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Taint
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 4, 2020
Here's the blurb from the author:
"A little girl is kidnapped from her family by unknown assailants, is imprisoned into a gigantic, endless cave filled with ravenous monsters, is infected by the monsters’ poisonous blood, the Taint, and dies.
When she wakes up again, she’s not exactly the same, either physically or mentally.
Her only goals in life, now: get out of this cave, and reunite with her family.
Oh, and also: slaughter, in as painful a way as possible, anyone who was involved in her imprisonment, anyone who profited from it, and anyone who even remotely gets in the way (plus those people’s families, friends, acquaintances, business partners…)"
"A little girl is kidnapped from her family by unknown assailants, is imprisoned into a gigantic, endless cave filled with ravenous monsters, is infected by the monsters’ poisonous blood, the Taint, and dies.
When she wakes up again, she’s not exactly the same, either physically or mentally.
Her only goals in life, now: get out of this cave, and reunite with her family.
Oh, and also: slaughter, in as painful a way as possible, anyone who was involved in her imprisonment, anyone who profited from it, and anyone who even remotely gets in the way (plus those people’s families, friends, acquaintances, business partners…)"
May 7, 2019
I didn’t get far past the first few introductory chapters.
December 20, 2025
on hiatus for 6 years
vertiginous
- extremely high or steep
• relating to or affected by vertigo
An oni is a kind of yōkai. They are believed to live in caves or deep in the mountains or in hell. Oni are known for their superhuman strength and have been associated with powers like thunder and lightning, along with their evil nature manifesting in their propensity for murder and cannibalism. They are typically portrayed as hulking figures with one or more horns growing out of their heads, massive teeth, and occasionally a third eye in the center of the forehead. They are typically depicted with red, blue, black, or yellow colored skin, wearing loincloths of tiger pelt, and carrying iron kanabō clubs. They also have three to six digits on each hand and foot tipped with claw-like nails. Oni are able to change their looks to fool their victims into trusting them. Oni can be male or female, but have been predominantly male throughout history. Female oni are sometimes referred to as Yamauba. When in disguise, oni are capable of appearing as a man or woman, regardless of their gender. As monstrous as oni are, they have been linked to bringing good fortune and wealth.
'This would be the moment when I select someone at random and execute him as an example. I would kill his family, too, to make the lesson perfectly clear for everyone else.
But that’s not very good employee management.'
Overlord list reference ?
Kamaitachi are a type of Japanese yōkai often described as a "sickle weasel" that rides on dust devils or whirlwinds. The name can also refer to the peculiar cuts on a person's legs that this creature supposedly inflicts, which are often painless and don't bleed much, appearing as if caused by sudden, invisible slashes. The kamaitachi is often depicted as appearing in a whirlwind, moving so fast it is invisible. It is said to either attack people or to be part of a trio: one weasel to knock a person down, one to cut them, and one to heal the wound, leaving only unexplained scratches.
Tengu is a type of yōkai (supernatural creature) in Japanese folklore, known for its blend of human and avian characteristics, often depicted as a long-nosed, red-faced being with wings. Originally feared as a malevolent demon associated with arrogant monks and chaos, the Tengu evolved over time to become a revered, if still mischievous, mountain guardian, a master of martial arts, and a source of wisdom. They are said to live in deep forests and mountains, possessing powers like flight, shape-shifting, and wind controlThe word "Tengu" originates from the Chinese term "Tiangu" (天狗), referring to a "heavenly dog" that was a malevolent celestial creature associated with shooting stars. with a human body, feathered wings, a long, red nose or a beak-like mouth, sharp claws, and sometimes wear Yamabushi (mountain ascetic) clothing. Tengu are known for their ability to fly, control the wind, and sometimes possess divine foresight. They embody a complex mix of pride, mischief, and a deep understanding of nature.
Makara - a legendary sea creature in Hindu mythology with the body of a crocodile and the tail of a fish. It appears as the vahana (vehicle) for deities like the river goddess Ganga, and the ocean god Varuna.
