Before you lies a forest, vast and seemingly without end. This journey is a rite of passage for your village, one taken by your father before you and his father before him. Some return stronger, others simply different. Some don't return at all. Now, it is your turn. Are you ready to begin your adventure?
[[Enter the forest.->Neutral]]
(set: $Calm to 0)(set: $Irrational to 0)(set: $Divine to 0)(set: $Unholy to 0)(set: $Ruthless to 0)(set: $Weak to 0)(set: $Injury to 0)(set: $Ring to "Unequipped")(set: $Spellbook to "Unequipped")(set: $Purity to 0) (if: $LipRing is "Cool")[//`You glance in the water at your reflection. The fish hook in your lip looks damn cool.`//]
(if:$WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`The spirit of The Whale is with you.`//]
(if: $Spooky is "Active")[//`You can feel the darkness watching you.`//]You walk for hours. The forest around you all feels the same, it's hard to remember where you came from. All you have to guide you is the beaten path that you started on. After what feels like hours of walking, you come across a small meadow surrounded by dense forest. Resting in the grass is a plain longbow with a quiver of arrows by its side. The weapon itself is nothing special, but you feel drawn to it.
(nth: visit, "//You feel strange.//", "//You have been here before.//", "//Yeah, this place is definitely familiar.//", "//The sunlight feels warm on your skin.//", "//Just take the friggin' bow already.//")
[[Take the bow.->Level]]
[[Ignore it.->Carrying on]]
<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/YCHR9KvS/IMG-4129-adobespark.jpg">As you pick up the longbow, the breeze blows through your hair and you feel more level than you did before. //Your steadiness has increased.// (set: $Calm to it +1)
[[Continue.->Mugging]]You continue onward into the forest, leaving the bow behind you.
[[Continue.->Divine]]Your legs are starting to grow sore.
(t8n-time:1.5s)+(link:"Keep walking. ")[= You come across a large lake that is glistening under the light of the full moon. The stars almost seem like they're dancing in the sky. The water is clear and still and- Wait, is that a sword?
[[Finders keepers.->Holier]]
[[Not my sword, not my problem.->Going deeper]]
<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/1R7rpV4b/IMG-4128-adobespark.jpg">As you continue along the path, you encounter a larger road going through the forest. Along the road, you witness a bandit in the process of robbing a young woman in a violet cloak. They do not see you, you could easily take action and perhaps save her life. However, you feel a curious urge to continue on your way and not get involved.
(if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`The bow wants you to act in your own best interest.`//]
[(text-style:"blur")[[[Save her.->Fade]]]]
[(text-style:"outline")[[[Do nothing.->Resolve]]]] You fire an arrow at the attacker. The battle is brief and you save the woman without much effort, though you are nicked by a blade thrown by the stranger. As you leave, you trip over an exposed root right in front of the pretty lady. Nice one. //You are injured and feeling more irrational.// (set: $Injury to it +1)(set: $Irrational to it +1)
(if:(history: where it is "Fae note")'s length is 1)[[[Get up and continue.->Cracks]]] (else-if:(history: where it is "Fae note")'s length is 0)[(link:"Get up and continue.")[(go-to: (either: "Fae note", "Cracks"))]]You continue onwards with a strengthened sense of resolve. You don't have time to bother with other peoples' issues. As you leave, a hero emerges from the brush and saves the woman. See? You didn't need to do a thing.
[[Continue.->Bullying]]As you continue along the path, you notice a large crack in the wood of the longbow. It's still usable, for now.
[[Onward.->Onward]]You approach a fork in the path. Which way do you go? (if: $Fae is "Weird, but okay.")[//`The note said to turn right.`//]
[[Right.->Right]]
[[Left.->Left]]While continuing through the woods, you come across what appears to be a perfect ring of mushrooms growing among the moss. You aren't certain what the circle is but you feel the urge to leave it alone. (if:$Fae is "Weird, but okay.")[//`The writing on the note begins to glow`//]
[[Approach it.->Bad idea]]
[[Leave it alone.->Smart plan]]You take the path going left. The path becomes narrower and more difficult to follow until there is no path at all. Eventually, you can see a small clearing through the thick trees. In the middle of the clearing is a jagged tree stump with strange symbols carved into the wood.
(t8n-time:1.5s)+(link:"Approach the stump.")[=
The closer you become to the stump, the more the air takes on a thick, sweet smell. It's difficult to place, but it makes you feel ill.
[[Place the bow on the stump.->Build-up]]
[[Place your hand on the stump. ->Break-down]]
(if: $LipRing is "Cool")[(link:"Place your face on the stump.")[=
You place your face on the stump and the wood creeps up, attempting to snap the fishing hook in half like a twig. However, the wood begins to sear wherever it comes into contact with the fishing hook. After a bit, the stump gives up trying.]You approach the ring of mushrooms. It contains multiple trees and there are many small flowers that you do not recognize growing in the area. The colors here seem brighter than before, almost unreal. (if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`You know you aren't supposed to enter faerie circles.`//]
[[Enter the ring.->Worse idea]]
[[Leave.->Smart plan]]
(if:$Fae is "Weird, but okay.")[[[Run 9 circles around it.->Better idea]]]You decide not to bother. You have no idea what these woods contain. //You are feeling more steady.// (set: $Calm to it +1)
[[Continue.->Next step]]Really, don't you know any better? You enter the circle and nothing seems to happen. However, as you try to leave, you realize that you are rooted to the ground beneath you. As a punishment for your foolishness, the Fae take your eye and cast you from their circle. //You are feeling more irrational. Also, you're injured. Next time, don't enter the faerie circle.// (set: $Injury to it +1)(set: $Irrational to it +1)
[[Return to the path.->Aim]]You remember what the letter said and, on a whim, you decide to run 9 circles around the ring. As you run, you can hear the faint sound of faeries dancing on the other side. When you come to a stop, a small voice rings from within your head.
(text-style:"italic","superscript")[What is your name?]
[[Tell them your name.->Beginner's mistake]]
[[Keep it to yourself.->Nice]][[You carry on through the woods.->Aim]]You approach a tree, the largest one in the forest by far. It feels ancient and the wood seems similar to that of the wood on your bow. The trunk has a large hole, large enough that you could sit inside the base of the tree.
