The Curse of Sthadd is a legendary tale that has been passed down through generations. According to the ancient folklore, Sthadd was a powerful sorcerer who lived in a hidden kingdom nestled deep within the enchanted forest. He was known for his extraordinary magical abilities and the spells he cast were said to be unparalleled. However, Sthadd's powers corrupted his soul and he became consumed by greed and lust for more power. In his relentless pursuit of dominance, he made a pact with dark forces that were beyond his control. This pact backfired and unleashed a powerful curse upon him and his kingdom.
Justy fell asleep and the bloodhunter, whose backstory includes losing her husband and newborn child, was on first watch. She noticed Justy start to whimper in his sleep and went over to stroke his hair to calm him down. Rolled a nat 20 on persuasion to see how soothing her touch was, so I narrated her remembering doing the same thing to calm her child down, years ago.
De Bruyne had denied by Thibaut Courtois shortly after half-time but made no mistake in the 67 th minute when Ilkay Gundongan laid the ball to him 20 yards from goal, the Belgian thumping his shot past his international team-mate with unerring accuracy. Tempers frayed before half-time and referee Artur Dias had his work cut out as players from both sides got more physical or went down more easily in search of cheap free kicks and yellow cards.
This pact backfired and unleashed a powerful curse upon him and his kingdom. The curse was so potent that it afflicted the entire land, turning it into a desolate and barren wasteland. The once lush green trees withered away, the rivers ran dry, and the animals fled or perished.
Manchester City seize control ahead of intriguing second leg against Real Madrid
The look on Pep Guardiola’s face said it all. When Vinicius Junior scored a screamer in the 36 th minute, with Real Madrid’s first attempt on goal after over half an hour of City dominance, Guardiola must have been wondering once again if he is cursed in this competition.
True, the Catalan has won world football’s greatest club competition twice, with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011 but that last time was 12 years ago, when Lionel Messi was a mere stripling and City had yet to play in the competition. Indeed in the same month of May 2011, City beat Stoke in the FA Cup final for their first trophy in 35 years, and it was only after signing that summer Sergio Aguero, that they went on to win their first Premier League title and qualify for their inaugural Champions League campaign.
Yet try as he might, with some of the best teams and players in the world, Guardiola has not won it again, either with Bayern Munich and now City. He has reached a record ten semi-finals in all, and another final two years ago, only to be outdone by Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
Last season looked like another final was in City’s sights, as they led Real Madrid 5-3 on aggregate with 90 minutes of their semi-final second leg played, only for Rodrygo to score twice in a minute to take the game into extra time, resolved by an inevitable Karim Benzema winner.
Guardiola might have been justified in feeling cursed, but instead the world’s leading manager decided he would be better served by preparing his players to guard against making the same mistakes in this, the first leg of their rematch.
City could not have come into the game in better form, unbeaten since losing 1-0 to Tottenham three months ago, and with 15 victories from their previous 16 games. Guardiola has assembled arguably the strongest City side of the modern age, certainly the best side in England over the past five years, with four Premier League titles in that period and another one in the pipeline.
By contrast Real Madrid’s domestic dominance is not quite what it once was, but their record in the Champions League cannot be questioned. They won it against the odds last season, coming from behind to see off Chelsea and then City, before Carlo Ancelotti outwitted Jurgen Klopp in the final.
Now this competition is their only chance of glory, as they sit third in La Liga, and the way the opening half-hour unfolded, you could see why. City were completely on top, in terms of possession, shots on goal and even artistic impression. Their goal was like a dagger in City hearts, and the men from Manchester might have felt Madrid would prove merciless for them once again.
Pep Guardiola lauded Vinicius Jr after last night’s drawBut maybe Guardiola’s men have learned from last year’s experience, and are made of sterner stuff. They could have capitulated but their fought back tenaciously, sometimes literally as well as figuratively. Tempers frayed before half-time and referee Artur Dias had his work cut out as players from both sides got more physical or went down more easily in search of cheap free kicks and yellow cards.
But then a moment of magic from the coolest of City’s players got them back into the game and back on course for a berth in Istanbul come June 10th. Kevin De Bruyne has been the beating heart of Guardiola’s side in the recent era, and yet does not get the individual plaudits some of his team-mates enjoy. Despite being City’s best player year after year, and arguably the best in the Premier League over a six-year period, De Bruyne has had to watch as Raheem Sterling, Ruben Dias and most likely Erling Haaland win the Footballer of the Year award.
Golden player that he is, his currency is not usually goals. But the one he scored last night, his tenth of the season, may prove more valuable than any of the 51 that Haaland has hit, certainly if City do what they do best – and win at the Etihad next win.
De Bruyne had denied by Thibaut Courtois shortly after half-time but made no mistake in the 67 th minute when Ilkay Gundongan laid the ball to him 20 yards from goal, the Belgian thumping his shot past his international team-mate with unerring accuracy.
That was the turning point in this fascinating game of chess between two grand masters, with Ancelotti a six-time winner of this tournament as a coach, four of them with Madrid.
So it is back to Manchester with honours even. King Carlos of Milan and Madrid, via Munich, against Guardiola, the Catalan crown prince who is getting closer to end his long wait. Sources at City say Guardiola considered quitting last summer, but this competition is proving an itch that needs to be scratched. If he wins next week, and then again in Istanbul in June, maybe he will say adios to the Etihad and consider his work in England done. But there is still a more immediate job to be done, and with De Bruyne in his side, who would bet against City now?
I'm not gonna say their combat was perfect--I rolled really low on a lightning bolt they so perfectly lined up for, and they got a couple of huge hits courtesy of the Paladin critting and the grave cleric's ability. But still, I was shook.
The curse also afflicted the people of the kingdom, causing sickness and suffering. Legend has it that the curse of Sthadd can only be broken by a true hero who possesses a pure heart and the strength to resist the allure of power. Many brave warriors and sorcerers have attempted to break the curse, but none have succeeded. The Curse of Sthadd serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of greed and the abuse of power. It reminds us of the fragile balance between good and evil, and the consequences that arise when one allows themselves to be consumed by darkness. Today, the Kingdom of Sthadd remains a solitary reminder of the curse's devastating power. Its dark and desolate landscape serves as a solemn reminder of the consequences of unchecked ambition. The tale of the Curse of Sthadd continues to be told to remind future generations of the dangers that lie in the pursuit of power at any cost..
Reviews for "The Cursed Town: Living with Sthadd's Wrath"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed by "Curse of sthadd". The plot was confusing and poorly developed, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The pacing was also off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. I found myself uninterested in what was happening and couldn't connect with any of the characters. Overall, it just wasn't an enjoyable reading experience for me.
2. John - 1 star - "Curse of sthadd" was a complete waste of time. The writing was amateurish, filled with grammatical errors and awkward sentences. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, and the descriptions were shallow and lacked depth. I couldn't form any emotional connection to the story or the characters, and I struggled to finish the book. I would not recommend this to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Curse of sthadd" to be incredibly predictable and unoriginal. It followed the same tired tropes and clichés that we've seen countless times before. The twists and turns were telegraphed from miles away, leaving no room for surprise or suspense. The world-building was also lacking, with little explanation of the setting or the magic system. I was hoping for something fresh and exciting, but this book failed to deliver.
4. Michael - 1 star - The characters in "Curse of sthadd" were unbearable. They were shallow, unlikable, and lacked any depth or growth throughout the story. The protagonist was particularly infuriating, making irrational decisions and constantly putting herself in danger. The romance subplot felt forced and unrealistic, with no chemistry between the characters. I couldn't find a single redeeming quality in this book and would not recommend it to anyone.