This is another world.
A world imbued with a mysterious source of magic, springing forth from spoken incantations and the passions behind them.
The land here is largely untamed. A long and dangerous journey seperates one town from the other.
But every traveler has their reason; something that drives them forward, through the many dangers of the wilds.
In the same way, [[you]] are driven. You've already left home and taken to the vague pathways that lead you onward. When you have the need and time, you set up camp and keep yourself alive with hardtack and cured meats and the water from your canteen. Sometimes, you feel exhausted and bone-weary, but your heart will not allow you to end the journey.
Beyond the aching and hungering, the only thing that matters is that you are a. . .
(link: "Woman. . .")[(set: $gender to "f")(goto: "GenderAnt")]
(link: "Man. . .")[(set: $gender to "m")(goto: "GenderAnt")]{(if: $gender is "m")[
(set: $heshe to "he")
(set: $himher to "him")
(set: $hisher to "his")
(set: $boygirl to "boy")
(set: $boysgirls to "boys")
(set: $manwoman to "man")
(set: $menwomen to "men")
(set: $guygirl to "guy")
(set: $guysgirls to "guys")
(set: $sirmiss to "Sir")
(set: $brothersister to "brother")
(set: $sonmydear to "son")
(set: $husbandwife to "husband")
(set: $HisHer to "His")
]
(if: $gender is "f")[
(set: $heshe to "she")
(set: $himher to "her")
(set: $hisher to "her")
(set: $boygirl to "girl")
(set: $boysgirls to "girls")
(set: $manwoman to "woman")
(set: $menwomen to "women")
(set: $guygirl to "girl")
(set: $guysgirls to "girls")
(set: $sirmiss to "Miss")
(set: $brothersister to "sister")
(set: $sonmydear to "my dear")
(set: $HisHer to "Her")
]}
A $manwoman, in search of a particular. . .
(link: "Woman.")[(set: $genderAnt to "f")(goto: "JourneyStart")]
(link: "Man.")[(set: $genderAnt to "m")(goto: "JourneyStart")]{(if: $genderAnt is "m")[
(set: $hesheAnt to "he")
(set: $himherAnt to "him")
(set: $hisherAnt to "his")
(set: $boygirlAnt to "boy")
(set: $boysgirlsAnt to "boys")
(set: $manwomanAnt to "man")
(set: $menwomenAnt to "men")
(set: $guygirlAnt to "guy")
(set: $GodGoddessAnt to "God")
(set: $HisHerAnt to "His")
(set: $himselfherselfAnt to "himself")
(set: $hishersAnt to "his")
(set: $HeSheAnt to "He")
(set: $kingqueenAnt to "King")
(set: $sondaughterAnt to "son")
(set: $husbandwifeAnt to "wife")
]
(if: $genderAnt is "f")[
(set: $hesheAnt to "she")
(set: $himherAnt to "her")
(set: $hisherAnt to "her")
(set: $boygirlAnt to "girl")
(set: $boysgirlsAnt to "girls")
(set: $manwomanAnt to "woman")
(set: $menwomenAnt to "women")
(set: $guygirlAnt to "girl")
(set: $GodGoddessAnt to "Goddess")
(set: $HisHerAnt to "Her")
(set: $himselfherselfAnt to "herself")
(set: $hishersAnt to "hers")
(set: $HeSheAnt to "She")
(set: $kingqueenAnt to "Queen")
(set: $sondaughterAnt to "daughter")
(set: $husbandwifeAnt to "husband")
]}
You can almost see $hisherAnt face before you. The vision of $himherAnt stirring passions deep within you, pulling you further down the path.
[[Continue->TrollBridge]] Eventually, the path you walk takes you to a stone bridge, passing over a creek that trickles water all the way to the foot of the mountain.
From where you stand, it is difficult to see past the arch of this bridge. But, surely, there is something beyond. Something large and living. Something that seems like a horse. . . but you have your doubts.
[[Continue->TrollBridge2]] As you draw nearer, you first notice its loud, beastly breathing. You get a clearer image of the thing and think, for a moment, that it almost looks like a man, but that can't be right. It's far too large.
You step onto the bridge and it senses your presence. It howls a deep screeching howl, like no other animal you've heard before. At last, it turns to you.
The troll rushes toward you; savage intent fixed on its hideous face.
In that second, the sight brings a certain //word// to mind.
[[A word full of fury.]]
[[A word of sympathy and love.]]
[[A word of that is absolutely hilarious!->A word of jest and mirth!]]Suddenly, an unbearable heat begins to boil your blood. Your chest begins to heave as you breathe with a huffing and puffing not so different from that of the beast. Your teeth clench, so tightly you can hear a creaking reverberate through your skull.
Almost against your will, you speak the //word//.
With a flash, a storm of fire bursts forth from your being. It envelopes everything around you, including the troll. The heat fades and you see that a portion of the forest behind you is all cinder now and the stones of the bridge are all black with soot.
The body of the troll is charred and shriveled.
[[Continue->FuryPath]]In spite of the beast rushing towards you, you feel no fear or fury. All you feel is serenity. You speak the melodious //word.//
Suddenly, the troll stops only a few feet from you. Its face begins to soften until all its natural savagery melts away. Then, it begins to look at you with docile curiousity, like a hare seeing a $manwoman for the first time. Finally, you walk forward and the troll begins to scuttle away into the forest, leaving the path before you clear for further travel.
You can't help but crack a little smile. Then, you consider next step:
[[To the monastary of the holy order I belong too, for some rest and reflection.->Priestly]]
[[To an inn. There, I can rest and, maybe, re-read the letters $hesheAnt left me.->LoveFriendship]]Through you giggles, you speak the //word//. The troll suddenly stops in place, shaking its head a few times as if it's trying to force itself out of a daze. Then, an explosion of thick, ethereal smoke that slowly dissapates. When it's all gone, you see a hamster where the troll once stood.
