                     THE ADVENTURES OF MADDOG WILLIAMS

                        in the Dungeons of Duridian.


                               N O V E L L A

Welcome adventurer, to the world of Maddog Williams. A world of kings and castles, 
of great dragons and lovely princesses. Come sit with me for a while, rest from 
your weary travels and I will tell you a tale.

This is a story filled with both good and evil. For you see, many years ago there 
was a king ...

This king, who was named Serak, was seduced by the power of the dark god, Malthazar. 
He became an evil and powerful man. For many years he ruled with blood and horror 
from his dark fortress atop the Corbala mountains.

One day, a man named Sir Robert Thaylor, a cousin to the wicked Serak, decided 
the time had come to end the Dark King's evil rule. He gathered together a secret 
army and trained them in the art of war. In the land were White Wizards who 
practised the magic of truth and light. Thaylor gathered these wizards together 
and enlisted them in his noble cause. They planned for many months, developing 
strategies and making weapons. When the preparations were complete, Thaylor took 
his men across the plains of Gilgorath to the foot of the Corbala mountains.

There they engaged in battles against the armies of Serak. The fighting was fierce 
and the battle for good and evil raged for many days. The powers of Malthazar 
were pitted against the power and will of the White Wizards. Many good men lost 
their lives in the conflict, but Thaylor's army prevailed and drove the army of 
Serak into the wilderness. They then stormed the castle and captured Serak.

The white wizards cast Serak into an enchanted cell banishing him for eternity. 
As the portal slowly closed, Serak's voice echoed through the castle, "By all this 
evil and in the name of Malthazar, I shall return and wreak my vengeance upon this 
land." The Dark Castle of Serak was left in ruin as a reminder of the evil that 
had once enveloped the land.

The people of the land made Thaylor their king and the kingdom prospered. After 
several years of peace and prosperity there was born to King Thaylor and his 
Queen, a daughter whom they name Leoria. Times were good for the people of 
Duridian and Marinor. No longer oppressed, many men began to travel to far lands 
seeking adventure and riches.

One of the most adventurous of these men was Sir Walter Williams of Marinor. Sir 
Walter travelled to all known lands to meet with kings and princes. He travelled 
through dangerous waters just to watch the sunset over the bay of Baldagorg and 
swim with the mermaids of Carish.

While Sir Walter roamed the world, his wife stayed at home and raised their son 
whom they name Michael. Michael Williams grew up a bright and inventive boy, always 
tinkering and inventing new things. As Michael grew into adulthood he found he 
had a passion for history and began to collect objects from times gone by.

Some days Michael would sit on the rocks by the beach and wait for his father's 
return. He was always anxious to hear the stories his father had to tell. Michael 
would listen with interest and longing to all of his father's adventures. When 
we would ask if he could accompany his father the answer was always "When you 
are a man then you may come".

One day while his father was away, young Michael ventured into the local tavern. 
Pulling up a chair he sat down amongst his father's friends. "Begone you young 
pup, this is a place for men!" one grizzled old sailor said. "Today is my eighteenth 
birthday, so today I am a man." Michael said. "BAH!" the sailor said, "You aren't 
a man until you can out drink me! Barkeep bring us two tankards of your strongest 
ale." Soon two foaming mugs of ale were placed before them. "If you can finish 
that ale before me then you can call yourself a man." The old sailor grabbed his 
mug. Lifting it to his lips he began to gulp down the ale.

Michael, accepting the challenge, raised his mug, threw back his head and poured 
the ale down his throat as fast as lightning, and slammed his empty mug on the 
table. The old sailor choked, spewing ale all down his front. Looking at the ale 
dripping from Michael's face the old man said, "With all that foam on your face 
young man you look like a mad dog." The pub erupted in laughter. Wiping his 
face, Michael stood with pride and walked out of the pub, the men still laughing 
behind him. Henceforth, Michael Willians was known as Maddog Williams, he has 
borne that name since.

Maddog's father shook with laughter as Maddog told of his experience in the pub. 
Slapping his son on the back, Sir Walter said, "When I leave next spring you may 
accompany me." Maddog filled with excitement and anticipation, looked forward to 
the following spring.

The following week, Maddog's father took him to the weapon smith in Sydra. There 
Sir Walter purchased the finest sword and presented it to his son. During the 
following months, Maddog's father taught him the art of sword play. Maddog practised 
many hours and became a fine swordsman.

The winter that year was harsh. One day in late winter while Maddog and his father 
were chopping wood, Marinor was attacked by a group of pirates. The men of the 
village came to defend their families against the raiding pirates. The fighting 
was fierce and much blood flowed that day. Maddog and his father entered the battle 
fighting side by side, but as the battle wore on Sir Walter and Maddog were separated. 
When the battle was done and the pirates were driven from the village, Maddog went 
in search of his father. As Maddog rounded one of the buildings he saw his father 
sitting against the wall clutching his stomach as blood ran from the large gash 
in Sir Walter's belly. Maddog rushed to his father's side. Sir Walter looked up 
at his son and said, "I'm not much longer for this world. Take care of your mother, 
I'm very proud of you." Sir Walter gasped as his body was wracked with pain. Grasping 
Maddog's shoulder, Sir Walter died. Maddog was heartbroken. After they buried Sir 
Walter, Maddog sat upon the rock where he had, in times past, waited for his father's 
return and looked out over the Ocean. Maddog's mind was filled with memories of 
sitting by the fire and listening to his father's tales.

That spring Maddog boarded the ship and set forth without his father on his first 
adventure. Maddog travelled to far lands and collected treasure and artifacts. Many 
times Maddog and his companions had to fight off pirates and outrun sea monsters. 
They fought against the Navarall on the Island of Wilikarik and procured the stone 
of Gorack.

After several years of travelling the world, Maddog decided it was time to settle 
down. He returned to the village of Marinor, built himself a house, and opened a 
shop. He dealt in rare and precious objects.

Unknown to Maddog and the residents of Marinor was the evil blight slowly enveloping 
the land. King Thaylor and his daughter had not been seen for weeks, and rumours 
abounded that the vile and evil Serak had escaped his enchanted cell. The people 
of Sydra were living in fear of Syrak's vengeance. So it was that one day Maddog 
awoke and found himself thrust into the midst of the evil and treachery.

You, brave adventurer, have been sent as the guide and mentor to Maddog Williams. 
Together you will travel as Maddog learns of the evil swiftly approaching his quiet 
village. If the two of you fail to stop this spreading evil, the world will be plunged 
into an everlasting darkness and despair. Go forth adventurer and meet your destiny.
