prologue

Deciding that your place is as a regular soldier you return to your unit confident that you have made the right decision.\n\nChoosing neither too much darkness or two much light you are and will remain a warrior who will live or die by the strength and skill of your own hand.\n\nStand by for further orders.\n\n[[continue|Battle]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<set $choice to "warrior">>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/vows.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/warriors.mp3">>\n

You don't like leaving your companians. You are not a coward but you don't believe in hopeless causes. You follow the adage "he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day" and you believe that you will be needed on that other day.\n\nOf course if the Alliance that King Genericus has put together wins you and the other rangers will be considered deserters and outlaws. So, your choice is made. You wait to see what happens.\n\n<<set $choice to "ranger">>\n\n[[continue|Watchers]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/refusers.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/rangers.mp3">>

<img src="images2/farjika1.jpg" width="100%">\n\nThis is part of the ongoing Stormhaven Chronicles. Deep thanks for your continuing attention. Please click the link below.\n\n\n[[continue|Pages]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>

<img src="images2/warriors.jpg" width="100%">\n\nYou are one of a group of unit commanders in the army of King Genericus. You have all been recruited from your various nations to fight under Genericus as part of a Human Alliance against the Orcish invasion that threatens to overwhelm the human lands. For weeks the human forces have been camped in and around the fortified town of Stonekey waiting for armies of Orcs, Trolls, Giants and Hobgoblins to sweep down from the Mountains of Nar.\n\nUnit commanders of your level generally wait for orders to be passed down from your seniors but tonight the orders are for all unit commanders to report to King Genericus at the castle keep.\n\n[[continue|The Keep]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/aharnisam.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/prologue.mp3">>\n

<img src="images2/genericus.jpg" width="100%">\n\nFinally Genericus, the King of Adzar sweeps in. He is accompanied by General N'wolk Emos and the Grand Wizard Kigam Kalb.\n\nAfter outlining the dire situation for humankind the king explains that there is only one way to throw back the Orcish tide. That way is to invoke demons from the Astral Realms. He explains that Kigam Kalb and the College of Sorcerers have managed to bind powerful Wrath Demons that they will use against the Orcs. But in order for the demons to operate in the physical realm they must be installed into the bodies of willing human warriors.\n\nThe King and Wizard Kalb are asking for volunteers. You will be fine if you volunteer says Kalb. You have been chosen because you are strong enough to stay in control of the demon that will inhabit your body and what's more you'll have the strength of 20 men. Not only that, you'll also be able to throw stuff about telekinetically and conjure forces in the terrifying forms of demons. Also, the demonic vitality will likely allow you to live up to 200 years.\n\nThe alternative, says the king, is fighting a hopeless battle against Orcs who are ten times stronger than mortal men. Too, there are Trolls who are twice as strong as Orcs. You're almost certain to die and the Orcish hoards would sweep through the human lands doing unspeakable things to everyone you love. \n\n<hr>\n\nChoices:\n\n1. Yah. [[Sign me up|Demon Bearers]], If this is the only chance to save humanity then I ought to sacrifice myself, besides I like the idea of becoming super powerful and living to be 200.\n\n2. No. [[I'm not doing that|Refusers]]. I don't know enough about this but it doesn't sound right and I don't trust Genericus. I'm out.\n\n<a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/keep.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/genericus.mp3">>

<img src="images2/paladin.jpg" width="100%">\n\nThe Paladins, who are also known as the 'Kensei' and as 'Warriors of Light' are a mysterious order of spiritually inclined warriors. They are opposed to the King's plan to work with demonic forces. Their leader Ulf Pendragon is recruiting warriors to be Aspirants of the Order. He says that he doesn't have time to train you but if you are willing to take the Seven Vows he will bless you by the Power of the Light:\n\nThe Seven Vows of the Warriors of Light\n\nHumility:\n"I walk with heart humble, neither above nor below,\nIn thought and in action, may my Humility show."\n\nJustice:\n"By sword or by word, I will right every wrong,\nWith Justice my guide, not the strong, nor the throng."\n\nTruth:\n"I shall speak what is True, what is Honest and Right,\nWithout fear, without favour as day follows night."\n\nCompassion:\n"To those in deep sorrow, my hand shall extend,\nThe weak and the weary, I vow to defend."\n\nValour:\n"I shall face every foe with courage and grace,\nWith fear left behind, every challenge I'll face."\n\nDetachment:\n"I will own not the world, nor let it own me,\nWith spirit unbound, I will always be free."\n\nDiligence:\n"From toil and from duty, I shall never take rest,\nFor in constant endeavor, my soul shines its best."\n\n<hr>\n\nChoices:\n\n1. Moved by the idealistic words you enthusiastically [[repeat the vows after Ulf Pendragon|Paladin Vows]]\n\n2. You think that's going a bit too far. You're a warrior not a monk! You didn't want to be possessed by demons and you don't want to serve 'the Light' either. You have always been and decide to [[remain a simple warrior|Warriors]]\n\n | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/refusers.mp3">>\n\n<<playsound "sounds/vows.mp3">>\n\n\n