Suddenly, the savagely hamster rushes in for the attack, savagely biting at the toe of your boot. You struggle to pick up the little monster through your laughter, then, taking some crumbs left from your hardtack, you feed him.
He nibbles awhile until the crumbs are all gone. The beast seems satisfied. In fact, he passively sits in your hand. It seems you've made a new companion.
Carefully, you perch the little fella' on your shoulder where he cuddles into your cloak. You give him a friendly little poke and decide to name him: ''The Savage Squeaker.''
You ask your new friend where you should head to next, but he stays silent. It seems he will gladly defer to your judgement.
[[We go to the court of the $kingqueenAnt who has hired me as a Jester! (Continue)->CourtJester]]Though the heat has faded, your rage still simmers. You struggle to gather your senses.
What will you do now?
[[I hate this feeling. I need to calm down. Find a tavern, perhaps. Rest and relax.]]
[[I can see $hisherAnt face clear than ever now! I can remember all the thousand injustices of $hishersAnt that I've suffered! I will not rest until $hesheAnt is found!->RevengePath]]You walk and walk until you come to the city of Alitheia, certain that you can find somewhere to rest for the night beyond it gates . It takes some searching but you finally find the ''Still-River Inn'' in a rather rough district of the city. It's the best you can afford, and after weeks of camping out, you don't really mind if the bedsheets are a tad bit dirty.
Upon entering the inn, you notice it is packed with patrons. Though they don't all seem to be the friendliest sort, the inn itself is an immensely comforting space. There is a warm fire going, and hardy stew and cheap ale for sale.
As you sit and sip your drink, you can feel all your previous fury leave you. But something else creeps up on you.
Shame. You remember your loss of control and you can't help but feel a little bit of shame. Before your run-in with the troll, you hadn't had one of your //incidents// in so long.
//Just have to be careful,// you remind yourself. //Just have to be careful until I get to the monastary. Then, $hesheAnt can help me.//
[[Continue->LeaveTavern]]//And I've suffered $himherAnt for the last time//, you mutter to yourself through clenched teeth.
You continue with your journey; your legs stepping faster and faster with the new fire that has been lit within you. Any weariness you once felt leaves you-- as does the hunger and thirst and the chill of the wind.
But your fury can only take you so far. Soon, all the hunger and thirst returns and you find that nearly all your provisions are gone, eaten by the fire you had summoned.
You have no choice but to stop at the next town and resupply.
It just so happens that the next town you find is a filthy one; over-run by the stench of poverty and sickness. All at once, it stirs pity within you, and disgust.
A gaunt man enters a building that has something carved into its door. It takes you a moment, but you eventually take it to be the vague shape of a coinpurse. You enter the shop.
"But that'll get me only enough copper to feed a child," you hear the man say, "and I got two that need feeding-- plus myself!" He speaks to a scowling old crone standing behind the shop counter. In her hand she holds a square of cloth with two rings in it; one silver and one brass.
With a shrill voice, the old woman says: "I have to make a profit, Newyn. I run a business. I have a job."
Even from the doorway, you can see the man shrink with shame. "Alright," he moans. "I'll take the five copper."
They make the exchange, and you step aside to let the poor man pass you, out the door.
"Are you gonna buy something?" the woman asks.
You step to the counter and are hypnotized by the horrible woman's face. It is wrinkled and nasty and. . . twisted, like her soul. So much like your rival. "What do you need?" she screeches.
"Food," you whisper. "Food fit for travel."
She scuttles off into a backroom. You feel the heat rising in you once again.
The old woman returns with a sack filled with provisions. She says something, but you can't hear it. You only see her face shifting. . . mutating until it stills and it is $hisherAnt face. Your rival's face.
[[In the name of all that is good, she must be killed.->PunishmentPath]]
[[No. I need to calm down and let the old woman be.->ForgivenessPath]]You reach across the counter and grasp the face. You don't so much speak the //word// as much as it comes bursting out of you, uncontrollably. The fire escapes from your hand, singeing the face.
She falls to the ground and the fire within you dies. Suddenly, there is no heat or fury left in you. In fact, you see the faceless body of the old woman and are chilled.
Mindlessly, you take a few handfuls of coin from the shop's strongbox and run for the door. You run through the muddy streets, looking for the guant man who cannot feed his children. At last, you see him and call, "Newyn!"
The man turns to you, shocked as you fill his hand with gold and silver. "Feed your children," you say. In your heart, you desperately hope this good deed can bring you some redemption; revive your soul, even a little bit. Tears fill his eyes and he thanks you, over and over again.
Still, you feel sick. You feel so horribly sick.
[[Epilogue->EpilogueRevenge]]"Two pieces of silver," she yells.
You give her the coin she asks for, even though you know it is too much for the amount of jerky you're getting. Then, without another word, she retires to the back room and you leave the shop with enough food to see you through the rest of your journey.
The gaunt man from before stands outside the shop, fingering the coppers in his hand, a sad and thoughtful look on his face. Suddenly, he notices your eyes on him and, once again, he shrinks with shame. He begins to turn away, but you call out to him: "Newyn!" Slowly, he turns back towards you and is shocked as you give him the last piece of silver from your purse. Tears fill his eyes and he thanks you, over and over again.
You tell him not to listen to that nasty woman as he wipes the last of his tears away. "I don't," he begins, "but you shouldn't blame her. Life hasn't been kind to her either. Not many years ago, she was actually somewhat of a sweet old lady, back before her boy got sick and passed."
Suddenly, you see a new meekness in the old woman and you are chilled by the anger you held for her; by what you almost did to her.
"Fortune be with you, $sirmiss," Newyn says with a bow.
