Tower of Yor: The Ascendants Challenge (Open and Accepting Profiles!)

The Tower of Yor

(Current holiday is Halloween on the first floor, because what the hell. :3)




So, you've come
.

By yourself or with an army, you have only your skill and the luck of the divine draw if you wish to assail the 100 floors of the Tower of Yor. Ruled by the self proclaimed God Lord Malfurion, it's harrowing vaults are home to some of the nastiest entities in the known multi-verse, all gathered in chaotic harmony towards one, unshakeable task: Protect the Orb of Tozak at all costs. One can only dream of ascending it's 100 floors to the top, and even then one must also escape once the orb is in hand....
But this is a pauper's dream. Surely no one could ever actually steal the Orb of Tozak.
Or could they?
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The tower itself, from the outside at least, appears endlessly tall. Its crystalline peak is seen to go well into the clouds and beyond, and its width is similarly daunting; It is obvious something titanic, whether in physical nature or meta-physical prowess, crafted this monstrosity. Built of ancient stone and gleaming dark crystal, the tower emanates an intimidating aura of pure malevolence, a defense against weaker willed would be ascendants. If you are able to brave the tangible nature of this field you are free to step up to the challenge of entering and facing its terrors.

But be forewarned.

Once you step in, you cannot leave until the floor you're on is cleared (barring you are not on the very first floor, which will be explained shortly). Once cleared, you are given a choice: Leave, and collect your wits along with your life before it's too late, or continue like the mad devil you are. For what other purpose have you come but to claim the Orb of Tozak? It haunts your dreams. It speaks to you in your most private thoughts.

You must attain the Orb of Tozak. Whether to unlock it's impossible power, or to steal it away from the dark forces who would use it for their own malign purposes, your reasoning for coming matters not compared to the weight of the insurmountable task that stands before you.

Can you claim the Orb and escape with your life?
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To reach the realm of Malfuria, one must either be chosen by the God Lord Malfurion, a rare if not terrifying honor, or have found the name of the Tower (highly unlikely). If you think the name of the Tower, a portal can be made to open that immediately transports them to the Tower's front door. Whether a zealot for the cause or a loner with your own array of unique talents, anyone who is chosen or has obtained the Tower's name can come face the tower and challenge it's 100 floors, barring one must start from the bottom. That is, unless you have activated a checkpoint.

Checkpoints

For every ten floors conquered in the halls of Yor, every 11th floor prompts a schism in the Tower’s structure, opening up an extra-dimensional space of unlimited respite. Decadent splendor, copious amounts of food and drink, and the alluring heat of relaxing hot springs go to those who can make it to one of these coveted checkpoints. As Dungeon Master I will keep track of this on the front page right below by keeping your name on a list of floors 1-100 with your username and character name directly next to said floor number for easy tracking.

The First Floor

The first floor is not what one would expect from an infamous tower of eldritch might. Upon entrance one steps into a courtyard sized garden brimming with fertile life and exotic vegetation. Delicious otherworldly fruits line most bushes and trees, and gentle forest animals can be seen gathering and eating of this endless bounty from all around. Beautiful nymphs, handsome warriors, and all manner of elf and orc dwell this floor peacefully as well. Mayhaps they are like minded adventurers and dungeon crawl enthusiasts such as yourself. In the center of all the hustle and bustle of the forest, a single entity sits on a throne the size of a house.
It is the God Lord Malfurion, enjoying himself as usual.



Speaking as the Dungeon Master, and how you can be one too

I will DM, or be the God Lord Malfurion in this particular situation, all of the floor games you will be randomly subjected to in this thread. That being said, I am not opposed to creative license being borrowed for any would be writers who wanna flex their creative writing muscles. Character death is highly probable if you enter the Tower’s higher floors.

Death is permanent.

Disclaimer
If you desire, I can lead descriptions of challenges like a DM for you and your party. I would love to DM for anyone honestly, so if you want someone to lead on an experience in the Tower then I would be happy to help or provide such.

Now, let’s summarize everything I just said for those who don’t want to ever read this paragraph again.

1. I’m an adult. I assume you can act like one too. Do so, and have fun.

2. Character Death is possible any higher than the 2nd floor.

3. God Modding that seems abnormal or ridiculous will be punished with random rolls for damnation and misfortune equivalent to the level of shenanigans at hand.