The Qilin is a legendary, chimerical creature from Chinese mythology, often called the Chinese unicorn, known for its benevolent nature and auspicious symbolism. It resembles a composite of several animals often depicted with a deer or goat-like body, scales, hooves, a fiery mane and beard, and 1 or 2 antlers. Its appearance is often associated with flames, a fiery mane representing its otherworldly nature. Its appearance signifies great events, such as the birth or death of a sage or an era of prosperity, and it is revered for embodying wisdom, peace, and virtue, rarely harming other beings.
Garuda is a Hindu deity who is primarily depicted as the mount (vahana) of Vishnu. Described as the king of the birds and a kite-like figure, he is shown either in a zoomorphic form (a giant bird with partially open wings) or an anthropomorphic form (a man with wings and some ornithic features). Garuda is generally portrayed as a protector with the power to swiftly travel anywhere, ever vigilant and an enemy of every serpent. He is also known as Tarkshya and Vainateya. Often associated with the Greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius).
Nekomata are a kind of cat yōkai. There are two very different types: those that live in the mountains and domestic cats that have grown old and transformed into yōkai. Nekomata have multiple tails, while bakeneko have one. Additionally, while bakeneko are often seen as mischievous and playful, nekomata are considered far more malicious in their behaviour.
saratan (from the Arabic سرطان, saraṭān, "crab"), sometimes zaratan, is a giant sea creature from Arabic literature and folklore. The saratan also appears in Borges's 'The Book of Imaginary Beings', where its name is spelled "zaratan," which readers of Borges have adopted. Borges describes saratans as having a long-life spans and incredible size, to the point where their shells can be mistaken easily for small islands. Borges appears to be responsible for the now-common representation of the saratan as a giant turtle, rather than a crab, though it is possible that this arose from confusion between this creature and similar creatures such as the aspidochelone. Under the name of zaratan, saratans also appear in some editions of Dungeons & Dragons.
aspidochelone is a fabled sea creature, variously described as a large whale or vast sea turtle, and a giant sea monster with huge spines on the ridge of its back. It is always described as being so huge that it is often mistaken for a rocky island covered with sand dunes and vegetation. Aspidochelone appears to be a compound word of Greek aspis (either "asp" or "shield"), and chelone. It rises to the surface from the depths of the sea, and entices unwitting sailors with its island appearance to make landfall on its huge shell and then the whale is able to pull them under the ocean, ship and all the people, drowning them. It also emits a sweet smell that lures fish into its trap where it then devours them.
An amphiptere is a mythical creature depicted as a winged serpent or dragon, originating in European heraldry, characterised by a long, sinuous body, and typically lacking legs. Amphipteres symbolise qualities like cunning, wisdom, and agility due to their serpentine form, and swiftness or a connection to spiritual realms due to their wings. In Pathfinder they are slender, snakelike dragons distantly related to wyverns, and physically distinguished from other lesser dragons by the absence of any limbs.
A Lavellan, làbh-allan, la-mhalan or la-bhallan is a creature from northern Scotland folklore. It was generally considered to be a kind of rodent, and the name "làbh-allan" is also used for a water shrew or water vole in Scottish Gaelic. It was however, reportedly larger than a rat, very noxious, and lived in deep pools in rivers. Its poisonous abilities were legendary, and it was said to be able to injure cattle over a hundred feet away. Lavellan can also refer to a clan of elves and the player character from the video game Dragon Age: Inquisition.
ettin are a type of two-headed giant found in Germanic mythology and various fantasy settings, most notably D&D. These beings are known for their dual heads, each with independent thought, which often leads to internal conflict. While powerful and strong, they are generally considered less intelligent and more primal or savage than other types of giants.
Majin
- a malevolent deity that causes misfortune and disaster
• an evil spirit
from Middle Chinese 魔神 (MC ma zyin, literally “demon, evil spirit” + “god, spirit”)
'faction' ? wrong word? mien? Face?
"Sanae" has multiple meanings depending on the language and context. As a Japanese given name (早苗), it most commonly means "rice seedling," symbolizing new beginnings and prosperity. It can also be written in other ways, such as (早) "Now, already", and (沙苗) meaning "sand" and "seedling". In Korean, 사내 (sanae) is a word for "man".
