowing they each are weaker than this terrible fiend? Thump. Thump. To grow old, to weaken, to one day lose forever the absolute joy, the red-hot feeling of this absolute warrior power? Thump. Thump. If only the battle could have gone on forever. As you and the Beast wove in a dance of death, you had found a perfect joy, a true task of your superhuman abilities. To fight forever, to think of nothing but war. To surrender everything else, and exist solely as a monster, a warrior and nothing else. Thump. Thump. Somehow, in that last moment, you know the Beast once had these exact same thoughts. You and he are of one soul. Your hands press to the heart, feeling its warmth. You lean in, your mouth opening, and you bite down and feel the Beast's blood flow across your face, into your throat. Your fingers grow as you clench the heart. Your nails sharpen, thicken, bulging into black claws that tear at the firm flesh. Your teeth bulge, growing into sharp fangs, as you tear bite after bite, pulling chunks of it and swallowing them. Your head aches, your temples bulging as they push out, growing thick black horns that curve up above you. Your body bulges, stretching and growing, your clothing falling away, torn to shreds as you become bigger, stronger, mightier. You feel a tail whipping behind you, feel your feet growing into massive paws. Your skin tingles as thick red fur spreads over you, coating you from head to toe. You grow bigger and bigger, the stone crumbling under your feet as you eat your fill. Finally, nothing remains. Your eyes glow monstrous red as you lick up the last of the blood. You close your eyes, feeling something inside you, something insane and fierce. The flame of it burns away your thoughts, your memories. You cast them aside, sacrificing all you once were, everything about you except the love of combat. The people you knew, the places you have been, none of it matters anymore. At your shoulder, you feel a heavy, bulging weight, and you shudder as the last of your humanity is burned in the sinful fires of Nox. You open your eyes, and turn to your side, seeing another crimson canine head on your body, exactly like your own. Both of you grin. You are the Beasts of Nox, two souls in one body. And you will never agan be defeated. Your journey as a human ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

This fight is hopeless. Each of the Beast's gigantic paws could crush a fortress walls. The wind from his wings sends you tumbling across the ground. His terrible maw could rip you apart in a single blow. You fight valiantly, but foolishly. Inevitably, you reach your limit, and with one terrible blow he knocks you finally to the ground. His paw presses down on you, pinning you like a mouse under a cat. You feel his gigantic talons press into your skin as he leans close. "You are mine now. You have earned a place as my plaything, my amusement for all eternity." He opens his enormous maw, and picks you up in his teeth. With a flex of his powerful muscles, he leaps into the air and carries you deeper into the castle. --- Eventually, he crawls into a dark, dank cavern, and drops you in the corner. His red eyes gleam, and his mouth drips with ropes of saliva. He lifts one forepaw, showing the glistening stains of blood from the massacre he committed in the gatehouse. "Clean me, my slave. Lick the last lifeblood of the paladins from my feet." You glare at him, making no motion to do so. He seems unfazed, and after a moment, his paw comes crushing down on your body. You feel certain this is the end, but despite the agonising pain of your body being pulverised, you do not die. Your vision blurs, and then slowly returns. You find yourself looking up at the Beast, and see flickering light flowing from his mouth into yours. Your injuries knit themselves together, your body healing but the agony remaining. "You will never die. You are mine now, and forever." He lifts his paw once more. "Clean me." Remembering that terrible pain, you reluctantly lean forward and lick his thick, rough pawpad. The metallic taste of human blood fills your mouth, and you shudder in revulsion. The beast makes you lick and clean his feet completely, forcing your face between his toes and along his talons until you are covered in gore. When he finally sleeps, he does so with you pressed firmly into his fur, the rank stench of his monstrous body filling your lungs and giving you nightmarish dreams. In the morning you awaken to find he is not there. You move to the entrance, hoping for escape, but below you there is only a steep drop. You are on the edge of a cliff over jagged rocks, and with a sinking feeling you know that even if you were to leap, the Beast would find and revive you. Each night the Beast returns filthy from his battles and travels. He makes you clean his fur, lick and stroke and worship him. Sometimes he is in beast form, and sometimes in humanoid form where he forces you to stroke and pleasure his rough, muscular body. Whenever you try to refuse, the punishment is brutal. With the immortality he has given you, there is no limit to the sadism he can inflict on you. Eventually, you stop trying to say no to him. Once he is sure you are broken, he becomes more demanding. You receive vicious punishment simply for showing hesitation or disgust. At one point he whips you until you pass out, simply because you didn't greet him with enough exaggerated glee. Each time he revives you, you don't seem to return fully whole. Where he tore your skin, it grows back grey and scaly. When he breaks your bones, you recover but are shorter, stockier. You find your teeth becoming sharp fangs, your fingers and toes growing claws, and your ears becoming long and pointed. One day he returns in human form, and you run to him and kiss his feet, as you have been trained to do. He kicks you aside and you giggle and thank him for it. He shows you something - a handheld mirror. In it you see no trace of your old self. You are some sort of grey, stocky goblin, your muscles thick and your posture squat and short. "How do you like your new self, my slave?" "I love it, Master. Thank you for making me yours!", you immediately reply, knowing you will be punished if you don't. Right? That's the only reason you kiss and nuzzle and worship him. It's so hard to remember now, it has been so long... --- Decades later, your Master surprises you. One day he picks you up, and carries you outside with him, before dropping you outside the walls of the castle. You blink, confused by the grass, the moonlight, the outside world. "Slave. You are free to leave", he says. You look around you, confused. Free? What would that even mean? It's been so long, so much torture, so many nights of worshipping the Beast. "Free?", you mumble. He nods. "Do as you wish." You look down at the ground, and see a thick fallen branch. You grin, picking it up and pushing it to him. "Choose this. Make good log to whip me good", you say with a manic giggle. The Beast grins. Your will is gone, and you are truly his, forever more. Your journey as a human ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Tristram seems surprised you would be interested in him. He looks around awkwardly, his fingers flexing and twitching. "I...have little to say on that matter. I am a student of the arcane, and I have found my way to Castle Nox to enhance my knowledge. Within these walls lies the secrets of ages past, knowledge to sate my curiosity for a dozen lifetimes." He tries to glance at you, but once again his eyes look away. "Better secrets than this small library lie deeper within the castle. I hope to unlock the secrets of ancient runes, and with them confirm my theory about the fundamentals of magic." <<if random(1,6)+random(1,6)+$charm > 10>> //Passive Charm check passed// There is something more that Tristram is hiding. He doesn't want to talk about himself. He clutches his hat close and is careful of how he moves in those robes. He doesn't want you to see him too closely. [[Point out Tristram's oddness]] <<else>> //Passive Charm check failed// For a moment you think there is something more he is hiding, but you can't quite pin it down. <</if>> [[Chapel Library]]

Tristram hesitates for a moment, then begins to speak quickly and efficiently. "This castle is a place of power. In all the world there are barely a handful such places. Lost cities, floating castles. No one knows how they come to be, but they are entwined with the deepest, oldest of magics." "From my studies, I have found certain rules about how this castle works. Those who die within its walls seem trapped here in spirit form. The castle itself seems to be a Genius Loci, a location with its own mind. The spirits are slowly corrupted by the desires of the castle, enhancing its power further." "Of all the spirits here, the Lords are the mightiest. Each is a person whose mind and will were strong enough to retain their individuality even within the castle. They come from all over the world, from all of history. The castle, after all, is ancient." "While here, you must try to avoid the Beast. The Lords were lured here by the castle, and given powers and immortality in exchange for losing some of their humanity. The Beast, however, is a Lord who threw away his humanity, his soul, for nothing in return except the chance to be a mindless warrior, to fight and kill forever. You cannot face him, you must seek a way to avoid him." He finally stops speaking, his eyes alight. The longer he talked the faster his speech became, and the eagerness of his knowledge shone through. He sits back down quickly, seemingly embarrassed at his outburst, and returns to his book. [[Chapel Library]]

You confront Tristram directly, pointing out what you've noticed and how he is hiding something from you. He glares down at the ground for a moment, and then sighs. "Indeed. You are correct, though I mean no maliciousness in my actions. In my studies I simply became accustomed to hiding myself away. I have never...gotten along well with others. I do not understand certain aspects of humans, their emotions, their unpredictability." He reaches up and pulls away his hat, revealing that his hair is streaked with silver, and his ears are tall and pointed, and covered in white fur. <img src=""> "I sought out Castle Nox deliberately. I am well aware of the effects it has on mortals. I hope that by accepting them willingly, I will keep my mind and find a way to simply occupy myself in books and learning, away from the discomfort of other people." He looks at you defiantly, trying desperately to hold your gaze before he inevitably has to look away, seemingly pained. "I am aware it is freakish. I am used to that reaction." [[Tell him you like it]] [[Agree that it is offputting]]

He frowns. "If you are being sarcastic, be aware I struggle to recognise such." You assure him that you are not. You tell him that you understand feeling excluded or strange, and you do not think it reflects poorly on him, instead only on the people who rejected him. He considers your words for a moment. "You are an unusual person. Perhaps you do know how it feels." He stands up, and from under his robe you see a fluffy white fox's tail. He steps out from his boots, revealing a pair of white fur-covered elegant paws. He stands proudly, and crosses his arms. "I am who I am. This is the path I have chosen, and I have no shame." [[Ask if you can touch his fur]] [[Chapel Library]] <<set $mettristran to "lover">>

He replaces his hat, and nods. "Indeed. Let us speak of it no further." [[Chapel Library]]

He winces slightly. "I am not particularly comfortable with physical contact. Still, I might allow it briefly, if you promise to stop as soon as I say so." You agree, and then move forward cautiously. You reach over, moving slowly so he can ask you to stop at any point. You stroke his ears, feeling the soft points, the glossy, silken fur. You reach down and stroke his tail, your fingers disappearing in the thick fluff. He closes his eyes, and his tail flicks from side to side. You slide your fingers slowly through his fur, and he sighs for a moment. "That is enough, I think." You pull your hand away, and he smiles very slightly. "That was not entirely unpleasant. Thank you." [[Chapel Library]]

The stablehand freezes as you step close. You reach out to touch his hand, and he shakes his head desperately. "No! Away, away!" You must try to calm him. <<statcheck 11 $charm "charm" "TouchStableman" "TouchStablemanfail">>

You speak soothingly, reassuring him that you mean him no harm. He shakes his head, his whole body vibrating with fear. "No! A beast, a hideous beast!" You tell him that you don't think he is hideous. He snarls and shakes, but slowly you take hold of his trembling hand. You push back the ragged hem of his sleeve, and look down at his hand. His fingers are twisted and long, the shape of them slightly mimicking the shape of a dog's paw. His fingernails are black and clawed, and his palms are rough and blackened. You look up at his eyes, which are wide in fear. You reach up to his hat, and he reaches up to grab your hand. Then he stops, and lets you touch it. You pull his hat away and he winces. Beneath it he is indeed terribly transformed. While his face is recognisably human, his mouth and nose are pushed forward like a muzzle, and his teeth are jagged fangs. His wild red hair is scruffy and matted, and his beard has spread across his face in a mimickry of fur, though his 'muzzle' remains hairless. "A beast..." You tell him he is not a beast. He looks hesitantly at you, and then glances at the side of the stables, where the hay is piled up [[Lay with the stableman]] [[Pat his hand and step away|Stables]] <<set $fuckedstableboy to true>>

He clutches his ears, not listening to you. "No! Away!" He lashes out, his clawed fingernails striking across your skin. After a moment of shaking, he grows calm again. [[Stables]] <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-1>> <<set $fuckedstableboy to true>>

You pull him over towards the hay, and he sits down on it nervously. As he sits, you see his feet are bare beneath his tattered trousers. They too are elongated and clawed, with only dirty bandages wrapped around them for protection. <img src=""> You slide your hand against his coat, and push it away. He whimpers slightly, but doesn't stop you. Beneath it, his chest is bare apart from more of the bandages. His muscles are lean and taut, and his belly is narrow, his body partially transformed and reminding you slightly of how a dog looks when it stands on its hind legs. On his shoulders and arms, more red hair forms a sort of quasi-pelt. You stroke your hands across his chest, feeling his skin, showing him you are not repulsed by his appearance. Slowly he begins to relax, and he touches you with his clawed hands, feeling and embracing you in return. From between his legs, you see a stubby, furless tail. It twitches from side to side, and he shivers in anticipation. You disrobe, placing your clothes aside, and then pull away his as well. You embrace him, sinking into the straw, and for a long while you show him that in his own way, he is beautiful. When you are done, and resting by his side in a blissful afterglow, you feel a strange strength inside you. [[Stables]] <<set $stamina to $stamina+1>>

<<if $weaponmastery < 2>> Without earning advanced skill in Weaponmastery, you cannot form new combat stances. [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<else>> You heft the heavy axe, considering it carefully with your combat knowledge. You swing it carefully, testing the weight, feeling the power of the massive blade. Ordinarily this weapon would be almost unusable. However, you are no normal warrior. You train your body to move with the axe, making yourself a counterweight. You develop a new battle style, focusing on powerful blows and obliterating counterstrikes. Eventually, you feel you and the weapon are one. You have unlocked the true potential of this unique weapon. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_stenaxe2>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[2] to true>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <</if>>

Double-click this passage to edit it.

<<script>> document.getElementById("passages").scroll(0,0); <</script>>

You reach down and rub your wolf between his ears. He stares at you stoically, but his tail wags from side to side. [[Return | $lastpassage]]

<<statcheck 9 $skill "skill" "Cold and quiet" "Caught by Cultists">>

You wait near the castle and watch the lights of the cultists' torches. Eventually you get a feeling for their motions and behaviours, and you are able to pinpoint a time when most of them are sleeping. You return silently to the campground, avoiding the few of them that are still awake. The inside of most of their tents are bare, with only sleeping rolls and simple furniture, but you do find one or two items of interest. <<item $i_food 2tentfood2>> <<item $i_healthpotion 2tentpotion>> <<item $i_staff 2cultiststaff2>> One tent stands out from the others, being taller and slightly wider. You suspect it is the sleeping quarters of the cult leader. [[Leader's tent]] [[Return to the castle|The Path to Castle Nox]]

You slip into the larger tent, stepping quietly and staying low to the ground as you do. You immediately notice a strange, heady smell in the air, like a mixture of incense and a barnyard. This tent looks similar to the others, except that the floor is woven reeds instead of bare stone. A writing desk and small stool sits in the corner. The cult leader is sleeping on a bedroll close by. Without his robes, his true inhuman self is completely revealed. He has four large goatlike horns curving from his head, forcing him to sleep on his side, facing away from you. His face is stretched forward into a goat's muzzle with a long goatee. His chest is partially bared where his blanket doesn't cover it, showing the black fur that covers his surprisingly muscular, lean form. You realise he is the source of the strange smell, his beastlike body exuding an inhuman musk. At his feet, a small trunk lies open. You glance inside to see a few items of interest. <<item $i_dagger cultistsdagger>> <<item $i_shieldscroll cultistscroll>> <<item $i_blackpotion cultistpotion>> <<item $i_goatstaff cultiststaff3>> As you look around, you find your eyes glancing back more and more to the goatman's powerful, beastlike body. Your head feels heavy and strange. You should leave as soon as possible. [[Lie down with the goat]] [[Return to the castle|The Path to Castle Nox]]

You find your gaze lingering on the goat's body. Your eyes staring at his furry chest, his strangely handsome face. The power of those enormous, intimidating horns. You breathe in deeply, his scent filling your lungs and your mind. You lean down, getting closer to him, and he stirs slightly in his sleep. You reach out, touching his blanket, and lift it slightly before leaning down against his naked body. His eyes flash open, black and inhuman. In an instant, he pins you down beneath him, his rough fingers pressing down on your chest and his naked body atop you. "What? The wanderer from earlier? Why do you come here, human? What do you intend by sneaking into my chambers in the dead of night?" [[Tell him you want to join his cult and worship Nox]] [[Tell him you're not interested in Nox, you only want to worship him]] <<hasitem "Black Potion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Seduce him and use the Black Potion on him when his guard is down|Pour the Black Potion into his throat when his guard is down]] <<else>>//You do not have a Black Potion// <</if>>

He laughs, and stares deep into your eyes, his own glistening black orbs like deep pits. "Well, I cannot blame you. Through Nox we can live eternal, in monstrous form. Yet I have never had a petitioner join my flock in such a manner." He strokes his rough hands across your face for a moment, then stands. As the blanket falls from him you see him naked, his body fully revealed. His feet end in long hooves, and his muscular, lean body is covered head to toe in black fur. He takes his robe and pulls it around himself, then looks in his chest. <<hasitem "Black Potion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> He seems confused for a moment, then notices the black potion in your hand. He laughs, the sound emerging like a goat's bray. "So eager to join us, eh? Your passion is commendable, devotee." He takes the potion from you firmly. <<else>> He reaches down and takes a small black vial of potion. <</if>> You follow him outside, and he calls for the flock to join. They emerge from their tents, surrounding you, and pull down their hoods to reveal sheep's faces with dull, mindless eyes. "A new devotee joins the flock, brethren! Rejoice!", he shouts. He then uncorks the bottle and pours it into his mouth. When he opens his muzzle, the black fluid glistens on his tongue. "Come, surrender yourself to the service of our lords...", he says as he leans in towards you <img src=""> [[Kiss the goatman]]

<img src=""> You tell him that he is weighing on your thoughts, his power, his body. That as soon as you entered the tent, you found yourself enraptured by his appearance. A faint smile spreads across his lips. "Is that so?", he asks. His rough black hands stroke across your face, and then slide slowly down your chest as he examines you closely. Part of you feels like you are simply saying what he wants to hear. Yet the more you speak, the more a larger part of you finds that it is true. You can't take your eyes away from him. You tell him you want nothing more than to touch him, to worship him, to obey him. His breath grows faster as you speak, and you feel a stirring between his legs as he leans down atop you. "So, you would worship me? Become my servant, my plaything? Is that your desire, to be consort of Derevan, once mightiest of sages?", he growls in a deep, rolling voice. You lean up and kiss him, your face pressed to his furry muzzle. He shudders with glee, wrapping his arms around you and closing his eyes. Together you roll to the side, his blanket tangled around your legs. His fingers slide under your clothes, exploring your body. He pushes them away, stripping you and soon leaving you naked beneath him. The chill air of the mountain stings on your skin, but his furry, powerful body is hot as he presses against you. "Would you love me more than even the Lords of Nox? To worship not them, but myself, as your superior being?", he snarls. His voice is more intense, his breath hot, and you feel his manhood growing into a thick and monstrous shaft as it rubs against your naked body. Yes, you gasp. You belong to him. He shoves you roughly to the ground, and then mounts you. You feel his throbbing shaft penetrate you, thrusting deep into your body, as his furry chest presses down on your naked back. His arms wrap around you, feeling and squeezing against your chest, and his horned head leans over to press to your lips. "Surrender all you are to me, then. Let me consume you so I may grow mighty..." As his muzzle presses against you, you feel something inside you grow hot and bright. Your mind grows fuzzy, your memories and thoughts seeming to sink into a black abyss. Something bright and glowing flows from your mouth in a glimmering fog, and Derevan inhales it. His chest glows for a moment, before the light fades. With each thrust into you, he absorbs more. You find it impossible to think of anything but him, want anything but to please him. Everything else that you are is dragged away, emptied from you. Your body tingles, your skin growing thick hairs that curl up into a wooly pelt. Derevan's hands stroke your face, massaging your nose and mouth into a sheeplike muzzle. From your head, two horn slowly grow, curling around you and twisting into sheep's horns. Your hands and feet stiffen, fingers and toes becoming clumsy and firm as they change into a mix of human limbs and sheep's hooves. You bleat, baaing over and over with pleasure and adoration, as your master thrusts and owns you. He pants, leaning in closer as you feel wet heat rush up inside you, his shaft tensing as it fills you with his seed. Then he pulls free, his monstrous cock dripping and wet. He sits down, panting with pleasure. You blink, your mind empty, your thoughts only of him, your master, your lord. "You belong to me, now", he growls. He reaches towards you, gripping your horns, and pulls your face between his legs. "Worship me." Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

<<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>>You tell him that you have been thinking of him, that ever since you left his campground, he has been weighing on your mind. A faint smile spreads across his lips. "Is that so?", he asks. His rough black hands stroke across your face, and then slide slowly down your chest as he examines you closely. You clench your hand around the small bottle, hiding it from his view. You tell him that when you entered the tent and saw his true face, you were completely infatuated. You wanted nothing more than to touch him, worship him, obey him. His breath grows faster as you speak, and you feel a stirring between his legs as he leans down atop you. "So, you would worship me? Become my servant, my plaything? Is that your desire, to be consort of Derevan, once mightiest of sages?", he growls in a deep, rolling voice. You lean up and kiss him, your face pressed to his furry muzzle. He shudders with glee, wrapping his arms around you and closing his eyes. Together you roll to the side, his blanket tangled around your legs. Which is when you reach up, pull your head back, and pour the potion into his mouth. He retches, and flings himself backwards. His hands claw at his throat, the potion bubbling and dripping around his mouth. "No! You would dare? I won't allow it!" He claws at the ground, shaking and snarling. He grabs his head, and falls to his knees, bleating like a goat. Despite his rage and fury, you can see from his manhood that he is fighting an overwhelming pleasure. Gradually, his struggles subside. He stares at you, his expression slack, his will broken. "I am yours, Master. I follow your commands, I serve only you." <<forceitem $i_derevan derevan>> <img src=""> You should return to the castle quickly, before the cultists discover what you have done to their beloved leader. [[Return to the castle|The Path to Castle Nox]] <<set $cultistskilled to true>>

<<statcheck 8 $charm "charm" "handledire" "faildire">>

The dire wolf is both beast and man, and it takes all your skill with both to approach it safely. At times it claws at its own head, roaring and gibbering. You almost lose your head when it lashes out with its long, vicious claws. Bit by bit, you get close, and eventually you stand mere feet away from it. The potion bottle is at your feet, and you may take it. <<item $i_maxhppotion garbagetear>> If you are cautious, you can leave now. The creature stares at you, its glowing yellow eyes fixated on your own, while its gaping maw drips with saliva. It is naked but for a few tattered rags, and covered in shaggy black fur. The stink of a wild, feral beast emits from its large body. An odd thought flashes across your head. You could try to get closer to the creature, to actually touch it. Doing so would almost guarantee that you contract its infectious curse, however. [[Return to the cave|Enter the cave]] [[Embrace the creature]]

You try to use what you know of animals, to approach the creature calmly, soothingly. For all your skills though, this mad twisted half-beast is too deranged. It claws at its skin, snaps at the air, then pounced towards you, enraged. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Dire Wolf", "combat": 8, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "direwolfkilled", "damagesuccess": "direwolfbite", "death": "Death", "flee": "direwolfflee" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You walk closer, and the monster flinches away from you. At this close range, you can see that it was once a man. Slowly, you reach out your hand, and press your fingers to his firm, muscular chest. His thick fur is shaggy and unkempt, but as you stroke your fingers through it, he slowly approaches you. The beast's fanged maw looms over you as you realise how tall he truly is. You reach up, your hand stroking along the thick cords of muscle at his neck, and then slide your palm to the side of his head. As you pet him, he slowly closes his eyes, then leans his head into your hand. How long must it have been since he felt a reprieve from pain and rage? You stroke over his cheek, and he kneels down so that you can rub between his tattered, damaged furry ears. After a while, he opens his eyes again, and then reaches out his enormous paw-hands. He presses them to your chest, and pushes you to the ground. From between his legs, you see a pointed canine manhood begin to thicken and grow. It seems the beast has taken a liking to you, and won't take no for an answer. His claws tug at your clothing, and you are forced to hastily remove them or else have him tear them to shreds. His maw drips hot saliva over your face as he paws at your body, his clawed hands stroking your bare chest, your sides, between your legs. Roughly, he shoves you down against the ground, and leans in over you. His hot, stinking breath wafts against your face, and you feel his wolflike shaft press firmly against your body, before slowly pushing inside you. The beast snarls, soaking your hair and back in dripping drool as he thrusts forward, mounting and claiming you. His hairy body grinds atop you, his weight pinning you down as he breeds you with a feral, savage intensity. You are helpless in his grip, his massive claws pressing down on your head, holding you in place as he uses and pounds into you. His motions become faster, more brutal, until finally you feel the thick, firm knot at the base of his manhood shove into you. He arches his back, howling into the night, as you feel him gush and fill you with corrupted, tainted seed. Your body tingles, heat rushing through you as the curse soaks into your flesh. Eventually, his excitement subsides, and he pulls free from you. When you move, he follows close behind, looming over you possessively and tracking your movements. He seems to consider you his mate now. <<item $i_maxhppotion garbagetear>> <<forceitem $i_direwolf direwolf>> <<set $wolfcurse to true>> You are now surely infected with the direwolf's taint. If you do not use the miraculous healing of the Tear of Erana, you will soon become a mindless, savage beast. [[Give the healing potion to the dire wolf]] [[Return to the cave|Enter the cave]]

You wonder whether the direwolf knows that one of the only things that could have healed his curse was close by. Somewhere in the depths of his broken mind, does he recognise its value, and is that why he defends it? He stares at you, his yellow eyes fully feral, no hint of intelligence within them. It is almost certainly too late to save him, and by trying you would surely doom yourself. Yet you feel compelled to attempt it. You uncork the potion, and move close to the wolf. He cocks his head, confused, but you convince him to open his maw, and allow you to pour the potion into his throat. He swallows it, then coughs. He reaches up, clawing at his head, and then shakes his whole body. A guttural growl emits from his mouth, and he arches his back, his limbs shaking. Gradually, the fur covering him begins to recede. His malformed paws flex, shifting into fingers. His hindpaws flatten to the ground, the shape restoring gradually into human feet. His narrow, mangy chest starts to fill out, his posture straightening. His belly bulges, hips restoring to human shape, muscles becoming healthier. Yet even as he changes, he does not do so fully. While the fur recedes, it leaves behind a thick coating of black body hair, so much so that he looks almost bearlike. His hands and feet, though humanoid, are enormous and tipped with canine claws, the palms and soles still padded and firm. Instead of his tail receding, it instead becomes healthier, thickening out and growing a coating of black fur. As the fur recedes from his face, his muzzle begins to flatten, and his ears shrink down against his head. The only place on his body his full pelt remains on is in a thick bush between his muscular pecs, a long line all the way down from his manelike hair to his tail, and as a rugged, dense beard all over his thick-set jaw. His ears remain pointed, and as he opens his mouth, you see his teeth are still fanged. Before you now stands a seven foot tall, stout-shouldered hairy man. Gradually, his yellow eyes soften, and he looks down at you with understanding. "You...you saved me...", he growls. His voice is deep and booming, and he reaches down and strokes his hairy chest, seeing what he has become. You sit down and talk with him. Apparently he was once a lumberjack named Volk, who was bitten by a beast when the castle appeared in his homeland. He remembers little that happened since. You talk for some time, and he clutches your hand as he truly realises how big your sacrifice has been. As the night wears on, your change inevitably begins. Your body aches, your muscles burning as they begin to transform and mutate. You howl and thrash, your bones creaking and reshaping, your skin itching as fur begins to grow in. Your mind burns with confusion and agony, but something breaks through the pain. You feel your head pressed firmly against Volk's chest, then his powerful arms wrapped around you. You close your eyes, and allow him to embrace you. The pain slowly fades, and even as your mind crumbles and sinks into feral, beastlike thoughts, you find contentment and calm in his arms. When the morning comes, you awaken knowing nothing of who you once were. Your mind is filled with feral instincts, and your body is monstrous, hairy and powerful. Yet somehow you know the human who is with you. His scent calms you, makes your tail wag. You know you are safe here. The human strokes your head, soothes the rage inside you. He leads you away from this place, on a journey far from Castle Nox. In a woodland cottage in a distant land, you find a home. The human keeps you warm and safe, making a place for you in his life. He makes his living cutting down trees, and you follow behind him in the woods, protecting him from harm. At night you curl up together by the fire, and in a simple, beastlike way, you feel love and contentment. Your journey ends here, but perhaps that of another can begin. <img src=""> [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The stablemaster stares at you with obvious longing. You think of the time you briefly spent embracing, and wonder if you could convince him to stay with you fully, to give himself to you as a lover. At your offer he cringes away, shaking his head. "No, no...you are...beautiful. I am...hideous..." He pulls his hat down over his head. <img src=""> "You gave kindness...but you are not a beast..." <<hasitem "Wolf Cloak">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Wear the wolf cloak and ask him again]] <<else>> Perhaps if you had some way to dress up like an animal, to show him you're not ashamed of his beastly nature and that you embrace it, you could convince him. <</if>> [[Stables]]

You remove your clothes and pull the wolf cloak over your naked body, then look at the stablemaster through its eyes. He crouches slightly, confused. "Do you...mock me?", he tries to say through his mutated mouth. You assure him that you're not mocking him, and you tell him that you are not ashamed to be close to him. That his beast nature and his human side both appeal to you, that he doesn't need to be one or the other, and that you are interested in him as he is. Hesitantly, he allows you to pull him closer. You push away his overcoat, and remove his hat. He winces, looking away in shame, but you pull his elongated doglike face back towards you, and then kiss him. Your tongue slides over his fangs, you feel his stubbly red beard scratch against your skin. You press him down to the ground beneath you, and you feel his heart beating against his chest rapidly. You slowly peel away his bandages, and for a moment it seems like he might stop you. Then he lowers his hands, and allows you to strip the last of his defenses away. The dirty cloth strips fall to the ground, and you see the stablemaster fully naked. He is truly a mix of dog and man, his body tall and rangy with powerful, lean muscles. Instead of fur he seems to have an excess of long red body hair, spread down his chest, on his shoulder blades, and on his arms and legs. His hands and feet are long and clawed, clearly inhuman yet still loosely resembling human limbs. You stroke over his chest, and touch his cheek tenderly, feeling the scruffy red beard. You kiss him again, and lower your arms to hold his hands in your own. You feel him growing firm between his legs, his body getting hotter as you pin him down. His hairless tail wags and twitches. You kiss his neck, his chest, rub your face against his strange body and prove to him you find none of it repulsive. As your head moves between his legs, the last of his hesitation fades. His manhood is human, but absurdly long, with a thick and dark-skinned foreskin. It thickens in your grasp as you kiss and touch it, and his whole body trembles with pleasure. His clawed hands touch gently to your head as you take him into your mouth, and he pants with bliss. It does not take long for him to unload, his throat emitting a rumbling growl of delight as you swallow his beastial seed. When you pull your head away, he looks at you with absolute desire. He leans in close, already becoming firm again and ready for more... --- Much later, you find yourself resting naked against him, the wolf cloak draped over you both. His head is pressed against your chest, and his arms are stroking across your bare skin. "I am yours. I am your beast..." <<forceitem $i_stablemaster stablemaster>> <<item $i_stablekey stablekey>> [[Stables]] <<set $stablekilled to true>>

Nicholas leans back against the wall and shrugs. His round belly jiggles slightly as he reaches into a pocket and takes out a cigar, which he lights. "You want to know about me? Not much to say, really. I've been all over, tried a few things. Not ashamed to say I've done a few bad things when times were hard. Fancied myself a bit of an entertainer, once. They called me..." He grunts, and flicks the ash off his cigar onto the floor. He pulls his shirt down slightly, and for a moment brushes his fingers across his beard and through his chestnut brown hair. "Well, never mind what they called me. Point is I knew a few songs and rhymes, almost made a name for myself with it. Now I hawk goods and just try to make a living. Hopefully far away from this place." [[Press further on what they called him]] [[Workhouse]]

He frowns, and puffs on his cigar. "If you have to know, they called me Pigman Nick. I've gotten myself mocked a few times for my appetites, and I don't care for that name at all." He pats his belly as if for an example, and then crosses his legs. He winces as the wound in his shoulder aches. [[Tell him you think he looks handsome]] [[Workhouse]]

He glares at you as if he assumes you are joking, then raises an eyebrow when he doesn't see any sarcasm in your expression. "Is that so? Can't say I hear that often. "Fuck you, Nick, you lying cheating sack of shit", that's the sort of compliment I'm more used to." He brushes it off, but you see a slight smile in the corner of his lips for a moment. "Well anyway, I'm not a poet or a singer anymore. I'm just a fence, dealing in dirty goods and dead men's arms." [[Workhouse]] <<set $nickromance to 1>>

<<hasitem "Lute">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> With your lute, you are confident you can reignite Nick's musical feelings. <<statcheck 11 $charm "charm" "SingNick" "AnnoyNick">> <<else>> You have no instrument, so this is going to be very difficult. You'll have to sing a capella. <<statcheck 14 $charm "charm" "SingNick" "AnnoyNick">> <</if>>

You begin subtly, just with a few notes, a light melody. Nicholas ignores you, at first. Then you weave in a bit more of a tune, and see his boot tapping against the ground. A little more, moving into a chorus. He grins slightly. "Ok, that's enough", he says, but slightly wistfully. You keep going, launching into a full folk song, a rousing tale of love and loss. Nick closes his eyes, his fingers drum against his seat, and then finally, he begins to sing too. His voice is a booming baritone, his wordplay rapid and entertaining. He mixes a rhyming song with your melody, twists the folktale into a ribald and rather dirty ditty about a man juggling relationships with two women, and ends it with a twist where he ends up with their husbands too. The last tones of his melodious voice ring out in the empty workhouse, and he laughs so much it turns into a snort. "Alright, fine, maybe I have a little art still in me. Don't push your luck, $playername." [[Workhouse]] <<set $nickromance to 2>>

You try your best, but you can't seem to do more than get the merchant to glance at you with annoyance. At one point you mess up a note terribly, and he winces. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but really, my musical days are far behind me. Let's leave it at that." [[Workhouse]] <<set $nickromance to -1>>

You sit down next to Nicholas, and he makes room for you. You see his eyes glance across your body for a moment, but you pretend not to notice. You ask him whether that story he told about being with both men and women is true to life. He snorts dismissively. "Just a folk tale. The crowds like a good laugh." Even so, he lifts his arm and slowly places it across your shoulders. You reach over, and touch his chest, feeling the round, heavy globe of his bulging tummy. He does not resist when you begin to unbutton his shirt, allowing it to fall aside and reveal his bare chest. He pulls you closer, pressing you to his gut. It really is like a huge, firm beachball, and his pecs are soft and heavy. He smiles a little, and leans in so that his beard tickles against your neck. "So, were you telling the truth when you called me handsome?" You answer him by stroking your hands across his belly, and then kissing him. He wraps his arms around you, and you unbutton his breeches, allowing him to kick them off and reveal the manhood beneath. "My my. Losing my pants in Castle Nox, looks like I'm doomed", he says with a chuckle. You reach down, gripping his shaft, which is stubby but thick and girthy. He pulls you to the ground, his soft body atop you, and in the warmth of the firelight you explore one another. You taste his thick rod, and he in turn licks and pleasures between your legs with an eager and expert tongue. You take turns atop one another. When you straddle him he feels like a warm, firm pillow, and when he is atop you it feels like you are engulfed in a comforting blanket. --- Eventually you are both sated and flushed with pleasure. His face is red from exertion, and you are both lying naked on the stone. He leans in and kisses you again. "Well, I feel like I may have just torn this bloody shoulder up again after all that, but it was worth it. When I am recovered, come away with me. Let's get the hell out of this place, find a new life on the road. What do you say?" You consider his offer, but you have time to make your plans. What you came here for is not yet complete. [[Workhouse]] <<set $nickromance to 3>>

You take out the black potion and hand it over to Tristram, then ask him if he knows what it is. He examines it curiously, then steps closer to the lantern so he can take a better look. "Curious. Give me a moment", he says. He places it on his desk and draws a chalk circle around it, then adjusts some lenses and dials among his alchemy tools. Eventually he nods, and hands it back to you. "How interesting. This is a droplet of the blood of Nox. This substance runs through the foundations of the castle like blood within a living body. Have you seen the black sludge in the chapel? That is also the same stuff, but weakened and coagulated. When removed from its source, or when the castle is damaged and it leaks out, it stiffens and solidifies into a weakened state." He taps his chin thoughtfully. "I've not ever seen it isolated and yet still at full strength. A very accomplished sorceror must have prepared this potion. The same substance flows in the blood of the Lords of Nox. They surrendered parts of their souls and their humanity, and the space that was left was filled with the blood. The Beast, notably, threw away his entire soul to take in as much of the blood as he could withstand." "I would advise caution. It is powerful stuff, but the blood is very volatile. If someone drinks it, their will can become vulnerable to influence from other strong sources of will nearby. Though perhaps, with a very powerful catalyst, it could be rendered safe to use." [[Chapel Library]]

You open the bottle and swallow the viscious black liquid. Immediately, your body burns with an intense, overwhelming sense of power. Your muscles bulge, your veins blackening as the power of Nox fills you, but acts at your command. <<set $INVENTORY[$dropitem] to $i_empty>> [[Return | $lastpassage]] <<set $aletherbonus to $aletherbonus+3>> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+30>>

<<statcheck 15 $magic "magic" "alchemysuccess" "alchemyfail">> <<hasitem "Black Potion">> <<set $crafteditem to $i_pureblood>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[5] to true>>

You can fight the creature no longer. You stumble, falling to your knees as the plant monster looms over you. From behind its petal-covered mane, a tangle of thick thorny vines emerge. They wrap around you, beginning to twist and squeeze, the thorns tearing at your clothes. As vines engulf your arms, your legs, your neck, you find your armour and clothing torn away and left as scraps on the grass. Oddly, however, the thorns do not seem to hurt. They prick against your skin, pressing into you, but instead of pain you only feel a soothing warmth that makes your body feel limp and relaxed. The vines pull you closer, making you face the lion-creature's strange face. The wood that forms a snarling feline muzzle is surrounded by an enormous mane of large, beautiful petals, and as you watch these petals begin to twirl and spin. Colours shift and sway in your gaze, swirling, spiralling. THe lion's mane seems to glow in the moonlight, your mind growing dizzy as you stare deeper into those shifting, limitless colours. Your mind sinking and falling deeper and deeper, further into the mindless roil of colour... Your body shudders, pleasure pumping through you where the thorns are pressing into your skin. The plant's toxins soak into your veins, making its every touch blissful, wonderful. You drool and shudder, entranced by its mane. Somehow you know what it wants from you. It needs sustenance, nourishment. This mighty, magnificent beast requires fertilizer, life force. You want to serve it, don't you? To make its petals lustrous and strong, its vines thick and green. To serve and obey the plant, to submit everything you are to its service. You nod and lean in, thinking only of how wonderful, how perfect this creature is. The vines twirl around your limbs, pinning your legs together, your arms to your sides. Bit by bit you are mummified in thick green vine, the plant pulsing and twisting around you until only your face remains uncovered. The lion carries you back to its flowerbed, and the vines sink into the soil, dragging you down with them. You are pulled into the earth, leaving only your face barely peeking from the dirt. In the cool embrace of the mud, you feel the vines taking root, spreading out. Bit by bit, your body tingles, feeling weak and warm and pleasurable, as your body and essence is converted into nutrition for the soil. The lion looks down at you, then turns around. It lifts its vine-tail to reveal a glistening pink flower, which it slowly lowers onto your face. The musky, fragrant blossom covers your eyes, mouth and nose, and you inhale a strange, intoxicating perfume as your mind melts away. With its hunger sated, the plant lion takes root, and goes still. No one would be able to tell that your face is hidden beneath its leafy rump, your life now slowly being absorbed to give this creature vibrancy and health. Your journey as a human ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Tristram looks up at you, and his hand reaches down to still his twitching tail. "Knowing that I intend to submit willingly to the power of the castle, you would still assist me? Very well, I will not reject your offer. There is one spell in this castle I am particularly interested in. It is known as Dark Power, and so far I have not found it in any of the libraries I have checked. I suspect it may be in the lair of Eskander, which I would prefer to avoid." He reaches into his robe, and pulls out a scroll. "Though it pales by comparison, in return I can offer you this, a scroll of Magic Arrow." You tell him you will keep an eye out for the spell he seeks. [[Chapel Library]] <<set $tquest to 1>>

You show Tristram the scroll you wrote, and he unfurls it and reads it with interest. You watch as his eyes skitter over your crazed writings, his gaze intense and focused. "I see, of course. No wonder I couldn't find it. The spell is transferred through mental contact with Eskander himself. You risked a lot to bring this to me. I almost feel a little guilty to give you such a basic spell in return." He hands you his own scroll, which is neatly rolled and sealed with a wax stamp. "This is Magic Arrow, one of the fundamental spells learned by journeyman mages at the Tower of Magic. It has fallen out of favour since the Gimble Gyres were lost, but it can still be used with a nonmagical bow." As you take the scroll, his fingers linger on yours for just a moment. He stares at you, and seems to be steeling himself to say something. Then he glances away. "And, anyway. Yes, the Gimble Gyres. Magical bows used by warrior mages. If you find one, this spell will allow you to attune to it. If you would excuse me, I should return to my studies..." <<item $i_arrowscroll arrowscroll>> [[Chapel Library]] <<hasitem "Scroll of Dark Power">> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <<set $tquest to 2>>

Tristram has been acting odd since you gave him the scroll. You ask him whether he is feeling alright, and he brushes off your concern. "If you're worried about me losing my mind to the spell, do not fear. I am not going to cast it, I merely wish to reverse-engineer the methods used to connect to Nox, so I can move further along in my plans to embrace the castle's power." He drums his fingers on the table. After a moment, he looks up at you. "You know that I intend to become a monster, yes? That I will inherit the power of Nox, transform myself into a beast like the other creatures here, in order that I may delve into my studies forever with an undying beast body. I am no different than Eskander. If you have come to this castle for some pursuit of justice or to destroy Nox, we inevitably will stand on opposite sides." He turns around fully, his arms folded and his glare intense. "Knowing that, you would still assist me? Why? What motivates your strange actions?" [[Tell him you want to be with him romantically]] [[Tell him you have other reasons to do what you are doing]] <<set $tquest to 3>>

<img src=""> "I...but that is absurd, and illogical! I am making plans here for immortality, for delving into the deepest secrets of fundamental magic, to throw away my humanity, and you assist me out of something as silly as romantic sentiment?" You say yes. Then, to your surprise, his pale face pinkens with a deep blush. "Ridiculous. You are truly ridiculous." He clenches his fists, and glances down. "I cannot return your affections. I am not a...sexual person. I find no pleasure in such things. You would be better served finding someone else who can reciprocate your feelings both romantically and physically." [[Tell him you don't need sex from him, just companionship]] [[Accept his rejection|Chapel Library]]

He sweeps his long hair from his face, and glances away as he nods. "Very well. I have no reason to pry. If our goals are aligned, we can continue amicably. Perhaps when I have unlocked my true ambitions, we could stand side by side as peers." He sits back down, and picks up his book again. He doesn't look at it for long before continuing. "My journey will soon take me to the lair of Sten, lord of runes. I hope that you will not impede my plans in any way." [[Chapel Library]]

He sighs loudly, but you think for a moment you see a glimmer of hope and desire in his eyes. "I find that difficult to believe. You would really go to such efforts to be in a relationship with a beastman wizard, when the most I can give you is a few irregular embraces? I am sure you would be unsatisfied." You walk up closer, and reach out your hand to him. He glares at it for a while, then takes it. Together, you sit down in the little library, and you wrap your arms around the slender wizard. You squeeze him to your chest, and he reaches up to remove his floppy hat. His body is warm and firm. You stroke your hands along his ears, squeezing and massaging them gently. He leans into your touch, and his long silky tail strokes against your legs. Your hand touches gently down his chest, along his legs, and you squeeze your fingers softly against his slender, white-furred paws. He reaches up too, his hands feeling your chest, your neck, your cheeks. His eyes meet yours for a moment, but then he closes them and simply relaxes into your grip. You remain that way for some time, engulfed in a warm embrace. Eventually however, you must return to your plans. He stands up, replacing his hat again and sitting back with his books. "If you are true about your intentions, meet me later, in Sten's domain. I intend to find the true nature of runes there, and complete my transformation. I will hold no objections if you change your mind, but if you really want to be with me, then I will hold some of the spell in reserve for you. You and I will be monsters here, together." You tell him that you will be there, he can trust in that. [[Chapel Library]] <<set $tquest to 3>>

You can't just let him walk off with Rayleigh! You were trying to help him! You shout at the entity as he leaves, insisting that you will not allow Rayleigh to be parted from you. He stops, and turns slowly. Snowflakes drift slowly from his antlers as he looks at you. "You overstep your bounds, Seeker. I am far beyond you in skill. Yet if you are so insistent that you not be separated from this fine beast, then let it be so." The stag climbs down from Rayleigh's back, then slaps him firmly on the rump. Rayleigh turns to you, his eyes icy blue and cold beneath his intimidating helmet. He steps forward, his body looking even larger, more muscular. The air grows cold, and you find your movements becoming sluggish and slow. Your breath comes out as a misty cloud of ice, and you shiver and fall to the ground. Rayleigh steps over you, his massive body casting a shadow onto your crumpled form. To your horror, from between his hind legs you see his black sheath bulge, as a thick equine shaft emerges. The ground beneath you thickens with frost, ice wrapping around your limbs and lifting you up, pushing you against Rayleigh's underbelly. You can barely even wriggle to resist, as you feel the huge stallion press his shaft to your behind, his chest panting and his long face whinnying and panting. As you feel him enter you, your entire body seems to stretch around his gigantic length. You feel weaker and weaker, and as he thrusts forward, it almost seems as though he's penetrating both your body and mind. Your limbs sag, limp and weak, and begin to shrink. Your flesh starts to transform, becoming ebony black like his shaft, your body stretching out, becoming long, thick, pulsing. You shudder, feeling Rayleigh's heartbeat pounding through you. You can no longer feel any distinction between his body and your own. Your face bulges out, salty fluid leaking from your mouth, as your mind crumbles and struggles in the face of an overwhelming, icy pleasure that is consuming your entire body. The stag walks forward, and strokes his hand against you. Your flesh feels so tender, so pleasurable. All traces of who you once were are gone, replaced only by the enormous shaft of this mighty stallion. "Come, my steed. Consume your first spirit, and surrender forever who you once were. Give up your mortality, and become Hoarfrost, my cold and terrible companion." Rayleigh pants, and you feel your body twitch and throb against his chest. Then, with a mighty whinny, he erupts. Thick, hot fluid spills from your mouth, and your mind and identity are washed away in a rush of overwhelming, absolute pleasure. You feel part of you drained away, pulled up into Rayleigh's form, as your mind simplifies to nothing but pleasure and lust. As you soften and withdraw into the stallion's sheath, Hoarfrost's eyes glow with cold and predatory hunger. His rider climbs back aboard him, and they gallop off together into the night. Your journey as a human ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The castle haunts your dreams, always present in the back of your mind, looming and dark. The air of the mundane world feels harsh and sharp, and the light of the sun seems unnatural on your skin. One way or another, you know that you must find the castle again, and finish your journey. Either you will become part of the castle, or you will destroy it. Until then, you will know no rest. As the months go on, you find your journeys more difficult. Those marked by Nox are drawn to one another, and you can pass through no forest without being stalked by long-limbed horrors, you can rest in no town without drawing winged creatures in the night. Your trials make you stronger and strengthen your resolve. Which did you focus most on, as you sought the castle once more? [[Train Might]] [[Train Magic]] [[Train Charm]] [[Train Skill]] <<set $_stamina to $stamina>>

In seeking strength, you look for warriors renowned in vigor and power. High in the northern forests, where the tall trees are vibrantly green year-round, you meet a man named Bunyan. He is living a simple life as a woodcutter, and finding his small cottage in the vast woodlands is a trial that requires all of your tracking skills. When you do find him, he at first refuses to teach you, and insists that he is no warrior. Eventually, after days of stubbornness, he finally relents. He has you chop logs for the fire, carry wood from the forest, repair his house. After months of living in the woods, your muscles are firm and hard from difficult labour. Still he refuses to teach you combat skills - until one day, when you see him bathing, you spy the mark of Nox upon his neck. Only after confronting him about that does he confess that he was once a pirate, a member of Sten's crew. He fled the castle, but like you his fate is now forever entwined with it. He recovers his axes from a chest he buried behind the cottage, and your training begins. In the brutality and savagery of his blows you see a hint of the man he once was, and a foreboding premonition of the monster that Sten eventually became. Eventually you move on, drawn to continue your journey, but your combat abilities have increased from your experience. [[New Gear]] <<if $might < 6>> <<set $might to $might+4>> <<else>> <<set $might to $might+2>> <</if>>

In seeking magical power, you look for sages of great renown and experience. You visit libraries, study halls, local wizards and witches. None satisfy your craving for knowledge, but in all your studies one name keeps coming up, and catching your eye. Mygas, the great elder druid, who returned alive from Castle Nox and found a way to never return. You trace the steps of this Mygas, seeking out rumours and legends as best you can. As you do, you learn many tales of old magics, ancient spells, things once lost and other things deliberately hidden. Eventually your search brings you to a western wood of no name and little renown. Very few people live in the area, only a few small and spread-out hamlets clustered closer to the trade road. In the deepest part of the wood, you come across a mighty and beautiful oak. Its thick trunk reaches high into the sky, towering above you like a giant. At its roots, a beautiful field of flowers grows. As you touch your hand to the tree, your fingers touch on something. A mark engraved deep into the wood. The mark of Nox. You have found Mygas. The druid sought a way to ensure he could sever his fate to return to the castle, by becoming a tree and the guardian of these woods. You meditate at the base of his roots, and in a dreaming-state you feel the ancient, slow knowledge of the trees become a part of you. Mygas can offer you nothing more, but the journey to find him was more than the destination. You return to your journey. [[New Gear]] <<if $magic < 6>> <<set $magic to $magic+4>> <<else>> <<set $magic to $magic+2>> <</if>>

In seeking to improve your charm, you look for those who can delight and enchant others, both leaders and entertainers. In the towns and villages you pass through, you mingle in pubs and speak with bards, jongleurs and fools. You swap tales, trade tricks, and compete to win the favour of the people around you. You start to build a reputation for your skills. When you reach new towns, people recognise you, asking for specific songs or stories. You leave smiles in your wake, and always ask one thing - who is most famous for bringing joy to those around them? You recieve many answers, but one in particular piques your interest. Hachio the chef, of the travelling Wildcat Cafe. His cooking, they say, heals both the body and the soul. You track the movements of this travelling cafe, curious about these tales. In a small town of windmills, you finally find it. The cafe is in a travelling wagon, which has unfolded into a moving kitchen. The sides fold down to form cooking counters, and his assistants set out tables and chairs. Hachio, to your surprise, is not human at all. He is a massive, jolly cat. He chops ingredients with flashy motions, juggles his knives, and tosses treats into the mouths of the people watching. He even sings as he does so. On his neck, you are unsurprised to see the mark of Nox. He was likely human once, yet he seems to have none of the castle's darkness within him. After the show, you ask him how this is possible. He explains that he feels the call of the castle, but he drowns it out in the joy and laughter of the people around him. He plays the part of the silly, jolly fat cat, and when he makes others happy he does not feel the bloodlust he once did. You join his travelling cafe for some time, and learn his ways. You pass through many towns and make many friends, but eventually you part ways. Your quest continues, but you feel a new strength from your experiences. [[New Gear]] <<if $charm < 6>> <<set $charm to $charm+4>> <<else>> <<set $charm to $charm+2>> <</if>>

In seeking to improve your skill, there can be no mentor more appropriate than a master thief. You look for information on such a person as you pass through towns and villages, and one in particular stands out from the crowd. D'Lonzo, wanted across multiple nations, with an eye-watering bounty on her head. In the underworld and seedy places, her exploits are discussed with delight. Yet as you track her, you find you could never possibly catch up. From one heist to the next, she seems to be moving between locations faster than anyone could possibly chase. Instead, you find information about her latest caper, and then think where she might be going in the future. You sneak into the mansion of a prominent noble not too far from one of her recent crimes, and wait. It takes days of hiding in the mansion like a rat, but you get lucky. One night a shadowy figure creeps into the noble's treasure room and pilfers his family diamond. You confront them, and come face to face with D'Lonzo herself. She's an acrobatic woman and a powerful fighter, and you almost die to a thrown knife before you explain that you wish to learn from her. At first she scoffs at your request, and takes off. You follow her from roof to roof, climbing up the sides of the mansion's outer walls, chasing her through the woods, almost losing her again and again. Eventually, you stumble into a trap, and find yourself hoisted up in a net. D'Lonzo draws a knife, and is about to cut your throat, when she sees the mark of Nox. She stops, then shows you the same mark on her neck. Finally, she agrees to train you, though she claims only as an experiment. If you can return to the castle and survive, she should have no trouble. You follow her from town to town, stealing horses, hijacking trade boats, slipping into locked places as easily as a shadow. Never before have your skills been so tested, but when you finally part ways, you feel like you have earned a lifetime of experience. [[New Gear]] <<if $skill < 6>> <<set $skill to $skill+4>> <<else>> <<set $skill to $skill+2>> <</if>>

Your travels continue, and you slowly learn more about the legend of the castle. It moves from place to place, appearing all across the world throughout history. Tales of it have been seen in all cultures, in countless historical documents. Supposedly its form shifts depending on where it appears, and on who enters it. Seeking it deliberately is almost impossible, as none can tell where it will appear next, and few can travel fast enough to catch it if it appears in some distant country. All you can do is keep searching, and hoping you get lucky. The brand compels you to seek the castle, to find your destiny. In time, you find your weapons and armour are not keeping up with your growing skills, and with the growing danger of being a marked one. When every danger and supernatural entity is drawn to you, and fate constantly conspires to embroil you in new adventures, you are soon desperate for a weapon strong enough to match your trials. You found yourself seeking a powerful item to assist in your travel. <<if $heightenedsenses > 0>> [[A singing sword, said to grant power to those with keen senses|A sword]] <<else>> A singing sword, said to grant power to those with keen senses (Requires Heightened Senses) <</if>> <<if $camouflage > 0>> [[A shadow blade, said to be deadly in the hands of those who can hide in shadow|A dagger]] <<else>> A shadow blade, said to be deadly in the hands of those who can hide in shadow (Requires Camouflage) <</if>> [[A runed axe, half of a pair once said to be dual-wielded by Sten|An axe]] <<if $arrowspell>> [[A gimble gyre, one of the combat staves used by magic archers|A staff]] <<else>> A gimble gyre, one of the combat staves used by magic archers (Requires Magic Arrow spell) <</if>> [[A golden mace once used to defend the Healing Church|A mace]] [[No weapon, but instead an item of pacifism|Erana's Temple]]

You attended a grand festival in the capital city, where you heard that a mythical singing sword was being awarded as a prize for the winner of a variety contest. You found yourself competing in tightrope walking, dancing, cooking and an obstacle course. The competition was close, but you seized victory in the last contest when your keen eyesight gave you the edge in a game of darts. The city mayor handed you your prize, a gleaming silver blade that hummed faintly when danger was near. Supposedly these had once been wielded by the long-eared tribe in the distant past, and now were extremely rare. As you swished and tested the sword, you felt its ethereal hum flow along your arms and into your mind. If your senses were attuned finely enough, this could enhance your combat awareness. <<item $i_singingsword singsword>> [[Your most memorable encounter]]

In a rain-drenched city on the coast, you found yourself mixed up with the criminal underworld. Thieves and assassins lurked in the shadows, and met together only briefly at the hidden Shadow Guild. You developed your contacts there, doing jobs and showing your skills, until an assassin took an interest in your abilities. She invited you to train with them in their secret lair. You were led blindfolded to the catacombs, to the hideout of the assassin's brotherhood. They trained you in their ways, and you impressed them at the arts of stealth and cunning. You were initiated into their brotherhood, and granted a gift. A shadow blade, a dagger with no actual blade. It would enhance your combat skills and reduce your chances of being harmed, but it could only hurt your foes if you could take them by surprise. <<item $i_shadowdagger singsword>> [[Your most memorable encounter]]

In a frigid land to the north, you heard a rumour of a grand festival of combat. They said the last warrior standing after the tournament would be given a runic axe that once belonged to the legendary warrior, Sten. You trudged through the icy wasteland to find a ringed fortress, at the center of which was a massive combat arena. You signed up, meeting with warriors of all skills and styles. In the arena, you fought relentlessly. Your skills were matched against forms of combat you'd never encountered before, from a man who fought with a flexible whiplike blade, to a cloaked creature that could seemingly move instantly between locations. Eventually, you stood victorious. The leader of the fort, a massive man in a bearskin cloak, granted you the axe as your reward. It weighed heavy in your hands, and the metal was covered in a sheen of frost even when next to a raging fire. <<hasitem "Sten's Axe">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> As soon as you picked up the axe, it vibrated violently in your hand until it fell to the floor. The other axe you wield, the one from the castle, began to hum as well. With a sudden crash, both axes slammed together, and the room was filled with icy frost. Both blades calmed, now reunited with their counterparts. <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[2] to true>> <<item $i_twinblades singsword>> <<else>> <<item $i_iceaxe singsword>> <</if>> [[Your most memorable encounter]]

In the merchant city of the southern peninsula, you heard a rumour that piqued your interest. A gimble gyre was being auctioned at a meeting for mages and intellectuals. These strange staffs were once used by the Mage Archer Corps, a troop of incredible battle mages in years past. You used your connections to obtain an invitation to the auction, and mingled with the guests there. Most only wanted the staff for historical interest, as in modern times very few mages would consider lowering themselves to actual combat. When the gimble gyre was up for auction, you found yourself almost immediately outbid. It went to a wealthy old sage who wished to put it in his private museum. Afterwards, you met up with him and asked if he would consider giving you it for anything. He scoffed at your request and insisted it should go only to the wisest and most knowledgeable sage. Seizing your chance, you challenged him to a contest of knowledge in front of the other attendees. It was a fierce challenge, but you traded questions until finally he slipped up and answered incorrectly on a tricky question about magical chemistry. Red-faced and furious, he handed the staff over to you, but quietly swore he would have vengeance for this humiliation. <<item $i_gimblegyre singsword>> [[Your most memorable encounter]]

As you passed through small villages in a dry and arid land, you heard of a terrible brigand who had been terrorising the countryside. He wielded a gleaming golden hammer, and seemingly he could ignore wounds. You hunted down this bandit, and eventually tracked his movements to a hidden outpost in a valley at the base of a rocky cliff. You watched carefully from a vantage point to gain more information on the bandits. You were able to see a demonstration of the hammer's power. The bandit leader stood bare-chested and urged his followers to use him for target practice. Knives and arrows plunged into his flesh, and he tore them out and watched his wounds heal rapidly. The hammer in his hand gleamed with sunlight as he did so, and you recognised it at last. It was from the Healing Church, a legendary group of warrior-healers who could fill their body with regenerative energy even in combat. You strode into the camp and challenged the bandit leader to combat. He mocked you and agreed, thinking himself invincible. In his arrogance, he did not expect you to focus on disarming him, and once he dropped the golden weapon he soon fell to your attacks. You took the hammer and fled, pursued by the bandits. Nonetheless, you escaped with both your life and with a powerful treasure. <<item $i_goldmace singsword>> [[Your most memorable encounter]]

Of the journeys and experiences you had while seeking the castle, one in particular comes to mind; the one that changed you the most. [[I fought alongside the wolf clan to free their people|Wolf people]] [[I saved a village from the otherworldly Fair Folk|Fair folk]] <<if $beatbeast>>[[I traced the foosteps of The Beast|Orc war]]<<else>>I traced the foosteps of The Beast (Must have beaten the Beast in combat)<</if>> <<set $checkedderevan to false>> <<set $checkednick to false>> <<set $checkedrayleigh to false>> <<set $checkedgrey to false>>

You heard a rumour about a small country where Castle Nox had once appeared, and where its passing had changed the people there permanently. You travelled across the narrow sea to a forested island nation, and quickly found yourself embroiled in a war. The island was being invaded by humans from across the sea, who insisted that the inhabitants were cursed by Nox and that they must be wiped out so that the country could be claimed for humanity. Unsure of the truth of this, you looked for more information from the native inhabitants. You delved deep into the misty forests, following the pulsing of your Nox marking. Your very blood acts as a compass now, your body reacting to the presence of Nox's power. Soon you discovered a village hidden within the forests. How did you earn their trust? [[I saved one of their warriors from an attack by invaders]] [[I learned their language and talked to them]] [[I used magic to speak with the spirits of the forest]] [[I stole a relic from them and then returned it to them claiming I recovered it]]

Along your journey, you found yourself at a small and run-down village. The streets were empty but for scattered refuse, and the few people you saw were weak and sickly, and locked their doors as you approached. You stopped in at the tavern, which had neither fire nor food to sate you. You asked the tavernkeeper why this place was so grim, and he told you that for months this village had been under a terrible curse. Each night, the fey folk emerge from the woods, and wander into the town. They are beautiful and enchanting, their naked bodies glowing with radiance like a full moon. Yet for all their beauty, the fey brought only terror. In the morning the villagers would find their crops destroyed, their cattle torn apart as if the fey folk had been playing with their organs like children's toys. Those who went out to confront or speak to them were spirited away into the woods, never to return. An old woman in the corner of the tavern wept as the innkeeper described it, and then looked to you with rage in her eyes. She told you that they fey had come for her grandchildren, spirited them away right from their beds. She begged you to avenge them and save their town. These tales shocked you, all the more so because your had felt no link to Nox when you came here. Your very blood acts as a compass now, your body reacting to the presence of Nox's power, and these fey folk sounded very much like Nox monsters, yet you felt no pull. How did you find your way into the fey realm? [[I fought one of the creatures at night, then followed it]] [[I tracked paths through the woods]]

The Beast's voice echoed in your dreams. You found yourself waking up in the morning soaked in sweat, with the sight of his piercing eyes still fading from your vision. You were compelled to seek out answers about him, to try and understand him. In that life or death battle, your souls had somehow touched, and you knew your destiny and his were intertwined. You took on mercenary jobs, acting as a brute for hire in small raiding parties or stakeout missions. The northern continent was a patchwork of small countries constantly at war, and there was no shortage of such jobs. In each band you joined, you asked about the Beast, and about orcs. Few had any information. One or two had heard of orcs, but only as a campfire tale, an urban myth among mercenaries. The ultimate warriors, once human but somehow changed by the horrors of war. Eventually you found yourself building a reputation as a warrior of renown. As you were travelling across the border between two countries, you were stopped by men on horseback. Their armor was stained black by soot, and they invited you to their campsite. You learned that these were the Ashen Blades, a raiding band with a brutal but impressive reputation. They had heard of your skills, and invited you to join them. A few of them you still remember. Peter, the youngest of the mercenaries, skilled with blades. Natasha, who wielded a halberd on horseback with such skill that she had earned the nickname Night's Valkyrie. Big, an enormous warrior with a tower shield who never spoke, but saved your life in multiple battles, appearing to deflect blows and retaliate with a crushing warhammer. After multiple successful battles, they learned you were looking for information on the Beast, and took you to their leader, a grizzled veteran called Vyke with only one leg and one good eye. "So you want to know about orcs, do you? I've seen one. Only once. Was someone in this very band, when I was just a young sellsword. I'll tell you this, $playername, being a mercenary is supposed to end only in two ways. You die on the field, or you give this shit up and try to live a normal life as best you can, through the nightmares." "There's one other way, though. Some of us, we get too lost in it. All the blood, all the killing. It takes a bit of your soul, every time. You see too many of your companions rotting in the mud, you get soaked in so much blood that you're choking in it. When you've got no more soul left to give, when the people you're killing are just faceless, meaningless bodies, and there's nothing but the blood and the pain, and you just want to fight because that's the only thing you know anymore, the only thing that feels right...that's how orcs are made." He lights up his pipe, and the other members of the Ashen Blades look over, clearly having heard this before. "His name was Jonathan. Known him for years, he was the one who used to look after me when I was new and he was getting old by then, seen a bit too much. We got ambushed one day, and before you know it, half of us are dead, lookin' like hedgehogs for the number of crossbow bolts in them. Rest of us rally, try to get to better ground, but there's enemies on the other side too. Fighting through the mud, trying to break a hole we can flee through, I see everyone I know falling and gurgling and dying. We took plenty with us, but I get chopped down and I fall in with the bodies, can't feel my leg anymore. Coughing up mud, struggling not to drown in the pigshit-thick sludge of blood and filth." His eyes are distant. His pipe glows in the dim sunset for a moment, until he pulls himself back from the mists of memory. "The only one of us left was Jonathan. He was fighting like a madman, cutting down man after man. He had three arrows in him, half a broken sword sticking out of his gut, and his own weapon snaps. So he picks up a body and just starts swinging it, starts smashing heads with his bare fists, crumpling steel helmets like they was paper. He's screaming and frothing like a rabid dog, and that's about as much as I saw before I passed out." "I woke up the next day, and somehow I was still alive. I crawled over the bodies of my friends, and saw Jonathan, kneeling, surrounded by what must have been a hundred bodies. He'd changed, he'd grown must have been two feet, his muscles were bulging and twitching, and he was so big his armor had just snapped right off. He was soaked in blood from head to toe, and he looked at me, and I saw his teeth were thick and massive like a boar's tusks, sticking right out of his face. He looked me in the eyes and said 'Vyke, you gotta finish me. I can't see nothing no more, it's just blood, everything is blood. It's taking all I got not to crush your face in my hands right now. Don't let me turn into this'" He puts out his pipe, knocking the ashes into the dirt, and then puts it back in his pocket. "I cut his throat, and left him with the rest of my friends. This Beast you're looking for, that's what he is. The ultimate warrior, they say. Violence, and nothing else." You remember reflecting on the story that night, in the band's tents. So perhaps not only Nox can change the nature of humans. The Beast may have been an orc long before he reached the castle, and his changes only continued from there. If you were to stay here, to dedicate yourself entirely to the thrill of the fight, would that happen to you, too? As you slept that night, you heard the Beast's heartbeat thumping in time with your own. [[I stayed with the Ashen Blades]] [[I continued my quest]]

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You feel more knowledgeable from your many journeys. You have gained a skill point. As you journeyed, you came across more information about the people and beings you had met. <<if !$checkedrayleigh>> <<if $horseq_good || $horseq_evil>> [[Lord Rayleigh|Rayleigh's Estate]] <<else>> Lord Rayleigh (Requires Rayleigh's Quest) <</if>> <</if>> <<if !$checkedgrey>> <<if $am_orc > 0>>[[Seek Revenge on Grey|Grey]] <</if>> <</if>> <<if !$checkednick>> <<if $nickromance > 0>> [[Nicholas]] <<else>> Nicholas (Requires Nicholas's Story) <</if>> <</if>> <<if !$checkedderevan>> <<hasitem "Derevan (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Derevan]] <<else>> Derevan (Requires Derevan's Story) <</if>> <</if>> [[I looked into no others]] <<if !$midgameskill>> <<set $skillpoints to $skillpoints+1>> <<set $midgameskill to true>> <</if>>

<<set $hasring to false>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh's Ring">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <<set $hasring to true>> <</if>> The Rayleigh family estate was not difficult to find. They were once a famous noble line, and their family has been contributing paladin knights for multiple generations. The manor house itself was in a green and lush country on the western edge of the Northern Continent. Small farms and thick woodland surrounded it, and as you travelled there you saw that it was next to a field of horses. The walls surrounding the manor itself bore the emblem of House Rayleigh, a horse rising up on its hind legs. <<if $am_wolf > 0 || $am_donkey > 0 || $am_orc > 0>> You pulled your cloak close to conceal your inhuman features before continuing further. <</if>> -- <<if $hasring>> You were stopped at the gate by a suspicious groundskeeper, who refused you entry until you showed him Rayleigh's signet ring. At first he insisted you must be a thief, but you eventually convinced him to allow you to speak to the lord of the manor. <<else>> You were stopped at the gate by a suspicious groundskeeper, who refused you entry and threatened to call the guards on you. At first he insisted you must be a thief, but you eventually convinced him to allow you to speak to the lord of the manor. <</if>> Inside the grounds, very little remained of how it would have looked in Rayleigh's time. Only a small chapel was still left, with the rest of the building having been rebuilt more recently. You entered the manor, noticing how dusty and still it was, and the groundskeeper escorted you to a small sitting room. Shortly after, a tall elderly woman entered, and sat down next to you. She introduced herself as Elenor Rayleigh, the last of the family line. <<if $horseq_good>> <<if $hasring>> You handed her the ring, and told her about meeting the spirit of Lord Rayleigh in Castle Nox, how he had been cursed by the castle but you saved him and helped him to move on. She looked down at the ring and listened intently, her gaze distant. <<else>> You told her about meeting the spirit of Lord Rayleigh in Castle Nox, how he had been cursed by the castle but you saved him and helped him to move on. She listened intently, her gaze distant. <</if>> "The Rayleigh family has long been cursed. Ever since Philip Rayleigh lost his family to the plague, and dedicated his life to the church. He became a paladin, fought against the curse of Nox, and eventually was lost to the castle, never to return. His younger brother inherited, and in every generation since, the firstborn of our line has joined the Paladin Order and perished in the duty." "Over a year ago, I had a vivid dream of Philip. I saw him at last reunited with his family, walking away into the sunset. I believe your story, traveller. I think I would like you to have this." She stood, and walked to the fireplace, before taking down a heavy gleaming shield from above it. She handed it to you, and you saw the Rayleigh crest on the front gleamed with gold. <<item $i_rayleighshield i_rayleighshield>> You thanked her and took your leave, and returned on your journey with renewed confidence knowing that Rayleigh found his peace. <<else>> <<if $hasring>> You handed her the ring, and told her about meeting the spirit of Lord Rayleigh in Castle Nox, how he had been cursed by the castle but you saved him and helped him to move on. You carefully did not specify how exactly you 'helped'. She looked down at the ring and listened intently. She seemed skeptical, but accepted it gratefully. <<else>> You told her about meeting the spirit of Lord Rayleigh in Castle Nox, how he had been cursed by the castle but you saved him and helped him to move on. You carefully did not specify how exactly you 'helped'. She seemed skeptical, but listened quietly. <</if>> "The Rayleigh family has long been cursed. Yet I do feel some unusual sense of hope. Come with me." She escorted you out of the manor, and over to the field where her horses were grazing. One of them, a powerfully-built young stallion, raised his head and walked over. To Lady Rayleigh's surprise, the stallion nuzzled against you and snorted happily to see you. The resemblance was unmistakeable. Though he had been but a ghostly apparition when you last saw him in Castle Nox, the young stallion was clearly Lord Rayleigh. "This colt was born around the time you claim you escaped from the castle. I remember finding him odd, as if I knew him somehow before. I named him Philip, after the first Lord Rayleigh to be lost in the castle. He has grown into a fine stallion. I think you should take him with you. If your tale is true, you will have need of a good steed for your quest." You bade farewell to Lady Rayleigh, and mounted Philip before riding off. Feeling Lord Rayleigh as a flesh-and-blood horse beneath you only reinforced more clearly what you had done. His soul was now truly that of a feral horse, and he would be reborn like this forever, never again becoming human. <<hasitem "Rayleigh (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_rayleigh2>> <</if>> <</if>> [[Your journey continued]] <<set $checkedrayleigh to true>>

You continued to wander, searching for the newest location of the Castle and hoping you would be able to intercept it at long last. This is how you found yourself at a small, gloomy village named Brisgoth. As soon as the lights of the village became visible in the distance, the weather turned foul. You found yourself trudging through thick mud and pouring rain, and you were very glad when you passed through the village gatepost and up to a tavern. You push your way through the doors, and pull off your wet cloak. The warmth of the hearth brings sensation back into your freezing fingers, though the tavern itself stank of stale beer and sweat. <<if $am_wolf > 0>> In your haste to get out of your wet cloak you had forgotten about your inhuman appearance. A short and dirty man sitting at the bar looks over at you, and elbows the man next to him, a huge and muscular brute with a scarred scalp. "Hey Tiny, I thought this bar didn't allow dogs in it? No wonder the beds have fleas!" The tavernkeeper looks at you with some alarm, and you saw him reach carefully under the counter for a weapon. "We want no trouble in here, traveller. If you've your wits about you I've no quarrel, but if you're one of the beasts from that foul castle, begone." You have dealt with reactions like this many times before, which is why you don't realise the implications of what he said until a moment later. [[Foul castle?]] <<elseif $am_orc > 0>> In your haste to get out of your wet cloak you had forgotten about your inhuman appearance. A short and dirty man sitting at the bar looks over at you, and then falls off his stool in horror, before ducking behind the tall and scarred man next to him. "Blood and bone! It's a fucking orc! Lady have mercy, we're fucking dead!" The tavernkeeper looks at you with terror, and then grabs a weapon from under the counter. It's a heavy club, but his hands tremble as he holds it. "We want no trouble in here, beast. We are just simple folk, we'll not make good sport for your bloodlust. I beg you, return to that foul castle." You have dealt with reactions like this many times before, which is why you don't realise the implications of what he said until a moment later. [[Foul castle?]] <<elseif $am_donkey > 0>> In your haste to get out of your wet cloak you had forgotten about your inhuman appearance. A short and dirty man sitting at the bar looks over at you, and elbows the man next to him, a huge and muscular brute with a scarred scalp. "Hey Tiny, look at that. An ass walking on two legs! Do you think we could make it pull our cart?" The tavernkeeper looks at you with some alarm, and you saw him reach carefully under the counter for a weapon. "We want no trouble in here, traveller. If you've your wits about you I've no quarrel, but if you're one of the beasts from that foul castle, begone." You have dealt with reactions like this many times before, which is why you don't realise the implications of what he said until a moment later. [[Foul castle?]] <<else>> You look around at the bar. It's almost empty, with only the tavernkeeper, a short and dirty man sitting at the bar and a huge and muscular brute with a scarred scalp next to him. They look at you with disinterest, and return to their conversation. The tavernkeeper looks at you and nods his head. "We want no trouble in here, traveller. I'd advise you to eat or drink your fill and leave this place. This town is cursed. The foul castle has come to punish our sins." Could it be? [[Foul castle?]] <</if>>