You continue your journey to your rival's estate.
[[Epilogue->EpilogueForgiveness]]''Revenge''
As time goes by, you feel yourself slipping away. Desperate to remember who you are and what you stand for, you continue your journey to your rival's estate.
Finally, you are there, peaking in $hisherAnt window as $hesheAnt sleeps. Carefully, silently, you enter through the window and see $hisherAnt face, but you do not feel that old fire. You feel nothing; almost less than nothing.
You convince yourself that all you need is revenge. Then, the fire within you will be rekindled and everything will be as it once was. You try to speak the //word// but, in your sickness of heart and mind, you've forgotten how to speak it. Instead, you use a pillow.
It takes sometime. Longer than you thought. But, eventually, $hesheAnt is still. You move the pillow to see $hisherAnt face, hoping your victory might spark life in you. But it is not $hisherAnt face.
It is the face of the old woman.
Now, more than ever, you realize that you are lost. You do not even resemble the $manwoman you were before all this. Can't even trouble yourself to flee the scene. Instead, you sit there, staring at the floor.
You have one last thought before the guilt consumes you, completely.
//Gone, forever.//
[[End->EndCrimePunishment]]"This is 1 0f 11 possible tales"
"Play again to experience another"
[[Another Tale->Another World]] ''Forgiveness''
You wait for the sun to set before you approach $hisherAnt estate. It is rather large, stirring jealousy within you, but that jealousy will serve you well for what you are about to do.
Carefully, you approach one of the few windows that still shows some light. As you peak through it, you see that the source of this light comes from a fire burning away in a fireplace. Two children play in the glow of this fire; both little girls, no older than eight. They play with their dolls and each other as $hesheAnt sits in a chair across from them, watching and smiling.
You had no idea $hesheAnt had changed so much. No idea $hesheAnt began a family. You can barely recognize $himherAnt anymore; $hesheAnt is so much older.
You stop and consider this for a moment. If $hesheAnt has aged so drastically, you must have too. But you are still alone and still angry, and $hesheAnt is not.
Desperately, you try to recall the horrible injustice $hesheAnt has done you. You search your mind, but cannot find anything so extreme it deserves death, and all the personal injuries you do recall seem so trivial now.
That old fire and fury fails to overtake you as it once did. You take one last look at the at the happy family and, wordlessly, you forgive $himherAnt.
You walk back the way you came with the image of the family stuck in your mind. Perhaps now that you've decided to get on with your life, you can find the same thing.
[[End->EndRevenge]] After a night at the inn, you feel rested enough to continue your journey to the monastary, where the wise$manwomanAnt can help you. You purchase all the cured meats you can afford from the Innkeeper before leaving the Still-River.
As you step back into the city, you see the darkening sky and the beggars and brigands that fill the streets. You are overcome with the notion that you should have stayed at the Still-River another night and leave early in the morning. Then, as you feel eyes on you, you consider heading back to the inn, but decide against it. If you can just bare the anxiety a little longer, you'll make it out of Alitheia.
You walk and walk and, just as you begin to calm your nerves, you feel a sudden tug at your shoulder.
You are thrown into an alleyway and find an almost toothless brigand handling you by the collar, a little jagged knife in his other hand. It takes a moment for you to realize what is happening, but when you do you can feel the fury bubbling in your blood again.
"I don't want no blood," he says. "Just hand over ya coin." There's more fear in his voice than malevolence, and you can swear you see shame in his eyes.
[[Speak the //word// of fury->Wrath]]
[[He's so desperate. Let him have your purse.->Temperence]]Through your rage, you hear the //word// as if it was spoken by someone else. The last thing you see before the flash of fire is the brigand stepping back from you; his eyes widening as he senses what is about to happen. Then, everything goes black.
When you do finally wake, you wake to chaos. The smell of thick smoke, the sounds of running and shouting, the relentless glow of the inferno. The grave weight of what you've done suddenly comes crashing down on you, all at once.
You're some distance away from the blaze, watching as guards and the braver of the civilians desperately work to minimize the damage. The less fortunate denizens of Alitheia rush into burning buildings where the flames are less severe, taking the opportunity to loot what they can.
All the while, you're perfectly safe. Someone must have dragged you out of danger. You started all this and now you're completely fine. That's the one thought that keeps turning in your mind.
[[//You started all this.//->WrathEpilogue]]''Wrath''
Mindlessly, you wander away from the chaos, out of Alitheia's gates. You take one last look at the city and the black clouds of smoke; darker than the black of the night sky. watching those plumes rise and spread, you instantly get the sense that you are beyond help. Even if you found the wise$manwomanAnt of the monastary, you doubt she could do anything for you.
You turn back and see the mountains. There, high up those mountains, you wouldn't be able to hurt anyone with your rage. You'd only suffer on your own.
Alone. That's a chilling prospect, but you can still smell the smoke and fire and you know it must be done.
You head for the mountains, hoping to live out the rest of your days as a recluse.
[[End->EndRevenge]] The hint of shame in the man's eyes deepens as you give him the coin. Without another word, he releases your collar and darts away from you, leaving you utterly unharmed. You exit the alleyway, but he seems to have dissappeared.
You take a moment to consider and quickly realize that you have more than enough provisions left to make it to the monastary. You really didn't need the coin, but he'll put it to better use-- hopefully. You take another look at the conditions of this city and the men and women who sleep on its streets at night. They truly are pitiful. You can practically see the hunger in the way they walk and in the way they scowl. It is a level of hunger that you cannot understand.
You feel sympathy replace all your wrath. Perhaps that is the secret.
[[Epilogue->EpilogueTemperence]]''Mindfulness''
You manage to make it to the monastary without another fiery incident. There were times when you had come close to losing your wits, but that little trick you've picked up, of sympathy and mindfulness, proves to be effective.
