You have journeyed far, traveller. The tolls of your adversities cling to you, in your weathered attire, in your quiet manner; in your hardened gaze. It has cost you much to be here, but you are proven unyielding. Your resolve is immutable.
You are chosen.
You are aboard a horsedrawn carriage. Only an hour ago, your vessel found harbour in this remote land, after a fortnight of uneasy travel. Few have reason to journey here—amongst them, fewer still unacquainted with the tune of life's cold song. This is a hard place, not inclined to forgive those who do not show it due respect. As you travel now toward its heart: a settlement of those damned by lady luck to have found themselves a home here, you are reminded that this accursed march is entirely worth its cost in vitality. Your grim contract is binding. There is no other way.
It is as you mentioned.
You are chosen.
---
[[This is where you are supposed to be.|p2]]
---In a dream, you learned of your quest.
A mad haze of colour and fancy now; its exact details are faded, but you remember clearly the task presented to you. The impossible tones of that inscrutable being still ring clearly in your soul as you recall its loving but cryptic message:
//Travel to the gate,
find there allies,
gather to participate,
A contest true, with ''me'' your prize.//
Visions of a distant land flowed in and out of your mind's eye as understanding of the riddle bled slowly into you. You saw an ancient door carved into the base of a mountain. You smelled the earth and leaves and life there. You felt a cold weight in your hand - revealed in your palm was a stone, transformed by light and verve into a beacon of a thousand colours. You were not alone—surrounding you were several sillhouettes. Their presence filled you with confidence. You held the rock ahead of you, pointed toward the door. Its light swelled as it began to grow warm in your hand. You began to hear an unimaginable noise, as though resonating with the pulse of your very being. An eternity of anticipation passed in a second, its departing request:
---
[[//Come.//|p3]]
---You then fell back into your body with the familiar gravity of the material plane. You had bolted upright, sweating, heart pounding. Your partner remained in bed, asleep. You had reached over to them to wake them, but they were unrousable. You noticed that your other hand was painful, so you had looked down to discover your fingers were fixed tightly around something smooth and cool. In your hand was the stone—no, a brooch?—you had seen in your dream. Startled, you dropped it, jumping back, but to your increasing surprise it did not fall to the floor, as it was attached by a small chain to your wrist. Furthering your alarm in that moment, you had then looked up to see your partner sitting upright, wide-eyed, staring at you.
They looked at you, then the piece of jewellery dangling from your wrist, then back to you. Their voice came low, quiet, tense. They had whispered:
---
[["You must go."|p4]]
---You had learned that they had also experienced a dream, though one quite different to your own. In theirs, an inexplicable being just as in yours had delivered a message, but this time of armageddon. They had said that the end would arrive not in a fiery burst of destruction, but rather in a silent instant as all existence was erased.
They continued to tell that the only way to avoid this happening was if one chosen amongst them could meet the task and deliver them from the void. This chosen champion would know their destiny this night, and would be tasked with saving reality. Your partner recounted that they had been shown the pendant you now held—ah, it's a pendant—as proof that its bearer was the one tasked with salvation.
Your partner had faltered then, appearing to shudder. After a pause, they submitted:
"I felt what it was like to not exist. The whole time, I was kept in a state of absence. I was gone. Why did they show me that?".
Their gaze shifted then from the middle distance to firmly meeting your own.
---
[["You must go."|p5]]
---You had learned in time that that same dream had been experienced by your entire family. Your partner, your eighteen children, your cat; all had suffered the same terrible experience. You supposed this was in order to enable your egress, but you thought it cruel to have gone to these measures.
You took to action quickly, hoping to allay both their fears and your potential for hesitancy. You could not allow yourself to stray from your fixation on the task ahead. Anxiety was given no ground, ceding to your burgeoning determination. You dropped your life, travelled long and far, doing what you needed to in order to secure your passage, until now you were drawing close to the location of the structure you understood to be the gate.
You were not certain how you knew the route you needed to take, but you were not surprised, either. The pendant drew you to your goal. It did not seem a great leap for whatever deity to equip you to reach your destination, since they had already invaded your dreamscape as well as those of your apparent full blood family. You had learned you were related in blood to many more people in your village than you had initially known that morning. This was an unsettling truth in context.
You stop thinking about that. There are more important things to dwell on right now. You move to resume your stoic, tortured brooding of the task at hand but are interrupted by the coach driver's cheery inflection:
---
[["We're heeeEeere!~"|Arrive]]
---You draw the curtains to look out of the carriage window. The image that meets you is a shock to the system; a vibrant valley full of life, caught in the day's brightest light, surrounds a cozy-looking hamlet. The sunlight dances excitedly on the surface of the adjacent river, utterly free of the concerns of corporeal existence. You hear birdsong, smell fresh heather, taste the cool breeze. You feel the nurturing touch of the sun teasing the surface of your heavy, battered travel cloak.
The driver has dismounted from his perch and is rounding the carriage door to open it for you. You meet his gaze as he passes and he bats away your steely glower with his own cheery grin.
"Mister, I expect you have heard much about the hardened and tragic people who settle here." He opens the door and fixes the small stairway to the side of the carriage, allowing you to exit safely.
"Don't believe a word of it. I don't know how that reputation came to exist, but it's nonsense. Folks here are just the same as anywhere else. Treat em right and they'll offer you the same courtesy. Cause trouble and, just the same, the sentiment will be met. That said, you don't look troublesome. Troubled, maybe, but not trouble. I hope you find what you're looking for here." He offers you an honest smile. His voice and expression are certain. You nod, then look again to the settlement. You lower your hood, feeling more fully the sunshine and the breeze on your skin. You take a big breath through your nose, then exhale.
"And, with that," the carriage driver continues, following your gaze,
---
[["welcome to our humble home."|p7]]
---You nod to him, offer your coin, collect your bags, then move to begin your journey into town. A few yards later, the driver looks up from his counting and exclaims in surprise,
"Hey, slow down there! Allow me to offer one last bit of help. I might be able to tell you where to head first." He walks toward you so that he doesn't have to shout. "Tell me, friend, what is it you're here for? Answer honestly and I can give you better directions." He winks as he finishes his question.
---
[[I've been chosen by a divine being to save all existence. I've got this pendant and I'm looking for a gate at the foot of a mountain to unlock with it.|p8]]
-----
[[I'm here for work. There's nowhere else for me to be.|p9]]
---
[[I am promised a reward for completing a task here.|p10]]
---
[[My reasons are my own.|p11]]
---The driver takes a moment to absorb your words, his face fixed in a perplexed smile, before uttering,
"Oh, well, in that case, you should try heading to the tavern for information. We've got valleys here but no mountains, so I'm not sure where it is you might be headed, but I'm certain there'll be someone there who might be able to help. There's also the market for equipment and supplies... honestly, I regret not being more helpful, but I'm certain that the more you look, the better odds you'll have in your quest. Best of luck to you, traveller!"
The driver pockets your money, pats you on the back, then climbs back aboard his carriage. You hear him prompting his horses to turn and return back up the road they came from as you resume your journey to the hamlet. You were told in your dream that you would find allies there.
---
[[What awaits ahead?|p12]]
---"Ah, in that case, there's always work at the barracks. As I said, peace is met with peace, trouble with trouble, and, peaceful as this little hole in the world is, trouble never stays away long enough." He chuckles, scratching his cheek.
"There's also the marketplace if you're a vendor; there's... a rather niche choice of goods available there at the moment, so there's certainly room for a butcher or a grocer in the community. You can hunt in the surrounding forestry if that's more your speed—though, do be careful of the old hermit who lives out there. He's been known to take rather unkindly to disturbances." He trails off in thought. "I can't think of anything else right now. I regret not being more helpful, but I'm certain that the more you look, the better odds you'll have. Best of luck to you, traveller!"
The driver pockets your money, pats you on the back, then climbs back aboard his carriage. You have at this point become accustomed to lying about your designs, so you think little of this most recent falsehood. You hear him prompting his horses to turn and return back up the road, as you resume your journey to the hamlet. You were told in your dream that you would find allies there.
---
[[What awaits ahead?|p12]]
---"Isn't that ever the reason for being anywhere, eh?" The driver offers you another of his much-practiced smiles. "A mystery we remain, then. It sounds as though you don't need my help, but in any case, the tavern will be a good first stop to rest and recouperate after your travels. You ought to learn plenty from the people there if you ask around.
"...Oh, I almost forgot, there's been another particularly mysterious figure mulling about town, amongst the regular mysterious figures, for a day or two now. They didn't tell me much, either. You remind me of them a bit. Could be you have nothing to do with one another, but keep your eye out I suppose." He raises his eyebrows at you briefly, before settling back into his default smile.
"That's about as helpful as I can be, I think. I'm certain that the more you look, the better odds you'll have. Ah, and hear me, if looking finds you trouble, best you leave that trouble be. There's no room for much of it here, eh?" He nods to you. You nod back. "Well, Best of luck to you then, traveller!"
The driver pockets your money, pats you on the back, then climbs aboard his carriage. You are mildly unsettled by all the talk of trouble, but ultimately unphased. You hear him prompting his horses to turn and return back up the road, as you resume your journey to the hamlet. You were told in your dream that you would find allies there.
---
[[What awaits ahead?|p12]]
---"Aye, I suppose they are." The driver nods, looking past you. "Best I leave you to your business, then, I expect. Mysteries stop existing if you poke at them too hard." he chuckles, clears his throat, then offers,
"I've no help to offer, in that case. I'm certain that you'll do just fine with your private matters. I only insist that you respect my respect in due by not poking too hard at any trouble you find." His tone is stern, but friendly. "Best of luck to you and yours, traveller!"
The driver pockets your money, pats you on the back, then climbs back aboard his carriage. You have at this point become accustomed to concealing your objectives, so you think little of this most recent secrecy. You hear him prompting his horses to turn and return back up the road, as you resume your journey to the hamlet. You were told in your dream that you would find allies there.
---
[[What awaits ahead?|p12]]
---Looking to save coin, you set up camp just outside of the village for the night. You know you are pressed for time, but now that you are finally here, your mind and body concede the miles they have put in without true rest, so you allowe yourself a proper night's sleep.
Now, awake and refreshed, with that long leg of your journey finally behind you, you face the day's tasks. You wash yourself and your clothes in the river, prepare yourself food with the thinning remains of your supplies while you wait for everything to dry off in today's equally-bright sunlight, then, around mid-day, you head into the settlement.
---
[[You enter into what appears to be its centre. Several points of interest catch your attention. Where do you go?|town]]
---You enter through the swing doors, dramatically. You scan the room: nobody seems to have paid any attention to your arrival. The place is empty, save the bartender and two characters at the bar who seem to be locked hot in an animated dispute. You approach, not needing to try hard to hear what the commotion is about:
"...saying on a flat surface, with no outside interference, there's no contest. I don't stand a chance."
