After aeons of confusion, you have come to realise what you truly are.
(click: "are.")[ What you could be.]
(click:"could be.")[ What you must do.]
(click:"do.")[ And so, you have crossed the ocean of souls, reached the depths of the underworld, and requested an appointment with a [[Metaphysician]].]
(display:"Chara")
You stand at the threshold of the Metaphysician's surgery, under a sign.
(click:"sign.")[The sign reads, "$inf[Korporeokapitan]", which must be Infernal for "metaphysician". Or perhaps just doctor. You walk in to the [[reception area]].]
(click:"Infernal")[Infernal is the language spoken in the underworld. It is not an easy language, but you will have to speak it as best you can in order to give a good impression here.]
(display:"Chara")
As you approach the desk, you hear a bell chime. It is already noon.
The receptionist glowers at you.
"$inf[Tardemus.]"
(display:"Chara")
(click-append:"receptionist")[ is a well-presented underling, probably of amphibian origins, with attractive yellow stripes. The receptionist]
(click-append: "bell chime.")[ You look around you, but you don't see any clocks here that would chime like that.]
(click-append: "Tardemus.")[$em[ //(You're [[late]].)//]]
You could have sworn you were early. Perhaps they set their clocks fast. You have heard that they may try to deliberately [[put you on edge]].
(display:"Chara")
(click-prepend: "heard")[built a small network of friends in a similar situation, who also have to navigate the Infernal bureaucracy in order to get what they need. They have warned you about the somewhat paternalistic attitudes of the Metaphysician. You have ]
You could take a second to try to compose yourself.
[Breathe]<cold|
[Fix your hair]<hot|
[Inhale mysterious vapours]<dark|
Or you could just [Charge ahead]<volatile|
(display:"Chara")
(click:?cold)[(set: $cold to it +1)(goto: "desk")]
(click:?hot)[(set: $hot to it +1)(goto: "desk")]
(click:?dark)[(set: $dark to it +1)(goto: "desk")]
(click:?volatile)[(set: $volatile to it +1)(goto: "desk")]
The receptionist sprays a small amount of spittle on you as they croak, ["$inf[Egi tux aidemusak?]"]<greeting|
You reply:
[$inf[Bah! Egux?]]<volatile|
[$inf[Ti? Ne.]]<cold|
[$inf[Aidemusak?]]<hot|
[//Silence//]<dark|
(display:"Chara")
(click-append:?greeting)[$em[ //May I help you?//]]
(click:?cold)[(set: $cold to it +1)(goto:"desk-cold")]
(click:?hot)[(set: $hot to it +1)(goto:"desk-hot")]
(click:?dark)[(set: $dark to it +1)(goto:"desk-dark")]
(click:?volatile)[(set: $volatile to it +1)(goto:"desk-volatile")]
---
(if: $cold is not 0)[You are cold.]
(if: $hot is not 0)[You are hot.]
(if: $volatile is not 0)[You are volatile.]
(if: $dark is not 0)[You are dark.]
(if: $form is not "true")[You have not ascended to your true form.]
(set: $inf to (font:"UnifrakturCook"))
(set: $em to (font:"Amiri"))
"$inf[Aidemusak]?" you say politely, running your fingers through what used to be your hair. ["$inf[Vrithe, infinithe obligesimus]"]<response|
The receptionist gulps, their round, wet throat seeming to grow a little larger than before. ["$inf[Korporeokapitano punton emusak? Procedethe prithei.]"]<permit| They point to the [[waiting]] area.
(Your hotness increased)
(click-append: ?response)[$em[ //Indeed, I would be forever in your debt//]]
(click-append: ?permit)[$em[ //Metaphysician appointment, is it? Please go right ahead//]]
(display: "Chara")
"$inf[Ti?]" You give them a look of disdain and chuckle mirthlessly. ["$inf[Ne pensemus.]"]<response|
The receptionist rolls their bulbous eyes. They encounter people like you every day. ["$inf[Korporeokapitano punton? Procedethe.]"]<permit| They point to the [[waiting]] area.
(Your coldness increased)
(click-append: ?response)[$em[ //I don't think so//]]
(click-append: ?permit)[$em[ //Metaphysician appointment? Go on.//]]
(display: "Chara")
"$inf[Egux?]" You smily wryly. ["$inf[Egux aidethe podeum person ne emus.]"]<response|
The receptionist rolls their bulbous eyes. They encounter people like you every day. ["$inf[Korporeokapitano punton? Procedethe.]"]<permit| They point to the [[waiting]] area.
