You’re the captain of a successful and mysterious pirate ship and after 113 days at sea your ship is finally ready to dock. Your mission for your week on land is to sell precious items and stock up on food for the crew. You have traveled to the ends of the earth finding the rarest and most precious of items with your trusty parrot, Stella, the secret to your success.
(set: $name to (prompt: "What is your name?", "default name"))
<img src = "https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wVi2C6qZU6Vxxz0itD2cfqu1i-7qyTH7/view?usp=sharing" width="900" height="700">
[[“Land ho!”|2:first option]]Shouts your ships watch!
While preparing to dock your ship, Stella nibbles at your shirt, alerting you to danger. You look up at the port, searching for whatever she’s noticed. Finally you spot it, a crew member of your rival ship is standing in the shadow of a closed shop, the red hat is a dead giveaway. You know he’s waiting for you. You decide to...
[[Dock,|3:A ]] you’ll have to deal with them eventually.
[[Continue on|3:B]] and find another dock. You don’t want trouble.You inform your crew of the change and find another spot to dock. Your command is answered swiftly. The crew knows you do not permit laziness or back-talk and they respect your word. They’ve also seen you kill a few men for disrespecting you on your ship.
As you sail down the pier, a crew member reports that the red hat is following the ship. Despite your efforts, there will be a confrontation with him. If only you had more supplies to get to another port but you don't. You reach for your left hip. Your emerald encrusted sword is there and you’re prepared for a fight.
[[Finally, you dock. |3:A ]]
As your ship gets closer and closer to the dock you recognize the man as Rufus Ainsworth. A former member of your crew, he abandoned you and ratted your secrets to competing ships. Stella recognizes him too, growing agitated, she paces along your shoulder. She may be more upset than you are. You...
[[Jump off the ship as it’s docking.|4:confrontation]]You look really cool.
[[Casually walk off|4:confrontation]] when the boat is all tied upStella's claws dig into your shoulder. Rufus whistles at you; Stella repeats his whistle. An odd thing for her to do, but you move on. You walk towards him into the shadows.
“Captain,” Rufus starts.
“You don’t need to call me that anymore,” you reply
“Right. $name. How were you able to dock here?”
“You know I have connections with the locals. They won’t rat me out, unlike some people here.” Next, you
[[ask him why he’s here.|5:A]] He must want something
[[ask him how he knew you were docking here.|5:B]] You’re never consistent with where you dock.“I came here to apologize $name.” Says Rufus. “And to ask that I may join your crew once again.”
“HAHA, as if I’d trust you again, traitor.” You can’t help but be amused at this. Rufus made your life a living hell for years. Every other pirate ship was after you, but what they really wanted was your parrot, the secret to your success.
“Oh I can prove myself worthy of your trust again, captain,” Rufus eyes Stella and then turns back to you. With an air of sliminess Rufus whispers, “there’s another rat on your ship who exposed your location. He’s promised Stella in return for a hefty pot of gold. You better leave before sunset, or the bird’s gone.”
[[You decide to trust him. |6: A- running away]] Even if he’s lying, it’s safer for you out at sea than on land. You have two hours until dark to prepare your ship to set sail.
[[You can’t trust him. |6: A- staying]] But you can’t trust your crew either. Stay in the port for the week as planned and torture the crew until one confesses to disclosing your location.
“I have connections here too. And,” with a pause, Rufus discloses, “one of your crew members let some info slip out.” What he has said worries you; will the townspeople help him over yourself? Who on your crew has turned traitor? You turn to check on your ship. You must protect Stella at all costs. While she’s valuable to your success, she’s your best friend too.
[[You decide you can’t trust your crew |6: A- staying]] and have to interrogate them all.
[[You can’t trust Rufus |6:B- leave tomorrow]] and no longer feel safe in this town. You must stock up on essentials, sell what you can, and leave by tomorrow.
The first thing you need to do is decide what to do with Stella while you get things prepared. You could put her in your chambers. You’re the only one with the key to that room or to her cage and could run around without worrying about someone snatching her right off you. But you also can’t keep an eye on her at all times. Secondly, you keep her with you. You’re a great fighter and she’s a great flyer in times of danger, definitely able to fend for herself. At the same time, she’s more vulnerable out in the open. With her best interests in mind, you…
[[Leave her on the ship. |7: the death (end)]] It’s safest.
[[Keep her with you. |7: the kidnapping]] It’s smartest.
You command your crew to stop what they’re doing and line up on the deck. None of them can leave before you figure out the snitch. You don’t know who you can trust, so you have to interrogate them all. You start with the oldest crewmember, Jacky, whom you least suspect. Walking behind him into your personal quarters, he laughs,
“You’d never suspect me, cap.”
