Death of Sultan Murat

The year is 1389. 27th of June (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[Tomorrow, Balkan knights led by prince Lazar of Moravian Serbia will clash with the Ottoman army, led by Sultan Murad I.](stop:)] (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->Intro2]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/bell.wav" autoplay>

(live: 0s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[The dinasty of Nemanjići which ruled Serbia for centuries has died out.](stop:)] (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[All the nobles who remain loyal to the idea of Serbian Kingdom are now with prince Lazar.](stop:)] (live: 6s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->Intro3]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/bell.wav" autoplay>

(live: 0s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[Prince Lazar is both physically strong and well educated nobleman, who is doing his best to preserve the traditions and glory of what was once called an empire, now thorn apart by competing lords.](stop:)] (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[His visionary efforts were brought to a halt, when the might of Ottoman empire began to invade his lands.](stop:)] (live: 8s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[Prince Lazar will not rule as an Ottoman vassal. Most valiant knights flock to his call to arms, inspired by his determination to die on battlefield rather than betray the Christian ideals for earthly awards.](stop:)] (live: 10s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->Intro4]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/intro3.wav" autoplay>

Two armies will face each other on the valley of Kosovo. During this bloody battle, leaders of both armies will lose their lives, and so will majority of Serbian nobles. (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[Prince Lazar is to be dehorsed several times and eventually slain in battle. Many nobles will fall at the same spot, trying to prevent his capture.](stop:)] (live: 8s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[When it comes to death of sultan Murad I, the Ottoman emperor, exact details are unknown as there are several conflicting accounts. Most of the accounts have in common the name of Serbian knight Miloš Obilić.](stop:)] (live: 12s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[The only way to find out what really happened is by first hand experience. Are you ready to take on a role of a Serbian knight, and ride with Obilić?](stop:)] (live: 14s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Character Creation->charactername]]](stop:)]

''Death of Sultan Murat'' <img src="images/cover.png"> [[Start->Death of Sultan Murat]]

(put: (prompt: "What is your name, my lord?", "Bogdan") into $name) Greetings, young lord [$name]! (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[You are among those who mounted up and galloped towards Kosovo to get in time for the battle. The enemy is fierce, but if enough lords show up in good spirit, there is a chance.](stop:)] (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->characterc1]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/horse-pass-by.wav" autoplay>

You look back on your life and think of your family and background. (link: "Modest noble family" )[(set: $family to "modest")(goto: "charactercparent")] (link: "Wealthy noble family" )[(set: $family to "wealthy")(goto: "charactercparent")] (link: "Dishonorable noble family" )[(set: $family to "dishonorable")(goto: "charactercparent")]

You think of your most loving parent.. [[Mother->charactercpmother]] [[Father->charactercpfather]]

Yes, your mother... { (if: $family is 'modest')[ Your mother could never afford nice things other ladies of higher status had. If she wears anything nice, it is borrowed from her sisters who were married off into wealthier families. A realization strikes you, that she chose to marry your father for his knightly virtues alone, not caring for his lack of wealth or her father's contempt. That makes her a heroine of romantic poems you heard so many times. When you were a boy, you would make her necklaces out of flowers. Those flowers would always wither away, and tomorrow the same may happen to you. ](else-if: $family is 'wealthy')[ For all your family's wealth, your mother's life was never an easy one. Of all her jewels, you are the only one which brings her joy. Tomorrow this jewel may fall off, and you will be separated from her love until you reunite in heaven. ](else:)[ In truth, your mother was little more than a slave to your father, a trophy from one of his ungodly raids. She loved you dearly, and you were always glad to take beatings in her place. Now that you are an able knight with your own equipment, you try to steer away from dishonorable path of your father and always do the opposite of what he does. Since he is sitting comfortably in his castle and making agreements with infidel invaders, you will rush to aid of prince Lazar and risk almost certain death in an uneven fight. The image of your mother sitting in a dark room and waiting for news of her son's death is locked away in deepest trench of your soul. ] } (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->charactercexit]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/blagorodnost.wav" autoplay>

