353 days after a wizard cursed the REALM…
Current Version:
The REALM was drowning in the depths of a terrible flood. The waters of the Logorrhean River had risen during the night, surging out of its banks and onto the streets of Wordler Village. By sunrise, even the spire of Wordler Hall was in danger of being swallowed up by the raging floodwaters.
The Villagers evacuated to the highlands, where they were addressed by the QUEEN of the REALM. “A grave disaster faces this land,” she said somberly. “And now we also we have to deal with this little bit of water. Who among us is the strongest swimmer?”
“I am,” said a young woman, stepping forward. “I’m a three-time winner of the Village Aqualympics. No one is faster or has more endurance in the water. My name is–”
“Your name is Wordler 353,” the QUEEN intoned, “and by ancient tradition, none shall ever call you by your former name again. Now go, find your Protective Word, and save the REALM from a worse and more enduring disaster than this trickle of water we’re dealing with today. The fate of all Villagers is in your hands.”
Wordler 353 set out toward the swollen river, where she met with a surprise. Among the floodwaters, she found a small boat, and within it a map. But the map was not that of any land she recognized. 353 climbed into the boat, intending to let it take her downriver, but the small wooden boat had other plans. It moved headlong into the rushing floodwater, through the flooded village, upriver to the northwest.
Miles beyond the edge of the settlement, it reached the point where calm waters began to swell and churn with unnatural force. This, 353 knew, was the source of the flood.
With the rolled-up map clutched between her teeth, the Wordler dove into the Logorrhean, down to the bottom, where she discovered a portal to another river, and resurfaced in another land.
The river here was teeming with strange creatures, churning the waters while chanting the same word over and over: “Flood, flood, flood, flood, FLOOD!”
Wordler 353 recognized the power of the word, and as she spoke it, the creatures’ song began to slow.
In her return to the REALM, 353 discovered that the portal was closing. It vanished after she passed through, and she could find no further trace of it. The Logorrhean River had calmed, and the floodwaters began to recede. Soon, Wordler Village was restored to its former state, as if nothing had ever happened.
The QUEEN thanked Wordler 353 for her courage and strength. With her newfound power, the Wordler had saved the REALM from disaster and returned the peace.
Web3 Draft:
Revision Notes:
This was the very first Wordler Vignette. They were shorter back then. This one needs to be fleshed out.
