Walt could hear Lil Vernon crashing through the brush after him. He ran in the creek, slipping on a wet rock. He caught himself with his hands, the sharp pebbles and debris in the creek bed biting into his palms.
There was a loud splash. The blind newt had crashed into the creek, following his scent.
Back towards the rest area, he saw the red glow of Jacob’s gauntlet shining in the darkness. The Bloodhound was entering the woods. He tossed a card and a cloud of green smoke appeared in front of him.
A goblinoid form materialized out of the cloud.
[Examine]
[Goblin Beastmaster]
Goblin Beastmaster. Minion. Set: Ringmaster’s Menagerie. Rarity: Rare.A cantankerous bull-whip wielding goblinoid who can tame and motivate any species of beast.
War Whoop: Give a random friendly beast on the battleboard +5 Attack and +5 Health Points.
Bull Whip: 4 Attack, Cooldown: 5 seconds
Health Points: 3
Cost: 2 Vigor Stones
The goblin was wearing a stained wifebeater tee and had a scraggly silver beard. He was chomping on a cigar and holding a bullwhip. Aside from the whip, the minion looked like a beleaguered husband from a 1950s sitcom.
He took the cigar out of his mouth with his free hand and spat. “Lil Vernon! You milky little shit! You better not lose the Voidlock’s scent!”
To emphasize his point, he cracked the whip. A spark of energy shot out, flaring in direction of the newt. This was followed by a shrill mewl and the sound of Lil Vernon thrashing in the water.
Shit. The Goblin Beastmaster had just buffed Lil Vernon.
The gong sounded.
Turn 3
Vigor Stones 3/3
03:00
Begin
Draw?
Walt got up and ran down the creek, trying not to splash too much. Then he veered back into the forest, pulling himself onto a bank on the opposite bank from the Bloodhound.
The Blood Mirror had successfully procced because Walt’s health ticked up. Which meant Jacob’s health had ticked down.
Voidlock
Health Points: 97
Bloodhound
Health Points: 98
Walt and Jacob were just tickling each other damage at the moment, but Walt knew things were about to escalate. Pain was about to escalate. He examined his cards.
As much as he wanted to hold onto Desecrate X, he needed to draw into a minion. He had to hold onto the Blood Mirror from the previous hand because it was an essential part of his combo. And he wanted to hold onto the Boots of Nemora because he wanted to don them next turn to give him such needed escape.
So he opted to draw two cards. The cards ejected out of the gauntlet and joined his hand.
Blood Mirror
Boots of Nemora
Levitical Hellfiend
Mortal Tentacle
7-Fingered Ghoul
There it was, the broken Levitical Hellfiend card, made especially more broken in the hands of a Voidlock. He didn’t even think. The play just played itself. He tossed the card into the air.
There was the scent of polished wood, dusty tomes and ancient scrolls. The Levitical Hellfiend appeared in his blue-robe, the limbs hidden within bent at all the wrong angles.
An annoyed inhuman voice came from the cowls of the robe. “For what purpose do you summon me, pulling me away from my hallowed halls of forbidden knowledge?”
“Nice to see you, too,” Walt said. “I expect you’ll be returning back to your books soon. But for now I need you to protect me.”
The Levitical Hellfiend let out a low growl. But it pulled the hefty black tome out of its robes and stood by Walt guarding him.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Then, Walt Soultapped, exchanging his health for a Vigor Stone. He still wasn’t used to the pang of pain, from the feeling of sacrificing part of his essence.
Voidlock
Health Points: 87
But the Soultap counted as a spell, triggering the Levitical Hellfiend’s effect, reducing the cost of the 7-Fingered Ghoul to 1 Vigor Stone. Walt used his new Vigor Stone to summon the minion.
The drunken ghoul materialized before Walt, swaying, already appropriately sloshed. When he spoke, his words slurred together. “The forest? What you doing out here in all this nature? And why’s it so dark?”
The ghoul’s effect not only increased Walt’s card size from five to seven, but it instantly drew another two cards into his hand.
Eldritch Death Summoner
Unholy Tongue Lash
“Quiet,” Walt said. “I’m trying to be sneaky.”
“Schneaky,” the Seven-Fingered Ghoul said. “I’m great at being schneaky.”
