Sailing Home

''"Finally."'' You enter the mouth of the cave with your crew behind you. Everyone's moving carefully through what feels like an endless tunnel of darkness, worried about setting off any sort of trap. *If we're close, there are bound to obstacles in place to stop us.* There wasn't any. You finally emerge from the tunnel into a small, damp chamber. There, in the middle of the room, sits a chest large enough to excite any crew of pirates. Although something feels off. Everything in the chamber appears as though it was placed here yesterday. But now's not the time for overthinking. You're going to be the richest captain the world has ever seen. It's time to head back to the [[ship.]]

A massive, dark, wooden ship. Reliable, but could definitely use the loot to pay for some much-needed fixing. >>[[Wander the main deck.->main deck.]]<< >>[[Talk to your crew.->crew.]]<< >>[[Climb up to the crow's nest.->crow's nest.]]<< >>[[Retire to your quarters.->quarters.]]<<

(if: $crew is "unexplored")[ (if: $hateLevel is $fearLevel)[You begin to talk to the crew as you normally, would, but no one wants to say much. It's as if they're all biting their tongues. Keep exploring the [[ship.]]] (else-if: $hateLevel is > $fearLevel)[*I want to say everyone seems normal, but I can see through their acts. I'd better be careful.* They'd better not forget this is my [[ship.]]] (else-if: $fearLevel is > $hateLevel)[You start making jokes with the crew, but everyone seems to be trying a little too hard to make an impression. *Everyone seems uneasy.* >>Keep exploring the [[ship.]]<<]] (if: $crew is "explored")[*I've talked to them enough today.* Keep exploring the [[ship.]]] (set: $crew to "explored")

{ (set: $mainDeck to "unexplored") (set: $crowsNest to "unexplored") (set: $crew to "unexplored") (set: $fearLevel to 0) (set: $hateLevel to 0) (set: $injured to "no") (set: $quarterMaster to "neutral") (set: $quarterMasterCondition to "unharmed") (set: $qm to "unexplored") (set: $lookout to "unexplored") (set: $belowDeck to "unexplored") }

(if: $mainDeck is "unexplored")[ You're admiring the view when you overhear a pirate questioning their cut. The trip was difficult and they found more treasure than they expected, so they're unhappy. [[>>Demonstrate your authority.<<->authority.]] [[>>Reassure them that they'll be very happy with what they receive.<<->receive.]]] (if: $mainDeck is "explored")[Nothing interesting. [[Keep exploring the ship.->ship.]]] (set: $mainDeck to "explored")

(if: $crowsNest is "unexplored")[You carefully scan the horizon, leaning against the wooden railing. Just as you go to lower the telescope you see a splash of water in the distance. *What ''is'' that* More and more tentacles rise out of the water, and you're heading right for them. This must be why the taking the treasure from the island was so easy. It was all a [[trap.]] (set: $crowsNest to "explored")](else:)[Hopefully nothing else is after the [[ship.]]]

(if: $crew is "unexplored")[(set: $hateLevel to it +1) ](else-if: $mainDeck is "unexplored")[(set: $hateLevel to it +1) ](if: $crowsNest is "unexplored")[*It's been a long day. [[Maybe]] I'll get some sleep.*](else-if: $hateLevel is > 2)[It's been a long day. Maybe I'll get [[some]] sleep.](else:)[It's been a long day. Maybe I'll get some [[sleep.]]]

You grab the pirate by his shirt with your hand on your pistol. Take no chances with insubordination. [[>>Have him walk the plank<<->walk the plank.]] [[Threaten<- >>Threaten him loudly to make an example out of him.<<]]

(if: $hateLevel is not 0)[(set: $hateLevel to it -1)] (if: $fearLevel is not 0)[(set: $fearLevel to it -1)] "I promise you all, with the loot we just found, you'll be ''very'' happy with your bonuses!" *Everyone cheers* "Yeah, yeah... now back to [[work!->ship.]]"

