Crementum Game

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<div class="fragments">You awaken from cryosleep, stumbling out of the pod, onto your bed. The cold seeps out of your bones, [[and you feel your muscles, slowly, coming alive.]]</div> <% s.choice.push("neutral") %>

<div class="fragments">You leave your secret plant, Its existence a breaking of codes but what harm could one rogue seed do? [[To these barren worlds]]</div>

why did i bring you here? The seeds stare back from your palm. A dozen eyes with no pupils. to feel less alone? yes. i think so. but, not just that. <img src="https://andrewsmithonline.com/testgrounds/lofi-mimosa1.png" width="50px"> [[to make these worlds a home like mine.->Plant1a]] [[as an offering to these new worlds.->Plant1b]] [[as a piece of home to become part of something new.->Plant1c]] <% s.choice.push("neutral") %>

The small seeds soak up all that you give them. There's a sprout, one day. Barely the beginnings of a stem, but you can't help but whisper to it. look, look... outside that window. can you see it? it’s grown. well, not really. we’re closer now, so it looks bigger. and it’ll continue to grow the closer we get. like you, friend. growing like this new world in the window. The new world. The words are light on your lips. soon, your roots won’t have to keep themselves inside this cage. they’ll be able to stretch… and stretch. making a rock a world. and then… <img src="https://andrewsmithonline.com/testgrounds/lofi-mimosa1.png" width="50px"> [[it’ll be ours.->Plant2a]] [[we’ll belong to it.->Plant2b]] [[our worlds will become one.->Plant2c]]

You startle awake. There's a strange smoke in the air. (is that... normal?) You turn to the sprouts. The fledgling branches quiver. no. no it is not. You know this feeling. You know this stench. You smell [[fire.]]

<div class="fragments">You pull Ignacia away, You search for living seeds, collecting them together Each deserves a chance, the same chance you gave your Mimosa Ignacia does not stop you, she seems to see nothing but the inferno [[You realize she wants this no more than you do|discuss what to do]]</div>

<div class="fragments">You watch as the hopes of future Earths burn It is a good thing, you tell yourself Now, these life-worlds will never be infested with foreign species No such invasion, no spreading of Earth’s seeds [[There is peace in solitude|discuss what to do]]</div>

Dr. <% print(s.name_player) %> lifts the pot in which a Mimosa Pudica has begun to bud. Leaving <% print(s.pronoun3) %> cabin, the xenobotanist takes the plant to the incinerator. Standing before the gaping, silent maw of the incinerator, Dr. <% print(s.name_player) %> pauses. As <% print(s.pronoun1) %> looks upon the Mimosa Pudica, time becomes loose and memories take physical form. A ghostly hand of <% print(s.pronoun3) %> father touches Dr. {player surname} shoulder as <% print(s.pronoun1) %> drops the Mimosa plant into the incinerator, and it roars for just a moment before the silence returns, and the hand fades away. [[The End|Credits]]

Dr. <% print(s.name_player) %> looks for one last time upon the Mimosa Pudica <% print(s.pronoun1) %> raised in secret, its vibrant color weaving a memory of gardening on Earth with <% print(s.pronoun3) %> father. A tear rolls down <% print(s.pronoun3) %> eye, perhaps from the smoke, perhaps from a deep longing to be elsewhere. Grabbing <% print(s.pronoun3) %> things, <% print(s.pronoun1) %> turns and finds the last remaining escape pod. [[The End|Credits]]

Dr. <% print(s.name_player) %> packs <% print(s.pronoun3) %> things, intent on leaving the ash-covered ship to embrace a strange alien world. With everything ready, <% print(s.pronoun3) %> eyes fall upon the last item, the Mimosa Pudica plant <% print(s.pronoun1) %> raised in secret. Fidgeting with the decision, Dr. <% print(s.name_player) %> grabs the pot and brings it aboard the escape pod. It would accompany <% print(s.pronoun2) %> as one of the first new lifeforms to visit these alien worlds. [[The End|Credits]]

to make these worlds a home like mine. you're the start of all of it. The dirt clings to your fingers, still chilled from the cold years asleep. The seeds make their way down. Into the pot, under the dirt. Water, some time, and you will have a friend. [[yes. you will be my friend.|Discuss Rocks & Send Probe]] <% s.choice.push("earth") %>

as an offering for these new worlds. you will be the first thing i give up for this place. The dirt clings to your fingers, still chilled from the cold years asleep. The seeds make their way down. Into the pot, under the dirt. Water, some time, and you will have a friend. [[yes. you will be my friend.|Discuss Rocks & Send Probe]] <% s.choice.push("alien") %>

as a piece of home to become part of something new. i want you to be a part of all that comes next. The dirt clings to your fingers, still chilled from the cold years asleep. The seeds make their way down. Into the pot, under the dirt. Water, some time, and you will have a friend. [[yes. you will be my friend.|Discuss Rocks & Send Probe]] <% s.choice.push("hybrid") %>