(Your volatility increased)
(click-append: ?response)[ $em[//There is no person who can help me.//]]
(click-append: ?permit)[ $em[//Metaphysician appointment? Go on.//]]
(display: "Chara")
Unblinking, you simply stare at them with dead eyes.
The receptionist scratches their chin awkwardly. ["$inf[Korporeokapitano punton emusak? Procedethe prithei.]"]<permit| They point to the [[waiting]] area.
(Your darkness increased)
(click-append: ?permit)[$em[ //Metaphysician appointment, is it? Please go right ahead.//]]
(display: "Chara")
You sit in one of many brown plastic chairs. Infernal pop music is playing. A small television plays public service announcements about hygiene and preventative health.
Suddenly, a buzzer rings, and a name is called. You have never heard this name before, but somehow you know that it is yours. A portal appears beside the television.
[Wait to be escorted]<cold|
[Yell into the portal]<volatile|
[Stride confidently through the portal]<hot|
[Contemplate the portal's form]<dark|
(Display:"Chara")
(click-append: "chairs.")[ Several of the chairs are strangely shaped, as if designed for people with more than one spine.]
(click-append: "playing.")[ Disco and folk music are particularly popular in the underworld.]
(click-append: "health.")[ You learn that tentacles should only be cleaned with castile soap. Perhaps this information will become useful one day.]
(click:?cold)[(set: $cold to it +1)(goto:"waiting-cold")]
(click:?hot)[(set: $hot to it +1)(goto:"waiting-hot")]
(click:?dark)[(set: $dark to it +1)(goto:"waiting-dark")]
(click:?volatile)[(set: $volatile to it +1)(goto:"waiting-volatile")]
You bellow, ["$inf[Khi toxion egux namemusak?]"]<response|
A [[nurse]] sighs patiently, and calls back.
["$inf[Procedethei]"]<greeting|
(Your volatility increased)
(click-append: ?response)[$em[ //What vile creature speaks my name?//]]
(click-append: ?greeting)[$em[ //[[Come in.->nurse]]//]]
(display: "Chara")
After an uncomfortable pause, a [[nurse]] eventually steps through the portal.
["$inf[A, vethei. Procedethe, prithei.]"]<greeting|
(Your coldness increased)
(click-append: ?greeting)[$em[ //Ah, hello. Please [[come this way.->nurse]]//]]
(display: "Chara")
A gentle breeze causes your cape to billow as you pass through the portal, to find a [[nurse]] waiting on the other side.
["$inf[Bono, emi vethei.]"]<greeting|
(Your hotness increased)
(click-append: ?greeting)[$em[ //Well, hello there.//]]
(display: "Chara")
You gaze at the shimmering edges of the portal, contemplating the improbable stability of this immaterial surface upon which time and space have folded. Currents of energy run across it like rivers. Between these channels, you can just slightly detect the emptiness beyond all things. The vakivon.
On the other side of the portal, a [[nurse]] sighs patiently, and calls to you.
["$inf[Procedethei!]"]<greeting|
(Your darkness increased)
(click-append: ?greeting)[$em[ //[[Come in!->nurse]]//]]
(click-append: "vakivon.")[$em[ //void//.]]
(display: "Chara")
The nurse has tired eyes and remarkably long fingers. They take your blood pressure and ask you to step onto a weighing scale. After writing down some numbers, the nurse frowns.
["$inf[Ti cardimusak?]"]<question|
You reply:
["$inf[Ne]"]<cold|
["$inf[Vrithe]"]<hot|
(if: $volatile is not 0)[[with laughter]<volatile|]
(if: $dark is not 0)[[with silence]<dark|]
(Display:"Chara")
(click-append: "eyes")[ that swirl with the ghostly shadows of spirit worms,]
(click-prepend: "fingers")[skinless ]
(click-append: ?question)[$em[ //Do you exercise?//]]
(click:?cold)[(set: $cold to it +1)(goto:"nurse-cold")]
(click:?hot)[(set: $hot to it +1)(goto:"nurse-hot")]
(click:?dark)[(set: $dark to it +1)(goto:"nurse-dark")]
(click:?volatile)[(set: $volatile to it +1)(goto:"nurse-volatile")]
The metaphysician sits behind a large desk, their gaze fixed on a computer terminal. They wear shiny leather shoes and a dress shirt. Occasionally, a hint of gold shimmers from their beard.
