The Legend of Merrill the Omniscient
This is the story of the main antagonist from Dungeon Party, a video game I worked on as an academic project. While it didn’t appear in the game as much as I had originally hoped, it did serve a role in guiding the development.
Not-so-humble beginnings
The Metona family was renowned in the world of magic, boasting a lengthy lineage of great mages and magic scholars. Their achievements even earned them a full chapter in The Tome of Magic. From the moment Merrill Metona was born, the world gazed down upon them with expectation, and the young mage did not disappoint. They had an exceptional affinity for magic and, with the eager support of their parents, could cast intermediate-level spells before learning to walk. By the time they were old enough to be admitted into a proper academy for young magic users, they were already on-par with the average professional mage.
Due to their advanced ability, Merrill was admitted into a special school for magical geniuses. While the quality of teaching matched their skills and they never struggled with learning, Merrill hated the structured approach to learning in a school. They were not interested in following along with the syllabus and being taught on the schedules of others. Instead, they spent most of their time experimenting and chasing topics and ideas whimsically.
The all-encompassing bucket list
By the time Merrill reached their teenage years, they had already abandoned school entirely. With the free time that would have otherwise been spent on classes, they began adding items to an extensive bucket list. Merrill wanted to try everything from tasting clouds to facing off against the merfolk in their legendary dance competitions. It was only a matter of time before they had the magical prowess to make any wish come true.
As time went on, the mage’s bucket list continued to grow and the name “Merrill the Omniscient” spread far and wide. Exaggerated stories of their exploits could be heard in any tavern or around any hearth. Merrill enjoyed the attention and their additions to the never ending list grew more and more bizarre and spectacular to keep people talking.
End of the line
Eventually, Merrill’s age began to catch up with them. They could no longer manage more physically intensive tasks, even with magical assistance. Their days of adventure and spectacle gradually slumped into endless hours of study. There had to be a way to continue on and they were certain the right magic could open the path. First they researched techniques for reversing the aging process and regaining some of their vigour. Then they experimented in crafting enchanted equipment that could supplement their physical capabilities. Nothing was working and Merrill grew more and more frustrated.
After a decade of trying, the old mage finally turned to forbidden magic. All their life, their family and teachers had warned them of the consequences that come with certain kinds of magic. Merrill knew what they were, of course, and had some books and supplies hidden away, but they never considered it worth the risk. After all, they couldn’t spread the story of it without provoking the magical authorities.
Merrill began studying immortality magic in secret. They locked themselves away from the world and allowed the people they once awed to believe they had died. However, they did not cover their traces well enough. Just as they were on the brink of success, the Magic Institute caught on and they were arrested. The mage spent the rest of their days locked away in a prison designed specifically for detaining magic-proficient criminals. When they finally died, their body was kept in detention out of caution for the form of magic he had been studying.
An inconclusive ending
It did not take long for Merrill’s unfortunate last story to spread far and wide. Some mourned their passing while others regarded their desperate turn to forbidden magic with scorn. However, like with any gossip, the people moved on and the story of Merrill Metona faded into legend.
Many years later, on one seemingly ordinary evening, chaos erupted within the magical prison. The seals on several cells had been mysteriously dispelled and prisoners were storming the corridors. Nobody noticed the remains of Merrill the Omniscient had gone missing until the thief had already left the building.
On that day, Merrill’s story changed. Parents would use them as an example to keep children from playing in strange places. People would joke about the ancient mage returning to seek revenge or take over the world. Some adventurers, emboldened after a few drinks, might even spontaneously take on a challenge to conquer a dungeon to claim their power for themselves.