4. Please keep out of character drama to a minimum.

5. Pm me for any questions about context. Questions like, ‘Can I do this thing in this situation? Or, can I do a double back flip off this Grape Wyvern’s vine knotted tail and triple kick it in the face with my enchanted knife boot? Most likely I will say yes to most commonly reasonable suggestions. Most other things too above average or powerful will take a 1D20 roll on to determine the potency, or failure, of said action. Also questions like, ‘Can I dm my own floors as far as I want to the Orb? (I would say no, but maybe we could work something out?) Please, feel free to talk to me as I’m always open to different opinions and new ideas, so don’t feel afraid to contact me, I promise I won’t bite.

6. If you wish to craft the dangers of your own floors, be my guest! Just always run what you think would work by me first. I will be keeping a close eye as to not allow Powerplaying or God Modding however so play fair. (Looming eye of Malfurion looms unwavering at you.) No over the top win progression or PVP death unless both parties are in agreeance, and no reaching the top floor without first speaking to me.

If you want to say Godlord Malfurion asked you to come to the Tower of Yor, you can totally do that, by the way. Feel special now, you'll probably die later. :)
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Description of Floor Levels in the short term
(For dming purposes and OOC knowledge)

A note for players to take here is to realize all of this knowledge is OOC knowledge, meaning that if your IN GAME character hasn’t gotten to a certain floor layer, then they most likely do not know what to expect. I would prefer, but not demand, that everyone playing here act as such with integrity and respect for said ruling.

1/The forest of Malfuria, a beautiful forest surrounded by exotic gardens and lavish springs, this is the starting area for those who dare challenge the Tower of Yor.

2-10/ These first ten floors aren't anything too crazy. Giant rats, kobold hordes, orcs and roving tribes of gnoll warriors, venomous serpents, and other low level affair roam the many halls and corridors of these first floors.

The tenth floor is said to be home to the legendary Rhinotaur, his labyrinth having laid claim to more than its fair share of foolhardy adventurers.

10-20/ These floors are kicking it up a notch on the difficulty dial, yet still shouldn’t be anything a seasoned mage or pious knight couldn't handle. Ravenous trolls, giant frogs, reanimated animal and human skeletons, spriggans and bow wielding centaurs, bears and the occasional jelly can be expected.

The 20th floor is home to Logarius, Watcher of the 21st Door. He wields a greatsword of draining, and his frame is deceptively fragile in appearance. Do not underestimate this elder spellsword, for he has slain many who dared walk the halls of Yor’s first layers.

20-30/ Malfurion himself would be proud, so there’s no shame in turning back mortal. Lesser elementals, sinister devils of all sorts, djinns and imps, packs of komodo dragons, and all manner of other dangerous animals and flora stalk this particular floor set. A notable plant to watch out for is the highly corrosive Yorb Yorb plant. Not only is it physically acidic, it has the ability to spit concentrated balls of air that upon impact can cause fairly significant damage, similar to small arms fire. If you hear their signature ‘Yorb Yorb’ cry, get down!

The 30th floor is home to the Queen Yorb Yorb plant. It’s ability to hyper oxygenate the blood of those within it’s field of aura is usually quite fatal. You will most likely need to use your head to overcome this particularly nasty obstacle.

30-40/ Malfurion is no longer impressed. He’s annoyed. From hence forth, this is no longer a game for anyone except the rugged and strong willed, the God Lord demands it!! Aggressive phantoms, horrendous ghouls and zombie beasts, low tier demons, naga mages and their slithering kin, hungry werewolves, and fiends of all types can be found in large volume all through each floor here.

The 40th floor echoes the roar of the mythical Romanticore. The face of a sexy, sexy man, the body of a giant very taut tiger, and the tail of a scorpion covered in barbed spikes define this beast’s main characteristics. Be forewarned, for its barbs contain a toxin of charming that renders it’s victim’s slaves under the Romanticore’s most basic will: To Kill those who dare to harm it’s beautiful face!

40-50/ This particular set of floors separates the weak from the soon to be legendary (or dead). Bloodthirsty giants, roaming drakes and harpies, merfolk and their siren lovers, two headed ogres wielding clubs and dead animals, packs of hell hounds, wargs, and the occasional basilisk claim home to these floors.

The 50th floor opens to a desert plain. Here stands the Chaos Knight Illiad, and he has not known defeat in centuries. Lithe in form and layered over in black dragon armor, he wields a mythril double sword capable of banishing foes to the Blind Eternities at random. The sand here is, well sand, and walking on this terrain without aid or flight of some kind can often prove detrimental to one’s footing as well as their life, given Illiad seems to walk upon the sand like a dancer to a stage. Only the brave or stupid would dare come this far just to face their death. Be prepared for an arduous battle, for certain.

