You hear a knock on your door, opening it to see no one, but find a letter on the ground.
(click-goto:?page,"Letter")Red,
I trust you’ve been well and healthy, my dear. Unfortunately I write with bad news-- I have been infected with a mysterious disease I’ve contracted. Our family has long held a code of silence and loyalty. Now, I need loyalty.
This disease is spreading through my veins like wildfire. I can’t trust anyone within our organization with this matter, and it’s time you stepped up into the family business. The only known cure for this disease is Wolfsbane-- find it at all costs. I’ve included a map that will lead you to Mensia, where there have been sightings of the plant. Trust only your instincts and lessons our family have taught you. Red, this family will not be able to maintain control in the West neck of the woods if I’m gone.
Come visit me soon, I’ll have a special basket to give you before you leave. Hurry, I don’t have much time left.
May the silence of the night be your shield,
Grandma
(click-goto:?page,"Go into the Forest")You make your way towards Grandma's house through the woods, to pick up the special basket. On the way, you spot a wolf.
(click-goto:?page,"Talk to Wolfie")WOLF: Well, if it ain’t little Red again.
RED: What do you want, Wolfgang? Didn’t I beat your ass hard enough the last time we met?
WOLFGANG: Ouch! That hurts, Red. Thought we was pals now, after that shootout at Creek's Corner at least. Anyway, where ya’ off to?
RED: Hah! The one where I saved your ass? But to answer your question...Grandma’s not doing well…but don’t even think of going there yourself.
WOLFGANG: I see. Well you know where tah find me if you need anythin, Red.
RED: I’ll keep that in mind--
[Red turns around, giving the wolf a wink.]
RED: Wolfie.
(click-goto:?page,"Continue to Grandma's house")You continue the trek down to Grandma's house.(click-goto:?page,"Grandma's House Intro")You walk in the house, only to find the door unlocked and Grandma missing. Instead, Wolfgang walks in through the door, his hands up. (click-goto:?page,"Meet Wolfgang at Grandma's")RED: Where is-- What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be in here, wolf.
WOLFGANG: Nothin’ bad Red, scout’s honor! Listen up. I came here because I saw your Grandma leaving earlier. Hopped in a carriage and she was off. I came around when I sniffed some of those lemon pies…but I found this.
[WOLFGANG holds out a contract Grandma signed with the Kobolds]
RED: Are you sure this is her signature? She didn’t tell me anything about this. She told me she was sick.
WOLFGANG: Red, I hate to break it to ya this way, but your Grandma has been dealing with the Kobolds. I tried to tell her otherwise… but she wouldn’t listen tah me. This will be bad for business…you know it as well as me. But she’s gone now, they took ‘er. We’re free from ‘er terror. We can change things, me and you, Red.
RED: You’re asking me to do what? Turn my back on Grandma? She’ll have both our heads.
WOLFGANG: I’m asking you to trust me. Let her go, and I’ll give you this.
[WOLFGANG holds up a long-sword, wrapped in red cloth with gold decals.]
(click-goto:?page,"Twist Option 1")OPTIONS:
[[Choose not to help Wolf]]
[[help him]]
[Red recognizes the sword Wolfgang is holding. It looks like it’s been crafted by the Huntsmen Clan]
RED: Made a deal with the Huntsmen, have you? Grandma always pitied your stupidity.
WOLFGANG: I’m sick and tired of your family treating me as if I’m a dumb dog!
[He unsheathes the blade and points it towards RED].
WOLF: I ain't gettin' her out of this one. Your Gramma's is only doing what’s best for her. What about what’s right for everyone?
RED: You’ve betrayed the wrong family, you mutt. You should've stayed in your place.
[[Grab a dagger on the table and lunge at him with it]]
[[Shoulder-bash him]]
[[Grab the sword and run]]
RED: I don't know what to believe. Why would Grandma side with the Kobolds? They're the reason for the last war... they'll kill anything in their way. The dwarves who work at the mines..
WOLFGANG: Will all be... displaces as she says, innit?
RED: She would never...
WOLFGANG: Remember how she sent you to your death at that shootout? What would of been of it if I hadn't shown up for you?
[[RED: I can’t believe this but…you’re right. I can’t let this be the legacy of the Ridings. Tell me, what do I do?]]
[[RED: No... you're getting in my head. You should've stayed in your place, like a loyal hound. No one crosses the Ridings->Choose not to help Wolf]]Wolfgang wasn't expecting that-- he puts up the sword in defense but you're too quick, your reach just right with the dagger in your hand.
You stab him right where it hurts. With a painful yelp, he runs off, taking one last look at you before he exits through the door. He will remember this.
[[continue]]You ram your shoulder into Wolfgang, who pushes you against the bookshelves. The bookshelf topples over onto you, knocking you out as Wolfgang finishes the job.
[[Go back->Choose not to help Wolf]]You lunge for the sword, as Wolfgangs side-steps you and stabs you straight in the heart. You watch the lights go out, as he stands over you, eyes wide and a pained expression on his face.