["$inf[Korporeokapitano egux khon ti prithemusak?]"]<question|
You reply:
[by running away]<volatile|
[by praying]<dark|
(if: $cold is not 0)[["$inf[Elix]"]<cold|]
(if: $hot is not 0)[["$inf[Tux]"]<hot|]
(Display:"Chara")
(click-append: "desk")[ made of blood-red lacquer]
(click-replace: "gaze")[three glimmering eyes]
(click-append: ?question)[$em[ //What do you ask of me, the metaphysician?//]]
(click:?cold)[(set: $cold to it +1)(goto:"introduction-cold")]
(click:?hot)[(set: $hot to it +1)(goto:"introduction-hot")]
(click:?dark)[(set: $dark to it +1)(goto:"introduction-dark")]
(click:?volatile)[(set: $volatile to it +1)(goto:"introduction-volatile")]
The metaphysician looks at the computer terminal, purses their lips, and looks you up and down.
["$inf[Elix ne preskribithe, ti khux fakemusak?]"]<question|
You reply:
$inf[
(if: $cold is not 0)[["Ne dignemus."]<cold|]
(if: $hot is not 0)[["Ti ne fakeremus."]<hot|]
(if: $dark is not 0)[["Egux diskorporemus."]<dark|]
(if: $volatile is not 0)[["Tux diskorporemus!"]<volatile|]
]
(Display:"Chara")
(click-append: ?question)[$em[ //If I did not prescribe the elixir, what would you do?//]]
(click:?cold)[(set: $cold to it +1)(goto:"questions-cold")]
(click:?hot)[(set: $hot to it +1)(goto:"questions-hot")]
(click:?dark)[(set: $dark to it +1)(goto:"questions-dark")]
(click:?volatile)[(set: $volatile to it +1)(goto:"questions-volatile")]
(if: (a: $hot, $dark, $volatile, $cold) contains 6)["[$inf[Vrithe, ti $identity the vemus sino exkeption. Elix preskribemus.]"]<Yes| You receive the [[elixir]]]
(else:)[The Metaphysician shakes their head. "[$inf[Ne. Vrithe $identity egithe fakon ne fakeum. $identity/o fakon the vivei per uno annon. Perkhon sekuro.]"]<No| [[You do not receive the elixir->revenge]].]
(Display:"Chara")
(Click-append: ?Yes)[$em[ //Yes, you truly are a $identity through and through. I will prescribe the elixir.//]]
(Click-append: ?No)[$em[ //No. A true $identity would not behave as you have done. Live in role as a $identity for one year to be certain.//]]
An hour later, you leave an underworld pharmacy with a grin on your face. The elixir is finally (link-reveal:"yours.")[ You no longer have to speak the Infernal (link:"language.")[language, or mind your behaviour to make sure that you are as $identity-like as (link-reveal:"possible.")[ Now you can live as a $identity in whatever way is right for you.]]]
(link-reveal:"Yet you always wonder.")[ What if you had allowed yourself to be more complex? What if you could [[go back and do it again?->Start]]]
No, [[it's no use]] thinking about the past.
You reply:$inf[
(if: $cold is not 0)["[[Egi phasman]]"]
(if: $hot is not 0)["[[Egi daemon]]"]
(if: $dark is not 0)["[[Egi umbran]]"]
(if: $volatile is not 0)["[[Egi bestian]]"]]
(set: $identity to "phasman")
You tell the Metaphysician that you are a $inf[phasman], a ghost who does not belong to the material world and must be set free to wander the incorporeal realm. You need the elixir of transformation to assume your true form.
The metaphysician asks further [[questions]]
(display: "Chara")
(set: $identity to "daemon")
You tell the Metaphysician that you are a daemon, living for mischief and hedonistic pleasures. You need the elixir of transformation to assume your true form.
The metaphysician asks further [[questions]]
(display: "Chara")
(set: $identity to "umbran")
You tell the Metaphysician that you are an $inf[umbran], a living shadow that can only be at home in the void spaces that humans can only barely perceive. You need the elixir of transformation to assume your true form.
The metaphysician asks further [[questions]]
(display: "Chara")
(set: $identity to "bestian")
You tell the Metaphysician that you are a $inf[bestian], a shapeshifting humanoid beast who howls at the moon and runs wild among the creatures of the night. You need the elixir of transformation to assume your true form.
