<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
I have just finished saying my final goodbyes. It’s time for me to leave. My journey starts here, where I leave my family behind.
[[leave your house]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
I leave my house, looking back as I get further and further away. I see my mom crying; my dad is holding her talking, into her ear. I see her sadness turn into anger, but know that I can’t turn back. Should I turn around and break every rule I have ever known?
[[turn around]]
[[keep going]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
I turn around and get ready to head back. I don’t think that I can keep going. I start to run back and I see my mother pulled away by a mob of people. I hear her scream out to me, warning me to run from this place.
[[listen to your mom->keep going]]
[[run after your mom]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
I really want to help my mother, but I know I can’t. I know that I must keep going if I want to get to the temple in time. I have a long journey ahead of me.
[[start the real journey]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
As I embark on my journey, I know that I must cross over the majestic, massive mountains that I have lived next to my entire life.
[[backstory]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
I have walked with my mother along this mountain side for so long. I always knew that I would travel this same path by myself someday, but I never would have thought it would be so soon.....
[[keep walking]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
I remember this place now. I was never sure which way was the easiest to get to the top of the mountain.
[[rocky path]]
[[path dense with trees and brush]]I recall many fond memories of my father when I walk this path. He was always angry with how we lived. In a way, all of these rocks remind me of him in a different way. They remind me of him in a profound way; stern, sturdy, and steadfast. He is the foundation of our family.
(set: $weather to 1)
(display:"weather")<img src='http://i.imgur.com/yMwCuee.png' style="width:100%;">
I know this route like the back of my hand. The only person that could know it better is my mother. She is the one that taught me how to get through here without getting lost. She always compared me to the trees. She would say that I was “shooting up like the great rubber trees that make up this forest”.
(set: $weather to 15)
(display:"weather")(if: $weather < 5)[
<img src='http://i.imgur.com/z27mHNi.gif' style="width:100%;">
It looks so dark and cloudy. Is that a rain drop that just hit me on the head? It was and now it’s raining really hard. Should I
[[run to that near by cave->cave]] or [[scale the rocky mountain anyway->wet rocks]]?
]
(else:)[
<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
The sun is shining bright through these leaves; even in the shade I am burning up. The sun is literally roasting me alive.
[[keep going through the forest->hot forest]]
[[take a rest in the shade of beautiful trees->rest]]?
]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/p7NqFkd.gif' style="width:100%;">
This cave looks so familiar; I feel like I’ve been here before, but I don’t remember when. Wait, it’s all coming back to me now…
[[Flash back to my parents]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/z27mHNi.gif' style="width:100%;">
These wet rocks make me think of my mother’s tears. It makes me so sad; it’s hard to keep going.
(display:"back to reality")<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
This place feels scary. It’s as if something is watching me as I journey through. It reminds me of the [[story]] that my father told me long ago.<img src='http://i.imgur.com/yMwCuee.png' style="width:100%;">
The hot sun makes it difficult to continue. I remember a story my dad told me about this forest. He had been traveling through here on a trip back from the village next to ours.
[[story]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
My mother and father brought me here with my brothers. We took shelter from a storm we encountered on our way home from trading crops. It was the first time that I heard of the temple. The only reason I heard about it was because my brother found a drawing on the cave wall.
[[inspect the cave wall]]
[[stay sitting and listen]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/p7NqFkd.gif' style="width:100%;">
The drawing said “49 times”, and it had a weird symbol next to it. Brother asked father what it was.
[[father said]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/p7NqFkd.gif' style="width:100%;">
As I sat and watched the rain beat upon the ground, I reflected upon my life thus far. I heard my brother ask father what the drawing was.
[[father said]]
<img src='http://i.imgur.com/p7NqFkd.gif' style="width:100%;">
Father told us that it was the temple. Brother kept asking questions, but father was stern and refused tell us any more. He grew angry with my brother and told him that he had asked enough questions.
(display:"back to reality")<img src='http://i.imgur.com/yMwCuee.png' style="width:100%;">
Fortunately, the rain is subsiding and I can resume my expedition. I am so close to the [[lake]] that I can almost feel the water comforting my sore body already. <img src='http://i.imgur.com/yMwCuee.png' style="width:100%;">
The sun hides behind the clouds now. If I can get out of the forest, then I can sleep much faster at the [[lake]]. <img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
Father said that he was attacked by a large, cat-like creature; I believe that he called it a puma. He told me 49 times he fought that beast. Every time that he ran, it came back. Father had no choice but to stand and fight. He killed the fiend and brought it home to us. It turned out that the creature was killing the llamas that our village owned. This deed brought our family to the attention of the royals.