"Can you hear yourself? That is your ideal environment. Without outside interference as you put it, there's no way for me to get down when I'm up. The advantage is clearly yours!"
"To get down? How is it you expect me to keep you up when you're excitedly flinging about that great big noodle at your waist? I can't get close!"
"Hah, my sword? How do you expect ME to get close when you're so ready to shoot your shot at me when I come near?"
"You haven't had a problem with that for months, let's not pretend otherwise. You simply turn around when you're close to me and I become yours to toy with. I honestly don't know how this is even a topic of debate. You dominate me."
---
[[At this point, against your best efforts, you have shuffled close enough to the bar that you are in their field of view.|Tavern2]]
---You enter into the barracks. The reception area is empty, and as far as you can tell from the silence, so is the entire building. The bright sun penetrates in through thin curtains, enchanting a column of light dust particles to dance lazily in its warmth, highlighting the stillness flattening the room otherwise. You almost dare not disturb this perfect example of tranquility, lest you never again get the chance to enjoy it.
Almost.
What do you do?
---
[[Explore|barracks2]]
---
[[Leave with the gift of this perfect memory and never come back|townsure]]
---You approach the small parade of shops: only three constituting its modest whole. Within clear sight of their banners, you can see that you've a choice of a home supplies store, a potion shop and a sports & outdoor goods store. An eclectic mix for a small town, but you suppose there must be a market for those goods in particular for these stores to be here in the first place.
A sign stands ahead of the stores, welcoming you to the shopping district. You see that it details the opening and closing times of the stores... informing you that each store closes in only ten minutes. It looks as though you've a decision to make.
Which store do you visit?
---
[[Perhaps tools and supplies are in order. Visit the first store.|market1]]
---
[[One can never have too many potions. Visit the second store.|market2]]
---
[[There's bound to be something useful in an outdoors section. Visit the third store.|market3]]
---You make your way over to the large crowd of people. They are gathered densely around the front of a stage, hushed quiet except for a loud coordinated cheer every few minutes. You imagine there is some contest taking place here.
As you draw closer, unable yet to see what's going on, the shade of a nearby building gives way to the merciless glare of the afternoon sun. You quickly shield your eyes with your hand, dazed, waiting for your vision to recover and adjust. There is a voice coming from the stage now, and you are drawing close enough that you are becoming able to distinguish its message:
"...dare challenge our master of mindgames? Is there a soul amongst you brave enough to take on the champ? You there, in the back! Come up on stage, stranger, if you dare!"
Somebody appears to have volunteered for whatever this contest is. You lower your hand, just about able to tolerate the light, to see what is going on.
---
[[The man on stage is looking right at you.|gathering2]]
---Scanning the area, you flinch; for a fraction of a second, you feel an intense pair of eyes lock onto your own. You look again, searching for your new company, but find nothing. Curious, and because it seems as good a point of investigation as any, you walk over to where you believe you saw them.
A dusty terrace hangs overhead the side of a mildly dilapidated building in a quiet corner of the village centre. You enter into the shade it creates, enjoying the sensation of moving from warmth into the welcome cool of this fleeting sanctuary. You move to the corner of the building and stick your head round, checking the adjacent alleyway for any suspicious characters, but it is empty.
You sigh, shrug, and figure you'd best return to your quest, when suddenly...
---
[[behind you...|watched2]]
---You decide to spend some time exploring the area outside of town, figuring it may produce valuable knowledge for your quest.
You've a choice of two routes: you can wander the fields on the way to the base of the mountain, or you can follow the river to see where it goes.
You can also return to town, if you wish.
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "fieldspkmn3")'s length is 1)[[[Return to the tall grass, gotta catch 'em all.|fieldspkmn21]]](else:)[[Fields|fieldspkmn]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "fieldsdk2")'s length is 1)[-](else:)[[River|fieldsdk]]
---
[[Return to Town.|town]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "fieldsdk4")'s length is >=1)[[[Return to the forested area on the opposite river bank.|fieldsdk4]]
---]You stand between them. They look at you, their expressions still taut in frustration. You return their ogle, your own expression stoic and unmoving. The things people enjoy doing in their own time is their business.
The one on the left—a short, gesticulate fellow with a holstered gun and shiny shoes—breaks the silence first. His eyes stray from your face to your neck, where the pendant, tight like a choker, is visible. He raises his eyebrows, his expression becoming friendly.
"Nice piece, stranger."
The other, a tall, regal warrior-type, now also wearing a more sociable grin, nods in agreement. "A gem for a gem, I am sure." They bow their head to you in courtesy, to which you respond in kind. The pair look at one another again. One sighs, the other rolls their eyes and shakes their head in exasperation. Each takes a swig of their milkshake, sets down their cup and wipes their mouth.
"Pull up a chair, friend." The shorter of the two offers, gesturing to a nearby stool. "Share with us a drink on this fine day. Tell us something new." You loudly pull the heavy stool across the hardwood floor, perching yourself on it, awkwardly positioned behind the two of them at the bar.
"What brings you out here?"
---
[[I have been tasked by a divine entity with the responsibility of saving existence as we know it. They visited me in a dream, which I later learned was an experience I shared with my family, though their dreams were much more terribl......|answer 1]]
---
[[I am here to investigate the doorway into the mountain nearby. I need a team to assist me.|answer 2]]
---Your companions look on, wordless, as you wrap up the long tale of your journey. To your left, the open-mouth gawk of somebody who was not prepared for your truth. To your right, a different image: the fierce glint of admiration and determination burned bright in the eyes of your sword-wielding acquaintance.
"By my blade, what an incredible tale! Chosen by the gods... please, allow me to assist you in your quest!" they bellow, standing suddenly from their chair, fist raised in resolve.
"Hold up, you're buying this?" their company protests, flabbergasted.
"I detect no deceit in their words. They believe their story true, therefore so do I." their response is given in flat honesty. "Besides, are you suggesting their tale is any more metaphysically ambitious than your own various adventures?"
"I—" the retort came fast, but soon faltered, "...suppose you're right. Even so, assuming your claims are true, how do you expect to accomplish this immense task? March into an unknown competition versus some undisclosed opponents, conducting unexplained tasks, with a jolly band of people you only just met in tow?" Skepticism coated their words like venom. Their companion began to protest, but they continued, "Only, if the fate of all existence is at stake, including my own, which I am generally very fond of, I hope you are at least taking this seriously. I hope you have thought this through."
You take a moment to think of an answer, then,
---
[[I believe in the path laid out for me. The deity instructed me to find my allies here, so that is what I will do. I will trust in their strength, as well as my own.|answer 1 1]]
---
[[Of course I have thought this through. I gave up my life to be here, and I don't intend for that to have been in vain. I have spent every moment since I began this quest considering strategies and contingencies in order to ensure our victory. I will do whatever is necessary to succeed.|answer 1 2]]
---"Ah, you and most others who find their way here, friend." The gunman nods in acknowledgement. "It's this place's primary source of tourism. Some come to investigate; to unlock whatever ancient and powerful secrets it is connected to. Some come as sort of a pilgrimage, in reverence of whatever force put it here. Many here are the remnants of teams put together to work on that strange old thing, who ended up staying."
"Mmm, the 'door into the mountain'. Not quite what you'd expect the first time around. What do you know of it, stranger?" The sword wielder asks you. You answer honestly: close to nothing, beyond that it is the subject of your mission. You believe the key to unlocking it is held within your pendant, and that its treasures could be of great benefit to all.
"Oh? Curious you have such expectations of something you know so little about." A raised eyebrow follows your answer. "How is it you've come about these theories? Are you under somebody's employ?"
Sort of, in a sense, you say. You have been commissioned by a party with deep knowledge of the door, who provided you with the pendant and believes you uniquely qualified to put together a team and tackle the challenges opening it presents. Your compensation comes on completion of the job. You know little more.
"That's quite a gamble you're taking. You must not have left much of a life behind, to have dropped everything based on such little information." The gunslinger chuckles sheepishly, perhaps regretting having made that observation aloud. "No offense, friend."
No, you say, you do have a family. It pains you enormously to have left them, but you did not have a choice.
---
[[You do this for them.|answer 2 1]]
---
[[For the sake of your place in life, this was too great an offer to refuse.|answer 2 2]]
---Their reactions are predictable: a disapproving tsk and an endorsing nod, respectively.
"If you want in on this madness, knock yourself out. My faith isn't so comfortable being blind. I'll take my chances at the other end of the universe." Your shorter companion shrugs, throwing back the rest of their milkshake. "Or, maybe I'll wait around for someone else to tell the same story, hope they've put together a better plan of action. You said there'd be a contest, eh? I reckon there's a fair chance we finally get the opportunity to put to rest this long debate of ours, old friend." They look slyly to their rival, who shakes their head and laughs.
"Are you saying you'll enter a contest for the fate of reality, only expecting to lose to me?"
"I am saying that I won't have a choice in the matter if I do."
"You are so painfully wrong I could throttle you, but I fear you would only use it to prove your point." The warrior's tone is defeated. A pause, then they turn to you, asking,
"What's your take, newcomer? Who do you think has it right?"
You rid your mind of assumptions you had made until now, and ask for the question to be clarified.
"Ah, my apologies. Who do you think wins in a fight? The two of us, no auxiliary factors, bare terrain."
---
[[A sword is a terrible obstacle to overcome, no matter your skill. I think the sword prevails.|answer 1 1 1]]
---
[[There's not much even a trained hand can do with a sword if their opponent is quick enough... and has a gun. I think the gun clearly takes it.|answer 1 1 2]]
---"That was a good answer. It sounds as though you really have reconciled with the full weight of the burden you describe. Fair enough, you've convinced me of that. I remain skeptical of the subject matter, but I acknowledge that you are taking it seriously." the squat combatant un-crosses his arms, ceding his opposition, then, snickering, "And I've certainly fought for as much before."
"Yes, you have, you stubborn fool." the warrior joins in the laughter. "And, if you remember, you beat me then, too."
"Oh, no, I don't accept that. It's not comparable whatsoever. It was hardly only you and I at odds back then; far from the clean match-up we agreed upon."
"It is as apt an analogy as any I might conceive" the warrior offers their companion a wry smile.
"You madden me. Ok, how about this. You said there'll be a contest, eh?" the gesture is to you. You nod.
"I reckon there's a fair chance we'll finally get the opportunity to put to rest this long debate of ours, old friend. I propose that one of us joins our new associate here, and the other waits to join the opposition. The perfect stage to dance our beloved dance, eh?"
