Short Story/Poem Contest

http://imageshack.us/a/img825/3126/writingcontest.png

Time span: October 22nd – November 5th

The smell of pumpkins was normally a comforting thing for Bob the Settler, but not this morning. He hadn’t grown any pumpkins on his farm in years, yet when he woke up the air smelled like orange squash. Alarmed, he threw the covers off and ran to the window. Dread filled his heart as his worst fears came to life: a green pall of fog had fallen over his precious family field, and suddenly orange pumpkins dotted what only last night was full, plump wheat.

Not again!

A deep, frightened chill rippled along his spine as a figure emerged from the smoke. Eyes met eye sockets as a Grim Reaper, dressed as one of the master generals, stared him down. Everything around him ground to a halt until the screams of children in the adjacent room snapped him out of it. Grabbing his trusty shovel, Bob the Settler ran to defend his family from whatever else threatened them this Hallow’s Eve.

Halloween is creeping up on us…so why not celebrate the most horrific event of the year by showing us your writing skills? Since the creepy official in-game Settler Halloween event has just started, this will give you plenty of time to think and write up the creepiest Settler horror story or poem of all time! So prepare your pencils and keyboards, ready your minds and write a short horror story OR short horror poem involving our beloved Settlers.

Let the horror stories commence!

Prizes

• 12 stories will be chosen to win 500 gems.
• One grand prize winner will receive a personalized title on the forum: "Master Storyteller"

Rules

• You must have one game account.
• Underage players must get their parent’s permission first.
• Do not use trademarked imagery from other games/IPs.
• If there are inappropriate stories or poems, please report them via the "report post" function.
• Participants agree that Blue Byte/Ubisoft is allowed to announce the winners and present their submitted works. Channels that may be used to announce the winners and show their work are the websites, forums, Facebook groups and Twitter channels of The Settlers Online.

Story Guidelines

• Your story or poem must be related to The Settlers Online.
• Do not use profanity or other inappropriate topics.
• There is no character limit, but please remember that they are supposed to be short stories/poems.
• We appreciate scary stories, but please do not get carried away with gory details.

How to Enter

• Post your story or poem in the designated submission thread. It must be posted in the correct thread, or it will not be counted.
• Any changes to your story/poem will not be taken into account, so please be sure that your submission is the final version.
• Only submissions that adhere to all the requirements above will have a chance to win.

The deadline is November 5th 2012, at 23:59 PST.

The Ubisoft/Blue Byte team will be choosing the twelve winners, and they will be announced on November 9th on the forums.

7 a.m. Oct.12
Dear Diary,
Greta and I arrived only yesterday to our new Island home, tired, but hopeful that we may be able to build a life here among these other new settlers. It was late when we landed, but even so, walking through the town to our new home (a grand Noble Residence, no less!), I could see the folk here were hardy, continuing their work late into the night. I am off now for my first day at one of the many local bakeries.
Otto.

7pm Oct.12
Dear Diary,
Such a thriving place! Everyone working toward a common goal it would seem: the betterment of the island in some way or other. And such diligent workers all! It would seem they have boundless energy, and I felt a twinge of guilt at having come home after only 12 hours baking bread. I sleep for a while, but will return to baking shortly. So much bread! What can this be for?
Otto.

6:35am, Oct. 15
Dear Diary,
Many new settlers have arrived, some of whom are quite rough around their edges. I give them much space when walking to and from work, and see them going toward a large green building in the distance. I am told it is a training ground for soldiers. I fear we may be going to war, but find it difficult to imagine such a thing happening to our quiet little village.
Otto.

11:52am, Oct. 17
Dear Diary,
Calamity! The bakery where I worked was destroyed in some unknown catastrophe last night! I attempted to go to work, but found a new smelter of some kind had sprung up where the bakery once was! I know not what to do with myself. A neighbor has said there might be work to be found at the barracks. I may be forced to investigate today if nothing else comes up.

6:22pm, Oct. 18
Dear Diary,
I went to the barracks out of curiosity today, and found myself handed a flagon of beer. Then another. And another still. Before I knew it, I was falling over, waving a bronze sword around madly, trying to hit the practice dummies. I am a recruit in the Island army now, gainfully employed, yes, but told that I can no longer stay with my Greta, as we will be shipping out soon. Our quarry is an island with some evil witch.

8:45am, Oct.20
Dear Diary,
We landed on this forsaken ground a few minutes ago. I can see the fires from nearby enemy camps, and hear what sound like dogs and men alike doing battle. There is a smell of sulphur from a large and menacing castle in the distance, that contains some unspeakable horror, I know not what. I grip my sword for comfort, hopeful my limited training is sufficient to keep me alive. My general looks so young, but he seems to know what he is doing. I pray he does. And now, we are ordered forward, our quarry a small camp ahead. I march.