Setroka - MALAGASY - smoke
A Rakshasa is a class of powerful, usually malevolent, shapeshifting demons from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology and folklore, known for their supernatural abilities like flight, illusion, and shape-shifting into humans or beasts. They are often depicted as man-eaters, with hideous appearances featuring fangs and claws, and are associated with disrupting sacred rituals. While primarily evil, some Rakshasa can be good. Featured in D&D as powerful, magical beings with immunities to non-magical attacks and limited magic immunity.
actinic - (of light or lighting) able to cause photochemical reactions, as in photography, through having a significant short wavelength or ultraviolet component
flurried - agitated, nervous, or anxious
late 17th century: from obsolete flurr ‘fly up, flutter, whirr’ (imitative), probably influenced by hurry
gook - a sloppy wet or viscous substance
entrain
- board a train
- (of a current or fluid) incorporate and sweep along in its flow
• FORMAL • cause or bring about as a consequence.
- BIOLOGY - (of a rhythm or something which varies rhythmically) cause (another) gradually to fall into synchrony with it
mid 16th century (in the sense ‘bring on as a consequence’): from French entraîner, from en- ‘in’ + traîner ‘to drag’
In the Shinto of Japan, Tenjin (天神), also called Tenman Daijizai Tenjin (天満大自在天神), is the patron kami (deity) of academics, scholarship, of learning, and of the intelligentsia. Tenjin is the deification of Sugawara no Michizane (845–903), the famous scholar, poet and politician of the Heian period. Ten (天) means sky or heaven, and jin (神) means god or deity. The original meaning of Tenjin, sky deity, is almost the same as that of Raijin (a god of thunder)
'nationalism and patriotism are little more than mental deficiencies'
'dwarves don’t even have parents in the first place – they just mysteriously pop out of the stone, in mountains and canyons and mines, without any sort of reproduction process having to take place between other dwarves' XD Gimli
'G 002: Murder With a Borrowed Knife' practical guide reference ?
stentorian - (of a person's voice) loud and powerful
Stentor was a herald in the Trojan War, mentioned in the Iliad. Homer spoke of brazen-voiced Stentor, whose cry was as loud as that of 50 men together
'The city sprawls at the foot and on the slopes of a mountain whose flank has been gouged out so that the line from its foot to its top forms a sort of malformed crescent. The mountain’s summit seems to only support its own weight through some kind of magical intervention, leaning far over the city below, as if threatening to crash down at any moment. The humans who built their houses and sleep underneath the eave of that hanging mountaintop must be confident they can survive in case an accident does happen and all of it comes crashing down on them.'
XD
'His body freezes – figuratively.'
feels so good to read words used correctly
> Euthymic describes a balanced, normal mood, free from the extreme highs of mania or the lows of depression, particularly in the context of mood disorders like bipolar disorder. It is a state of emotional stability and well-being, representing the "good mood" or euthymia, and is a key goal in treatment for mood disorders, though people in this state may still experience neurocognitive deficits.
Greek "eu" (good) and "thymós" (mood)
It was used by ancient philosophers like Diogenes and Seneca to describe a state of inner tranquility
'“The Bannered Hare?”'
:)
2025.21.12 Taint by ded
I don't know, obviously, but I do wonder whether liv has (/had?) some specific terminal degenerative condition. Wishful thinking, to have an indefinite lifespan and a body that obeys and supports the mind so completely.
The inner voice of Akasha makes it clear that the author is older than the character.
Alabaster isn't white, it's a sort of faintly-yellow-white that next to white looks a bit nauseating tbh.
I do wonder whether liv is m/f, m/w. It seems a relatively widespread phenomena of men writing women/girls nowadays, I think because of how restricted the social and emotional expression is being a (heterosexual) man.
I do find the whole qigong system and internal architecture interesting in general, not just in Taint, while at the same time rejecting it as complete fiction.
'Now, I should be able to talk to Sanae.' Ch18
She names the spider? Or is this a mistake?
Gareth Adkins. What a little turd.