“Listen,” Walt said. “I need you to protect me until the next Turn.”
“Protect you?” The Seven-Fingered Ghoul said. He held up his fists and drunkenly shadow-boxed. “I’ll protect you alright. Point me at ‘em!”
“No,” Walt said. “I need you two to play defense until I can get these boots on,” Walt said.
The Seven-Fingered Ghoul blew a raspberry with his lips. “Sounds boring. But you’re the boss.”
“I could be reading right now,” the Levitical Hellfiend said.
That’s when a dark form appeared above the tree cover, a silhouette forming against the moon. Wings flapped in the air.
Jacob must have played his card.
[Examine]
[Grimscale]
Grimscale. Mount. Set: Adventurer Dio’s Wondrous Mounts. Rarity: Legendary. A young wyvern from Lumley’s Aerie, known for their gray scales and insatiable appetite.
Rider Flight Protection: Grants rider +5 Armor while mounted.
Bite: 8 Attack; Cooldown: 5 seconds
Health Points: 15
Cost: 3 Vigor Stones
The Bloodhound was riding Grimscale, his winged mount. It had taken to the air and they were scanning the forest, trying to find Walt.
“Did you really think you could hide from a Bloodhound?” Jacob said, shouting. Grimscale zoomed away in another direction but they circled around again. “We thrive on the thrill of the hunt!”
Walt led his minions into a thick cluster of pine trees. There was a ceiling of branches and they all crouched there, looking up into the sky. Grimscale hadn’t found them yet.
The gong sounded.
Turn 4
Vigor Stones 4/4
03:00
Begin
Draw?
Jacob let out of a grunt of pain in the sky. Walt saw his health tick up again. It was the Blood Mirror proccing.
Voidlock
Health Points: 88
Bloodhound
Health Points: 97
Walt wasted no time. His new hand, buffed to seven cards now thanks to the ghoul, flew out of his gauntlet.
Boots of Nemora
Blood Mirror
Blood Mirror
Unholy Tongue Lash
Eldritch Death Summoner
Blood Worm Bomber
Life Leech
Walt equipped the Boots of Nemora, using all of his Vigor Stones. Now he could vertically stay out of reach from Lil Vernon and the Goblin Beasttamer. And hopefully the boots were fast enough to avoid Grimscale, but for some reason he doubted it.
“Do me a favor,” Walt said. “Ignore his minions if you can.”
“What?” The Seven-Fingered Ghoul said, flabbergasted. “Ignore his minions? Do you have a death wish?”
“Ignore his minions and attack him,” Walt said. “I need both of you to deal as much damage as you can to the Bloodhound himself.”
The Levitical Hellfiend held up his black tome. “He shall feel the weight of knowledge beyond his comprehension.”
From above, there was an electric guitar strum. Like a chord out of a death metal cacophony.
Walt looked up at Grimscale, who was flying in front of the moon. A card was spiraling over Jacob’s head. Strobes of light were blasting out of the card. Then it formed into an ornate and wicked bow.
[Examine]
[Nok’Roshar]
Nok’Roshar. Weapon. Set: The Faewild’s Remnants & Relics. Rarity: Rare. Brendan Umber’s infamous bow he used to slay Dreadheart. Always finds its target.
Bloodseeking Arrow: 12 Attack, Cooldown: 1 minute
Charges: 4
Cost 4 Vigor Stones
The Bloodhound grabbed it out of the air. He held it in both hands as Grimscale continued to search through the woods.
Walt heard something barreling through the brush, on this side of the creek. It was Lil Vernon. The newt must have picked up their scent.
“He’s got his scent again!” The Goblin Beastmaster said. He was splashing through the creek, following Lil Vernon. “Over here, master! Follow Lil Vernon!”
The Bloodhound piloted Grimscale and the wyvern swooped in a wide turn and Jacob looked out a head of his newt that had the sniffer of a bloodhound.
“Shit,” Walt said. “Everyone get ready.”
The gong sounded.
Turn 5
Vigor Stones 5/5
03:00
Begin
Draw?
The Blood Mirror hidden in the creek procced again, nipping Jacob’s health and transferring over it to Walt.
Voidlock
Health Points: 89
Bloodhound
Health Points: 96
Walt needed all the cards in his hand except the Eldritch Death Summoner. But it was a minion that could come into play so he felt safe keeping it. He held onto his current hand and just drew one card.