"That's insane, As far as we can tell, whoever this opposition is will be interested in destroying... everything! You would join them simply to set the stage for our battle?"
"In that case, I had better be the one to stay, so you can beat me."
"You motherfucker. I'm in."
The pair turn to you. Whatever relationship they have with one another appears to be more important to them than continuing to exist. You fear this will make them each a liability, but you have immense respect for their passion.
"So, what's your take, friend? Who do you think has it right? Which of us do you want?"
You rid your mind of assumptions you had made until now, and ask for the question to be clarified.
"Ah, my apologies. Who do you think wins in a fight? The two of us, no auxiliary factors, bare terrain."
---
[[A sword is a terrible obstacle to overcome, no matter your skill. I think the sword prevails.|answer 1 2 1]]
---
[[There's not much even a trained hand can do with a sword if their opponent is quick enough... and has a gun. I think the gun clearly takes it.|answer 1 2 2]]
---The Swordie says, "Your confidence in me is flattering, though I don't know that I agree. Perhaps I should believe in you who believes in me, before selling myself short. If you will have me, I am yours."
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 061098.//
---
[[Return to town|town]]
---The Spacie says, "Ha! Kind of you to say, but sorry, my mind is made up. You've as good an asset as any in my friend here, don't take them for granted. I only ask that you promise me, if you're serious about all of this, don't fail."
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 061098.//
---
[[Return to town|town]]
---#Town Centre
The small town square is filled with things to do, people to see, places to go.
What do you do?
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Tavern")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[Head to the Tavern.|Tavern]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Barracks")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[Check out the Barracks.|Barracks]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Market")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[The Market may prove fruitful.|Market]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Gathering")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[There appears to be a Gathering of people over there.|Gathering]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Watchful Eye")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[You notice Watchful Eyes following you from the shadows.|Watchful Eye]]
---
[[Blow this popsicle stand.|Blow]]
---
(if:visits >= 3)[[[ - >Visit the door into the mountain.<|mountainready]]
---]
The Swordie says, "Your confidence in me is flattering, though I don't know that I agree. Perhaps I should believe in you who believes in me, before selling myself short. If you will have me, I am yours."
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 061098.//
---
[[Return to town|town]]
---The Spacie says, "Ha! Kind of you to say, but sorry, my mind is made up. It looks as though my sorry demise on the business end of that fool's great big prick will come while fighting at your side, then, friend. You may count me amongst your assets."
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 572956.//
---
[[Return to town|town]]
---A large beetle bumbles toward you, startling you. It lands nearby, on the sill of the building's long-neglected front window and immediately begins minding its own business. That's a hell of a bug, you think. You watch it for a time, fully disarmed of your indomitable resolve by this novel sequence of distracting events. It does things you figure any beetle in their right mind would do. You begin to wonder if the reprieve you allowed yourself last night has not shaken your focus. You snap out of it; there will be plenty of beetles to admire once you've achieved their continuing existence. This is no time to forget why you are here. You feel foolish.
You collect yourself, stand from the squat position you had adopted while bug-watching, dust yourself off, then turn to resume your quest...
---
[[Only to fall prey to the carefully-prepared ambush of...|watched3]]
---The sun. Your vision is robbed of you by this obnoxious ball of fire in the sky. It is positioned exactly amid your field of view, granting your retinas absolutely none of the required of time to comfortably adjust from the much darker shade to its bitter sensory onslaught.
You shield your eyes and look away, dazed and still unable to see. You curse your misfortune and wonder if you are dehydrated or perhaps growing ill; you are really dropping the ball here. You reach for the skin of water in your pack, swallow back several generous mouthfuls, then head back to your original position, ready for business.
---
[[What a waste of time this was.|watched4]]
---#Town Centre
The small town square is filled with things to do, people to see, places to go.
What do you do?
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Tavern")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[Head to the Tavern.|watched5]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Barracks")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[Check out the Barracks.|watched5]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Market")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[The Market may prove fruitful.|watched5]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Gathering")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[There appears to be a Gathering of people over there.|watched5]]
---
[[Go see the stupid bug again|watched5]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blow")'s length >= 1)[-](else:)[[Blow this popsicle stand.|watched5]]
---Whatever you were about to do, your efforts are abruptly postponed by the appearance of an intense pair of eyes, locking onto your own. They belong to a mysterious figure, clad in a skin-tight ensemble, a shroud wrapped around their face save their eyes to conceal their identity. They hold their stare for a moment, awkward but not intimidating, then produce suddenly, and confusingly, a lyre. The instrument, small and elegant, appears well kept; its shiny frame almost making it ornamental, and too precious to play. Despite this, uncannily delicate notes and plucks begin to gather, each continuing the beautiful sentiment of the last until they together form a melody.
Two rounds of the short refrain are played to you, slowly and with measure, then the mystifying stranger stops, opens their eyes and looks to you, expectantly. You suffer a moment of shy panic; you've sadly little musical talent and your voice only has one mode: quiet, measured, brooding. There is no way you could follow that eidolic performance with only your humble little instrument. You have been practicing a lot recently, but... surely not...
No. You can do this. You have come long and far, suffered much and beaten insensible odds on your quest to be musical. All the nights' sleep you have sacrificed honing your crude technique have lead, finally, to this. You finally have an excuse to play your ocarina.
---
[[You draw it from your pack and hold it to your mouth, ready.|watched6]]
---Your mysterious guest responds by raising their lyre once more. They play the tune:
(t8n:"fade-right")+(link:"Right")[=
(t8n:"dissolve")+(link:"A")[=
(t8n:"fade-down")+(link:"Down")[=
(t8n:"fade-right")+(link:"Right")[=
(t8n:"dissolve")+(link:"A")[=
(t8n:"fade-down")+(link:"Down")[=
(t8n:"fade-right")+(link:"Right")[=
---
[[You do your best to follow along.|watched7]]
---(align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedKC]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watched8]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]]Blast! A misstep. Your companion carefully plays the tune again:
(t8n:"fade-right")+(link:"Right")[=
(t8n:"dissolve")+(link:"A")[=
(t8n:"fade-down")+(link:"Down")[=
(t8n:"fade-right")+(link:"Right")[=
(t8n:"dissolve")+(link:"A")[=
(t8n:"fade-down")+(link:"Down")[=
(t8n:"fade-right")+(link:"Right")[=
---
[[You do your best to follow along.|watched7]]
---(align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watched9]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watched10]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watched11]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watched12]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watched13]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watched14]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]]You play your part perfectly. Your combined performance extends effortlessly into a beautiful harmony, telling the noble tale of a hero bound by fate to overcome a great evil. Beautiful.
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 762056//
---
[[Continue your quest.|town]]
---(align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedKC2]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedKC3]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedKC4]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedKC5]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedKC6]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedKC7]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedKC8]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedfail]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[B|watchedKC9]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"=><====")[[[Up|watchedfail]]]
[[Left|watchedfail]](align:"=><==")[[[Right|watchedfail]]](align:"==><=")[[[A|watchedKC10]]]
(align:"=><====")[[[Down|watchedfail]]](align:"==><===")[[[Start|watchedKCfin]]]You have unlocked the code to the cryptid's house!
//Cryptid code: 2288464684 enter. Make note of this.//
You also gained an ally!
//Character code: 762056//
---
[[Continue your quest.|town]]
---Your conversational partners offer you a moment of silence in respect for your bittersweet circumstances. They look to one another and offer a small nod each.
"Either of us would love to join your cause."
"Unfortunately, time has proven much too often that it can't be both."
"One or the other, you must choose."
You furrow your brow, surprised at the decision required of you now. You want to ask if there is nothing you can do to make it possible, but you somehow suspect neither will be willing to change their mind. Noticing your difficulty, the sword wielder offers,
"Ah, how about this. We will make it a choice of utility, not character." A small grin creeps onto their mouth. "What was your take on our earlier debate? Who do you think has the right of it?"
You rid your mind of assumptions you had made until now, and ask for the question to be clarified.
"Ah, my apologies. Who do you think wins in a fight? The two of us, no auxiliary factors, bare terrain."
---
[[A sword is a terrible obstacle to overcome, no matter your skill. I think the sword prevails.|answer 2 1 1]]
---
[[There's not much even a trained hand can do with a sword if their opponent is quick enough... and has a gun. I think the gun clearly takes it.|answer 2 1 2]]
---Your comment receives mixed reactions. The gun nods, understanding. The sword tilts their head and furrows their expression in disagreement. The first offers,
"A sentiment I can understand. It sounds as though you and yours will be better of for this, so why not engage in this rare opportunity to make something of yourself? Though it wouldn't be easy—and I certainly don't envy you for that—I know I would have made the same choice. I'm counting myself fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of this, if of course you'll have me!"
You affirm your invitation, leaving the gunner grinning. You catch the sword wielder snickering as they watch, looking at their companion,
"Ever the easy catch when glory is involved, eh? You never change, old friend."
"Oh? Is there so much wrong with wanting to achieve what others cannot? Rich coming from you, given your accomplishments. You're far from a pauper, no?"
"Ah, a nerve I have struck. If you truly believe it is I who bests you in a fight, it is only because I've the inability to avoid striking those vulnerable places of yours, word or sword, you precious pup."
"Ha! So you admit it! I am loathe to say it, but there is no longer an argument. The victory is yours."
"Hardly. I may be able to pinch a nerve, but the advantage is so clearly yours it makes no difference. It baffles me that you are so blind to this."
The two temporarily forget you are there, filling again with the fervour of their earlier argument. Before the gun can retort, though, the sword raises their hand to stop them. Turning to you, they say,
"Apologies, friend, both for this tendency our debates have to grow blind to their surroundings, and also for the fact that I am unable to reconcile with the reasons for your quest. I respect your decision, but it is not a cause my heart can follow.
"I would like to know, though, what is your take, newcomer? Who do you think has it right?"
You rid your mind of assumptions you had made until now, and ask for the question to be clarified.
"Ah, my apologies. Who do you think wins in a fight? The two of us, no auxiliary factors, bare terrain."
---
[[A sword is a terrible obstacle to overcome, no matter your skill. I think the sword prevails.|answer 2 2 1]]
---
[[There's not much even a trained hand can do with a sword if their opponent is quick enough... and has a gun. I think the gun clearly takes it.|answer 2 2 2]]
---The Swordie says, "Your confidence in me is flattering, though I don't know that I agree. Perhaps I should believe in you who believes in me, before selling myself short. If you will have me, I am yours."
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 061098.//
---
[[Return to town|town]]
---The Spacie says, "Ha! Kind of you to say, but sorry, my mind is made up. Regardless, you've made a strong choice, friend. You may count me amongst your assets."