It's an interesting point for the last chapter to be posted, for a number of reasons. There is a certain amount of resolution here. Overall the story seems unfinished, yet I can't really dismiss the possibility that this could be at least partially an intentional stopping point. Was the story dropped when something happened? Was it put down in anticipation of something? Did liv soldier on specifically to this point? Did liv pass away, from some long-held condition? The last chapter of Trials, the other fiction on the now-defunct website, ends on a less resolution-filled note, but there is at the same time a certain amount of tension diffused as the years-/story-long countdown ticks to 0. I am relatively thankful that this is the chapter that liv ended Taint on, if it was to be ended before everything was resolved.
vertiginous
- extremely high or steep
• relating to or affected by vertigo
An oni is a kind of yōkai. They are believed to live in caves or deep in the mountains or in hell. Oni are known for their superhuman strength and have been associated with powers like thunder and lightning, along with their evil nature manifesting in their propensity for murder and cannibalism. They are typically portrayed as hulking figures with one or more horns growing out of their heads, massive teeth, and occasionally a third eye in the center of the forehead. They are typically depicted with red, blue, black, or yellow colored skin, wearing loincloths of tiger pelt, and carrying iron kanabō clubs. They also have three to six digits on each hand and foot tipped with claw-like nails. Oni are able to change their looks to fool their victims into trusting them. Oni can be male or female, but have been predominantly male throughout history. Female oni are sometimes referred to as Yamauba. When in disguise, oni are capable of appearing as a man or woman, regardless of their gender. As monstrous as oni are, they have been linked to bringing good fortune and wealth.
'This would be the moment when I select someone at random and execute him as an example. I would kill his family, too, to make the lesson perfectly clear for everyone else.
But that’s not very good employee management.'
Overlord list reference ?
Kamaitachi are a type of Japanese yōkai often described as a "sickle weasel" that rides on dust devils or whirlwinds. The name can also refer to the peculiar cuts on a person's legs that this creature supposedly inflicts, which are often painless and don't bleed much, appearing as if caused by sudden, invisible slashes. The kamaitachi is often depicted as appearing in a whirlwind, moving so fast it is invisible. It is said to either attack people or to be part of a trio: one weasel to knock a person down, one to cut them, and one to heal the wound, leaving only unexplained scratches.
Tengu is a type of yōkai (supernatural creature) in Japanese folklore, known for its blend of human and avian characteristics, often depicted as a long-nosed, red-faced being with wings. Originally feared as a malevolent demon associated with arrogant monks and chaos, the Tengu evolved over time to become a revered, if still mischievous, mountain guardian, a master of martial arts, and a source of wisdom. They are said to live in deep forests and mountains, possessing powers like flight, shape-shifting, and wind controlThe word "Tengu" originates from the Chinese term "Tiangu" (天狗), referring to a "heavenly dog" that was a malevolent celestial creature associated with shooting stars. with a human body, feathered wings, a long, red nose or a beak-like mouth, sharp claws, and sometimes wear Yamabushi (mountain ascetic) clothing. Tengu are known for their ability to fly, control the wind, and sometimes possess divine foresight. They embody a complex mix of pride, mischief, and a deep understanding of nature.
Makara - a legendary sea creature in Hindu mythology with the body of a crocodile and the tail of a fish. It appears as the vahana (vehicle) for deities like the river goddess Ganga, and the ocean god Varuna.
The Qilin is a legendary, chimerical creature from Chinese mythology, often called the Chinese unicorn, known for its benevolent nature and auspicious symbolism. It resembles a composite of several animals often depicted with a deer or goat-like body, scales, hooves, a fiery mane and beard, and 1 or 2 antlers. Its appearance is often associated with flames, a fiery mane representing its otherworldly nature. Its appearance signifies great events, such as the birth or death of a sage or an era of prosperity, and it is revered for embodying wisdom, peace, and virtue, rarely harming other beings.
Garuda is a Hindu deity who is primarily depicted as the mount (vahana) of Vishnu. Described as the king of the birds and a kite-like figure, he is shown either in a zoomorphic form (a giant bird with partially open wings) or an anthropomorphic form (a man with wings and some ornithic features). Garuda is generally portrayed as a protector with the power to swiftly travel anywhere, ever vigilant and an enemy of every serpent. He is also known as Tarkshya and Vainateya. Often associated with the Greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius).
