ninjapitka, The Grandmaster of the Written Word
Member Since
6/11/2018
Last Activity
5/11/2025 7:30 PM
EXP Points
Post Count
629
Storygame Count
18
Duel Stats
11
wins
/
13
losses
Order
Notorious Marauder Exemplar
Commendations
Half an hour later he was sitting in front of the blank screen, thinking he had to be a glutton for punishment.
Trophies Earned
Storygames
Citizens! The High King requires the patriotic swing of your sword! Enlist today! Benefits include free passage to the New World, unparalleled brotherhood, and a sense of purpose! Talk to a recruiter today!
Alteran, a superpower nation unlike the world has ever witnessed. Proper, rule-following, like a civilized nation should be.
Magda, a territory threatening to rival Alteran in both might and colonization of the New World. Supreme Leader Fargrave (spit), ever a constant presence at the High King's heel.
Harri'ar, natives of the New World, standing a full head taller than the average civilized man. Mere beasts in a human-shaped body.
The old ways are dying; the new are upon us.
Author's note:
Official endings will be labeled as such. Be sure to hit the "Go Back" button should you come across a premature death.
Submission for the War on Intfiction.
An alcoholic writer. His career going nowhere. The daughter of a business tycoon.
Author's note:
This story is dedicated to Jay in response to their constructive feedback left on Unbroken. Thank you, truly, for being the inspiration behind the title. Enjoy.
Solitary is the life of those who carry iron and deal in lead. Their trail is littered with the fallen, both friend and foe alike. A man seeks rest, his body exhausted from the journey, his mind never finding stillness. Evil grows in the western frontier, a place of adventure and danger. And where those things exist, so too does the gunslinger.
Author's note:
All endings are titled. Your score will be tied to one of 7. They are:
1: Tethered to Darkness
2: For Whom the Bell Tolls
3: Death at Midnight
4: A Death Preceding Your Own
5: Blaze of Glory
6: Final Smoke
7: A Soul in Trade of Another
Entry for End Master's Manifest Destiny Contest.
Author's note:
All endings are titled. Your score will be tied to one of 7. They are:
1: Tethered to Darkness
2: For Whom the Bell Tolls
3: Death at Midnight
4: A Death Preceding Your Own
5: Blaze of Glory
6: Final Smoke
7: A Soul in Trade of Another
Entry for End Master's Manifest Destiny Contest.
It's been seven years since the last ship sailed across the sea, and soon, it'll be my turn.
Author's Note:
Official endings will be labeled as such. If you come across a premature ending, hit the "Back" button. Comments and ratings are also appreciated. Enjoy.
Author's Note:
Official endings will be labeled as such. If you come across a premature ending, hit the "Back" button. Comments and ratings are also appreciated. Enjoy.
They betrayed you, left you broken and bleeding in the dirt. They should have finished the job.
A second chance at life. More men to kill, more gold to earn.
Author's note:
Be warned: this is a different type of storygame. Consider it an interactive novel. There are several ways to reach the ending, but I suggest reading without using the Back button.
A second chance at life. More men to kill, more gold to earn.
Author's note:
Be warned: this is a different type of storygame. Consider it an interactive novel. There are several ways to reach the ending, but I suggest reading without using the Back button.
Strength of body, strength of will. Both are required. A man's freedom depends on his willingness to act, to rise against those who would place him in chains. Small choices add up, building towards differing outcomes. In the moment, one does not often know the implications of his actions. Inevitably, all is revealed.
Author's Note:
There are several "cinematic" links in the story. You will have the option to view multiple events happening simultaneously. While not adding to the branching, they do offer deeper insight into the story.
I've written a series of short fables for your benefit. Come, take my hand as we navigate through life's innermost difficulties.
Author's note:
Entry for Bucky's Year's End Contest.
Hope you packed your smokes, poured a flask. Here, we're all alkies; no harm, no foul if you hit a mean power chord.
A rockin' adventure in your favorite city.
Author's Note:
There are four official endings. If you don't like yours, find another.
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun don't ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through
Author's note:
Entry for MHD's Fantastical Fairytales Contest.
There are nine total endings. I encourage you to discover them all.
Where the sun don't ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through
Author's note:
Entry for MHD's Fantastical Fairytales Contest.
There are nine total endings. I encourage you to discover them all.
Thoughts appearing as fragments. A mind shattered. Broken. Weak. One of us.
Author's Note:
Official endings will be titled "Epilogue." There are seven total to discover.
She offers everything a man could want. Sterling City, an unsteady lover, but a lover nonetheless, filled with gunfire, liberal women, and elevator dings!
One day her embrace is warm, and the next, it's the cold shoulder and couch for you, baby. Best to get out while the going's good.
Author's Note:
Contest entry for IWT 13: The Resurrection.
It's the 'burbs, baby. Wipe that city grime off on the door mat. You know what, why don't you just remove those filthy shoes entirely.
She's calm, collected, and safe. Sterling Suburbs, nothing like her erratic sister, filled with carpool lines, trick or treaters, and a steady supply of Budweiser.
Author's Note:
Written for Mara's Halloween Writing Jam.
A small-sized, suburb-dwelling Sterling City spin-off!
A new day. The chance to move on. Weigh the options, then commit. Whether you choose right or wrong, the journey begins by taking a step forward.
The Hunter, a man marked by tragedy, plagued by the internal voice. His past appears as phantoms, seeking to claim his soul.
The Sorceress, places little value on the lives of men. Humanity is but an obstacle on her rise to power.
The Warrior, built by honor. Straightforward in battle, straightforward in thought.
The Rogue, unable to leave behind what isn't his. Some artifacts are best left as they are.
The Book, a tome of black magic. Ancient curses rest in its pages, longing to be read.
Author's note: There are six official endings to discover, two of which have characters crossing over from Sheol's Passage and the Fallen.
Entry for EndMaster's Edgelord Contest 2.
The Hunter, a man marked by tragedy, plagued by the internal voice. His past appears as phantoms, seeking to claim his soul.
The Sorceress, places little value on the lives of men. Humanity is but an obstacle on her rise to power.
The Warrior, built by honor. Straightforward in battle, straightforward in thought.
The Rogue, unable to leave behind what isn't his. Some artifacts are best left as they are.
The Book, a tome of black magic. Ancient curses rest in its pages, longing to be read.
Author's note: There are six official endings to discover, two of which have characters crossing over from Sheol's Passage and the Fallen.
Entry for EndMaster's Edgelord Contest 2.
The Providence of Kria consists of two major nations: The Kingdom of Brelia and the tribal territory of Rath. The ten-year peace between Brelia and Rath is quickly unraveling. In attempt to prevent another war, heir to the throne of Brelia, Prince Urijah, is sent on a diplomatic mission to appeal to the Rathans. In your older brother's absence, the burden of defending the kingdom falls to you. Your choices will determine the fate of the kingdom.
Runner-up for Corgi's Unofficial Contest: The Lords of the Land.
9/1/19 Update: Corrected a few punctuation errors
Taking place during the Golden Age of Piracy, assume command of The Sanguine as you plunder and search for treasure in the profitable Caribbean. In this swashbuckling fantasy, you embark on a dangerous quest to an ancient Aztec civilization. Peril lies behind every tree, stone, and indigenous spear.
Author's note:
The story adds fantasy elements to events occurring in the 1700s. There are many real life characters and places in the story. Many are factually accurate, and many are not. I highly encourage you to research the people, places, and deities after reading.
Entry for Gower's Battle in the Ruins of a Dead Civilization contest.
Author's note:
The story adds fantasy elements to events occurring in the 1700s. There are many real life characters and places in the story. Many are factually accurate, and many are not. I highly encourage you to research the people, places, and deities after reading.
Entry for Gower's Battle in the Ruins of a Dead Civilization contest.
It's got sex. It's got booze.
It's got heartache, hurt, and happy times.
This is True Life, not a love story for the kids.
Author's Note:
You'll find the storygame takes place in a familiar city. That's Sterling, baby, and don't you fuckin forget it; she may be a hot mess, but she's my hot mess. Fortunately for you sick freaks, there's enough to go around. Enjoy. Just be sure to wash up afterward.
1852 - The Territory of New Mexico
The hunt has taken me to to the outer edges of civilization. Out here, lawlessness abides. There are no godly folk. Only heathen. The inner demon in me can relate to the call of anarchy. No rules, being bound by nothing; it sounds like freedom. In the end, that "freedom" is simply the self-indulgent, care-free living that is a poison upon humanity. If killing a man will save society from the infection of lawlessness, then I will gladly do what is necessary.
You eye the journal at your lap. The freshly written ink expands and bleeds to the perfect width of the quill. Satisfied that it won't smear, you shut the book and toss it aside. The meager fire at your feet does little to warm your body, but its original use was already completed. The frail, thin-boned squirrel did little to satisfy your hunger. Still, it would keep you alive until the next meal. You pull the leather waterskin from your pack to gauge how much longer it would last. With a gentle shake, you estimate it'll last a couple more days with strict rationing.
The road is lonely. In a former life, you dreamed about wandering the world without any responsibility or burdens. The reality of the road's harsh living conditions were nothing like the trigger-happy romanticized versions of the lawless west. Here there are no home-cooked meals, no warm body to lie next to yours. It's only you and the necessary task. Someone had to die.
You gaze up at the night sky. It seemed foreign at first. Without city lights to disorient the constellations, it looked like an entirely new sky. If you traveled at a good pace, you'd reach Canyon Diablo by midday. You pull the bone-carved pipe from your pack and light a match against the sole of your foot. You lie down on your bedroll, breathe in the relaxing tobacco, and drift off to sleep...
Author's Note:
The Wild West is a dangerous place. Be sure to make good use of that "back" button. I've hidden three achievements throughout the story. Yes, your total score will show if you've discovered them or not. The highest score possible is an 8/8.
Point Breakdown:
Achievements: 1 point each
Epilogue: 5 points
Entry for mizal's Lone Hero contest.
8/28/19 Update: Fixed the symbols appearing in the description
There is no escaping our nature. It simply exists. The voice within me, the one that causes me to commit terrible deeds, burns a low ember. Still, it remains, always present, always looking for fuel to burn. It wants to escape. I feel its lust. It wants to devour. This day is no different. I must battle the darkness within.
Author's note:
In various sections, you will be given the option to view a simultaneous event happening in the story. While not directly affecting you, the reader's path, they may create a more cinematic feel to the story.
Originally written as the last page for Sixteen Words, I hope you enjoy my full adaptation of Contemplation.
Articles Written
Embracing the Writing ProcessSo you want to be a writer, huh? It ain't easy, kid.
Embracing the Writing Process II
So you STILL want to be a writer? Your funeral.
Recent Posts
Paperback book reccomendations on 4/20/2025 11:09:17 AMCheck out my book lists in the Reading Corner.
I'm currently almost through the Farseer Trilogy, and it's definitely worth reading. It is written by a woman though, so be prepared for descriptions of garments and emotions. If I knew literary terms I'd tell you exactly how The Name of the Wind seems to pull from it. Since I don't, I'll just say they feel very similiar.
I'm currently almost through the Farseer Trilogy, and it's definitely worth reading. It is written by a woman though, so be prepared for descriptions of garments and emotions. If I knew literary terms I'd tell you exactly how The Name of the Wind seems to pull from it. Since I don't, I'll just say they feel very similiar.
Romance in RPGs (again) on 3/30/2025 1:28:35 PM
That's a girl to keep around.
On the topic of game breaking, I just played through Deux Ex: Mankind Divided for the first time. The final boss absolutely decimated me for the first 4-5 attempts. Then I used the basic stun augment, cause what the hell, and apparently the boss can be stunned AND one-shot assassinated. Makes me wonder how much is meant to encourage player creativity or if it's just dev oversight. Skyrim is like that too with dual casting destruction to perma-stun anything. It's not a Bethesda game if it's not broken! By either player or studio. They really gave the player perma-slow time in Starfield. Cast, walk up, headshot, and the cooldown is over when time resumes. Fun game.
On the topic of game breaking, I just played through Deux Ex: Mankind Divided for the first time. The final boss absolutely decimated me for the first 4-5 attempts. Then I used the basic stun augment, cause what the hell, and apparently the boss can be stunned AND one-shot assassinated. Makes me wonder how much is meant to encourage player creativity or if it's just dev oversight. Skyrim is like that too with dual casting destruction to perma-stun anything. It's not a Bethesda game if it's not broken! By either player or studio. They really gave the player perma-slow time in Starfield. Cast, walk up, headshot, and the cooldown is over when time resumes. Fun game.
Romance in RPGs (again) on 3/29/2025 11:30:34 AM
I'll suffer through an annoying romance option as long as it gives some type of bonus (like an XP boost in Fallout). Piper knows if she gets chatty enough, she's getting left in the wasteland, and we all know once you go super mutant, you end up in a wheelchair.
I’m so fucking stressed 😩 on 3/20/2025 9:36:18 AM
Describe your long and stressful day. It's probably not that bad.
Interesting comments 10 on 3/2/2025 2:02:42 PM
Damn, I thought I was special.
How could I improve my intro? on 2/20/2025 12:20:07 AM
Hello. There is too much.
The wind howls, swirling around and raking it's icy hands over the faces of anything that's unfortunate enough to be wandering around outside.
This opening sentence is like having my eyes raked by icy hands.
The wind howls and swirls, raking its icy fingers over any unfortunate souls wandering outside.
Not great, but easier to read. Fingers feel more raky than hands. Just my opinion.
Once emerald green tree leaves wilt, turned down in submission to the frost.
There is much too much, muchacho. Not every description needs the attention you're giving it. Emerald and green have the same effect. Cut one. Or cut both. The focus is leaves wilting in submission to frost (cool imagery).
An ocean of snow spreads itself over the grass, marking the trails of men and creatures that tread across it alike.
Too much. Check for words that have no impact whatsover: An ocean of snow spreads [delete] over the grass, marking the trails of men and creatures [delete] [delete] [delete] [delete] alike.
Dull grey skies look on from above, allowing rays of sunlight to emanate from overhead, poking through the branches here and there.
Again, trim the fat. "From above" and "overhead" seem redundant. I know which direction the sky and sunlight are. Also think about what you're writing. Dull grey skies allow rays of sunlight? I imagine a thick cloud layer with "dull grey." Also this is America. It's gray, damn it.
Robins cease their birdsong, opting to conserve their strength to weather the biting cold.
This is pretty good, nothing like the over-descriptive mumbo-jumbo above. I suggest reading through the rest and simplifying things. I'm sure you'll discover other words that need deleting.
The wind howls, swirling around and raking it's icy hands over the faces of anything that's unfortunate enough to be wandering around outside.
This opening sentence is like having my eyes raked by icy hands.
The wind howls and swirls, raking its icy fingers over any unfortunate souls wandering outside.
Not great, but easier to read. Fingers feel more raky than hands. Just my opinion.
Once emerald green tree leaves wilt, turned down in submission to the frost.
There is much too much, muchacho. Not every description needs the attention you're giving it. Emerald and green have the same effect. Cut one. Or cut both. The focus is leaves wilting in submission to frost (cool imagery).
An ocean of snow spreads itself over the grass, marking the trails of men and creatures that tread across it alike.
Too much. Check for words that have no impact whatsover: An ocean of snow spreads [delete] over the grass, marking the trails of men and creatures [delete] [delete] [delete] [delete] alike.
Dull grey skies look on from above, allowing rays of sunlight to emanate from overhead, poking through the branches here and there.
Again, trim the fat. "From above" and "overhead" seem redundant. I know which direction the sky and sunlight are. Also think about what you're writing. Dull grey skies allow rays of sunlight? I imagine a thick cloud layer with "dull grey." Also this is America. It's gray, damn it.
Robins cease their birdsong, opting to conserve their strength to weather the biting cold.
This is pretty good, nothing like the over-descriptive mumbo-jumbo above. I suggest reading through the rest and simplifying things. I'm sure you'll discover other words that need deleting.
❆ Secret Santa 2024 ❆ on 1/12/2025 11:22:03 AM
Me please.
Prompt Contest 4 Progress Thread on 1/4/2025 1:53:23 PM
We'll see.
Prompt Contest 4 Progress Thread on 1/4/2025 1:41:37 PM
You're a psycho.
Prompt Contest 4 Progress Thread on 1/4/2025 11:45:48 AM
Writing to a song on repeat? That's some real serial killer stuff. I run 1-2 albums on repeat, start to finish, for each story. It's a good way to track time time too since each is roughly an hour.
Heavenspire used two Staind albums:
1. Break the Cycle
2. Staind
Alter Bridge is the other band I'll primarily listen to for fantasy writing, rotating between 1-2 albums, start to finish. Blackbird may or may not have been the inspiration for the cleverly-titled Blackbirds storygame.
Sterling and the other degenerate storygames (Rockstar, Degenerate, True Life, etc.) used redneck rock. Music that's basically propaganda for Budweiser and Marlboros and no-ass blondes. Perfect to set the mood.
Heavenspire used two Staind albums:
1. Break the Cycle
2. Staind
Alter Bridge is the other band I'll primarily listen to for fantasy writing, rotating between 1-2 albums, start to finish. Blackbird may or may not have been the inspiration for the cleverly-titled Blackbirds storygame.
Sterling and the other degenerate storygames (Rockstar, Degenerate, True Life, etc.) used redneck rock. Music that's basically propaganda for Budweiser and Marlboros and no-ass blondes. Perfect to set the mood.