You pull out your sword and pistol and fire into the air, demanding that he be dragged over to the plank. You warn everyone about following in his footsteps. You decide what is fair. The crew reluctantly forces him to the plank, as they were all wondering about their cut as well, fortunately for you there are quite a few of your men cheering because he wasn't particularly well liked. If there weren't you might have joined him in his watery grave. He tried to struggle but you put your blade to his chest. "Take care of him." You turn around and walk quietly off the plank and back onto the [[ship.]] There are screams followed by a splash in the water, and then silence. (set: $fearLevel to it +1) (set: $hateLevel to it +2)

(set: $fearLevel to it +1) You point the pistol right in his face and make sure everyone hears what happens to pirates who doubt their captain. After all, this is your [[ship.]]

You quickly put the crew on full alert and they begin to prepare for a gruesome fight. You rush down to the main deck when the beast raises its first tentacle and the crew unleashes a flurry of cannon fire and gunshots. The beast's tentacles surround the vessel, raining water down onto the deck, and everyone watches as it swings toward the quartermaster who's almost within your reach. [[>>Dive towards him and pull him out of the way<<->pull him out of the way.]] [[>>Coat your blade in poison and wait for the beast to swing.<<->wait]] [[>>Retreat to your quarters and bark orders from safety.<<->Retreat]]

You instinctively lunge forward and pull him out of the way, but slip on the soaked floorboards while scrambling to move out of the way. The tentacle sends you flying across the deck, and you slam into the wall of your quarters. *Damn.* Everything's spinning, your body feels heavy and you can hardly keep your eyes open. You watch as a group of your men lunge at the tentacle with their swords, but are flung off as it pulls away. The beast rises out of the water and lets out a strange, but mighty roar. You have an idea. "Wait for an opportunity, and fire into it's mouth!" The beast swings its tentacle and three men are sent flying into the water. Everyone fires their pistols at it, and once again, the beast rises. The quartermaster led the charge. Lighting whatever explosives they could, the crew ran towards the edge of the ship and made the beast swallow them all. A dull boom was heard from its insides, and the tentacles slowly sank down into the water. Thanks to everyone's help, you managed to protect the [[ship.]] (set: $injured to "yes") (set: $hateLevel to 0) (set: $fearLevel to 1) (set: $quarterMaster to "happy")

You wait for the beast to strike before launching an attack. Everyone watches the tentacle as it sends the quartermaster flying across the deck and into a wall. Now's your chance. A single drop of this expensive poison was meant to kill 10 men, so surely a coated blade's worth will put the beast down. Without hesitation you lunge at the tentacle plunging your sword deep within. You manage to pull it out before it retreats back into the ocean. The fight continues for a short while, and then a tentacle rises far out of the water, heading right for the mast. Mid-swing it goes limp and slides off the deck and into the water. Then it happens to another. And another. Everyone watches as the beast slowly sinks into the water. The poison worked. Everyone begins to cheer and then the crew looks at the injured quartermaster and then back at you. Your [[//ship//->ship.]] is safe. (set: $hateLevel to it +1) (set: $fearLevel to it +1) (set: $quarterMaster to "angry") (set: $quarterMasterCondition to "injured")

You watch as your men die and the beast is slowly killed. The quarter master dives at the beast and poisons it, a hero to all. If it weren't for your strategy they would never have succeeded, but that doesn't make you any less of a coward. Head out onto the [[ship.]] (set: $hateLevel to it +2) (set: $fearLevel to it -1) (set: $quarterMaster to "angry")

In the middle of the night you wake up to an unbelievably loud crash. You rush out of bed and open your door. Something's headed right for you. Everything goes black. You slowly open your eyes. The sky is bright blue. You roll over and fall into water. You quickly swim up and climb back on to the floating debris. The ship was completely destroyed. There's some floating debris but not another crew member in sight. All you can do now is [[float.]]

Your entire body feels heavy. Opening your eyes feels impossible but you finally do. *What's that sound?* Your entire crew is cheering around you. You're tied to a barrel. You struggle to break free but you can barely move your body, it's hopeless. You wake up in the ocean. All you can do is [[float.]]

After floating for what felt like an eternity, slipping in and out of consciousness, you finally see something in the distance. *Is that...* It's the island you were sailing home from.

The ship's running smoothly, and remains on course. However, a strange sound is coming from below deck, and the fog is only getting thicker [[>>Talk to the quartermaster.<< ->quartermaster.]] [[>>Climb up the crow's nest to check on the lookout.<<->lookout.]] [[>>Head below deck.<<->below deck.]]