(text-style:"outline")[[[Meditate.->Test 1]]]You sit in the base of the tree with your longbow across your lap. You feel at peace. In the distance, you hear the faint sound of what seems to be a child screaming for help. (if: $Spooky is "Active")[//`You feel shadows watching you.`//]
(text-style:"blur")[[[Get up and follow the sound.->Ungood Choice]]]
(text-style:"outline")[[[Stay seated.->Test 2]]]You leave your seat and follow the sound of the screaming. However, no matter how far you travel towards the sound, it remains distant and constant. Eventually, you find the path again. //You are feeling more irrational.// (set: $Irrational to it +1)
[[Continue.->Aim]]You stay seated and ignore the screaming. The bow almost feels as if it's holding you down at this point and the distant sounds seem to grow closer, louder. (if: $LipRing is "Cool")[//`The fish hook begins to grow warmer.`//]
(text-style:"blur")[[[Follow the sound.->Ungood Choice]]]
(text-style:"outline")[[[Remain seated.->Test 3]]]The screaming becomes deafening within your own mind. The weight of the bow feels almost crushing, the shade around you becomes darker and more overwhelming. (if: $LipRing is "Cool")[//`The fishing hook now feels like it's burning hot.`//]
(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Run.->F]]]
(t8n-arrive:"blur")+(t8n-time:1.5s)[[Stay put.->A+]]
You try to stand, but the weight of the bow is too much. The hole in the trunk begins to close around you, and you are only able to reach out a single hand before the wood closes around you, leaving you trapped forever. //You should have stayed put.//
[[Try again. ->Start]]You remain seated. The screaming quickly fades and your mind is left clearer than before. You feel more in tune with the forest. //Your steadiness has increased.// (if: $LipRing is "Cool")[//`The lip ring is cool once again.`//]
[[Return to the forest.->Aim]](set: $Calm to it +1)You return to the path and walk deeper into the woods. The sun is still high in the sky as it was when you entered the forest, though you feel as though you have been walking for hours. Eventually, you stumble upon a glass bottle resting on top of a log.
[[Ignore it and keep going.->Next]]
(link:"Fire an arrow at it.")[(go-to: (either: "Bullseye","Barely","Whiff"))]
(if:$Injury is 2)[[[Break the bottle. ->Cut hand]]]As you come upon a waterfall in the distance, you can see a young man approaching the water. A woman (or, at least, what appears to be a woman) emerges from the water, almost seeming to glow in the sunlight.
(t8n:"flicker")+(t8n-time:1s)+(link:"You do nothing. ")[=
You watch as she pulls him into the water. You feel no urge to act, to save him. You feel nothing when he doesn't emerge.
[[Continue.->Druids]]
(if:$WhaleBoon is "Active")[[[//Follow them.//->Underwater]]]With your newfound sense of calm, you fire an arrow at the bottle and hit it dead on. The glass shatters and you feel a strong connection with your bow. //You are feeling more steady.// (Set: $Calm to it +1)
[[Continue.->Next]]You are beginning to grow quite tired. Just as you start to believe you may never make it out of this forest, you hear the sounds of fighting in the distance. You recognize a druid encampment nearby being attacked by armored men with swords. You could use what little energy you have left to help the innocent druids, but do you? (If: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`You don't think you'll survive this battle if you join it.`//]
(if:$Injury > 2)[[[You are too injured to help.->Victim card]]](else-if:$Injury < 3)[[Help them.->Help them]]
(else-if:$Injury < 3)[[Don't waste your time.->Do not help]]The harsh edges of the stump begin to grow, filling in the cracks on the bow and emitting a soft green glow. When it is finished, your bow is repaired. //You are feeling more steady.// (set: $Calm to it +1)
[[Place your hand on the stump. ->Break-down]]
[[Thank the stump and leave. ->Aim]]As your left hand touches the gnarled wood, the edges creep up and around your skin. It seeks imperfection, but there is nothing wrong with your hand. It can not give, so it takes. Don't worry, it's only just a finger. You'll survive. //You are feeling more irrational. Also, you're injured. Next time, don't put your hand on random healing stumps.// (set: $Irrational to it +1)(set: $Injury to it +1)
[[Keep walking.->Aim]]You fire an arrow at the bottle, but it's a bad miss. In contrast to the first time you fired this bow, it now feels unfamiliar and distant. You aren't sure how you fired it before. //You are feeling more irrational.// (set: $Irrational to it +1)
[[Continue.->Next]]
(if: $Spooky is "Active")[//`The glass bottle breaks a few moments later.`//]In a fit of frustration over your injuries, you pick up the bottle and break it over a rock with your right hand. Lucky you, the broken glass leaves behind a large cut on your palm. You manage the bleeding with a makeshift tourniquet, but the pain is hard to ignore. Smooth move. //You are injured, again.// (set: $Injury to it +1)
[[Return to the path. ->Next]]You ignore the urge to carry on and you draw your weapon, ready to fight. Things are going well at first, but cracks begin to spread through your bow. Before you can make a difference, the bow shatters in your hands like glass. You are captured alongside the Druids and arrested as an accomplice to their crimes (What those crimes were, it is uncertain). You don't survive the trip out of the forest.
[[Try again. ->Start]]Your mind is clear, you know what you need to do. Helping them will not help you. You continue on your way, avoiding the battle while you're at it.
[[Keep walking.->Approach End 1]]If saying that you're too hurt to fight helps you sleep better at night, then fine. Though, you haven't seen nighttime yet since you entered the forest. Part of you is beginning to wonder if time works here the same as it did back home.
[[Continue.->Approach End 1]]It doesn't take long for the sun to set. The night sky above is pitch black and calm, the same calm levelling your mind and body. Just ahead, you see where the wall of trees begins to finally dwindle. What is on the other side?
(if: $Calm is > 2)[[[You see a watchtower.->Viewer Ending 2]]] (else-if:$Irrational > 2)[[[You see only fog.->Viewer Ending 3]]] (else-if:$Injury is > 2)[[Your vision is starting to fade. ->Too hurt]] (else:)[[[You see your village.->Viewer Ending 1]]]Beyond the wall of trees, you see your home. The village where you grew up once seemed dull, but after everything you encountered in the forest, you are grateful to be back. You are grateful to be one of the ones that returned. //You try not to think about the forest ever again.//
[[Try again. ->Start]]As you come to the edge of the forest, you come across a large watchtower overlooking a deep canyon. Upon further inspection, you discover that the inside is comfortable and well-stocked, as if someone were meant to be living there. However, you can't help but notice the dust and cobwebs settled throughout the place. It has no inhabitants. You enjoy the tower, having the ability to keep watch over the land around you. The tower is comfortable and almost feels like home so you decide to stay and keep an eye on things, just for a while. Your bow has been hanging proudly on the mantle since, untouched. //Congratulations, you are The Viewer.//
[[Try again->Start]]The ending is just in sight, but it's hard for you to continue. How much blood have you lost so far? You fall to your knees but continue, crawling towards the exit. However, you are too injured. The last thing you see in the distance is a crow perched on a log, staring at you with intent. Then, nothing. //You don't make it out alive.//
[[Try again. ->Start]]The arrow flies through the air and barely knocks the glass bottle off of its perch. Lucky shot?
