Novels - a short story based on the game "LORDS OF CHAOS".

BRIEF FOREWORD

        However, just in case, I will briefly describe the spells,
which are in "Lords". Initially the wizard is given some
the number of experience points he can
improve your physical characteristics. And for the rest you can
dial spells.  The same spell can be purchased
several times: this increases his strength. For example, double
the summon centaur spell allows you to summon two centaurs, and
there will still be a single spell left.
        And one more thing, before moving on to the list of spells, one
moment that I didn’t immediately understand: on your first move, your
the wizard cannot move, but only cast spells and pick up
objects, if they are where he is standing. The same applies to
creatures that he creates on the first turn.
        And now - magic!

        I. CREATURES. They all have one thing in common - they are very different.
Among them there are breadwinners, fighters, and riding creatures. Many people can
fly. There are even invisible ones or those who can pass through walls.
        Dragons are the best in battle; they can even breathe fire.
But to summon a dragon you need to have a cauldron and dragon grass
(dragon herb).
        And several of the creatures are undead.  The usual method does not
kill;  undead can only be killed by other undead, fire or magic
(particularly enchanted weapons).

        II.  POTIONS.  The most different -invisibility,
protection, strength, speed, healing
(healing), flight (flying).  And the super potion is it
Immediately increases speed, endurance, strength and defense.
        The hardest part is remembering which ingredient is for which
potions needed. And, of course, you always need a boiler. Usually a potion cauldron
enough for four sips.
        Here's what you need:
        apple - for a healing potion;
        mistletoe (mistletoe) - for a potion of strength;
        clover - for a potion of protection;
        crystal (crystal) - for an invisibility potion;
        fairy wings - for the flight potion;
        sulphur - for speed potion;
        ambergris (ambergris) - for super potion.

        III. COMBAT MAGIC. This includes spells that simply hit
against the enemy: magic attack, magic
arrow (magic bolt) and magic lightning (magic lightning).
Lightning differs from others in its larger area of ​​damage.
        Also in this group is a curse that causes
the enemy bleeds, and after a while he dies.
        Well, magical fire can be attributed to the same group
(magic fire), velcro (gooey blob) and vine (tangle vine). They
hinder the movement of the enemy and wound the one who had
imprudence to stop there.

        IV.   ORDINARY MAGIC.   This group includesteleportation, magic shield,
flood: it extinguishes the fire, and in it it is quite possible
drown.
        This group also includes more non-trivial things:
enchant - enchants a weapon so it becomes better and
can kill undead.  Subversion - if very
If you're lucky, it will reassign the enemy creature to you.
        And the last spell is magic eye; it allows you to
look from the point to which it is directed, and also see
everything invisible.

                             * * *

        And finally, before moving on to the story: the main thing
I borrowed the hero and some of those mentioned “behind the scenes” from
Jack Vance. In my defense, I can say that he has Mazirian
dies;  so I decided that he no longer needed it and revived
him.


(C) Andrey Shkolnikov, 1996.


                                   With thanks to Jack Vance.
                                 Just don't tell him about it.


                         FORBIDDEN WORLDS
               ══════════════════════════════════
               (based on the game "LORDS OF CHAOS")


