You have dedicated years of your life working to prove the existence of a hidden pharaoh - someone who has pulled the strings of Ancient Egypt from the shadows, Kannok. Will you delve into the tomb and be successful, or will this just be another piece of history lost to time?

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This is my submissions for End Master’s Prompt Contest 3. Any and all feedback is welcomed and appreciated.

The gods of the realm fall silent as the Lahrian Kingdom spreads the following of The True God across the land. The Inquisitor's army has been sieging the city of Aurella for three weeks now. Your army grows restless at it seeks to purge the heretics inside it's gates. Will you destroy the city in the name of your god through slaughter, or will you find another way? 

I usually make a flow chart of events that I want to see happen. Also helps with paths if you're trying to do a story-game. That way you can see/ fit together the events. The way I work through writing is that you have to get through the slog of the boring parts to get to the parts you want to write. For me, I hate writing action sequences. I hate writing combat - but I do enjoy writing dialogue. So I know I'm going to struggle with getting through action bits, but my reward for slogging through is writing my favorite part. Its a give-and-take relationship. 

As for short stories, I usually set some guidelines for them. I usually cap my short stories around 2k words. Then I word vomit all over Word. Once I have it all on paper, I go through and cut out all the nonsense that doesn't contribute to the story I'm telling. Edit and boom you get a focused, cleanly written short story.

The best advice I can give for writer's block is taking a break from the main piece your writing. Maybe write a shorter story set in that world, but not necessarily apart of that main story. It helps with world building and can give your audience an opporunity to see into the world you're building and get hype about it.

The Forest wept that day.

Smoke filled the air above the Beasts' forest from multiple funeral pyres being lit around the area. There was a sudden and deep cutting loss that even Big Chieftain Clawfist and his daughter, Morella, stayed within their hut and privately mourned the loss of not just a fellow tribesman, but an outsider no less. Something that had been unheard of before then.

The Beasts' were naturally isolationists and very protective of their land. Due to necessity and survival of their camp, trading with outsiders was permitted, but it wasn't until Morella had gained her Father's approval to explore with a close trading partner that their eyes had been opened to the happenings of the wider world. There were former government officials, bomber jets, clowns, and even battleships out there! Morella would visit and regale her fellows with her tales of triumph and danger. Clawfist, while concerned for his daughter's safety, couldn't help but see that maybe there is more to the world than just living off in the forest in solidarity. Maybe the Beasts need to be open and knowing of what goes on in the world. Maybe the Beasts would be safer alone in the corner. He struggled daily with the pressure of deciding what is best for his people. However, that all changed once a certain outsider was brought before him.

Her name was Lyn North. She was delivered to Clawfist by the Regulators as The Great Stag had a dangerous path for the lawmen and Lyn had no business in that. First met with fear and hushed whispers, this outsider would not allow that to dampen her hopeful demeanor. She was a woman of science - a Laboratory Goddess of sorts. Time after time, she had proven helpful to the Beasts - whether that be assisting with tasks around the camp or treating wounds. Lyn's kindness knew no bounds and to see that from an outsider had soften Clawfist's isolationist heart. She showed them that maybe change is needed. Maybe the Beasts could show kindness to others, instead of fear and superstition. After all, The Great Stag was a spirit of change - not stagnation. 

One day, Clawfist had decided that information was needed on a suspicious neighboring power. He had asked his people if anyone would be up to the task and without hesitation, Lyn had volunteered. Surprised by this, Clawfist asked her why - why would she volunteer for such a task? Lyn responded, "Chieftain Clawfist, I have come to love your people and your people have welcomed me in return - however there is another love I have. My husband James has been separated from me for months now and I can't rest until I find him. I think there is a possibility he is in that area, based on what I've heard from the traders. Now, I come before you as a volunteer, but do not think that I will stay if you say no. I will be going and I would much rather go with your blessing and the blessing of The Great Stag."

Moved by the words of this outsider, Clawfist had granted her request. She would be sent out into the world, but not as an outsider - but as a Beast of Atom. Clawfist realized in this moment that Lyn was brought to them for a reason. It was a sign by The Great Stag that change is coming and Clawfist would be a fool to ignore it. He had hoped Lyn would find her husband. He had hoped Lyn would come back with him and tell stories at the great fires of their adventures together. He had hoped the future of his people would include her. But she didn't find her husband. She didn't come back. She died to a villain that was the direct antithesis of nature - The Taskmaster.

News had come quickly from the traders and it was not long before all had known what happened to their spark of hope for change. It was like a knife in the heart to the entire community. Women and children wailing at the news that she had passed. Men infuriated at the news of HOW she passed. The call of blood was resounded by all of the Beasts. Lyn will be avenged. The Taskmaster will fall. All who support him will perish. There will be no compromise. There will be no mercy. The age of AI is gone; all must return to nature.

The Forest had wept that day...and a new Beast was born.

Shit I gotta catch up

Damn man 0/4 for this one.

I too am fond of Ogre.

The plot is that he lied on his Resume and isn't an Engineer at all. Hilarity ensues!

I like how the X Files theme is just slipped in there. Maybe I should've had them all be Techno-Rave Forest People left over from Woodstock and Burning Man festivals

The deep rumble of shamanic drums fill the air surrounding the Great Falls area. Smoke filled the skies in from the various fires surrounding a major clearing encompassing Big Chieftain Clawfist's tent.Accompanying the drums are various shouts and chants coming from human mouths and some that may be considered more than human. Hundreds and hundreds of mutated tribesmen attend the gathering. A large figure steps out of the tent and a loud horn sounds. The drums hit one more crescendo before silencing as the Chief takes his place in the center of the gathering. 

The fire's illumination shows the true form of the large figure. He appears much taller than most other tribesmen and has various animal pelts covering his body. His left arm is chitinous and ending a large crab-like claw - hence the name. Atop his head pokes out a singular antler out the right side of his head. His cold grey eyes look over the crowd of his people. He takes a deep breath, smiles, and his deep voice bellows:

"My people, my Beasts. Today, marks another year of tranquility and peace among our beloved Wilds. Today, marks another year of blessing from the Great Stag. The harvest has been bountiful and your work does not go unrecognized!" He pauses for a brief moment, the cackling of fires is the only noise.

"The Beasts of Atom would not be here without the unity of the Canoti, Pavati, Kele, and Kanza tribes - who all made the journey to Great Falls many years ago. It is through that unity that we have strength. Through that unity, we have power. We have guarded and will continue to guard this land for generations to come. So tonight - feast and celebrate!" His people cheer in response. He holds out his hand and claw to calm them back down.

"I say this because the world outside our Wilds is shifting. The Outsiders wrestle for power. They wrestle for resources. They are looking to take back these lands for themselves." The crowd lets out boos and various screams of anger.

"They can have whatever land they want out there. But these are OUR lands." The boos turns to cheers and howls of agreement. "These are OUR Wilds. And we will fight with every hand, claw, and talon to defend it! The Great Stag has guided us and we will not disappoint! So drink, my brothers and sisters, drink for the Great Stag! Drink for Great Falls! Drink for our WIlds! Let it return to nature!"

The crowd erupts in celebration. Drums resuming their thunderous melodies. Mutants dance and jump around yelling praise to The Great Stag.

Outsiders beware, the Beasts are out!

I sent a friend request. I like typing.

Don't forget Mercer Gang!