[[Carry on. ->Next]]Ahead, you cannot see through the thick layer of fog. You grow eager, impatient to see the fate that lies beyond these woods. You start to run, through the last few trees and out into the open. In your haste, you do not realize that the ground comes to an end beneath you. You do not realize you have reached a cliff until it is cartoonishly too late. //You should really watch your step.//
[[Try again->Start]]As you lift the blade from the water, a rush of divine energy fills you. With a swell of purpose, you raise your blade and admire the polished silver. (set: $Divine to it +1) //Your divinity has increased.//
[[Onward, towards adventure!->The Hero's Journey]]
(if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[(link:"What's that in the water?")[=
You take another step into the water and reach in to pull out a sheath that appears to match the sword. //You get a boost to divinity!// (set: $Divinity to it +1)]Your mother taught you better than to go taking random swords from lakes. You leave, knowing that you probably made the right decision. Probably. You return to the path and carry on deeper into the forest.
[[Continue.->The stump]]You venture back into the forest with a new purpose: Justice. It doesn't take very long for you to encounter a wrongdoer that requires reprimanding. Following the sound of garbled encantations, you come across a spellcaster wearing tan rags. The first thing you notice is that he is no man. The beast is made of wriggling larvae. The second thing you notice is the old man on the ground before him, struggling for his life. (if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`You should save the man's life.`//]
[[Fight!->Battle 1]]
[[Slip away before it sees you.->Weenie]]The creature's magic is no use against the element of surprise. You creep up on the monstrosity and slice right through its middle, clean and simple. With a loud screeching noise, the creature falls to the ground and the bugs lose their form, returning to the ground. The old man thanks you for saving his life before continuing in the opposite direction as you. (Set: $Divine to it +1) //Your divinity has increased.//
[[Loot it.->Spellbook]]
[[Venture onward!->Cave]] Wow, really? You're just going to run away after all that? I mean, okay. It's not like you just found a God-fashioned sword or anything like that. You slip away from the beast and head deeper into the forest. (Set: $Divine to it -1) //Your divinity has decreased.//
[[Continue.->Cave]]Among the mass of miscellaneous wiggling bugs is a spellbook, presumably belonging to the whatever that this thing once was. You do not like the look of this book. (if: $LipRing is "Cool")[//It does not pass the vibe check.//]
[[Take it.->Unholy shudder]]
[[Leave it.->Cave]]Deeper into the forest, you approach a waterfall. If you know anything, it's that there's always a cave behind a waterfall. And caves hold treasure.
(t8n-time:1.5s)+(link:"Swim to the cave.")[=
The warm nighttime air is a nice contrast to the cool water as you begin to swim towards the waterfall. When your head is under the water, you can see something that almost looks like a woman resting close to the sand deep below you. She appears to be asleep, you aren't sure if you want to be here when she's awake.
[[Enter the cave.->Entering the cave]]You lift the book and shake off a few of the worms before putting it in youe bag. The book itself feels weightless, but your sword feels much heavier now. //Your divinity has decreased.// (Set: $Divine to it -1)(Set: $Spellbook to "Equipped")
[[Continue.->Cave]]You emerge from the water and pass through the waterfall, surprisingly unaffected by the heavy water pouring over you. On the other side, you see the entrance to a cave that seems to extend deep into the cliffside. It is dark, but the faint glow of your sword illuminates the passage. (if: $Spooky is "Active")[//`The shadows are following you.`//]
[[Explore the cave.->Into the cave]]You follow the dim light of your sword for a long distance before you reach a part of the cave with natural bioluminescence to light the way. After a long journey, you begin to hear hissing deeper inside the cave. (if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`You shouldn't turn around.`//]
[[Continue forward. ->Battle 2]]
[[Nope. Turn around.->Turning back]]Need warning for: violence, moral ambiguity, bugs, descriptions of gore
Art for each weapon will be added, somehow. Hopefully.
If violence makes this game PG-13 already, does this mean I get to use 1 tasteful bad word?
Be more strong with the whole "the weapons want you to act a certain way" angle
I wish they were all swords tbh
The endings are not strong yet
<img src="file:///C:/Users/bubbl/Downloads/Gaming%20for%20Old-Timers%20Icon.png"> change link to img usingYou follow the sound of the hissing, ready for whatever you may encounter. Ahead, you discover the source of the noise. A snake-like creature with an almost human face is standing guard in front of a small wooden box.
[[Retrieve the treasure!->Fight!]]
[[Nope nope nope nope nope. ->Turning back]]Really? I mean, come on dude. Fine, you turn around and head back out the cave. The sun is only starting to rise again and, not in much of a rush to encounter the thing at the bottom of the lake, you swim across quickly to the shore. //Your divinity has decreased.// (set: $Divine to it -1) (if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`I told you not to turn around, didn't I?`//]
[[Return to the path->The hag]]You return to the path, dripping wet, and wondering if you made the right decision. You do not have time to dwell on this, however, as you encounter a witch on the side of the road. Her form is gnarled and boney, there is blood dripping from her fingers. An animal carcass is laid out on the ground before her. You accidentally step on a twig, the classic blunder, and she spots you immediately. You do not have time to escape. (if: $Spooky is "Active")[//`She stares at something just over your shoulder. When you look behind you, there is nothing there that you can see.`//]
[[Try and talk things out? ->Uh-oh]]
[[Duel her!->Victorious]]
(if:$Ring is "Equipped")[[[Offer her your ring.->Shiney]]]You step in, ready to vanquish this foe and retrieve the treasure. However, the creature is already one step ahead of you. Before you realize what's happening, a burst of lightning is sent your way from the creature. You take a bit of damage, but are otherwise okay. (Set: $Injury to it +1)
(t8n-time:1.5s)+(link:"Slay the beast!")[=
The battle is not easy, but the strength of resolve from your sword compels you to finish the battle. Once the beast is destroyed, you are left with the small wooden box.
[[Open the box.->Treasure]]
[[Leave it. It must be cursed. ->Turning back]]Contained within the box is a simple silver ring, engraved with markings similar to that of your sword.
[[Equip it.->Boost]]
[[Pocket it.->Penny]]
[[Leave it.->Turning back]]You place the ring on your thumb and it fits perfectly, as if it were meant to be there. You feel a surge of divine energy. //Your divinity has increased.// (set: $Ring to "Equipped")(set: $Divine to it +1)
[[Leave.->Exit]]Now that you have retrieved your treasure, you begin to make your way out of the cave. The sun is barely beginning to rise outside and you swim quickly across the lake, not eager to stick around long enough to encounter whatever is in the water.
[[Return to the forest.->The hag]]
(if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//[[You want to go underwater.->Underwater Adventure]]//]Did you really think you'd be able to talk things through with such a heartless creature? It doesn't work like that. Sparing the details, it doesn't end well for you. At all.