The monastary itself stands before a great set of stairs lined with golden cordon. Once you suceed in walking the great stairs, you can finally see the magnificent garden surrounding the single, enormous pagoda. The leaves of the well-trimmed trees stir with the wind, but the pagoda stands immobile; a vision of strength and resolve.
Here and there, a few brothers and sisters belonging to the monastary begin to take notice of you. Soon after this, $hesheAnt comes to meet you. You first notice $hisherAnt eyes-- full of ecstacy and benevolence. Wordlessly, the wise$manwomanAnt leads you to the first level of the pagoda.
Once there, you tell $himherAnt of your //illness// and your journey. You tell $himherAnt of the lessons you've learned along the way and $hesheAnt smiles, a wide and loving smile. Holding that smile, $hesheAnt cradles your head in $hisherAnt hands and kisses you at the centre of your forehead. "Then there is not much I can teach you," $hesheAnt says. "It seems, my $boygirl, that you've found a better path for yourself and have already begun to walk it."
Still, you insist on staying. It is not so much a fear of your outbursts that keeps you here, but rather a feeling of peace.
You stay a few days. The rage does not take you.
You climb back down the innummerable stairs and return to the world.
And that old fire never finds you again.
[[End->EndRevenge]] The monastary is all marble and stained glass, supported by hypnotizingly large columns that seem to be reaching up to the Divines themselves. You stand before its steps, watching the great architectural work as you desperately try to understand the feelings it strikes in you. Awe, certainly. Perhaps a bit of pride as a member of the order. But there is also a coldness; a sense of futility that you do not want to fully acknowledge.
A woman in purple robes- your robes -sees you. She smiles, one of those serene, priestly smiles that you still haven't quite learned to adopt. With a gentle gesture, she beckons you in.
Before long, your brothers and sisters let you know that it is almost time for dinner. The dining room is a sea of purple. So many brothers and sisters, yet so little revelry. You taste the rather impressive stew and sip the excellent beer, master-brewed by members of this very order. Yet you want more. You want as many helpings of stew as you can eat, and you want to drink until you're properly drunk. You want to be a little wild and crack a few filthy jokes and spill some of the contents of your tankard as you cheers the fellow across from you. In that moment, you want it to be as it once was; before you joined the order.
Instead, you eat and sip with the same temperance that is expected of you as a monk.
[[Continue->MonkRequest]]You manage to find an inn not many klicks outside the next town. It is a lonely little place. ''The Swan-Song Inn'' stands by the side of the road like a forgotten relic. From the outside, it seems perfectly silent--peaceful even.
You enter and see an old man and woman sitting behind a bar at the far end of the room; husband and wife, you gather. At first, they almost seem shocked to see you, but that quickly fades and they smile. They rush to greet you.
"Would you be looking for some food or drink, $sonmydear?" asks the old man.
The woman smooths her apron and says, "Food will take a few minutes, I'm afraid. Not too long, though. Not too long at all."
Considering the rumble in your stomach, you agree to a meal. As you sit and wait, you rent a room for the night and ask them to prepare you some more provisions for travel.
The old couple are extremely affable, almost excessively so. They ask you about every conceivable element of your life, they joke with you and insist you take a second helping, free of charge.
As much as you enjoy their company, your heart-ache draws you away. You finally manage to leave the couple, heading to your room.
Once there, you lay on the creaky little bed, leafing through $hisherAnt letters. You see $hisherAnt handwriting and can almost hear $hisherAnt voice. It helps you remember. . .
[[$HeSheAnt was your greatest friend. Atleast, before you had that fight, all those years ago.->FriendshipPath]]
[[$HeSheAnt was the only $manwomanAnt you've ever loved.->LoverPath]]
[[The only man you've ever loved. (SWITCH LOVER'S GENDER TO MALE).->LoverBoy]]
[[The only woman you've ever loved. (SWITCH LOVER'S GENDER TO FEMALE).->LoverGal]]Sometime after dinner, you are approached by an elderly brother. "Forgive me $brothersister," he begins, "but I must ask a favour of you. It is well known within the order that you have a talent of speaking with others. Perhaps you've heared, we harbour a $manwomanAnt whose spirit has been broken by sin. None of us have been able to sooth $hisherAnt soul. In fact, $hesheAnt refuses to speak all together. I wonder if you've heard of $himherAnt and came here with the aim of lending your assistance?"
[[Yes, I have. I will do all I can to set the $manwomanAnt on the path to redemption.->RekindledPath]]
[[I'm sorry. That isn't why I'm here and I'm afraid I'm too busy to help you. (You simply cannot care about this about this $manwomanAnt's hardship when you are struggling with your own. You continue with your intended quest).->ApostatePath]]The brother leads you to the sinner. As you walk together, he informs you, "There is no easy way to say this, but the $manwomanAnt is a fratricide. In a business related row, $hesheAnt lost control and murdured $hisherAnt brother."
"What business could be so important as to warrant the killing of kin?" you ask.
"None, of course. But in $hisherAnt case, it was a disagreement regarding their slave trade. They would capture and sell the natives some distance north of here."
"North of here? Don't we have a mission there?"
"The beginnings of one, yes."
This is an extraordinary case. You have so many more questions, but the brother tells you he simply knows no more. What he's just told you is all the guards who brought the sinner had told him.
Finally, he brings you to the room where the sinner is kept. You see $himherAnt cowering in the far corner, $hisherAnt hair clumped and tangled from days without washing. Occasionally, $hesheAnt spasms as if $hesheAnt is weeping, but you see there are no tears. There are no tears //left//, you gather, but the guilt remains.
It takes days for you to get $himherAnt to speak to you; it takes every strategem you can think of. Finally, $hesheAnt speaks. "There is no redemption for me," $hesheAnt says, in something less than a whisper.