Neither being possessed by a demon nor facing certain death appeals much to you. You decide to leave the Alliance armies. Deserting is an ugly word. You tell yourself that Genericus can't be trusted and that you're sensibly taking time out to consider better options.\n\nYour motto is 'look after yourself first'. You're not sure of what to do now but you will wait and watch for your chance.\n\n<<set $choice to "rogue">>\n\n[[continue|Watchers]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/refusers.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/rogues.mp3">>

<img src="images2/aftermath2.jpg" width="100%">\n\nThe Orcish forces had been thoroughly defeated. With the power of the Demon Possessed victory had come at what seemed to some an unexpectedly low cost. Though more than a third of the Paladins and Paladin Aspirants had been killed, few of the regular forces had lost their lives. \n\nAs to the Possessed, while many were killed by the Orcs several simply dropped dead after the battle, the strain of hosting a wrath demon having taken an extreme toll on their bodies. Of those who remained it soon became apparent that most would remain under the sway of Kigam Kalb and the College of Sorcerors, their human and demonic freedoms of will lost forever to the arcane persuasions of the mages.\n\nBut a few of the Possessed did manage to throw off their psychic bonds, either through strength of will of their demon or through their own human strong wills. In either case they drifted from the battlefield into the mountains or forests towards whatever destinies their own stars held for them.\n\nGenericus declared that it was too dangerous to allow the Possessed to go free, they were too powerful and for the sake of humankind they must be hunted down and either brought under control or terminated. He also declared that the war with the Orcs was not over and that he would attack their strongholds and villages in the Nar Mountains killing every Orc so that their threat to the human realms would be ended forever. Genericus's call was backed by both the College of Sorcerers and the Church of the Light Bearer to which several Paladins were affiliated and which considered only humans to be true Children of the Light.\n\nUlf Pendragon ruled that Paladins were defenders and would not participate in the mass slaughter of any sentient beings. This was in line with the teaching of the Church of Unified Light that regarded all beings as part of the Divine Totality of Being. This difference in doctrine was the cause of a split in the Order of Paladins with half of the remaining Paladins following Ulf to the land of Arten that would later become known as the Commonwealth of Stormhaven.\n\nThe other half of the Paladin Order chose to remain with Genericus under the Church of the Light Bearer. They defined themselves as Light Bearers rather than Warriors of Light and called themselves Inquisitors rather than Paladins or Kensei (sword saints) but they became known and feared as Demon Hunters seeking out not only Orcs and rogue Demon Possessed warriors but also anyone who dealt in illicit magic and was identified as evil by the Church of the Light Bearer and the Empire into which Genericus's kingdom of Adzar would rapidly evolve.\n\n[[continue|Ulf]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/victory.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/aftermath.mp3">>

Shocked by the demonic scene you attempt to flee the room but some, irresistable, force draws you back. You hear words that seem to burn in your brain:\n\n"You have made your decision. Now you stay"\n\n[[continue|Stand]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit Story</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/demons2.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/flee.mp3">>

<img src="images2/page1.jpg" width="100%">\n \n<img src="images2/page2.jpg" width="100%">\n \n<img src="images2/page3.jpg" width="100%">\n \n<img src="images2/page4.jpg" width="100%">\n \n\n[[continue|Prologue]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<playsound "sounds/start.mp3">>

Several warriors are as discontented as you with the leadership of King Genericus. There are three main factions that you might join:\n\nYour Choices are:\n\n1. [[The Rangers]] who plan to work as a resistance and guerilla force using hit and run tactics to harass the enemy and working to get their own families and other civilians out of harms way.\n\n2. [[The Rogues]] who will do whatever it takes to stay alive and maybe even profit from this war.\n\n3. [[The Paladins]], an idealistic order of warriors who are committed to defending humanity and will fight on the frontline but will have nothing to do with demons.\n\n<a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/genericus.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/refusers.mp3">>

<img src="images2/kalb.jpg" width="100%">\n\nYou have chosen to have a powerful wrath demon inhabit your body.\n\nYou watch with a certain degree of apprehension as Grand Wizard Kalb raises his staff and utters words in a language that you've never heard spoken. Dark mists swirl around him solidifying into horrifying demonic visages.\n\n<hr>\n\nYour choices: [[Flee in panic|Flee]] | [[Stand your ground|Stand]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit Story</a> \n\n<<stopsound "sounds/genericus.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/demons2.mp3">>

You have decided to play no part in the battle but you will watch from the hills and woods surrounding the battlefield.\n\n[[continued|Battle]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/rangers.mp3">>\n<<stopsound "sounds/rogues.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/watchers.mp3">>

Apprehensively you enter the great hall of the keep. There must be close to 200 battle commanders of your rank and above here. You ask questions of your fellow warriors but no one seems to know what to expect.\n\n[[continue|Genericus]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/prologue.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/keep.mp3">>\n

