Spooky Stories from the Community

Spooky Stories from the Community!

This Halloween, the community was asked to submit Spooky Stories surrounding one of their EverQuest characters or about a fictitious character.

The Winners were:

First Place: -7key Rozzl Malleria Second Place: Aevy Andorra_Bell AwiUsdi cdeery chitownsshadow Grevin ValiantKnight

Here are the First Place Stories:


Sheep's Clothing!
Written by Community Member -7key

There was a call throughout Norrath. The Commonlands were being attacked by werewolves. To answer the call was a young knight named Aryous. He was dawned in his father's battered armor passed down from generation to generation. One of the werewolves had a local gem merchant trapped in her shop. Noresa Sparkle was hiding behind her counter. "HELP!! SOMEONE HELP ME!!" She screamed with fear in her eyes.
The werewolf snarled as it leaned back to pounce on the on the defenseless merchant. Just as all hope was lost for Noresa, the werewolf let out a screeching bellow. The werewolf turned around. Embedded in its back between the shoulder blade, lay a dagger. Behind the beast stood Aryous sword drawn and waiting for the werewolf's next move. The werewolf dug his feet in the ground like a mighty bull ready to charge. The air stood still as the two looked deep at each other; each waiting for the other to make their next move. Finally after what seemed like eternity the werewolf lunged for the young knight. Aryous moved to his right and countered with a swift blow to the werewolf's neck. The battle raged on. The two of them trading attacks with one another. It was a battle of endurance. The werewolf's wounds were severe, and it knew if it does not end the fight soon the wounds would bleed out resulting in its death. Aryous was also aware of this and on hid guard. He knew a clean strike to his opponent's neck would prove fatal. Just the werewolf charged forward at Aryous. Aryous readied his stance to parry the attack. The werewolf's claws pierced the side of Aryous' armor. Aryous' blade cut clean with a return strike. The blade sliced his targets neck clean open. The werewolf fell to the ground motionless. Aryous spoke a charm of healing to heal his wounds.
"Are you ok?" Said Aryous as he stumbled into the shop.
"Thanks to you my champion." Noresa responded. She then offered the knight any jewl of choice her shop had to offer.
"I respectfully decline any reward. Knowing that you are safe is reward enough." Aryous spoke in proud. "I have to be going back to Qeynos." He said as he turned to leave. The Commonlands were saved from the werewolf threat once again.

Aryous called upon his steed to take him to Qeynos. The horse however wanted nothing to do with him. "What's wrong old girl?" Spoke Aryous in confusion. The horse then reared back and ran off into the distance. Aryous thought to himself, looks like i have a long walk ahead of me. The night came faster than he anticipated. He knew he had to find shelter soon. A lot of the farms around here have been long abandoned due to the lions in the area. He came upon a farm house that seemed safe enough, and settled in.
"You there. Wake up. Are you OK?" Spoke a farmer as he poked Aryous with a staff.
"What happend? Where is my armor and my stuff?" Asked the groggy knight.
"Did you kill all these lions?" the farmer said in firm voice.
Aryous opened his eyes wide and saw he was not only stripped of his armor and weapons, but he was surrounded by dead lions. "I am not sure. I had this dream I was running. After that I just don't remember." Spoke Aryous
"Maybe that is how you lost your armor." The farmer said in a confused manor. "I will look for your armor, but I need a favor from you. By the looks of it the shadow wolves are back."
"Wolves?" asked Aryous.
"The shadow wolves are why most of the farms here are abandoned. First it was the lions that killed our sheep. Then Shadow wolves twice the size of the lions arrived. The wolves started hunting the lions and left us be. However when the lion supply dried up the wolves' appetites grew and the farmers were the next targets. We were forced to hire mercenaries to dispatch the wolves. Eventually we as farmers could not afford the fees they charge. We did however learn of a substitute to keep the shadow wolves at bay. We learned of a substance sold by the priests in Qeynos. We could put some wolfsbane in the soil, and the wolves would stay away." Explained the farmer.
"If you head to the Temple of Life. There you will find Lashure Novashine. Tell him you were sent by Farmer Jorginson." Said the farmer. "He will sell you the wolfsbane."
Farmer Jorginson then hands Aryous some money and wished him safe travels.

Aryous stayed on the path and traveled to Qeynos. When he reached the Temple of Life he was greeted by a man dressed in chain mail armor.
"You carry a deep curse in your veins young one." Spoke Lashure
"What do you mean?" Aryous questioned " I was sent by Farmer Jorginson to get some wolfsbane."
"Wolfsbane will not cure your curse. Come with me. I will gather the others to remove your curse." Lashure said loudly.
"What curse? Is this why my horse ran off?" Aryous said with a confused look on his face.
"Lycanthropy." Lashure told him.
"You mean like a werewolf?" Aryous said shaking his head.
"Exactly. We are wasting time. We need to cure you. Come with me Now!" Lashure said with a stern loud voice. Aryous followed Lashure Novashine to a large room with a circle of runes and makings in the center. Around the circle were clerics and paladins from all over the lands. It seems word traveled fast about Aryous needing to be cured of this curse. Aryous was told to stand in the center of the circle. The others stood outside the circle in prayer. Lashure started chanting a greater curse removal spell. Aryous' body began to glow.
"Begin the cleansing!!" Lashure shouted to the others. They also casted the remove greater curse spell on Aryous.
"Its not working, it is worse than than we expected." Lashure said and let out a soft sigh
"Worse?" spoke Aryous in a soft voice.
"This curse can only be removed by killing the ancient werewolf that infected the werewolf that bit you." Explained Lashure
"I was never bitten." claimed Aryous.
"I have heard of rare cases where a claw can penetrate deep enough to infect someone." Spoke one of the paladins.
"It must have been when I battled that werewolf in the Commonlands." Aryous said "Where can I find this ancient werewolf?"
"Only the Oracle of K'arnon in the ocean of tears will know that." Spoke Lashure "I will for a wizard to gate you there."
"My name is Sevenkey." Spoke one of the paladins as he handed Aryous some armor and weapons. "I will make sure you get where you need to safely."
"No time to waste the wizard s here!" Lashure shouted.
The wizard reached into a pouch and placed six runes in his hand in the form of a circle. In the center of the circle he places a shark's tooth. His hands began to glow as the wizard clinched his fist with the runes in it.
"Off we go" said the wizard.
Aryous, Sevenkey and the Wizard were magically transported to the Ocean of Tears. "I used spell not known to many to transport us directly to here." The wizard said with a sly grin. " I will wait here to teleport you to where you need to go next."
"We do not have much time. Only about 10 hours remain before you will change Aryous." Sevenkey said in a hurried manor.
Just as this was said they were attacked by gargoyles and undead. The two of them quickly dispatched their adversaries. Not far from where they were attacked they could see the Oracle of K'arnon above the mountains in the distance. The two knights approached the Oracle. The Oracle of K'arnon was a grand high elf dawning a blue robe. He was guarded by two other high elves.
"I know the knowledge that you seek Aryous" spoke the Oracle in a loud tone. "Your task many have tried and none have returned." The ancient being that you seek can be found by in the garden where she waits."
"We don't have time for riddles." Sevenkey said impatiently." We need to know exactly where to find the ancient werewolf and kill it."
"So be it the garden is within the Castle Mistmoore. She waits at the fountain there" the Oracle spoke.
"OK thank you, Let's go." Aryous replied
"One more thing." the Oracle proclaimed to Aryous. "You have to go alone. Aryous you must slay the beast on your own. This is the only way to remove the curse."
Both Aryous and Sevenkey rushed back to the wizard as fast as they could. "Where to?" questioned the wizard
"Castle Mistmoore." replied Aryous.
"Ok you two get close together." shouted the wizard.
"NO WAIT!" yelled Aryous" I have to go alone."
"Are you sure?" spoke Sevenkey.
"Yes, or this curse will never end." replied Aryous to Sevenkey.
"So be it." Sevenkey said as he hands Aryous some invisibility potions. "Take one right before the translocation." If it starts to wear off take another soon as possible you should not appear and be able to get to the garden. May Mithaniel Marr watch over you." The wizard then reached into his bag of runes once more. He placed six in a circle in the palm of his hand. This time he put a gargoyle eye in the center of the circle.
"This translocation will take you directly to the gate to Mistmoore Castle." said the wizard once again with a sly smirk on his face. The wizard began to cast his translocation spell on Aryous. Aryous vanished as he drank the invisibility potion.

Aryous arrived at the gate of a really old castle. Moving in and out of the castle are dark elves behaving like that of worker ants. They pass in and out of the castle down the courtyard, and down a hill to vanish from distance. Aryous knew he did not have much time and headed in. Castle Mistmoore was a familiar place to him he had explored here in the past with his father. He knew well of the fountain in the garden the Oracle spoke of. He knows there were undead by it and they will see him and attack him. The best thing he can do is get there and attack the undead first. He opened the gate to the castle.
"CREEEEEEEEEEEK...... The guards looked around but saw nobody and went back on their evening patrol. Aryous opened the door to a creepy music room so to speak. There gypsy dancers dancing slowly to music being played by a grand piano. There was however nobody playing the piano. He opened the door to the right of the room to see a scary sight. It was a giant gargoyle staring right at him. The gargoyle did not see him but it moved when it heard him fall back in fear. Its gruesome head turned and blood soaked wings began to twitch. The gargoyle was slowly searching the room with its glowing red eyes. Once again the invisibility potion proved true and wile close, the gargoyle did not see Aryous. Aryous saw the main door leading to the garden. He knew the moment he opened that door the undead would see him. He drew his sword and approached the door. All in one movement the knight kicked open the door and thrusted his sword forward.
HEEHEEHEEHAAHAA...... Yelled the skeletons as they attacked.
Blood-soaked skeletons laughing as they attacked drew their weapons. By the looks of it they had just recently been in battle as blood still dripped from their blades. They attacked Aryous together with most swings bouncing off the armor that was given to him. He turned and struck on of the undead with one shot shattering it instantly. "This is easy" Aryous thought to himself as he began to strike the second skeleton. Finally after a battle of blows the knight landed that final one to silence the chattering skeleton. The skeleton fell to the ground now a pile of old bones. Aryous could see the fountain from here and remembered that when he was here last this area was patrolled by dark elves. This time however not a single dark elf to be seen. He then healed up and readied himself for the ancient werewolf. That must be the reason there are no dark elves roaming here they fear that fountain. The knight slowly followed the path to the fountain. His skin cringed and shivers ran down his spine. Sword drawn he almost dropped it as the sweat from his fingers made the hilt slippery. He moved closer and he heard footsteps behind him. He turned quick but nobody was there. "Get a hold of yourself Aryous." he said to himself as he shook his head. Slowly he followed the path again. The footsteps were back he looked again nobody there. This time he quickened up his pace and ran into the fountain room.
"Nothing here?" he said in relief "Someone must have killed it what luck I must be cured."
He then looked around the fountain. Still nothing was there. "Wait" he thought to himself " If the ancient werewolf is dead and I did not kill it, how can my curse be lifted?"
In a sigh he sat on the bench by the fountain.
"Owe" shouted a little girl.
On the bench was a girl with dark hair and pale skin. She appeared to be no older that 12 and looked like she could not have eaten in days. Her clothes were torn and she was shaking non stop.
"What are you doing here?" probed Aryous. "What is your name and how did you get here?"
"I'm Vladria." she spoke softly." I was asleep and when I woke I was here."
"Come with me I will take you out of here." said Aryous looking at his invisibility potions he had left.
"I can't leave… the monster will get me." still shaking she told Aryous
Looking closely at Vladria, Aryous was no fool. The Oracle said "she" would be waiting at the fountain. Aryous knew deep inside that Vladria had to be the ancient werewolf. "How do I kill a little girl to remove a curse that she did not put on me?" Aryous pondered.
"I know your pain Vladria I too have a monster that chases me." Aryous said in a soft voice.
"You do?" Vladria asked
"Yes I do maybe we can stay here and confront our monsters together" Aryous encouraged.
"I would like that." Vladria smiled "Then we can leave together."
"Yes we can" claimed Aryous.
Vladria snuggled into Aryous' arms and went to sleep. "I can't do it" Aryous said in his head. "She is the ancient werewolf I am sure of it." As time ticked away Aryous felt sick.
"Vladria hide!" Aryous shouted "Hide over behind the fountain my monster is almost here."
"Alright I will hide." she said as she ran in the corner and hid behind a tree that was growing there.
Just as night was upon them Aryous began to change. Fangs grew from his mouth. His skin turned black as silver and black hair grew from it. Claws sprouted from his finger tips. The beast within him has manifested itself.
HOOOWOOOOOOOOO.... He bellowed. His backed arched as he sniffed for a fresh kill.
HOOOWEEEEEEEEaaaaaaaa ... he screeched in pain as a sharp pain ran down his back and up his chest.
There stood a smaller werewolf. It was indeed Vladria. In her hand was a blood soaked heart. Aryous hit the ground with a large "Thud" sound. Aryous' eyes closed for one last time. In death his curse was finally lifted.
HOOOWOOOOOOOOO... Vladria howled.

The Ghoul of the Fay
Written by Community Member Rozzl

"Halloween is stupid," Cecilia Rockheart proclaimed to her mother, "There's nothing scary about pretending to be a ghoul to get candy."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Emily answered. "The Ghoul of the Fay hasn't been gone more than 20 years, and nobody seems to know what happened to him." Her voice cracked unnoticeably as she spoke.
"The Ghoul of the Fay? He was just another reanimated skeleton. They're all over the place. Blow on them and they fall over. I'm not scared of any stupid ghoul!"
"Oh, he was more than just another skeleton... perhaps it's time I told you the real story of the Ghoul of the Fay."
***
Elvish time is long. A lifetime of Elves is almost immeasurable for humans. So to say that the Ghoul of the Fay has been passed down from generation to generation for lifetimes doesn't do it justice. Ever since Kelethin was first built by the descendants of Takish'Hiz, there have been records of the Ghoul of the Fay. Nobody knows how long he was there, or where he came from. Some stories claim he was an early explorer who made a deal with Bertoxxulous when he was at death's door so that he might see his family one more time. Others believe he was cast out from an ancient society and Innoruuk gave him the chance for vengeance. The truth is, nobody knows.
But that's ancient history. Emily Rockheart's tale is what we're interested in today.
Some years ago, Emily was a young, headstrong elf training in the Druidic ways. Her mentors had repeatedly warned her of the dangers of the Lesser Faydark, but there was a certain trinket she sought that was rumored to be found near one of the obelisks therein.
The morning sun rose over the Faydark as she journeyed along the path towards Ak'Anon. It was barely full daylight when she turned off the road towards the remote monument, and yet nightfall was approaching when she finally managed to track down and slay the abomination whose pendant she desired.
"A long, but uneventful day," she thought as she began to head back to Kelethin.
"Oh!" She let slip a gasp. The most handsome High Elf she'd ever seen was battling with a horde of skeletons. She had been so engrossed with her thoughts that the sound of steel on bone had completely been lost on her. Though he was clearly capable of handling himself, she quietly muttered an incantation and spirits of nature soothed his wounds.
The battle wore on as fiend after fiend fell before his mighty blade, when it seemed like the attack would never cease, finally all that was left was the High Elf and a pile of bones... amazingly enough, when a large rat wandered through the area 31 minutes later, the bones had mysteriously vanished.
"Fair lady," he said at last, "I am Gaddanthar, protector of Marr. You should not be here at this time of night."
"I was just on my way back. That was the most amazing display of swordsmanship I've ever seen. You were..."
"We've no time for pleasantries!" He interrupted. "This was only a portion of the evil that's rising here tonight. If we tarry longer you may not make it home. I will escort you as far as I can," his voice softened, "but I must remain here to fend off the scourge."
Their trek towards Kelethin was quiet at first. After several failed attempts, Emily was able to get Gaddanthar talking.
***
Since this is a horror story, I'll spare you the lovey-dovey detail, because I want to keep this PG, but they became smitten with each other (surprise, surprise).
***
As they approached the safety of the elfin wards which separated the Greater from the Lesser Faydark, Gaddanthar stopped abruptly. "Stay here, be quiet." He crept up a nearby slope and remained near its crest for what felt like an eternity before coming back down. "There are hundreds of them... it's like they're guarding something."
"But this is the only way!" Emily gasped.
"We must wait until daylight, somewhere away from here."
On they trekked for nearly 2 hours, by now the night was complete and even more dangerous. As long as they didn't head west, at least they'd be safe from the vampires of Mistmoore and the hateful brownies that resided there... however, that severely limited their options.
Eventually they found a tight copse of trees that offered virtual invisibility from anyone more than 20 meters distant. Gaddanthar produced a tent and some flint and tinder, Emily conjured up some potable water and a bit of black bread. They ate in silence, and as the meal progressed they were staring at each other ever more intently and tenderly. Without words, Gaddanthar took Emily's hands and they disappeared into the tent for what can only be described as necessary actions to tie the story together, but ones that need not be described.
Almost an hour later, the fire suddenly went dark. From inside the tent the two heard a long, low wail. "No!" Gaddanthar exclaimed. "It can't be."
Before she could stop him, Gaddanthar had grabbed his sword and leapt from the tent. Emily quickly went to look out, but all was darkness. The trees blocked Drinal's light completely. From the nearby trees she could hear the muffled thumps of a struggle. And then all was silent. Minutes passed, but it felt like hours.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee........................." was it the wind? No, that sounded almost like a man. "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....................." overcome by terror, she dove back into the tent and muttered an invisibility spell knowing full well it would do no good if the undead of the night found her. There she sat, shivering in a near fetal position for the remaining hours of the night. Only once more did she hear anything, it may have been another scream, but it was very distant and she couldn't tell.
***
Dawn had given way to midday before Emily was able to pull herself out of the tent. Her terror had subsided and where it once lived, fatigue now rested in her chest. She walked towards the sounds of the night before, and there on the ground was the fine steel sword Gaddanthar had been using. Imagining herself at a Run instead of a Walk, she continued through the trees until they gave way into a clearer patch.
And there she saw it... two long gashes in the ground. She followed them for a bit, overcome with worry and completely forgetting her fear. They stopped, several meters later they started again... almost as though a man were being dragged along the ground and was lifted into the air.

