"He found knowledge at the heart of the universe; Returned, and cut his story into stone..."
--The Epic of Gilgamesh


>The Storyteller stands in front of the bonfire, raising his hands in and invocation.

Behold! The great city of Uruk, with broad streets and mighty walls. See it gleaming in the desert heat.

Come! Cross the threshold. Walk the streets and orchards and markets. Climb the great stone steps of the temple.

Open the copper tomb and remove the sacred tablet! Carved into the deep blue stone is the tale Uruk's mightiest king, Uruk's pride, Uruk's greatest hero.

Hear the trials of Gilgamesh!

What was the temple like?

>>13668516
It was a great ziggurat of purest limestone located in the center of the city.

Dedicated to the patron goddess Inanna, it is said to have deeply pleased the fertility goddess. In return the gave Uruk beautiful women and an enormous population.

Mighty was Gilgamesh, a lord among lords.

Mighty is he who both leads the way and guards the rear. Mighty is he who both crashes like a wave and shelters the weak.

Gilgamesh was a roaring bull of a man: tall, powerful, and bearded. Two-thirds divine and one third man: Aruru gave him form, Adad gave him courage, and Shamash gave him beauty.

But he was still a man.

>>13668585
So he had, like, three templates?

MARY SUE!

>>13668585
How could he be 2/3 divine?

>>13668606
>>13668625
Gilgamesh was created as the very first humans were: Lady Aruru, mother of the earth, molded his body to perfection and breathed life into him.

But with the gifts of Adad and Shamash he took on divine aspects and became powerful beyond any mortal.

>>13668696
So those were like, his Paragon Path and Epic Destiny?

With his friend and comrade Enkidu, King Gilgamesh ruled Uruk with a young and prideful heart.

Above all, Gilgamesh wanted everlasting glory. But his kingdom was at peace, and in the absence of battles, he grew restless.

One night, while deep in prayer, Shamash, god of the sun, came down to him. He knew of Gilgamesh's valor, and offered him a way to achieve the glory was so desired.

Who's Enkidu?

>>13668844
Enkidu was a companion designed by the gods specifically for Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh was once a restless king. He spent his days wrestling the men and laying with the women of Uruk. In response, his people prayed for the god's help.

And so the gods created Ekidu, a wild man. Raised in the wilderness, he was nearly as powerful as Gilgamesh. When they met, the two became quick friends, and the King's wild heart was calmed for a time...

Shamash whispered to Gilgamesh that his destiny lay in the Cedar Forest.

This sacred grove was the home of the gods. And it was protected by the fearsome demon Humbaba.

Shamash declared that any man who slew Humbaba and chopped down the tallest cedar in the forest would gain everlasting fame.

Gilgamesh was overjoyed. He gleefully ran to tell Enkidu of his new adventure.

Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra... I want to hear abut that.

>>13668902
I heard Enkidu fought Gilgamesh first, the gods having created him to occupy his time so that he would focus on him rather on the people. They became friends after battling.

>>13668945
Too true.

When Enkidu first came to Uruk he was overwhelmed by it's splendor. But when he found a man trying to take another man's wife into his bed chambers, he became enraged.

That man was Gilgamesh. And in his rage Enkidu lept upon the King with a wild fury. The two wrestled with a kind of fury never before seen by the people of Uruk.

The marketplace was smashed to splinters. The clay and stone of the West temple was cracked. Dust was kicked up into a mighty storm around them.

But when the uproar silenced, it was Gilgamesh who had pinned Enkidu to the ground.

So impressed was the King by this man's might and chivalry that he took him on as a comrade and adviser.

Enkidu was displeased, "True, I know the way to the Cedar Forest. But why leave our city to slay a beast that is no danger to us? Humbaba has many stories of him. His breath is a firestorm; his voice is the floodwater; his jaws are death itself! None have faced him unscathed."

Gilgamesh scoffed at his comrade. "Is this the brave Enkidu I know? Have you traded courage for cowardice? Our days are few and our chances for glory far between. Do you no wish to burn forever in the minds of men?"

>>13669086
Good! No man would even know about Gilgamesh today if he had stayed in Uruk.

You can't be great if you don't fight.