That is all you need. You ask: "But do you dare //try// to seek penance?"
"Do you dare to see it fail?"
You are shocked as $hesheAnt looks directly in your eyes and you hear $hisherAnt voice clearly for the first time. All the doubt that once plague you vanishes as pity and love takes its place. Then, almost involuntarily, you say, "I do."
[[Epilogue->EpilogueHolyLove]]Your brothers and sisters give what provisions they can and wish you well on your pilgrimmage. Once again, you leave your order and head toward the monument. Perhaps there, in the awe of $HisHerAnt presence, your doubt will leave you.
Finally, you make it up the mountain path and see the great staue of $HisHerAnt likeness, $HisHerAnt cold eyes staring off into the horizon. You step toward the altar under the great statue of your $GodGoddessAnt and place your hefty offering of gold on it. Then, you knell and pray, but your doubts remain.
At last, you step back and take another look at the likeness of the $GodGoddessAnt. You see the unmoving stone of the statue, the eyes that do not see you and you know that $HeSheAnt is not there.
$HeSheAnt never was.
[[Epilogue->ApostateEpilogue]]''Rekindled Spirit''
You walk beside the penitent $manwomanAnt as $hesheAnt struggles to pull a cart loaded with tools through the thick mud of the road. At times, you feel as though you cannot bear to see $himherAnt in such pain anymore, but you know $hesheAnt is not yet finished. There is a new dedication in $hisherAnt eyes and in $hisherAnt movement that shows you just how much $hesheAnt hungers for redemption.
Finally, the both of you make it to the mission. You are spotted by a few of the natives and a sister of the order who serves as missionary. They rush to you, but they eventually take notice of the $manwomanAnt beside you. The natives remember who $hesheAnt is. The slaver.
The missionary says something to the natives in their own tongue.Then, the eldest of these natives rushes to the penitent and you expect the worst. But no. The native fellow simply carries the exhausted $manwomanAnt further into the mission, easing $hisherAnt burden. The penitent weeps. After all $hesheAnt has done to them, they carry $himherAnt.
You watch and know that the penitent has forgiven $himselfherselfAnt, just as the natives have forgiven $himherAnt. The knowledge of this forgiveness eases your once troubled heart and, once again, you remember the importance of love beyond all things. You remember why you joined the order.
[[End->EndTheMission]]This is 1 of 11 possible tales.
(This particular tale is heavily influenced by //The Mission//, Directed by Roland Joffe)
[[Play again->Another World]] to experience another.''Lost Faith''
You strip yourself of your holy robes and toss them to the ground. You've kept a change of clothes with you, kept it with you ever since you joined the order, just in case this sort of thing happened.
Then, you take back your offering. It is a hefty sum. It'll serve you well in your new life.
No. Not a new life. Instead, you return to the life you lived before the order. A more wild and uncertain existence, but atleast you won't be lying to yourself.
[[End->EndRevenge]] Once you make it to the castle, you are led into the throne room by two guards wielding massive halberds. They bow before the $kingqueenAnt sitting on the throne before you. $HeSheAnt does not look in good shape. Bagged eyes, sallow skin and a general maudlin demenor. If $hesheAnt wasn't currently sitting in the throne, you would've never guessed $himherAnt for a $kingqueenAnt.
Finally, the $kingqueenAnt begins to speak: "I am plagued by pretenders to my throne, relentless bandits on my roads, grave sickness in my serfs and suspected schemers in my own court. Politics fatigues me to no end. But I have been told you are able to make anyone laugh with nothing more than a word. Bring me mirth, Jester, and you will be greatly rewarded."
[[I'll stick to my light-hearted material. (Do not anger the $kingqueenAnt)->CourtJesterPath]]
[[I've got a better idea. A strategem full of intrigue, befitting only the most capable of tricksters. (Try to anger the $kingqueenAnt, enacting the first step in your grand plan to rob the royal treasury).->RobberyPath]]"Look at you. . . A comfy throne, a treasury filled with gold and more royal consorts than can be counted. Hows about a smile?!"
It isn't very long before you have the $kingqueenAnt laughing uncontrollably, holding $hisherAnt sides and tearing up. $HeSheAnt laughs and laughs and you don't let up with the jokes. The $kingqueenAnt grows so hysterical $hesheAnt turns red. . . then blue. Then, suddenly, stark white.
With a final belt of laughter, the $kingqueenAnt slumps out of $hisherAnt throne and lays dead on the floor. Everyone in the room rushes to $himherAnt, except for one woman.
She approaches you as nobody else is watching. She wears the elegant dress of royalty and has a tiara resting on her head. A Princess, you gather.
"Very impressive, funny$manwoman," she says, handing you a hefty purse filled with gold coin. "Your services are much appreciated, though, I'm afraid you must leave now. But please do come back in a week or so, when I'm officially crowned Queen. I will be sure to honour you as court comedian and pay handsomely for your services."
With that, the Pricess scuttles off toward the crowd and you rush to make your exit, gold in hand.
[[Epilogue->EpilogueANewGig]]"You know what's a joke," you say, "the lack of social mobility that exists within the feudal system, that's a joke!"
It doesn't take long before you succeed in angering the $kingqueenAnt. You can see $himherAnt savagely spitting with every word as $hesheAnt demands you be imprision.
Suddenly, the two guards grasp you by the arms and drag you away. You can't help but smile as you watch your plan unfold.
[[Continue->Breakout]]Your prison cell is worse than any you've been in before, and you've been in quite a few. The chill here freezes your bones, the damp tickles your lungs and the ground you sit on aches your ass. At the very least, there is a tiny, barred window that lets you know day from night.
