The Shmod Forum

Aarikku · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject: Chapter 9 - Lord of the Earth

Chapter Nine

Zywen exited the bathroom, flapping her wrists. Bloody hand dryers. They never actually dry the hands. Environmentally friendly, I suppose. She turned back towards the door that would lead back to the tour group, but there was a man in the way. Mid-30’s. Enormous stature. Completely bald.

“Hello, Zywen.” He greeted politely with an oddly low voice.

“Hi. Excuse me.” She tried to walk by him, but he side-stepped in the way. “Excuse me.” She repeated.

“I have a proposition for you.”

“Oh, really?” Zywen seethed.

“I understand that you’re one of the people chosen by Shmod Co. to play the game against my company.”

“You’re – ”

“Vladimir, yes. Both you and I have places to be, so I’ll summarize. If I win this contest, I’ll have complete control over Shmod Co. I’d have the power to… reward those who have helped me. Perhaps there are a few cards that mean a lot to you, but Shmod Co. doesn’t seem to want to print?” Vlad, unbeknownst to Zywen, was using a speech that had been written on Madam Mai’s notes. Zywen’s emotionlessness had been unnerving him, but at the last comment, she seemed to become interested. “Ah, there are, aren’t there?” Vladimir asked. Zywen continued to watch him in silence, so he continued. “I could make you legal copies of the Seven Sin cards and Lucior the Damnation. You could once again be the demonic blood queen. All you would have to do for me is give me your ‘S’ Coin and come to my side. Fight for HoloMagic, and your dream of being the greatest Shmod player will be fulfilled.”

Zywen was thinking silently. A thousand thoughts a second raced through her brain.

“What do you say?” Vladimir asked.

==

“Your frickin’ gender!” Tyson complained to Linlan. “We’ve been waiting here for like an hour!”

“I know!” Luke agreed irately. “What’s taking Zywen so long?”

“It’s only been five minutes.” Linlan checked her watch. Finally, the door to the hall containing the girl’s bathroom opened, and Zywen walked out. “There we go.”

“Sorry.” Zywen said to the annoyed faces.

“No matter.” Martin hopped to his feet. “We shall continue with our tour. Our next stop will be the packaging room.” It was a reasonably long walk that had Ferali occupy the bench outside the room.

“I’ll be there in a sec…” Ferali murmured. “Something in my shoe.” Which she thusly took off and rummaged around. Kyle sat beside her as the others entered the packaging room.

“What could be in your shoe?” Kyle wondered. “We’re inside.” To this, Ferali shrugged.

==

Vladimir checked an item off of his long list of notes from Madam Mai. “And now it’s Chris’ turn. I didn’t even know he played Shmod.” He reached a massive hand into a pocket and pulled out a cell phone. He dialled, and was soon talking to one of his graphic artists. “Chris, my good man. I hear you play Shmod. No, not during business hours, I know. Don’t worry. I have a job for you.” After a brief explanation, Vladimir clicked his phone shut. “And now to Plan B,” He chuckled, entering the Shmod Printing Room.

==

“Found it?” Kyle wondered.

“Yep!” Ferali produced a pebble from the depths of her shoe. “Limestone. Industrialized – probably from a chipped wall in here or something.”

“Impressive.”

“Thanks. Back when I lived in Egypt, I was so used to seeing the same… sediment, I suppose. Where there wasn’t sand, there was sandstone. But here in Canada, you guys have so many different kinds of rocks.”

“Perhaps I’ve been taking them for granted.”

“Most do.” Ferali smiled. “I love this rock – check it out.” She held up a ringed finger.

“Diamond?”

“Cubic zirconium. Hundred times cheaper, and I actually like it better.” A pause. “I’m sorry, it’s all rocks to you, isn’t it?”

“It’s not my favourite subject, but it’s not boring.” Kyle shrugged.

“So what are you interested in?” Ferali wondered. “Kevin’s got his frogs, Cassandra paints… you didn’t know? You should see her stuff.”

“I don’t have any specific interest, I guess.” Kyle leaned back against the wall. “I just like learning.” He thought a bit. “Actually, alchemy’s neat. The idea that a few chemical reactions can give you immortality…”

“What would you do with all that time?”

“You can never run out of stuff to learn.” Kyle replied sagely.

“But what about using that knowledge?” Ferali asked. “What’s knowledge worth without making something out of it?”

“I’ve wondered the same thing. I guess for some people, knowledge is worthless unless it can… I dunno, create the wheel, feed the hungry, explode.” Kyle shrugged again. “It’s all about what gives your life meaning. Some like learning. Some like examining bits of rock in their shoes. Some like watching amphibians. Some like world domination.” On that cue, a man stepped into the room.

