WINDS OF DARKNESS
SUMMARY
Bobby is desperately running through a forest, he sees a town ahead and keeps running.
In the town, there is a mob surrounding a woman. She just wants a place to stay, but the townspeople are afraid. The moons are in eclipse, it is time for Him to return! “He has nothing to do with me!” she protests, but the people think otherwise!
Meantime, the kids are in the forest, struggling against some weird purple mist. The mist has already touched Hank, and he is beginning to fade. In spite of their efforts, they are surrounded, and are being watched by an evil scarecrow-man.
Bobby has reached the town and cries out for help. The people know immediately what has happened – The Darkling has returned! The mob surrounding the woman disperses, and the woman advises Bobby that he will get no help, but she offers him a lift She is called Martha, and travels in a wagon with her pet called Gwicken.
Bobby accepts, assuming she’s going to help, but when he tells her that the fog has already hurt Hank, Martha reacts angrily by saying that she can’t help. But when he mentions Dungeonmaster, she reluctantly agrees to help.
Back in the forest, Hank is almost gone. He tries to fight back, but he is caught in the fog. He vanishes, just as Bobby and the woman appear back. The Darkling sees the woman and says “as always., she is nearby!”. Then he vanishes too, and so does the fog.
Martha tells them that she is going wherever she is accepted, and that they are welcome to come too. But Bobby won’t give up on Hank, even though he’s told that there is no hope.
Eventually, Dungeonmaster appears. But he can’t do anything to help against the Darkling’s magic. Eric shouts at him, blaming him for sending them into the forest in the first place!
Furious, Eric tells Dungeonmaster that tey are going to go and find someone who can help! Dungeonmaster nods, and adds: “When darkness seems all powerful, let the forgotten candle flame be your light.”
Dungeonmaster sees the woman and greets her. She is not pleased, as the last time she saw him, here life was ruined! The kids leave Dungeonmaster and go with Martha. They are going to find the Darkling, and make him pay for taking Hank.
They travel with Martha for a while, stopping to have some food. When she suggests that they stay in the town ahead, they say they have to look for the Darkling.
She says that it will be alright for one night; the Darkling only appears for three nights every 33 years and takes one victim each night and that is how it has been for the past 1000 years! His power grows with the eclipse of the moons. But when he takes his hundredth victim his winds of darkness shall destroy all light in the realm, forever! He is almost at his one hundredth!
They get to Mindril, and she goes in alone and find a place to stay. They are safe from the darkling as long as its daylight. Bobby and Uni look after Gwicken while Martha is away. But it takes a long time, and the night comes quickly. The kids are surrounded, and they are surrounded once again.
Martha returns as the fog is closing in, and when she does, she glows with light and protects the kids, telling the Darkling to go somewhere else for the 99 th victim! But while her attention is distracted, the Darkling’s fog catches Gwicken.
The kids figure out that Martha must be the lightbearer that Dungeonmaster mentioned. But she refuses to help any more.
She tells them that the Grotto of Darkness is to the west, and they should go if they want. Eric still insists on not giving up!
Dungeonmaster appears and warns the kids that the Darkling only needs one more victim before the winds of darkness will rule the realm forever.
After a short while of travelling, Martha realises she’s made a mistake, and she goes after the kids. But they move too fast, and she can’t keep up.
The kids find the Grotto, and Eric has a plan. He and Diana will draw the Darkling’s attention. And while Presto and the Hat will take care of the fog, Bobby up on the roof, ready to bring it down, and Sheila goes to find and with the Bow.
Eric and Diana get inside, but the Darkling is waiting. In spite of the odds against, they challenge him, but Martha appears just in time. She offers herself as the hundredth victim. But she comes up to the Darkling and her light overpowers him, setting all the Darkling’s prisoners free.
Hank is safe inside, and thanks then for coming to help. Dungeonmaster appears and Martha thanks him, and says she should have followed his advice years ago.
Then Dungeonmaster tells the kids he has news of a possible way home, and the kids head off again.
= = =
INTERESTING INFORMATION
Scatter Count – Zero – again.
Presto’s Hat produces – fog-sucking
Goodies – Martha
Baddies – The Darkling
Walk-ons – “Krin”
Monsters –
Groovy Objects –
Named Places – The Forest of Dark; the Grotto of Darkness; Mindril and Shalderon
Starwars References –
Other References –
= = =
Bobby calls out to Dungeonmaster to help at the start.
“The Moons are in eclipse, it is time for Him to return!”
Have to assume that this town is Shalderon.
Sheila is looking after Hank, Diana and Eric are fighting the mist (as much as you can fight mist)
Eric wants the marines again.
Martha’s pet Gwicken is a sort of blue furry ball.
“When’s Dungeonmaster when you need him!” Bobby
“Dungeonmaster again, eh?” Martha.
“As always., she is nearby!” The Darkling, of Martha.
Eric has picked up Hank’s bow.
The Darkling is “darkness” – he creates the fog and everyone fears it.
Martha asks what they will do - no one knows – but Eric doesn’t reply as the others answer.
She is going “wherever they’ll accept me”
Once the Darkling takes someone, they are never seen again.
Bobby suggests Dungeonmaster might help, Eric replies “where was he when we needed him?”
Dungeonmaster cannot do anything to help. But he was the one that sent them there in the first place.
Eric has a real go at Dungeonmaster, and everyone else steps back!
“You must seek the light bearer in the Forest of Dark, for only when the light embraces the dark will darkness be destroyed.” Eric – quoting Dungeonmaster’s riddle.
