Wizard Self Care Game

You wake up in your [[sanctum]]. That's an achievement, because you've mainly been drifting in and out of sleep. Your neighbors made sure you ate when you were awake: roasted chestnuts, baked potatoes, vegetable and couscous soup, and cookies with sugared wildflowers. The fact that you're fully awake, and can manage more movement than chewing and swallowing and staggering the few steps to the bathroom, is a huge improvement. A few weeks ago, you were barely alive, and your entire body is still sore. [[The result of a confrontation with your arch-enemy.|enemy.]]

A sanctum is a wizard's place of power. What does your sanctum look like? [[Mermaids helped you decorate.|Sanctum Option 1]] [[It draws inspiration from the forest.|Sanctum Option 2]] [[The fae aided you in its construction.|sanctum option 3]]

Your sanctum draws its strength from mermaid blessings. enchanted paintings of fish skim lazily through cool blue water, and you love diving into the silky blankets on your bed. Your altar is made from a pirate's treasure chest, and you draw magic circles with a knife-shaped piece of sea glass. It's the perfect place to recover after battling your [[enemy.]]

Your sanctum draws its power from earth. The furniture is made from the dark wood of fallen trees that give you permission, and the paintings on the walls make you feel like you're in a peaceful clearing. Even your altar is made out of an opal-infused petrified stump, and it holds things like feathers you've found on your journeys, tumbled Jasper and tiger's eye and obsidian, and the jaw bone of a wolf. It's the perfect place to recover after battling your [[enemy.]]

Your enemy is maybe as powerful as you are. You think they might be jealous of your (set: $myVar to "creativity")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["creativity", "kindness", "inner light.", "good luck.", "will to survive."]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> They came to you as... [[A friend.]] [[A colleague.]]

They knew you, understood everything about you. They encouraged the magic-crafted stories and paintings tucked away in a drawer of your heart: that's amazing, tell me more? When you were hurt, your crystal ball summoned their spirit: that's awful, I'm here for you. Once you had a nightmare and they just held you, their body warm and solid as an enchanted harp played into the fabric of fading night. And then, when you needed them most... they revealed their [[true nature.]]

They came to you with wide eyes, kind eyes. Humble as a pilgrim, they showed you samples of their magic: the colors dazzled you, and the music they conjured made you want to twirl. I've been working on something big, they said. You have the spark I've been looking for. At first it was magnificent. But your combined magic took [[a long time to spread.]]

"Why haven't we achieved success yet? It must be your laziness. You don't believe in our mission. Work harder!" You did believe, so you sacrificed even further. INSUFFICIENT, they yelled, or PATHETIC, and tossed your magic aside. One day you woke up and realized you had no more power left. When you begged for a rest, they merely laughed. You were easy prey for their spells then. They burned your aura shields with fireballs, scorched the sigils from your skin, and cheerfully tormented your smoldering husk. [[Afterwards]]

(set: $myVar to "Burning with fever,")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["Burning with fever", "Shivering, trembling,", "So weak you could barely move forward,", "Unseeing and unfeeling,"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> you dragged yourself through the wards of your sanctum, expecting to die. The ancient magic in this place saved you. After a long rest, you're glad it did. But you [[can't]] lie here forever.

Their kind face shut down into an emotionless and smirking mask. They scorned you: first by their absence, then openly. They stabbed your lungs with icicles, cut you adrift in your desperation, and sided with your rivals. Maybe no one would ever hold you like that again. [[Afterwards]], you were an easy target for their spells. You still feel cold.

Even if (set: $myVar to "your nightclothes are soft")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["your nightclothes are soft", "the quilt is very warm", "your neighbors have been so wonderfully patient"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> The world outside still needs your magic. Also, you're probably starting to smell. (set: $myVar to "sniff yourself")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["sniff yourself", "yeah you're pretty stinky", "okay wow you need to wash"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> So, what's next? [[>|selfcare home]]

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Is your familiar a [[dog]] or a [[cat]]?

Which bath bomb will you use? The [[pink bath bomb]] with golden glitter and pearlescent swirls. The [[white and orange bath bomb]] emblazoned with a fire opal. The [[aqua-indigo bath bomb]] with silver glitter and a crystal at its heart.

Of course, like a typical wizard, you have multiple tarot decks. Which one will you use? [[The deck given to you by the fairies themselves.]] [[The deck painted by a local artisan.]]

Crying is very dehydrating, and it's important to maintain your connection to the elemental plains of water. What do you want to drink? [[Chamomile tea.]] [[Hot chocolate.]] [[Mint tea.]]