The sunshine barely seeps through a thick fog. *Another day out on the ocean. We've got to be close to the dock by now. Hopefully no one's messed anything up while I was [[asleep.->ship]]*

(if: $qm is "unexplored")[(if: $quarterMaster is "angry")["Hello, Captain. I had a talk with the crew while you slept so peacefully through the night. You're [[unfit to lead."]]] (if: $quarterMaster is "happy")["Good morning, Captain. The crew is doing well despite this ridiculous fog. We're trying to keep an eye out because clearly something's going on here. But after defeating that beast the crew is feeling like they can take on anything, so they're not too worried. I'll see you [[around.->ship]]] (set: $qm to "explored")] (else:)[*There's nothing to do here.* >>[[Return to the ship. ->ship]]<<]

The lookout's concerned, they're unable to do their only job. The fog's just too thick to see anything. You've got to be close to the dock by now. You take his telescope and sca n the horizon. You look behind the ship, and in the distance, you see a dim [[light.]]

With every step it gets louder. Someone seems to be talking to themselves but they sound completely out of it. All of a sudden you hear screams. You rush down and find two crew members holding back a third. He seems like he lost his mind. Just as you want to intervene, you hear an entire chorus of shouts coming from the main deck. Better be quick. [[>>Shoot the crazed pirate<<]] [[>>Restrain the pirate with cuffs<<]]

>The quartermaster draws his sword.< "Well Captain, how about it. Prove to me you are still a worth captain of pirates." "Very well." [[>Pull your sword<]] "I have nothing to prove to you, fool." [[>Pull your gun<]]

(if: $quarterMasterCondition is "injured")[The quartermaster was still injured from the beast. You quickly brought him down on his knees. [[>Finish what he started<]] [[>Send him to the brig<]]] (if: $quarterMasterCondition is "unharmed")[A tough fight ensues, and you're unsure if you can beat him. [[>Pull your gun<]] [[>Call your crew to send him to the brig<->>Send him to the brig<]] [[>Continue fighting<]]]

[[>Fire your pistol<]] [[>Send him to the brig<]] (set: $hateLevel to it +1)

You run your sword clean through him, although it pains you to do so. He was your quartermaster for a reason. "Let this be a lesson to you all! I won't have a crew that acts out of line on this ship." [[>Walk away<->ship]] (set: $hateLevel to it +1) (set: $fearLevel to it +1) (set: $quarterMasterCondition to "dead")

"Send him to the brig!" (if: $fearLevel is > 2)[They quietly obey your orders. He struggles and yells as he's dragged away. You [[walk away.->ship]] (set: $quarterMaster to "brig")] (else-if: $hateLevel is > 2)[You hear loud bangs followed by sharp pains in your chest. It seems they had already chose their captain.] (else-if: $hateLevel is < 2)[Two men drag him below deck. (set: $quarterMaster to "brig") (set: $hateLevel to it -1)]

A loud bang echoes through the air and he falls. You [[walk away.->ship]] (set: $hateLevel to it +1)

(if: $injured is "no")[You finally bring him to his knees. [[>Finish what he started<]] [[>Send him to the brig<]]] (set: $hateLevel to it -1)

Your fire your pistol and his body drops. You apologize to his two mates, you recognize them all, they were good people. But they also heard the screaming, and now loud bangs, so they're unphased. You all leave in a [[hurry.]]

You all struggle to restrain the pirate while the screams grow louder upstairs. Deafening bangs have now joined in. "AGH!" He pulled a knife and cut you good.The other two had to knock him out He's tied up good now, and in the brig. The three of you rush upstairs, only to see that we've been [[boarded]] by pirates. (set: $injured to "yes")

You shout to your crew and warn them of what you've seen. They take a closer look to confirm what you feared, what can only be an enemy ship is quickly advancing towards you. The enemies hear the shouting, and realize their cover is blown. They get closer, and an enormous ship comes into view. The time to act is now, before they make the first move. [[>>Board their ship<<]] [[>>Sneak off with the treasure<<]] [[>>Prepare to defend<<]]

Pirates begin to flood the ship, there's swords clashing and gunfire everywhere. The enemy remains completely silent, even if they're struck down. The crew is slowly being wiped out, without any end in sight. Just then, both ships crash into something, destroying both of their hulls. It's the dock. "Grab the treasure and head to shore, there's no reason to stay and be killed!" You and the remaining crew escape onto the dock with the treasure, the enemy pirates following close behind. Suddenly the enemies begin to drop to the floor one by one. Their ship sank. Confused but relieved, everyone heads to [[shore]].

