The text inside is printed in a large, clear font, as if intended to be read by a child still learning how to read. This large book is bound in heavy leather, also as if to protect it from the careless hands of children.

Albrect von Asch and the Golden Heart A Tale of Heroism and Adventure

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By: Senestia Avarscanti

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In the free city of Sanctuary there lives a man named Albrect von Asch. A brave and strong man, Albrect was a Private of the Sanctuary Watch. One day, Sheriff Azrus Azzam told Albrect about a powerful magical item known as the Golden Heart.

“For the safety of the city,” said the Sheriff. “You must retrieve the Golden Heart held in the Labyrinth of the Dreaded Undead King Tetlotal.”

And so Albrect called together a band of adventurers to travel far and wide to retrieve the Golden Heart. With him traveled his also brave Fellow Watchman, the skillful Seeker Woman and Seeker Gnome, and a beautiful Priestess.

The band, with Albrect at the head, marched by foot and sailed by boat. With cunning guile, Albrect lead the adventurers through cities both mysterious and strange. Once they found the Labyrinth of Tetlotal, Albrect was the first to enter, leading the adventurers into it without fear or worry.

Inside, Albrect and the adventurers found themselves in a deep, dark maze of twisting tunnels, perilous traps, and ferocious undead monstrosities. As the adventurers made their way through the maze, Albrect’s noble actions spoke of his true character.

He fought alongside his Fellow Watchman with great courage, standing shoulder to shoulder the two fended of waves upon waves of undead skeletons. He wisely listened to the Seeker Woman’s warnings of the dangers ahead, always sure to prepare before acting. He showed a mastery of tactical intelligence by protecting the Seeker Gnome who was then able to make use of his spells. And, last but not least, he showed the manners of a true gentleman as he always came to the aid and rescue of the Priestess whenever she was in any harm or danger.

As Albrect and the adventurers made their way through the labyrinth, they were suddenly beset by a cold, abyssal, unholy darkness. From the depth of this void stepped forth a horrendous creature of shadow, a beast of horror with eyes of shadowy flames, claws that cut through light, and a maw filled with death. Before them stood the Terror of Tetlotal’s Labyrinth.

Albrect and his Fellow Watchman quickly engaged the dark beast, the Seeker Gnome unleashed his spells, the Seeker Woman and the Priestess let loose arrow after arrow but it was all to no avail. Unable to harm the dark beast at all, the group retreated and delved deeper into the Labyrinth of Tetlotal. Fortunately for the adventurers, the Terror, though large and massive, was slow and lumbering.

Eventually adventurers came to the center of the maze. It was large room and contained a high circular platform with a wondrously decorated sarcophagus atop of it. As the adventurers approached, the sarcophagus suddenly began to tremble and shake. The lid opened and appearing from within the container of death did the dreaded Undead King Tetlotal emerge.

As Tetlotal rose from his deathly sleep, so did many of his minions within the room. In a manner of seconds, the room filled with mummified minions. Surrounded by the undead, the adventurers had little choice and course for action. They charged forth and the battle was joined.

Leading the charge, Albrect quickly bounded up the steps of the central platform to engage Tetlotal who struck back with furious blows. As the battle raged around them, Tetlotal screamed out. “This is my maze! I summon forth the Terror!”

Albrect quickly responded. “But wouldn’t you rather fight me yourself?” And within a manner of seconds, he landed a series of blows onto the Undead King, toppling it to the ground in a heap of dried bones and dirty rags.

The Terror of Tetlotal’s Labyrinth, however, had answered the call of the now defeated Tetlotal. It had appeared behind the adventurers who quickly took to retreating. “Find the Golden Heart!” Albrect yelled out and attempted to distract the Terror along with his Fellow Watchman while the Seeker Woman, Gnome, and Priestess frantically looked about the room.

“I think I found it!” The Priestess called out as she pulled a strange, golden object from Tetlotal’s sarcophagus. All eyes turned to the Golden Heart in the Priestess’ hands, including those of the Terror. The dark beast suddenly leaped towards the Priestess with a speed and agility that none of the adventurers had seen.

Albrect, however, was not only faster but fearless. He dashed towards the Priestess to intercept the Terror bearing down upon her. Albrect collided into the beast, causing both to stumble but distracting the dark beast away from the Priestess.

More importantly however, Albrect gave the Priestess enough time to decipher the strange runes upon the Golden Heart. Holding forth the Golden Heart at the Terror, the Priestess whispered the words that unleashed the magic within it. An incredibly bright and brilliant flash of light struck forth at the Terror, burning as hot as the sun and blinding all within the room.

When the light of the sun faded and the adventurers regained their vision, the only remains of the Terror was a small pile of ghostly ashes upon the ground.

Victorious, the adventurers made their way out of the Labyrinth of Tetlotal, carrying with them the riches and treasures found within the maze. They made the long journey back to Sanctuary, returning to tell Sheriff Azzam of their success.

“With the Golden Heart safe within our hands,” The Sheriff said. “Sanctuary faces one less danger.”

Albrect handed the Golden Heart to Sheriff Azzam. And in return, Sheriff Azzam rewarded Private Albrect von Asch for his great courage, skill, and dedication to the safety of Sanctuary by handing to him in turn a new Watch helmet.

A new Watch helmet that had a red Sergeant’s plume resting atop of it.

~THE END~