Dangling from the Raven's mouth is an eyeball, still dripping blood. You have seen worse things on the battlefield, but you have never gotten use to the sight of animals desecrating corpses, however evil their owners had been in life.\n\nAnger rises in you. With a wave of your hand you work pymary on the heat of the lamp, transfering it to where the bird is perched. \n\nThe Raven leaps into the air with a loud croak, dropping the eye. It lands with a wet noise and rolls under the desk. The Raven lands on the floor and tries to pull the eye out, but it can't reach.\n\nBehind you is the main entrance, leading back to the [[Square|City Square]], while [[iron doors|Iron doors]] bar further progress into the building.
THE ABYSS\n\nYou have company. A long, black fish with a hard beak is watching.\n\nTo your surprise, you actually think you recognize its species. As a child you read a book about aquatic monsters, and you're pretty sure this one was mentioned. What was it, a TORUS FISH? CORVUS FISH? Something like that.\n\nThe Corvus Fish swims up to you, swims around you. As seamonsters go, it's not particularly intimidating. If anything, you're almost . . . glad of the company.\n\nThe fish begins to swim away. With nothing better to do, [[you follow it]].
It is made of wood and large for a doll, almost the size of a small child. It has been defaced, hacked at, painted with vile slurs.\n\nAs you pick it up, it's wooden limbs clatter. At the sound, the woman gives a heart-rending yelp.\n\n"You've found 'im! Ssael bless you, sir, Ssael bless you!"\n\nShe snatches the doll from your hands with surprising speed and force. Shen then begins scrubbing it's head with the hem of her shawl.\n\n"Oh look at you, your face all dirty! Have the other boys been mean to you? There, there, it's alright, don't cry now."\n\n[[You don't know what to say]].
It's got to be around here somewhere.\n\nThe parish's Pymaric Council has requested that you conduct a study on fluctuations in the local khert, and to complete it Madis' Compleate Recorde of Pymaric Anomalies Vol. II is essential. If only you could find it.\n\nYou've torn apart your study thrice over, but there's nothing for it but to do it again.\n\n[[Papers|It's not here]] are piled on the table in precarious stacks so high they collapse in on another and become like to mountain looming over you.\n\nBooks overflow from shelves along the wall and rise in pillars about the room, like a forest of the trees they were made from.\n\nAlong one wall are chests of instruments.
She races ahead of you down the darkened passage. Where does all their energy come from? \n\nShe opens the doors at the end. She is silhouetted for a moment in the brightness, and then you lose sight of her.\n\nYou run towards the doors, towards the [[light]]. The Raven flaps along beside you.\n\n
It's not long before you come to a large, open room. Tunnels like the one that brought you here line the walls. In the center is a [[stone table]].
If they attacked all at once, you wouldn't stand a chance. But by Ssael, you'd take some of them with you.\n\nApparently the the lions realize this, since none of them seem willing to risk death or injury to snack on you. One by one, they turn and disappear into the tunnels.\n\nThe Raven looks incredibly pleased with itself.\n\n[[They way back is clear]].
Baelar sighs and returns to his writing.\n\nThe Raven croaks once, quietly, and flies away towards the staircase.\n\nTirna's smiles widens, and the last vestiges of friendliness vanish.\n\n"The silver door leads to death."\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Bad end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
You and the Corvus Fish [[make for the cave]]. Inside, you can barely see a small, bluish glimmer.
You reach another landing. Further progress is prevented by two huge golden doors.\n\nWhen did they put those in?\n\nA portly, balding man is sitting at a table, stacked with food. He beams warmly at you and asks, "So, ah, Rector Adelier. Do you ah, feel worthy of continuing up these stairs?"\n\nYou are not in the mood for more of these jokes. You pointedly ignore the man and stride [[toward the door]].\n\n"I'll take that as a yes, then. Ah, just so you know, you won't be able to open those doors with pymary. If you want to continue, you ah,have to [[convince me]] to ah, let you through."\n\n
Tentacles explode out of the mouth of the cave, knocking you back. You crawl away from it quickly, as a great snapping beak emerges from the cave, proceeded by a delicate wand with a glowing blue tip. The tentacles snatch up fleeing demons and shoves them into the beak.\n\nYou look down at Mikaila's First Gift, clutched tightly in your hand. At least you have something to remember her-\n\nYou feel a sharp pain on your ear. The Corvus Fish has rejoined you. Knowing it has your attention it begins to swim, straight up. \n\n[[You might as well follow it.]]
Back through the hallway, back to the door. It stands open.\n\nYou find yourself in a dungeon. Dejected prisoners huddle in cages, while a Guardian dozes against a wall.\n\nAt the other end of the dungeon is an [[ascending staircase]].
You frown. What is this woman doing here, armed, in the temple of all places? This is . . . not right.\n\n"Rector Adelier, do you believe yourself worthy of ascending these hallowed stairs?"\n\nWhat kind of question is that? The Temple is open to all Ssaelit (when not in security lockdown, obviously).\n\n"I'm just looking for my daughter."\n\nThe woman brandishes her spear.\n\n"I ask again, do you have the strength of mind and soul to reach the top?"\n\nIs she really threatening you? She picked the wrong day to stand in your way. You have searched everywhere else in this city, you'll be damned if you're going to stop now.\n\nYou fix her with a glare. "Ssael knows I do."\n\n[[The woman smiles]].
[[You aren't touching those.|rubble]]
You grip the First Gift tightly in your hand.\n\n"I will not give up on finding-"\n\n[[The woman stabs you in the chest]].
You find yourself face-to-face with one of the demons. It's eyes are horribly blank, it's skin covered in scales. And it's mouth is full of very sharp teeth.\n\nThe demon lunges at you with a shell knife. Another leaps on you from behind, sinking its fangs into your shoulder. More arrive and begin hacking at you, [[filling the water with red clouds]].
You had promised to take her to see the races, before the blighted Pymary Council had come to you with their oh so important request. Why can't they solve more of their own problems? Isn't that what they are for?\n\nYou sit down beside her on the bed and, reach out a hand to brush her hair away from her ear.\n\n"This is very important, Mickie. There have been fluctuations in the khert, and pymary isn't working the way it should. Many people's lives and livelihoods are at stake. The Council has asked for my help in understanding what is going on, and it is my duty to Ssael and my country to aide as I can."\n\nThe Raven has followed you to this room for some reason. Leysa will have a fit if you don't get rid of it soon.\n\nMikaila jumps off the bed, rejecting your touch. For the first time, she looks you square in the face, and the anger and hurt in her green eyes pierce your soul.\n\n"And what of your duty to keep your promises? Doesn't Ssael say 'He that keepeth not his word is lower than the worms?'"\n\n[[Pick her up|Set her on your lap]]
<<if $items eq "3">>The usual guards aren't here by the door. Strange.\n\nAlso strange is how few worshippers are here today. In fact, you don't see any.\n\nYou enter into the great hall. No one here either.\n\nA huge staircase rises to your left, beginning the ascent up the Great Tower. Perhaps Mikaila climbed up it to get a view of the city? She does love flying.\n\nAs you begin to climb the steps, you stop. It feels like [[something is missing]].<<else>>As you reach the entrance, the guard stops you.\n\n"Apologies, Rector Adelier, but no visitors are allowed. We are in the middle of a security lockdown."\n\n"Damnit Thomas, you KNOW me-"\n\n"Sir, you know what would happen if I made an exception just because I think your one of the most trustworthy men I ever met. Orders are orders."\n\nHe's right, you can't blame the lad for trying to carry out his duty.\n\n"Well, have you seen my daughter, Mikaila? She wandered off and I'm going frantic trying to find her."\n\nThomas looks shocked. "No sir, I haven't seen her. But I'll keep an eye out, and I'll tell the lads to do the same. She comes this way, we'll nab her for you!"\n\nIt's a start at least. "Thank you Thomas, I appreciate it."\n\nYou had better look [[somewhere else|City Square]], it seems.<<endif>>
You can ask either the [[man|Baelar questions]] or the [[woman|Tirna questions]].\n\n
You approach the Temple of Song. The peace that usually comes over you when you visit this hallowed spot is denied to you today, however. Mikaila's absense weighs on your mind, gnaws at your reason.\n\n[[Approach the entrance|Do have three items]].