Dear Diary,
It has been several weeks, and no word of Otto or his fate. I fear the worst. It is as though there is some invisible hand guiding us, pushing us toward a fate and purpose I know not to what end. I strive to find meaning in this place, but at times, it just feels as though I am in some grand game being played by another, which asks of me only to do my duty, to work, live, and perhaps die, in its service. Is that truly all there is? Am I but a character in a charade, something meant to serve as amusement for another? Oh Otto, where are you? I go now to work another day. And another. And another.
Greta

wild mary pumpkin queen
cavalry killer unseen
death awaits the scene

All that can be seen through the fine mist that is clouding the land is a dark red fire that burns in the west. They can feel it....... edging ever closer. Is it just in their minds or is it real? On this most foreboding, dark day the settlers prepare for the worst.

The skies seem to darken and yet are afire all at the same time. Wait...... what’s that just over the ridge? Can you see it; can you see the fire, feel the cold that slithers up your spine, as you turn to look at it? Wait..... no don’t look....... will it give it more power, will denying it the fear that burns in your heart, weaken it, lessen its power that it holds over all? But what if not facing it, gives it the strength to rip the very fabric of this once peaceful land to shreds?

Fear clouds the judgement of the settler’s elders....... you can see it in their eyes, feel their heart beats quickening though you are nowhere near them... Could it be that all the combined heartbeats are causing this, this sense of foreboding that is taking over the settlers, like an unforeseen malignancy? Children stare out from around their mothers skirts...... wide eyed and full of fear.... like deer that are on their final descent into darkness..... They know it’s coming, they know not of what their fate will be.... but they know it’s coming....

Wait..... What’s that...... it wasn’t the settler’s heartbeats that was causing the overwhelming sound of heartbeats in your head..... NO........ Its hoof beats..... Faster, faster they come. Louder and louder till that is all that can be heard.

This is it....... isn’t it? Your fate is sealed........ Will you have the courage to face what must be faced? Will you take your loved ones and try to deny the inevitable that is coming..... That you have known has been coming for so long...... No... Please just a few minutes longer, why does time seem to stand still and yet move so fast.....?

There is a sickly sweet stench of death in the air.......... Blood flows like wine across this once peaceful land.... One figure is visible through the dark mist that is now colored red.....

The hooded figure stands alone atop his demon steed..... His eyes glow red under the hood, illuminating the white of his bones..... the hate radiates off him like a heat from a unstoppable fire....

He alone..... is victorious, he alone... will never die and he alone will destroy all.....

Darkness descends, foul creatures and sounds abound throughout the land. Sweat trickles down the brows of the villagers, the smell of fear pervades the very air they breathe. The cloying stench of decay perfumes the ambiance. Whispers, hush tones are the only proof that this island has any life on it at all; they fear this time above all else. A sickening reminder of their shattered past, promises broken, and promises that must be kept. They prepare the children once more this year for the sacrifice owed to the land that grants them prosperity. Cries and screams gain urgency, and tempo, till they rip apart the very seams of this grim time. Blood once again drips and fills the earth, soaking it up hungrily with bestial purpose. The sacrifice has been made to cover the sins of the ancestors long dead that promised too much just to ensure the island would thrive forever more.

Once upon a time there were two settlers that were going about their jobs quite industrially. They always went down their assigned path, into the storehouse and out again to their wells, which were beside each other in the land of Zeus. If these two met up with each other, they would talk about the road, how productive they had to work and how soon it was to Halloween.

One day Settler number 1 (called that because he was closest to the storehouse) heard a strange noise coming from his well as Settler number 2 was coming by. Number 1(for short) called Number 2(for short) over and asked him if had heard a strange noise coming from Number 1’s well.

Number 2 said that he had. They could not figure out what it was. They thought about having Number 1 go down into the well, since it was his, but suddenly the well started howling at them. They both jumped back from it and said to each other, “Run!”

They ran off to the storehouse screaming all the way. When they got there, they were so scared that no one could understand them no matter how everyone tried. Finally, Number 3(because he was next to them, but further down the road) told them to lead him to what was wrong. They came up to the well and saw something that startled the three of them.

It was Eliot with his big pumpkin head sitting on the side of the well. He was sopping wet and laughing himself silly. Number 1 and Number 2 instantly understood what had been going on, but Number 3 still did not. Number 1 and Number 2 had started getting angry as the seconds went by, but then they looked at Eliot and then at Number 3. Number 1 and Number 2 just could not be angry and started laughing just the same as Eliot.