“No,” you reply, “but I’ve got to check everyone out equally.” Jacky laughs again. Suspicious. You can
[[torture him. |7:Jacky’s death]] It’s what you’re best at, and he’s making you worried.
[[interrogate him but cause no bodily harm. |7:B-kidnap]] You can still get info out of him and not kill him.
“Men,” you yell to the crew. “Change of plans, we leave at dawn tomorrow.”
“But $name,” answers Jacky, your oldest crewman who is never one to backtalk, “we’ve been at sea for four months. Ain't it time to take a rest.” You shout back, angrily.
“No true sailor would dare say such a thing.” Jacky could be your traitor.
[[Kick Jacky off the boat. |7: Jacky’s revenge]] It’s safest.
[[Kill Jacky. |7:Jacky’s death]] You need to make an example out of him.
Stella resists as you place her in the cage. You tell her it’s to keep her safe and she accepts her fate. The keys jangle in your pockets as you put them away and step off the ship. Suddenly, you hear a glass break and subsequent squawking coming from your chambers. You run back to your chambers and frantically unlock the door.
It’s too late. Stella lays limp on the ground, her neck broken. Jacky, your oldest, most trusted crewman stumbles to the window. He must've come in through it, but he won't be getting out. Before he reaches it, you stab him with your emerald sword.
[[Try again? |1:intro]]And, $name, maybe don't kill the bird this time.
Stella is happy to be on your shoulder during all the action, but you’re worried about her. Having her with you makes certain things more difficult, but others easier. You can now instruct your crew on what they’re to do. Some crewmen are organized to collect sustenance, others to repair parts of the ship, but you go down to the cargo hold with the gunners and Jacky, your most trusted crewman.
You need to check on ammunition to be prepared for a fight at sea, but Stella doesn’t like going down there. She squawks and flaps her wings nervously.
“I can take her back up, $name” offers Jacky.
[[Give her to Jacky. |8: bird is gone (end)]] You can trust him to take care of her.
[[You should keep her with you.|8: B]] Even though she dislikes it, you can’t risk her.
Taking Jacky into your quarters, you tell him to drop all his weapons at the door. He slowly moves to put his two knives down, then his axe. You pull out your own sword. Encrusted in the hilt are emeralds, displaying your successful voyages. You put the blade up to his neck slowly and say, “if you don’t say something useful, I will kill you right now.” Jacky, flustered, mumbles,
“I don’t know anything about why Rufus is here or about someone wanting to take Stella. Please let me go cap, you know I’ve been loyal to you for years.”
“I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d kill you if you don’t say something useful”
“Please, don’t,” tears well in Jacky’s eyes as you press the blade into his neck. You’re close to killing him if he doesn’t answer soon. “Fine,” he squeaks, “when we were on Venom Springs island I got a drink at the old witch's hut. I had used all my gold for drinks, but she said she would give me another drink and tell me my future in exchange for information.”
“Was this part of the future she envisioned?”
[[8: Kill him.]] He betrayed you.
[[8: Spare his life.]] But not until you make a show of him to the rest of the crew.
You yell to Jacky, “get off this ship. Immediately.” He tries to argue with you, stating his respect and admiration of you, but you don’t take it. “If you keep arguing I’ll just have to kill you.” He accepts and the crew acknowledges this generosity, taking it as a sign of weakness. You grow paranoid and must [[put Stella in her cage. |7: the death (end)]]Stella gladly hops on Jacky’s hand to make her exit. “I’ll take good care of this one.” he says. Swiftly, he heads out to the deck. You continue your work. You find that you are prepared for a fight with a couple other ships, but more than three and they’ll have you outmatched. Luckily Jacky is a great navigator in a pinch.
After assessing everything, a crewman runs in calling “Captain $name?!”
“What is it?”
“Jacky! Stella! They’re gone!”
“What do you mean they’re gone?” You head upstairs quickly. The crew member points to a neighboring fleet taking off from the port. On the closest ship you see Stella in a cage, squawking wildly, in the arms of Jacky. Tears flow down your eyes. You know that it’s futile, there are 10 ships among them.
You accept defeat. You have lost Stella.
[[Try again? |1:intro]]And, $name, maybe save the bird this time?
Jacky seems agitated by your side but you continue your work with the gunnars. You are prepared for a fight with a couple other ships, but more than three and they’ll have you outmatched. Luckily Jacky is a great navigator in a pinch. He fidgets by your side, unsettled. “What’s wrong Jacky, need some fresh air?” You ask.
“Yeah… fresh air would be alright,” Jacky replies without making eye contact and runs up the stairs to the deck. Curious.
