You find yourself standing at the mouth of the ruins. Built by the <span class='gold'>[[ancients]]</span>, this place has been thoroughly explored and forgotten by modern scholars, and you know it will make the perfect place to [[hide]].
The structures <span class='gold'>[[crumble]]</div> in dilapidation, forgotten by the village. Cool marble sits in the warm sun, and channels run through the steep steps downward, presumably to carry water.Your sword rattles in your scabbard as you hop down the ancient, weathered marble steps into the cavernous temple. You adjust your [[pack]] and make your way forward, past tall corinthian columns and crumbling altars.You take a minute to check the belongings in your pack. You have some ''rope'', ''water'', ''food'', and a ''lightstone''. Hopefully the other rabbits won't mind that they are missing.
Of course, you also have the most important thing. At the top of your pack, the last thing put away, you see something...
Or perhaps you <span class='fake'>[[do not keep mementos.]]</span>
[[What did I pack?]]Here at last, where the final ray of sun touches the mouth of the cave. The ancients never built this far, and nobody ever goes deeper. Not until today.
You grab your lightstone and [[traverse]] the tunnel.You enter the cave. Your feeble lightstone emits only a small pool of light for you to see by, and navigating the stone is difficult. Your [[progress]] is slow.(track: 'surface', 'fadeout')(track: 'surface', 'play')(track: 'surface', 'loop', 'true')Your feet hit the ground hard as you hop down the road, running as fast as possible before the town guard finishes their morning rotation. The less who know where you have gone, the better.
Your <span class='gold'>[[long ears]]</span> flop in the wind, tied back with a bandana and pinned behind your pack. In your paws you clutch your <span class='gold'>[[sword]]</span>. You don't know what <span class='gold'>[[dangers]]</span> may face you in your flight, but you know that the blacksmith never forges without reason, and the guards must have a purpose.
Finally, you crest the hill and movbe on to your [[destination]].(track: 'surface', 'fadeout')(track: 'flashback', 'fadein')(track: 'flashback', 'loop', 'true')Sunlight filtered in through the windows. It was morning, and you knew that today was the day. You crept through the house, trying not to wake anyone else. You had spent months secretly preparing for this day, the day you ran away.
(set: $displayResources to false)
You couldn't stay any longer. Not after what happened, or what //will// happen because of [[you]].(if: $cameFrom is not "find")[A curse you have been burdened with by the blacksmith. This is meant only for harm, and yet is a work of simple art. You carry it in a leather scabbard, and hope it never needs to be drawn.
[[Back->Start]]]
(else:)[A curse you have been burdened with by the blacksmith. This is meant only for harm, and yet is a work of simple art. You carry it in a leather scabbard, and //are about to use it to ////''kill''//.
[[Back->find]]]What was it that you did again?
Perhaps you confessed a dark (link: "secret")[(set: $run to "secret")(goto: "confirm")].
Or perhaps you are presumed to be (link: "dead")[(set: $run to "death")(goto: "confirm")].(set: $displayResources to false)(set: $focus = "Void")(set: $run = "Void")(set: $depth = 0)(set: $hasSword to true)(set: $hasRope to true)(set: $waterSupply to 100)(set: $foodSupply to 100)(set: $hasLightstone to true)(set: $gcPosX = 5)(set: $gcPosY = 9)(set: $scholarLevel to 0)(set: $inv_1 to false)(set: $inv_2 to false)(set: $inv_3 to false)(set: $inv_4 to false)(set: $inv_5 to false)(set: $inv_6 to false)Are you sure? Once you remember your $run, you cannot forget.
[[Yes, I am sure.]]
[[On second thought...->you]]So be it.{(live: 1s)[(show: ?text)(stop:)]}
|text)[(t8n: "dissolve")[You walked through the house and gathered your gear. Food enough for the journey, and tools to go with it. Before you left, however, you took one thing more with you. You took the <span class='gold'>(cycling-link: bind $focus, "tarnished key", "worn book", "old picture")</span>.
You slipped off into the early dawn, hoping the guards wouldn't find you [[leaving]].]]Time wears down all things. The ruins are a prime example of this. The rain and wind have worn the shattered edges of the marble to a safety finish, just as time has worn its purpose from the minds of its architects. None of the rabbits in the village remember why they are here or what they were meant for.
(set: $scholarLevel to it+1)
[[Back->destination]](track: 'flashback', 'fadeout')You shake yourself from your reverie. It's time to go [[deeper]].
(set: $displayResources to true)You walk down the long, dusty road...
[[Start]]You press on through the tunnel. (set: $depth to $depth+1)
(if: $depth <= 3)[The cavern walls are smooth and worn as though by water, and the stones are slippery. The air is still easily breathable.](if: $depth > 3 and <= 5)[The tunnel's floor is rough now, and the walking is easier. The air gets stale and the walls get just a little tighter every step.](if: $depth > 5 and <= 8)[It is a challenging squeeze to push through the passage now. It is difficult to breath, and you barely can feel the dampness in the face of all the dust.](if: $depth is 9)[You can feel a cool breeze from up ahead!](if: $depth is 10)[The passage opens up and you feel a vast space before you.]