The metaphysician asks further [[questions]]
(display: "Chara")
(Your coldness increased)
Your fragile human heart is pounding in your chest. But not for long. This is the moment you have been waiting for. Your stomach churns with a nervousness unbecoming of who you truly are, but you stand firm.
["$inf[Egi elix prithemus.]"]<answer|
["$inf[Bono. E khan ti emusak?]"]<question|
(display: "declaration")
(display: "Chara")
(click-append: ?answer)[$em[ //I ask for the elixir.//]]
(click-append: ?question)[$em[ //Very well. And what are you?//]]
(Your hotness increased)
Your cheeks are flushed. You look at the metaphysician's wisened eyes and powerful hands and breathe it all in. You can almost taste it. What you came here for.
["$inf[Egi tux prithemus. Egux aideum solithe ti emus.]"]<answer|
["$inf[Bono. E khan ti emusak?]"]<question|
(display: "declaration")
(display: "Chara")
(click-append: ?answer)[$em[ //I want you. Only you can help me.//]]
(click-append: ?question)[$em[ //Very well. And what are you?//]]
(Your volatility increased)
Looking at the authoritarian figure of the metaphysician, you panic. That familiar scarlet pounding behind your eyes compels you to run. Get out of there. But you have only taken a few steps when the metaphysician appears in front of you.
"$inf[Korporeokapitan khux ti prithemusak?]" They repeat.
"$inf[Elix]" you mumble.
["$inf[Bono. E khan ti emusak?]"]<question|
(display: "declaration")
(display: "Chara")
(click-append: ?question)[$em[ //Very well. And what are you?//]]
(Your darkness increased)
You prostrate yourself on the floor before the metaphysician.
["$inf[Prithei. Egi tux prithemus. Korporeokapitan, vrithe vakivonokapitan, elix prithemus.]"]<answer|
["$inf[Bono. E khan ti emusak?]"]<question|
(display: "declaration")
(display: "Chara")
(click-append: ?answer)[$em[ //Please. I beg you. Metaphysician, the true lord of the void, I beg for the elixir.//]]
(click-append: ?question)[$em[ //Very well. And what are you?//]]
You cackle mirthlessly. ["$inf[Egux prithe, ti khon emusak?]"]<response|
["$inf[Prithe normal emus]"]<compliment|, the nurse shrugs.
["$inf[Ti ne pode penseum, pode egi emus. Vrithe, cardimus bono.]"]<retort|
The nurse silently writes something on a sheet of paper, and shows you to the [[Metaphysician's office->introduction]].
(Your volatility increased)
(Display:"Chara")
(Click-append: ?response)[$em[ //Who are you to ask me such a question?//]]
(Click-append: ?compliment)[$em[ //It's a normal question//]]
(Click-append: ?retort)[$em[ //I possess power that you cannot even conceive of. Yes, I exercise very well.//]]
"$inf[Vrithe]" you respond with a smile ["$inf[Ti vemusak?]"]<response|
["$inf[E, vrithe vemus. Vemum bono.]"]<compliment|
After a lingering look, the nurse shows you to the [[Metaphysician's office->introduction]].
(Your hotness increased)
(Display:"Chara")
(Click-append: ?response)[$em[ //Can you tell?//]]
(Click-append: ?compliment)[$em[ //Oh yeah, it shows. You look good.//]]
"$inf[Ne]" you respond blankly. ["$inf[Khon prithemuak?]"]<response|
["$inf[Ne, ne, ne razon.]"]<compliment|
After an awkward look, the nurse shows you to the [[Metaphysician's office->introduction]].
(Your coldness increased)
(Display:"Chara")
(Click-append: ?response)[$em[ //Why do you ask?//]]
(Click-append: ?compliment)[$em[ //Oh er, no reason.//]]
(Your darkness increased)
You stare silently at the nurse, and without breaking eye contact, bend the weighing scale in half with your bare hands.
"$inf[Vrithe. Cardemus bono.]"
The nurse looks sadly at the broken equipment, and shows you to the [[Metaphysician's office->introduction]].
(Display:"Chara")
(Click-append: ?retort)[$em[ //Yes, I exercise very well.//]]
What a fool that Metaphysician was. Believing that for you to be a true $identity, you must fit a one-dimentional stereotype. "Live in role"? This is not merely a role. This is who you are, in all your complexity.
