(set: $name to (prompt: "Enter your name:", ""))
[[Start Game|Intro1]]
(if:$name is 0)[(set: $name to "Vol")]
You are Archwizard $name. Or, you were. Now, you are nothing. Years of study, exams, even military service, all gone. Your spellbooks, your study, your apprentices... everything was taken.
At first, you felt rage, but at some point, there was only dull acceptance. The only thing left to your name is a deed to a rural property. Quite a few acres, but it's a homestead in the middle of nowhere.
As the city guard guides you out of the capital, you mentally check your bag. Some rations, a cloak, a few dozen coppers, the deed, and a set of mental directions to a small village named ''Kal'tak''
[[Travel to Kal'tak...|Intro2]]It takes nearly two weeks to travel to the small village. What money you had left is almost gone, all spent on inn rooms.
It's pouring rain as you approach the village. Mud splashes on your boots and the cold rain seeps through your cloak. Cresting the hill reveals a small hamlet. Calling it a village is too generous. Despite the downpour, the buildings spill the warm glow of firelight out into the evening rain.
You see a building sporting a fading sign. You can make out the words "//Bustling Bumpkin//". It doesn't seem terribly bustling, but you need to get out of the rain. You can feel yourself shivering.
[[Enter the Bustling Bumpkin|Intro3]]
You take a deep breath and open the heavy wooden door. A warm fireplace crackles to your left. To your right are two circular tables. To the rear of the room stands a bar.
You quickly close the door behind you, and the howling wind becomes a whisper behind the thick wood.
As you look back, a woman meets your eyes. She wears a canvas apron, presumable once white, if not for the years of kitchen stains.
"Who might you be, stranger?" she asks, hands on her hips.
[[Introduce yourself...|Intro4-A]]
[[Ask about the deed...|Intro4-B]]"Sorry to intrude," you say, "I'm Ar.. I'm $name. Pleased to meet you."
The woman narrows her eyes for a moment, then nods. You inwardly sigh in relief. You're not an archwizard anymore.
"Well met, $name. I'm ''Lorea''. I own the 'Bumkin. Where'r you travlin to?"
You swallow awkwardly. "I... um... here."
"You mean to tell me that lil' ol' Kal'tak is actually your destination?" Lorea asks, the question rhetorical.
You nod.
"Well, I'll be! What brings you to the middle of buttfuck nowehere, stranger $name?" she says, a faint grin on her face.
(set: $loreaMood to 5)
[[The deed...|Intro5-A]]
"Sorry, forgive my intrusion," you say. "I inherited some property here, and need a place to stay tonight..."
The woman narrows her eyes for a moment, then sighs.
"Straight to buisness it is then. I'm ''Lorea''. I own the 'Bumkin. Now what's yer name?"
There's a tense silence before you bring yourself speak.
"Ar... $name. I'm $name."
You gulp. You're not an archwizard anymore. Throwing around that title is bound to stir up trouble.
"Well, $name, ya got coin to stay the night? Three coppers." (set: $loreaMood to -5)
You celebrate inwardly that she missed your blunder, before you realize you're a copper short.
"Applogies, I only have two copper to my name. It's rather emberassing," you say.
Lorea deflates slightly. "That'll do, I guess. Run along then. There's a room in the back."
[[Enter the back room...|Intro6]]You thank ''Lorea'' for her hospitality, and walk to the back.
A few minutes later, you collapse on to the straw bed, letting out a sigh of relief. Your cloak hangs dripping on a hook, and your pack rests in the corner. You think back to scene from mere moments ago.
(if:$loreaMood > 0)[
The innkeeper ''Lorea'' seemed friendly enough.
] (else:)[
You get the sense the innkeeper ''Lorea'' wasn't enthused by your arrival.
]
Regardless, the inn itself is quaint, but cozy. There's a sense of comfort here that you haven't felt in a long time. Maybe exile won't be so bad after all.
[[Fall asleep...|Intro7]]"I have an old deed to a property here. I... wanted a change of pace, I guess." You say.
Lorea smirks. "Big city gettin to ya?"
"Something like that."
Lorea nods thoughtfully. "Hmm... I think I might know where that property is."
