Plots · Travel · Single-Storyline
We Generals Three
In the savage wastes of Daemonland the More, three armies chase each other in a circle for all eternity....
'Ande Y dyd beahowlde ye barbaryane waysts of Daemynlande ye Mowre. Ande thus dyd Y beahowlde a grayt army, wyth banners bryght and a generale clad yn black wyth whyte and red sylke tailoringes.'
Thus begins the book of Lord Spytflame of Neverdale, who, in his youth, travelled from his warm and mountainous land into the dreadful Daemonland. Though Daemonland is one of the most inhospitable of places, Spytflame travelled from it's jagged, rocky shore, across the sweltering, near-desert plains of Daemonland the More to the sheer cliffs at the edge of Outer Daemonland, beyond which no man has penetrated that did return to tell of it. Spytflame, while travelling across Daemonland the More, beheld a strange sight already well known to the tribal barbarians that dwelt upon the Daemonland: The Three Armies. Across the plains circle three armies, one always chasing the one in front of it. The generals stop and converse and take meat and drink with anyone who they believe to be worthy, and many who have dined with these strange men say that they are very quiet and strange, but when asked of the army in front of them, they say that 'I and mine host doth chase these cowards, who erenow hath commited a crime known well to thee.' But when asked of their persuing army, they claim 'What treachery art this, that mine dearest friend doth rally his hosts to mine back? Begone from mine tent, thou poison-tongued devil, before I doth strike thy head from thy shoulders!'
What could be the mystery of these three armies and three generals? Perhaps the native Daemonland barbarians know. Or perhaps the secret lies in the unknown, forested lands beyond the desert of Outer Daemonland. But, as Lord Spytflame of Neverdale says in his book, To Outere Daemynlande and Backe, 'Perhapse thyse secreat be evere a mysterye to we.'
Scrolls
Twists, chapters, and details meant to stream with the submission — not general discussion.
No scrolls yet — leave one if you have a twist worth keeping.
Sign in to plant an idea scroll.
Enjoyed this? Sign in and cross blades for CaptainPenguin — five clashes, up to 25 XP.
Sign in to cross the blades.
Discussion
Reader talk, questions, and feedback — not scrolls.
No comments yet — be the first voice in the hall.
Sign in to join the discussion.
Bonds
Curated bonds across the Citadel — sign in to bind a bond. Kindred Favors are another thread in the same weave.
This article links to 2
- Desert of Death CaptainPenguin linked by manfred
- The Cliff and Valley CaptainPenguin linked by manfred
Links to this article 2
- Desert of Death CaptainPenguin linked by manfred
- The Cliff and Valley CaptainPenguin linked by manfred
This is what I call a diversion. I can almost hear the players saying What?!
One option:
Of course, no one can run in a desert in a circle for hundreds of years, and stay alive. These are armies of ghosts, however preserved they look. There is precious little food or water here. The only way to not starve (if you stay for some time), is to stay with the soldiers. Unfortunately, the food they eat makes you only FEEL nourished...
And then you will understand. You will join the chase after the enemy.
I love it! It's so darkly bizarre. Nightmarish.
So odd it is addicting and you need to find a way to put it in your game if only to screw with the PCs.
5/5. I like the story.
A nice little mystery
Who are the generals? and why do they chase each other?
What will happen if they ever stop? or if one of them catches up?
Can this even happen?
Can any of these questions ever be answered?
5/5
Not that it all really matters. It is less of a plot than a disturbing little interlude in the course of a larger adventure into Daemonland.
'Round and round and round you go,
And where you stop, ...'
Wait a minute, you can't stop!
A neat little 'screw with your minds' item. I like it.
An oldie indeed. Some people have removed their older submissions as they generally do not meet todays expectations. I am glad many still remain though as they show us where we come from and how we have evolved as a community.
prettty cool
An excellent oldie. I think the effect would be more striking if these folks are in fact still alive, flesh and bone, and cursed to carry through their mission.
I hope someday call into some customer service line and be greeted by a Jimmy Spytflame or Kevin Darkhammer.