You carry Mikaila through the City Square, past the spot where they executed the men who killed her. The assassins' heads have been placed on spikes, and they watch as you pass. Ssael follows you. No one else can be seen.\n\nThey suffered when they died. But it wasn't enough, could never be enough. And it doesn't take a drop from how much you hate yourself now.\n\nThe [[funerary|ashes]] is up ahead.
Baelar nods once, and returns to his writing.\n\nTirna sighs and lies back on her couch.\n\n"He would tell you the silver door leads to death."\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Good end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
It is the last time you will ever see her. It is horrible to look at her like this, a pale shell, a empty of the warmth and energy that you miss so much. But you can't stop.\n\nSsael's hand closes over yours. "It is time, Adelier." Together you pull the lever.\n\nThe flames rush up, [[roaring like lions]].
The fire rages all around you now, deafeningly loud.\n\nThe roar becomes a voice, you recognize it as Ssael, now in all his power.\n\n"No more cowardice, Adelier. This pain is your allotment, and you must accept it. Everyday you must struggle with it. Only when you are strong enough to live with this pain, will you be worthy to join me and to [[see her again]]."
AWAKE AT LAST\n\nYou wake with a start as salty water washes over you. You are lying on a wooden floor. You open your eyes and stand up with surprising difficulty, trying to get your bearings.\n\nThat's right. You are on a ship. It's been nearly a month since Mikaila passed. You could no longer stay there, and so here you are, en route to new country.\n\n"You were up 'ere last night? That's dangerous you crazy Ald. Go back below with the other cargo!"\n\nThe speaker is a scrawny, bad tempered sailor. You wave vaguely at him and stagger away, towards the [[front of the ship]]. Jibb? Your pretty sure that's what they call it. Or maybe that's just the pointy part.\n\nThe sailor rejoins his fellows, it looks like they mean to do something with the sails. He makes a comment about seasick lubbers, gets a few laughs.\n\n
Reluctantly you turn back towards the man and the woman.\n\n"Well then, what is this oh-so-important item?"\n\nThe woman claps her hands.\n\n"Oh Baelar, let's do the thing!"\n\nThe man rolls his eyes.\n\n"Again, Tirney? Fine, fine."\n\nThe pair each make a fist, and the woman counts down from three. Each makes some sort of symbol with their hand. It seems similar to a game you've seen your daughter play with her friends.\n\nApparently the woman won, for she gives a happy shriek while the man mutters [["You always get to be that one."]]
You feel as though you have been trapped in a dream - a nightmare - ever since Mikaila died. \n\nYes, Mikaila is dead. You could not protect her.\n\nYou failed. Ssael have mercy, you failed. \n\nA part of you whispers in your ear, everything bad that happened was only a dream, let go of your worries, she'll be back any moment. But you are sick of lying to yourself. And as hard as it is, only by struggling on, living with this pain, can you become strong enough for Ssael to deem you worthy of entering his Great Hall - and only then can you truly see her again.\n\nYou stagger to the front of the ship - the prow, you think you heard the sailors call it - and peer at the horizon. It's difficultto tell, but you think you can make out a thin strip of land above the waves.\n\nThe wind is fierce, but you feel no chill.
You climb the stairs, and in half a minute you are in the long hallway on the first floog of the House of Purity. The hallway and the rooms that line it are bustling with Guardians and frightened prisoners.\n\nAt the other end of the hallway are the [[iron doors|iron doors exit]] leading to the lobby.
"Oh dear, Duane. Is that too informal? Rector Duane, then."\n\nThe woman takes a couple of Softi leaves from the bowl before her, and pops them between her unusually full lips. She [[chews them]] as she continues to speak.\n\n"It is true that we have not encountered each other in the flesh before this - if you can so label this meeting - but surely you have heard of us? I thought you followers of Ssael love to tell tales of our wicked deeds, and the glory of our - ahem - [[defeat|demise]]. As for us, we like to keep track of interesting mortals, even some who don't worship us."
You back down the stair, and see the Raven sitting at the bottom.\n\nYou wait.\n\n[[It stays where it is]].
Just thinking about Mikaila lost in this hell-hole ties your intestines into knots, but how can you leave this pitiful creature, in a plight so similar to your own?\n\nYou swallow and step forward. As long as she keeps the bag over her head, there is no danger of you contracting the disease.\n\n"I feel the same for my daughter. I am a stranger here, if you will be my guide I will serve as your eyes."\n\nThe woman tries to curtsy, but stumbles on a pothole and nearly falls on her face.\n\n"Thank 'e, sir. Thank 'e, Ssael will look kindly on you."\n\nYou take her arm and enter the [[maze of streets|MAZE]].
The woman hits the floor, hard.\n\nYou roll on top of her, pinning her, and press the tip of the sword to her neck.\n\n"I will do whatever it takes to see my daughter!" You are yelling.\n\nThe woman closes her eyes and sighs.\n\n"Rector Adelier, I Ssaelissa declare you worthy. [[You may pass]]."
You stare at the stairs while you debate with yourself. You have to find Mikaila. So you have to climb those stairs. But to do that, you have to let him see the Shawl. But you can't do that! But if you don't, you won't find Mikaila.\n\nAround and around your thoughts race. Finally you come to a decision. You pull out the Shawl and hold it up for the man to examine. You close your eyes, so you don't have to see the holes. You close your eyes, so you don't have to see the stains.\n\nYou put the Shawl away, then open your eyes. The man is not smiling anymore. For the first time, you really look into his eyes. You suddenly wonder what it must be like, sitting here, hearing the most painful stories of everyone who passes by.\n\n"Rector Adelier, you have experienced your full measure of pain, and then some. I, Jorlin, hereby declare you worthy."\n\nHe reaches under the table and pulls a lever. The golden doors slowly part, revealing the next flight of stairs.\n\nYou give the man a silent nod and [[resume your climb]].
At last, you have almost reached the top. You reach the top step - and stop. You really shouldn't be surprised by any more modifications after all you've seen, but you are.\n\nThey turned this floor into an open air garden, with a plaza in the middle. Servants in brilliant livery attend to the even more brilliantly attired guests. Despite everything you've gone through, you feel a bit self-conscious, like you don't belong here.\n\nYou want to hurry up and find Mikaila so you can get out of here.\n\nYou see a [[man dressed all in black]], standing by the balcony. Somehow, he seems more approachable than the rest.
You doubt the slum dwellers can afford to have their last rights performed here. Looking through the windows, you see that a service is currently in session and the mourner's chamber is [[full to the brim]]. Apparently someone important has passed.\n\n[[You need to keep looking for Mikaila|Up the hill]].
The woman - or Tirna, the Fickle Goddess, she says - throws her head back and laughs, so loudly she startles the Raven off its perch on her wrist. Bits of chewed Softi spray from her mouth.\n\nThe man - that would be Baelar, pagan patron of war, pymary, and poetry - ceases his writing to consider you. "So WE'RE the dead ones, Ssaelit? You have gifted us with a most choice irony."\n\n'Tirna's mirth has begun to subside. "Oh dear, I can never get used to how touchy you mortals are about religion! Perhaps we should set that aside, and return to the [[reason for your visit?]]"
[[You are a married man, sir.|investigate the desk]]
The shock of the freezing water forces the air out of your lungs. You struggle to swim towards the surface, but tumbling over and over in the current you can't tell which direction is up.\n\nYour lungs burn, as your vision narrows. You have never desired anything the way you now long for air. Except to make sure that [[Mikaila is safe]].
[[You don't have time to pay your respects while your daughter is lost|Up the hill]].\n\nThe Raven cocks its head, as if beconing you inside.
[[Your admiring gaze notes the blade's excellent balance and razor-sharpness|investigate the desk]].
You tear the First Gift off from around your neck. You open up the bag and see the golden lock of her hair. You quickly pull it out.\n\nAnd stop. [[If you do this . . .]]\n\n"What's the matter Adelier?" Ssael's words are remorseless. "Don't you love your daughter? You are about to lose her forever."\n\nThe [[void]] stretches before you.\n\nYou are carrying a [[Crecian Sword]] and Mikaila's [[Shawl]].
Best to get out of here with as few awkward questions as possible. Especially since you aren't sure how to explain what just happened to yourelf, much less anyone else.\n\n"No, thank you, Guardian. My business here is finished."\n\nThe exit to the [[City Square]] beckons, but with a twinge of guilt you remember you are still carrying that [[ring of keys|return keys]].
