Storylords

A live-action Edutainment Show developed in 1984 at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Storylords describes the adventures of elementary school students Norby and Mandy, two children who become apprentice Storylords to help save the land of Mojuste. Aided by Lexor and the skills they learn from reading class, the Wisconsinite duo fight the evil Storylord Thorzuul and his henchman Milkbreath, and helping Mojuste citizens solve their problems along the way.

Reruns of the dozen episode long series continue to be shown on public television and the entirety of Storylords is also available on the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board (WIECB)'s YouTube channel.


 * All There in the Manual: The lessons for students watching the show in the teacher's guide give some added backstory about some of the characters, including Thorzuul's status as an "evil storylord" information not found anywhere in the TV show itself.
 * Catch Phrase: Norby tends to shout "Holy Camole" when he is particularly surprised.
 * Chekhov's Classroom: Somehow, Mrs. Framish always has either covered the necessary reading skill that day, or taught it the next day, in plenty of time for Norby to use it to defeat Thorzuul.
 * Expy: Lexor seems to be an awful lot like Obi-Wan Kanobi, especially in his master/apprentice relationship with the young storylords.
 * Harmless Villain: Thorzuul's challenges may have potentially adverse consequences, but aside from turning people to stone occasionally, Thorzuul does not seem to do much that is really evil. Some of the ways he tries to trap the apprentice storylords near the end of the series may be examples of Not So Harmless however.
 * Little Miss Snarker: Mandy occupies this role from time to time, even around the intimidating (or not so intimidating) Thorzuul.
 * Magical Incantation: With the phrase "Thunder and Lightning, Trumpets and Drums, Readers Rejoice, a Storylord Comes!" Norby (and later Mandy) can use the bike-a-tron to teleport to Mojuste.
 * Magic Feather: The magical storylord gloves.
 * Overlord, Jr.: Thorzuul Jr. is introduced near the end of the series and he clearly resembles his father. The teacher's guide also mentions Thorzuul Jr.'s cousin Kayzuul.
 * Summon Everyman Hero: This is part of the reason why Norby is surprised that Lexor believes he is the key to saving Mojuste.
 * Taken for Granite: Thorzuul turns anyone who cannot understand what they read into statues for his collection.
 * Trademark Favorite Food: According to the test he gives the apprentice storylords, Thorzuul is a big fan of turnips.
 * Villain Decay: Thorzuul can suffer from this, going from a big bad guy to someone who sneezes at dandelions.
 * Villain Decay: Thorzuul can suffer from this, going from a big bad guy to someone who sneezes at dandelions.