[Turn Back](click:"Turn Back")[(replace:"Turn Back")[You cannot turn back now, (if: $depth is <= 5)[You just got here.](else-if: $depth is <10)[You're too stuck to slide out.](else:)[you can't squeeze back through.]]]
(link: "Progress.")[(if: $depth is 10)[(goto: "The Great Cave")](else:)[(goto: "progress")]]
(if: $depth is 10)[(set: $foodSupply to it -8)](track: 'cave', 'play')(track: 'cave', 'loop', 'true')You enter into a massive cave, so vast and wide you cannot see the ceiling or the walls. It feels as though the cavernous tunnel has its own weather, it's so big.
(if: $inv_1 is false)[(link: "A vague shape.")[(set: $inv_1 to true)<span class='gold'>[[Investigate Obelisk]]</div>]](else:)[<span class='gold'>[[Investigate Obelisk]]</div>]
(if: $inv_2 is false)[(link: "A large shadow.")[(set: $inv_2 to true)<span class='gold'>[[Investigate Bone Fragments]]</div>]](else:)[<span class='gold'>[[Investigate Bone Fragments]]</div>]
(if: $inv_3 is false)[(link: "A rustling sound.")[(set: $inv_3 to true)<span class='gold'>[[Investigate pages]]</div>]](else:)[<span class='gold'>[[Investigate pages]]</div>]
As you wander, you find two tunnels that don't appear to be too narrow to pass through, nor do they dead end.
At the farthest edge of the cave, near a trickling river, you see a silent, gaping chasm.
[[Investigate the glowing tunnel->Community Run Start]]
[[Investigate the silent tunnel -> Isolation Run Start]]
[[Investigate the chasm -> Void Run Start]]You enter the glowing tunnel.
(if: $glowtunnelReturn is not true)[As you walk through, soft amber light permeates the area. For the first time since you came down here, you do not need your lightstone to see. There, in the walls, are rich veins of glowing golden crystals, a lightstone vein. The soft light guides you [[deeper->junction]] into the tunnel.(set: $glowtunnelReturn to true)](else:)[You walk back through the glowing tunnel, speckled still with lightstone veins. You proceed [[deeper->junction]] through the tunnel.]You are a rabbit of course. Your whole village is rabbits, though there are a few birds and shrews who live there as well, after trade was established.
Not that it matters much anymore.
[[Back->Start]]There are rumors of spirits who wander the woods. A great race of terrible giants once wandered these lands, and their bones now haunt the wood. So they say, though few are let far enough off the roads to find out.
(set: $scholarLevel to it+1)
[[Back->Start]]
(if: $displayResources is true)
[(if: $hasSword)[Sword: In scabbard](else:)[]
(if: $hasLightstone is true)[Lightstone: In hand](else:)[]
(if: $foodSupply is not 0)[Food: $foodSupply](else:)[]
(if: $waterSupply is not 0)[Water: $waterSupply](else:)[]
(if: $hasRope is true)[Rope: 1 coil](else:)[]]surface: ./audio/Getting Lost.mp3
flashback: ./audio/Tiresias.mp3
cave: ./audio/Forgotten.mp3
voidmusic: ./audio/Dante.mp3
mouse: ./audio/Shoreline.mp3
silent: ./audio/Calypso Deep.mp3(track: 'cave', 'fadeout')You enter the silent tunnel.(set: $target to 3)(set: $walk to 0)(set: $color to "FFFFFF")(set: $run to "death")
(if: $run is "death")[(link: "Walk.")[(goto: "Walk.")]](else-if: $run is "Void")[You feel in your bones your absolution lies not at the end of silence. This place is for contemplation, and you have nothing to consider anymore. [[Turn Back->The Great Cave]]](else:)[The silence here unnerves you. It's probably best you [[head back->The Great Cave]]](if: $run is "Void" and $hasRope is true)[You tie your rope off to the jutting stalagmite and begin your descent. You kick off the ledge, lightstone fastened to your belt, and begin to climb down foot by foot.
(set: $hasRope to false)(set: $depth to 10)
[[Climb.]]](else:)["You see a great chasm before you, impassible. Even with rope, you don't think you could survive the trip down. You certainly wouldn't be strong enough to come back up.](if: $depth is <= 15)[You continue to climb down the rope. The darkness is clinging to the walls of the chasm.](if: $depth > 15 and < 20)[The rope is beginning to run out. You can feel wind at your back and can hear the faint sound of water.](if: $depth is 20)[You have reached the bottom of the rope. You'll have to drop the rest of the unfathomable distance down.]
