CRWR Final

Good morning! You've just awoken in an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar bedroom. It appears to be a hotel room of sorts... You look around the room for any clues that could answer where you are, what you are doing here. [[Look around the desk]] [[Look under the bed]] [[Look out the window]] Done looking around the room? [[venture out the room]]

The old wooden desk is chipped and warped from its many years of service. Dried ink splotches lay scattered across the desk and if you look closely enough, you can see the faint outlines of handwriting etched through the parchment and into the wood. It seems many years of passionate writing have occured within this room. Still, none of the drawers yield any clues as to how you got here. Wait... What's this, down here poking out [[under the desk]] ?

Cough cough cough! The dust- cough!- there's so much dust! Nothing else to be found under here.. [[Bedroom]]

You look down onto a bustling street. From left to right there are creatures of all sorts vending goods and chatting with each other, carriages navigating the crowds, and children playing with curious-looking toys. [[Bedroom]]

A handwritten note, in //your// handwriting reads: Find the Divine Land! [[Bedroom]]

You peek your head out of the room into an empty hallway. There is no one in sight, but you hear the muffled sounds of conversation and dishes clanging against each other. They seem to be coming from below the stairs at the end of the hall. [[ retreat back into your room]] [[descend the stairs]]

"Hello there traveller! Welcome to the WolverInn" The bartender beckons you over to the bar. The pub is busy and filled with patrons drinking, eating and conversing over their meals. Although the room is warm and inviting, you can't help but sense an underlying dark energy, like something traumatic has united this crowd. [[talk to the bartender]]

The Divine Land does not reveal itself to those who are afraid to seek it. Best go to sleep, [[Exit to artist statement]] [[Bedroom]]

"Off to find the Divine Land again, are we?" How does this bartender know about the Divine Land? He catches your look of confusion. "You have been waking up here at my inn day after day, every time with no recollection of what has happened. This means you have not yet found the Land. When you //do// find the Land, all will make sense. Until then, you will continue to wake here, and I will continue to give you this same explanation." You ask: "how do I find the Divine Land?" The bartender chuckles. "Not much is known about the Divine Land, only that it exists in many forms and presents itself only to who it deems ready. Perhaps begin by browsing the market?" That is all the bartender will tell you? [["tell me more! Now!""]] [["how can I find the market?" ]]

The Divine Land does not present itself to those who are impatient and rude. Best to go to sleep. [[Bedroom]]

"The market is occuring right outside the WolverInn's doors, my dear traveller. Good luck! Just remember, trust your instincts." [[enter the market]]

The sounds, smells and chaos of the market overwhelm your senses. On a small nearby stage you see a fox draped in colorful, shimmering scarves dancing along to the live music being played by a band of mice musicians. She has attracted a crowd of children and market shoppers with her mesmerizing dance moves. Near the stage is a a young family of otters sitting on a picnic blanket. The mother and father are sitting affectionately as they admire and tend to their children playing with eachother. Close by, you see an elegantly-dressed ferret selling precious stones and sparkling pieces of jewelry. He holds out the most beautiful jewel you've ever seen to a prospective customer. Next to his booth is an elderly owl arranging his displays of maps, compasses, binoculaurs and exotic-looking mementos and other various travel tools. Finally, you see a badger tending to her busy booth full of the most delicious-smelling baked goods. The table is nearly overflowing with breads, pies, cookies, scones and cakes. You remember the bartender's words- "follow your instincts". Who do you feel most drawn to speak to? [[speak to the fox]] [[speak to the ferret]] [[speak to the otter family]] [[speak to the owl]] [[speak to the badger]]

You approach the stage and look up to the dancing fox. As the music ends, she looks down at you, nodding her head expectingly. "hello there" You ask, "what can you tell me about the Divine Land?" "ahh yes, the Divine Land!" She holds out her hand for you to grab, and gracefully hops off the stage, landing right next to you. "The Divine Land is the land of endless entertainment! It promises constant dancing, music, excitement and energy. Anywhere you wander, there is something to amuse you." The fox twirls around you, almost seductively. "It is fun, it is thrill, and it is glee. I can help you find it. What do you say?" [[ yes, show me]] [[ hm, this does not sound like the Divine Land]]

You shade your eyes from the glimmering sun being reflected by the jewels on the ferret's table. When he sees you approaching, he sets down the bright red ruby he has been polishing. "Ah hello there traveller" You ask, "what can you tell me about the divine land?" The ferret replies " Mhm, yes, the divine land. Well, it is the land of the most magnificent, beautiful and striking sights you would ever see. Everything and everyone is the most perfect version they can be, nothing is out of place. Everyone has luxury and riches, there is everything you could ever possibly desire. It is glamor, awe, and grandeur. I can help you find it. What do you say?" [[ oh yes, show me this divine land]] [[ hm, this does not sound like the Divine Land]]

The family of otters greet you with smiles, almost like they've met you before. "Hello dear" says the mother, "please, sit." She pats the ground next to her and you take a seat. The children stop playing and eagerly surround you, curiosity getting the best of them. You ask, "what can you tell me about the Divine Land?" "Ahhh, the Divine Land. Well, it is the land of love, the land of reunion and family of course." The father chirps in. "It is home, it is warmth and it is comfort. We can help you find it. What do you say?" [[ yes, show me this Divine Land]] [[ hm, this does not sound like the Divine Land]]