Tentacles explode out of the mouth of the cave, knocking you back. You crawl away from it quickly, as a great snapping emerges from the cave, proceeded by a a delicate wand with a glowing blue tip. The tentacles continue to thrash through the water, searching for prey.\n\nYou definitely remember this from your book of seamonsters. It used to give you nightmares, in fact. Sailors call it the Krakken.\n\nSomehow, the Corvus Fish also managed to avoid getting snatched by those tentacles. [[Time to get out of here|field of strange, chimney-like structures]].
[[Blackness]]
You make a grasping motion with your left hand, to remove the solidity from the metal of the lock, leaving it soft as warm butter. With your right hand, you grab the door handle and pull.\n\nNothing.\n\nOf course, as you would expect from a secure facility, the door is made of First Iron, and therfore resistant to your manipulations.\n\nPerhaps you can find something of use in [[the desk|investigate the desk]]?
You throw the Shawl in the woman's face. That staggers her for a moment, before she rips it away and comes at you again.\n\nYou are carrying Mikaila's [[First Gift|First Gift Ssaelissa]] and a [[Crecian Sword|Sword Ssaelissa]].
You can contain your anger no longer. "If my daughter is not here, then I assure you, 'Tirna', you have nothing I need."\n\nYou turn and stride back towards the staircase. The Raven wheels in front of you begins hopping up and dawn, making a ferocious racket.\n\n"Rector Adelier."\n\nThe woman's voice drawns out the Raven, fills the room, seems to bypass your ears and resonate inside your very skull.\n\n"I promise you, if you leave now [[you will never see your daughter again]].
[[Blackness]]
You run to the edge and look down. Mikaila and the crumbled rocks of the bridge appear as mere specks before they disappear into a cloud bank.\n\nSsael stands over you.\n\n"Show me how strong you are, Adelier. Show me how much you care for your daughter."\n\nThe [[void]] stretches before you.\n\nYou are carrying a [[Crecian Sword]], Mikaila's [[First Gift]], and her [[Shawl]].
You enter the funerary. In the center of the room is the [[altar]].\n\nThe Raven is waiting for you, silently.
Baelar sighs and returns to his writing.\n\nThe Raven croaks once, quietly, and flies away towards the staircase.\n\nTirna's smiles widens, and the last vestiges of friendliness vanish.\n\n"The gold door leads to your reward."\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Bad end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
There are million and one things that can happen. Crushed under a carriage. Lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Accosted by some back-alley lowlife. Crushed between the teeth of a rider-less hound.\n\nIn the light of day you are usually able to put them out of your mind, but you've pondered and fretted over every one in the small hours of the night.\n\nThey come back you now, unbidden, crowding your head, tightening your belly.\n\nYou almost slip on the snow-covered cobbles, but recover and keep running.\n\n[[Where is she?|City Square]]
At last the staircase comes to an end. \n\nYou have been stealing yourself for some grim dungeon, but that's not what awaits you at all.\n\nYou are in a spacious room richly furnished, all fluting columns and comfortable furniture. Instead of lamps, the room is lit by tall, artificial windows along one wall. Their construction is so clever, you could almost mistake the light they provide for the natural rays of the sun.\n\nA [[woman|Tirna]] is lounging on a couch in the center of the room. She is feeding bits of fruit to the Raven. \n\nTo the side of the room a [[man|Baelar]] sits at a desk, writing.\n\nThere are two doors in the far wall. One appears to be constructed of gold, and the other silver.
You reach for the Shawl.\n\nYou look down, and see it is ripped, and soiled with dark stains. You hurriedly put it back. That won't do.\n\n"Ah, that looks very interesting, Rector. Won't you [[show it]] to me? Or do you truly wish to climb these stairs?"\n\nYou are also carrying Mikaila's [[First Gift|First Gift Ssaelissa]] and a [[Crecian Sword|Sword Ssaelissa]].
You don't seem to need air, down here. It must be a benefit of being dead. \n\nA benefit outweighed by the reality of being stuck here to be tormented by for all eternity.\n\nWhat will happen to your family if you can't get back? Is Mikaila alright? Your wife will be most displeased if the food gets cold before you return home.\n\n[[You are still having trouble processing this]].\n\n
Baelar sighs and turns back to his writing.\n\n"The silver door leads to your reward."\n\nThe Raven croaks once, quietly, and flies away towards the staircase.\n\nTirna's smiles widens, and the last vestiges of friendliness vanish.\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Bad end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
It is made of wood and large for a doll, almost the size of a small child. It has been defaced, hacked at, painted with vile slurs.\n\n[[You have more pressing matters.|rubble]]
You have no choice.\n\nYou place the lock of hair on the floor, and begin.\n\nIt is her hair, it shares her essence.\n\nYou close your eyes and begin to call up the formula. This is a difficult one. You spread your arms wide, and call to mind the aspects of a little girl's body, and match them to the piece in front of you. Now you just have get them to occupy the same space.\n\nYou clap your hands together in front of you.\n\n[[The flash blinds you through your eyelids.]]
"'Ere you are, sir. I'm sure she's missin' it, and will be glad to get it back."\n\nYou are wondering whether you should refuse the gift, are pretend to accept it and dispose of it in the next alley, when your eyes light upon it.\n\nIt is a girl's Shawl, blue and pale as the winter sky. With trembling hands, you take it from the woman. Despite the stench of the trash it was found in, it still smells of soap from the morning's bath.\n\n[[It is Mikaila's]].
As you are about to leave, the Raven lands on your shoulder and croaks in your ear. \n\nSsael take this creature roast it for supper!\n\nYou try to swat it but it flutters off a dozen yards and glares at you.\n\nMeanwhile the woman seems to have found [[what she was looking for]].
You step into the hallway.\n\n"Mikaila! Mickie!"\n\nShe shows no sign of hearing you as she darts down another [[passage to the left|Passage]].\n\nThere is nothing for it, then.\n\n"Alright, if it's a chase you, want, that's what you'll get lass!"\n\nYou begin to jog after her.
You are now carrying Mikaila's Shawl.\n\n"Now what do you say to the nice man?" The woman looks up from her doll once more. "Forgive him sir, he's always been a shy one."\n\nWhat can you make of this strange turn of events? Truly, Ssael's ways are unknowable to mere mortals.\n\nAt last you find you're tongue. "My thanks, Madame, and I - I'm glad your son is alright."\n\nThe crow croaks in approval, then leaps into the air and soars [[down the hill|City Square]].\n\n<<set $items = $items + 1>>\n<<set $shawl = "yes">>
There are nearly a score of the demons over there. You are alone, and unable to use pymary because the leylines of the khert that make the transfer of energy and matter possible do not extend beneath the ocean.\n\nYou need a plan. Unfortunately, nothing occurs to you.\n\nTHe arguement over the First Gift comes to an end, and one of the demons plucks it from the loot pile.\n\n[[It's now or never]].
THE CITY SQUARE\n\nHundreds of people bustle around you, in a hurry to see to matters spiritual or temporal. Your daughter is nowhere to be seen.\n\nBefore you the [[Temple of Song]] rises majestically.\n\n[[Up the hill]] are the slums.\n\n[[On the other side of the square]] is the Headquarters of Guardians of Purity.\n\n[[A winding road]] leads down to the river docks.\n\nThe raven is perched atop the statue of some hero you can't bother to remember the name of. As you look at it, it adds it's own white stain to marble.
"Pardon me, sir, but I am afraid a young girl may have passed this way. Have you seen her?"\n\nThe man stops writing, and the smoky apparitions vanish. He stares at you with a petulance unexpected for an adult.\n\n"Can't you see I'm busy? If you want to pester someone, let it be Tirney."\n\nIn the center of the room, the [[woman|Tirna]] continues to play with the Raven.
When your daughter is angry with you, and knows that you know it, she prefers to sulk in her room. And that is where you find her.\n\nShe is sitting on her bed, pretending to play with her dolls, making an obvious point of not looking at you.\n\nIt seems you will have to [[be stern|"Mikaila, do you know where Papa's book is?]] with her.
At last. Joy fills your heart.\n\n"Mikie! You've sore vexed me these-"\n\nThe bridge collapses, and she drops out of sight.\n\n[["NO!"]]