(set: $depth to it+1)
(if: $depth is 21)[[[Drop.->River]]](else:)[[[Climb.->Climb.]]](set: $depth to 40)You begin to fall...
And just as you think this might be it, you feel the sharp impact of your body against water, and gasp to the surface to discover you are in a swift-moving river.
It begins to [[carry]] you along rapidly, dropping every so often.(track: "voidmusic", "play")(track: "voidmusic", "loop", "true")The river carries you for a while, before it slows and terminates in a great underground lake. You shake yourself off and [[assess]] the surroundings. It appears as though your ''water'' has gone bad from the ride. (set: $waterSupply to 0)(set: $foodSupply to it-8)(if: $firstMark is true and $secondMark is true and $thirdMark is true)[(masteraudio: 'stopall')You finally make your way to the end of the cave...
You see (if: $twisted is true)[again that ]the cave has ended in a moderately deep [[pool->final reflection]], filled with eyeless frogs. They swim about aimlessly, searching for each other.](else:)[You see (if: $twisted is true)[again that ]the cave has ended in a moderately deep [[pool->reflection]], filled with eyeless frogs. They swim about aimlessly, searching for each other.
There are (if: $twisted is true)[still ]three great gaping mouths, caverns that lead deeper, you (if: $twisted is true)[know](else:)[hazard]. Each yawns wide, though the leftmost one has [[great teeth]] of jagged (if: $bent is true)[bone](else:)[stone], the rightmost a [[pulsing vein]] of dripping red (if: $cut is true)[blood](else:)[ore], and the middlemost one seems to be [[staring]] at you with (if: $exposed is true)[eyes](else:)[gemstones].](if: $firstMark is not true)[You walk through the tunnel filled with great, jagged (if: $bent is true)[bone](else:)[stone] teeth.
The going is slow here. Navigating these teeth takes time, and getting [[cut]] is the last thing on your mind. Your absolution does not lie at the last drop of blood.
As you progress, the teeth become sparse. The tunnel widens and begins to [[bend and fold]].](else:)[You have no need for this path.
[[Go Back.->assess]]](if: $secondMark is not true)[You walk through the tunnel filled with many staring (if: $exposed is true)[eyes](else:)[gemstones].
Walking through here is uncomfortable. Something gives under your foot like you've trodden on a creature, but a glance downward reveals a simple stone. The gems set in the walls trap your light and reflect it back at you, giving the uncanny impression that they are [[staring at you]].
As you progress, the gems begin to cluster into larger, protruding stones.](else:)[You have no need for this path.
[[Go Back.->assess]]](if: $thirdMark is not true)[You walk through the path with the pulsing veins of ore(if: $cut is true)[blood].
This pathway rumbles gently beneath your feet. The veins glitter softly, as though light is reflecting off of a liquid surface. The tunnel [[stretches on]], not really closing in like the others have.
Soon, the veins retreat into the walls, and you can feel a soft pounding sound, like rushing water.](else:)[You have no need for this path.
[[Go Back.->assess]]]Ow!
[[Goddamnit.->great teeth]]The passages begin to twist tightly around themselves, like a knotted rope of stone and air. The passages constrict. Tighter and tighter and [[tighter]].You have a feeling like you are dreaming.
This kind of place shouldn't exist. You swear the tunnel folds //into// itself. You shouldn't be able to [[progress->folded stone]], but you can.
You must.
It's too late to [[turn back now]].You cannot turn back anymore, the rope is spent, the water is gone. There is [[nothing waiting for you->folded stone]] there.You feel yourself being crushed by the stones as you crawl. Your ear gets caught on a stone. Blood drips up from a wound and through your fur. Your paws ache. You don't know how much farther you can [[crawl]].At last you emerge into a space you can stand in. There is a small pocket of air here to catch your breath, calm down, and [[reassess]].
The space here is really just big enough for you, and the tunnel forward looks like it can't handle anything beyond you(if: $hasSword is true)[ and your sword](else:)[r body]. (if: $foodSupply is not 0)[The rest of food will have to stay here.]
(set: $cameFrom to "crawl")
(if: $foodSupply is not 0)[[Leave the food.]]
[[Despair]][[Wait, it couldn't be..?->assess]](set: $twisted to true)(if: $cameFrom is "crawl")[(set: $bent to true)](else-if: $cameFrom is "silent")[(set: $exposed to true)](else-if: $cameFrom is "Resist.")[(set: $cut to true)](set: $foodSupply to 0)You discard your food and set off. The tunnel can have it now.
The next passage is smaller than the last, and twists more harshly on itself. It is an exercise in patience to slide through the space.
In a moment, you catch yourself and panic seizes you. This is where you //die.//
But the moment [[passes]].You sit and despair for a moment. You recall how you chose this path. There isn't any sense in wallowing.
You wallow.
