Stories

[Red]

So I've been trawling this forum for a while, mostly for guides, builds, tips, etc. (I got to Daikara once. I should probably get off Roguelike.) But I've noticed a huge lack of something I've seen on other gaming forums I frequent-stories about the game. And with a game like ToME, that inherently has a lot of story, that just seems kinda odd to me.

In order to correct this, I'm going to go ahead and whip out my old amateur writing skills and get a story of my own here. Just a little tale about a "bandit" in Trollmire.

[Red]

Day 1

I’ve just arrived in Trollmire. Keeping a journal, since I know damn well I’m not gonna do much to make this place safer. I’ll give what I know to the Derth guards, make sure anyone who decides to come out here knows just what they’re getting into.
And, you know… Leave this for someone to find if I die. If that happens, whoever decided to venture into this godawful swamp, find my family. They tend the herbal infusion shop in Derth. If you get luckier than I do and find treasure here and not death, make sure they’re okay? It’s why I’m here, after all, and I don’t want to die in vain.
I need to get going before I get too depressed to go on. Day one has just begun, and I won’t be home for a while yet.

[Red]

Day 7

One week here in Trollmire. Food has been pretty easy to come by-the trolls kill a lot of animals and keep people away, but don’t eat a lot of the fruits and roots. Hasn’t been tasty, but I’ve gotten by. Overall, though, I think my first entry was pretty pessimistic. Sure, a troll could kill me with one hit, but they’re slow. Honestly, the animals are more dangerous-they can catch me. Almost got a nasty snakebite, and that would’ve been that. Even if the poison didn’t kill me, it would’ve made me too weak to escape a troll, or even a wolf or something. Gotta remember that-this place isn’t safe, even if I’ve made it relatively unscathed so far, though a big reason for that is my wife. That woman can make an infusion of speed like you wouldn’t believe. One moment, a wolf is in my face, then the world slows down and I can just scamper back, watching his paw slash like it’s going through molasses. God I love that Elaine.
And more on the bright side, I’ve found a lot of good loot. Enough money to feed my family for two months, and a nice dagger too. It’s got some kind of poison infused in it, which makes the meat of the animals I kill inedible, but plants work for me.
Kinda funny, really. Looking back to my first little journal entry, I thought I was gonna die. As it stands, all I have to do is walk back home now, and the whole thing can be one great success.

[Red]

Day 7, Night

To whoever finds this, sorry for the bad writing. I’m currently bleeding pretty heavily, and it’s hard to see straight. I think it might have knocked my brain around a little too, because I’m laughing at that. It’s funny, isn’t it? Though I should stop laughing. Something might hear me. Like that troll that got me. Yeah, that hurt. Hurt like a pie. Like a pie. Funny, rig

[Red]

Day 8

I. Am. In. Pain.
Yesterday, I holed up in a tree, loopy as hell with that blow I took. And of course, I fell right the hell out, landed on my injured side, and stayed out like a candle until just now. I’m an idiot.
To whoever finds this now, I’m gonna die. Maybe a miracle will happen, but I’m not counting on it. A troll got me yesterday, one lucky swipe with that club of his, and tore the skin off half my body, along with breaking quite a few bones. I used the infusion my wife made for me, but it didn’t work right. Half of it was gone, and what was left burned clean into my skin. I’ll not risk using it again.
When you do find my body, take what I have to my family. I said that once before here, but I really mean it here. Before, I knew I might die. Here, I will.
Elaine Gardener, and my daughter, Melissa Gardener. Infusion shop in Derth. Tell them “Papa Hunter” sent the money. It’s Elaine’s nickname for me. It always made us laugh, and even Melissa too, once she understood why.
I was always a man, you know? Hunting, getting into fights when I was young, but I was never the best at it. I was working odd jobs when I met Elaine, helping merchants unload, sweeping floors, that kind of thing. I helped her one night, and it was late enough once I had moved her stuff she invited me for a meal. One thing lead to another, and, well. We’re married. But she was always the one keeping use going. Her and her gardening, her and her skill with infusions. Me, the man of the house, was nothing more than a pretty accessory. And I was okay with that. I loved her for it, for god’s sake. She was the smartest, most talented, most beautiful, just… The best and kindest woman I ever met. And here she was with me, some fool who brought nothing back. Hence “Papa Hunter”. Bad joke, maybe, but it was our joke.
It’s why I’m out here. It’s why my corpse is going to be out here. We were failing, the shop was failing, and something had to be done. Elaine had done so much for me, I had to try. I had to try.
Make sure they’re okay. Please.