You get out your colored pens: gold, silver, and your favorite color- and prepare to put a sigil on your arm. What sort of sigil will you draw? [[A complex branching sigil]] [[A simple geometric sigil]] [[A sigil with a shape that matches its meaning]]

You open your door and breathe in the fresh afternoon air. What's outside? [[A forest.]] [[A town.]] [[A city.]]

You rescued Momo from an evil wizard who treated her like an accessory. She's small and fluffy, with perky ears and big brown eyes. Some little dogs are noisy or territorial, but Momo is lazy and cuddly, happy to just enjoy a good tummy rub and some dried chicken. [[Have a good time with Momo.|pet dog]]

You met Moon by the side of the road on a rainy day. His tail was like a tiny triangle, an exclamation point, and he followed you on wobbly kitten legs, pouncing on every twig that swirled in the puddles. The moment you picked him up, he started purring. Since then, he's grown from a clingy, flea-bitten bottle baby to a playful, inquisitive adult cat. But he still has the same super-loud purr, and that's what wakes you up every morning. [[Have a good time with Moon.|pet cat]]

The soothing flavor uncurls within you like a flower blooming. [[>>|selfcare home]]

The rich, sweet flavor makes you feel centered and full. [[>>|selfcare home]]

The sharp, green flavor refreshes your thoughts. [[>>|selfcare home]]

(set: $myVar to "Momo is a very good girl!")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["Momo is a very good girl!", "Momo nibbles your finger to see how it tastes.", "Momo has the softest, silkiest little ears.", "Momo has the fuzziest pink tum.", "Momo has wonderful fluffy curly fur."]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> [[>>|selfcare home]]

(set: $myVar to "Moon is a good boy!")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["Moon is a good boy!", "Momo nibbles your finger to see how it tastes.", "Momo has the softest, silkiest little ears.", "Momo has the fuzziest pink tum.", "Momo has wonderful fluffy curly fur."]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link> [[>>|selfcare home]]

You live in a forest. Clouds of dandelions and buttercups in the clearings. Pink flowers shaped like dangling hearts, enticingly musical rivers with smooth-washed stones. There are so many things you could do today. You could read in the shade of your favorite tree. You could make friends with a squirrel or a blue jay, or a river dolphin or a bear. Maybe you'll even visit your human friends in the village! There are herbs to collect and sunsets to see. You're just a small, perfect part of this beautiful forest, and the trees appreciate your strength. [[<3|thank]]

Watching jousting tournaments and eating fried food on sticks when market day rolls around. Berry-dyed yarn, windowboxes of cornflowers and marigolds, the smell of fresh bread. Children splashing in the fountain by the bakery and drawing practice chalk sigils outside your house. There's so much you could do. You could get news from the crows, help the herbs in the community garden grow taller, or even work magic with a friend. Wherever you go, you'll find people who care about you and wish you well. [[<3|thank]]

You live in a city. Glittering turquoise canals. Frescoes and mosaics and grand balls on the plaza. Acrobats performing on the cobblestones, old temples layered with power, and ruby-red grapes picked fresh off the vine. The world is huge and dazzling, and you are a small and perfect piece. There are so many people you could help, spells you could create, friends you could make. Opening the door to your sanctum, you vow to enjoy the bright world today. The birds sing about how you are stronger than you know. [[<3|thank]]

Thank you for playing! I hope you enjoyed this Twine. The tarot decks referenced in this twine are the Shadowscapes Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, and the Numinous Tarot by Noel Heimpel. More of my work is available on my itch.io page, as well as on Payhip: https://payhip.com/kaylabashe Have a magical day!

Your sanctum draws its power from the fae. A silvery tinsel curtain is always shifting in a soundless, magical breeze. The rug mixes every pastel color, like a cotton candy party. Your quilt has sequins, and glass butterflies in the windows catch and reflect sunlight. At night, glittery constellations glow on the ceiling. Your altar is made out of a huge piece of polished rose quartz, and it holds things like cloud parakeet feathers, perfectly green acorns, aura quartz, and sweet-smelling candles. It's the perfect place to recover after battling your [[enemy.]]

Strawberries and champagne waft through the air as pink shimmer tints your bath water. The bubbles shine like a dragon's treasure, and rose petals float between them. Very sophisticated. Now it's time to [[wash off.]]

Butterflies made of orange light swirl delicately over your walls as you sink into the warm water. Red-gold glitter drifts over your body like a Phoenix's tail. The moisturizing water smells just like pastry. Lemon bars? No, butterscotch pecan tart- no, candied oranges! It keeps changing, so you just relax and enjoy it without trying to identify specific notes, gazing into the fire opal's shifting hues. Now it's time to [[wash off.]]