"You do? That's a relief," you say.
"So it is, stranger $name. You can stay the night, by th' way. There's a room in the back. Normally it's 3 coppers, but you seem friendly 'nough."
You bow. "You give me much kindness."
"None of that bowing crud! I ain't no king, that's for sure," Lorea says. "I'll show you to that parcel in the morn'. Run along now."
[[Enter the back room...|Intro6]]
You sit down at the bar, a few seats down from the man. You lock eyes, and he nods at you. You nod back. (set:$alphonMood to 0)
You turn to Lorea.
"Morning, Lorea."
"Mornin', $name," she replies." You sleep well?"
"Slept like a babe," you say, nodding.
You're about to make more small talk, when your stomach grumbles loudly. Lorea chuckles as you cringe in emberassment.
"A meal is two pence," she says, an evil grin on her face.
You sigh, and pull out two of your three remaining coppers. She takes them with a smirk.
In response, a steaming plate of scrambled eggs and sausage is place in front of you. A fork, knife, and napkin appear a moment later.
[[Thank her...|Intro8-BarA2-A]]
[[Dig in...|Intro8-BarA2-B]]
]You pick yourself up and exit the Bustling Bumpkin with purpose. On your way out, Lorea nods to you with mutual respect. You nod back.
You find yourself opon a cobblestone main street. Despite Kal'tak's small size, the main road is well paved with aged cobblestones. Soft moss peeks out between the cracks of the cobbles. The air is cold and moist, but is contrasted by the warm sunrise.
You begin to wander, not aimless, but with purpose. It takes all but a few minutes to find yourself in front of a small shop. Inside is a wiry man with jet black hair. He has a well groomed mustache, spiraling back to his nose. Above his grinning visage is a sign reading "''Crescent Agricultural Trading Incorporated''".
He looks to you, his teeth glinting in the sunrise.
"Stranger! How do you do! I am Zeke, owner and operator of Crescent Agricultural Trading Incorporated! CAT Inc. for short. Who might you be, and how can I help you?"
[[Introduce yourself...|Shopkeep1A]]
[[Ask for directions...|Shopkeep1B]]You sit at the bar, and the man turns to you.
"Hello there, stranger. What brings you to Kal'tak?"
"I inherited a deed, and decided to find my way here," you say, sporting an awkward smile.
"Change comes unexpectedly, yes," the man says. "I'm ''Alphon'', by the way. Pleasure to meet you."
[[I'm $name...|Intro8-BarB2-A1]]
[[Likewise...|Intro8-BarB2-B1]]You walk out of the Bustling Bumpkin, a hearty meal in your stomach. Outside, Lorea waits for you, hands on her hips as usual. The air is cold and moist, but is contrasted by the warm sunrise. The light seems to seep into your aching bones, rejuvinating you. Lorea looks at you.
"Well then, ya ready?" she asks. You nod.
"Follow me, then. It's on the edge of town."
You soon find yourself on the main road of town. Despite Kal'tak's small size, the main road is well paved with aged cobblestones. Soft moss peeks out between the cracks of the cobbles, and you find your mind wandering.
[[Ask about Kal'tak...|Tour2-A]]
[[Ask about The Bustling Bumpkin...|Tour2-B]]"Well met, Alphon, I'm $name," you reply.
Alphon smiles at you, taking a drink from his mug. After a moment of awkward silence, which he pointedly ingnores, the strange man speaks.
"Stranger $name, could you make me a promise?"
Before you can answer, you swear you hear Lorea stop cooking for a split second.
"What would you ask of me, Alphon?"
The man smiles solemly, taking another drink.
"Do no harm to this village. Things are different in the capital. Perhaps safer. Out here, dangers lurk, both over the forrested hills, and among the travelers that walk the roads."
A reasonable request. Frankly, you were lucky to not fallen victim to bandits or a monster on the way.
[[I promise...|Intro8-BarB2-A2]]
"Likewise," you reply.
An awkward silence follows, which Alphon ignores, steadily devouring his scrambled eggs. After taking a drink from his mug, he turns to you again.
"I applogize for my rudeness, stranger. Make me a promise, would you?"