[[Try again.->Start]]With your mighty sword, you fight a glorious battle and strike down the rotten beast from your path. You sustain a few injuries, but it is nothing compared to the glory of justice. (set: $Injury to it +1)
[[Travel on.->The Tree of Life]]You hold up the ring and it immediately takes the creature's attention. In exchange for the divine object, the monster grants you passage along the road. You feel a little worse about yourself for it. //Your divinity has decreased.// (set: $Ring to "Unequipped")(set: $Divine to it -1)
(if: $LipRing is "Cool")[//`The witch tries to make a grab at your lip ring but whatever metal the hook is made of makes her skin melt. She runs away screaming.`//]
[[Continue.->The Tree of Life]]Deeper into the forest, you encounter a large tree. This really isn't all that special, you're in the middle of a forest for goodness sakes. You are about to continue on your way when you feel drawn by your sword towards it.
[[Approach the tree.->The base of the tree]]
[[Continue on the path.->Boss fight]]As you approach the base of the tree, your eyes settle on a large green gemstone that appears to be embedded within the wood itself. There is a small hole in the trunk above the stone.
[[Touch the stone.->Heal]]
[[Leave.->Boss fight]]
(if: $Ring is "Equipped")[[Place the ring inside the hole.->Purify]]The path leads you up, out of the forest and through rocky mountains. After a long journey, you reach the cliff where the road ends. The path you have taken leads directly to a large Manticore with a spiked tail flying in the air, flinging spikes at a helpless group of travelers.
[[Brandish your sword and fight.->Start Fight]]
[[Try to talk to it.->Owchie]]Your hand rests against the stone and it begins to glow. //You are healed!// (Set: $Injury to 0)
[[Return to the path.->Boss fight]]A soft green glow is emitted from the hole. You retrieve the ring and place it on your finger, filled with an envigorated sense of purpose. //You are purified.// (set: $Purity to 1)(set: $Injury to 0)
[[Return to the path.->Boss fight]]You attract the beast's attention so that the travelers can begin to escape. The beast turns towards you and lets out a monstrous roar before sending a volley of spikes your way. You may be quick, but the beast is quicker. You manage to hide behind a conveniently placed boulder, but your leg gets scraped by a spike and you take a bit of damage. (set: $Injury to it +1)
(if: $Injury is 3)[[You are too injured to continue.->Battle lost]] (unless: $Injury is 3)[[Strike.->Duelling]]After everything you've been through up to this point, you'd think you'd know better. Manticores aren't exactly known for their patience, you know. Before your grand boss battle can even begin, the beast takes you out with a single swipe. //You lost, and it looked really dumb.//
[[Try again.->Start]]While the creature is close, you swing and manage to land a solid strike. Slightly injured now, the creature pulls back and sends another wave of spikes your way. This time, you use your sword to strike away the spikes that almost hit you. It's pretty cool.
[[Strike again.->Hit!]]
(if:$Divine is 3)[[[Destroy the creature.->Fatal blow]]] (if:$Spellbook is "Equipped")[[[Use the spellbook.->Unholy burn]]]
(if: $Purity is 1)[[Smite the wretched fiend.->Smitten]]In spite of your strong will to fight, your body can't take any more of a beating. The sword hits the ground with a loud clang, a sound that echoes through your mind as the Manticore finishes its job.
//You lost, badly.//
[[Try again.->Start]]You land a clean strike on the foul beast, but it isn't enough. It sends another volley of sharp spikes your way and the rock that you were hiding behind begins to crumble. One spike is sent clean into your shoulder. (set: $Injury to it +1)
(if: $Injury is 3)[[You are too injured to continue. ->Battle lost]] (unless: $Injury is 3)[[One more swing.->Battle won]]Using the divine light of your weapon, you strike one last time. The sword burns white as it slices clean through the creature like butter. When the Manticore falls to the ground before you, you take a breath. The battle is over.
(link:"Look ahead.")[=
You step ahead towards the cliffside to see what lies ahead.
[[Take a deep breath. ->Hero ending 1]]You remember that you are still in posession of the spellbook that you looted from the wriggling spellcaster earlier in your journey. Abandoning your sword, you remove the tome and open it to the first page you can. The sword shatters as soon as it hits the ground, but it does not matter. You cast the spell. Air begins to swirl around the two or you, growing faster and faster, circling closer and closer around the beast. As if it were nothing, the creature vanishes into thin air and the swirling wind comes to a stop. You feel different. More powerful, but it's wrong.
//You have lost your divinity.// (set: $Divine to 0)
[[See where the path continues.->Hero ending 2]]Beyond the cliff's edge, you see a dark kingdom. What appeared to be a sprawling empire had been taken over by monsters of every kind- some that you even recognize from your adventure through the woods. You feel the warm burn from your blade and you know what you must do next. Your journey is just beginning. //Congratulations, you are The Hero.//
[[Try again.->Start]]You follow the remainder of the path to the edge of the cliff that was once guarded by the Manticore. There is nothing behind you except the sword, in pieces, and the corpse of your foe. What lies ahead is a broad gulch that is infested with the shambling undead. It's just a guess, but you have a strong feeling that the spellbook is all you will need to survive- if not conquer- the path before you. //You choose power.//
[[Try again.->Start]]With your third and final strike, the Manticore is slain. Panting, you step towards the corpse of your fallen foe.
[[Look up.->Hero ending 3]]As you look up, you realize that this Manticore was not alone. Rising from the depths of the canyon is two beasts of similar size, clearly quite upset by the sight of their slain companion. The battle that ensues is fierce and well-fought, however none of you make it out alive. Your last moments are spent on the cold rock, clutching your sword close. The final thing you do before losing consciousness is raise your blade above your head and, using the last of your strength, you slam it down into a large boulder for another hero to someday find. //You die a hero's death.//
[[Try again.->Start]]After a long while of walking, you come across the stump of a massive tree. The base is covered in moss and mushrooms, growing up and onto a skeleton that is laying across the wood. Stabbed into the back of the skeleton is a twisted dagger with a ruby-encrusted hilt.
[[Take the dagger. ->Trickster]]
[[Leave it, it feels cursed.->Circling]]
<img src="https://i.postimg.cc/L5Pk9NRf/IMG-4130-adobespark.jpg">With a bit of strain, you are able to remove the blade from the wood. You stumble back when it releases and the rubies on the hilt emit a faint glow. //Your ruthlessness has increased.// (set: $Ruthless to it +1)
[[Start walking again.->The Mourner]]Maybe it's the night sky, maybe it's your own mind. You swear that the scenery is repeating itself, though you have never deviated from the forward path.
[[Keep walking.->Neutral]]
(cond:$LipRing is "Cool", $WhaleBoon is "Active", $Spooky is "Active")[//[[Deviate from the path.->Deviating!]]//]Along the path, you see an old woman kneeling before a small altar on the side of the road. Presumably, she is mourning whoever the altar was made to honor. In her hands, she clutches a gold locket with intricate engravings on the cover. //You want the locket//.
