Diviner

Hello. This game is called (transition: "dissolve")[D I V I N E R.] It is a short text adventure set mostly in one room in which you pace, receive divine omens, and interact with a capricious God. Can you divine enough omens to save your small village from cataclysm? Does your village even deserve to be saved? [[Click to wake up and find out...->Beginning]]

(set: $day to 1) (set: $pagesread to 0) (set: $journalfound to false) (set: $windowaccess to false) (set: $prayedtoday to false) (set: $blasphemed to false) (set: $atebread1 to false) (set: $atebread2 to false) (set: $escapeplan to false) (set: $sweetsdiscovered to false) (set: $mousespooked to false) (set: $mousediscovered to false) (set: $mousefriendliness to 0) (set: $timeofday to 0) (set: $lylesadvice to false) (set: $lukeseen to false) (set: $brokegod to false) (set: $omen1discovered to false) (set: $omen2discovered to false) (set: $omen3discovered to false) (set: $omen4discovered to false) (set: $omen5discovered to false) (set: $omen6discovered to false) (set: $omen7discovered to false) (set: $omen8discovered to false) <script> A.t['Main'].loop(true); </script> <script> A.t['Main'].play(); </script> (go-to: "Divining Room")

You're awakened by a knock in the dead of night. Your mother whispers something to your father, hushes you, tells you to stay in bed, and goes to get the door. (link-reveal: "Sneak to the top of the stairs and listen.")[ *"No."* you hear your mother say. *"No no no no."* (link-reveal: "Risk leaning forward to see who is there.")[ Deacon Callahan stands there -- a chubby man with a cherubic face that spills over his white collar. You know him well. He's in charge of ministry to the children. You like him a lot. But you're not used to seeing him with such a serious look on his face. Three other members of the clergy stand at his flank. Deacon Callahan "The ashes do not lie, Muriel. Your child--" Your Mother "*--is too young!* I won't let you--" Deacon Callahan "It's eight days! Your child will emerge *stronger* for it." Your Mother "Stronger? Like the last child? Hm?" Deacon Callahan (a pause) "That was an unfortunate accident. Like it or not, your child is *The Diviner.* This is a blessing, don't you see?" Your Mother "Well then God's blessings do not look so different from His curses." Deacon Callahan (grimacing) "You are... upset, it is clear, so I will overlook your blaspheme. But we are leaving with your child. However we must." The clergy draw rifles. Deacon Callahan "Please. I don't want this to end in violence. But if the Lord wills it..." A hand grabs your shoulder. (link-reveal: "Look around.")[ Your father is there, pressing a finger to his lips. He points his hunting rifle between the rails of the stair and draws a bead on the Deacon. * [[Do nothing]] * [[Knock your father's rifle aside, stand, shout that you will go willingly]] ]]]

Your father fires a sputtering sneeze of a shot. It misses Deacon Callahan and explodes in a spray of buckshot against the doorframe. Deacon Callahan cries out in pain and feels at the side of his face. (set: $deaconcallahanwounded to true) All eyes turn to the top of the stair where you and your father are perched. The clergymen raise their rifles. Your mother tries to wrest the gun from the one nearest her. Your Mother (calling out to you) "Run!" The clergy's aim is true. Your father is felled before he can get off another shot from his janky rifle. The butt of a clergyman's rifle finds your mother's face and she drops to the floor. You sit frozen until Deacon Callahan approaches, pressing his hand to his wounded visage. Deacon Callahan "Come. You've been chosen. You will be an instrument of His Divine Will now." The clergymen grab you up. [[Look back one last time at the wreckage of your small home as you are taken away->Arrival]]

You shunt your father's weapon aside. (link-reveal: "'No! No, stop this! I will go with them!'")[ The clergymen train their rifles on your father. He looks at you almost resentfully and lays down his gun. You descend the stairs, hands up. (link-reveal: "'I will go with you, wherever you are taking me. Just please don't hurt mother and father.'")[ Deacon Callahan smiles at you. Deacon Callahan "Of course not, kiddo. We've no intention of hurting anyone." The Deacon gets down on his knees. Deacon Callahan "We're here because God has a very special plan for you." He takes your hand and leads you away. [[Take one last look back at your mother and father as you're lead away->Arrival]] ]]