"What would you ask of me?" you reply. You hear a clank to the side, Lorea dropping a spatula.
"Do no harm to this village."
[[Of course...|Intro9-BarB2-B2]]
"I promise, to the best of my ability." (set:$alphonMood to 5)
Alphon's smile warms.
"You are a good person, $name. May your path be fortunate."
"And yours as well," you reply.
A warm feeling swells in your chest, a steaming plate is placed in front of you.
Lorea speaks. "Good fortune, indeed. All that fortune into a free breakfast, how about that, Alphon?"
They grin at each other.
"A waste of luck," the man replies.
"So it seems," Lorea says. Silence reigns for a moment, before she turns to you.
"$name, I'll show ya to the property. Eat up, then meet me out front."
The man grins wider, then turns to you, speaking in a soft voice. "A true miracle!"
His chuckle is infectious.
[[Meet with Lorea|Tour1]]"Of course," you say. "I wouldn't think of it." (set:$alphonMood to -5)
"Thank you, stranger," the man says, smiling.
Lorea clears her throat, and turns to you with a steaming plate in her grasp.
(if:$loreaMood > 0)[
"A meal's two pence, but I know you're probably strapped for coin," she says. "Since yur bein a good stranger, I'll give it to ya half off."
You grin, your mouth watering at the smell of warm sausage. You hand her a copper pence, and she slips it into a pocket in her apron.
"Pleasure doin buisness with ya! Meet me after breakfast outside in an hour or so. I'll show you to the property."
[[Meet with Lorea|Tour1]]
] (else:)[
"I know you don't have shit for cash, $name," she says. "Normally it's two pence. It's on your tab." (set:$loreaMood to it - 5)
"Thank you very much. Words are often cheap, but I'll pay you back," you say.
"'Preciate it," she says. "Only this time, though. Every copper counts out here."
She sets the plate before you, and your mouth waters. Time turns to a blur as you devour the steaming sausage and delicous eggs.
You get up, the most full you've been in weeks, ready to take on the world.
[[Explore Kal'tak|Explore1]]
]
The call of a rooster stirs you from slumber. A warm sunrise peeks through the small window of your room.
You awaken, well rested. Despite the bed's shoddy appearance, you slept like a baby. The weeks of traveling must have taken it out of you more than you thought.
You grab your pack, and head to the front. There are a few new faces. Lorea is turned away, cooking on a counter behind the bar. The smell of fresh eggs and sausage perks your nose, and your stomach rumbles.
Sitting at the bar is a middle-aged man, sporting a rough grey beard, and no hair to speak of.
(if:$loreaMood > 0)[
[[Order a meal...|Intro8-BarA1]]
[[Talk to the man...|Intro8-BarB1]]]
[[Explore Kal'tak|Explore1]]
"Thank you, Lorea. It looks delicious," you remark.
"Stop flatterin me and dig in!" she replies, smiling. You think you see a faint blush on her olive skin. (set:$loreaMood to it + 5)
You devour the meal before you. Juicy sausage is sliced and disappears, and the scrambled eggs share a similar fate.
You wipe your mouth, almost emberassed at the ravenous display.
Lorea smiles. "Was it that good?"
"I'd say so. Perfect food for a weary traveller."
"I 'preciate it, stranger. Meet me out front in a few minutes, would ya? I'll show you to that property."
[[Follow Lorea...|Tour1]] You immmediately dig in. Juicy sausage is sliced and disappears, and the scrambled eggs share a similar fate. In a scant few minutes, the plate is all but licked clean.
Lorea speaks.
"That hungery, were ya?" she says, smiling warmly.
"Yes ma'am, it certainly hit the spot," you say, inclining your head in silent thanks.
"Anytime, stranger. Clean up, then meet me out front, would ya?" she says, "I'll show you to that property."
[[Follow Lorea...|Tour1]]
Your thoughts drift to the inn and tavern.
"So, how did you come to run the Bustling Bumkin?" you ask.
"I built it myself, many years ago," Lorea answers. "It's ma passion."
"That's wonderful," you say. You're surprised that you mean it. "It must have taken quite some time."
"It did, and it was worth every second," she says.