Enkidu submitted to the King's will, "You have set your mind. Since that is your road, I will join you."

Gilgamesh rejoiced. He summoned his blacksmiths to forge mighty weapons for the companions. He summoned servants to prepare supplies for their journey. He summoned priestesses to make generous offerings to the gods.

And when all was ready, Gilgamesh and Enkidu passed through the seven gates of Uruk and into the vast desert.

The people of Uruk watched on in silence as they left.

>>13669200
It really makes no sense to suffer and die just so that some mouthbreathers twenty generations later can associate your name with an engineered image that has nothing to do with who you actually were.

>>13669233
Why were his people quiet? Shouldn't they have been cheering for their king?

>dark clouds are starting to form in the night sky


Hot were the sands of the desert. Hot were the sands and hard was the way.

Many bones of less fortunate travelers marked their journey. But Enkidu knew of secret paths of the animals and the secret hiding places of water.

The land fell behind them swiftly. In three days they crossed three mountains and three deserts. On the third night they stopped to sleep.

>>13669312
I wouldn't have cheered either if my king were abandoning us for no good reason.

In the darkest hour of the night Gilgamesh awoke and clutched his chest. "Who goes there?" he gasped, "Why do I sweat? Why do I shake? Has a god touched me?"

Enkidu heard and awoke, saying, "Have you dreamt, Gilgamesh? Tell me your dream and I will unravel it's meaning."


"I dreamt we walked in a gorge beneath a mighty mountain, you and I. We were like flies beneath its massive bulk. Then, with a rumble, the mountain collapsed on top of us. What is it's meaning, my friend?"

>>13669482
Sounds ominous

>A flash of lightning on the horizon catches your eye, followed by a low rumbling wave of thunder


Before he replied, Enkidu looked at his friend's worried face, and thought.

"The mountain must be Humbaba. Shamash has sent this this dream as proof that we will defeat the demon, and his fall will shake the earth."

And when Gilgamesh heard these words, he was at peace.

>As The Storyteller speaks more about the journey through the desert, you feel a strong hand on your shoulder

>You turn to see a man whispering to you, just inches from your face.


What do you think you are doing by asking these sorts of questions?

The power of the story should not be meddled with. Why do you seek to twist and subvert its meaning to your own purpose?

Are you a coward? Do you want our people to be destroyed?

>>13669767
Eh?

>>13669927
Don't be coy. You know what I'm talking about.

Those strangers have been trespassing on our land. After The Telling is finished, we will decide how to deal with them.

You are trying to sway the villagers towards compromise and negotiation. You will end up getting us all killed.

>>13670050
Yeah, well... that's just your opinion man.

>>13670050
In a response hushed as to not interrupt the storyteller, I whisper my response:

A story must stand on its own so that the truth might be learned from it. Falsehood carries no wisdom. My questions only seek to clarify, not guide.

>>13670961
3 AM..

>>13670961
You are wise.

We will see which of our views wins out in the end...

>The man sinks back into the crowd

>The wind is picking up


On the seventh day the companions crossed the seventh desert and at last they came to the Cedar Forest.

The Cedars were green and as wide as ten men. The men stepped into their cool, still shade with care, but-

A fierce wind blew! A freezing terror seized the companions! Nightmare faces leered behind gnarled branches: blood-smeared faces, faces of rabid lions, faces with hideous tusks, always changing, always horrible.

But the demon itself did not appear before them...

With a cry Enkidu fell to his knees "I cannot go on, friend! You must leave me and go on alone! I must return to Uruk in shame, for I cannot withstand the terrors of Humbaba!"

Gilgamesh pulled Enkidu to his feet "Courage friend. Two may prevail where one would fall. Together we are stronger than any one man. Touch my heart and you will not fear death."

And Enkidu placed his hand on Gilgamesh's chest, and he felt no fear.

Together they journeyed deeper into the forest.

Fuck yes Gilgamesh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59wvekNC3h8&feature=player_embedded

Soon they found a mighty cedar, so tall it seemed to scrape the sky.

"Surely this is the tallest cedar in the forest!" Gilgamesh exclaimed, and unsheathed his axe.

But as his first flow fell, Humbaba screamed with rage. The ground shook, the trees trembled, and in an instant the demon was upon them.