“I’m afraid Vladimir is one of those people.” The man said – he was an older person, with a head of grey hair and an enormous beard and moustache. “My name is Chris. I’m here to challenge you for the Coin. Now… Kyle, is it? I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear. Kyle, I’ll assume you’ll be chivalrous and play me instead of risking the lady?”

“Excuse me?” Ferali demanded. “I make my own decisions. Let’s play.” They both revealed monogram coins from their pockets (Chris having picked one up from Vladimir’s office before departing).

Chris chuckled to himself as the pre-game preparations began and the giant first player-deciding coin flipped.

“I’m first. What’s so funny?” Ferali asked.

“Just thinking how easy it was to get the Element kid out of the way. I’d rather make sure I get this coin.”

“She’s good.” Kyle jerked his thumb.

“We’ll see, won’t we?” Chris smiled again, as Ferali began her turn.

“I charge Firefox!” Ferali declared. “And I’ll tap it for Horned Viper in Guard mode. This also lets me draw a card.” The tan snake appeared, coiled with horns facing outward.

“Early defence? Bah.” Chris drew. “I charge Rock Recoiler, and tap it for Dusty Chicken (1700/1600).” A grey-brown chicken burst from its card. “Attack!” A whirlwind erupted from the bird’s beak, striking and destroying the snake.

They both have Earth decks! Kyle realized. Ferali’s is more based on an archetype… and I haven’t a clue what Chris’ is based on.

“My go!” Ferali declared. “I discard Haunted Cactus from my hand. This lets me search my deck for Barren Desert and add it to my hand.” A spread of her deck appeared in front of her face, and she poked her treasured Arena. It spun to let Chris confirm, and then appeared in the lower group of cards that was her hand. “Next, I charge Cactus Jack. And I’ll tap two for Barren Desert!” The walls and floor faded from existence, and were replaced by desolate sand and a bright sun.

Bad move. Kyle observed.

“My turn again.” Chris drew. “I charge Gigrant, and tap two for The Ancient Tree of Life (2300/2600)!” A purple-leaved tree rose from the ground beside his chicken. “I attack!” The purple leaves spun from the branches, meeting the chicken’s whirlwind of dust. The two attacks struck Ferali at once. (Ferali: 8)

“We’re just getting started!” Ferali drew. “I charge Mystic Oasis. Now, I’ll tap one for Pyramid Shrine!” Behind her, the enormous stone triangle that Kyle had once played against rose from the sand. Two ankh flags fluttered in a fictitious breeze. “Now, Desert fighters cost one less to play. I’ll use this… to play Isis’ Sarcophagus on guard!” The golden casket shone into existence. (300/2300)

“Pathetic.” Chris chuckled. “I charge Malacon Fungus… and tap three for Opinicus!” A mountainous dinosaur-like beast charged from its card; let loose an ear-shattering roar.

==

“And over here is the booster pack design computer.” Martin gestured. “Our pack-smiths, as it were, take the most iconic card from each set and put it on the booster template.”

RAAAAAAAAWWWWR! Said Opinicus from the outside hall.

“That would explain why Kyle and Ferali aren’t here yet.” Kevin noted.

==

“And here we go.” Vladimir muttered to himself, placing an uncut card sheet on the auto-shear. “Madam Mai might be odd, but she has some good ideas.” And he smiled triumphantly as the cards quickly took their rectangular shape.

==

“Opinicus! Attack the Sarcophagus!” Chris ordered, and the mountain-beast charged… inflicting not even a scratch to the coffin.

“Surely you know that Sarcophagi can’t be destroyed by battle while Barren Desert’s in play.” Ferali smiled.

“Hmph. Earth is about massive offence, not hiding.” Chris protested.

“Untrue!” Ferali began her turn. “Earth is about stability. There’s a time and place for offence and defence. I’m through with defending for now. I charge Mystic Oasis, and tap two for two remaining sarcophagi – Ra’s Sarcophagus and Anubis’ Sarcophagus!” Gold caskets with the head of a falcon and jackal rose into existence. “And now, Sarcophagus Release.” Ferali tapped one for a third card, and her three coffins shone with light before exploding, revealing the true nature of their being. “Behold! Goddess Isis of Magic! God Ra of the Sun! God Anubis of Death!” The crowned woman and mummified, humanoid falcon that Kyle had before seen were now joined by a werewolf-like jackal with a giant scythe.

“Nice.” Kyle complimented.

