https://dmleach.com/ 2026-05-01T17:48:40+00:00 https://dmleach.com/ https://dmleach.com/lib/tpl/civilized/images/favicon.ico text/html 2011-09-02T22:59:46+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:lost%20at%20midsummer%202009&rev=1315004386&do=diff Lost at Midsummer (2009) When Midsummer rolled around again in 2009, I started a new version of the Lost at Midsummer thread I'd begun the year before. While the sequel thread only lasted a few posts, it did contain this excerpt of which I was quite proud. It also features the youngest version of Ambrose that I'd written. text/html 2021-08-05T06:56:41+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20shield%20book%20ch%202&rev=1628146601&do=diff The Shield Book Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Chapter Two Colquitt sat in a high-backed leather chair in a lavishly appointed waiting room. Bright sunlight streamed through a pair of paned glass windows, and a slight breeze fluttered a pair of blue and yellow pennants atop a nearby tower. The mage sipped at a small glass of brandy he’d poured from a crystal decanter on a gleaming silver tray. The entire effect, in fact, was so relaxing that Ambrose had just started to nod off when the … text/html 2021-08-05T08:50:01+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20shield%20book%20ch%203&rev=1628153401&do=diff The Shield Book Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Chapter Three The many-faceted cobalt blue lenses of the goggles lent Ambrose a decidedly insectoid appearance that turned more than a couple of heads as travelers made their way between Stormwind and Goldshire. He pulled the humming contraption off his face with two small *pops!* and rested them against his forehead. Nozz had assured him that the goggles were simple enough for even a human to use and should be able to detect most traces of… text/html 2021-08-05T15:28:33+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20shield%20book%20ch%204&rev=1628177313&do=diff The Shield Book Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Chapter Four Lord Lenox Shadowmore did not strike an imposing figure. Well into his sixties, his closely trimmed beard was more salt than pepper and had been for years. He was thin but by no means frail, wrinkled though not wizened. text/html 2021-08-05T15:52:24+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20shield%20book%20ch%205&rev=1628178744&do=diff The Shield Book Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Chapter Five “Are you ready, young one?” The mage lay supine, an unmarked tombstone pressing into the small of his back though he could not feel it. Ambrose opened his mouth to speak, yet neither word nor breath passed his lips. Old habits died hard, even after you were dead. So how was the spirit healer talking to him? Can spirit healers talk? text/html 2021-08-05T16:37:58+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20shield%20book%20ch%206&rev=1628181478&do=diff The Shield Book Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6 Chapter Six With no small amount of struggle Ambrose found his footing and clambered up the small hill to the high road. Looking up the slope toward Stormwind he quickly dismissed the idea. “Shadowmore is certain to have the guards on alert, text/html 2021-08-04T20:51:39+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20shield%20book&rev=1628110299&do=diff The Shield Book This story was an effort to take the then-recently introduced achievements system and incorporate it into a story. In the game, the button that opens the achievements panel has an icon of a book with a shield on its cover. When the feature went public, all of a sudden everyone had this button that would show all the things they'd done in the game so far, and ideas for new things to do. text/html 2011-09-03T00:40:05+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20silver%20cord%20ch%2002&rev=1315010405&do=diff The Silver Cord Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Chapter Two: Lesson Lauren staggered back into the narrow strip of land that separated the tilled farmland from the woods that surrounded Felstone Field. She figured out pretty early on that the area was relatively safe – too far from the giant spiders that lurked in the shadows of the trees, far enough to stay hidden from the unseeing eyes of the skeletons. Here she could catch her breath. text/html 2011-09-03T00:40:27+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20silver%20cord%20ch%2003&rev=1315010427&do=diff The Silver Cord Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Chapter Three: Orders The pin gleamed brightly, not a speck of tarnish on its shining mithril surface. It took every sliver of self control the young girl possessed to stand still at attention as the commanding officer made his way down the line of seven soldiers. Four were receiving their first commendation, two their second, but Lauren was the only one in the group to receive her third token of valor. Ashlam Valorfist's face was st… text/html 2011-09-03T00:40:48+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20silver%20cord%20ch%2004&rev=1315010448&do=diff The Silver Cord Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Chapter Four The watch guards gestured frantically, waving their arms high over their heads. “Over here!” they yelled, eyes on the mounted figure swerving and darting in an attempt to shake its pursuers. A vicious looking demonic dog grabbed and bit at the horse’s legs, while an airborne demon resembling a huge bat sailed just feet over the ground, its maw seemingly inches away from the head of the rider. Just as all seemed lost, bot… text/html 2011-09-03T00:41:07+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20silver%20cord%20ch%2005&rev=1315010467&do=diff The Silver Cord Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Chapter Five Very few people ever described Lauren Montrose as patient. Nonetheless, even after three chilled and rainy days in Stormwind, the warrior sat on the stone veranda of Trias’s Cheeses watching the endless ebb and flow of travelers navigate the cobbled streets of her home city. She kept to a quiet and darkened corner, a place where she hoped to see yet not be seen. The spot afforded her a clear view of the office of the Roy… text/html 2011-09-03T00:41:26+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20silver%20cord%20ch%2006&rev=1315010486&do=diff The Silver Cord Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Chapter Six A slender figure in a white hooded cloak looked carefully over the rail and watched the man and the girl sail out the door. She slapped the banister in frustration and walked down the stairs and over to the abandoned table. She lifted Lauren’s backpack, slipping her arms through the straps and testing its weight against the strength of her legs and back. text/html 2011-09-03T00:41:47+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20silver%20cord%20ch%2007&rev=1315010507&do=diff The Silver Cord Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Chapter Seven Ocilla Montrose rushed to the side of the crumpled figure lying in the quiet street. “Can you move?” she softly asked. Roswell tried to raise his body from the ground but collapsed after a moment’s effort. “I need supplies from the clinic,” Wren’s mother replied. “I’ll be two minutes. Lauren, stay here with him.” The blonde girl sat dumbfounded on the cold stone, staring blankly, her knees clutched to her chest. “Lauren… text/html 2011-09-03T00:43:26+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20silver%20cord%20ch%2008&rev=1315010606&do=diff The Silver Cord Navigate to chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Chapter Eight “Hold on!” Ocilla yelled over the sound of the wind in her ears as the open-air tram car whisked its occupants toward the dwarven capital. She leapt to the aid of her daughter, bracing the girl’s arms as Lauren struggled to swing one foot up and onto the speeding platform. Breathless and bloodied, the warrior scrambled onto the vehicle’s floor. text/html 2011-09-03T00:39:43+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:the%20silver%20cord&rev=1315010383&do=diff The Silver Cord Wren was part of a small dungeon questing group made up of some of my closest friends from World of Warcraft. This group gave me the ability to both learn the art of tanking as well as hone my writing skills. The Silver Cord serves as the lead-up to the group's exploits in the Plaguelands. text/html 2011-09-02T23:09:07+00:00 https://dmleach.com/doku.php?id=writing:thief%20in%20the%20night&rev=1315004947&do=diff Thief In the Night During the Midsummer seasonal event, each capital city lights a bonfire. Characters can earn an achievement by making their way to each of the opposing faction's fires and stealing some of the flames. Ambrose's vision swam as the world solidified around him. He was grateful for the spirit healers, of that there was no doubt, and being a mage he was well acquainted with practically all of them. Still, the process of relinking his spiritual essence with his corporeal body mad…