[Red]

Day 10

I’m not dead yet. My wounds have even healed a decent amount, but I’ll still be a cripple. Elaine, hope you still love me, because I need you more than ever.
As for why I’m writing this… I don’t know. I believe I might make it home, but even if I don’t, this isn’t needed. It’s a comfort thing, I guess. I like doing this. It’s a way for me to talk to someone, even if that someone is a piece of paper. And it’s as good an excuse as any to take a rest, which my ribs appreciate a lot.
Yesterday, I
Heard something. Write later.

[Red]

Day 10, Afternoon

God, that scared me half to death. A five foot tall statue was walking around, carrying a sword taller than it. I hid, believe me I hid like a coward, because that thing looks as strong as any troll but is fast. There’s a man in a robe with a staff following it along, giving it orders. Never liked mages, even the alchemists. Natural work is better. I’ll write more later, when something so dangerous isn’t so close.

[Red]

last note. fucker threw some kind of bomb, yelling you bandit won’t get any of mine. i can feel myself dying. acid melting my flesh, bones. dying. hurts.
find elaine. find melissa. make them okay. please.
get the amge that killed me too. fucker deserves it. don’t let family know how i died. tell them it was noble. don’t tell them i died melting in a watery ditch
it hurts. dying. it hurts. cant think straight. elaine, where are you. i need you. im sorry i couldn’t help. im sorry youre the one who kept us going. i don’t deserve you. don’t deserve melissa. don’t deserve pain. this pain. don’t dese

[snoop]

I like it, going for the darker feel is a "nice" departure from most of the other similar character journals I've seen around here.

[Red]

Engagement Ring "Elaine"
Un-ID'ed name sentimental ring
Type Ring
Power source -
Requirement -
Rarity Level range Cost Tier
250 10-15 5 3
Combat statistics
Base Power Uses Stat Damage Type APR Critical Armor Defense Fatigue
- - - - - - - -
Modifiers
Damage On Hit Changes Damage Damage Conversion Damage When Wearer Hit
- - - -
Movement Speed Maximum Encumbrance Maximum Life Healing Mod
- - - -
Changes Resistances Changes Resistances Penetration
- -
Changes Immunities -
Changes Stats -
Abilities -
Description This is the second engagement ring of Elaine the Infusion Herbalist, given to her by her husband. He worked for six months at various jobs to afford a gold ring for her. The ring has no worth outside of sentimental value.

[Red]

Handwoven Silk Cloak "Melissa"
Un-ID'ed name handmade cloak
Type Ring
Power source -
Requirement -
Rarity Level range Cost Tier
250 5-10 5 2
Combat statistics
Base Power Uses Stat Damage Type APR Critical Armor Defense Fatigue
- - - - - - - -
Modifiers
Damage On Hit Changes Damage Damage Conversion Damage When Wearer Hit
- - - -
Movement Speed Maximum Encumbrance Maximum Life Healing Mod
- - - -
Changes Resistances Changes Resistances Penetration
+1% cold -
Changes Immunities -
Changes Stats -
Abilities -
Description This is Melissa's favorite cloak. It is very warm, though too small for anyone larger than a child or grown halfling to wear.

[Red]

Damaged Movement Infusion of William
Cooldown 40 Level-range 1 Rarity 250
Activate the infusion to increase movement speed by 300% for 5 game turns, but inflict 5 points of damage for each step taken.
Any actions other than movement will cancel the effect. Also prevent stuns, dazes and pinning effects for 5 turns. Note: since you will be moving very fast, game turns will pass very slowly.