Yes, your father... { (if: $family is 'modest')[ Your valiant father rode out to join prince Lazar days ago, and has given you clear orders to stay put and guard your modest estate in case he doesn't return. The old man was silly if he thought his orders can outweight prince Lazar's call for all able bodied men. Through your entire life, times were such that your father had to spend every bit of income on matters of war. You could tell he always felt miserable for not being able to provide you and your mother with luxuries, but he has taught you everything a knight needs to know to protects his soul, and has took a great sacrifice to provide you with an expensive armor to protect your body. If the Christian army loses tomorrow, you can only hope the two of you will fall together. ](else-if: $family is 'wealthy')[ Your valiant father rode out to join prince Lazar weeks ago, and is most likely among his esteemed advisors. He has payed a fee to excuse you from attending the battle, but the old man is silly if he thinks gold coins can outweight the damnation which awaits cowardly lords. Peasants and lesser nobles assume that having lots of gold coins and land makes life easy and more worth living. Only God knows how much your father suffered in order to prosper and build in times like these. Despite all that, he has never showed you anything but love and kindness. You have never properly thanked him, your last chance may be on that field which is bound to host a slaughter. ](else:)[ You have childhood memories of your father as a kind man. Everything changed when your mother, his wife, has died. Out of the mourning period came a man who had no respect for laws of God, nor consideration for suffering of fellow human being. The only living creature he seemed to care for was you, his son. You feel shame for joining him in his unlawful raids, but they have given you experience and skill which will now be needed at prince Lazar's side. For you have decided not to sit in the castle and plot agreement with Murad, which is what your father is doing. Your last memory of him is from few days ago when he spotted you mounted and fully equpped, about to leave the courtyard. He realized where you were headed to, and was only able to stand there, as the last piece of humanity in his eyes disappeared. ] } (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->charactercexit]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/blagorodnost.wav" autoplay>

Double-click this passage to edit it.

You think of what is dear to you, that you are leaving behind.. [[Unmarried girl]] [[Unborn child]] [[Wife and children]] [[Nothing..->LeftNothing]]

{ (if: $family is 'modest')[ She is of origin even more modest than yours, but she was always your high princess, and you her most gallant knight. ](else-if: $family is 'wealthy')[ For months you were opposing this marriage with a girl from another wealthy family, arranged by your father. Only a few days ago did you got to actually meet her and find out that you have many things in common. ](else:)[ The only time you ever stood up against your deranged father was when you stopped him from having a girl from a village he just raided, and claimed her for yourself. He complimented you on your taste, and went on to perform other misdeeds. But you saw in her more than a pleasure of flesh, her eyes carry some goodness that is able to wash your sins away. ] } When you were leaving she has attached a Marigold flower to your helmet. Will you ever feel her warmth again? If you die, she will marry someone else, and you will not be reunited even in heavens. That is unless the heathen invaders gets her first. Then you can only hope she will find a way to get herself killed before they have their way with her. (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->charactercexit2]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/blagorodnost-quiet.wav" autoplay>

You remember the feel of her belly as she leaned over to attach a flower to your helmet. If you do not hold off the invaders tomorrow, will the heathens have any mercy to her and this belly? (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->charactercexit2]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/blagorodnost-quiet.wav" autoplay>

When you were leaving, the youngest one was crying as if only he really knew what is happening. Your wife picked up your daughter, who attached a flower to your helmet. You remember her tiny hands vividly. If you fail tomorrow, and those hands get to feel shackles of Murad, you will be blasphemously glad that you are dead and can't witness this. (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->charactercexit2]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/blagorodnost-quiet.wav" autoplay>

You realize you will most likely die without experiencing any of the life that your father and his father before him had. (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->charactercexit2]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/blagorodnost-quiet.wav" autoplay>