(link: "Back to it then.")[(goto: $cameFrom)](if: $run is not "secret")[The tunnel terminates at a single great wall decorated with lightstones. They jut from the walls, some tied with what looks like string. A massive stone the size of your head sits in the center of the wall, gently emanating light. There is [[nothing]] for you here.](else:)[(if: $returnJunction is not true)[The tunnel terminates at a single great wall decorated with lightstones. They jut from the walls, some tied with what looks like string. A small passageway [[forward]] just big enough for you to squeeze through sits open in the center of the wall, and small stone steps lead up to it, clearly made for creatures smaller than yourself.](else:)[You return to the end of the tunnel. The great wall is still decorated with sparse string-wrapped lightstones and natural veins of glowing rock. The passage [[forward]] is still open.]]You walk back through the glowing tunnel and into [[the great cave->The Great Cave]].You pass through the tiny hole. You're barely able to fit through, but manage to squeeze in with only a little discomfort.
The tunnel you enter into, unfortunately, is about the same size. It is just barely wide enough for you to [[wiggle through]], and your long ears are absolutely not happy about it.As you crawl through the tunnel, you can feel your hunger growing. You feel as though you have never eaten before, the pit in your stomach growing deeper and deeper every inch you move forward. Not even the [[food]] from your pack could have sated this. You can feel yourself falling to the hunger, growing more agitated and desperate to find what is at the [[end of this tunnel->reassess]] for you to //eat//.
(set: $firstMark to true)
Snackingonthe//bones//ofsmalllittle//creatures//mighthelpalittle...
(if: $firstMark is true and $secondMark is true and $thirdMark is true)[(set:$endState to "carnivore")[[Enter the Great Underground!]]]You can't go back and get it, you fed it to the [[tunnel->passes]] already.You stare at your reflection in a calm spot of the pool.
(if: $twisted is true)[You notice you look a little different...]
(if: $firstMark is true)[You no longer have a muzzle with little teeth, but instead have the great wide mouth of a predator, decorated with sharp serrated teeth. ](if: $secondMark is true)[Your eyes look very different now. They are large, white, and faintly glow with a feral light. You have slits like a serpent instead of round, safe pupils. ](if: $thirdMark is true)[Your soft bunny paws are no longer at the ends of your arms. Great bestial claws stretch forth, perfect for cutting and tearing. Your legs are just as strong, but better to pounce on prey with than to flee, and they are tipped with glittering talons.](else:)[You're still(if: $twisted is true)[ generally] the same rabbit as before.]
[[Turn away.->assess]](masteraudio: 'stopall')You finally make your way to the end of the cave...
You see (if: $twisted is true)[again that ]the cave has ended in a moderately deep [[pool->final reflection]], filled with eyeless frogs. They swim about aimlessly, searching for each other.The passages begin to fork, splitting off into a series of dead ends and switchbacks. Navigating here takes a long, long time, and the oppressive gaze of the stones makes you feel as though your progress is being judged.(if: $hasLightstone is true)[The stones continue to drain your lightstone bit by bit as you pass...]
Eventually, you find the end of the cave, and see a great, [[massive gem]] set into the far wall.The gem is spherical, and about the size of a small building. There are naturally weathered facets towards the middle, and a perfectly circular hole sliced through the middle. There is no denying it now, that structure is watching you, waiting for you to [[pass through]] it.(if: $hasLightstone is true)[You get the uncanny feeling that the structure wants to //devour// your lightstone.]
It's too late to (link-reveal: "go back now")[].You pass through the center of the great eye(click-replace: "great eye")[great gemstone]. It feels like this vaulted cavern of earthen glass actively resists your efforts to observe it. The facets of the walls bend the light in ways that distract your weak rabbit eyes. The ground slips under your paws, and you can only hear your scrabbling feet as the [[silence]] takes you.At last you come to a place of solid stone again, no prying eyes to watch you. You take a moment here to calm down, take a breath, and [[reassess]].
(set: $cameFrom to "silence")
(if: $hasLightstone is true)[As you have been walking, the stones have stolen your light. You know that they won't stop, and the only course of action is to appease them by offering your lightstone.](else:)[There is no sign of your stone here. The cave has seen all there is to see from it, you suppose.]
(if: $hasLightstone is true)[[Leave the lightstone.]]
[[Despair]] (set: $hasLightstone to false)You leave your lightstone behind you and walk forward into the dark.
It is hard to navigate without light, and only by the feeling of cool gemstone on your hands do you make your way forward. Your eyes begin to adjust, but to no avail. There is no light where you walk, and only darkness awaits you [[deeper->deepest]].As you walk in the shadows, you can begin to see again. Faintly at first, but with each handhold you grasp, giving way softly as though you are touching the wet surface of an eyeball, your vision returns, shaded in blacks and whites. No longer do you rely on the light of the surface. Your eyes are becoming //sharper// and you can almost //see// the smaller creatures that live in the //walls// here. You can almost see what is at the end of this [[tunnel->reassess]].