You look closer. It's some sort of flame. *Could it be from another ship? You'll have to [[hurry.]]*

You decide that he who spills blood first will live to spill it last. The crew ready themselves to board the enemy's vessel. The sails are raised to slow the ship and when they're finally close enough the crew fires harpoons at the enemy's ship to keep a stable connection to their boat. (if: $quarterMaster is "happy")[The quartermaster stands by your side and you two are the first to board the [[enemy's ship.]]] (else-if: $quarterMaster is "brig")[You look around at your crew and see the quartermaster come out from below deck. You both lock eyes, nod, and approach eachother. You're both the first to board the [[enemy's ship.]](set: $quarterMaster to "happy")] (else-if: $quarterMasterCondition is "dead")[You look around at your crew and close your eyes. It's up to you to lead the charge. You're the first to board the [[enemy's ship.]]]

You've come this far on your own, fueled by your selfish desires, why stop now? (if: $quarterMasterCondition is not "dead")[You grab a sack and fill it with gold and jewels. Enough for a happy retirement. You go to throw your loot in a life boat when the bag is cut from your hands. The gold spills onto to the floor. Your eyes meet the quartermaster's, who's pointing a pistol directly in your face. He fires a shot off to scare you, and knocks you unconscious when you flinch. He removes the oars from the lifeboat, throws you in, and cuts the ropes. The boat falls into the ocean. All you can do now is [[float.]]] (else:)[You grab a sack and fill it with gold and jewels. Enough for a happy retirement. "HEY! The Captain's abandoning-" You shoot the crew member mid-sentence, cut the ropes, and the life boat falls into the ocean. You row away humming to yourself, laughing as you hear the two crews begin to fight. It's not your problem anymore.]

The crew gets ready for the worst. They've dealt with being boarded before, and it wasn't pretty. Not to mention an enormous ship most mean an enormous crew. They'll be [[boarded]] at any moment now. But in the end it'll be worth it.

You swing your blade at the nearest pirate and make a direct hit, but they don't make a sound. The fight begins. Each enemy that appears to be killed falls without making a sound. And before long, they get right back up. You decide to find the captain and hopefully put an end to this for good. You find him standing at the helm, silent, with its weapon drawn. He blocks your every move, touching him feels impossible. Meanwhile you hear your men fighting a hopeless battle, making more mistakes as they get tired. All your effort goes into one final swing, but it was for nothing. (if: $quarterMaster is "happy")[Just as he lifts his sword to finish you off, the quartermaster rushes him from behind and slices off his arm. His sword hits the ground. The captain's other hand swings a knife at the quartermaster but you cut that off as well. He falls to the ground, unable to move. Motionless, the captain is unable to stop you from finishing him off. The second you do, his entire crew drops as well, and the fog begins to [[clear.]]] (else-if: $quarterMaster is "dead")[He lifts his sword to finish you off and you barely manage to move out of the way. (if: $injured is "yes")[You can't move anymore. Your wounds are too grave. He lifts his sword, and brings it down onto you. The life fades from your eyes.](else-if: $injured is "no")[You quickly light a bomb and drop it on the floor. He goes to move but you slash his leg before he's able to escape. You dive out of the way and wait for the boom. The explosion crippled him. Motionless, the captain is unable to stop you from finishing him off. The second you do, his entire crew drops as well, and the fog begins to [[clear.]]]]

Everyone starts cheering, it was a difficult battle. The fog lifts completely, leaving the dock in plain sight. It's close, but a little too close. Before anyone can do anything both ships crash into it, destroying the hulls. The crew grabs the treasure and gets to [[shore]] before the ships fill with water.

(if: $hateLevel is > 2)[You get to shore and the entire crew is staring at you, with the treasure behind them. "This is ours. We EARNED this. You're not our captain anymore." They raise their pistols and fire. Before you can even blink you're on the floor.] (else:)[Everyone's thrilled to finally be back home. Nobody's worried about the ship at all because now they have enough money to all get a second chance with life. Each member gets their share and parts ways, without looking back.]