You approach the elderly owl's somewhat cluttered table of old and new-looking maps, various cartography tools and other unique knick-knacks. The owl is hunched over and holding a magnifying glass in his wing, seemingly entrhalled by one of his maps. He looks up as you near him. "well hello there" You ask, "what can you tell me about the divine land?" "Ahh... the divine land contains what I love most... adventure! It contains endless avenues, twists, and turns all waiting to be explored." He gets up from his stool with as much bounce and enthusiasm as his old body will allow. He gestures to the horizon as he speaks. "Every type of transportation at your disposal, every kind of climate, weather, and sights you could ever hope to see, and some you could never even imagine on your own. Everything you ever want for exciting experiences, and always free of danger! Truly an adventurer's dream come true." He looks you in the eyes. "It is adventure, it is unfamiliar, it is travel. I can help you find it. What do you say?" [[ Yes, I would like to find this divine land]] [[ hm, this does not sound like the Divine Land]]

You weave throught the line of antsy customers awaiting their turn to buy their baked goods, taking in the rich aroma that's unlike any you've ever smelt before. The badger spots you and smiles. "Welcome to Miss Badger's Baking!" You ask, "what can you tell me about the divine land?" Miss Badger lets out a cheery laugh. "Oh! The Divine Land..." she looks of finto the distance, distracted. You clear your throat. "Oh sorry dear! My mind does wander so when I think of the divine land in all its glory. The divine land is the land of unbelievably delicious food and boundless indulgence. Oh my mouth just waters thinking of the cuisine that exists there! No one could ever replicate it." She hands you a slice of one of her cakes, motioning you to take a bite. You do, and the flavours immediately reach your tastebuds like velvet hugs of magic. How does she get it to taste like that? She pinches your cheek. "Good right? Well, in the divine land, that cake would be unacceptably bland and flavorless. It is the land of delight, aroma and flavour. I can help you find it. What do you say?" [[please show me this divine land]] [[ hm, this does not sound like the Divine Land]]

You have chosen the divine land of family and love. When you die, this is where you will go. Do you feel satisfied? [[yes]] [[no]]

The Divine Land is hard to find. Best go to sleep. [[Bedroom]]

You have chosen the Divine Land of endless entertainement and thrill. When you die, this is where you will go. Do you feel satisfied? [[yes]] [[no]]

You have chosen the Divine Land of indulgence and taste. When you die, this is where you will go. Do you feel satisfied? [[yes]] [[no]]

You have chosen the Divine Land of wealth and beauty. When you die, this is where you will go. Do you feel satisfied? [[yes]] [[no]]

You have chosen the divine land of travel and adventure. When you die, this is where you will go. Do you feel satisfied? [[yes]] [[no]]

Over and over you have tried to seek the Divine Land, and now you have found it. When your time on Earth is done, no longer do you have access to the endless forms of beauty, love, and enjoyment that it offers. Although divine, the Divine Land cannot provide all of these things at once, only life can. Rather, the Divine Land offers what you have learned to value most, in endless and exagerrated supply. You've found evidence of the Divine Land and it provides what you love most, so why aren't you happy? [[Exit to artist statement]]

The Land of the Divine is hard to find, best go back to sleep. [[Bedroom]] [[Exit to artist statement]]

Artist Statement What if you could choose your heaven? For this assignment, I define my story as being a simple source for prompting self-reflection, gratitude, and of course some entertainment. It contains shadows of the traditional story structure, the whole beginning, middle, climax and denouement business, but mostly this story allows for exploration and giving some control on what the reader wants //out// of the story. I wanted to encourage an interpretation surrounding the themes of self-awareness, gratitude, altered perspectives and personal values. I hope that the story prompts a reflection upon these themes, but does not force a specific one. I designed the story so that the interactive element creates a personal investment and personalized outcome, while speaking to the reader's decision within the //story// as well as in //real life.// I was inspired by my playgroup's experience with Wanderhome, specifically the world we built and the overarching goal we had given our characters. The world, Big Gulch, is the home to a diverse range of creatures, all with their unique interests, passions and businesses. I incorporated this into my story by showcasing the range of booths at the market. I also made a special homage to my own character from Wanderhome, Danny the dancing fox. In our Wanderhome gameplay, we travelled far and wide to find the Land of the Gods (which I renamed to the Divine Land for my story), only to realize that we in fact preferred life in the Big Gulch and that the Land of the Gods, although a beautiful heaven, could not offer all of the things we loved about living on Earth. I was also inspired by the zine we made as a group assignment. Our overall theme and tone for the zine was medieval tavern, which I fused with the WolverInn from my Wanderhome gameplay to create the hotel/tavern in which the reader wakes up to begin the story. I liked how the tavern in our zine was a space in which many separate adventures and missions occured, and in which many different characters are drawn there. Finally, I was inspired by Black Mirror's Bandersnatch. I tried to incorporate a similar balance of the reader's apparent power in the story's outcome with a structured narrative. I would say my story has less options for reader choices, but in the Bandersnatch way, it is to ultimately guide the reader into absorbing the story's theme. Works Cited: Brooker, Charlie, creator. "Bandersnatch." //Black Mirror//, Netflix, 28 Dec. 2018. Dragon, Jay. Wanderhome. //Possum Creek Games//, 2021.

The Valued Land Begin: [[Bedroom]]