The lesson goes unsaid, but is well understood. Doing what you love is the best thing anyone can do.
[[Continue Walking...|Tour3]]Your mind wonders about this quaint village you find yourself in.
"Lorea?" you ask, "When was Kal'tak founded?"
Lorea looks your way, smiling softly as she walks.
"Kal'tak was founded nearly three hundred years ago, before the Empire became the Empire," she explains. "It was a small merchant and farming town, and was home to a few wizards before the Empire unified and... standardized things."
You nod thoughtfully. "Yes. The Empire definately standardized magic. For better or worse, I suppose."
Lorea looks ahead, her eyes focused on something long gone. "For better or worse, huh."
[[Ask about The Bustling Bumpkin...|Tour2-B]]
[[Walk in silence...|Tour3]]You continue walking, and soon you and Lorea come across an aged farmhouse. The plaster on the outside is crumbling, and the wooden shingles seem a bit rotten. Moss and vines grow everywhere. Behind the house, a large field of flowing golden grass stretches into the distance, where it eventually meets a lush forest.
"This' the place," Lorea says. "Old friend of mine used to run a farm here. The place is named ''Thistlewood Farm''. There's a fenced garden in the back. There's a well a short walk away, and a stream half a mile to the east."
You take mental note of the locations of things. While exile isn't set out to be terrible, it will require quite a bit of work. More than you're used to.
Lorea speaks up again. "If you need anythin', just gimmie a holler. I s'pose yer one of us now. We take care of our own in Kal'tak, though we're a lil' slow to trust."
"Thank you, Lorea," you say, nodding
Lorea nods back. "I'll be at the Bumpkin'. Don't fall through the floorboards now."
[[Enter the House...|House1]]You enter the house. The door creaks open, squeaking as the heavy wooden door strains the century-old hinges.
You take a pensive step inside, worried that the you might actually fall through the floorboards. Thankfully, they seem to hold your weight.
The entrance has an aged coat rack, with a brush mounted to the floor, presumably to scrape dirty boots of manure and compost.
To your left is the kitchen, with little remaining furnature. A sturdy, but dusty looking round table takes center stage, with two broken chairs to the side. A charcoal stove with a rusted pot and dusty cauldron stand at the rear of the kitchen, nearest to a small window.
To the right is the living room. A rocking chair and small foot table are the only remaining furnature. A rug, long since decomposed, covers the floor.
Finally, down a small hallway, at the end, lies a cellar door, locked with an ancient bronze padlock. There are two cracked doors in the hallway proper, presumably leading to bedrooms.
This place is going to need a lot of work and love. And some furnature.
It might be best to return to town. Not much you can do here, and the beds are not in good condition. (if:$zekeMood > 14)[
Though, you have the key to the cellar, so you can investigate here.
[[Enter Cellar|End]]]
[[Return to town|End]]"Well, I inherited a deed to a property here," you start. Zeke's eyes seem to light up.
"Ah! I know where you're talking about," Zeke says, his face stuck in a seemingly permanent sly grin. "It's the only place in the whole village that no one owns. It's called ''Thistlewood Farm''."
You nod in contemplation. "The deed only mentioned a parcel, and not a name," you say.
Zeke slaps the table, laughing jovially at an unseen joke. "That's just like the imperial parchment-pushers. All the dimensions and exact coordinates, I'll bet, but none of the important stuff?"
You pull out the rolled-up deed, and look. Sure enough, it only mentions the nearest registered town, the latitude, longitude, and it's exact dimensions, with no indications as to what's actually on the parcel at all.
"Yep, thats... exactly right," you say sheepishly.
Zeke chuckles more, then looks at you. "I can give you directions to it, but as you can see..." he says, pointing to the sign. "I'm a merchant. I need something in exchange. I can take coin, or a small favor for the future."
[[The favor|Shopkeep3-A]]
[[The money|Shopkeep3-B]]"I can give you a favor in the future," you say. "Within reason, of course."
(set:$zekeMood to it +5)
Zeke smiles, his dimples seemingly permanent. "Of course, of equivilent value only."
