Memoirs of Adventure Creative Writing Contest (NA) - Discussion/Practice Thread

[Loganight]

Not too long before writing this my future looked bleak and hopeless. I have faced foes and traveled to places that I could never have imagined possible, seen horrors that have made me question my very existence. My world had been drained of color and shadows quickly began to close in around me. Amidst that lifeless wasteland I wondered if there was any point in continuing to fight. I returned from that world beyond our own back to a lonely home that I had built for myself. No one and nothing was waiting for me there but a creaky old cot who could no longer support the weight of all I carried with me. I removed my battered armor and laid my weary body down for what I prayed might be the last time. Come morning, however, something within me stirred. It willed me to leave that dreadful place and carry on about my day. With some strange fleeting hope within my chest I barged outside, through The Goblet’s vigilant gates, and into the searing heat of the Ul’dahn market streets.

I passed by all kinds of people, each working hard to protect their own way of life. I thought back to what that man had said to me in that illusory city and wondered if maybe he was right. I thought long and hard about all of it until I realized I had come face to face with the airship landing. I locked eyes with a man in a garish outfit as he beckoned for me to come closer. He spun for me a gilded tale of a place filled with vibrant lights and colors where dreams come true. Without much else to do, I took the man’s advice and boarded an airship for The Golden Saucer.

Everywhere I looked I saw joyous crowds cheering and laughing set on top of a glowing golden backdrop. I thought that maybe if I came to the place the man had described, the brilliant golden light there would cast away the shadows looming over me. But on that day it was not the shine of a merchant’s forfeit coin nor the glow of the sweltering lamps hanging high above that shined a light on my life once more. Through all the noise and commotion it was you. You, the one who saw me and only me amongst the crowd. Out of everyone there that day, you only chose me. You reached out and took me by the hand, like you could tell just by looking at me that I was drowning. You led me out of that place where we met and I’ve never looked back since.

You came home with me and breathed new life into the house that became ours together. Every day you have inspired me to be better, to do more. Hand-in-hand we built a new life together and continue to be one another’s light at the end of the tunnel. No matter what adventures we go on or challenges we face along the way we can find the strength to take them on knowing we do so together. With any luck you’ll end up back on this beach where we spent the Summer together some day. If you do I pray you’ll find this message along the shore waiting just for you.

-Your Paladin

(Gaelicap)

[Meillquei]

Testing before I submit. Hopefully this works!

[Jaywalker]

The Hero's Confession

Posted page 15!

[Sicycre]

Question, is it against the rules if a friend helps you illustrate your story?

This is absolutely fine so long as the written entry itself is your own.

3,000 characters is the limit right?

That is correct according to the official rules found here.

Does the 3000 character limit take into account spaces, page-breaks, and indentations?

Yes, the 3,000 character limit also counts spaces, page-breaks, and indentations.

[Kytrin]

This is absolutely fine so long as the written entry itself is your own.


That is correct according to the official rules found here.


Yes, the 3,000 character limit also counts spaces, page-breaks, and indentations.

Wonderful! Thank you for that clarification.

[Joshura]

I waited. A gentle breeze brought the acrid, sulfuric air from the kobold's mines, attacking my senses with the same ferocity of the earthen primal's thralls. The glint of the waning afternoon sun reflected off the decorative flourishes of my drachen mail armor.

From my perch atop the natural northern wall of Camp Overlook, I waited, not just for the inevitable rumbling quakes that would signal Titan's renewed vigor, but for those I lost, who I knew would return. Five years, I waited, that we might adventure together again.

"It's been four hours," said a nearby guard.

"Too long… He said he just wanted to see the monkeys," a softer voice replied.

"Can we spare any of ours for a search?"

"Hmm… no. He’s a big guy, anyway, he’ll be fine."

The Storm’s ranks had been depleted by the same Titanic threat that kept me here. But that’s what adventurers were for, right? I stood in as cool and calm a manner as any could and clumsily jumped towards the cliffs to the north, an area favored by the local ringtail opo-opo. Yes, I am very cool.

"Hey did you see that dragoon?" I heard one of the guards say, who I knew was impressed by my exit.

