You walk through the deep snow, exhaling deeply as you approach the lake you can see rising through the trees in front of you. It's been 3 days since you've eaten anything. It's difficult when you're on your own. Hunting the large prey requires many. You are but one.
You continue toward [[The Cave]] at the edge of the lake you call home.Once inside the cave - a weatherproof interior formed by slabs of stone leaned over one another, years of earth and plant matter layered on top, and dug out even more so into the side of the cliff by yours truly - you lay down on the cool sand and plant matter formed into a basic bed and consider your options. You can last longer without food, and water is no issue with the lake so nearby, but you should eat soon before your strength begins to dwindle and you have no energy to hunt. There's also the option of looking to see if you can scavenge anything that may have been left behind by other not-prey, or that may have frozen to death.
You stop by the lake for a drink first. In the water's reflection you look into your own amber-yellow eyes. Thick grey fur with hints of black and brown sways in the wind. Pointed ears turn and take in sounds from all directions as you dip your long snout into the reflection, breaking it into ripples and lapping up a few mouthfuls of water before you stand and weigh your options.
[[Your Den]]
(set: $survivalPoints to 10)
(set: $life to 10)
(set: $bond to 0)(set: $survivalPoints to it -1)
You decide to expend some energy to attempt to scavenge
(set: _pulled to (shuffled: "[[Nothing to find]]", "[[Nothing to find]]", "[[Nothing to find]]", "[[a Mouse]]", "[[a Carcass]]", "[[a Pile of Bones]]", "[[Nothing to find]]"))\
In your attempt to scavenge, you find (print: _pulled's 1st)(set: $survivalPoints to it -2)
You decide to expend some energy to attempt to hunt.
(set: _pulled to (shuffled: "[[a Mouse]]", "[[a Squirrel]]", "[[a Bird]]", "[[a Fox]]", "[[a Deer]]", "[[a Human hunting an Elk]]", "[[a Human hunting an Elk]]", "[[a Human hunting an Elk]]", "[[a Human hunting an Elk]]", "[[Nothing]]", "[[Nothing]]"))\
In your attempt to hunt you find (print: _pulled's 1st)You sit at the entrance to your den, looking out over the snow-covered forest you call home, weighing your options.
You feel {
(if: $life is (range:1,3))[
quite weak ...
](else-if: $life is (range:4,6))[
fairly healthy.
](else:)[
full of energy!
]}
You stomach feels {
(if: $survivalPoints is (range:1,3))[
quite empty ...
](else-if: $survivalPoints is (range:4,6))[
moderately satisfied
](else:)[
very satisfied
]}
What will you do?
You can attempt to [[Scavenge]] to sate your hunger. Scavenging has a lower success rate of finding prey, however, it also costs less energy.
Or you can [[Attempt To Hunt]], which costs more energy but has a higher chance of finding something. Though as far as energy goes you might only break even.
If you are feeling tired, or hurt, you should [[Sleep]]. Sleeping will increase your life at the cost of energy, but sleeping on an empty stomach will take away life.
(if: $humanEncounter > 0)[You've noticed a strange group of the standing mismatched fur creatures at the edge of your territory. Maybe you should [[Interact with the Standing Things]].](if: $survivalPoints is > 1)[(set: $life to it +1) You sleep through the night and awaken in [[Your Den]] feeling refreshed.]
(else:)[(set: $life to it -1) Your hunger awakens you several times throughout the night. You feel weaker the next morning when you awaken in [[Your Den]]]
(if: $life is < 1) [Your body can no longer stand the cold and the hunger. You lay down one last time, and drift off into the cold embrace of [[Death]].](set: $survivalPoints to it -1)
(if: $bond > 9)
[You feel comfortable around these strange beings. Today you decide you will get closer and investigate their den and their many places where they keep fish and rabbit and elk and berries.
You approach camp. A few of the humans turn and motion to you and make familiar sounds. One of those sounds they often make whenever you get close. It is a good sound. A sound that means you.
They beckon you closer. One of them offers you a piece of tough meat, which you happily take and begin to chew on. After you finish, one of them reaches out to touch you.
You allow them to pet you, because they are like you. They are good standing wolves. They can be your pack. You do not have to be alone now.
Later that evening, after much petting and playing and foods, they allow you to enter a tall cave where they have many things, and invite you to lay on a soft and very warm bed of furs that smell of elk and fox and boar. They have a small orange hot that scares you, but their soft reassurances and small foods give you comfort enough to trust. You fall asleep in the tall cave and feel safe and warm. You are home.