[[This is not the time to ponder the circumstances that brought that misguided soul here|On the other side of the square]]. You can only say a quick prayer that he will accept the light of Ssael in his next life.\n\n
The Corvus Fish seems more cautious as you approach the shipwreck, staying closer to rocks, plants. Soon you see why.\n\nOut of the chimneys, hot water pours up into the ocean. They are surrounded by clusters of pale, worm-like plants. Or are they plant-like worms? (Frankly, you'd rather not know.)\n\nAround one of the chimneys, you spot the not-people. At first glance they look like men - roughly the same size and shape, right number of limbs, etc. But then you realize their skin is the wrong color. Their fingers are webbed. And you're pretty sure their necks have gills. So not-men.\n\nOr you could just call them [[demons]].
"Frome here ye must carry on alone."\n\nYour jaw drops. You could swear you just heard that bird speak.\n\nThe Raven squawks once, then flies back out of the Temple.\n\nYou turn and [[continue up the stairs]].
In the center of the demons is a pile of junk. Well, you'd call it junk. From the rapid exchange of clicking noises made by the demons, and their wild gesticulations, you guess that they are arguing over how to distribute the detritus.\n\nClothes, cheap jewelry, nautical devices whose use is wholly unfamiliar to you - apparently these discarded relics from the surface are highly prized here. 'One fellow's waste is his neighbor's joy' and all.\n\nAnd then you spot something that you value [[very highly indeed]].
You walk down a long hallway. [[Heavy wooden doors]] line both sides. At the end of the hallway is a [[staircase]] descending to lower levels.\n\nThe Raven flies past. It lands on the top step of the staircase and begins hopping down, a few steps at a time.
As you push deeper into the slum, the buildings get older and the lack of maintenance is even worse. Roofs have caved in, walls have bowed and crumbled. You see tents, lean-tos, campfires among the ruins. Still no people, no sign of Mikaila or the boy. \n\n[[The clutter appears to open up some ahead|RUBBLE]].\n\nThe woman continues to fret about her child.\n\n"'E went to play with some of the other lads this morn, I warned 'im to be careful, children can be aweful cruel."\n\nAs can their parents. Actually, you're suprised anyone here allows their children to associate with the woman's son.
Baelar sighs and turns back to his writing.\n\n"The gold door leads to death."\n\nThe Raven croaks once, quietly, and flies away towards the staircase.\n\nTirna's smiles widens, and the last vestiges of friendliness vanish.\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Bad end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
You notice that none of the other residents will come near this woman. One even makes the sign of the Thorns with his left hand as he hurries by.\n\n"Madame, I am also looking for my child. [[Perhaps we can assist one another|sack]]."
"Ssael will be the judge of that. If you can get through me, that is."\n\nShe lunges at you with her spear, and you leap back.\n\nYou are carrying Mikaila's [[First Gift|First Gift Ssaelissa]], her [[Shawl|Shawl Ssaelissa]], and a [[Crecian Sword|Sword Ssaelissa]].
[[Blackness]]
"Oh, it's quite simple really. Ah, quite simple. So, many people acheive things you could call, ah, extraordinary. Give all their possession, drive themselves to great feats of physical prowess, think great thoughts. Things, ah, like that. Those are great, really! \n\n"But there are two things to consider. The, ah, first is that not everyone is gifted in the requisite areas to acheive these things. But more importantly, you cannot truly judge someone's character until you see their conduct when life has beaten them down. Do they crumble under the pressure, or, ah, keep struggling, even though they see no hope?"\n\nHe laughs. "I don't judge that part, of course. My job is just to weed out those for whome we, ah, don't have enough data. Where were we? Oh yes, of course. Ah, Rector, tell me what sort of suffering you have endured."\n\nThe man drums his fingers on the table, still smiling.\n\nYou are carrying Mikaila's [[First Gift|First Gift Jorlin]], her [[Shawl|Shawl Jorlin]], and a [[Crecian Sword|Sword Jorlin]].
The Corvus Fish leads you past a [[large stone cave]].\n\nAhead you can see a shipwreck, among a [[field of strange, chimney-like structures]].
The woman is strikingly beautiful, with kind features. But as you apprach she looks up at you, causing one side of her face to fall into shadow. Something about the glint in her hidden eye makes you uneasy. You feel there is a cruel streak in her.\n\nShe is dressed in a simple gown divided down the middle into two colors, one half brilliant yellow, the other an ugly dark green.\n\nThe Raven is perched on one of her wrists, while she pets it with the other hand.\n\nShe faces a low table featuring a small selection of snacks and bowl of [[leaves]].\n\nTo the side of the room the [[man|Baelar]] is writing at his desk.\n\nYou need to [[find out|ask Tirna]] if Mikaila has passed this way.
You draw the Crecian Sword and parry the woman's next blow.\n\nAs you recover, you see the sword is now bloodstained. You drop it on the ground, try not to look at it.\n\n"What's the matter, Rector? Does something about that sword surprise you?"\n\nAgain she attacks.\n\nWill you [[pick up]] the sword [[or not]]?
Up the hill is the city's Bronze Caste ghetto. <<if $shawl eq "no">>The road climbs up the hill, getting [[narrower and darker]] while the houses become meaner and people more wretched.<<else>>You've already searched there.<<endif>>\n\nBack down the hill you can see the [[City Square]].\n\nIn contrast to the dilapidation above, at the bottom of the hill sits a [[beautiful funerary]]. The raven alights on the doorway to the funerary and squawks at you.\n
You leap over the edge.\n\nMaybe, if you can catch up to her, you can figure something out.\n\nAt least she won't be alone.\n\nThe rushing air rips your clothes, stings your skin and eyes.\n\n[[The clouds swallow you.]]
Baelar sighs and returns to his writing.\n\nThe Raven croaks once, quietly, and flies away towards the staircase.\n\nTirna's smiles widens, and the last vestiges of friendliness vanish.\n\n"The gold door leads to your reward."\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Bad end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
The clouds are wet, cold. As you sink deeper into them, it becomes darker and darker.\n\nYou can't tell which way is up, and which is down. The sensation of motion is gone.\n\n[[It is pitch black|Blackness]]
You reach the bow - that's right, bow - and pretend to stare at the ocean.\n\nIt was hard, so hard, after Mikaila died. You couldn't stop replaying over and over in your head the scene of her death. That alleyway. Those men. The sword piercing her body. \n\nYour own wounds kept you from attending the funeral, comforting your family, saying goodbye when they committed her to the flames.\n\nAnd then you were forced to leav home, everyone and everything you knew, [[and it only got worse|only made it worse]]. \n\n
You open your eyes, blink away the spots.\n\n[[Mikaila is lying before you on the floor.|No]]
You wake with a start. Shame on you, Rector Adellier, taking a nap in the middle of the day. You stand up and stretch. [[Time to get back to work|Start2]].
You hold up the First Gift. "This is a symbol of my love for my daughter, and my determination-"\n\n"Rector Adelier."\n\nThe man's smile doesn't waver as much harden, solidify, while this time his voice convoys authority.\n\n"It seems you still don't understand. I don't want to hear about how hellishly stressful your day has been. Show me your pain, your scars. Or leave."\n\nYou are carrying Mikaila's [[Shawl|Shawl Jorlin]] and a [[Crecian Sword|Sword Jorlin]].
You take the ring of keys to the door and begin trying them in the lock, one by one. It is with the second to last key that you finally strike gold. The lock clicks, and the door [[yields to your touch]].
Now that it's been decided - whatever 'it' is - the woman addresses you.\n\n"We can't tell you what the item is - that would ruin the surprise! And it's no fun just to GIVE it to you, you wouldn't appreciate it if you didn't have to work a bit."\n\n"Here are the rules: One of the doors behind us leads to the reward. As for the other, all it holds is certain death. Now, you get to ask one question to determine which is which. You can ask either me or my brother, but one of us can only tell lies, while the other can only speak the truth. After your question has been answered, you enter a door and discover the wisdom of your choice."\n\nHer shadowed eye almost seems to glow, while her incisors poke out from between her lips. You are not at all sure she can be trusted to play fair. Which brings up an important question.\n\n"So, are you lying now about the rules?", you ask.\n\nThe woman's smile reverses polarity. "Of course not, we haven't started playing yet."\n\nYou look to the man for confirmation. He nods wearily. "The rules don't take effect until you ask the question. Now would you kindly hurry up and [[humor her]]?