His face shimmered and whirled with a thousand forms. A thousand nightmare faces whirled and shimmered down at them. It's breath scorched their faces; it's screeches cut their ears!

>A distant roll of thunder sounds from the horizon


Gilgamesh trembled and fell to his knees.

"I cannot face him!" Gilgamesh cried, "My blood has turned to ice. You must go on and fight without me!"

Enkidu pulled Gilgamesh to his feet, "Courage, friend. The well-twined rope is stronger than a single strand. Together we are stronger than any single man. Touch my heart and you will not fear death."

Gilgamesh placed his hand on Enkidu's chest, and he felt no fear. Together they drew their blades and faced Humbaba.

>>13671506
Yessss

>>13671506
Even Gilgamesh, the greatest hero of all time was struck with such fear?

>In a sudden flash of lightning the whole valley is illuminated around you; then you are plunged back into darkness


Humbaba laughed and the mountains shook, "WHAT FOOLS ARE THESE? WHAT FOOLS DARE CHALLENGE THE DEMON HUMBABA? I WILL CRUSH YOUR BODIES AND YOUR CORPSES FOR THE WOLVES. YOUR WOMEN WILL MOURN AN EMPTY GRAVE."

And with a roar like the splitting of the heavens, Humbaba charged.

Enkidu stabbed with his spear and Gilgamesh slashed with his sword. Humbaba ripped with claws. Trees crashed to earth. The ground was torn asunder. Lightning and thunder split the skies.

Gilgamesh and Enkidu fought like no men ever fought before. But still the demon Humbaba drove them back and the companions came ever closer to defeat.

>>13671601
That just shows you how powerful friendship is, and how scary death can be.

>A hot, damp wind catches your clothes


Gilgamesh cried to the skies, "Shamash, my lord! Help your servant Gilgamesh in his hour of need!"

And Shamash heard Gilgamesh's cry, and sent all the mighty winds of the world to rail against Humbaba. The Thirteen Holy Winds of the world were sent against Humbaba and not even he could stand against them all.

Enkidu threw a net over Humbaba and Gilgamesh seized him from behind.

>>13671736
What an unceremonious way to defeat your enemy.

>A gust of wind makes the ashes of the fire hiss

Humbaba saw the way things were and cried out in fear, "DO NOT KILL ME MIGHTY HEROES! IF YOU LET ME LIVE, I WILL BE YOUR ETERNAL SLAVE. I WILL LET YOU CUT DOWN AS MANY TREES AS YOU WANT. I COULD HAVE ATTACKED YOU WHEN YOU FIRST ENTERED MY FOREST BUT I SHOWED YOU MERCY!"

Gilgamesh heard these words and felt pity for the creature.

But Enkidu cried out "Do not listen to him! If you let him live, he would attack us the moment our backs are turned."

>it is very quiet

Humbaba the demon called out in fear, "PLEASE MIGHTY HEROES! I WAS SENT BY ENIL, FATHER OF THE GODS, TO PROTECT THE CEDAR FOREST. I ONLY DID MY DUTY. THOSE WHO OFFEND THE GODS DO NOT LIVE LONG."

Gilgamesh again took pity on him, lowering his sword.

But Enkidu cried out, "Gilgamesh, do not listen to his words! Close your ears! Kill the demon before you become confused. Kill him now and claim your glory!"

Gilgamesh looked into Enkidu's eyes.

Gilgamesh, the King, looked into the eyes of his friend Enkidu and made his decision. He knew-


>Someone gasps loudly from the far side of the crowd

>>13672002
Quickly look to the side where the gasping person was.

>>13672027
Out of the darkness, three dozen strangers appear, bearing long spears and faces painted with dark blue lines.

It is the newcomers, the ones who trespassed onto your land in recent days. The ones who hid from site and forced you to have this meeting to determine how you should handle them.


>Droplets of rain begin to fall


Amongst them one stands out: tall, with sharp features and a thick leather vest. You guess he is their leader.

>The Storyteller, your father, looks to you

My son, it is now your turn.

Show the people what your have learned from The Telling.

>The leader of the newcomers steps out of the darkness and close to the fire, bearing his teeth

You will give us half your sheep and half your grain. You will gift us these things or we will take them now.