50-60/Wait, you or your collective party defeated Illiad? Blasphemy! Malfurion damns this set of floors with roaming packs of mutated horrors and necrotic hellspawn! Chittering otherworldly insects the size of tanks and smaller live all through the walls throughout every floor of this set. Horrendous, symbiotic masses of undead heroes and slain beasts stagger around looking for more heroes to kill to add to their necromantic bulk, toenail golems and flesh golems alike usually following in their slime coated wake. Hulking balrogs wielding whips of speaking fire are said to slumber amongst the undead here as well, so best to keep one’s wits if they wish to survive this stage in the Tower.

Radiant light shines through halls leading up to the 60th floor’s titanium latched double doorway, and upon entrance one is blinded momentarily by holy light beyond mortal reckoning. The light will fade inward towards the shape of a woman dual wielding two flails of chaotic sunlight, her six wings of holy light nearly touching the room's high walled ceiling. You now face Ash-Ryel, fallen angel of Derza, and guardian of the 60th floor.

60-70/How dare you contend to take the orb, let alone slay Malfurion’s prisoner Ash-Ryel. Malfurion does not take kindly to losing his pets…

This floor set features creatures of torment and undeniable damnation exclusively, making it one of the deadliest set of floors in the tower. Be forewarned, if you roll a 1 on a damnation check,( which honestly are few and far between) you will take heavy damage, negative mutation that may or may not become permanent. All mutations of course can, eventually, be removed.

The 70th floor is home to a unique challenge. Several starspawns, gelationous masses of miniature celestial bodies, quiver in a huddled mass within the middle of the room. It seems delighted that you’re here, it’s violent undulations obviously of joy. Or is it something else?

70-80/This floor is dominated by the Rhakshasa. They are demons in the form of a tiger who comes to the material world in search of power and knowledge. Rakshasas are experts in the art of illusion, and are simultaneously intelligent and cruel. They have tribes that dominate every floor of this set, there Khan the master of the 80th floor.

One is faced with riches unbound upon entering the 80th floor’s gem ladened archway. Ichor stained gold, armor, and weapons beyond number are piled upon the walls and floor of this immense chamber. Blood and sinewy covers most everything in this room, the stench of death and godless ritual ripe on the air. Sleeping atop a mountainous pile of gold and jewels in the center of the room, Sarkhal does not stir. Deep below the golden seas surface, giant sharks culminated of sapphires and ruby stalk it’s gilded depths, waiting for tremors from above to make their move. If you can brave the blood soaked sea of gold to Sarkhal’s mountain, he will rise and attempt to grant you audience to a swift, fitting end.

80-90/ This set of floors is always different, and always unpredictable. It could be smooth sailing, or it could be as hard if not more difficult than obtaining the Orb itself! You’ve been warned.

The 90th floor is a crashing wave of nonsensical angles and colors. At it’s center lies the false Orb of KazoT, ruled over by the Pandamonium Lord Quezila. A head of shivering cubes mounted on a towering body of an upright goat, his wings beat a rhythm of madness that forces those under its sway to dance uncontrollably. His hot moves are beyond the comprehension of mortal man. Turn back or be lost to the eldritch funk forever!!

90-100/ Only those who walk among the elite could ever hope of reaching the 90th floor, yet to ascend to the orb itself? Names forgotten and untold loom these silent halls of shadowed darkness, and those who trifle with the 90th floor up are unlikely to return with their lives. Avatars of ancient gods and their cultists, Iron titans, dragons of all kinds, ancient liches, eldritch pharaohs, embodiments of Death, Killer Clowns from other dimensions, titanic slime creatures, and anything else imaginable rule over all that is the 90-100 floor set.

100- Orb of Tozak (and most likely your inevitable demise)

The Orb of Tozak. The image in your mind that has both assailed and allured you since you took your very first steps into this realm. Nothing is known of what guards the Orb’s chamber for no one has ever reached the top, and very little is actually known of the Orb’s properties except that once it is grabbed teleportation is disabled and the God Lord Malfurion will immediately summon demons to go and stop you from escaping. This is known as the Orb Run phase, and if someone ever gets this far an explanation of the next set of circumstances will be given in full.

What is the Orb, and why do I want it?