The End]
(else:)[You follow the trail off toward their den, curious and wanting to [[Observe the Standing Ones]] ]Your hunt is unsuccessful, and you return to [[Your Den]] with an empty stomach.(set: $bond to it +1)
You observe the standing ones from an overlook that can see down into their camp. They normally take no notice of you, though sometimes they do and they become somewhat curious or wary.
[[Do Nothing]]
[[Stay and Watch the Den]]
(set: _pulled2 to (shuffled: "[[A Shared Meal]]","[[A Young Human Encounter]]", "[[The Smell of Blood]]" ))
Something is different today. Little did you know that whatever it is you've noticed would lead to (print: _pulled2's 1st)]
(if: $bond is > 6) [A young stander sees you from the edge of the village. He calls out in a familiar way from times before where you have interacted. In his hand he holds a large fish. He squats at the edge of their den and seemingly offers it in your direction. Your fear of these creatures is lessened by your experience with them, and so you approach.
[[Sniff and Accept the Offering]]
[[Snarl In Warning]]
[[Stay Back and Observe]]
Return to [[Your Den]]
]One of the humans notices you on the hill overlooking their den. It reaches into a basket and pulls out a large fish, catching your attention. He approaches, still somewhat cautious, offering the fish and giving gentle calls in your direction.
[[Do Nothing]]
[[Snarl In Warning]]
[[Sniff and Accept the Offering]](set: $bond to it +1)
After a moment of observation, careful attention paid between both you and the standing ones, you decide that it would be better if you leave it at observation for today.
Return to [[Your Den]] You eye the food, but snarl at the human. They step away, leaving it there for you. You take it in your mouth and trot away.
(set: $bond to it -1)
(set: $survivalPoints to it +2)
Return to [[Your Den]] You happily accept the fish, lingering for a moment before you move away slightly and dig into it. A small group of humans watch you with curiousity from within their den.
(set: $bond to it +2)
(set: $bond to it +2)
You finish your meal and decide to return to [[Your Den]] It has wandered away from its den. Something about your social instincts tell you that it reminds you of a pup, and that you should investigate this new thing.
[[Investigate the Young One]]
(live: 8s)[
(set: $typewriterText to "Something large makes its way through the bushes nearby. A large brown bear appears, sniffing the air. It looks at the child and begins moving toward it.
")
(display: "Typewriter")
(stop:)
(live: 5.5s)[ [[Defend the Young One]] ]
(live: 5.5s)[ [[Do Nothing]] ]
]
The child attempts to pet you, reaching both hands out toward your snout.
[[Play with the Young One]]
[[Do Nothing, let it investigate you]]You sniff the small one's hands and decide it isn't a threat. At the same time, you decide that it isn't food, and its strange habit of stomping and erratic movement make you feel the instinctive urge to play! You drop down, chest to the ground, and wag your tail. You tumble and roll, jump, lick and enjoy yourself as the young one chases you.
A few minutes into this playful behavior, you notice a human watching carefully, a long piece of wood in its hand. You stop playing, but the young one seizes this opportunity to latch onto you and pull at your ears and pet your fur.
Seeing this, the adult one calls the young one over and looks at you with a mix of wonder and curiosity once it has the young one in its reach.
You decide you should probably leave it at that for today and reutrn to [[Your Den]].
(set: $bond to it +3)The child pushes its fingers through your hair, looks at your teeth, and touches various portions of your body in its curiosity. You sit there and occasionally sniff or lick the young one, enjoying the attention. You realize halfway through, however, that you are being watched. An adult with a couple of bent sticks watches you cautiously from the side. When he notices you looking at him, he calls out to the young one and it tottles off over to him.
You decide that you should probably leave it at that and turn to return to [[Your Den]].
(set: $bond to it +3)You hear the snapping of twigs and small branches, and the shuffling of leaves against one another. Nearby, a bear steps free of the brambles and brush, its eyes stop on you as it gets a clear view of its surroundings.
You snarl to let it know you're there. It flinches as it realizes you're there and turns to walk away, looking back only once.
The child looks with wonder from you, to the bear, to you again. A sound from behind you alerts you to more of the standing ones. A few of them are standing nearby with long pieces of wood. They have the same look of wonder as the child almost.