Soon, the sky outside your little window turns pitch-black, and you know it's time. You grab The Savage Squeaker from under the shoulder of your tunic and lead him through the bars of your cell. Then, you speak a //word// and your little hamster friend turns in to a big troll friend. You then coax him back towards you. He approaches and when the bars of your cell stand in his way, he simply bends and tears them until there is a large opening that even a troll may walk through.
Once The Savage Squeaker is close to you again, you sense deep annoyance in him. It takes you a moment, but you eventually understand. You speak the //word// once more and The Savage Squeaker is a hamster again. The little guy races around in tiny circles. Obviously, he prefers being a cute little thing rather then a nasty troll.
You perch your friend on your shoulder once more and simply walk out through the space in the mangled bars of your cell.
[[Continue->DaMoney]]You walk through the halls of the castle with nothing but confidence. Occasionally, you chance upon a guard or two, but you simply speak the //word// and they become harmless, silent rabbits or shrews or geckos. You even turn a couple of them in to little stones and playfully kick them around as you search for the treasury.
At last, you find it. Kept safe by a two guards who quickly become a squirrel and an acorn. You're then free to take the key off the hook nearby and unlock the large doors of the treasury.
Gold coins and gold bars; jewels of every variety. Your legs start to quiver at the sight of it. You make a pouch with your tunic and take as much as you possibly can.
[[Epilogue->EpiloguePimpin']]''Luxurious''
Months of revelry follow, wasting your ill-gotten gold. All the drink you can drink and the food you can eat. All the bards you can hire and every other luxury that can be thought of. And, of course, all the graham crackers The Savage Squeaker can put away.
However, your new wealth is finite and you soon find yourself broke. The only resonable solution you can think up is to do it all over again! No castle is safe from your brilliant strategem; that is, until the entirety of the continent catches on. But by then, you've already decided to retire.
You enjoy your immense wealth and the friendship of The Savage Squeaker, and giggle every now and then when you overhear someone telling a tale of the mad Jester and his hamster-troll.
[[End->EndRevenge]] ''New Gig''
You do as the Princess instructed, returning to the castle about a week after the $kingqueenAnt's death. Sure enough, you find the girl who was Princess not long ago sitting on the throne as Queen.
As promised, the new Queen honours you by employing you as court comedian. You write comedic plays and perform a little, and in return you're given more gold than you could possibly spend.
As for the kingdom itself, everyone seems to agree that the current sovereign is immensely more capable than the last.
[[End->EndRevenge]] It's been so long since you've seen each other. Too many years to count. All you can be sure of now is the fight you two had. You search the far corners of your mind for the cause of the fight, but you simply cannot remember. Whatever it was, it was not worth the dissolution of your friendship.
You continue your journey the next morning.
At last, you reach $hisherAnt village. It is a harsh place, dirty and damp. The air here tickles your lungs, relentlessly.
You ask around for your friend. Finally, an old, weathered man seems to know something of your friend, but he hesitates to open up to you. "What's your name, then?" he asks.
[[What is your name?]] You turn to $hisherAnt last letter. The one where $hesheAnt told you to forget about $himherAnt. $HeSheAnt didn't explain much. $HeSheAnt never used $hisherAnt father's name, but you know he's to blame. Atleast, you hope it's only because of $hisherAnt father.
Yes, it must be. You know that $hisherAnt father has never liked you or your kind. You've always been considered of excessively low birth in his eyes. He'd do anything to keep the two of you seperated.
Yet, you know that there is no distance that can keep you from your love. You'll always find your way back to $himherAnt.
Then, a sudden rapping on your door, and someone enters.
A $boygirlAnt, around your age, if not a year or two younger. You can recognize something in $hisherAnt warm smile and green eyes. The $sondaughterAnt of the Innkeepers.
"Your provisions, friend," $hesheAnt says. You give $himherAnt your thanks, but $hesheAnt only stays, watching you and smiling. At last, $hesheAnt notices your unease. "Sorry. I don't mean to stare. It's just that you're so different from the usual guests. May I ask where you're travelling to?"
"To. . . see an old friend," you answer. You soon find that the $boygirlAnt is just as gregarious as $hisherAnt parents. The questions go on. Still, you reveal nothing regarding your lover. It's simply too personal.
As you converse, time passes deeper into the night, but you don't particularly mind. So much time traveling by yourself has made you hungry for a little company. Your new friend only decides to leave you when $hesheAnt sees your eyes getting heavier with sleep. "Goodnight," $hesheAnt says before leaving, with another warm smile.
Once alone, you try to read another of $hisherAnt letters, but you're too tired. Instead, you sleep.
[[Continue->LoverPath2]]You turn to his last letter. The one where he told you to forget about him. He didn't explain much. He Never used his father's name, but you know he's to blame. Atleast, you hope it's only because of his father.
Yes, it must be. You know that his father has never liked you or your kind. You've always been considered of excessively low birth in his eyes. He'd do anything to keep the two of you seperated.
Yet, you know that there is no distance that can keep you from your love. You'll always find your way back to him.
Then, a sudden rapping on your door, and someone enters.
A boy, around your age, if not a year or two younger. You can recognize something in his warm smile and green eyes. The son of the Innkeepers.
"Your provisions, friend," he says. You give him your thanks, but he only stays, watching you and smiling. At last, he notices your unease. "Sorry. I don't mean to stare. It's just that you're so different from the usual guests. May I ask where you're travelling to?"
"To. . . see an old friend," you answer. You soon find that the boy is just as gregarious as his parents. The questions go on. Still, you reveal nothing regarding your lover. It's simply too personal.
As you converse, time passes deeper into the night, but you don't particularly mind. So much time traveling by yourself has made you hungry for a little company. Your new friend only decides to leave you when he sees your eyes getting heavier with sleep. "Goodnight," he says before leaving, with another warm smile.
Once alone, you try to read another of his letters, but you're too tired. Instead, you sleep.