        - He's killed!  Ragaril, he's probably killed! Or dies
now!  - the little red-haired man was running around the hall, excitedly
waving his arms.
        -  Can't be! - Ragaril was artificially surprised. - C
why did you take this?
        - Well, of course!The portal has already closed - now, if he
He's alive, he'll never get out! How can you not understand?
        - Stop being hysterical.  - Ragaril, although he didn’t move
head, however, did not take his chilling gaze off Elbo,
as if pinning him to the floor.
        - You and Torquemada thought it would be like this,
fun walk? Kill, burn and go home with the stones?
How I sometimes regret that I killed Pandelum. He had stupid ones
ideas about Chaos, but it was a MAG!  And I was stupid - and so,
please stay with you nonentities. Well now at least one
became less of a nonentity.
        - RAGARIL!   - shocked Elbo froze with an absurd expression
with raised hands. - How can you?!
        “If you’ve already calmed down,” he said just as contemptuously.
Ragaril, you might think who killed Torquemada.
        - But... How should I know? He's... That is, I'm not...
Black skies!  This is Mazirian!  - from Elbo's excitement again
ran around, choking on words.  - Well, of course! A couple of years ago
there was a rumor that he was alive... he knew the way to the Forbidden Worlds... he
has always been at enmity with the Lords of Chaos! Ragaril, everything fits! This
definitely Mazirian!
        Ragaril looked at Elbo with a cold grin, comfortably
stretched out on his black throne.  This throne was real
a work of art. Modest, almost devoid of decoration, he
nevertheless amazed with its beauty- cold and inhumane.
A person could hardly even just sit on this throne, and
the more comfortable it is to stretch out.  But Ragaril was now in his
true form - at home he never changed his appearance, did not pretend
person.
        Elbo, finally catching Ragaril's gaze, sharply
stopped in place.  Somehow that look told him
everything at once, and he could barely stay on his feet.
        - You knew, right?  - Elbo said bitterly, somehow immediately
calmed down.  - I knew back then... two years ago... All this
knew the time - and did not warn us! Torquemada went to the Forest,
It's really like going for a walk. And you were silent - what do you have to lose?
Torquemada will slam Mazirian - great. Mazirian will slam
Torquemadu is also okay. Just think, Junior Lord! But great
Ragaril recognizes the enemy's strength!
        Ragaril smiled back, without opening his lips - or that
what replaced his lips.
        -  Well done.  Not bad... for a hillbilly.  You don't even
had the courage to think through to the end.
        Elbo, of course, realized who else he could sacrifice
Ragaril was smart enough to remain silent.