"Yeah, there was a crowned giant, blue blob on his head…"

Had I heard them say “That looks extremely silly,” I might have corrected them. If I’d heard them laugh, I might have asked what they thought was funny. But I didn’t, so I carried on my way, dodging the attention of the varied wildlife too agitated to avoid the paths of man.

I arrived at the cliffs to hear a voice moaning, an impossibly familiar, deep voice. No… it couldn't be…

A bow lay loosely upon the ground, a yalm from its unpracticed owner's hand. A sea wolf Roegadyn lay prone, arms outstretched as though welcoming the heavens. "Leon…?" I asked as I removed my helm.

Then I noticed the stench.



"Noooo…! No more…" the Roegadyn moaned. Then, "O-poop-o… yeah… that's what they should call them…"

I had no doubts left. Though there were more scars upon his face than before, it was him.

"Leon! It's you!" I removed a small tuft of Phoenix down from my pack and applied it to his chest. The wispy feathers dissolved into light as energy flowed through the massive archer's body.

"Hah, I found you!" he shouted, squinting in the sunlight as he brushed brown “dirt” from his shirt. "They said the outer cliffs of La Noscea, and I knew you'd be hanging out with monkeys."

"Uhh, sure."

"We're putting a crew together, Ali, and I want you to help us lead it. Rein's already working on the war chest."

"That smelly hyur is back, too?!" As cool as I certainly was, I could hardly contain my excitement. But… "You can't even fend off the might of a few monkeys, why would people join us?"

"Charisma, my friend. Charisma and bribery."

"A war chest, huh?" I grinned.

And thus a free company was born.


[Bluebird Earring]

[Celestinakitty]

Yeet! off to the main thread.

[mizutsunecafe]

I've just posted my entry to the main thread- I actually made a profile on the forum just for this contest! I'm a bit nervous since I've never really participated in these before so.

My entry is from the perspective of Haurchefant, who I very much adore haha. I hope you all enjoy it!!

[ExKage]

Did You Know? - A Missive

I once thought we'd spend all of our adult years together in the Sultansworn. You were far more experienced than I who was greener than a Marlboro's vine. I was short and naïve. You'd traveled more, adventured more, met far more people than I ever thought possible. I thought that night then was the end. When you and her fought, I thought our bonds were broken. I can't even remember how the fight came to be. I just remember Natalie telling me that I was the only one left. That you weren't pursuing that path. Did you know that we would both leave it? That the Syndicate would leave us disenfranchised? That we would end be on different sides? You with a pirate, I with Natalie who would stubbornly get herself killed? When we stood atop the hill swearing an oath, did you think we would leave? Did you know?


Or that I'd ever become friends with the one they called Kinslayer? …Thought traitor to her blood and kin of Ala Mhigo. Once thought a traitor to the Sultana, that I would think of her as a dear friend? Did you know that would happen? Did you think I'd ever find refuge in her company, after being thrown out of many a housing because of all my friends? The fat cats, the dogs, the opo-opo, the nutkin, the bear and more? Did you ever think I'd end up seeing her as a close friend, that I would find her or you far more like my own family? They who abandoned me...

Did you know that I would work, standing as protection for the courtesans? They suggest me books to send to the Kinslayer. novelty trashy romance novels. I have heard that "The Other Side of the Thanalan Twilight" is a new best seller. Did you ever foresee the affections between her and your brother? That when we fought him when his mind went feral and you could not search for him yourself that it would end so? That the journey would send us far and wide throughout Coerthas? I found Bronchy out there... and at least three creatures who'd attempted to kill or eat me. I'm still not sure which.


I've made another friend. His name is Otto! We have a shared love of hats. It is how we became friends.


I'd exchanged a beret with him. I hope to introduce you to him. Arturius might like to meet her offspring. I hope the cat isn't as fat as her mother... I hope to see in you good health. Walk in the Light of the Crystal my dearest friend. It's time for my friends and I to take a nice nap out underneath the sky.



Yours
Kage

[I would the gaelicap please.]

[reimuna]

submitted!