[[Continue->LoverPathBoy2]]You turn to her last letter. The one where she told you to forget about her. She didn't explain much. She never used her father's name, but you know he's to blame. Atleast, you hope it's only because of her father.
Yes, it must be. You know that her father has never liked you or your kind. You've always been considered of excessively low birth in his eyes. He'd do anything to keep the two of you seperated.
Yet, you know that there is no distance that can keep you from your love. You'll always find your way back to her.
Then, a sudden rapping on your door, and someone enters.
A girl, around your age, if not a year or two younger. You can recognize something in her warm smile and green eyes. The daughter of the Innkeepers.
"Your provisions, friend," she says. You give her your thanks, but she only stays, watching you and smiling. At last, she notices your unease. "Sorry. I don't mean to stare. It's just that you're so different from the usual guests. May I ask where you're travelling to?"
"To. . . see an old friend," you answer. You soon find that the girl is just as gregarious as her parents. The questions go on. Still, you reveal nothing regarding your lover. It's simply too personal.
As you converse, time passes deeper into the night, but you don't particularly mind. So much time traveling by yourself has made you hungry for a little company. Your new friend only decides to leave you when she sees your eyes getting heavier with sleep. "Goodnight," she says before leaving, with another warm smile.
Once alone, you try to read another of her letters, but you're too tired. Instead, you sleep.
[[Continue->LoverPathGal2]]The next morning, after you wake, you re-read the last of $hisherAnt letters with a new anxiety. Perhaps it isn't her father keeping you apart. What if it's $hisherAnt own decision? You search the rest of the letters for any mention of $hisherAnt father's disaproval or interferance. There isn't nearly as much as you thought. This troubles your heart.
You meet the Swan-Song Inn family downstairs. Again, they smile and speak with you, and you do your best to keep up the appearance of peace-of-mind. Still, it seems the old man senses your melancholy. "You know," he begins, "there's a lovely trail that heads into them woods, right here. Just in case a peaceful walk tickles your fancy."
"I can take you there," says his $boygirlAnt, rather abruptly. "If I may, I mean." Looking at $hisherAnt parents.
They smile a different, wry smile and nod. The $boygirlAnt leads you out the door.
Together, you walk the nature trail. Soon, you realize just how excessively charming your new companion is. $HeSheAnt points out every flower and tree as you walk, calling them by name, telling you what it is they symbolize. "Pimpernel," $hesheAnt says, gesturing towards a collection of flared, red-orange petals. "A symbol of change."
Some distance into your walk, $hesheAnt stops and asks, "Will you be leaving tomorrow? We'd be happy to keep you as long as you wish, you know." Part of you wants to stay; the same part of that is so unsure if the $manwomanAnt you love still cares for you. But another part of you says you must make the journey, and that all your fears are unfounded.
[[I. . .I think I have to leave tomorrow.->UncertaintyEpilogue]]
[[I think I will stay a bit longer.->NewLifeEpilogue]]''Uncertainty''
"Oh," $hesheAnt says, $hisherAnt smile fading, "I'll let my folks know then." And $hesheAnt saunters away.
The next day, you say your goodbyes to the family and ready yourself for more travel. You continue the path from where you left off, though with less certainty. You cannot shake the feeling that you've just left something that could have prospered; something that could've been so sweet. All for an old love that you now struggle to believe in.
Still, there is some hope. You just can't be sure if it truly is hope or delussion. Desperately, you hold onto the notion that $hesheAnt still loves you. Yet, somewhere deep within you, you entertain the notion that $hesheAnt might not love you anymore, and that you should probably get on with the rest of your life.
[[End->EndRevenge]] ''Change of Heart''
"The company is just too good to part with," you joke.
The two of you return to the inn. The old couple are over-joyed to know you're extending your stay.
The days turn in to weeks, and they stop charging you for the room. Instead, you help around the inn, chopping wood for the cooking and heat and helping with some of the cleaning. At the beginning of your second month amongst the family, you realize you have settled.
All the while, a tenderness grows between you and the $boygirlAnt. Soon, $hesheAnt becomes the centre of your world. $HeSheAnt helps you forget about your old love.
It seems $hisherAnt parents approve. You take to calling them Dad and Ma.
This is your life now. It is simple and sweet.
[[End->EndRevenge]] The next morning, after you wake, you re-read the last of her letters with a new anxiety. Perhaps it isn't her father keeping you apart. What if it's her own decision? You search the rest of the letters for any mention of her father's disaproval or interferance. There isn't nearly as much as you thought. This troubles your heart.
You meet the Swan-Song Inn family downstairs. Again, they smile and speak with you, and you do your best to keep up the appearance of peace-of-mind. Still, it seems the old man senses your melancholy. "You know," he begins, "there's a lovely trail that heads into them woods, right here. Just in case a peaceful walk tickles your fancy."
"I can take you there," says his girl, rather abruptly. "If I may, I mean." Looking at her parents.
They smile a different, wry smile and nod. The girl leads you out the door.
Together, you walk the nature trail. Soon, you realize just how excessively charming your new companion is. She points out every flower and tree as you walk, calling them by name, telling you what it is they symbolize. "Pimpernel," she says, gesturing towards a collection of flared, red-orange petals. "A symbol of change."
Some distance into your walk, she stops and asks, "Will you be leaving tomorrow? We'd be happy to keep you as long as you wish, you know." Part of you wants to stay; the same part of that is so unsure if the woman you love still cares for you. But another part of you says you must make the journey, and that all your fears are unfounded.
[[I. . .I think I have to leave tomorrow.->UncertaintyEpilogueGal]]
[[I think I will stay a bit longer.->NewLifeEpilogueGal]]''Uncertainty''
"Oh," she says, her smile fading, "I'll let my folks know then." And she saunters away.
