Hi everyone! This is a joint effort by the authors Storyteller Knight and SamoaPhoenix. This story that we've been putting together for your enjoyment is based on the popular Peter's Evil Overlord list (http://omega.med.yale.edu/~pcy5/misc/overlord1.htm). We loved it and its two sequal dungeons so much that it inspired us to write a story. So we've each taken on a persona: Storyteller Knight as the "bad" guys and SamoaPhoenix the "good". See if you can tell which is which!

This story will take us quite a long time to get through; we have quite an elaborate plan laid out. So bear with us! If you get bored waiting, check out our own personal profiles for some other works by us individually:

http://www.fictionpress.com/u/501387/ (SamoaPhoenix, author of Enter the Woods, The Knight's and Lady's Tale, The Nutcracker's Sweet, Rapunzel's Story, The Magic Mirror Tells You True, and The Ghost of the Lighthouse) Addtionally on fanfiction.net as SamoaPhoenix9

http://www.fictionpress.com/u/436387/ (Storyteller Knight, author of the Heart of Camelot, PenDragon, The Heart's Yule, Cat's Eye Private Investigators and the Band Justice Force and the Shakuhachi) Addtionally on fanfiction.net as Cywyllog

Comic Relief is a short story by SamoaPhoenix but is set in the Overlord universe with Ordarnis and Torsten as secondary characters. That is why it was not published under SamoaPhoenix's penname. Enjoy!

Overlord Rule of the Month (with occasional additional notes from Ordarnis, Torsten, and/or Jade):

--Rule #6. I will not gloat over my enemies' predicament before killing them.

Ordarnis: Never ever. No matter how amusing or ironic it is.

--Rule # 7. When I've captured my adversary and he says, "Look, before you kill me, will you at least tell me what this is all about?" I'll say, "No" and shoot him. No, on second thought I'll shoot him then say, "No."

--Rule # 12. One of my advisors will be an average five-year-old child. Any flaws in my plan that he is able to spot will be corrected before implementation.

Ordarnis: Kid's codename: The PAPA, therefore confusing him with Chancellor Papa. He or she advises for a year, then is sent off to a special school for future administrators of the realm free of tuition. Never let it be said I don't give rewards for past services rendered.

Rule # 17. When I employ people as advisors, I will occasionally listen to their advice.

Ordarnis: It seems to me that this one is kind of a given, but it's amazing how many of my ancestors have ignored it.

Torsten: At least it's good to know he's obligated to listen to me occasionally.

Rule #20. Despite its proven stress-relieving effect, I will not indulge in maniacal laughter. When so occupied, it's too easy to miss unexpected developments that a more attentive individual could adjust to accordingly.

Rule # 32. I will not fly into a rage and kill a messenger who brings me bad news just to illustrate how evil I really am. Good messengers are hard to come by.

Ordarnis: I have a plaque engraved with this maxim on my desk.

Rule # 37. If my Trusted Lieutenant tells me my Legions of Terror are losing a battle, i will believe him. After all, he's my Trusted Lieutenant.

Ordarnis: Note to self: Never send all the Legions of Terror into battle at once. Like messengers, good plain footsoldiers are hard to come by.

Torsten: Hopefully we'll never lose so I won't have to worry about this. Also hope he remembers #32 on the off chance that this happens.

Rule # 42. When I capture the hero, I will make sure I also get his dog, monkey, ferret, or whatever sickeningly cute little animal capable of untying ropes and filching keys happens to follow him around.

Ordarnis: I hate ferrets.

Torsten: I used to have a ferret. And two snakes.

Rule # 45. I will make sure I have a clear understanding of who is responsible for what in my organization. For example, if my general screws up I will not draw my weapon, point it at him, say "And here is the price for failure," then suddenly turn and kill some random underling.

Rule # 46. If an adviser says to me "My liege, he is but one man. What can one man possibly do?” I will reply "This." and kill the adviser.

Ordarnis: Never thought I'd actually have to use this one, but it applies to heroes as well. That idiot who killed Edwin never saw it coming.

Rule # 56. My Legions of Terror will be trained in basic marksmanship. Any who cannot learn to hit a man-sized target at 10 meters will be used for target practice.

Torsten: Seen this happen before. Once, while I was still in the North. Not a pretty sight.