One night, on this ship, you dreamed that Mikaila was still with you. And when you woke up, you hung on to that dream, tried to forget what had happened, tried to believe that you would see her again. And it had helped, a little.\n\nBefore you knew it, it had become habit. But you didn't stop missing her. You began to wander the ship, looking for her, frightening the sailors. They probably would have thrown you overboard if they weren't too scared of your pymary.\n\nThe search continued into your dreams, and when you woke up again. Eventually you couldn't tell [[which was which]].
You recognize the long, narrow leaves as those of the Softi plant, a narcotic particularly favored by pagan mystics as a way of inducing [[divine insights|Tirna]].
You follow Ssael to the center of the plaza. Servants and courtiers alike defer before him.\n\nAhead, the plaza turns into a bridge that connects the garden to other parts of a magnificent palace.\n\nHe points to a small figure on the bridge.\n\n[["I believe that's her there."]]
[[That won't help here.|"NO!"]]
A part of you wonders how long she has pursued this habit.\n\nIt can't have been that long, [[she still has all her teeth|demise]].
A story by Ian K\niansnotinchina.tumblr.com\n\nSetting and characters taken from UNSOUNDED by Ashley Cope\ncasualvillain.com
She stares up, unblinkingly.\n\nThe snow has begun to stick to her face, to her lips, now almost as blue as her shawl. The shawl and her tiny chest gape open where the sword ran her through. The blood is congealed like cherry jelly.\n\n[[She is dead]].
Today, however, you feel a new clarity. All the games, all the lies, they didn't actually take the pain away, they just prevented you from facing it.\n\nYou squeeze your hands into fists. You have no desire to keep living with this suffering, but if that is what is required you will accept it. Is it not the least you deserve, for your failure? \n\nWho knows, Ssael may someday forgive you and allow you to rejoin her in his palace.\n\nOn the horizon, for a second, you see a thin line of black above the water. Perhaps that is your new home. You feel no enthusiasm for starting over, but neither do you fear it.\n\nThe wind rips, but you [[feel no chill]].\n\n
It is a small bag attached to a chain. 'First gifts', they're called. When a child is a few months old, their parents clip a lock of their hair, and put it in that bag. The child keeps the bag on them until they reach adulthood, when they throw it into the Holy Fire as an offering to Ssael.\n\nThe First Gift is in a sky blue bag with a gold M stitched into it. [[Mikaila's mother made it herself while she was pregnant]].
The Raven flaps up and lands on your shoulder. You open the door and peer through. You see a long hallway, barely lit by a few flickering lamps. You take one tentative step inside, then another.\n\nYou turn to look back at where you came, just as the door slams shut. There appears to be no way to open it from here. You attempt to use pymary - on the door, on the wall - to no avail. Is everything here made of First Materials?\n\nThe Raven gives you an encouraging croak.\n\nNow there truly is [[no way but forward|forward good]].
The House of Purity is a squate, threatening building, in contrast to the [[Temple|Temple of Song]] across the [[Square|City Square]]. Many a heretic has received justice behind its forbiding walls.\n\n<<if $sword eq "no">>There she is! You catch sight of Mikaila, running past the crowd in front of the Docket with her hands up to shield the grisly sight, just as you taught her. She dashes up the steps of the [[House of Purity]] and disappears inside.<<else>>You have already searched there.<<endif>>\n\nIn front of the building is the [[Bloody Stage|Docket]], where public executions are held. One is taking place right now, in fact.\n\nBehind you is the center of the [[City Square]]\n\nThe Raven wheels overhead and glides down to the Docket.\n\n\n\n
You draw near enough to the woman to see beneath her hood.\n\nWhere her face should be there is a burlap sack, with two red-black stains where her eyes should be.\n\nYou recoil in shock. This woman has the Weeping Plague, a deadly and poorly-understood disease that is passed by eye contact. Those with the disease are strictly quarantined in Fachlyne - for her to be here, in the capitol, is a major security breach.\n\nThe amazing thing is not that the people here avoid her, but that they tolerate her at all. You have seen more than a few 'mercy-killings' of the sick by those still healthy, terrified of contracting the disease themselves. Perhaps she is the relative of a resident? The locals must go out of their way to make sure she is hidden from inspectors, and provided her with food. The poor know how to take care of their own, unlike some upper-caste nobles you can recall.\n\nThe [[woman]] holds her hands out, pleading. "'E's been gone since 'morn, I'm terribly a-frighted." The Raven fluters to her feet, then turns and watches you.\n\nAhead, the main road splits, the beginning of a [[maze of sidestreets and alleys|maze]].
It's got to be around here somewhere.\n\nThe parish's Pymaric Council has requested that you conduct a study on fluctuations in the local khert, and to complete it MADIS' COMPLEATE RECORDE OF PYMARIC ANOMALIES VOL. II is essential. If only you could find it.\n\nYou've torn apart your study thrice over, and there's nothing for it but to do it again.\n\nYou glare at the mountains of papers, stacks of books, and piles of instruments. A [[Raven|It's not here]] cleans itself on top of one of the bookshelves.\n\n<<silently>>\n<<set $items = 0>>\n<<set $sword = "no">>\n<<set $shawl = "no">>\n<<set $gift = "no">>\n<<endsilently>>\n
"Mikaila, do you know where Papa's book is?\n\nYou are speaking in your best gruff-but-understanding-father voice. It doesn't work so well on her anymore.\n\nWell, truthfully she never listened to it that much.\n\n"Oh, and what book would that be Rector Adelier?"\n\nYou bend down and speak quietly into her ear.\n\n"Volume Two of the Compleate Recorde of Pymaric Anomalies, which I distinctly recall having set on my desk and is now nowhere to be found on that desk, or anywhere for that matter."\n\nShe continues to keep her back to you, as she braids the hair of the doll in her lap. You know she's purposely ignoring you, because usually she shows no interest in the things. Of course, calling you by your title was a tip-off as well.\n\n"Why Rector Adelier, I have no recollection of the tome of which you speak. Nor do I recall any promise you might have made to take me to watch the races today. I certainly cannot think of any reason to be cross with you."\n\n[[Oh blast|"Mickie . . ."]].\n\n
You turn back to the man in black. Now you know why his stern, noble features strike you as familiar. You've seen them depictd a thousand times, and heard them described then thousand more.\n\nYou drop to your knees before him.\n\n[["My Lord . . . "]]
The Raven hops back and forth, expectantly.\n\nThe snow on the ground in the alley has been well trampled. Some sort of comotion took place.\n\n[[You turn away|A winding road]]. This has nothing to do with finding your daughter. The Raven squawks exasperation.
You have no weapons, and your pymary cannot get a grip on anything. [[You are devoured]].
Reluctantly you step up to the table, and glower at the man across it. "What must I do to get his over with?" Maybe he can force you to play his games, but he can't force you to be happy about it.\n\n"Oh, it's quite, ah, quite simple, nothing like what you had to do with Ssaelissa. I just need to know what sort of, ah, suffering you've experienced."\n\nHe pops a piece of fruit in his mouth and beams at you expectantly.\n\n[["What?"]]
[[You aren't touching those.|RUBBLE]]
You are tired of this farce, but apparently the woman doesn't intend to give you more trouble. You climb off her, gather yourself, and begin to [[climb again]].\n\n"My uncle could have learned a few things about parenting from you." \n\nYou look back at the woman. She picks up her spear and resumes her station. She doesn't look up at you again.\n\n
Baelar sighs and returns to his writing.\n\nThe Raven croaks once, quietly, and flies away towards the staircase.\n\nTirna's smiles widens, and the last vestiges of friendliness vanish.\n\n"The silver door leads to death."\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Bad end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
[[That won't help here.|"NO!"]]
As you approach the man your soldier's eye automatically sizes him up. He is stocky with a powerful, athletic build, and his garments appear practical and easy to move in despite their richness. Though you see no sign of weapons, you are sure this man is a soldier.\n\nThe man is writing on a [[scroll]] on the table before him. \n\nYou need to [[find out|ask Baelar]] if Mikaila has passed this way.