What had made them laugh at Number 3 was that he had thrown his hands in the air and was very red in the face. He just did not understand what was going on. Number 1 and Number 2 took pity on him and told him what was happening. The three started laughing some more.

Eliot said that he had had fun pranking them and hoped they had no hard feelings against him. The three settlers turned and looked at each other and smiled. Number 1 said,” No, Eliot, you did a great prank.”

Eliot said then that he had to go prank some other settlers and needed to leave. They waved him away, laughing as he squished and sang and squished and sang down the road away from them.

"You have to go there.. you lost the match!"
"No, I won't! It's scary, spooky and most of all.. midnight and I'm tired!!"

PrincessMarri and her friend Matthaos were playing cards with a few other notables at the guild house halloween party as it turned into a grandiose game of side-bets, dares and half-truths.

The latest challenge, venture out into the blackness of night to the other side of Stone-face mountain to a haunted mansion nobody had ever dared to go near for the last 10 years. Wild tales of blood-curdling screams, earthquakes and missing children had kept everyone at a long distance. Horses would buck off their riders, bowmen would run away and recruits would wet themselves just thinking about this mansion.

"I'll take you to the edge of the clearing, but you have to go up and open the door and step inside for at least one minute," Maathaos stated defining the rules.
"Give me my coffee"

Past the marble and stone mines the duo and a small group of followers rode on horseback. Two cliffs forced them to walk the rest of the way along the water until they reached the clearing. Up on another rocky knoll in front of them stood the silhouette of a giant granite structure. Immense, ghostly and silent it stood. The wind was chilly and the moon cast an eerie glow over the long field up to the entrance.

"Ouch!"
"Go.."
"Fine, I'm going.."

With one last chug of cold coffee grinds, PrincessMarri made her way out into the open. One foot in front of the other.. Stop. Was that a dog bark?.. humming randomly.. halfway there..

"SCCCREEEACH!"

She hit the ground as a white owl floated past, now silent. One hand motion from out of the shrubs behind her.. and she once again looked forward. This time she ran.. almost there. Heart beating. Feet jumping over weeds and holes in the ground. Getting smaller and smaller, barely seen by her companions now.

Then the earth fell out. Face smashed against the dirt at the foot of the mansion. Everything was moving, then again silent. Earthquake? She didn't have time to think. From inside the dark structure came the most terrible painful scream anyone could imagine.

"AHHHhghhghhh!!!"

Frozen like an ice princess. Barely breathing. Eyes wide and yet seeing nothing but shadows…

"MAKE IT STOP!!!"
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!"
voices not her own shot out into the night sky.

She saw what seemed to be a flash of light escape from a small second floor window.
She was all alone.. but yet definitely not alone. There was something inside the house.


-to be continued-

Have you ever seen a settler die,
And watch the light fade from his eyes?
Pray tonight that you dont see
Pyre's burning and the souls that flee
You will know that I am here
Handing out this settler fear
And know that it is not just wrath
Life is but a small part of this path
Long no more for days of old
Or seek comfort from the cold
Whisper and you shall know
Every fear your heart can sow
Exit this place, enjoy the ride
Now you realize, I am just the guide.

Eliot’s Revenge


Its dark, I mean, it’s really dark. In the dark I hear screams and somewhere there is breaking glass. I stir from my bed, moving slowly. As soon as I put my feet over the side of the bed I feel a coldness creep up my legs. I fumble for the flint and stone to light my candle next to my bed. The light flares up, making the shadows move in a sinister way.

I move towards the window, wondering what is happening. I look outside my window and see the stonemason building on fire and in the streets I see people running around. My body tells me it should be early morning; the sun should be shining, but its dark outside.

I hear a bump coming from my door and then a scream. I shudder at the sound, but I run to the door and open it. My eyes see the toolmaker; his name escapes me right now, lying on top of Jessica, the bread maker. The toolmakers head lowers and he takes a bite out of Jessica’s shoulder. My eyes go wide as the toolmakers head pulls back and his mouth now full of Jessica’s flesh. The blood flows down his face and I notice that Jessica’s shoulder is now bleeding profusely. The toolmaker finishes his feast and starts to put his head down for another bite when, swoosh, a silvery flash strikes him.

I almost dropped my candle watching what is happening, but I hold onto the handle. I see the soldier, Stilgar I think is his name, holding his steel sword, which is now firmly planted in the toolmakers back. Incredibly the toolmaker gets off of Jessica and starts walking towards Stilgar.

Stilgar is a soldier in the mayor’s army, he lives two doors down and he had a head that looks like a bullet. He has no neck that I can see and his chest is bigger then most horses. With a jerk he pulls the sword from the toolmakers back and swings again. The toolmakers head fly’s off of his body and lands at my feet. I jump and again almost dropped the candle. In my mind I am finding it hard to understand why I haven’t dropped it yet.