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 572956.//
---
[[Return to town|town]]
---The Swordie says, "Your confidence in me is flattering, though I don't know that I agree. As I stated, though, yours is not a cause I can rally behind, I am sorry. Though you may only be agreeing with my friend here to win their favour, do not make the mistake of underestimating his strength. You are lucky to have recruited such a valuable asset, as he likes to put it. Please, take care to return him in one piece."
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 572956.//
---
[[Return to town|town]]
---The Spacie says, "Ha! Kind of you to say, but sorry, my mind is made up. Regardless, you've made a strong choice, friend. You may count me amongst your assets."
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 572956.//
---
[[Return to town|town]]
---You march through the perfect example of tranquility over to the counter, a philistine. You ring the bell noisily, its shrill call reverberating about the empty room. You listen for movement originating in other rooms, but hear nothing. Nothing else to do, you stretch, then turn to leave, when, faintly, you hear...
//prang
prang
prang//
The sound of a metal bar being struck, somewhere below. You've seen the inside of a holding cell enough times to know that sound. You suppose you ought not meddle in whatever lawlessness this town deems worth locking up, especially as you remember the several hundred times you were told to avoid trouble yesterday, but something doesn't seem quite right...
It seems irresponsible for this place to be left empty with someone in holding. Perhaps, you think, somebody may be down with the prisoner?
What do you do?
---
[[Leave trouble be and return to town.|townsure]]
---
[[Investigate further.|barracks3]]
---You walk through into the next room, stuffy and still as the last, and through the open door signposted as the way toward the holding cells. You descend a small flight of metal stairs, unable to avoid clammering as you test their loose fittings. As you reach the bottom, the first thing you see is a great figure in the cell, wide-eyed, looking at you with their finger to their lip. They are pointing across the room at another character laying on a bench, fast asleep. The prisoner frantically waves you over as they catch you looking at the jailer, still with their finger to their lips, urging your silence.
"I think they'd probably sleep through a desert storm naked at this point, but I'd not like to test it, so let's keep our voices down." Their hushed tone is measured, but tinged with desperation. "Boy am I glad to see you, though. Listen, you've got to help me out. That crooked bounty hunter over there framed me for a crime they committed, just to make some quick coin. I'm going to be locked away for life for something I didn't do.
"I know how this sounds, coming from some villain behind bars, but you have to believe me. They put me in here while they wait to collect the bounty. The guards could be back any minute. Please, you're the only one who can help me. If you fetch the keys and let me out, I will be indebted to you for life."
The villain, claiming innocence, points toward a set of keys on the table beside the bounty hunter. You now have a decision to make.
What do you do?
---
[[Wake the bounty hunter. They may have information, or make a strong ally.|barracksbh]]
---
[[Free the imprisoned. You can not allow this injustice to continue.|barracksfv]]
---
[[Leave and pretend you never came.|townsure]]
---You know the lengths somebody in this position might go to achieve freedom—lying through their teeth is well within that range. This story stinks of convenience and doesn't sit right with you at all. You apologise to the prisoner, but today is not the day for you to be an arbiter of justice.
"Pah, misery to you and yours, stranger. You are all the same, and not one of you decent. Pray you never see me after this day, fool." they growl, turning to sit on their undersized cot. You tell them you won't tell the bounty hunter about their bargain. They don't say anything.
You walk over to where the captor remains asleep. You clear your throat, testing the depth of their slumber. They do not stir. You shake their shoulder, without result. You feel embarrassed, knowing the criminal is watching you awkwardly try and fail.
You stand back and scratch your head. Your eyes unconsciously drift to their chest, where you watch to see if they are still breathing. They are.
"You could rob them here and leave, stranger. I wouldn't tell a soul." The prisoner sneers behind you. You laugh. Yes, you could, you say. You'd appreciate the secrecy.
You'd be inclined to leave them be and return to your business, if you didn't feel it unsafe for them to be alone here, given your encounter with their quarry, and the unreasonable effort apparently required for them to rouse.
You clear your throat again.
//ahem//
---
[[EXCUSE me.|barracksbh2]]
---You nod to the prisoner with resolve. They bow their head and meet their hands in gratitude. You sneak over to the table and tenderly grip the keychain, being careful to minimize the noise they make. The bounty hunter seems well and truly out for the count, but you do not want to test your fortune at this junction any further.
Keys in hand, you tiptoe back to the cell door. You inspect the keyring and select the one that appears most likely to work. You insert, twist, and... no movement. Cursing, you remove it and try another. After two more attempts, you finally find the correct key and the cell door swings open noisily. You freeze. The prisoner freezes. The entire room is motionless, including the bounty hunter, who is still impossibly deep in slumber. You beckon the prisoner forth; they collect what few possessions they have in their cell, then scurry forth to freedom.
You have made your way halfway up the stairs, when they, following behind you, tug at your sleeve. You jump, startled and full of adrenaline, but manage not to make a sound. You turn around to see them beckoning at the keyring. You shake your head in confusion. They whisper, "My belongings are held in that locker over there," gesturing over to a set of metal lockers right next to the bounty hunter, "and I'd really rather not leave without them."
You take a moment to think, then concede their point and hand them the keys. They deftly move over to where their belongings are being kept—impressively spry for one with their bulk—and recreate your routine of trialling each key until they find the correct one. Fortunately, they find it on only their second try. They retrieve their stuff and return to the stairs, leaving the locker open to avoid making any further noise.
---
[[You ascend and escape.|barracksfv2]]
---Still nothing. You are growing frustrated. You reach down again to put a hand on their shoulder, intending to shake them more vigorously, but before you can, a hand intercepts you, grabbing your wrist,
"Don't you know not to wake a sleeping predator, stranger?"
You freeze. The bounty hunter lets go of your wrist and bats away your hand—enough to return you to your senses. You back away a step, cautious, but the bounty hunter appears to pay you little mind. They sit themselves up, yawn and adjust their attire.
"I don't suppose you're here with my payment?" they ask, rubbing sleep from their eyes. Afraid not, you reply. You were hoping for some information, but nobody else is here but the two of them.
They throw their head back and let go a long sigh. Silence endures for a few seconds, until
"Welp, if it's information you want, I'll try my best, but I'm useless on an empty stomach." they stand and stretch their body fully awake. They stand taller than you expected.
"And, it'll cost you."
They walk over to the stairway, beckoning you to follow. You look back to the prisoner. Their expression neutral, save a small sense of defeat betrayed by their eyes, they call over to you,
"I'll take a black coffee."
---
[[You follow the bounty hunter back up to the empty barracks|barracksbh3]]
---You are lead to the canteen. The bounty hunter hops over the counter and into the kitchen, where they open the regrigerator. "Ah!" They emerge with a plastic tupperware box containing a sandwich, a tangerine and a yoghurt. They hop up and take a seat on the kitchen counter, cracking open their feast. On the lid of the tupperware box, you can see clearly written, 'Charlie's lunch'. As the bounty hunter peels open the sandwich to inspect its contents, you suspect that Charlie is currently losing their lunch.
"Red peppers? Charlie's on some fancy livin'." Your suspicions, confirmed. "Good stuff." They say, taking a bite. They extend the second half of the sandwich to you. "Want some?"
You hold up your hand and shake your head. They shrug and continue eating. "Suit yourself."
You politely wait for them to finish the sandwich. All done, they brush themselves off, hop down, walk to the sink and fetch a spoon from the draining board. They wipe it on a kitchen towel then peel open the yoghurt and dig in. Ever haunted by a sense of urgency, your patience is tested.
The yoghurt is made quick work of. The tangerine is picked up, given a squeeze, and discarded. "Past it's due" constitues its pithy send-off.
"So! I've made you wait long enough. Information's your game, yes? How about this: I'll do you a deal. I'll tell you something you don't know, then you return the favour. A fair trade, yes?"
---
[[Sure.|barracksbh4]]
---"So, what is it you're looking to know, stranger?"
You... you really just wanted to know why the place was empty. You almost forgot for a moment why you had solicited this person's attention in the first place. A quick laugh escapes them and they shake their head, shrugging.
"I haven't a clue. I was secretly hoping that was the information I'd be getting. Sorry, friend, looks like I've wasted your time." They frown, yoghurt pot back in hand, collecting the final deposits from the bottom with their finger. "But, hey, our deal is still on. If you know something I don't, I'll try and find something useful for you."
You consider telling them about the villain's escape attempt, but remember your promise not to. You meant what you said about not being an arbiter of justice; it is not your place to interfere in whatever is between the two of them. You decide instead to plant yourself firmly back on track and reveal to them your reason for being in town. They listen attentively, not showing any signs of skepticism, and whistle when you are finally finished.
"The door into the mountain, eh? Now there's a fool's fancy. The price on the head of that thing could set me for the rest of my life. I've heard tell of theories to get into it before, but none so full of nonsense as what you just told me." Their words are harsh, but their tone is light. They smile.
"I think today, I might just fancy myself a fool. Here's something for you, a fair trade: if it's allies you're looking for, I'm keen." They move closer to you, hand out-stretched.
"If you'll have me, I'm yours, boss."
---
[[You take it.|barracksbh5]]
---A firm hand shake, a meal shared with (by) a new friend; a successful excursion. You ask the bounty hunter what they will do about their quarry downstairs. They respond that the payment for that will be waiting when you get back. You make to leave, but remember something.
You descend the stairs to the holding cell, black coffee in hand. You explain to the prisoner that you will be leaving now with their captor. They look on wordlessly. You return upstairs and make your way back to town.
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 295827//
---
[[Continue your quest.|town]]
---You exit together through the still-empty barracks and out to fresh air and freedom. Your new companion is ecstatic.
"Hoo boy, it's good to be on this side of those walls." They are having trouble containing their laughter, which is genuinely joyous. "Stranger! No, friend! You do not know what you have done for me today. I owe you my life. If it takes me forever, I will pay you back for your kindness. Name it, and it will be done."
You think for a moment. No matter the circumstances of their incarceration, this one seems a capable individual. You figure it might be fate, to have encountered them as you did. You offer that they might help you by accompanying you on your quest. "Sure." they offer, then ask what it is you need them to do. You explain to them your story.
"So, we crack the door into the mountain, then compete in some contest and if we win, we get to save reality?" You nod your assent to their understanding.
"Yeah, I can help with that." their visage adopts suddenly a sinister quality. You suppose it comes with the package. They have proven themselves benevolent thus far, so you don't afford yourself the worry.
You gained an ally!