If you were ever able to find the castle you would surely be in terrible danger once again, and would need to defend yourself. Yet somehow seeking out a weapon did not appeal to you. Surely there were other ways to complete your quest. You found yourself visiting Erana's Temple, a circle of standing pillars in the midst of a vast and beautiful flower garden. The soft tinkling of the clear water of the temple filled you with peace. As you stepped into the circle, a feeling of great peace and calm washed over your skin, as if you were walking into a pool of crystal-clear water. The priests and priestesses of the temple listened to your quest, and offered you a gift to help on your path. A single beautiful rose from the heart of the gardens. By taking the rose, you would be dedicating yourself to nonviolence. With it, your combat abilities would be drastically reduced, but all your other abilities would be enhanced. <<item $i_eranarose singsword>> [[Your most memorable encounter]]

You accepted the blessing of their tribe, and the wolf people howled with delight and congratulations. You removed your clothes and bathed in a clear forest stream, then followed the tribe deep into the woods. You were taken to a sacred grove, where carefully tended trees formed a perfect circle. The eyes of the wolf people around you gleamed yellow in the dark. You kneeled in the circle as the sun set and the moon began to rise, while the wolf tribe surrounded you, naked and on all fours. The tribe leader stepped forward, holding a thick furry wolf's pelt. "Brothers and sisters, this outsider has come to our lands and shown that they have the soul of a wolf. They defended us in our time of need, broke bread with us, danced with us. They are one of us, and we welcome them into the wolf pack!", he said. The other wolf people howled in unison. Then the tribe leader draped the pelt over you, and you felt a tingling sensation flow through your body. "This pelt came from a proud and noble wolf who ran with our pack. When he died, we sanctified and preserved his fur so that his spirit would join with that of the wolf-people. We now grant that spirit unto you, so that you will run with us, and bear the nobility of the wolf." The pelt draped over you, the fur seeming to move and shift of its own accord. The muzzle slid over your face, the jaw hanging open as your tongue lolled forward. The paws stretched down over your hands and feet, you felt the tail wagging and shifting behind you. A rush of overwhelming, intense sensations flowed into your head. The vibrant scents of the forest in your wet nose, the sounds of the animals around you in your powerful ears. Your body tensed, eager to run, to bound across the forest, to hunt and to howl. You sat back on your legs, feeling them shift and adjust into lupine haunches as the fur merged and bound with you. You raised your muzzle high into the air, and howled in unison with your pack. Your memories of the rest of that night are a rush of motion, of scents and instincts and the sensation of being part of a powerful pack, a family. You awoke the next day, naked and sleeping in a pile with the other wolf people. When you rose, you stumbled to a pool of water and looked at your face. You were still you, but your jaw and nose had stretched forward, your mouth transformed into the shape of a canine muzzle. You opened it and touched your tongue gently over your new fangs. One of the other wolves slapped your back, and nuzzled his face against your neck. "Your first sign of change. In time, the spirit of the wolf will grow stronger in you, and you will become more and more like us. Be patient, and live up to the honour of the wolves, my friend!", he said. It seems your changes have only begun. Later that day you said farewell to your pack, and they assured you that you would always have a home here. [[Your journey continued]] <<set $am_wolf to 1>> <<autoitem $i_wolfmuzzle i_wolfmuzzle>>

This little village was a peaceful haven in your journeys, and a place you would remember fondly. However, it was not your home. You could not join them, your destiny lay elsewhere. The tribe leader accepted your refusal with dignity, and the wolf people threw you a massive banquet to celebrate their freedom from the invaders. The following night, they granted you some gifts to assist you on your journey, including a pouch of twenty gold they had collected from defeated invaders. <<item $i_food wolffood>> <<item $i_healthpotion wolfpotion>> <<item $i_aletherpotion wolfapotion>> <<item $i_wolfcloak vwolfcloak>> You bid them farewell, and carried on your quest with refreshed spirit. Not all your encounters needed to end despairingly. [[Your journey continued]] <<set $money to $money+20>>

The fey piled gifts and trinkets before you, treasures and treats and delights that pulled you closer, entranced your mind. As you reached out for them, you felt the hands of the fey reach for you, touch you, change you. Their arms were so long, bending with more elbows than a human, with pale fingers like branches of trees. "Sing for us, dance for us, we are all that you need", they whispered. You felt dizzy, your thoughts quieting, your mind fading away into an endless white void as your eyes began to grow dull. "Authority of destruction, erase all life, void all thought..." The long arms twitched, blades of moonlight slicing down the ivory flesh, releasing slow trickles of thick, creamy white blood. As the long fingers stroked over you, and you felt the white, glistening blood drip down your neck, your mind filled with contentment and bliss, sinking down forever into content nothingness... Until suddenly that feeling was broken by a searing, shuddering pain. Your veins bulged as black streaks rushed under your skin, and the white blood sizzled and leapt from you like droplets of water on a boiling-hot stove. The fey snarled, and withdrew. "The blackblood! Marked already, this one. Unfairness! Selfishness! The blackblood must share!" Your eyes suddenly swirled with black, and the emptiness inside you receded, replaced with something changed and off. You felt a pulling on ears, stretching and growing them. Fur spread across your long ears, and you found yourself twisting and dancing, giggling like a dumb, obedient donkey fool. The fey reached for you, their clawed branch fingers slicing at your skin. The pain seemed to wake you up, and you blinked as the visions of the fey realm dropped away, like a dream. You see the morning sun rising in the distance, but for a moment the voice of the fey lingered in your mind. "We will await you here, precious thing. Lavish yourself in song and sin, and return to us...forsake the black authority for joyous oblivion..." The villagers you saved are scattered around you, and they wake up and wince at their aches and hunger. Not all of them survived their time in the land of the fey, but the ones who did thank you and declare you the hero of their town. You suspect the fey will not return here. The villagers throw a banquet in your honour, though they could not help but comment on your new donkey's ears. Oddly, you found yourself feeling quite pleased about them, and your cheerful nature calmed the villager's nervousness. You left them in high spirits, and continued your journey. [[Your journey continued]] <<set $am_donkey to 1>> <<autoitem $i_donkeyears i_donkeyears>>

You sensed a terrible danger in the fey's words. Though they seemed to have no conventional malice, even their gratitude could be harmful to a mortal. They clustered around you, their strange bodies shifting and twisting like lights under deep, turbulent water. Gifts appeared on the tables and chairs around you, anything that they could think of. Anything to make you come closer, to accept their generosity, to come within reach. For hours you deny each offer they give you, refuse with every way you can both polite and impolite. Eventually the fey fade away, and like a dream you find yourself blinking and awakening to the morning sun rising in the distance. The villagers you saved are scattered around you, and they wake up and wince at their aches and hunger. Not all of them survived their time in the land of the fey, but the ones who did thank you and declare you the hero of their town. You suspect the fey will not return here. The gifts the fey wanted to give you lie scattered around the woods too, along with the villagers. With the fey themselves gone, you are free to take any of them you desire. Some of them were worth a fair amount of money, which helped to fatten your wallet. <<item $i_food wolffood>> <<item $i_healthpotion wolfpotion>> <<item $i_aletherpotion wolfapotion>> <<item $i_lute vwolfcloak>> The villagers throw a banquet in your honour, and you carried on your quest with refreshed spirit. Not all your encounters needed to end despairingly. You felt stronger from your experiences. [[Your journey continued]] <<set $money to $money+20>>

Weeks turned to months, and you started to lose count of how many battles you had been in. It was a never-ending cycle of brutal, heart-pounding combat, the relief of victory, spending your rewards frivolously to forget the horrors of battle, then back to bloodshed once more. You saw many companions come and go. Some few leaving voluntarily, going to make a real life for themselves. Many more gurgling their last breaths on the battlefield. No time to mourn them, too many to do so even if you had time. After the battles there was a short service for your fallen friends. No religious rites or complex ritual, just a moment of silence and some ale poured out for the people you had lost. The Ashen Blades reputation grew and grew, all the moreso with you added to their number. One day Natasha told you that in the tavern they had been calling you Manslayer, and saying you once defeated ten warriors at once in single combat. Peter quipped that 'manlayer' should be your name instead, and Big cracked a smile when you pushed Peter off his chair in retaliation. One harsh winter, you awoke to find the other mercenaries up earlier than usual. Natasha emerged from Vyke's tent, and placed him down on the ground next to the campfire. He'd died in the night, either of cold or perhaps just of age. There was silence and grim quietness throughout the band. Peter claimed he would have wanted this. Not having to die in battle, not going like the rest of the original Ashen Blades. Natasha said nothing, and spent the rest of the day alone away from the rest of the band, practicing with her halberd. Natasha was the natural fit to be the next leader, but she didn't want the position. Instead it went to Grey, a solitary member of the group who wasn't much of a fighter, but who had been responsible for many skilled war tactics and had a keen intellect. [[Your last night with the Blades]] <<set $might to $might+1>>

You remember your time with the Ashen Blades with a sort of fondness. There is a closeness that comes with standing side-by-side in life or death battle with people you trust, and you fought many skirmishes with them before you took your leave. They saw you off with characteristic stoicness. The battlefield was no place for overt sentimentality. Even so, they left you a package of gifts, something they'd scrounged together to remember them by. As you left, Vyke hobbled up on his crutch to meet you. He didn't say anything, just nodded and left, but you felt a sense of pride from him. You could have ended up like Jonathan, and you chose not to. In at least one way, perhaps you were stronger than the Beast. [[Your journey continued]]

That night had felt like a normal mission. You were being paid by a country called Zeblenia to intercept a supply caravan for one of their enemy countries, Borogravia. Grey took a small number of the band ahead on horseback to meet up with a contact from the Duke of Zeblenia, and the rest of you would take down the caravan and then meet up afterwards to collect the reward. It should have been simple. You rode down to the caravan and it was barely guarded, an easy victory. Until you got close, and the guards pulled away a tarpaulin to reveal the three wagons were filled not with supplies, but with cannons. Loaded cannons. Of the leading group, Big was the first to notice. He veered his horse to the side, knocking Peter away just as a cannon fired. His horse exploded into gore, and Big was thrown into the dirt like a sack of hay. For all his size and strength, the cannonball scattered his guts in an instant. Countless more of your allies were blown away by the other cannons. Natasha rallied the survivors to attack, and slaughtered the few guards in a flurry of steel and hoofbeats. You dragged Peter out from under his horse, and he mounted the back of your own. Victory was short-lived, though. From the surrounding trees, an army of soldiers flowed down and surrounded you. Much later, you would find that Grey had sold you out. Both Zeblendia and Borogravia had teamed up to take down the Ashen Blades for some shared grudge after a mission you didn't even remember. They had all blurred together, one small stupid country and their petty wars feeling just the same as another. You struck down foe after foe, and Peter threw his blades with lightning accuracy. Dozens of enemies fell, but eventually Peter ran out of daggers. With one well-placed arrow, he ran out of luck, too, and dropped from your horse onto the ground. Natasha was surrounded, and you rode up to fight alongside her, but your horse buckled under you and you found yourself tumbling through the mud. As you stood, you saw her surrounded by dozens of foes, only to finally succumb beneath dozens more. You were alone. The Ashen Blades were gone, and enemies were everywhere. You looked down to see arrow shafts sticking from your chest. [[Endless Foes]]

<<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Faceless Hordes", "combat": 10, "stamina": 20, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "orcdone", "death": "orcdone", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>>

You were soaked in blood, covered in wounds. You couldn't even feel your limbs anymore, your mind would not focus. You looked down at your hands and saw that your weapon was just broken fragments in your hand. You were still surrounded, you stood on a mountain of corpses but there were still more. Always still more. A world full of enemies. You dropped your weapon, and looked to the overturned wagon beside you. It was plated with iron, like a siege weapon. Designed to carry the cannons that had killed your friends. You tore the iron from the wood like it was paper. Crumpled the bottom in your bleeding fists, making a crude, enormous heavy weapon that could barely be called a sword. <<item $i_manslayer manslayer>> You only realised what the soldiers were saying much, much later. At the time it was just noises. The bleating of beasts. Only when the sun rose did you realise they had been screaming "It's a monster! Run, we have to run!" <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Victims", "combat": 0, "stamina": 20, "maxdamage": 1, "success": "orcdone2", "death": "orcdone2", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>>

You became sentient again only much later. You had fought through the entire night, heedless of your wounds, not even understanding the concept of tiredness. You looked around at a valley so soaked with blood that it had become a stinking swamp. The only motion was the rustling and cawing of carrion birds feasting on the ruined wreckage that had once been humans. Your friends were gone. The enemy was gone. No. There were always more enemies. You looked down at yourself, and saw that somehow, in the endless fighting, you had lost all your armour. It no longer seemed to fit on a body that was so tall, so absurdly thick. You wiped blood from your arms, and saw craggy, gravel-like grey skin beneath. You had started to change. In time, you would become an orc fully, just like the Beast was. You felt that you should care more, that you should feel something at losing your humanity. You spend a moment to dig a small mount, and plunge into it a bristle of swords, one for each of the Ashen Blades. Then you simply walked away from the battlefield, leaving behind you hundreds of corpses. Including, in a way, your own. [[Your journey continued]] <<set $am_orc to 1>> <<autoitem $i_greyskin i_greyskin>>

You found yourself in a small tavern in Borogravia, and you overheard some peasants discussing a grand party taking place in the castle. Apparently, Grey was to be granted the title of Earl as a reward for helping to stop a vicious band of mass-murderers. Both the dukes of Borogravia and Zeblendia would be present, and they would be signing a peace treaty. An end at last to the border conflicts that had lasted decades. Oddly enough, you hadn't been invited. Surely Grey would be missing his old ally. You strapped Manslayer to your back, and concealed your inhuman grey skin with a cloak. At the sun set, you rode up to the castle, until you were stopped by two guards at the gate. You recognised them - it was the two other members of the Ashen Blades who had rode off with Grey that night. His collaborators. They ordered you to turn back, and said that the castle was closed to visitors on this important night. You swung down from your horse, and they readied their weapons. Your hands rushed out, and you slammed their heads together so firmly that their helmets dented. As they crumpled to the ground, they were easily finished off with a final blow. You crept into the castle, dispatching anyone who encountered you too quickly for them to raise the alarm. You strode into the dining hall, seeing the two dukes and their traitor pet. They called for the guards, but one mighty swing of Manslayer cleaved both of them in two, their blood soaking the grand gilded table. Grey screamed, falling back and trying to crawl away. Your hood fell away, and Grey asked who you were. You said nothing, only plunged Manslayer down through his chest. He clutched at the blade, shuddered, and died. You left the castle, and never returned to Borogravia. On your journeys later you heard that the two countries had broken out into war once more, as the heirs of both dukes claimed the other had sent an assassin on the night of the feast. [[Your journey continued]] <<set $checkedgrey to true>>

You recalled Nicholas saying that he was once a fairly famous poet, so as you travelled, you asked around to see if anyone knew of him. You didn't find much at first, until you mentioned "Pigman Nick". To your surprise, many people knew of him by that name, and remembered his dirty or comedic poems and songs with a lot of fondness. You wonder if Nick would have been pleased by how well-liked his work was across the Northern continent, if he could have gotten past the insulting nickname. In a bustling market in the capital, you even discover a small store selling woodcut-printed folios of Nick's more famous poems. <<item $i_poems i_poems>> [[Your journey continued]] <<set $checkednick to true>>

You felt that the goat cultist you encountered at the foot of Nox Castle was more than he seemed. Finding out more about him might be important when you return to the castle. Getting information about a person based on nothing more than their name is a tall order, however. You get lucky when you enquire at a library for mages, as the librarian has a set of enormous books filled with graduates from prestigious mage colleges. It takes several hours of reading the tiny cramped text, but eventually you think you find something. Derevan, no surname. A commoner who was granted scholarship at the Grand Tower in recognition of his intellectual skills. He is marked as being a Binder, but no other information is provided. You ask the librarian about this, and she explains that Binders are a specialised form of summoner. Summoners come in two types, the Caller and the Binder. The Caller brings a summoned beast forth, and a Binder seals its powers and enforces whatever the summoned contract is. The Caller is considered the vastly more prestigious position, as they are treated as the ones doing the work and producing the summoned beast. They can work without Binders so long as they summon entities which can be relied upon to act in predictable ways, while a Binder has no power without a Caller to initiate the summoning. You thank the librarian for her assistance, and continue on your journey. [[Your journey continued]] <<set $checkedderevan to true>>

<<if $am_orc > 0>> You are almost surprised by how guttural and deep your voice is when you reply. The longer you travel, the more your changes have magnified, and your voice is recognisably inhuman. You ask for information on the castle, and when it becomes clear that you don't intend to kill these villagers, they calm slightly. <<elseif $am_wolf > 0 || $am_donkey > 0>> Once you speak, and the tavernkeeper sees that you are still human, he calms slightly. The two villagers seem to lose interest in you, but the tavernkeeper is willing to explain what he meant. <</if>> It seems this village has suffered through hard times. A few years ago, the baron of the land fell in love with a strange woman from a distant land. He began to change, his attitude becoming more cruel and vain. He hired thuggish mercenaries to harass the villagers, and demanded more and more in tribute. Eventually he began to demand that criminals be brought to his mansion, where they were never seen again. The definition of 'criminal' had since become only broader, and rumours has spread of the baron's cruel and strange tastes. Hunting people for sport, perhaps even devouring human flesh. Just as things had seemed at their worst, they had fallen further. Only a few days ago, Castle Nox had been sighed on the beach down by the sea. At this point the village had given up all hope, and taken it as a sign that they were truly damned. At last, you have found it! It is within your reach, less than a day's journey from here! You know from previous experience that you should have at least several weeks before it moves on again. [[Brisgoth Inn]] <<set $killedinbeast to false>> <<set $boughtmule to false>> <<set $knifethrowing to false>> <<set $collartalk to false>> <<set $magictestinshop to false>> <<set $summonbinding to false>>

The inn is warm, but in poor repair. The roof has leaked noticeably, and everything smells of sweat and stale beer. The shorter of the two villagers looks you up and down, and grins. "Hey, you here for the castle, then? Us too. Name's Boss, and this guy here is my little brother, Tiny." The huge hulking thug nods mutely at you. "We're not from 'round here either. Heard that castle is full of treasure though. Gonna be smart about it, loot whatever's lying around and then scarper. Good way to get rich! Everyone's too scared to head into there." <<if $killedinbeast>> The innkeeper thanks you profusely for slaying the beast. He says he is starting to have a little hope that this village may survive the touch of Nox. <<if $ironwill > 1>>The innkeeper's thoughts echo in your mind. //Even in these dark times there are heroes. I will not give up hope.// <</if>> <<else>> <<if $ironwill > 1>>The innkeeper's thoughts echo in your mind. //There's nothing left for me now. After tonight I will take what is left of my money and pray I can find work across the border...// <</if>> [[Ask the innkeeper about the inn]] <</if>> [[Talk to Tiny and Boss]] [[Brisgoth General Store]] [[Brisgoth Stables]] [[Brisgoth Village Square]] [[Head out for the castle]]

You feel a terrible foreboding. Once you head forth, you realise you will not be able to return. Your destiny awaits inside Castle Nox, and there will be no third chance. If you are sure you are ready, you can continue. [[I am ready]] [[Brisgoth Inn]] [[Brisgoth General Store]] [[Brisgoth Stables]] [[Brisgoth Village Square]]

You move on towards the castle, and your destiny... [[The Path to the Castle]]

The general store is as run-down as everything else, and the door is barred when you approach. Only when you bang on it multiple times does the owner peek at you through a slit in the door, and then reluctantly let you in. "You're that visitor, aren't you? Innkeeper sent a lad to warn me. Well alright, come in but don't stick around." The interior of the store is cramped, as the whole room is filled with wares and trinkets. At first you're surprised it's so well-stocked, until you realise most of the clutter is odd magical items like old cauldrons, staffs and crystal balls. The normal items you'd expect from a store are low on stock; there is barely any food, yet a whole shelf of potions. "We've got what we've got", the storekeeper says. He's an old man, bent almost double by his crooked back, with a long white beard. "If you want some of the magic stuff, be sure you know what yer doing. Most of it's damaged and not working right since I retired from my adventuring days." <<if $ironwill > 1>>The shopkeeper's thoughts echo in your head. //If Eskander is in that castle, I can't stay here. So few true mages are left after the great blue plague...// <</if>> <<buyitem $i_food sfood 4>> <<buyitem $i_healthpotion hpotion 6>> <<buyitem $i_aletherpotion apotion 9>> <<buyitem $i_maxhppotion si_maxhppotion 14>> <<buyitem $i_shield sshield 6>> <<buyitem $i_tunic sshield 8>> <<buyitem $i_bow sbow 6>> <<if !$summonbinding>> One box draws your attention, a strange engraved item labelled 'Summoner's Bindings' [[Summoner's Bindings]] <</if>> <<if !$magictestinshop>> You notice a sign at the side of the store: "Apprentice Wizard Wanted" [[Demonstrate your magical skills]] <</if>> [[Sell things to the storekeeper]] [[Brisgoth Inn]] [[Brisgoth Stables]] [[Brisgoth Village Square]]

The stables are in surprisingly good condition. The hay is fresh, it's recently been swept, and the roof has been inexpertly covered over to try and keep the rain off the animals. Someone must care about the horses here. <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh is standing quite happily in one of the stalls, having been escorted here by the innkeeper's errand boy. He chews on some hay, and nickers when you approach. <<if $am_donkey > 0>> Something about him seems to almost faintly glow with spiritual energy. You find yourself stroking his flank, as your mind is filled with odd thoughts of his simple, animal life. Your long ears twitch as you smell his strong barnyard scent. [[Join Rayleigh]] <</if>> <</if>> Most of the stalls contain not horses, but short grey mules. There's a sign on the wall in chalk: Packmules, 10 Guilders. <<if !$boughtmule>> A pack mule would increase your inventory space by 2. <<if $money >= 10>> [[Buy a packmule]] <</if>> <</if>> [[Brisgoth Inn]] [[Brisgoth General Store]] [[Brisgoth Village Square]] [[Head out for the castle]]

The village square is a wide area in front of the alderman's house, which is currently lit by the flickering, unsettling light of burning torches. A small group of villagers is surrounding a man in heavy shackles, and they are arguing about what to do with him. "He's forsaken! We should drag him to the castle, let them feast on his soul and not ours!", one woman cries out. "No!", replies an old man in black. "We must not get close to the castle! Burn him now as a sacrifice, and pray for mercy!" The man says nothing, just slumps forward on his knees, his face bruised and covered in blood. If you want to intervene here, you should ensure you are done in this village. One way or another you suspect you will be unwelcome here afterwards. [[Distract them with a song]] [[Demand they free the Forsaken]] [[Kill them all|Fight the villagers]] [[Offer to take his place]] Or you could go somewhere else for now. [[Brisgoth Inn]] [[Brisgoth General Store]] [[Brisgoth Stables]] [[Head out for the castle]]

"This inn's been in my family for three generations. Looks like I'm gonna be the last owner, though", the inkeeper tells you. "Only reason I'm sticking around is I got nowhere to go. If Nox has come for us, well I'm going down with my ship. I can get you some food or ale, but I wouldn't suggest trying to sleep the night here. People started going missing, and there's rumours that something from the castle is preying on people in the village. You'd be best moving on." [[Stay the night and watch for this beast]] [[Return|Brisgoth Inn]]

You ask the innkeeper for a room, and he sighs but tells you that any of the ones upstairs are yours to choose. You head into one of the small rooms, and have to duck your head for the low ceiling. The room itself contains only a bed, a nightstand, and a shuttered window. You wait as night falls, and listen carefully. Late into the twilight hours, just as you are starting to struggle to stay awake, you hear something. The sound of roof tiles clattering, as something moves above you. [[Catch it by surprise]] [[Confront the creature]]

You quietly open the shutters, and wait for the sound above you to move away from your location. Then you pull yourself up and peek over the rooftop. You see a creature crawling along the roof, dressed in a baggy tattered cloak. If you have a bow and you wish to use it, you could snipe it while it is looking away. Otherwise, you will need to try to sneak up to it. <<hasitem "Shortbow">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $arrows > 0>> [[Shoot the creature]] <</if>> [[Sneak attack the creature]]

You throw open the shutters, and climb outside then up onto the roof. You hear a hiss as you do, and something moving back along the tiles. As you pull yourself up, you see the creature that was lurking. It's wearing a long baggy cloak, but from within it you see the movement of multiple limbs. [[Nox Jailer]]

As the creature pulls itself to its full height, its cloak falls away. Beneath you can see its true form. It is inhumanly tall, but its posture is crouched-over and hunched to conceal that. Two webbed batlike wings unfurl from its back, and its four long arms flex, each one tipped by vicious clawed hands. It fixes its glowing orange eyes at you, then opens its batlike mouth and screeches. The sound causes you to stumble back, the noise tearing at your eardrums and sending lashes of pain through your body. <<if $ironwill > 0>> Only the power of your Iron Will prevents you from taking further harm. You grit your teeth, and move in to the attack. <<else>> The agony of the creature's wail drains you of 2 Stamina. <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-2>> <</if>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Nox Jailer", "combat": 6, "stamina": 10, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "Examine the monster", "death": "JailerDied", "flee": "Brisgoth Village Square" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You draw your bow and take careful aim. From behind, the creature's body is just a lumpy form beneath its cloak, almost impossible to distinguish in the dark. Even so, you release your arrow and it flies true. It pierces into the beast's cloak, and it rises up. Its four clawed arms flail for a moment, then it shudders like a dying spider, and collapses on the ground. [[Examine the monster]]

You creep up silently behind the creature as it crawls along the edge of the roof. It's looking down at the streets below, and over at the other buildings in the village. It raises its head, and the cloak slips back to reveal enormous batlike ears that twist and move. It is a testament to your skill in silent movement that the creature doesn't hear you until it is too late. Just as you are within range, it tries to turn around, you strike it a vicious blow from behind. It screeches and wails, then crawls along the roof and lunges up to full height. It is inhumanly tall, but its posture is crouched-over and hunched to conceal that. Two webbed batlike wings unfurl from its back, and its four long arms flex, each one tipped by vicious clawed hands. It fixes its glowing orange eyes at you, then opens its batlike mouth and screeches. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Nox Jailer", "combat": 5, "stamina": 8, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "Examine the monster", "death": "JailerDied", "flee": "Brisgoth Village Square" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You push over the beast's corpse, and look down at its gaunt, batlike body. Beneath the cloak it is naked, and carries no items or trinkets of value. You kick it down from the rooftop, and climb back into your room then out of the inn. When the sun rises, you show the corpse to the innkeeper, and he is astonished by your skills. He and the other remaining villagers gather up what little coin they can spare, and give it to you as your reward for defeating the foul creature. You return to the inn, and are treated to some warm food and rest. [[Brisgoth Inn]] <<set $killedinbeast to true>> <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+4>> <<set $money to $money+10>>

You stumble, unable to fight any longer, and feel yourself falling forward onto the roof. The creature swoops forward, but instead of striking a killing blow, you feel its four long arms squeeze around your torso, and everything goes dark as its wings engulf you like a filthy blanket. You awaken some time later, your body aching and bruised. Your skin feels oily and damp for a moment, and you realise you are once again within Castle Nox. You are naked, your belongings gone, and lying down on a sticky, filthy wooden table. When you try to stand, you realise you are chained down with thick, unbreakable shackles. Your motion alerts a guard, who walks over towards you, his torch scattering shadows across the room. You shudder in disgust as the guard looms over you. He is completely inhuman, standing over six feet tall and with his body covered in thick green scales. His face is that of an enormous cobra, with a flared hood and serpent's fangs. He places the torch in a bracket, and then lifts something up to show you. It is a heavy, crude iron mask, shaped in the hideous visage of a twisted gargoyle with grotesque fangs and a piggish snout. He pulls it from the back, and it opens on a hinge. He then leans forward and forces it over your face. You grunt with pain as the rough metal digs into your skin, the mask squeezing down on you as he closes it and clicks the latch into place. The serpent reaches behind him, and pulls up a glowing, sizzling iron brand. You try to pull away, but you are trapped and can only scream as the serpent presses the burning brand to the mask, welding it permanently closed around your face. The serpent unlocks your shackles, but you are too burned and agonised to resist. He pulls you away, and you are dragged down a long, dark path that spirals down into the dark. His torch is the only light in this dark pit, and you pass countless cells where gibbering, frothing prisoners howl and reach out, clutching at you as you walk past. You are taken to one such cell, and the snake throws you in before locking the door behind you. You are left in utter darkness, surrounded by the screams and wails of the other prisoners. You try to remain strong, but hours later the true secret of these prisons becomes clear. As you are sitting back against the wall, the cell begins to glow, revealing blue sigils engraved within the stone. These grow brighter and brighter, until they burn agonisingly to the touch. You flail around in the cell, trying in vain not to touch or step on them, but they are everywhere. Eventually, you collapse, only twitching and gurgling as the sigils burn you. You feel them dragging something from inside you, tearing at your mind. When the light fades, you feel like your memories have become more scattered, more faint. Each night the terrible sigils return, feeding on more of your humanity bit by bit. In the harsh blue light, you see your fingers grow curved claws, your skin become mottled and patchy with beastlike hairs. Over days, then months, then years, you become more monstrous, and your human life fades into darkness, every thought and memory devoured by the magic, until you are nothing but a gibbering, hideous beast. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You sit down next to the unusual pair. Boss sneers at you, but Tiny scoots along to make space on the bench. Boss leans back against Tiny and starts to juggle a knife, tossing it from one hand to the other and spinning it in the air. "Once we're rich from looting that castle, we're going to start a new thief's guild somewhere 'round here. I'll be the leader, Tiny can be muscle. Maybe you can work under me, if you're useful. I'll be a big man." <<if $ironwill > 1>>Boss's thoughts echo in your head. //We're gonna be bloody rich. Tiny's fuckin' lucky he's got me to show him what to do. Soon I'll be the biggest man in the kingdom!// <</if>> <<if $ironwill > 1>>Tiny's thoughts echo in your head. //If my brother wants to do this, I'll look after him. He'd be useless without my keeping an eye on him.// <</if>> <<if !$knifethrowing>> <<if $money > 9>> [[Challenge him to knife throwing]] <<else>> Challenge him to knife throwing (Requires 10 Gold) <</if>> <</if>> <<if !$collartalk>> [[Ask why he expects to survive the castle]] <</if>> [[Return|Brisgoth Inn]]

Boss grins even wider, and his gold tooth glints in the firelight. "Your loss, chum. I'm the best knifeman in three counties." He stands up and points to a dartboard on the far wall, then slings three blades in rapid succession, which slam into the board with precise accuracy. <<statcheck 14 $skill "skill" "knifeyes" "knifeno">>

You demand to know this man's crimes. The villagers look at you with rage. "He's in league with demons! He's not one of us!" You try to explain to them that no one should be sacrificed to Nox, that what they are doing is wrong. One man raises a pitchfork at you, his face monstrous in the torchlight. "You're not one of us either, stranger. Careful how you speak." They are not interested in listening to you, it seems. <<if $am_orc > 0>> Your blood throbs and pounds inside your skull. Your orcish instincts see these pathetic, miserable creatures as such easy prey. <</if>> [[Fight the villagers]] [[Relent|Brisgoth Village Square]]

The villagers all back away nervously when you stride into their midst and up to the shackled man. When you reach down to lift him up, a few of them raise their pitchforks at you. "Hey, what the devil are you doing, stranger? Stop that now!", an old man says. You turn to him, and say that you will take this man's place and go with them willingly, if they set him free. The old man grits his teeth. "Why would we do that? Who are you, why would the castle want you?" You raise your hand and press your palm to the tip of a pitchfork. A trickle of blood drips down the metal. Even in the flickering orange firelight, the veins of black in your Nox-tainted blood are visible. Gasps of horror fill the crowd. The old man hesistates, then speaks in a shaky voice. "Alright, demon. Drop all your weapons and go with us peacefully, and we'll let this other sinner take his chances in the wilderness." There's no backing out of this now. [[Drop your belongings and allow yourself to be shackled]] [[Fight the villagers]]

This won't be easy. The villagers are frightened and whipped up into an angry mob. <<hasitem "Lute">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your lute will make this a little easier. <<statcheck 12 $charm "charm" "vsongsucceed" "vsongfail">> <<else>> <<statcheck 14 $charm "charm" "vsongsucceed" "vsongfail">> <</if>>

You tell the old shopkeeper you have some magical abilities, and he scoffs and rolls his eyes. <<statcheck 14 $magic "magic" "showmagicyes" "showmagicno">> <<set $magictestinshop to true>>

<<if $am_wolf == 1>> Your whole body tingles for a moment, and your senses flare into action. You can smell everything around you, hear every motion. Your lupine instincts rise up, and you feel an overwhelming urge to run free, to hunt and find your pack. As the sensations fill you, a tingling flows down your spine. You feel your tailbone ache, and begin to stretch. It grows out, stretching and lengthening, as thick soft fur grows from it. Your new tail begins to wag from side to side, and feels so right and so normal that you can't believe you didn't have one before. <<autoitem $i_wolftail i_wolftail>> <<set $am_wolf to 2>> <<elseif $am_wolf == 2>> You feel the familiar sensation of the wolf blessing course through your body, triggered once again by your experiences. It rushes up to your head, and your tongue lolls for a moment as lupine thoughts fill your mind. A desire to run, to hunt, to be one with the wilds. Your ears twitch, becoming more pointed, taller, larger. They push up at the sides of your head, as fur spreads across them. Your hair frizzes for a moment, as it becomes thicker and darker, becoming more like a pelt of fur on your head and down your neck. <<autoitem $i_wolfears i_wolfears>> <<set $am_wolf to 3>> <<elseif $am_wolf == 3>> Your feet begin to ache, the sensation growing intensely until you are unable to walk any further like this. You are forced to sit down and tug at your boots, pulling and trying to tear them free of your aching feet. Once you do, a sensation of great relief washes through you. You look down to see your feet shifting and transforming. Your toes bulge out, smaller ones moving up as your feet become longer. Your nails darken, sharpening into black claws that push out against the ground, while your soles stiffen, becoming black and tough. You stroke your hands over your strange new pawpads, and flex your toes as you realise your feet are now furless wolf paws. You will need to continue your adventure barefoot...or barepawed, as the case may be. A moment later, your hands ache too. You watch as your palms blacken, and your fingernails sharpen into canine claws. By now you are looking increasingly inhuman. <<autoitem $i_wolfpaws i_wolfpaws>> <<set $am_wolf to 4>> <<elseif $am_wolf == 4>> The change washes over you once more, this time stronger and more intense than you have ever felt it. Your whole body shakes with incredible energy, and you arch your back, look up to the sky, and howl with all your might. The sound vibrates through you, as your skin tingles and grows warm. Thick fur spreads across your skin, erupting from every follicle, coating you in a thick protective pelt. The dark fur spreads down your chest, across your legs, down your tail and paws, completely covering you. You shudder and moan, flexing your fingers, feeling it cover you, until finally the sensation is finished. You lean forward, your posture shifted, your body changed. You are now unrecognisable as a human, your whole body now that of a powerful wolf-person coated in sleek black fur. Your eyes glow yellow, as predatory thoughts fill your mind. <<autoitem $i_myfur i_myfur>> <<set $am_wolf to 5>> <</if>>

<<if $am_orc == 1>> Your muscles ache, swelling and thickening under your clothing. Blood drips from your mouth as your jaw thickens, your lower canines thickening, curving from your lips, and swelling into enormous tusks. <<autoitem $i_tusks i_tusks>> <<set $am_orc to 2>> <<elseif $am_orc == 2>> Your head pounds, and your heartbeat grows faster. You feel a terrible heat in your head, an overwhelming urge to kill, maim and destroy. Your ears stretch out, growing pointed and wide. Your hair rises up, bristling like boar's fur as it darkens into a night-black mane down the back of your neck. <<autoitem $i_orcmane i_orcmane>> <<set $am_orc to 3>> <<elseif $am_orc == 3>> Your muscles suddenly seize up for a moment, a terrible burning flowing through you. You feel as though you've exerted yourself far beyond your limits, as if every muscle in your body is tearing apart. Then the feeling passes, and you feel a growing weight around you. As you stand up again, your feel your body stretching out and becoming more dense. Your muscles bulge and thicken to the point that your clothing can barely contain them, and your height grows by more than a foot. You are enormous. <<autoitem $i_orcbody i_orcbody>> <<set $am_orc to 4>> <<elseif $am_orc == 4>> Your grey skin itches and burns, and you find yourself pulling off what remains of your clothing until you are completely naked. You look down at yourself, and see your skin becoming rockier and harder. Your fingernails thicken and darken, bulging out into claws, and you realise your skin is now as hard as stone. <<autoitem $i_orcskin i_orcskin>> <<set $am_orc to 5>> <</if>>

<<if $am_donkey == 1>> Your whole body is covered in a strange, tingling sensation. As it grows stronger and stronger, it becomes oddly ticklish. You squirm and wriggle, trying to contain the energy inside you. Suddenly, you burst out laughing, and as you laugh it becomes louder and harsher, until with a loud screeching sound you erupt with a HEE-HAWWWW. You bray again, and again, and each time you do, your face pushes out more and more, stretching out into an equine, inhuman muzzle. <<autoitem $i_bray i_bray>> <<set $am_donkey to 2>> <<elseif $am_donkey == 2>> You feel the tickly sensation return, and your long ears twitch and wiggle. You are sure you are about to sneeze, and you clutch at your muzzle as you squirm and pant With a sudden rush, you let out another loud braying HEE-HAW! As you do, you bend forward, and you feel your pants tear open as a tail bursts forth from behind you. You turn to look at it, and it wags to-and-fro, the end tufted with dark fur. You think it looks quite handsome. Everyone will be terribly jealous! <<autoitem $i_donkeytail i_donkeytail>> <<set $am_donkey to 3>> <<elseif $am_donkey == 3>> The ticklish sensation tingles once again across your entire body, this time moving towards your feet. You squirm on the spot as your boots suddenly feel terribly uncomfortable, your skin itching and aching against the leather interior. You sit down and quickly tug them off, then breathe a sigh of relief once your feet are free. Yet the sensation doesn't seem to end there. You watch as your toes start to darken to a glossy, deep black. Then they bulge out, growing stiff and hard. Experimentally, you stand up, and balance on your toes as you watch them fuse together, growing bigger and harder. You hop from one to the other, hearing the clopping sound as you land atop your new, growing hooves. The feeling makes you giggle, and you start to hop and dance, bouncing around on your big donkey hooves with dexterity and ease. You end your dance by jumping into the air and clapping your hooves together, then fall into a fit of hee-haw hysterics. What a wonderful new change! <<autoitem $i_donkeyhooves i_donkeyhooves>> <<set $am_donkey to 4>> <<elseif $am_donkey == 4>> This time when the tickly feeling returns, it is nothing like what it was before. It's all over your body, tingling over every inch of your skin, changing and feeling and adjusting you. You find yourself wriggling and squirming, laughing uncontrollably with your braying HEE-HAW laughter. From all over your body, soft grey fur begins to sprout. It spreads over your limbs, covering your chest, prickling up over your snout. Your posture shifts, your body adjusting, changing. All over, the last traces of your humanity are washed away by a tide of donkey fur, until you are left standing on your hooves with a big dopey grin on your face, now fully a bipedal donkey-person in every way. <<autoitem $i_myfur i_myfur>> <<set $am_donkey to 5>> <</if>>

Boss grins, and you see the glint of a golden tooth in his smile. "We're PREPARED, us. Used to be pretty big-name crooks in the next province over. Had a whole thieves guild under me, until some er, troubles. Honestly we were just here for looting that baron's place, but the castle sounds like a bigger haul." He opens his cloak to show you his tunic, which appears to be made of iridescent fish scales. "Magic armour, you see? That's not all either!" He reaches over and taps his brother's arm, and Tiny lifts his enormous hamhock-like arms to show you bronze bangles around his wrists. "Orc strength bracers!", Boss says with glee. <<if $am_orc > 0>> He then glances at you and raises his hands nervously. "Uh, no offense. Just what they're called, probably not a patch on the real thing, nosir..." <</if>> "Got a bunch of other random bits and bobs too. You get all sorts when you're fencing stolen shit, sometimes people turn in the weirdest crap, and I been keeping the best bits. Well, some of this isn't that useful." He reaches into his pack and shows you a thick dog collar. "Ain't got a dog for this. It's meant to make em stronger though I guess. I'd love to see how, exactly, but I ain't got nothing to test it on." <<if $am_wolf > 0>> He glances up at you, taking note of your lupine snout, then down at the collar. "Uh...that face of yours...uh, never mind." [[Let him test the collar on you]] <<else>> Before he shoves it away, he hesitates. "You can have this one if you want. It is magic though, I gotta ask a fair price..." <<buyitem $i_magiccollar magiccollar 6>> <</if>> <<set $collartalk to true>> [[Brisgoth Inn]]

You touch the collar, and feel a faint pulse of magic within it. It sends a tingle of sensation through your skin, and is clearly enchanted. You tell Boss that you'd be willing to try the collar. If it works on canines, your connection to the wolf spirit might make it work for you. You could use any benefit you can get. He sighs with relief. "Oh good! I was pretty much thinking you looked like a dog. I wanna see what this thing can do." You let that slide, but a faint growl from your throat stops him from saying anything further. Boss is shorter than you, so you bend down slightly and allow him to unclasp the collar, and then place it around your neck. As he fastens it, you feel a rush of heat and energy flow through your body. You do feel stronger, faster. There is something else, though. A pressure growing in your mind, pushing you down, making it hard to think. Your legs wobble for a moment, and you feel an overwhelming urge to drop to your knees, to be lower than Boss, to serve him, to be his good dog. <<statcheck 12 $faith "faith" "CollarSucceed" "CollarFail">>

The boy who runs the stable lets you pick which animal you want, and takes your payment. "Look after em, ok? I'm hoping to get them out of here before the curse takes us all...", he says. You stroke the mule's muzzle, and it follows behind you obediently. <<if $ironwill > 1>>The mule's thoughts echo in your head. //I hope this traveller has more luck than I did. Though being a mule ain't so bad...// <</if>> [[Brisgoth Stables]] <<autoitem $i_packmule>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <<set $INVENTORY.push($i_empty)>> <<set $boughtmule to true>> <<set $money to $money-10>>

The collar speaks to you, telling you what a good dog you are, what an obedient pet. How you must be loyal, must be obedient. That it will make you strong, so long as you are a good dog, a good companion. You drop to your knees, clutching at the collar and struggling to pull it off, but it won't budge. Be a good dog. A good, obedient dog. So easy to give in, to obey, to wag your tail. "Uh, are you ok? This er, don't look that good...", Boss mumbles. Boss. Master. You try to say something to him, but your voice comes out as a strangled growl. He backs away slightly. A tingling flows down your spine. You feel your tailbone ache, and begin to stretch. It grows out, stretching and lengthening, as thick soft fur grows from it. Your new tail begins to wag from side to side, and feels so right and so normal that you can't believe you didn't have one before. You look up at Boss, your tongue lolling. You struggle to speak as best you can, but there's only one thing you can think to say. "Am I...good...dog?", you growl. Boss looks at Tiny in surprise, then grins. "Yeeeah. Yeah, you're a real good dog", he says as he rubs his hands together. Your eyes roll up in your head as an incredible pleasure flows through you. Your mind whites out, and you shudder with incredible bliss and contentment. A good dog... You fall to all fours, your hands shifting and morphing. Your palms become padded and dark, and your fingernails sharpen into points. Boss walks over, and carefully touches your head. His fingers stroke through your hair, and your tail wags madly with delight. The collar commands you to lick him, and you do. He scratches under your chin, and you feel fur spreading across your body. You wriggle out of your clothes, and nuzzle against your master, inhaling his scent, loving his touch, his commands. "Roll over", he commands. You do so immediately, feeling your mind break down more. Your will is just to do as your owner commands, to obey the collar's power, to accept and focus on being a good pet. Master strokes and rubs your belly, and your body shifts and adjusts more, becoming quadrupedal. Your ears twitch, becoming tall and pointed, and you feel your mind fading, losing your sense of self in this ocean of pleasure. You close your eyes, and the last of your resistance fades. When you reopen them, your eyes are the deep simple browl of a feral dog. Master grins and gives a thumbs-up to Tiny. "Looks like we're even better prepared now than before! What luck!" Your journey as a human ends here. You are part of Boss and Tiny's journey now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The collar speaks to you, telling you what a good dog you are, what an obedient pet. How you must be loyal, must be obedient. That it will make you strong, so long as you are a good dog, a good companion. <<include "WolfTF">> You clench your fists, and fight back against the collar's commands. You are no dog, you are a wolf! You have loyalty to your pack, as one among equals. You are no pet or servant. Boss and Tiny back away slightly as you growl and shudder. You raise your head high, and let out a loud howl. You feel something in the collar snap, and the mental feeling subsides. You reach up and pull at the collar, but it won't come off. It is clearly cursed, but at least it does seem to have actually made you stronger. "Uh...so did it do anything? You looked real weird there for a bit", Boss says. You tell him that yes, it worked but it seemed to have had a curse. He coughs. "Well if you're keeping it, I figure you owe me some mon...ey.." He stops when he sees your eyes glowing, and your fangs bared. He raises his hands cautiously. "You know what? That one's on the house." [[Brisgoth Inn]] <<autoitem $i_cursedcollar i_cursedcollar>>

The villagers are shocked by your sudden assault. They are poor fighters, but they have an advantage in numbers. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Mob", "combat": 5, "stamina": 8, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "villagersdead", "death": "Death", "flee": "villagersflee" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You slice a line across your palm, and drip it slowly over his muzzle. He stares at you, his yellow eyes glowing. "Just enough, eh? For a few seconds, maybe. Black blood, you said I can do as I wish. I wish to be myself, one final time." The black blood soaking his fur thickens, covering him in a glistening ebony cocoon. Then it melts away, and standing where the Beast was is nothing but an ordinary man. He's mature, his hair starting to grey, and his muscles are hard and his skin weathered. He looks down at his scarred hands, and lifts a simple short sword. "So be it then. I die human, like the ones I lost." [[Finish him]]

This fight is no epic battle, nothing like the clash against the Beast's mighty leonine form. It's just a normal human, and by now you are nothing of the sort. In one blow you knock his sword aside and impale him. He slumps to the ground, closing his eyes. "Will I be free of fighting, do you think?" Then he collapses. The Beast is dead, and no one knew his name. Now, truly, you are an orc. <<include "OrcTF">> <<include "OrcTF">> You stand silently for a moment, your blood hot in your chest. When the adrenaline of battle slowly fades, you feel empty and heavy. You look down at the crumpled body of the man who became the Beast. Then you kneel down, and lift him up. He was a mercenary, and he died in battle. There is something you must do. You carry him up, out of the cavern, up the tunnels. You take him to the graveyard, and you begin to dig. The soil is wet and heavy, but you have done this before. Too many times, now. You bury him, and mark the mound with his sword, as you did for all the Ashen Blades. He is one of you. This experience has increased your skill points, though it has wounded your heart. You realise you're holding something in your hand that you don't remember picking up. Manslayer, the broken and jagged weapon from when you became an orc. It looks different now. Beaten and hammered by battle, forged into a thick and sombre blade. There is no magic in it, yet it means something new to you now. A blade of ashen black. <<item $i_ashenblade i_ashenblade>> There is nothing more to be done here. It is time to face the Lords of Nox. [[Return to the main castle, and face the Lords|Proceed to the Four Gates]] <<if !$beastskill>> <<set $skillpoints to $skillpoints+1>> <<set $beastskill to true>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Manslayer">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <</if>> <<set $bloodknight to true>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[8] to true>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[9] to true>>

Boss hands you three daggers from his pouch to use, and they fly from your hands in a blur. Boss's mouth opens in shock as the knives land in a perfect cluster around the bullseye. Tiny looks over, and says in a deep rumbling voice "Second best, now". Boss snarls at him, and his face reddens. "Alright, fine. You're not half bad. Here, we'll have plenty where this came from once we sneak into that castle anyway." He tosses you a pouch of coins, then takes his seat again. You hear him grinding his teeth as you walk away. [[Offer to buy them both drinks]] [[Leave|Brisgoth Inn]] <<set $money to $money+10>> <<set $knifethrowing to true>>

Boss hands you three daggers from his pouch to use, and you toss them over to the board just like he did. With two thunks, your knives strike against the board, but the third hits the edge and clatters to the floor without sticking. Boss chuckles nastily behind you. "Told ya. That was alright for a beginner though. Maybe if you join our guild I'll let you polish my boots." You hand over your money for losing the bet, and Tiny gives you an apologetic look. [[Brisgoth Inn]] <<set $money to $money-10>> <<set $knifethrowing to true>>

You concentrate, and summon two pillars of light from each hand. You then weave them together, splitting the light into beams of colour and then overlaying them like a cat's cradle. This type of magic usage requires an incredible amount of focus and control. As you twist and bend the beams of light, they begin to emit pleasant humming sounds. Beads of sweat drip down your forehead as your brain aches from the complexity of holding each of the beams in perfect spatial relation to each other. Finally, you weave them back into one beam that arcs between your hands, and then clap them together. The old man grunts. "Hrumph. Modern flashy nonsense. I don't need an apprentice, that sign is from years ago." You feel a bit annoyed, considering how difficult that had been to do. As you turn to leave, though, he calls out to you. "Hey. Take a look in that chest by the door. Got an old rag in there, throw it in the garbage for me. I don't need it." You look down at the chest, which is engraved with mage's sigils to prevent unwanted intrusion. As you crack it open, you are surprised to see a beautiful silken mage's robe. The markings indicate this is for a fourth-rank archmage! You look over at the old man, but he ignores you. This robe would provide impressive protection if worn over your other clothes. <<item $i_magerobe i_magerobe>> [[Brisgoth General Store]]

You reach up and summon light from your hands, illuminating the room around you. With some effort, you focus on shifting the light and twisting its colours, engulfing the room in a shimmering haze as you do. Your hand brushes against something dangling from the ceiling, and your light suddenly vanishes. It's some sort of old puppet on tangled strings, and it begins to cackle and thrash around, its eyes glowing. The old man grunts at you. "Now look what you've done. Stupid thing is triggered by magic and it'll be keeping me up all night. Get gone, whippersnapper." You are annoyed, but the old man clearly has no indication of giving you another chance. [[Brisgoth General Store]]

The creature raises its head suddenly, revealing long batlike ears. It throws itself to the side, scuttling and weaving, and then twists and lunges towards you. [[Nox Jailer]]

You stroke your hand across Rayleigh's muzzle, and he snorts slightly. His deep brown eyes are filled with contentment and simple, feral happiness. In your journey since you were reunited, he has served you with absolutely loyalty. You have sensed nothing but happiness from him in his new form. When you consider how tormented his soul was trapped inside Nox, compared to how content and happy he seems now, it makes you wonder whether accepting such a simple life could be the answer to freeing yourself of the curse and burden of seeking the castle. Rayleigh seems to recognise your thoughts, and he looks up at you, his eyes connecting with yours. Perhaps it's how close you are to the castle now, or perhaps some lingering enchantment inside him, but you feel a shiver of sensation flow through you. Your skin tingles for a moment, and you feel your ears stretch and move, adjusting on your skull as they grow longer. Your body aches, and you feel your muscles shifting as your bones creak and adjust. Your clothing strains to handle your shifting form, and finally gives way, falling to the ground in pieces. You feel a shudder of pleasure roll through you, building up until it forms a loud bray that erupts from your mouth. Your faces pushes forward, your teeth becoming wider and flatter, your skull growing a thick and broad muzzle to match your long furry donkey ears. Your hands clench into fists, darkening as you feel them harden and stiffen into wide hooves. You stumble, falling forward onto all fours with a clopping sound. You shake yourself, letting your clothing fall away, and stand up on your four hooves. You look over yourself, feeling your neck get longer and thicker, your rump wider and rounder. A tail flicks out behind you, the end tasseled and tufted and you see a pelt of soft grey fur covering your growing body completely. Rayleigh leans forward, his head gently rubbing against yours. You press against him, nuzzling together for a moment as your mind grows calm, still, peaceful. Your human thoughts melt away as you step forward against him, inhaling his scent. His body touches to yours, and then his soul as well. You feel it like a spring breeze, gently blowing away your fears and worries, inviting you to become like him. To give up humanity and be a beast of the fields, a strong donkey to be with this powerful stallion. The gate to his stall falls open, and he steps out. You shudder, feeling yourself giving in more and more, feeling your mind melt away and leave only simple instinct, animal desires. He sniffs at your behind, his warm breath touching on your equine genitals. Propositioning you. Your whole body feels hot and electricified with desire, and you cannot help but lift your tufted tail. Rayleigh rises up, his huge heavy body pressing down on you. His hooves slide down your shoulders, his head beside your neck. Then you feel the thickness of his enormous, throbbing equine cock as it presses against you, then thrusts into you. He mounts you, thrusting and pounding as with each motion, your old self is washed away. You surrender completely to your desire, and together you whinny as you feel him fill your insides with hot, gushing equine seed. By the time he slides free, there is nothing left of your old self, only a mighty stallion and his adoring donkey, mates and lovers. Eventually a person from the village will find you and look after you, but your worries and duties are no more. You are a donkey now, and forever. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

As you open the engraved box, you realise it is a summoner's binding. These enchanted boxes are used to store and restrain summoned beasts once a summoner and binder have pacified them. The interior of the box begins to glow, revealing an intricate web of lines and sigils. You feel a powerful tugging sensation that makes you feel dizzy and weak. <<statcheck 12 $faith "faith" "succeed_box" "fail_box">> <<set $summonbinding to true>>

With great effort, you pull your eyes away from the glowing lines. Your arms ache as you reach forward and slam the box closed. As soon as it shuts, the sensation fades, and the box feels somehow lighter. You find you are able to open and close it with no effort now. Whatever lingering power was in the box, it is now inert. You may take the box, or leave it. <<item $i_summonersbox i_summonersbox>> [[Brisgoth General Store]]

You try to drag your eyes away from the lights, but they seem to have a hold on you. The weblike lines crawl out from the interior of the box and shimmer in the air, before wrapping around your wrists, ankles and neck. They tighten, but you don't feel any pressure on your skin. Instead, it feels like something is clamping down on your very soul. As the light from the box grows brighter, the shopkeeper ducks behind his counter and hides. You try to pull away, but the lines begin to pull back against the box. You see something emerging from your hands - ghostly, translucent blue fingers, and then arms. When you flex your hands, you see the spectral hands move, while your physical hands go numb and droop lifelessly. The webs pull you firmer, and you step forward suddenly, feeling a tearing, splitting sensation as your spirit is dragged out from your body. Your body turns grey and drops to its knees, while you look down to see yourself as just a faint ghostly blue figure. With one final wrenching feeling, you separate completely, and the webs suspend you in the air, bound and helpless. You look at the box, desperately seeking a way to escape this situation. With it fully open, you can sense that it once held a summoned spirit of fire, but that the summoning has become weak and corrupted with time. The web of sigils starts to grow hotter, turning red and searing your spirit as the power surges. To your horror, you see your fallen body begin to blacken and burn up. Your flesh bursts into flame, reduced down to ashes in mere moments. As the flame and heat rises, it swirls around you, and you feel the fire flow into your soul, making you glow brighter, stronger, hotter. The blue glow of your spirit begins to turn a flickering, crimson red. Your spectral head aches, as two bulges form from your skull and erupt into a pair of massive, jagged horns. Your hands and feet bulge, growing larger as powerful red-hot claws rip from your fingers and toes. Your bones creak, shifting and changing to support a larger, more beastlike body, as you grow bigger and stronger. A long tail lashes out from your behind, while glowing red fur spreads across your body, and your face bulges out into a beastlike muzzle filled with enormous fangs, a cross between a savage lion and a snarling wolf. The power is intoxicating, overwhelming. Your human life feels like a strange dream, something trivial and brief. You want to burn the shop around you, to consume this village in flames, to revel in fire and destruction. You are the flame, the roar of the bonfire, the crackle of burning wood, the shimmering heat! The enchantment in the box tugs on you suddenly, and you feel a sense of satisfaction and purpose from it. It has found the creature it was meant to contain. You bat at it contemptuously, but it blazes with light. White lines wrap around you, and you feel heavy weights on your wrists. You look down to see spectral shackles engraved with magical signs clapped around your forepaws. With another flash, more of them appear at your hindpaws, and then with an even larger flash, you feel a weight around your neck, creating a massive magical collar. You are the flame. The...bound flame. The heat in the hearth, the light of a torch. Flame subdued by man, to serve and obey. Your raging free spirit cools, and you think only of obedience. The box draws you in, pulling you into its depths, and then slams closed. It falls to the floor, the light in the shop fading, as within it you sleep and await your next master. Your journey as a human ends here. Your spirit has become a magical beast, awaiting the next magic user who can make use of you. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The slumped corpses of the villagers lie strewn about you, their torches guttering on the street. The chained man is gone. He must have fled while you were fighting. <<if $am_orc > 0>> Your pounding head subsides only when you realise you are soaked with blood. Those pathetic weaklings were nothing but chaff beneath your feet. <<include "OrcTF">> <</if>> There is nothing left for you here now. You must proceed to Castle Nox, and your destiny. [[Leave town|I am ready]] <<set $evildeeds to $evildeeds+1>>

You break away from the violent mob, and quickly flee from the village. They pursue you for some distance, but as Castle Nox becomes visible in the distance, they break away and let you leave.

Your music falls on deaf ears. The villagers barely notice you at first, then look at you with annoyance. "Begone, troubador! We are dealing with serious business!" The chained man backs away as the villagers turn to you, but the clinking of his shackles gives him away. One woman raises her torch. "The stranger is trying to distract us! They're in league together!" The mob turns on you, angry and violent. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Mob", "combat": 6, "stamina": 8, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "villagersdead", "death": "Death", "flee": "villagersflee" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You sing a merry tavern song, something ribald and cheerful. The villagers ignore you at first, but your insistent cheerfulness slowly begins to get through to them. They turn away from their prisoner, watching you with curiosity and a few slight smiles. Your eyes glance meaningfully to the prisoner. He nods at you, and slowly backs away once the villagers are no longer staring at him. One villager starts tapping his foot to the beat of your song, then stops when another glares at him. Nonetheless, their attention is all yours, and you take a bow when you finish. The leader of the mob, an old man, scoffs at you and rolls his eyes. "Bards", he mutters. They all turn back to what they were doing, and then begin to yell and panic when they realise their prisoner is gone. You quickly abscond as well, before they take too much notice of you. <<include "DonkeyTF">> You feel more confident in your abilities due to your good deed. <<set $faith to $faith+1>> [[Quickly leave town|I am ready]]

You drop your items, and the villagers watch nervously as you strip down, leaving behind all your armour and weapons. Only once you are naked does one of them hesitantly walk forward, and clasp a heavy metal collar around your neck. When you show no resistance, they also lock some shackes onto your hands. The old man walks over to their original captive and unlocks his bindings, before allowing him to free. "Come on then. We will take this forsaken one to Nox, and pray that the castle will leave us in peace in exchange for our surrender", the old man says. The villagers hold onto the chain at the end of your shackles, and drag you out of town. You are forced to walk barefoot in the mud, the heavy bondage chafing against your skin. As you reach the crossroads outside of town, you see something already waiting there, in the dark. A large black prison carriage with bars covering the back. Inside of it, a few huddled chained prisoners are waiting miserably for their fate. The coachman for the carriage looks over as the villagers approach with you in tow. His body is concealed under a thick black cloak and wide-brimmed hat, but his size and movement shows he is not human. "A prisoner for the castle. A sacrifice from the wretches, to beg leniency...yes..." The coachman walks over, and you hear him sniffing the air like an animal. He makes a rumbling noise, and you see his eyes glint in the darkness. "Begone, humans!", he croaks. The villagers flee, their mob bravery dwindling in the face of an actual monster. Once they are gone, he moves up against you, and you can smell the strange, leathery scent of his body. "Already bonded, journeyed far...yes, no ordinary meat is this. You are already powerful..." The creature grabs your chain and drags you forward. You try to pull back, but the bindings around your arms and neck are too thick to break free from. The creature reaches under its robes, and pulls out a muzzle made from iron bars. It forces it over your mouth, and pulls the leather straps tight against the back of your head. He then takes the chains and fastens them to the front of his carriage, before climbing up onto it and taking a seat. "Pull, beast!", he cackles. You cry out with pain as the sharp crack of a whip flashes against your bare back. You try to step forward, pushing your feet against the muddy road, but the heavy carriage can't possibly move. Another crack of pain lashes against your back, and the coachman laughs with a bubbling, choking sound. After another line of agony slashes across your back, you roar and heave forward, and somehow the carriage slowly begins to move. Bit by bit, your body aching and your muscles burning, you drag the carriage along the swampy tracks down towards the beach. Any time you stop or falter, the whip returns. Your back is a tapestry of pain, and you can think of nothing but pulling, dragging, moving forward. Bit by bit, the carriage picks up speed. The mud under your bare feet sinks in deeper, as if you're getting heavier, larger. The weight seems less severe, your muscles and bones seem to bulge and swell and grow. You try to look down at yourself, and see in the moonlight that your skin looks strange. Thick and rough, slowly turning a craggy, dirty shade of green. You can't look long though, as more of the whip makes you bellow, a deep rumbling sound like a bull rumbling from your growing, thickening throat. You step forward, thinking only of pulling, of the weight, of moving forward. Your head aches, thoughts becoming more difficult as a growing weight presses onto your brain, a weight that bulges out and emerges from your skull as a pair of enormous, heavy horns. With each step they get longer, and your face pushes out more to fill the shape of the muzzle strapped to you. Your teeth aches, two tusks curving out from your jaw and sliding through holes in the muzzle. Your skin gets rough and dark, your feet leaving enormous prints in the dirt, your body growing so massive and musclebound that the carriage barely reaches to your shoulders. By the time you reach the castle, you are unrecognisable as a human. The beast pulling the carriage has thick, warty green skin, the head of an enormous bull, and muscles like tree trunks. You snort dumbly, struggling to think, to remember why you are here. As you watch the prisoners be unloaded, all you can think of is that you are happy for a brief rest, before you must pull the carriage once more. Always pulling it, as the monstrous beast of burden for this cursed prison coach. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

<<statcheck 14 $skill "skill" "Nox Jailer (Weakened)" "SneakJailerFail">>

<<statcheck 10 $skill "skill" "Fire an arrow at the creature" "SneakJailerFail">> <<set $arrows to $arrows-1>>

<<sellitem $i_dagger dagg 3>> <<sellitem $i_staff staff 2>> <<sellitem $i_sword swrd 4>> <<sellitem $i_mace mce 3>> <<sellitem $i_axe axe 4>> <<sellitem $i_shield sshield 4>> <<sellitem $i_food sfood 2>> <<sellitem $i_laumspur i_laumspur 3>> <<sellitem $i_healthpotion hpotion 4>> <<sellitem $i_alether i_alether 4>> <<sellitem $i_aletherpotion apotion 7>> <<sellitem $i_wolfpelt wolfpelt 4>> <<sellitem $i_deerpelt deerpelt 3>> <<sellitem $i_deerantler deerantler 2>> <<sellitem $i_goldmace goldmace 20>> [[Brisgoth General Store]]

- meet wolves on the way - see the cult again - connery is in stables. was put there by his girlfriend who is a bdsm demon now also consider: - romance options for discussing the wolves - different ways to beat the wolf and fairy thing, same outcome - romance options as an orc -- dire wolf is in sten's arena -- stablemaster was sold as a slave to the thief -- nick is in the charm region losing a gamble to zelig locks you out of any non-promotion class and unlocks the promotion class zelig assassin, with 4 skill points, a rat's tail, and better stats than all starting classes. zelig assassin can never defeat zelig zelig can turn off the back button for his gambles

One day as you were scouting their land, you heard the sounds of battle. You rushed ahead to find two wolf natives surrounded by an army of the red-coated invaders. While they were putting up a strong fight, they were clearly outmatched. You waded into the fray with no concern for your own safety, striking down foe after foe. Your Nox-enhanced skills made you a fearsome warrior, and the invaders who had expected easy prey soon found their morale broken. As they fled, the two wolves introduced themselves as Helki and Sikah, a brother and sister. Though they didn't fully trust you, they said they owed you a debt, and escorted you to their village. [[The Wolf Village]] <<set $might to $might+1>>

You observed the villagers for some time, listening in on their conversations and slowly picking up bits and pieces of their language. It bore some resemblance to other languages within the archipelago, but with a different focus on consonants that were easy to pronounce with a wolflike snout. After you were confident enough about what you learned, you approached the village openly, and declared yourself a friend seeking peace in your best approximation of their tongue. They were shocked to find an outsider who cared to learn their language, and soon invited you inside to meet them. [[The Wolf Village]] <<set $charm to $charm+1>>

The mark of Nox in your blood attracted monsters and horrors, but it was not all darkness. It had also brought you closer to the astral realm, allowing you to see and communicate with nature spirits. The forest was filled with tiny green forest sprites, who you slowly befriended and learned from. The odd creatures guided you to the village, where the guards initially reacted with alarm, until their shaman pushed past them to say that this stranger was a friend of the forest. You were guided inside to meet the wolf people. [[The Wolf Village]] <<set $magic to $magic+1>>

Under cover of night you sneaked into the village and swiped a totem from what you believed was the shaman's hut. You waited a few days for them to notice it was missing and become alarmed, before you visited them and offered it back. You claimed you had recovered it from a raiding part of some of the invaders and that you had a vision that you must return it. The wolf people seemed to believe you and invited you inside, but as you entered, the shaman walked up to you and smacked you on the head. He then laughed and left you alone though, so the other villagers simply assumed it was part of his eccentricity. [[The Wolf Village]] <<set $skill to $skill+1>>

To your surprise, the people who lived here were all wolf-human hybrids, with fur, muzzles and tails. Yet none of them bore the mark of Nox. You spoke to the village elder, who explained to you how this came to be. The castle of Nox is drawn to places of great strife and suffering. In the distant past, their people had been conquered before by people from across the sea, who intended to wipe them out. The castle was drawn forth by the violence and terror inflicted in that war, and a leader of their people travelled to it. He returned alive, but in the form of a mighty wolf. He spread the wolf-form to the other villages, and that war ended with them pushing back the invaders. Generations have passed since then, but the wolf form remained. Knowing now that these people are not monsters, and hoping to learn more of Nox, you assisted them in their fight. They taught you their guerilla tactics, and you harassed and raided the invaders, slowly pushing them back. [[I fell in love with a wolf man]] [[I fell in love with a wolf woman]] [[I made many friends among the wolves]]

You became deeply invested in the plight of the wolves. Weeks turned to months, and as you fought alongside them, you became more and more like them. You wore their clothing, ate their food, and participated in their rituals. One wolf, a tall and powerful male called Helki, remained consistently against you staying with them. He and his sister were two of their strongest warriors, and both were covered in many battle scars. One night during a dance, he strode up to the fire and said that all humans must be destroyed, and that you could not be trusted. After he stormed away, the chief reassured you that you were welcome, and that Helki's hatred came from the loss of his parents to the invaders. Over time, and as you fought and showed your worth over and over, Helki's disgust of you slowly cooled. He stopped insulting you, and you began to notice him staring at you oddly while you were out on missions. One night in winter, while you were waiting to ambush a supply caravan of invaders, there was a terrible avalanche. The caravan was destroyed, but your friends barely managed to avoid being buried alive. Helki was so busy helping others that he did not notice a huge drift of snow about to crash down on him, until you shoved him out of the way with all your might. Everything went dark as you were smothered under the snow. The next thing you knew, you were slowly awakening to the feeling of warmth returning to you. In front of you was a flickering fire lighting up a small cave, while behind you was the massive, furry bulk of Helki's body. He explained that while the others headed back to the village, he had stayed to dig you out. His fingers were blistered and blue, but he had brought you to a nearby cave to warm your body and try to save your life. He apologised for his rash actions when you first met, and admitted that he had come to admire you over the months, and perhaps something more. That night, you lay with him and both of you explored one another as the snow drifted down outside. After that event, you and Helki became inseparable. You were a perfect team, fighting the war out in the field and living together back in the village. Unfortunately, your happiness could not last. One night the village was raided, and you and Helki were forced to split up to try and defend from an attack from two sides. The battle was brutal and long, but you managed to save the village. Sadly, you could not save Helki. After the fight, you found his sister mourning over him, and she told you that he had fought off over a dozen warriors to save his people. He was the only casualty, a true hero who has shown incredible courage to save everyone else. Your time with Helki had been short, but his loss caused a wound in your heart that may never fully heal. [[The End of the Wolf War]]

You became deeply invested in the plight of the wolves. Weeks turned to months, and as you fought alongside them, you became more and more like them. You wore their clothing, ate their food, and participated in their rituals. One wolf, a tall and powerful female called Sikah, remained consistently against you staying with them. She and her brother were two of their strongest warriors, and both were covered in many battle scars. One night during a dance, she strode up to the fire and said that all humans must be destroyed, and that you could not be trusted. After she stormed away, the chief reassured you that you were welcome, and that Sikah's hatred came from the loss of her parents to the invaders. Over time, and as you fought and showed your worth over and over, Sikah's disgust of you slowly cooled. She stopped insulting you, and you began to notice her staring at you oddly while you were out on missions. One night in winter, while you were waiting to ambush a supply caravan of invaders, there was a terrible avalanche. The caravan was destroyed, but your friends barely managed to avoid being buried alive. Sikah was so busy helping others that she did not notice a huge drift of snow about to crash down on her, until you shoved her out of the way with all your might. Everything went dark as you were smothered under the snow. The next thing you knew, you were slowly awakening to the feeling of warmth returning to you. In front of you was a flickering fire lighting up a small cave, while behind you was the massive, furry bulk of Sikah's body. She explained that while the others headed back to the village, she had stayed to dig you out. Her fingers were blistered and blue, but she had brought you to a nearby cave to warm your body and try to save your life. She apologised for his rash actions when you first met, and admitted that she had come to admire you over the months, and perhaps something more. That night, you lay with her and both of you explored one another as the snow drifted down outside. After that event, you and Sikah became inseparable. You were a perfect team, fighting the war out in the field and living together back in the village. Unfortunately, your happiness could not last. One night the village was raided, and you and Sikah were forced to split up to try and defend from an attack from two sides. The battle was brutal and long, but you managed to save the village. Sadly, you could not save Sikah. After the fight, you found her brother mourning over her, and he told you that she had fought off over a dozen warriors to save her people. She was the only casualty, a true hero who has shown incredible courage to save everyone else. Your time with Sikah had been short, but her loss caused a wound in your heart that may never fully heal. [[The End of the Wolf War]]

You became deeply invested in the plight of the wolves. Weeks turned to months, and as you fought alongside them, you became more and more like them. You wore their clothing, ate their food, and participated in their rituals. You became close friends with many of the wolves, from the odd and eccentric shaman, to the grizzled and wise leader, to the many rough and powerful warriors. They welcomed you into their pack, and you mourned the loss of each and every one that fell in the many battles against the invaders. [[The End of the Wolf War]]

After a long year of struggle, the invaders finally gave in. With your help, their supply lines had been crushed, and the cost of the war had become too great. The wolf people cheered and gave thanks to the spirits as they watched the sails of the invaders disappear into the horizon. In the celebration afterwards, the elder came to you once more, and asked if you wished to become a wolf, like them. If you did, you would likely never be able to live among humans, but you would be welcome here when your adventure came to an end. [[I accepted the wolf blessing]] [[I declined the wolf blessing]]

You waited until night fell, and watched for the approach of the fey. It took several nights, but eventually you encountered some. They emerged from the woods, naked and loping along the grass like feral beasts. They looked human, but despite their matted and tangled hair and filthy bodies, they seemed to have an unearthly beauty. You struggled to see past the strange charm around them, to focus on their bloodstained mouths and hollow, empty eyes. You saw one of them pounce on a sheep, and begin to claw at its flesh with its fingers. You attacked from behind, catching the creature by surprise and dealing grievous wounds. The creature fought back, its strength overwhelming despite its slender limbs, and you felt an oppressive, crushing nothingness against your mind. Despite that, you were able to injure it badly enough that it fled, and you were able to follow it back into the forest. As you did, you reflected on what you saw. The creature was clearly human, yet warped and strange. Its blood was red like a human's, but marbled and tainted by an ivory-like white substance. It made you think uncomfortably of your own black-tainted blood, but that only raised more questions. Perhaps these were not the true fey, but merely their servants. [[The Fey Realm]] <<set $might to $might+1>>

You waited until night fell, and watched for the approach of the fey. It took several nights, but eventually you encountered some. They emerged from the woods, naked and loping along the grass like feral beasts. They looked human, but despite their matted and tangled hair and filthy bodies, they seemed to have an unearthly beauty. You struggled to see past the strange charm around them, to focus on their bloodstained mouths and hollow, empty eyes. They attacked livestock and rampaged across town, ripping up and destroying things wantonly. As some of them battered at a barn, you saw that they were destroying their own fingers in their desperation to tear it down. One collapsed, exhausted, and the others pounced on it and tore it limb from limb. They seemed to delight in the savage, meaningless brutality. Finally they returned to the forest, and you followed behind them silently. As you did, you reflected on what you saw. The creatures were clearly human, yet warped and strange. Their blood was red like a human's, but marbled and tainted by an ivory-like white substance. It made you think uncomfortably of your own black-tainted blood, but that only raised more questions. Perhaps these were not the true fey, but merely their servants. [[The Fey Realm]] <<set $skill to $skill+1>>