He pulls out a piece of parchment and a piece of charcoal, and begins writing down directions. He spends several minutes carefully documenting what appears to be a rough map, and a set of written instructions in broken imperial.
"That should get you there, just fine," he says. "Do be careful to not fall through the floorboards when you arrive, hoho!"
You thank him, and start off towards your new home.
[[Walk to the Homestead|Shopkeep4]] You look to your purse. You look inside. Only one copper remains.
"I only have a pence," you say. You look to Zeke, and you think you see him salivating.
(set:$zekeMood to it +10)
"A man's last pence is valuable indeed," he says, licking his lips. "If you would offer such a thing, I will be in your debt."
An easy decision. You take the copper coin from your purse and place it on the counter of the shop's window.
Zeke pounces on the coin like a cat, before cradling it in a gentle hand and looking at it from every angle. "Magnificent," he says, be before skipping his way into some kind of storage room. He returns from behind the counter a moment later with a bronze key.
"The key to the cellar. The previous owner left it in my posession," Zeke says, holding it out. You grasp it, and put it into your purse.
"Now, directions," he says. He pulls out a piece of parchment and a piece of charcoal, and begins writing down directions. He spends several minutes carefully documenting what appears to be a rough map, and a set of written instructions in broken imperial.
"That should get you there, just fine," he says. "Are our debts settled?"
You nod. While he has been friendly, the merchant's excentric nature is a little offputting.
"Good. I do not like being in debt. Do be careful to not fall through the floorboards when you arrive, hoho!"
You thank him, glad the encounter is over, and start off towards your new home.
[[Walk to the homestead|Shopkeep4]]After a long journey over a hill, you arrive at ''Thistlewood Farm''. It has certainly seen better days.
The plaster on the outside is crumbling, and the wooden shingles seem a bit rotten. Moss and vines grow everywhere. Behind the house, a large field of flowing golden grass stretches into the distance, where it eventually meets a lush forest.
Nothing to do but explore your new home.
[[Enter the House|House1]]"Greetings, Zeke, I'm $name." (set:$zekeMood to 5)
The man smiles warmly, despite his outwardly mischevious demeanor. "Well met, $name!"
He gestures for you to come closer. He speaks softly. "Now, anyone here can tell that you're not from around here, good sir. Nothing wrong with that. Some folks don't trust easy, though."
(if:$loreaMood > 0)[
You nod. "They've been friendly so far, but I can tell," you say.
] (else:)[
You nod. "Yeah. I don't know what I did to upset Lorea. She seemed a little standoffish."
]
"Yeah, figures," Zeke says. "It's common practice 'round here to give your name when someone offers you theirs. If you blew off their introduction, you might've made them feel wary of you."
You digest the culturual informaition. "Much different from the capital," you say.
"Very!" Zeke says, a friendly grin on his face, giving no indication to any inner judgement or thoughts. "Regardless, you seem in need of assistance! I might be able to help. What ails you?"
[[Directions...|Shopkeep2]] "Greetings, Zeke," you say. "Sorry to intrude. I'm looking for directions..."
Zeke grins. "Well, unnamed stranger, I might have some advice for you." He gestures for you to come closer. (set:$zekeMood to 0)
"Now, anyone here can tell that you're not from around here, good sir. Nothing wrong with that. Some folks don't trust easy, though."
(if:$loreaMood > 0)[
You nod. "They've been friendly so far, but I can tell," you say.
] (else:)[
You nod. "Yeah. I don't know what I did to upset Lorea. She seemed a little standoffish."
]
"Yeah, by some stroke of luck," Zeke says. "In case you didn't know it's common practice 'round here to give your name when someone offers you theirs. If you blew off their introduction, you might've made them feel wary of you."
Your eyes widen. "My sincere appologies! I'm $name. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier."
Zeke looks at you with a questioning eye, then nods, leaning back. "That'll do. Now, I might be able ot help you with your directions problem. Tell me more about where you're lookin' to go."
[[The deed...|Shopkeep2]]THE END OF NARRATIVE
Thank you for playing!
''Moods:''
Lorea: $loreaMood
Alphon: $alphonMood
Zeke: $zekeMood
(if:$zekeMood > 14)[Zeke gave you the key to the basement.]