it'll be ours. (yes. yes it will.) You think you hear a whisper as its vines find their way out from the dirt. There's a ripple of calm, affirmation, love all wrapped into one. (hi) [[hi.|probe reutrns]] <% s.choice.push("earth") %>

we'll belong to it. (yes. yes we will.) You think you hear a whisper as its vines find their way out from the dirt. There's a ripple of calm, affirmation, love all wrapped into one. (hi) [[hi.|probe reutrns]] <% s.choice.push("alien") %>

our worlds will become one. (yes. yes it will.) You think you hear a whisper as its vines find their way out from the dirt. There's a ripple of calm, affirmation, love all wrapped into one. (hi) [[hi.|probe reutrns]] <% s.choice.push("hybrid") %>

one day, we'll return there. (and yet you came all this way?) You hear the question, and the soft pull of sleep calling you to rest. Before it takes you, the answer comes. dreams, friend. dreams don't know of home. [[Sleep.->Discover Seeds Burning]] <% s.choice.push("earth") %>

we will never go back. (you never dream to return home?) You hear the question, and the soft pull of sleep calling you to rest. Before it takes you, the answer comes. dreams, friend. dreams don't know of home. [[Sleep.->Discover Seeds Burning]]

perhaps one day, we'll bring something back. (what do you dream of bringing home?) You hear the question, and the soft pull of sleep calling you to rest. Before it takes you, the answer comes. dreams, friend. dreams don't know of home. [[Sleep.->Discover Seeds Burning]]

i know where you are i know where you are i know where you are ignacia. The hallway is filled with soot it follows you it follows you it leads you to the lab where i know where you are i know where you are you know where she is. You know i know what she's doing. "Ignacia." Flames dance across the garden. It's all carefully controlled she's no pyromaniac, just a bastard, i know that she's no pyromaniac, after all. This is clinical. "This is what has to be done. Dr. <% print(s.name_player) %>, you know that." Her voice is tired but you can't even hear it there's the devil's mouth, god, it's about to eat her! your eyes are consumed by the fire of the furnace. To her side, empty containers where there once were seeds. She's no. she couldn't-- she-- she-- holding the last one. the seed banks, they're gone they're all gone. "If the seeds existed, someone would use them." If someone used them, that world would... it would break." Forgive me. And suddenly the smoke clears and you watch, as she lifts the last bag of seeds and there's only one thing you can do. <img src="https://andrewsmithonline.com/testgrounds/lofi-mimosa1.png" width="50px"> [[Intervene]] [[Let Them Burn]]

<div class="fragments">Memories flood in Life as a xenobotanist, A mission to populate the stars, and transform barren rocks into future Earths [[Does Mother Nature envy your power?]]</div> <% s.choice.push("neutral") %>

<div class="fragments">Before reaching for that future, you first look back. Seeds, stolen from home, Mimosa Pudica, the shy plant. a memory of your father in a garden, a galaxy away... [[You take out your hidden seeds|Plant Personal Plant]]</div>

<div class="fragments">You arrive at the bridge with four others Ryouku Nikimiya, shrouded in mischief and laughter Naima Mwendwa, a fierce joy that grips all Ignacia Amapola, whose passion burns perhaps too bright [[Four xenobotantists ride together toward this new Star]]</div> <% s.choice.push("neutral") %>

<div class="fragments">The habitable zone, where Life might spring forth. Your team sends out a probe, to chart a course. Which planet shall first [[be blessed by our touch?]]</div>

<div class="fragments">You return to your Mimosa, Before the probe returns to your team, To care for and watch over with </div> <img src="https://andrewsmithonline.com/testgrounds/lofi-mimosa1.png" width="50px"> [[Water|Check On Plant]] [[Light|Check On Plant]]

<div class="fragments">The probe has returned. A meeting is called. “Impossible" “We are not ready" “This changes everything" [[You must think]]</div>

<div class="fragments">The barren rocks, Are not so barren! Terrestrial planets, teeming with life, Alien plants, thriving in these far off worlds. <img src="https://andrewsmithonline.com/testgrounds/lofi-mimosa1.png" width="50px"> [[“They don’t need us to populate them. We’ve brought these seeds for nothing"]] [[“Surely, some of these planets must be dead?"]] [[“We must rethink our purpose here."]] </div> <% s.choice.push("neutral") %>

<div class="fragments">You argue and debate with Ryouku and Naima Ignacia is silent and you no longer feel the heat of her flame Unresolved, you leave one another There are many days before you reach your destination You have time to decide, but no way to stop. [[The four horsemen, on steeds that cannot be steered.|You have time to decide]]</div> <% s.choice.push("alien") %>