Blood Mirror
Unholy Tongue Lash
Blood Mirror
Eldritch Death Summoner
Blood Worm Bomber
Life Leech
Replicate
He could play both Blood Mirrors, but it would be inefficient, leaving him with one stone. However, he did see a play that would get him value and be efficient.
He Soultapped, gasping. He put a hand on a tree, steadying himself.
Health Points: 78
Vigor Stones: 6/5
Then he crouched and played a Blood Mirror. He hid it in the hollow of a poplar tree. As he placed it, it procced, feeding him another tick of Jacob’s health.
Voidlock
Health Points: 79
Bloodhound
Health Points: 95
Jacob yelled, annoyed. “I’m getting really tired of your cheap Voidlock tricks. That’s what I hate about your class. Your little pinpricks of Lifedrain!”
And that’s when Lil Vernon barreled into the copse of pine trees, spraying corrosive fluid out of its mouth. The liquid hitting Walt and his minions.
Grimscale roared and dove into the forest, straight for Walt.
Jacob nocked back Nok’Roshar. “I told you! You can’t hide from a Bloodhound!”
An arrow the color of blood materialized in between his fingers, nocked back in the bow.
He released the Bloodseeker Arrow and it whistled through the tree branches.
And then Walt’s vision burst red as the arrow pierced one of his eyes.
Glossary
A WORD ON COMBAT:
*Author Note: Please keep in mind, this story is a rough draft. Also, I’m an author first and game designer of a fictional game second. I will work hard to keep the mechanics and stats in check, especially if they are immersion-breaking. But ultimately, the mechanics and card game rules work to serve the story first.
Battleboard Arena: The three-dimensional designated zone where two Duelists duel.
Battleboard Barrier: Three-dimensional grids of blue energy to that define the limits of the Battleboard Arena. It is impossible to pass through the grids. Trying to traverse a barrier results in death. The barriers disappear once a Duel is finished.
Death Cry: Card effect that triggers when a minion dies.
Health Points: A card duelist’s health. Usually starts at 100 Points. When it’s depleted, the duelist dies.
Hellpriest: A priest of an extra-dimensional Hell ruled by the deity, Leviathan. Summon the creatures and powers of Leviathan to punish your opponent into pain and ecstasy. Hero Ability: Heal. Heal self or a minion for 10 Health Points. Cost: 1 Vigor Stone
Hero Ability (aka Psycho Ability): A power or spell a Duelist can use that’s specific to the Duelist’s class. These increase in cost the more they are used throughout a Duel.
Turn: A 3 minute duration split into two parts wherein Duelists can make their moves and play their cards.
Prio: Priority. 1:30 Duration. Duelist who has Prio means they control the segment of the Turn wherein they can play their cards. They have a minute and a half to play their cards. At the end of the duration, Prio passes to their opponent, whether they play a card or not. A Duelist with Prio has the right to pass their segment of the Turn to their opponent.
Pass: Option to pass the Turn to your opponent.
Slaynami Corporation: The mysterious corporation from another version of Earth who owns the rights to the game Slaystone and funds and organizes tournament.
Slaynami Card Gauntlet: A device of advanced and mysterious tech that holds all of the cards for a Duelist. Allows the Duelist to organize cards, build decks and play their cards. It’s linked to the Slaynami System Interface
Slaynami Chronico: A recording and streaming device made from mysterious tech, provided by the Slaynami Corporation to Psycho Slingers for official Slaynami Corp streams.
Slaynami Interface: The UI that allows an individual to interact with the Slaynami System
Slaynami System: Slaynami Corp’s system that connects to an individual and links their mind, brain and body to the designated Slaynami OS. Enhances an individual in various ways, giving them the power of the system at just a thought.
Vigor Stones: The resource used to play cards.
Voidlock: A Darkened Artist who uses the power of souls to tap into unbelievable power. Hero Ability: Soultap. Trade 10 Health Points for 1 Vigor Point. Cost: 10 Health Points.
War Whoop: Effect that’s triggered when a minion arrives on the Battleboard.
Class Compendium
Slaystone ? Class Compendium
Class is the primary factor of a Duelist’s powers and abilities. Each class represents a unique role and determines a Duelist’s Hero Ability and which card sets they are able to use.