>The men behind him grip their spears tightly

I ask them why they need these things from us. Can they not provide for themselves?

>>13672469
We are strangers to these parts. The sheep here are skittish and fleet.

This is how we must make our living now. So you will gift us was we asked.


>Nearby you see your neighbor, Saiph, clutching his own spear tightly, eager for battle

For now, I do nothing to rid Saiph of his battle ready state.

I tell the men that we would be willing to teach them how to tend the sheep and make their own living. Do they wish to be bandits forever? Doing this won't fix their situation.

>>13672619
>The man scoffs

We have heard such offers before. To come unarmed and helpless to the homes of enemies with sharpened spears and cruel daggers- Do you think us fools?

>>13672691
I think you no fool, and nor am I. Look around me. These people are ready, and I have not told them to stand down. Nor do I ask you to cast aside your spears. I do not expect trust. We can meet each other at weapon's length if it must be.

Trust is not necessary. We are aware of each other's strength and have much to lose in battle. If we come to blows then it must be, but nothing is gained from not trying.

Will you allow us to teach you?

>>13672777
>The leader stares at you piercingly and then speaks slowly

Deceit is often housed in pleasant trappings.

Give us a sign of your friendship, if you truly mean what you say.

>>13672838
[Oh god I think I'm reaching my limit of asspull brilliance here.]

You would not be here if you were not already of great need. We can spare a little, but only enough to ensure you can see returns from your own efforts. I shall see it prepared now.

After you receive it, I ask that you return tomorrow so we may start as soon as we can. Feel free to come spear in hand. We will meet in kind until a time reason has failed or trust established.

[I don't know exactly how much to spare them. Perhaps a few days supply at a time? Anyone out there want to discuss this with me?]

FINE. FUCK ALL Y'ALL HATERS.

I am going to diplomacy the FUCK out of these guys and make our two tribes friends as the great Gilgamesh and Enkidu of old! Together we will be stronger than we were alone!

Not gunna be a pussy either. Friendship through strength.

>>13672975
>The man pauses, and glances behind him at his companions

That would be... acceptable. We will only take enough food for tonight. We have not eaten in some time.


>The man nods, and boy comes forward with a few wolf skins


This is all we have to trade. Perhaps you can take them in exchange for teaching our shepherds to tame the sheep in these lands?


>The man squints his eyes and looks nervously at you, as though embarassed

>>13673151
I turn to another of my people and ask them to get the good ready for them to take. Then I turn back to address the leader of the strangers.

I have a better way you may repay us. Trade in kind. Certainly you have something of your own to teach. I could not take when you are in need, but knowledge does not diminish upon it's sharing. Think on it.

Come.. we were just listening to the story of Gilgamesh. I'm sure our storyteller will be kind enough to repeat it. You can listen while the food is prepared.

>>13673232
>The newcomers sigh is relief. You grab the wrist of the newcomers' leader in a show of solidarity. War has been avoided.

>The Storyteller smiles at you warmly and throws his hands into the air


Come! Cross the threshold!

Let us come together as one and hear the exploits of the ancient cities and ancient kings that once ruled our land! Hear the tale of Uruk's mightiest king, Uruk's pride, Uruk's greatest hero.

Hear the trials of Gilgamesh!


>The drizzle of rain stops and the fire roars

>>13673331

Thank you, OP.

I very much enjoyed that. I think you just picked a bad time to start your thread. That or people were more interested in the TALE OF GILGAMESH than the quest.

>>13673398
Yeah, tell me about it. But no problem, I'm glad you enjoyed!

Also, there is one big twist...

This thread was painstakingly adapted from a freeware "interactive fiction" story of the same name.

The game is considerably more interactive than this thread was, and has many more endings, characters, and elements to explore. I loved it and would really like for more people to play it.

>Play online:
http://www.aaronareed.net/wttc.html

>Site:
http://www.aaronareed.net/telling.html

Any ideas for similar stories?

Originally I was thinking of making one that related the story of the Sack of Troy to the destruction of Carthage in the 3rd Punic War.

I don't see nothing of Shamhat here, Mr. Storyteller.

>>13675797
You mean Shamash? It can be transliterated differently, I think.