//Character code: 872648//
---
[[Continue your quest.|town]]
---
You point to yourself. Me? The stagemaster nods, beckoning you up. You shake your head; you had not raised your hand, you have been misinterpreted. The stagemaster goads you, eager for you to come forth,
"Ahhh, come on! It's only a game of chance! With just a bit of luck, you could be our winner! What's the harm?" He calls out, performatively.
The crowd begins urging you forward, waving their hands and gently pushing you from behind. You figure there is no point resisting, nor harm in taking part. Whatever it is can't be too bad, else it wouldn't be on interactive public display.
You concede and make your way up the stairs leading to the stage. From up here, you are able to appreciate just how large the crowd is. You are beckoned over to where the stagemaster is, standing just to their right.
"So, why don't you tell us your name, stranger?"
You provide your name.
"How interesting! I'm gonna call you newbie for short. Tell us, newbie, what made you accept our challenge today? Do you think you have what it takes?"
You explain again that it was an accident.
"It must be fate, then! Tell me, newbie, are you ready to rock?"
Sure, you say.
"Are you ready to paper?"
You respond only with a look of confusion. The crowd begins joining in with the chant.
"And are you ready,
to,
SCISSOORRSSSSSS?!“
The crowd erupts in applause.
---
[[You suppose this is a rock paper scissors competition.|gathering3]]
---"So, here are the rules, challenger: there will be one round and one round only. You go on shoot, as in, rock, paper, scissors, shoot. In the interest of fairness, each contestant will be blindfolded, but you may speak to one another as you please." At this point, somebody blindfolds you from behind. You can not see who your opponent is.
"And that's it! Any questions? No? Great. Now, if you could all put your hands together for our as-yet undefeated champion,—“ The name of your opponent is lost in the din of the crowd's cacophonous cheer.
"Competitors, please face one another." You try to estimate where to face beneath your blindfold. You feel a hand touch your shoulder from behind and adjust you slightly.
"Challenger, are you ready?"
You nod your head and put your thumbs up, meekly.
"Champion, are you ready?"
You hear nothing, but assume they give their assent.
"Alright then, on shoot, throw your hand!"
"ROCK!" The crowd joins in.
"PAPER!!"
"SCISSORS!!!"
**"SHOOOTT!!!!!"**
---
[[Throw rock|gatheringrock]]
---
[[Throw paper|gatheringpaper]]
---
[[Throw scissors|gatheringscissors]]
---You throw rock. For a fraction of a second, stretched to an infinity by the adrenaline flooding your veins, there is silence, then a deafening cheer erupts from what seems like everywhere. You remove your blindfold with your other hand, keeping your fist balled with your first, allow yourself to adjust quickly to the light, and see the result of the competition:
Before you stands a small boy with a stripy t-shirt, blue shorts and a happy grin. He is holding in his hand two fingers out-stretched, in a peace sign. Confused for a moment, it gradually sinks in that he, the champion, threw scissors.
"Folks, it looks like we have A NEW CHAMPION!!!!!“ The host exclaims ecstatically to the crowd. The cheers continue. Your opponent lowers their hand and nods to you, smiling. You nod back, sheepishly.
"We'll be taking a short break here, people! Feel free to grab some refreshments, but don't stray far! Any one of you could be the next to challenge our new champ!!!" The crowd slowly disperses. You... are not sure if you are supposed to wait here and receive a prize? You certainly don't want to stick around long—you do not intend to maintain your win streak. Looking about and seeing nobody amongst the production crew paying you any attention, you decide to take this opportunity to leave and re-focus your attention on more important tasks.
As you make your way down the side of the stage, you notice small footsteps behind you. You turn around to find your opponent following close. Hey, you say, well played. They do not respond, only look at you and smile. Oh, you're going this way too? You ask. They nod and point to you. You're following me? You ask. They nod again, affirming your theory. Oh, okay, you say.
You suppose you did come to make allies, you think. You'd be remiss to decline their application.
You gained an ally!
Character code: 662949
---
[[Sneak away, back to the town centre|town]]
---You throw paper. For a fraction of a second, stretched to an infinity by the adrenaline flooding your veins, there is silence, then a deafening cheer erupts from what seems like everywhere. You remove your blindfold with your other hand, keeping your first paper flat, allow yourself to adjust quickly to the light, and see the result of the competition:
Before you stands... a large rock with a face? You are confused. Is this some kind of joke? You... suppose you won?
Before you can decide how exactly to feel about what just happened, the rock suddenly experiences a transformation. In the blink of an eye, the rock no longer resembles a rock with a face, but rather a pink ball with a face. They are smiling happily at you, clapping their short arms above their head.
"Folks, it looks like we have A NEW CHAMPION!!!!!“ The host exclaims ecstatically to the crowd. The cheers continue. Your opponent lowers their hand and nods to you, smiling. You nod back absently.
"We'll be taking a short break here, people! Feel free to grab some refreshments, but don't stray far! Any one of you could be the next to challenge our new champ!!!" The crowd slowly disperses. You... are not sure if you are supposed to wait here and receive a prize? You certainly don't want to stick around long—you do not intend to maintain your win streak. Looking about and seeing nobody amongst the production crew paying you any attention, you decide to take this opportunity to leave and re-focus your attention on more important tasks.
As you make your way down the side of the stage, you notice small footsteps behind you. You turn around to find your opponent following close. Hey, you say, well played. They do not respond, only look at you and smile. Oh, you're going this way too? You ask. They nod and point to you. You're following me? You ask. They nod again, affirming your theory. Oh, okay, you say.
You suppose you did come to make allies, you think. You'd be remiss to decline their application.
You gained an ally!
Character code: 623456
---
[[Sneak away, back to the town centre|town]]
---You throw scissors. For a fraction of a second, stretched to an infinity by the adrenaline flooding your veins, there is silence, then a deafening cheer erupts from what seems like everywhere. You remove your blindfold with your other hand, keeping your two fingers extended and sharp in your fist, allow yourself to adjust quickly to the light, and see the result of the competition:
Before you stands... a... short, flat man. Just, dimensionally flat. Oddly, as you tilt your head, he remains flat as paper relative to your viewing point, rendering you unable to 'look behind' him, just without any appearance of depth. He is holding out his hand, which is just a solid black mass with no apparent digits, which... you suppose is his version of a rock. You are a little dejected, which surprises you. You suppose anybody would be with the crowd cheering against them with this fervor.
"Folks, it looks like we have A NEW CHAMPION!!!!!“ The host exclaims ecstatically to the crowd. The cheers continue. You won? Your opponent threw paper? How can you even tell? Your opponent lowers their hand and nods to you. You nod back, dumbly.
"We'll be taking a short break here, people! Feel free to grab some refreshments, but don't stray far! Any one of you could be the next to challenge our new champ!!!" The crowd slowly disperses. You... are not sure if you are supposed to wait here and receive a prize? You certainly don't want to stick around long—you do not intend to maintain your win streak. Looking about and seeing nobody amongst the production crew paying you any attention, you decide to take this opportunity to leave and re-focus your attention on more important tasks.
As you make your way down the side of the stage, you notice small footsteps behind you. You turn around to find your opponent following close. Hey, you say, well played. They do not respond, only look at you. Oh, you're going this way too? You ask. They nod and point to you. You're following me? You ask. They nod again, affirming your theory. Oh, okay, you say.
You suppose you did come to make allies, you think. You'd be remiss to decline their application.
You gained an ally!
Character code: 719415
---
[[Sneak away, back to the town centre|town]]
---Your party is formed and your resolve is gathered. You have decided you are ready to proceed.
You recount to your crew the reasons for your mission, as well as the stakes. Knowledge of the Door into the Mountain is presented to you readily and plentifully; it is a cornerstone of the town's history, so everybody has some knowledge of it.
---
[[You discern the location and head out.|door2]]
---You enter through the door into the home supplies store. You are greeted with a jingle as the door opens and closes, and a voice from behind a shelf calling out, "We're closing in ten, just so you know!"
You acknowledge their message and begin to browse. You hear the noises made by one or two more customers in the small but well-stocked store, though you can not see anybody. The shelving unit in front of you displays an assortment of utensils and reageants for cleaning and protecting wooden furniture. Not the most useful thing right now, but there's plenty more to see.
You round the corner to the next set of aisles. To your left, a sign indicates plumbing supplies. To your right, a display of various models of vacuum cleaner. You do not want to press the store owner's patience, so you decide you will investigate one more aisle and leave.
Which do you choose?
---
[[Take the plunge, go left.|market11]]
---
[[Suck it up and go right.|market12]]
---You enter into the potion shop. The interior is small, perhaps shrunk by the multitude of drapes and ornaments decorating the walls, insulating heat and absorbing sound to keep the room very warm and very quiet. These are things you noticed second; first to capture your attention was the intense combination of scents and aromas permeating the cosy space. It reminds you of an incense shop, only more heady.
"Hold on a second, I'll be there in a moment." A voice emerges from the space above the counter. You realise a ladder is positioned just behind the worktop, wobbling slightly every few seconds. You approach the counter and lean over it to see if you can discover what is going on.
"This blasted thing... just replaced the batteries in it. Right, mind, do you have the time, stranger?" The voice calls out. You are just able to see who you assume to be the shopkeeper atop the ladder, fiddling with something on the wall. You provide the time.
"Ah, that late already, eh? I'll be shutting shop soon! Or... say, is that AM or PM?"
---
[[AM|market21]]
---
[[PM|market22]]
---You enter into the third store. It is much larger on the inside than it at first appeared. Two impressive floors of all kinds of sporting and outdoor goods stretch themselves ceremoniously before you, linked by a grand central staircase. A sign stands beside it, detailing the contents of each floor:
1f: HIKING, MOUNTAINEERING AND OUTDOORS
G: SPORTING AND COMPETITION
Which floor do you browse?
---
[[1f|market31]]
---
[[G|market32]]
---
You head down the aisle to the left. Assorted pieces of drain-unclogging and pipe-fitting equipment line the generously-stocked shelves. You don't suppose any of this will be much more useful than the wood lacquer in the last aisle, but you always enjoy entertaining yourself with the thought that one day you might be the kind of person who's stoked about this stuff. It comes with a peaceful life, you think.
You notice you are not alone in browsing this section. A short man in overalls stands beside you, closely examining a plunger. He doesn't appear to have noticed you. He takes a few deft practice swings at an imaginary enemy, frowns, shakes his head and puts it back. You hand him another, this one a larger, heavier model. He accepts it, nods as he feels its its weight in his hands, executes an elegant display of bludgeoning techniques and appears satisfied.
Nice moves, you say. You would hate to be a clogged drain with him about.
A man of few words, he nods and smiles confidently. He reached into his pocket and hands you a business card. Featured on it is a picture of him, neutral in expression and posture, passport photo-style, accompanied by just one word, 'Mario'. He points to it.
