My story centered around trying to get enough XP to go on the quest. I was successful, but I had alot of help! I met Lord British online and he showed me where we need to go and what we need to do. Thursday night, the last night of testing, I managed to do it!
Docmani - Level 18
Powerslave - Level ? (disbanded)
Dagon - Level 15 (when I left him)
Hawk - Level ?
Shadow - Level ? (disbanded)
Weinhard - Level ?
Ozone - Level ?
Lyta - Level 8 (when I left her)
Hylow - Level 15 (when I left him)
Special thanks also goes out to Zexor, the Level 38 mage, without whom, we never would have completed the quest!
Sleep!
This all started on the 8th of April, when I met Lord British online.
April 8: A group of us headed off to seek adventure. After touring the map, we decided to confront the Orc menace directly a large group of us, lead by Lord British himself, staged an all out assult on the Orc stronghold to the south. After a large battle we managed to take the city. But we found something we did not expect. A gold knight appeared to be in the city. After our King had defeated this most powerful foe, we discovered a key. But what did this key unlock? He told us that the answer lie in the crypts. We entered the cemetary, but this time at great cost. By the time we had reached the crypts some of our comrades had fallen. By the time we reached the door at marked the beginning of our quest, all but our Lord had perished. Separated from my King and with our quest unfinished, I vowed to fight on. But alas, I was alone and injured. I shall rest, and practice my skills. Then I shall assemble a group to finish this quest. The quest to the Orc Tower!
April 9: I met my friends, Powerslave and Dagon. We decided to group up so we could better confront the orcs. Upon arriving at one of the Orc camps, we encountered another traveler, Hawk, who also joined our party. After much fighting, we became fairly good at fighting the orcs. Another traveller came along, named Shadow, and also asked to join our party. He told us of more Orcs to the south, most likely near the large Orc encampment. We decided to go, feeling that we could handle any suprises. We were wrong. The first wave came, and we handled it pretty well. But soon the second wave followed with an Orc captain leading the charge. Our party, as well as another at the site, were routed. I noticed that 5 Orcs and the captain were intent on killing Hawk. I knew there was little I could do against that captain, but I had to try. I ran behind him and took a swipe at him with my axe. Enraged, he turned. I had distracted him from Hawk. However, the angered Orc hit me and hit me hard. There was no way I could fight this beast so I fled, our party was splintered by the Orc onslaught. Fortunately, I got away with a whole skin. I soon found Pow and Dag, but no sign of Shadow or Hawk. After healing and dealing with a few more Orcs, we decided to go into town to look for our lost comrades. We split up. The two went into town to buy supplies. I went west, back to the Orc camp to look for my comrades. Thats when I started to notice something strange. I had avoided a very large number of Orc captains on my journey. I talked to other travellers who noticed the same. That number of captains could only mean a large army was nearby. Worried at this prospect, I decided that I should check the town to see what others had discovered. When I returned, the orcs were upon us. They kept coming and coming. I help to defend the main bridge into town. Some orcs had made it fairly deep into the city. A group of us held the bridge. Held it, that is, until the captains came. The beasts had downed two unfortunate warriors and had routed the rest. The rest waited on the bridge, prepared to run. None of us could fight these beasts. Only the town guards were capable of this, but none were to be seen. I decided something needed to be done. Again, I ran forward and took a taunting swipe at one of the creatures. Angered, he began to chase me into the city. I stayed away from the city center and ran until I found a guard and alerted him to the problem. He dispatched the captain within minutes. It was at this point that Pow and Dag had returned from getting supplies. We needed to defend the city, so we returned to the fray. Again, we dove into battle. Again, the captains came and routed us. This time, however, I was not so fortunate. Wounded by Orcs, an Orc captain struck the final blow. I returned to the Ahnk, my trademark crimson armor gone. Separated again from my comrades, I decided to pass the battle at the main gate and do reconissance to the north. As I had feared, the Orc armies were everywhere in large numbers. A group of inexperienced fighters were wholed up inside a shack, fending off the armies. Fortunately for them, a mage with a wand of fireballs arrived and evened the odds. With this done, I returned to the city. I found Pow, but Dagon was nowhere to be found. The Orc attack was subsiding. The city was saved. We decided that we needed more experience to fight, for the Orcs would return one day. We returned to the wilderness to fight the remaining rouge Orcs, and ended a moderately successful day.
I will say this of my comrades. They are honorable and good fighters. I know I will be able to count on them when we finally assult the Orc tower.
April 10: Pow, Dag and I joined up and set off again. After doing some fighting in the Graveyard, we encountered Lothar, one of the people who had travelled with Lord British. Lothar had been on the quest and had a fireball wand. I asked if he would take us on the quest. He said he would do so, if we joined his new mercenary group, the BlackWatch. We agreed. The BlackWatch is truly forming into an Army. However, this army seemed more concerned with the Orc encampments than on reaching the tower. They're quest was not mine. Pow and Dag decided to remain with BlackWatch. I bid them farewell and I wish them well. I was never meant to be part of an army. So, I wandered the countryside by myself, taking on whatever creatures approached. I grew weary of this, I needed companionship again. The company of others is important on a long quest such as this. It was at this point I happened upon Axa and Weinhard, in the cemetary. We banded together for mutual protection. After a short stay in the graveyard, I decided to play my favorite game: Knight Tag. Weinhard joined me. This game involves finding one of the magical knights near the graveyard and enticing them to follow you into the city, so the guards kill them. Its a nice way to get an attractive suit of armor. However, a guard did not kill the knight this time. My old friend, Tasslehoff, did. He too traveled with Lord British and he too possessed a fireball wand. After a short discussion, Tas suggested he might lead me through the quest tomorrow night. We shall see. I bid him fairwell. At this point, Weinhard also took his leave of me. I was alone again. I went back to the cemetary and happened upon a woman with a sword, but no armor. Seeing her wander into the cemetary, I realized she knew not of its danger. I offered myself as a guide. So, I spent the rest of my evening showing Lyta the perils of this world. When I left her, we were both stronger. I then went to rest. It was a long night. Tomorrow, I shall enter the quest. Do or die.
