Tag: Perilous Jack

The Butcher’s Bill, Installment One

Chronicler2 Comments

One of the principal joys of being an author is killing your characters in imaginative ways. Don’t believe me? Try it.

For your amusement (and my own) I have assembled a table of the various gruesome ways characters have met their deaths in the work I have published so far. I’ll build new tables as I work on other projects, and publish them here from time to time, perhaps with a running total.

You will notice Perilous Jack’s name many times. The Perilous Adventures of Jack the Dragonslayer are Choose Your Own Adventure®-style stories, in which there are numerous ways for him to meet a bitter ending. Since all the action is directed by the reader, the squeamish or guilt-prone are advised to proceed with caution!

Enjoy!

Continue reading “The Butcher’s Bill, Installment One” →

Coming Soon: The New PerilousJack.com

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For several months now, SmackJeeves has hosted my interactive sprite comic Perilous Jack and the Frost Potion, under the domain name PerilousJack.com. But Frost Potion is only the first chapter of a longer tale. It’s time for PerilousJack.com to grow! The second chapter of the tale, Perilous Jack and the Magic Beans, is nearly complete, with the following chapters close behind. Along with Magic Beans, I’ll be rolling out an all-new PerilousJack.com, to better showcase all of Jack’s adventures.

The new PerilousJack.com will devote an individual page to each chapter of Jack’s adventures, with synopses, trivia, screenshots, and links to the sprite comics. There will also be pages dedicated to his special appearances, such as How to Cross the Flaming Chasm of ZLORK and the board game Numerian Nine.

Here’s a few screenshots from the new site:

Here’s the home page, showing one of five different header images.
These images link to a short description of each volume of Perilous Jack’s adventures. From there you can go to the sprite comic, hosted on SmackJeeves.com
This is the landing page for Perilous Jack and the Frost Potion. The header image is one of the five random headers that loads each time a page is viewed. The image is from Perilous Jack and the Cloud Castle.
This is the ‘About’ page, with my usual disclaimers about copyright and links to the other websites.
This is another view of the Home Page, showing another one of the random headers (in this case, a scene from Perilous Jack and the Plateau of the Endless), along with the repeating background.

Perilous Jack and the Frost Potion

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The Perilous Adventures of Jack the Dragonslayer is a series of Choose Your Own Adventure™-style sprite comics hosted on SmackJeeves.com and featuring sprites ripped from the Final Fantasy™ and Super Mario Brothers™ video games. The stories, characters, settings, and illustrations are mine, but the sprites used to create the illustrations are the work of the talented designers at Square Enix® and Nintendo®.

Perilous Jack and the Frost Potion is Volume One of a five-part series called The Abduction of Princess Vasilisa. In this volume, Perilous Jack returns home from an adventure to discover that Princess Vasilisa has been abducted by a Cloud Giant!

Giant (Fire)

But before he can face the giant, Perilous Jack must fight his way past the guardian of the giant’s castle – a Pyrohydra.

Hydra (Pyro)

But as everyone knows, when you cut off a Hydra’s head, two more grow in its place. Hercules used a torch to seal off the cut necks of the Lernaean Hydra, but that trick won’t work on a creature of flame . . .

Only a Frost Potion can help Jack past the guardian of the castle. And the only Frost Potion for miles is in a monster haunted labyrinth, under the guardianship of the terrible Bull God. A most perilous adventure!

You can read the sprite comic here. When you’re finished, check out the flowchart below (Spoiler Alert!)

Frost Potion Flowchart (Detail)

Flowcharts are practically required if you’re doing a Choose Your Own Adventure™ – style story. There’s no better way to avoid dead ends and illogical loops, plus they look nifty. I did this in Visio.

The full-size flowchart for Perilous Jack and the Frost Potion is here.

How to Cross the Flaming Chasm of ZLORK (Part Three of Three)

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Here’s the second half of How to Cross the Flaming Chasm of Zlork, with captions explaining the simple method of crossing.

The Flaming Chasm of Zlork receives brief mention in my novel Tattered Faces Volume One: The Alchemist, which I’ll be done with any day now.

Zlork contains images ripped from various Super Mario Brothers™ and Final Fantasy™ video games. Credit for the original sprites goes to the talented artists at Nintendo and Capcom. Please support the hard work of game designers by purchasing authentic games. Beholder is a copyright of Wizards of the Coast. Human Torch is a Marvel character, yo.

For more of the Perilous Adventures of Jack the Dragonslayer, click here.