"It's me." He moves his finger over to the text, "Mario."
You flip the card over, but the reverse is just the same image. Is he available for hire, you wonder?
Aloud, you wonder, are you available for hire?
Mario takes off his cap and bows. You suppose that is a yes.
You tell him you've a job for him. Payment comes on completion. He nods his assent confidently.
You gained an ally!
Character Code: 194742
"Shop's closed, come back tomorrow!" The shopkeep calls out. Mario goes to buy his plunger, then you leave the store together.
---
[[Return to the town square|town]]
---You head down the aisle to the right. A grand display greets you, celebrating suction devices of all shapes, sizes and creed. You have never thought vacuum cleaners to merit celebration in particular, but seeing this joyous exhibition, you appreciate the passion. This isn't what you came in to find, either, but that's no reason not to enjoy a work of art.
You notice you are not alone in admiring this spectacle of suckery. A lanky man in overalls stands beside you, hand on chin, brow furrowed, lips puckered; a connoisseur. His scrutinous gaze has landed on what appears to be the newest addition to the display; made clear by the large 'NEW ADDITION!' sign pointing toward it.
Don't make 'em like they used to, eh? You offer an easy joke to break the ice. The man's critical glare moves from the cleaning device to you, exploring your featured and leaving you feeling mildly unsettled. The corner of his lip curls into a severe smile.
"Quite."
His one-word response is curt, but not rude. He appears genuinely to be agreeing with your point, disappointed in the product. You decide to press your luck.
You ask him, what might his recommendation be for a model fit to tackle the end of the world?
He chortles, answering with a self-assured smile and a card in his hand, out-stretched for you to take.
"It's Luigi time."
You look at the card. Pictured is the man, winking and shooting finger guns. Accompanying the image is the text, 'Luigi Sucks'. You suppose this is his business card, and his service is in sucking.
You flip the card over, but the reverse is the same. Is he for hire, you wonder?
Aloud, you wonder, are you available for hire?
Luigi removes his cap and bows. You suppose that is a yes.
You tell him you've a job for him. Payment comes on completion. He nods his assent with confidence.
You gained an ally!
Character Code: 274729
"Shop's closed, come back tomorrow!" The shopkeep calls out. Luigi leans down and gives one of the models a kiss, then you leave the store together.
---
[[Return to the town square|town]]
---"Naturally, naturally. Shutting for lunch, then. Sorry, it is easy to lose track of the day in this quiet little hole of mine." The shopkeeper descends down the ladder, having apparently fixed a clock which is completely out of view from anywhere else in the shop due to the drapes on the ceiling. No problem, you say. Happy to help. The shopkeep perches themselves on a stool and settles into their retail routine.
"Now, what can I get for you today?" They ask enthusiastically, waving their hand to the left where their wares are lined up on display. A red potion, a blue potion, a green potion. What does the green potion do, you wonder?
Aloud, you wonder, what does the gr—
Shattering the shop's quiet as though a lightning bolt racing into an ancient tree, somebody bustles through the door behind you. A young blonde-haired boy with a sword and a shield walks forth, circumventing you, straight to the shopkeeper. They purchase some red potions and just as quickly turn to leave. They do a quick roll but stop at the door before exiting. They turn to you and walk over, coming to a stop in front of you.
They look to you expectantly.
Uh, hello there, you say. The boy does not respond, only continues to stare you in the eyes. Can I help you with something, you ask? Not a word.
You recall the words of the carriage driver, that somebody had been hanging around. You wonder if this is that person.
You recall the words of the deity in your dreams, that you would arrive here and meet allies. Could it be that simple, you wonder?
Child, you say, I have a quest for you. You explain to him your circumstances and the stakes at play for all existence. As your exposition draws to a close, the boy pauses a moment, then nods. He returns to the shop keeper, points behind the row of potions to a second set of items you hadn't noticed. The shop keeper alarmingly hands over a large bundle of explosives. The boy packs them away and exits the shop fully.
It appears you gained an ally!
Character Code: 685920
---
[[Shop's closed. Exit to town.|town]]
---"Naturally, naturally. Shutting for the day, then. Sorry, it is easy to lose track of time in this quiet little hole of mine." The shopkeeper descends down the ladder, having apparently fixed a clock which is completely out of view from anywhere else in the shop due to the drapes on the ceiling. No problem, you say. Happy to help. The shopkeep perches themselves on a stool and settles into their retail routine.
"Now, what can I get for you today?" They ask enthusiastically, waving their hand to the left where their wares are lined up on display. A red potion, a blue potion, a green potion. What does the green potion do, you wonder?
Aloud, you wonder, what does the gr—
Shattering the shop's quiet as though a lightning bolt racing into an ancient tree, somebody bustles through the door behind you. A young blonde-haired man with a sword and a shield walks forth, circumventing you, straight to the shopkeeper. They purchase some red potions and just as quickly turn to leave. They do a quick roll but stop at the door before exiting. They turn to you and walk over, coming to a stop in front of you.
They look to you expectantly.
Uh, hello there, you say. The man does not respond, only continues to stare you in the eyes. Can I help you with something, you ask? Not a word.
You recall the words of the carriage driver, that somebody had been hanging around. You wonder if this is that person.
You recall the words of the deity in your dreams, that you would arrive here and meet allies. Could it be that simple, you wonder?
Friend, you say, I have a quest for you. You explain to him your circumstances and the stakes at play for all existence. As your exposition draws to a close, the man pauses a moment, then nods. He returns to the shop keeper, points behind the row of potions to a second set of items you hadn't noticed. The shop keeper alarmingly hands over a large bundle of explosives. The man packs them away and exits the shop fully.
It appears you gained an ally!
Character Code: 847185
---
[[Shop's closed. Exit to town.|town]]
---You circumvent the flight of stairs, weaving past shelving units to the heart of the sporting goods section. Equipment of every sort engages your fancy; hockey sticks, roller skates, boxing gloves, even a small shrine dedicated to disc golf, all backdropped by walls carrying enough footwear to outfit a small sports country.
You feel a little silly, having chosen to spend your limited and time browsing this section, given all other choices, but the word 'competition' stirred in you a haunting reminder of your quest, in the dulcet tones of your ethereal benefactor:
//Travel to the gate,
find there allies,
gather to participate,
A contest true, with ''me'' your prize.//
You suppose this is as good a lead as any, and as good a temptation of fate as the next. Where better to find a fit and competitive ally than here?
Suddenly, you encounter a prospective fit and competitive ally.
A blonde woman in casual attire is visible a few steps away, closely inspecting a tennis racket. She commits to a few deadly swings, bludgeoning several imaginary tennis balls, but seems dissatisfied with its feel, so returns it to the display stand. A small mushroom man emerges from around the corner of a shelving unit, carrying golf clubs and football boots, and places them next to her. She picks up a club and weighs it in her hand, before assuming a golfing pose and taking a lightning swing. A woman of many talents, apparently.
You decide to approach her, figuring you might at least be able to gather information about the area, if not recruit her. You raise your hand and and smile as you draw close, making clear your intention to start a conversation. Her attention moves from her brutal sporting techniques to you, but before she can say anything, the small mushroom man steps between the two of you, hands out front as though to push you away.
"Not a chance, buster. The princess is very busy, she didnt come here today to talk business, so back off."
You take a step back, hands raised in surrender. You didn't know she was a princess, you tell them. You are very sorry.
The princess chuckles. "Toad, chill out, man. You're stressing me out with this shit. It's all cool. Hey there, stranger. What can I do for you today?"
You hesitate, not wanting to incur the wrath of Toad again, but as you see his expression soften, you feel it safe to continue. You tell them that you are looking to build a team of capable individuals to compete in a very important contest, and you wonder if they can point you in the right direction. Toad's eyes narrow, suspicious, but the princess' light up.
"A contest? You've found your girl, buster. Count me in!"
"But, Princess, we just met this bozo, and you don't even know what the competition is..." Toad's tone quickly deflates, signalling his concession that he knows nothing he will say will change her mind.
"Don't care. I'm in. I'm with you, bozo. You can fill me in on the way."
Toad sighs.
You gained an ally!
Character code: 572914
[[Exit the store, buster.|town]]You ascend the flight of stairs, up to the outdoors section. Approaching the top, you see hiking boots, skiis, snowboards, paddles and entire kayaks hanging from the walls. The shop floor is split up roughly into different genres of activity, separated by shelving units. You don't see any other customers.
What might be a useful purchase for your journey, you wonder? Perhaps more camping supplies? You have no idea what to expect. You decide rope will probably be a good place to start, so you head to what you estimate to be the mountaineering section.
Rounding the corner of a display, you encounter, to your surprise, two children in matching sherpa coats, one blue, one pink. One is trying on a pair of cleeted boots, the other is browsing. Unsuccessful so far in locating any rope, you decide to ask them for help.
Uh, hey, you say. Any idea where I might find some rope?
They look at you and smile. One happily pulls from their pack a length of white rope and holds it outl to you.
Ah, no, I meant to purchase, you stammer.
Still smiling at you, the one holding the rope tosses one end of it to the other one, and they tug on it, in a show of its strength and quality.
No, uh.....
You stop yourself with a thought. You were told that once you arrived here, your next duty would be to gather allies. Your understanding of that message presses you to conclude that allies must therefore, by design of the divine, be available here to be made.
You look at these two apparently seasoned and capable climbers and wonder if it is as easy as that.
You tell them you have a job for them, if they're keen. They nod eagerly. Payment comes on completion. You can't provide details because you don't yet have them; you can say only that it is very important work. They nod again. There may be hardship, there may be danger. You can not promise they will return alive. They have already gone back to trying on shoes.
That settles it, then.
You gained a pair of allies!
Character code: 648203
"Shop's closing, please exit the store!" calls a voice from below.
---
[[Exit the store, back to town|town]]
---
You begin heading toward the base of the mountain. It is a short walk, and with the soft breeze cooling you on this sunny day, teasing the wild grass of the verdant prairie into a swaying reverie, it is certainly a pleasant one.
Drawing close to where the ground decides to leave the earth and take to the sky, you notice the grass starts to become longer, wilder and more full of life. A small opening in the mountain-face is visible on the other side of the waist-high sea of pasture. Is this the gate?
You stop moving, nervous.
Is this your destination?
The wind blows easy, exciting the long grass into a playful quiver.
It's probably not, but it might be.
You've stopped for nothing yet on this long, trying journey. That isn't going to change now.
---
[[Proceed.|fieldspkmn2]]
---You stroll over to the river's edge. Water clearer than air flows easily by, shimmering brilliantly in the sun. Small fish are visible beneath the surface, darting about at whim as they follow the gentle flow of the stream. You finish what is left of your water skin and refill it, then set off down the riverbank, following the fish.