(display:"back to reality 2")<img src='http://i.imgur.com/yMwCuee.png' style="width:100%;">
I have always loved this lake. Many good memories were made here. Looking back, there is one moment that stands out the most in my mind.
[[I remember it so well]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/yMwCuee.png' style="width:100%;">
I had so much fun swimming; I felt like I was a fish myself. Wait, I can hear yelling in the distance. My body goes cold and my breathe feels tight in my chest. It sounds like a battle between a war party and someone (or something) else.... who could they be fighting? As the sounds of bloodshed draw close, I know that I need to do something!
[[swim into the lake to hide]]
[[run along the beach]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/yMwCuee.png' style="width:100%;">
The lake feels refreshing. I wish that I could float here for just a little bit longer. As screams and dying sounds filter through the trees, it is clear that this is serious and that the worst thing that I can do now is stay. I need to [[swim as fast as I can along the beach->swim along beach]] so that I can escape from the water to the beach. At least I can get past that rocky patch.<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
I must escape quickly. For some reason, they are running this way. I hear two groups of yelling, I think that someone is being chased. I have to [[keep running]]!<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
I finally feel like I’m making progress in my escape, but I know that I must traverse the waters if I want to get away. There are a lot of rocks in the way. I could try to climb over them, but fear that I may not be able to move fast enough if I do. There is only one option
[[jump into the lake]].<img src='http://i.imgur.com/yMwCuee.png' style="width:100%;">
I do not have time to relish the cleansing waters. Have I ever truly appreciated them for their worth?
[[I have to swim as quickly as possible->swim along beach]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/z27mHNi.gif' style="width:100%;">
I scramble over the rocks and make it back to land. My relief is short-lived, for now I have more problems than I anticipated. As I observe my surroundings, I cannot believe what I’m seeing. My father and brothers are the ones being chased. What could they have possibly done to be attacked by a war party?
[[Should I try to help them]]
[[get farther away?]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
I have to help them. I only make it half way to them before they are slaughtered. I stand in helpless disbelief as each one is impaled in the chest before my very eyes. There is nothing I can do to help them now. I need to turn around and [[run to the temple]], it’s my only chance.<img src='http://i.imgur.com/z27mHNi.gif' style="width:100%;">
I have absolutely no clue why they are in trouble. I know that they are capable of taking care themselves; the only way I can help them is to- (SCREAMING FROM BEHIND) WHAT WAS THAT?! I turn in time to see the bloodied bodies hit the sand. I freeze in place as the world starts spinning. WHY?! Why would they kill them?!
[[I need to get away from here, NOW!->run to the temple]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
They can’t be dead. The scene I have witnessed plays on repeat, I dissect the sequence of events, and I try to figure out what I could have done differently. My mind races with the memories we shared; how my father taught me determination and resilience, or when my brothers taught me laughter and happiness. WAIT! Where is Mother?! I begin running to the temple at breakneck speed. I will not lose my mother as well! She is the reason I am everything I am. She is the last one left, I must not lose her too! Hold on,
[[I think I remember something!->beginning of game]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
I know who took mother! The man that took her was a part of the war party. My father and brothers must have went after them. Did they save mother before they were killed or was she taken away?
[[I need to get to the temple->temple]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
I have finally arrive but I need to see if my mother is here. The temple towers over me, blocking out the sun. Its ominous presence is hard to dismiss. I need to avoid being seen, at least until I find out where my mother is. Where should I start
[[east side of the temple]]
[[west side of the temple]]?(set: $temple to 21)
(display:"temple 2")(set: $temple to 10)
(display:"temple 2")(if: $temple > 20)[
<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
The east side has so many guards it’s going to be a big risk to keep going here but maybe it’s worth it.
[[Keep searching east]]
[[turn around go west->west side of the temple]]?
]
(if: $temple < 11)[
There are many people on the west side, but I only see a few guards. I should be safe to go this way. Silence falls over the crowd; everyone is looking at me… almost through me… I duck through and try to lose those gazing eyes. A hand grabs my wrist: a guard came from the east side has come to retrieve me. How did they know? Was it just luck? He leads me to the top of the temple.
(display:"top of temple")
]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/FmT9lvy.gif' style="width:100%;">
The guards see me; I need to get out of here but where is Mother? It’s too late they have me now. They escort me to the top of the temple.
(display:"top of temple")<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
I knew this was the plan from the start, I just didn’t know that they would do so much before I got here. Now the only thing I can really do is pray. All I want is for my mother to be okay. I think I see her, but it is only someone who looks like her. No, wait, it is her. Why are they bringing her up here with me?