A common question is, why am I going after this orb! The orb itself is an enigma, but what can be said of it is that, regardless of character alignment, those who touch the orb will gain the servitude of all beings within the Tower say for the demons directly under Malfurion’s control, and, if one can make it to the bottom floor, a single wish will be granted from the God Lord Malfurion himself. If you refuse the God’s request, the power to craft a relic worthy item is within your hands. It allows several smaller wishes of it’s own, but where they come from and who speaks the names within it’s curve are never guaranteed to be safe. That being said, many are after the orb for the thrill of attaining such an infamous item of magical prowess, but many others have their own, inner motives…

What is yours?

Becoming an Ascendant

In the off chance you do attain the Orb and escape to the bottom floor, thus completing the game, you will receive one wish of your choice and full access to the floors every layer. Aggro of course will still be on, but still...

(Will create more content soon)

A Brief History Lesson on God Lord Malfurion

Aeons ago...

Having lost his way from the rest of his traveling party, the once man Malfurion found himself laid out under the shade of two monolithic statues, worn to his limit from weathering the desert’s heat for several weeks alone. Through sheer will alone, Malfurion rose shakily, and faced the giant statues. They were upon closer inspection depictions of warriors wielding two handed swords. They were carved from what looked to be sandstone, and each stood at over several hundred feet in height. They stood opposite one another, as if guarding the lands at their monolithic backs from any who dared trespass beyond their ruined frames.

Lost of any way to go but forward, Malfurion wandered his way into the borders of the eldritch city, unknowing of the ancient seals he broke as his feet crossed into its warded grounds. Immediately, the wind picked up, and a massive sandstorm manifested that threatened to tear him away if he didn’t find cover quickly enough. Forced to brave the city’s inner workings as sand ripped away at his flesh and vision, he was driven deep into the darkness of one particular keep. No matter his struggle, the storm would not allow him to leave the strange building's entryway, an eerily sentient nature taken to it's forceful, but purposeful gales.

With nothing to gain but a swift death on the outside, the faded Malfurion wandered bravely into the darkness, his feet quickly finding the familiar slant of a spiraling stairwell. Wandering blindly down its winding body, he followed along frosted walls until his body grew pleasantly numb. Voices came to Malfurion from low within the fathomless steps, some familiar and warm, others naked and frightening. He lurked the heavy soundless darkness for what felt like an eternity, whispering and crying in the cold until all grew numb but the voices as they dragged him down into their midst.

Down in the abyss of the world, there were those who ruled in the churning center of its formless mass. Each that was the Nothing held knowledge that was called truth, and they traded such meager things such as souls and the lives of their future kin for far grander things then any love or mercy could ever provide. They promised with screaming, cooing tones to Malfurion, many like his friends, a few like his hated enemies, and one like himself, warbling of spirit and hopelessly lost amongst the frosted stone and the dreaded deep. He lost the sound of his own voice, and once he grew old in the ways of Nothing, he was emptied of his soul fully, a husk of his former self.

A wraith named Malfurion wavered into glimmering starlight, and the Orb of Tozak chose it's newest host.
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(Open and accepting character profiles!)
 
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Stories from the Tower// Ascendants of Yor

A pleasant energy had taken to the forest of Malfuria.

The God Lord slumbered in his throne of living stone, his snores loud enough to roll the many trees back and forth in a constant yet mild sway. Heroes and commoners alike wandered by the hundreds between every bush and garden thicket, peacefully picking here or there, the sound of laughter and good company ripe on the chilly air. Many carried wicker baskets to gather the forest's last remaining bounty before winter came to claim the Tower of Yor. Always one for seasonal decor, Malfurion had summoned harmless apparitions to go around and spook those who dared wandered the forest at night, the glow of thousands of enchanted jack-o-lanterns bobbing up and down just above the tree line a fairly common sight this month especially. And so, there was peace in the Tower of Yor.

For now.

The God Lord Malfurion stirred, his eyes sparking open like the rise of twin blue suns. Challengers had come. A band of four hooded figures entered the front gate in the distance, and his titanic bulk shifted, his golden chin moving up ever so slightly. It was impossible to tell Malfurion's mood with that humongous golden mask always hiding his features, so whether this was indifference or subtle acknowledgement was a mystery unto itself. He chuckled lowly, his powerful chortle shaking the forest floor for a full minute.

So they had come for the Orb then.