Baelar sighs and turns back to his writing.\n\n"The silver door leads to your reward."\n\nThe Raven croaks once, quietly, and flies away towards the staircase.\n\nTirna's smiles widens, and the last vestiges of friendliness vanish.\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Bad end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
On the table lies a Crecian Sword, made by enemies from across the border. Is this the reward 'Tirna' promised?\n\nYou pick up the sword. It is ice cold to the touch.\n\nYou hear a low growl, then another. Stalking out the darkened tunnels, a lion appears. Drool drips from its open maw.\n\nMore of the creatures emerge to the left, to the right, behind you. There is nowhere to run to.\n\nThe Raven spreads its wings and screams at the lions. You doubt it does much good, but you appreciate the sentiment.\n\n[[The lions circle you warily]].\n\n<<set $items = $items + 1>>\n<<set $sword = "yes">>
You pass through the iron doors into the lobby. Ahead, the main exit leads to the City Square.\n\nBehind the desk sits the Guardian on duty. He stares at you in surprise, and some suspicion.\n\n"Forgive me, Rector, I was not aware you were visiting today. Is there anything I can [[assist you with]]?
Was that her? You thought you caught sight of her out of the corner of your eye. You turn quickly, but she's gone.\n\nYou dart down [[one street after another]], but you see no more signs of Mikaila.\n\nThe inhabititants eye you warily, but give you a wide birth. Whatever they may think of an obvious outsider's presence, they recognize the insignia of a top-level wright, and give you no trouble. You doubt they'd offer any assisstance either, though.\n\nThe Raven scratches at the cobbles and watches you in bemusement.\n\n[[The entrance to the slum is downhill|Up the hill]].\n
DURLYNE\n\nYou are in the market district of Durlyne, The City of Joy. It is the third day of the Solstice Festival, and the shops and stalls are are gaily and gaudily decorated, while the people shopping for wares have accented their thick coats with brightly colored scarves and hats. The gleaming spire of the Temple stretches overhead, reaching for the heavens.\n\nThe Raven pecks at the ground. \n\nYou yawn, making a cloud of vapor in the air. [[Where did that girl go?|Something]]
You can't.\n\nYou can't defend yourself without a weapon, either. You are able to dodge, once, then twice, before the woman expertly [[slices open your neck]] with an expert flick.
[[You cannot stand the pain]].
Your leg is released just before your head [[breaks the surface]].\n\n
You rifle through drawers. Most are full of documents you have no interest in, but one of the top drawers instead serves as a receptical for a variety of knick-knacks. In the cluter you spot a [[throwing knife]], a [[ring of keys]], and [[RECTOR SINSERE'S ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE MARRIAGE CUSTOMS OF KASSLYNE|smut]].\n\nThe Raven has given up on retrieving the eyeball and is sulking on a chair, it's feathers ruffled.
Her familiarity shocks you. If you had met this woman before, you are sure you would remember it - though you're not sure if that memory would be pleasant or terrible.\n\n"Forgive me, Madame, but you have the advantage of me. [[Have we met?]]"
You set Mikaila down on the altar. Some hair has fallen in her eyes, you brush it away.\n\nYou take her First Gift and place it on her chest. She'll never get any older. She'll never have the chance to offer it herself, become a woman, have a family of her own.\n\nBeneath the altar, the fire reaches up hungrily, waiting to be unleashed. You put your hand on the [[lever|unleashed]] that will add fuel to blaze.
It has been a while since you have had time to climb the Tower. Apparently there has been some remodeling. The old white walls have been painted gold, and more lighting has been put in. Together, the effect is almost blinding.\n\nYou feel a little nostalgic for old look, actually. It seemed cleaner, less gaudy.\n\n[[Ahead is a landing]], guarded by a woman in golden armor.
Labyrinth
You swim and swim, pulling with your arms and kicking with your legs, until you are sure they are ready to fall off. And then you swim some more, following the Corvus Fish. \n\nThe water gradually gets lighter. You think maybe you can see the glimmer of the sun above you.\n\nOne spear sails by you, and then another. You look down and see two demons swimming after you. Not all were eaten by the Krakken, then.\n\nYou keep swimming with every bit of strength you have left. The surface is just ahead.\n\n[[You feel something grab your leg]].
On the stage a Guardian in shining armour is orating about the crimes of the men being executed. Their crimes must have been significant, as a large crowd has gathered for the spectacle, gasping and booing as the Guardian describes the vile crimes, and cheering as he tells how the perpetrators were brought to justice.\n\nNone of this concerns you. You [[must retrieve your daughter|House of Purity]], a lass of her tender years has no business in such a grim place.\n\nThe Raven has landed on the recently-expired [[corpse]] of a criminal, and is watching you expectantly.\n\n
You turn towards the woman. She is nearly bouncing up and down with excitement.\n\nYou wrack your brains, trying to come up with a question that will actually better your odds of avoiding 'certain death'. Your gut tells you 'Tirna' wasn't lying about that part of the 'game'.\n\nShould you ask her:\n\n[[-Which door leads to death?|Tirna death]]\n\n[[-Which door leads to the reward?|Tirna reward]]\n\n[[-Which door would Baelar say leads to death?|Tirna death correct]]\n\n[[-Which door would Baelar say leads to the reward?|Tirna reward correct]]\n\n[[-What does the gold door lead to?|Tirna gold]]\n\n[[-What does the silver door lead to?|Tirna silver]]
Baelar nods once, and turns back to his writing.\n\n"She would tell you the silver door leads to death."\n\nTirna sighs and lies back on her couch.\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Good end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
You turn towards the man. He taps his toes and waits.\n\nYou wrack your brains, trying to come up with a question that will actually better your odds of avoiding 'certain death'. Your gut tells you 'Tirna' wasn't lying about that part of the 'game'.\n\nShould you ask him:\n\n[[-Which door leads to death?|Baelar death]]\n\n[[-Which door leads to the reward?|Baelar reward]]\n\n[[-Which door would Tirna say leads to death?|Baelar death correct]]\n\n[[-Which door would Tirna say leads to the reward?|Baelar reward correct]]\n\n[[-What does the gold door lead to?|Baelar gold]]\n\n[[-What does the silver door lead to?|Baelar silver]]
A demon is holding your leg, beginning to drag you back down. If the other one catches up, it's all over.\n\nYou kick down, trying to break the demon's hold, and strain with all your might to reach the [[shimmer that promises the surface]].
As you approach the docks, the you scan the wharfs and walkways.\n\nAnd then you see her! It's a miracle you were able to spot her amid the traffic of boatmen and transfer of cargo. You offer up a quick prayer as you begin to sprint down the hill.\n\n[["Thank you Ssael!"]]
It uses pymary to borrow the heat from the sun and concentrate it to cook food. This was a high-end device, you can't imagine how someone from this neighborhood got ahold of it.\n\nActually, you're pretty sure you can guess EXACTLY how it was obtained.\n\nIf it was obtained via extra-legal methods, that would explain why it was abandoned here when its pymaric engine ran down. Such things are liable to attract ghosts and when not disposed of properly can be quite dangerous, best [[leave it be|RUBBLE]].
[[Blackness|Awake]]
The woman is panting as she raises the spear, ready for the final blow.\n\n[[Sweep the leg]].
There is nothing on the table.\n\nYou hear a low growl, then another. Stalking out the darkened tunnels, a lion appears. Drool drips from its open maw.\n\nMore of the creatures emerge to the left, to the right, behind you. There is nowhere to run to.\n\nSuddenly, as one [[they atack]].
You take the road down the hill, away from the [[City Square]]. \n\nBelow, you see the river docks. <<if $gift eq "no">>Sometimes Mikaila likes to watch the boats, perhaps you'll find her [[there|river docks]]?<<else>>You've already searched there.<<endif>>\n\nThe flies over to the entrance to a [[dark alley]], and croaks loudly
The view from the Tower is usually spectacular. You should be able to see the whole city spread out before you, as well as a breathtaking view of the mountains, and on a clear day you can even make out the sea.\n\nHowever, what you see is unbelievable. All of Kasslyne is spread out before you. If you squint, you can barely make out a grey smudge that must be Durlyne City.\n\n[["I'm not in the Temple of Song anymore."]]
The streets are deserted. The penalties for breaking quarantine are severe, no one wants to be associated with this woman now that you are here. \n\nYou thought you would be leading the woman, but she is choosing the path. She must know these streets like the back of her hand. The Raven flies ahead of you, as if it already knows [[the route|ONE STREET AFTER ANOTHER]] you will take.\n\nThe woman rambles on, and on, about her boy, though the details she imparts are not terribly helpful. Short, brown hair, dressed in hand-me-downs that he'll 'grow into', that must describe every urchin on this street.\n\n
You open your eyes, and get your first look at your surroundings. Well, that answers that. You were right.\n\n[[You did drown.]]