(set: $secondMark to true)
Youknowtheycannot//hide//fromyouandevenin//shadow//youwillseethem...
(if: $firstMark is true and $secondMark is true and $thirdMark is true)[(set:$endState to "stalker")[[Enter the Great Underground!]]]As you walk, the passage begins to widen. It feels like a full cave now, with the walls vanishing from your sides. A feeling of adrenalin begins to hit you now, as your safety vanishes. You walk forward, in the open, and feel like there is something out there [[waiting for you]]...You can feel it! Another living thing is down here. A creature about your size is racing through the cavern. It's little footsteps are just barely audible to your large ears, and you can tell it is running away.
[[Give chase!]]
[[Continue forward.]]You begin to chase after the creature!
Your long legs are perfect for sprinting, but it is unusual for you to be on the other side of this pursuit. There is something primal about the chase, hunting after a creature. Even if your intent is... pure.
The chase goes on. You can hear the creature stumbling in the dark, but for you the path is clear. It is almost as if the cave //wants// you to [[find]] this thing...You continue forward, and the feeling of adrenaline kicks up. You can almost feel the creature's vibrations, as though it //wants// you to find it. Another person, here in the dark depths...
[[Give chase!]]
[[Resist.]](set: $resist to it+1)(set: $cameFrom to "Resist.")You resist the urge, but it grows stronger.
[[Give chase!]]
(if: $resist <= 7)[[Resist.]](if: $resist is 8)[[Resist!->reassess]](set: $cameFrom to "find")You found it, the little thing stirring in the dark. A bruised, bleeding mouse has fallen before you. It's eyes are cut, slashed by jagged stones, rendering it blind. The two of you are breathing hard, and a tension fills the air. Both of you are waiting for something, and you aren't sure what.
Help the creature.(click-replace: "Help the creature.")[You have come too far for that. There is only one thing left for you to do.
You can feel the cave pounding in your ears, the beat of the drum and the heart of the dark resonates with you. You know you have to give up your [[sword]], and there is only one way to do it.
[[Finish it.]]
[[Despair]]](set: $hasSword to false)You sink the blade into the mouse. It is done.
You carry on, towards the [[end of the tunnel]].As you walk through the cave, your sword now discarded, you feel pain in your hands. You can feel the thrill, the pumping beating //heart// of the cave pounding in time with your own. Soon you shall discover what is at the end of this enclosing [[tunnel->reassess]]. You are racing now towards the end, nearly there...
(set: $thirdMark to true)
Yourtalonsnoware//sharp//yourlimbsare//strong//andthesmellofblood//excites!//
(if: $firstMark is true and $secondMark is true and $thirdMark is true)[(set:$endState to "predator")[[Enter the Great Underground!]]]You stare at the frogs, swimming aimlessly through the water. You were like them once. Wandering blindly and living your fast, fleeting life. No more. You have obtained the three marks and become what you always were meant to be.
(if: $endState is "carnivore")[Your hunger is never-ending. You reach in with taloned claws and grasp a frog. It squirms, making pitiful utterances under your piercing gaze. You devour it. You eat and you eat, and eventually the pool is empty.](else-if: $endState is "stalker")[You watch the frogs for a while, drifting without purpose. You have yours now. You carefully maneuver each frog to the middle of the pond, and with your powerful legs pounce right on top of them, quickly devouring them with your serrated teeth.](else-if: $endState is "predator")[You dip your claws into the pond, and the nearest frog investigates. You cut into it, and the struggle draws the rest near. You slash and tear, and soon the pool is a sheet of crimson, all remnants of its former occupants devoured.]
You backtrack through the darkness, strong muscles propelling you up the river, bounding you past your rope, and into the great cave.
This darkness is your home now, and you are the master here.
You have found your [[absolution]]You take a closer look at the obelisk.
A great basalt pillar rises up into the air. It is a deep cobalt blue, and bears etchings inlaid with gold.
(if: $scholarLevel > 2)[It reminds you of the ancient's architecture.]
(if: $focus is "worn book")[You take out your worn book, and consult the passages within. You start to [[translate]] the text on the obelisk.]
[[Back.->The Great Cave]]You examine the massive bones. They appear to be fragments of some kind of huge skull, given the teeth and eye sockets. What manner of creature could have left this?
(if: $scholarLevel > 2)[This reminds you of the ancient tale regarding giants and their ghosts...]
(if: $focus is "old picture")[You take out your old picture. You remember back to a happier time with your family, and have a moment to confront your mortality.
What bones will you leave behind? Will anyone bury them, or will they lay here like the giant's?]
[[Back.->The Great Cave]]You take a closer look at the pages.
They appear to be notes of some kind, scattered about in the dark. They are difficult to make out. The handwriting is illegible, and the language unknown to you.
(if: $focus is "tarnished key")[You tap your key to the pages, and the text begins to become legible. You can only make out a few of the passages, but they appear to be notes taken by some sort of old scholar. They detail the passages of the tunnels, but already you know this is outdated. The tunnels they reference leading up to the surface are unlike anything you passed through.