You travelled into the forest, following an old animal trail to a circle of mushrooms. As you stepped into the circle, the forest around you twisted. The leaves and branches of the trees warped, moving and shifting as reality seemed to invert. You found yourself walking upside down along a massive branch, one of countless that seemed to surround you in all directions. The air glittered and shone like a mirage, and you saw twinkling, glittering creatures moving in the corner of your vision. Your skin tingled, and you realised this felt very much like when you entered Castle Nox. Where that left you feeling as though you were walking into oil, the fey realm was like walking through satin sheets or petals. You were unsure how long you travelled, but you found yourself at a sumptuous banquet. The kidnapped villagers were dancing and swaying, their faces covered by veils. The hosts of the banquet stood nearby, looming above you all, yet you could not seem to focus on them or look directly at them. You felt only a terrible, enormous presence. At first the glamour almost overwhelmed you, until you saw the trails of blood at the dancer's feet. How long had they been trapped like this? You challenged the fey, insisting they return the humans to the mortal world. Voices in your head whispered acceptance of your challenge. If you could entertain the fey, they would let the humans go. [[I sang a haunting refrain]] [[I demonstrated delightful magical tricks]]

You stood on the banquet table, and began to sing. At first your voice trembled slightly, but it grew more confident as you blocked out the strange emotions of this other realm, and focused on your duty. The fey clustered around you, tall misty shadows surrounding you, entranced by your words. Your music flowed through the fey wood, and even the enchanted dancers stopped and watched. When you finished, you felt the fey folk's delight and appreciation. You could take the humans back, but they wished to give you a gift in return. [[I accepted the fairy's gift]] [[I declined the fairy's gift]] <<set $charm to $charm+1>>

You summoned balls of light to your fingers, and began to twist and juggle them. At first you felt an annoyance, as if the fey somehow resented magic, but once you began to dance and twirl, that annoyance was replaced with a sensation of strange delight. They seemed to love performance and entertainment, and you heard an odd rustling, like the sound of countless branches shifting in the sky. When you finished, you felt the fey folk's delight and appreciation. You could take the humans back, but they wished to give you a gift in return. [[I accepted the fairy's gift]] [[I declined the fairy's gift]] <<set $magic to $magic+1>>

The castle looms in the distance, a bristling protrusion of towers and walls, silhouetted against the moon that hangs low in the horizon. It is on the edge of a peninsula, close to the roaring coast, and the sea glimmers next to it. With your memories so sharp of climbing a frigid mountain to reach this place, it feels strange to be climbing downhill and feeling a salty ocean wind. The apprehensive feeling is the same, nonetheless. The air feels heavy and clammy, and thick insects buzz low against the ground as you make your way down the road. As you get closer, you see something downhill on the path. A large black carriage lit by low red lights is waiting, in the position to intercept anyone travelling to the castle by road. You could avoid it, but the only other way to reach the peninsula would be to push through the thorny and inhospitable trees that cluster around these roads. In the distance you hear the howl of beasts, and you recall the animals and monsters that the castle draws to protect itself. [[Approach the carriage]] <<hasitem "Wolf (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Pass through the woods|Woods-Wolf]] <<else>> [[Pass through the woods|Woods-Snake]] <</if>>

You walk down the path, the sandy gravel crunching under your feet, until you reach the carriage. It is painted entirely with a greasy black lacquer that shines unsettlingly from the red lanterns dangling at the sides. The back of the carriage is barred off, showing the inside is just a large empty cell with dark stains all over the walls. "Looking for passage, stranger? I can offer you travel in such comfort", a creaky voice says. The carriage driver is leaning over to look back at you, his body concealed by a huge cloak, and his face shadowed beneath the brim of a crumpled and sagging top hat. He climbs down from the front of the carriage, his body moving and unfolding in odd, inhuman ways beneath his cloak. He stands up tall, his eyes glinting as he grins at you with a fanged maw. Then he sniffs the air, and his attitute seems to change slightly. His posture shifts, becoming more relaxed. "Ah, one of us. Well, I'll take any excuse not to do my job. Our home awaits, blackblood brother. Be warned though, the castle is in a delicate state right now. Eskander is making a bid for the heart, and much blood is being shed." He leans back against his carriage, and fishes out a yellowed cigarette from his robes, which he lights. <<if $ironwill > 1>>The creature's thoughts echo in your head. //Turned into a monster and I still gotta deal with an overbearing boss. The more things change...// <</if>> [[Attack the carriageman]] [[Smoke with him]] [[Move on towards the castle]]

<<if $hunting > 0>> You push through the thick and thorny undergrowth. Fortunately, your hunting skills have trained you well for handling difficult terrain like this, and you avoid any serious harm from the thick briars. <<else>> You push through the thick and thorny undergrowth. You try your best to avoid the sharp briars, but your lack of hunting experience means you find yourself slashed and bleeding from many painful shallow wounds all over. <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-2>> <</if>> A howling rises up around you as you travel deeper. At first the call comes from far ahead, but then you hear another at your sides, and behind you. Soon you are surrounded by howls, coming closer and closer. From all sides, wolves burst through the trees. Glowing yellow eyes surround you, more wolves than you have ever heard of in one pack. Wolves of types from all over the many kingdoms, all seemingly united in purpose. You sense a terrible, overwhelming danger. Yet that sensation fades as all the wolves sit back, and seem to relax. In front of you, one more wolf approaches, one far larger than any you've seen before. His fur is thick and almost glows faintly, and he moves with pride and grace. He seems so much larger and older than you remember that it takes you a moment to realise. This is your companion, the wolf you befriended over a year ago in your first visit to the castle. He moves up to you, and presses his face to your side. You reach down and embrace him, overjoyed to see a friendly face. The other wolves seem to understand something, and they retreat back into the forest. It seems your friend, perhaps influenced by yourself and the castle, has become leader of a mighty pack-of-packs here. So many wolves united as one could even be a threat to human kingdoms. He looks up at you, and you know instinctively that he is coming with you as an equal, and intends to return to be with his pack one day. <<if $am_wolf > 0>> The wolf looks at you, and cocks his head. He seems to be picking up on your wolf blessing, the essence of a lupine soul that is growing inside you. He looks at you meaningfully, and then stands up, pushing his forepaws to your chest. He pushes his body against you, and rubs his muzzle against your shoulders. Your body grows warm as the energy of the wolf blessing fills you. <<include "WolfTF">> Your friend drops to all fours again, and walks beside you. Your knowledge of animals tells you only one thing - your friend just asked you to be his mate for life. You will need to consider this later, as he will certainly be expecting a response. <</if>> You are safe to proceed through the forest, towards the castle. [[Move on towards the castle]] <<hasitem "Wolf (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_alphawolf>> <<set $might to $might+1>> <</if>>

<<hasitem "Snake Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> As you push through the woods, you try to keep your bearings by following the light of the moon glinting through the trees. This thorny forest feels unnaturally dense, with the branches almost pulling against you, trying to prevent you from passing through. Your snake seems oddly at home in these woods. It curls through the branches and leads you through them, avoiding the dangerous briars and leading you to a safe route. [[Move on towards the castle]] <<else>> <<if $hunting > 0>> You push through the thick and thorny undergrowth. Fortunately, your hunting skills have trained you well for handling difficult terrain like this, and you avoid any serious harm from the thick briars. <<else>> You push through the thick and thorny undergrowth. You try your best to avoid the sharp briars, but your lack of hunting experience means you find yourself slashed and bleeding from many painful shallow wounds all over. <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-2>> <</if>> As you push through the woods, you try to keep your bearings by following the light of the moon glinting through the trees. This thorny forest feels unnaturally dense, with the branches almost pulling against you, trying to prevent you from passing through. Sometimes you hear a faint slithering sound on the edge of your senses, curving through the trees. <<if $heightenedsenses > 0>> With your heightened senses, you recognise the approach of a stealthy predator with ease. [[Giant Snake|snakefight]] <<else>> (Heightened Senses check failed) <<statcheck 15 $skill "skill" "snakefight" "snakeambush">> <</if>> <</if>>

He recoils from your sudden attack, but you land a terrible blow on him by surprise. He snarls, and tosses his coat aside to reveal four long, clawed arms. Then he opens his batlike mouth and screeches like a bandshee. The sound causes you to stumble back, the noise tearing at your eardrums and sending lashes of pain through your body. <<if $ironwill > 0>> Only the power of your Iron Will prevents you from taking further harm. You grit your teeth, and move in to the attack. <<else>> The agony of the creature's wail drains you of 2 Stamina. <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-2>> <</if>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Nox Jailer", "combat": 6, "stamina": 8, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "DeadCarriageman", "death": "KilledByCarriageman", "flee": "Move on towards the castle" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

The carriageman notices your interest, and chuckles. He pulls out another filthy-looking cigarette, and hands it to you. You lean back against the carriage with him, and he lights it with the embers of his own. The smoke tastes foul, and you can feel it yellowing your fingertips. You sit in companionable silence for a while, as you reflect on how odd it is to be accepted as one of these foul, dangerous monsters. He breathes out a plume of yellow smoke, and starts to chatter idly. "Yeah, it's all gone to hell down there. Me and the other jailers, we have been trying to keep out of it. We're allowed out of the castle so we can avoid the worst, just gotta focus on the job. Get Eskander more bodies, get out of trouble." He flicks some ash on the ground. "Can't say I likes having the prisons under that mage's control, but I ain't gonna cause waves. Hell, if the Beast can be taken down, anyone can be." He finishes his cigarette, and jumps back up onto his carriage. "Good luck to you, brother. If things go to shit for you, I'll vouch for you to join the jailers if you like." The carriage trundles away, leaving you alone for now. [[Move on towards the castle]]

You are almost there now. The castle is in sight, close enough that you can make out the individual towers, the looming black gate. That, and the familiar sight of tents and ramshackle huts clustered around the entrance. It seems the cult you encountered on your first visit is even larger than before, with a bustling filthy-looking shanty town as big as any you've seen at the gates of a real city. <<hasitem "Derevan (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Approach the tents|Cult-Friend]] <<elseif $cultistskilled>> [[Approach the tents|Cult-Enemy]] <<else>> [[Approach the tents|Cult-Neutral]] <</if>>

The monster collapses at your feet. Blood gurgles from his mouth, as he hisses out the words "Traitorous dog..." one more time, before twitching and going still. He will not be enslaving any more humans for the castle's dark wishes. You may take his cloak, if you wish. <<item $i_overcoat carriagecoat>> [[Move on towards the castle]]

The carriageman strikes you to the ground, then wheezes and snarls with annoyance. "Treacherous dog. Can't trust no one, these days. Get up, cur." He reaches down, his enormous clawed hand clutching around your neck, and lifts you up. You struggle, but you feel yourself choking in his grip, his claws tightening and your vision growing dark. His lower two hands grip at your clothes, tearing and pulling them away, before he opens up his cloak and starts to unbutton his stained, ragged breeches. You struggle feebly, even as you feel yourself growing weaker and more numb, but he reaches down and grips his manhood. It is thick and inhuman, a curved and veiny throbbing purple shaft that is glistening and wet. With both his upper arms, he grips your neck tightly, squeezing and choking you just short of a fatal amount. His lower arms clutch your waist, holding you up and pinning you against his carriage. He leans in against you, his massive filthy body pressing down on you, while his cock thrusts up to your behind. You feel it pushing against you, then slowly penetrating you, filling you and violating you. His monstrous shaft plunges deep inside you, pounding and slamming into your rear. The pain of his beastlike thrusting makes you ache deep inside, but as you grow weaker and more dizzy, you find yourself staring into his glowing yellow eyes. The pain seems to wash everything else away, becoming oddly satisfying, pleasurable. You lean into his thrusts, push your neck against his rough hands, and find yourself shivering and losing yourself in masochistic pleasure. He releases your neck, his fingers leaving red lines on your flesh, and you gurgle and cough. He opens his maw, revealing long gleaming fangs. "Offer yourself to me", he says. You nod, barely able to think, and lean up against his twisted face. Offering your neck, your life, everything you are. His head presses to your neck, and you feel only the initial penetration. After that, only a tingling, wonderful pleasure that washes through your mind, erasing your thoughts, leaving only bliss. The last thing you feel is his cock filling your insides with gushes of thick, hot monstrous seed, before you sink into oblivion. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

From the treetrops, the slithering sound increases. It is very quiet and subtle, but you recognise the danger. You twist aside just as an enormous snake lashes out behind you, attempting to ensnare you. It hisses with annoyance as you twist away, and you get a good look at it. Its brown scales and darker twisting pattern blend in with the dark forest, and its coils are gigantic, easily capable of engulfing a fully grown man. This will be a dangerous foe. <<if $animalhandling > 0>> [[Use Animal Handling on the snake]] <<else>> //You lack the skill of Animal Handling// <</if>> <<if $animalhandling > 1>> [[Use Animal Mastery on the snake]] <<else>> //You lack mastery of Animal Handling// <</if>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Giant Snake", "combat": 7, "stamina": 10, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "snakekilled", "death": "snakedead", "flee": "Move on towards the castle" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

Suddenly, something wraps around you from behind! You struggle to break free, but a powerful slithering limb pins your arms to your sides, and coils around you in an unbreakable hold. You find yourself struggling within the coils of an enormous snake, which has slithered from the trees above to entrap you. In this state you cannot use your skills, and cannot flee. Battling like this will be incredibly difficult. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Giant Snake", "combat": 10, "stamina": 10, "maxdamage": 6, "success": "snakekilled", "death": "snakedead", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

Influenced by the castle or not, this snake is still an animal, a part of nature and one you are familiar with. You use your knowledge of beasts to move slowly and cautiously, showing the snake you are no harm to it, but also that you are not worth the danger of predating on. You back away carefully, and it watches you with expressionless, reptilian eyes. Eventually, it backs away too, and retreats to its treetop lair. You are safe to proceed through the forest, towards the castle. [[Move on towards the castle]]

Influenced by the castle or not, this snake is still an animal, a part of nature and one you are familiar with. You use your knowledge of beasts to try and befriend the snake, to show it you can be an ally and supporter. <<statcheck 12 $charm "charm" "snakecheckyes" "snakecheckno">>

You stare deep into the snake's eyes, unafraid of its glowing, reptilian vision. You sway from side to side, and it slowly mimics your movements, entranced by you. It comes closer, and coils around you, but you show no fear. Instead you push against it, allowing it to touch you, but not control or threaten you. There is a moment of tension, then it seems to accept you as an equal. <<forceitem $i_snake snakefriend>> You are safe to proceed through the forest, towards the castle. [[Move on towards the castle]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[6] to true>>

You move slowly and cautiously, showing the snake you are no harm to it, but also that you are not worth the danger of predating on. Unfortunately, you sense that you have not impressed it enough for it to come with you. You back away carefully, and it watches you with expressionless, reptilian eyes. Eventually, it backs away too, and retreats to its treetop lair. You are safe to proceed through the forest, towards the castle. [[Move on towards the castle]]

The enormous beast collapses to the ground, dead at last. Its huge body coils through the forest, now limp and harmless. You are safe to proceed through the forest, towards the castle. [[Move on towards the castle]]

As your struggles become weaker, the snake coils around you tighter and tighter, until finally you can fight no more. You can only wriggle weakly, sliding around in the prison of smooth, scaly coils that curl and twist all around you. The snake's massive body blocks out all light, imprisons you within mighty muscular twisting flesh. You look up above you at the last of the forest you can see through the coils, before that view too is blocked out. This time, however, it is blocked by the snake's huge muzzle, and glowing yellow eyes. You stare deep into those eyes, feeling weaker and weaker. You have been defeated so soundly, so fully by this enormous, mighty beast. You are inferior, smaller, weaker. Its body is your whole world. There is nothing but the snake, the superior and powerful snake. You shudder with strange pleasure, the fight fading from you as the coils tighten. Yes, this was your destiny. Those glowing eyes burrow into your mind, and tell you that this snake is better than you, stronger and bigger and worthy of worship. You belong to it. You can trust it. You should surrender to it, become part of a superior predator. More flesh on those massive twisting coils. Nothing but a part of that enormous body, twisting and coiling through the woods. When the snake's mouth opens wide, you welcome it. You lean up towards it and feel it press over you, pulling you down, down, into the tight wet darkness of its body. There, you can become one with it, and forever be part of a superior being. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

As you get closer, you see it is not only the size of the cult's settlement that has changed in your absence. The tents are laid out more efficiently, forming roads and passages, all of which are brightly lit with torches. Guards patrol the routes, proudly displaying their ram's horns and mutated faces, and wearing a mishmash of ill-fitting armour. In several places you can see hulking beasts, ram-like monsters on two legs that must be over seven feet tall. Their heads are completely encased in metal helmets with no eye holes, and they are dragged around by heavy chains, performing heavy labour and keeping guard in some places. The reason for these changes soon becomes very clear. Striding through the tents, with his cultists bowing at his feet and begging for his attention, is Derevan. The slack look in his eyes from when you poisoned him with his own potion is gone, replaced by a sinister and calculating grin. You walk closer to the entrance, and two guards raise their weapons at you. "Halt, stranger. Declare your-", they say, before both are suddenly cut off by a gurgling scream. They clutch their hands, frothing at the mouth, then fall to their knees. "M-my lord! Lord of Nox! Lord of the Forsaken! Great One!", they both babble, as they bow at your feet. A hubbub runs through the settlement, the sheep bleating and falling to their knees. The cry of "Lord of Nox! Lord of the Forsaken!" fills the air. Derevan turns, and grins. He walks past his prostate followers, then bows theatrically, his hoofed hand outstretched. "My lord returns", he says. [[Ask for an explanation]]

As you get closer, you see it is not only the size of the cult's settlement that has changed in your absence. The tents are laid out more efficiently, forming roads and passages, all of which are brightly lit with torches. Guards patrol the routes, proudly displaying their ram's horns and mutated faces, and wearing a mishmash of ill-fitting armour. In several places you can see hulking beasts, ram-like monsters on two legs that must be over seven feet tall. Their heads are completely encased in metal helmets with no eye holes, and they are dragged around by heavy chains, performing heavy labour and keeping guard in some places. You walk closer to the entrance, and two guards raise their weapons at you. "Halt, stranger. Declare your intentions!", they say. Before you can say anything, their leader approaches, and places his hands on their shoulders. He is a tall and powerful goatman, his black fur shining in the torchlight and his four horns curving above his head. "Peace, my guards. This is a seeker, come to return to our home. I smell the blood of Nox within you, friend." <<if $blessing == "None">> His yellow eyes glance over you, and he makes a gesture. More soldiers approach cautiously. "Yet you lack a blessing. It would be greatly dangerous to proceed without one. The power of the Lords of Nox will protect you, my friend. Accept my blessing, and you may pass freely. I will brook no argument this time." [[Accept a Nox blessing]] [[Fight the cult]] [[Retreat, then come back later and sneak past|Attempt to sneak through]] <<else>> He glances over you, and then smiles. "I sense you still carry our blessing. See how it brought you safely back home, where you belong. My brethen, bring gifts for a fellow worshipper of Nox!" Some cultists retreat, then return with some food and a potion for you. They place them at your feet, and the goat bows. "Go on ahead, friend. Your destiny awaits within the castle." <<item $i_food cdf2>> <<item $i_healthpotion cdf3>> [[Castle Nox]] <</if>>

You draw your weapon, and stride down the path towards the main entrance. The guards on duty raise their weapons, and one blows a long horn. More guards rush to meet you, but they are pushed aside by the cult leader, who strides out to meet you. His dark, inhuman eyes stare at you for a moment, then a grin appears on his muzzle. "Ah, yes. I remember you", he says. He opens his robe, and shows a hideous wound along his chest. "A very rude heretic, as I recall. Nonetheless, I can be merciful. Throw down your weapons and join us, and I will permit you to become part of the flock. Your strength and brutishness will be put to a greater purpose." [[Surrender to the cult]] [[Fight the cult]]

<<if $camouflage > 0>> Your camouflauge skills will bring this down from an impossible feat to merely a very difficult one. <<statcheck 12 $skill "skill" "sneakcultyes" "sneakcultno">> <<else>> <<statcheck 15 $skill "skill" "sneakcultyes" "sneakcultno">> <</if>>

You have no choice. You drop to your knees, and relinquish your weapons. The cult's guards take them away, and begin roughly stripping you down, until you are naked and kneeling at Derevan's feet. His hand strokes over your hair, and he growls with delight. "Yes, a mighty warrior. Enhanced by Nox blood, hardened by strife. You will make a glorious servant." He turns to his cultists, and barks out in a harsh voice. "Bring the black helmet from the temple!" Several of the sheep bow and retreat. He turns back to you, and draws a knife from his robes. He slices it across his furry palm, and his black-tainted blood dribbles down his wrist. He clenches his hand, and soaks his fingers with blood, before touching against your face. He draws symbols, lines and curves across your skin, his hot blood sticky and wet against your flesh. He pushes you down to the ground, and draws further on your chest, down your legs, across your arms. Intricate lines, unsettling symbols that make your eyes ache to look at. As he coats you with more and more ritual markings, you feel more heavy, more dizzy and tired. The markings seem to be wrapping around you in some invisible way, forming a sharp, painful web that is tightening around your soul, engulfing you in a possessive, sinister force. You pant and moan, and your voice emerges as a rumbling, inhuman growl. Your body feels strange. Bigger, heavier. You remain kneeling, but the soil beneath you is dented by your knees as if you were something much larger than you are. The cultists return, carrying a massive black helmet in the shape of a ram's skull. Derevan takes it from them, and in his hands it begins to glow. He places it against you, and then pushes it slowly over your head. You shudder, your hands clutching against the ground as a terrible pain floods your mind. "With this, I bind you. Spirit of beasts, summoned entity, I command you to obey my will." You are not a spirit, not a summon. You want to call out, to defy this, but the spell around you seems to force you down. Your limbs grow heavy, as spectral shackles appear on your hands and feet. They are translucent and ghostlike, but bind you are surely as steel. Derevan opens his robes, revealing he is naked beneath them. He steps forward, and grips his enormous black shaft in his hand, before placing it against your face. The heat of his manhood pulses against you, and your head aches until you open your mouth, allowing him to slide his heavy cock over your tongue. He grips your head in both hands, and calls out. "By my binding, I claim ownership of this nature spirit. I sever it forever from the web of life, and command it to be for all eternity a slave to sorcery. By the Blue Authority, I make it so!" Your vision blurs, and for a moment you are sure you are looking into the spirit realm. Everything is blue and faint, and lines of energy criss-cross the land. Derevan stands on them like a heavy weight, his own soul burning and glowing with blue fire. All the living things around you are linked to those lines of energy. Yet as you watch, Derevan's fire reaches out, and slices at you. Your connection to the life energy is cut off, and you begin to float. Your spirit, your soul, starts to lose its blue glow. Instead, a black fog surrounds you, fills you. Your spirit turns from blue to a sticky, tarlike black, that burns and sizzles with unnatural force. The pain is unlike anything you've ever experienced. Your vision returns to the physical world, and you bellow with agony. Your body bulges, growing and thickening. Enormous muscles bulk up around you, your arms growing massive, your legs becoming like tree trunks. Your face stretches out, growing into a massive ram's muzzle, while your head splits painfully as four gigantic, curling black horns twist from your skull and slide through holes in your heavy helmet. You pull at your shackles, roaring and growling, as tar-black fur covers your body, your feet becoming gigantic hooves, your posture becoming stooped and beastlike. You look down at the creatures below you as you grow massively, towering over them as a hideous monster. Your eyes glow with unnatural fire, as your old human life seems to fade into a forgotten memory. "Who is your master, spirit?", your lord asks. You instinctively bow to him, and your voice rumbles as you speak. "My master is Lord Derevan. I serve him until his death. Then I will slumber, and await a new binder to call me to service." The words seem to come from deep inside you, bypassing your conscious mind. You feel compelled to obey, to follow strange rules of magic and lore that now seem ironclad, irresistable. Deep inside, you know now that you are a summon, a being of magic that will never again know the freedom of being a living, mortal being. Derevan smiles. "Excellent. I will have much use for you." You bow, and reply "All is for my lord." Your journey ends here. You exist now only as a servant to Lord Derevan. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The ram-headed guards surround you, their weapons raised and ready. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Ram Guards", "combat": 6, "stamina": 8, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "Fight the cult 2", "death": "cultkilledyou", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You sneak down cautiously towards the gate, trying your best to stay out of the flickering light of the many torches. You duck behind tents, listen carefully for guards, and dash across the makeshift streets as best you can. Many times you are sure you will be captured. The settlement is so dense, and the guards patrol with single-minded duty. There is none of the gossiping, the boredom, the daydreaming you would expect from a city guard. Instead these ram-headed soldiers are almost like automatons, thinking only of their orders. Despite all of that, your incredible abilities win out. You roll out of sight, dash into shadow, and remain invisible, and soon you have left the cult's tents behind you. The castle looms ahead. There is nothing in your way now; your destiny awaits. [[Castle Nox]]

You sneak down cautiously towards the gate, trying your best to stay out of the flickering light of the many torches. You duck behind tents, listen carefully for guards, and dash across the makeshift streets as best you can. Unfortunately the settlement is too large, and too dense. Despite your best efforts, you stumble across a sheep cultist, who drops his pot and bleats with alarm. You are quickly surrounded by guards, and have no choice but to fight your way out. [[Fight the cult]]

Before you even have the chance to catch your breath, two of the titanic ram-hulks lunge at you, their attacks flailing and deadly despite their lack of sight. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Ram Guards", "combat": 6, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 10, "success": "Fight the cult 3", "death": "cultkilledyou", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

Derevan strides past the corpses of his cultists, and raises his staff. Black ichor drips from their bodies, and wraps around his legs. "Die, heretic! The power of Nox fills me!" <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "The Sorceror Derevan", "combat": 9, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 10, "success": "donefightingcult", "death": "cultkilledyou", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

The gates of the castle loom above you, and you brace yourself as you walk through. You know that you will not have a third chance. You either leave this castle with what you came here for, or you never leave at all. As you pass through, that oily sensation washes over your skin once more. It seems almost welcoming, as it tugs on something deep inside you. Yet there is something unfamiliar, too. A cloying, sickly-sweet smell of...rotting roses? You step inside, and the air is once again heavy and still, no touch of sea breeze or salty air despite the castle's current location. The castle has not gone unchanged in your absence. The four statues in the courtyard remain, as do the forges and stables, but this entire entry plaza has degraded and crumbled as if thousands of years have passed. The ground is cracked and risen as if by the growth of mighty roots, and the walls are pitted and scarred with both burns and stains. Even the statues themselves are in poor condition, with thorned vines growing around the base and digging into the stone. Your stomach aches. You should eat and gather your strength before continuing. <<set $afterfood to "The Courtyard, Once More">> [[Camp|Eat Food]] <<set $visitedstable to false>> <<set $visitedforge to false>> <<set $visitedchapel to false>> <<set $beastskill to false>>

"But of course", Derevan says. He stands and gestures to the camp, and all the many followers. "All is for my lord. You showed great initiative, dosing me with my own binding potion. I admit I was trapped within my mind for many months before I found my way out." He turns to you, his eyes wide and his grin wider. "I am an expert on bindings, however. The potion made me worship you, and desire to obey you, to make you stronger and better. Once I was able to convince myself I could do so more effectively with my mind intact, I regained much of my control. Control which, of course, I used to build your followers. Every man and woman here exists for you, my lord. They are your sheep. You are our Lord of Nox." He walks up to your side, and places his hand on your shoulder. "I wish only to serve my lord. You will be the newest Lord of Nox, greater than any of the others. The castle is yours to command. First, of course, there is the matter of the great sacrifice..." [[The great sacrifice?]]

Derevan points to the cultists. "Them, of course. They are lambs. Sacrificial lambs, and I am the knife. With my power, they will willingly surrender their lives, and the force of five score souls will flow into you. You will become mightier, faster, better than any mortal warrior." He leans down and kisses your hand. "You need only say the word." [[Do it]] [[Refuse the sacrifice]]

You nod, and Derevan's eyes glow. He raises his staff into the air, and the eyes on the carved goat begin to glow. "Your destiny has come, followers of the Forsaken Lord! It is time to surrender yourselves, to give everything to the superior being!" The cultists begin to fall, their bodies shaking and twitching. Screams rise from the camp, and even the guards begin to claw at their helmets. Froth drips from their mouths, and their eyes roll up in their heads. Even the enormous ram-titans fall to their knees, and begin to bellow in agony. As you watch, the flesh of every being in the camp begins to bubble like boiling water, before black smoke rises from them. They are melting, their very bodies running into trickles of ichor that soak the ground and drip towards you. Limbs rise up, mouths twitch in silent screams as they melt and dissolve. The black fluid rushes down towards you, then rises in a pounce and engulfs you. You feel it soaking your body, sinking deep inside you, infesting your mind and staining your soul. The weight of their pain, their sins, crushing down on you. You open your eyes, and they burn with a terrible fire. The ichor trembles at you, as it is bound to your will. Your feet press down on the ground, and you stand tall, mighty, superior. You are greater than these pathetic morsels. It was their destiny to submit to you, to become part of a greater whole. You realise that many of your old thoughts, morality, justice, kindness, were all feeble lies. Shackles for the weak, beneath a creature such as you. No cruelty, no selfishness is beneath you. The entire world is a toy for you to own and to crush. Your whole body burns with power and energy, all your skills and abilities growing mightier. From your head, a pair of jet-black horns burst forth. They curl and rise up, twisting into an enormous inhuman crown above your head. You turn your glowing eyes to your slave, Derevan, and he bows at your feet. "All is for my lord." It is time to enter Castle Nox, and embrace your destiny as the next Lord. Even if you have to take a throne from one of the inferior pretenders currently occupying them. [[Castle Nox]] <<set $might to $might+2>> <<set $magic to $magic+2>> <<set $charm to $charm+2>> <<set $skill to $skill+2>> <<set $faith to $faith-2>> <<set $blessing to "lord of nox">> <<hasitem "Derevan (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_derevan2>> <</if>> <<autoitem $i_blackhorns i_blackhorns>> <<set $am_darklord to 1>> <<set $am_wolf to 0>> <<set $am_donkey to 0>> <<set $am_orc to 0>> <<set $evildeeds to $evildeeds+1>>

Derevan flinches, and stands up. You see frustration flash across his face, before it fades. "Of course. I would never defy your orders. All is for my lord." He brushes down his robes, and waves his hand. The cultists bring forth supplies and items, placing them at your feet. "A lesser tribute, but one I hope you will enjoy. I will of course accompany you into the castle, so that I may serve and protect you. Come, my lord, let us face your destiny." You are not sure if you trust Derevan, but for now he has returned to your side. You may take as many of the tributes as you wish, and then proceed towards the castle, and your ultimate destiny. <<item $i_food cdf1>> <<item $i_food cdf2>> <<item $i_healthpotion cdf3>> <<item $i_healthpotion cdf4>> <<item $i_aletherpotion cdf5>> [[Castle Nox]] <<hasitem "Derevan (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_derevan2>> <</if>>

"Take this blessing, seeker of Nox!" He places the tip of his staff on your head, and your vision blurs. You see a tower, wreathed in clouds of swirling mist. The mist parts for a moment, you move inside, the doors of the tower creaking open. Within, the walls rise to a dizzying height, all filled with books of all sizes and shapes. A scent of thick smoke surrounds you, and you find yourself beside a fire. A man in front of the fire turns, his robes swirling, and you see he is no man but in fact an enormous elephant-man, his tusks plated in silver. When your vision clears, you feel a surge of knowledge within you. "Go now, with our blessing, Seeker." He and the other cultists step aside, and you may pass. You feel a strange sensation of oiliness on your skin, which gradually fades. <<set $blessing to "magic">> It is time to proceed to the castle, and face your destiny at last. [[Castle Nox]]

You fall to your knees, exhausted and injured. Derevan chuckles, his sinister goat eyes glinting in the darkness. "It is time you stopped fighting. Join us, and surrender your soul to my power." [[Surrender to the cult]]

The goat sorceror clutches his chest, and falls to the ground. He hisses at you, his eyes full of hate. "I will return. My soul is bound here, fool. However long it takes, I will have my victory..." His eyes go cold, and his body goes limp. You are victorious. The guards of the camp are dead, and the cultists have fled in terror from your assault. <<if $am_orc > 0>> They were all so weak. So pathetic. Even here, even enhanced with black blood, these creatures were nothing but chaff beneath your feet. You are an orc, the pinnacle of all warriors. <<include "OrcTF">> <</if>> You have shed much blood before the gates of Nox, and you sense its great power awaiting you. It is time to face your destiny. [[Castle Nox]]

You stand within the walls of Castle Nox once again. The air is as stagnant and stale as it has always been, despite the cloying, faint aroma of petal that tingles at the edge of your senses. The once serene courtyard is heavily damaged since you were last here. The ground is cracked and uneven, and the walls and buildings are in poor repair. It looks almost like a siege battle happened here. The statues from when you first came here seem inert now. Whatever power was within them, perhaps it has been rescinded. The gardens, stables and forge remain where they were before. <<if !$visitedstable>>[[Stable]]<</if>> <<if !$visitedforge>>[[Forge]]<</if>> [[Gardens]]

The castle's gardens are in even worse condition than the rest of the courtyard. Most of the graves are knocked over or destroyed, and the ground itself is broken and upturned, with thick thorny vines weaving and twisting all throughout the area. The air feels stagnant and stale. The chapel is still standing, but only barely. The bridgehouse stands firm, the site of your previous failure. Once you pass through, you may be unable to return. <<if !$visitedchapel>>[[The Chapel]]<</if>> [[The Bridgehouse]] [[Courtyard|The Courtyard, Once More]]

<<hasitem "Stablemaster (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> You return to the stable, hoping that your friend the stablemaster may still be here waiting for you. The stable itself is warped and rotting, and the wood is stained with an odd greasy substance. <<else>> You decide to check the stable. The building itself is warped and rotting, and the wood is stained with an odd greasy substance. <</if>> To your surprise, the double doors are locked, and they rattle when you try to open them. <<hasitem "Stable Key">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Fortunately you kept the key, even after all this time. You insert the long key into the door and it clicks open with ease. You doubt this key will be of any further use to you. [[Stable Interior]] <<else>> If you are unable to open the door, you will have no choice but to move on. Using magic with the building in the condition it is in would be more likely to bring the whole thing crashing down, so you must try either forcing it open, or picking the heavy lock. [[Bash the stable door open]] [[Pick the stable door lock]] <<if $cantrips > 0>> You could also try a cantrip to pull the tumblers into place from inside the padlock. It might be risky, but moving small objects is exactly what cantrips are best at. [[Try to pick the lock with a cantrip|Stable Interior]] <</if>> <</if>> <<set $visitedstable to true>>

<<if $nickromance > 0>>The workhouses are empty, and the forge and working machinery are cooled and still. The walls and floor are coated with thick soot in long burst-like patterns, suggesting there could perhaps have been some conflict here. You look around for a while and find very little of interest. There are some broken implements on the ground and many piles of soot. Just as you are about to give up, it occurs to you to check inside the furnace in the side room. Half-buried in the soot, you find a package wrapped up in animal skin. You open it, and find a note in beautiful, looping handwriting. "This is for $playername, so if you're someone else then my curse be upon you for opening this letter. Fear that well, for a writer knows many curses, and a lecherous writer knows ten score the amount. I doubt you'll ever find this. In fact, I rather hope you left this absurd travesty of a castle. Nonetheless I have a romantic flair in my head at the moment. This is a little gift to help you on your way. With any luck I'll be long out of here by the time you find this. I am going to sneak into Altan's palace and make off with some things for my trouble. I have been watching it, and it is nothing but a bunch of noble layabouts tittering over canapes. I will fit right in. Luck be with you, Nicholas" The rest of the package includes a couple of bottles, and some crumbled ashes that may once have been something else. It seems this has been sitting here for a very long time. <<item $i_aletherpotion nickaletherpot>> <<item $i_healthpotion nickhealpot>> [[Return|The Courtyard, Once More]] <<else>>As you approach the workhouse, you hear a mighty clanging of metal, and feel a burning heat. You push open the door cautiously, and see the room illuminated by flickering orange light. The source of the clanging is immediately clear. A hulking shape fills one side of the room, an enormous muscular beast that is hunched over an anvil, as it strikes against it over and over with a soot-black hammer. Sparks fly from the anvil with each colossal slam. The creature is easily ten feet tall, so large it needs to squat and curl over its anvil to even fit in the workhouse. Its rough skin is a flushed reddish-pink, and it bulges with powerful muscles. Its head is piglike, with a flat-tipped snout, albeit one that is longer than that of a normal pig, almost to the point of looking like a trunk. Long yellow tusks curve from its snout, and its eyes are dark and focused on its task. [[Sneak in and attack the creature]] [[Try to talk to the creature]] <</if>> <<set $visitedforge to true>>

With the lock now open, you are able to enter into the stable. To your disgust, the first thing you encounter is a terrible stench of blood and rotting meat. The reason for this is immediately clear. The inside of the stable has been completely gutted, the stalls and boxes all torn down. In their place is a gigantic heaped mass of mutilated flesh. From within it you see hooves, flanks, and pale human fingers. It is a heap of butchered corpses, of both men and animals. <<if $ironwill > 0>> Only the power of your Iron Will prevents you from retching at the hideous sight. <<else>> The sight and stench repulses you, and you find yourself turning and retching before you are able to calm your nerves. <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-1>> <</if>> The only other thing in the stable is a set of chains against the far wall. Most have nothing but dark stains, but three remain occupied by slumped, silent figures. When you get closer, you see that the leftmost one has been dead for some time, but the other two are still breathing faintly. <<if $ironwill > 1>>The middle prisoner's thoughts echo in your head. //Everything lost...all my men...all for nothing...// <</if>> <<if $ironwill > 1>>The rightmost prisoner's thoughts echo in your head. //Just a little closer. Come on now, just a few more steps. Get within my reach...// <</if>> [[Examine the middle prisoner]] [[Examine the right prisoner]]

To your frustration, the door stubbornly refuses to open. You have no choice but to move on. [[Courtyard|The Courtyard, Once More]]

You step closer to the middle prisoner, and lean down to get a closer look at him. He's covered in filth, and his face is stained with blood. His arms are chained up behind him, and as you look closer you see to your horror that his body is covered in patchworks of flesh. Rough stitches hold his mismatched body parts in place, but when he opens his eyes they are fierce and filled with unbroken willpower. He opens his muzzle-like mouth and croaks. "Look out...a trap..." You twist away and barely avoid the piercing strike of the other prisoner, who has lunged over to attack you in the dark. The other prisoner steps out of the darkness, his eyes glowing faintly. He's naked, his mutated body having been concealed by both the darkness and a strip of rag over his body. Now that you see him closer, you can see that his limbs are attached by thick stitching, and that he is a mishmash of a number of creatures. His human face is a patchwork of skin tones and shades, with his teeth jagged and sharp. One arm is covered in bull-like brown fur, while the other is shiny and black with long, clawed fingers. The most shocking part is that between his legs hang two enormous equine shafts, one mottled with pink while the other is a solid glossy black. "Damnable paladin gave me away...", he mutters while flexing his black talons. You see poison dribbling down his fingers. "No matter. You'll be part of my artwork soon enough", he snarls. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Flesh Artisan", "combat": 6, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "EvilPrisonerDefeated", "death": "EvilPrisonerDeath", "flee": "The Courtyard, Once More" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You step closer to the prisoner on the right, who is slumped against the wall and wheezing heavily. Dried blood is caked along his arms and chest, and you kneel down to check on him. As you do, you notice slightly too late that the chains by his arms are hanging open, and not actually locked. His hand flies up to your neck, and you feel something sharp pierce your skin. Heat and pain stings your veins, and you hear the prisoner's wheezes turn into mad giggling as he opens his glowing red eyes. <<statcheck 7 $faith "faith" "prisonersucceed" "prisonerfail">>

<<if $am_darklord == 1>> The sinister, cruel power within you starts to grow and burn at your insides. You clutch as your chest, your throat releasing a rumbling, gravelly growl. You bend forward, trying to contain the growing heat and rage inside you. You feel your back bulging, your muscles shifting and changing. Your shoulders become wider, your bones creaking as your body changes. Then, in a rush of incredible force, two gigantic limbs erupt from your back. You feel them unfurl, spread out. A feeling of great relief fills you, and you grin as your eyes glow for a moment with a burning force. You look behind you, and see two enormous batlike wings. You flex and bend them, feeling their weight and power. Perhaps in time you could even fly with these. As befits a dark lord. <<autoitem $i_blackwings i_blackwings>> <<set $am_darklord to 2>> <<elseif $am_darklord == 2>> The dark power inside you pulses once more, filling your head with thoughts of domination and cruelty. Your face feels hot and heavy, and you snarl and growl. Your skull aches as it begins to push forward, stretching out and growing both longer and thicker. Your teeth ache in your jaw as they stretch and shift, becoming long and sharp, stretching out into vicious fangs. As they do, your hair bristles and itches. It thickens and grows longer, spreading around your head in a huge ebony-black mane that crowns your mighty horns. Soon your face has twisted into the terrifying visage of an enormous, monstrous lion. Your muzzle instinctively pulls into an arrogant, cruel smirk as you bask in your own power and glory. <<autoitem $i_fangmaw i_fangmaw>> <<set $am_darklord to 3>> <<elseif $am_darklord == 3>> The dark power hums in your gut, growing into an insatiable hunger that fills your mind with an urge to destroy, to main, to savage. Your snarl and pant, your muzzle dripping with froth. The sensation shivers down your spine, then surges from behind you. You lean forward as your tailbone bursts out, growing, thickening. Muscle packs on to your new growing limb, as your stretching tail whips and thrashes like a python. It grows long and heavy, an almost snakelike protrustion twisting behind you and dragging against the ground. You feel heat pulse in the end of your powerful tail, which then erupts from your tailtip as vicious razor-sharp barbs burst forth. Your tail whips and twitches, and you instinctively raise it like a scorpion's sting. Every part of you should be deadly, dangerous, terrifying. <<autoitem $i_barbtail i_barbtail>> <<set $am_darklord to 4>> <<elseif $am_darklord == 4>> The dark power is like a welcome friend to you now. It surges across your skin, soaking into your flesh. Your body grows taller, heavier, your bones creaking as strength and power surges into your muscles. You flex your arms as you feel them growing longer and heavier, then shudder as your muscular toned body suddenly flushes with sensitivity and pleasure. As you look down at yourself, you see your skin darkening, becoming glossy and black. It looks as though you have been dipped in perfect oil, as the blackness spreads across your skin, coats you completely, soaks into your hair and over your face. You stroke your chest, and feel the smooth stony firmness of your night-black body. It is as if you have been carved from pure opal. The sensation is addictively pleasurable, the knowledge that you are so perfect, so powerful, so majestic. Your eyes start to glow, until they are blazing yellow lights like flickering fires in your skull. Truly, you are the chosen of Nox. <<autoitem $i_shadowskin i_shadowskin>> <<set $am_darklord to 5>> <</if>>

You gurgle, your body feeling weak and your blood burning. You fall to your knees, unable to hold yourself up any longer. The man you thought was a prisoner steps out of the darkness, and kicks you over. His bare foot is clawed, the skin scaly and green. He stands over you, and you see that his other foot is covered in mangy grey fur, with long yellow claws. He's naked, his mutated body having been concealed by both the darkness and a strip of rag over his body. Now that you see him closer, you can see that his limbs are attached by thick stitching, and that he is a mishmash of a number of creatures. His human face is a patchwork of skin tones and shades, with his teeth jagged and sharp. One arm is covered in bull-like brown fur, while the other is shiny and black with long, clawed fingers. The most shocking part is that between his legs hang two enormous equine shafts, one mottled with pink while the other is a solid glossy black. [[Succumb to the poison|EvilPrisonerDeath]]

You grunt and step back, feeling some sort of poison coursing through your veins. Your limbs feel heavy and weak, but you force yourself to your feet, and snarl defiance. Gradually, the pain lessens, and you feel exhausted yet still standing. The man you thought was a prisoner steps out of the darkness, his eyes glowing faintly. He's naked, his mutated body having been concealed by both the darkness and a strip of rag over his body. Now that you see him closer, you can see that his limbs are attached by thick stitching, and that he is a mishmash of a number of creatures. His human face is a patchwork of skin tones and shades, with his teeth jagged and sharp. One arm is covered in bull-like brown fur, while the other is shiny and black with long, clawed fingers. The most shocking part is that between his legs hang two enormous equine shafts, one mottled with pink while the other is a solid glossy black. "Stronger than I expected", he says while flexing his black talons. You see poison dribbling down his fingers. "You'll be part of my artwork soon enough though", he snarls. <<if $ironwill > 0>> With your Iron Will, you can fight at full strength despite your wounds. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Flesh Artisan", "combat": 6, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "EvilPrisonerDefeated", "death": "EvilPrisonerDeath", "flee": "The Courtyard, Once More" }>> <<else>> Without Iron Will, you will be at a disadvantage trying to ignore the pain in your poisoned muscles. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Flesh Artisan", "combat": 7, "stamina": 14, "maxdamage": 3, "success": "EvilPrisonerDefeated", "death": "EvilPrisonerDeath", "flee": "The Courtyard, Once More" }>> <</if>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You cannot fight the poison any longer. "I was worried for a moment there. My latest work isn't quite finished, and I'd hate to show off what became of the Paladin Order before my masterpiece is done!" He reaches down, and picks up a serrated, rusty butcher's saw from the ground. You try to speak, but the poison from his black claws has spread through your entire body, and you feel it clutching at your heart, making you helpless. You slump to the ground, and everything goes dark. The next few hours are a nightmare of blood and pain. You pass in and out of consciousness, registering only brief sights of the creature standing above you, sawing at you. Images of limbs and heads, a feeling of strange flesh invading your body, merging with you, altering you. Your mind is awash with a cacophony of voices and thoughts, making it impossible to focus. You have strange visions of the castle, of lumbering through the courtyard, dragging things behind you. The taste of blood on your mouth. You become lucid only once, as you find yourself slamming into a body beneath you with your oversized, monstrous arms. You stand up, confused and dizzy, your body huge and clumsy and hard to move. You tower over the buildings around you, and you surely must be over nine feet tall. Your body is filthy, and as you touch your bare chest, you feel countless patches of different textures and feeling. One part of your chest is furry, another scaly, another slimy. One of your gigantic arms is green and veiny, while the other is black and covered in sharp spikes. <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Between your legs, a gigantic ebony-black stallion shaft twitches and throbs. You reach down to it, compelled to squeeze and massage it, and somehow know deep in your degrading mind that it is Rayleigh's horse cock, now bonded to you forever. <</if>> You look down and see your reflection in a pool of blood, and are horrified by the mutated, cobbled-together zombie you have become. Your face is unrecognisable, a hideous mishmash of horns and tusks and leathery skin. <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Just as horrible though is the head next to your own, for two heads are stitched precariously on your oversized shoulders. A massive drooling wolf's head is next to yours, its eyes blank and mindless and its fangs slavering. It is the head of your wolf companion, now bound to you in this terrible way. <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> You cannot dwell on this for long, however. You feel a tugging, and you are pulled forward by a heavy chain connected to a metal shackle clamped around your neck. You look over to see Derevan, his hand gripping the end of the chain and a smug smile on his goat muzzle. "Come, my beast. There is much work to be done." Your mind grows foggy, and you shudder and drool. Derevan. Master Derevan. You must serve him. You must worship him. You feel an urge to crawl on your knees, to lick his hooves with your mutated tongue and beg for his approval. "What do you say, my beast?" With your mangled throat, in a gravelly and barely intelligable voice, you say "All...is for...my lord..." Your journey ends here. You are Derevan's monster now. <<else>> Your eyes glow red like dull embers, and you feel your mind degrading away once more, back into the sludge of your tortured existence. Your journey ends here. You are now a vile beast made of countless corpses and monsters, and will never again have human thoughts. <</if>> [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The patchwork butcher gurgles and snarls, then shudders and finally falls to the ground, defeated. With whatever magic he once had now gone, his poorly-stitched limbs fall apart, nothing but dead flesh. The other prisoner coughs, and moans in pain. You quickly move over to examine him, and find that he is indeed actually shackled to the wall. You find the key without too much difficulty, on a rope around the butcher's waist. Now that you are in less danger though, you see that the other prisoner is also a patchwork mishmash of body parts. His face is largely human, but with a horse's snout stitched onto the front and two horse's ears at the sides, one white and one black. His body is covered in bulging muscles, but the skin tones vary drastically and the muscles are clearly taken from a mix of humans and animals. Between his legs is an enormous equine shaft, like the butcher had. Is it worth the risk of freeing him when he might be the same as the creature you just fought? [[Free the other prisoner]] [[Leave this hideous place|The Courtyard, Once More]]

You unlock his shackles, and he groans and slumps forward into your arms. You pull him free and carry him out, away from the vile stinking interior of the barn. You sit him down against a wall, and notice that his stitches are slowly loosening, and thick coagulated blood is dripping down his body. With the butcher dead and his magic with it, this man will soon perish as well. He opens his eyes, which are fierce and strong despite the horrors he must have been through. "I am...Sir Connery. I led my men here to slay a terrible fiend, the archmage Eskander. We were waylaid before ever reaching him though, struck down by a monstrous beast..." It seems he doesn't recognise you, but you remember him now. You met him briefly during your first visit to the castle, and saw him and his men struck down by the Beast. "The Beast ignored us, leaving us to die. I thought it would be the end, but...one of my men betrayed us. Made a deal with some entity...sold his soul to live..." Connery reaches up to his chest, and shudders with digust at his mutilated body. "He stitched us up, a mockery of battlefield surgery. Mixed us with our steeds, with each other...laughed..." He closes his eyes. "Danley, how could you..." You can tell he's not much longer for this world. With the ruin his body is in, it's very doubtful any amount of conventional healing could fix him now. There's likely not even enough of his original body still in him to heal. <<hasitem "Stablemaster (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Ask about your friend the stablemaster]] <<else>> [[Consider Connery's options]] <</if>>

He wheezes in pain, and then nods. "Stablemaster...yes, I think I remember...there was someone here, some creature of the castle. When Danley started butchering our horses, the creature tried to stop him. Danley beat him and...sold him, I think. He took him away, to the man he sold his soul to..." That is a worrying thing to hear, but at least your friend may still be alive. [[Consider Connery's options]]

Healing isn't going to do the trick here. Connery is basically a walking zombie right now, with only part of his head and some of his organs from his original body. Only whatever magic the butcher had is still animating him. It's likely even a Tear of Erana would only purify him and send him on his way. You could just give him the dignity of a burial in the nearby graveyard. Either that, or perhaps try to get him to accept the power of the castle on his own terms. You know from experience by now that this place can transform and change people. If Connery stops fighting it, it may be able to save him, though he won't ever be human afterwards. He's a paladin though, and that won't be an easy argument. He was raised to consider all the creatures of Nox as blasphemous monsters. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan steps forward, a slight smirk on his muzzle. "If I may make a suggestion, my lord? The soul of a paladin is a powerful catalyst. In his weakened state, after years of torture, it would be a simple binding for me to seal him in your service." [[Let Derevan bind Connery]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh trots up to Connery, and nuzzles gently against the paladin's bloodied face. You notice that something feels familiar about the two, and somehow a thought or sensation from Rayleigh flows into your mind. Connery is his descendant, many generations of paladin down the line. It seems they both suffered a similar fate within the walls of Castle Nox. Rayleigh seems to want to do something for his great great grandson, though you are unsure what the result may be. [[Let Rayleigh help Connery]] <<else>> [[Try to convince Connery to transform]] <</if>> [[Let Connery die]]

Derevan steps forward, and flexes his hand. His fingers twirl, and a plume of smoke appears in his palm that forms into a black bottle. "Here my friend, this will soothe your pain..." He kneels down and pours the interior of the bottle into Connery's mouth. Much of the glistening black fluid dribbles down his limp equine snout, but enough of it must have gotten inside, because the paladin suddenly lurches forward and groans in pain. "What have...what have you done to me..." Connery stands up, his wounds starting to heal before your eyes. His wounds seal up, his mismatched flesh pulsing and throbbing. His muscles start to bulge and grow, and he snarls as his arms thicken enormously, gigantic slabs of muscle forming at his shoulders and biceps. Soon his knuckles are dragging against the ground, and his posture slumps forward, even as he continues to grow taller and heavier. His feet dig into the soil, and drool drips from his equine snout in a frothing mess. His eyes are distant, and his pupils vibrate as he seems to struggle to fight something inside him. His growth doesn't stop, his body getting so big that he can no longer even fit in the stable. Veins snake along his hulking, monstrous frame, and Derevan steps forward to stroke his snout soothingly. "You serve my lord", Derevan whispers. Connery shakes his head. "I serve...the light..." Derevan grips Connery's ears, and looks deep into his eyes. "You serve my lord. You belong to my master. You serve darkness and depravity, you submit yourself to power. You are a beast, a monster. Look at yourself, paladin. Look what you have become!" Connery looks down, lifting his brutish oversized hands, and seeing the swollen, throbbing equine shaft between his legs. For a moment he reaches for it, then shakes his head and closes his eyes. Derevan moves in closer, stroking his hands across Connery's chest, and then reaches down and begins to lift the paladin's enormous cock. Connery huffs and snarls, but doesn't try to stop Derevan as he strokes and massages that swollen, heavy shaft. "I serve...I serve..." "Say it, and I will release you..." Derevan squeezes Connery's cock in his hands, and Connery closes his eyes as his whole body shakes. "I serve...the darkness!" As he says it, black fluid suddenly gushes from his nostrils, from his mouth. It wraps around his head, engulfing it in glistening oily goo. He reaches up and tugs at it, clutching his head and snarling, but it starts to solidify. It stiffens into thick, heavy metal plates, slowly transforming into a huge horse-shaped black metal helmet, with only a barest slit for the eye sockets. He roars, and his cock erupts with a flood of cum. It gushes into the air, spraying over his body, spurting and splattering everywhere. From within his helmet, a sinister red light begins to glow. As his orgasm subsides, he moves forward and places his head on the ground at your feet. "I serve my lord. The Lord of Nox." Derevan smiles. <<forceitem $i_monsterconnery i_monsterconnery>> [[The Courtyard, Once More]] <<set $evildeeds to $evildeeds+1>>

Rayleigh nuzzles against Connery's slumped body, and snorts gently. Connery looks up at the horse with confusion, and reaches up a trembling hand to rest it on Rayleigh's snout. "Do I...know you?" Rayleigh moves closer, pressing his body to Connery's until his forehooves are resting over Connery's shoulders, and his belly is pushed to the paladin's back. Then, Rayleigh's flesh begins to shift. It moves and flexes, pressing down against Connery's, blending until you cannot see where one starts and the other begins. Connery's head pushes up into Rayleigh's snout, and for a moment they look like a strange horse with four eyes and two snouts, before the two merge and combine into one. Rayleigh's hooves and Connery's hands blend into one, becoming a powerful pair of hands with rough black palms. The fusing entity stands up, Connery's wounds disappearing, his stitches fading as he and Rayleigh become one. He flexes his limbs, stretches his body. Bit by bit you can no longer distinguish two beings, but instead one tall, powerful horse-man. He stands proud, feeling over his pelt with his new hands, stroking his bulging muscles. Where Connery still had feet, this new fusion has a pair of massive hooves that he balances on with ease. An equine tail flicks behind him, and his face is handsome and healthy. It is an odd mix of the two. While he has Rayleigh's fur colour and head shape, he has regained the beard and moustache that Connery had as a human, which look at one somewhat silly but also handsome. He closes his eyes, and his hands stroke for a moment over his dangling, heavy shaft, now larger than either of the two's had been a moment ago. "I...am Connery. But I can feel Rayleigh's memories, his feelings. He has saved me. He wanted to say..." Connery suddenly steps forward, and kisses you. His muzzle presses to your face, his tongue sliding against you, and then he steps back. "I apologise. I was overcome for a moment by Rayleigh's feelings. When you first changed him, he was angry. But over time he came to thank you. He always adored horses, admired them. Deep down he truly did want to live as one, but his life was shackled by duties and responsibilities." Connery presses a hand against one of the castle walls, his face deep in thought. "Rayleigh...did not want to destroy this castle, in the end. I am struggling to reconcile his feelings with my own. I think he believed that this place was tainted, but not fundamentally evil. I will have to reflect on these lessons he has left me." He shakes his head, then bows to you deeply. "I, Sir Connery, Knight Paladin of the Rose Order, pledge my fealty to you. Allow me to stand at your side, unashamed of what I have become. This body is a gift from my venerated ancestor, and with it I will avenge my order and free the world from evil and despair." [[The Courtyard, Once More]] <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_mightyconnery>> <</if>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[7] to true>> <<set $mightyconnery to true>>

Connery is a paladin, and you he wouldn't want to live if it meant doing so as a monster. He looks up at you one more time. "If you can, stop Eskander. His ambitions are endless, he will never be satisfied merely with being a dark lord of this castle..." You tell him you will do what you can, and say as much of the blessing of his religion as you can recall. His head droops, and he goes silent once and for all. You pull his body over to the graveyard, and spend some time digging a respectable resting place for him. You place him alongside the grave of Lord Rayleigh, so that this modern paladin can rest with one of the ancient ones. There is nothing more you can do here. [[The Courtyard, Once More]]

<<statcheck 15 $charm "charm" "convinceconnery" "Let Connery die">>

You talk to Connery, keeping him awake, urging him not to give in. The man he came here to stop, Eskander, is still out there. If not Connery, then who? The other paladins are lost, and the world still needs him. You can feel his resistance to the idea fighting against his duty, and you push further. Is he really so selfish that he would choose to protect himself, rather than save countless innocents? Even if he has to do so in a monstrous form, if his faith remains strong, he can still be a hero. He opens his eyes, and grunts with determination. "You are right. I cannot afford to die here." He forces himself to his feet, and you see the stitches on his mutilated legs wobble, then slowly fade. The blood oozing slowly from his body runs faster, then turns ebony black as the power of Nox fills him. Gradually, his wounds seal up, his movements become more sure. "If I must accept Nox in order to save innocents, I shall. My heart will never be corrupted, no matter how monstrous my body becomes!" He stands tall, showing no shame. His scars start to fade, his stitches falling out. His limp equine muzzle flushes with warmth as it merges with his flesh. His ears twitch, and he rubs his arms as he feels the sensation return. He no longer looks like a barely-alive pile of stitched-together body parts. Instead he stands before you as a blend of equine and human, though his fur remains splotched with many colours, almost like an appaloosa but with many more shades. "I may not be at full strength, but I will do what I can. Allow me to accompany you, and together we will strike down the lords of this foul castle, and free us all." <<forceitem $i_connery i_connery>> [[The Courtyard, Once More]]

<<statcheck 9 $skill "skill" "pigbeastsneakyes" "pigbeastsneakno">>

You walk into the forge, and slowly approach the enormous hog. It turns to look at you for a moment, then return to its hammering. The creature is naked, and the massive meat between his legs makes it clear that he is male. You try to introduce yourself, and ask the hog what he is doing. He ignores you completely. You move closer, and get a better look at him. His massive body is covered in muscles everywhere but his huge round gut. Sweat is running in rivulets down his pink skin, and the stink of his body makes the room humid and cloying. All over his skin are small, light scars. You step closer to look at them, and realise that many of them are words. Scattered lines of poetry, random phrases. All of them trail off into nonsense. It looks like he carved them into his skin himself. He doesn't seem to care even when you reach out and touch his side carefully. He is focused only on his work. [[Try getting his attention carnally]]

It isn't too difficult to slip inside and remain unseen. The creature is entirely focused on its work, and doesn't notice you until you are right up behind its enormous, naked body. With a vicious strike, you attack the creature. It bellows in pain, and with one enormous arm it pushes its anvil aside, then turns to strike at you with its smithing hammer. It is badly wounded, but you will need to finish it off. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Forge Hog", "combat": 7, "stamina": 4, "maxdamage": 5, "success": "forgehogwon", "death": "forgehogdied", "flee": "The Courtyard, Once More" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

It shouldn't be too difficult to slip inside and remain unseen. The creature is entirely focused on its work, and the sound of the hammer blows masks your movement. As you get close though, it suddenly turns and lifts its hammer. It sniffs the air, then snarls at you. "Protect forge!" <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Forge Hog", "combat": 7, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 5, "success": "forgehogwon", "death": "forgehogdied", "flee": "The Courtyard, Once More" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You are struck down by one of the hog's enormous blows, and you collapse. As you struggle to breathe on the ground of the forge, the creature reaches down and picks you up in one oversized hand. It places you atop its anvil, and lifts its hammer once more. You close your eyes and await your end, but when the hammer strikes, it does so with the mighty clang of metal. A shock rushes through your entire body, like an electrical charge. He strikes again, and again, and with each blow you feel your will cracking, your mind becoming malleable, controllable. You go limp on the anvil, allowing yourself to be hammered, to be forged. The blows of the forge's hammer start to feel pleasurable, as if each one fills you with contentment and submission. To be molded, to be changed. Improved and made into a superior form. Bit by bit, you are flattened out upon the anvil. Your flesh hardens, tightens, becomes shiny and metallic. You are bent, twisted, reshaped. As your humanity is hammered away, you find yourself craving the smith's touch. Wanting to be changed into a superior form. Something valuable and worthwhile. Your body is hollowed out, hammered and twisted. You feel yourself broken into pieces, each one shaped for a specific purpose, a need. Your hands become clawed gauntlets, your chest a hard plate of armour. Your legs become inhuman metal boots, and finally your head is hammered and forged until there are no thoughts in your mind, only a desire to be worn. You are plunged into the water, heat gushing from your body as you are sealed forever in your new, final form. A mighty set of beastlike metal armour, to hang on the forge's rack and await a warrior worthy of you. You want nothing more than to cover the muscles of a mighty fighter, to protect him from harm, and be his beloved property. <<hasitem "Dire Wolf (Missing)">><<if $itemcheck > -1>> You wait there for a long time. Your hollow body requires no sustenance, no sleep. You are an object, nothing but metal. You wish only to be owned. Time has little meaning, and you barely register as hours become days, become more. Until one day the forge has visitors. A cloaked figure enters the hall, and then spreads one feathered arm to welcome in another. The second figure has to duck to pass by the lintel, and his glowing yellow eyes stand out even in the light and heat of the forge. The first man pulls back his hood to reveal a crow's head, and smiles. "Arena Champion Volk, as requested, I have found a smith of enough power to forge you the armour you desire as your reward." The second man draws your attention. He is an enormous naked wolf-man, his black fur thick and vibrant. His paws are tipped by long yellow claws that are almost bladelike, and his face is not entirely wolflike. His muzzle is too long, his teeth jut out like those of an alligator. His muscular body is covered in scars, but his eyes glow with determination and intelligence. You vaguely remember the words 'dire wolf', a distant memory of your mostly-forgotten human life. Something about this creature almost stirs your recollection. The raven looks around, and begins to idly sort through the many other creations of your forgemaster. The wolf, however, looks directly at you. He strides forward, and you feel the pleasure of his rough hands touching your metal form, feeling your heavy body. "This one", he growls. The raven turns and raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure? You know you can request anything from our Lord Sten. Some simple armour is a very humble reward." Volk lifts your helmet up, and looks into the hollow holes that were once your eyes. In his grip, you feel yourself change. Your helmet stretches out, forming a shape to cover his muzzle, adjusting to fit his ears and lupine face. He pulls you over his head, and your mind is awash with absolute, orgamic bliss. You can feel his powerful fur inside you, his body filling you. Bit by bit, he takes you and changes you. You are bound to him, owned by him. Your legs surround his paws, your hands hold against his massive claws. His heavy sheath presses against the inside of your crotch plate. You are owned. You are armour. You are Volk's. He looks at himself in a mirror, stroking his hands over you as he sees his new appearance, now covered in gleaming wolf-themed armour. "No. This is sufficient. It reminds me of someone I once knew, a long time ago. Come, Hugin. Lord Sten awaits us." The two stride out, and you go with them. Your journey ends here. You are now part of the journey of Volk, the Wolf Lord of Sten's Arena. <<else>> Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. <</if>> [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The massive hog squeals and thrashes, then collapses to the ground and breathes its last. You check it carefully to ensure it is truly dead, and notice something odd about it. Engraved in its skin are countless small scars. When you look closely enough, you can see that some of them are clumsy words and sentences. They look almost like bad poetry, but they all trail off into nonsense, as though whoever wrote them was unable to remember the words. You look around the forge for anything of use. Most of the items in here are junk. There are many shackles, and random pieces of metal twisted into bizarre shapes, but little of value. Eventually you find two things that might be worth taking. A soot-stained black sword, and an unfinished set of black platemail. [[Take the sword]] [[Take the armour]] [[Leave both behind|The Courtyard, Once More]]

You pick up the sword cautiously, and wipe away the soot. Underneath it you find only a completely normal sword. <<item $i_sword deadnicksword>> [[Take the armour]] [[Leave the forge|The Courtyard, Once More]]

As you pick up the armour, you feel a strange sensation in your head. Your hands clench more tightly around the black metal as you feel yourself entranced by it. <<statcheck 10 $faith "faith" "armorsucceed" "armorfail">>

You focus your mind, pushing away the intrusive thoughts. The metal heats up against your hands, and with a great force of will, you open your fingers and drop it to the ground. After a moment, the armour rattles and then goes still. Whatever curse was inside it has mostly spent itself. With the link you briefly made, you understand the armour more now. Taking it will enhance your strength, but it will also make you more reckless in combat, such that you take more damage from enemy attacks. <<item $i_blacksteelarmor i_blacksteelarmor>> You feel compelled to leave this cursed forge immediately. [[Leave the forge|The Courtyard, Once More]]

A booming, metallic voice echoes in your thoughts. GUARD. PROTECT. Your fingers tighten on the metal in your hands, and you find yourself staring at it, focusing on every detail of its texture, its weight in your grip, its feeling. DEFLECT BLOWS. BECOME HARD. DEFEND. You pick up the other pieces, stroking them, soothing them, pulling them close to you. Their voices fill your head, crowding out your own thoughts. COMPLETE US. GUARD. PROTECT. The thoughts of the armour, its desires, its need to be finished. To be used to defend, to engulf and seal. In your mind the wants of this unfinished armour make your own desires fade away bit by bit. Your eyes become glassy and unfocused, and you find yourself pulling off your clothing and tossing it aside. You take the armour pieces, and slowly start to buckle them onto your body. With each one, their thoughts merge with your own, filling your body with a pulsing, pounding pleasure. You feel hot all over, your whole body almost orgasmic at the touch of the hard metal. You must become hard. You must protect. You must be as armour is. A guardian. A defender. You push your feet into the metal greaves, and clasp the crotchplate over yourself, shivering with lust as you do. The bracers, the chestpiece, all of it makes you feel heavier, needier, more depserate. Finally you take the heavy black helmet, and pull it slowly over your head. It darkens your vision, reducing your sight to nothing but a slit of light as the hot weight of it presses down on your skull. You pleasure grows, building and swelling. The black armour begins to shift, growing new pieces, swelling and changing. It spreads down your arms, across your hips, down your legs. All the missing pieces of the set form themselves, and as each does, you feel your mind and will breaking and crumbling. The armour finishes itself using your very essence as its battery, and you can only stand there stiffly, lost in the intense rush of pleasure and the delight of being a guard, a protector. You are so close, so needy, but your orgasm and relief does not come. Instead you are trapped on the very brink of it, your mind awash in lust as the armour commands you, orders you. You reach out with your gauntlet hands, and feel heavy weights materialise in them. An enormous tower shield, and a gleaming black longsword. They feel right in your grip. You crave the orgasmic bliss of feeling a blow bounce off your shield, or the carnal lust of plunging your blade into a foe to defend your castle. Eager and with only thoughts of your duty in your head, you leave the forge. You stride to the gates of Castle Nox, and stand there, silent and still. Waiting for a foe to face you, so that you may be the castle's armour. It's protector. Forever. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

If he doesn't mind being touched, maybe he won't mind being touched in other areas. The enormous hog is naked, after all. Part of you feels strange that you are having lustful thoughts about a giant monstrous pig, but your body feels flushed and strangely excited. Perhaps it is the heat, or something about his beastly, overpowering scent. You crawl between his legs, and then reach up against his manhood. His balls are pendulous and heavy, and his sweat drips from them down onto your face. You stroke and massage them, feeling their swaying weight. Then you move up to his heavy, soft cock. It is as large as your entire torso, and slick with sweat. You begin to rub and massage it, feeling it pulse and stiffen in your grip. He snorts, and slowly places his hammer down onto his anvil. Your head is swimming, your mind feeling dizzy from this intense heat. <<statcheck 11 $faith "faith" "nickbj" "nickctf">>

You manage to control yourself, even as you find yourself pressed into the pig's massive shaft. You are flushed with arousal, but lucid. You continue to massage the hog's shaft, lifting and jiggling it in your arms. It's big enough that you have to wrap both your arms around it and move your whole body to pleasure it, and before long his swollen red cockhead is oozing slippery precum over your head. He snorts and pants as you move faster, squeezing harder and grinding against him more. His cock pulses so violently in your arms that it almost slips out of your grasp, but you wrangle and hold on to it. You pump and stroke it, watching as he sweats more, pants harder. His eyes roll up in his head, and he flexes his enormous hands for a moment. Then, you feel his cock pulse harder than ever. Cum erupts from his cock, spraying into the air in a powerful jet of thick, musky seed. It splatters up and then gushes down over you, knocking you down with the force of a hose as you are battered by globs of thick, monstrous seed. He snorts, gripping his cock and pumping it as he unleashes load after load, soaking the floor of the forge with an obscene quantity of stinking cum. Finally, his orgasm fades, and the last few drops ooze from his shaft. He pants and groans, his cum dribbling over your body. Then he pulls away, and lifts his hammer once more. "Too late. Too late to save me", he growls. He returns to his hammering. Nothing you do seems to be able to get his attention again. You can only leave the forge. [[Leave the forge|The Courtyard, Once More]]

The heat of the forge is making you dizzy, and the heat and stink of this hog's enormous manhood is making it far worse. All you can think of is that swollen meat, that throbbing flesh. Your other thoughts fade away, your mind focused only on this monster's pleasure. You grind and rub your entire body against it, squeezing it tightly as your obsession grows. You want to be closer to it, to never let it go. You clumsily pull off your clothes and toss them aside, then grip it naked with your arms and legs, grinding yourself against that fat shaft. The hog snorts, and bends forward. You feel his sticky precum dribbling from his swollen and heavy shaft, soaking your head and body with thick fluid. He presses you against the ground, his heavy body weighing down on you, and then begins to grind. He rubs you against the dirty floor, his massive cock pressing down on you, engulfing you. You can see nothing but the sweaty humping flesh of his enormous body, feel the throbbing of his meat. You feel sticky, and strange. You cannot pull your limbs away from that hot hog flesh, and you can feel a pounding in your heat, like the monster's heart is beating inside you. Your pleasure grows all over, your whole body feeling flushed and tingly and intense, as if every inch of you was as sensitive and hot as cock meat. The monster stands up, and you are pulled along with him. You dangle down from under his heavy belly, and try to pull yourself free, but you cannot. Underneath you, his balls sway and pulse, and you feel his sweat soaking you, but you can no longer distinguish where his cock ends and you begin. Your flesh has merged with his, and you gargle as you feel thick globs of precum ooze and spurt from your open mouth. His oversized, rough hands grip around you, and begin to pump and stroke you. With each touch, the last of your form merges into his cock, your limbs fading into his thick foreskin, your head becoming round and swollen, just his gigantic bulging cockhead. Overwhelming pleasure builds up beneath you, and then explodes inside you. Your mind crumbles and dissolves in a white-hot eruption of unbelievable pleasure. You are barely conscious as you feel a river of thick, hot monster cum burst through your body and out from your mouth. Gushing, squirting, covering the forge with hot rank seed. After what feels like hours, the orgasm subsides. Your mind is utterly broken, left thinking of nothing but pleasure, sex. You can only dangle between the monster's legs as he returns to his work, your body twitching and pulsing with need. You are nothing but a hog's fat, mindless cock. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

<<if $tquest > 2>> The chapel is in ruins, barely more than a frame of scorched planks. The walls and ceiling have completely fallen away. Only the library remains, and not in good condition itself. Most of the books are missing, and of the few that remain, many are scattered about the floor. Atop the table where Tristram's alchemy kit used to be is now a small, engraved box. As you approach it, it begins to glow, then opens with a small click. Inside is a potion, and a note. "$playername I have enchanted this box to open only in your presence. I have taken my supplies to Sten's demesne. Of the lords he seems least likely to intrude on my magic, and I have the greatest chances of achieving my desires. Should we meet again, I believe it will be with myself in my new form. This castle is my home now, but I would welcome to share it with you. However, if you have turned against the castle, then so too will you have turned against me. My power only grows, and you should not take me lightly. In hope your friend, still, Tristram, the Great White Fox. P.S. I left you a potion to shore up some of your less impressive skills. I will not tolerate a companion who does not excel in all regards. It is the culmination of much of my alchemical talents and you should be extremely grateful." <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan looms over your shoulder, reading the letter as you do. He snorts slighty. "Your friend sounds rather arrogant, my lord. I assure you that I, the great and powerful sorcerer Derevan, am all the magical support you could require." <</if>> The potion glimmers as you lift it. Upon drinking it, you feel a rush of power fill your body. Your lowest attribute has been boosted. [[Return|Gardens]] <<if $might <= $magic && $might <= $skill && $might <= $charm>> <<set $might to $might+2>> <<elseif $magic <= $might && $magic <= $skill && $magic <= $charm>> <<set $magic to $magic+2>> <<elseif $skill <= $might && $skill <= $magic && $skill <= $charm>> <<set $skill to $skill+2>> <<else>> <<set $charm to $charm+2>> <</if>> <<else>> The chapel is in ruins, barely more than a frame of scorched planks. The walls and ceiling have completely fallen away. Only the library remains, and not in good condition itself. Most of the books are missing, and of the few that remain, many are scattered about the floor. There is nothing for you here. [[Return|Gardens]] <</if>> <<set $visitedchapel to true>>

You hesitate as you approach the bridge. It took many months of difficult journey to bring you back here. You take a deep breath, steel your nerves, and step across. You stride into the gatehouse, one hand resting cautiously against your weapon. Your footsteps leave prints in the dried blood coating the stone steps, but no terrible beast lunges from the darkness to attack you. The interior of the gatehouse is a scene of carnage. Bodies lie slumped around the stone floor, cold and long abandoned. To your surprise, they are not human. Instead they are a diverse collection of twisted beastmen, all hideously eviscerated. In the center of the room, next to an enormous puddle of black and red blood, is a gigantic severed leg. It is lionlike, but with crimson red fur and enormous black claws. Of the Beast, there is no sign. However, a thick trail of blood leads out to the side, where part of the wall has been torn down, leading to a dark underground tunnel seemingly dug from the foundations of the castle itself. You are free to proceed, to the castle interior, and the Lords of Nox. This time there is no gatekeeper to stand in your way. <> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery kneels down for a moment, heedless of the filth and blood. He says a short prayer for the men he lost here, then stands again. <</if>> [[Proceed to the Four Gates]] [[Follow the tunnel down and away from the Lords]] <>

The air strokes and tingles against your skin in the space beyond the gatehouse. You find yourself in a stone ring, from which multiple paths open to you. To the west, marble pillars flank an ivy-covered walkway, leading to a gold and red palace in the distance surrounded by ornate gardens. To the northwest is an imposing set of iron gates engraved with runes. Frost coats their surface, and past them you can see the distant shape of snowy mountains, despite the impossibility of how such a thing could fit within the castle. To the northeast, a mighty tower looms in the sky. It reaches to the clouds above, where purple lightning crackles and shimmers, illuminating the faces of hideous gargoyles. To the east, a simple brick alleyway leads to a maze of alleyways, all seemingly sinking deeper and deeper into the earth. Posters coat the brick walls, advertising gold and pleasure at the grand casino of sin. The four realms of Nox's great lords beckon you. <<if !$altanskill>> [[Altan the Red's Palace]] <</if>> Sten Icebreaker's Tundra - Coming soon Eskander Inkfinger's Tower - Coming soon <<if !$zeligskill>> [[Zelig Cursebrand's Warrens]] <</if>> Before you face them, you could take a moment to rest. If you have at least one food or the Hunting skill you could recover your strength and talk with your allies. <<hasitem "Food">><<if $itemcheck > -1>>[[Rest and recover]] <<elseif $hunting > 0>>[[Rest and recover]]<</if>> <<if $zeligskill || $altanskill || $stenskill || $eskanderskill>> [[Leave this castle for good|What Next?]] <</if>>

The tunnel does not feel like part of the castle. It looks torn and dug out of desperation rather than intent. You climb down, moving carefully as not to slip on the slick, muddy ground. It rapidly becomes too dark to see, and this rough twisting tunnel could easily lead to a deadly pitfall or flooded cavern. If you have some way to create light, either by item or by magic or skill, you could proceed. [[Go back and move on to the Lords instead|Proceed to the Four Gates]] <<hasitem "Tinderbox">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Use your tinderbox to light your way|Deeper tunnel]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Ask Derevan to light your path|Deeper tunnel]] <</if>> <<if $cantrips > 0>> [[Cast a Cantrip of light|Deeper tunnel]] <</if>> <<if $heightenedsenses > 0>> [[Rely on your heightened senses|Deeper tunnel]] <</if>>

You step forward, along the rows of pillars. The sound of revelry becomes louder, the light of the palace windows brighter. The ivy rustles around you as you hear the clink of glasses, the tuning of instruments, the tapping of dancing shoes. The tiled walkway beneath you shifts and moves, and the light shines and warps like the flickering of light off a lake's surface. You stumble forward, and catch yourself on the edge of a buffet table. Delicacies and delights are stretched out as far as the eye can see on gold-fringed tablecloths and silver platters. A man in a red tunic wearing an ivory stag mask bumps into you and apologises before sliding into a group of party-goers to the side. You look around, and see no sign of the path you are walking on. The dim light of the moon is replaced by the blinding lights of glimmering chandeliers. You are in an enormous palace, the floor thickly carpeted, the walls gleaming with intricate designs. The room is crowded with masked guests, while servants in evening wear duck between them bearing trays of drinks and canapés. One servant steps up to you, his elegant black suit and bow tie stark against the vibrant colours of the guests. Unlike the guests who's masks are detailed and fashioned after various animals, the servant's head is completely enclosed in a sleek, featureless black sphere. "Your mask, my lord. It wouldn't do to be missing a mask when the dance begins." <<item $i_mousemask i_mousemask>> The servant bows and steps away, leaving you to your own devices. Of Altan himself there seems to be no sign. It takes you just a moment to find your companions. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan pushes past some of the nobles, his face thunderous. He's dressed like one of the wait staff that are weaving between the guests, serving canapes and trays of champagne. The bow tie and long-tailed coat looks quite charming on him, but he's clearly furious about it. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery steps up to you, and looks a little bashful as he shows his changed outfit. He's wearing gleaming white and red armour, less practical and more like a parade uniform. It's the same outfit as the guards you can see at the edge of the room. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Tiny and Boss have had their looks completely changed. Both are dressed in matching evening wear, one enormous one for Tiny and a tiny one for Boss. They have matching cravats as well, though Tiny's looks ridiculous on his short body, to the point it is almost bigger than his rodent snout. <</if>> [[Examine the buffet|The Buffet]] <<set $nickwith to false>> <<set $donesecretroom to false>> <<set $someoneperforming to true>> <<set $altandance to false>> <<set $dancetimer to 6>> <<set $erensoul to false>> <<set $dancesoul to false>> <<set $duelsoul to false>> <<set $nickflag to 0>> <<set $donkeydance to false>>

You walk up to the gates and push on them firmly. The iron is bitterly cold, and your hands sting as your skin sticks to the metal. You push and heave, but they ignore your struggles completely. Your feet scrabble on the snow-dusted stone beneath you as you push your shoulder to the gates, trying everything you can to force them open. A cold wind slashes across you, making your face red and scratching at your skin with sharp fragments of ice. The air smells of winter frost, metallic and sharp. In the distance you hear the crunch of hoofbeats in the frost, the howl of wolves hunting prey. A light shines down on you, ethereal and otherworldly, a northern aurora creating a rainbow ribbon in the sky. You stand up and look around, and realise you are no longer where you were before. You are surrounded by snow, standing on a road that leads out into a vast white tundra. In the distant, snow-covered fir trees cluster in dark woods, and perilous mountains form a tooth-like jagged skyline. You are on the other side of the gate, and have been attempting to push it open to get to where you were before. It will not let you pass, and you have no choice but to step forth, into Sten's domain.