(text-style:"outline")[[[Take it.->Thief]]]You step forward to take what you want. Removing the necklace from her hands is no issue, but she just won't stop screaming for help. You don't want to attract more attention than necessary, and in a moment of panic, you slice. She goes down a lot easier than you anticipated. //Your wealth has increased.// (set: $Wealth to it +1)
[[Leave before you can be spotted.->Along the road]]A figure bursts out from the brush. At first you raise your dagger, until you realize that this figure is no threat, but a Halfling. They appear to be in a rush, though there doesn't seem to be anything chasing them. They stop when they see you.
[[Be a friend.->Weak]]
[[Be a foe.->Stronk]]You put your blade away and the Halfling recognizes it as an act of peace. In return, they lower their own weapon. After a brief conversation, you learn that they have run away from a prison camp nearby. If you don't want to encounter any guards on your way, it would be best to go with your new ally.
[[Follow the Halfling.->Trap!]]It really isn't much of a fight. With the strength of your blade, you strike down your opponent with ease. Their only posessions are a bag of coins and a dull silver blade. You take the coins. //Your wealth has increased.// (set: $Wealth to it +1)
[[Keep walking.->Wonderland]]The two of you run through the trees, straying indefinitely from the path that you started on. You only come to a stop when you hear the sound of a loud crash up ahead. The Halfling, who is running ahead, is struck suddenly by a large Orc that blocks the way. With the Halfling out of the way, the Orc makes its way towards you.
(link:"Say one last prayer.")[=
The Orc raises its weapon with a nasty grin. However, before it can swing down and strike, a loud //squelch// echoes through the air. You see the tip of a sword emerge from the creature's chest and it falls to the ground before you. The Halfling saved your life.
[[Thank them.->Partners]]The Halfling helps you up after removing their blade from the back of the hulking brute.
//You owe them your life.//
[[Thank them and continue.->Favor]]
(if: $Wealth is 1)[[Loot the corpse when the Halfling isn't looking.->Stuff]]It is much darker out than when your journey began. The Halfling warns you of the creatures that prowl these woods at night and they suggest that you two make camp for the night.
(link:"Get comfortable.")[=
The two of you set up camp for the night. While you build a fire, the Halfling checks the area to makes sure there are no lingering threats. Soon, the Halfling is asleep by the fire, but you are wide awake. Your eyes fall on the small bag of coins tucked into their coat pocket, presumably all they have now aside from their plain sword. (if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`You do not think your friendship will survive if you steal their coins.`//]
[[Take the coins.->Backstabber]]
[[Go to sleep.->Morning]]While your partner's back is turned, you manage to take a small bag of coins from the Orc's corpse. //Your wealth has increased.// (set: $Wealth to it +1)
[[Follow the Halfling.->Favor]]You get up and approach your sleeping partner as silently as possible. Ever so carefully, you reach forward and take the bag from their coat. It wasn't careful enough. They begin to stir, but before they can make a sound, you plunge your dagger into their back. //Your wealth and ruthlessness have increased.// (set: $Ruthless to it +1) (set: $Wealth to it +1)
[[Clean up and go to sleep. ->Next day]]You decide to go to sleep. The night passes quicker than you expected it to, and soon the two of you are packing up camp and returning on your way. You have more time to speak and you get to know a little bit more about each other. You like their company. //Your ruthlessness has decreased.//
(set: $Ruthless to 0)(cond: $WhaleBoon is "Active", $Wealth is 2, $Ruthless is 0)[//`There is something underneath the pebble.`//]
(if: $LipRing is "Cool")[//`The Halfling also has a lip ring. The two of you bond over this.`//]
[[Return to the path.->Ambush]]
(if: $Wealth is 2)[(link:"Kick a pebble.")[While walking, you decide to kick a rock, uncovering a simple gold ring on the dirt road. You take it. (Set: $Wealth to 3)]]The next day, you clean up the camp and dispose of your former partner's body. Then, as if nothing happened, you return to the path.
[[Continue.->On the road again]]Not long after the two of you begin to walk, you encounter five bandits on the path. The two of you may be skilled, but you can't take them all alone.
[[Abandon the Halfling.]]
[[Die trying.->)):]]
(if: $Wealth is 3)[[Bribe them.->Poor you]]You try to fight against your attackers, but it's not much use. You know, with you being outnumbered 5 to 2 and everything. You throw your dagger at one of the bandits attacking your partner, but the blade shatters instantly upon impact. Neither of you make it out alive.
//At least you didn't die alone.//
[[Try again.->Start]]You make the split decision to bribe them to leave you alone. In exchange for all of your loot, the bandits spare your lives. Really, these were //not// good bandits. They didn't seem to realize they could have killed you and taken it all anyways. (Set: $Wealth to 0)
[[Get the heck out of there. ->What next]]You and your partner continue along the road. By now, all you have is each other. The rubies on your dagger seem dull and grey; Something tells you that it wouldn't have the same power that it used to have. You're not sure that you mind, though.
(link:"You have your friend.")[=
The two of you continue to talk while you walk, enjoying each other's company. You wonder how close you are to the edge of the forest.
(after:5s)[//[[Snap!->Happy Ending]]//]Each of you flinch visibly at the sound of a deer stepping on a branch in the distance. It's pretty humiliating, but you both laugh it off. You can see the edge of the forest, where the path is wider and has been paved with brick. Ahead, the two of you see a large golden citadel that is bustling with life. What's the saying? The real adventure was the friends you made along the way? Yeah, that. //You found a new beginning together.//
[[Try again.->Start]]You make a snap decision. Pushing the Halfling forward between yourself and the bandits, you set off into the woods in the opposite direction. The bandits may be fast, but you're faster. You make it out alive, but at the cost of a friend's life. //You are alone again.// (set: $Ruthless to it +1)
[[Continue your journey.->On the road again]]Once more, you find yourself walking along the dirt path. (if: $Spooky is "Active")[//`For just a moment, you almost swear that you can see the Halfling watching you from among the trees.`//]
[[Continue.->Random Fishing Event]]You walk. And walk. And keep walking. No matter how far you go, your surroundings don't seem to change one bit until suddenly, you can't even recognize where you are anymore.
(link:"Change.")[=
For starters, the trees aren't green anymore. You don't know how to describe the color exactly, you aren't certain it's one you've ever //seen// before. That isn't the only difference. The sky is crimson and the ground beneath your feet is softer, almost like you're sinking into it with each step.
[["You're in a maze, don't you know?"->Fork]]You follow the deep voice in the forest and you arrive at a sharp split in the road. One way branches right, the other branches left. Which way do you go? (if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`You should turn left.`//]
[[Right.->Rechts]]
[[Left.->Links]]You take the right path. Perhaps it really is the right path, because you begin to see the scenery shifting around you. The colors are constantly changing now, from deep blues and purples to other fiery colors that you've never seen before. Strange mushrooms appear to be growing rapidly on your shoes, slowly up your legs.