THE END\n\nThank you for reading.\n\nThis story is my interpretation of the world and characters of UNSOUNDED, a webcomic by Ashley Cope. If you enjoyed this (or even if you didn't), you should check it out.\n\nIf you wish to comment for some reason, drop me a line at:\n\
[email protected]You grab the sword, and your hand touches the still-warm blood of its last victim.\n\nDamn this woman for making you do this.\n\nYou parry once, twice, then take the offensive. You rain blows upon her, forcing her back.\n\nAnd then you get too confident, leave yourself open. She swings around the butt of the spear, [[knocking you flat]].
At last you reach up, grab the boards of the dock.\n\nOne last heave, and you roll onto the dock. Slowly you struggle to your feet. The Raven is beside you on the dock, as soaked as you are. The Raven shakes itself off, sprinkling water around.\n\nYou glare at the bird. You are pretty sure you have good reason to be angry with it, but you can't quite remember why.\n\nThe convoy has departed, and the dock is deserted. Mikaila isn't here anymore.\n\nYou hang the first gift from your neck, and begin to trudge up the hill towards the [[City Square]].\n\nThe Raven croaks and flops after you.\n\n"Shut your beak, feathered one".\n\n<<set $items = $items + 1>>\n<<set $gift = "yes">>
There's no easy way to say this. \n\nYou are standing on the bottom of the ocean. Around you unnatural plants sway in the current, while strange fish you never knew existed swim past.\n\nThe water is clear, but dark. Looking up you see no sign of light from the surface, what visibility exists comes from the noxious glowing algae that cover the sea floor.\n\nYou are in the home of demons and monsters, hidden from the gaze of Ssael.\n\nYou are in the [[Abyss]].
A fire swept through here once, and no one has bothered to rebuild. All that is left of an entire neighborhood is soot-stained rubble and a few blackened timbers. Not even squatters live here. \n\nYou climb to top of a pile of rubble. \n\n"MIKAILA!"\n\nNo response. It's not like you expected one, there aren't many places to hide in this desolation.\n\nApparently this is used as a dumping ground by the slum's residents. You see a [[doll]] lying in some putrid water, near a stack of [[soiled garments]]. And over there, is that a discarded [[pymaric cooker]]?\n\nYou hear a rustle among some burned bricks. The Raven pounces, and holds aloft a squirming mouse.\n\nThe darkened [[maze]] of the slum beckons to you.\n\n[[The entrance to the slum is downhill|Up the hill]].\n\n
As you push deeper into the slum, the buildings get older and the lack of maintenance is even worse. Roofs have caved in, walls have bowed and crumbled. The people here are the sorriest you've seen by far, living in tents and lean-tos amid the rubble, cooking nasty-smelling porridges over campfires.\n\nYou see no sign of Mikaila.\n\nThe clutter appears to open up some ahead, [[perhaps you can get your bearings there|rubble]].\n\n[[The entrance to the slum is downhill|Up the hill]].\n\n
[[Blackness]].
Mikaila's body blackens and crumbles. It is horrible to see, yet it brings a bit of piece. She is finally free of that shell, free to go somewhere better.\n\nThe flames climb higher and higher, and begin to [[spread]] throughout the room.
[[Blackness]]
It uses pymary to borrow the heat from the sun and concentrate it to cook food. This was a high-end device, you can't imagine how someone from this neighborhood got ahold of it.\n\nActually, you're pretty sure you can guess EXACTLY how it was obtained.\n\nIf it was obtained via extra-legal methods, that would explain why it was abandoned here when its pymaric engine ran down. Such things are liable to attract ghosts and when not disposed of properly can be quite dangerous, best [[leave it be|rubble]].
It's not long before you come to a large, open room. Tunnels like the one that brought you here line the walls. In the center is a [[stone table|table good]]. The Raven flies to it.
You sit beside her body, your legs in the snow.\n\nYou realize you are no longer in Ssael's palace. You are back in the alleyway where the two of you were attacked. You tried to protect her. You failed.\n\n[[You are weeping]].
"Madame, please pardon my intrusion, but I am afraid a young girl may have passed this way. Have you seen her?"\n\nYou woman gives you a sympathetic smile.\n\n"Oh dear, [[Rector Adelier|what?]], are you still looking for your little Mikaila?"
Enough is enough.\n\nYou draw the sword and point it at the man's face.\n\n"Let's play a different game, sir. If you do not open those doors, I will show you-"\n\nThe man's smile never waivers as he reaches under the table and pulls a lever.\n\nThe floor opens up beneath you. The drop is short enough that you don't have time to use pymary, but long enough for the spikes at the bottom of the pit to [[impale you completely]].\n\nThis is definitely wasn't here last time you visited.
You are bobbing in the river, passing the docks at alarming speed. \n\nYou spot a rope dangling in the water, reach for it, grab it. You rest here, hanging onto the rope, for a few minutes. Then you slowly begin to haul yourself [[up to the dock]].
You do not enjoy being treated as a fool, but she is right. Let her claim to be Ssael himself, Mikaila is still missing.\n\n"Yes, what of my daughter?"\n\nThe woman's smile turns mocking. "What's that, Rector Duane? Whome are you addressing?"\n\nYou swallow your rising anger. "Excuse me, TIRNA, is my daughter MIkaila here?"\n\n'Tirna' purses her lips. "Well, not as such. But we have DO have [[something you need]]."\n\n
You have lost track of how long you've been climbing these cursed stairs. You can't dismiss the thought that the stairs stretch infinitily in both directions, that even if you were to turn around and go back up, you would never reach the end.\n\nThe Raven is waiting for you a few steps farther down. It gives it's best what-are-you-waiting-for squawk, and resumes its [[descent|gay hall]].
You approach the man. You're sure you've never met him, yet he also seems somehow familiar.\n\n"My apolgies, Sir, but I would be most grateful if you could answer my question."\n\nThe turns to you\n\n"Ah, Adelier. I've been expecting you. Hold your questions, I think it will all become clear if you step over to the balcony here take a moment to [[admire the scenery]].
You leap up out of cover and dash - as well as you can, under water - into the middle of the demons. They seem too surprised to offer any resistance as you snatch the First Gift and turn tail. The Corvus Fish is right beside.\n\nAs you flee, half-running, half-swimming, you look back. One of the demons clicks at the others, and they spring out of their stupor, beginning to give chase. It looks like they are faster than you are down here.\n\nAhead you see [[forest of plants]], while the [[cave you passed before]] is on your right. Maybe you can hide?
How did that get in here, anyway? As soon as you've found the document, you'll have to figure out a way to catch it.\n\nYou keep searcing, but our luck remains poor. Or rather, Ssael continues to develop your perserverance by refusing to end this trial simply.\n\nYou may have to accept that it has been sucked into the same aether which devoures spare keys and left socks, and give up the search. Perhaps Brother Samis owns a copy? If not, then certainly the library in Kessholm-\n\nYou hear a floorboard creak by the door. You turn and catch a fleeting glimpse of [[long blond hair|Mikaila]] and a black play dress before footsteps patter down the hall.
How Mikaila's First Gift made it to the Abyss is a mystery, but right now you don't particularly care about the answer. \n\nMaybe she dropped it into the water when whe was playing on the docks, and it ended up here the same way you did. \n\nMaybe Mikaila herself fell-\n\nNo. That couldn't have happened.\n\nYou don't know how or why it is here, but you do know that as awful as an eternity spent down here will be, it seems infinitely more awful without that one reminder of those you love. [[You have to get it back]].
". . . My Lord Ssael!"\n\nYou feel a hand on your arm, urging you up.\n\n"On your feet Adelier. What you are, I once was, and what I am, you may someday be. Let's get down to business."\n\nYou are in Ssael's Palace of Clouds. Is this is a vision? Is this a dream? You start - something just pricked your arm!\n\nSsael returns a long needle to a special pocket on his sleeve.\n\n"I expect you were just thinking to yourself that 'this can't be real'. It may seem rude, but I would rather not wait for you to gradually accept the reality of your situation. After all, it is pressing business that brings you to my courts, is it not?"\n\nIt seems like it takes hours for you to find your tongue, but it was truly no more than half a minute. Probably.\n\n"Y-Yes, my Lord. I am [[searching for my daughter]], your servant Mikaila."