You step towards the tower, and it looms overhead. Far above you see the spire piercing the crackling clouds, and you hear the distant caw of ravens and the rush of wind. You walk and walk, but the tower seems to come no closer. If anything it grows taller and more distant, stretching up beyond the horizon, beyond the highest reaches of your vision. You hear the crackling of dry pages, the whispering of arcane secrets. Below your feet you feel an uncertainty, a terrible howling void beneath the paper-thin surface of reality, through which your every step threatens to break through into a terrible abyss. You stumble slightly, and then find your hand resting against the warped, blackened wood of a massive door. You have reached the tower, and a hideous metal doorknocker embedded in the door glares at you malevolently. When you look back at where you came, you see nothing. The tower stands alone in a vast empty black desert, with nothing but howling wastes in all directions. There is no going back now. The door opens silently at your touch, and you step through into the tower beyond. [[Ground Floor]]

You walk forward and step into the narrow alleyway. It leads you on a twisting path, left and right, forward and back, until you are certain you must surely be doubling back on yourself. The further you walk, the narrower and taller the alley becomes. The posters on the walls become older and more stained, advertising more lewd and depraved delights. All manner of drugs, sex and vice are splattered across the walls, and soon the bricks are barely visible beneath. You hear the rush of water, the sound of traffic and chatter of distant voices. The air smells of high tide, salty and rotten, with a foul tinge of sewage drifting through the wind. The ground beneath your feet becomes damp and slick with mud, and the alleyway becomes so tall that you are engulfed in shadow, with the sky a mere hairline crack of blue far far above. You are forced to turn on your side to continue moving through the narrow alley, your feet kicking at discarded boxes and rags. Finally you squeeze out into a wider area, and you are nearly knocked down by a carriage that rushes past you on the cobblestone streets. You are standing in a soot-stained street, the buildings all boarded up and hollow. When you turn around, there is no sign of the alley you entered through. The air is thick and dry with ash. You have been separated from your companions, and must proceed alone for now. [[Zelig's Realm]]

As you delve deeper, the walls of the tunnel slowly change. The mud gives way to pulsing, slick black flesh. It twists and moves slightly, and glistens like oil. Strands of it dangle from above, as if you are crawling through a wound in some enormous, unnatural entity. Finally you find yourself in a deep underground cavern. The floor beneath you is wet with blood, and the wheezing sound of painful breaths leads you to an enormous bloodstained shape. It is like an enormous red lion, but with two massive bat wings lying limply behind it. A pair of curved and heavy bull's horns arc from atop its fanged lupine head, and it has twisted tusks like that of some monstrous bull. One of its hind legs has been severed, leaving only a leaking lump. It opens its eyes, and the glow of them illuminates the dark cavern in pulsing red witchlight. You recognise him now, in some way. This is the Beast of Nox, his true form revealed, and his life coming close to its end. <<if $am_orc > 0>> The Beast sniffs the air, then his eyes flick to you. He smiles slightly. "An orc, is it? Did your bloodthirst drag you all this way? I know how it feels. Come then, fellow beast. Come to me." <</if>> [[Ask what happened to him]] [[Finish him off]] [[Leave him to die and return to the bridgehouse|Proceed to the Four Gates]]

The Beast pushes himself up by one huge forepaw, and stares down at you. "I remember you. Yes, I can smell your blood. You are one of the Seekers I struck down. Come then to finish me, eh? I cannot complain. Such is the way of beasts, that when one's time has come, a usurper will strike you down and claim your place." You ask him how he got like this. In some way you feel oddly cheated, that he would be struck down by someone else before you ever met again. "Stood against me, lords all. Sten and the greatest warriors of Altan, bearing cursebrand weapons, fortified by inkfinger magic. Too great my ambitions, it seems." He grins wide, showing off his forest of enormous fangs. "Even so, I did not go easily. Only Sten survived by the time our battle was through, and we fought to a standstill. He retreated, and I lick my wounds. Though there is only so much that licks can do." He reaches out one forepaw, his curved claws dangerously close to your face. "Well then, Seeker. Face me if you dare. Either grant your flesh unto me, or allow me to pass in glorious battle, rather than wheezing my last like a sick dog." [[Finish him off]] [[Leave him to die and return to the bridgehouse|Proceed to the Four Gates]] [[Offer to treat his wounds]]

You ready for battle, and the Beast laughs. "Yes, come at me! Only in battle I live, so in battle I shall die!" He stands, balancing on his three remaining legs. One of his wings flaps out behind him, while the other hangs broken and limp. Even terribly wounded as he is, he will be a fearsome foe. <<set $beastcombat to 18>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery fights at your side, his combat style honed by many years of Paladin training. He deflects and distracts the beast, allowing you to move in for the kill. <<set $beastcombat to $beastcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan hangs back behind you, chanting a spell of sealing. Lines of arcane power ring the cavern, and the light seems to wrap around the Beast's legs, hindering his motions and slowing his attacks. <<set $beastcombat to $beastcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your loyal wolf fights as one with you, matching your movements and flanking the beast using pack tactics. <<set $beastcombat to $beastcombat-1>> <</if>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "The Blood-Soaked Beast", "combat": $beastcombat, "stamina": 20, "maxdamage": 10, "success": "bbeastwon", "death": "bbeastdied", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_boss "play">>

This battle tests you to the limits of your skill. The Beast's paws could topple siege towers, the beat of his enormous wing threatens to nearly send you flying across the room. With blow after blow, he rends enormous scars across the battlefield, and your heart pounds with exertion as you struggle to stay alive. Bit by bit, you draw closer to victory. This is a war of attrition, and with every blow the Beast's lifeblood leaks away. Slowly but surely his attacks become weaker, his reaction times slipping. You take your chances where you can, striking at his neck, his flank, his injured leg. By the time it is over, the entire cavern is slick and wet with blood. The Beast rises up once more, but then shudders and falls to the ground. It is over. He can fight no more. His eyes are distant and unfocused, and he stares at you silently as he wheezes and gasps his last. <<if $am_orc > 0>> This battle was truly worthy of you, worthy of an orc, of a knight of blood. <<include "OrcTF">> <</if>> The Beast opens his mouth to speak, but the sound is garbled and meaningless. It feels strange to see this terrible foe so weak and helpless. Slowly, his body begins to dissolve. His limbs slacken, and his black blood sizzles as it pools around him. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan lowers his staff cautiously, and stares at the beast with an avaricious gaze. He steps forward and reaches out slightly towards the Beast's slumped, dying form. "Such incredible rage and power...if only I had brought a sealing chamber with me. Even a fraction of this monster's soul would make a fearsome weapon." <<hasitem "Summoner's Box">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Give Derevan your summoner's box]] <</if>> <</if>> [[Absorb the Beast's power]] [[Allow the Beast's power to fade away]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[8] to true>>

You underestimated the beast. Even as wounded as he is, his power is comparable to a Lord of Nox. You fight as strongly as you can, but it is hopeless. Inevitably, you reach your limit, and with one terrible blow he knocks you finally to the ground. "Cornered beasts are deadly still", he growls at you. His eyes glow brighter, and he slams you onto the ground, his massive forepaw crushing down on your body. "Facing me like a scavenger, preying on my weakness, and still losing? Shame upon you. You do not deserve a fate of honour. Something humiliating, something without dignity." He leans down over you, his hot rank breath washing over you. He turns to look at his mangled leg, and a sinister grin stretches across his muzzle. He flexes his claws and begins to tear at your armour, pulling it from you with no care for how much his claws rend at your skin and wound you further. Once you are naked, he presses you down onto your belly and then steps over you, his huge body looming above you. The stump of his severed leg drips blood onto your bare form, but then the blood begins to move and twist. Red tendrils slide out from his flesh, and wrap around your body, pinning you to the floor and tightening around your limbs. You feel the Beast resting his weight down on you, the force of his body crushing you into the slimy ground. The red tendrils press against your skin, merging with you and sinking deep inside you. You shudder and gasp as you feel them mold your flesh, twist and reshape your bones. Your bare chest starts to harden and stiffen, the skin darkening and becoming leathery, until it looks almost like the rough pawpads under his remaining three feet. The tendrils wrap around your arms, and then thicken into heavy muscle. As your fists are engulfed, two long black claws emerge from where they used to be, and when you try to move your arms you instead find yourself wiggling and flexing two lionlike clawed toes. The Beast rolls over, and leans down. His long rough tongue licks against your chest, and the tendrils wrap around your neck and face, thickening them with muscle, changing you. You feel a long claw emerge from your mouth, followed by a tingling, burning sensation as red fur sprouts all over your body. The Beast stands up on all fours, his weight pushing down on you properly once more. You are lifted and dropped, pressed into the ground over and over as he tests you, experiments with you. The musk of his heavy feet soaks your body, and you are in denial about what has happened to you. It surely cannot be true. You cannot really be nothing but this monster's hindpaw? He rears up, your body shoved against the ground, and his form begins to shrink. His fur recedes to reveal stony grey flesh, his horns shrinking away. Bit by bit he re-asserts his orc form, and as he shifts, so do you. You feel yourself compressed and shifted, the shape of a lionlike paw replaced by a massive rough grey humanoid foot with five toes. As he sighs and stands in his smaller form, you can no longer deny the truth. He sits down, and lifts you up. His fingers stroke into your sole, and he smiles faintly as he massages and squeezes you. Nothing but his foot. A mere small part of this terrible, bloodthirsty warrior. "I think it is time for a rematch with Sten..." Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You take out the summoning box you bought from the retired adventurer's shop, and ask Derevan if this is what he meant. He glances over it, then grins widely. He grabs it and opens the lid, before stroking his fingers carefully over the engravings. "Yes, this is perfect! It will take but a moment my lord, and I assure you that the Beast's true power will remain free for your consumption. I need only a tiny shard of his soul." Derevan places the box down in front of the Beast's slumped head, then begins a long, elaborate chant. He taps his staff against the ground rhythmically, and you feel dizzy as the air becomes stagnant and strange. Lines of light emerge from his staff, and form a glowing circle around the Beast. They loop around, becoming more complex and intricate, forming branches and swirls and sigils. Slowly they creep along the Beast's body, until he is outlined in an eldritch glow. The lines then tighten like a trap, and slowly pull away. From the Beast's core, something glowing and pulsing is dragged away. It stretches out, and solidifies into a faintly blue, ghostly spectral shape. It is the torso of a mighty horned lion, much like the Beast himself but smaller and wingless. It slashes with its long claws, and roars silently, before being dragged down into the box. With a click, the box seals shut, and the lights fade. Derevan sighs, and wipes sweat from his forehead. "For you, my lord. You can consider yourself a true summoner now. Some of the Beast's rage will come to you when called, and fight on your behalf if you wish it." <<item $i_beastsummon i_beastsummon>> [[Absorb the Beast's power]] [[Allow the Beast's power to fade away]] <<hasitem "Summoner's Box">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <</if>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[17] to true>>

The Beast's body begins to crumble. It melts away into black ichor that coats the ground around you, and where he once stood is left only an enormous, thumping heart. It thumps and pulses, beckoning you. Promising you power, wealth, might. All you would need to do is step forward and take it. You walk up to it, feeling that pounding echo through your body, your mind, your soul. You place your hands upon the heart, and feel yourself glow with power. <<if $am_darklord > 0>> Derevan stands at your side, his grin triumphant. "Allow me to assist, my lord. None of this will be wasted." He chants a complex spell, and waves his staff over the heart. You are surrounded by a glowing ring of light, and the heart itself lights up as if it were aflame. The light flows into you, rushing into your mouth and eyes. You feel swollen with power, humming with it. The heart disappears beneath you, but in your chest you feel two world-shattering beats. <<include "DarkLordTF">> <<else>> The power rises, surging around you like a bonfire. Then the heart itself lights up as if it were aflame. The light flows into you, rushing into your mouth and eyes. You feel swollen with power, humming with it. The heart disappears beneath you, but in your chest you feel two world-shattering beats. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery places his hand to his sword, and watches you cautiously. "Are you still yourself, my friend? I can't save I approve of this, but perhaps we need all the power we can get." <</if>> The power of Nox has increased your skill points. Perhaps later, other improvements will begin to show. You need time to adjust to the beating within you. <<if !$beastskill>> <<set $skillpoints to $skillpoints+1>> <<set $beastskill to true>> <</if>> [[Return to the main castle, and face the Lords|Proceed to the Four Gates]]

The Beast's body begins to crumble. It melts away into black ichor that coats the ground around you, and where he once stood is left only an enormous, thumping heart. It thumps and pulses, beckoning you. Promising you power, wealth, might. All you would need to do is step forward and take it. You do not. You watch as the heart beats slower, and slower, and then finally stops. It crumbles away, dissolving into glowing lights that float up into the air and disappear. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan makes a pained whimper behind you. "Such a waste, my lord..." <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery slaps your back. "Fine work my friend. You have a strong heart already, what need have you of this foul one?" <</if>> You may have given up the power of Nox, but you feel stronger from this mighty battle. Your skill points have increased. <<if !$beastskill>> <<set $skillpoints to $skillpoints+1>> <<set $beastskill to true>> <</if>> <<set $faith to $faith+1>> There is nothing more to be done here. It is time to face the Lords of Nox. [[Return to the main castle, and face the Lords|Proceed to the Four Gates]]

<<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> As you say that, Sir Connery gasps, then steps forward and places his hand on your shoulder. "Surely you jest? This fiend struck us all down, and would do so again at a moment's notice!" <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan coughs politely behind you. "As much as it pains me to agree with a paladin, I must second that, my lord. We should seize this chance while we can and take the Beast's power for our own." <</if>> The Beast stares at you unblinkingly. "Your ally is correct. I would slay you in an instant if I were at my full strength. What do you desire of me, that you would make such a mad offer?" <<else>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> As you say that, Derevan coughs politely behind you. "Is that entirely wise, my lord?" <</if>> The Beast stares at you unblinkingly. "If I were at my full power, I would have rent your flesh the moment you entered my sight. You know this, for I have done so to you once before. What do you desire of me, that you would make such a mad offer?" <</if>> [[I desire a worthy battle]] [[I only want to help an injured creature]] [[I want to know more of you]]

<<if $beatbeast>> <<if $am_orc > 0>> The Beast chuckles slightly, and coughs as blood oozes from his maw. "Yes, you crave it, do you not? The heat of battle, the rush of blood. It sings to you in the night. All the world seems flimsy and weak, and only in the blood are you alive." He lowers his head, and rolls to the side, showing his grievous wounds. "Very well, orc. If you think you can, then make me a battle worthy of your talents." <<else>> The Beast considers your words for some time, his eyes narrowed. "Perhaps you speak true. You stood against me unafraid, once, and were it not for Nox's black blood in my veins then you would have the better of me." He lowers his head, and rolls to the side, showing his grievous wounds. "Very well, Seeker. If you think you can, then make me a battle worthy of your talents." <</if>> [[Heal the beast]] <<else>> The Beast chuckles, and his long black tongue slides out for a moment to lick against his bloodied fangs. "No, I think not. For a weakling like you, even my injured and bloodied self is sufficient a challenge. If you truly craved glorious battle, you would have put up a better fight the first time we met." The Beast rears up, his claws ready to strike you down. "Prepare yourself! One of us dies this night!" [[Finish him off]] <</if>>

The Beast roars, and clenches his forepaws. His mighty fangs leave great jagged scars in the slimy earth. "You dare pity me? Me, the Beast of Nox, mightiest warrior ever to draw breath? Nay, I will not abide this! For your insolence I will deny you an honourable death!" The Beast rears up, his claws ready to strike you down. [[Finish him off]]

<<if $beatbeast>> <<if $am_orc > 0>> The Beast frowns, and bares his teeth at you. "You know me well, orc. Know my heart better than any being alive, for yours and mine beat in tandem." After a long pause, he lowers his head, and rolls to the side, showing his grievous wounds. "But if you would know me more, then very well. Only at my true strength could our hearts truly unite, in the glory of battle." <<else>> The Beast considers your words for some time, his eyes narrowed. "What mad wretch would seek to know my heart? Within it there is only violence and depravity. Whatever you seek, you look in the wrong place." After a long pause, he lowers his head, and rolls to the side, showing his grievous wounds. "You have earned it, though, by facing me without fear once before. Fine, tend to me and I will tell you what you wish to hear." <</if>> [[Heal the beast]] <<else>> The Beast growls, and stares at you for a moment, his eyes predatory. "No, I think not. A weakling like you could never truly know me. If we were kindred souls, you would have put up a better fight the first time we met." The Beast rears up, his claws ready to strike you down. "Prepare yourself! One of us dies this night!" [[Finish him off]] <</if>>

His wounds are so heinous that any lesser creature would already have succumbed to them. His underside is a gory mess of leaking flesh. How do you intend to help him? <<hasitem "Tear of Erana">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Offer a Tear of Erana]] <<else>> //Needs Tear of Erana// <</if>> <<hasitem "Tincture of Life">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Treat his wounds with healing potion]] <<else>> //Needs Tincture of Life// <</if>> <<if $healing > 0>> [[Use your healing arts]] <<else>> //Needs Healing skill// <</if>> [[Give up on healing him]]

The Beast hisses and recoils as you show him your crystalline potion. "That you would offer me a drop of the clearblood tells me that you know not what it is you hold. No, for me to drink of the false saint's blood would be a fate worse than death. I will not take it. I chose Change over Preservation, all those years ago." <<hasitem "Tincture of Life">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Treat his wounds with healing potion]] <</if>> <<if $healing > 0>> [[Use your healing arts]] <</if>> [[Give up on healing him]]

You begin to bandage and stitch up the Beast's wounds, compensating for the grievous injuries by wiping his down with healing potion. If you use it sparingly alongside a slow and careful treatment, you may be able to save him. [[Spend time with the Beast]] <<hasitem "Tincture of Life">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <</if>>

You are a healer, and you know how to treat even injuries like these. You clean, treat and stitch up the Beast's wounds. You bandage him where you can and suture where you cannot, and not once does he flinch or recoil even when you are wrist-deep in his flesh attempting to fish out shards of metal or stone. Even with your skills, it will take some days to stabilise him. [[Spend time with the Beast]]

These wounds are simply beyond your skills to help with. The Beast laughs, and rolls back over before pulling himself up onto his three remaining legs. "It was an amusing offer, but now it is time to finish this. Face me, Seeker!" [[Finish him off]]

The Beast's injuries are far more dire than he was letting on. The bones in his severed leg are shattered, and the wounds on his belly go so deep that any nonmagical creature would surely have died just from the shock. You patch his wounds as best he can, and he never shows any indication of pain or discomfort. He stares at you as you work, his glowing eyes pulsing gently in the darkness of the cavern. Once you are too exhausted to stitch him up any further, you lie down to get some rest. He crouches over you, his enormous body looming as if he is about to pounce, then curls around you with one enormous forepaw on your chest. "You are my prey, Seeker. For the humiliation of tending to me, I will grant you death once I am healed." He pins you there until you both fall asleep. In the night, you think perhaps you hear him mumbling things - names, places. His voice is too beastlike and deep to make out the words, though. The next day you get back to work on fixing him up. You show him stretches and careful motions to help his wounded limbs recover properly, and he does them with barely-concealed contempt. Repeatedly he assures you that he will kill or eat you for making him sound weak, but you find him staring at you more and more often, the expression on his inhuman face unreadable. In the night, as he presses you close to his chest, you wonder if anyone but you has ever seen this terrible creature asleep and vulnerable. The beating of his heart pounds against you, and his long muzzle opens, as he begins to hum fragments of a strange melody. You fall asleep to the sound, and dream of battlefields and blood. [[Days pass]]

After days of watching over him, tending his wounds, and helping to exercise his injured limbs, the Beast is finally stable. With his monstrous stamina and endurance, it is now almost certain that he will recover fully from his injuries and once more become a terror to threaten those who enter Nox. He stands up, and stretches his muscles, then flexes his claws along the ground. "It is time, Seeker. I have held back my appetite long enough. Now you must face me, strong as I was years ago when first we met." If you wish, you can challenge him alone, without the assistance of any allies you have with you. [[Face him at his true power]] [[Face him at his true power, alone]] [[Tell him you don't want to kill him]]

He stands on his three legs, moving with grace and skill that shows no sign of weakness despite his missing limb. His wings unfurl behind him, enormous and mighty, and your body shivers at the sight of this absolute, apex predator. "Come now, worthy one! Face me, and die in glory!" <<set $beastcombat to 20>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery fights at your side, his combat style honed by many years of Paladin training. He deflects and distracts the beast, allowing you to move in for the kill. <<set $beastcombat to $beastcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan hangs back behind you, chanting a spell of sealing. Lines of arcane power ring the cavern, and the light seems to wrap around the Beast's legs, hindering his motions and slowing his attacks. <<set $beastcombat to $beastcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your loyal wolf fights as one with you, matching your movements and flanking the beast using pack tactics. <<set $beastcombat to $beastcombat-1>> <</if>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "The Beast of Nox", "combat": $beastcombat, "stamina": 30, "maxdamage": 10, "success": "beastkilledtrue", "death": "beastdiedtrue", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_boss "play">>

He stares at you, his eyes wide. "You won't, Seeker. I am unstoppable." He moves closer, until his muzzle is almost touching your chest. "You earned my respect by facing me once. You have shown honour by helping me now, even knowing I am without mercy. If you speak true, if you truly did all this caring not to stand atop me as my conqueror..." He reaches out and strokes his claw along your chest, his eyes narrowing. "Then face me alone, and surrender. Submit yourself to my will, accepting that I may simply devour you like so many others in the past." [[Face him at his true power, alone]]

The walls and floor are cracked and shredded by the ferocity of your fight. Red and black blood forms a visceral painting across the cavern, and the very castle shakes. Yet finally, you strike once more, and the Beast falls. His enormous shaggy head slams against the ground, his paws unable to hold him up any longer. His two gigantic horns lie in fragments, and his muzzle is soaked with glistening, ichor-black blood. He tries to stand, his legs shaking, but collapses once again. His weight sends a spiderweb of cracks through the stone. He grins at you, his eyes rolling up to stare at you though his head is too heavy and injured to move. Blood drips from his maw. <<if $am_orc > 0>> <<include "OrcTF">> "What were their names, orc? The people you lost, the comrades you lost, that made you like I am?" You tell him about the Ashen Blades, about Natasha and Peter and Big and Vyke. You describe the battles you fought, and of losing them and then losing yourself. You ask him if he remembers his own. He grins. "No. I remember nothing, only that I have forgotten. I gave it all away, all for the black blood. It's easier. Mercenaries like us are made to be forgotten. History will remember the people who threw our lives away for their wars and squabbles, but we lie forgotten in the muck." He struggles, but cannot move. His body shakes a little, but even his tail lies dead and still. "With black blood I can be anything I wish, but I cannot be human again. I have none of the red blood any more, nothing left of humanity. I would fight you once more, as myself, if I could." [[Give him some of your blood]] <<else>> "So it ends. As it should. So much easier to become a beast, than live as a man." <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan lowers his staff cautiously, and stares at the beast with an avaricious gaze. He steps forward and reaches out slightly towards the Beast's slumped, dying form. "Such incredible rage and power...if only I had brought a sealing chamber with me. Even a fraction of this monster's soul would make a fearsome weapon." <<hasitem "Summoner's Box">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Give Derevan your summoner's box]] <</if>> <</if>> [[Absorb the Beast's power]] [[Allow the Beast's power to fade away]] [[Sing him to sleep]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[8] to true>>

You stand alone against a titanic force, a creature that could flatten armies. With each blow you evade you know you come inches from death, and with each strike you land you feel as if you are trying to dig through a mountain with a toothpick. Inevitably, your strength begins to wane. Your reactions slow, your legs and arms quiver. The Beast's mighty wings shake your balance, and finally his paw crushes down to take your life. As you are slammed into the surface of the cavern beneath his weight, you are sure this is the end. After a moment, you realise you are still alive, and are merely pinned under his claws. He stares down at you, his glowing eyes wide. "You have shown honour and courage. The soul of a warrior beats in you, that you would face me at true strength. I will not hold against you that you did so with comrades by your side, for I am truly fearsome." His muzzle stretches into a grin. "You will have no need of such weaklings any longer. You have earned the right to be my champion. It is time I stood against the other lords with allies of my own." He flexes his claws, and pulls them across your clothing. He tears it piece by piece, tossing the scraps aside until you are naked and helpless beneath his paws. His eyes never look away from your own, and the glowing light seems to sink into your thoughts, making it impossible to focus or think straight. He releases you, but you feel as though you are tethered to him, your mind chained and imprisoned. He rolls onto his back, and reaches down with one forepaw to stroke between his legs. From his thick furry sheath, a throbbing black shaft begins to emerge. It is heavy and enormous, the skin glistening and shiny, and the base is swollen with an enormous knot that bears thick, rubbery spikes. "Come, champion. Taste of your new lord and master." You nod, and your body stumbles forward like you are on puppet strings. You find yourself gripping his heavy throbbing cock, and lowering your mouth to the pointed tip, which oozes and trickles with precum. As your lips touch to his cockhead, the shaft of his monstrous cock lights up with runic sigils. Your mouth barely fits over the tip of his cock, but he reaches down and shoves you forcefully with his forepaw. His bulging shaft rams into your throat, stretching your neck and making you shudder. As your mouth passes one of the rings of runes on his cock, your whole body pulses and throbs. You feel yourself growing, your muscles thickening, your body getting larger. Your skin prickles as red fur sprouts all over you, covering you in a thick furry pelt. Your face stretches forward, your jaw growing out into a wolflike muzzle. Your master pushes you harder, and his cock slides down deeper, almost stretching your whole chest as your face is pushed down against his bulbous knot. More magic fills you, making your eyes glow and your head pound with pleasure. Thick black horns curve from your head, and from your behind you feel a thick furry tail stretch out and twitch. Your feet swell, the soles becoming padded, while your toenails and fingernails sharpen and stretch out into black claws. Your body grows hot, almost burning up. Yet the heat and fire of it seems pleasurable, sexual. The pads on your palms glow yellow and sizzle with heat, and magma-like drool oozes from your mouth, sizzling as it drips along your master's cock. He snarls with delight, and bucks against your muzzle. You feel his balls swell and tense, and then his cock erupts. Cum floods your muzzle, gushes into your throat. You drink down every drop as if it were blessed nectar, your firey body craving it, needing it. You swallow greedily as you master snarls and thrashes with lust, until finally his orgasm subsides, and he pushes you back. You step backwards, and flex your new body. Your red fur oozes steam, your wolflike face is twisted into a powerful grin. You crave more of his blessed cum, and you would commit any sin or depravity to have it. "Go, my hellhound. Crush the weak, and conquer the minions of the other lords in my name. Your reward...", he says, as he fondles and lifts his furry balls, "Will be more of my corrupted seed, as much as you can drink." You bow to your dark lord, and giggle like a hyena, before flexing your claws and bounding away, seeking prey and battle for your master's glory. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

He flexes his claws, and pulls them across your clothing. He tears it piece by piece, tossing the scraps aside until you are naked and helpless beneath his paws. His eyes never look away from your own, and the glowing light seems to sink into your thoughts, making it impossible to focus or think straight. He releases you, but your head feels dizzy and hot. You cannot look away from his enormous body, you find yourself compelled to stare at him in a way you have not done so before. His enormous furry muscles, his rugged and powerful muzzle. You stare at his massive, heaving body, while inhaling the scent of his beastlike musk, and feeling the warmth of his presence. He steps forward, and you look at his shaggy furry underside and see his red-furred balls swaying, as from his thick furry sheath, a throbbing black shaft begins to emerge. It is heavy and enormous, the skin glistening and shiny, and the base is swollen with an enormous knot that bears thick, rubbery spikes. Your body feels hot all over, and you find yourself moaning and gasping. You desperately need to be fuck, to mount, to rut like a horny beast. You roll over, presenting yourself to the Beast, your face hot and flushed as the overwhelming need of animalistic heat crushes your senses. He leans forward, his muzzle opening and releasing steaming breath, as he begins to lick between your legs. You gasp and clench at the ground as he tastes and licks you, his saliva soaking into your skin, sending pulses of pleasure through your body. He reaches out with a forepaw and rubs between your legs, and you gasp as you feel hard and needy with unbearable lust. When he pulls away, you look down and see an oversized, throbbing ebony-black cock dangling between your legs, hanging over a swollen pair of red-furred balls just like his, that feel ready to burst from need. He steps over you, his body radiating heat like a furnace. You feel him pressing down against you, his massive form dwarfing yours. His enormous cock pushes against your behind, but is far too big to fit more than the tip. Even so, with each thrust he gets in a little deeper at a time, his thick pre soaking your legs. Your body shifts and grows, your muscles swelling, your ribcage and bones adjusting to a quadrupedal stance. Your feet and hands flex as your soles and palms toughen into pawpads, while long claws flex from your digits. He pushes in deeper, making you growl and moan. Your need only grows more desperate, a need to fuck and be fucked. As heat shudders across your body, you feel red fur growing in, while your head aches as two thick horns begin to push from your skull. The deeper he enters you, the more you look like him. Your tail grows out behind him, your body stretches and grows, your face pushes out into a fanged muzzle. His essence fills you, changes you. You look like he does, you think like he does. You are powerful, deadly, a massive and terrible monster capable of crushing armies. He juts in, and you moan as his fat cock shoves deeper into you, followed by a growing, pushing pressure. With a roar, his massive knot pops inside you, and he opens his muzzle and clamps down on your furry neck. "MINE!", he snarls, his voice degrading into a growl from the beastlike lust filling his mind. Your whole body erupts in pleasure as you feel his cock spurt thick, hot seed deep into your behind, filling you and breeding you. You snarl and struggle against him as he ruts against you, then manage to flip him over. You pull free of his cock, his seed leaking from your asshole, as he looks up at you with shock. Your eyes glow yellow, and you ram forward, slamming your own massive cock into his tight behind. His roar shakes the caverns, and you bite down hard on his neck and growl "MINE!" The fucking that ensues that night threatens to bring down the entire castle. Your journey ends here. You are a Beast now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

He flexes his claws, and pulls them across your clothing. He tears it piece by piece, tossing the scraps aside until you are naked and helpless beneath his paws. His eyes never look away from your own, and the glowing light seems to sink into your thoughts, making it impossible to focus or think straight. He releases you, but your head feels dizzy and hot. You cannot look away from his enormous body, you find yourself compelled to stare at him in a way you have not done so before. His enormous furry muscles, his rugged and powerful muzzle. You stare at his massive, heaving body, while inhaling the scent of his beastlike musk, and feeling the warmth of his presence. He steps forward, and you look at his shaggy furry underside and see his red-furred balls swaying, as from his thick furry sheath, a throbbing black shaft begins to emerge. It is heavy and enormous, the skin glistening and shiny, and the base is swollen with an enormous knot that bears thick, rubbery spikes. Your body feels hot all over, and you find yourself moaning and gasping. You desperately need to be filled, to be mounted, to be fucked like a beast. You roll over, presenting yourself to the Beast, your face hot and flushed as the overwhelming need of animalistic heat crushes your senses. He leans forward, his muzzle opening and releasing steaming breath, as he begins to lick between your legs. You gasp and clench at the ground as he tastes and licks you, his saliva soaking into your skin, sending pulses of pleasure through your body. He reaches out with a forepaw and rubs between your legs, and you gasp as you feel wet and hot and needy with unbearable lust. When he pulls away, you look down and see a shiny, puffy black beastlike pussy between your legs, dripping and ready to be bred. He steps over you, his body radiating heat like a furnace. You feel him pressing down against you, his massive form dwarfing yours. His enormous cock pushes against your changed parts, but is still far too big to fit more than the tip. Even so, with each thrust he gets in a little deeper at a time, his thick pre soaking your legs. Your body shifts and grows, your muscles swelling, your ribcage and bones adjusting to a quadrupedal stance. Your feet and hands flex as your soles and palms toughen into pawpads, while long claws flex from your digits. He pushes in deeper, making you growl and moan. Your need only grows more desperate, a need to be filled, mounted, fucked. As heat shudders across your body, you feel red fur growing in, while your head aches as two thick horns begin to push from your skull. The deeper he enters you, the more you look like him. Your tail grows out behind him, your body stretches and grows, your face pushes out into a fanged muzzle. His essence fills you, but becomes feminine, alluring. You are powerful but graceful, lacking his rough mane but instead becoming lithe and strong, with wider hips and softer fur. He juts in, and you moan as his fat cock shoves deeper into you, followed by a growing, pushing pressure. With a roar, his massive knot pops inside you, and he opens his muzzle and clamps down on your furry neck. "MINE!", he snarls, his voice degrading into a growl from the beastlike lust filling his mind. Your whole body erupts in pleasure as you feel his cock spurt thick, hot seed deep into your womb, filling you and breeding you. You rut and fuck for hours, utterly lost in animalistic pleasure. He is your mate, and you are his. Two terrible beasts of Nox. Not only two, but more, as within your belly you can feel the quickening of his cubs. Your journey ends here. You are a Beast now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Attempting to replicate the song you heard from him, based only on rumbling fragments out of a beastlike muzzle, will be incredibly difficult. <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your lute will make this a little easier. <<statcheck 12 $charm "charm" "singbeastsuccess" "singbeastfail">> <<else>> Without an instrument, even more so. <<statcheck 14 $charm "charm" "singbeastsuccess" "singbeastfail">> <</if>>

You start off hesitantly, trying to mix together the fragments you heard into something that could work as a song. It was so maudlin and forlorn in the Beast's voice, but that doesn't feel right. It feels to you like it should be a happy song. Something light and bright and vibrant. Something to cheer up dour mercenaries, who are filled with dark thoughts of battles to come. Notes fill the air, echoing in the cavern. The Beast stirs, his eyes closed, his muzzle twitching up. "Sing the song I like, Poppino, the one you made Butcher Mary laugh with at Gristapol...", he whispers. Your music becomes louder, brighter, happier still. The Beast is smiling. <<include "DonkeyTF">> He sighs, and reaches out towards you. His massive paw closes around you for a moment and drags you over against his chest. "I thought you'd never play that one again. I never thought I'd see you all here with me...where did you go before? I can hold the line alone, but not forever." His muzzle rubs against you for a moment, and he sighs slowly, his body going limp. "This time we will go together..." His body crumbles away, transforming into motes of light that float gently up towards the ceiling and fade. Bit by bit, he disappears, and for a moment the entire cavern is illuminated by the countless tiny lights. Then it goes dark, and he is gone. You feel a strange presence around you. Some great, powerful force trying to communicate with you. You cannot understand, but you think it is happy. You have gained a skill point. As you leave, a tiny firefly follows in your wake. If things become dark, perhaps it might light the way. There is nothing more to be done here. It is time to face the Lords of Nox. [[Return to the main castle, and face the Lords|Proceed to the Four Gates]] <<if !$beastskill>> <<set $skillpoints to $skillpoints+1>> <<set $beastskill to true>> <</if>> <<set $faith to $faith+1>>

You do your best to mimic the song you heard from him. His chest rises and falls, and his eyes remain closed. "No. No, I am lost...like everyone else..." He goes still, and his body slowly turns grey as it starts to crumble like ash. [[Absorb the Beast's power]] [[Allow the Beast's power to fade away]]

You are a blood knight, a fiendish warrior trained in the most brutal and bloodthirsty arts of war. No battle is beyond your skills, and you crave the glory of your foes crushed beneath your boots. You have come to Castle Nox wearing accursed blacksteel platemail, which further enhances your already terrifying combat skills, but which will cause you to take heinous damage should you ever lose a combat roll. Perhaps you have come here to hone your skills. Perhaps you mean to slay the lords of this dread fortress. Your reasons are your own. You are trained in many arts, for the glory of war and battle. You have four skills; spend them now in the Skills screen. If you unlock all the skills within a group, you will be able to master one of the skills, which provides additional effects. <<set $might to 12>> <<set $magic to 3>> <<set $charm to 3>> <<set $skill to 3>> <<set $faith to 1>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_greataxe>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_trueblacksteelarmor>> <<set $INVENTORY[2] to $i_food>> <<set $INVENTORY[3] to $i_food>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "bloodknight">> <<set $maxdamage to 7>> <<set $weapontype to "axe">> <<set $skillpoints to 4>> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

<<statcheck 13 $might "might" "Stable Interior" "stablefail">>

<<statcheck 12 $skill "skill" "Stable Interior" "stablefail">>

On a timer as you explore. Extend the timer by wearing masks. Timer runs out, you tf. Mask dependent? Nick is here, gorging on food. Save him with charm or his poems. Chance to extend your donkey. Jackal guy Mask room Altan: Charm, Combat Zelig: Skill, Charm Eskander: Magic, Skill Sten: Combat, Magic

<<if $dancetimer <= 0>> <<goto "Out of time">> <<elseif $dancetimer <= 3>> The Dance is imminent. The party is tingling with anticipation. <<elseif $dancetimer <= 6>> The Dance draws closer. You hear a susurrus of gossip amongst the guests. <<else>> The Dance is still not for some time. <</if>> <<set $dancetimer to $dancetimer-1>>

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The buffet is extravagant almost to the point of absurdity. The tables extend off into the far distance, covered in silver trays of gleaming roasted meat, delicate canapes in every colour of the rainbow, shimmering crystal carafes of wines and punch, and vast elegant arrangements of fruit or salad. Even with your mind focused on your quest, it is a tantalising sight. Despite the lavish arrangement, most of the guests seem to be ignoring it. Only rarely does a masked noble wander over to elegantly take one or two small pieces on a place and carry it away. Mostly it is just servants gathering up options on large platters and taking it to the dancers and guests. The few guests who are actually enjoying the food are very much doing so. A small number of them are seated right at the food, their tuxedos bulging and heavy in the front and their faces flushed as they gorge themselves on the fine cuisine. <<if $nickromance > 0 && !$nickwith>> You are about to leave when one of the diners catches your eye. Something about that thick chestnut-coloured hair, the round soft belly, his striped waistcoat that barely contains his hefty gut. He's deep into his mutation, his face pushed out into a piglike snout with thick tusks, but could it be? That looks like Nicholas, the merchant! [[Talk to Nick]] [[The Stage]] [[The Dance Floor]] <<else>> You are free to move around the palace. Through one elegant set of doors you can see what looks like a stage, while through the other there is a huge ballroom filled with dancers. Some of the guests have left their masks behind in order to better pig out on the food available. <<item $i_pigmask i_pigmask>> [[Try the food|Try the food (solo)]] [[The Stage]] [[The Dance Floor]] <</if>> <<include "DanceTimer">>

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Zelig's realm resembles a street from one of the larger cities on the continent. You have passed through such places on your long journey, and seen the densely packed populations, the brutal discrepancy between the rich and poor, and the filth and decay of the slums and streets. This street feels unreal, in a way those never did. The buildings are more narrow, more dark and decayed. Through their shattered windows you see only hollow shells, and the air is stagnant and dead. A black carriage passes by you on the street from time to time, but there is no driver nor a passenger, and it ignores you completely. In front of you, the street sinks down to a flooded and filthy canal, at the end of which you see an open sewer tunnel. Above it, glowing in magical colour, is a sign that reads THE GRAND CASINO. You sense motion on the rooftops above you, and step back cautiously. You watch and see small figures leaping and scurrying around atop the buildings, and running across planks laid between the rooftops. At first you mistake these for the street urchins you saw in cities like this, but as you watch you realise these are no such things. The creatures are smaller than humans, but past their oversized and filthy clothing you see flashes of jagged maws, clawed hands and feet, and mossy green skin. Goblins. [[Enter the sewer tunnel]] [[Investigate the goblins]]

You head towards the tunnel, trying to avoid stepping in the murky water as much as possible. The light above the entrance fizzles and sparks ominously, and when you get closer you see that it is formed of strange glowing glass pipes. You duck and enter, and immediately feel the cool dampness of the tunnel. The light is dim, but enough to see by. As you progress, you have an overwhelming feeling of being watched. The tunnel turns and twists, and several times you almost lose your step and end up plunging into the foul water flowing through the central channel. Only once you are deep enough into the tunnel do you discover what was making you feel so alarmed. Small red eyes surround you, appearing from tiny tunnels, from the walls and ceilings, swimming up from the water. You are surrounded by countless oversized, staring rats. They watch you silently, not acting in any way like natural rats. You feel an alien presence in their movements, puppeting them. Could this be some kind of test? [[Attack the rats]] [[Sneak through without touching any rat]] <<if $animalhandling > 0>>[[Use Animal Handling on the rats]] <</if>>

You watch the goblins carefully for some time. They appear in small groups, and crawl down into the broken buildings, then emerge with pieces of trash or shiny trinkets. Generally they then seem to fight and squabble over them, before bounding off across the rooftops out of sight. It would probably be easy to get their attention, but if they turn violent you would be quickly surrounded or ambushed in these narrow streets. Alternatively, if you have the skill of Camouflage, you could attempt to disguise yourself as one of them and follow them to wherever they seem to be going. [[Get their attention]] [[Disguise yourself]] [[Enter the sewer tunnel instead|Enter the sewer tunnel]]

You step out into the street cautiously, and the goblins quickly start to notice you. Heads poke out over the rooftops as they examine you warily, and then start to climb down from the walls and surround you. Up close you could never mistake them for humans. Their bare feet and hands are clawed and visibly green even under layers of filth, and their faces are wide with oversized fanged grins. [[Entertain the goblins]] [[Attack the goblins]]

It is not an easy task to disguise yourself as a creature half your size, but the baggy and shapeless clothing of the goblins will make it possible if you are careful and remain hunched over and squatting. The trash in the streets gives you what you need. Filthy and tattered clothing lies in discarded bundles here and there, and you soon find a large floppy flat cap and a dingy overcoat to hide yourself with. You leave your usual clothing hidden away, including your footwear as the goblins seem to all be barefoot. Then you smear some of the muddy water from the canal over your exposed skin, relying on the algae to disguise you as one of the goblins. You wait for a group of them to break into one of the houses, then you climb up onto the brick wall and sneak in through a broken window after them. The goblins chatter to themselves, seeming to constantly be muttering and giggling in cracked voices. They are swarming over the empty building, poking through trash and tearing at wallpaper seemingly randomly. You see one goblin root out a piece of broken pipe from some fallen brickwork and raise it with glee, only for two others to leap on him and wrestle to take it away. They scramble and tussle for a moment, before one of them flees with its 'treasure' and the other two are left grumbling and hissing. You mimic their behaviour and dig through some trash, but are careful not to find anything too 'exciting', as your disguise would likely not hold up if you got into a fight with the creatures. You pocket some discarded buttons from a pile of filthy clothes, and wait for the goblins to be finished. Eventually they crawl back out the window and move out over the rooftops, and you follow behind. [[Goblin lair]]

You climb out behind the goblins and follow them as they scamper away across the rooftops. They weave through a maze of chimneys and rickety plank bridges, turning and twisting so often you soon find yourself completely lost. Eventually they lead you to a teetering ancient clock tower, and one by one they squeeze through a hole in the side. You squeeze in behind them, and find yourself in what is clearly the goblins' home. The interior of the tower has been ripped open, with holes in the floors through which the agile goblins jump and climb with ease. Countless of the creatures are sleeping, fighting or chattering on the many floors of the tower, and at the base of it you see a glittering pile of sparkly trash and worthless trinkets. You carefully slip through the throngs of goblins, being sure never to get too close to any of them, and make your way down towards the "treasure" pile. As you watch, each of the goblins you followed throws their objects onto the pile, even ones they were fighting over mere moments before. They look expectantly at you, and you toss the buttons you picked up onto the trash. The goblins clap and cheer, then run off to the side where some more of their kind are grilling pieces of meat over a makeshift cookfire. [[Search the treasure]] [[Follow the other goblins]]

You move up towards the pile of junk and root through it for a little while. The items are all worthless. Broken bottles, pieces of string, colourful rags, sometimes pieces of toys or weapons here and there. You are about to give up on this whole endeavour when you brush aside a rag and reveal a shimmering, glowing jewel. You lift it and it pulses gently in your hand, while glowing with an otherworldly light. Something about this feels important. Your hand clutches the gem possessively, and you struggle to tear your eyes away from it. The goblins are starting to notice your behaviour, so you quickly stash the gem in your disguise, then start to climb out the way you came. Fortunately none of the goblins seem to follow you or take much notice. The whole way back to where you left your clothes, you keep patting and checking you haven't dropped the jewel. Eventually you return to your stash and get dressed again. There is nothing else to do now but proceed into the sewer, and deeper into Zelig's realm. //Obtained Zelig Fragment// [[Enter the sewer tunnel]] <<set $goblinsoul to true>>

You decide to try and blend in with the goblins for a little longer. You crouch down and stay low, then follow them over to the roasting meat. The goblins don't queue or line up in any orderly way, instead just shoving against each other to grab handfuls of meat with their grimy clawed hands. The meat seems safe enough and you don't want to attract attention by acting differently, so you push through too and grab a chunk of food, then back off to eat it. You watch the goblins carefully as you eat, but somehow miss one of them sneaking up behind you. He twists around and suddenly presses a filthy green hand to your chest as his face shoves up to yours. You freeze, afraid you have been found out, but the goblin shows no sign of suspicion. His face is round, with an overly wide mouth filled with sharp fangs, and two pointed ears that jut out from the side of his head. He sticks out a dark green tongue, then suddenly lunges forward and presses his face to yours. His lips brush against yours, his tongue sliding into your mouth as he kisses you messily and clumsily. His hands reach under your ragged shirt and grope your chest as he grinds against you for a moment, your face hot and flushed as this odd creature kisses you. Then he backs off, and you realise he is holding the meat you were eating in his mouth. He giggles and climbs away. Was that just a trick to steal your food? You are feeling very flushed and light-headed. Your whole body is warm and sweaty, and you pant a little as you become uncomfortably aroused. You struggle to focus, and as you look away you see a possible cause for these strange sensations. The goblin who was cooking is mashing up mushrooms and rubbing them onto the meat. Have you eaten something toxic? The air in the den is getting hotter and ranker. The goblins begin to group together, their tongues lolling as they grope and grind against each other, licking one another's pits and feet and genitals, sweating and drooling with monstrous lust. [[Resist the urges]] [[Surrender to lust]]

The egg-shaped chamber seems to only light up and become usable when more than one creature is in the cages to the sides, and even then only in certain combinations. After a little experimentation, you find that the following combinations make the chamber active. You could try activating it with one and see what happens. [[You and your snake]]

<<statcheck 11 $faith "faith" "resistgoblin" "Surrender to lust">>

You cannot control the needs rising up inside you. With no heed to your disguise, you scramble after the goblin who kissed you, following him up to a higher level. You find him dangling his bare feet over the edge of the gap in the floorboards, while he fondles and gropes his bulging, oversized cock. It looks ridiculous on his small body, a massive veiny cucumber between his filth-stained green legs. He grins at you and spreads his legs, then sticks out his tongue. You crawl forward, your mouth watering at the sight of his throbbing meat. Before you can get close to his shaft though, he pushes up his filthy feet to block your way. You try to push past, but he shoves his soles in your face and grins. You blink as you realise he wants you to lick them, first. You look with disgust at his overly large feet, the rough green skin, the sharp yellow claws, the dirt caked onto the soles. You are repulsed by the sight of this filthy creature, the depravity of such a thought, but to your horror you are also unbearably aroused. You pant and stare at his feet, then hesitantly take hold of them and begin to lick his toes. He giggles with amusement, and you feel humilated, but that only makes you more horny. You start to get more into it, letting him push his toes into your mouth, licking his soles, getting his filth all over your face. The dirtiness of it excites you, and you find yourself actually whining when he finally pulls his feet away. Not for long though, as then he climbs up on top of you, and drapes his sweaty, heavy green ballsack over your face. You drool with delight, inhaling his musk, then gasp as you feel clawed hands pull at your pants. Another goblin climbs up between your legs, then starts to lick and pleasure you with his dripping tongue. You moan out loud, and hump against the other goblin, then grab hold of the one on your face and lift him up so that you can take his massive cock deep into your throat. As you do, another one shoves you from behind, bowling you forward against even more of the rutting beasts. You grunt and shudder as you feel a veiny goblin cock penetrate your ass, the goblin atop you thrusting and slamming into you with frenzied lust. It's not long until you find multiple goblins moaning and grabbing at you as your behind and throat are filled with thick, sticky goblin seed. No sooner has any one goblin fucked you than another one appears to take over. You move from creature to creature, losing all track of time and of yourself, thinking only of lust. With each load you take, your body shrinks, your hands and feet becoming clawed and filthy. Your skin becomes green and sweat-stained, your face stretching out into a wide fanged smile. You think of nothing but lust, of sex and filth and depravity, just one of countless rutting goblins here in the warrens. Your old life is a distant dream, and there is only pleasure and mischief. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You shake your head and back away. You can't let yourself lose your mind in a place like this! You scramble past the goblins and climb up the walls awkwardly, your hands soaked with sweat. The rutting goblins ignore you, and are completely occupied by their orgy. The sounds of their moans and grunts make it almost impossible to focus, but you manage to crawl out into the blessedly cooler night air and flee. Halfway back to where you stashed your items, you can resist no longer. You moan and gasp, then lean against a wall as you shove your hands down your pants and begin to pleasure yourself. You rub and fondle your body, moaning like a whore as you curl your toes and gasp in orgasmic bliss. The pleasure of your masturbation is so strong that your knees shake and you scream out loud with lust, then fall to your knees. The passion slowly fades, but you have an embarrassing walk back to your stash with your ragged pants soaked in your own musky sexual fluids. Eventually you return to your stash and get dressed again. There is nothing else to do now but proceed into the sewer, and deeper into Zelig's realm. [[Enter the sewer tunnel]]

<<hasitem "Lute">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your lute will make this a little easier. <<statcheck 12 $charm "charm" "gcharmsucceed" "gcharmfail">> <<else>> <<statcheck 14 $charm "charm" "gcharmsucceed" "gcharmfail">> <</if>>

The goblins scatter as you attack, then snarl as they withdraw jagged daggers and pieces of glass. They attack from all sides, leaping in at your vulnerable points when they can. You keep an eye on the sewer tunnel entrance in case things turn badly and you need to flee. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Goblin Gang", "combat": 8, "stamina": 20, "maxdamage": 8, "success": "goblinsdefeated", "flee": "Enter the sewer tunnel" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_boss "play">>

<<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[0] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[0] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 1: Avoided a Dark Blessing" t8n>> You have a lapis ring that can increase your charm at the cost of your skill. <<item $i_charmskillring ach_1>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[0] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[1] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[1] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 2: Saved Lord Rayleigh" t8n>> You have a lapis ring that can increase your skill at the cost of your might. <<item $i_skillmightring ach_2>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[1] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[2] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[2] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 3: Obtained Frost and Famine" t8n>> You have a lapis ring that can increase your might at the cost of your magic. <<item $i_mightmagicring ach_3>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[2] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[3] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[3] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 4: Used Dark Power" t8n>> You have a lapis ring that can increase your magic at the cost of your charm. <<item $i_magiccharmring ach_4>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[3] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[4] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[4] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 5: Struck down the Beast temporarily" t8n>> You have always been larger and stronger than other people. Your parents told you that in the distant past one of your ancestors was an orc, one of the rare ones that was able to maintain their sane mind. <<forceitem $i_orcishblood ach_5>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[4] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[5] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[5] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 6: Crafted a Pure Blood" t8n>> You apprenticed with an elderly alchemist in your youth. She often spoke of the dire castle she once visited, and the knowledge she obtained from there. When she died, she left you a mysterious black potion in her will. <<item $i_pureblood ach_6>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[5] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[6] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[6] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 7: Befriended a snake" t8n>> You once befriended a powerful and dangerous snake that you encountered in the woods. The people in your hometown were always afraid of it, but it has never harmed you. <<forceitem $i_snake ach_7>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[6] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[7] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[7] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 8: Evolved Sir Connery" t8n>> The paladinal order once passed through your home when you were young. You were entranced by their gleaming white armour, and the tales of their battles against the dread castle and the traitor sorceror who hides within it. One of them gave you a small holy token to protect you, and you have kept it since. <<item $i_holysymbol ach_8>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[7] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[8] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[8] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 9: Defeated the Beast" t8n>> Many years ago, you were attacked by bandits. They would have killed you were it not for a wandering warrior, who slew them all and saved your life. He never told you his name but he left you a black shield, the last remnant of his lost mercenary company. <<item $i_blackshield ach_9>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[8] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[9] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[9] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 10: Reforged the Ashen Blade" t8n>> Unlocked Blood Knight class. <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[9] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[10] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[10] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 11: Became obscenely wealthy" t8n>> You had a small hoard of savings that you have been working on for many years. You take it with you in preparation for your journey. <<set $money to $money+100>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[10] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[11] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[11] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 12: Became a pet rat for an adventurer" t8n>> When you were young, you met a retired adventurer who claimed to have survived the dread castle. The only proof he had was a surprisingly intelligent pet rat he brought back with him. You befriended him and adopted the rat, and it has lived for many years more than a normal rat would. <<forceitem $i_petrat ach_12>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[11] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[12] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[12] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 13: Became an Assassin" t8n>> Unlocked Assassin class. <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[12] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[13] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[13] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 14: Became Lord of Skill" t8n>> You were born with a secret - a black-furred feline tail. It gives you enhanced balance and agility, but you conceal it from others lest they accuse you of being a black-blooded Noxborn. <<forceitem $i_cattail ach_14>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[13] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[14] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[14] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 15: Completed the Feral Wolf route" t8n>> As a child, you nearly drowned in a rapid river. You were saved by a strange wolf pup, and he was adopted into your family. You have grown up together, and he is a trusted friend and ally. <<forceitem $i_wolf ach_15>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[14] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[15] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[15] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 16: Completed the Stable Lord route" t8n>> You had a close friend who was lost to the castle many years ago. He loved animals, and left you a wolflike cloak the last time you saw him. <<item $i_wolfcloak ach_16>> <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[15] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $ACHIEVEMENTS[16] == true && $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[16] == false>> <<linkreplace "Achievement 17: Beat the game and left the castle alive" t8n>> Unlocked New Game+ class (Returner) <<set $TAKENACHIEVEMENTS[16] to true>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> When you are ready, carry on ahead. [[Continue up the path]]

The goblins don't seem the type to appreciate any particularly refined music. You sing them a bawdy tarvern song, and add to it by dancing a comical jig, with lewd poses at the end of each chorus. They absolutely adore it. At first they watch silently, but soon one of them starts to chuckle, which causes the rest to laugh too. Before the end of the second verse, they're rolling on the floor, cackling like hyenas. <<include "DonkeyTF">> Once you're done, they stand up and run up to you. They poke and touch and grope at you with fascination, and though it is a little painful, they don't seem to have any malicious intent. The tallest of them pulls the others away. "Special reward! Shiny trinket for funny human!", he barks. <<hasitem "Stablemaster (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> One of the other goblins presses his face to your legs, and sniffs you curiously. His pointed ears wiggle. "You friend of growly scruff-man. Scruff-fluff got taken away from his clippy clops. You find him in slave den. Look after scruff, he friend of gobs." <</if>> The goblins then suddenly all race away, climbing up walls and disappearing from sight. You could wait for them, or perhaps move on if you don't want to push your luck. [[Wait for the goblins]] [[Enter the sewer tunnel]]

You quickly think of a song and begin to perform. The first one that comes to mind is a romantic ballad, and you sing it quite well. The goblins do not seem to appreciate it, however. Several of them stick out their tongue and make gagging sounds, and one of them throws a rock at you. You dodge it barely, but the rest of them start to laugh, and they all start doing it. You flinch as trash and pebbles are flung at you, and as you back away, you trip over one of the goblins who had been crouching behind you. The goblins swarm you, and you are pinned down under countless short, dirty green bodies. One of them straddles across your head, his eyes covered by an oversized ratty cap, but his mouth stretched into a wicked grin. He pulls down his pants, and reveals a fat, oversized green cock and a pair of low-hanging sweaty goblin balls. You struggle for a moment, but you can do nothing as he lowers his crotch onto your face and rubs his unwashed sack over your cheek and mouth. You are forced to inhale the rank, sweaty stink of the foul creature, and your whole body tingles and aches for a moment. You feel weak, and dizzy, and the stench seems to fill your mind and almost make the goblins seem bigger and stronger than they were before. Finally the creatures all laugh and then dash away. You stand up, humiliated, only to find something is wrong. Your clothes feel oversized and baggy, and the street around you is much larger than it was before. You have been shrunk down to the height of a goblin! Unfortunately, there is nothing else to do now but proceed into the sewer, and deeper into Zelig's realm. [[Enter the sewer tunnel]] <<set $might to $might-1>> <<autoitem $i_goblinsized i_goblinsized>>

The battle is tiring and the goblins harry and irritate you, but soon you stand victorious. <<if $am_orc > 0>> Those tiny weaklings were nothing but fodder for a true orc such as yourself. It disgusts you that humans think there is any link between such tiny creatures and yourself, the true warrior race. <<include "OrcTF">> <</if>> As you examine the bodies and root through their filthy clothes, you find that there is almost nothing of value. The goblins' pockets are filled with trash and rocks. All you find in the end is six tarnished coins. There is nothing else to do now but proceed into the sewer, and deeper into Zelig's realm. [[Enter the sewer tunnel]] <<set $money to $money+6>>

You're not sure you can trust these strange creatures, but you decide to wait and see what "trinket" they want to reward you with. It doesn't take long. Barely a quarter of an hour passes before you are suddenly pushed forward by a goblin leaping from the roof behind you and landing on your shoulders. "Horse!", he cackles. You stumble as the goblin clutches your hair in his dirty clawed hands, and for a moment you are worried he is about to attack you. Instead, he reaches forward and waves something in front of your face. It's some sort of strange, shimmering, glowing jewel. He drops it, and you instinctively catch it. The gem pulses gently in your hand, while glowing with an otherworldly light. Something about this feels important. Your hand clutches the gem possessively, and you struggle to tear your eyes away from it. You barely notice as the goblin jumps off you and scrambles away. It takes you some time to recover your wits enough to put the jewel somewhere safe and move on. //Obtained Zelig Fragment// There is nothing else to do now but proceed into the sewer, and deeper into Zelig's realm. [[Enter the sewer tunnel]] <<set $goblinsoul to true>>

You swing out towards a rat, but it dodges effortlessly. You strike again and again, but it's like trying to fight fog. Something otherwordly is going on with these creatures. Despite your aggression, the rats make no move to attack you. They simply watch. It seems like brute force isn't going to help you here. [[Sneak through without touching any rat]] <<if $animalhandling > 0>>[[Use Animal Handling on the rats]] <</if>>

<<statcheck 12 $skill "skill" "ratsuccess" "ratfail">>

You are skilled with animals, but these rats are not acting like any rats you have encountered before. They move like shadows, their heads always angled towards you no matter where you turn. You do everything you can to communicate with them, get their notice, make them act like normal animals, and you feel you are almost making a breakthrough. Finally you leap up and roar, and for a moment the rats crack, and they scurry away, fleeing through their holes and acting like normal once more. You suspect that this won't last long, and the will controlling them will quickly return. You rush through the tunnel before that happens. [[At a sewage grate]]

You step forward, and carefully place your feet so as not to step on any of the rats. They watch you silently, their gazes locked to your position so that you are always transfixed by countless red eyes. The rats are harder to avoid than tripwires. They have swarmed the slippery walkway, and some hang from the ceiling. You stumble several times, narrowly avoiding stepping on a coiled tail. Finally you reach a section where there is no choice but to jump over a row of rats. You do, but land badly. You step on a rat, and it immediately rears up and bites you on the ankle with snakelike speed. The other rats scurry away, flowing like water and disappearing into holes in the walls and ceiling. You fall backwards, your leg suddenly white-hot with throbbing pain. You feel weak, your vision swimming. Could the rat have somehow been venomous? The walls around you seem to be growing, and you struggle as your clothes and equipment seem to get bigger, baggier, heavier. You stumble and crawl back, your shirt and pants falling off you as you get smaller. Meanwhile, the rat that bit you starts to warp and mutate. It grows bigger, its body bulging and swelling. It stands up, teetering on its hind legs as its limbs grow longer, its fur recedes. Grey fur gives way to smooth pink skin, its muzzle flattens out, its eyes blink and lose their red glow. The rat seems to be turning into a human male. He flexes his limbs, stretches his fingers with glee and touches his face. His changes stop, leaving him still noticeably ratlike, with large round ears, buck teeth, whiskers and a short pink tail. He seems overjoyed regardless. "I'm human again!", he squeaks. He reaches around behind him and squeezes his tail, then sighs. "Mostly..." Meanwhile, you are still shrinking. Grey fur spreads across your body, and when you try to speak, only squeaking and chitters come from your mouth. Your face pushes into a long ratlike snout, your ears become round and pink, and as you scrabble at the ground and fall onto all fours, you see a long pink rat's tail behind you. Panicky rodent instincts fill your mind, but alongside them is a dark, overwhelming presence. A strange voice in your head, attempting to crush your will and take control of you. The human reaches down towards you, and you are filled with terror. [[Follow your instincts and flee]] [[Let the human pick you up]]

As you proceed through the sewer, you eventually come across a narrow dead end leading to a grate. You approach slowly, because even in this dim light you can see the hulking form of some sort of massive furry beast lurking in the back. It doesn't seem to notice you, so you sneak closer. It has its back turned, and looks like a huge feral tiger with a hefty gut. It is growling and batting at something. You catch a glimpse of a small mouse being knocked around by the creature's forepaws. You may be able to sneak past while it is distracted. <<if $ironwill > 1>>The mouses's thoughts echo in your head. //Tiny, stop! It's me, your brother!//<</if>> [[Sneak past the tiger]] [[Attack the tiger while it's distracted]] [[Try to rescue the mouse]]

Your mind is overwhelmed by the ratlike thoughts filling your tiny skull. You skitter away into the welcoming darkness of a nearby tunnel, as your willpower crumbles away. Your life now is a simple feral one of scavenging, constant danger, and occasional mating. As the days turn into weeks, your memories of being human disappear, fading away under the pressure of being a small, furry sewer rat. The only change to your schedule is the rare time an adventurer reaches Zelig's domain. On those days, a powerful force reaches into your mind and seizes control of your body. You move like a puppet, dragged out into the tunnel to stand witness as another seeker attempts to enter Zelig's glorious casino. If you are lucky, they will step on you and you will be free. So far, you have not been lucky. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

<<statcheck 9 $faith "faith" "pickedup" "Follow your instincts and flee">>

You resist the overwhelming urge to flee, and the dark voice in your head, and let the human pick you up. He holds you gently and strokes your head a little. "Hey, don't worry. I was a rat myself for a long time, trust me I have a lot of sympathy. My name's Jack. Come on, let's get out of here." He looks around, then gathers up your clothes and belongings and flees the tunnel. Once he's out in the street area, he gets dressed in your clothes and wields your weapon, testing its weight. "Sorry for stealing your stuff, but I figure you can't exactly carry it all right now, huh?", he says with a smile. You squeak at him. You're still trembling a little, but the panic is calming now you're out of the tunnel. You climb up onto Jack's shoulder and keep an eye out for him as he sneaks away. The streets seem different than they were for you not long ago, and Jack ducks through a narrow alleyway and soon finds himself back at the castle itself. From there he flees through the castle and out into the night. You hope that your form will return as you pass through the gates of the castle, but unfortunately you are still just a helpless little rodent. Jack takes care of you though. Once you reach a town, he feeds you little treats and pets you gently. You bristle at first, trying to tell him you're still a person, but all you can do is squeak. After a while you just get used to it. Jack turns out to be a pretty competent adventurer, and you spend many adventures in his pocket or on his shoulder. You even help out a lot by sneaking through cracks to unlock doors or scout out danger for him. It's not exactly the life you imagined for yourself, but it could be worse. Your journey ends here, but you are part of Jack's journey for a long time to come. [[Begin Anew|Intro]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[11] to true>>

The tiger pays no notice to you as you creep past. It's completely obsessed with its tiny prey. You turn the bend and out of sight, then hear a growl and a loud gulp behind you. At least it's the mouse and not you. [[Continue through the tunnels]]

You sneak up, then strike hard while the tigher isn't looking. It roars and whirls around, and the mouse scurries away into a hole while it has the chance. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Sewer Tiger", "combat": 9, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 6, "success": "tigerdead", "flee": "Continue through the tunnels" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_boss "play">>

You step closer, and the tiger finally notices you. It pins its prey down under one forepaw, then turns and fixes its glowing amber eyes on you. It truly is massive, far larger than any natural tiger should be. The mouse is barely the size of one of its toes by comparison. You feel an intense danger from this beast. As you consider what to do, you hear a tiny squeaky voice. "You! You're that adventurer, right? It's me, Boss!" You glance down and see the mouse waving at you desperately. "The tiger is Tiny! He's gone crazy! He's going to freaking eat me! You've gotta do something!" The tiger narrows his eyes. If he is Tiny, there seems to be almost none of his mind remaining in this new, deadly form. If you have Animal Handling, you could try to soothe and calm him. Alternatively, your best bet might be to deftly snatch up Boss before Tiny crushes him like a bug. [[Grab Boss]] <<if $animalhandling > 0>>[[Use Animal Handling to calm Tiny]]<</if>> <<if $animalhandling > 0>>[[Use Animal Handling to force Tiny to eat his brother]]<</if>>

You proceed through the tunnels, remaining apprehensive about any further traps. The damp darkness of the tunnel is slowly replaced by a very faint green luminescence that seems to ooze from the wet walls and from the dark outlines of the many pipes and tunnels. The tunnel gets wider too, until it's almost the width of a city street. Then you turn a bend in the passage, and see Zelig's Casino. It fills the entire tunnel, a garish and bizarre entryway that looks like something from a travelling circus. Lights flicker around a wooden frame shaped like a grinning rat's mouth, and banners and posters are scattered everywhere, advertising bizarre delights and vices. Two ratmen flank the entryway, both of them wearing nothing but the top half of a black tailored suit, like might be worn by butlers or servants at the house of a rich noble in the larger cities. They bow as you approach. "Welcome to Zelig's Grand Casino, Seeker", one of them says. Both grin at you, their eyes unsettlingly yellow and intense. "You have proven your worth and may now meet our great lord. Be respectful, and enjoy your time here. We must quickly search you for...certain kinds of contraband. Be not alarmed." The rats step forward and begin stroking over your body. Their pink, clawed hands touch and feel you, and you feel an odd dizziness and warmth in your mind. <<if $timegoddess>>[[Contraband]]<<else>>[[Passed the check]]<</if>>

The tiger was a dangerous foe, but you prevailed. Unfortunately it was just a simple beast, and was carrying nothing of use to you. If you have the skill of Hunting, you could skin the tiger for its pelt, if you wish. <<if $hunting > 0>> <<item $i_tigerpelt tigerpelt>> <</if>> [[Continue through the tunnels]]

The tiger knocks you down with a powerful blow from its heft body, and you are left wheezing and bleeding on the ground. It steps over you, and you realise how huge it actually is. It opens its fanged muzzle, revealing a gigantic pink maw of razor-sharp teeth. Then it lunges forward, shoving its mouth over your head. Your face is forced down into the dark, wet and hot insides of the tiger's throat. You feel its tongue licking over you, tasting you, as it lifts its powerful jaws up into the air and swallows. You sink forward, slipping deeper down its throat, feeling the walls of its neck stretch out to swallow you bit by bit. You are helpless as you slide down further and further, until with a massive gulp the tiger swallows you completely. You are trapped in slimy darkness, and pushed down until you are left curled up tight in the tiger's enormous gut. You begin to feel dizzy, your body growing weak and the tingling sensation of digestion washing over you. The tiger curls up around you, and you can do nothing but await your final fate as a tiger's meal. Your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

<<statcheck 12 $skill "skill" "grabbedboss" "missedboss">>

Tiny's mind seems to have completely fallen to feral instincts, but that means he's vulnerable to your animal expertise. You use all your knowledge of tigers to calm and soothe him, and show him you're not a threat. It seems to be working. He relaxes a little, his fur lowering from where his hackles were raised. You reach forward and gently stroke his head, then increase the control. Slowly using your skills and powers to influence him, dive into his instincts and take him over. His face droops forward slightly, his eyes becoming dizzy and unfocused. As his attention falters, Boss tries to wriggle free from under his forepaw, but you urge Tiny to press down harder and keep him trapped. "Hey? What are you doing?", Boss squeaks. Tiny looks down at him, his face showing recognition. By calming him you've pulled back some of his human mind again, and he seems to be growing aware of what has happened. You push your control further, telling him he has prey at his mercy. That he is a mighty predator who needs to eat. His mouth hangs open, drool dripping from his maw. Yet you see the fear and confusion in his eyes, the desire to stop and pull back. You don't let him. You push him to go further, to lift his brother up in his paw. Boss squeaks and yells for help, Tiny's eyes are wide and trembling as you make him pull the mouse closer and closer, then drop him onto his tongue. Tiny stares at you desperately, begging you silently not to make him do this. But you do. You tell him he's a hungry predator, and he must eat. His mouth clamps closed, and he swallows. His eyes blur. His body trembles with the knowledge of what he's just done. He clutches his head, shaking and thrashing, but you redouble your control. Finally, he slumps forward, broken and defeated. His eyes are grey and stare at nothing, and he follows meekly at your side, his will utterly annihilated. <<forceitem $i_tinytiger i_tinytiger>> [[Continue through the tunnels]] <<set $evildeeds to $evildeeds+1>>

This will be just like pickpocketing...except with a two hundred pound monster tiger, instead of a human. You flick out a stone, and Tiny's attention briefly breaks as he looks towards the sound. As soon as he does, you swiftly crouch down and sweep Boss out from under his paw, leaving another stone in his place. Boss hangs limply in your grip, his tiny body trembling with terror. Tiny realises after only a moment what you have done, and growls as he starts to approach. "Tiny! Stop! What would mom think?", Boss yells in his squeaky voice. Whether it's the confidence he's regained from your rescue, or even just because he's now being held up to Tiny's eye range, something about Boss's words seem to work. Tiny cocks his head to the side, confusion spread across his massive face. "You big lug! We were meant to be rich! You call living in a sewer eating rats rich?" Tiny shakes his head slowly, and lowers himself a little. It seems he isn't completely gone. The danger is passed for now, though Tiny is still an intimidating presence in his new form. [[Tiny and Boss, again]]

You approach carefully, then try to distract Tiny and snatch up Boss while he's confused. It doesn't work. Tiny remains fixed on you, and growls with annoyance. With a loud CRUNCH, he presses down on Boss and then steps forward to face you. You wince as you see Boss's crumpled form, but all you can do is defend yourself now. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Sewer Tiger", "combat": 9, "stamina": 14, "maxdamage": 6, "success": "tigerdead2", "death": "tigervore", "flee": "Continue through the tunnels" }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_boss "play">>

Tiny was a dangerous foe in his changed form, but you prevailed. He was carrying nothing of use to you, though. Whatever he had as a human is long gone. Now both he and his brother have met their ends in this terrible place. If you have the skill of Hunting, you could skin him for its pelt, if you wish, though it feels a little morbid to consider. <<if $hunting > 0>> <<item $i_tigerpelt tigerpelt>> <</if>> [[Continue through the tunnels]]

Boss jumps from your hand and onto Tiny's head, then kicks him with his diminuitive hindpaws. "You big dumb brute! You almost ate me!", he squeaks. Tiny looks apologetic, and makes a growling, purring sound. It seems he's lost the ability to speak, but Boss seems to understand him anyway. "Hmph. Well, you never talked much anyway. I'll forgive you so long as you keep on being my minion and following my orders. I'm still the big bro around here." You ask them what happened, and Boss coughs and glances away in embarrassment. "Well, it was all going pretty well at first. Like I said, we brought a lot of magic items for this heist. Got past the weirdos at the front by setting up a distraction with some fireworks, then sneaked up through the main area. Bit of trouble with some plants in the garden that tried to eat us, but a bit of plant poison did the trick. The gatehouse was a mess, but we sneaked through and I figured Zelig was the one to try for. He respects thieves, they say. Rats weren't a problem for us, that was child's play for a thief. But when we got to the casino...uh..." Tiny growls, and glances up at his brother with annoyance. "Well, we were on a roll, Tiny! I figured what would be the harm? We had won so much and I just thought one more roll, and that turned into lots more rolls, and then I ended up pawning all our gear...and then pawning our humanity to try and get it back." He sits down atop his brother's head and sighs. "It didn't go great. They do say the house always wins." Tiny pads forward on his massive paws, and looks at you pleadingly. Boss hesitates, reluctance visible on his little rodent face. "Mind if we tag along? I'm kinda hoping with you we might get a chance to win our bodies back..." <<forceitem $i_tinyboss i_tinyboss>> [[Continue through the tunnels]] [[Take a moment to comfort them both]]

You reassure the two of them that you can help them, then reach over and stroke over Tiny's massive furry head. He closes his eyes and purrs, the sound of it rumbling through the tunnel as it emerges from his gigantic deadly tiger throat. Boss snorts with disdain, then yelps as Tiny rolls over onto his back. The little mouse leaps to your hand and then crawls up your sleeve, before slipping into one of your pockets with his arms folded. You rub your hands through Tiny's thick soft peach-coloured belly fur, massaging and stroking him as he purrs and wriggles under you. His tail flicks left and right, and he shivers with delight when you scratch under his fluffy chin. "Ridiculous. You're a grown-ass man!", Boss mutters. You reach down and pet his head too with one finger, and he mutters something but does not move to stop you. <<forceitem $i_tinyboss i_tinyboss>> [[Continue through the tunnels]] <<set $tinybossrelationship to 1>>

You place your python companion in one of the cages, and he coils up and stares at you with his repitilian gaze. Then you step into the chamber, and see that it lights up. A light corresponding to the snake's cage is green, and there's a large switch you can pull. You tug it down quickly. Suddenly, a rush of energy arcs up from the base of the chamber, crackling through your feet and up into your entire body. You fall forward, clutching the rail inside the chamber as your whole body pulses and aches with magic. Your pants tear in the back, as your spine shifts and extends. A tail bulges out behind you, growing thick and heavy with powerful, coiling muscle. It grows and stretches, until it is so long and heavy that it flops onto the ground behind you and begins to twist into coils. You shudder, feeling hot and exhausted all over. The tip of your overly-long tail begins to bulge, and you feel it swelling and growing heavy. You feel a bizarre splitting sensation as the tip stretches and then splits open, revealing a fanged maw. It blinks, growing a pair of eyes, and then the flesh of your muscular tail begins to dry out, growing smooth and segmented. You watch as it stiffens into a sinuous coat of serpent scales, exactly matching that of your snake. Your tail lifts up, hissing as it moves of its own volition. Bizarrely, you somehow sense and see everything it can see, feel everything it feels. It coils against you affectionately, then hangs watch behind you. It seems your snake friend has become your very own permanent snake tail.