(if: $day is 9)[(go-to: "Leaving Room")](else-if: $timeofday >= 3)[(go-to: "End Day")](else:)[ The Divining Room A tiny room. A desk stands in one corner, covered in scriptures for you to [[study->Study the scriptures]]. (if: $journalfound is true)[The strange journal you found sits on the desk as well if you wanted to (link-goto: "read that instead", "Read journal").] A tattered carpet lies in the middle of the floor for you to kneel upon as you [[pray->Pray]]. A basin is set into the wall, refilled each day from a spigot with fresh water for you to [[drink->Go to the basin]]. Light pours into the room from a [[small window->Go to the window]] high above your head. (if: $escapeplan is true)[You could tie the bedsheets and (link-goto: "escape", "Escape Out The Window Ending") out it if you were so inclined.] The room is just big enough for you to [[pace in circles->Pace the room]] -- perhaps you will find something of interest. A small bed sits in the corner where you can [[sleep->Go to sleep and end this day]]. (if: $mousediscovered is true)[You can see $mousename's twitchy little nose poking out from behind the chamber pot under the bed. Perhaps you should (link-goto: "go visit", "Visit the mouse").] You scratch a tally of your days here into the wall: (if: $day is 1)[|](else-if: $day is 2)[||](else-if: $day is 3)[|||](else-if: $day is 4)[||||](else-if: $day is 5)[|||| |](else-if: $day is 6)[|||| ||](else-if: $day is 7)[|||| |||](else-if: $day is 8)[|||| ||||]] (if: $timeofday is 0)[Dust motes float lazily in the hazy light -- it is still very early in the day.](else-if: $timeofday is 1)[Shadows are beginning to creep across the room -- the day is halfway over and you mustn't tarry.](else-if: $timeofday is 2)[The light has taken on the cast of shiny new copper -- sundown. The day is almost over. Best hurry and take care of anything you need to do before the sun sets.]

You are taken to the rectory and walked up a winding stair to a bare little concrete room. (if: $deaconcallahanwounded is true)[Deacon Callahan tries to offer a comforting smile, but his face is heavily bandaged where the buckshot struck him.](else:)[Deacon Callahan offers a comforting smile.] Deacon Callahan "Child, the ashes have pointed to you. You are The Diviner. You are the one who will help us stop the calamity." Deacon Callahan pushes a small leatherbound journal and a stick of charcoal into your hands. (link-reveal: "'What is a Diviner?'")[ Deacon Callahan "It is a very special role. God has sent us an ill-omen in the pattern of the stars. There is a calamity coming to our refuge. In order to learn its nature that we might divert it, we must select a Diviner -- that's you -- to receive God's prophecy. Think of it this way. God has knocked. Now you are the one who must open the door for him."] (link-reveal: "'What do I have to do?'")[ Deacon Callahan "The ritual is older than our village's memory. For eight days, you will be locked in this room. You will speak to no one, eat nothing. You will study the scriptures and pray *first thing soon as you awaken or the Lord will not answer you*. You will pray for revelation with the devotion only a small child can muster."] (link-reveal: "'What is the journal for?'")[ Deacon Callahan "At night, you will sleep. You will sleep and if you have pleased the Lord with your devotion, you will dream. In the dreams you will see omens and you will write them down in the journal. On the 9th day, we will collect the journal and use the omens you have written down to prevent the calamity."] (link-reveal: "'What is the calamity?'")[ Deacon Callahan "That's what we need you to find out, child. Seek the answer in the pattern of your dreams."] (link-reveal: "'Please. I want my mother and father.'")[ (if: $deaconcallahanwounded is true)[Deacon Callahan "They are with the Lord now, child... and safer for it."](else:)[Deacon Callahan "You will see them again in just eight short days."] ] [['I am ready as I'll ever be.' (step inside the room)]]