Perhaps this cave is not as it seems...]
[[Back.->The Great Cave]]"We will find our way beyond the shadows, and into a new dawn."
"These cursed tunnels will be the undoing of the foolish."
"Without our stars, the gods cannot see us here. We are still strong."
"May this place remain barren after our passing."
[[Back.->The Great Cave]](track: 'silent', 'play')(track: 'silent', 'loop', 'true')(text-colour: $color)[(if: $walk is not $target)[You (link: "walk")[(set: $walk to it+1)(goto: "Walk.")] silently through the cave. ](if: $walk is >= 3)[You begin to ponder a number of topics as you walk...]
(if: $walk is 3)[You start to think about the kind of future you might have down here, and what you might do.(set: $target to 5)
(link: "Quiet contemplation suits me.")[(set: $walk to it+1)(set: $scholarLevel to it+1)(goto: "Quiet contemplation suits me.")]
(link: "I shall work to become better than I was.")[(set: $walk to it+1)(goto: "I shall work to become better than I was..")]
(link: "I just need some space from others.")[(set: $walk to it+1)(goto: "I just need some space from others.")]](else-if: $walk is 5)[You start to think about turning back...(set: $target to 13)
(link: "I cannot turn back now, for the temptation to return will be too great if I do, even for one step.")[(set: $walk to it+1)(goto: "I cannot turn back now, for the temptation to return will be too great if I do, even for one step.")]
(link: "There are perhaps some things I could learn in the Great Cave before I find my new home...")[(set: $walk to it+1)(goto: "There are perhaps some things I could learn in the Great Cave before I find my new home...")]](else-if: $walk is 7)[(set: $color to "#d6d6d6")Trailing thought 1](else-if: $walk is 8)[(set: $color to "#afafaf")Trailing thought 2](else-if: $walk is 9)[(set: $color to "#898989")Trailing thought 3](else-if: $walk is 10)[(set: $color to "#656565")Trailing thought 4](else-if: $walk is 11)[(set: $color to "#434343")Trailing thought 5](else-if: $walk is 12)[(set: $color to "#242424")Trailing thought 6](else-if: $walk is 13)[Trailing thought 7
[[Walk.->New Home]]]]It was an elaborate setup, you realize in retrospect. Did you really have to go that far, to fake your death? Perhaps so. Sometimes there are things done easier than said, and to explain yourself and why you would care more for isolation is beyond you. Or was. Now, down here, you are beginning to find that solitude you were looking for. (if: $focus is "tarnished key")[And there are so many things to find here, even beyond the confines of your head...]
[[Walk.]]It was the right decision, then. To everyone else, you are dead, and now you have no burden of connection to them. Just yourself, and plenty of time. There are so many things for you to ponder down here, by yourself. Perhaps you will learn something deep and profound. But what is that worth without anyone to share it with?
Perhaps it is worth more to have a private enlightenment than to try and explain it.
[[Walk.]]The way you were, it wasn't where you wanted to be. Sure it was a little much to fake your own death, but like a metaphorical phoenix you shall come back from underground a different rabbit than before.
Hopefully then you'll have the words to explain why you did what you did (if: $focus is "old picture")[Especially to your family...]
[[Walk.]](track: 'surface', 'fadeout')Are you sure? To take nothing with you is to face forgetting who you were, and consequently who you are, and who you might be.
[[I would never do that, let me reconsider...->What did I pack?]]
I am certain. Whatever I did is behind me now. (click: "I am certain. Whatever I did is behind me now.")[
So be it.{(live: 1s)[(show: ?text)(stop:)]}
|text)[(t8n: "dissolve")[You refuse to enter a reverie regarding your past. That is behind you now. The weight of your past actions bears down on you, out of your mind but still upon your shoulders. The rabbits in the village will not notice your absence, for they hardly knew you in the first place. Your crime is your own, and you shall find your absolution below.]
[[So it shall be.->deeper]]]]If you turned back now, you may never set foot in this tunnel again. You decide to press on, satisfied that perhaps you have uncovered everything you needed to for now. You will always have more time to come back and look around.
[[Walk.]]You're right, perhaps you ought to [[go back->The Great Cave]] and look around a little more.
Perhaps you'll rethink some of your decisions too...After your long walk, you finally reach a suitable area to settle down and start building yourself a home.
(if: $scholarLevel is <=1)[There, just a little ways away, is a fertile spot of dirt to grow mushrooms and other foods. Not too far away, you can hear the sound of running fresh water. You should be able to fashion a shelter soon, and with the materials scattered throughout the Great Cave, could live quite comfortably.](if: $scholarLevel is > 1 and <=3)[ There are old pieces of marble and wood down here, possibly left over from a previous occupant of the ancients. You know this place will be perfect for your contemplations.](if: $scholarLevel is > 5)[ The ceiling here is sundered, and there is just barely a little bit of moonlight shining down. You climb a little ways up, to where your long ears just touch the ceiling. You can see the stars from down here.]