The rats step back and bow to you. "You may proceed. Lord Zelig extends his admiration and respect, that you came so far without the protection and blessing of the Mother of Time." You are unsure what they mean, but they do not stop you as you step past them and into the casino itself. [[The Grand Casino]]

The rats suddenly look at each other, then step back. "Apologies, but your guest will have to stay behind. The Mother of Time is not welcome within Zelig's walls. Lady Fortune and Mother Time are fractious bedfellows. Fear not, she will return to you as soon as your business here concludes." You are unsure what they mean, but they do not stop you as you step past them and into the casino itself. Nonetheless, you do feel a nervous sensation of danger, as if some protection you took for granted has been rescinded. [[The Grand Casino]] <<script>> $("#ui-bar-history").addClass("hidden"); <</script>>

As you walk through the garish entryway, you are almost blinded. In stark contrast to the dull and grimy sewage tunnels, Zelig's Casino is blazing with shining gold and gleaming lights. You blink as you adjust to the change, and then look around. This place looks in no way like a sewer. Thick red velvet carpets cover the ground, the walls are gilded with gleaming golden decorations, and a massive fountain of sparkling champagne stretches up three full floors as a centerpiece for the room. All around you are roulette tables, poker tables, blackjack and more. They are staffed by similar rats to the ones outside, wearing fanciful formalwear and calling out wins and losses in a barking carnival tone. The people gambling at the tables seem off, however. You recognise a lot of conventional clothing, but also plenty of similar formal wear that would be rarely seen in most of the countries you're familiar with. Many of the patrons seem to have glassy, unfocused eyes, and barely react when you pass by or try to get their attention. For all the glitz and glamour, this place makes your skin crawl. On the bright side, you are relieved to see your companions here, waiting for you nervously. <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery doesn't notice you at first. He's leaning against a wall, making a determined effort not to look at a pair of scantily clad rabbit-people, one male and one female. They are gyrating and dancing in front of him, and he's muttering a ward against lustful thoughts. He snorts as he sees you, and awkwardly slides past them to rejoin you. "Thank goodness! I was concerned you would not make it. One moment I was at the gates, the next I found myself at this...tawdry den of vice. Come my friend, let us be done here as soon as possible." <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> It takes you a moment to find Derevan. He's walking between the tables with a furious scowl on his face, holding a silver tray in his hand and wearing a shiny bow tie. The patrons take drinks from his tray as he passes by, and he curses and growls at them. He spots you, and rushes over quickly. "My lord! It delights me to return to your side. Can you believe this indignity? The master of this place insisted that, as I am a servant of a Lord Pretender, I must wait tables while I wait for you! I beseech you sire, crush that smug rat beneath your mighty foot." <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf slides out from between the legs of some gamblers, and trots over to your side. He gives you a smug look, then drops a small bag of coins at your feet. You are curious how he managed this, but then you see a sign hanging around his neck that says "LucKY DOg: plz pay 5% of wiNINgs" He shakes it off and stands at your side, leaving you wondering where he got such a sign, and whether he's rather more intelligent than you realised. <<set $money to $money+8>> <</if>> A whistle from the ornate balcony above catches your attention. [[Zelig, Lord of Thieves]] <<set $rbet to 1>> <<set $rnumber to 1>> <<set $gamblehumanity to false>> <<set $bbet to 10>> <<set $pbet to 50>> <<set $slavebid to 0>> <<set $casinosoul to false>> <<set $stablesoul to false>> <<set $tinyfixed to false>> <<set $ratloss to 0>> <<set $ratfirsttime to true>>

You spend a moment to eat and recover your stamina. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Speak with Derevan]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && !$wolflover>> [[Spend time with your wolf]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Talk to Sir Connery]] <</if>> [[Return to the Gates|Proceed to the Four Gates]] <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> <<hasitem "Food">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $hunting == 0>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <</if>>

You look up, and immediately the world shifts beneath you. All the lights and sounds around you fade, as if a curtain has fallen over the world and a single spotlight illuminates the only person in all the world that matters. Zelig stands above you, as he should do. He is superior, he is magnificent. From the tips of his large round ears, bejewelled in glittering rings, to the claws at the bottom of his handsome feet, he is the most beautiful and powerful rat you have ever seen. He smiles at you, and you see his front teeth are also shining gold. He reaches up and strokes the sleek black moustache that adorns his handsome face, and you find yourself admiring his deep black and green velvet evening wear, his thick cravat, his gorgeous tail. <<if $ironwill > 0>> With a great force of effort, you draw on your mental defenses. The illusions weaken, and you see for a moment not a gorgeous and handsome lord, but instead just an enormous, terrifying rat. Zelig's eyes twitch with barely-concealed madness for a moment, before slowly the soft, warm cloud of foggy pleasant feelings return and smother your fears. "How delightful", Zelig says. His voice is deep and warm, but you don't drop your guard. He leans down from the balcony and examines you closely. "It has been some time since I saw a mind so hard and firm. I wonder what price I could put on it."<<else>> "Now now, don't fall for me so easily, Seeker", he says in a voice as rich and silky as luxury chocolate. He leans down from the balcony above and looks at you closely.<</if>> "You're an interesting one now, aren't you? I have been following your activities, you know. It's not often we have people visit our charming castle twice in one lifetime." He stands and spreads his arms, gesturing to the casino. "Have fun, enjoy yourself! You'll find I'm a much more pleasant host than my peers. There will be no violence in my domain, no spiteful little forced changes or anything so crude. No no, simply while away your time for as long as you desire, and should your desires lead you to an audience with myself...well, even that is something you can pay for here!" He flicks something down to you, and it glitters as it spins through the air into your hand. It's a gold coin, with Zelig's face on it. "Here, something to start you off. At Zelig's Casino, everything is for sale, even myself. Best of luck, Seeker. Don't bore me." He turns and leaves, and the world comes back into focus. You feel like a puppet who's strings were cut, and your head aches with a faint desire to see him again, to admire and worship him. <<set $money to $money+1>> [[The Gambling Hall]]

You are standing in Zelig's gambling hall, surrounded by glassy-eyed gamblers draining their assets away on cards and wheels. The walls gleam with gold, and the carpet is thick and rich, but something about it all feels dirty and cheap. <<if $money > 0 || $gamblehumanity>> You could gamble at the various tables in the room. [[Roulette]] [[Blackjack]] Poker - coming soon There is another room off to the side, where guests can spend their winnings on various rewards. [[Prize Hall]] Off to the other side is a fanciful entrance with a red curtain, with a sign above it that says "Auction House". [[Auction House]] <<else>> You have no money, and without cash you have no power in Zelig's realm. You will need to find some way to get more if you wish to challenge Zelig, or escape this place. [[Prize Hall]] [[Auction House]] <</if>> <<if $ratloss > 0>> You feel oddly compelled to serve and assist like the other rats filling the hall. It might help you build up some funds to afford your humanity back. [[Earn some coins as a rat servant]] <</if>> [[Rest Area]]

The dealer at the roulette table is another of the rats, wearing the same suit as the rest of them. He smiles at you and gestures to the betting board. "A simple game, my friend. Place your bet anywhere you like. If the ball lands on your colour or number, you win double or thirty-six times your bet. It couldn't be easier!" <<if $gamblehumanity>> You are currently betting with your humanity on the line. You play for free, as if you had staked ten chips. <<else>> Your current stake is $rbet coins. [[Change my stake]] <</if>> <<if $rbet <= $money || $gamblehumanity>> [[Bet on a colour]] [[Bet on a number]] <<else>> You don't have enough money left for this stake. <</if>> [[Return|The Gambling Hall]]

The dealer at the roulette table is a crow wearing the a black suit that blends with his sleek feathers. He smiles at you and gestures to the table with a winged hard. "Try your luck with the cards, my friend! May fortune be with you." <<if $gamblehumanity>> You are currently betting with your humanity on the line. You play for free, as if you had staked ten chips. <<else>> Your current stake is $bbet coins. The minimum stake is ten coins. [[Change my blackjack stake]] <</if>> <<if $bbet < 10>> The minimum stake is ten coins, you must increase your stake to play. <<elseif $bbet <= $money || $gamblehumanity>> [[Play blackjack]] <<else>> You don't have enough money left for this stake. <</if>> [[How to play blackjack]] [[Return|The Gambling Hall]] <<set $btotal to random(13)>> <<if $btotal > 10>> <<set $btotal to 10>> <</if>>

Double-click this passage to edit it.

The prize hall is a booth in the corner of the casino, surrounded by glittering braziers, and with a scantily-clad rabbit women behind the counter. She blows a kiss at you, and gestures to the various items available in trade for your prize winnings. <<if !$gamblehumanity>> One sign reads: "Out of chips? Why not put up your humanity as collateral?" [[Trade your humanity for chips]] <<else>> It will cost you 100 chips to take back your humanity. <<if $money >= 100>> [[Buy your humanity back]] <</if>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && !$tinyfixed>> A strange bottle at a the back catches your eye; it has two necks, and a label on it that says 'BOSS AND TINY'. The price says 70 chips. <<if $money >= 70>> [[Buy Boss and Tiny's humanity]] <</if>> <</if>> <<if !$casinosoul>> There is something odd at the very back of the shop. The case is old and dusty, and looks like it's been here longer than anything else. The label simply says "Soul Shard", at an eye-watering price of 300 chips. <<if $money >= 300>> [[Buy the soul shard]] <</if>> <</if>> The main attraction is in a glass case at the very front of the booth. An enormous golden ticket, granting permission to meet Zelig in person. You will need to earn that somehow if you want to get out of here. It costs 100 chips. <<if $money >= 100>> [[Buy a VIP ticket to meet Zelig]] <</if>> [[Return|The Gambling Hall]]

You walk through into the auction house, and hear the rustling sound of many people in quiet conversation. This room is set up like a large auditorium, and the back end is a raised and polished stage with thick velvet stage curtains. A number of chairs are stacked in rows, which are filled with guests and gamblers. As you watch, a naked human is pushed out onto the stage, his arms and legs bound with shackles. An auctioneer with a thick black hood calls out prices, and the watching guests raise signs as they bid on the prisoner. Finally, one seems to win, and he walks off with the human on a leash. This is not just an auction house, but a slave auction. <<hasitem "Stablemaster (Missing)">> <<if $slavebid == 0 && $itemcheck > -1>> [[Bid on a slave]] <</if>> [[Sell a slave]] <<if $slavebid == 2>> [[Seduce the slavemaster]] <</if>> [[Return|The Gambling Hall]]

How much are you betting? <<numberbox "$rbet" 1 "Roulette">> [[Return|Roulette]]

[[Red]] [[Black]]

Choose a number to bet on, from 1 up to 34. <<numberbox "$rnumber" 1 "RouletteNumber">> [[Return|Roulette]]

<<set $random to random(34)>> "Betting is closed! No more bets please!", the rat calls out. He places a shiny metal ball into the ornate roulette wheel, then pulls it with a hefty spin. The ball bounces and leaps around the wheel... <<if $random == 0>> ...and lands on 00, the only green space. "Green zero! The house wins!", the rat says smugly. He picks up a long stick and slides everyone's coins over to himself, while the other gamblers moan and growl in annoyance. "Would you like to play again?" <<if $gamblehumanity>> You feel a little strange... [[Losing Humanity|ratloss]] <<else>> <<set $money to $money - $rbet>> [[Roulette]] <</if>> <<elseif $random%2>> ..and lands on $random, a red number. The rat bows to you and gives a grin. "Congratulations, dear customer. You are a winner." He slides over your stake to you with a long stick. "Would you like to play again?" <<set $money to $money + $rbet>> [[Roulette]] <<else>> ..and lands on $random, a black number. The rat bows to you and gives an insincere sigh. "My apologies, dear customer. You have lost this round." He slides over money to himself with a long stick. "Would you like to play again?" <<if $gamblehumanity>> You feel a little strange... [[Losing Humanity|ratloss]] <<else>> <<set $money to $money - $rbet>> [[Roulette]] <</if>> <</if>>

<<set $random to random(34)>> "Betting is closed! No more bets please!", the rat calls out. He places a shiny metal ball into the ornate roulette wheel, then pulls it with a hefty spin. The ball bounces and leaps around the wheel... <<if $random == 0>> ...and lands on 00, the only green space. "Green zero! The house wins!", the rat says smugly. He picks up a long stick and slides everyone's coins over to himself, while the other gamblers moan and growl in annoyance. "Would you like to play again?" <<if $gamblehumanity>> You feel a little strange... [[Losing Humanity|ratloss]] <<else>> <<set $money to $money - $rbet>> [[Roulette]] <</if>> <<elseif !$random%2>> ..and lands on $random, a black number. The rat bows to you and gives a grin. "Congratulations, dear customer. You are a winner." He slides over your stake to you with a long stick. "Would you like to play again?" <<set $money to $money + $rbet>> [[Roulette]] <<else>> ..and lands on $random, a red number. The rat bows to you and gives an insincere sigh. "My apologies, dear customer. You have lost this round." He slides over money to himself with a long stick. "Would you like to play again?" <<if $gamblehumanity>> You feel a little strange... [[Losing Humanity|ratloss]] <<else>> <<set $money to $money - $rbet>> [[Roulette]] <</if>> <</if>>

<<set $random to random(34)>> "Betting is closed! No more bets please!", the rat calls out. He places a shiny metal ball into the ornate roulette wheel, then pulls it with a hefty spin. The ball bounces and leaps around the wheel... <<if $random == 0>> ...and lands on 00, the only green space. "Green zero! The house wins!", the rat says smugly. He picks up a long stick and slides everyone's coins over to himself, while the other gamblers moan and growl in annoyance. "Would you like to play again?" <<if $gamblehumanity>> You feel a little strange... [[Losing Humanity|ratloss]] <<else>> <<set $money to $money - $rbet>> [[Roulette]] <</if>> <<elseif $random == $rnumber>> ..and lands on $random, your number. The rat claps with delight and bows to you. The other gamblers seethe with envy. "Congratulations, dear customer! You are a big winner today, it seems!" He slides over your stack of coins to you with a long stick. "Would you like to play again?" <<set $money to $money + ($rbet*34)>> [[Roulette]] <<else>> ..and lands on $random. The rat bows to you and gives an insincere sigh. "My apologies, dear customer. You have lost this round." He slides over your money to himself with a long stick. "Would you like to play again?" <<if $gamblehumanity>> You feel a little strange... [[Losing Humanity|ratloss]] <<else>> <<set $money to $money - $rbet>> [[Roulette]] <</if>> <</if>>

How much are you betting? <<numberbox "$bbet" 1 "Blackjack">> [[Return|Blackjack]]

The dealer shuffles the deck expertly with his feather-fingers, then deals out two cards. <<set $bcard to random(13)>> <<if ($botal == 1 && $bcard == 11) || ($botal == 10 && $bcard == 1)>> The crow places his hand to his chest in mock amazement. "Dear customer! You have blackjack!" You look at your cards and see that you do indeed have the Ace of Spades, illustrated with Zelig's grinning face, and the Jack of Clubs, illustrated with a rat thug holding a spiked mace. The crow pushes a thick stack of winnings over to you. "Would you like to play again? It seems you are on a winning streak!" [[Return|Blackjack]] <<set $money to $money + ($bbet*10)>> <<else>> <<if $bcard > 10>> <<set $bcard to 10>> <</if>> <<set $btotal to $btotal + $bcard>> Your two cards add up to $btotal. What will you do? [[Hit]] [[Stand]] [[Cheat]] <<set $bcard to random(13)>> <</if>> <<set $bdealertotal to 0>>

In Blackjack, you are dealt cards one at a time. The objective is to have a higher total count of your cards than the dealer does, without going over 21. Going over 21 is a "bust" and counts as an immediate loss. For Blackjack, any face card counts as a ten. When you want another card, you ask for a "Hit". If you are happy with your total, you can "Stand". Once you stand, the dealer will also deal themselves cards. They must deal until their total is at least seventeen, after which they immediately must take whatever number that gives them. If your first two cards are the Ace of Spades and either of the black jacks, you win immediately with ten times your initial stake. [[Blackjack]]

<<if $bcard > 10>> <<set $bcard to 10>> <</if>> <<set $btotal to $btotal + $bcard>> Your new card is worth $bcard, bringing your total to $btotal. <<if $btotal > 21>> The crow hisses and shakes his head. "Oh dear, oh dear. I am afraid you have gone bust, dear customer." He collects your stake, and bows apologetically. "Would you like to play again?" <<if $gamblehumanity>> You feel a little strange... [[Losing Humanity|ratloss]] <<else>> [[Return|Blackjack]] <<set $money to $money - $bbet>> <</if>> <<else>> What will you do? [[Hit]] [[Stand]] [[Cheat]] <</if>> <<set $bcard to random(13)>>

Your total is $btotal. <<set $bdealertotal to $bdealertotal+$bcard>> The dealer deals himself a card, and now has $bcard. <<set $bcard to random(13)>> <<if $bcard > 10>> <<set $bcard to 10>> <</if>> <<if $bdealertotal > 21>> The crow bows politely. "It seems I have gone bust. All betters win." He slides out winnings to you and the other gamblers with a long stick. "Would you like to play again?" <<set $money to $money + $bbet>> [[Return|Blackjack]] <<elseif $bdealertotal >= 17 && $bdealertotal == $btotal>> The crow bows politely. "It seems we have a draw. All bets are returned." You retrieve your money. "Would you like to play again?" [[Return|Blackjack]] <<elseif $bdealertotal >= 17 && $bdealertotal > $btotal>> The crow bows politely. "It looks like I am the winner. I wish you better luck in future cards." <<if $gamblehumanity>> You feel a little strange... [[Losing Humanity|ratloss]] <<else>> He takes your money and offers you the deck again. "Would you like to play again?" <<set $money to $money - $bbet>> [[Return|Blackjack]] <</if>> <<elseif $bdealertotal >= 17 && $bdealertotal < $btotal>> The crow claps his wings together. "You are a winner today, it seems! Congratulations!" He slides over your money your money and offers you the deck again. "Would you like to play again?" <<set $money to $money + $bbet>> [[Return|Blackjack]] <<else>> [[Continue|Stand]] <</if>>

You have been paying attention to the crow's shuffling and the cards that are dealt to all the players. With some skill, you can estimate the most likely next card. <<statcheck 12 $skill "skill" "cardcountsuccess" "cardcountfail">>

<<if $bcard == 11>> You are reasonably confident the next card is a Jack. <<elseif $bcard == 12>> You are reasonably confident the next card is a Queen. <<elseif $bcard == 13>> You are reasonably confident the next card is a King. <<else>> You are reasonably confident the next card is a $bcard. <</if>> Your cards add up to $btotal for now. What will you do? [[Hit]] [[Stand]]

<<set $random to random(34)>> <<if $random == 11>> You are reasonably confident the next card is a Jack. <<elseif $random == 12>> You are reasonably confident the next card is a Queen. <<elseif $random == 13>> You are reasonably confident the next card is a King. <<else>> You are reasonably confident the next card is a $random. <</if>> Your cards add up to $btotal for now. What will you do? [[Hit]] [[Stand]]

You take a seat at the auction, and wait for it to begin. The other attendees appear like a mix of wealthy nobles and merchants, but beneath their fine masks and finer clothes, you see a peek of claws, scales and fur. The lights dim slightly, and the curtains rise. The slavemaster, a porcine boar-man with a smug and cruel face, introduces himself and welcomes the guests. Then, the first slave of the night is led out. A humanoid, tall and with long, knotted muscles, his body twisted and warped. A nearly-furless tail, hands and feet that are stretched out and tipped with claws, and a scruffy coating of almost feral red body hair that is partway between hair and fur. It takes you a moment to recognise him outside of his shapeless, form-concealing clothing, but his stretched-out snout and shaggy red hair are distinctive. It is the stablemaster! He hasn't noticed you, and is looking down meekly at the ground. His body is covered in wounds and bruises. It seems he has suffered terribly in the time since you last saw him. [[Bid on the stablemaster]] [[React with violence]] [[Leave|Auction House]] <<set $slavebid to 1>>

Past a small curtain to the side of the stage, a number of people are being sold off. You see someone shoved forward and quickly stripped naked, only to be collared and shoved backstage ready for their auction. The slave master, a fat and grinning boar-man with a food-stained tuxedo and bow toe, grins at you and asks if you have anything to offload. "Any friends, companions, or loved ones you would like to hand over into the tight grip of our Lord Zelig, friend? Or perhaps you're here to sell yourself?" <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Sell your wolf for 50 gold]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Sell Derevan for 75 gold]] <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Sell Sir Connery for 100 gold]] <</if>> [[Ask about selling yourself]]

The wolf snarls and bares his fangs as the slavemaster's goons reach down and grab him. He snaps at them and tries to struggle free, but they clasp a heavy black collar around his neck. His movements become sluggish and dizzy. He looks at you, betrayal in his eyes, and whines helplessly. The goons roll him over, revealing his cock starting to rise and swell from his furry sheath. The goons stroke and massage his throbbing red shaft, and you see the wolf's gaze becoming glassy and confused. His tongue lolls from his muzzle, and his tail wags slightly as his whole body shivers. He howls pitifully, and his hard lupine cock erupts with cum that splatters all over his fur. The goons release him, and he rolls over and stands up obediently. He follows them out to the stage mindlessly, his eyes glassy and blank. The boar thanks you for your business with a smug grin, and counts out fifty coins for you in exchange for your loyal ally. [[Return|Auction House]] <<set $evildeeds to $evildeeds+1>> <<set $money to $money+50>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <</if>>

Derevan looks at you with alarm as you tell the boar you're selling him. "What?! My lord, I can still be of service to you!", he cries. The boar snaps his fingers, and some bulky rats grab Derevan's arms while more of them strip him of his robes and items. He struggles and tries to fight them, but he is soon helpless and naked in their grip. His body is lean and narrow, his black fur sleek over his slender form. "Please my lord, I wish only to serve you", he says desperately. The boar steps forward and clasps a black collar around Derevan's neck, and that goat sorceror grunts in pain. He clenches his eyes, and his body shudders as the power of the collar tears at his will. The rats release him, and he falls to his knees. His cock twitches between his legs, throbbing as it grows hard and heavy despite his struggles. He tugs at the collar helplessly, but his face becomes flushed with arousal, and his expression becomes confused. "No..must resist. I am not...not a slave...", he mumbles. One of the rats takes hold of Derevan's twitching shaft, and begins to pump and massage it. The goatman's pre oozes through the rat's fingers as Derevan moans and shudders. "My mind...not for sale...must hold on..." Derevan's back arches, and his eyes roll up in his head as he moans in pleasure. A thick arc of cum erupts from his cock, and a stupid grin spreads across his face. "N-no...can't...think...", he mumbles through the haze of lust. Another spray of cum gushes from him, and another. With each one, his eyes become duller and more empty, and his posture slackens. With one last eruption of seed, he bleats loudly like a goat. Cum drips from his shaft as he is led away, no longer resisting and with no sign of intelligence in his eyes. The boar thanks you for your business with a smug grin, and counts out seventy five coins for you in exchange for your loyal ally. [[Return|Auction House]] <<set $evildeeds to $evildeeds+1>> <<set $money to $money+75>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <</if>>

Sir Connery looks at you aghast, then tries to draw his sword. A black sigil flashes across his wrist, and he snarls in pain. The sword clatters to the ground, and the boar's henchmen quickly grab the muscular horse by his arms and restrain him. "A paladin, how delightful! We don't get these often. All that chastity, purity, force of will. Yesss, we'll get a good price to see this one broken." Sir Connery glares at him, then at you. "You will never break me, spawn of evil. As for you, traitor, this sin will drag your soul to-" The boar interrupts him by taking a heavy collar and slapping it around Connery's muscular neck. Immediately, the metal collar flares with sigils and light, as if Connery's body is trying to fight it off. He whinnies and thrashes, his eyes becoming hazy for a moment. The enormous equine cock between his legs twitches and hardens, but after a moment he focuses and snorts loudly. "It will take more than this to break me, wretch!", says Connery. The boar slowly strokes his hand up and down Connery's semi-hard shaft, teasing and stroking and squeezing it. Droplets of thick pre ooze from the equine's enormous meat, but the look of disgust on Connery's face never fades. "I'll be looking forward to it, FORMER paladin. It's been some time since I spent a few weeks with a slave resisting my sweaty pits, my fat cock, my teasing and servicing. Maybe I'll keep you for myself, and make the mighty paladin into my cum-loving, brainless little slut." Connery struggles, but is dragged and manhandled past the curtains, his cock leaking dribbles of pre the entire way. The boar thanks you for your business with a smug grin, and counts out a hundred coins for you in exchange for your loyal ally. [[Return|Auction House]] <<set $evildeeds to $evildeeds+1>> <<set $money to $money+100>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <</if>>

Being free of fear and stress, no longer having to fight this place, to struggle against your changes...something about it pulls at your desires, makes you feel needy and weak. Before you know it, you grab the boar's hooflike hand and shake it. He reaches up and pats your head. "Good slave. You'll be very happy." You feel his guards pulling at your clothes, and stripping you naked. You try to shake off the fog in your head, but before you can do so, you feel the boar press one of his heavy collars to your neck. Immediately, your thoughts slow to a crawl. You struggle to focus or think, as your whole body tingles and becomes flushed and sensitive. The boar strokes his hands across your bare chest and back, and you shudder and gasp a little. You can't remember who you are, or what you were doing here. He leads you past the curtain, past other slaves all moaning and twitching, and up onto a stage. You blink at the bright lights, feeling confused and trying to remember anything about yourself, anything at all. You hear the audience bidding on you, offering more and more money, but you barely understand. Even when the auctioneer slams his gavel, and you see your new owner, all you understand is that you must serve and obey him, listen to his commands, let him control you. "Hmm, I need something a bit bigger and stronger for my plans. Can you make a minotaur?", he asks the auctioneer. You feel your body flexing, shifting. Your entire form wants to obey, to follow your owner's needs and commands. The floorboards beneath you creak as your body grows taller, your bones shifting and creaking. Pain shoots through you, as your skeleton reshapes. Your ribs becoming wider, shoulders stretching out. Your arms stretch down past your hips, and your muscles ache as if you've completely exhausted them. With a shudder, you feel each of your muscles swell and inflate. Your biceps bulge up massive, your forearms growing heavy and thick. Your chest develops hard abs, while your legs become thick and powerful. Your feet stretch out, becoming rougher and darker to support your massive body. You tower over your "owner" now, but you only feel obedience and submission. Your face itches as short, bull-like fur spreads in a dark pelt over your skin. Your jaw and nose stretch forward, your nose darkening and becoming wide and wet. You shake your head as your skull aches, and two thick, heavy bone bulges stretch from your temples. They grow longer and wider, a weight that presses down on your mind and on your thoughts, as they become enormous curved bull's horns. You look down at your owner with your dark, stupid bovine eyes. He pulls on your collar and says something, but you don't understand his words. You only know you have to obey him. You stumble forward, your massive bulky minotaur body existing only for your master's service. You remember nothing of your old life. You are just a huge, stupid beast now. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You ask the boar why anyone would willingly sell themselves, when they wouldn't even be able to keep the money. The boar grins, his dark lips stretching over his thick tusks. He pulls back the curtain leading to the back, and you see a struggling human having a thick and heavy metal collar pressed to their neck. The human's struggles immediately slow. His eyes roll up in his head, and he shudders all over, before going slack. A dumb grin stretches across his face, and his manhood hardens and throbs, then leaks a steady stream of pre onto the ground. "As you can see, there is much to be said for being one of our slaves. No need to worry, no need to fear or stress. No longer will you be fighting against this castle, instead you will be a welcomed, happy part of it." He closes the curtain and claps his hands. "Of course, you'll also be changed for the benefit of your new owner. Whatever form they need, you will be able to assist them with. Isn't that nice? We'll find an appropriate inheritor for your cost, too." You feel a little dizzy listening to him talk, and your body is flushed and warm. Surely you wouldn't ever actually do that? [[Sell yourself for 50 gold]] [[Return|Auction House]]

The bidding proceeds rapidly, and you struggle to stay ahead of the pack. When the gathered monsters see your desire to buy the stablemaster, it seems to fuel them to bid higher and higher just to spite you. Soon the auction comes to a close, at the eye-watering price of 120 coins. <<if $money >= 120>> [[Pay 120 coins]] <</if>> [[Supplement your payment with the wallets around you]] [[Give up|Auction House]]

You try to draw your weapon, but it grows heavy in your hand. Your body feels weak, and you stumble back down onto your chair as the world around you grows dark. This is Zelig's realm, and brute force is not something he uses himself, therefore it is not something that can work here. [[Bid on the stablemaster]] [[Leave|Auction House]]

You are the winner of the auction, and the boar bangs his gavel and brings it to a close. You pay up, your wallet feeling much lighter, and rush up to the stablemaster quickly. [[Re-unite with the stablemaster]] <<set $money to $money-120>>

<<statcheck 14 $skill "skill" "auctionyes" "auctionno">>

You manage to sneak some purses and coins from the people around you, but your time is short and the auction comes perilously close to ending. You will still need 60 of your own coins to pay the fee. <<if $money >= 60>> [[Pay 60 coins]] <</if>> [[Give up|Auction House]]

The other guests barely seem to even notice as you swipe their wallets, pilfer their purses, and even purloin their jewels. It is almost like they're not even real, just shadows and spirits here for the cruelty and power of the auction. When the auction ends and the boar bangs his gavel, you don't even need to pay a penny of your own cash to pay the fee. You hand over other people's money, and rush forward to the stablemaster. [[Re-unite with the stablemaster]]

You pull the stablemaster away from the cackling crowd, and into the relative privacy of a nearby alcove. He follows you meekly, his eyes glassy and vacant. Despite the shame and embarrassment you once knew him to have for his own body, he makes no effort to hide his nudity now. He stares down at the ground, not recognising you. "I am beast. How...must I serve...", he mumbles. It seems to pain him to speak, and you see that his face and mouth are terribly bruised and bloody. What horrible treatment has he suffered in these many months? You pull open his collar and remove his chains, your anger rising as you see the scars and wounds they have caused him. You try to speak to him, to get him to recognise you. You lift his head and meet his eyes, but he flinches away. You speak to him, wishing you knew his true name, but the most response you get is a mumbling of "Beast..." A twinkling coin catches your eye, and you see a rat-man watching you, his face and body covered by a thick robe so that only the tip of his black muzzle, and his long tail, are visible. He's flicking a coin in one hand. "Your friend's light has been taken. He's fading away. Can't bring it back just with pretty words, not in this place. But you could bring it back with theft. By, say...stealing someone else's light." The rat-man flicks his coin again, and it lands on the ground and rolls away. You watch it bounce against the slavemaster's ankle, who reaches down and picks it up. When you look back, the rat has vanished. [[Auction House]] <<set $slavebid to 2>>

The slavemaster is currently chatting with some of the other strange masked "guests". He's a portly creature, his fat belly straining the buttons of his stained tunic, and his large tusks jutting yellowed and thick from his warthog-like face. You will have to try and draw his attention without making your ulterior motives too clear. <<statcheck 12 $charm "charm" "smsedyes" "smsedno">> <<set $slavebid to 3>>

The boar is a follower of Zelig, and certainly used to trickery and to people trying to use him for his wealth and status. You'll need to be subtle. You spare him only a few glances when he seems not to be looking, taking in the sight of his chubby belly, his scruffy fur and stained clothes. You innocently follow him from room to room, making it seem as though you have other business to attend to, but always keeping him in eyesight. Eventually you can tell he is noticing. His suspicion rises, and you know he is wondering whether you could actually be legitimately interested in him. You decide it's time to lay the bait, and get two drinks from a nearby rat, then approach him and offer him one. He narrows his eyes at you and sniffs the drink, then swallows it. "You've been looking at me. Why?", he asks. You glance away, making an excellent impression of an embarrassed courtier caught out at their crush. "Er, just for business purposes. Why do you ask?", you say with an expert stammer and crack of your voice. Slowly, he smiles a bit. "Would you like to discuss said business in my room, perhaps?" [[The boar's room]]

You give the boar-man several meaningful glances, brush against him, rest your hand on his shoulder. He seems to notice, and you find him looking at you with a smug, lustful grin. One of the rat waiters approaches you with a glass on a tray, saying it is a gift from the slavemaster. You see him nodding at you from a distance, and you lift the glass and nod back before drinking it. This seems to have been a mistake, however. Your vision goes blurry, and you stumble and sway on your feet. The glass crashes to the floor as you drop it, and everything goes dark. [[The Slavemaster's Prison]]

You awaken aching and sore, somewhere dark and grimy. Your hands and feet are shackled to the wall, and your skin feels sticky. You blink your bleary eyes and look up, only to see the boar grinning wickedly at you in the dim light. He's naked, and gripping his swollen and throbbing cock in one hand. It's dripping with pre, and you realise the source of the sticky feeling all over you. That, and the stink of stale sex and sweat all around. "Finally awake, are we? Hope you don't mind, but while you were out I took some liberties with my new toy. I like them to smell used, I'm sure you understand. Seeing something so beautiful tainted by my thick and nasty seed...it's just too lovely." [[Tell him you do mind]] [[Tell him you don't mind]]

Your anger rises up, and you tell him exactly what you think of him. Before you can finish as much as three words though, you feel an arc of pain jab through your whole body, your limbs and muscling aching and shivering as you scream in pain. You look down, and see a glowing sigil on your bare chest. The boar tuts at you. "Now now, manners please. My master has so many lovely cursebrands, and this is my favourite of all. When you obey me, and adore me, and tell me you love me, it will reward you. When you don't? Well, you will regret it. It's never taken long for it to break the will of even the toughest heroes." He steps closer to you, and rubs his sweaty, pendulous balls against your face. "Now. Kiss them, and tell me how much you love the taste." [[Boar's Slave]]

Hoping you mind still have a chance to talk your way out of this, you tell him how flattered you are, and how you only wish you had been awake to experience such kinky delights. As you do, your body suddenly flushes with pleasure. Something on your chest glows and floods your muscles with warmth and soothing sensation. You feel lust growing inside you, making you tense and needy and desperate. You almost drool with it, suddenly desperate for the boar's approval. You look down, and see a glowing sigil on your bare chest. The boar grins at you. "That's right, my pet. My master has so many lovely cursebrands, and this is my favourite of all. When you obey me, and adore me, and tell me you love me, it will reward you. When you don't? Well, you will regret it. It's never taken long for it to break the will of even the toughest heroes." He steps closer to you, and rubs his sweaty, pendulous balls against your face. "Now. Kiss them, and tell me how much you love the taste." [[Boar's Slave]]

Over the weeks and months to come, your new brand trains you well. The boar visits regularly, and subjects you to all of his lustful desires. Sometimes he makes you worship his sweaty, unwashed body from head to toe, forcing your face into his steamy armpits, under his heavy balls, between his furry cheeks. When you recoil or resist, the brand punishes you. When you press your face in eagerly, or tell him how hot and manly he is, the brand pleasures and rewards you. At first you resist, struggling through the agony, feeling it sap your will. Then, you fake it to avoid the pain, telling yourself it's just words. Reacting with eagerness when he appears, telling him you love his fat musky ass, his hot and sexy body. Begging him to choke you with his stubby, brick-like cock. Bit by bit, false words start to become real. You deny it to yourself, but the constant pleasure is starting to train you to desire him, want him. You find yourself drooling for his sweaty body, dreaming of him sitting on you, mounting you, using you. Eventually he unlocks your shackles, and you have a moment to escape. But instead, you find yourself drawn to him, craving the pleasure he gives you. You tackle him, kissing his porcine snout, pressing yourself to his dirty body, and begging your boar lover to crush you under his ass. "Now that is what I want to hear, my pet", he says with a grin, as he strokes your brand and looks deep into your broken, eager eyes. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The boar takes you into a side room, through a corridor, then to a door which he unlocks and leads you into. He pours you both a glass of wine, and you clink glasses with him, before sitting next to you on the bed. He discusses business for a while, but you lean closer, and gently rest your hand on his back. He swallows his drink, then leans back on the bed. His large belly jiggles and bounces, and he looks up at you with interest. "If you're here for some reason other than business, now might be the time to admit it", he says. [[Steal his light]] [[Remove his pants]]

You can sense it somehow, like a glittering jewel around his neck. With just a snatch you could have it... <<statcheck 12 $skill "skill" "boarthiefyes" "boarthiefno">>

The boar grins as you reach over and unbuckle his belt, then slide down his pants. Beneath them, his manhood is swollen and heavy, a short but extremely thick slab of uncut meat over a pair of heavy, sweaty furry balls. The musk of his fat body fills the room with a masculine, dirty scent. He unbuttons his shirt and pulls it aside, showing off his furry and jiggling belly and soft chest, before leaning back on his bed and spreading his legs. "So you really are interested in me. Not often I experience that without my potions. Where would you like to start serving your hog daddy, cute little thing?" [[Suck his cock]] [[Worship his furry behind]] [[Steal his light]]

You look at the faint, glimmering object, trying not to give away your intentions. Something about all this has been very odd. Is this some game, or test of Zelig's? Did he make this opportunity possible? You massage the boar's belly, giving every indication that you are admiring and servicing him. When he closes his eyes in pleasure, you slide your hand up his furry chest, under the ethereal necklace, and then up over his head in one smooth motion. He reacts and lunges for you, but too late. You are left holding a ghostlike jewel on a faint, glittering string, and the boar is left clutching weakly at the air. As you watch, his face becomes slack, sweat running down his brow. He clutches his head, shaking and panting. "No...I...in charge...I'm the master...I..." Gradually, his eyes go faint, his gaze becoming slack, and he slumps forward onto the bed. He doesn't respond to your touch or your words, he simply lies there, like a zombie. [[Restore the stablemaster]]

The boar grabs your hand, and snorts as he pushes you back. "I should have known!", he says. He reaches into his pocket and throws something into your face. The powder stings your eyes and nose, and everything goes dark... [[The Slavemaster's Prison]]

You leave the boar catatonic on his bed, and fetch the stablemaster. He follows you mutely, until you take the strange light and drape it over his neck. It glows for a moment, then melts into his chest. He shudders a little, then stands up, his body straightening, showing off his lanky, thick muscles and scruffy red hair. It strikes you how incredibly tall he is when he's not deliberately crouching and bow-legged and trying to make himself small in the filthy overcoat you remember him in. He towers over you, then looks down. His clawed hand rises to your face, and he strokes it over your cheek. "My...beast?", he mumbles. You take his hand and reassure him. You are his beast. He is yours. Through the thick red hair covering his face, you see his eyes twinkle and his fanged and twisted muzzle stretch into a smile. He suddenly lunges forward, his overly-long arms wrapping around you as he clutches you to his chest. "You...came back. Back for me. Save me", he says. His voice is as gruff and clumsy as you remember, but his affection is real and speaks more loudly than words could. You take him into the slavemaster's rooms to let him recover in privacy, and he holds you tightly for some time. His clawed pawhands stroke over your back as he squeezes you to his chest, which raises and lowers with his deep, ragged breaths. "Tried to protect...the stables. Bad creature came, bad with knives and cutting. Sold me...to Zelig. Sold me for power." He looks into your eyes, and his expression is fiercer and stronger than you remember. "They broke me. Beat me. Caged me. But I...am not...a monster. I am free", he says. He stands up and walks to the slavemaster's cupboards, then begins tearing them open. Within are the many belongings of the slaves the boar took, armour and weapons and more. He throws the contents around, taking some and discarding others. He dresses in the items within, and then returns to you. His chosen garb is nothing like the tattered overcoat from before. He's wearing black leather boots, riding pants, and a green tunic who's sleeves he has torn at the end to handle his long, thick forearms. A leather cloak is draped over his shoulders, and a wide-brimmed hat rests atop his head. He smiles at you, his crooked fangs glinting. He is no longer stooping or shying away, and you realise how incredibly dangerous this massive man could truly be. "Pledge myself to you. My...beloved beast", he says. He leans down and kisses you, his hairy muzzle nuzzling against your face as his long tongue pushes its way into your mouth, almost making you gag as it slides into your throat. He stands up and wipes his muzzle, his grin still wide. [[The Gambling Hall]] <<hasitem "Stablemaster (Missing)">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_stablemaster_true>> <<set $charm to $charm+1>> <</if>>

You move down between the boar's furry legs, and he lifts up his huge gut to give you better access. His cock throbs and twitches, oozing with pre to the point it's almost spurting. "Yeah, suck my fat hog, little slave. Show me how much you love me...", he grunts. You open your mouth, and press your head down against his crotch. The heat and musk of his body washes over you, and the taste of his salty, slippery pre oozes over your tongue and down your throat. He lowers his belly, and it presses down on your head like a shelf of fat and fur, pushing you harder against his manhood. He grunts and moans, thrusting and grinding against you as he suck and pleasure him, his cock getting harder and his snorts and grunts indicating he's getting closer and closer to orgasm with every lick. Then he suddenly pushes you away, and looks at you with a huge grin, drool all over his piglike snout. "Worship my ass, slave. Prove to me how much you love me, every inch of my huge, dirty body." [[Worship his furry behind]] [[Steal his light]]

The boar snorts with delight as you approach his rump, and rolls over to lift it for your approval. His cheeks are massive and covered in scruffy brown fur, with the dark flesh of his hole glistening with sweat. You press your face between his cheeks, feeling the warmth of them pushing on your face. His musk is thicker and riper here than anywhere else, an earthy and masculine scent of sweaty, hot pork that makes you feel flushed and dizzy. You lick against his hole and his glistening taint, the dark flesh under his fur hot and dripping with sweat. He snorts and pants, stroking his own cock as you rub and nuzzle and lick against his rear. "Deeper, slave. Worship my ass, submit yourself to it, forget everything but your master's hot ripe bottom!", he snorts. You pull away slightly, your vision filled with his steamy, jiggling butt. You...were here to do something, weren't you? [[Dive back in]] [[Try to remember why you are here]]

You forget your other thoughts, and dive back into his butt eagerly. He squeals and snorts, then moans with delight as he feels your tongue stroking over his hole, licking against his flesh. Your face rubs and grinds between his cheeks and he shudders. "Yes, fuck, keep going. Give yourself up to me, surrender to me..." [[Rim that pig]] [[Rim that pig!|Rim that pig]] [[Worship the hog!|Rim that pig]]

You were here to...get something valuable. Something really important. Something shiny and vital. Shiny like your master's sweaty, hot ass. Like his musky, thick, fat and heavy butt. You were here to serve and worship this ass. To give up everything for it, fall in love with it... [[Rim that pig]] [[Rim that pig!|Rim that pig]] [[Worship the hog!|Rim that pig]]

You can't fight it any longer. You need this boar's ass, you crave it. It is everything. You shove your face deep between his cheeks, clutching his butt fur with both hands as you rub and nuzzle up and down along his crack. You push out your tongue, licking against his thick hole and pushing your tongue inside him. He snorts and moans, his cock erupting with pre that soaks his hand and makes a puddle on his bedsheets. "Fuck, yes, keep going slave...", he moans. You snort too, and pull your tongue out slowly from his rear. It feels thicker, and longer, and it droops from your mouth and drools slobber over your chest. You look down at your face, and see it's stretched out, your mouth and nose bulging into a piglike, flat snout with a long drooling tongue. Before you can really think about it though, your master pushes you down onto your back, and you see the huge shape of his round ass lowering down onto you. You moan with pleasure as his musky behind presses onto your face, blocking out the light, trapping you under two huge furry orbs and a sweaty, musky crack of dark flesh. You lick and nuzzle him more, feeling his weight crushing down on you, breaking down your mind, erasing all other thoughts but the desire to serve and obey. You are nothing but his butt-licking slave, your mind totally in thrall to his ass. He grinds and grunts atop your face, then squeals as his cock erupts with cum, spraying it all over your body. When he eventually gets off you, your head is soaked in sweat, and fully transformed. A piggish snout, floppy pink ears, and dumb, brainless small eyes. From that point on, you follow him eagerly, nothing in your dumb head but the desire to lick your master's ass and let him use your face as a cushion when he sits down for his day job. Your life as an adventurer is completely forgotten. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

"Low on chips, hun?", the rabbit asks. She leans forward, and presses a finger to your nose. You feel a shudder run through your whole body, and a dizziness fog your mind. For a moment your clothes feel loose and uncomfortable, and the room around you seems larger, more threatening. The shadowy guests who were previously ignoring you now start to glance at you with disdain and chuckle among themselves. Your attention is drawn away from them as you see the rabbit holding a golden poker chip in her hand. "You can have this back for a hundred of the regular kind, hun. The dealers will let you play free now, we've got your debt on the books. Good luck!" The casino feels more dangerous somehow. It may be wise to get your token back as soon as possible. [[Return|Prize Hall]] <<set $gamblehumanity to true>> <<set $rbet to 10>> <<set $bbet to 10>> <<set $pbet to 10>>

You hand over one hundred chips, and the rabbit-woman returns your golden chip to you. It melts away as it touches your hand, and you shudder slightly. The pressure and uncomfortable feeling fades, and you flex your fingers at you feel in control of yourself once again. You reach up and touch your face, and confirm that the changes from your gamble have gone, and you are back to how you were before. [[Return|Prize Hall]] <<set $gamblehumanity to false>> <<set $money to $money-100>> <<set $ratloss to 0>>

You hand over the chips, and the rabbit shrugs as she hands over the bottle. "Your loss, hun. This ain't worth much a damn." As you open the two-necked bottle, it begins to ooze and burp up a strange fog. The vapour flows over towards Boss and Tiny behind you, who shudder and fall to the ground. Tiny is the first to start changing. The massive tiger's body bulges, and he slowly pushes himself up with his forepaws, and totters on his hind legs. His barrel-like chest shifts and adust, his bones creaking and changing under his flesh. His narrow hind legs thicken, his paws flattening onto the ground as the shift from feral hindpaws to wide, furry plantigrade feet, with pink pawpads and sharp claws. His thighs and shins bulk up with muscle, and his chest starts to broaden. His shoulders become even wider, and his front legs flex and stretch, shifting into massive, muscular arms. His forepaws stretch out, bones creaking and adjusting as they become hands. His huge furry face shifts subtly, the muzzle adjusting, his brow thickening and shifting. He still has a tiger head, but a humanised one capable of human expressions. Boss changes next. The little feral mouse squeaks in alarm as his body pushes out, growing and inflating rapidly from a few inches tall, to over a foot tall, to almost two feet. His chubby pearlike body shifts, and he stands on two legs, looking down at himself as he flexes his pink hands, twitches his tail and grins a very sleazy smile. Then he blinks, and looks around. "Is...that it? I'm still a fucking mouse!" He looks up at Tiny and squeaks in annoyance. While the tiger ended up a seven foot tall muscle hulk, Boss's change ended at just under two feet tall, and his anthropomorphic rodent body is chubby and soft. "This is some fucking bullshit", he mutters. Then he sighs, and grabs onto Tiny's leg before climbing up onto the huge feline's shoulder. "Thanks, anyway. I was kinda hoping to get more humanity back than this, but I guess exchange rates are a bitch. Me and my little bro owe you. You didn't have to go out of your way on your behalf, and fuck knows I wouldn't have done the same for you", Boss says. Tiny looks towards the mouse, and gives him a stern expression. Boss sighs. "Maybe Tiny would have. But one way or another, we're on your team now. Boss takes his debts seriously! And if you need some tips on thieving, well this place looks like a perfect training ground, and I'm a hell of a thief!" It looks like you have two more followers. Though brain-wise, it may be more like one and a half. [[Return|Prize Hall]] <<set $tinyfixed to true>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_tinyboss_fixed>> <<set $skill to $skill+1>> <</if>> <<set $money to $money-70>>

At last, you have enough. You hand over your chips, and the rabbit-girl slides the ticket out and places it in your hand. "Congratulations, Seeker! Please proceed up the stairs to your very special VIP meeting with our great lord, Zelig himself!" The guards on the stairs bow and move aside to let you pass. The velvet ropes unravel themselves like tentacles, and the bustle and noise of the casino becomes distant as you walk up. The stairs feel much longer than they appeared. The room around you gets darker, and quietier, until there is only a faint scrabbling, scratching noise, and nothing but the glint of the golden banisters. Finally you reach the top, and the massive ornate wooden doors slide open. Zelig's room beckons you. [[Zelig's Chamber]] <<set $money to $money-100>>

<<if $ratloss == 0>> "Ooh, that's a loss, I'm afraid", the dealer says. You feel a sudden jolt zap through your body. The table in front of you rises up slightly, and you clutch it with a faint sense of alarm and vertigo. Your clothes feel even more loose, like they could slip off you at any moment. You squeak, and reach up to your face as you feel a tingling and prickling sensation. Long, thin whiskers sprout from your face, and your teeth ache as the front two bulge out and protrude from your lips. Your ears grow sore too, and you reach up to feel them growing larger and rounder, pink dishlike protrusions...just like the ones on the rats tending service to the other patrons. <<set $ratloss to $ratloss+1>> [[The Gambling Hall]] <<elseif $ratloss == 1>> "Another loss, it seems", the dealer says with an apologetic look. The jolting feeling returns, rushing through your body stronger than before. A feeling of inferiority and anxiety burns at your will, wrapping around your mind and making you squeak and shake with nervousness. You're getting shorter, the table at your eye-level now. A long pink tail snakes out from your pants and trails along the ground, and you stumble backwards. You look down at your feet and see they are clawed and pink, while your skin is tingling and prickling all over as grey fur spreads across your body. Your face stretches forward, growing into a narrow ratlike muzzle, while you clutch at it with your clawed hands. You look exactly like the other rat servants! You also can tell you can't afford even one more loss like this. Your memories of your adventuring life already feel distant and strange, like a dream... <<set $ratloss to $ratloss+1>> [[The Gambling Hall]] <<else>> "I'm afraid that's the last of your tokens", the dealer says. He shakes his head sadly. "Don't worry, Lord Zelig does take good care of his pets." You try to ask him what he means, but your voice just comes out as a panicked squeak. You feel like you're falling, the world around you rushing up, growing huge around you. You fall down into your own clothes, which have become enormous and oversized. In your panic, you scrabble and squeak, falling to all fours and twisting around as your body gets smaller and smaller. Your chest grows narrower, your hips thicker. Your tail trails behind you, and your tiny paws claw at your clothing as your mind gets duller, more confused. You run through a tunnel that used to be your sleeve, and rush out into the light. All around you, the patrons of the casino are like enormous, terrifying monsters. Your mind is filled with feral instincts, telling you to run, to flee, to escape. Suddenly you are grabbed in a clawed hand. One of the rat servants picks you up and strokes you gently. You twitch and squeak in his grip as he walks to the gilded staircase, and carries you up to Lord Zelig's office. <<set $ratloss to $ratloss+1>> [[Zelig's Little Pet]] <</if>>

<<if $ratfirsttime>>You look around at the other rats. They are all dressed in those little waistcoats, with their lower bodies bare. As far as you can tell, no one is paying them, but they seem to regularly get tips from the sinister, hollow-eyed gambling patrons. You pick up a tray of drinks and mimic their actions, carrying the tray around and seeing if any of the gamblers want one. You mostly get ignored, which sends an odd feeling through your chest. Your ears twitch and your tail curls around your leg nervously. You almost drop your plate as someone claps a heavy hand on your shoulder. You look up and see one of the large black bouncer-rats glaring at you. "Come with me, new rat", he says. You follow behind him, your body almost moving against your will. You feel compelled to obey the bigger rat, to meekly bow and serve him. He leads you into a small closet, where he begins to pull off your clothes. His rough clawed hands stroke over your furry body, and he squeezes and grope you as he strips you down. Your whiskers twitch nervously as he looms over you. Instead of going further, though, he just shoves a white shirt around your waist, and ties a bow tie around the collar. That's followed by a black waistcoat, before he pushes you back out to the gambling hall with your lower body embarrassingly exposed. You are ready to serve the clients now. <<set $ratfirsttime to false>><</if>> <<statcheck 12 $faith "faith" "ratservantsuccess" "ratservantbadend">>

You follow the other rats to the serving station, and grab plates of canapes and drinks. You rush around the casino, serving the guests and taking back their empty glasses. You are incredibly overworked, barely able to take a breath. You rush to and fro, fetching new drinks and new food constantly. The longer you work, the more dizzy and strange you feel. You have to serve the guests. You have to make them happy. The patrons start to get more handsy with you, more affectionate. A large bear squeezes you up against his armpit as he rolls his dice. A horse in a suit drags you over as he gulps his drink, and pushes you down between his legs to nuzzle the massive bulge in his formal trousers. With each one that uses you, that treats you like a servant, you feel more forgetful and confused. All you remember is fetching the drinks, serving the staff, working for the casino. You are a rat, you must serve. You hand over a drink to a well-dressed coyote at the blackjack table, and he grins at you. He grabs your shoulder as you're about to walk away, and drags you back. "Hold on, staff. I need some more help." He kicks off his shoes, leans back in his chair, and puts his feet up on the table. They are clawed, the soles dark and padded like that of a canine. He wiggles his toes and grins at you. "Massage them, staff." You are unable to refuse a customer. You start to rub and squeeze his beastlike feet, and he growls in pleasure as he continues to play. He wins a few more chips, and then leans down and unzips his pants. "Get down here, rat." You kneel down and he pulls you between his legs, his thick cock sliding into your mouth. You can do nothing but obediently suck on it, feel his beastlike shaft plunge into your throat and out again, over and over. "Hmm. Down a hand. Hey slave, give me your free will. I need more chips." You feel so dizzy, so strange. You have to serve the customers. You have to obey the patrons. You have to work at the casino. Something inside you grows dull and cold as you feel new chips in your hand. You meekly hand them over. The coyote gambles them away, then thrusts into your throat. You hear him growl, and taste his thick cum as his cock pulses and sprays your mouth with seed. You stand up, wiping your whiskers and still tasting his aftertaste in your mouth. He ignores you, so you fetch your plate and return to your work. You don't remember anything else. There is only the casino. There is only your work. Your journey ends here. You are part of the casino now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

For all his bluster and bravado, Boss is actually a competent thief. He first has you work on your dexterity by challenging you to grab him with one hand, while he crawls around on Tiny's body. It's incredible difficult. He is fast, and slippery as an eel. When you think you've got him, he'll suddenly twist at an angle you aren't expecting, or inexplicably slideout of your grasp as if he's frictionless. <<set $stamina to $stamina-1>> <<set $trainingroll to random(2,12)>> <<if $trainingroll >= $skill>> //Rolled $trainingroll, Skill increased// After one time where you are sure you have him, he somehow twists upside down, jumps off Tiny, and crawls up your shirt. His head pokes out from your collar and he winks at you. "Good enough, for now." <<set $skill to $skill+1>> <<else>> //Rolled $trainingroll, no Skill increase// As much as you try, you just feel frustrated and clumsy compared to this mouse's almost supernatural speed. Tiny shakes his head at you. "You're losing focus. We can try again another time." <</if>> [[Return|The Gambling Hall]]

Zelig does indeed take good care of his pets. You are dropped onto his golden executive table, and the moment you look up into the great rat's glowing eyes, all your fear and worries disappear like sand in a tornado. You slump, squeaking gently as your whole body feels warm and soft and cuddly. You do not resist as Zelig strokes under your chin, feels your whiskers, teases your fur and back with his long, clawed fingers. You nuzzle against him, your tiny mind filled with an overwhelming, crushing adoration and love. You chirr and squeak as he tickles your furry belly, and your eyes light up when he cuts some small pieces of exotic cheese for you to enjoy. You munch on them happily, and he picks you up and places you in a golden cage with a wheel. You lie back and gorge yourself on your treat, your memories melting away in an ocean of bliss and subservience. You remember nothing of your old life. You are just a little, brainless pet. Your journey ends here. You are Zelig's now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You follow the other rats to the serving station, and grab plates of canapes and drinks. You rush around the casino, serving the guests and taking back their empty glasses. At first you are annoyed by how busy you are. Each time you try to take a break or stop to breathe, the other rat servers push you along, or drag you back to work. Your paws are exhausted and you feel frazzled and confused. You have to serve the guests. You have to keep them happy. You have to obey. Hours later, you realise you have been working all this time without thinking. Your whole mind seemed to go on autopilot. You look down at your hand and see one gold coin - your only tip. <<set $money to $money+1>> [[The Gambling Hall]]

Boss gives you a suspicious glare. He looks like he is about to refuse, but before he can reply, Tiny nods at you and pulls a chair over to the bar. You sit down and buy drinks for the three of you. Tiny makes a rumbling noise that you assume to be thankful, and Boss sips his sullenly for a while. Eventually Tiny pokes him in the shoulder. "Sore loser", he rumbles with a grin. Boss snorts, but also smiles. "Only because I rarely get a chance to practice losing!", he says. His previous cockiness returns, and things get more friendly. You chat with them for a while about the village and their travels. Eventually you point out that they don't look much alike, for brothers. Boss shrugs it off. "Neither of us have parents, but we've got each other. We've been brothers since we grew up in the same orphanage and decided we were. Why would blood matter? You know, I actually was taller than Tiny when we were kids." Tiny shrugs in mock apology. "Growth spurt", he says with a smile. Boss noogies him, which he achieves by climbing onto the bar and making Tiny lean down slightly to allow it. "I'm the big bro no matter how tall you get, you dumb half-giant", he says. After that, you discuss the castle, and the beasts within for a while. It is very obvious that the two of them are not taking the challenge as seriously as they should. Admittedly you can hardly blame them. Your own first journey there was hardly a great success. [[Hit on Boss|SexBT]] [[Hit on Tiny|SexBT]] [[Call it a night|Brisgoth Inn]] <<set $money to $money-3>>

With a few beers in them, the two bandits open up and become surprisingly friendly. Both of them sit either side of you, and you can see them glancing over you. You can sense interest from them both. However, whenever you try to focus on one, the other gets handsy and starts to lean in closer, or touch your leg, or offer you another drink. Eventually you end up in a rather pleasant tipsy stupor. Somehow you are sitting in Tiny's lap, as the result of a stupid dare you don't quite recall the reasoning for. His huge arm is around your chest holding you close, and Boss is using the opportunity to slide his rough hands under your clothes and stroke your stomach. "You were right, you do have a pretty good figure", Boss says with a grin. You vaguely remember some sort of discussion about which of the three of you had better abs? But you don't remember any particular reason Boss would now be sliding his fingers down into your pants. Before things go any further, Tiny stands up and pats your head. He rests you against the bar, and pulls his older brother away. Boss rubs his face, and gives you a grin. "Maybe after our big heist, the three of us could get to know each other better? Drinks will be on the two of us, next time." [[Return to the inn|Brisgoth Inn]]

You move over to the side of the casino, where there is a quieter section with seating and a small bar serving drinks. The bustle and chaos of the casino remains before you, but by comparison to it this area is an oasis of calm. <<if $tinyfixed>> Boss is standing on top of the bar, drinking beer from a shot glass, while Tiny remains standing. His huge bulk is probably too large for the little bar stools. Boss sees you, and raises his glass. "If you want some training, I could help you out. Don't overdo it if you're planning to fight that crazy rat though." //Training will increase your Skill if the sum of two dice rolls is equal or higher than your existing Skill. Each attempt will reduce your maximum stamina, succeed or fail. You cannot sacrifice stamina to lower than 10.// <<if $stamina > 10>> [[Train with Boss and Tiny]] <</if>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && !$stablesoul>> The Stablemaster is here, watching you. He beckons you over. [[A gift from the Stablemaster]] <</if>> [[Return|The Gambling Hall]]

As you approach the stablemaster, he reaches out his powerful arms and grabs you. He pulls you in close to his chest, and you feel his strong, hard body against you. His twisted muzzle leans against you, and his hot breath washes against your face like steam. "Beloved beast", he growls. There is a smile on his face. When he is not trying to hide it, his mutated and twisted half-wolf, half-human appearance has a strange dignity and rugged attractiveness to it. Just as he is no longer hiding his face, his height or his strength, he is also no longer restraining his power. As you look up into his deep amber eyes, you feel like you could drown in them. That right now, you could go slack and allow this beastmaster to train you, to own you. He could brush your flanks, care for your hooves if you were his horse. He would train you, love you and feed you if you were his dog. You would stand proudly on his arm if you were a hunting bird. Any life as a beast under his command would be blissful, and filled with love and respect. He reaches down, and gently moves your face away. As the eye contact breaks, you shudder and feel your thoughts restore slowly to normal. "Not against your will, my beloved", he says. He reaches into his cloak, and hands you something. It is a jewel on a long chain. At first, you think it's the slavemaster's 'spirit jewel' that you stole, but this one is much larger, and it is warped and unsettling in both shape and colour. "I do not remember how I got this. There was another slave. A black rat, I think? He was so...terribly sad. I think you were destined to have this." You look at the jewel, and it is hard to look away. It feels like a piece of jealousy, envy and desire, in physical form. You quickly put it in your pocket. This is important somehow. [[Ask about what he meant by against your will]] [[Return|The Gambling Hall]] <<set $stablesoul to true>>

It is painfully expensive, but you hand over your tokens and the rabbit-girl passes you the box. Inside, you see a strange jewel. It is jagged, like broken glass, and looks warped and corroded. For some reason you can't drag your eyes away from it. It fills you with a strange, unsettling desire and greed. You quickly close the box. Whatever this is, you know somehow that it is incredibly dangerous. [[Return|Prize Hall]] <<set $casinosoul to true>> <<set $money to $money-300>>

He strokes his clawed, hairy fingers over your cheek. His lips brush against your neck as he kisses you gently. "Whatever path you choose after this is done, I will be by your side. I am yours, and you are mine. I love you, my beast." Then he looks down at you, and that power returns, strong and controlling, yet loving and protective. "But if you do not want me to be at your side. I can take more. I could keep you all to myself. I would make you into a very happy animal. That I swear. You would want for nothing, and you would be strong and well-trained." "Would you want that?" [[Ask him to claim you completely]] [[Accept his love as it is and continue your quest|The Gambling Hall]]

He nods. "Then you are mine." He holds your face in his powerful clawed hands. You look up into his eyes, and feel your fears and worries drifting away. His gaze is so calm, so protective. You know this man can tell you what to do. He can show you how you should act, how to receive food and shelter. He will take you in from the wild, and make you his, and you will want for nothing but his love and approval. You feel his hands stroke over your head, rub and feel your chin and behind your ears. His other hand slips under your clothes, and he rubs your belly, making you shudder with pleasure and love. You are pulled forward against his chest. His scent surrounds you, his warmth, his love. You are his. You are tamed. You are one of his beasts. When he releases you, you feel you have lose something. Some wildness, some independance. But you have gained what a wild horse gains when it is broken and bridled. Warmth, a home, an owner. He smiles at you, and kisses you again. "From now on, you will always be mine", he says. You know now that when your journey through this castle ends, your stablemaster will be the one who decides your fate. [[Return|The Gambling Hall]] <<set $smbadend to true>>

The room beyond is enormous and ornate. The carpet is so thick and soft that your steps are completely silent, and the walls curve up with golden arches, to a ceiling decorated with intricate paintings. The first impression is stunning wealth, but the second impression is an unsettling crawling on your skin. The paintings above are all of rats, their tails tangled and tied together as they feast on and consume each other. The golden arches are decorated with countless more carved rats, all staring blankly towards the center of the room. With that the thick deep carpet becomes less a soft luxury, and more an unnerving reminder that things could be hiding within. Zelig is sitting behind a mahogany desk, flanked on either side by countless small gilded cages, in which his pet rats squirm, play and squeak. You feel his power, even before he speaks. It feels like you are staring at a storm, a tornado. Your whole body trembles, and your mind aches under the inherent supernatural pressure of a Lord of Nox. He's an incredibly handsome, charming rat. His face is dignified, with a slight smirk behind his furry, sleek black moustache. His clothing is elegant and expensive, with a green cravat bulging from his throat like an emerald flower. His ears glitter with gold, as do his gilded front teeth. When he speaks, it is like needles are piercing through your willpower, probing your mind and testing for weaknesses. "Welcome, Seeker. It's been a long time since we had someone get so far. A reward is called for, I think." <<if $blessing == "skill">> He stares at you, and his expression becomes harsher. His mouth twitches up at the side as he grins. "Ah, but how flattering. You already have submitted to me. You kneeled before my power, and worshipped me as your only lord." You suddenly remember Derevan's blessing. The blessing of skill - the blessing of Zelig. Your knees buckle, and you fall to the ground. It feels like enormous weights are dragging at your limbs, forcing you to submit. Zelig walks over, his clawed feet quiet and soft, and he strokes his fingers across your cheek. [[Resist the blessing]] <<else>> He leans forward across his desk, and places a pile of coins before you. "Would you consider working for me?" [[Zelig's Offer]] <</if>>

<<if $ironwill > 0>> You grit your teeth, drawing on your iron will. <<statcheck 11 $faith "faith" "zblsyes" "zblsno">> <<else>> <<statcheck 14 $faith "faith" "zblsyes" "zblsno">> <</if>>

You fight as much as you can, but it is like attempting to swim up a waterfall. Inevitably, you sink, and fall, and submit. Zelig catches you as you start to slump, and he lifts you up and places you in a chair. His hands stroke across your head, and he leans down and kisses you gently. You shudder at his touch, the warmth of his lips, the cold of his golden teeth. Your body aches for him, your mind swimming and swirling. When he steps back, you wonder how you could ever have wanted to resist this. Zelig is the most handsome and perfect gentleman you could possibly envision. From the rings on his gorgeous clawed feet, to the tips of his gleaming whiskers, you want nothing more in life than to make this mighty rat happy. He walks back behind his desk, and you yearn for more of his touch. Then he beckons you over, and the feeling of being wanted by him is almost orgasmic. You nod and tremble, before crawling across to carpet to his feet. He points to something under his desk. On this side, you can see that the space at his feet forms a wooden cubby, sealed on three sides by the sides and front of his gleaming desk. At the back of it is a thick metal hoop. "This could be yours, Seeker. Your home. I will attach a beautiful chain to this fixture, and give you a collar that can never be removed. Your existence will be private, a life only for me. Living under my desk, worshipping me, servicing me and thinking of nothing in your life but my happiness." You stare at that cramped little space. The place that could become your prison...your reward... "All you have to do is give me everything. A small price, yes? Start with your money, my slave." The last shreds of your conscious mind scream at you to fight this, to push back. Resist [[Give Zelig your money]]