                             * * *

        Mazirian, having finally thrown off the hard bandage and heavy
a wizard's cloak, basking in a hot bath, leaning back so
so that the water touches the back of the head. Everything went even better than he dared
hope.  And although the body ached terribly, although againgot sick
two-hundred-year-old scars from whip trees - joy overwhelmed
him. It was a success! And how it was possible!
        Only once every three hundred thousand years is access granted to three
Forbidden Worlds - three worlds about which there are legends, about which
all wizards dream.  And even then you can stay in every World
only for a few hours - or for three hundred thousand years.
        It is not preserved in people's memory which of the powerful
gods or demons of ancient times created the Forbidden Worlds and why.
An ordinary person does not need all of them and for nothing: it is prohibited - and
awesome, let it stay that way! To the ordinary person in the Forbidden
He can’t get to Mira, and he doesn’t want to go there. Only magicians are eager to go there,
arrogantly trying to pass between worlds, bypassing portals and
disappear forever unknown where - and all for the sake of the treasures of the Forbidden
Mirov.
        It doesn't hurt and these treasures are expensive. Gold, pebbles -
everything is as it should be; but... you can’t get rich from this, it’s not worth the treasure
such dangers.  And yet when it opens for a couple of hours
portal, the greatest magicians, risking everything, go to the Forbidden Worlds, and
others helplessly grind their teeth.  For every pebble, every
an ingot or an old sword from the treasures of the Worlds is imbued with magical
energy;  so much so that if all three treasures are given to the most ordinary
to the village sorcerer, but if such power does not burn him, then they will
his power and authority are not much less than they werehimself
Archnecromancer of Fandaal.
        And as if this was not enough, or a strange feeling
the creator of the Forbidden Worlds had humor, he only acts in them
one more rule: each kill increases the energy of the killer magician,
and doubly so - if he killed personally, and not with puppets - creatures
their own.  That is why the small magicians of the Forbidden Worlds are afraid: they tremble, and
they lust, and they lust trembling. For now they are going to the Forbidden Worlds
powerful Lords of Chaos - Torquemada, Elbo Smogg and himself
terrible Ragaril. Torquemada and Elbo were once people, until
surrendered to the Darkness. As for Ragaril - they say that he is not a man
and not a demon.  They say that his strength is immeasurable - both ordinary and
magical.  They say that he was the strongest in the ancient and wise
tribe of dragon people, but went through the very heart of Darkness, and she
changed it, increasing its strength a hundredfold; and the tribe refused
him.  And others say that he is the heart of Darkness, alive
embodiment of Chaos.  They say a lot of things. Somehow in ancient times
Mazirian stood in his way and barely escaped alive; and hardly with
Since then, Ragaril has weakened or become better.
        But Mazirian is no longer the same. The former quiet mage-scientist
died two hundred years ago under the blows of whip trees. And the one who
miraculously survived and became a seasoned fighter; brave, fair and
ruthless.  Mazirian learned a long time ago from ancient manuscripts
the secret of the Forbidden portalsMirov; and all these two hundred years I have been preparing
enter them.
        And then the first door opened; and Mazirian entered the first
Forbidden World - Forest; and in the Forest he grappled with the younger Lord of Chaos -
Torquemada. Wild giant spiders - the inhabitants of the Forest - were watching
fight, impartially tearing apart everyone who turned towards
his back.
        And Torquemada fell!  Riding on a griffin chased him
Mazirian.  Magic lightning scorched the Lord, seriously wounding him. Not
his creatures helped him: they died under the arrows of the sworn
Mazirian's bow, after their creator died. And the centaurs
Maziriana dragged the treasures to the portal.
        Now, remembering this battle, Mazirian is satisfied
smiled.  The Junior Chaos Lord turned out to be not so scary. In this
weakness of all pets of Darkness - Darkness gives them strength, but it also
instills self-confidence in them. Really, in the Mazirian Forest where
suffered more from giant spiders than from Torquemada. He
shuddered, remembering the approaching multi-eyed hulk with
huge poisonous jaws. How pitifully his horseman screamed
griffin, while the spider, whistling, tore him to pieces!  And myself
Mazirian, almost breaking his leg, managed to jump and plunged into
swollen whitish belly four sworn arrows almost point blank.
        And yet he did not save the griffin. In his mind, Mazirian, of course, knew
that all the creatures he creates are just puppets,resurrected to
life by his will; and yet I could not help but feel sorry for them.
        But there were also undead. Vampires, demons, zombies. And phantoms
they were so nicknamed for their strange, flickering, as if blurry
appearance, even though they were quite tangible. And these are the ghosts
indeed they were almost incorporeal, they could even pass through walls.
All of them were indispensable in battle; after all, the undead can only kill
other undead - or magic.  They came from some terrible
worlds;  although to them, probably, the human world seemed creepy and
inhospitable.  Or maybe, on the contrary, something like a restaurant?..
But one way or another, the magicians did not create the undead, but summoned them.
        Mazirian more than once relied on demons in battle - sarcastic
and fearless.  As a last resort - on huge and dull ones
phantoms.  But he avoided vampires in every possible way - these sophisticated,
vicious killers caused him almost physical disgust.
Vampires never shot arrows - they explained (if
condescended to this) that when you kill at a distance,
all the pleasure is lost. Mazirian smiled coldly, remembering
how today he let two vampires flying after him get closer
Torquemada and shot them with a magic bow.  Only two
the clouds melted into the air.
        However, it's time to get down to business.  Entrance to the second
The Forbidden World - Myrddin Catacombs - opens in just
a week, andyou need to be well prepared. And why not start
from the treasure of the first world? Although no: it’s better to leave the treasure for later, but
For now, refresh your memory about the Catacombs. Then we’ll decide how
It is best to use the energy hidden in jewelry.
        The servants created by sorcery carefully wiped Mazirian
fluffy and not at all magical towels and threw
a tunic decorated with red dragons. Huge black cat
dozing in the warmth near the bathtub, purred and began to rub against him
legs.  Mazirian headed to the library; the cat got caught up in
him, but changed his mind and, stepping softly, walked away along his cat's
affairs.   Must be catching mice: there are a lot of them in the castle
an unimaginable multitude, but the wizard, to the cat’s delight, did not want
remove them with spells.
        Along the way, Mazirian sighed sadly as he passed by
chained (and, of course, spell-fortified) doors
armory   Just think - such a collection of ordinary and
magic weapons, and not a single one, not even the tiniest dagger,
You can't take it with you! The Creator of Forbidden Worlds, whoever he is
was, did not want magicians to come to the Worlds with their weapons.
        Everyone coming to the Worlds must be dressed according to
require ancient rituals of magical battles: corresponding to the status
a robe and an empty belt for carrying finds. And no
weapons!  For many centuries nowthese rituals have sunk into oblivion, and for
During fights, magicians arm themselves as they want, or rather, as best they can. But
try to appear in the Forbidden World, even just dressed inappropriately
rank - and all that will remain of you is a handful of ashes in the entrance pentacle.
        Nevertheless, there are enough weapons in the Worlds.
Scattered on the ground, displayed in glass cases, hidden in
chests with dozens of swords, shields, spears, clubs, daggers, bows and
even shuriken.  And according to rumors, somewhere in the nooks and crannies of the Worlds is hidden
even magical weapons that can kill like ordinary creatures,
so are the undead.
        An open, thick book was already waiting for Mazirian in the library.
a leather-bound volume which, despite protective spells,
slightly eaten by the ubiquitous mice. The best book ever
about the Forbidden Worlds: a huge tome, yellowed with time, on
three quarters filled with wild rumors and outright lies.
However, there was no choice, and Mazirian spent the day
sat over a book, stoically enduring the pain in his eyes from
terrible rune letters.
        Reliable information about the Catacombs was
very scarce. It is known that the treasure is hidden in the very heart
Catacombs, in a tiny locked crypt.  Scary monster
guards the treasure;  about what kind of monster this is, usually verbose
the book responded frighteningly laconically: “There is no one who has seen
him close and survived,to tell about it."
        According to the book, the treasure itself is kept in a locked chest,
and the key to the chest is hidden in a certain Cursed Crypt. Who's guarding
the key remained a secret.
        Mazirian, pushing the book aside, thought. Let's face it
eyes - he was very lucky in the Forest. To the Catacombs to fight him
a more serious enemy will emerge: Ragaril's right hand - Chaos Lord Elbo
Smogg.  And Ragaril himself will save the third Forbidden World for himself -
Chaos Castle.  He can thoroughly study right in his chambers
every pebble of the Castle, generated by its native element.
        Sighing, Mazirian again bent over the book.