You drink from the shallow basin and splash water on yourself. In the process, you glimpse your reflection. (if: $atebread1 is true)[After eating the bread, you look noticeably better than yesterday. There is some colour back in your cheeks.](else-if: $day is 1)[You haven't been here long. You look no the worse for wear yet.](else-if: $day is 2)[You look tired and cranky. This place is beginning to take its toll.](else-if: $day is 3)[Your hair is mussed and your face looks pale. You're hungry.](else-if: $day is 4)[Your eyes look haunted. You need to see something beyond these four walls soon or you fear you'll lose your mind.](else-if: $day is 5)[Your eyes have great big bags under them. Your body is betraying you.](else-if: $day is 6)[Your skin looks sallow and drawn. You desperately want food.](else-if: $day is 7)[You think you catch a glimpse of something beyond yourself in the pool and make to grab it but find yourself snatching at nothing.](else-if: $day is 8)[A stranger stares up at you from the pool. He is a boy, about your age, wearing formal dress with hair neatly combed. Lyle "Hello. I'm Lyle." (link-reveal: "Hello.")[ Lyle "I was the last Diviner. If you try going out the window, bend your knees, okay? Or else you'll hit the ground too hard and die like me." (set: $lylesadvice to true) (link-reveal: "I'm sorry you died.")[ Lyle "It's alright. Wasn't your fault. Keep a secret? They never did find my journal. I hid it under a loose stone in the floor. If you pace the room long enough, you may find it." There is a ripple and Lyle is gone.]]] (set: $blasphemed to true) [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

(set: $timeofday to $timeofday + 1)(if: $windowaccess is true)[You use the loose bricks in the wall to clamber up and look out the window. (set: $blasphemed to true) [[Watch as people go about their business in the townsquare.]]](else:)[Hm. The window is set too high in the wall for you to look out of. But you stand beneath it and bask in the sunlight, wishing you were outside. (set: $blasphemed to true) [[Do something else->Divining Room]]]

(set: $timeofday to $timeofday + 1)(if: $prayedtoday is true)[(go-to: "Unanswered Prayer")] (else-if: $blasphemed is true)[(go-to: "Unanswered Prayer")] (else-if: $atebread1 is true)[(go-to: "Unanswered Prayer")] (else-if: $atebread2 is true)[(go-to: "Unanswered Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 1)[(go-to: "Day 1 Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 2)[(go-to: "Day 2 Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 3)[(go-to: "Day 3 Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 4)[(go-to: "Day 4 Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 5)[(go-to: "Day 5 Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 6)[(go-to: "Day 6 Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 7)[(go-to: "Day 7 Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 8)[(go-to: "Day 8 Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 9)[(go-to: "Day 9 Prayer")] (else-if: $day is 10)[(go-to: "Day 10 Prayer")]

(if: $brokegod is true)[(go-to: "God's Identity Crisis")] (else-if: $atebread1 is true)[(go-to: "God Offers Another Way")] (else-if: $atebread2 is true)[(go-to: "Meaningless Dream")] (else-if: $prayedtoday is true)[(go-to: "Prophetic Dream")] (else:)[(go-to: "Meaningless Dream")]

(set: $timeofday to $timeofday +1)(if: $pagesread is 0)[On the first page of the journal, the childish scrawl reads: "they have stuck me in this room and asked me to pray so here goes. i will get down on my knees and ask god for omens"](else-if: $pagesread is 1)[You flip a little further into the journal: "prayed all day and had terrible bad dreams but awoke and could not remember them. what if i saw an omen and forgot it?"] (else-if: $pagesread is 2)[You flip a little further still into the journal: "do not want to pray anymore and am so hungry but what is there else to do?"](else-if: $pagesread is 3)[You flip yet further into the journal: "a few of the stones in the wall under the window are loose. when i pry them out a bit i can climb up on them and see out the window. but there is not much to see." Hm... you'll have to test that for yourself... (set: $windowaccess to true)](else-if: $pagesread is 4)[You flip toward the end of the journal: "I pray and I pray but never get nothing. i figured out today i could tie together the bedsheets like a rope and go out the window. perhaps i will escape. tho i think they will be cross with me if i do" Hm. If you wanted to, you think you could escape just that same way. (set: $escapeplan to true)](else-if: $pagesread is 5)[You flip to the very last page of the journal: "i had it. im going out the window. ill hide this journal under the loose stone in the floor and i guess if you are reading this you have found it and maybe you are the next kid. i hope it goes better for you than for me. i am going out the window now goodbye! -Lyle"](else:)[There is nothing more in the journal for you to read. You wonder what happened to Lyle.] Hm. Perhaps you should go do something else now and pore over the journal more later. (set: $pagesread to $pagesread + 1) * [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