It was no matter. More fodder for the Tower's endless hunger. He grumbled and looked down upon the gathered folk, unmoving as usual as he watched them live and laugh and love. These people, why did they stay? Cowards really. They did not brave the Tower, but cared for it, wanted it to survive. Mayhaps they would fight for the Tower's existence just as the terrors above one day, Malfurion thought with a hidden smile.It was strange really. How it had all began. How the gauntlets of Malfuria had changed his life forever and given him precedence over the Orb and this Tower. And oh, a tower it was, the aura of it's nexus a screaming soulfire amongst the very cosmos itself. How he prided himself on it, coveted and loved and hated such so passionately he barked out laughter harder still at the mere notion that it could ever be taken from his Godhood. The God Lord feigned to stand, barely lifting an inch off his throne as he pointed out at the four adventurers who were by rights miles off from his location.

A beacon of light would lead their way through the darkened wood.
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The four figures wandered, guided by a divine light and the occasional jack-o-lantern. Dali was apprehensive, his hand on his carving blades from the moment they had stepped through those giant crystal doors. "You are awfully on edge." Morica pulled her threaded hood back to reveal a fair elven high maiden, her gentle touch seeming to alleviate none of the stress coursing through Dali. " We should be on edge." He clucked his tongue, still remembering that rumbling laughter from moments before.

"He was laughing at us. Shook the damn earth..."

Whispering spirits floated in between the weaving branches of the forest's noticeable line, and deeper still into it's sparkling heart where jack-o-lanterns silently grinned, chatter and warmth of company could be sensed and heard. A sharp wind forced the band of four to collectively tighten their hooded cloaks, and their leader Feros, a one eyed human mercenary, pointed out into the knotted wood ahead.

"This is the first floor. I read that these woods for the most part are safe. Little Switzerland really. No reason to be so on edge yet. We have 100 floors of that so we need to get our rest tonight."

The last member of their troupe, a masked halfling, said nothing at all, only tucked his own dagger back down into his hidden belt. Dali shook his head at the lot, sensing that he might not be the only one with rattled nerves. Was he wrong to feel nervous? No. For as peaceful as the Tower's first floor seemed, he knew in the deepest part of his heart that he would most likely die here. To die on a floor of a tower for something he didn't understand is what got to him. Seemed appropriate given his shady dealings and most often poor life choices, but the thought of his life having lead to such a near pointless climax made him honestly more than afraid. He was pissed, mad at himself for accepting this responsibility on the pretense of payment beyond his wildest dreams. What was gold worth in the cold hands of a dead man? He shivered again, speaking lowly under his breath in frustrated spurts to himself.

"Dali...you're mumbling."

Shifting away from Morica, he lead off the remaining trio like a pouting child.

"I'm fine." He lied, daring not to look back, though he knew that he had already revealed enough through his voice. He was scared, and deep down, he felt they all were, even the silent halfling.

And yet here they still were, marching on into the frosted womb of a forest named Malfuria.
 
Stories from the Tower// First Floor Problems


Yolan called out for his children, his rough grip growing tighter over the handle of his sheathed sword. "Sigurd! Ragnar! Where are you!" He growled like an old bear, growing more annoyed than concerned. It was unlike them to go into the woods so late. It was easy to lose track of one's bearing in the night around here, and one misstep could find you across the border of the Tower's less amicable side of the woods. The Lord Malfurion had provided bounty and safe living for those who wished it, but he was not holding anyone's hand here. It was by this tower's grace of existence, the lifeblood of his people, and there people before them, that had always been a beacon of hope and security. Now whispers came in more often of the evil it was, but such talk was from outsiders, and they seemed to vie for higher aspirations than the simple living he sought. He saw them come, he saw them go, and when they disappeared into the thicket, he usually never saw them again.

Only sometimes, very rarely, someone would return. Usually with a few less limbs.

"Sigurd!" He didn't want to step into those woods and find his children in pieces somewhere, but he wasn't going to wait around forever to find them that way. He knew what lurked all too close along the border of Malfuria's leyline, and if Ragnar or Sigurd had gotten too close... He shook away the thought, pressing his bulk through briars with subtle curses under his breath. "You two better be ok." He huffed, unsheathing his father's blade...
 
Hey hey! The concept for this RP is super cool! I'm really interested in being a part of it! Do you think that I could be a dungeon master, or maybe represent some of the guardians/bosses on the upper floors? I'm happy to be a part in any way :)
 
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If you get people you have in mind who want to play, then yes you may run your own floor ascension, but you'll have to run things by me. No you can't represent any of the bosses at this time in the current build, as I've written them and balanced them myself, and in another's hands they just aren't gonna work.