Nekomata are a kind of cat yōkai. There are two very different types: those that live in the mountains and domestic cats that have grown old and transformed into yōkai. Nekomata have multiple tails, while bakeneko have one. Additionally, while bakeneko are often seen as mischievous and playful, nekomata are considered far more malicious in their behaviour.
saratan (from the Arabic سرطان, saraṭān, "crab"), sometimes zaratan, is a giant sea creature from Arabic literature and folklore. The saratan also appears in Borges's 'The Book of Imaginary Beings', where its name is spelled "zaratan," which readers of Borges have adopted. Borges describes saratans as having a long-life spans and incredible size, to the point where their shells can be mistaken easily for small islands. Borges appears to be responsible for the now-common representation of the saratan as a giant turtle, rather than a crab, though it is possible that this arose from confusion between this creature and similar creatures such as the aspidochelone. Under the name of zaratan, saratans also appear in some editions of Dungeons & Dragons.
aspidochelone is a fabled sea creature, variously described as a large whale or vast sea turtle, and a giant sea monster with huge spines on the ridge of its back. It is always described as being so huge that it is often mistaken for a rocky island covered with sand dunes and vegetation. Aspidochelone appears to be a compound word of Greek aspis (either "asp" or "shield"), and chelone. It rises to the surface from the depths of the sea, and entices unwitting sailors with its island appearance to make landfall on its huge shell and then the whale is able to pull them under the ocean, ship and all the people, drowning them. It also emits a sweet smell that lures fish into its trap where it then devours them.
An amphiptere is a mythical creature depicted as a winged serpent or dragon, originating in European heraldry, characterised by a long, sinuous body, and typically lacking legs. Amphipteres symbolise qualities like cunning, wisdom, and agility due to their serpentine form, and swiftness or a connection to spiritual realms due to their wings. In Pathfinder they are slender, snakelike dragons distantly related to wyverns, and physically distinguished from other lesser dragons by the absence of any limbs.
A Lavellan, làbh-allan, la-mhalan or la-bhallan is a creature from northern Scotland folklore. It was generally considered to be a kind of rodent, and the name "làbh-allan" is also used for a water shrew or water vole in Scottish Gaelic. It was however, reportedly larger than a rat, very noxious, and lived in deep pools in rivers. Its poisonous abilities were legendary, and it was said to be able to injure cattle over a hundred feet away. Lavellan can also refer to a clan of elves and the player character from the video game Dragon Age: Inquisition.
ettin are a type of two-headed giant found in Germanic mythology and various fantasy settings, most notably D&D. These beings are known for their dual heads, each with independent thought, which often leads to internal conflict. While powerful and strong, they are generally considered less intelligent and more primal or savage than other types of giants.
Majin
- a malevolent deity that causes misfortune and disaster
• an evil spirit
from Middle Chinese 魔神 (MC ma zyin, literally “demon, evil spirit” + “god, spirit”)
'faction' ? wrong word? mien? Face?
"Sanae" has multiple meanings depending on the language and context. As a Japanese given name (早苗), it most commonly means "rice seedling," symbolizing new beginnings and prosperity. It can also be written in other ways, such as (早) "Now, already", and (沙苗) meaning "sand" and "seedling". In Korean, 사내 (sanae) is a word for "man".
Setroka - MALAGASY - smoke
A Rakshasa is a class of powerful, usually malevolent, shapeshifting demons from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology and folklore, known for their supernatural abilities like flight, illusion, and shape-shifting into humans or beasts. They are often depicted as man-eaters, with hideous appearances featuring fangs and claws, and are associated with disrupting sacred rituals. While primarily evil, some Rakshasa can be good. Featured in D&D as powerful, magical beings with immunities to non-magical attacks and limited magic immunity.
actinic - (of light or lighting) able to cause photochemical reactions, as in photography, through having a significant short wavelength or ultraviolet component
flurried - agitated, nervous, or anxious
late 17th century: from obsolete flurr ‘fly up, flutter, whirr’ (imitative), probably influenced by hurry
gook - a sloppy wet or viscous substance
entrain
- board a train
- (of a current or fluid) incorporate and sweep along in its flow
• FORMAL • cause or bring about as a consequence.