“When I play Goddess Isis (2800), I can add a Desert Spell from my deck to my hand. I pick Withering Sandstorm.” Again Ferali searched the hologram of her deck. “God Ra (3500) lets me tap one to play Desert fighters from my Graveyard, which I won’t do yet. And God Anubis (3000) lets me inflict 1 damage or gain 1 life whenever it destroys a fighter. Now! Isis – attack Dusty Chicken!” A bright light shone upon the poultry, vaporizing it (Chris: 9). “Anubis! Destroy the tree!” The sickle slashed through the trunk. (Chris: 8) “By its effect, you take 1 additional damage.” (Chris: 7) “And Ra! Attack Opinicus!” The mountain beast was engulfed in flames. (Chris: 6) “Your turn.”

Chris laughed. “You think your ragtag team of supposed deities can stop me?” He drew. “I charge Charging Rhino. Next, I tap one for Geo Elementalist on guard. By its effect, I can play Dusty Chicken from my Graveyard, also guarding. Next, I tap three for Song of Shattering Stone!”

Kyle’s eyes widened. Level three… and it’s a noun of adjective noun!

“It’s a Cost 6 card if I don’t control an Earth fighter, and it needs to have entirely Earth mana.” Chris explained, as an entire mountain range rose from the ground before him. Two giant arms burst from the rock, and out stormed an enormous golem. It had a vague resemblance to a humanoid Opinicus. “Behold! Divine God of Earth – Ogrin!” (5000/5000) The gargantuan bellowed a mighty roar that brought the tour group out of the thrilling packaging room.

“Sweet belligerent Buddha.” Cassandra awed.

“Ogrin’s a thousand times more powerful than any of your Gods.” Chris taunted. “Ogrin! Attack Isis!” The behemoth slammed its fists against the desert floor, creating a massive gash. Boulders flew from the ground, crashing against Isis and destroying her. (Ferali: 7) “By the effect of Ogrin, I can now play a Level One Fighter from my hand. So I’ll play a second Dusty Chicken on Guard.”

“Once he destroys the other two deities…” Luke began.

“He’ll have a huge army of tiny fighters.” Tyson finished.

“Oh, and in case you still thought you had a chance…” Said Chris. “I use the effect of Geo Elementalist. By Tributing an Earth fighter, I can destroy a Spell or Trap. I’ll sacrifice one of the Chickens.” A Dusty Chicken turned into a boulder in a puff of smoke, and was then kicked by Geo Elementalist into the ground. The sand billowed into the air, but didn’t return.

“Crap.” Ferali began her turn. “Ooh, never mind. I’m taking down that God.” She looked closer at her hand. “At some point. First, I charge Horned Viper. Next, I use the effect of Ra – I tap one Mana, and I get to play a Desert fighter from my Graveyard, as long as it’s not a Transformation. I pick Isis’ Sarcophagus – on Guard.”

“Pathetic. It won’t even have its effect without the Arena.”

“Which is why I tap two for another Barren Desert. Now – Ra! Attack Geo Elementalist!” Two giant fireballs caught and engulfed the caped man. “Anubis! Destroy the chicken!” The giant jackal-creature loomed over the bird, and then slashed with its giant claws. “Of course, Anubis’ effect activates, and you take another damage.” (Chris: 5) “I’ve still got Mana, so I’ll tap one for Withering Sandstorm. This Continuous Spell decreases the STK of all non-Desert fighters by 500 every time you draw a card. Finally, I’ll set one card, and it’s your move.”

“What a turn!” Kevin smiled.

“She’s certainly not afraid of Ogrin.” Cassandra agreed.

“My go.” Chris grimaced as the swirling sand struck his gargantuan god. (4500 STK) “Ogrin; attack Anubis!” The giant beast flew towards the dwarfed jackal, but a pillar of sand brought Isis’ Sarcophagus in between Ogrin’s fist and Anubis.

“I tap one for Sarcophagus Shelter.” Ferali explained. “Until the End Phase, the only cards you can attack are Sarcophagi.”

“And since no fighter was destroyed, Chris can’t use Ogrin’s effect!” Kyle cheered.

“I set a card. Your move.” Chris said angrily.

“I tap one for Jade Fist – I’m taking back the Earth!” Ferali poked a hologram, and Ra clenched his fiery fist as the green gauntlet formed around it. “Now, Ra gains 1000 STK. With that and the 300 STK from Barren Desert, its total is 4800 – more than Ogrin. Ra! Attack!” A beam of light shot from Ra’s outstretched fist, but was absorbed by an invisible barrier.

“I tap two for Cancel Attack.” Chris declared.

“I’ll set a card. Your turn.” Ferali said smugly. As Chris drew, she added, “Don’t forget Sandstorm.”

“I didn’t.” Chris retorted, as the blizzard of sand took another 500 STK. (4000) “I tap one for Whirlwind – destroying Jade Fist!”