Once you show some solid writing and a knowledge of proper balance, I might consider it however. :)

If you write up a boss, sling it at me. I might let you play it. Worth a shot.
 
If you get people you have in mind who want to play, then yes you may run your own floor ascension, but you'll have to run things by me and have players. No you can't represent any of the bosses at this time in the current build, as I've written them and balanced them myself, and in another's hands they just aren't gonna work.

Once you show some solid writing and a knowledge of proper balance, I might consider it however. :)
All right! I don't really have anyone in mind to play with yet, but now I'm thinking that I also want to make a character and RP for a bit to see how far I can get! I'm interested in seeing what happens! About the boss thing, I totally get it, no worries :) Maybe I'll try my hand at DMing after I've played with a character first!
 
Thank you, I appreciate it really. It makes this alot easier knowing others are going to enjoy it. :)

You can always roleplay with me. Want to make characters and give it a roll?

I have several hundred so I'm always ready.
 
Yeah, sounds cool! I've got to think up a character first though. I'll add the bio to the thread once I make it!
 
The first Ascendant's Tale/Dayman, Champion of the Sun

Dayman had heard pray tell of this, bastion of evil. The giant knight stood at well over 6'6 in height, boasting an immense set of golden armor that looked well worn and cumbersome in thickened loadout. He wore an intricately designed crusader helm with an adjustable facial visor that hid away his shadowed features, and across the broad face of his gilded plate mail laid many hand carved designs of ancient order and knowledge, runes of another time and place that had most likely lost all semblance of meaning or power long long ago. Upon his masterfully crafted right pauldron lay a perfectly rounded buckler shield, the image of the sun emblazoned over it's forward facing bust in vivid strokes of gold and sterling silver. At his left, a similar pauldron followed over by a fat knuckled gauntlet which currently rested over the pommel of a black handled long sword, a sheathed blade with few intricacies; it was simple in design, but no doubt effective when put towards it's one and only use; the slaying of hell-kin, and the like of the Night Man's breed.

His cape of woven light flitted noiselessly in the upturned breeze, and the elder knight squinted through the slits of his visor at the tower lo'. He spoke no words.

Dayman reached the iron set doors, a low grumble forming in his hidden throat. Pressing his shield arm against one side of it's crystal face, he grunted the crystal keep's entrance way open with minimal effort, and made his way inside.
 
There- the tower stood, bursting from the earth like the spike of some tainted beast. Wraithlike clouds, their ominous bellies full of lightning twisted and curled about its monolithic heights. The only sounds Marcus could hear were the howling keen of the wind and the bone-shaking thunderclaps ravaging his eardrums. The tower's base stood a mere 400 yards away from where Marcus stood, at the end of a long sandstone causeway. The stone was worn by eons of wind tearing over its surface- the edges of the stone were breaking apart in the fierce wind; rocks and silt were whipping through the air. Marcus braced himself against the savage wind and set foot on the crumbling arch, fighting to remain upright as the fearsome tempest threatened to sweep him into the canyon below.
 
The clawing wind tore at his limbs as he struggled across the bridge. He leaned forward into the gale, throwing up a gauntleted hand to ward against the singing sand. Just a little bit farther... His limbs trembled, his feet began to slip on the shifting sandstone dust and he fell to his knees! Marcus fought to stand and gathered himself for another effort. He dragged himself through the final blasts of whipping wind to the arched doorway of the darkened spire. Suddenly, the tempest was calmed and there was silence. The only audible noise was the sound of Marcus's ragged breath.
 
A booming laugh echoed through the air. The voice of a malevolent God. The celestial voice's Enochian speech was incomprehensible to Marcus's mortal ears, and a keening sound echoed through his brain. Marcus fell back, one hand on the pommel of his dagger, the other shielding his ear from the voice's Godly speech.
"Open these doors, Lord Malfurion," Marcus called, his voice rasping out of his raw, sand-stung throat. "I have come to conquer your Hellish citadel!"
The villainous laugh roared through the air once more, and the keep's sinister gates flew backward on their hinges with a resounding crack.
 
So, another challenger.