(set: $timeofday to $timeofday + 1)(either: (go-to: "Pace fruitlessly"), (go-to: "Find journal"), (go-to: "Find Mouse"))

You tie your bedsheets together and pull them taut. (if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[You tuck $mousename into your pocket. You can't leave $mousename behind. ]You wait for nightfall, then unfurl your makeshift rope out the window, tying it to the frame. (link-reveal: "Lower yourself.")[ You wriggle your way down, but your makeshift rope doesn't quite reach the ground. It's a bit of a ways to drop. You figure you've got a 50/50 shot at surviving the fall. And if you survive, you still haven't divined and passed on all the omens. The calamity is sure to befall your village. * [[Do you climb back up into the room and forget this fool plan?->Divining Room]] * [[Or let yourself drop?->Let Yourself Drop Junction]] ]

You roll out of bed. The sun is shining through the window -- a new day. [[Start your day->Divining Room]] (set: $day to $day + 1) (set: $prayedtoday to false) (set: $blasphemed to false) (set: $timeofday to 0)

You toss and turn and finally manage to sink into a shallow sleep. Your dreams are full of darkness and noise. You are certain of it -- a calamity //is// coming to your village. Everything you've known since you were tiny will be destroyed if it is not averted. But you have not been fervent enough in your prayer. There is no omen, nothing distinct enough to write down in your journal when you wake up. [[Wake up->Wake Up]]

(if: $day is 1)[(go-to: "Day 1 Dream")] (else-if: $day is 2)[(go-to: "Day 2 Dream")] (else-if: $day is 3)[(go-to: "Day 3 Dream")] (else-if: $day is 4)[(go-to: "Day 4 Dream")] (else-if: $day is 5)[(go-to: "Day 5 Dream")] (else-if: $day is 6)[(go-to: "Day 6 Dream")] (else-if: $day is 7)[(go-to: "Day 7 Dream")] (else-if: $day is 8)[(go-to: "Day 8 Dream")]

You close your eyes and quickly drift off to sleep. You dream that you are bent over the basin in the room, cupping your hands and taking water to drink. You catch your reflection in the water and are startled. It is not your own face that stares back. It's a skull. Torn muscle and sinew hang from the bone. Cryptic though this omen is, you know immediately what it means. Your village's well-water has been poisoned. (set: $omen1discovered to true) [[Wake up and write the omen in your journal->Wake Up]]

You close your eyes and quickly drift off to sleep. You dream that you are standing before a great stone with a dagger embedded into it. You reach out and grab the dagger. As you draw it from the stone, the wound in the stone seals up behind it and you feel a sudden stinging in your gut. You lift your shirt and see that you have a deep gash across your chest. You examine the dagger's blade and see it is coated in blood -- *your* blood. The meaning is clear to you though the omen is vague. A convoy carrying weapons to help fortify your village will be struck by bandits. The weapons will never reach their destination. (set: $omen2discovered to true) [[Wake up and write the omen in your journal->Wake Up]]

You close your eyes and quickly drift off to sleep. In your dream, you are in a verdant forest. You look up. The sky is filled with rocks, tumbling toward you at a tremendous speed. This omen is very clear. Bandits will dislodge rocks from the mountain beside your village, causing a landslide that will injure many and damage key infrastructure. (set: $omen3discovered to true) [[Wake up and write this omen in your journal->Wake Up]]

