Part XVII: The Long Dark Tea Time of the SoulChapter 2: The Shell GameTimeline: AO323 You may be wondering—whatever happened to Blackwood Forest? Wasn't that "Black Gold" the very reason Hacktor wanted his father Baldur to go to war in the first place? Wasn't control of the Forest supposed to make the lives of the... Continue Reading →
17.1 – Hacktor’s Return
Part XVII: The Long Dark Tea Time of the SoulChapter 1: Hacktor's ReturnTimeline: AO 323 With the help of the goddess Kalypzo (or at least my version of her) Hacktor and a small band of survivors were safe inside Oz. But now they were trapped, with an unknown force of myz and goblins still presumably... Continue Reading →
16.11 The Darkness
Part XVI: The Golden OneChapter 11: The DarknessTimeline: AO 312-320 In the years that followed, Garrick's descent continued - and he took Queen Thirza and all of Babelon with him into the darkness. As he continued to learn more about the secrets protected by the priests of Baal, he delved deeper into the mysteries of... Continue Reading →
16.10 The Princess of Mersia
Part XVI: The Golden OneChapter 10: The Princess of MersiaTimeline: AO 312 As the night deepened, Garrick sat alone in the shadows in his bedroom. The weight of his advancement through the ranks of Baal's priesthood during the last few years now pressed on him - an unseen hand that threatened to crush him beneath... Continue Reading →
16.9 Oh, Babelon
Part XVI: The Golden OneChapter 9: Oh, BabelonTimeline: AO 310 The midday sun hung like a dull eye above the city of Babel, casting its harsh light on the square where another execution was to take place. The citizens had gathered in silence, a sea of watchful eyes and worried faces. The tension in the... Continue Reading →
16.8 The Battle of Babel
Part XVI: The Golden OneChapter 8: The Battle of BabelTimeline: AO 310 The dusty road stretched northward like an old scar across the plains of Gor, leading Garrick and his army toward their final destination—Babel, the towering capital of the western lands he once ruled. The wind blew hard from the north, as if trying... Continue Reading →
16.7 An Unexpected Visitor
Part XVI: The Golden OneChapter 7: An Unexpected VisitorTimeline: AO 309-310 The barren stretch of Loco Land lay before Garrick like a twisted, lifeless wasteland as the Derkka king relaxed in his carriage. The opulent wagon, pulled by desert camels, was lined with plush velvet cushions and embroidered with silver thread, a stark contrast to... Continue Reading →
16.6 The Usurper
Part XVI: The Golden OneChapter 6: The UsurperTimeline: AO 302-309 Although Garrick was on his way back home, what he didn't know is that much had changed in his absence. For starters, the city of Babel, once the vibrant jewel of the Derkka civilization, now lay under a shadow. Its homes and towers had become... Continue Reading →
16.5 The Once and Future King
Part XVI: The Golden OneChapter 5: The Once and Future KingTimeline: AO 309 As always, the Serpents' Embrace at Karkemesh was bathed in an eternal twilight. It was neither day nor night in this timeless place where pleasure and indulgence reigned supreme. Every room shimmered with gold and silver, draped with silks that caught the... Continue Reading →
16.4 For the Price of Your Soul
Part XVI: The Golden OneChapter 4: For the Price of Your SoulTimeline: AO304 - 309 A year passed in this manner. Maybe two. Who can say. One night - much like any other - Garrick’s heart pounded in his chest as he stumbled out of the pleasure dome, his body still thrumming from the hours... Continue Reading →
The Apocrypha of Azazel 