<div class="fragments">The ship is filled with 182 varieties, of seeds, bulbs, and spores Plants from across your home planet, Each genetically optimized for the conditions of space and new worlds You sit with the one you that carries your memories, Your Mimosa, [[You go to it.]]</div>

you’re not the one my father showed me. you’re not the one whose leaf he brushed to show me how they curl away. and how, given time, they unfurl again. i know you’re not that plant. but you are its kin. and you are here. and i breathe with you. my lungs churning out what you take in you giving back that which fills me. together, we exist, you and i. Echoes of Naima and Ryouku ring in your ears. "There is no such thing as a dead world. No such thing as a new world." it was supposed to be new. for us. (i know.) i wanted... i (shh. i know.) You wonder if the ship is listening to your whispers. If it has ears. let me show you something. look there. yes, just there. out the window. see all those lights? (y--yes.) those are stars. and they are… brilliant. (oh. wow.) we both come from one far, far away from here. and… <img src="https://andrewsmithonline.com/testgrounds/lofi-mimosa1.png" width="50px"> [[one day, we’ll return there.->Plant3a]] [[we will never go back.->Plant3b]] [[perhaps one day, we’ll bring something back.->Plant3c]]

<div class="fragments">The dance of the flames reaches its climax You and Ignacia back out of the room Ryouku and Naima appear through the clouds of smoke Panting, their eyes wild “What have you done" “Saved these worlds from our domination." Ryouku’s eyes water, [[With sadness or smoke?]]</div>

<div class="fragments">Ryouku walks past you, to save what he can You do not stop him | You hand the seeds you saved to Naima “I will study these planets and find a way for humans to live on them as they are, Without assimilating their ecosystem into ours" [[Ignacia leaves, her eyes still full of flame]]</div>

<div class="fragments">Naima looks at you “This decision is difficult. But I believe the best chance for preparing this solar system for human life is coexistence Life has already found a way to survive here, Perhaps our Earth plants can learn from it." Naima reveals a hidden cache of seeds [[Did she know this would happen?]]</div>

<div class="fragments">Naima has left and Ryouku has put out the fires He returns, covered in ash and soot and pain with the few seeds he has saved “I will take these and go Not every planet in this system is full of life I will continue our mission, And transform a barren planet into a future Earth" [[You are left alone, but not quite]]</div>

<div class="fragments">You return to your cabin, To your Mimosa, [[Something must be done]]</div>

(you... came back?) It’s waiting for you when you return to your quarters. of course it is… of course i came back. i'd never lea-- (you left earth. you could leave me.) The rations you grabbed from the food stores weigh heavy in your oh shut up hands. You place the food down and walk over to the plant. i need you to listen to me. everything's... changed. you're one of the last left. the rest burned. (burned?) yes. incinerated. they are ash. (wh--why?) You sigh. it... doesn't matter. they're gone. There's something new on the plant. A bud, nestled between two new branches stemming out towards the window. you’ve grown so much. (isn’t that what was always going to happen?) yes. yes it was. The planet’s large in the window, now. Waiting. It's not long before your bags are packed. There's only one last matter to attend to. i lift the pot i lift my plant so close to my face that the stems brush against my forehead, its leaves folding in on themselves and it doesn't have to say a word. i know i know. i know what i have to do. <img src="https://andrewsmithonline.com/testgrounds/lofi-mimosa1.png" width="50px"> [[Burn Your Plant]] [[Leave it behind]] [[Bring it with you]]

Crementum <img src="https://andrewsmithonline.com/testgrounds/lofi-mimosa1.png"> [[Play|ChooseName]] [[Credits]] <% s.choice = [] %>

A game created by an <a href="https://irlhumanities.org/" target="_blank">Immersive Reality Lab for the Humanities</a> team for <a href="https://narrascope.org/" target="_blank">NarraScope 2020's</a> Game Jam by <a href="https://awwsmith.com" target="_blank">Andrew W Smith</a> <a href="http://cassandrahradil.com" target="_blank">Cassandra Hradil</a> <a href="https://https://irlhumanities.org/people/frank-tavares/" target="_blank">Frank Tavares</a> Thank you for playing! [[Return.->Crementum]]

Name: <input type="text" tabindex="0" onchange="story.state.name_player = this.value"> Pronouns: [[she/her/hers]], [[they/them/their]], [[he/him/his]]

<% s.pronoun1 = "she" s.pronoun2 = "her" s.pronoun3 = "hers" %> [[continue|Wake Up from Cryosleep]]

<% s.pronoun1 = "they" s.pronoun2 = "them" s.pronoun3 = "their" %> [[continue|Wake Up from Cryosleep]]

<% s.pronoun1 = "he" s.pronoun2 = "him" s.pronoun3 = "his" %> [[continue|Wake Up from Cryosleep]]