One of them calls the young one to it, and another reaches to its side and produces a fish from seemingly nowhere. The gruop throws it to you, and pulls away somewhat. No wanting to look a gift fish in the mouth, you decide you'll take it with you and return to [[Your Den]].
(set: $bond to it +4)
(set: $survivalPoints to it +2)
Return to [[Your Den]] The smell of blood catches you as you observe the settlement. You turn and trot into the forest, and after a minute or two following the scent you come into a open field where a rabbit has been impaled on a branch of some kind. As you get closer, thinking of the easy now-injured meal, you stop when you catch another scent. A human scent. You see an adult human nearby, eyeing you, and then the rabbit. You recognize his intent. He wants the prey.
[[Do Nothing]]
[[Snarl In Warning]]
[[Stay Back and Observe]]You look at him curiously, then decide to give him some space and step back to watch from the edge of the clearing. The human seems even *more& curious now. He takes the rabbit from the trap and places it into his satchel, bringing out a fish instead. He throws it in your direction, causing you to stand suddenly at the startling development and back up, but the smell and look of the fish overpowers your caution and you take it into your mouth. You take a long look at the human before turning to take your leave and returning to [[Your Den]]
(set: $bond to it +1)
(set: $survivalPoints to it +2)There are many paths, young wolf. Perhaps there is another you could have taken? Will you try again in [[The Forest]]?
(if: $bond > 5)[Epilogue Unlocked: Days later, one of the strange standing ones with mismatched fur comes across your body. They seem to recognize you, and in a strange display of behavior, they bury you in your den and erect some sort of shrine over it. They pray to your spirit, that you might rest and watch over them. You decide you will, and when the next of your kind approaches the tribe of standers, you influence them to gain their trust and live among them. Such is the love and respect you feel toward them. You shall be with them in the spirit of all your bretheren, now and always.
The End.]
(if: $bond < -5) [Epilogue Unlocked: When the humans find you, you are mounted outside the village as a warning to the rest of your kind. Your actions have spread fear and doubt, and you will serve as an example of what becomes of threats to their tribe.
The End](set: $survivalPoints to it +2)
You are able to snag a mouse as it runs across the snow.
After your small meal, you return to [[Your Den]](set: $survivalPoints to it +2)
You are able to hunt a squirrel from its burrow. After your meal you return to [[Your Den]].(set: $survivalPoints to it +2)
You are able to hunt a bird after ambushing it in a... well.. bush. After your meal, you return to [[Your Den]].(set: $survivalPoints to it +3)
You are able to hunt a fox from its burrow. After your meal, you return to [[Your Den]].(set: $survivalPoints to it +3)
You chase down a freezing buck.
After spending enough time to eat your fill, you return to [[Your Den]](set: $humanEncounter to 1)
(set: $survivalPoints to it +3)
(set: $bond to it +1)
You see a tall thing on two legs, pink tan and with mismatched fur, standing over the corpse of an Elk.
After it leaves with the kill, you sniff the spot where it butchered it and scarf down what it left behind.
What was that strange thing?
After a moment's consideration of it, you return to [[Your Den]] (set: $humanEncounter to 1)
You see a tall thing on two legs, pink tan and with mismatched fur, standing over the corpse of an Elk.
After it eats leaves with the kill you sniff the spot where it butchered it and scarf down what it left behind.
What is that strange thing?
After a moment's consideration of it, you return to [[Your Den]] (set: $survivalPoints to it +2)
You find the old remnants of a long-dead animal. At least a few weeks old. You crack and gnaw at the marrow-filled remnants of another's kill for an hour or so before you give up and return to [[Your Den]].Your hunt is unsuccessful, and you return to [[Your Den]] with an empty stomach.(if: $bond is > 2) [(set: _pulled3 to (shuffled: "[[A Shared Meal]]","[[A Young Human Encounter]]", "[[The Smell of Blood]]" ))
Something is different today. Little did you know that whatever it is you've noticed would lead to (print: _pulled3's 1st)]{
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(set: $typewriterPos to 1)
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<!-- Set a delay of 20ms seconds per loop -->
(live: 20ms)[
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(append: ?typewriterOutput)[(print: $typewriterText's $typewriterPos)]
<!-- Update the position -->
(set: $typewriterPos to it + 1)
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(if: $typewriterPos is $typewriterText's length)[
(stop:)
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}