- BIOLOGY - (of a rhythm or something which varies rhythmically) cause (another) gradually to fall into synchrony with it
mid 16th century (in the sense ‘bring on as a consequence’): from French entraîner, from en- ‘in’ + traîner ‘to drag’
In the Shinto of Japan, Tenjin (天神), also called Tenman Daijizai Tenjin (天満大自在天神), is the patron kami (deity) of academics, scholarship, of learning, and of the intelligentsia. Tenjin is the deification of Sugawara no Michizane (845–903), the famous scholar, poet and politician of the Heian period. Ten (天) means sky or heaven, and jin (神) means god or deity. The original meaning of Tenjin, sky deity, is almost the same as that of Raijin (a god of thunder)
'nationalism and patriotism are little more than mental deficiencies'
'dwarves don’t even have parents in the first place – they just mysteriously pop out of the stone, in mountains and canyons and mines, without any sort of reproduction process having to take place between other dwarves' XD Gimli
'G 002: Murder With a Borrowed Knife' practical guide reference ?
stentorian - (of a person's voice) loud and powerful
Stentor was a herald in the Trojan War, mentioned in the Iliad. Homer spoke of brazen-voiced Stentor, whose cry was as loud as that of 50 men together
'The city sprawls at the foot and on the slopes of a mountain whose flank has been gouged out so that the line from its foot to its top forms a sort of malformed crescent. The mountain’s summit seems to only support its own weight through some kind of magical intervention, leaning far over the city below, as if threatening to crash down at any moment. The humans who built their houses and sleep underneath the eave of that hanging mountaintop must be confident they can survive in case an accident does happen and all of it comes crashing down on them.'
XD
'His body freezes – figuratively.'
feels so good to read words used correctly
> Euthymic describes a balanced, normal mood, free from the extreme highs of mania or the lows of depression, particularly in the context of mood disorders like bipolar disorder. It is a state of emotional stability and well-being, representing the "good mood" or euthymia, and is a key goal in treatment for mood disorders, though people in this state may still experience neurocognitive deficits.
Greek "eu" (good) and "thymós" (mood)
It was used by ancient philosophers like Diogenes and Seneca to describe a state of inner tranquility
'“The Bannered Hare?”'
:)
2025.21.12 Taint by ded
I don't know, obviously, but I do wonder whether liv has (/had?) some specific terminal degenerative condition. Wishful thinking, to have an indefinite lifespan and a body that obeys and supports the mind so completely.
The inner voice of Akasha makes it clear that the author is older than the character.
Alabaster isn't white, it's a sort of faintly-yellow-white that next to white looks a bit nauseating tbh.
I do wonder whether liv is m/f, m/w. It seems a relatively widespread phenomena of men writing women/girls nowadays, I think because of how restricted the social and emotional expression is being a (heterosexual) man.
I do find the whole qigong system and internal architecture interesting in general, not just in Taint, while at the same time rejecting it as complete fiction.
'Now, I should be able to talk to Sanae.' Ch18
She names the spider? Or is this a mistake?
Gareth Adkins. What a little turd.
It's an interesting point for the last chapter to be posted, for a number of reasons. There is a certain amount of resolution here. Overall the story seems unfinished, yet I can't really dismiss the possibility that this could be at least partially an intentional stopping point. Was the story dropped when something happened? Was it put down in anticipation of something? Did liv soldier on specifically to this point? Did liv pass away, from some long-held condition? The last chapter of Trials, the other fiction on the now-defunct website, ends on a less resolution-filled note, but there is at the same time a certain amount of tension diffused as the years-/story-long countdown ticks to 0. I am relatively thankful that this is the chapter that liv ended Taint on, if it was to be ended before everything was resolved.
August 25, 2020
The writing quality itself is decent, the fights are fun, and the plot is serviceable; but it often reads like an edgy Shonen comic and I had trouble taking it seriously despite the dark storyline it goes for. Most of the first arc was also quite repetitive (MC enters tower floor>punches out the demons there>continues to next floor>repeat), and I found the main character’s personality and motivations to be somewhat flat and uncompelling in the ones after, especially when compared to the more colorful cast that surrounds her, where most of my interest in this story lied.
Overall not bad, but I feel like it suffers from some amateurish writing choices that hurt the work as a whole.
Overall not bad, but I feel like it suffers from some amateurish writing choices that hurt the work as a whole.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews