STQK: EP:15 (Laughter is contangious)

29 Oct, 2026

New to the ongoing blog series called STQK "Would you like to know more?"

Disclaimer: Episodes 11-15 will be using an oracle system I am developing for solo players; you can see it in action here. Once I am happy with the way the oracle plays it will be available for the community.

Hello there,

We continue with the last episode in the Dragon Quest SPI System.

(Content Warning: Violence, Death, Traumatic Events)

Scene 1¹

Nestled between his books stood the town of Neon now protected by a magical barrier, so a wizard's experiments won't get disturbed again. As PrThah stared intently at the newly given device, sand poured through the window causing but another distraction for himself.

As the strange storm continued around the tower, the wizard peered through the window witnessing a disaster. "This must be some weak hunting¹ attempt to destroy this region's politics¹!"

In an instance and without thinking, PrThah gathered everything on his desk including the town and device and rushed out the door towards the sleeping city. Thinking to himself hopefully he is not to late!

The sandstorm raged on, as the group huddled safely in the carven. PrThah teleporting near the eye of the storm as it engulfed almost² the whole area. Interesting enough he could see a woman in the center of the city untouched by the sand!

Whispering to the wind, hoping to get answers; PrThah finds out³ the woman in the city is the very same wizard that the shape shifting snake works for! Questions ran through the wizards mind as to why she is here in this region and what purpose does she want with the sleeping city?

Scene 2⁴

The android started to get stir crazy making everyone a little on edge, so one by one each member of the prediction circle decided to go their own way. The storm continued though, as each adventurer stepped out towards the entrance of the cavern. Each member had the parting omen stapled to their minds: The sleeping city brings a dying death and the closer you are the worse you will become!

As those words rang echoes in their heads, the caretaker decided to walk towards the city, with wizard, musician, and android following steadily behind. The hobgoblin chose a different direction in search for his clan.

The astrologer gave some advice to Ysah, as everyone else ignored his warning: Admire⁵ and guard the cavern⁵!

Every step in the sand felt as if each foot weighed a ton as the adventurers walked closer to the city. When suddenly a surge of energy rushed around the area causing a protective circle spanning a mile from the sleeping city to parts of the cavern⁶.

Everyone stopped in their tracks and questioned whether to move forward. Screams came from all directions as each member rushed to the only safe place they knew, the cavern! As the last person stepped back into the cavern in the corner was the astrologer shaking his head, exploring⁷ and poking a dead fox⁷ that suddenly was drained of life.

As each adventurer tried to regain their thoughts; in the distance a figure strides with a quick pace towards the group. A stubborn PrThah with his satchel of things sits himself down mumbling something under his breath!

Scene 3⁸

The protective circle has enclosed everyone, and thoughts ran quickly to how long were they would be stuck here! The old wizard starts to open a book and start explaining the spell requirements for the protective circle, when he was cut off abruptly...

The caretaker starts rambling on, "Great it is finally happening, and I'm in the circle...Look we don't have much time the wizard that cursed this city has made a natural agreement⁸ and will hunt⁸ anyone in the circle. Everyone in the circle will die and then turn. The bigger the sacrifice, the stronger the wizard will become if she succeeds."

Taking into the reality that this might be their grave, the hobgoblin starts to panic and runs in haste towards the curve of the circle outside the cavern. Without hearing the warning calls from the group, the hobgoblin reaches the circle's edge and collapses in the sand unconscious.

The astrologer sits in silence accepting⁹ the fate that bestowed upon him, as a gleeful⁹ howl of laughter breaks⁹ the still air. Hyenas⁹!

The caretaker on the other hand chose a different route, with shovel in hand walks towards the dark part of the cavern, never¹⁰ to be seen again. A thump rang between the halls as the shovel landed against the rocky surrounding.

Scene 4¹¹

As the laughter of the hyenas quickly approached, PrThah casts a force shield spell¹² around himself and the remaining members of the group. The astrologer sits in silence in the corner of the cavern not wanting to move or join the protection that was just drawn. Ysah tired of waiting for the inevitable to come, quickly grabs his things and heads to the edge of the protection spell.

PrThah sees his motivations and throws his satchel to Ysah, in hopes that it could aid him in these trying times. The android quickly changes his attention towards Ysah and blindly follows the contents in the bag. Wizard and apprentice stay within the force field hoping it holds until the enemy wizard spell is complete.

As Ysah traverses through the sand dunes, he missteps¹³ as his focus¹³ was turned towards the weak monster¹³ Android following in his wake; causing him to tumble down the sandhill towards the hyenas. With each tumble hope had been lost in Ysah's mind as he also drops the satchel given by the wizard.

The android without hesitation grabs the bag and heads towards the edge of the city. It can barely be seen as the Ritual of becoming undead is cast. ¹⁴

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