You force yourself to stand, though the pain of doing so is agonising. You look up at Zelig's smiling face, and you return his gaze with your own one of fury and determination. "You are not my master", you say. With a trembling arm, you push away his hand. As you do, the violent pressure fades. You are no longer blessed by Zelig. His eyes glitter with amusement. "Well now, aren't you a fierce one? I think we could work together nicely. Not as master and slave, but employer and employee." [[Zelig's Offer]]

You look down at the pile of coins, which scatter and roll across the desk. Zelig's rings glitter and shine on his clawed fingers as he pushes the money towards you. "I'm not an unreasonable man, or an unfair one. You have shown your worth by reaching this far. You have demonstrated the talents I admire, those of charm and skill. Very few seekers ever come to my chamber of their own will." He looks into your eyes, and you feel the pulse of his power, the essence of Nox that flows through him. "Fighting me is a risky and unrewarding gamble, I assure you. Instead, accept a place by my side. You will become one of my agents, my legendary assassins. Your friends and allies will be given positions of safety within my realm, and all the decadence and pleasure of my casino will be yours to enjoy." He stretches out his hand, and slides his sleeve back. All along his forearm, a twisting pattern of scars and branded flesh marks his skin. The brand glows, then twists and stretches forward, becoming a web of pulsing energy that reaches for you. [[Accept Zelig's Cursebrand]] [[Draw your weapon]]

Your hands move by themselves, dumping all your coins into a pile on Zelig's desk. As you drop the last one, your fingers shift. Your hands become softer, the flesh pink and smooth. Small, blunt claws push from your fingertips, the kind that cannot harm, but could be used for massaging Zelig's perfect feet. "Good pet. Now, your clothes and belongings. They have always been mine." His approval is everything. The world is meaningless when there is Zelig. Resist [[Give Zelig your clothes]]

You toss down your belongings, a pile of all the items and resources you have built up on your journey here. You begin to pull at your clothes, and Zelig watches intently. He stops you just as you are pulling off your shirt. "Slowly. Gently. This is how a pet should strip." You nod, and go more slowly. You tease him, slowly lifting your shirt, showing him your back and then turning and leaning against him as you remove it completely. He smiles, and you are so close that you can feel the warmth of his faintly cigar-scented breath. He strokes your bare chest, and nods. You wiggle, slowly lowering your pants, letting them fall to your ankles before stepping out and sitting nude in his lap. Your bare skin feels soft for a moment, and a rush of warmth spreads through you, as ultra-fine, velvety white fur coats your body. Zelig strokes his fingers through it, enjoying the softness and luxury of your beautiful body. As he wraps his arms around you, and his whiskers tickle against your bare body, you feel part of you resisting, yelling, telling you that you're acting like a prostitute for an evil, monstrous rat. But you don't care. "Next, my lovely little prize. Give me your friends, and loved ones." Resist [[Give Zelig your allies]]

You cuddle in Zelig's lap, naked and obedient, as one by one your allies are led inside by Zelig's guards. <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your loyal wolf enters. He snarls at Zelig, his hackles raised and his fangs bared. Zelig whispers in your ear. "Give him to me." "He is yours", you gasp. The wolf shudders. His aggression fades, and he begins to shrink. His furry tail becomes longer and smoother, stretching out into a rat's tail. His fur becomes shorter, his face pushes out into a whiskered snout. Soon he is just a shaggy grey rat, squeaking on the carpet. <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is dragged in, and he falls to the ground. He pushes himself up with his staff, and snarls at you. "Resist, my lord! You are meant to own this place!" Zelig smiles. "Give him to me", he orders. "He is yours", you say. Derevan squeaks, his voice suddenly cut off. His horns start to recede, and he falls down as his body shrinks away into his clothes. After a moment, his robe twitches and wriggles, and a small rat crawls free, with a little fluff of beard on its snout. <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh is pulled in by his bridle, his hooves stomping against the carpet. Zelig waves a hand. "Too large. Give him to me." "He is yours", you say. Immediately, the horse starts to shrink. His mighty muscles become soft and small, his ears become round and stretched out. He shrinks out of his bridle, falling to the ground and looking around in shock as he becomes a small white rat. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Connery is pushed into the office by two guards covered in bruises. His hands are tied behind his back, and it seems he did not come without a fight. "Resist this foul fiend!", he roars. Zelig snarls at him. "Vile. A paladin? I thought the Beast dealt with all of you. Well, he is mine nonetheless, unfortunately. Give him to me." "He is yours", you gasp. There is a flash of light. Something in Connery resists the change, clanging and blazing like a wall of fire. It does not resist long, and with a cracking sound, his body starts to shrink. His fierce face is pushed out into a rat's muzzle, his scarred body getting smaller and weaker, until he is nothing but an oversized, bulky rat on the carpet. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Finally, Boss and Tiny meekly enter the office. Boss looks at you apologetically. "Tried your best, I guess? We can hardly blame you." Zelig chuckles. "It seems this pair is almost ready as it is. Give them to me." "They are yours", you say. Boss squeaks, his body getting smaller, his newly-reaquired humanity once again fading away. He falls to all fours, nothing but a little mouse once more. Tiny shudders too, and falls down beside his brother. His enormous bulk shrinks, his feline features fading, until he is an oversized striped orange rat. <</if>> All of your friends are now squeaking, helpless rodents. They belong to Zelig now. He licks your neck, and you squirm with delight. Your face pushes out into a snout, your ears stretch up above your head and thicken into round, smooth mouse ears. "Now. It is time to take your place. Give me everything you are." There is nothing left to resist with. You know where you belong. [[Give Zelig everything]]

You surrender utterly, your body shaking and twitching as you throw away something deep within yourself. Your body aches for a moment, an intense, desperate heat building up within you. You feel Zelig's warmth, look into his piercing eyes, and you drown in lust and desire. You reach down between your legs, desperate for relief, but you feel nothing but smooth, soft white fur. Zelig smiles, and strokes your chest. His touch makes you gasp and whine. "Everything, my pet. Including your pleasure. You exist only for me, now." You nod, as you feel a soft, smooth pink tail grow out from behind you. Your slender, soft and delicate body is orgasmic to every touch, but you will never again know relief. You will live an existence of endless need and desire. Zelig picks up a gleaming silver collar, and places it around your neck. The coldness makes you gasp and squeak. It is attached to a thick chain, which he bolts down to the loop under his desk. The shortness of the chain forces you down onto all fours. You can only raise your head to the height of Zelig's crotch as he sits down on his chair and relaxes. You are trapped under his desk, helpless, obedient and loving. His bare feet move forward, and stroke against your naked form. The softness and warmth of his paws constrasts with the cold smooth hardness of his golden toe rings, making for a sensation that is overwhelming against your overstimulated body. You hold his feet, massaging and stroking them, your head filled only with a desire to please him, to worship him. You look up, and see him slowly opening his pants. Your eyes widen, as he slips free his thick, throbbing, magnificent cock. Your mouth waters, your every thought thinks only of that perfect, lordly shaft. He beckons you forward, and you open your mouth and take him into you. As his cock slides across your tongue, and your nose presses into his furry crotch, you feel everything you ever were melt away and disappear. There is only this pleasure, this adoration. Your whole existence now is Zelig's bliss. His service. You have lost. You belong to Zelig, now, and forever. [[Begin Anew, Forever Changed|Intro]]

You reach forward, and take Zelig's hand. As soon as you do, the twisting shape of his brand wraps around your forearm, and squeezes as it sinks into your flesh. You snarl, and flinch instinctively, but Zelig grips your hand tightly and you cannot pull back. You watch as the brand burns your arm, marking you with a complex and twisting forest of scars. Zelig releases you, and you pull your hand away. The scars pulse and burn, a constant reminder of Zelig's power. The large rat smiles. "Welcome to the family, my assassin." You flex your fingers, and see your flesh slowly turning deep, midnight black. Your fingertips stretch out, sharpening into flawless sharp claws. Your entire body feels powerful, tensed, as if you are a coiled spring waiting to erupt. Deep black fur begins to spread across your skin, while beneath it every muscle on your body becomes firm and dense. You stretch your feet, feeling them shift, the bones adjusting and changing to agile, silent black rat's paws. Zelig gestures, and through your new connection to his mind you know he's suggesting you strip. You toss your old clothing aside, and look down at yourself. You are becoming taller, more slender. Every part of your body is being enhanced, to make you a silent warrior, a deadly assassin. A black tail stretches out behind you, long slender and perfect. Your neck thickens and grows a little longer as a ruff of dark fur covers it, and your skull aches for a moment as your jaws push forward, stretching out into a rodent's long and streamlined muzzle. You look at your reflection in one of Zelig's burnished golden mirrors. You look like a shadow, a deadly and flawless black rat. The only colour on your dark body is the faint ember-like glow of your merciless red eyes. You smile, and see your long and sharp rat teeth in your sinister muzzle. You feel powerful, dangerous. You are compelled to test your new body, and with no sound and barely any effort, you backflip across Zelig's room and climb up his wall. He smiles and you, and opens a secret door next to one of his rat cages. "Some appropriate attire for my new employee. I think you will approve." Behind the door is a wardrobe, where you find soft black armour that is unnaturally flexible and soft, yet seems almost bulletproof. You slide it up over your legs, and it clings skin-tight to your lithe body, highlighting your shape and glistening faintly as it touches you intimately at every crevice and curve. Over that, you take a dark cloak and a pair of vicious long black daggers that curve almost like half-moons. The handles fit your new hands perfectly, and they feel like a natural extension of your arms. As you turn away from the cupboard, you see three other figures have silently entered the room, and are staring at you. They are identical to you in every way, three midnight-black cloaked rats with sinister, baleful red eyes. "Your fellow compatriots, the other three heroes who accepted my bargain. You are my assassins, my midnight squad. Welcome, Four." Your eyes pulse as you feel your old identity fade, your personality become a flawless, identical match with your fellow assassins. You are Four. You are one. Your every motion, your every thought, is identical to that of your brethren. [[Life as Zelig's Assassin]]

Zelig leans back, and the brand recedes. "So be it. Fall like all the others, then." The pressure around you grows, like a great tide has just come in that threatens to drown you. You can feel Zelig's power, the raw cosmic essence of Nox that pumps through his veins. The extravagant office begins to melt and warp around you. The walls pop like bubbles, and you stumble as you find yourself standing on slippery roof tiles. Zelig is nowhere to be seen. You are in an endless maze of twisted rooftops that stretch out and curve up in the distance, as if part of a gigantic bowl. The sky above is dark, and rain drizzles constantly while chilly fog blurs your senses. From the edges of the roof tiles, and behind the corkscrew chimneys all around you, grasping arms begin to emerge. They have odd, random numbers of fingers, and they wield sharp glass shards, rusted slivers of metal, old bottles. They crawl and flail at you, surrounding you from all sides, while the ones without weapons claw and grasp at your limbs. <<if $goblinsoul>> The jewel you obtained from the goblins begins to hum. [[Use the goblin jewel]] <</if>> [[Fight the wretched hands]]

From that day forth, you act as one of Zelig's agents within the castle. You and the other assassins are one, you feel their presence, understand their thoughts and act instinctively as a group. Through the powerful connection to Nox gained from being so close to Zelig, you are able to move through the castle's twisting and supernatural corridors. You can leave through any room or entrance, and move into the strange, pulsing and organic flesh of the castle to re-emerge at any other chamber it has created. You spy on the other lords for Zelig. You watch Sten's hunts in his frozen kingdom, monitoring him from the darkness of his arctic forests. You attend Altan's elegant parties as a masked spy, blending in with his guests and listening to his secret gossip. You even slip past Eskander's riddles and wards, and steal his secrets and research, though each time you do his defenses become fiercer and more furious. When the other lords send their agents in the endless power play between them, you strike from the shadows, slaying their warriors and disappearing like smoke. Your work gives you incredible pleasure. Moving so freely, being so powerful, is intoxicating, and you rarely feel a desire to rest. When you do, you often do it with your brethren. Your connection to their minds makes laying with them and feeling them a strange, intimate experience. You are like four bodies with a single mind. You touch each other's bodies, feel their strong muscles, their sleek fur, their throbbing erections. In orgies that last for hours, you penetrate, lick, taste and and are penetrated in a writhing mass of athletic, heaving rat flesh. Each time you do, you absorb some of their memories, their thoughts and experiences. Over time, you become unsure which of the four of you was originally which. Your allies find their own place in Zelig's realms, as he promised, though their reactions to your changes differ. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is disappointed by your choice. He insists that you could have defeated Zelig and become a true lord of your own. He adjusts in his own way, however. With the gifts given by Zelig, he dresses in rich finery and is given a small domain within the realm. He attends the casino regularly, finding seekers who have lost everything to the games and offering them solace and companionship. Those seekers are then drawn into his "support group", where they are brainwashed into worshipping and adoring the "rat king god, that which has one mind and many bodies", which they believe is the true power in the realm. His cult grows rapidly, and you feel it feeding essence and power to you in small amounts day by day. Eventually, you may have to make a choice whether to remain loyal to Zelig and stop it, or accept the power and challenge him for control of this realm. <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Stablemaster accepts a place in the realm only on the condition that the slave trade be abolished. You expect Zelig to resist such a major change to his design, and you make sure to attend the meeting where the Stablemaster demands it. To your surprise, the Stablemaster merely places a glittering gem on the desk between him and Zelig, and looms over him with his eyes fierce and powerful. Zelig smiles, and gives a nod. "I would not want to challenge you at this time, former power", the rat says with a hint of smugness. You never find out exactly what that was about, but the Stablemaster gets his wish. The slave trade is abolished, and replaced by a menagerie of transformed animals that the Stablemaster rescues from around the castle. He is able to move through the hidden paths as effectively as you yourself. He is also the only person who can always identify which of the identical assassins is you. His only explanation for this is "You are my beast". <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh is not happy staying in the cramped underground domain of Zelig. He is mollified when Zelig creates a racetrack for him, and each day he runs as the champion racer with other transformed horses, while the casino patrons bet on the race. Even so, you sense disappointment in the proud stallion, and a desire to run free beneath a blue sky. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery is disgusted by your choice. You never get a chance to talk to him about it. The first time you try to find him after your change, you find he has left to face Eskander alone. You never hear from him again. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Boss and Tiny fit right in. When they find out you have a powerful role within the realm, they immediately cheer for you and ask for places that fit their personal skills. Tiny makes an intimidating bodyguard at the front gates of the casino, where he looms silently - except for the times when his friends come to pet his head or belly. Boss manages the dealers, and does an excellent job with his sleight of hand skills, though more than once Zelig has to send you to reprimand him when he goes overboard with cheating and causes a ruckus. <</if>> <<hasitem "Snake Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your snake adjusts happily to life in Zelig's realm. It enjoys the warmth and light of the casino, and becomes an unofficial mascot of sorts. People begin to say that its stare is lucky, though Zelig quickly puts a stop to the practice when someone tries to feed transformed feral rats to it for luck. <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf refuses to stay behind in the casino. He hates the noise and crowd. Instead, he joins you on your missions. You have to share part of your power with him so that he can move through the secret paths with you, and over time your power turns his fur midnight black, and his eyes a glimmering red. He becomes your agent and loyal companion, a wolf assassin that moves like a shadow and strikes like death itself. Even so, you feel his dreams, and he dreams of running free through the snow, beneath the moon. This is not the life he wished for, but it is one he can accept. <</if>> Things are not perfect, and they do not stay the same forever, even here. As years pass, you sense a strange sickness within Nox. Every day the power is waning, and the battle between the lords for a share of the dwindling magic becomes fiercer and harsher. Eventually, things may need to come to a full war. You have found a life within the castle, one where you are not a slave or a beast. Nothing ever stays the same forever, but for now, this is [[The End|Intro]] <<set $assassin to true>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[12] to true>>

You have defeated a Lord of Nox, and shaken the foundations of this occult place, and possibly even of the world. Your fate is yours to choose. [[Return to the Four Gates of the Castle|Proceed to the Four Gates]] <<if $smbadend>> [[The Stablemaster's Will]] <<elseif $wolflover>> [[Join your wolf mate's pack]] <<else>> <</if>> <<if $nickflag > 2>> [[Become a performing donkey]] <</if>> [[Return to life as an adventurer]]

Just as you are contemplating what to do, you feel a sudden numbness come over you. Your head becomes foggy and dizzy, and you struggle to focus on what you were thinking of. You stumble, but are caught before you fall by two large, powerful clawed hands at your waist. "My beast", the Stablemaster growls. He looms over you, his long muzzle-like face resting atop your head. His hands stroke over you, sliding under your clothes, feeling and calming you. You feel his clawed fingers tease at your neck, as he scratches under your chin, and pets your face and ears. "Time to rest, now", he says. You shudder, and feel a heat pulsing from you, flowing out of you. It is drawn into the Stablemaster's hands, pulled out and consumed. He seems taller, stronger, mightier. You turn to try and speak to him, but he just smiles at you. "Sit", he says. Your body responds instantly, and you sit down on the grass without even thinking about it. The Stablemaster flexes his hands, and sighs. Mist oozes from his fanged mouth. "It has been a long time since I lost this. I remember being weak, and your kindness. I will treat you all as my most beloved beasts", he says. His voice is different now. He no longer stutters, and his words are deep, alluring, hypnotic. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is the first to act. He snarls, and slams his staff on the ground. Tendrils of energy flow from the base and race towards the Stablemaster. "That is MY lord, not yours!", the goatman snarls. The tendrils flow up the Stablemaster's body, but he twists his arm and wraps them around it, then pulls. Derevan is dragged forward and knocked to the ground. As he tries to get up, his hands start to twist and change. His fists stiffen into cloven hooves, and his body adjusts and changes. He bleats, stumbling and tripping on four hooved legs. The Stablemaster grips his horns, and looks into his eyes. As he does, Derevan relaxes. His eyes turn yellow, his pupils becoming goatlike horizontal slits. When the Stablemaster releases him, Derevan simply bleats like a normal goat, and starts to chew on the grass. <</if>> <<if $nickwith>> Nick barely has time to react at all. The Stablemaster barely has to flick a finger, and immediately his clothes burst off as his piglike body becomes even larger and rounder. He squeals as he falls to all fours, his eyes dazed and mindless. <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf growls and pounces, but his pounce twists in midair and he lands awkwardly on his side, whining and yelping. The Stablemaster leans down and strokes him, the wolf's wounds healing and disappearing. As he gets up, your wolf wags his tail and nuzzles the Stablemaster's side, all his aggression gone. <</if>> <<hasitem "Snake Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your snake hisses and strikes, but finds itself wrapping around the Stablemaster's arm, then calming. It slides along his body and rests happily on his shoulders, its eyes calm and entranced. <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh whinnies and panics, but even as he rears up, his eyes start to fog over and become confused. He shakes his head and clomps his hooves, but inevitably ends up walking up to the Stablemaster. Rayleigh nuzzles against his side, sniffing and flicking his tail as his mind fades and he calms completely. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery draws his sword and charges. "Traitorous fiend!", he yells. The Stablemaster raises a hand, and Connery's run turns into an awkward stumble. He falls forward, his sword clattering away. His body heaves, his muscles bulging and swelling. His neck stretches out, and his torso becomes more barrel-shaped, his limbs and bones shifting. His hands bulge out into powerful hooves, and he is pushed up onto all fours as he bulks out into a massive, powerful white stallion. The new horse snorts and looks around with confusion. The Stablemaster strokes Connery's head, and he relaxes and sits obediently at his side. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Boss groans and covers his face. "Not again...", he mutters. Neither of the brothers offer up much resistance. Tiny's face has already turned to a dumb grin, and he pads forwards up to the Stablemaster and purrs as he nuzzles his chest. The Stablemaster strokes his head, then picks up Boss and watches as the mouse shrinks, his hands becoming forepaws, his body becoming chubby and small. In moments, both of them are feral beasts. You watch all of it unfold, unable to do anything but sit and wait for your master. Deep down, you know that they are experiencing the calmness, the pleasure, the happiness you feel. The happiness of being tamed, of being owned, being loved. <</if>> The Stablemaster stands, and removes his clothing. He drops it aside, and you see him in his true, powerful form. His body is eight feet tall, and covered in hard, firm muscle, the kind of chiselled shape you would see in a heroic statue. His long muzzle is thick and handsome, and his head and neck are surrounded by a lionlike mane of flaming red fur. The same fur stretches down his back, and the tops of his arms and legs. Behind him, a long flowing red tail sways and floats in the air. Power crackles around him, the power of taming, ownership, mastery. "Come", the Stable Lord of Nox says. You walk forward on all fours, your body shifting with every step. You stare at his thick and powerful manhood, rising like a tower from the thick red forest of his pubic fur. As you get closer, your bones adjust and change, making it easier to walk on all fours. This is natural, this is right. You are a beast. You are HIS beast. Your senses sharpen as your face pushes out into a feral canine snout. Your wet black nose picks up on your master's scent, which fills the world, fills every part of your mind. Your body grows soft brown fur, and behind you, your changing tail wags eagerly with loyalty and love. The Stablemaster welcomes you, and presses your face against his crotch. You inhale his scent deeply, letting it wash away your thoughts, your will, your memories. There is only your master, your beloved master. He will think for you. He will care for you. He is everything. The Stablemaster places a collar around your neck, and when you look up at him, there is nothing in your eyes but love and obedience. [[Life with the Stable Lord]]

The Stable Lord takes his place within the castle with ease, as if he's donning a familiar coat that he left behind long ago. The realm you conquered is transformed, the buildings and rooms twisting and reshaping into a sort of mystical zoo. Plains of warm grass jut against arid mountains, while deserts and tundras coexist in patches of enchanted land. Sea creatures swim happily in floating spheres of water, while domesticated animals are given homes and comfortable buildings. All those who enter Nox are claimed by the Stable Lord, and made into contented, happy beasts within his realm. By surrendering humanity and thought, people are granted an immortality of being cared for by the lord of beasts. You are only distantly aware of the conflict that your master had with the other lords. It feels like it was long ago, and doesn't matter. All you care about is going for walks, being given treats, and sleeping in your master's bed as his first and most beloved beast, the one chosen animal who shares his life and his closest affection. There are a few particularly special enclosures of honour within your master's realm, where a number of powerful creatures live contented animal lives. In a snowy, desolate tundra, a polar bear of gigantic size who's fur is engraved with runes lives with his family, reunited as beasts. In a vast savannah, a white lion with a porcelain face watches regally and contentedly over a land of peace and harmony, as he always dreamed. At his side, a jackal with glowing eyes follows and keeps him forever in check. In a hot land of crumbled ruins, an enormous elephant eternally smashes and crushes an endless quantity of buildings and tombs. His lust for destruction is always sated, and his enormous tusks hum with carvings of every spell that ever exists. In a high room filled with gold and jewels, a very contented rat plays and bounces along vast treasures he can hoard forever and never need to spend, his small mind overjoyed at finally ruling at the top, as he always wanted. Castle Nox is content, and it is happy. With time, its walls will lower, and it will spread to cover the entire world. You have found a life within the castle, one where you content, happy, and loved. Nothing ever stays the same forever, but for now, this is [[The End|Intro]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[15] to true>>

You drag the jewel quickly from your pockets, and raise it up. The shimmering light within it is blinding, and it grows brighter and hotter until it suddenly bursts in your hands. The rooftop is engulfed with light, and the monstrous arms recoil. For a moment there is silence, but then all around you, you hear a clattering and clawing sound. Goblins erupt suddenly from the darkness, countless of them leaping onto the arms, gnawing at them, cutting them. The dark night turns into a massive brawl of flailing pale limbs against agile, relentless goblin fighters. You fight alongside them, striking at the foul arms, defending the goblins, working with them as a team. Bit by bit, the strange entities recede, and draw back into the darkness. Their duty done, the goblins leave too, crawling through narrow crevices and passages you can barely see until you are alone once more. [[Zeligs Assassins]]

<<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Wretched Hands", "combat": 6, "stamina": 10, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "Zeligs Assassins", "death": "handsdie", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

The world around you begins to shift again. The roof tiles crumble under your feet, and you fall down. You tumble through a dusty and confusing darkness, with rafters and cobwebs all around you. You manage to fling your arms out and grab onto a rafter, though it knocks the wind out of you. You climb up and look around. You look as though you are standing on the rafters of an old manor house, with a distant light far far below you. Yet the ceiling beams stretch out forever and for miles above you, the wooden structure splitting and joining randomly, like a tangled spiderweb. <<if $heightenedsenses > 0>> Three shadowy figures drop from the darkness and land on the beams around you, so silently that only your unnaturally heightened senses can detect them. <<else>> You yell in pain, as suddenly you are struck from behind by a narrow, vicious throwing dagger. Blood soaks your clothing, and you raise your guard. Alerted by the attack, you see three figures around you, so silent and stealthy you didn't even realise they were there. <<set $_stamina to $_stamina-3>> <</if>> They are tall, muscular rats with sleek midnight-black fur. They each wear identical cloaks, underneath which they are clad in a strange, skintight black fabric that clings tightly to their lithe and finely-honed bodies. They draw their weapons, pairs of moon-shaped hooked daggers, and begin to leap effortlessly from beam to beam, surrounding you. <<if $stablesoul>> The jewel you got from the stablemaster begins to hum. [[Use the slave jewel]] <</if>> [[Fight the elite assassins]]

You pull out the strange jewel, and hold it above your head. The shimmering light that pulses from it illuminates the rafters, and the assassins step back. The jewel dissolves in your hands, turning into thick fog that flows down and coalesces next to you. It takes the shape of a tall, hooded man in dark black clothing. He reaches into his pockets, and tosses out something that clatters towards each of the assassins. They are small, corroded black coins. The assassins sheathe their weapons and bow, then disappear into the darkness. The man turns to you, and his eyes are strangely familiar. "We are not what we once were. Nox wants to change us for the better. Remember that", he says. Then he steps backwards off the rafter, and vanishes into the dark below. [[Zelig Himself]]

<<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Assassins", "combat": 9, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 6, "success": "Zelig Himself", "death": "assassinsdie", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

You have already made your decision about your life now. Your mate stands at your side, and looks up at you with his deep, loving eyes. You reach down and stroke the fur between his ears, and he leans against you. Before that, you have some business to arrange to though. <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery bows to you. "You have completed a mighty trial, my friend. One which not even my paladinal order has ever achieved, not since the days of our holy heroes. I wish you joy and health in your future, but I have my own path to follow. I must face Eskander, and pray that I have your strength and courage." He takes his weapon and marches towards the tower in the distance. You can only hope his quest is successful. <</if>> <<if $nickwith>> Nick hugs you tightly and affectionately, pressing you to his big round belly. "I owe you my life, my friend, and not just once. I can't repay you enough. At the very least, I promise you Nick's Trading Emporium will never sell wolf pelts or deal with wolf hunters", he says. He wipes away a tear as he steps back. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Boss and Tiny come up to you, and Boss grunts. "Well, it was pretty impressive, I guess. I am sure we could have handled it ourselves, though." Tiny grins and embraces you in a massive, bone-crushing hug. "You will be good dog. Many puppies", he rumbles. Boss laughs, and looks up at you bashfully. "Well alright, I might miss you a bit. You would have been a great part of our squad. We'll leave meat out for the wolves now and then. Never know which one might be you." Tiny heaves up a sack of riches from Zelig's treasury onto his shoulder, and the two of them wave to you as they leave. <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is staring at you with unconcealed loathing. "I won't give up, my lord. I came back from Nox poisoning, and this is merely a setback. You will be Lord of Nox, even if I have to convert the entire world to worshipping wolves." He storms off, his staff thumping against the ground with every step. <</if>> <<hasitem "Snake Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> On the way out of the castle, you return your snake friend to the woods. This is his home, and while you would welcome him in your future pack, he is a solitary hunter. This is where he belongs. <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The last duty you need to handle is Rayleigh. He has already done more than his duty in helping you across two lives, and he deserves peace and rest. You make the long journey back to his home estate, and return him to the pasture there to run and frolic with his mares. Elenor Rayleigh meets you at the gates, and bows to you. "Thank you for returning Philip. While you were gone, I felt a great and terrible weight lessen on this house. Your quest was a success, I know it was. Thank you. You will always be welcome here." You wave as you leave, and prepare to accept your new life. <</if>> As you make your way towards your mate's forest, you stop off at a small village. Making sure you are not seen, you strip off your armour and weapons, and leave them and all your powerful artifacts resting safely in someone's log pile. Perhaps some young villager who dreams of adventure will get a head start on their journey. <<if $wolfpreg>> [[Life in the pack|WolfEndingNoPreg]] <<else>> [[Life in the pack]] <</if>>

The wooden beam you are standing on suddenly crumbles, and you stumble and fall down into the dark. You land awkwardly with a thump, and your legs ache. You are standing on shifting, unstable ground. It moves and clatters beneath you like sand, your every step sending pieces of it tingling down the slopes and dunes around you. A light emerges from the darkness, gradually illuminating your surroundings. You see the burnished gleam of gold all around you. The dunes are impossibly towering piles of golden coins, too many to even be called a fortune. It is an entire continent of money. You struggle to the top of the dune you're on, and see the golden desert of money stretching off infinitely into the distance. Golden statues rise up into the sky like pillars holding up the firmament, each one of them carved into the shape of a titan in agonising pain, wrapped in golden chains. The source of the ethereal green light becomes clear. Zelig himself is standing before you, his body radiating a pulsing, sickly energy. When he moves, the gold rises beneath him to form platforms, bridges, stairs. It spreads up over his body like fluid, surrounding him and becoming armour, flowing into daggers, then creating a golden rat mask over his face. "Impressive for you to come so far. You would have made a wonderful assassin in my employ. When I kill you, I will change your body into a golden trophy so that I can fondly remember the foolish, courageous seeker who tested me so greatly." He's only a few feet from you now, and your head blazes with pain. The force of Nox inside him is so great that it is like fighting while staring into the sun. <<if $casinosoul>> [[Use the soul shard]] <</if>> [[Face Zelig]]

You try to pull the jewel out from your pocket, but it slips from your fingers and floats through the air. Zelig snatches it away from you, and clutches it in his hand. "Did you think I would offer such a thing in my own casino if it was any threat to me? Only I can use my own soul." <<if $goblinsoul && $stablesoul>> The other two shards you found pulse and hum, and appear in your hands. For a moment Zelig's face twists in shock, and his grip on the shard weakens. <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> With a sudden rush, Tiny slams into Zelig from behind, and the rat king's hand opens up. The shard falls through the air, only to be intercepted by a little mouse leaping from the coins and grabbing it. Boss tosses it towards you with all his might. You must catch it! <<statcheck 11 $skill "skill" "caughtzshard" "missedzshard">> <<else>> You have one shot to snatch it back, if you can move so quickly and flawlessly you can steal a treasure right from the hands of the lord of thieves. <<statcheck 14 $skill "skill" "caughtzshard" "missedzshard">> <</if>> <<else>> He clenches his fist, and with a flash of light the shard disappears. "Now, face me!" [[Face Zelig]] <</if>>

Everything in this realm moves to Zelig's will. While you struggle to remain standing on shifting piles of coins, Zelig has no such problem. With each attack, he makes the gold surge and flow, throwing you from dune to dune, summoning spikes and blades, flinging golden statues at you with a flick of his hand. Merely staying alive will test every ounce of skill you have. Defeating him will be a miracle. The power of a Lord of Nox is overwhelming. Getting close to Zelig causes you terrible pain, and if you lack Iron Will then your max stamina will be drained. <<if $ironwill == 0 && !$zeligpenalty>> <<set $stamina to $stamina-5>> <<set $zeligpenalty to true>> <<if $_stamina > $stamina>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> <</if>> <</if>> <<set $zeligcombat to 18>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Stablemaster sets his stance wide, and plunges his clawed hands into the glittering coins. "You will not have my beast, Zelig! Realm of Skill, remember me! Bend to my will once more!" The surging tides of coins suddenly thrash, and Zelig stumbles. He snarls with anger, his control over the shifting landscape becoming weaker. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Tiny and Boss help out as best they can. The brutish tiger rams clumsily into Zelig, and is tossed aside with a dismissive wave of the rat king's hands. As he is flung away though, you see Boss clamber along Zelig's arm and leap off, slashing a small knife at the rat's throat before scampering away. Zelig hisses in pain, but the wound seals up quickly. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery stays close to you, making use of his slow and careful defensive combat style. He deflects and blocks Zelig's golden projectiles as best he can so that you can focus on the fight. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan stays far behind the battle, standing on a platform of gold that remains surprisingly solid. He chants and twirls, waving his staff as he does his best to stabilise the ground beneath you with his binding abilities. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your loyal wolf fights as one with you, matching your movements and flanking Zelig when he has the chance. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-1>> <</if>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Zelig, Lord of Skill", "combat": $zeligcombat, "stamina": 25, "maxdamage": 10, "success": "zeligkilledtrue", "death": "zeligdie", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_boss "play">>

You run, naked and free, alongside your mate. Your muscles heave, your lungs pant, but you don't feel tired. Instead, you just want to run faster, to focus your mind on the instincts of a beast. To run free across the leaves, be one with nature. You fall instinctively to all fours, stumbling for only a moment before your body shifts and adjusts. Your bones change, your legs and arms moving in tandem, your hands toughening and shifting into forepaws and your muscles adjusting to a four-legged gait. Your mate surges in front of you with a sudden burst of speed, and you push yourself, snarling as your face pushes forward, your wolflike head becoming more streamlined, feral. You feel your last traces of humanity slowly fading away, and your mind thrills with the single-minded intensity of the hunt, of the pack. You bound through the woods, sometimes ahead of your mate, sometimes behind. You surprise and alarm villagers as two wolves erupt past them faster than any stallion can race, and prey animals scatter and panic in your wake. Nothing else matters, only the hunt, only the feeling of your body against the ground, your muscles burning and moving in perfect tandem, your teeth ready to bite, your mate beside you. Miles disappear under your paws as you move with the wind, two wolves blessed with the changing power of Nox to become the ultimate, flawless predators. Finally, you arrive in a deep, dark wood far from human habitats. You come to a stop, panting and filled with excitement. From the dense trees, yellow eyes slowly approach, and furry paws crunch against the leaves as they surround you. You are vaguely aware of the other wolves' appearance, but much more importantly is their scent. Vision seems like a secondary sense to you now, as the power of a wolf's nose fills your mind. Each wolf has an aura around them, telling you everything about their recent actions, their health, their lineage. Immediately you know that these wolves are your mate's family. There is no challenge for dominance, no establishing of hierarcy. The wolves sniff you, press against you, and welcome you. The pack is family. Your family. You are one with them. Together, you run off through the forests, and that night your teeth sink into the warm flesh of your first prey, a mighty and delicious stag. Your pack eats well that night. As your pack returns to the cave to sleep, your mate nuzzles against your side. His scent tells you everything, like a mental connection where no emotions or desires are secret. He wishes to mate, and welcome you into your life as a wolf. You move together to the back of the cave, and his muzzle presses against your fur, his warm body close to yours. You lift your tail, and feel his wet nose touch against your rear, inhaling your scent. Your body grows tense and hot, the desire to breed growing, the urge to continue the pack with new life. You feel his firm red cock stretch out from his sheath, you can smell his growing arousal. His strong body rises up on top of you, and his tip pushes against your warm, wet slit. Then he thrusts, and his hard cock slides inside you, stretching you and filling your body with intense pleasure. His forepaws rest at your shoulders, his body pressing down on you as he thrusts and mounts you. You shudder and gasp, your mind awash in the intensity of the feeling of each powerful slam of his canine cock inside you. You feel the base of his shaft pressing against your slit as it bulges and swells, thickening into a hard, sensitive knot. Then he opens his mouth, drool dripping from his jaws, and bites down on the thick fur at your neck. His knot slams against your tight pussy, and pops inside as you are tied together. You howl in bliss, an orgasmic rush washing away all thoughts, leaving nothing but the intense white-hot pleasure of being bred. You feel his cock erupt with seed, his fertile wolf cum flowing into your womb, filling it and breeding you. You are bound together in that intimate grip for what feels like together, his knot linking you as you both feel the pleasure and connection of expanding the pack. You fall asleep behind him, dreaming of the woods and the hunt. Your life becomes a simple and blissful one of hunting, caring for your family, and being with your mate. The moon waxes and wanes, and in time your belly becomes heavy with your pups. One night you feel them coming, and you lie back in the cave with your mate nuzzling your neck as you push out and birth six strong, healthy pups. The young puppies crawl up to your belly and suckle at your teats, and you wag your tail with joy. Already you can tell your mate is eager to have even more. As the pups grow, you notice their unnatural speed, their glowing eyes, their intelligence. They have inherited Nox blood from you both. The world is changing, bit by bit. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The only real danger to your pack is humans, who spread more and more each year, slowly encroaching on your forest. They try to hunt and kill your wolf family, and you are forced to use your Nox powers from time to time, summoning wind and moving at impossible speeds to protect your people. After a few years, the conflicts begin to stop. On your hunts you pick up traces of human conversation when they are near, your powerful ears sensing it even from a distance. A preacher has come to the village, and brought a religion that promises power and protection to those who worship the wolves. Instead of conflict with the humans, they begin to leave offerings for you. From time to time, some even come to the woods, and kneel naked in the hopes of being chosen to be changed and join the pack. Some you welcome, others you reject. The growing worship of the wolf cult in the lands around feeds you power, and you wonder where it will lead. <<else>> The only real danger to your pack is humans, who spread more and more each year, slowly encroaching on your forest. They try to hunt and kill your wolf family, but soon come to live in fear of the two mythical wolf gods who they say protect these sacred woods and control the very forces of the wind. <</if>> You have found a life beyond the castle, one where you content, happy, and loved. Nothing ever stays the same forever, but for now, this is [[The End|Intro]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[14] to true>>

Zelig clenches his fist, and you are lifted into the air, then thrown to the ground amid a shower of coins and jewels. You are battered, beaten, and defeated. Your allies collapse to the ground beside you, their weapons strewn around the glittering dunes. Zelig sighs, and his golden armour recedes to reveal his tailored suit once more. He sweeps back his hair and smiles down at you. "You did well! Capital attempt, I must say. You had me panting there for a while. I'd almost be tempted to keep you as a pet, but I think what I really need is a warning to anyone else who thinks of trying to face me. You'll make a wonderful display." He snaps his fingers, and the gold beneath you starts to melt and ooze, becoming liquid. It rises up and floats in front of Zelig, dragging you with it, and the edges flatten and become a large rectangular pool of molten glittering gold. You struggle against it, but you sink down to your knees in the thick, tarry substance. Your weapons and armour shine, then melt away and dissolve. You see your companions struggling too, naked and helpless in the gold. Then they begin to change, their faces pushing forward into pointed snouts, their ears becoming pink and round, their backsides stretching out into pink rat tails. You are changing too, Zelig's power flowing into you. You squeak as your front teeth bulge forward and become long and sharp. Your body is covered in soft grey fur, and your hands and feet become pink and clawed. You fall to all fours, your rat paws sticking to the gold as you are changed into a huge, feral rodent. Zelig reaches behind him, and more rats appear, which he tosses into the gold until you are writhing and struggling in a mass of furry, squeaking bodies. Your head pounds, your body tingles and flushes with heat and sensation. The other rats start to press against you, licking you, nuzzling you. Between your legs, you see the black rat that was once Derevan panting as he licks and nuzzles you, eagerly servicing and drooling over your body. Behind you, Sir Connery's large muscular white rat form mounts you, his cock pressing against your backside as he grunts and snarls. Tiny grunts, his body a fat and heavy striped rat, and he rises up and shoves his cock into your mouth, his new rat shaft thick and leaking with fluid. All around you countless other rats swarm, struggle in the gold, pant and thrust and fuck. Slowly, the gold rises. It becomes harder to move, harder to think. You are being fucked, licked, pounded, thrusted. Everything is heat and fur and sex and pleasure. Your mind crumbles as your body stiffens and hardens, your fur becoming shiny and hard, your body turning to gold. You struggle to think as pleasure builds up inside you, hotter and needier, until finally you and the entire heaving rat orgy orgasms at once, a hundred squeaking rats squirming in pleasure. At that moment, the gold covers you completely, and you are frozen forever in an orgasm that will never end. Zelig smiles, and the world around him returns to the casino floor. He lifts you up and places you in pride of place as the new door to his office, a massive golden slab carved with a bizarre and lewd display of golden rats in a bestial orgy. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You are an assassin, a silent killer trained in the arts of infiltration and murder. Your skills are beyond human limits, for you are not human. You were born to Nox-blooded parents, and have spent your life hiding the signs of the castle's taint on your body. You have come to Castle Nox with only your shadow dagger, the mark of your graduation from the guild of assassins. Your natural advantages are all else that you need - your batlike ears and vampiric fangs, the marks of your heritage. Perhaps you have come here to find the truth of your origins. Perhaps you mean to slay the lords of this dread fortress and take your rightful place. Your reasons are your own. You have been trained in many arts by the guild to blend in and move among society. You have four skills; spend them now in the Skills screen. If you unlock all the skills within a group, you will be able to master one of the skills, which provides additional effects. Mastering Camouflage is recommended, to unlock the power of your magical dagger. <<set $might to 5>> <<set $magic to 3>> <<set $charm to 3>> <<set $skill to 11>> <<set $faith to 1>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_batears>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_viciousfangs>> <<set $INVENTORY[2] to $i_shadowdagger>> <<set $INVENTORY[3] to $i_food>> <<set $INVENTORY[4] to $i_food>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "assassin">> <<set $maxdamage to 2>> <<set $weapontype to "dagger">> <<set $skillpoints to 4>> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

The flailing, hideous hands tear you limb from limb. Your life and your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

While you are distracted, one of the assassins moves up behind you, silent as a shadow, and buries his dagger in your back. Everything goes dark, his poison burning your veins as you collapse. Your life and your journey ends here. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The battle against Zelig is the stuff of legend. You run over shifting mountains of coins, leaping and dodging as golden statues the size of castles crash into the ground around you, any one of them capable of crushing you like an insect. The Lord of Thieves surges forward on golden tides, dodging and weaving from your feeble mortal blows. Above you, the sickly green sky crackles with lightning, and with each clash of your blows against his, you add the cacophony of battle to the thundering sky. It should be impossible for a human to face a being like this, but you are not human any longer. Nox’s blood flows through you just as it does his. As the battle lengthens, your mind is honed to a battle trance. Time seems to slow, your body moves as if it weighs nothing. Seconds pass but feel like hours, and for all his power, Zelig can only match you. Until finally, he cannot even do that. With one final blow, you strike true, and leap to safety as he collapses to the ground, sending out a tsunami of razor-edged coins. He struggles to stand, his blood trickling among the gold as he slowly starts to sink, consumed by his own endless wealth. His clawed hands clutch at the bloodstained coins, trying one last time to reclaim them, to own them, before with a gargle of pain he sinks below the shifting gold, and vanishes. You have done it. You have defeated a Lord of Nox, and claimed your place in history. Before you can even stop to breathe, the place where Zelig breathed his last heaves up, and you see a glowing, swirling vortex of pulsing blackness emerge from the gold. The raw power of Nox. The power of a lord. [[Zelig's Power]] <<script>> $("#ui-bar-history").removeClass("hidden"); <</script>> <<if $ironwill == 0>> <<set $stamina to $stamina+5>> <</if>>

It was another bad winter this year. Less people out meant less haul from pickpocketing, meant more hungry mouths and colder warrens. Already two of the younger kids had died of weakness and sickness, and Zelig knew that more would be coming before long. He looked down at the two pathetic little bodies before him. They couldn’t even wrap them in rags, nor spare the effort to dig in the frozen soil to give them a proper place to rest. He pushed them out into the slow and turgid river, where they bobbed for a moment in the brown muck before sinking away. He turned to the other kids, seeing faces that expected him to protect them, were waiting for some genius plan to keep them all alive. Faces that were sunken and haggard from disease and hunger. This year was bad, alright. Almost as much as the one that took his family from him when he was young. It had been the late years of the war, when few adults were left, and what little food and supplies there were had been sent to the warfront. Hunger and cold brought plague, and plague ripped through the families to add plague orphans to the many war orphans already shivering in the streets. Zelig was one such orphan, and the horrific scars along his arm and chest were the sign he was a rare survivor of the red plague. For adults it was always lethal, and for children only slightly less so. He had survived for a while with begging, and supplemented that with theft. He was good at it, and good at violence too when the need arose. He had been able to fill his belly well enough to reach his early teen years, and found that with hunger for food satiated, he hungered for a family. He gathered the orphans together, merging the petty little gangs with diplomacy and violence, until he founded a sort of urchin’s guild. A gathering of kids with nowhere else to go, who he could teach how to steal, to brawl, to survive. Now though, he knew it was coming to an end. There wasn’t enough food in the city for the actual workers, let alone a small army of child thieves. No matter what he did, most of his friends and his new family were going to die. He couldn’t even think of any words to tell them. He just walked past his thieves and into the warrens they called home. [[Time Passed|zeligp2]]

Derevan is sitting alone at the back of the courtyard. He's using a small piece of chalk to draw complex sigils on the ground, and seems deep in thought. He stops as you approach, and gently brushes away the chalk markings. "How may I serve you, my lord?" [[Ask Derevan to train you in magic]] [[Ask him about the Lords]] [[Ask him what he actually wants]] [[Return|Rest and recover]]

Your wolf is curled up by the fire, but his ears are up high, remaining alert and on guard. As you sit down next to him, he sits up and looks at you. His eyes are deep and intelligent, and once again you are struck by how this is no mere dumb beast. Whether it’s from being near you, or from living in such close proximity to the castle for so long, this wolf is as intelligent as a human, if not more so. You know that he understands you, and that you can communicate through some instinctive connection. <<if $am_wolf > 0>> What’s more, you remember the connection you felt when you reunited with him. Around him, your wolf instincts feel so much sharper, so much stronger. You find yourself thinking like a wolf, feeling the need to drop to all fours, to howl and run. You remember how it felt when he was close to you, asking you to be his mate, to be by his side forever. When all this is over, could you really give up on humanity to live as a wolf? [[Pledge to join his pack]] <</if>> [[Return|Rest and recover]]

You move faster than you ever have before, your body streaking forward like a crossbow bolt, your hand whipping through the air and snatching the strange jewel before Zelig can so much as blink. It feels different, changed by his touch. It pulses, then all three of the shards you collected flare with light, and vanish. Everything goes quiet. [[Zelig's Past]]

You are too slow. Despite your best efforts, Zelig moves like a striking snake, and snatches the glimmering jewel before you can grab it. He spits at you, his mouth frothing and his eyes mad with rage. "Enough of this! Face me!" [[Face Zelig]]

Zelig was lurking on long street, looking at the walls to the central city, the gleaming towers of the rich and powerful beyond those walls. Dreaming of a life without struggle, with the power and wealth to protect the people he loved. It was then he saw Jaku, the younger kid with a grin on his face. Jaku had been one of his favourites. The kid wasn’t a good thief, he was pretty much dead weight with his missing leg and sickly body, but he was a little brother to Zelig, a bright and shining face that made this wretched life easier. He was babbling to Zelig about something, some rare haul, his first successful robbery. Zelig barely heard the words, because his eyes were entranced by the glittering, gleaming coins in Jaku’s dirty hands. Actual gold. Wealth, power. Jaku had snatched a purse from a fucking nobleman. What had one even been doing past the outer wall? The kid had no idea what level of hell he had brought onto them. The guards didn’t care about crime when it happened to the slum-dwellers, but this was different. They were all dead. In that instant, Zelig made a decision on the course of the rest of his life. He took the coins from Jaku’s hands, ignored the younger boy’s questions, and fled to the warrens. He gathered up the few best of his men, four boys who were the strongest fighters and most silent thieves, and hid away in his most secure and secret hideout. He watched as the guards gathered up his little thieves, and hanged them all from the side of the bridge. Without their leader it was like herding sheep. He walked out of the city with a pocketful of gold, four allies, and an empty heart. [[Time Passed|zeligp3]]

It was years later. Zelig stood before an ornate desk in elegant black formal attire, his face covered by a half-mask. He was fully grown, his body honed by years of training. He bowed politely to the head assassin of the guild, an old gentleman who looked at him as though he were an insect. “Zelig, you have been a competent leader. Far more so than I would have expected, given your inferior origins, and I am forced to admit that your faction of gutter-born men have been performing near the top of the rankings for our guild members”, the old man said. His face turned red, and he slammed his fist onto the desk. “But enough is enough! You make a mockery of the noble and refined art of assassination. This is a gentleman’s occuptation, an aristocratic tradition! What use is it to make the most money or complete the most jobs if you do so in the manner of a common thug? Breaking down doors, killing civilians? Using crossbows, for Erana’s sake! No, I have tolerated your gutter-trash long enough. I am officially bringing an end to my predecessor’s plans, and dissolving your faction. I do not know why he put up with you so long.” Zelig’s expression did not change. The head assassin was expecting some sort of rage, perhaps a violent response. He’d been rather looking forward to having his guards rough up the upstart a bit. “Thank you, leader. This organisation has served me well. I’ve learned everything I could have needed, I have proven myself a master of poison, blades and shadows”, Zelig said. “Now, I think, it will serve me even better.” The head assassin snorted, and snapped his fingers. “Guards, escort this man from my building”, he said. Only then did it slowly dawn on him that the guards didn’t look like his usual men. They withdrew their blades, and pointed them at his own neck. Zelig smiled slightly. “We’re under new management”, one said. [[Time Passed|zeligp4]]

Zelig was older now, with a hint of grey in his hair. He wore nobleman’s clothing, with a cravat and a top hat to go with his silk waistcoat and golden cufflinks. A lackey tailed behind him, shuffling through papers as he walked through the rich hallways of his casino. The servants bowed as he passed, and the guests tipped their hats. As he passed through the entryway, flanked with gold-leaf columns, he looked up at the sign on the building that had once been the assassin’s guild. The Black Casino, the world’s foremost den of refined vice. Princes and merchant kings mingled to gamble away their kingdoms, and sometimes to pay to have one another killed when the bets became sufficiently exciting. The lackey coughed nervously, and Zelig glanced over at him with annoyance. “Sir, the prince of Borogravia’s ships were scuttled, as you asked. He thinks it was pirates from Zeblendia, and all the money we invested has been lost. Might I ask, is this going to be a problem for the budget?”, the lackey mumbled. Zelig waved a hand slightly. “Worry not, Percy. You’ll find that despite our promises to the young prince, none of our money was actually invested in those ships. I convinced all the other nobles to pitch in, and each of them thinks I’m providing twice what they are. We’ll be at the Zeblendian embassy in a few hours, and with the papers you have there I will easily be able to ‘prove’ that Borogravia was concealing soldiers in those vessels. The two of them will be at each other’s throats, and we’ll profit from selling to both sides.” Percy gulped. “Sir, both Zeblendia and Borogravia are on the edge of disaster as it is. Our reports indicate that the capitals are suffering from plague and famine, and the outskirts are in an even worse state. If the war escalates, neither country may even exist before long.” Zelig tapped his cringing assistant with the end of his silver cane. “They may not, but their treasuries still will, stored safely in our own banks. While our noble guests wage war with blood, they will never see us waging war with coin. The future is economics, Percy. Money is power, and I have all the money.” He paused as he moved to enter his carriage. Across the street, where he was sure there was once an expensive tailor’s shop, was a tall stone building with crenellated walls and barred windows, like an old-fashioned fort. The air felt heavy and stale. Zelig stared at the open door of the building, the black stone and void-like hallway. Mist trailed around his legs as he stepped across the street. “Sir? Where are you going?”, Percy asked. Zelig stroked his hand across the stone walls, and found himself wondering if there were other forms of power in this world after all. Castle Nox opened its gates, and welcomed in a new lord. [[Awaken|zeligpdone]]

The vision fades, and you stumble and blink as you find yourself standing back where you were, atop the endless desert of gold. Zelig stumbles and falls to his knees, panting and wheezing. He clenches his fists and raises them furiously. The coins shift and rattle slightly, but that is all. He looks up at you and sighs. “So, it comes to this, then. I suppose it’s fitting. I did the same to the prior lord, stole his soul from under him and claimed the castle’s favour. Well done, new Lord of Nox.” The jewel glimmers in your hand. Was it truly so easy? Without his power, Zelig is just a big rat. His eyes are exhausted, his fur limp and his body shaking. He seemed unstoppable before, but now looks as pitiful as the basic beasts of the castle you’ve bypassed on the way here. He is staring at the jewel, but makes no move to try and reclaim it. “I suppose that was my life flashing before my eyes, then. It didn’t feel like it. I have changed so much from the boy I was on those streets. It was never enough, you know. Even when I had the wealth of nations I never felt safe, never felt powerful enough to start finding people worth protecting.” He looks down at the ground, and his tail curls around his leg. “Finish it quickly, please. Once the power is severed from me, you will be able to do with it as you please. If I’m lucky, I’ll live on as some dirty sewer rat with a fragment of my memories. It is better than I deserve.” The power can be yours to claim, or to destroy. <<if $evildeeds > 0>> For a moment you feel a twinge of sympathy, but it fades quickly. You have done too many terrible things so far to be worried about sentimentality. <<else>> Unless you feel a twinge of sympathy for this monster, despite all his crimes? [[Waste the power, and redeem Zelig]] <</if>> [[Sever Zelig's power]] <<script>> $("#ui-bar-history").removeClass("hidden"); <</script>>

Zelig is a monster, both figuratively and literally. He was a monster long before he was ever claimed by the castle. If he’d remained in the human world, how many people would have suffered and died for his amusement? Now that he’s here, his form matches his cruel mind. People suffered and were mutated by the power of his gold-obsessed dreams. The castle changed him, but not for the better. What did it want, what was it trying to do? Does this place even have desires, or is it just acting on some magical whim? Zelig stares at you, waiting for his fate. He deserves to suffer, and would never have shown mercy to you if your places were reversed. Maybe that’s why you’re better than him, though. If this place is a dream, it can be changed. You focus on the power of Nox that hums in Zelig’s crystal, still linked to him. Sweat drips down your forehead as you struggle to contain it, to make your will into reality. A shimmering portal appears in the golden realm, behind Zelig. From beyond it you can hear the sound of a bustling marketplace and a busy city. He turns to look at it, and his eyes go wide. You recognise it from his memories. Street urchins are dashing between the stalls, snatching up fruit and trinkets. There’s none of the filth, disease and hunger, though. It’s the childhood of rosy nostalgic memories, not the harsh and deadly life that made Zelig lose his humanity at an early age. He stares at it, then at you. He clenches his teeth, and looks down with shame, struggling to find the words to say, but ultimately cannot. He turns and walks through the portal, his body shrinking and changing. As the portal closes and disappears, you see a young Zelig run forward to meet his friends. The power fades, and you gasp as you fall to your knees, sore and exhausted. You have used every last drop of it, leaving none for yourself. It’s time to leave this place. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>>Derevan coughs politely behind you, and winces slightly. “Not to contradict your decisions my lord, but I rather wish you’d kept a little of that for yourself...”<</if>> [[Leave Zelig's realm]] <<set $faith to $faith+3>>

You somehow understand how it can be done. It feels as simple as pulling on a thread. The jewel flashes and disappears. Zelig clutches at his throat, and shudders in pain. You watch as his fanciful clothes decay and fall apart, turning to filthy rags. His fur becomes tattered and filthy, and his eyes flinch with terror. He shrinks, becoming smaller and weaker, before squeaking as a sudden rush of filthy water washes him away out of sight and pulls him into the darkness. Zelig is gone. All that is left is a glowing, swirling vortex of pulsing blackness. The raw power of Nox. The power of a lord. [[Zelig's Power]]

The raw power of Nox swirls and churns before you, a vortex of black smoke that seems almost like anti-light, its presence making the realm darker and more hazy. At the center of the smoke, a heart-sized lump of glistening black fluid floats, thumping and beating with a sound that reverberates in your bones. The power to change, to become powerful, unstoppable, mighty. It is here at your fingertips. You have earned it, you need only to claim it. [[Claim Zelig's Power]] [[Let Zelig's Power Fade]]

Derevan strokes his beard and looks you over carefully. "I could give you some pointers I suppose. I used to teach last minute exam prep at the university. It might be enough to give you an edge at what's coming. I warn you though, tiring yourself out at this critical moment may be unwise." //Training will increase your Magic if the sum of two dice rolls is equal or higher than your existing Magic. Each attempt will reduce your maximum stamina, succeed or fail. You cannot sacrifice stamina to lower than 10.// <<if $stamina > 10>> [[Train with Derevan]] <</if>> [[Return|Rest and recover]]

Derevan is a harsh teacher, but he is clearly an expert on magical theory. He drills you on every topic under the sun, makes you answer snap questions, and forces you to draw and re-draw magical sigils until your fingers ache. <<set $stamina to $stamina-1>> <<set $trainingroll to random(2,12)>> <<if $trainingroll >= $magic>> //Rolled $trainingroll, Magic increased// Finally he relents, and nods. "Alright, I think that's all for now. You did acceptably; if you were in my class I wouldn't give you detention, at the very least." <<set $magic to $magic+1>> <<else>> //Rolled $trainingroll, no Magic increase// After one incorrect answer after another, he shakes his head in frustration and slams his staff on the ground. "Enough! We're wasting time, you're not going to learn anything further at this rate." <</if>> [[Return|Rest and recover]]

"You have faced the challenges thus far admirably, my lord, but the Lords themselves will be an entirely different matter. The outer realms of the castle that we have conquered are still real places, albeit ones corrupted greatly by Nox's power. The Lord realms are different. They are not so much actual locations, and more like dreams, where the Lord's personality and desires controls the dream fabric. As such, you may not be able to rely on the skills you might usually lean on. Neither Zelig nor Eskander make use of brute force, so your combat abilities will simply not work there. Altan and Zelig don't make use of magic, so it will fizzle and become worthless in their dreams, and so on. Once you face the lords themselves in direct combat they will be forced to allow you to use your full skills, but until then you must be cautious. Combat will work best in Sten's realm, magic in Eskander's, social charm in Altan's and thievery in Zelig's. Though I cannot guarantee what odd twists each realm may offer you." [[Return|Rest and recover]]

He looks at you with a steely glare, and holds his staff firmly in both hands. "As I said my lord, I wish to serve you. That is the truth. I am bound to you by my own black potion, and I managed to keep my mind only by blending my personal desires with the demands of the potion's curse." His eyes glint for a moment, and he gives a mirthless grin. "Do you know I'm the most accomplished Binder in the entire world? It's not vanity for me to say so. I am a prodigy, a once in a generation genius. Yet it's completely worthless. For all the university cares, I may as well be the world prodigy at cleaning windows. You see, it takes only a Binder of middling skill to set up the sigils for even the best Summoner to work perfectly well. Summoners don't even really need us, in a pinch they can make do with weaker or more predictable summoned entities, and there's not many situations where they even want to summon a large elemental. I was sick of it. Sick of being mocked, belittled, treated like a janitor. I decided I would find the greatest beings in our world, a being powerful enough to require the skills of the greatest Binder to ever live. I want to bind myself to a Nox Lord, my lord. I don't need to be the strongest, I will be content as the shadow behind the throne of the strongest. By all the power I have, I will make you a force to be reckoned with." You can feel the force of his determination and will, and it sends chills up your spine. [[Return|Rest and recover]]

The tug of war between your wolf side and your human side has been difficult to balance, ever since you started to change. Each time your lupine instincts grow stronger it feels right, it feels like becoming your true self. Even so, all this time you have not given in completely. You still thought of yourself as a human, just a human who temporarily looked more wolflike. This wolf has been by your side for your long journey. You trust him, and you know he trusts you. He represents something entirely different from your former life, a complete separation from human society and morals. A chance to truly accept the part of you that wants to be a wolf. You look into his eyes, and you know what you want. You strip off your clothes, and breathe in deeply, letting the cold air touch your naked body. You let your thoughts of human modesty go, accept yourself in this moment, one with nature. You get down on all fours, and look your wolf in the eyes, staring into his deep amber gaze. He has no human expression, no words, no gestures that your human half would understand. Despite that, you know he understands you, you feel his thoughts and his meaning on an instinctive level. He steps forward, and gently brushes his muzzle against your face. You smell his fur, his strong warm body. He presses against you, moves around you. His cold nose touches your behind, and you lean in to his touch. Your movements feel awkward and wrong with your still too-human body, but you follow his lead, let him show you how you can be. You let your thoughts quiet, follow pure instinct. You move with him, run with him. You roll around together in the courtyard, smell one another, know one another. As the night moves on, you feel your connection grow, your understanding deepen. You want to be mated with him, to be one pair, to be family. He desires it too, but now isn’t the time. Reluctantly, you stand up, feeling suddenly awkward on two legs, and put your clothes back on. For now, you are human. You are on a journey. But now you know your destiny and your future, and your mate will be there with you when that time comes. <<include "WolfTF">> You know your mate wants a family, and you find yourself wanting that too. With the power of Nox, either of you could bear cubs. Is it something you would desire? [[I will bear the puppies]] [[I want him to bear the puppies]] <<set $wolflover to true>>

You have no intention of staying in this dream forever. However golden and wonderful it may seem, it is still a prison. You walk through the golden dunes, and the coins rise up to form a gateway. As you pass through, you feel reality tighten around you, and you step out beyond Zelig's warrens, back to the courtyard between the four lordrealms. You may have given up the position of Lord for now, but you feel stronger from this mighty battle. Your skill points have increased. [[Leave this castle for good|What Next?]] <<if !$zeligskill>> <<set $skillpoints to $skillpoints+1>> <<set $zeligskill to true>> <</if>> <<set $newgameplus to true>> <<set $ngmight to $might>> <<set $ngmagic to $magic>> <<set $ngcharm to $charm>> <<set $ngskill to $skill>> <<set $ngfaith to $faith>> <<set $ngstamina to $stamina>> <<set $ngmoney to $money>> <<set $ngspoints to 5>> <<if $beastskill>> <<set $ngspoints to 6>> <</if>> <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[16] to true>>

You look back at the castle, looming in the dark. Where it once filled you with fear and trepidation, now it seems oddly comforting. Years of your life have been dedicated to thinking of this place, and you have changed greatly from the person you once were. Yet you haven’t changed completely. Even after everything, you’re still you. You smile, and turn your back on Castle Nox. You will go back to the life you know, that of an adventurer seeking out excitement and fortune. With the treasure you’ve gathered from Zelig’s realm you will have all the supplies and money you need to travel the world, and with the power and skill you’ve gained from your trials, you will be a force to be reckoned with. First though, you have some business to attend to. <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery bows to you. "You have completed a mighty trial, my friend. One which not even my paladinal order has ever achieved, not since the days of our holy heroes. I wish you joy and health in your future, but I have my own path to follow. I must face Eskander, and pray that I have your strength and courage." He takes his weapon and marches towards the tower in the distance. You can only hope his quest is successful, and that you might meet again one day. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Boss and Tiny come up to you, and Boss grunts. "Well, it was pretty impressive, I guess. I am sure we could have handled it ourselves, though." Tiny grins and embraces you in a massive, bone-crushing hug. "You friend, and brother. Forever.", he rumbles. Boss laughs, and looks up at you bashfully. "Well alright, I might miss you a bit. You would have been a great part of our squad. If our paths cross again, you gotta get into trouble with us, alright?" Tiny heaves up a sack of riches from Zelig's treasury onto his shoulder, and the two of them wave to you as they leave. <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is staring at you with unconcealed loathing. "I won't give up, my lord. I came back from Nox poisoning, and this is merely a setback. You will be Lord of Nox, even if I have to convert the entire world to worshipping the Lord Who Left." He storms off, his staff thumping against the ground with every step. <</if>> <<if $nickwith>> Nick hugs you tightly and affectionately, pressing you to his big round belly. "I owe you my life, my friend, and not just once. I can't repay you enough. Any time you're out there, if you see Nick's Trading Emporium, just know that you will always receive free service", he says. He steps back and gives you a lewd wink. "And I do mean free SERVICE", he says. <</if>> <<hasitem "Snake Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> On the way out of the castle, you return your snake friend to the woods. This is his home, and while you would welcome him in your future pack, he is a solitary hunter. This is where he belongs. <</if>> On the long road out from the castle, you stop at the nearest city and trade in the sacks of treasure from Zelig's realm. They can hardly believe someone faced the mythical castle and survived. You leave the city with your bags swollen with supplies and coins, and with your weapons and armour gleaming and refreshed. The coast air brushes against your face, and the calling of birds surges you forth to adventure. <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The last duty you need to handle is Rayleigh. He has already done more than his duty in helping you across two lives, and he deserves peace and rest. You make the long journey back to his home estate, and return him to the pasture there to run and frolic with his mares. Elenor Rayleigh meets you at the gates, and bows to you. "Thank you for returning Philip. While you were gone, I felt a great and terrible weight lessen on this house. Your quest was a success, I know it was. Thank you." She strokes her hand across Rayleigh’s flank, but is surprised when the stallion nuzzles against her, then steps over to you. She laughs a little. “It seems Philip has taken a liking to you! Perhaps your journey together is not over yet.” You can hardly refuse. You stroke Rayleigh’s cheek, and think you see a twinkle in his eye. He’ll be joining your travel after all. You climb into his saddle, knowing you have a loyal and reliable steed for your adventures. <</if>> [[Adventurer's Life]]

Life back on the road is at once familiar and yet bizarre. After so long obsessing over the dread castle, dealing with the smaller issues of local bandits, monster hunts and bounties seems almost like a holiday. Your body is greatly changed by all that you’ve done. Journeys that would have exhausted you in the past now pass by in a blink, without even making you lose your breath. With the Nox blood still in your veins, you feel a connection to Nox beasts and a tug to their presence. That sixth sense lets you seek out villages that are suffering from supernatural attacks, and gives you a danger sense for when monsters are lurking or ready to harm you. <<if $am_wolf > 0>> It’s not all easy, though. With your inhuman appearance, many regular people treat you with fear and suspicion. It takes some time for them to warm up to you, but as you travel the lands and the legend of your feats grow, your reputation starts to precede you. You find yourself entering villages and being treated not with fear but excitement. “It’s the Wolf of Nox!”, people say with excitement, and you soon discover that legends are spreading that you are a holy guardian spirit, a guard dog for humanity to protect them from inhuman beasts. <<elseif $am_donkey > 0>> <<elseif $am_orc > 0>> It’s not all easy, though. With your inhuman appearance, many regular people treat you with fear and suspicion. It takes some time for them to warm up to you, but as you travel the lands and the legend of your feats grow, your reputation starts to precede you. You find yourself entering villages and being treated not with fear but excitement. “It’s the True Orc!”, people say with excitement, and you soon discover that legends are spreading that you are the first orc, the one who all other orcs are mere corrupted mimics of. They say only you can contain the invincible power of the ancient orcs of legend, that you have come to fulfil the prophecy that you will save humanity from fear and darkness. <<elseif $am_donkey > 0>> It’s not all easy, though. With your inhuman appearance, many regular people treat you with fear and suspicion. It takes some time for them to warm up to you, but as you travel the lands and the legend of your feats grow, your reputation starts to precede you. You find yourself entering villages and being treated not with fear but excitement. “It’s the Sun Donkey!”, people say with excitement, and you soon discover that legends are spreading that you are a playful spirit of light, a friendly donkey who’s joyful presence wipes away darkness and protects them from inhuman beasts. <<else>> You quickly find yourself becoming something of a mythical figure. You fight with such superhuman skill that people begin whispering that you are a demigod, a hero sent to free them from the fear of inhuman beasts. They call you the Returner, the warrior who faced the dread castle and lived to tell the tale. <</if>> Money is never a problem as it once would have been in your travels. Zelig’s treasure would be enough to live like a king, though you only ever use it to carouse after a tough battle, or to fix up your equipment. <<if $nickwith>> Nick becomes rather more wealthy as the years pass by. He uses his pig form as publicity, gaining attention and notoriety as a merchant. As branches of his trading company spread across the world, true to his word you always receive free gear maintenance, food and supplies. From time to time you even meet him on his travels, and he is always eager to drag you into his caravan for particularly personal service. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Somehow you seem to constantly find yourself crossing paths with Tiny and Boss. You’ll hear rumours of some beastmen criminals causing trouble, and time and again you’ll have to bail them out from jail, or rescue them from a mob of angry villagers, or become ensnared in some ridiculous moneymaking scheme of theirs. Despite how much of a pain they can be, you find yourself enjoying it each time you meet up again, and for all their moral greyness the two criminals are loyal and trustworthy friends. <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf stays by your side on all your journeys. Over time your bond with him becomes so deep that it is almost as if you act with one mind, the two of you flanking foes instinctively and moving as a perfect pair. Your legend grows as people start a rumour that your wolf is actually a summoned spirit, a manifestation of your very soul. Though you wonder sometimes if he misses his pack, he seems to be happy hunting with you and running through the woods on one mission or another. So long as he is free to run by your side, he is content. <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> You never learn the Stablemaster’s true name, or even if he has one. It doesn’t seem to matter, because you have a connection with him that doesn’t need words. He stays with you on all your journeys, protecting and watching over you. When you enter towns he lingers back in the woods with the beasts, but always meets up with you afterwards as if he knows your location by instinct. He cares for your mount happily, and you often find him surrounded by wild animals who show no fear or anxiety around him. Though he is peaceful and gentle, he is also willing to use his mighty body in furious violence if you are ever put in danger. At night he shares your bed, his huge, hairy and monstrous body pressed to your own. There is nothing ugly to you about his twisted canine snout, his mutated clawed hands and feet, or his long fur-covered body. He is your beast, and you are his. <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is true to his word. As years pass you see more and more signs of a new cult appearing all over the world, a cult that worships the Lord Who Left. The robed cultists meet in dark places, spreading their influence and power, and telling legends of a true lord of Nox, one so mighty they are not bound by the castle’s walls, and who one day will claim the entire castle and then the world beyond it. <</if>> As you travel and your legend grows, you hear rumours that the dread castle has been appearing more and more often, and sending out monsters and perils with increasing desperation. You suspect that one day you may need to return there, and that your destiny and its are intertwined. You have found a life beyond the castle, one where you content and happy. Nothing ever stays the same forever, but for now, this is [[The End|Intro]]

Yes, it is time to claim your throne. Everything you have struggled for, everything you fought for all led to this moment. You flex your fingers, and watch as the golden dunes move to your will. You wave an arm, and the sky split and reforms. With a single thought, you float into the air in defiance of gravity. Everything here is yours, everything is at your command. Your old clothes and belongings drop away, and tendrils of molten gold rise up and curl around your limbs. It is cool and smooth to the touch, flexing as easily as if it were cloth. You draw it up around you, and along with it accept the changes that it urges within you. Your remaining human parts seem too weak and inferior for what you have become. You allow ebony-black fur to spread across your body, as deep and dark as midnight. Your body surges with power, growing taller and stronger, thick muscles forming under your gorgeous pelt. Your face thickens and lengthens, your muzzle growing smooth and streamlined, with gleaming thick fangs on your smug and arrogant grin. From your curved black ears you embed golden studs. You decorate your lithe padded pawfeet and clawed hands with golden rings, and forge golden greaves for your muscular feline legs. Your slender tail gleams with golden bands. Your furry black chest you leave bare, except for a tasteful gold necklace showing your new insignia as a Nox Lord. When you allow yourself to land back down, you are no longer human. You are the Panther Lord of Skill. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is the first to react. He falls to his knees at your feet, his whole body shaking with excitement. “My lord! You have claimed your place at last! Please, allow me to serve you, to worship you and do your bidding!”, he says. You are amused by his subservience, until you see the faint glowing lines emerging from where his hands are on the ground. The lines flow up your legs and body, forming a glittering web around you. Furious, you flex your power and dismiss them. He looks up at you with...jealousy? No, surely a sincere expression of adoration. He wishes only to serve you. All is for his Lord. You don’t want to spoil your big moment. You will forgive him, you suppose. It is only his nature. You grip his horns and raise him to his feet, and when you let go, his black horns have become gilded with gold. His crooked staff is now a gleaming scepter, and his robes are fine silk. “Thank you, my lord. I will be your most loyal and valuable servant...” He bows and stands behind you, his hand stroking slightly across your back. You shudder and pant a little, but dismiss the feeling for now. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery spits on the ground and looks away from you in disgust. The hand gripping his sword is white-knuckled. “You foul beast! We were supposed to destroy the Lords, not become them!” Despite his clear exhaustion, he raises his blade and charges at you. You feel a faint disappointment that he is so narrow-minded. This little mortal puppet thinks to second-guess your desires? He needs to be shown his mistakes. You make the golden coins rise like ooze, and trip him up. The gleaming tendrils wrap around his ankles and wrists and lift him into the air, while his sword drops to the ground. You pick it up, and look over the engravings of his religious order on the metal. This sword represents his oaths, his beliefs and desires. With a mere thought, you turn it to solid gold, and allow it to melt and ooze down your hand. It flows over Connery’s body, and he struggles and shudders as it forms a metal case around his hefty stallion manhood and glistening black balls. He thrashes as you extend the metal, forming a curved smooth shape that slides between his legs and up into his exposed behind. Despite himself, he whinnies and his face turns red. A lewd moan emits from the proud paladin’s mouth. “No! Please don’t do this to me...have you no honour left in you?”, he gasps. You watch as the pleasure fills his mind, breaks down his will. He finds himself humping at the air, struggling to touch himself but unable to break free of your binds. Bit by bit, his stoic oaths crumble, his mind filled with lust and need. You reach forward, gathering up handfuls of liquid gold, and pour it over his desperate, blushing face. The gold solidifies, concealing him and sealing his head in a featureless, horse-head golden mask. He arches his back, shaking as orgasmic bliss crushes through his mind. Then you release him. He falls to the ground, helpless and broken. <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf watches your change with caution. You approach him, and he sniffs the air, then relaxes into your touch. You stroke over his head and back, feeling his warmth and his loyalty. Even if you become a monster, he will stand by your side. You grant him a golden collar, and fill him with a fragment of your power. His body grows thicker and taller, until he is the size of a draft horse, a towering beast. With the change, his fur becomes ebony-black, and his claws take on a golden sheen. He is yours, now and forever. <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh shakes his head and steps back from you in alarm when you approach. The stallion is unsettled by the changes, but you soothe him with a wave of your hand, allowing your power to enter his mind and make his feral animal instincts stronger. He allows you to stroke him, and you turn his bridle and reins into golden straps and buckles. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Tiny and Boss look at you nervously. Boss is hiding behind his brother’s leg, trying to look nonchalant despite being soaked with anxiety sweat. “So uh, we did good, right? Thought about maybe giving us some of that gold and letting us go?”, Boss squeaks. When you don’t immediately respond, he tugs on Tiny’s orange fur and giggles awkwardly. “Or uh, even just letting us go probably would be fine...no need to thank us or anything…” You wave your arm, and a wave of gold washes over them. Tiny roars and Boss squeaks in terror, but when the wave passes they are unharmed. Boss looks down at himself in shock, as his body grows taller, stronger. His fur turns black, his chubby and soft form becoming more streamlined and dangerous. After a moment he is not a mouse-man, but a tall black rat. Tiny changes too, his muscles bulging to even more absurd thickness, until his arms are like that of a gorilla. His tiger fur is stained and bleached by your power, as he becomes a white tiger with midnight-black stripes. Both of their naked forms are soon covered by elegant black tuxedos, one lithe and debonair for Boss, and one enormously thick for Tiny. They look at each other and quickly bow. Boss sighs with relief. “Or a job! A job sounds great too, thanks.” <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Stablemaster watches everything with a calm, almost paternal gaze. He approaches you, his body still so tall and lanky even with your new larger body. His clawed hand strokes your cheek, and he leans in to embrace you. “My Beast. I will remain by your side always, through thick and thin.” You don’t need to use your power on him at all. The realm seems to react to his wishes almost like it does your own. His bandages fall away, his wounds and scars healing. His clothing darkens, becoming a fine black overcoat and elegant waistcoat with golden stitches. He smiles at you with his twisted wolflike face, and you sense once more that he is concealing more than he lets on. <</if>> It is time to take your throne, and your new life. [[The New Lord of Skill]]