Hero (36), still coated with sticky frog guts, makes easy target trying to escape on Ladder (37). He is snatched up by hungry Fire Elemental (38), who pops him into a Cauldron of Alphabet Soup (39).
Hero (36), still coated with sticky frog guts, makes easy target trying to escape on Ladder (37). He is snatched up by hungry Fire Elemental (38), who pops him into a Cauldron of Alphabet Soup (39).
Meanwhile, sudden loss of water pressure precipitated by the broken pipe at (20) sets off Alarm System (40). Wind generated by klaxons blows Balloonist Gremlin (41) off course and turns Fan (42), winding Chain (43) attached to Cauldron of Alphabet Soup.
Meanwhile, sudden loss of water pressure precipitated by the broken pipe at (20) sets off Alarm System (40). Wind generated by klaxons blows Balloonist Gremlin (41) off course and turns Fan (42), winding Chain (43) attached to Cauldron of Alphabet Soup.
Gremlin's Balloon bumps against Spikes (44) and bursts, dropping Gremlin onto tail of Sleeping Dragon (45) Dragon wakes up hungry just as Cauldron containing delicious-smelling soup and Hero rises past. Dragon tries to grab Cauldron, but clumsily jostles it due to sleep-sand in eyes, upsetting Hero from Cauldron.
Gremlin’s Balloon bumps against Spikes (44) and bursts, dropping Gremlin onto tail of Sleeping Dragon (45) Dragon wakes up hungry just as Cauldron containing delicious-smelling soup and Hero rises past. Dragon tries to grab Cauldron, but clumsily jostles it due to sleep-sand in eyes, upsetting Hero from Cauldron.
Meanwhile Mermaid (46), hearing retching noises as Bullet Bill (26) spits out Zombie Head (28), is reminded that it is time to clean out her smelly Pantry (47).
Meanwhile Mermaid (46), hearing retching noises as Bullet Bill (26) spits out Zombie Head (28), is reminded that it is time to clean out her smelly Pantry (47).
In Pantry she finds old Fish Bones and tosses them out of her house. Fish Bones (48) pass through Time Warp (49) and emerge as Youthful Pufferfish (50).
In Pantry she finds old Fish Bones and tosses them out of her house. Fish Bones (48) pass through Time Warp (49) and emerge as Youthful Pufferfish (50).
Pufferfish (50) smacks into leg of Giant (51), pricking him. Startled Giant drops his Marbles into Flaming Chasm of Zlork.
Pufferfish (50) smacks into leg of Giant (51), pricking him. Startled Giant drops his Marbles into Flaming Chasm of Zlork.
Marbles (52) fall into Tangle of Pipes (53) and rattle around.
Marbles (52) fall into Tangle of Pipes (53) and rattle around.
Green Marble (54) emerges from Pipes and falls onto Elevator Platform (55), causing right-hand platforms to sink and left-hand platforms to rise.
Green Marble (54) emerges from Pipes and falls onto Elevator Platform (55), causing right-hand platforms to sink and left-hand platforms to rise.
Meanwhile, Hero falls out of Cauldron of Alphabet Soup and lands on uprising platform set into motion by falling Green Marble. Impact of Green Marble on left-hand platforms dislodges Landmine (56), which falls into Flaming Chasm and explodes, startling 3-Headed Snake.
Meanwhile, Hero falls out of Cauldron of Alphabet Soup and lands on uprising platform set into motion by falling Green Marble. Impact of Green Marble on left-hand platforms dislodges Landmine (56), which falls into Flaming Chasm and explodes, startling 3-Headed Snake.
In his confusion, 3-Headed Snake bites himself and keels over, poisoned, onto Swivel Platform (57).
In his confusion, 3-Headed Snake bites himself and keels over, poisoned, onto Swivel Platform (57).