                             * * *

        All magicians simply hate teleporting. Just once
having experienced the accompanying sensations, only a crazy person would want them
repetitions unless absolutely necessary. But the transition between worlds was
much worse.
        Mazirian froze in the receiving pentacle. His whole body was shackled
paralysis  It was impossible to move either arm or leg; it was impossible
even to fall - just stand.  Feeling of complete helplessness
which even in the most courageous people could cause wild,
panic fear.  But all my attention was taken away by pain - pain,
turning the whole body inside out; pain as if the skin had been torn off
and run sandpaper over the exposed screaming nerves; pain that filled
the entire universe.
        Then - in a minute?  hour?  three hundred thousand years?time
went somewhere - the pain began to recede, allowed into the tormented
brain other feelings and thoughts. And the first alarm came: what if
did the enemy get there earlier? What if he is already ready for battle? Suddenly he attacks
cave creature - a predator of this world, hungry for three hundred
thousand years? Suddenly, suddenly, suddenly...
        Mazirian understood that there was no point in worrying.  All
equally, while he is helpless, nothing can be done. That's when
Power over magic will return...
        The wizard looked around the accessible area of the dungeon. Raw,
moldy walls;  a dim yellow glow emanates from them,
barely dispelling the darkness, so that eternal reigns in the Catacombs
twilight; wet moss probably muffles all sounds, so in two
meters away you can’t hear footsteps... Then he drew attention to the old
the spear is slightly to the side of the pentacle. Did the creator put it here?
Mirov? Or thrown aside by the offending mage, in a desperate attempt to escape
fiery death?
        Such a small spear, more like a dart, with a wide
tip. It has been lying in this dampness for a million years, but not at all
rusty.  Magic! There is something in the air of these caves. Well it's a spear
It will serve him well until a better weapon comes along.
        Finally, the paralysis began to subside!  No, move
Mazirian still could not; but he could cast magic.
        The wizard recalled the required spell from his memory.  It
appeared immediately - not words, but visibleimage: complex web
energies, alive and pulsating.  If at this moment someone
looked at him from the side - I could only notice how
the wizard's face tensed, and his gaze concentrated and seemed
turned inside.  But anyone would understand, would feel with their soul,
what tremendous forces Mazirian evokes, what tension
he needs control now. And now it’s done!
        A blue flash of flowing energy - and next to
three tiny shadows appeared as a wizard.  The shadows grew and
thickened before our eyes. There was a distinct smell of ozone. For a moment
an eerie sight arose - three inhuman skeletons; but skeletons
they immediately became covered with flesh, and the flesh became covered with a shiny skin. B
The last thing to appear was the eyes in the huge empty sockets.
        Now Mazirian was surrounded by three centaurs - creatures
impressive, but surprisingly weak and timid. True, they were running
quickly, which went well with their cowardice, but it also made them
excellent earners. And the centaurs were good archers.
        Centaurs, like all monsters created
wizards, there was no soul.  But some will, reason and even
had character.  The owner gave them mental or verbal
order, and they carried it out to the best of their ability. And the magician
he could look at any moment through the eyes of his creation.
        Paralysis is completereleased, and Mazirian kneaded
numb hands, restoring blood circulation. The pain remained;
but the wizard got used to overcoming pain two hundred years ago. Dry
smiling, he ordered the centaurs out loud:
        - So, so - quickly find me a bow.  If
If you get caught, grab another larger cauldron and scrape the sulfur from
walls But first of all - bow and arrows!