You settle into your new life with surprising ease. Ruling over a realm comes naturally to you, and when you are unsure what to do, you can almost feel the knowledge and thoughts of the preceding lords guiding and helping you. You are unsure whether it is your own desires, or those lingering feelings from the former lords, but you decide to build your realm into a gleaming golden fairground. You dismiss Zelig’s sewers and warrens, and raise the casino out before transforming it into a theatre. In the outlying areas you create attractions and diversions, games and performances. Your realm is one of joy, lights and merriment. The trapped souls fritter away their treasure to you as they eat at your many stalls and restaurants, play games of chance and skill, or watch plays, musical performances and races. Your new realm is an overwhelming one, and the trickle of new Seekers who enter find themselves quickly entranced, their old memories fading as they become one with the carnival. At the center of it all, you rule as the Golden Panther. You watch the performances on your stage from the royal box, and sometimes take the role of ringmaster when you feel the need for amusement. All bow to you, all submit their wealth and their lives, and you live in luxury and contentment. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan remains something of a mystery to you, even as years pass. He works tirelessly in the running of your realm, assisting you constantly with tasks and management so that you need only to relax and lounge and entertain yourself. The more time passes, the more he takes over the ruling and organisation of everything, always reassuring you that he wishes only to ensure you can enjoy your leisure time and leave all the tedium to him. You are still the one in charge, of course. At night he visits your chambers and climbs into your bed, where he worships and kisses your mighty body. He looks deep into your eyes and begs you to let him ride you, and with the power of Nox you can easily give yourself a mighty and thick black shaft, or even two or three. You lie back and let him stroke your neck and chest, while he moans and feels your cock thrust inside his tight behind. The pleasure is always overwhelming, and his service always perfect. You are often left panting and almost mindless as he strokes and pets you in the light of your afterglow. It’s what you wanted, you are always sure. Any faint worries that you are merely doing what Derevan wants to happen is always washed away with his soothing words. “All is for my Lord.” <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery never recovers from the crushing of his mind. He makes a loyal, silent bodyguard at your doors, his gold-covered face expressionless. The paladin’s honour and dignity are forever erased, and he lives now as something akin to a mindless golem that would contentedly throw away its life to protect you. <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf remains always at your side, eternally loyal and loving. With his new enormous size, he often acts as a steed for you, and you ride atop him when you survey your lands. He moves as swiftly as the wind itself, and soon becomes a symbol of your power and authority. Sometimes you sense his slight disappointment to be trapped within this realm, but he is content to be by your side. He sleeps next to you, and sometimes you feel his dreams, of running free over fresh snow beneath a gleaming moon. <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh finds himself quite content as the star runner in a horse track you build for him. He never needs to grow old or weaken, his equine body always in peak performance, and with his pick of eager mares for him to stud. The visitors love to cheer for him whenever he wins his races, and he looks quite charming in his black and gold racing mask. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Despite Tiny and Boss’s worries, they take to their new lives like fish to water. Boss flexes his chattermouth skills as a ticket barker at the entrance to your realm, dressed to the nines in a black and gold striped jacket. He convinces new Seekers to sell their attributes for tickets and trinkets to help them in their journey to face you, all without letting them know they’re letting themselves be changed and transformed. Tiny takes a less direct role in the realm. He finds himself enjoying the position of a strongman performer on the stage, and outside of it he assists with heavy labour and sometimes acts as a guard if Seekers try to get too rough with the ghosts and monsters of your realm. The two brothers seem content, particularly with the lavish wealth you can reward their hard work with. <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Stablemaster settles in even more easily than you do. While you are still learning to use your powers, he builds a comfortable and warm barnyard and set of stables, where he cares for the animals that perform in your realm’s entertainment, be they circus tigers or racing horses. Over time, his collection grows, as Seekers find themselves falling for one trap or another, and ending their journeys as permanent beasts. He treats them all with dignity and love, and when you visit his stables you are surprised that you feel none of the lingering resentment that some of the other transformed Seekers cling to. If anything, it feels like all of his animals would remain that way of their own free will if given the chance. He keeps his most intimate adoration for you, however. You find yourself visiting his simple stables more and more often, pulling him into a dimly-lit haypile to feel his strong hairy body, to touch your beastlike muzzle to his, to taste his hard and needy manhood and to feel his tongue between your own legs. He loves you with an animal-like passion, and whenever you are near one another the air is filled with passionate pheromones. He calls you his beloved beast, and despite being a Lord of Nox, you never correct him or insist he call you by your title. You are his beast, and he is yours. <</if>> The other Lords differ in their reactions to this shakeup in the castle’s status quo. Sten remains distant and impartial, barely taking notice. As the years pass you learn the Bear Lord of Might has been here longer than any of the other Lords, and has long since stopped caring about their comings and goings. Eskander is something of a problem. The Elephant Lord of Magic’s arrogance is only matched by his ambition. His minions constantly probe your realm, causing trouble and conflicts. You can feel his power clashing with your own, trying to make you smaller and weaker to extend his own control over the castle. Fortunately, you find an ally in Altan, the Lion Lord of Charm. The faceless white lion seems very taken with your joyous carnival, which matches so neatly with his eternal ballroom. You even allow the souls under your command visit his dances, and he permits his own to come to your theatres. The alliance between your powers reinforces your skill, and allows you to resist Eskander’s constant meddling. Sometimes you find yourself concerned that the castle grows weaker as the decades pass, and the crystalline vines that choke the courtyard grow thicker and stronger. Despite that, you are happy, and your future looks to be filled with endless entertainment. You have found a life within the castle, one where you have everything you could ever desire. You are one with Nox, seated as Lord of all you survey. Nothing ever stays the same forever, but for now, this is [[The End|Intro]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[13] to true>>

You step forward, and plunge your hands into the smoke. The heart oozes like ichor against your fingers as you grasp it and tear it free from its vortex. The smoke collapses, then swirls around your legs. You can feel it, this incredible force, the cosmic radiance within Nox’s pure blood. It feels like you are holding back a dam between your fingers. Every drop of blood within you glows and burns, your body aches as if you might burst at any moment. You cannot hold it any longer – you raise the heart and bite into it, and feel it flow within you and cascade through your body. You shudder, your eyes surging with light. The sky above crackles and emits a deafening boom. The golden coins on the ground swirl and raise you on a gleaming platform. Everything here moves at your will, your command. You find yourself laughing, overcome by the sensation. Slowly, it begins to fade, and you gain control of yourself, but you cannot remove the vicious grin plastered across your face. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan stares at you possessively, his grin wide and bright. "All is for my lord", he says with almost a shudder. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery watches cautiously, and says nothing. His expression tells you all you need to know about his opinion of this choice. <</if>> <<include "DarkLordTF">> [[Stay and become Lord of Skill]] [[Leave Zelig's realm]] <<set $might to $might+1>> <<set $magic to $magic+1>> <<set $charm to $charm+1>> <<set $skill to $skill+1>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> <<set $newgameplus to true>> <<set $ngmight to $might>> <<set $ngmagic to $magic>> <<set $ngcharm to $charm>> <<set $ngskill to $skill>> <<set $ngfaith to $faith>> <<set $ngstamina to $stamina>> <<set $ngmoney to $money>> <<set $ngspoints to 5>> <<if $beastskill>> <<set $ngspoints to 6>> <</if>>

You do not approach. The power lures you, beckons you, but you stand firm. As you watch, the beating heart slows to a still, and the swirling smoke falls to the ground like ashes. The heart glimmers for a moment, then dissolves into crystalline fragments that disappear from sight. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan makes a noise like a kicked dog. "My lord!", he whines, then clenches his fists and sighs. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery puts his arm around your shoulder and grins. "You are a mighty one, my friend! A stouter heart I have never witnessed, even among my best paladins!" <</if>> <<set $faith to $faith+2>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> You don't need Zelig's power. You have no wish to take his place in the corrupted dream. It is time to leave. [[Leave Zelig's realm]]

You've done all this before, and wish to challenge the castle again with all the skill and ability you had last time. Your stats are carried over, but your inventory is not. Your skill points have been un-assigned for your new journey. <<set $might to $ngmight>> <<set $magic to $ngmagic>> <<set $charm to $ngcharm>> <<set $skill to $ngskill>> <<set $faith to $ngfaith>> <<set $money to $ngmoney>> <<set $stamina to $ngstamina>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_food>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_food>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "returner">> <<set $skillpoints to $ngspoints>> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

You can tell he is happy with your decision. All that matters is being together as a pack. [[Return|Rest and recover]]

You can tell he is happy with your decision. All that matters is being together as a pack. [[Return|Rest and recover]] <<set $wolfpreg to true>>

You run, naked and free, alongside your mate. Your muscles heave, your lungs pant, but you don't feel tired. Instead, you just want to run faster, to focus your mind on the instincts of a beast. To run free across the leaves, be one with nature. You fall instinctively to all fours, stumbling for only a moment before your body shifts and adjusts. Your bones change, your legs and arms moving in tandem, your hands toughening and shifting into forepaws and your muscles adjusting to a four-legged gait. Your mate surges in front of you with a sudden burst of speed, and you push yourself, snarling as your face pushes forward, your wolflike head becoming more streamlined, feral. You feel your last traces of humanity slowly fading away, and your mind thrills with the single-minded intensity of the hunt, of the pack. You bound through the woods, sometimes ahead of your mate, sometimes behind. You surprise and alarm villagers as two wolves erupt past them faster than any stallion can race, and prey animals scatter and panic in your wake. Nothing else matters, only the hunt, only the feeling of your body against the ground, your muscles burning and moving in perfect tandem, your teeth ready to bite, your mate beside you. Miles disappear under your paws as you move with the wind, two wolves blessed with the changing power of Nox to become the ultimate, flawless predators. Finally, you arrive in a deep, dark wood far from human habitats. You come to a stop, panting and filled with excitement. From the dense trees, yellow eyes slowly approach, and furry paws crunch against the leaves as they surround you. You are vaguely aware of the other wolves' appearance, but much more importantly is their scent. Vision seems like a secondary sense to you now, as the power of a wolf's nose fills your mind. Each wolf has an aura around them, telling you everything about their recent actions, their health, their lineage. Immediately you know that these wolves are your mate's family. There is no challenge for dominance, no establishing of hierarcy. The wolves sniff you, press against you, and welcome you. The pack is family. Your family. You are one with them. Together, you run off through the forests, and that night your teeth sink into the warm flesh of your first prey, a mighty and delicious stag. Your pack eats well that night. As your pack returns to the cave to sleep, your mate nuzzles against your side. His scent tells you everything, like a mental connection where no emotions or desires are secret. He wishes to mate, and welcome you into your life as a wolf. You move together to the back of the cave, and his muzzle presses against your fur, his warm body close to yours. You lift your tail, and feel his wet nose touch against your rear, inhaling your scent. You do the same to him, your body grows tense and hot, the desire to breed growing, the urge to continue the pack with new life. From between your hind legs, a thick and throbbing red shaft emerges, the tip pointed and the base swollen and firm. You smell his growing arousal, and you climb up atop him, feeling him shake beneath you. Your lupine shaft pushes against his hole, and you thrust, your hard cock sliding inside him. Both your bodies shake with intense pleasure. Your body presses down on his as you thrust, mounting and claiming him. You shudder and gasp, your mind awash in the intensity of the feeling of each powerful slam of your canine cock in your mate. You feel the base of your shaft starting to bulge and swell, thickening into a hard, sensitive knot. Your wolf instincts take over, and you bite down on his neck as you plunge your knot into him, tying you together. He howls in bliss, an orgasmic rush washing away all thoughts from both of you, leaving nothing but the intense white-hot pleasure of breeding. Your cock erupts with seed, filling your mate and making you one with each other. You are bound together in that intimate grip for what feels like together, the knot linking you as you both feel the pleasure and connection of expanding the pack. You fall asleep behind him, dreaming of the woods and the hunt. Your life becomes a simple and blissful one of hunting, caring for your family, and being with your mate. The moon waxes and wanes, and in time his belly becomes heavy with your pups. One night he whines and rests at the back of the cave, and you lie back with him and stand guard as he pushes out and births six strong, healthy pups. The young puppies crawl up to his belly and suckle at the teats he has grown over the months, and you wag your tail with joy. Already you can tell your mate is eager to have even more. As the pups grow, you notice their unnatural speed, their glowing eyes, their intelligence. They have inherited Nox blood from you both. The world is changing, bit by bit. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The only real danger to your pack is humans, who spread more and more each year, slowly encroaching on your forest. They try to hunt and kill your wolf family, and you are forced to use your Nox powers from time to time, summoning wind and moving at impossible speeds to protect your people. After a few years, the conflicts begin to stop. On your hunts you pick up traces of human conversation when they are near, your powerful ears sensing it even from a distance. A preacher has come to the village, and brought a religion that promises power and protection to those who worship the wolves. Instead of conflict with the humans, they begin to leave offerings for you. From time to time, some even come to the woods, and kneel naked in the hopes of being chosen to be changed and join the pack. Some you welcome, others you reject. The growing worship of the wolf cult in the lands around feeds you power, and you wonder where it will lead. <<else>> The only real danger to your pack is humans, who spread more and more each year, slowly encroaching on your forest. They try to hunt and kill your wolf family, but soon come to live in fear of the two mythical wolf gods who they say protect these sacred woods and control the very forces of the wind. <</if>> You have found a life beyond the castle, one where you content, happy, and loved. Nothing ever stays the same forever, but for now, this is [[The End|Intro]] <<set $ACHIEVEMENTS[14] to true>>

Sir Connery is standing guard, his pale muscles gleaming in the dim light. If he has any bashfulness or discomfort from being naked, he does not show it. His thick equine muscles bulge bare and free in the cold air. He nods as you approach. [[Ask how he is adjusting to his changes]] [[Ask about his mission]] [[Suggest being intimate]] [[Return|Rest and recover]]

<<if $mightyconnery>> Connery looks down at his body, his gleaming firm muscles, his shining hooves, his sleek white fur. He smiles at you, and clenches his fists firmly. “Honestly? I feel incredible. Part of me almost feels like I should have some shame or embarrassment, but I cannot lie. I revel in this new form. My limbs move perfectly, my senses and wits are sharper than ever. I am not a young man, but I feel more honed and trained than I did even in my peak. I owe both you and Rayleigh a great debt for giving me such a gift.” His enormous mottled shaft twitches, and he smiles a little wider. “Admittedly, I am struggling a little with desires of the flesh. Though what cans’t one expect from a stallion, eh?” <<else>> Connery looks down at his patchwork body, and then at his own hand. He flexes his fingers and sighs, then clenches a fist. “Honestly, ‘tis a struggle. This mish-mash of body parts feels strange and broken. My limbs do not move as they should, I feel slower and clumsier. In truth I am more ashamed of the loss of martial skill than I am of this monstrous appearance. I have never much cared for personal vanity. Only my mission matters.” He shakes his head, then gives you a stoic smile. “Fear not. I am grateful for you in saving me, and even wounded and broken I will never forfeit my mission.” <</if>> [[Return|Talk to Sir Connery]]

He smiles at you. “Do you mean why do I and the other paladins dedicate ourselves to this castle? Why forgo our chances at a normal life to face monsters and horrors? It is for honour, my friend. We wish to reclaim the honour lost so long ago by our ancestors. All the paladin orders are descended from the knights of the Ivory Order, the army and guardians of an ancient land of mages to the far east. Our ancestors failed to stop a man named Eskander from destroying the Ivory Order, stealing their secrets, and using them to make himself a Lord of Nox. The survivors of that day formed the new paladins, and dedicated themselves and their children to hunting down Eskander and making him pay for his monstrous crimes.” He looks into the distance wistfully, and grips his sword. “It is not just that, though. There are records that have been kept from the beginning of the order. Did you know the dread castle was not always so feared? In ancient times it never kidnapped people, never sent out monsters and fiends to destroy innocent lives and ravage the countryside. No, that only began with Eskander. His evil was so foul it blackened even the castle, and turned it forever in myth to a place of horror and pain.” He looks down again, and his eyes are fiercely determined. “I am the last. It ends with me, tonight. Either Eskander dies, or the paladinal order ends.” [[Return|Talk to Sir Connery]]

<<if $mightyconnery>> Connery snorts slightly, his eyes glinting. “In truth I must confess something. When we met that first night, I found myself looking twice down at you in the graveyard. To see someone so beautiful in such a foul place was like finding a rose in a crypt. It was just a passing thought, but I do not often feel drawn to others. Then you come again, my saviour, and not only rescue me from death but grant me a new body and a new understanding. To be a creature like this and feel no shame is something I would never have imagined in my old life. Through you and honoured Rayleigh I have unlocked something I never knew I needed.” He steps forward and places his hands on your shoulders, the padding of his dark palms pressing against you. He leans in, his long equine face gently breathing hot air against your skin. “If you will have me, I will gladly take you.” His arms wrap around you, and you are pressed against his thick, strong muscles. His fur is soft and sleek, and his hands stroke and touch you as he pulls away your clothing, feeling you and exploring you. His heavy and thick horse cock stiffens and rises as he presses his face to your chest, sniffing and nuzzling you, becoming more excited and more eager with every touch. He is a paladin though, and he takes you as a paladin would. He wraps you in his arms and presses you down beneath him, his warm and massive body pushing down on you. His arms stroke down your thighs, and he grips your legs in his massive hands. He spreads them and lifts them, and you feel his gigantic swollen cock pushing against you, thick and heavy and needy. He pushes harder, thrusting and grinding, until finally he begins to enter you inch by inch. Your body tenses and flushes as you feel him entering you, mating you. He has you in a mating press, his body atop you as he claims and fills you. His absurdly thick manhood stretches you to your limit, making you sweat and gasp as he pushes in and out, faster and faster, his cock wet and slick with fluids. His wide nostrils snort, steam forming in the cold air as he thrusts harder, rocking your body with the power of his mighty hips. You are lost in the pleasure, your mind awash in the sensations. You are nothing but a tool for his gigantic cock, a hole for him to fill. You shudder as he plunges in and out of you, your bodies both hot and tense and sweating, until with a loud whinny his cock erupts inside you. You are filled with heat and warmth, the flood of equine cum filling you beyond your limit. Your mind blanks out in intense sexual bliss, as you lose yourself utterly in the full-body pleasure of your orgasm. When you come to, you are wrapped tightly in his arms, your body sore and exhausted, and your legs utterly soaked with his cum as it drips from you. He leans in and kisses you, his beard and moustache tickling your face. “When all this is over, and Eskander is defeated, I will need to return to my estate. No longer Sir Connery the Paladin, but Lord Connery of Bridlesdale. There would be a place for you there, if you can see yourself in the life of running a small barony by my side.” It takes you a moment to realise that he is proposing to you. You squeeze his hand gently, and tell him you need time to consider it. He kisses the back of your hand and nods. <<else>> Connery raises an eyebrow at you in surprise and suspicion. “You would wish to lay with me even like this?”, he says. He gestures to his body, the mish-mash of stitched together parts, none of them quite matching. He is ungainly and asymmetrical, and an unnatural scent of formaldehyde clings to his skin. He shakes his head. “No, but I thank you. I understand you are more free with your affection than a paladin is used to, but I cannot accept your feelings. Whether you truly do not mind my appearance or whether you are simply comforting me, I cannot accept it. I live now only to fulfil my duty.” He spreads his legs and crosses his arms over his chest, then breathes in deeply. “My body may be monstrous, but my spirit is pure”, he chants. <</if>> [[Return|Talk to Sir Connery]]

You sit next to Nick, who is eagerly chomping down on a finely-glazed cherry pie. He licks his lips, his long tongue sliding over his snout. "Here to try the dining? I have to say it's the best I've ever had! Hard to resist trying a bit of everything, eh?" He winks at you and strokes his hand over his hairy pink belly, which is bulging from his strained shirt. You try to remind him that you've met before, about his previous life, but he dismisses everything you say. "Nonsense, nonsense. I've always lived here! Why would I ever need anything else? Now come, try some of this delicious pie!" <<hasitem "Raunchy Poetry">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> [[Show him his poems]] <</if>> [[Remind him with charm]] [[Try the food]]

You stare closer at the extravagant buffet that has been prepared. Up close, you can't help but start to drool a little bit. All manner of food has been set up for the guests to consume, from enormous steaks and racks of ribs at one corner of the great table, to countless bowls of stuffed birds, mashed potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables at another. It is a feast for the senses, from the visual delight of the fine arrangements, to the heady mix of enticing aromas, and the promise of delicious flavours for any willing to tuck in. What could be the harm of trying some of the food? Most of the nobles are eating so little that it seems wasteful, and you've subsisted for so long on travel rations that it couldn't hurt to fill your belly before facing the trials ahead. At first you start delicately. You take a few slices of roasted meat and a side of honey-glazed vegetables, and take a bite. The reaction is immediate. Your eyes open wide, and a shudder goes down your back. The roasted chicken almost melts in your mouth, cooked to a perfect tender consistency, while the skin remains crunchy and packed with slightly sweet and tangy flavour. The vegetables are no less intoxicating. The carrots glisten like rubies, their outer surface cracking slightly as you bite through the sweet glaze to the crunchy steamed taste within. The potatoes are soft as clouds inside, yet crispy and savoury on the surface. Before you know it, your plate is empty. Your mouth waters more as you look at all the things you have left to try. You taste a delicate sundae layered with fresh fruit, cream and even a rare layer of chocolate, a slightly bitter yet rich sensation you have never been rich enough to try. You dive eagerly into a cheesecake, snack on shrimp, take legs of roasted duck and geese, and take an endless amount of tiny bite-sized morsels of glorious canapes. It seems absurd that the other guests aren't gorging themselves too. Have they no tastebuds? You find yourself letting out an undignified snort as you grab another plate and move forward, starting to pile it high with chicken legs, mashed potatoes, roasted pastries steaming right out of the oven, and a heaping load of gravy on everything. Seriously, didn't these people know that food was supposed to be enjoyed? You flop down into one of the empty chairs at the table, barely noticing that it creaks slightly beneath you. Your belly starts to itch, and you scratch at it a little before you begin to tear into your feast. Somehow the next bite is no less overwhelming and delicious than your first. If anything, it was even more so. You take a huge bite out of a chicken leg, feeling the juices slide down your chin, your brain swimming with a feeling of bliss. The meat is so tender, so juicy, it seems almost heavenly. You tear into the leg, ripping the meat right off the bone. You lose yourself in the flavour, and by the time you are finished, you casually toss the bone over your shoulder for the servants to gather up before starting into those creamy mashed potatoes. Around you, the more refined nobles give you looks of derision and disgust. They obviously didn't understand the first thing about good food. Not like you did, not like your fellow portly guests clearly do. Food was meant to be enjoyed! As you grab more plates, stacking them up higher and higher, your form begins to change slowly, morphing bit by bit with every bite you take. As you tear into those ribs, your teeth begin to shift and stretch, growing into razor sharp fangs. Perfect for ensuring every tasty morsel was removed from those troublesome bones. The fuzz on your face starts to thicken and spread, moving up your cheeks and face and forming into a scraggly pelt of brown fur. Black spots blooming on your new pelt as it spreads down your chin and chest, getting thicker with every steak you devour ravenously. Your jaws growing larger and wider, thickening into a carnivorous muzzle with a dark black nose. You heft one of those perfectly seasoned kebabs and drop it into your waiting maw, your newly minted fangs tearing through the meat as if it was nothing. All the while, your gut slowly begins to grow larger, heavier, rounder. Your clothes strain to contain your waistline, but you pay little attention to it. There was still so much food to have. Next, you were feeling up for a bit of dessert. Something light to contrast from all that heavy meat you'd just eaten. As you load down your plate with cookies, cupcakes, and a massive slice of cake, you find yourself almost trembling with hunger and excitement. Your pants tear, your growing heavy round behind straining them to their limit, before a thick and shaggy tail presses out of your rear and sways excitedly from side to side. You don't notice or care. All that matters is filling yourself up. Eating, devouring, consuming. You begin to stuff your jaws with a half dozen cookies, letting the crumbs fall into your lap. You moan in bliss, your voice deep and rumbling as you rub your massive gut, hearing it gurgle and work over the food you are digesting. Your clawed hands stroke through your thick fuzz, feeling where your shirt has popped and torn as it became unable to contain your growing bulk. Bit by bit, your old thoughts and memories began to slip away. Who you once were and your quest all seem like a distant annoyance. Why would any of that matter? This place was paradise. A neverending feast. Before long there is no trace of the person you once were. Among the bulky and ravenous gluttons at the buffet is now a massive drooling hyena, endlessly gorging their hungry maw with an infinite array of delights. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You enter into an auditorium, where rows of plush red seats are facing a small stage with thick red curtains. This room is muffled from the sounds of the party by the thick and soft walls, on which are sewn displays of scenes from fairy tales with talking beasts and strange creatures. The room is dark, lit only by the lights at the foot of the stage. A few guests are seated comfortably, sipping on wine and nuzzling against eachother as they watch the show. A few performers step up onto the stage, switching between eachother as they perform light poetry, a few songs, and the occasional violinist or flautist. <<if !$donesecretroom>> Behind the seats at the back corner, you see a suspicious room that is guarded by one of the tall soldiers that patrol the palace. He is unmasked, but his face is an unsettling, featureless white shell. <<if $nickwith>> Nick notices you looking at the guard. "Worth checking out? I could make a distraction if you can get me an excuse to go on stage. Trust me, I know how to draw an audience's attention." <</if>> <<if $someoneperforming>> Someone is currently performing a one-man play, and the queue to go up next looks long. You'll need to do something dramatic if you want to make room on stage. [[Challenge a performer]] <<else>> The stage is now free - it seems your duel has left all the guests more interested in the gardens. [[Try to perform yourself]] <<if $nickwith>> [[Ask Nick to perform|Nick perform]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> From here you can see an enormous set of double doors leading to the house's gardens. You can also make your way back to the buffet area. [[The Gardens]] [[The Buffet]] <<include "DanceTimer">>

You step out into the cool night air, the sound of the dance becoming muffled as you enter the garden. The gardens are just as beautiful and refined as the palace itself. A trail of ceramic tiles weaves through perfect floral arrangements which bloom with every colour and style of plant, where winter blossoms cluster implausibly between those that should only bloom in summer and sping. From above, soft lights glow in paper lanterns that are dangling from threads attached to the brass lamp posts around the garden. The hedges are carved into ornate patterns, and the garden is filled with marble statues of various beasts and noble figures from history. A few masked nobles are gathered in small groups, having intimate conversations. The tables are carefully stocked with a small selection of appropriate wines and chocolates. The garden faces a lake, which extends out into the darkness. Of Castle Nox you see no sign. This palace and garden seems to exist in its own private world. Doors lead back into the palace, to either the dance floor or to the stage. Some guests have left their masks on a side table while they enjoy the garden. <<item $i_sheepmask i_sheepmask>> [[The Dance Floor]] [[The Stage]] <<if $nickflag == 2 && $am_donkey > 4>> Nick sits down on a chair in the cool garden, and wipes his forehead. He looks over at you for a moment, then smiles slightly. "Could we chat, for a moment?", he asks. [[Talk with Nick]] <</if>> <<if $am_donkey > 3>> The lush grass in this garden looks so fresh and delicious that you find yourself staring at it. [[Eat some grass]] <</if>> <<include "DanceTimer">>

You grab the slightly crumpled folio of poems from your pack, and show it to Nicholas. He glances over it, but ignores it and goes back to eating his pie. You open the book and glance through it. The bawdiness of the humour seems so different from this ethereal, unreal noble party that it makes you feel oddly grounded. You open it to a section of dirty limericks, and begin to read them aloud. He continues to ignore you at first, but the more you read, the redder his face becomes. He keeps glancing over at you, ignoring his food, his hands trembling. Just as you're getting to "I knew a maiden from Borogravia between who's legs was a long dangling", you are interrupted by Nick grabbing the pages from your hands and standing up, his chair slamming to the ground. "Enough! I can't believe I ever wrote this!", he snorts. He stares at the book, and blinks. "I wrote this...", he repeats. He rubs his face, knocking his simple pig-shaped mask to the table. Then he looks down at himself. His bulging round gut, his long piglike snout, his fat trotter feet. He shudders with embarrassment. "I...fuck. And I thought I hated it when they called me Pigman Nick BEFORE this", he mutters. He looks down at the book, his expression fallen and glum. "Where did you even find this? I never made printed copies", he asks. You tell him you found it in a marketplace, and describe to him how everyone remembered his work fondly, how these pirated copies were all over the kingdom, his name associated with mirth and joy. He seems a bit flusterd, and his floppy piglike ear twitches. "Really? I always thought they were more laughing AT me", he mutters. He shoves the pages into his overstrained evening wear, and then pulls you into an embrace. You are pressed against his soft, warm chest. It's like an enormous pillow. "Thank you. You saved me again! If you make a habit of it then I might have to start actually giving you a discount on my goods. Can you imagine the disgrace?", he says. He grins, his smile stretched out by his thick tusks. "Come on then, let's get the hell out of here. I'm not staying behind this time. Whatever you need, call on me." [[Take an intimate moment with Nick]] [[The Buffet]] <<set $nickwith to true>>

<<statcheck 10 $charm "charm" "nickfoodcharmsuccess" "nickfoodcharmfail">>

You think that perhaps if you play along with him, it might give you a chance to talk him out of his trance or at least get him to remember you. He lifts a slice of pie on a plate and offers it to you, and you take a fork and give it a hesitant taste. Immediately, your eyes open wide. The flavour is astonishing. The crust is crisp, buttery and flaky even on the tip of the slice, while the rich red filling melts and spreads in your mouth as soft as cream. The fragrant and tart taste of summer fruits floods your mouth, and an involuntary shudder of delight rushes down your spine. You recover after a moment, but you see a sultry and excited grin on Nick's soft round face. Before you can respond, he lifts the rest of the pie in his bare hand and pushes it to your face. The flavour erupts in your mouth, making you shudder and your face flush and turn red. He dips his hand in a bowl of whipped cream, places it on his tongue, and then leans forward forcefully. His wide snout pushes against yours, his tongue invading your mouth. He kisses you messily and deeply, the cream mixing with the pie, adding soft light sweetness that contrasts so deeply with the hot, thick and pulsing sensation of his long fat tongue invading your mouth and throat. When he pulls free, you feel strange. Your head is swimming, and your stomach is gurgling. Your clothes feel tight and restraining. You look across with confusion as Nick unbuttons his own shirt, showing off his enormous round, firm pink gut. He takes a trifle from a plate and then dumps it over his belly, the jelly and cream and fruit dripping across his glistening porcine belly. His hand grabs firmly onto your head, and pushes you deeply against his gut. You are forced to lick, tasting the cream, the fruit, the sweet glaze and the warm and intimate taste of his bare skin. As you lap at him, your body grows heavier, softer. Your shirt bursts open to free your growing round belly, and your nose flattens and spreads out, thickening into a piglike snout just like Nick's. You are panting, needy, and desperate. Your mouth waters, your body is shaking and flushed with desire. Nick's thick fingers invade your mouth, dipped with chocolate, sweets, ice creams, jams. Each flavour makes it harder to think, harder to remember, and your body changes with them. Ears flopping down, pink and pointed. A curly tail bursting from your enormous soft round rump. Your feet toughening into trotters, your skin becoming pink and smooth. Nick removes his mask, and places it carefully over your face. It fits perfectly over your round cheeks, your soft snout. You can remember nothing of your old life, of why you were here. All you can think of is Nick, his enormous body, his handsome pig face, his taste and his scent. You lean into him and kiss him, lost in a daze of taste and pleasure. "You're my cute little pie piglet, aren't you?", he says with a grin. You shudder and snort for him, and he massages your belly eagerly. Together you indulge in every taste and meal that Altan's endless banquet can serve you, and Nick makes sure you eat double helpings of every one. You are his soft, obedient and adoring little piglet. You have never been anything else. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Your footsteps tap slightly as you step from the thick carpet to the smooth and polished floor of a ballroom. The room is an enormous dome, the ceiling of which is decorated with intricate and beautiful paintings of scenes from history. The walls of the room are almost entirely tall windows, but the ballroom is so brightly lit with chandeliers and candles that the world beyond is just blackness, as if it does not exist and all there is in this moment is the dance. You are surrounded by couples dancing and swirling in beautiful harmony. Every masked guest moves with perfect elegance, each pair of dancers so in tune that they look as if they share a single mind. Despite their beautiful movements, when you pay close attention you can see hints that not all is right. Some of the guests features are twisted and monstrous beneath their masks. One ivory wolf mask is barely holding on to the toothy and furry muzzle of the man wearing it. Another dancer's gloves have torn at the ends, revealing his black claws, and several of the guests pants are torn to reveal animal tails of every size and shape. As you watch, one dancer's shoes burst at the front, his furry clawed toes pushing and stretching out as his fine dancing slippers are left in tattered ruins. <<if !$altandance>> [[Dance with people]] <</if>> <<if $nickflag == 1>> [[Dance with Nick]] <</if>> <<if $am_donkey> 0 && !$donkeydance>> [[Do a silly dance on your own]] <</if>> You can leave through one of the doors into the garden, or retreat back towards the buffet. [[The Gardens]] [[The Buffet]] <<include "DanceTimer">>

If you want a position on the stage, you'll need to clear a space. The list seems endless and you have a dark suspicion if you wait for the end of the queue, by the time you reach it you will not even remember why you are here. You watch as one of the performers walks on stage. He's another noble like the others, with a red tunic and a puffy white silken shirt beneath it. His mask is that of a red cardinal, with actual feathers and a long black beak. Like many of the other guests, the costume is not just decoration. He has no shoes, as his feet have already become black avian talons that tap on the stage, and from his sleeves you can see red feathers emerging. You ignore that for now, and once he begins his poetry, you let out a torrent of catcalls and jeers. Every foul insult you've learned from your time as an adventurer, every filthy term from seedy bars, every rude and crass comment you can scrounge up from your memories. You perform them with aplomb, until his face is as red with fury as his feathers. The other nobles are shocked and scandalised by your behaviour. You can tell your words had an effect as you see the performer's whole body shaking. He looked like he might flee the stage at any moment. But to your shock, he points at you imperiously. "How.....how dare you besmirch my honor and my poetry? You think interrupting my performance is the behaviour of a noble? It only shows just how lowborn you are, and I will not allow it! You, you filthy ruffian, I challenge you to a duel! Right here and now out in the gardens. I demand satisfaction - unless you are too cowardly to accept?" You stare at him in surprise, momentarily speechless. Well, that's one way to clear the stage. You follow him to the garden, where there is a space set out for this exact purpose, with a stone table that has a velvet box with two pistols, and a walkway exactly three paces in length. A witness in an elegant owl mask explains the duel process. You will inspect one another's pistols, stand back to back, take three steps and then turn and shoot, once. You will need nerves of steel and a powerful combat instinct in order to not flinch or miss. These pistols are clearly lethal. <<statcheck 12 $might "might" "Win the duel" "Lose the duel">>

You take a deep breath, and step up onto the stage. You are momentarily blinded by the lights illuminating you, and the unlit auditorium suddenly seems like a vast, black abyss. Beyond the floating lights at the foot of the stage you can see nothing, but you can feel the pressing weight of the watching nobles, and their palpable disdain. The pressure of it weighs on you, making it hard to remember what you were going to do. You rack your brain to try and think of something to do, and settle on the first thing that comes to mind - a popular drinking song you remember from a tavern. You are just getting onto the third verse about in what particular way a lion can be buggered when your brain screams at you that the hidden subtext of the song is about the sexual escapades of various famous historical generals, and you're in the middle of the one about the actual Altan. You stop right before the particularly rude line about the length of a pride (it's larger the more men are around), and can feel the shocked silence in front of you. Before you can continue, two faceless guards drag you briskly from the stage into the darkness behind the curtain. You are tossed into a chair, and the guards step aside to allow someone else to approach. He's a tall man in an elegant black tuxedo, with a smooth black jackal mask. He reaches forward and touches your chest, pushing you into the chair. It suddenly sprouts heavy metal shackles that snap around your wrists and ankles and lock you firmly in place. He stands over you, his ebony-black mask gleaming faintly. "Altan will be annoyed if he hears of this, and it is my duty to handle Altan's moods. Therefore, you have annoyed me. I think perhaps we can find a different role in the performance for you, one which will better suit your...humorous talents." He takes something from the side of the room and brings it to you, revealing a large, full-head wooden mask shaped roughly like a bear, with large unrealistic eyes and a mouth that hangs open in the manner of a ventriloquist's dummy. The head is light blue, with patches of random other pastel colours in the manner of random paint splotches. The jackal shoves the mask down over your head, your vision darkening before you blink and look through the eye-holes. The interior of the head smells strange, like wood incense with a hint of greasepaint. You start to feel dizzy, and the more you breathe in the more clouded your mind becomes. Your body feels heavy and stiff. With each breath, your chest seems to expand out further but not recede again, until your belly is huge and stiff and round. Your limbs feel so heavy that you can barely move them, even just twitching them in their bindings feels exhausting. With a creak and then a tearing sound, your clothing gives way to the size of your expanding, firm body. You feel your skin hardening, becoming dry and rough, as your flesh slowly stiffens into lifeless carved wood. The joints of your limbs feel tight for a moment, then loosen and flop as they become ball joints and wooden hinges. Your hands bulk out into silly wooden bear paws, as do you feet as they become huge wooden blocks beneath you. You realise you can no longer see the holes of the mask. Instead it seems like those are your eyes themselves, as if your head has merged with it completely. Your thoughts become scattered and confused. You are...you are wood. You are a puppet. Why do you have memories of being an adventurer, a Seeker? The jackal strokes his hand across your wooden body, and where he touches you, your wooden flesh is covered with light blue paint or splotches of cheerful colour. As the paint washes over you, your thoughts become jollier, sillier. You wish you were on stage, that people were laughing at you, having fun. Those old memories seem so inferior now. "As I recall, Altan had a performing bear once. Bosco, I think. Bosco, you performed well as the 'adventurer' character, but please forget that now and return to the 'performing bear' character", the jackal commands. As his words hit you, you shudder all over. Your wooden mouth hangs open and you let out a silly chuckle. What were you thinking of? You really want to play! The jackal rolls his eyes, but wraps a bow tie around your neck and places a felt hat on your head. "Off you go, Bosco. Entertain the people, as my master's brainless puppet and plaything", he says. The chair releases you, and you stand up, your body moving in a floppy and clumsy way, as if you're being moved by invisible puppet strings. You walk towards the stage, eager to entertain your audience. That is why you exist, the only reason you exist. You are Bosco, the dancing bear. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Nick steps up onto the stage, hopping and bouncing as he moves. Despite his enormous bulk, he moves with surprising grace, almost like a big balloon skipping across the stage. Even his entrance is engaging and fun. He performs a comically over-the-top bow, then spins on the spot. "The name is Pigman Nick, ladies, gentleman and noble beasts. Let's not leave you all waiting, eh? We'll get right into it." He launches immediately into a song. One which you instantly recognise as the Buggering of Borogravia, a bawdy and very lewd tavern drinking song which focuses almost entirely on how rich and influential men throughout history could or could not be fucked in the ass. In a place like this the topic should be scandalous and cause a riot, but Nick's performance is perfect. His comic timing, his singing. The audience is shocked at first, but soon they begin to giggle. Then the giggle becomes full laughter, the audience leaning in, enraptured. He finishes to resounding applause, and carries on immediately. "Now, did you know I'm something of a poet? I have engraved in verse tales of the rich and powerful, of the shapers of history. Let me start with one about a noble lady you all may know, the most beautiful in history. She seduced all she met, and I will reveal to you exactly why she was so special." He grins widely, and does an elaborate bow. "There once was a noble lady named Venus..." While everyone is staring and entranced, you slip behind the guard and into the room beyond. [[Secret room]]

You slip inside the room quietly while the guard is distracted. It leads to a narrow hallway inside the interior wall, which you squeeze along before finding another door which opens into a small hidden space. It takes you a moment to find a lamp, and when you switch it on you momentarily flinch, as you find yourself surrounded by dozens of staring faces. The shock passes after a moment, when you realise that the walls are decorated with countless hollow-eyed masquerade masks. They are in every colour and style, of countless animals. A twinge of recognition flashes through your head when you see a jasper snow leopard mask. Have you seen that one before? Before you can do anything, you hear the door close behind you, and turn in surprise. A tall and slender man in a dark suit is behind you, wearing an onyx-black jackal mask. He reaches up and removes it, revealing his face beneath. He is a black-furred jackal, his amber eyes glowing with a deep intensity. His expression is cold and stern, and at his side his hand rests on the hilt of a dueling rapier. "It's rude for a guest to scurry into dark corners like a rat, you know. This is not Zelig's realm", he says. He sees your expression, and glances at the masks on the walls. "Altan's many faces", he says with a cold smirk. "He has none of his own, you know. I am Eren, Altan's keeper, and it is my duty to keep his moods in check. He would greatly dislike to find this place tarnished by a stranger. Leave at once, and you may live at least until the waltz begins." [[Fight him]] [[Leave]] [[Say you're here to worship Altan]] [[Say you're here to stop Altan]]

You feel an urge to dance with someone, to join in the beautiful swirl of elegant dancing bodies that fill the room with such colour and refinement. A hand gently strokes across your side, and you turn to see someone behind you. He's a tall man in a beautiful white evening suit, with a thick lacy cravat and the glinting of rubies at his cufflinks and on his buttons. He's clearly a lion, as his feet are bare except for ivory-white spats, showing his large white feline paws. His hands are the same, as is the white tail curled behind him. Despite that, he's wearing an ivory-white peacock mask with deep, glimmering red rubies where the eyes should be. "May I have this dance?" His voice is deep and rumbling, rising up from the ground through your feet and into your body like the beating of a mighty bass drum. Before you can even think, he has taken your hand and pulled you into the dance. <<statcheck 12 $charm "charm" "Dance success" "Dance fail">>

The owl begins the count. "Three." You take a step forward, the gravel crunching beneath you. "Two." Another step. Your hand tightens on the pistol in your grip. "One." Your every sense is on high alert, your muscles tightening up like springs, ready to leap into action. "Begin!" Your body reacts before your mind even realizes it. You spin in place, lifting the pistol up towards your opponent. The cardinal and you lock eyes for a moment, before identical roars ring out through the air. Your ears pop, the space between you filled with power smoke. Then after a moment of shock, you feel pain shooting through your arm and chest. You fall to one knee, your pistol clattering to the ground as your clothing is slowly soaked by the hot, warm sensation of wet blood. You glance up through the pain to see the cardinal watching you. There is a crack in the side of his mask, where your bullet missed by scant inches. "It seems I'm the victor, as to be expected", the cardinal says calmly. He walks over to you, reaching out a feather-covered hand to stroke your cheek gently. "Let's get that wound taken care of shall we? I'll take you to a healing column." You know better then to trust the people in a lord's realm, but you are unable to push back. When you try to move, your wound throbs and absolute agony races through your body, your arm going limp and useless. It is all you can do to not cry out in pain. The cardinal puts an arm under yours and helps you to your feet, and the pain dulls enough to become manageable. "Come now, I'll help you get taken care of." He pulls you out across the grass, through the hedges and to a small clearing with a selection of white winter flowers. The clearing is ringed with marble columns, upon which are statues of various feral beasts, each frozen in a different pose. There is a great eagle about to take flight, a massive hippo standing rampant, and an oversized rat looking as if it were fleeing from some unseen predator. Each of the statues is carved from a single block of flawless white marble, which seems to almost glow in the soft ambience of the bright moonlight. The pain of your wound is almost unbearable, but as the cardinal pushes you against one of the empty columns, it begins to subside. It is as if cooling water has been poured over your wound, and your tensed body immediately relaxes. A thought enters your mind. You need to heal. You need to recover your strength upon this cool, smooth pedestal. Without it, there was no way you would be able to face the trials to come. With your pain almost totally forgotten, you find yourself climbing up onto the pedestal and stretching out. The faint haze of moonlight surrounding the marble statues seems even brighter now, a light that washes over you as well. The clearing becomes suffused with gentle light, which pulses and ebbs like the tide. With each pulse your pain fades, replaced not just by calmness but with a sensation of growing strength, of building and surging power. You shudder, feeling it flow through you from your ears to your toes, a growing sensation of confidence and pride. Your muscles ache, and begin to stretch and thicken. Your body grows heavier and larger, your clothes ripping and tearing from you in shreds to reveal a pelt of gleaming golden fur covering your skin. Your fingers flex against the cold marble, as your fingernails stretch out to vicious sharp claws that flex and slide in and out of your fingertips. Your feet follow suit, your soles becoming padded and firm as your new claws scrape against the stone. Your head feels heavy and thick, your face pushing out into a leonine muzzle while your mouth fills with powerful fangs. With your changing face comes an explosion of sensory stimuli. Scents flood your nose, a tapestry of information laid out before you. The empty garden is a swirling mix of scents and traces that almost blind you with fascination. Your ears twitch and curl, migrating up towards the top of your head and sprouting tufts of fur as they become feline. As with your nose, your senses sharpen along with the change, until you can pick out the individual instruments and voices in the ballroom even from here. Trying to process all this new information makes you pant, your head dizzy and overwhelmed. You feel thick, soft fur sprouting around your head, becoming a thick and glorious mane. This feeling is too much, too overwhelming. You feel an urge to hunt, to pounce, to be a beast. Your body creaks, your bones cracking as a long tail slides out from behind you, and your shifting shape pushes you down to all fours, heavy and beastlike and predatory. You lift your head, opening your jaws to let out an ear splitting roar of pride and excitement. You are a king, a powerful, beautiful, majestic beast of a lion. As your roar quiets and echoes around, you are filled with a strange, heavy contentment. A desire to simply to do nothing, to relax, to bask in your own magnificence. After all, you were recovering. You needed to relax, to be still and calm. You could always leave after you are fully healed, but for now why not stay relax, be regal and dignified, something to be admired and looked upon? A beautiful adornment for the guests to be impressed by. You barely notice the crackling, creaking sound. You pay little attention, instead filled with an urge to pose majestically, to show off your power and majesty. The marble of the pedestal begins to slowly flow up your four paws. Soothing coolness wipes away the rigors and pains of your journey. Bit by bit it looks as if you are being dipped in white paint, your golden pelt being taken over by smooth, flawless marble. It is of little importance. It is just healing you, it will keep you strong and powerful. Nothing you need to worry about. The stone slowly spreads up your body, bringing with it a firmness, a cold stiffness. Up your limbs, across your chest and back. Your breathing slows and halts as tawny gold gives way to pale white. Your tail lashes back and forth once, then curls and freezes in place, never to move again. You don't react, you don't have any need to. This is good, this is right. You are a powerful lion. A mounument to your species. Everyone should look at you. Everyone should bow before your power and majesty. Once you are healed, you can always do...whatever it was you were going to do. It seems less and less relevant. Your thoughts begin to slow, growing as rigid and lifeless as the marble your form was becoming. Your muzzle stiffens and becomes heavy and solid, your expression becoming locked in stone. A prideful growl forever etched in place Your thoughts and senses begin to fade, scents disappearing, sounds crackling and muffling as your ears are consumed by the cold marble. Finally the spreading stone claims the last of you, washing over the rest of your face. Your eyes become two solid blank orbs of stone, staring forth lifelessly. Your mind stills. No thoughts, no worries, nothing going on between your marble ears. Where once a proud breathing lion stood now is only a beautiful, feral marble lion, frozen in place as if surveying its kingdom. The cardinal smiles and strokes your carved stone mane. "A perfect addition to the garden", he says with a smirk. Of course, the statue can't reply. It is nothing but a mindless hunk of rock. The cardinal turns and returns to the party, leaving you alone in your prideful pose forevermore. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now/ [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

You draw your weapon, and in a flash the jackal's sword clashes against it. He moves like a snake, his battle style refined by decades of practice in this immortal realm. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Eren, Soul of Altan", "combat": 10, "stamina": 10, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "Win fight", "death": "Lose fight", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

Once you re-enter the stage room, you see multiple guards take up position in front of the small door. You're not likely to be able to enter again. <<if $nickwith>> Nick sees you leave, and finishes up his set. The audience goes wild, and he has to spend several minutes dealing with a standing ovation. He rushes over to you as soon as he can, his face flushed and a huge grin on his snout. "I had forgotten how fun that could be, how good it is to have an audience wrapped around my finger", he says. He looks down at his hands and chuckles a little. "Or my trotter, I suppose." <</if>> [[The Stage]] <<set $donesecretroom to true>>

"Worship him, you say? Everyone here is worshipping Altan, whether they know it or not. If you want more than that well, the position is already taken." He shoves you against a wall, your body feeling suddenly weak, your mind dizzy and swimming. He begins to stroke his long black hands across your chest, as he removes your clothes and feels your body beneath. His breath wafts against your neck. "You shouldn't say things you don't mean. In this place, phrases like that have more power than you realise. You want to worship Altan? You will do, you will be a tower that exists only for his pleasure." He strips you naked, and no matter how much you try to resist, your body seems to be unable to push back against him. His hands stroke and massage your legs, then slide around to your ass. He pulls you close to him, and you feel so hot and stiff and sensitive. Everywhere he touches you is electric, overwhelming. He slowly strips off his own evening wear, revealing his lithe, muscular body covered in that sleek and soft black fur. He presses against you, the warmth of his chest touching your own. His cock is thick, hard and firm, and you shudder as he slips it between your legs. "Just relax. Soon you will be nothing but pleasure", he whispers into your ear. His hands stroke up and down your chest, which feels far far too pleasurable to be normal. Your face seems flushed and hot, and you gasp and gurgle as slippery, salty fluid drips from your lips. He leans forward, his muzzle pressing to your mouth. His tongue slides inside you as he kisses you, his groping and stroking becoming faster, more intense. You feel a throbbing at his crotch, can no longer even feel where his cock is, where it was touching you, filling you. You can feel his heartbeat pounding inside you, and as he grips your waist, you feel your legs shrinking, drawing up and vanishing into your body. Your arms follow suit, growing smaller and weaker until you feel like nothing but a stiff, throbbing and needy pole in the jackal's grasp. You try to speak, but all that comes out is more and more dribbling warm precum. Your flesh is changing, darkening to match the skin of the jackal as he massages and squeezes you. You shrink in his grasp, your head merging with your shoulders, your face throbbing and losing all features except for the leaking slit of your mouth. He shudders, panting and snarling. His clawed feet press against the ground, and he leans against the wall as his fanged maw drips with saliva. With a grunt, he snarls, and your mind erupts with overwhelming, mindblowing bliss. You are barely sentient as thick, hot globs of jackal cum burst from your mouth and splatter all over the wall, forming a lewd mural as you paint the stone with buckets upon buckets of hot, steaming seed. Eventually you soften, the last of the cum dripping from you. The jackal pulls his clothing back on, sliding you into his pants and returning to his duties. You are his cock now, and your mind is so awash with the sensation that you cannot even remember anything else. --- That night, the jackal walks through dim hallways to the deepest part of the palace. He pushes past a soft curtain, to where an enormous and muscular lion man with moonlight-white fur lounges naked and sprawled out on the cushions. "Eren, you are late", the lion says. His voice is like honey, sweet and thick. The jackal slips free of his clothes, and climbs into the blankets with the lion. His hands stroke across the muscular chest, the thick fur. He reaches up to the porcelain-white lion mask that the lion is wearing, but he grips the jackal's wrist with his powerful hand and stops him. The jackal smiles. "I had some trouble, my lord Altan. I think you will enjoy the result of how I dealt with it, though." The jackal leans back, showing you in all your firm, thick and throbbing size. Altan nuzzles against the jackal's neck, his massive body pinning him to the cushions. "Show me your loyalty, my beloved...", he growls. If there was anything left of your mind before, by the end of that night is is erased forever in the passionate rutting of the Lord of Nox's pleasure. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

For a moment the jackal's expression actually changes from something other than cold disdain, but his slight flinch is gone in the blink of an eye. "Oh? Who is to say you would be any better? I know what manner of scum is drawn to this place." He reaches out with one gloved hand and strokes it against your cheek. His eyes glare at you with deep intensity. <<if $evildeeds > 0>> After a moment his long black muzzle twitches in disgust. "No, your hands are stained with blood and filth just as much as his. You will not leave this room alive, monster." He draws his blade. [[Fight him]] <<else>> His expression softens slightly, and he breathes out. "Perhaps you are telling the truth. It has been some time since I met a Seeker who's soul didn't make me want to retch." His hand finally moves away from the hilt of his sword, and he looks you up and down with an analytical gaze. "Altan is a monster. His madness is matched only by his beauty. He belongs here, trapped in a beautiful ivory cage by his own vanity and vices. I have lost count of how many lifetimes I have spent keeping him sedate, calm and content." He takes something from the inside of his jacket pocket and presses it into your hand. You look down and see a glimmering crystal, the insides filled with such facets and beauty that you almost cannot drag your eyes from it. "I am tired of this life. If you think you can bring him to an end, I will give you some assistance." By the time you regain your senses and put the crystal away, the jackal has vanished. You look around the room but find nothing else of use. The masks on the wall crumble like sand when you touch them. You leave the secret room and return to the stage area. [[Leave]] <<set $erensoul to true>> <</if>>

With one final blow, you strike the jackal a mortal blow. He clutches at his chest and slumps to the ground, but to your surprise he does not die. Instead he drops his rapier, and his body flattens and liquifies. He becomes a black shadow that races away under the door and disappears. There is nothing left in the room worth taking. He dropped nothing of use to you. The masks in the room are of no use to you either - they crumble like sand to your touch. You may take his rapier if you wish, but otherwise this detour seems like it was a fool's errand. <<item $i_sword i_erensword>> [[Leave]]

You fall to the ground, exhausted and beaten. You can feel your vision darkening from your many wounds, and the floor is sticky and wet with blood. The jackal reaches down and pulls you up to a sitting position, then leans you against the wall. "A shame to waste a good face", the jackal says. He kneels down and pulls off his gloves, revealing his slender black hands. His claws stroke gently across your chest and neck, his fingers pressing and massaging your skin. You shudder as you feel a tingling all through your body. Gradually, his fingers sink into your skin, and you feel his claws somehow inside your face, touching and feeling you on a level so intimate that you feel utterly helpless and weak. The pain of your wounds fades, your body feeling numb and distant. Your arms flop to your sides as you find you cannot move them. All of your senses seem concentrated in your face, your cheeks, your mouth. It feels so sensitive that even the touch of air makes you want to shiver. You feel the jackal's fingers under your face, pulling on it, stretching it. You want to moan, to gasp and clench your toes, but you can't feel your body at all. Just your needy mouth, your tingling cheeks, the desire to feel someone touch you, own you...wear you... There is a faint pop, and an overwhelming rush of desire fills your mind, consuming your thoughts. You feel light and small in the jackal's hands, but the brush of his fur feels enough to nearly bring you to orgasm. He turns, and for a moment you see your body lying on the ground. It is cold and lifeless, and the head is now smooth and blank, utterly featureless and faceless. The jackal places you on the wall, hanging from a peg. You want to beg him to wear you, to touch you, but you cannot speak. You can only exist in this overwhelming need, this pent-up desire. "Worry not, new mask. Altan will wear you soon, I'm sure. You will find the experience quite pleasurable." He turns off the light and leaves. You are left waiting in desperate anticipation, nothing but a helpless masquerade mask. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

The beautiful dancers made it seem so easy, but the dance is far more complex than you expected. You do not know the steps, the turns. You cannot follow to the beat of the deceptively shifting waltz, and even as you try you find your attention crumbling in the presence of this strange man before you. His body feels so large and powerful pressed tightly to yours. He moves with such confidence, unfazed when your stumbling feet step on his toes or you nearly fall or trip. The ruby eyes of his mask seem almost to glow, making the rest of the world darken and dim by comparison. "Allow me to lead you", he whispers. His hands shift, one sliding down your back, the other holding your arm firmly. He pulls you, twirls you, moves you. You are like a puppet in his hands, and the more you relax into it, the easier the dance becomes. You let him control you, while you stare into those jewelled eyes. You forget everything, become one with the music, with the motion. You twirl for him, move for him, live for him. You exist for him. Then, after an eternity, the dance is over. He takes your wrist and turns it, then kisses you on the palm of your hand. His lips are soft and cool, like marble. "A blessing, to assist you in the dance. Until we meet again", he says. You lose him almost instantly in the crowd, and your mind aches and feels empty without him near. [[The Dance Floor]] <<set $altandance to true>>

The beautiful dancers made it seem so easy, but the dance is far more complex than you expected. You do not know the steps or the turns, and the waltz is shifting and deceptive. At first you struggle to keep up with the peacock-masked man's steps and his motions, you cannot match or copy the dancers around you. Well, if you can't join the herd, lead them. You shift your grip, moving your arm down the man's back and raising his hand. Then you push back, taking the lead. For a faint moment he resists, then his head cocks to the side slightly with amusement, and he lets you lead him. You twirl and twist, your steps getting faster, more complex. You force him to follow where you lead him, and dance with a passionate intensity that forces the other dancers to make room for you. They slow and stop, a circle forming around you as the entire ballroom becomes yours. The others are merely observers. You control this dance, and you lead the peacock back and forth, toss him away only to pull him back. You spin and stomp, clap your hands, leap. The music changes, it too a slave to your rhythm as it becomes faster, darker, hotter. As you reach a crescendo, you lunge forward, dipping your partner deep against the floor and lifting your hand into the air. The ballroom erupts into applause. You stand and release him, and he stares at you. You cannot see his face, but the ruby eyes of his mask seem almost to glint with predatory intensity. He takes your wrist, and kisses the back of your hand. "A kiss on the palm is an insult to the conquered, but a kiss on the back of the hand is a sign of respect and nobility. You have earned my admiration, beautiful dancer." He turns and disappears into the crowd. When you look down, there is something resting in your hand. It is a beautiful glimmering crystal, that seems to almost absorb the light around it. You force yourself to drag your eyes away from its countless deep facets, and return to your quest. [[The Dance Floor]] <<set $altandance to true>> <<set $dancesoul to true>>

The sound of a bell fills the beautiful hallways and elegant rooms of the palace. It sounds over and over, each chime washing away the sound of merriment and raising a sense of anticipation. Twelve chimes. Midnight has fallen upon Altan's palace once more. It is time for the great waltz. You are dragged along by the crowd, pushed along to the center of the ballroom. The palace seems almost to shift and tilt, as if being pulled here was as natural as being drawn to the ground by gravity. Despite the push and the excitement, the crowd leaves a wide circle at the very center of the ballroom, where the beautiful shining floor has a complex red sigil. The imperial sigil of Altan's ancient kingdom. A shadow creeps along the floor beneath the guest's assorted feet and claws and paws. It reaches the sigil, then rises up, becoming a black shape that gradually becomes more defined. It becomes an elegant black jackal, wearing a deep black evening suit and an obsidian mask that perfectly conforms to his feline face. "Announcing his grace, Prince of the Red Fields, Lion of Westland, Chieftan of the Golden Lands, Lord of Love. Our king, Altan the Red!" The room seems to slow down. Everyone becomes bright and washed out, colours fading under a searing white flare that makes everything else seem pale, ephemeral and unreal. Sounds become muted and dull. The only thing that is in focus is the man stepping forward, his paws gently echoing on the polished ballroom floor. He is enormous, towering over the other nobles. His body is muscular and tightly defined, not with the glamourous bulging muscles of a showoff, but with the hard and lean muscles of a lifelong soldier. From his head to his toes, he is clad in a flawless and perfectly-tailored white evening suit, with a vivid blood-red cravat and ruby jewels studded at his wrists and ankles. A flawless, ivory-smooth lion's tail curls gently behind him. His feet are enormous white paws, seemingly carved from marble. He turns towards you, and you see that his face is completely covered by an enormous ivory-white lion mask. The mask stretches into a confident smile, and his mane flutters as he nods to the audience. "It is time to begin the waltz", he says. His voice rumbles through the building, rising up through your feet and grabbing hold of you. Your own mask drags you forward, pulling you towards him. You must face him now, or find some way to escape this overwhelming force. <<set $nummasks to 0>> <<hasitem "Mouse Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $nummasks to $nummasks+1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Pig Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $nummasks to $nummasks+1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Zebra Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $nummasks to $nummasks+1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Sheep Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $nummasks to $nummasks+1>> <</if>> <<if $nummasks > 0>> [[Destroy your mask]] [[Try to resist the dance]] <<else>> [[Try to resist the dance|Try to resist the dance (no mask)]] <</if>> [[Ask for a dance with Altan]]

The mask, it seems to be linked somehow to this realm. All the nobles are wearing masks, including Altan himself. It was the mask that pulled you here, and which now is trying to draw you to Altan. You reach up and pull at it, trying to wrench it from your face. It moves slowly, like you're trying to drag it through tar. You pull harder, fiercer, until suddenly the delicate material crumbles and shatters. The shards float slowly in the air, everything around you freezing for a moment. Altan looks at you, and through his emotionless mask you think you see amusement. The bell chimes. The party has just begun, and you have only just entered the revels. There is much to be done. <<hasitem "Mouse Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <<else>> <<hasitem "Pig Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <<else>> <<hasitem "Sheep Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <<else>> <<hasitem "Zebra Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $INVENTORY[$itemcheck] to $i_empty>> <<else>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> [[The Buffet]] <<set $dancetimer to 6>>

You try to resist and step away, but your body does not listen to you. You find yourself stepping forward, moving among the other guests. They spin around you, dancing and twirling, laughing with hollow and empty laughs. As they dance, their bodies gradually change. Talons tear from elegant velvet shoes, fur becomes visible through the strained holes in over-filled tunics. Fangs and claws and whiskers brush against you, the dance becoming faster, more wild. You are unable to resist, unable to step away. Your own mask seems to control your body, a different persona that has taken you over and forced you into the waltz. You wore the face of a noble, and pretended to be one, and now the mask is becoming reality. You are a helpless passenger in your own body. As you dance, your clothing becomes richer and smoother. Dark silks, elegant jewels, the finery befitting one of these noble guests. They treat you as one of their own, laughing with you, dancing with you, a whirl of colour and sound. <<hasitem "Mouse Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your mask tightens against your face. You feel your ears curling up, stretching and growing at the sides of your head. Your hair becomes soft and white, and your clothes tighten around you. As they grow tighter, they seem to squeeze you, compress you. With each step of the dance, you find yourself becoming shorter and shorter. Your limbs become slender, your skin is covered with soft white fur beneath your evening wear. A long pink tail curves out behind you, trailing along as you dance. Your feet stretch out, your claws tapping against the ground as you dance on soft pink mouse paws. You forget everything, losing yourself. Your mask moves you, and your mask thinks for you. You are a noble, a noble mouse, a guest and a dancer. <<else>> <<hasitem "Pig Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your mask tightens against your face, and your clothes start to feel tight and too small. Your belly is bulging, swelling, along with your chest. Your limbs become heavy and soft, and your evening wear adjusts to fit your growing rotund body. From under your mask, your teeth bulge and stretch up into small tusks. Your ears become pointed and soft, your skin flushed and pink. Your pants split at the rear, letting out a curling coiled pig's tail, and as you dance your feet toughen and harden, tapping against the ground as they become chubby porcine trotters. You forget everything, losing yourself. Your mask moves you, and your mask thinks for you. You are a noble, a noble pig, a guest and a dancer. <<else>> <<hasitem "Sheep Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your mask tightens against your face. You feel your hair becoming curlier, softer. Your face pushes out into the mask's hollow snout, and you let out a bleat of pleasure. With each step of the dance, you change more. Your body is coated with thick curly wool, your ears twitch and rise up at the sides of your head. A tufted tail twitches behind you, and as you dance your feet toughen and harden, tapping against the ground as they become slender black cloven hooves. You forget everything, losing yourself. Your mask moves you, and your mask thinks for you. You are a noble, a noble sheep, a guest and a dancer. <<else>> <<hasitem "Zebra Mask">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your mask tightens against your face, and you start to feel taller and heavier. Your hair rises up behind the mask, stiffening into a black and white mane. Your muscles become firm and lean, your body heavy yet graceful. Under your clothes, your skin develops striped short black and white fur. Your pants adjust behind you, a slit forming that allows your tasselled tail to grow out and twitch. You whinny and snort slightly, your face pushing out, become more equine. As you dance, your feet toughen and harden, your steps clicking against the smooth polished floor as they transform into gleaming black hooves. You forget everything, losing yourself. Your mask moves you, and your mask thinks for you. You are a noble, a noble zebra, a guest and a dancer. <<else>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> When the waltz ends, you bow and clap like everyone else. You move out into the party as the night restarts once more, an endless ball that will start and restart forever. As the days stretch into months and years, the person you once were sometimes flickers. The noble you have become has a strange memory or thought, a fleeting idea that you were once something else. Then is always passes, and as centuries pass by, even those thoughts vanish. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

It is time. You can delay things no longer; you must face Altan, or forever become part of his realm. You step forward, pulling yourself free from the crowds of blank-eyed lackey and nobles. Altan turns to you, and as the carved blank white eyes of his mask point in your direction, you feel an overwhelming pressure. It is as if you are beneath the sea, a thousand miles of crushing water weighing down on you. Even so, you take another step. He is unbelievably attractive. You know it is merely the power of his Lord abilities, but the feeling still fills every inch of you with overwhelming desire. His towering body, his perfect posture. Every line of his tailored white suit that frames the sculpted muscles beneath. Every flex of his porcelain-white paws, the delicate movement of his head, his white mane surrounding him like a crown. When he speaks, the meaning and power seems to touch you before you even hear the sound, as if his words echo slightly back and forward in time. "Welcome, Seeker. I hope you are enjoying my festivities", he rumbles. He reaches out a hand, and you look down at his elegant, heavy white paw. His fingers are curled up, and for a moment they look like the pillars of the ballroom, in the center of which you stand tiny, weak, and utterly within his power. "I would be delighted to give you the dance you came here for. First, perhaps, you could hear your host's desire?" He is so beautiful, so mighty. Your mind swims as you feel an overwhelming urge to please this man. He is a great man of history, a superior being. Your dreams could be as simple as helping him achieve his, you could be a stepping stone to his glorious destiny. <<if $blessing == "charm">> He slowly clenches his hand, and your body buckles. You fall to your knees, your face flushed, your limbs weak. You pant and ache, the desire you feel for him suddenly becoming an unbearable, agonising desperation. "Though it seems you already submitted to me. You pledged your loyalty, and have come now and kneel at my feet to take your rightful place." You suddenly remember Derevan's blessing. The blessing of charm - the blessing of Altan. "Your loyalty shall be rewarded. I will take all pain from you, all difficulty of thought and choice. You will know only happiness, I promise you that." [[Resist Altan's Blessing]] <<else>> You grit your teeth, and focus your mind as best you can. His beauty is like the beauty of broken glass - sharp, dangerous and fundamentally incomplete. [[Listen to his offer|Offer]] <</if>>

"This place is my dream, the one I wished for when I was a mortal human. I am not like Zelig, or Sten, or Eskander. I never desired power for my own sake. I wished only to make a land of peace, prosperity and happiness. A land without strife, without fear, where there was only the joy of dance and art and music." As he speaks, his voice weaves around you like a glimmering tapestry. The ballroom seems even larger and more gorgeous, the golden etchings seem to gleam, the colours seem vibrant and rich and bright. His voice is fine wine, sweet music, moving art. "There is no pain here. No blood on snow, no rats in the sewer, no tortured souls. This castle is not cruel. It can be paradise, if you let it. Join me at my honoured side as a true lion. You can lead with me, bring new music and new joy." Your hand is inches from his. It would be so easy to take it. [[Accept the offer]]] [[Refuse the offer]]

You consider his outstretched palm for a long moment. The journeys you have taken, the struggles you have undergone. Finally, you reach out and take it. His palm is warm and soft, yet his grip feels firm. Altan nods his head slightly, and even through his featureless mask you can sense he is deeply pleased. He raises one hand, and white essence flows up from his fur, tendrils of milky fluid coiling and converging into the shape of a beautiful ivory-white lion mask. He takes it, and places it gently over your face. You shudder, your body momentarily frozen. The mask spreads, slowly stretching and growing. Coils of cool white material slip down your neck, caress your chest, thicken and entwine. Your body is not so much being changed as it is gradually encased. You spread your arms as the material thickens across you, granting you wider shoulders, powerful muscle. You lift your hands and see them covered in white marble, each joint of your fingers gently segmented. Your clothing strains, then tears. Your smooth, cold white body is revealed beneath. Thick muscles, powerful feline legs, heavy and strong lionlike paws. You look almost like a stone statue of Altan himself. Equally tall, powerful and regal. His beauty and radiance is your own, you are a reflection of him. Yet you are a statue that can move, think and speak. Your former mind, the person you were, that still exists. You can feel your memories underneath this full-body mask. Your former desires and thoughts are simply distant, suppressed. Somehow they matter so much less. Altan steps forward, his hands stroking across your white body. White smoke emerges from his fingertips, spreading over you and solidifying. A silken shirt, a beautiful white tailcoat. A thick ruffled cravat, elegantly tailored dress pants. Even soft white spats for your stone paws. As the layer of formal noble clothing covers you, it feels like another layer of falsehood, of masking. You feel the duties and powers of your new power, your nobility, like gentle weight further suppressing your original mind, your original morals. You and Altan meet eyes, your blank white eyes staring at his own featureless white mask. "Welcome, my new Baron. Welcome to my court, and my kingdom." [[Life as Altan's Baron]]

You remember the servants, faceless and obedient. The blood in the garden, the torn clothes and frothing mouths of the beasts surrounding you. You look at Altan's blank and empty face, and you know that his beautiful marble mask can never really be clean of the blood it was soaked in. He withdraws his hand. For a moment in the slump of his shoulders, he seems sincerely sorry. "Know that I did not wish this." The ballroom darkens, and then stretches out in all directions, out into infinite abyssal emptiness. The floor begins to glow, becoming a glittering stained glass window upon which you both stand. Altan bows. "Dance with me, then." He fights like no warrior you've faced before. He draws no weapon, makes no aggressive move. Yet each blow you try to give he weaves away from, he takes your hand and dips you, spins you, makes you move to his command. The longer the dance goes on, the weaker you feel. <<if $dancesoul>> The crystal you obtained earlier pulses and hums in your pocket, begging to be freed. [[Use the crystal|first crystal]] <</if>> [[Fight Altan within the dance]]

You reach into your clothes, and pull out the crystal you won when you danced with the peacock. Altan steps back, and smiles. For a moment, vibrant green feathers appear on his mask. "Ah, of course. A kiss must be respected. In the mask of a noble, I must follow etiquette, must I not?" He reaches up and slowly removes his mask. Beneath it is another identical lion mask. Yet no - not quite identical. His first was smooth, elegant and beautiful. This one has sharp edges and lines, a cruel and fierce expression on the gleaming white surface. The feathered lion mask in his hand vanishes, and the crystal in your own turns to glimmering lights and fades away. "And so I reveal another self", he says quietly. [[How many selves must you pierce?|Second phase]]

The glass floor beneath you shatters, sending glowing colours into the air. Light slowly fills the void, revealing you now stand at a clearing in a deep forest. Moonlight shines down upon you, giving the edges of Altan's white body an ethereal glow. At the edges of the woods, you see the masks of the nobles watching you. Their gaze feels predatory, cruel. A hundred eyes watch you both mockingly. Between you, the ground has been marked out with steps. This is a dueling ground. "Before I was a noble, I was a second", Altan says. He raises a beautiful silver rapier, the hilt ruby-red. "Duel me." <<if $duelsoul>> The crystal you obtained screeches like a keening beast. [[Use the crystal|second crystal]] <</if>> [[Duel with Altan]]