A Coal Elemental (58) drops from a Conveyor Belt at the same moment, and the impact of his greater weight catapults the 3-Headed Snake up and across the Chasm, where he lands on a Giant Mushroom (59).
A Coal Elemental (58) drops from a Conveyor Belt at the same moment, and the impact of his greater weight catapults the 3-Headed Snake up and across the Chasm, where he lands on a Giant Mushroom (59).
Meanwhile the Orange Marble (60) emerges from the Pipes and sails upward, striking a Music Block (61), which rings with a beautiful tone.
Meanwhile the Orange Marble (60) emerges from the Pipes and sails upward, striking a Music Block (61), which rings with a beautiful tone.
A second later, the Red Marble (62) flies from a different Pipe, rebounds against a Springboard (63), and flies back through the Pipe it emerged from, striking a different Music Block (64) and eliciting a different tone.
A second later, the Red Marble (62) flies from a different Pipe, rebounds against a Springboard (63), and flies back through the Pipe it emerged from, striking a different Music Block (64) and eliciting a different tone.
Absent-Minded Wizard (65), hearing musical tones and thinking his doorbell is ringing, opens Door To Nowhere (66) and falls from his deck onto the Giant Mushroom, next to the 3-Headed Snake.
Absent-Minded Wizard (65), hearing musical tones and thinking his doorbell is ringing, opens Door To Nowhere (66) and falls from his deck onto the Giant Mushroom, next to the 3-Headed Snake.
Meanwhile Hero is carried upward by the Elevator Platform, eventually leaping off just before the roof of the Chasm. He lands in a Giant Rollerskate (67), which rolls along the Pipe and pitches him over the edge.
Meanwhile Hero is carried upward by the Elevator Platform, eventually leaping off just before the roof of the Chasm. He lands in a Giant Rollerskate (67), which rolls along the Pipe and pitches him over the edge.
Hero leaps free just in time to land on a stone ledge next to the Chasm Control Center (68).
Hero leaps free just in time to land on a stone ledge next to the Chasm Control Center (68).
Meanwhile Absent-Minded Wizard takes pity on poisoned 3-Headed Snake and administers Purgative Medicine (69). 3-Headed Snake coughs up Control Orb, which it had previously swallowed mistaking it for an egg.
Meanwhile Absent-Minded Wizard takes pity on poisoned 3-Headed Snake and administers Purgative Medicine (69). 3-Headed Snake coughs up Control Orb, which it had previously swallowed mistaking it for an egg.
Control Orb rolls off of Giant Mushroom and into hand of Hero, who installs it in Chasm Control Center (70). Now in full command of machinery of Chasm, Hero reverses direction of Conveyor Belt and leaps down to ride out of the Chasm. Coal Elementals, normally brutish and violent, notice letters C-A-R-B-O-N stuck to Hero's chest from his journey in Cauldron of Alphabet Soup and mistake Hero for an incarnation of their god. They fall down and worship Hero, conveying him safely out of THE FLAMING CHASM OF ZLORK.
Control Orb rolls off of Giant Mushroom and into hand of Hero, who installs it in Chasm Control Center (70). Now in full command of machinery of Chasm, Hero reverses direction of Conveyor Belt and leaps down to ride out of the Chasm. Coal Elementals, normally brutish and violent, notice letters C-A-R-B-O-N stuck to Hero’s chest from his journey in Cauldron of Alphabet Soup and mistake Hero for an incarnation of their god. They fall down and worship Hero, conveying him safely out of THE FLAMING CHASM OF ZLORK.