Jessica screams and Stilgar yells at me to get some towels so I run into my place and grab the only towel I use. Its brown and dirty, but at least it might help. Stilgar looks at me then at the towel and grabs it, pushing it on Jessica’s wound. Jessica is moaning and she is shaking.

Suddenly Stilgar stands and hold his sword ready. I yell at him that we should be holding the towel against Jessica’s wounds. He shakes head and tells me it’s to late and for me to get behind him. I am now wondering if Stilgar has lost his senses when Jessica slowly gets up, her eyes now red and her mouth turning black. I stumble backwards as Stilgar swings his sword, decapitating Jessica.

I turn away in horror, but Stilgar just grabs my arm and yells that we need to get to the mayor immediately. I stumble out of our three-story apartment house to see the identical three-story house to our east is engulfed in fire. I see people I believe to be dead laying on the ground, some in such condition I wonder what could have caused it. We walk down the road, both of us not talking, taking in the sites. Down farther we see where I work; my copper smelter is dark inside.

I have a feeling that I should be at work, but with the darkness and so many fires in the village I cant help but think that our world here is now changing forever. Stilgar sees someone stumbling towards us and he tells him or her to stay away. They moan and I see that the eyes are red, just like Jessica’s. I watch as he approaches, there is blood dripping from the mouth and now I can see it that is my neighbor, Duncan. Stilgar starts to take the swing to end his life when I yell no.

Stilgar pauses and I push forward and yell Duncan’s name. He turns towards me and puts his hands out. I reach for his hand when Stilgar moves forward and with a great swing takes Duncan’s head clean off. I stumble and fall to the ground, grief stricken. Stilgar then explains that the people I see are not the same people they used to be. His wife had turned into one when she was bitten. I start to cry, feeling lost. He pulls me to my feet and tells me we must keep moving.

I look at the Mayors house; it’s the largest one in the village, and see a light in the Mayors office. Stilgar sees the same thing and tells me that is where we are going. We finally reach the Mayors house after a couple of scuffles with more people that want to bite us. I can actually smell them. To me they smell like death. I can only hope the Mayor is okay.

We creep slowly to the house, past the large horse statue, and into the foyer. Stilgar moves strait to the office, which is on the second floor. We see the door open and he holds me back and we move to it. We hear a squeaky voice gloating over the mayor. He is large fellow and he is tired up in his chair. The figure standing over him is explaining that soon the village will be his. The zombies (they are called zombies, ahh) have taken the village and soon everything will be dead.

The thing talking has an actual pumpkin for a head and a very skinny body. He is dressed as we are, but it looks ridiculous on him. I feel the air move and I see Stilgar rushing forward, his sword swinging in an arch to behead the pumpkin head. The pumpkin turns and uses a pole that blocks the sword, which surprises both Stilgar and me.


Stilgar looks back at me and yells for me to free the mayor. I run over as pumpkin head is parrying with Stilgar. The mayor tells me to grab the knife he has in a drawer. I open the first drawer closest to me and he screams it’s the bottom drawer and to hurry. I grab the knife and start to cut his ties when I hear Stilgar fall to the ground, his sword tumbling away.

The mayor tells me that I have to now confront Eliot. Eliot, what an odd name for a pumpkin head, I look at him and I don’t think I will be able to attack him strait on. The mayor whispers to me that I need to move to the left while Eliot starts to move around the other side of the large desk. Eliot tells the mayor that he will now bring the rest of the Harkonnen’s will be able to come here through the pumpkin fields.

The mayor watches as Eliot got closer to him and then he kicked out and hit Eliot in the leg. The mayor yells telling me to go, stab the pumpkin. Without thinking I stab forward and I feel the knife slide in till it stops. Eliot screams and drops his pole. I let the knife go and Eliot slides down to the floor, yelling he will be back soon.

I quickly untie the Mayor and we pick Stilgar up off the floor. We follow the mayor to the graveyard and he explains that the pumpkins grow best near the dead. Once we see the pumpkin patch the mayor sprinkles on a white powder and suddenly the darkness starts to fade and the sun starts to shine. It was just another Halloween at Settlers Online.

The settlers were dressed up,their pumpkins were lit,
Some were complaining their costumes dont fit,
They called on their friends and relations as well,
Ooh he is dressed as the devil,has he come from hell,
They collected their treats,played some tricks on a few,
Cos they havent answered the doorbell on cue,
They came back weary from their treats and their trickses,
To find to their horror theyd been been rolled back to Christmas