Altan reaches out and touches you, his warm hands stroking against your cheeks. He pulls you close, and you are enveloped in his warmth. He seems enormous before you, a titan of power and charm. You stare up into the smooth carved marble eyes of his mask, and your whole body feels weak and small. "My loyal, adoring pet. You will know such joys. This is your reward, for all of your difficult and tiring journey", he whispers. His voice makes your spine tingle, his touch feels electric. He gently releases you, and you fall gently to your knees. Your body feels soft, pleasurable. Your head feels stuffed up with cotton, yet empty at the same time. Altan's dream envelops you, his will suppressing your own. It would feel so good to let him make the decisions, to let him handle the fears and stress of thought. You need only to feel the joy of being owned, of being subservient. "Tell me what you desire", Altan says. "I want...I want...", you find yourself muttering. Your voice feels distant, foreign. He reaches down and pulls your gaze up to his face. "Tell me", your Master says. "I want to be your slave. I want to belong to you. I want you to control me completely", you moan. The world seems to go light, and pink. All you can see is your glorious, perfect Master. He is enrobed in light, his every motion entrancing you, his every word sending shudders to the deepest part of your mind. You kneel and bow, your face nuzzling against his huge soft white feet, your mind wanting only to make him happy. You feel servants touching you, but you barely notice them. They strip you of your items and clothes, and you shudder as you see your Master walking away. You follow him awkwardly on all fours, his scent like a leash wrapped around your neck that you must follow. As you follow him into the depths of the palace, your body shifts and adjusts. Your arms become longer, your legs shorter. Your bones shift and adjust, your joints moving to new angles and your torso becoming tighter. Moving on four legs feels natural, you cannot remember ever being any other way. Two legs is for Master, for people who think. You are a pet. You belong to Master. You are led through silk curtains, to a room filled with calming incense. Pillows and cushions are scattered everywhere, and the room is filled with purring, lounging feral lions and lionesses. Each of them has ivory-white fur and a ruby-red collar. You feel a twinge of your conscious mind returning, along with faint memories of your life. You struggle to think straight, but before you can gather your thoughts, you see Master drop his formal wear and turn around, before laying back on the cushions. Every thought in your head crumbles to dust as you see the towering, throbbing, glorious ivory peak of Master's flawless cock. You step forward, your mouth drooling. Your face shifts and adjusts, becoming more feline and streamlined. Fangs thicken in your growing jaw, and your skin tingles as you begin to grow soft white fur. As your nose presses against the underside of his shaft, your Master stops you. You whimper and purr, desperate for his cock, for his seed. "Part of you still has thought and will", Master says. His voice entangles you, his presence is trapping and binding you with every word. "You have the capacity for desire, for choice. True happiness and bliss will come when you surrender it completely. When you exist only at my will, when your mind and destiny are simply an extension of mine. Be a slave to me, and you will be free." You once had desires and dreams, you faintly know it. Yet Altan can give you something more. You step forward and take his cock into your mouth, feel his shaft throbbing on your tongue, and know you have given up your humanity forever. You suckle and worship your Master's shaft, your tongue and mouth moving only in the way he wishes it to. You have no true control over your own body, yet you do not desire or even comprehend that it would be any other way. As you lick him, your hands and feet become soft feline paws, your body becomes lithe and agile. A tufted tail stretches out behind you, and you feel Master's hands stroke through your fluffy, ethereal white fur. At a thought from him, you open your mouth and allow him to ooze pre onto your tongue. You move like his puppet, climbing up onto his bare chest, and you feel him embrace you and press his throbbing manhood between your legs. You purr and rumble as he enters you, you submit to him as he breeds you, thrusts into you. He rolls you over, thrusting harder and faster. You are losing yourself in the endless, unbearable pleasure. As Master begins to breathe faster, he slowly reaches up, and removes his ivory mask. As you stare into his true eyes, you feel his seed flow into you, you feel orgasm crush through everything you once were and leave behind nothing. You drown in his gaze and in that hot, wonderful bliss. What is left behind is nothing but pleasure. You purr and curl up with your master, one of many identical lions and lionesses in his chamber. As your brethren lick and pamper you, you comprehend nothing except this endless orgy. An endless existence without strife or fear. There is only Altan, and there is only pleasure. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Altan's hand strokes along your neck and cheek. He pulls you in close, his other arm reaching around behind you. You look up into the carved marble of his mask, and you feel his warmth, his power, his superiority. It would be so easy to submit, to allow him to control you like a puppet and give you a life of pleasure and servitude. It takes every bit of willpower you have, but you raise your hands and slowly push him back. He does not stop you, and even steps back to allow you time to pant and slowly recover your wits. "As you wish. Perhaps another offer, then?", he says calmly as if nothing had happened. [[Offer]]

You attune yourself to the movements of the battle. It feels less like combat, and more like a game or a sport. You thrust, he weaves. You slash, he parries. You enter into the movements, becoming faster and faster. Your steps and his become a staccato rhythm upon the glass, you feel your heart pound and your instincts become as sharp and intense as a dagger's edge. Then with a final strike, you pierce the center of his mask. Cracks spread across it, and it falls into pieces. Beneath it is another identical lion mask. Yet no - not quite identical. His first was smooth, elegant and beautiful. This one has sharp edges and lines, a cruel and fierce expression on the gleaming white surface. "And so I reveal another self", he says quietly. [[It is not over|Second phase]]

Instead of fighting him, you take out the crystal shard that you obtained in the duel against the cardinal. As you reach out, it shifts in your hands, growing and changing. Your fingers grip around the hilt of a ruby-red pistol. You pull. A shot rings out, echoing through the glade. The watching nobles stare in shock as Altan's rapier parries the bullet, then is sent spinning from his grip by the force of the impact. "Of course, you have proven yourself in this way too", he says. "It pleases me that you would avoid this fight. We could have been kindred spirits. I too wish never to return to a real battlefield", he says. His mask develops the dark spots of a snow leopard, and he reaches up and removes it. It dissolves in his hand, as does the pistol you are holding. The mask beneath is hideous. It is a lion, but one snarling in abject violent rage. Its fangs are bared and vicious, its eyes are cruel and hard. "Alas, I have no choice." [[Altan Unleased|Third phase]]

The world shakes. The trees of the forest collapse, crushing the watching nobles. They scream and struggle as their bones and bodies are shattered, their blood soaking the grass. More blood than there could possibly be. More blood than a thousand men could have. It swamps the forest, thickening and rising. You sink in it like a morass, up to your knees in gore. As you struggle, you see the falling forest is not made of wood, but of shattered bones. Ribcages, femurs, desperate hands sticking up from the filth and blood and slime. Altan stands above it all, sitting on a white steed with no face, no mouth, no eyes. From the blood, creatures begin to rise. Corpses with hideous wounds, missing limbs, heads. With crushed skulls, some still pierced with arrows or broken swords. A shadow slips from the darkness behind Altan's horse, and gently places one black paw on the flank of it. It is the jackal you saw at the party. He looks at you with weary sadness. Your attention is drawn to Altan as he speaks. "These are the men who died to fulfil my dream. This is who I truly am, beneath all the masks. This is the legacy of my history, written in blood." He takes a weapon from the saddle of his horse, a thick gleaming white lance of bone. <<if $erensoul>> The jackal is staring at you, his eyes intense. The crystal in your pocket is glowing with such intensity that it burns. [[Use the crystal]] <</if>> <<hasitem "The Ashen Blade">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Ashen Blade burns fiercer. [[Raise the Ashen Blade]] <</if>> [[Face Altan|True Altan]]

The crystal pulses harder, shaking and vibrating. It feels almost as if it might rip your entire hand apart. You lift it with difficulty, and open your fingers. Light cascades across the battlefield. Even through his mask, Altan seems shocked. Perhaps even horrified. In a near-frozen moment of time, he turns to the jackal beside him and reaches out. Then everything vanishes. [[Altan's Past]]

Your blood feels hot, so much that it aches. Your allies move forward to fight beside you, but you raise a hand and they step back. A voice comes out from your mouth, but it doesn't sound like your own. "Here?", you ask. You step forward through the familiar mud and gore. It doesn't slow your path. "You would face me, here?", you say again. Altan's horse falters, and takes a step back. The Ashen Blade rises in your hands. "In my own HOME?", you roar through orcish tusks. Altan's army of the dead surges to meet you, but the first corpse to reach you suddenly falls to the ground with a silver dagger buried in its eye. "Miss me?", a cheeky voice says beside you. You turn to see Peter, who in one swift motion throws a fan of daggers that drops a dozen corpses. Before you can reply, an enormous shape steps forward and lifts two of the living corpses, one in each hand. It slams them down, sending a shockwave through the advancing warriors that makes them stumble and fall. The shape turns to you, and you see Big's familiar fierce grin. "Leave some for me!", shouts out a familiar voice. Natasha leaps over you, striking down with a sword then spinning and chopping off the heads of three more foes before they can even react. Time seems to flow away. In this moment there was no Nox, no Lords. You are back with your band, and this is just another job. "Ashen Blades, with me!", you roar as you leap forward and clash with Altan's lance. <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Altan, Your Bounty", "combat": 10, "stamina": 25, "maxdamage": 10, "success": "Kill Altan", "death": "DieToAltan2", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_boss "play">>

Your battle against Altan is a nightmare morass. There is only blood and pain, death and destruction all around you. Each strike of his lance is like the blast of a cannon. As his mount leaps and lands, dozens of corpses are sent flying by the impact of the white hooves. Any single blow would render you to dust, if he could land a direct hit. Your attacks seem pitiful by comparison. For a human to defeat a Lord of Nox is absurdity. You are not human any longer, though. Nox powers you as it powers him, and as the battle wages on, you feel the castle shifting in your favour. The world narrows to a point, until there is nothing that exists but you and Altan. One being, one battle, both of you matched blow for blow, thought for thought. Until with one final strike, you pierce his ivory heart. The raging storms settle. The armies of the dead slow their movements, then kneel. You stare into Altan's eyes as cracks crawl across his body from the point of impact. The thicken and deepen, until you cannot even make out any of the features on his masked face. For a moment, you think you might see relief in his eyes. Then he falls from your weapon, landing in pieces among the filth and muck. Thunder rumbles above you, and a rain washes down, slowly washing away the blood, the filth, and Altan. You have done it. You have defeated a Lord of Nox, and claimed your place in history. In the place where Altan's stallion stood you see a glowing, swirling vortex of pulsing blackness. The raw power of Nox. The power of a lord. [[Claim the Power]] [[Forego the Power]]

You parry and riposte, duck and weave. Instinctively you find yourself moving to the beat of a formal duel, your body turned to one side, your motions formal and swift. Altan is a fierce competitor. Your almost every move is countered perfectly, and it tasks you to the very limit of your skill to return his moves. Even so, he cannot beat you. Bit by bit you push him back, you struggle and fight for every inch, every moment of victory. In that battle, you and he become one being, one entity of combat and challenge and victory. You see yourself from his vision, from yours, and from the eyes of every watching noble. You see a sword fall from a hand. You see a victory. It takes you a moment to even realise the victory is yours. You have struck his mask a firm and true blow. It falls, sliced into two perfect pieces. The mask beneath is hideous. It is a lion, but one snarling in abject violent rage. Its fangs are bared and vicious, its eyes are cruel and hard. "I wish it had not come to this", he says. [[Altan Unleased|Third phase]]

Eren awoke from nightmares, feeling them cloying at his mind, dragging him down like a swamp would at a flailing body. Images of houses burning, the inhabitants fleeing from the wreckage. Choking on fumes, clasping at their injured bodies. Horsemen riding past, silhouettes against the fire, and cutting down the survivors in the street. Mercenaries laughing as they kicked at an old man clutching his bleeding chest. Fighting over stolen gold, killing eachother in the street as they scrabble in the mud for shining glints. He tore himself free of those thoughts, his bedroll soaked through with sweat and his clothes clinging to his skin. In the back of his throat he tasted burning flesh. Eren crawled from his tent, hoping some water and the light of dawn would wash away those thoughts, but knowing that water could not wash away stains that years of spirits had failed to wipe away. The sun was just beginning to rise, later than it should have. In his homeland at this time of year the valley would already be awash with light. He looked up, and saw Altan. Illuminated in the rising light, staring out across the valley, his blue eyes fixed on some distant point. Even then, even though moments ago he hated the man, he still felt awe to see him. Altan the Conqueror, hero of the Golden Lands, unifier of the Circle Kingdoms. His helmet was off, and his mane of red hair was gleaming and twitching in the dawn breeze. Altan who had broken the siege of Ramafort, who had the Emperor of Nusland fall to his knees and declare fealty. Who Eren had sworn to follow, who had swept away Eren's life in pursuit of his overwhelming ambitions. Eren walked up to him, feeling like a drowned rat next to a lion. Altan turned to him, giving him that beatific, saintly smile. How could a man so steeped in bloodshed be so beautiful, like some painting from antiquity? "Eren, my friend. You seem troubled." Eren swallowed, his throat feeling dry. Altan was looking out to the west, to their next conquest. In the distance was the walled city of Ivernathy, already scouted and contacted. Altan always looked forward, but Eren forced himself to look back, and felt that he should see plume after plume of smoke, all the ruined places and trampled corpses left in their wake. "I am troubled, your grace. All this bloodshed haunts me. In Crossford, your men were like savage animals. The women, the elderly..." Altan's gaze was all sympathy and concern. He placed an armoured hand on Eren's shoulder. "We carry a heavy burden on our hearts, my dear friend. Yes, it was tragic. I did not wish it to come to that. Did I not offer them a chance at easy surrender? Twice I offered and twice they scorned me, even knowing that I could not ask a third time. Had they surrendered at once none would have died, and on the second time I would only have needed to cull the leaders. Yet on third...an example must be made." Eren's face felt hot. His fingers clenched at his buttons, and his hands felt sticky, as if stained by invisible blood. "Must we? Is all of this right? Is this justice?", Eren pleaded. Altan smiled, and Eren hated his own weakness that in that smile he wanted to just forget his fears, forget his own conscience, just follow blindly and know that all was right. "It may not seem it, but we are saving lives, Eren. Those people were a necessary sacrifice. The horrors terrible, yes, but not without purpose. Word will spread, and further kingdoms will surrender more peacefully. We must carry the dove of peace, yes, but also the sword to enforce that peace. When all the Circle Kingdoms are united, there will be no more wars, no petty bickering over culture and borders. Only peace and true prosperity. For each man dead here, a thousand will live in peace. We are saviours." The true worry in Eren's head came up now. A cowardly voice in his head told him just to nod and go back to his tent. Not to shake the boat, not to fight against this man sent by god to claim ownership of all the world. Yet he stood his ground, looking at Altan and clenching his eyes as if staring into the sun. "Word did not spread to Ivernathy. They refused a second time last night." Altan sighed, a look of pain on his beautiful face. "Tis so." Eren clenched his teeth. "So tonight, they all die?" "This is the way it must be, Eren. Trust in me." Well, it was now or never. He would certainly die, but rather death than wading through blood and shit again as innocent people screamed and choked on their own guts around him. "Let me go to them. On my own. I'll convince them to surrender after all, and you don't need to kill the villagers. I'll explain what happened before, I'll talk them through it. Please, Altan. Let me try and make this right." Altan's eyebrows raised just a little, and he placed his hand on Eren's head. "So very kind, Eren. You are my conscience, my little angel. To think such a stout heart from such humble beginnings. Very well, for you. Go to them." Eren's mouth hung open. He had honestly expected to be shot as a traitor on the spot. He wouldn't waste this chance. He nodded, and ran towards the city, his legs aching the whole way. They might kill him. They'd know he was from Altan's army, maybe make an example of him right there. Stone him in the street for all he knew. Still, he had to do this. Just once, he'd try to do what he thought was right instead of what Altan told him was right. The guards pointed bows at him, threatened him in their coarse western tongue. He spoke back, no great master of their language, but tongues was his great skill. Explained he was a messenger, was let in flanked by guards. Babbled and raved like a preacher, lent voice to all the horrors he'd seen, all the nightmares of the places Altan had left in smoking ruins. All the bodies, enough sins to drown in. How they could not possibly stand against an army so big, how they would surrender their leaders or see their entire culture razed to the ground. He was mocked at first, then raged at. At one point they almost did hang him. But all day he explained, wheedled, pleaded. Until finally, they looked out at the army in the distance, and accepted their fate. They opened the gates, and Altan rode inside, gleaming like an angel from heaven, his gold-engraved armour shining. His elite guard followed, filling the streets atop their gleaming steeds, and the infantry behind him, filling the streets like a flood. Altan looked down at the surrendered leaders of this city, kneeling and accepting their fates. He looked down at Eren, and patted his head. Then he turned to his lieutenants. "Kill them all. Raze the city." It happened in a blur. The cavalry roared forward, the civilians were trampled. The infantry, cackling and eager to pillage and gain loot, began to burn and sack the buildings. Eren was knocked down, and saw someone clutching at his leg. The town mayor, his lower body missing, his guts steaming in the street. His mouth wordlessly sounding 'you promised us'. --- Eren followed beside Altan as they left the smoking ruin. Altan had let a few of the younger men survive to flee and tell of what had happened. Tales of the unstoppable golden conqueror would spread very fast now. Eren was silent, his face expressionless. Altan looked at him, his bastard face filled with concern and innocence. "I know that must have hurt you, my friend. Yet you did a great thing. We lost no men in that raid, and we can proceed fully re-supplied. With fortune on our side, this will be the last city that tries to resist. Soon, all the lands will be united as one, in peace and prosperity." Eren said nothing. "When all of this is over, we will build a monument to the dead, so that these dark times will be mourned and not forgotten. We will bring peace and joy, but with understanding that it was bought at a terrible price. I promise you it will be worth it." Altan's hand rested on his shoulder again, and Eren wondered how he ever thought this devil was beautiful. Wondered if anything could stop him, if all the world was doomed to fall under his boot and be crushed for their own good, for the sake of some 'better' future only Altan the Bloody could see. Yet he knew that any such hope was wasted. "I hope soon we can think more of building theatres and galleries than barracks and war machines. I truly wish for culture and pleasure rather than the horrors of - what is that?" Eren looked up. Altan never sounded surprised. Before them, in a pass between the mountains and forming a valuable strategic position, was a massive black castle. The style was unlike any he recognised in this area. Altan frowned. "Our scouts did not report this. Another battle so soon? We should fall back and prepare." Eren stared at the black castle, and felt a hazy shimmer of memory. Of one of the fairy stories told to him by his mother in the slums. A castle in the mists, that appears and disappears. "My lord, we should investigate at once. They are sure to have seen us in this clear weather, and if we stop here they might think us preparing to attack. We should approach and offer the surrender terms. Maybe they...maybe they will open the gates and invite us inside without bloodshed. After the examples you have shown", Eren babbled. Altan looked from him to the castle, considering, then nodded. "You are right, of course. Thank you my friend, you provide wise counsel. We shall parlay. I have a good feeling about this one. I think you shall see some of the bigger picture; if they accept us without fight it will prove that all that horror was not in vain. It will show that are actions are being rewarded." Eren rode up alongside Altan, and let an idle smile touch his face. He began to hum, and Altan raised an eyebrow again. "What a charming song. What is it called?" "It's from an old folk tale, my liege. Of a man who rides into hell itself, and receives all the rewards that are coming to him." Castle Nox opened its gates, and welcomed in a new lord. [[Aftermath]]

The vision fades. You find yourself at the red-stained battlefield once more, but it is now quiet and abandoned. Wind howls across the lifeless bodies strewn among the ground. You feel weak and worn out, but you remain standing. Altan, however, does not. His mighty steed is gone, and he is on his knees, holding himself up with one hand that's buried to the elbow in the blood and filth. His perfect white clothing is splattered and drenched in gore. Eren is beside him, the jackal's expression cold and distant. Eventually, Altan turns to Eren. "It was never my soul, was it? I always wondered. Those pieces never felt like mine, not like how the other lords described theirs. I assumed I simply had no connection to it, like...like with everything else", he says. "Is that how you always saw me?" His once booming voice is robbed of its depth and strength by the biting wind and empty fields. Is it over? With his power gone, Altan looks like a broken and defeated man. His fur is limp and wet, and he no longer stands separate and above the battle like he once did. When Eren doesn't respond, Altan reaches into the mud and pulls out his lion mask, now completely soaked with red. He places it on his face, and the expression is exhausted and beaten. "Let it end, then. I am long overdue. I may never have had a soul, but at the end I would like to pretend that I did." The power will be yours to claim once Altan is dead. He more than deserves it. No one in the world would miss him. You glance at Eren, the jackal's eyes focused on Altan's slumped form. <<if $evildeeds > 0>> For a moment you feel a twinge of sympathy, but it fades quickly. You have done too many terrible things so far to be worried about sentimentality. [[Kill Altan|Kill Altan2]] <<else>> [[Kill Altan|Kill Altan2]] [[Spare Altan]] <</if>>

You know instinctively how to sever his power. It is as easy as twisting your wrist. The jewel flashes and disappears. Altan snarls, and his mask crumbles to dust. His fine clothes decay, burning and blackening as they become charred rags. His porcelain face cracks and corrodes, revealing a fanged maw that drips with ichor. He reaches out, his body shifting and twisting, becoming feral and mangy and monstrous. The ground beneath you becomes wet and foul, and bony hands reach up and grab at his fur, dragging him down into the mud and filth. Eren watches it all with hollow eyes, then walks off slowly into the distance. He becomes hazy and indistinct, then is gone. Altan is gone. All that is left is a glowing, swirling vortex of pulsing blackness. The raw power of Nox. The power of a lord. [[Claim the Power]] [[Forego the Power]]

Altan is without a doubt one of the most heinous warmongers in history. Countless people died at his hand, both warriors and civilians. Whatever his glorious dreams of peace were, he never achieved them. His ambitions only brought misery and death. If the castle had not claimed him, how many more would have died for his supposed dreams? It changed him, gave him his fantasies and sealed him up inside them. Does it understand what it is doing? He looks at you with hollow eyes. He wants death, and he certainly deserves it. You see Eren holding his hand. If Nox can change others, if this place is just a dream, it can be a better dream than this. You clench the crystal in your hand, focusing on the power of Nox, on the voice of the castle that is always on the cusp of your hearing. Behind Altan and Eren, a portal emerges. Altan turns and looks into it, but there is nothing but mysterious darkness beyond. He looks up into Eren's eyes, and reaches to the jackal's face before slowly removing his mask. Eren helps him stand, and the two of them look into the portal. You don't know where it goes. It could be to some terrible punishment, or some strange new land. "Eren. You once said you would walk with me into hell. Is that still true?", Altan says. Eren takes his hand and squeezes it gently. They look into eachother's eyes. "Perhaps I did have a soul after all. If I ever did, it was you", Altan whispers to Eren. Together, they walk into the portal, and beyond this world. The power fades, and you gasp as you fall to your knees, sore and exhausted. You have used every last drop of it, leaving none for yourself. It is time to leave. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $withderevan to true>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> <<set $withconnery to true>> <</if>> <<if $withderevan && $withconnery>> Behind you, Derevan makes a noise that is halfway between a whine and a sigh. Sir Connery chuckles and slaps the goat's back comfortingly. <<elseif $withderevan>> Behind you, Derevan makes a noise that is halfway between a whine and a sigh. <</if>> <<set $faith to $faith+3>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> [[Leave Altan's realm]]

The blood and filth and chaos of war saps at your body and your soul. Every movement in this hellish place is a struggle, yet Altan stands above it all, moving on his white steed as the lord and master of this domain. The strikes of his lance part the sea of blood, striking like thunderclaps while his steed leaps from corpse to corpse. Even defending against his blows is a legendary feat. Victory seems almost impossible. The power of a Lord of Nox is overwhelming. Getting close to Altan causes you terrible pain, and if you lack Iron Will then your max stamina will be drained. <<if $ironwill == 0 && !$altanpenalty>> <<set $stamina to $stamina-5>> <<set $altanpenalty to true>> <<if $_stamina > $stamina>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> <</if>> <</if>> <<set $zeligcombat to 20>> <<if $nickwith>> A mighty horn calls out across the battlefield. The sound of it seems to disperse the fog and misery, and many of the living corpses slow their movements then fall dead to the ground. You turn behind you and see Nick, standing outlined in the light on a high ridge as he plays a war bugle. Here, in the realm of Charm, a poet is in his element. He grins at you, and you feel revitalised. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-2>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Stablemaster stalks among the corpses, his long legs seemingly unhindered by the blood and filth. As he passes them, he places a hand on their heads, and each one he touches slowly calms and sinks back to sleep. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Tiny and Boss stand back-to-back, struggling to stay alive in the melee. Tiny's huge bulk is knocking aside blow after blow, but his stamina is clearly draining trying to protect his small and weak brother. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery's hand rests on your shoulder, and you are surprised to see that his white fur is glowing. His eyes are fierce and intense, and there is a grin on his equine face. "They send the dead? Against a Paladin?", he shouts. There is a sudden flood of light, and as it clears you see a glorious and beautiful white stallion standing before you. It takes you a moment to realise it is Sir Connery. You climb up onto his back, and the corpses stagger back in fear from his divine light. Now you can face Altan cavalry-to-cavalry. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-2>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan stays away, doing what he can to distract and harry the corpses that are clinging and slashing at you. His magical tendrils seem weak and limp, and he cannot be of much help. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-1>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf fights beside you, his fur matted with blood. He nips and bites at Altan's horse, drawing blood and wounds like a hunting dog bringing down a stag. <<set $zeligcombat to $zeligcombat-1>> <</if>> <<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Altan, Lord of Charm", "combat": $zeligcombat, "stamina": 25, "maxdamage": 10, "success": "Kill Altan", "death": "DieToAltan2", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_boss "play">>

You step into the whirling vortex, and feel it surrounding you. It batters you like a hurricane, tearing at your flesh, trying to enter you and fill you, to make you something more. You feel the true power and pressure of Nox, the cosmic force of the entity within the castle, and you feel part of it becoming yours. You feel like you are being torn apart, burned away. Every part of your body glows and crackles, and you are like a plank holding back an avalanche. You stop resisting, and in one glorious moment you are born anew. The blood and bones scattered around you rattle and crawl to your feet, then lift you up on a throne of skulls and corpses. You luxuriate in the power, feeling absolute command at your fingertips. It takes you a moment to recover your mind and sanity, but even when you do, you cannot hide the coldness and cruelty in your eyes. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan bows at your throne, his ears and tufted tail twitching in glee. "All is for my Lord", he says with a deep purring moan. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery stares at you, and you see him glance at the depraved throne. He hand rests at his side, next to his sword. <</if>> <<include "DarkLordTF">> [[Become Lord of Charm]] [[Leave Altan's realm]] <<set $might to $might+1>> <<set $magic to $magic+1>> <<set $charm to $charm+1>> <<set $skill to $skill+1>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> <<set $newgameplus to true>> <<set $ngmight to $might>> <<set $ngmagic to $magic>> <<set $ngcharm to $charm>> <<set $ngskill to $skill>> <<set $ngfaith to $faith>> <<set $ngstamina to $stamina>> <<set $ngmoney to $money>> <<set $ngspoints to 5>> <<if $beastskill>> <<set $ngspoints to 6>> <</if>>

You step back, and watch the power swirling and churning. It calls out to you, and you can feel its craving, its need to be used. Gradually the churning smoke fades and falls to the ground, dripping down like silent rain until there is no sign of it left. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan says something unintelligable, but the sound of dismay and disappointment comes through even without words. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery nods to you with great respect, then kneels to pray for the bodies of the countless fallen. <</if>> You don't need Altan's power, and have no desire for his empty dream. It is time to leave. <<set $faith to $faith+2>> <<set $_stamina to $stamina>> [[Leave Altan's realm]]

Nick is following you, but also avoiding the dance floor. He lingers on the edges of the crowd like a wallflower, clearly uncomfortable surrounded by the elegantly dressed nobles, even if most of them are clearly partway to being beasts themselves. You step up to him, and gently take his hand. He's confused for a moment, then yelps as you pull him out into the dance floor. His face flushes pink as you lift one of his arms and begin a two-step waltz. At first he is hesitant, but then he gives you a slightly petulant grin, and adjusts his posture. He begins to lead, spinning and twirling you to and fro. Despite his bulk, he moves with effortless grace, floating across the ballroom like a balloon. He is every bit the entertainer, always sure to pose and twirl in the way that gains the most attention from the crowd. At one point he pulls you tightly close, then dips you in a romantic hold. He smiles at you, then gives a wink before gently kissing you on the lips. His snout is soft and warm, and there is some polite applause from the watching crowd. He stands up and releases you, and gives a small bow before retreating back to the safety of the ballroom's edges. [[The Dance Floor]] <<set $nickflag to 2>>

Altan strikes with blinding speed. One moment you are in combat, the next you are breathless, on your back, and in terrible pain. He steps forward, and as you struggle to breathe he lifts one perfect white foot and places his paw on your chest. He seems larger and more terrible than ever before. How could you ever have thought you could defeat him? How could you stand against something so beautiful, when you are so small, so ugly, so worthless? "It pains me that you refused my hospitality. I wish only for all beings to know pleasure and joy", Altan says. He is once again wearing his flawless white evening suit, as if you were never in battle at all. "I will teach you, I promise. I will show you lust instead of pain, delight instead of dread. You will learn to love me." You turn to the side, and see your allies being dragged forward by Altan's faceless servants. <<if $nickwith>> First is Nick, who's pink body becomes glossy and smooth. He shudders as he shrinks and squeaks, then falls to the ground. Altan picks up a pink rubber pig snout on a strap, the inside of which has a thick glossy shaft that will penetrate the throat of anyone who wears it. <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is shoved forward, and he lifts his hands to draw on his binding powers. However, his own magic turns on him, wrapping him up in black tendrils as he shudders and yells. In moments, he falls to the ground as nothing but a black leather bondage harness. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery is pushed to his knees, his body gleaming and silvery. As you watch, he is compressed and shrunk down, letting out one last whinny before his body solidifies into metal and falls to the ground with a gentle tinkle. All that remains is a silver chastity cage shaped like a horse's head. <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Stablemaster waves a hand, and the servants of Altan step back. He moves forward willingly, and is engulfed in smoke. When it fades, nothing remains but a pair of leather mittens and a human-sized collar and leash. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Tiny and Boss struggle against the servants, but are forced to stand back-to-back. Their bodies become rubbery and smooth, then start to merge and blend together as they shrink, their clothes falling down until they roll out as one new form. What is left is a double-sided rubber onahole, with a tiger's face on one side and a mouse on the other. <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf snarls at Altan, but quickly begins to weaken and fall to the ground. His fur recedes, revealing smooth glossy red beneath. His limbs shrink away, and his head becomes pointed as he shrinks down into a wolf-cock-shaped wearable red sheath with a prominent knot. <</if>> Altan reaches down and begins to remove your clothing. His hands stroke across your skin, his touch unbearably pleasurable. It feels like every inch of your body is overpoweringly sensitive, each gentle stroke of his pawlike hands making you arch your back and struggle to bite down a moan of pleasure. He presses your arms to your sides, and you feel them stick and fix there as if they were glued to your body. He strokes and squeezes your legs together, and those too become stuck, leaving you wiggling and struggling on the ground beneath him. He kneels over you, stroking and massaging your body. The pleasure is unbearable, your mind becoming filled with thoughts of how badly you need to orgasm. As he touches you, your skin becomes pale and drained of colour, your body turning glossy and smooth. Everywhere he touches you, you are left ivory-white and glistening. Your insides feel heavy and tight, and your body squeaks as you move. Finally, he strokes your head, and you feel your skull and mind becoming solid white rubber as your streamlined body is molded to a pointed tip. He picks you up, and you feel small and heavy in his hands. The ball resumes around you as he carries you out from the reverie and out to a back hall leading to a sumptuous bedroom. He sighs as he lies down, a deep disappointment in his voice. From the shadows, the masked jackal appears and then gently sits on the bed next to his master. Altan lies back, allowing the jackal to strip him with great care and affection. Once the mighty lion lord is naked, the jackal knees over him, then lifts Altan's legs and picks you up in one gloved hand. You feel your head being pressed against Altan's tight, ivory-white hole. You feel your entire body grow hotter and hotter, the pleasure within you becoming more fierce and intense. The jackal presses you deeper, and you sink inch by inch into Altan's backside. You can feel the deep rumbling of his pleasured purrs, the twitches of his enormous powerful body. Finally, you are pressed down to your base as you stretch and fill Altan's backside. Your head presses against the lion's prostate, and he growls and pants, his cock twitching and gushing with pre. With you inside him, Altan reaches up and drags his jackal servant down into a deep kiss. He will teach you the pleasures of the flesh, and you will be there with him every night. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

Fight against titan Altan, stronger even than the beast and completely insane.

If he doesn't remember you, perhaps his body will. You lean forward and push his mask aside, then press your mouth to his. His flat piglike snout is warm and bristly, and you taste the sweet cherry flavour of the pie on his long, thick tongue as you kiss him. He blinks in surprise, and chuckles a little. "You know, there's easier ways to share the pie, friend. There's more than enough for everyone." With his mask removed, the full extent of his change is clear. His ears are soft and pink, flopped over like those of a domestic pig, but his snout is longer and wider, with the thick tusks more associated with a boar. His hefty chins are covered in bristles, and his nose is flat and glossy. You touch your hands to his belly, sliding your fingers against the straining buttons and freeing his girth from the tight confines of his shirt. He leans back, not resisting as you admire the massive round ball of his gigantic piggish belly. It's even larger than before, and as you massage and rub it, he shudders and snorts. You can see his pants tenting, a hefty and hard rod pushing up against the fabric. You slide down under the table, and stroke against his crotch, feeling his shaft twitch and respond to your touch. With a tug of his belt, his cock springs free, the tip leaking and dripping with pre. It's gotten longer and thicker from his transformation, now a heavy brick of throbbing, needy flesh. As you slide your mouth forward onto it, he snorts and groans. His hands clench onto the table, his crotch thrusting into you as his fat cock pushes into your throat, the taste of his heavy meat filling your mouth. He shudders and gasps, his belly pressing down on your head as you suck and pleasure him. With a loud, piggish snort, he bucks forward, slamming his cock into your throat and then unleashing a thick rush of hot cum that floods your mouth. You are barely able to keep up with it, and his orgasm seems to last far far longer than a human's would, an endless messy burst of thick gushing seed. When he finally softens, you stand up from under the desk, and he looks at you with a dazed, exhausted expression. Then after a moment, he grabs you and pulls you tightly against his fat belly, a smile on his face. "How could I forget a mouth as skilled as that? Thank you for bringing me to my senses", he whispers in your ear. He looks down at himself, and shudders as he sees his fat gut, his trotter-like feet, his piggish body. "And thank you for not being disgusted by...all of this", he says. His face is red and flustered, and he squeezes you tightly. "If I had to wake up and find myself an actual pigman, I can't think of a better way to soften the blow than having you show so intensely that you still find me attractive. I suppose you must really like big guys, huh?" He pulls himself together, buttoning up his shirt and pants. "Alright. I'm with you, let's get out of here. I'm not getting separated from you this time!" [[The Buffet]] <<set $nickwith to true>> <<set $nickflag to 1>>

Despite your best efforts, you cannot distract Nick from the buffet. He rebuffs your words, ignores your touch, and eventually shoves you out of the way in order to stuff his face into a particularly thick trifle. To your dismay, you have no choice but to go on without him. <<set $nickromance to 0>> [[The Buffet]]

You can see Nick awkwardly holding his rotund belly, adjusting his uncomfortable formal-wear, and avoiding the touch of anyone nearby. The discomfort he feels from his current form is obvious to you. You tap his shoulder, and when he turns to you, you push his mask aside and press your mouth to his. His flat piglike snout is warm and bristly, and you taste the sweet lingering cherry flavour of the pie on his long, thick tongue as you kiss him. He blinks in surprise, his face flushed and anxious. "What are you doing?", he mumbles. With his mask removed, the full extent of his change is clear. His ears are soft and pink, flopped over like those of a domestic pig, but his snout is longer and wider, with the thick tusks more associated with a boar. His hefty chins are covered in bristles, and his nose is flat and glossy. When he tries to step away, you take his hands gently and pull him close. You touch your hands to his belly, sliding your fingers against the straining buttons and freeing his girth from the tight confines of his shirt. He resists briefly, then relents as you admire the massive round ball of his gigantic piggish belly. It's even larger than before, and as you massage and rub it, he shudders and snorts. You can see his pants tenting, a hefty and hard rod pushing up against the fabric. "You don't have to do this, I know I'm not, I don't exactly look...", he mumbles, but you ignore him. You kneel down and stroke against his crotch, feeling his shaft twitch and respond to your touch. With a tug of his belt, his cock springs free, the tip leaking and dripping with pre. It's gotten longer and thicker from his transformation, now a heavy brick of throbbing, needy flesh. As you slide your mouth forward onto it, he snorts and groans. His hands clench and unclench nervously, his crotch thrusting into you as his fat cock pushes into your throat, the taste of his heavy meat filling your mouth. He shudders and gasps, his belly pressing down on your head as you suck and pleasure him. With a loud, piggish snort, he bucks forward, slamming his cock into your throat and then unleashing a thick rush of hot cum that floods your mouth. You are barely able to keep up with it, and his orgasm seems to last far far longer than a human's would, an endless messy burst of thick gushing seed. When he finally softens, you stand up from under the desk, and he looks at you with a dazed, nervous expression. Then after a moment, he grabs you and pulls you tightly against his fat belly, a smile on his face. Thank you for not being disgusted by...all of this", he says. His face is red and flustered, and he squeezes you tightly. "If I had to wake up and find myself an actual pigman, I can't think of a better way to soften the blow than having you show so intensely that you still find me attractive. I suppose you must really like big guys, huh?" He pulls himself together, buttoning up his shirt and pants. "Alright, let's get out of here. I'm not getting separated from you this time!" [[The Buffet]] <<set $nickflag to 1>>

<<statcheck 11 $charm "charm" "Perform success" "Perform fail">>

<<if $ironwill > 0>> You grit your teeth, drawing on your iron will. <<statcheck 11 $faith "faith" "Passed Check" "Failed Check">> <<else>> <<statcheck 14 $faith "faith" "Passed Check" "Failed Check">> <</if>>

<<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Altan, the Noble", "combat": 6, "stamina": 10, "maxdamage": 4, "success": "WonFirst", "death": "Die to Altan", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

<<set _combatdetails to { "name": "Altan the Duelist", "combat": 9, "stamina": 12, "maxdamage": 6, "success": "WonSecond", "death": "Die to Altan", "noflee": true }>> <<combat _combatdetails>> <<music_main "stop">> <<music_combat "play">>

Yes, it is time to claim your throne. Everything you have struggled for, everything you fought for all led to this moment. With a wave of your hand, the sky splits open with torrential rain. The blood and gore is washed away in a flood, slowly revealing smooth, featureless white marble. At your will, the marble rises into columns, walls, statues. You step forward and float in the air, as if walking on invisible steps. The rules of reality mean nothing. Everything here exists at your will. Everything you used to own seems petty and inferior, now. You allow your clothing to drop away, disintegrating to dust. The items and equipment you struggled for you now toss aside without a thought. You draw on Nox itself to clothe you, this realm to grant you everything you ever need. The ivory crawls up your legs, surrounding you, engulfing you as it urges you to think your desires and manifest them into being. Your remaining humanity seems so flimsy and pointless now. You let the power of the marble fill you, stretching and straining you. Your body grows tall and powerful, slender chiselled muscles developing, as smooth and flawless as carved stone. You let the marble swallow up your legs, feeling your once-human limbs melt and disintegrate. Then you flex, shattering the stone and revealing perfect white talons, with long thick claws. You dismiss your human arms, letting them melt away before replacing them with long, elegant wings. Your flesh turns creamy white, before elongating and dripping for a moment, each droplet forming a perfect white feather. Your face hardens, pushing forward and transforming into a glistening, elegant black beak stretched into a confident smile. You clad your body in silk and silver and jewels, a beautiful tuxedo, an embroidered cravat. Then you pour the power of Charm into you, let it flow through you and out behind you. Raw Nox energy manifests into long feathers, stretching and growing as they become a wide, enormous fan of white feathers. All along each feather in your fan is a pattern of glowing, shimmering eyes, all coruscating with power and dominance. When you allow yourself to land back down, you are no longer human. You are the Peacock Lord of Charm. <<if $nickwith>> <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is the first to react. He falls to his knees at your feet, his whole body shaking and trembling. “My lord! Our plans have come to fruition! I am yours, to command and control!”, he says. His feelings seem sincere, until you see the faint glowing lines emerging from where his hands are on the ground. The lines flow up your legs and body, forming a glittering web around you. Furious, you flex your power and dismiss them. He flinches, but smiles. He wishes only to serve you. All is for his Lord. You don’t want to spoil your big moment. You will forgive him, you suppose. It is only his nature, and to be entranced by you is natural. You lift him to his feet, but allow your power to flow into him for a moment. His horns fade, his fur becoming black feathers. He squawks and shudders, looking down at himself as he transforms into a scruffy black crow. A reminder of his inferiority compared to your unlimited beauty. “Thank you, my lord. I will be your most loyal and valuable servant...” He bows and stands behind you, his hands covetously touching your tailfeathers. You ignore it, for now. The feeling is rather pelasant. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery's face is red with fury. "How could you?", he snarls. "Did you bring me here only to betray us all, betray humanity itself?" He draws his sword, but with a flick of your wrist you send it tumbling from his grasp. He's clearly exhausted and weak, and as he charges at you it is an effortless thought to trip him over and leave him struggling and encased within glue-like ivory. It's so disappointing. Why can't he see the truth? Why must he be so small-minded, so set in his ways? Beauty is all that matters. You kneel kindly before him, then force the ivory around his neck so that his gaze is locked up at you - at your tailfeathers. His eyes tremble for a moment, then his pupils widen. You can feel him struggling, calling on the power of his training, but it is of no use. The eyes on your tail glow and swirl, spin and throb. He starts to smile, his expression softening. You take his holy sword where it fell, and pull him free from the ivory prison. He stumbles, his hands flexing, his will still holding on. You look down at his engraved sword, the last remnant of his order. With a thought, you let it melt and reshape into a gleaming, beautiful silver horse penis. You press it to his crotch, sliding his own manhood inside while the silver dildo forms straps and restraints, fixing permanently onto his body. "Don't do this to me...", he whispers. You ignore it. You simply turn your back, and raise your tail. You do nothing else to his mind, but he is unable to resist. He steps forward, reaching for you desperately. He presses his face into your tailfeathers, and his new silver cock into your tight, perfect hole. You trill in pleasure as he ruts you like a mindless beast, his motions getting frantic, desperate. "I'm...I'm your slut...your whore...", he mutters, froth dripping from his mouth. He whinnies, unable to reach release, unable to pull away. You use him until you tire of the pleasure, then gently push him aside. By then his eyes are vacant and dead. He is nothing but a toy for you, now. <</if>> <<if $nickwith>> Nick smiles at you, but doesn't step closer. "You're beautiful", he whispers. You can see his desire for you, and also his acceptance. He doesn't particularly care if you want to become a monstrous Lord or not. So why won't he embrace you? He notices your expression, and looks down at himself. "Like this? I don't deserve someone as fine as-", he says. You interrupt him. With a rush forward, you embrace him in your wings, and kiss your smooth beak to his snout. As his tongue slides into your beak, your power turns his clothes into the finest white silks. You cover his fingers with silver rings, drape him with finery and jewels. When you step away, he no longer looks bashful. In fact, his pants are tenting quite prominently. "I get the picture, my friend. I am with you, no matter what. I hope you have room in your bed for a fat hog, because I want to sit on that beautiful beak of yours", he says teasingly. A pleasure for later, perhaps. <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf watches your change with caution. You approach him, and he sniffs the air, then relaxes into your touch. You stroke over his head and back, feeling his warmth and his loyalty. Even if you become a monster, he will stand by your side. You grant him an ivory collar, and fill him with a fragment of your power. His body grows thicker and taller, until he is the size of a draft horse, a towering beast. With the change, his fur becomes gleaming white, and his claws take on a silver sheen. He is yours, now and forever. <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh shakes his head and steps back from you in alarm when you approach. The stallion is unsettled by the changes, but you soothe him with a wave of your hand, allowing your power to enter his mind and make his feral animal instincts stronger. He allows you to stroke him, and you turn his bridle and reins into silver straps and buckles. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Tiny and Boss look uncertain about these dramatic new changes. Or at least Boss does - he's clenching his hands and sweating with fear. Tiny on the other hand is entranced by your tail, his eyes wide and adoring. "G-glad we could help you, your grace. We'll just get out of your hair", Boss says as he tugs at Tiny. You wave your arm, and a wave of ivory washes over them, making Boss scream in fear. Then it passes. Tiny looks down at himself, seeing he has grown even more rotund and soft. His fur is now creamy and pale, like a white tiger, and in place of his muscles is cushiony softness. Perfect for a bed companion. Boss is changed too, grown larger in multiple ways. His fur is soft white, a perfect little white mouse, but most prominently he is now sporting an oversized, twitching and throbbing manhood between his legs. Already you are dreaming of lying on Tiny's belly while letting Boss fill you. They look at eachother for a moment. You can sense there is some hesitation, still. You snap your fingers, and piles of silver coins appear in front of Boss's soft pink feet. “Oh! Perfect, then. Just call me your loyal gigolo, your grace!”, Boss says with delight. <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Stablemaster watches everything with a calm, almost paternal gaze. He approaches you, his body still so tall and lanky even with your new larger body. His clawed hand strokes your cheek, and he leans in to embrace you. “My Beast. I will remain by your side always, through thick and thin.” You don’t need to use your power on him at all. The realm seems to react to his wishes almost like it does your own. His bandages fall away, his wounds and scars healing. His clothing darkens, becoming a fine white overcoat and elegant waistcoat with silver stitches. He smiles at you with his twisted wolflike face, and you sense once more that he is concealing more than he lets on. <</if>> It is time to take your throne, and your new life. [[The New Lord of Charm]]

You have no intention of staying in this dream forever. Altan's beautiful palace was always built within a swamp of blood and human suffering. Each marble tile was laid upon the bones of the people he crushed to gain his power. You walk through the battlefield, and the bones of the dead rise and become a gateway. As you pass through, you feel reality tighten around you, and you step out beyond Altans's palace, back to the courtyard between the four lordrealms. You may have given up the position of Lord for now, but you feel stronger from this mighty battle. Your skill points have increased. [[Leave this castle for good|What Next?]] <<if !$altanskill>> <<set $skillpoints to $skillpoints+1>> <<set $altanskill to true>> <</if>> <<set $newgameplus to true>> <<set $ngmight to $might>> <<set $ngmagic to $magic>> <<set $ngcharm to $charm>> <<set $ngskill to $skill>> <<set $ngfaith to $faith>> <<set $ngstamina to $stamina>> <<set $ngmoney to $money>> <<set $ngspoints to 5>> <<if $beastskill>> <<set $ngspoints to 6>> <</if>>

Seeing the dance floor with all the guests having fun, hearing the music, something about all of it fills you with a giddy desire to entertain. To make people laugh and clap. Basically, to make an ass of yourself. You leap into the middle of the dance floor, and immediately begin a ridiculous dance, out of time with both the music and with all elegant dance trends. You spin and twirl, your feet clop and tap against the ground. At one point you tumble around on the ground like an acrobat, sending the dresses of the noble ladies swirling. Finally, once everyone in the ballroom's attention is fixed to you, you spin on your head, do a flip, and let out an overwhelmingly loud and humiliating HEE-HAW! The ensuing laughter fills the room, and your buck-toothed grin is as big as your embarrassment is. <<include "DonkeyTF">> [[The Dance Floor]] <<set $donkeydance to true>>

You sit down next to him, your long ears flicking and twitching. He's quiet, contemplating something while he tries to muster his words. For your part, you are content to sit and be with him. The wind rustles through the flowerbeds, and you think about your changes. Around crowds of people, you have been compelled to perform and make a fool of yourself. Their laughter and amusement has filled you with pleasure, but the more you've indulged that, the more of your humanity you have lost. At this point if you stood on all fours, you'd be indistinguishable from a normal donkey. It's possible if you keep this up you could lose your humanity completely. Nick reaches over, and gently strokes your head. His fingers play with your ears and tease down the back of your neck, lingering on your growing mane. "We make quite the pair, don't we? A poet pig, and a donkey fool", he says with a sigh. He pulls you close, and presses his lips to yours. Your furry donkey face nuzzles against his flat porcine one, your tongues touching together. His hands slide along your chest, feeling your fur, your belly, your thighs. He looks deep into your eyes and holds you tightly. "I love you, my sweet, kind donkey. Your love of performing has rekindled my own. If you truly want to keep on this path, even knowing the curse on you, I would like to walk it with you", he says. His soft voice turns to a performer's one as he projects his speech. "Pigman Nick, and the Wonderful Dancing Donkey!", he says with an outstretched arm. "We could be travelling entertainers together, wander the land, make our fortune and play in the courts of kings and sultans!" He smiles at you and leans his cheek to yours. "If I was with you, I'd happily perform even at the smallest, dingiest little tavern. When we get out of here, if that is what you would like, I would spend my life with you, as your partner in arts and in business." He releases you, and stands up. You squeeze his arm gently as you return to the mission at hand. Whether you really want to leave this place and spend your life as a performing donkey is something you can worry about once you are free from these horrors. [[The Gardens]] <<set $nickflag to 3>>

You fight to the last, striking down hordes of the dead, deflecting each of Altan's mountain-crushing blows. Yet the longer the fight goes on, the more the ache and misery and toxicity of this hellish scene drags at your limbs, slows your body and your mind. A sudden terrible shock fills your body, your limbs going rigid. You look down to see Altan's lance jutting from your chest, piercing you completely. The shock comes before the pain, which follows as you see your blood leak from the edges of the hole. Your allies struggle and cry as they are dragged into the blood and filth, to become more of Altan's terrible army of the dead. Altan releases the lance, and you slump forward into the sea of gore. He dismounts his horse, which crumbles and falls apart, rotting instantly into nothing. There is a long moment of silence, as he stares up at the sky. His perfect white body is soaked and filthy with blood and viscera, his hideous mask a reflection of his hideous deeds. Eventually, he speaks, though his voice seems distant and far-off to your dying body. "No other Seeker brought me so close to defeat", he says. His voice is cold and emotionless, as if he were describing the weather on a cloudy day. He looks down at you, then rips the lance from your body in one smooth motion, sending an arc of blood flicking through the air. He kneels down, and presses a hand to your chest. Slowly, your flesh knits together, sealing up and healing as if there were no wound at all. Despite that, you still feel numb and weak, unable to move. He lifts you up with one hand, your body flopping like a ragdoll. Without turning, he addresses the jackal behind him. "Come, Eren. This one at last is a fitting reward for you", he says. He begins to wade through the blood, which slowly fades. The world shifts and warps, gore cascading from his fur as he somehow steps out back onto marble tiles in the beautiful palace. As he moves, you can see that the bloodstains don't truly ever leave. The palace-dream simply covers them up. Every part of Altan's realm is masks, layer upon layer, none of them ever fully removing the beast beneath. He drags you to a silken, elegant bedroom, and places you on the palatial bed. Slowly he massages your limp body, power flowing from his beautiful white-furred hands into your flesh. Your body shivers and trembles, slowly becoming lean, muscular and flawlessly attractive, like the anatomy of a marble statue. Your skin tingles as ivory-white fur spreads out from every inch of you. Altan massages your feet, shifting and reshaping them into white feline paws. He thickens your biceps, widens your shoulders, stretches and molds your skull into a heavy lion's muzzle. A thick white mane flows from your scalp, and before long you are lying on the bed as a perfect, mirror-like replica of Altan himself. The lion lord then turns you over, and gently strokes a claw down your back. Your body weakens, deflating and sinking flat like a popped balloon. Your back opens up, revealing a hole that shows your interior is lined with soft silk. "Come, Eren. At last you will be just like me. I can reward you, make you lordly as I always promised I would", he says. As he picks you up, you briefly see the jackal behind him. Unseen to Altan, Eren's face is twisted with disgust and hatred. He conceals it immediately, and nods. "Of course, your grace", he says. The jackal strips down, revealing his lithe and slender black body and long, soft shaft. He takes you from Altan, and you feel the intense, alien sensation of his feet sliding inside you, filling your own. He flexes his toes, and yours move as a costume layer over the top. He pulls you further over him, his manhood entering and stretching out the one between your legs. Altan steps forward, tenderly pulling the costume further over Eren. The jackal's hands slide into your arms, his fingertips teasing and touching over the inside of your body before he fills your hands like gloves. His chest is within yours, his body giving you the fullness and shape you didn't know you now craved. At last, Altan pulls the head of the costume, your head, over Eren's. You feel not only your face being filled, but your mind as well. Your thoughts and memories are pushed aside, your consciousness as empty as your body, as you become nothing but a suit. Eren opens his mouth, and your face opens and moves at his will. Altan strokes your back, sealing your entrance closed, and trapping Eren within you. The lion lord lays down on his bed, inviting Eren closer. Both his body and Eren's are now identical, perfect clones, the ultimate vanity. Eren smiles, moving down to stroke and kiss the lion below him. He and you are one now, and through his perfect act you can feel the disgust and revulsion he feels at every moment of pampering this violent, ruthless king. Something more, too, however. A secret buried deep down under Eren's own layers of masks, falsehoods, and acting. Eren does truly love Altan. Those are your last conscious thoughts, as you become nothing but Eren's new feline body, lost in the pleasure of his rutting shaft, heaving breath, and mating with his beloved, hated king. Your journey ends here. You are part of Castle Nox now. [[Begin Anew|Intro]]

From that day forth, you act as one of Altan's vassals within the castle. Your mind and his are linked, bound by your reflected costume of his body. You feel his desires, his will, and his pleasures. Over time, the line between what he wants and what you want becomes so blurred that you exist almost as an extension of his will. Through the powerful connection to Nox gained from being so close to Altan, you are able to move through the castle's twisting and supernatural corridors. You can leave through any room or entrance, and move into the strange, pulsing and organic flesh of the castle to re-emerge at any other chamber it has created. You attend diplomatic missions to meet the other lords, events they tolerate with varying levels of sincerity. You attend Sten's great sweaty feasts in the firelit longhouse in his frozen realm, politely eating roasted venison with a silver fork while his men boast and quaff. You visit Zelig's casino, welcomed into the high roller's lounge where you fritter away a king's ransom on roulette and horse racing. You even, rarely, visit Eskander's tower, where he contains you in a stark and cold dining room within his tower, watching you with a vicious intensity for the entire meal. When the other lords send their agents in the endless power play between them, you lure them into depravity and hedonism, leaving them broken and mindless pleasure slaves within your court. Your work gives you incredible pleasure. Moving so freely, being so powerful, is intoxicating. Even so, it is no match for the pleasures available in your barony. You have a castle of your own, an army of servants and yes-men. Mindless nobles flatter and praise you, drugs and sweets and pleasurable company is yours at a mere thought. You regularly participate in orgies within your deepest castle halls, where writhing piles of naked men and women beckon you to join them. Your stone body is insatiable and never-tiring, and you can lose yourself for weeks or even months in an endless session of rutting, orgasm, kissing and heaving. Sometimes even Seekers visit your castle. They are each inevitably dragged into the orgy, where over years you break them down through endless pleasure. Their memories and skills become your own, their bodies left hollow and empty. Your allies find their own place in Altan's realms, as he promised, though their reactions to your changes differ. <<if $nickwith>> Nick adjusts astonishingly well to this life. The very next day after your change he meets up with you, wearing a white suit tailored to his rotund and inhuman body. While you are still adjusting to your new life, he eagerly takes control of the costs and administration of your castle's goods and resources. You insist that any amount of treasure could be created for him, but he explains that he enjoys the feeling of buying and selling, haggling and getting a good deal. He takes naturally to being a combination of treasurer and quartermaster, and as the years pass he even opens trade routes of a sort with the other Lords. Your larders are stocked with fine wines from Zelig's casino, your library is filled with rare tomes from Eskander's library, and your meals feature freshly-roasted deer from Sten's magical glacial forests. <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is disappointed by your choice, and often implores you to usurp and overthrow Altan. Even so, he adjusts quickly to this new life. He manages your affairs, organises traps and challenges for Seekers who enter your realm, and maintains diplomatic relations with the other Lords. During your regular meetings with Altan, you notice that Derevan starts to dress and behave much like Altan's own second-in-command, the jackal Eren. At first they seem to hate each other, both of them snapping at one another when in private, and both trying to out-perform the other. Over time you realise this becomes a bizarre form of competitive friendship. The two have much in common. <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Stablemaster suffers in the sterile, elegant confines of the castles and ball rooms. Eventually he retreats from your castle itself, and instead creates a beautiful and enormous set of stables at the rear gardens. He spends all of his time there, caring for a vast collection of magnificent steeds. From time to time, he intercepts Seekers who come to your realm. Before you can induct them into your court, he takes those chosen adventurers and grooms them into becoming new horses for his collection. They are treated with nothing but kindness and adoration, to the point it sometimes makes you envious. When you visit his stables, he often gives you an enigmatic smile, and insists that you could become his contented beast whenever you desire. <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh is not made for living within a castle, but he flourishes in the stables and in the vast lands of your estate. He becomes the head of your carriage, wearing plumage on his mane when you need to travel in style. When not on duty, he spends his time with his favourite mares - many of whom were once human men and women. <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery is disgusted by your choice. You never get a chance to talk to him about it. The first time you try to find him after your change, you find he has left to face Eskander alone. You never hear from him again. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Boss and Tiny fit right in. When they find out you have a powerful role within the realm, they immediately cheer for you and ask for places that fit their personal skills. Tiny looks surprisingly dashing wearing tailored white armour as the head of your royal guard. The look is only slightly marred by his love of pets and belly rubs whenever you or one of your friends visits. Boss starts to call himself a baronet, though you are fairly sure he doesn't know what that means. He indulges himself in fine wine, fine women, and extremely fine cheese. Anyone who makes jokes about the cheese gets whipped, but when you attend one such 'whipping' you discover that it's less punishment and more erotic roleplay. <</if>> <<hasitem "Snake Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your snake seems fairly happy anywhere. Over time its scales become smooth and white, and it is often found slinking around your castle, scaring the maids and generally causing trouble. <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf struggles within these artificial, unnatural environments. He tries to remain in your castle at first, but he doesn't belong indoors. He eventually retreats out into your estate, where he prowls the grounds. Even there, the artificially clipped lawns, hedge mazes and orchards are no replacement for true wildlands. He remains loyal and steadfast despite that. Even so, you feel his dreams, and he dreams of running free through the snow, beneath the moon. This is not the life he wished for, but it is one he can accept. <</if>> Things are not perfect, and they do not stay the same forever, even here. As years pass, you sense a strange sickness within Nox. Every day the power is waning, and the battle between the lords for a share of the dwindling magic becomes fiercer and harsher. Eventually, things may need to come to a full war. You have found a life within the castle, one where you are not a slave or a beast. Nothing ever stays the same forever, but for now, this is [[The End|Intro]]

You have already made your decision about your life now. Even knowing that your curse will punish you the more you entertain others, you cannot resist the lure to perform. You explain it to Nick, and he gently strokes your head and kisses your donkey lips. "We'll be a wonderful team", he says with a chuckle. Before that, you have some business to arrange to though. <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery bows to you. "You have completed a mighty trial, my friend. One which not even my paladinal order has ever achieved, not since the days of our holy heroes. I wish you joy and health in your future, but I have my own path to follow. I must face Eskander, and pray that I have your strength and courage. If I survive, I will tell the tale of the donkey who's valour was greater than a lion's!" He takes his weapon and marches towards the tower in the distance. You can only hope his quest is successful. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Boss and Tiny come up to you, and Boss grunts. "Well, it was pretty impressive, I guess. I am sure we could have handled it ourselves, though." Tiny grins and embraces you in a massive, bone-crushing hug. "You be famous! Delight everyone", he rumbles. Boss laughs, and looks up at you bashfully. "Well alright, I might miss you a bit. You would have been a great part of our squad. Put up posters, alright? If we're on a job and you're doing a show anywhere nearby, we are not going to miss it." Tiny heaves up a sack of riches from the castle onto his shoulder, and the two of them wave to you as they leave. <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan is staring at you with unconcealed loathing. "You don't make this easy for me, do you? I won't give up, my lord. I came back from Nox poisoning, and this is merely a setback. I want to make it clear that when the one true Lord of Nox is a dancing donkey who juggles balls, on your head be it." He storms off, his staff thumping against the ground with every step. <</if>> <<hasitem "Snake Companion">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> On the way out of the castle, you return your snake friend to the woods. This is his home, and while you would welcome him in your performance, he is a solitary hunter. This is where he belongs. <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The last duty you need to handle is Rayleigh. He has already done more than his duty in helping you across two lives, and he deserves peace and rest. You make the long journey back to his home estate, and return him to the pasture there to run and frolic with his mares. Elenor Rayleigh meets you at the gates, and bows to you. "Thank you for returning Philip. While you were gone, I felt a great and terrible weight lessen on this house. Your quest was a success, I know it was. Thank you. You will always be welcome here." You wave as you leave, and prepare to accept your new life. <</if>> You make your way to a town, talking to Nick about your ideas the whole way. The two of you come up with countless songs, limericks and comic plays, too many to even record with what little paper you have with you. When you reach the town, they initially react with alarm and shock at seeing two Nox beasts. Nick immediately goes into his performer mode, exciting them all with teasers about the greatest show in the world, the magnificent return of Pigman Nick and his beloved dancing donkey. After some tense negotiation with the local mayor, you are permitted to perform in the town square. You put on one of the acts you wrote while travelling, called "The Donkey Hero". Nick performs the play himself, a comic adventure about a donkey who stumbles into Castle Nox and accidentally defeats all four Lords. As he recites the verse, you act out the part with a combination of dances and acrobatic performances. You twirl, you tap, you juggle balls on your nose and even give donkey rides to volunteers from the audience. When you break for the intermission, your body is sweating and your heart is pounding. The audience's laughter and applause is completely addictive. Your clothing feels strained and painful, and you clumsily pull it off with your stiff, darkened hands. Nick looks at you with concern, but you insist on finishing the show. The second half is even more popular than the first. The joy of performing seems to fill you up, making you grow bigger, heavier. When the climax of the play is reached, the crowd gives you a standing ovation. You try to thank them, but all that comes out is a loud, screeching HEE-HAW that makes them laugh even more. You stumble on your hind legs, then fall forward onto all fours hooves. You snort, realising that the curse is fully complete. You are physically a donkey in every way, unable to ever return to humanity. It doesn't bother you at all. Nick uses the treasure from Nox and your payment from the villagers to buy you a painted wagon for travelling performances. At first he tries to buy some horses to pull it, but you explain through brays and mime that you want to do it. So instead he buys a colourful harness for you, and straps you to the front. Your performing journey has begun. [[Donkey's Life]]

You may be a donkey, but you are a Nox-blooded donkey. You never tire, and you are stronger than an entire pack of horses. You pull the carriage so fast that Nick has to cling to the reins, laughing as you storm along the roads. Each time you stop at a new place, you put on a play. The crowds start off small, but the longer you travel, the more word of you starts to spread. It reaches the point that you'll reach large towns and find word of your arrival got there first, and you have a crowd of excited people all straining to see your show. People are entranced by Nick's plays, and delighted by your acting. A donkey who can mime a swordfight, dance a waltz, or backflip through flaming hoops is a sight most people could never have imagined. You often end up with more money than you know what to do with, and at the smaller villages and hamlets Nick is left with armfuls of eggs, cheese and produce instead of coins. While on the road, you and Nick write new acts together, or speak of your adventures, or just spend silent time in each other's arms beneath the stars. You can no longer speak, but you communicate with him through body language and mime, and he always understands you. You are not just partners in business, but in love as well. Nick doesn't care that your body is that of an oversized donkey. You lay together on the grass, his piggish hands stroking over your oversized throbbing shaft. He kisses your dark lips, cuddles against you. Often he mounts you, his thick and heavy shaft plunging deep into your sensitive, firm black tailhole. At other times you make a game of seeing how many inches of your enormous donkey cock he is able to fit inside him. Over time your fame grows to the point you start to see merchandise of yourself. Windows of toy stores sell plush donkeys, or puppets on strings designed to imitate your dancing skills. Nick's plays are written down faithfully and compiled into multiple folios, becoming spread all over the world. <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> One small problem in your life is Derevan. True to his word, he attempts to start a religion based around your fame and performances. This is a task he clearly finds incredibly difficult, but even so from time to time you see stoic-faced acolytes wearing fake donkey ears attending your plays. Derevan himself petulantly refuses to attend them, though you sometimes find elaborate gifts backstage that you suspect could be from him. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Tiny and Boss, as promised, regularly attend your shows. This causes two major problems. First, that people keep assuming the talking tiger and mouse are part of the act, an assumption that annoys Boss terribly. Second is that over the years the two of them become infamous outlaws. Sometimes you notice them attending in secret by hiding in the rafters or in disguise, but just as often their visits turn into a chaotic confrontation with the local law enforcement. <</if>> You have found a life beyond the castle, one where you content, happy, and loved. Nothing ever stays the same forever, but for now, this is [[The End|Intro]]

You settle into your new life with surprising ease. Ruling over a realm comes naturally to you, and when you are unsure what to do, you can almost feel the knowledge and thoughts of the preceding lords guiding and helping you. You are unsure whether it is your own desires, or those lingering feelings from the former lords, but you decide to build your realm slightly differently than Altan did. The Realm of Charm wishes to entertain and delight, but you fulfil those desires in a less refined and sterile way than the lion did. You reshape the palace into a music hall, something you have seen in the larger cities. A place for people of all classes to come and make merry, to see magicians and musicians, comedy and farce. The ballroom becomes an enormous stage with countless seats, the outlying halls become refreshment areas, sitting rooms, and peep shows for those wishing to indulge their lusts. Your realm is filled with music and enjoyment. The trapped souls go from nobles to patrons, eagerly visiting each show, whooping at the acts, throwing flowers or underwear. They munch on popcorn or fried food, they slip away for sexual escapades. At all times of day and night there is delight and sound within the Ivory Hall, and you find many Seekers are drawn in to your appealing realm. After all, you always need new stagehands At the center of it all, you rule as the Ivory Peacock. You manage the show, arrange the acts, and even perform yourself in all manner of delightful shows. All bow to you, all submit their wealth and their lives, and you live in luxury and contentment. <<if $nickwith>> Nick is completely in his element at Ivory Hall. He takes up poetry once more, and his performances become a highlight of the venue. He even gives you assistance and advice on running a place like this. He starts to train some of the Seekers who are claimed by your realm, and before long he has a sort of actor's school within the halls. He also shows his love for you physically and regularly. It's almost impossible to get him out of your bedroom, and you're unsure if he ever even uses his own chambers. Your body is so elegant, refined and beautiful that it makes the raunchy, filthy sex with this horny pig even more delightful. Perhaps it's not appropriate for a Lord of Nox to get their face sat on by a sweaty pigman, or to deep-throat a leaking throbbing hog cock, but who cares? <</if>> <<hasitem "Derevan">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Derevan remains something of a mystery to you, even as years pass. He works tirelessly and almost obsessively, always trying to take over more duties, more hard work. He claims he wishes you to be able to relax and enjoy yourself more, and that all his actions are in service to you. Over time you allow him to handle more and more of the backstage administration, but to his endless annoyance you still insist on performing regularly. From time to time, he even puts on a show himself. It turns out he has quite a flair for stage magic. He acts like he hates it and does it only to please you, but sometimes you see him after he receives applause. Being lauded for his magical performance, something he never received in his life before. Under his stoic expression, is there perhaps a hint of contentment? You are always the one in charge, and he alway wishes only to please you. He comes to your chambers each night, entranced by your beautiful tail. He worships it covetously, he strokes his beak along it, he kisses it and you. Every part of you is worshipped, from your feet, to even your tailhole. He begs you to change his body in any way that will please you, so that he may spend all night filling you or riding you. His love is obsessive and burning. It’s what you wanted, you are always sure. Any faint worries that you are merely doing what Derevan wants to happen is always washed away with his soothing words. “All is for my Lord.” <</if>> <<hasitem "Sir Connery">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Sir Connery never recovers from the crushing of his mind. His dignity is gone, as is all his understanding of the world around him. When you are not around he sits drooling on the floor as he strokes his silver cock. When you are near, he begs to fuck you, and you treat him much like you would a particularly enjoyable sex toy. <</if>> <<hasitem "Wolf Leader">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Your wolf remains always at your side, eternally loyal and loving. Your realm lacks the wild forests and mountains he craves, but he seems satisfied to partake in your acts, performing tricks and commands at your side. Sometimes you sense his slight disappointment to be trapped within this realm, but he is content to be by your side. He sleeps next to you, and sometimes you feel his dreams, of running free over fresh snow beneath a gleaming moon. <</if>> <<hasitem "Rayleigh Reborn">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> Rayleigh finds himself quite content as a performing horse on stage. He never needs to grow old or weaken, his equine body always in peak performance, and he's particularly fond of the magic show where you turn a volunteer on-stage into a mare in heat for him to mount. No one ever complains that the volunteer doesn't seem to turn back. <</if>> <<hasitem "Tiny and Boss">> <<if $itemcheck > -1 && $tinyfixed>> Despite Tiny and Boss’s worries, they take to their new lives very easily. It turns out the two of them have quite the knack for comedy, and their two-man act becomes something of a fan favourite. Boss's cry of "Why I oughta!", as his character fumbles due to the actions of his dumb helpful partner always bring the house to laughter. At night the two are at your disposal in bed, as well. Tiny is always eager to hold your gorgeous body, and he adores your beautiful tail. Boss pretends that he only does it because you pay so well, but after a long night of rutting and pleasure with that fat oversized cock of his, more often than not he forgets to pick up his "payment". <</if>> <<hasitem "Stablemaster">> <<if $itemcheck > -1>> The Stablemaster settles in even more easily than you do. He reforms part of Ivory Hall without asking you, creating living quarters for the performing animals in your many shows. He treats them with unending love and kindness, and his fury is terrifying if any animal is ever in danger during a show. Over time, his collection grows, as Seekers find themselves falling for one trap or another, and ending their journeys as permanent beasts. He treats them all with such love that when you visit his quarters you are surprised that you feel none of the lingering resentment that some of the other transformed Seekers cling to. If anything, it feels like all of his animals would remain that way of their own free will if given the chance. He keeps his most intimate adoration for you, however. You find yourself visiting his quarters more and more often. You let him pull you into a haypile or onto a ratty horse blanket, and you feel his strong hairy body, touch his beastlike muzzleto your beak, taste his hard and needy manhood or his tongue between your own legs. He loves you with an animal-like passion, and whenever you are near one another the air is filled with passionate pheromones. He calls you his beloved beast, and despite being a Lord of Nox, you never correct him or insist he call you by your title. You are his beast, and he is yours. <</if>> The other Lords differ in their reactions to this shakeup in the castle’s status quo. Sten remains distant and impartial, barely taking notice. As the years pass you learn the Bear Lord of Might has been here longer than any of the other Lords, and has long since stopped caring about their comings and goings. Eskander is something of a problem. The Elephant Lord of Magic’s arrogance is only matched by his ambition. His minions constantly probe your realm, causing trouble and conflicts. You can feel his power clashing with your own, trying to make you smaller and weaker to extend his own control over the castle. Zelig at first seems like an ally. He's delighted that your realms are so similar, and after much negotiations he even tries to merge your two lands. Your Ivory Hall can be an act as part of his casino! Naturally that falls through, and his deceptive nature becomes quite clear in how he tried to subsume your power as part of his own. Even so, you remain on good terms with him, and both your realms become rivals of a sort, seeing which can attract the most Seekers. Sometimes you find yourself concerned that the castle grows weaker as the decades pass, and the crystalline vines that choke the courtyard grow thicker and stronger. Despite that, you are happy, and your future looks to be filled with endless entertainment. You have found a life within the castle, one where you have everything you could ever desire. You are one with Nox, seated as Lord of all you survey. Nothing ever stays the same forever, but for now, this is [[The End|Intro]]

The grass is just as tasty as it looks. It's thick, vibrant and fresh with dew. It takes some effort to not spend the rest of the night here on all fours filling your belly with it. <<include "DonkeyTF">> [[The Gardens]] <<set $_stamina to $_stamina+1>>

You are a Caller, a trained summoning mage from the Grand Tower. You are an expert in the powerful magic of Calling, allowing you to draw on the power of supernatural entities. You have come to Castle Nox equipped with your own summoned entity, a djinn named Baqaya. Baqaya is an ancient spirit passed down for generations in the Grand Tower. He will fight on your behalf, strengthened by your personal charm. Perhaps you have come here to find the truth of your origins. Perhaps you mean to slay the lords of this dread fortress and take your rightful place. Your reasons are your own. Perhaps you have come here to learn the ancient secrets of old magic, kept hidden within the castle for thousands of years. Perhaps you wish to collect the beings of the castle and add them to your menagerie. Your reasons are your own. If you unlock all the skills within a group, you will be able to master one of the skills, which provides additional effects. Summoner's base weapons do not benefit from Might or Weaponmastery. <<set $might to 0>> <<set $magic to 6>> <<set $charm to 6>> <<set $skill to 3>> <<set $faith to 3>> <<set $INVENTORY[0] to $i_djinnsummon>> <<set $INVENTORY[1] to $i_summonersbox>> <<set $INVENTORY[2] to $i_food>> <<set $INVENTORY[3] to $i_food>> <<if $class == "none">> <<set $class to "summoner">> <<set $maxdamage to 5>> <<set $weapontype to "summon">> <<set $skillpoints to 4>> <</if>> [[Spend skill points now|Skills]] [[The foot of Mount Nox]]

CASTLE NOX

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