The river is comparatively straight, weaving and meandering only slightly and not often, following a constant gentle decline. Looking back, you can see that it emerges from the direction of a distant mountain, but ahead, a distant drop prevents you from seeing where it follows.
There's a way to go yet.
---
[[Get hoofin'|fieldsdk2]]
---In front of you is some tall grass. It stands between you and the cave entrance.
`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|_______X|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn3]]
[[left|fieldspkmn4]]`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|_______X|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn3]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn4]]
---`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmmmX|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn6]]
[[left|fieldspkmn5]]
[[down|fieldspkmn21]] `_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|______X_|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn5]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn7]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn21]]
---`_∆_______
|mmmmmX|
|mmmmmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[left|fieldspkmn15]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn3]]
---`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmmXm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn15]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn11]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn4]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn3]]
---`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|____X___|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn11]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn8]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn4]]
---`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|___X____|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn12]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn9]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn7]]
---`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|_X______|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn13]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn10]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn8]]
---`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|X_______|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn14]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn9]]
---(if:(history: where its name contains "112")'s length >= 1)[`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmmXmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn16]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn12]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn7]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn5]]
---](else:)[A Wild Yoshi appeared!
(text-style:"underline")[[Ball|1121]] | [[Bait|1122]]
[[Rock|1123]] | [[Run|1124]]]
`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mmXmmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn17]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn13]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn8]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn11]]
---(if:(history: where its name contains "132")'s length >= 1)[`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|mXmmmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn18]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn14]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn9]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn12]]
---](else:)[A Wild Jigglypuff appeared!
(text-style:"underline")[[Ball|1321]] | [[Bait|1322]]
[[Rock|1323]] | [[Run|1324]]]
`_∆_______
|mmmmmm|
|Xmmmmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[up|fieldspkmn19]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn10]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn13]]
---`_∆_______
|mmmmXm|
|mmmmmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[left|fieldspkmn16]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn5]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn6]]
---`_∆_______
|mmmXmm|
|mmmmmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[left|fieldspkmn17]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn11]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn15]]
---(if:(history: where its name contains "172")'s length >= 1)[`_∆_______
|mmXmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[left|fieldspkmn18]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn12]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn16]]
---](else:)[A Wild Pichu appeared!
(text-style:"underline")[[Ball|1721]] | [[Bait|1722]]
[[Rock|1723]] | [[Run|1724]]]
`_∆_______
|mXmmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
[[left|fieldspkmn19]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn13]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn17]]
---(if:(history: where its name contains "192")'s length >= 1)[`_∆_______
|Xmmmmm|
|mmmmmm|
|________|`
X is you.
Make your move.
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "fieldscave2")'s length >= 1)[[[The cave is empty. Return to town.|town]]](else:)[[Enter cave.|fieldscave]]
---
[[left|fieldspkmn15]]
---
[[down|fieldspkmn14]]
---
[[right|fieldspkmn18]]
---](else:)[A Wild Pikachu appeared!
(text-style:"underline")[[Ball|1921]] | [[Bait|1922]]
[[Rock|1923]] | [[Run|1924]]]
You have made it to the cave entrance. Compared to the impression you carry in your head of some grand, mysterious, legendary doorway clearly intended to guard the most ancient secrets, this small maw into the mountain is rather mundane. You are confident now that this is unlikely to be the site of your final destination.
You enter the cave.
The instant you cross the threshold into the cave's cool darkness, you feel a clear shift in the atmosphere. It is not the change in temperature or lighting, but a definite intensity all about you, pressing in on your head and your body and your mind. You feel a force compelling you to leave and never return.
You do not move.
You gather your resolve. No stopping now.
---
[[You continue onward.|fieldscave2]]
---
Twists, turns, drops, dead ends. Your journey though the cave is exhaustingly eventful, and never for a moment short of perilous. You are painfully aware that your life has been in fate's careful hands the entire time, and are extremely fortunate to be in her good graces. You are never going to be able to forget what has happened to you here. You will spare others the story, for their sake.
At last, through all trials and tribulations, in spite of the cruelest odds, you have reached the cave's true end. The pressure you felt on entry has followed you through the cave, and is here the strongest you've felt it. You want to jump out of your skin and flee, leave your stupid resolve behind and hide, but you can't.
The haunting memory of your partner's face as they described their dream of the end is much scarier.
Scarier than this thing in front of you, curled up atop a rocky throne, eyes glowing, long tail twitching in hostility. It is the source of the immense psychic pressure, and it is looking right at you.
---
[[You step toward it, praying for the favour of lady luck once more.|fieldscave3]]
---
//What possesses you, stranger, to think you know better than to heed my warning and leave? Are you desperate, or have you only half a working brain?//
The voice you hear is in your head, but it's not in your own familiar, flavourless tone. The beast is speaking to you in your mind. Alarmed, you wonder if it can hear your thoughts, too. You ask it in your head, can you hear my thoughts?
For a few monents, nothing. It does not seem so.
//Speak up, intruder. I can tell your thoughts but I am not told them.//
It definitely does not seem so.
Stammering, you decide to be honest and tell the full tale of your quest, sensing it wiser to do so. The beast allows you to do so uninterrupted, waiting patiently and gradually reducing the emission of psychic pressure as you hit key points, and by the time you have finished, you no longer feel its invisible heaviness.
It takes a moment to digest your tale, then, in a more comfortable tone, breaks its silence.
//Twenty years have I waited here, watching as people have gathered to meet the challenge of that infernal thing. The Door into the Mountain. I am sensitive to cosmic movements, and have long known this place and that accursed artifact to be of extreme significance. I knew that, one day, greater beings would mobilise plans to operate their gateway and risk upsetting the universal balance.
I knew that it was here I needed to be. I knew my place was to help ensure the best outcome, no matter the toll.
Here before me you stand, stranger. At last.
Tell me, for what do you fight?//
---
[[I fight for my family. I fight for my future. I fight for all.|fieldscave4]]
---//That is clear to me. I will fight with you.
Allow me to escort you safely back to your civilisation. I will not follow you there, but you may call on me as you need. I will hear you.//
You bow in gratitude. You tell them you will accept both offers.
You gained an ally!
Character code: 739204
---
[[You are teleported back to town.|town]]
---You have been walking for a while now, and are honestly kind of bored. The scene remains unchangingly pleasant and palatable. The water glimmers constantly in the sun, the fish dart about in endless impulsivity; you are sweaty and tired.
You are a good way away from the town now; you can discern the silhouette of the clustered buildings on the horizon, hardly any more than two stories tall, but can no longer tell which from which. The river continues on ahead a still-indeterminable distance. Your journey is far from over.
---
[[There's only one thing to do.|fieldsdk3]]
---Having walked another mile or so without event, you decide to stop and take a break. Sitting down, you cover your eyes with the palms of your hands and press softly, giving your pupils a much-needed break. You can't help feeling like pursuing this route might have been a terrible waste of time.
Taking stock, you review again your surroundings. The town is now completely out of view, and the rest is much the same... only, you realise, a little way ahead of you, the river begins to narrow as it approaches the limit of visibility. You notice also an increase in vegetation on the opposite bank, transforming gradually from vibrant prairie, to verdant shrubbery, eventually onto what appears to be a taller section of forestry ahead.
It certainly would be a waste of time to have come all this way without at least discovering something of value, no matter how mundane. You've a recently-developed belief in the deliberate motions of fate. Whatever gentle touch guided you down this river path must have done so for a good reason, you know it.
Onwards.
---
[[Into the unknown.|fieldsdk4]]
---The river is narrow enough that to swim to the other bank is reasonable. The trees clustered on the neighbouring shore create a thick, dark and foreboding hovel, in stark contrast to the otherwise lovely day. You can see signs of a wild footpath leading into the labyrinth of wood.
Ahead of you, staying on your side of the bank, you can see and hear the river broaden again before cutting off quickly into a surprising sheer drop, roaring and crashing onto whatever is below.
You have two choices.
(but you can come back later to do both so don't worry.)
Which path do you choose?
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "fieldsdk5")'s length is 1)[-](else:)[[Stay the course to the river's end.|fieldsdk5]]
---
(if:(history: where its name contains "cryptidin")'s length is 1)[-](else:)[[Swim to the other shore and explore.|cryptid]]
---
[[Hidden third option: Return to town for now.|town]]
---You have worked too hard and walked too far to leave this expedition without the conclusion it deserves. Fruitful or not, you will see it through.
You reach the end of your walkable journey. You stand now atop a cliff; the land falls away, dropping 100-so metres suddenly into an untamed wilderness you can see below. Beside you, the river flings itself fearlessly over the edge of the sheer drop, probably, you realise, carrying with it every fish foolish enough to trust it. Poor bastards.
The strangely disparate forestry on the opposite shore has continued all the way to the cliff's edge. Peering down below, you can see that vegetation appears actually to have scaled the cliff wall and started growing up at the top, meaning the forest is probably a product of the wilderness' expansion.
Before you can begin really digging into the nitty-gritty of the implications this might hold for the future, you notice a strange commotion in the trees on the other side of the river. The rushing water renders you unable to hear what might be causing it, but you see hundreds of birds flee their perches as treetops visibly shake and move. Whatever is causing it appears to be moving in your direction, so you look about quickly for a hiding place, but find none amongst the grasses of the prairie. You lay flat, hoping the grass might conceal you...
---
[[And wait.|fieldsdk6]]
---Tired and wet, you take a minute to catch your breath before stripping and wringing the water from your clothes. You vow next time to remember to wear more appropriate attire.
Rested and dry, you set off down the obscure path. It leads you into the dark and through the winding trees to an old ramshackle hut. In an odd stupor, you wander over to the door. It is locked and guarded by a keypad.
---
[[Attempt to gain entry|cryptid2]]
---While your new vantage point does a modest job of concealing you, it also obscures your view of the trees and the opposite bank, leaving you unable to see or hear what exactly is happening. You lie still as you can, daring not even to breathe as your adrenaline-driven senses try to detect any change in your circumstances.
Time stands still.
---
[[THUD|fieldsdk7]]
---The ground shakes. Something large and heavy has landed three feet away from you. You roll, trying to scramble away from whatever danger you may be in, but before you get far, you are gripped on each side by enormous, powerful hands, lifted and thrown over the back of a gargantuan brown monkey.
"Ooo!" its guttural bellow shakes your whole body. You struggle, hitting it on its back and kicking your legs, but its one-arm grip is too strong and it appears completely unphased. It reaches up with its other arm and pats you on the back, hard but not aggressive, and offers you what sounds like a sympathetic "Ooh, ooo oo."