There are ten base starting classes that may evolve into more advanced classes by using Psycho Points, Card Gauntlets and Evolver Cocoons. Information on Advanced Classes and the Ultra Slinger and Apex Slinger forms is included in the Slaynami ? Advanced Form Slinger Compendium.
The ten base classes are:
Bloodhound: Tough and resourceful hunters who can track any beast, man or monster through both the wilds and cities. Hero Ability: Tame Beast. Can tame a nearby animal and turn it into a dangerous minion. Cost: 1 Vigor Stone.
Silentblade: Sneaky and agile assassins who use subterfuge and stealth to get intimate with their opponents. Hero Ability: Stealth. Can blend in with the shadows and their surroundings to disappear from sight. Cost: 1 Vigor Stone.
Steelclad: Warriors and sell-swords who use steel and iron weaponry to control the battlefield and armor to soak up otherwise dangerous attacks. Hero Ability: Battle Frenzy. Gains 10 Armor and Enrages, doubling damage with weapons. Cost: 1 Vigor Stone.
Voidlock: A Darkened Artist who uses the potential of souls to tap into unbelievable depths of power. Hero Ability: Soultap. Trade 10 Health Points for 1 Vigor Stone. Cost: 10 Health Points.
Necromancer:As master of the undead, Necromancers have the power to summon an undead army to overwhelm and consume opponents. Hero Ability: Summon a Skeleton Minion. Cost: 1 Vigor Stone.
Thaumuturgist: Practitioners and masters of the Arcane arts. They wield powerful single-target and area of effect spells to blast down their opponents and arcane trickery to manipulate their opponent’s attacks. Hero Ability: Arcane Blast. Arcane energy blasts out of the mage, dealing 10 damage to nearby opponents. Cost: 2 Vigor Stones. 2 extra Vigor Stones per accumulative use.
Cardcleric: Wielders of the White, who use the healing powers of their benevolent Deity to administer purifications, cleanses and mending during times of conflict. Hero Ability: Battle Blaze. Healing blessing that heals self or target for 6 Health and an additional 6 Health Points the next Turn. Cost: 1 Vigor Stone.
Hellpriest: Supplicants and clergy of Leviathan who rules over the Hell dimension. Use Leviathan’s power for both pain and pleasure. Hero Ability: Heal. Heal self or minions for 10 Health Points. Cost: 1 Vigor Stone.
Greenmage: Protectors of Gaia and the verdant wilds, they wield the powers of nature to establish control of the battlefield. Friends of both the trees and the stones, expect both to aid them during times of need. Hero Ability: Friend of the Forest. Summon three Ygdar Ents and root your opponent for 1 Turn or until freed. Cost: 3 Vigor Stones.
Songslinger: The Bard swordsmen of yore. They use music, poetry and theatrics as weapons. A limerick or a well-aimed verbal barb can be just as dangerous as a blade with these raucous and dramatic performers. Hero Ability: Razor Song. A musical attack that turns musical notes into either razor blades or a personal shield. Deals 10 damage. Or Blocks 10 Damage. Cost: 3 Vigor Stones.
Card Codex - Walt's Deck for Duel 3!
WALT''S DECK DUEL 3
versus
Jacob Maseria, Bloodhound, aka HunterX
22 Cards
Soulbloom (15 Health)
Mortal Tentacle (1 Vigor Stone)
Deadwood Witch (1 Vigor Stone)
Blood Mirror (4) (2 Vigor Stones)
Chains of Agony (3 Vigor Stones)
Blood Worm Bomber (3 Vigor Stones)
Levitical Hellfiend (3 Vigor Stones)
Desecrate X (3 Vigor Stones)
Boots of Nemora (4 Vigor Stones)
Eldritch Death Summoner (4 Vigor Stones)
Wand of Green Skulls (4 Vigor Stones)
Unholy Tongue Lash (5 Vigor Stones)
Replicate (5 Vigor Stones)
The Priest of the Blazing Shield (5 Vigor Stones)
Abyssal Blast (7 Vigor Stones)
7-Fingered Ghoul (7 Vigor Stones)
Chronobite (7 Vigor Stones)
Life Leech (8 Vigor Stones)
Crucible Configuration (8 Vigor Stones)