After some time, you begin to settle in.
You think, just maybe, you have found your [[peace]].[[End.]]Your grunting and shuffling sounds are cut short as you hear something up ahead. It sounds like...
breathing.
[[Press on.]]
[[Go back.]](track: 'cave', 'fadeout')(track: 'mouse' 'play')(track: 'mouse', 'loop', 'true')You continue forward as quietly as you can. You think you can hear a little better now, and the breathing becomes erratic, interspersed with soft sobs.
You push out into the area beyond, and see a tiny mouse.
It is wearing a ragged, torn cloak of grey material, and is sitting down, crying softly. It has not seemed to notice you yet.
[[Investigate.]]
[[Move on.]]You start moving backwards. You don't think you want to meet whatever is on the other side just yet. It's a pain, but you make your way back out to [[The Great Cave]]You come close to the mouse and introduce yourself.
The mouse responds by looking up, startled. It stands up and feels along the ground in front of it with a short stick, and it taps against your long foot.
"Wh-who are you? You d-don't sound like my mother?"
[[Explain who you are.]]
[[Ignore the mouse.]]You leave the mouse behind. No sense in making things more complicated. You progress [[deeper into the tunnel]].You take some time to explain who you are and what you are doing down here. You spare it some of the more... personal details for now.
"W-wow, uh, if you a-aren't going to hurt me, m-maybe you can help me..?"
The mouse looks up at you, large white-filmed eyes rimmed with tears.
[[Help the mouse.]]
[[Add the mouse to your pack.]]
[[Ignore the mouse.]]You make the assumption that the mouse is both blind and lost, so you scoop it up and put it in your backpack.
"H-hey! Please don't h-hurt me!"
You assure the mouse you mean it no harm, and have decided that since you can see, you shall carry the mouse where it needs to go.(set: $hasMouse to true)(set: $mouseFollowing to false)
Looking startled and somewhat upset at it's lack of agency, the mouse informs you as to its predicament.
"I g-got lost from my m-mother... P-please help me get home..."
[[Of course.->Yes.]]You offer to help the mouse.
"My m-mother got separated from me... I c-can't find her..."
The mouse lowers its head.
"W-would you help me find my way home?"
(link: "Yes.")[(set: $mouseFollowing to true)(set: $hasMouse to false)(goto: "Yes.")]
[[No.->Ignore the mouse.]]You turn away from the mouse. You hear it feebly shout after you, and begin to cry again.
[[Move on.]]You agree to help the mouse.
(if: $mouseFollowing is true)[You gently take hold of the mouse's hand. ]You and the mouse begin to walk [[deeper->deeper into the tunnel]] into the tunnel, widening enough for you to stand to your full height.(if: $hasMouse is true)[You trek forward into the tunnel, with the mouse tucked safely into your bag.](else-if: $mouseFollowing is true)[You and the mouse walk hand-in-hand down the tunnel.] (else:)[You walk down the tunnel.](if: $mouseFollowing is true or $hasMouse is true)[The cave begins to stretch on and on, and you have a fair [[distance->conversation]] to go.](else:)[The cave begins to stretch on and on, and you have a fair [[distance->getting into trouble]] to go.]As you walk, you consider striking up a conversation with the mouse. Now that it's calmed down, perhaps you could learn something from it.
(link: "Who are you?")[Who are you?
"My name is Mira! I'm the youngest girl in my family, or that's what mom says."(set: $mira to true)]
(link: "Where do you live?")[Where do you live?
"I live in the village!"
(link: "Can you tell me more?")[Can you tell me more?
"I'm sorry I don't know much more."
(if: $mira is true)[Mira](else:)[The mouse] looks sad.]]
(link: "Who is your mother?")[Who is your mother?
"My mom is the weaver! She is gonna teach me how to weave too soon!"]
(link: "How did you get lost?")[How did you get lost?
"My momma and I were out gathering silk from the caves, but she told me to stay still while she made sure no monsters were watching us. Then she walked off, and I tried to find her later, but she was gone!"]
(link: "Are all of the mice blind?")[Are all of the mice blind?
"Nope! A lot of us are, but some of us can still see. Like my momma!"]
[[Enough chat, there's something up ahead...->avoiding trouble]]As you walk deeper into the tunnel, you feel loose shale and gravel beneath your feet. The floor here feels unsteady...
You'll have to walk through this one blind. You begin to carefully walk through the tunnel...
The floor gives way beneath you! You tumble down through the floor, into a pit [[below->hurt from trouble]]...As you walk deeper into the tunnel, you feel loose shale and gravel beneath your feet. The floor here feels unsteady...