The gate willed itself open, and the sound of flitting wings and low cast whispers boiled out of the center of the gate's seam. A screaming boundary of tangible souls stood awaiting Marcus; they were the damned who had lost ownership of their souls to the Tower's insatiable appetite. Ahead a marble path cast in shadow beckoned, and the undead parted their ranks to allow Marcus to pass without consequence. They stared with empty, lolling gazes, all tepidly wheezing as one collective breath. Another victim, another fool.

"Free us."
A spectral child cooed and ran his transluscent hand along Marcus's leg, the others reaching out as well. "Free us, free us please!"

The ranks began to close, and the shadows deepened in the long hall. The ceiling seemed to rise as the spirits clambered forth. When they had nearly overtaken Marcus, a resounding voice echoed through the long hall.

"Enough."

The spirits dissipated, and the chilled hall was left silent, not a stray whisper left to be given. Overhead, a dull glow came into view from the pitch darkness. It grew in radiance until it was painful to look into, and a warmth accompanied it that was very similar to the sun itself. The chill fell from the air.

From the marble below, fruit trees and exotic flora blistered up and through the hall's paneled flooring...

The hall, rapidly shifting and incomprehensibly folding, finally shuddered to a stop as the spiral of life and magic finished it's course.

Marcus would find himself in a fruit pocked courtyard. Overhead, an orange sun blazed across a baby blue sky, and the forest ahead was vast, and without end. All around, adventurers and First floor villagers were gathered, happily drinking and eating their cares away. A group of men looked back towards Marcus, a similar expression of no doubt astonishment on their dirtied faces. They too, looked like challengers of Yor, and they gave Marcus a wide eye, one scoffing before turning back to converse with his companions..

"They look at age, and only see encumbrance." Dayman grunted as he stepped up beside Marcus. His gilded crusader helm hid away his blunted features, but it was obvious he was a man of some kind of benevolence; his entire frame was emblazoned with runes and archaic markings of the sun, including his buckler and cape. If Marcus didn't know any better, he would have assumed Dayman was a paladin, if anything.

"But we know better, aye? It's experience." He laughed, and offered Marcus a gourd of warm wine.

"You best drink while you can, if you plan on climbing. The name is Dayman, Champion of the Sun."
 
"Greetings, Sir. I am called Marcus Payne," He replied.

Marcus drank deeply from the gourd. The wine tasted sweet, like summertime. The trauma of Marcus's entrance into the tower was quickly forgotten, and he and the gilded knight continued to walk side by side through the lush gardens. Marcus cared little about what others thought of him- especially the younger men who looked at him and only saw an old man. Despite this, Marcus was grateful for the golden knight's camaraderie. The wine and the friendly company slightly soothed Marcus's grating nerves and he began to feel less like he was fumbling in the dark. Eventually, the path began to curve, and it opened up into the same courtyard Marcus had come upon before. Marcus turned to the knight beside him.

"I thank thee for the drink and for your companionship," he gave the man a slight bow.

"I wish you good health and happiness for many years to come, but now I must begin my ascension of this deadly spire- much is at stake."
 
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Satyrs could be seen playing lively tunes along the forest's edge, and where the path turned back into the courtyard, a new pathway was seemingly made apparent from the light of a new, unforeseen angle in the mysterious foliage. The music that swept through the brush was intoxicating to the ears and mind, and maidens of unfathomable beauty lingered close at hand, one such brushing her bronze fingers along Marcus's weathered pauldron. Dayman nodded to the fair women and gave a hidden wink to Marcus before waving them off. Turning back to the elder knight, a serious expression could be discerned through the grate of his rune smote helm, his giant gauntlet raised up to rest upon the hip pommel of his sword.

"You would go alone?" He snuffed, spit, and looked off down the new, true path.

The high clung bushes opened to a wide and low rolling plain. The cut grass of the fathomless field billowed collectively in strong, heaving wafts, and the wind of the world could be felt whirling back where it came from just as quickly as it came. Buildings made of wood and soldered steel brackets could be seen lined upon the nearby horizon, and a gate of thatch and braided twine locked it's borders from the rest of the first floor, the way beyond it's high walls cast in ominous, unnatural darkness. From the crest of the hill down the pair of knights could see hundreds of firelights spanned out like a patchwork of interconnecting stars across the valley, tents by the thousands set around each fire like moths to a burning, singular purpose. Men and women of all races and species could be seen in cuts of laughter and furtive merrymaking, some even in the midst love making, openly and without shame. Their moans of pleasure reached Dayman's ears, and he slapped Marcus's back whole heartedly.

"Only a fool would go alone."