He didn't want this to happen.
[[Go back->Choose not to help Wolf]]You gather yourself and look for clues before leaving the house, spying a mysterious potion on the counter. You put it in your pack, hoping to save it for later.
Then, you leave the house, following carriage tracks deeper into the woods, where you spot Grandma.
(click-goto:?page,"Meet Gramma")GRANDMA: Red! Oh good lord. I’d know you’d find me, my dear. You’ve done well, these idiots almost thought they could get away with kidnapping me.
[She kicks one of the dead Huntsmen on the ground]
RED: Grandma, what’s going on? First Wolfgang tries to pull a fast one on me, then the Huntsmen are after you! What have you done to piss them off?
GRANDMA: It’s not safe to talk here.
[She breaks out into a coughing fit.]
I have to meet with the Kobolds to secure the North reach of the forest. But, I need you to find that Wolfsbane. Remember, time is of the essence. Use this to help you.
[Grandma holds out a magical basket towards Red. ''Reward unlocked!'']
You see Grandma. She stands, frail, against a broken-down carriage.The dead bodies of Kobolds and Huntsmen litter the scene. She waves at you to come over.
Suddenly, in the corner of your eye, you see a huntsman in the distance drawing his bow.
[[Throw the dagger at him]]
[[Yell at Grandma to duck]]
[[Throw the mysterious potion at him]]You arch your arm backwards and throw the dagger as far as you can, aiming for the Huntsman's face. Unfortunately, he saw that coming from a mile away. He skips to the side as the dagger clatters to the ground in front of him.
You see him aim his bow at you.
He takes a shot.
The lights go out.
[[Go back->Meet Gramma]]RED: GRANDMA! DUCK!
[Grandma ducks down as the Huntsman releases the arrow.]
Unfortunately, you become the collateral. The arrow hits you in the face as your world turns red, then nothing.
[[Go back->Meet Gramma]]You hurl the mysterious potion at him with all your might. It misses him, but it erupts into flames as it hits the ground, lighting up the foliage he's hiding in. The Huntsman falls to the ground, his screams echoing through the thicket.
He burns to death.
(click-goto:?page,"Grandma Reward")WOLFGANG: I knew I could count on ya tah do the right thing. Listen, no one can see me helping you, there are too many eyes watching. Yer the only one who can get her. She’s on the way to the Kobold camp in a carriage. Today, they were going to sign a deal which would have cost the lives of many in the North. Follow the path, find her, and put a stop to this.
(click-goto:?page,"Encounter Grandma 2")You go down the path and follow carriage tracks until you come across Grandma. The ground is littered with the dead bodies of Kobolds and Huntsmen. She stands, frail, against a broken-down carriage.
GRANDMA: Red! I’d know you’d find me, my dear. You’ve done well, these idiots almost thought they could get away with kidnapping me. [She kicks one of the dead Huntsmen on the ground]
RED: Huntsmen…Kobolds… you’ve gone too far this time Grandma. When we put you in charge, you promised peace to the forest. You promised to end the war. But you were just about to make it worse.
GRANDMA: You’d better watch your tone, Red.
From the corner of your eye, you sees a huntsman readying his bow behind Grandma.
[[do nothing]]
[[laugh hysterically at her impending demise|do nothing]]
[[lunge at Grandma with the dagger]]
The arrow whistles through the air, striking Grandma in the head. She falls over, dead. In the distance, the Huntsman nods at Red, yelling out to her.
HUNTSMAN: Run! The Kobolds will be here any minute! He nods at you, before disappearing into the thicket.
[[Go back to Grandma's house to meet Wolfgang]]
[[Ignore him. Stick around.]]
You lunge at your frail, old Grandmother with the dagger. The memories of her baking cookies for you flash before your eyes-- but so do the memories of her turning you into her child soldier.
The dagger sinks into her flesh as she falls down, screaming.
However, the huntsman did not predict you lunging forward. You fall back and look down to see an arrow sticking out of your gut. Slowly, the lights fade as does the legacy of the Riding family.
[[Go back->Encounter Grandma 2]]WOLFGANG: Hey there! Back so soon?
RED: It’s done. She’s gone.
WOLFGANG: Geez, I’m sorry Red. I know that was ya Grandma. But, the forest will thank you for it. It’s time to rule for the people, not for the business.
RED: I hear you, Wolfgang. With your help, we may actually be able to do some good.
WOLFGANG: I’ll see you soon, kiddo. Oh! Before I leave, take this to help you. The Kobolds are still a threat, and you’ll need all the help ya can get.
[WOLFGANG hands you The Sword of Nine Hells. ''Reward unlocked!'']
Well, you stuck around and found out. In a matter of minutes you're swarmed by the Kobolds as they throw their spears at you, whacking you with their maces.
You fall to the ground. A quick death-- more than anyone in your family could've asked for.
[[Go back->do nothing]]
↶↷You hear a knock on your door, opening it to see no one, but find a letter on the ground.