Uni goes “uh?” when Eric repeats verbatim Dungeonmaster’s riddle!
Eric then slams the Bow on the ground.
“Hank’s gone, and you have some explaining to do!” Eric, to Dungeonmaster.
Diana tells Eric to calm down!
Dungeonmaster can’t do anything against the Darkling’s magic. Is that true?
Eric snatches the Bow and goes off to find the darkling and get Hank back.
“Let’s go and find someone how can help!” Eric
“Very well, Cavalier, when darkness seems all powerful, let the forgotten candle flame be your light.” Dungeonmaster.
They all seem happy enough to let Eric take charge.
Dungeonmaster sees the woman and greets her as Martha.
“The last time I saw you, Dungeonmaster my life was ruined!” Martha
“That sounds familiar!” Eric
When they go with Martha, only Sheila hesitates.
“Maybe Dungeonmaster’s given up, but we wont! We’re going to find this Darkling, and make him pay for taking Hank.” Eric (Grrr!!)
Martha has a caravan, pulled by an diptheotherium
They stop about “half way between Shalderon and Mindril (ahead)” That would imply that the town that they were in before was Shalderon.
Shed has a picture of her family – but it is either husband and daughter, or mother and father.
Why will they be safe in Mindril? Why does the Darkling only attack away from towns.
“We appreciate your help, Martha, but we don’t want to be safe” Eric. Since when??
That shot of Eric, Sheila and Bobby is just weird!
The food is bread, tomatoes and potatoes (or Realm analogues)
Martha tells them that the Darkling only appears for 3 nights every 33 years and takes one victim each night – that is how it has been for the past 1000 years! Almost a hundred victims.
Except of course that 3 people every 33 years for 1000 years is only 90 victims! 3 people every *30* years gives 100!
The Darkling’s power grows with the eclipse of the moons – when he takes his hundredth victim his winds of darkness shall destroy all light in the realm, forever.
Martha is upset when they talk about the light bearer.
Bobby looks after Gwicken.
“As always, Martha has found me the perfect prey” Darkling
The Hat fails.
Martha glows with light and protects the kids. Why is Martha so attached to the kids now?
The fog takes Gwicken
“You must be that lightbearer” Eric. But Martha refuses to help “I can’t bear seeing anyone else lost”
“Perhaps some day I’ll find a place where his evil power cannot get me.” Martha
Eric is the one telling her not to run away!! Dungeonmaster tried to tell her the same thing, but “it didn’t work then and it won’t work now”.
Darkling is in the Grotto of Darkness, to the west.
Eric still insists on not giving up!
Dungeonmaster warns the kids: They have to stop the Darkling or his Wind of Darkness will rule the realm forever
“What’s your plan, Eric?” Presto. Not a phrase I ever thought I’d hear ;)
Diana and Eric will draw his attention.
Presto and the Hat will take care of the fog. (?!)
Bobby is up on the roof, ready to bring it down. (?! as well!)
Sheila goes to find Hank and with the Bow.
The Darkling is waiting inside for them.
What is Diana doing??
Fog comes up from the ground.
Hat almost fails again, but eventually sucks it up.
“Your feeble magic can’t stop me!”
“There is no darkness so powerful that a single candle flame can’t chase it away!” Martha
The light source in the grotto glows, and they are all free.
There are loads of continuity errors in the end section.
H/S moment!!
Eric is PLEASED Hank’s back to lead them!!
Martha find Gwicken
“Thanks Martha, I never expected you to come help us, but I’m sure glad you did!” Eric
A way home – a great magician by the name of Krin who might be able to send you home.
= = =
ALTERNATIVES
Why does the Darkling appear in the moons eclipse?
What is the connection between Martha and the Darkling?
“When’s Dungeonmaster when you need him!” Bobby
“Dungeonmaster again, eh?” Martha.
Again??
What about the fog? How does the Darkling control it?
Martha asks what they will do - Eric doesn’t reply as the others answer – why? Is he building up to his big moment?
“Wherever they’ll accept me” Why is Martha unwelcome? And why is she hanging around the Forest of Dark anyway?
Eric having a go at Dungeonmaster – is that really the same Cavalier as in the first series?? Bet he enjoyed it.
Dungeonmaster can’t do anything against the Darkling’s magic. Is that true?
“The last time I saw you, Dungeonmaster my life was ruined!” Martha. That is in need of an explanation too!
Why will they be safe in Mindril?
The Darkling’s power grows with the eclipse of the moons – when he takes his hundredth victim his winds of darkness shall destroy all light in the realm, forever. Why?
Martha glows with light and protects the kids. Why is Martha so attached to the kids now?
They have to stop the Darkling or his Wind of Darkness will rule the realm forever. An alt ending if ever I heard one.
And what has been going on the Grotto?
What if the Hat is affected by the evil fog - "Interlude" by Sealgirl, part of the Extended Season 3
What about Krin? (He shows up in "Wild Ride" in the Extended Season 3)
= = =
FANWORKS
Darkling Wallpaper by Wolfman
= = =
What if the Hat is affected by the evil fog?
"Interlude" by Sealgirl, part of the Extended Season 3
What about Krin?
"Wild Ride" in the Extended Season 3
"The Eyes Of Crin" by Patrick Drazen (his own site) (offline as Geocities is dead).
Hank’s stay in the Grotto of Darkness has had a strange effect on him
Darkest Hours by Sealgirl (Alt Ending)
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Previous Episode - The Citadel of Shadow
Next Episode - The Cave of the Fairie Dragons