John Ziegler 2023

Language:

English

Authors:

John Ziegler

Systems:

TADS

Platforms:

TADS

Genres:

IF Comp 2023

Entered by:

iamaran

Added:

22-02-2025

Synopsis

The realm of Dwindeldorn has been plagued for centuries by a house of inept or otherwise disreputable rulers. The folk seem to manage just fine in spite of this, and make no motions to replace their sovereign, but they *have* been nicknaming their ruling family "The House of Dubious Renown" for so long that its original name has been forgotten.

Now our present king, Phisbeer the Paranoid, is vexed that his son, Prince Quisborne, has already begun to be dubbed "the Feckless" by the world outside of the castle. Imagining every neighboring realm to be gearing up for invasion as soon as he has been removed from the picture (which he is convinced will happen sooner rather than later, since surely either his physicians or his cook will poison him, if he isn't struck by lightning first), Phisbeer is perturbed at what would become of his land if it were to fall so soon under the rule of his feckless and incapable son.

You, Valkyrian of Vatterdelm, happen to be a knight and warrior of eminent renown, not only in your own realm but in neighboring lands as well, including Dwindeldorn. King Phisbeer sought you out in your homeland, appealing to you to take the lad under your wing, to teach him, train him, harden him, and make him into a fit ruler for the land (for a handsome compensation, of course). You agreed, arrangements were made, and the king returned to his land to await your arrival.

Phisbeer may have many more days left ahead of him than he seems to believe, but you reckoned that as far as the interests of the young prince were concerned, his education and training couldn't start at any better time than right away.

Notes

8th place (out of 74) in the 29th Annual Interactive Fiction Competition (2023).

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