Ahead at the center of the heavily populated field sat the Godlord Malfurion upon his sterling throne, surrounded by numerous entities.

At over 300 feet tall, he towered the plains below like a God, the presence of the shifting wind's nature now revealed; it was the breath of Malfurion himself, heaving in and out within the space of this confined dimension. Beings of every race and manner of origin mingled amongst the berth of Malfurion's 'stoop'. Depictions of demons and angels waging inter-celestial war upon one another spanned it's endless face all the way up to it's harrowing peak, and the further one looked, the longer one became lost inside it's hypnotic, impossible beauty. The depictions moved in effortless motions, and struck against one another in silent yet obvious rage, fighting and laughing and killing eachother forever more it seemed.

Many people did many things here.

Some cried, heaving harsh breaths at their knees whilst shaking their heads upon the silver gravel. "It can't be true! That cannot be the meaning of life!" One orc heaved, his back hitching as tears flowed freely like dew drops down his dark green cheeks. "It is what it is." Malfurion boomed from nowhere. Others talked amongst one another in theoretical, radical discussion about life, death, the meaning of everything and more...

Many danced, and sang. Some cast spells, or readied weapons with enchantments, preparing for their ascent. Many, many, prayed to Malfurion.

Some for strength, others, for power.

"Come. Let us ask a question of Malfurion. Everyone who enters may ask of him one question, and if they return from the top, another when they leave."
 
Marcus stared up in awe at the god's towering throne. He turned and looked at Dayman incredulously.

"A question? About what?" He sputtered. "Of all of the multitudes of questions that I burn to ask, how could I possibly choose one?" The knight simply let out a throaty chuckle that set his armor plates clanking.

"What do you most desire to know? I cannot choose your answer for you." The golden warrior replied, guiding Marcus through the droves of beings crowding the populated plain towards the center where the deity held court. He approached shakily, mesmerized by the shifting phantoms and memories twisting through the God's misty breath.

In the fog, he could see everything- He witnessed the beginning of the earth, he saw the world's fiery end. He recognized the faces of his children, of his King and his Queen, and his mother's kind eyes. There were flashing images of war, of primordial horrors born in the dark. He saw lovers and children, witnessed great beauty and great pain.

At this, Marcus fell upon his hands and knees at the foot of His godly chair. "Lord," he breathed roughly. He stared upward, his eyes burning from gazing upon the god's celestial brilliance. How could a single being have so much power? How was he to choose what to ask this being who holds the knowledge of everything from past, present, and future?
 
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Dayman stood beside Marcus's bowed frame, seemingly unfazed by the magnitude of the moment. Suddenly he gasped, and everyone fell silent among the rippling crowd, Dayman immediately dropping to one gilded knee. All merriment ended and all philosophy was silenced. Every being in attendance bowed, and when Marcus rose his head to finally look, he would see only a leper, nothing more. His face was garbed in bloody wraps, and his eyes were twin infernos that screamed of immeasurable depths of agony and forbidden knowledge, his rotted upper half glimmered over in ribbons of crystalline energy. His lower half hidden away under an embroidered robe, the mystery man walked forward, slowly and deliberately.

"Resume." He wafted a finger to the bowed masses. All rose and immediately returned to their usual affair, albeit with more than a few curious eyes upon where the leper was wandering towards. The leper made his way up to Marcus. Now that he was closer, the elder knight would see the man was wide as a bear, and strong in aura though his body was physically ailed.

"A man who comes alone." His voice was glass blended into gravel, rough as Malfurion's enormous stone feet.

"A fool!" He cackled laughter, suddenly unsheathing his hand and a half sword.

"Rise, and entertain an old soul."

The leper circled Marcus, and anyone near formed a semi-circle around the pair, most in contemplative silence, others covering their mouths in awe. Dayman stepped away from Marcus to join the semi-circle, giving him a reassuring nod from afar.

"We will see now who you are. Marcus Payne."

With supernatural speed the leper struck out from overhead, his one handed blow aimed to rattle Marcus to his very bones.
 
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Marcus threw himself to the side at the last possible moment and the blow glanced off of his steel breastplate and thudded into the ground. He quickly drew his greatsword from the sheath across his back.

"Who are you?" he panted. He took a wary stance, eyeing the wraith, watching for any sign of what was to happen next. He could see Dayman standing unbothered at the edge of the circle forming around the spontaneous duel. Marcus couldn't tell if the Leper actually intended to hurt him or not, but he was not going to take any chances.
 
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