How to Cross the Flaming Chasm of ZLORK (Part Two of Three)

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A few weeks ago I posted some teaser images for my Rube Goldberg-esque sprite comic entitled How to Cross the Flaming Chasm of Zlork. Here’s a more detailed look at the artwork, with captions explaining the simple method by which one crosses the first half of the Chasm. I’ll post the artwork for the second half of the Chasm in a couple weeks.

The Flaming Chasm of Zlork receives brief mention in my novel Tattered Faces Volume One: The Alchemist, which I’ll be done with any day now.

Zlork contains images ripped from various Super Mario Brothers™ and Final Fantasy™ video games. Credit for the original sprites goes to the talented artists at Nintendo and Capcom. Please support the hard work of game designers by purchasing authentic games. Beholder is a copyright of Wizards of the Coast. Human Torch is a Marvel character, yo.

For more of the Perilous Adventures of Jack the Dragonslayer, click here.

Hero (1) leaps and grabs Steel Ring (2).
Hero (1) leaps and grabs Steel Ring (2).
Weight of Hero pulls Chain (3), opening Valve (4). Water (5) is released from Reservoir (6).
Weight of Hero pulls Chain (3), opening Valve (4). Water (5) is released from Reservoir (6).
Water douses Human Torch (7). Human Torch's pet Phoenix (8) flies off, crying in despair. Flaming wing of Phoenix singes tentacle of Beholder (9).
Water douses Human Torch (7). Human Torch’s pet Phoenix (8) flies off, crying in despair. Flaming wing of Phoenix singes tentacle of Beholder (9).
Ill-tempered Beholder shoots Ray of Stupefaction (10) at harmless Quivering Ooze (11). Stunned Ooze falls onto Counterbalanced Platform (12), causing platform to descend.
Ill-tempered Beholder shoots Ray of Stupefaction (10) at harmless Quivering Ooze (11). Stunned Ooze falls onto Counterbalanced Platform (12), causing platform to descend.
Ascending Platform (13) rises, alarming dozing Luridan (14), who flashes dome light, upsetting Giant Vampire Bats (15).
Ascending Platform (13) rises, alarming dozing Luridan (14), who flashes dome light, upsetting Giant Vampire Bats (15).
Giant Vampire Bats flutter in confusion around head of Ninja (16), who slashes in wild abandon, accidentally flinging her Sword. Ninja Sword severs the Chain to which Hero still clings by Steel Ring, dropping Hero into magical Teleportation Field (17) emanating from pipe below. Ninja Sword falls into Teleportation Field right after Hero.
Giant Vampire Bats flutter in confusion around head of Ninja (16), who slashes in wild abandon, accidentally flinging her Sword. Ninja Sword severs the Chain to which Hero still clings by Steel Ring, dropping Hero into magical Teleportation Field (17) emanating from pipe below. Ninja Sword falls into Teleportation Field right after Hero.
Hero is teleported to Platform (18) near center of Chasm. Cosmic Horror (19), disturbed by fluctuations in spactime continuum caused by Teleportation Field, lashes out with tentacles, breaking Water Pipe (20) and causing water to drip onto beanstalk seeds.
Hero is teleported to Platform (18) near center of Chasm. Cosmic Horror (19), disturbed by fluctuations in spactime continuum caused by Teleportation Field, lashes out with tentacles, breaking Water Pipe (20) and causing water to drip onto beanstalk seeds.
Beanstalk (21) grows, allowing Hero to climb and leap over to Platform (22). Platform begins to descend toward inevitable drop into Flaming Chasm.
Beanstalk (21) grows, allowing Hero to climb and leap over to Platform (22). Platform begins to descend toward inevitable drop into Flaming Chasm.
Meanwhile Descending Platform (23), weighted by Quivering Ooze, dislodges Flame Vane #1(24), which swings around, dislodging Flame Vanes #2 and #3. Fire from Flame Vane #3 ignites Bullet Launcher (25), sending Bullet Bill (26) sailing across the Chasm.
Meanwhile Descending Platform (23), weighted by Quivering Ooze, dislodges Flame Vane #1(24), which swings around, dislodging Flame Vanes #2 and #3. Fire from Flame Vane #3 ignites Bullet Launcher (25), sending Bullet Bill (26) sailing across the Chasm.
Bullet Bill (26) bites head off of Zombie (27). Disgusted by rotten taste, Bullet Bill spits Zombie Head out. Zombie Head (28) strikes Launchpad (29) and sails upward.
Bullet Bill (26) bites head off of Zombie (27). Disgusted by rotten taste, Bullet Bill spits Zombie Head out. Zombie Head (28) strikes Launchpad (29) and sails upward.
Zombie Head upsets Giant Fly (30) from Swivel Platform (31).
Zombie Head upsets Giant Fly (30) from Swivel Platform (31).
Giant Fly buzzes away, crossing in front of Giant Frog. Giant Frog (32) shoots out tongue, trying to capture Giant Fly, but misses, snagging Hero (33) instead and reeling him in just before Descending Platform (34) releases from Unsecured Guide Chain (35) and plunges into Flaming Chasm. Hero uses Ninja Sword obtained at (17) to cut way out of Giant Frog.
Giant Fly buzzes away, crossing in front of Giant Frog. Giant Frog (32) shoots out tongue, trying to capture Giant Fly, but misses, snagging Hero (33) instead and reeling him in just before Descending Platform (34) releases from Unsecured Guide Chain (35) and plunges into Flaming Chasm. Hero uses Ninja Sword obtained at (17) to cut way out of Giant Frog.
Congratulations! You're half way there! Check back in two weeks for the thrilling conclusion!
Congratulations! You’re half way there! Check back in two weeks for the thrilling conclusion!

Board Game Spinner

ChroniclerLeave a comment

I designed this after I first had the idea for a Perilous Jack board game. I’m still debating whether to use it with The Curse of Numerian Nine, but I’m not convinced it works with that game. We’ll see how Numerian Nine evolves.

I did this in Inkscape, with a little bit of touch-up and prep work in MS Paint. The typeface is Hobo. The sprites are all ripped from Final Fantasy ™ by the good folks at VideoGameSprites.net

 

How to Cross the Flaming Chasm of ZLORK

ChroniclerLeave a comment

How to Cross the Flaming Chasm of Zlork is a Rube Goldberg machine featuring Perilous Jack and sprites ripped from Super Mario Brothers ™, Final Fantasy ™, BattleToads ™, and (I think) Castlevania ™.

The gallery below is just snippets from the whole image. As soon as I figure out the best presentation for the whole image, I’ll post it here, with labels corresponding to each numbered segment so you can follow the action.

If you like sprite comics and want to see them continue as an art form, please support the talented game designers who created the sprites in the first place by only buying authentic games.

Zlork also appears briefly in my novel Tattered Faces Volume One: The Alchemist.

For more of the Perilous Adventures of Jack the Dragonslayer, click here.

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