But if they want a performance, they will get one:
(if: $hot is not 0)[(link-reveal: "You flutter your eyelashes.")[ The metaphysician is transfixed.]]
(if: $volatile is not 0)[(link-reveal: "You flip over the table.")[ The sound attracts the attention of the nurse.]]
(if: $cold is not 0)[(link-reveal: "You tell the metaphysician that they will regret this.")[ Your infernal grammar is perfect.]]
(if: $dark is not 0)[(link-reveal: "The void beckons to you.")[ You call upon the shadows for assistance.]]
And then, you:
(if: $identity is "phasman")[[[vanish->void]]]
(if: $identity is "daemon")[burst into [[flames->void]]]
(if: $identity is "bestian")[leap out of the [[window->void]]]
(if: $identity is "umbran")[slip into the [[void]]]
(display:"Chara")
You wake up in the void. You cannot quite adjust your senses to take in its vast emptiness. But you feel something in front of you, shimmering with energy. Could it be? The original source of the elixir?
Then suddenly, behind you, you sense something else. A portal, leading back to the entrance of the Metaphysician's surgery.
Do you return to the [[start->Start]] of it all, or take the elixir, realise your potential, and return to the underworld to [[smash the system]]?
(set:$form to "true")You grab hold of the source of the elixir, and pull it back to the realm of matter. The Metaphysician stands before you again.
"$inf[Elixir. Ti emus!]"
You can feel your body changing. But not just that; the Metaphysician is (link-reveal:"changing too.")[ The world seems to be constantly reconstructing itself moment to moment.] (link-reveal:"And suddenly,")[ the truth is apparent;] you have assumed your true form as a (link-replace:"$identity.")[$identity, and the Metaphysician is a giant dragon, as ancient as time itself.]
(link-reveal:'"$inf[Obligemus.]"')[
You climb aboard the dragon's back, and (link-reveal:"fly away")[ across the underworld and the surface world and the five heavens]. You pour the elixir over all living beings, and they all ascend into myriad astonishing (link-reveal:"true forms")[: mermaids, unicorns, witches and vampires, and (link-reveal:"many more you cannot name")[. A drab world of normal people has been transformed into a magical realm
[[The end.]]
(Display: "Chara")
You have ascended to your true form
You have saved the world from normativity]]]
"[$inf[Ti ne fakeremus]]<response|" you say, trying to appeal to their better nature. "[$inf[Ti bono person, egi vemus.]]<compliment|" But it's no use. You can see in their ancient eyes, they have already made their [[decision]].
(Your hotness increased)
(Display:"Chara")
(Click-append: ?response)[$em[ //You wouldn't do that.//]]
(Click-append: ?compliment)[$em[ //You're a good person, I can tell.//]]]
["$inf[Ne dignimus, emi pritheon. Prithei, Elix, o eghux eximus.]"]<response|
The Metaphysician looks disappointed, but seems ready to make a [[decision]] anyway.
(Your coldness increased)
(Display:"Chara")
(Click-append: ?response)[$em[ //I won't answer that question. Give me the elixir or I'm leaving.//]]
You give the Metaphysician your toothiest grin.
["$inf[Tux diskorporemus. Egi disfruthe pensemus.]"]<response|
The metaphysician looks disturbed. It seems this has helped them to make a [[decision]].
(Your volatility increased)
(Display:"Chara")
(Click-append: ?response)[$em[ //I will separate your soul from your body. I think it would be fun.//]]
You look down at your hands and sit quietly for a moment.
"[$inf[Egux diskorporemus. Oto fakon ne vemus.]]<response|"
The metaphysician seems moved by your dark brooding, and reaches a [[decision]].
(Your darkness increased)
(Display:"Chara")
(Click-append: ?response)[$em[ //I would separate my soul from my body. I don't see any other way.//]]
Game by Zoyander Street
Infernal constructed language by Zoyander Street
Inspired by the Monsterhearts RPG system by Avery McDaldno
Made in Twine 2 for Ludum Dare 35, 2016
(set: $form to "true")You drink the elixir, and immediately, everything feels (link-reveal:"different.")[
The whole world seems to be in a constant process of reconstruction, moment to moment.]
(link-reveal:"You look down.")[
You see the glorious body of an ascended $identity.]
You are free.
[[The end.]]
(display: "Chara")
You have ascended to your true form
You have not saved the world from normativity