Below is a submission from one of our teens, Samantha Onweiler, 15 years old. Samantha became inspired to write this story at our weekly Dungeons and Dragons club of which they are a member. It is based on the campaign they are currently playing with the group.
Of Men, Dice, and Monsters
Written by: Samantha Onwiler, Age 15
Our story begins with a man named Gold. He meets with a guy named Connor, who is the leader of a mercenary gang.
Connor gives him a quest to investigate a man and his mansion. He promises a handsome reward for completing this mission. To accompany Gold on his mission, Connor provides a young High Elf known as Soveliss Galanodel, or more commonly Sov. He was rather eager to get her off his hands, as she seemed to be a rather annoying companion.
Before leaving on their quest Connor offered a meal of porridge and fruit.
"You don't know what's in that." Soveliss muttered.
"For the last time Sov, I'm not going to poison you!" Connor shouted in reply to her remark.
"Tsk, okay."
Connor quickly stopped them before they left and gave them each a red strip of cloth, so they could blend in as members of his gang. Gold and Soveliss set off along the path, each wielding their weapons along with some healing potions from Connor.
Gold wielded a large double-sided battle ax. As for Soveliss, she was a sorceress and wielded a staff with a large opal atop it. Together they were sure to be powerful, but only if they are able to learn to get along.
Soon they found where they were to branch away from the main path. Continuing along the new route they soon found their way to a rope bridge. Gold began crossing with hardly and trouble. But Soveliss on the other hand, despite being an agile elf, had some trouble and was quite wobbly.
They eventually made it to the other side and found the secret entrance to the mansion, hidden behind some bushes. They saw that the place they were about to enter had no light what so ever. Luckily for both of them their races had darkvision, allowing them to see most of what was in the dark.
Entering the mansion they begin trekking through the long hallway. Soveliss abruptly stops as she hears a hissing voice in her head.
"Who... Are... You..." It hisses to her.
"Why... Are... You... Here..." It then hisses in Gold's head.
Drawing their weapons they realize whatever this is, it's not going to let them continue without a fight.
"Who... are... you...? What... do... you... want...?" The creature hidden in the shadows hissed.
"C-cookies?" Soveliss replied in a whimper.
"What? Who are you talking too?" Gold questioned.
"I heard a voice! It was asking me something so I responded!"
"Tsk, whatever."
Gould proceeded to light a torch and that’s when he heard what Sov was talking about.
"That... burns...! I... don't... like... pain...!" The beast hissed.
"What the heck was that?" Gold asked.
Then, from the shadows emerged a hideous, one-eyed beast. It was a Nothic and it was not happy that the pair had injured its one bulbous eye. Gold drew his axe and handed the torch to Soveliss who took a few steps back, trying to keep distance between her and the Nothic.
Taking a swing at the ugly beast with his ax, Gold found himself in an uncontrollable rage. Sov then decided to try and help him by casting a spell, known as Firebolt. The sudden attacks, which had both missed the gruesome creature, had only made it angrier. It charged with a mighty rage and slashed into Gold and Sov with razor like claws. Due to Soveliss having only her regular clothes on she took the most damage.
"Get out of here, Sov!" Gold cried to her. But she had made up her mind and was staying. Quickly downing the Healing potion from Connor, she drew her staff once again. Casting Firebolt once more she made a direct hit and the beast let out a sickening cry.
The monster tried fleeing after realizing it was not worth fighting. But before it could get past, Gold took his ax swinging down and slicing it in half with a sickening squelch.
Standing in the midst of what had just happened they barely noticed a new shadow dancing in the torch’s light. Then, just barely, out of the corner of her eye, Sov noticed a man standing in the shadows. Sov letting out a blood curdling scream and dropped her staff with a thud.
"Hello there, new friends."The stranger spoke as he slowly stepped into the light. Before he could say anything else Soveliss and Gold drew their weapons and aimed them at the newcomer.
"Who are you and why are you here?" Gold questioned. The man simply answered by showing them his red sash tied on his left wrist.
"Connor sent me as extra muscle. The name is Shadow." The man said coolly. He was revealed as he drew closer to be a Dragonborn who stood at around 5 foot 11 inches tall.
"Well if you are a friend then..." Soviless trailed off as another monster in the distance let out a screech.
"We need to keep moving before another one of the beasts shows up." Gold said.
"Wait up there, friends!" A voice shouted from behind. The small group turned to find three people running at them full speed. The three then came skidding to a halt.
"Hi there, the name is Rocky! And these two are Kekoa and Oberg." The one who seemingly called out said to the group. "Connor sent us to help you!"
"How many people is he going to send after us?!" Gold asked "Now as I was saying, we need to keep moving. There is another one of those beasts out there and I'd rather not stick around for it."
The now rather large group begins to head through the rather narrow corridor. After walking for some time, they find themselves at a steep ravine. Looking into the ravine they see an entrance to what appears to be a sewer. However in front of them stand two splitting hallways.
"We should split up." Gold said.
"What is wrong with you! If we split up that puts us at huge risk of running into the monster and not having the support we need!" Soviless retorted.
"I suppose that's true. Fine, we will stick together. But we are going with the left hallway."
"Okay"
The group wandered down the hall for quite a while until they came upon a lit up area. Cautiously walking into the light they found themselves at a large wooden door.
"Do we open it?" Shadow asked.
"Wait! What if the monster is behind that door! We should use my spell Mage Hand. It would let us open the door at a distance." Soviless said.
"Hey, while you guys were talking, I opened the door." Gold spoke up above the babbling group.
The group now found themselves in a large room with two doors. One wooden door and one heavy iron door with scratches around it. Now it was up to them to choose.