[[9: Follow him.]] This is weird.
[[9: Let him go.]]
After cutting his neck open he falls to the wooden floor with a thud. You kick your door open and yell to the crew, “this is what happens when you betray me.” You direct a few crewmen to drag him out and dump him overboard.
[[It’s done.|9: Resolution]]
You can’t show weakness to the crew even if you don’t kill him. So you force him to take off his clothes and open the door to your chamber. The crew is standing there, surprised to see his naked body. They start howling laughing. He runs around, trying to get the others to help him.
“Gimme your pants, please!” He says as they dodge his uncovered skin.
[[It’s finally over.|9: Resolution]]
After making a fool out of the one you trusted most, Rufus gives you a nod. You now know that you need to leave tonight after your crew returns with supplies.
Finally you [[set sail |10:thanks (end)]] with Rufus’ dead body on your ship. Despite his efforts in the end, his past treachery required death. His red hat the newest valuable in your precious collection.
Success! Go Captain $name! You and Stella survived with your lives and honor intact.
Thanks for playing
-izzy
You sit across from Jacky in your personal quarters. You start by asking him why he has been nervous, acting strange, “you can trust me, Jacky,” you say to placate him.
“I’ve been paranoid lately. I look all around me waiting for danger.”
“Why?”
“Ahhh I guess it started when this witch told me my future. It was when we were on Venom Springs island. She said that I would meet my death in a port. Unless..." He seems to change his mind. "The only thing that brings me any comfort now is Stella’s night song.” His eyes gaze at Stella longingly but reluctantly meet yours.
[[Give him Stella |8: bird is gone (end)]] for his comfort. You don’t suspect he’s a threat.
You think he’s a threat, [[interrogate him more.| 8:C question]]
“Unless what?” You ask.
“It’s nothing cap. I’ll do my job on this ship, I owe everything to you.” You saved Jacky when he was a kid on one of your first excursions. Recalling this memory seems to change something in him, and he starts to cry. Weak you think to yourself. He then confesses everything. “That witch, she used me when I was drunk. I told her everything about you, about Stella, about Rufus. And then all the sudden he appeared. THey must’ve been working together but I didn’t realize it was a trap. She told me my future, that I would die in a port unless I captured Stella. I didn’t want to die $name. Please forgive me, we can still save her.”
“Disgusting,” you snarl.
[[You kill him then and there. |8: Kill him.]]
[[Spare him, but make him a joke. |8: Spare his life.]]
You follow him silently, deciding to say something or not. Crewmembers move around you, preparing the ship.
[[Say something|7:B-kidnap]] “Jacky, into my quarters now.” You command. He turns around, not expecting to see you from behind.
“Yes captain $name.” His eyes are wide, bouncing between you and Stella.
[[Just follow.|10: trapped]] You're curious to see what he does.You stay with your crew, preparing and are content with what you have. You are prepared for a fight with a couple other ships, but more than three and they’ll have you outnumbered. Luckily Jacky is a great navigator in a pinch. You feel prepared and know your time in the dock is coming to an end.
You go up to the deck and shout to your crew that you embark in 10 minutes. You smile knowing you've gotten away safely, yet again. Stella sings happily at your shoulder.
[[Embark on your next journey|10:thanks (end)]]You follow Jacky at a distance. He is heading to the dock, towards Rufus who is standing in the same spot as earlier. You hide behind a mast, hoping that neither of them spot you. Jacky looks around before getting off the ship. It’s uncomfortably still. Most of the crew has made their way off the ship and the wind has slowed as the sky darkens.
Rufus’ red hat lifts to expose his eyes, which meet Jacky’s. Rufus appears calm but Jacky erratic. They look like they’re arguing in the shadows but it’s hard to tell. Something is definitely wrong.
[[Kill them both. |11:leaving]]
[[Collect more info |11:death (end)]] before you take any action.
You swiftly move to the two of them. Oblivious and unprepared, you kill them both easily. You now know it was the two of them who conspired to take Stella from you. You must leave the port before anything else goes awry.
[[Set sail. |10:thanks (end)]]
Your inaction led to vulnerability of Stella. She was kidnapped by Rufus when you weren’t looking and couldn’t do anything about it.
“Captain?!” A cremember calls.
“What is it?”
“Jacky! Stella! They’re gone!”
“What do you mean they’re gone?” You follow him. He points to a neighboring fleet taking off from the port. On the closest ship you see Stella in her cage, squawking wildly. Tears flow down your eyes. You know that it’s futile, there are 10 ships among them.
You accept defeat. You have lost Stella.
[[Try again? |1:intro]]And maybe save the bird this time?