Stormhaven Chronicles - A Demonic Prologue

<img src="images2/pendragon.jpg" width="100%">\n\nWith the other recruits you repeat the Vows of the Warriors of Light after Ulf Pendragon. For a moment he seems to shine and as he raises his arms the light around him extends to all the new recruits. You are filled with a sense of peace and certainty.\n\nYou are now a Paladin Aspirant. Stand by for further orders.\n\n[[continue|Battle]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<set $choice to "paladin">>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/vows.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/light.mp3">>\n

<img src="images2/possessed.jpg" width="100%">\n\nYou stand paralysed with terror as a powerful demons enters your body. At first you fight and then you feel the power filling your body. It is the urge to kill, to tear apart to dominate. A scream of rage rises to your throat and is released along with the screams of your fellows. You are no longer yourself you are something else something much more powerful.\n\nBut as powerful as you are something restrains you and the power within. You realise that both you and your dark passenger are held and commanded by the will of the High Wizard Kigam Kalb. \n\nYou can only wait for further orders.\n\n[[continue|Battle]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<set $choice to "possessed">>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/demons2.mp3">>\n<<stopsound "sounds/flee.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/stand.mp3">>\n

<img src="images2/aharnisam.jpg" width="100%">\n\nGood morning Aspirants. I am Ahar Nisam\n\nTo understand the present relationship between our Paladin order, Stormhaven, the Empire, the Demons and, well, all the rest, we have to go back in time almost 100 years .. I invite you to imagine yourself, a young warrior.\n\n\n[[continue|You]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/start.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/aharnisam.mp3">>\n

<img src="images2/page5.jpg" width="100%">\n\n<a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit to Main Website</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/aftermath.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/ulf.mp3">>

<img src="images2/possessed2.jpg" width="100%">\n\nMore terrifying than the orcs and their troll allies are the Demon Bearers. Each of the Possessed is like an army unleashing demonic forces that rip the flesh and crush the bones of the Orcish enemy, throwing them aside like toys and wielding swords and axes that cleave through metal and muscle and bodies that explode blood.\n\n[[continue|Victory]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/battle.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/demons3.mp3">>

/* Your story will use the CSS in this passage to style the page.\nGive this passage more tags, and it will only affect passages with those tags.\nExample selectors: */\n\nbody {\n\t/* This affects the entire page */\n\tfont-size: 75%;\n\tbackground-color: white;\n\tcolor: black;\n\t\n}\n\nh2 {\n color: #ff99ff;\n}\n\nh3 {\n color: #00cc00;\n}\n\nh4 {\n color: #00cc00;\n}\n\n\ni {\n color: #66ff66;\n}\n\nb {\n color: #cc3300;\n font-weight: bold;\n}\n\ntw-link {\n color: lightblue;\n}\n\ntw-link.visited {\n color: lightgreen;\n}\n\n.passage {\n\t/* This only affects passages */\n\tfont-size: 120%;\n\tline-height: 1.6;\n padding: 5px 5px;\n}\n.passage a {\n\tbackground-color: lightblue;\n padding: 3px 3px;\n text-decoration:none;\n font-weight:normal;\n border-radius:5px;\n cursor:pointer;\t\n}\n.passage a:hover {\n\t/* This affects links while the cursor is over them */\n\tbackground-color: pink;\n padding: 5px 5px;\n text-decoration:none;\n font-weight:normal;\n border-radius:5px;\n cursor:pointer;\n}\n\n.passage a:visited {\n\t/* This affects links while the cursor is over them */\n\tbackground-color: lightgreen;\n padding: 3px 3px;\n text-decoration:none;\n font-weight:normal;\n border-radius:5px;\n cursor:pointer;\n\t\n}\n\na.button,\nbutton.button {\n // ... existing styles\n background-color: $btnColor;\n color: #fff;\n border-radius: 8px;\n box-shadow: 0 3px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.18);\n}\n\nimg {\n\tmax-width: 100%;\n}\n

<img src="images2/orcs.jpg" width="100%">\n\nFinally the human armies receive the command to move out. The vanguard are the Possessed and the Paladins with their newly recruited Aspirants. Flanking and behind these special forces are the regular warriors.\n\nThe first appearance of the Orcish forces is terrifying.\n\n[[continue|Demon War]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/light.mp3">>\n<<stopsound "sounds/stand.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/battle.mp3">>

Gavin Sealey

<img src="images2/victory.jpg" width="100%">\n\nThe battle is fierce and the Orcs relentless. Many Warriors of Light, the Paladins, are slain this day and despite their tremendous powers many of the Demon Possessed are also killed, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of numbers on the Orcish side. But in the end the Orcs are broken and all that is left is for the human warriors, Paladins, Possessed and Regulars, to hunt down and kill every Orc and Troll who neither ask nor are given any mercy but fight to the last.\n\n[[continue|Aftermath]] | <a href="https://netstorms.co.uk/episode-6-demons-part-2/">Exit</a>\n\n<<stopsound "sounds/demons3.mp3">>\n<<playsound "sounds/victory.mp3">>\n\n