(if: $Ruthless is 2)[[Wait for a moment.->Troll toll]](unless: $Ruthless is 2)[[Continue.->Links]]As before, the way forward is seemingly endless and without variation. You //swear// that you passed by that rock already. Your legs are aching, you're not sure how long you can continue in this direction. Soon, you encounter the same fork in the road. There is a sign post in the middle.
[[Read it.->A decree]](text-style:"smear")["Hear ye, hear ye. This territory is hereby claimed by the Kingdom of Entropy. Good luck finding your way out."]
Well, that's not very reassuring. You step back and look back at the branching paths. Which way do you go?
[[Right.->Rechts]]
[[Left.->Other Left]]Once more, you approach a place where the road splits in two. Towards the left, you hear distant howling and sounds of agony. Towards the right, you can see what you believe to be the original road in the distance. Which way do you go? (after:8s)[//You should not trust your senses//]
[[Left.->Deep breath]]
[[Right.->Dead end]]You stand still for a moment. The air smells sweet, almost to the point where you can't stand it. Before you begin to continue, you see a small creature emerge from behind a cartoonishly large green mushroom. It speaks and you realize that this is the uncharacteristically deep voice that you heard earlier, calling you to whatever this place is. (set: $Wealth to 0)
[["Would you like to make a deal?"->Back to normal]]In exchange for the wealth that you collected so far, the small creature opens a path for you to exit the strange dreamscape. You pass through a simple seam in the fabric of reality and the forest around you returns to normal. Easy peasy.
[[Return to the path.->Random Fishing Event]]You swiftly bring up your blade and remove the unsuspecting creature from the air. Finally, some peace and quiet. //Your ruthlessness has increased.// (Set: $Ruthless to it +1)
[[Keep walking.->The Runaway]]You thought that it'd be much more difficult to leave behind the body of an innocent victim. However, with your new bit of wealth, you can't help but smile a little. The red rubies on your dagger seem like a deeper red than they were before. (if: $Spooky is "Active")[//`You can still hear the old woman screaming.`//]
(link:"Continue.")[=
A bird that appears to be following you begins to sing a song.
[[Hum along.->Softie]]
[[Make it shut up.->Cold]]You appreciate the bird's singing as you carry on your way. Softie.
[[Continue. ->The Runaway]]The path begins to grow more narrow and winding. You aren't sure what it is leading up to until you encounter it: The biggest tree you have ever seen. Really, it's massive. Almost intimidating. And resting at the base is a simple steel axe, beckoning you.
[[Chop it down.->Chopped]]You turn down the left path and strangely, as you grow closer to the source of the terrifying sounds, they seem to grow more distant. Before you realize what has happened, the path around you is back to normal. The only way to go is forward.
[[Forward.->Random Fishing Event]]You head in the direction of the road that you believe will bring you to where you began. However, the longer you continue along the road, the more distant your original path seems to be. You continue for longer and longer until your legs feel like they can't carry on. In spite of your brain telling your muscles to stop, they continue forward towards nothing on an endless road. //You never stop walking this path.//
[[Try again->Start]]As you approach the base of the tree, you realize just how much larger it is than you. You grasp the handle of the axe, uncertain of your purpose but certain of your goal. You swing.
(text-style:"bold")[(link:"Thunk!")[=
The first swing made a surprising dent in the wood. The act itself felt good, envigorating. You want to do more.
[[Chop the tree down.->The Hierug]]]Before you swing again, you hear rustling in the brush behind you. You turn quickly and are faced with a small, rodent-like creature with a lopsided crown on its head.
(link:"Hey there, little buddy.")[=
The creature does not take well to your patronizing tone. In simple language, the creature explains to you what you are doing. This tree was the first tree born in this forest, and it is rightfully entitled The Mother of the Forest. The creature also explains that he is called The Hierug, he is the guardian of The Mother. And he is here to gently plead with you not to cut down that tree. (if: $WhaleBoon is "Active")[//`You do not trust this creature.`//]
[[Hear him out.->Scammed]]
(if: $Ruthless is > 1)[[Chop down the tree.->Timber!]]
(if:$Wealth > 1)[[[Pay him off.->Broke, again]]]
(if: $Wealth is 4)[[[You're too rich to deal with this.->Money money]]]
(if: $LipRing is "Cool")[(link:"You notice him staring at your lip.")[=
"Nice lip ring."]You've made a lot of bad decisions, but trusting the random forest creature with a dubiously acquired crown on its head has to take the cake. You set the axe down and the creature, with surprising strength, pulls your feet out from under you. Everything goes black the moment your head hits the ground.
(link:"Wake up.")[=
Your eyes open. Gone from your posession is your money, your clothes, and even your dagger. You're laying in the grass in your underwear like an idiot, with no sign of The Hierug in sight. Great.
[[Find the path again.->Trickster ending 1]] You ignore the squeals of the small creature and continue to chop. You're surprised by how easily the tree comes crashing down, smushing The Hierug in the process. Talk about two birds with one stone.
[[There's something on the stump.->Reward]]You offer the small creature what valuables you have in exchange for a bit of peace. A greedy little smile grows on the thing's face and you hand over your treasures with a sigh. It leaves and allows you to return to what you were doing. However, when you go to pick the axe back up, it has disappeared. So has the tree.
[[Return to the path->Trickster ending 2]]Partially naked and afraid, you rush through the brush in a desperate search for the way out of the forest. Your eyes are squeezed shut as you dart through the remaining woods, you don't even notice when you make it out.
(link:"Open your eyes.")[=
When you open your eyes, you realize that you ended up right back where you started. You're at your village again. The overwhelming joy of being home is somewhat negated by your indecent state, though, and you get made fun of by a group of 12 year-olds on your way back home. You aren't sure what happened with your dagger, but perhaps it's for the best. There's still blood on your hands. //Home, sweet home.//
[[Try again.->Start]]Resting in the center of the stump is a pearlescent red sheath that the dagger fits into perfectly. Huh. Who would have thought that'd be there? //Your ruthlessness has increased.// (set: $Ruthless to 5)
[[Return to the path->Trickster ending 3]]Penniless and alone, you are left feeling more empty than when you began. The forest didn't turn out as you had hoped it would, but there isn't a total lack of hope. The path may be strange and senseless, though it is rarely boring. While contemplating whether you even want to return to your village, you notice a lavish carriage lumbering down the road, heading in your direction. Whoever owns it clearly has money, and you decide that it's time to redistribute some of that wealth to the poor (mainly yourself.)