You snap out of dark thoughts and focus on the road ahead and glory which awaits. For this will indeed be a glorious battle, and everyone who joins in with prince Lazar will take part in a new legend unfolding. { (if: $family is 'modest')[ You couldn't afford troops of your own, so you are riding without any escort other than your personal servant, and in the tomorrow's battle you will be assigned to a big cavalry detachment. But you feel confident in your skills, and the strength of your arm might be just what it takes to turn the tides of battle. ](else-if: $family is 'wealthy')[ Due to your wealth, you were able to afford 20 skilled and well equipped horsemen, the only group of mercenaries which wasn't already in your father's service. They are now your escort, and will join the tomorrow's battle either led by you or as a part of bigger cavalry detachment. ](else:)[ Thanks to the raiding skills you unwillingly picked up from your father, you were able to gather about 50 peasants on the way, who are now armed with improvized weapons and will join the tomorrow's battle. They are your modest contribution to this holy cause. However, they are slowing you down as they drag behind you on foot. ] } (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Continue..->journeystart]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/govori-gospode-1.wav" autoplay>

You have reached the camp before sunset. Thousands of bright tents glitter in sunlight. You can see the banners of many prominent Serbian knights, along with some of neighbouring allies and foreign mercenaries. You begin to form a more clear picture of the army which will stand in the way of the Ottoman invaders. Unless you are mistaken, there can't be more than 20 thousand troops. An impressive number for these times, but you expect the heathen army to be much larger. You are pleasantly surprised to see a few crussader banners as well. Perhaps there is hope for uniting the Christendom against common enemy. [[Enter the camp and look around->entercamp]] <audio src="sounds/horsewhine.wav" autoplay>

As you ride towards the camp, a small mounted party headed by an important looking knight rides out, and you step asside to let them pass. You recognize their leader by his heraldic colors, it is Vuk Branković, lord of this territory where battle will be fought, and tomorrow he will be commanding an army's wing for sure. He honors you by recognizing your colors: "Ah, you must be young lord [$name]!" { (if: $family is 'modest')[ "I guess you bring no men, but we will need the strength of your arm! Tomorrow you will join my cavalry on the right wing! Hurry up and setup your tent, in two hours we will have a dinner and a communion!" ](else-if: $family is 'wealthy')[ "Good to see you disobeyed your old man's orders! I would advise not to raise your banner high, your father's heart may break if he finds out you are here, hehe! Tomorrow you will join my cavalry on the right wing, understood?" ](else:)[ "I trust you are here with best intentions, and not as a spy for your father! Feel free to setup your tent and raise your banner! The rabble you brought will go with me, also tomorrow you will join my cavalry on the right wing, understood?" ] } (live: 6s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[And then he rides off, not really waiting for your answer. It seems you have been assigned a spot already.](stop:)] (live: 8s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[It will be an honor, my lord!->outro1]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/whinehorse.wav" autoplay>

<img src="images/carlazar.png"> Sorry, I couldn't finish the game in time for LD Jam. You were supposed to meet your fellow knights, witness prince Lazar's speech on eve before the battle, and take part in the battle itself, where your actions would determine which of the accounts of sultan Murat's death is true or half true. (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[I had a late start, and a lot of work to do which pays my bills, so as LD 43 theme says, "Sacrifices must be made".](stop:)] (live: 8s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[I am totally interested in finishing the game in following days, so if you would like to see the rest of it perhaps send me a word of encouragement. Thank you for playing!](stop:)] (live: 10s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Skip to conclusion..->outro2]]](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/hristeboze1.wav" autoplay>

On Kosovo, Ottomans have built a tall column where prince Lazar fell, and a burrial shrine for sultan Murad's internal organs, symbolizing their intent to forever remain on these lands as conquerors. (live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[The Serbs didn't had to build any material monuments to the battle. Prince Lazar was right in his claim that he is exchanging his earthly kingdom for heavenly one. For this great sacrifice of nobility and their soldiers has hid the kingdom of Serbia into minds of their people, where it will remain safe and outlive centuries of slavery to come.](stop:)] (live: 8s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[Made in less than 48 hours for 43rd Ludum Dare, "Sacrifices must be made" By Miloš Stojanović https://ldjam.com/users/kr4ft3r/](stop:)] <audio src="sounds/sinijarko.wav" autoplay>