Sample Dialogue and Narrative
SETTING: Lair of the lizardmen
CHARACTERS:
Leo, leader of the band of adventurers.
Sasha, cold-hearted assassin. Silent and stealthy.
Drufus, calm, talented mage.
Shane, experimental robot prototype, model x-1.
Dandee, talkative Halfling that’s out to prove his worth.
Lizardmen king and his henchmen.
Negotiations have failed and a battle is all but inevitable.
The lizardman king roars in defiance, “Do you think we would sssubmit ourselvesss so easily? Our blood has protected these ssacred landsss for generationsss. And now you want us to give you that which is rightfully oursss? Face the wrath of the Azarkissss!”
“Guess there’s no other option but to fight, eh?” Leo quips.
“Mode x-1 activated. Initiating eradication protocol. Proceeding with termination of designated subjects.” Shane answers in reply.
Sasha’s eyes grow cold in preparation for the upcoming battle. The barest hint of a mocking smile is all she gives as she drapes her voluminous cloak around her slender body and blends into the shadows.
“You know, this isn’t exactly how you would address your guests,” Dandee wags his stubby fingers at the king, “In fact, I highly recommend against this course of action. The last time Brandon did this to a group of orcs, well, let’s just say we didn’t exactly get to share our pork roast and cookies with them. And I must say Sasha can cook a mighty fine dish of pork roast! You must give it a try sometime, it’s just so heavenly! Tender strips of gently smoked pork, roasted over the finest charcoal this side of Melaville can buy. The aroma is just-“
“Dandee, shut it.” Drufus slaps the head of the long-winded halfling, sending the short fellow off balance and nearly crashing face-first to the floor.
“Owww! That was uncalled for! We Halflings have our own pride you know. Why, our hero Erinna Dupont the Thirty-Sixth of House Galloway-upon-the-Shore, Mighty Slayer of Dragons-“
A simple silence spell from Drufus solves the problem.
*indecipherable gagging and gurgling sounds*
“Alright. Shane, flank the king from the right. Initiate combat level 2 and respond accordingly. Drufus, prepare a contingency spell, in case the king summons more backup. Meantime, use a detect invisibility spell centred on me. That should make visible any hidden guards the king must have around his person. Sasha will do her thing. And Dandee, just stand still. No questions.”
*Dandee jumps up and down, waving his arms here and there excitedly as if wielding an invisible sword, and then points at the sword slung around his waist*
“No. Questions.” Leo shoots a withering glare at Dandee, which seems to make the already diminutive Halfling even smaller, if that is even possible.
“Frexalisus conjuralistus” Drufus makes strange gestures in the air and the area is lighted by a blinding light, revealing two hidden lizardman guards.
“Raarrrrr –urrrkk.” The first lizardman guard charges at Leo, but his warcry never finishes, instead being stifled in his throat and coming out as a gurgle. The guard collapses into a heap on the floor, a gleaming dagger planted neatly behind his back up to the hilt. Sasha steps out from the shadows, her eyes flashing like that of a predator stalking over her fallen prey.
“Twin lasers armed and ready. Target acquired. Firing at will.” Shane unleashes twin blasts of lasers that cleanly split the second lizardman guard from torso to hip.
The corpse falls over and lands with a sickening thud next to Dandee, spilling blood everywhere.
“See, this is why I never should stand still! I just washed this jacket here last week! Or was it two days ago? Now it’s got blood all over it! Though I must say the crimson color does complement the yellow pants well. But the smell! Ewwwww! I-“
“Raxilus bashilus.”
*incoherent gaggling sound*
“Sorry, I can only maintain one spell at a time.” Drufus shrugs.
“Impudent foolsss! You dare mock me in my own ssanctum? I will show you the true power of the Azarkiss!” The lizardman king shouts thunderously.
The lizardman’s spear glows fiery red. The whole cavern starts to shake.
“Drufus, if you can determine what is exactly happening, now would be a good time to explain quick.” Leo looks about the room with concern.
“Leo, I know this isn’t going to sound like the brightest of strategies, but it’s simple and very effective when faced with situations like this. Run.” Drufus prepares a spell to give the party increased speed to run out of the cavern.
“Right. We all heard the man. Roll out!”
The band of adventurers rush to the exit as chunks of rock and granite fall all about them. Of course, Sasha has to grab the squirming Halfling by the collar and drag him along, kicking and screaming as Halflings are known to have a short attention span.
I decided to add some narration to lend some imagination to the action in place of visuals.
SAMPLE MULTIPLE CHOICE DIALOGUE
“Ares, I know it’s too early to tell you this, but I, I.. I feel that I must tell you how I feel. I can’t keep my feelings inside forever. I’m just not strong enough to maintain this facade. All night, in my dreams, I see your face, feel your gentle touch. I know it might not mean much, but please, accept this ring as a token of my affection for you”
- “Gloria, I have always felt the same way. I know I have to leave for battle tomorrow, but the night is still young. We can have one night for ourselves. Let our love be true.”
- “I understand how you feel, Gloria. Parting is such sweet sorrow. But I can’t accept your ring. I- I want to return tomorrow, to your open arms. But… the battle tomorrow..there’s no chance of surviving. You deserve better. I’m.. sorry.”
- “Gloria, I must refuse. Honor and duty always comes first for me. I cannot accept and betray your trust. The need of the country is greater than the need of us for each other. Please accept my apology.”
- “I never loved you, and never will. Now get out of my sight.”
Response to 1 – “Yes, let our love be true. Let it last as long as we hold each other into the night. I love you, truly and deeply.”
Response to 2 – “It doesn’t have to be this way. If that is what you feel… I understand.. but, our fate is not determined, and tomorrow has not yet come. Please, reconsider. I beg of you.”
Response to 3 – “I- I see.. Then.. return safely tomorrow.. at least promise me this.”
Response to 4 – Tears well up in Gloria’s eyes. She slaps Ares across the cheek and runs away, a forlorn figure fading into the night.
Copyright 2009 Lee Wei Joo