//The forest is your home now.//
[[Try again.->Start]]With your envigorated sense of self-indulgence, you find that you enjoy the forest, but you are looking for more. While continuing along the path, the trees around you thin and you look ahead to see a small kingdom. Everything about this place screams 'structure', from the well organized group of knights protecting the gates to pristine architecture of the wall guarding the kingdom. Everything seems to move like clockwork. This gives you an idea.
(link:"Have a bit of fun.")[=
You continue forward into the kingdom after the knights grant you passage. Now this, you decide, is a place that could use a little chaos.
//Congratulations, you become The Trickster.//
[[Try again.->Start]]You tuck the ring into your pocket and continue on your way. (set: $Ring to "Equipped")
[[Continue.->Exit]]With the purity that you gained from your enchanted ring, you smite the foul beast with the simple wave of a hand. Rays of icy white light emerge from the clouds and strike the Manticore down with ease. You are left alone on the cliff's edge, undaunted by the beast that once laid in your path. The only way now is forward.
[[Onward!->Hero ending 4]]You step towards the cliff's edge. Once more, the clouds part. However, instead of the harsh white light from before, this time you are surrounded by a gentle, almost warm, golden glow. You step forward, over the ledge, but instead of falling, you are lifted. You begin towards the skies, mighty sword in hand, towards destiny. //You have ascended.//
[[Try again.->Start]]While you continue to walk, you notice a scrap of parchment that must have gotten stuck to your shoe when you fell.
(link:"Read it.")[(dialog: bind $Fae, "//Turn right, find the Fae, run 9 circles, don't be prey.//","Weird, but okay.")]
(more:)[[[Continue on your way.->Cracks]]]Tsk. Names hold power, don't you know? The faeries in this forest aren't the kind type, either. The small voice continues to speak.
(text-style:"italic","superscript")[Go into the circle.]
(link:"Your legs begin to move. ")[=
You can't control yourself. You enter the circle and the world around you changes quickly. You are no longer surrounded by a forest, but by many small glowing figures. The plant life around you is strange, covered in the same odd mushrooms that made the circle. The voice in your head guides you down a small path, towards a glistening green cove. You never make it back out. //You were taken from your world.// (if: $LipRing is "Cool")[//`Also, the faeries stole your lip hook from you. Sucks.`//(set: $LipRing to "Uncool")]
[[Try again. ->Start]]You knew better than to tell the creature your name. With a small (text-style:"italic","superscript")[huff] and the sound of buzzing growing more distant, you are left alone. You managed to outsmart the Faerie, somehow. //You are feeling more steady.// (set: $Calm to it +1)(set: $WhaleBoon to "Visible")
[[Return to the path. ->Next step]](click-goto:?page,"Start") Welcome to The Forest of Origin.
(text-style:"subscript")[ Click anywhere to begin.]
(text-style:"subscript")[Warning for: violence, moral ambiguity, bugs, spooks, descriptions of gore, and other gross stuff. PG-13.]
(text-style:"subscript","condense")[[[Credits->Credits]]]While you contemplate what you just experienced, you don't seem to notice that you have come upon a small fishing hole until your foot is already ankle-deep in cool, glistening water. You spot a simple fishing rod propped up on a stand without anyone watching over it. More than just that, you notice that something is tugging on the line from within the water.
(link:"See what you caught.")[(go-to: (either: "Dinner","Money","Your own foot", "Cursed object"))]
(if: $WhaleBoon is "Visible")[[[Reel in a big one. ->Big catch]]]You pick up the fishing rod and reel in a strange-looking catfish. By that I mean it looks like an actual cat, with these wide eyes that stare right into your soul. Either way, that's dinner. //Some of your injuries are mended.// (set: $Injury to it -1)
[[Yum.->The Mother of The Forest]]You reel in whatever is caught on the hook and find that the line had latched onto a crisp $20. This is only strange because last time you checked, paper currency hasn't been invented yet. Oh well. //You are a little richer.// (set: $Wealth to it +1)
[[Return to the path. ->The Mother of The Forest]]You reel in the rod only to discover that the hook had gotten caught on your own shoe. When trying to remove the hook from your shoe, you slip, and in a comic series of events you somehow wind up with a fishing hook pierced through your bottom lip. It hurts, but you don't really want to attempt to remove it, so you just cut away the rest of the fishing line and continue on your way. //New perk: Lip Ring.// (set: $Injury to it +1)(set: $LipRing to "Cool")
[[Return to the path. ->The Mother of The Forest]]It takes quite a bit of struggle, but you manage to reel in the line with great focus. As it is emerging from the water, you realize that you have caught a ring with a large ruby on it. You have the feeling that it is somehow related to your dagger, as the rubies all seem to share an ominous glow. //Your ruthlessness has increased.// (set: $Ruthless to it +1)
[[Cool.->The Mother of The Forest]]The line is being pulled out by something with great strength, it would have gotten away by now if you hadn't picked up the line. The two of you are at a stalemate, unstoppable force vs. immovable object, but you are determined to win. This battle rages on for twenty whole minutes before finally, with a great pull, your prey emerges from the water.
(link:"What is it?")[=
It's.. it's.... A killer whale! Holy guacamole, that thing is big. Logically, there is absolutely no way that you just pulled that thing from such a small fishing hole, but you're not gonna complain. Oh whale. //New perk: The Boon of the Whale.// (set: $WhaleBoon to "Active")
[[Continue on your way.->The Mother of The Forest]]With a large swell of breath, you dive into the lake and follow the two silhouettes moving deeper into the murky water. She continues on for a long time, through a forest of kelp and into a series of underwater caves. Eventually, you lose sight of the figures in the water. (if: $Spooky is "Active")[//The shadows in the water grab at your feet, but can't quite hold onto you.//]
[[Follow the scent of blood.->Blood]]The water is stained dark red where you come into the room where the strange woman had stopped. It is too late for you to save the man, he has already become dinner. She doesn't notice you there, she is too focused on her dinner.
(link:"Pick up a jagged rock.")[=
Your bow won't really work underwater, so you pick up a rock that has enough sharp edges to be dangerous.
[[Deal with the creature.->Drink the potion]]It doesn't take much to take care of her, three hits and she goes down. Now that the man's blood is starting to clear from the water, you can see the rest of the room much more clearly. There's some sort of a cauldron in the center of the room, with a strange golden liquid inside of it. There's bottles of colorful, glowing potions lining the shelves on the walls of the cave. Two potions in particular are laid out on a rock surface, one red and one blue.
[[Drink the Red Potion.->Red ]]
[[Drink the Blue Potion.->Blue]]You pick up the glowing red potion and drink it all because you have no self-control. A sort of warmth floods out to the tips of your fingers and toes, it feels pretty nice. //Your wounds are healed!// (set: $Injury to 0)
(link:"Return to surface")[=
The boon of The Whale only allows you to stay underwater for so long. You make your way back out of the caves, through the forest of kelp, back to the shore, and onto the path once more. Surprisingly enough, you are completely dry. Weird.