Does the man thing you simple? To build doors that size of First Materials would be prohibitively expensive. \n\nYou concentrate on the spell and twist your hand to remove the solidity from the doors. At that size, with that weight, they should simply collapse on themselves.\n\nNothing happens.\n\n"Rector Adelier, [[I'm ah, waiting|convince me]]."
You have been climbing down for at least ten minutes. You struggle to imagine what could be [[buried so deep]] - or why.
The stairway spirals down. You descend for five minutes, and still don't reach the bottom. You never expected it to [[go so deep]].
As you pass by the mouth of the cave, you catch the glint of something shining out the corner of your eye. You stop and peer into the darkness. You can't make out mutch beside that bluish glimmer. \n\nThe Corvus Fish has noticed it too. [[It slowly swims forward to investigate]].
A fire swept through here once, and no one has bothered to rebuild. All that is left of an entire neighborhood is soot-stained rubble and a few blackened timbers. Not even squatters live here. The Raven is perched atop a pile of rubble, looking impatient.\n\nYou climb to the Raven's perch and look around. The bird voices it's annoyance as you displace it. Aside from you three, there isn't a soul here.\n\n"Rit, where are you lad?"\n\nThe woman is rustling through rubble.\n\n"Madame, I fear he is not here. We should keep looking."\n\n"No, no, he must be here somewhere. Rit, s'not right to play tricks on your mother . . ."\n\nIt appears bringing her was a fool's errand. Curse your weakness, helping an addled old woman when your own daughter is at risk!\n\nApparently this is used as a dumping ground by the slum's residents. You see a [[doll|DOLL]] lying in some putrid water, near a stack of [[soiled garments|SOILED]]. And over there, is that a discarded [[pymaric cooker|COOKER]]?\n\nThe Raven flaps over to the doll and pecks at it.\n
You open the door and peer through. You see a long hallway, barely lit by a few flickering lamps. You take one tentative step inside, then another.\n\nYou turn to look back at where you came, just as the door slams shut. There appears to be no way to open it from here. You attempt to use pymary - on the door, on the wall - to no avail. Is everything here made of First Materials?\n\nNow there truly is [[no way but forward]].
Ssael is standing beside you in the snow.\n\n"You can't run from this, Adelier, and you can't change it. She's waited long enough for you to say goodbye."\n\nStill weeping, you nod.\n\nYou reach down and [[pick up Mikaila]].
It suddenly dawns on you just what the woman is implying.\n\n"You would claim that you are Tirna and Baelar, the Younger Twins? Impossible! Ssael slew you - I mean, them - with the other pagan gods, putting and end to their tyranical reign, and giving mankind the ability to acheive eternal freedom!"\n\nThe words come quickly to your tongue. Your Elements of Faith teacher [[would be proud]].
The flames consume you, bring you [[nothingness]].
You set her on your lap.\n\nShe squirms away from your grasp at first, but then leans into you, her head on your chest.\n\n"You're right, Mickie. I forgot my promise to you. Doubtless Ssael will command that my skin be flayed and my nails ripped out for it! But I made a promise to the council as well. So I will stay up all night if I have to and finish this cursed report, and tomorrow we shall spend all day at the fair."\n\nShe perks up at this. "Will you buy me woven sugar?"\n\n"If you are a good girl and eat your greens at dinner, yes." That is probably not wise, but you can hardly deny her now. She probably knows that, actually. "But first I need that book, Mickie."\n\nShe hops down from your lap.\n\n"Very well, Papa, I shall return your book."\n\nAn impish grin appears upon her face.\n\n"Once you have caught me, that is!"\n\nAnd like a flash she is out the door, her footsteps [[retreating down the hall|The Hallway]].
Baelar sighs and turns back to his writing.\n\n"The gold door leads to death."\n\nThe Raven croaks once, quietly, and flies away towards the staircase.\n\nTirna's smiles widens, and the last vestiges of friendliness vanish.\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Bad end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
Baelar nods once, and returns to his writing.\n\nTirna sighs and lies back on her couch.\n\n"He would tell you the gold door leads to your reward."\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Good end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
You turn back to the desk Guardian.\n\n"By the way, you might want to clean out under your desk before your superior notices."\n\nThe Guardian's scowl deepens. He bends down to look under the desk. "What in the name of Ssael's silkk undergarment-"\n\nWhile he is distracted, you silently place the keys on his desk. Then you head straight for the exit.\n\nIt's time to get out of here. [[You still need to find Mikaila|City Square]].
You stick your head in each room as you pass. Offices, interrogation and processing stations, equipment stores. None of them show any sign of your daughter.\n\nAhead of you a [[staircase]] descends.
The buildings here are constructed poorly and maintained hardly at all. The second and third stories of the buildings here hang over the already-narrow streets, crowding out the sunlight almost completely.\n\nAhead, the main road splits, the beginning of a [[maze of sidestreets and alleys|maze]].\n\nThe people here appear unformly warn down. Haggard laborers trudge uphill after a day of back-breaking work, while beggers huddle in doorways. Not everyone can afford to be festive during the holiday.\n\nA gaunt woman in a tattered shawl stands in the middle of the street. She turns towards you as you approach.\n\n[["Please sir, my boy is missing, can you help me find him?"|Plague]]
You reach the docks and dodge through the crowd of boatmen, actually vaulting over a runaway barrel that threatens to detour you. Your heart is bursting with gladness, as the worry melts away.\n\nThank Ssael she's safe!\n\nSuddenly, black feathers obscure your vision. Boatmen stop what they are doing and watch, impressed by the breadth and inventiveness of your curses as you try to beat the Raven away from your face.\n\nYour foot catches on a loose board, and you completely lose your balance. You reach out a hand to break your fall, but it touches nothing.\n\nAnd then you [[hit the water]].
[[. . . . |Durlyne]]
[[The dark waters overwhelm you]].
[[One of these should work.|open door]]
Consciousness returns slowly.\n\nWhat happened? Where are you?\n\nSlowly, you try to piece together your fragmented memories. The last thing you remember, you had fallen into the river. You thought you were going to drown.\n\nYou realize you still haven't opened your eyes. [[Maybe if you fixed that, the rest would fall into place, eh? ]]
The woman turns her cloth-face to you. "My boy says your daughter aint here, sir, but she left somethin' for ye." She goes to the pile of dirty rags and begins digging through it.\n\nYou don't have time for this. Where is Mikaila? [[You turn to leave|get it off]].
THE HOUSE OF PURITY\n\nYou are in a deserted lobby. [[Iron doors]] bar further progress into the building. Beside them is a vacant desk, with a sign commanding entrants to 'Present Identification Rings Here' in accordance with the 127th Vits Proclomation of Security.\n\nThis is strange, are there no Guardians on duty here?\n\nAs the door to the [[Square|City Square]] closes behind you, the Raven darts inside. It flaps over to the desk, where it perches on a work-lamp and glares at you. In it's mouth, is that . . . ? [[Ugh|ugh]].
Baelar nods once, and turns back to his writing.\n\n"She would tell you the gold door leads to your reward."\n\nTirna sighs and lies back on her couch.\n\n[[Choose the silver door|Good end]]\n\n[[Choose the gold door|Bad end]]
Ssael's brow furrows.\n\n"Yes, we can settle that matter."\n\n"My Lord, thank you-"\n\nHe holds up his hand, cutting you off.\n\n"However, my role is not make people perfect, but to help them discover it. Therefore, I do not give gifts - instead I help people find what they need. Do you understand this, Adelier?"\n\nFor a moment, you are almost annoyed at being questioned about such an elementary truth, before you remember who is doing the asking.\n\n"I do, My Lord."\n\nSsael nods.\n\n[["Then come with my to the plaza."]]
The doors are locked. You could try to [[open them with pymary]], or you could [[investigate the desk]] for a key. Both options are extremely illegal.
You reach the waving plants and plunge into their midst. You take one turn, then another at random, trying to shake your pursuers.\n\nYou realize the Corvus Fish isn't here.\n\nThen you see a rustle in the plants ahead of you. [[Has your sole companion rejoined you?]]
The words do not stick to the parchment. Instead the ink turns to smoke behind the brush and rises up, twisting into images of people, animals, battles. It is clearly pymary, but for all your knowledge as a wright you have [[no idea how it is done|Baelar]].