You give up and stop fighting. Whatever happens next is completely out of your control.
---
[[You start moving.|fieldsdk8]]
---
The monkey is running. Two legs and one arm carry it forth at a startling pace, you held securely over its shoulder by the other. You are extremely uncomfortable, and so shaken you can not speak.
Your vantage point affords you only a view behind it. You appear to be travelling back along the edge of the river, toward the town. The sense of dread in your stomach deepens. It is difficult to feel responsible for your current predicament, but you would feel extremely guilty if anything were to happen to the innocent townspeople. You are not certain what the ape intends for you, but it is difficult to feel safe captured as you are.
---
[[The monkey runs.|fieldsdk9]]
---
You have covered a lot of ground now. You had not realised exactly how far you travelled. You feel as though you must be close to reaching the town now, but with how featureless and uniform the landscape is, you have no way to be certain. You haven't yet come up with a plan for what to do when the monkey reaches its dest—
The monkey has reached its destination. Following an abrupt stop, it lifts you gently off of its shoulder and places you on your feet. You stumble, legs feeling numb and head disoriented, but the monkey catches you and steadies you with a concerned "Ooo."
What the hell? You yell, taking a much-needed breath. The monkey takes a step back, startled. You look around: you are back at the edge of town.
What the hell? you think.
The monkey pats the ground and ooo's, trying to get your attention. When you turn to it, it pats its chest, then pats the ground next to you, three times in cycle.
Albeit from the most unlikely place conceivable, it appears lady luck has taken kindly to your faith in her and rewarded you with an ally.
What the hell, you guess. Better than being beaten to death. You'll take it
You gained an ally!
Character code: 294950
---
[[Relax for a minute, then return to town.|town]]
---
[[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid21]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid2]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid2]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]][[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid22]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid2]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid2]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]]Nothing happens.
[[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid21]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid2]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid2]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]]
---
[[Return to town for now.|town]]
---[[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid2]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid2]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid23]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]][[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid2]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid2]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid24]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]][[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid2]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid25]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid2]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]][[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid2]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid2]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid26]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid2]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]][[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid2]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid27]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid2]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]][[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid2]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid2]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid28]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid2]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]][[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid2]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid2]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid29]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]][[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid2]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid30]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid2]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidfail]][[1|cryptid2]] [[2|cryptid2]] [[3|cryptid2]]
[[4|cryptid2]] [[5|cryptid2]] [[6|cryptid2]]
[[7|cryptid2]] [[8|cryptid2]] [[9|cryptid2]]
[[Enter|cryptidin]]---
[[The door is unlocked.|cryptid3]]
---The door creaks slowly open, revealing only darkness within. You step forward, beckoned forth by the alluring din of the void, entering into black nothing.
The door slowly closes behind you.
A light flickers to life, illuminating the small space in a dirty orange. Revealed now in the middle of the musty room is a concrete staircase leading downward. You heed the will of the invisible hand guiding you forth and press on, descending into the warm unknown.
You follow the winding stairs down what feels like three stories, only the buzz of the dim orange light fixtures for company, when finally the floor levels out and you enter a narrow corridor. It leads to a door, guarded by a keypad similar to the one used for the cabin upstairs, but made redundant by a small brick propping this door open. You listen hard for any signs of movement in the next room, but the silence remains unbroken.
---
[[You carefully open the door and proceed.|cryptid4]]
---Lights from high above again come to life in response to your presence, making visible a surprisingly large space. A number of strange objects and contraptions fill the floor: large containers of some sort; frames holding glass pods filled with an ominous thick, opaque purple gas swirling lazily about its container. You approach one, squinting to see if anything can be seen beyond the purple haze, to no avail.
The pods are positioned uniformly in rows and columns. You follow along until you come to a corner, check and count ten rows of ten amounting one hundred pods. You are not sure what to make of any of this.
Suddenly, the long silence at last expires.
"I don't know how or why you found your way in here, stranger, but doing so was a mistake. That door was locked for a reason."
You jump, startled, then duck low. The voice came from somewhere ahead, behind the mass of pods in front of you. It is hard to tell how far away its owner might be.
"Spare us both the energy, trespasser. There's no use in hiding. I can see you clear as day."
The voice now sounds alarmingly close. You look about frantically, searching for cameras, people, anything that might betray details of your circumstances. You scuttle from your position, away from your estimation of the voice's source.
---
[[Right into view of the mysterious presence.|cryptid5]]
---
A short man in a white lab coat is waiting for you. His thick, curly mustache betrays his stern face, contributing a false jolliness to his appearance. Arms crossed, his intimidating presence is disproportionately massive. You are frozen in place.
"Now, tell me, who are you and how did you find me?" he says, his tone severe. You still do not move, and do not respond.
"I have methods of making you talk, stranger. It is only a courtesy I offer you, allowing you to present your case freely. I recommend you answer my questions."
You sigh. Yet another perilous situation you have managed to stumble into. You hold up your hands in defeat, then sit cross-legged on the floor. The man takes a step closer, occupying the ground he has won, and waits for you to speak.
---
[[You begin with your dream.|cryptid6]]
---You finish telling your now-rather-lengthly tale with a tired sigh, having recounted as much detail as you can remember. Silence follows.
The man has his eyes closed, one hand pinching the bridge of his nose.
"...just want to get my work done in peace. There's always something. Fine, I'll do it." The man offers you a hand, which you take and stand with his assistance.
"Stranger, you may count me among your forces on one condition. I will help you win this contest only if you swear not to tell a soul what you saw here today." Severity returns to his tone.
"Do we have a deal?" He extends his hand for you to shake, which you meet with yours and form the pact.
You gained an ally!
Character code: 482729
---
[[Exit this place, back to town.|town]]
---The Door into the Mountain is... not what you expected. A grand slab of polished rock, decorated in runes long forgotten. No clear hinges are visible to qualify it as a door or a gate; it is simply a fancy piece of stonemasonry, levitating three foot in the air, ten foot away from the base of the mountain.
Craters surround it on all sides; your company tells you that one of the final efforts to breach the door so many years ago involved using explosive force, attempting to break or bypass the ornate entryway. As the dust settled and the door emerged, entirely unscathed, now suspended in mid-air by some impossible force, most of the teams working on it gave up and left.
Those dedicated few who remained, who had upended their lives in order to meet the Door's challenge, were the early founders of what now exists as this village, which now draws drifters and wanderers from every walk of life, not only those challenging the door.
---
[[You approach the floating gateway.|door3]]
---You reach out to feel its surface—smooth and cold, like marble. You remove your pendant from your neck and hold it in your hand. The material feels similar. You turn to your team, who nod at you. Your resolve is strengthened.
You hold the pendant up to the door, naturally placing it where you think a handle ought to be. For a few moments, nothing happens, but just as soon as your guard is down, the tension is broken by an earth-shakingly loud //clunk//, as though a collossal machine's inner mechanism were put into motion.
Jumping back in alarm, the pendant is pulled from your grip. It is stuck where you held it, now fused to the door as though it had been there always. You wait to see if anything else happens.
"Turn it!" somebody whispers behind you.
Turn the handle?
---
(link: "Turn the handle.")[(goto-url: 'https://ymtah.neocities.org/actp2.html')]
---
Are you ready to proceed to the next stage of your quest?
---
[[I am ready.|mountain]]
---
[[I would like more time to gather allies.|town]]
---Double-click this passage to edit it.Hello and welcome to my small Smash adventure game, A Contest True!
The format of this game is a race—you are competing vs an enemy team, playing for a prize and also to avoid a terrible fate. You might conclude that the faster you play, the better chances you have of winning, but beware; cutting corners will cost you!
The game is made up of three parts:
The first is story-based and is played by interacting with this text window.
The second also involves interacting with this window, but has Smash gameplay integrated.
The third is entirely gameplay-based. You will be guided through it by me (Ben).
To those testing for me: Thank you so much. I love you.
To those ready to play,
---
[[Start your adventure.|Beginnings.]]Are you sure?
---
[[Yes, I would genuinely like to abandon this node of exploration because it's funny.|town]]
---
(link-goto: "No pls no", (history:)'s last)
---The Pikachu broke free!
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|192catch]] | [[Bait|192fled]]
[[Rock|192fled]] | [[Run|1924]]]
The Wild Pikachu is eating the bait...
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|192catch]] | [[Bait|192fled]]
[[Rock|192fled]] | [[Run|1924]]]
The Wild Pikachu has grown irate!
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|192catch]] | [[Bait|192fled]]
[[Rock|192fled]] | [[Run|1924]]][[You fled!|fieldspkmn19]]Character code: 987245
[[You caught the Wild Pikachu!|fieldspkmn19]][[The Wild Pikachu Fled!|fieldspkmn19]]The Pichu broke free!
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|172catch]] | [[Bait|172fled]]
[[Rock|172fled]] | [[Run|1724]]]
The Wild Pichu is eating the bait...
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|172catch]] | [[Bait|172fled]]
[[Rock|172fled]] | [[Run|1724]]]
The Wild Pichu has grown irate!
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|172catch]] | [[Bait|172fled]]
[[Rock|172fled]] | [[Run|1724]]]
[[You fled!|fieldspkmn17]]Character code: 837524
[[You caught the Wild Pichu!|fieldspkmn17]][[The Wild Pichu Fled!|fieldspkmn17]]The Jigglypuff broke free!
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|132catch]] | [[Bait|132fled]]
[[Rock|132fled]] | [[Run|1324]]]
The Wild Jigglypuff is eating the bait...
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|132catch]] | [[Bait|132fled]]
[[Rock|132fled]] | [[Run|1324]]]
The Wild Jigglypuff has grown irate!
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|132catch]] | [[Bait|132fled]]
[[Rock|132fled]] | [[Run|1324]]]
[[You fled!|fieldspkmn13]]Character code: 746252
[[You caught the Wild Jigglypuff!|fieldspkmn13]][[The Wild Jigglypuff Fled!|fieldspkmn13]]The Yoshi broke free!
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|112catch]] | [[Bait|112fled]]
[[Rock|112fled]] | [[Run|1124]]]
The Wild Yoshi is eating the bait...
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|112catch]] | [[Bait|112fled]]
[[Rock|112fled]] | [[Run|1124]]]
The Wild Yoshi has grown irate!
(text-style:"underline")[[[Ball|112catch]] | [[Bait|112fled]]
[[Rock|112fled]] | [[Run|1124]]]
[[You fled!|fieldspkmn11]]Character code: 209284
[[You caught the Wild Yoshi!|fieldspkmn11]][[The Wild Yoshi fled!|fieldspkmn11]]