[[Return to the path.->Druids]]You pick up the glowing blue bottle and take a sip. It tastes sweet and bubbly, if soda existed then you'd probably compare the taste to that. But it doesn't, so you don't. //Your steadiness has increased!// (set: $Calm to it +1)
(link:"Return to surface")[=
The boon of The Whale only allows you to stay underwater for so long. You make your way back out of the caves, through the forest of kelp, back to the shore, and onto the path once more. Surprisingly enough, you are completely dry. Weird.
[[Return to the path.->Druids]]You take in a deep breath before returning to the water, swimming down towards the sleeping creature. Up close, you can't tell what it is exactly, but you can tell that it isn't human. That's about all you feel the need to know. You swim out farther and farther until you come across some sort of fortress on the sand.
(link:"Enter.")[=
Bold as ever, you burst through the front gates of the fortress to discover that it appears to be empty. You continue to believe this for approximately 0.05 seconds before you feel something nip at your feet from the shadows. You definitely aren't alone.
[[Travel deeper into the fortress.->Fortress Time]]Not long after you continue your exploration, you find yourself in some sort of an armory. While admiring one of the many intricate tridents on the wall, you feel a strong hand grab your shoulder from behind.
(text-style:"fidget")[(link:"Flinch.")[=
You turn quickly to see what grabbed your shoulder, but discover that there is nothing (or, nobody) behind you. Weird.
[[Explore a different room. ->The ballroom]]]You enter through two large doors into a brightly illuminated ballroom. An invisible quartet plays ballroom music that echoes beautifully through the large hall. Someone is waiting on the ballroom floor, alone.
(link:"Dance with them.")[=
Feeling a bit underdressed, you step out onto the dance floor and offer them your hand. The music grows slowly louder as the two of you waltz across the large dance floor. At first, it's quite nice. Although you have never once waltzed a day in your life, you seem to know what to do, like it's been written into your code. It's pleasant for a bit. Soon, however, the pace of the dancing is too quick to keep up with and the sound of the music is near deafening. You can't take it anymore.
(link:"Cover your ears.")[=
You break away from your partner to cover your ears and your eyes squeeze shut too in the process- because closing your eyes makes you hear less noise, obviously. Almost instantaneously, the music stops. When you open your eyes, you realize that you are no longer standing in the dazzling ballroom, but in a murky bathroom. Yuck. //New perk: Spooked.// (set: $Spooky to "Active")
[[Get the heck out of there.->Leaving the Underwater]]You swim out of the fortress as quickly as you can, back towards the shore. While you swim, you can almost swear that there are shadows following you to the land. Creepy.
[[Creepy.->The hag]]You are quickly starting to realize just how dangerous this path is. While you walk, you encounter two young men in an all-out fist fight in the middle of the road. You can't continue forward with them in the way.(if: $Spooky is "Active")[//`Bruises start to appear on your skin, but you aren't taking any damage.`//]
[[Break up the fight.->Punched]]
[[Just watch.->Weirdo]]Not feeling very patient, you step forward and grab both of them by the collar to pull them apart. The thing is, they're a lot stronger than you, and both are moving pretty much without thought. I guess what I'm trying to get at here is that you get punched in the face. A few times, actually. It's kind of funny, but mostly painful. //Congrats, you're injured.// (set: $Injury to it +1)
[[Push past them and keep going.->Meditation]]What? Doesn't that feel kind of creepy, just watching two strangers beat each other up in the middle of the road? Fine, fine. You're clearly desperate to watch this fight, who am I to tell you no? You stand back and watch the fight continue, rooted in place. Eventually, the two roll off of the path and into a small ditch, leaving the road ahead clear for you. The bow feels lighter while you walk away. //Your steadiness has increased!// (set: $Calm to it +1)
[[Keep walking.->Meditation]]This game was written by Erin Overton.
The art for this game was made by Hannah Fairall.
Special thanks to Chunk and Old-Timer for helping me work out the bugs!
[[Start.->Title]]The shadows part so that you may stray from the main road. You cut through thick brush, guided by the spirit of the killer whale. You continue on this way for hours- days, maybe- but it all seems to go by in a flash. Soon, you find yourself standing in front of a tree that has grown different from the others, creating what looks to be some sort of portal. However, the only place it seems to lead is to more forest.
[[Toss in the fish hook.->Stargate]]You know what you need to do, though you aren't exactly eager to do it. The fish hook injury is still pretty raw, but no matter. You reach up and quickly unhook it from your lip, kind of like pulling out a tooth. Except this hurt a lot more. You hold the hook, dripping in your blood, and toss it through the entryway created by the tree.
(link:"Light.")[=
The hook passes through the gate, but you aren't able to see where it lands on the other side. The portal no longer leads to more forest. On the other side is a world that you have never seen before. There's flashing lights and beeping sounds, technology that you've never seen nor heard of before. You can't tell where exactly this leads to, but you want to find out.
[[Leave the forest behind.->New start]]You step through the gate and feel this momentary chill wash over you as you transcend genres. The first thing you become aware of when you finish passing through is the change in your attire; You are now wearing some sort of high-tech bodysuit. Next, you realize that your lip is no longer bleeding and the hook is right back where it was, pierced through your lower lip. The metal room isn't large, but there is a window and a door leading to another part of whatever this place is.
(link:"Look out the window.")[=
You step up to the window and look outside. Coming from the small village that you grew up in, you don't exactly have a word to describe this place. So, I will fill in the blank for you. The word you're looking for is space. Outside the window is the vast, endless outer space. You turn, ready to go back to your home, to where you began. However, the portal is gone. You have nowhere else to go but forward.
[[Step through the metal door.->End.]]Before you lies the central area of a space station, vast and seemingly without end. This journey is something new, something that nobody from your village has even considered before. You wonder if you will return stronger, or perhaps simply different. Maybe you won't return at all. Now, it is time. Are you ready to begin your next adventure? You step forward and look down at the little thing with a sickly sweet smile. To put it simply, you have so much wealth that you don't really care about this thing or its purpose. It's in your way. So, you reach forward and pluck the crown off of The Hierug's head. It protests, tries to claw up your arm to take its crown back, but you are much stronger than the creature now. It scampers off in tears, leaving you alone with the tree and the treasure.
[[Place the crown on your head.->The Hierug Ending]]The moment that the golden crown is placed on your head, you feel change. Bright light swirls around you and you are lifted into the air. You are certain that this crown has some sort of magic to it, because you feel yourself beginning to transform. When your feet touch the ground moments later, you realize that you are a lot shorter than you were before. Not only that, but your arms are covered in tan fur. The crown is just barely too big for your head now, as well. When you look up, the axe is gone and you look at the large tree in a different light. It must be protected. //Congrats? You are The Hierug.//
[[Try again.->Start]]