April 11: Oh boy! What a night! I met up with Dag, Hawk, and Ozone. We decided tonight was the night. We would complete the quest or die trying. The first step was to find a gold knight and get the key we needed to go on the quest. We therefore made an assult on the orc camp. Fortunately for us, Ozone had a friend who go us the key. We were a relatively weak to face the perils in the quest, but we decided to go anyways. Our determination would protect us for harm. Again, we had more good fortune and encountered a mage named Zexor. He offered his services as a guide through the quest. He was very powerful and possessed one of the mystical fireball wands. We joined a fellow named Sir Loin, as well and made our way into the crypt. After facing many skeletons, we pulled the magic lever that was to lead us into our quest. We went through a series of teleports and arrived at the Orc Tower. The perils were many. Orc Captains and Knights were everywhere. We entered the tower, which appear to be a giant puzzle. Pulling the correct levers would spur you forward. Pulling the wrong levers would push you back. With Zexor's help we managed to make it fairly deep into the tower. Unfortunately, I mistook an instruction and was teleported away from my comrades back to the entrance of the tower! I was alone and vunerable. Deperately, I tried to remember the instructions Zexor had shown us. I made my way back the spot where I had disappeared, but my companions were gone. Alone and confused, I was forced to make my own way, hoping that Zexor had cleared the path of any powerful creatures. By trial and error, I managed to go further on. However one obstacle stood in my way, an Orc Captain! At this point, I had never fought one and lived. Fortunately my prowess in magic had become great and I dispatched the beast with due haste! After solving the labyrinth of magical levers, I managed to make it to the top of the tower and rejoin my companions. But, alas, all I found were Dagon and Zexor. All the rest of my group had fallen. Suddenly a mage appeared out of nowhere. The mage also carried one of the mystical wands. After a mighty battle, Zexor defeated the evil mage. Dagon took the wand. After a short while, another mage appeared and Zexor displayed the same prowess in defeating him. This time, I took the wand. Our quest complete Dagon and I exited the tower and were returned to the cemetary, after thanking Zexor for his generous help. Dagon and I parted company. We could do more damage seperatly. I then sought some of my former companions. I found Lyta and Hylow soon after. I was eager to test the power of my new weapon. And power it was. I was able to destroy any enemy before me with little to no effort. Lyta even complained that my enthusiasm with my new weapon was preventing my fellows from partaking in any combat! They were getting bored! So, I exercised some restraint and only attacked when needed. We journeyed for quite some time, clearing the land of foul orcs. Hylow expressed intrest in seeing the orc tower, as did Lyta. So, we set out to find another Gold Knight, and another key. After a fierce battle at the Orc city, Hylow managed to secure one of the gold keys. We returned to the orc tower, only to find dangerous people inside. People also on the quest, but intent on destroying me and my fellows. We did not finish the quest and we left the orc tower to rest. At this point, I felt my time on this world drawing to an end. Lyta and Hylow would go on, but this was my end. I had accomplished all I had set out to do. I had quested, obtained the wand, helped my fellows and helped to rid the land of the orc menace. But, I had one last decision to make. A powerful weapon, such as the fireball wand, must be passed on. Its power is great, but only in the hands of someone who would use it as I had, for the good of all. Lyta and Hylow were both excellent choices, but alas, I had only one wand. I bestowed the wand to Lyta, as she was of lower level and needed the extra advantage. But a condition was placed on this. She was to help Hylow obtain another wand from the orc tower. I can only hope they will be successful and continue on in helping the land. I know the world is in good hands with the companions I have travelled with this past week. I thank everyone for their help and their companionship. They made my stay in this world most enjoyable. Thanks to all of you.
This is a picture of my friends, Powerslave, Dagon, and Shadow. This is before we joined the BlackWatch
This is a picture of myself, Hylow and Lyta, right after an assult on an Orc camp. An Orc Captain decided to join us while I was holding the camera. As I had the wand, he died about 3 seconds after this shot.
This is a picture of Sir Loin, Hylow, and Lyta, when we parted company at the end of the evening. New (8/26/96): This screen shot was used in the September issue of Next-Generation! Its in the bottom left hand corner of page 85!
To everyone who helped, or even just went along for the ride, thanks. I know some of you appriciated my letting you tag along, even though you might have felt you weren't necessary. Just let me say everyone was. Companionship was the best element of this game and I was happy to meet everyone and have everyone along. To those that helped me and those that I helped, I say thanks, and see you next Winter when the final game is released! Keep in touch until then. My email is docmani@eng.umd.edu