“Think again. I tap one for Cancel Spell, negating Whirlwind!” Ferali revealed her trap instantaneously; Whirlwind’s animation didn’t even begin before it ended.

“In that case… you seemed to forget to put Anubis on Guard. Ogrin! Attack Anubis!” This time, the two deities met in a fierce clash. (Ferali: 6) “This, of course, lets me play yet another Dusty Chicken on Guard.” The poultry materialized.

Ferali wasted no time with her turn. “I’ve only got one thing to do. Ra! Attack!” She pointed at Ogrin, and this time Ra’s beam struck its target. Ogrin exploded in an earth-shattering cloud of dust. (Chris: 4) “If you want to give up, I fully understand.”

But Chris laughed as he began his turn. The swirling sand struck the chicken, but Chris didn’t seem to notice. “I tap two to play the Spell Second Descent!” Chris revealed. “Now, by Tributing an Earth fighter, such as the Chicken, I can play Ogrin back from the grave, regardless of its effect. Rise!” The god angrily burst once more from the ground. “And its STK is back up to 5000. Ogrin! Destroy Ra once and for all.” This time Ferali looked worried as the beast destroyed the bandaged falcon-warrior. (Ferali: 5) “I’ll also tap one to Guard with Charging Rhino.”

Damn. How could he come back so fast? Ferali drew. This guy’s very good. “But so am I. I tap one for Sarcophagus Release! You forgot about Isis’ Sarcophagus, didn’t you?” The golden coffin shone with bright light and melded into the horned goddess. “And now for Goddess Isis’ effect – I can search my deck for any Desert Spell and add it to my hand. I’ll pick Dehydration.”

“It can’t be!”

“It can. I tap one for Dehydration – destroying any non-Desert fighter. Including Deities!” Ferali pointed at Ogrin and watched the giant creature shrivel. “Isis – attack Charging Rhino!” A ray of light caught the beast, and Chris’ side of the arena was empty.

I need time to find a way to summon Ogrin again! A bead of sweat dripped down Chris’ neck. “I tap three for Mountain Golem on guard!” An enormous troll-like slab of rock rose from the ground, roaring. “3500 GRD should be more than enough to stop you.”

“Should be,” Ferali agreed, drawing. “But it isn’t. I tap one for Horned Viper on offence!” The sand-coloured snake popped up from a small dune. “Granting all Desert fighters 500 STK. Now that’s enough to take out Mountain Golem, but my other Gods have a score to settle. I tap two for Mystic Oasis – letting me revive Anubis!” A pool of water appeared before her creatures, and from it rose the giant jackal. “Its STK is now 3800… so I’ll attack Mountain Golem!” The golem stood idly as it was obliterated by the beast. “You take one damage from that… and two more from my Viper and Isis!” Ferali declared, as the snake and deity rushed at Chris, striking with light and fangs.

“I’m not… through yet.” (Chris: 1)

“I know. I set a card.”

“For my turn, I play Earth Element… and Tribute it for Second Descent!” Chris played his cards quickly; the boulder spirit instantly bursting into pebbles, and the giant Ogrin raged from the remnants once again.

“Don’t you have any other cards?” Ferali wondered.

“None that are this unstoppable. Ogrin! Attack Viper!” The beast punched with awesome force… into a barrier.

“I think not. Go, Monster Bash.” Ferali revealed her Trap, and Ogrin was flung backwards into Chris’ hand. The game ended a minute later when Ferali attacked with Anubis. (Chris: 0) “Good game.” Ferali offered a handshake. Chris tossed her the ‘H’ coin instead, and quickly departed.

Card of the Chapter is Goddess Isis of Magic

_________________

The Decktype Guide

Naardaas · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:22 am Post subject:

So Kevin is interested in Alchemy (not really important), Zywen was offered a great position, one less antagonist is in the fray, and the earth Deity is revealed. All in all, a good chapter.
_________________
The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.

Aarikku · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:28 am Post subject:

I thought the main point of this chapter was character development for Ferali.
_________________

The Decktype Guide

Naardaas · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject:

...Crap. Forgot that in my assessment.
_________________
The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.

Aarikku · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject:

Meh. Whatever. The next few are turning out a bit hard to write, but we're in the last leg of the saga.
_________________

The Decktype Guide

Naardaas · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:53 pm Post subject:

Yeah. Soon it'll all be over.
_________________
The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.

Aarikku · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject:

'Tis what I said.
_________________

The Decktype Guide

Naardaas · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 6:05 pm Post subject:

Now the final burning question: do you believe in ending with a bang? Don't answer that; time will tell.
_________________
The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.

Aarikku · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject:

'Kay. I won't.

_________________

The Decktype Guide