[[Mom?]]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
“Mom, why are you here? Did they hurt you?” (Mother shakes her head.) The war party leader is here the priest. They explain what’s going on and tell me things that I didn’t know. Should I [[listen to the truth]] or scream at them to [[shut up]]?<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
“Your family decided your fate for you. They decided this when you were born. Your village was chosen and it was between your family and 5 others. There was an offering, and whomever volunteered would be given a month’s worth of crops once the bargain was finalized. We had to take your mother away after she broke-down during your departure. We knew that you would follow through with the arrangement if you knew her life was at stake. The journey must not be cut-short, otherwise it will be deemed invalid. Your father went against his word and chased after us along with his two sons. We were prepared for this reaction. We had no choice but to execute them.” (You look at your mother and see tears streaming down her face.) “You have reached your final destination. She is alive, but whether that remains true is up to you. You have been granted the opportunity to choose her fate. Do you want to keep your mother, who signed you up for all of this, [[alive and well]] or do you want to put [[her life at risk]]?” (set: $cheif to 20)
(display: "alive and well")(if: $cheif < 10)[
If you hurt her I swear that I will kill all of you. None of you will see the sun rise tomorrow. (display:"final decision")
]
(if: $cheif > 19)[
<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
“I don’t have to listen to you! You killed my father and brothers! Captured my mother and brought her here! I am done listening to anything that you say!” The party leader says “You must make your
[[final decision]].
]
“Mom.... is all of this true?” Her eyes are red and sunken pits of despair. A wail escapes from her throat as her face breaks. The breeze brushes my face, but it does not relieve the pain of the great weight in the pit of my stomach. “I don’t know what to think anymore...” she chokes out. “I do not know what is real and what is not. You must decide for yourself.”
(set: $cheif to 5)
(display:"final decision")(if: $cheif < 10)[
<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
He asks me if that’s my final decision. Confused, I ask him what he means. He responds saying there are no more questions now choose!
]
“Decide now before I decide for you, your life or the rest of your family?”
[[give your life]]
[[give your mothers life]]?
I had made my mind up the day I was told. My life will be given in place of my family’s and to give to my community.
(set: $end to 21)
(display:"end game")
I look at my mother. She has been reduced to a sniveling wreck. “You lied to me my entire life.” You state with quiet conviction, “I watched my brothers and father die for your selfish intent!”
(set: $end to 5)
(display:"end game")(if: $end > 20)[
The chief looks at me and says “I am glad that you know what you are meant to be. You meet your destiny with bravery and conviction. Now lay on the table and prepare for death.”
(set: $death to 11)
(display:"death")
]
(if: $end < 19)[
<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
This choice is considered to be selfish, but understandable. “Get away from here and don’t come back. You are no longer welcome in our civilization.”
[[Walk away to live your life outside of your true home->end game 2]]
[[change your answer]]?
]<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
What is my life? What was my life from the beginning? Never what I wanted it to be, that I know for sure. What am I doing? The past is no longer relevant. What is important is what I choose to do with my life now. If I am to survive, I must find a new home… a new me… my journey begins now.
[[restart the game->Start]](set: $end to 50)
(display:"end game")(if: $death > 10)[
<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
This is why I was born; it is my destiny. I am ready to die. The breeze caresses your face. You close your eyes and smell the clean air one last time.
[[restart the game->Start]]
]
(if: $death < 9)[
<img src='http://i.imgur.com/TTBFgXL.png' style="width:100%;">
As you turn to run back to your mother, she is slain before your eyes. Against orders of the guard, your father attacks the killer. There is a wild fury in his eyes. It takes three men before he crumples lifelessly to the ground. By the time you reach the house, it is already burning to the ground; the only sounds are crackling and the howls of your brothers from inside. The guards have you surrounded; everything is spinning and something shiny is sticking out of your chest. You look down and see the head of a spear. Someone is calling your name. You look at the sun and see Mother and Father, your brothers in tow. They reach out for you and your eyes go shut.
[[restart the game->Start]]
]
(set: $death to 2)
(display:"death")<img src='http://i.imgur.com/kzwCCC1.jpg' style="width:100%;">
[[Start]]
Scott Miller: Writer
Bobby Klein: Designer
Danny Ockershausen:Artist and editor
Emil Ramos: Artist
Austin Barrett: Director of IT opperations
Alex Baumgarten: Tester and Editor
↶↷
Start
Scott Miller: Writer Bobby Klein: Designer Danny Ockershausen:Artist and editor Emil Ramos: Artist Austin Barrett: Director of IT opperations Alex Baumgarten: Tester and Editor