(if: $mira is true)[Mira](else:)The mouse tells you that she has passed this way before! She begins to hum a soft tune, and starts to instruct your forward progress. She [[leads->lost]] you out of the tunnel.Boy that sucked.
Unfortunately you are now wallowing in a rubble filled pit. You scrabble to the edge and begin the painstaking task of climbing back up. You spend a good while trying to do so, and eventually, you haul yourself [[out->lost]].You reach a great, open space filled with jagged rocks and walls, creating a near maze of twists and turns.
(if: $hasMouse or $mouseFollowing is true)["This is where I got lost...
Momma should still be here somewhere! Oh please hurry, I hope a monster didn't get her!"
You ask (if: $mira is true)[Mira](else:)[the mouse] if she can remember where she came from. She has difficulty remembering, but tries her best. After a solid half an hour of wandering, she thinks you're getting closer. You notice a [[shape->rendezvous with the mother]] in the distance, outlined by the glow of a lightstone...](else:)[You walk through the maze. Minutes pass by, nearly half an hour, and you are no closer to getting though than you were ten minutes ago. You imagine this junction connects to most other parts of the cave, but without knowing where to go, you are wary about following any particular path.
You come to a stop. That sound, is that the [[mouse->rendezvous with the mother]] from before..?]You walk closer, and see a larger mouse holding a lightstone. She looks almost entranced, and is teetering on the edge of a fairly steep fall. As you look down, the tunnel begins to unnerve you. Great red veins of some sort of oozing ore run along it's walls, and from the looks of it, there is no doubt a fall from that would leave you cut and bruised. Your approach is enough to snap her out of her trance, and she regards you.
(if: $mouseFollowing or $hasMouse is true)[(set: $ending to 1)(if: $hasMouse is true)[You help (if: $mira is true)[Mira](else:)[the little mouse] down from your backpack, and she runs over to the larger mouse.](else:)[(if: $mira is true)[Mira](else:)[The little mouse] rushes over to the large mouse.]
"Mira!" cries the mother.
"Momma!"
The two embrace deeply, and the mother turns to look up at you.
"Oh thank you so much, stranger!"
She straightens up, taking Mira's hand and gesturing towards you.
"Please, follow us back to the [[village->arriving at the village]]! You can share your story along the way. I am so very grateful for your help!"](else:)["You there, rabbit. Have you seen a small, blind mouse around here? She's lost and I //must// find her before something bad happens to her!"
(link: "Tell her about the mouse.")[(set: $ending to 2)Tell her about the mouse.
You tell her that you saw a small blind mouse about 10 minutes back the other way.
"Why didn't you take her with you!" The mouse retorts sharply. She collects herself, and returns to you.
"Thank you, though. I will go find my Mira. If you'd like, I can take you to my [[village->arriving at the village]] for you to rest."]
(link: "Tell her you haven't seen anyone.")[(set: $ending to 3)Tell her you haven't seen anyone.
You tell her that you haven't seen anyone. She looks around fretfully, and begins to walk off.
"Well, if you see her out there, please take her back to our village. If you [[follow the wall grooves->arriving at the village]], you should get back okay. My dear Mira's too short to reach them...
The mouse walks off.]](if: $ending is 1)[You accompany the mice back to their village. As you emerge from the tangled knot of tunnels, you see a small, humble village carved into the walls of a lightstone ore vein. Soft amber glows greet you, and a small group of mice rush over to ask after Mira and her mother. You join the lot of them, and begin to tell your tale, from the very beginning. Perhaps you could make your [[home]] here. The mice certainly like the idea.](else-if: $ending is 2)[You agree, and wait for the mouse to return. After a good while of waiting, she joins up with you again, daughter in tow. The small mouse shies away from you, uncertain to your intentions. Finally you all make your way out, and you see a small, humble village carved into the walls of a lightstone ore vein. Soft amber glows greet you, and a small group of mice rush over to you cheering in relief. After long conversations regarding their experiences and your own journey, Mira's mother suggests you might stay a while. Perhaps one day you may make your [[home]] here, or not far from it.](else-if: $ending is 3)[You finally make your way out, and you see a small, humble village carved into the walls of a lightstone ore vein. Soft amber glows greet you, and a small group of mice rush over to you, asking after Mira and her mother. You tell them they should be along soon. Sure enough, the two of them emerge about an hour later, and the villagers cheer in relief. After long conversations regarding their experiences and your own journey, Mira's mother suggests you move on for now. Perhaps one day you may make your [[home]] not far from here.][[End.]][[End.]]The ancients. Long ago, so the stories say, they had a vast kingdom, an empire that stretched along the land for untold miles. Now all that's left are crumbling marble ruins and curious artifacts moldering away in forgotten corners.
You expect you might run into some at your [[destination]].(masteraudio: 'stopall')Thank you for playing.
Permission to use tracks from the album Labyrinth's Heart was given by composer Clark Powell. Find her here at https://clarkpowell.bandcamp.com/