                             * * *

        Elbo Smogg, Lord of Chaos, surrounded by his retinue
creatures, walked along the corridors of the dungeon with a quick marching step.
A heavy battle ax hanging behind your back hurts with every step
hit him on the backside.
        Elbo was terribly annoyed. He, the fool, was counting
to a normal World, where you can at least take off, riding a griffin or
Pegasus, and view the surroundings from above. And here you are!..
Damn endless tunnels;   a damn lot of turns and
branches;  you just expect that the reconnaissance sent ahead will at least
one thing, let him miss. And of course, from there some kind of
monster. Well, at least the local invisible creatures! There's already one like this
managed to devour his gnome; and the other almost devoured him. K
Fortunately, the stupid creature decided to first try the tooth going
ahead of the phantom.  Now all that's left of her is an invisible puddle.
blood somewhere behind.
        Thinking about this puddle, Elbo immediately cheered up.
The irritation subsided. He correctedan ax behind his back. In fact,
Why was he so upset?  Oh, the monster, oh, it will jump out! Like a child
small, honestly! After all, he's the one doing the business.
which he understands very well and also loves very much:
hunting for a person!
        Scouts have already been sent ahead. These are something like hounds:
they won’t kill, but they will drive you in, they’ll grab it with their teeth, they’ll ruin the skin, and
the main thing is to delay the beast until the main forces arrive.  And there
trolls, giants will get involved, and if necessary, then
phantom  And when the victim is completely hunted down, exhausted and only
snaps weakly - the main hunter gets out of the saddle (“we should
create a unicorn" - Elbo reminded himself) and personally cuts her
throat. Just find Mazirian, and then the fun will begin!

                             * * *

        Mazirian thoughtfully examined the door of the Cursed Crypt.
A door encased in dull metal, locked with a huge padlock.
What could be hiding behind it?  What monsters are licking their lips there,
looking forward to lunch after three hundred thousand years of fasting?..
        The wizard was sure that the door in front of him was
Cursed Crypt. It smelled like a curse because of the locked doors
the sour stench familiar to all magicians, ingrained into the walls, clogged
even the ubiquitous smells of moss and dampness.
        Until now, Mazirian was lucky - all the time that he stayed in
Catacombs, his luck never left him. This is even the beginning of itdisturb
for it is difficult not to become superstitious in the Forbidden Worlds. Won't turn away
does fortune come from him, will luck run out on that one
the moment when everything will be decided?..
        The zealous centaurs exactly carried out his order - they found
and a bow with a thick bunch of arrows, and a copper cauldron, and even a lump of
yellow sulfur.  The wizard cast a spell on the arrows along with
with a spear he had picked up a little earlier, and boiled a little in a cauldron
a speed potion that makes all movements twice as fast;
not for long though.  There was just a little bit of potion, just
four sips, so Mazirian only gave his
riding unicorn and took a sip himself, and poured the rest into two
flasks.  But while he tried to move more slowly - double
the speed was very exhausting, and he was saving his strength.
        But the main thing is that we managed to find the key to the door! Entering one
from the Catacomb crypts, the wizard came face to face with two
goblins - small, half human height, but
completely mad with rage. He stabbed both enchanted
with a spear and took a huge bronze key from the belt of one of them. A
Now a lock has been found for it.
        The centaur, clutching the key in his strangely thin and weak
for such a tall hand, I prepared to unlock the door, swing open
her - and run away without looking back. And Mazirian, riding on a unicorn, carried
spear - he was already overcome with excitement, anticipationbattles.