An image came to her... a hunched over old man (or was it a walking corpse) with a large staff. Had she seen this? Or did she simply imagine it. Her terror returned. Taking only time to enchant her feet with wolven spirits she ran in the direction she sensed was true north, hoping she'd be able to find her way home.
***
Fully dressed, but in no hurry to go trick-or-treating "What happened next, mommy?"
"Well, obviously I got home safely" she smiled.
"Bluhhh, but what about Gaddanthar?"
"After a scuffle with the Ghoul, it ran off and he chased after it through the night. If I had waited, he would have returned and escorted me back together. Last I heard he still serves the guard in Felwithe."
"But the Ghoul of the Fay is real?" the child probed.
"Very real, now off you go, all the good candy will be gone, but be careful."
She was able to maintain her composure until Cecilia passed off to the next platform. Children should always hear happy endings. It had been a long time since she'd cried like that.

A Frightening Encounter
Written by Community Member Malleria

T'was the night before Hallows' Eve, and not a soul was stirring… except for a young Dark Elf, Malleria by name, on a very important mission. On this night she found herself hurrying through the haunted forest of Kithicor, eagerly awaiting the candy she knew each halfling home would have ready. But despite appearances, dear Malleria was not without concern, for she had heard tales of ghouls and goblins and all things evil stalking the forest at night. And tonight was the most evil of nights! To travel swiftly, she decided, would be most prudent.

But Malleria was not the only creature travelling this night. Not too far, and heading away from the town of Rivervale, a great skeleton crept. One might wonder why a skeleton would feel the need to creep – after all, tis' the most evilest of nights tonight! But no, creeping indeed was this skeleton, for he had heard tales of wizards and druids and all things good stalking the forest at night. To travel stealthily, he decided, would be most prudent.
Along and along he walked, careful not to cause too much noise. But alas! With a sharp CRACK his bony foot did impact a twig…

Cringing in terror, young Malleria was, at the CRACK that resounded through the forest. Was it her? Was it something else? Something… * gulp *… evil? Looking around carefully, she peered into the darkness. No ghouls, no goblins, no evil things could she see – so whatever could it be?
Remembering again her mission, she resolved to continue at an even swifter pace than before! Eyes darting around wildly she did not see when her soft-soled boot did create a mighty CRACK as it stood on the twig…

With a startled cry our intrepid skeleton ducked, cowering in fear at the CRACK nearby. Was it him again? He certainly did not think so. Looking around for the clue he sought he found neither wizard, nor druid, nor good thing at all. Was he hearing things?
If indeed he was being hunted, he thought, best to continue on and not remain a sitting skeletal duck. Stepping lightly now, he heard a rustle in a bush dead ahead. Determined to confront his haunt, he strode on…

Pushing through the bush our dear Malleria emerged, lifting her eyes to see ahead she met something she did not expect. She froze as her eyes met those of our intrepid skeleton – pale grey meeting glowing yellow. The skeleton also froze, appearing as terrified of Malleria as Malleria was of him! Not a sound emerged from either for a time; each too shocked to utter a word. Then with a mighty echo both Elf and Undead screamed in terror, turned and fled. His bones creaking as his legs took flight and her breath heaving as her feet carried her away.

When he could no longer hear the terrifying roar of the Elf, the skeleton stopped. Catching his breath and looking around he breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was close!"