The next day, you say your goodbyes to the family and ready yourself for more travel. You continue the path from where you left off, though with less certainty. You cannot shake the feeling that you've just left something that could have prospered; something that could've been so sweet. All for an old love that you now struggle to believe in.
Still, there is some hope. You just can't be sure if truly is hope or delussion. Desperately, you hold onto the notion that she still loves you. Yet, somewhere deep within you, you entertain the notion that she might not love you anymore, and that you should probably get on with the rest of your life.
[[End->EndRevenge]] ''Change of Heart''
"The company is just too good to part with," you joke.
The two of you return to the inn. The old couple are over-joyed to know you're extending your stay.
The days turn in to weeks, and they stop charging you for the room. Instead, you help around the inn, chopping wood for the cooking and heat and helping with some of the cleaning. At the beginning of your second month amongst the familt, you realize you have settled.
All the while, a tenderness grows between you and the girl. Soon, shebecomes the centre of your world. She helps you forget about your old love.
It seems her parents approve. You take to calling them Dad and Ma.
This is your life now. It is simple and sweet.
[[End->EndRevenge]] The next morning, after you wake, you re-read the last of his letters with a new anxiety. Perhaps it isn't her father keeping you apart. What if it's his own decision? You search the rest of the letters for any mention of his father's disaproval or interferance. There isn't nearly as much as you thought. This troubles your heart.
You meet the Swan-Song Inn family downstairs. Again, they smile and speak with you, and you do your best to keep up the appearance of peace-of-mind. Still, it seems the old man senses your melancholy. "You know," he begins, "there's a lovely trail that heads into them woods, right here. Just in case a peaceful walk tickles your fancy."
"I can take you there," says his boy, rather abruptly. "If I may, I mean." Looking at his parents.
They smile a different, wry smile and nod. The boy leads you out the door.
Together, you walk the nature trail. Soon, you realize just how excessively charming your new companion is. He points out every flower and tree as you walk, calling them by name, telling you what it is they symbolize. "Pimpernel," he says, gesturing towards a collection of flared, red-orange petals. "A symbol of change."
Some distance into your walk, he stops and asks, "Will you be leaving tomorrow? We'd be happy to keep you as long as you wish, you know." Part of you wants to stay; the same part of that is so unsure if the man you love still cares for you. But another part of you says you must make the journey, and that all your fears are unfounded.
[[I. . .I think I have to leave tomorrow.->UncertaintyEpilogueBoy]]
[[I think I will stay a bit longer.->NewLifeEpilogueBoy]]''Uncertainty''
"Oh," he says, he smile fading, "I'll let my folks know then." And he saunters away.
The next day, you say your goodbyes to the family and ready yourself for more travel. You continue the path from where you left off, though with less certainty. You cannot shake the feeling that you've just left something that could have prospered; something that could've been so sweet. All for an old love that you now struggle to believe in.
Still, there is some hope. You just can't be sure if truly is hope or delussion. Desperately, you hold onto the notion that he still loves you. Yet, somewhere deep within you, you entertain the notion that he might not love you anymore, and that you should probably get on with the rest of your life.
[[End->EndRevenge]] ''Change of Heart''
"The company is just too good to part with," you joke.
The two of you return to the inn. The old couple are over-joyed to know you're extending your stay.
The days turn in to weeks, and they stop charging you for the room. Instead, you help around the inn, chopping wood for the cooking and heat and helping with some of the cleaning. At the beginning of your second month amongst the familt, you realize you have settled.
All the while, a tenderness grows between you and the boy. Soon, he becomes the centre of your world. He helps you forget about your old love.
It seems his parents approve. You take to calling them Dad and Ma.
This is your life now. It is simple and sweet.
[[End->EndRevenge]] (set: $name to (prompt: "What is your name?", ""))
For a fraction of a second, the old man's eyes go wide. Then, he seems to steady himself and he sighs. "Come with me, $boygirl. It's best if I show you."
He takes you to a creaky, old temple just outside the village. Tombstones rise out of the ground, just outside of the temple walls. He takes you to a pair of these gravestones. Already, your heart is beating faster and faster.
Then, you see it. It's $hisherAnt name.
"Consumption took $himherAnt," the old man breaks. "Just over a year ago. The same sickness that took $hisherAnt $husbandwifeAnt before $himherAnt."
You take a moment. You feel so numb, you can't even cry. A part of your feels that you aren't entitled to tears. Then, another thought. You had no idea $hesheAnt had married.
"There's more," the old man says, and he walks into the temple.
You see him whisper to a priest before this priest disappears into another room. The old man then tells you to wait. He stands with you without saying a word. After a few silent minutes, the priest returns. There is a little $boygirl walking beside him.
The $boygirl is no older than eight. You've never seen $himher before, but you recognize $hisher eyes.
"$HisHer name is $name," says the old man.
[[Epilogue->EpilogueRedemption]]''Redemption''
You take the $boygirl with you, back to the city where you began this journey. It is cleaner there and more prosperous; a much better place to bring up a child.
You hold $hisher hand and, sometimes, look in $hisher eyes-- //$hisherAnt// eyes. You expect them to be filled with anger or resentment, but they aren't. Instead, you see tenderness and hope. Thankfulness.
You feel unburdened. You know your friend is not angry. You can see it in the child's innocent eyes.
[[End->EndRevenge]]This is 1 of 11 possible tales.
(This particular tale is somewhat influenced by //Crime and Punishment//.
[[Play again->Another World]] to experience another.
↶↷ This is another world.
A world imbued with a mysterious source of magic, springing forth from spoken incantations and the passions behind them.
The land here is largely untamed. A long and dangerous journey seperates one town from the other.
But every traveler has their reason; something that drives them forward, through the many dangers of the wilds.
In the same way, you are driven.