The bath turns a cool shimmering blue. fronds of seaweed twist gently in the water, massaging your feet. A moon-charged tumbled smoky quartz falls onto your chest. The air smells gently of pineapple and peach. Now it's time to [[wash off.]]

Everything feels better now that you're clean and wearing fresh clothes. [[>>|selfcare home]]

Swirling watercolors, graceful fae, and intricate mythical animals. It knows all your flaws, but with its playful elegance and wry sense of humor, you find yourself chuckling at how its readings pinpoint your bad habits. Which card will you pull? [[1|faerie1]] [[2|faerie2]] [[3|faerie3]] [[4|faerie4]]

Bright sunny colors and queer chosen families. Wind chimes. Libraries. Rainbows, waterfalls, and light. Sometimes, when using it, you smell wildflowers and hear birdsong. Which card will you pull? [[1|local1]] [[2|local2]] [[3|local3]] [[4|local4]]

The five of pentacles. A femme fae dressed in the ruins of a flowing silver gown curls up in despair as thorned vines grasp upwards to entwine their emaciated frame. But there's still hope. The colors of a stained-glass window adorned with pentacles bleed into the bleak stone wall, and a monarch butterfly friend floats near, followed by a plump-bellied lizard. People care, the card says. You're not as alone as you think. [[>>|selfcare home]]

The six of swords. In this card, a beautiful swan carries a faerie away from... well, you're not sure what, but it can't have been good. Because they look exhausted, curled trustingly against the swan's neck with their own wings drawn in close. Crows caw up at the pair, but the faerie can't hear them. They've escaped now. They're safe. Away from the crows and towards the sun. [[>>|selfcare home]]

The eight of cups. A femme mermaid clutching a golden cup plunges into the swirl of mysterious waters. They swim from daylight into the depths of their own mystical soul. Sometimes the truth isn't revealed in sunlight. From a distance, your enemy seemed like a friend. People wondered at your suspicions or told you to be grateful and unconcerned. But you sought to dive deeper, uncovering truth like buried treasure. You'll emerge from shadowy despair with new knowledge, illuminated in mastery and strength. [[>>|selfcare home]]

The seven of wands. A vibrant fox fights a snarling badger to protect her cubs. Your memory of the confrontation with your enemy is fuzzy and missing pieces, but you must have fought back enough to escape. There were parts of your soul, of your power, that you deemed valuable enough to protect, just like how the young foxes curl against their mother's tail. [[>>|selfcare home]]

The five of pentacles. A sorrowful femme in drab, tattered clothes weeps over a bonfire of burning books, shivering in the snow. But behind them is a welcoming and inviting-looking library. It's like... whenever you have to let go of something bad, as horrible as that loss may feel, there are always more good things waiting. [[>>|selfcare home]]

The six of swords. A finely carved warrior's longboat heads into the dawn. Light streams down from above. Maybe this card is telling a story about the end of a war...the battle is over, and all the beserkers can shoulder their axes and sail home. [[>>|selfcare home]]

The eight of cups. A calm figure turns away from a tavern full of debauchery, not even tempted by the glistening green bottles displayed in the window. They know what's right for them: peace and healing, safety, home. And what's right for them may not be right for everyone else. But that's okay. [[>>|selfcare home]]

The seven of wands. An untroubled mage in an exquisite red cape struts down a platform. Everyone's yelling and shouting up at them, but they have their own opinion. They follow their own path. Maybe that's what you need to do, too. [[>>|selfcare home]]

You draw a sigil of (set: $myVar to "healing")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["healing", "protection", "intuition", "self-care"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link>. Antlers and silk thread, a staff and a summoning, branching shoots... that's what this sigil looks like. Every glance reveals new aspects. The complicated magic of this sigil is sure to protect you for a long time. [[>>|selfcare home]]

You draw a sigil of (set: $myVar to "healing")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["healing", "protection", "intuition", "self-care"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link>. It's easy, just a few circles and lines. You end up drawing it all over your body, and on some handmade paper bookmarks a witch friend gave you. Seeing this sigil every day will remind you of its meaning, and you can redraw it instantly when it washes off. Getting the simple sigil right adds to your confidence. [[>>|selfcare home]]

You draw a sigil of (set: $myVar to "healing")<tw-link class='cyclingLink' data-cycling-texts='["healing", "protection", "intuition", "self-care"]' onclick='clickCyclingLink(this, "$myVar");'>$myVar</tw-link>. The way the lines swoop around and upwards. The heart, or the moon, or the arrow. The curves branching out. When you look at this sigil, you'll remember exactly what it means, and your intention will be made more solid. [[>>|selfcare home]]