You close your eyes and quickly drift off to sleep. You dream you are running through a dark forest. Whispers assail you from the darkness. You run faster and faster but the whispers seem to get closer and louder until finally an enormous murder of crows explodes from the trees and engulfs you. You understand this omen to mean that bandits will try to sow discord through the village by planting rumours and hearsay. (set: $omen4discovered to true) [[Wake up and write this down in your journal->Wake Up]]

You close your eyes and quickly drift off to sleep. You dream you are in a small room. The door is shut, locked tight, but something is pounding on it from the other side. It thuds and thuds before splintering off its hinges. An immense cloud of locusts floods into the room. This omen's meaning is apparent to you immediately. Bandits in large numbers will commit a direct assault upon the village, slaying all in their path. (set: $omen5discovered to true) [[Wake up and write this omen down in your journal->Wake Up]]

You close your eyes and quickly drift off to sleep. You dream you are inside a church, seated in a pew. You look around and see that the stained glass windows are open, just a crack, and snakes are slithering in. In fact, the entire church is quickly filling up with snakes. You understand this omen to mean that bandits will strike the village from the rear using subterfuge. (set: $omen6discovered to true) [[Wake up and write this omen down in your journal->Wake Up]]

You close your eyes and quickly drift off to sleep. You dream that you are seated at the kitchen table in your family home. The house is burning all around you -- a raging conflagration consuming everything from the curtains to the furniture. Your father sits in his chair whittling. Your mother stirs a pot on the wood stove. Neither seems to notice the fire all around them at all. (link-reveal: "Stand, try to warn them of the flames.")[ You stand and grab at your mother's sleeve. Mother "Not now, dear. I'm making dinner." You round on your father, trying to shake him from his torpor. Your Father "Hush." This dream's meaning seems clear as day to you. Bandits will burn your village to the ground should they be able to overtake it. (set: $omen7discovered to true) [[Wake up and write this omen in your journal->Wake Up]] ]

You are anxious to get out of this room tomorrow. It takes you a bit to settle down enough to sleep. When you do, the sleep is deep and dreamless. (link-reveal: "Snap awake.")[ You sit up and see that the door to the room is open. You are free! (link-reveal: "Rush toward it.")[ You speed toward the door. But the second you have passed the threshold, your foot finds no purchase. There is no floor. You find yourself tumbling tumbling tumbling into blackness. (link-reveal: "Snap awake for real this time.")[ You sit straight up in bed and struggle to catch your breath. You find that before you can even articulate it, your mind has assigned a meaning to the nightmare. It was the final omen. Should all turn sour and the villagers attempt to flee, they will find their escape route booby-trapped. (set: $omen8discovered to true) [[Write this omen in your journal->Wake Up]] ]]]

You open your eyes. There you are, still alone in that small grey room. [[Get up from prayer->Divining Room]]

You fall into a fitful slumber. You dream you are seated in a church pew. The young boy who threw you the bread, Luke, is seated beside you. Except you know immediately it is not really Luke. It's... God (clucking his tongue softly) "Ate the bread, did you?" (link-reveal: "'I'm sorry.'")[ God chuckles. God "Truthfully? It does not bother me. I didn't make the rule that you couldn't eat." (link-reveal: "'I don't understand. If you didn't, who did?'")[ God "Your village did! Long ago. They made this whole fool ritual up! People see patterns in the world I have made and decide things about me. They catch the sweet whiff of a rose and decide I am a kind god or they slice their finger on its thorns and decide I am cruel. Once they have made up their mind one way or another it's nearly impossible to dissuade them. And so it would be rude of me not to act the part." (link-reveal: "'So... so you put us through all this cruelty because we decided you were cruel?" )[ God "Hm. I've never thought of it that way. But yes. I suppose. Your clergy have decided that a pattern in the stars foretells calamity. So I must send a fitting calamity to befall them, and only allow it to be warded should you collect the omens. It was not me who decided, but *them.*" (link-reveal: "'How can I stop this mad ritual?'")[ God "I'm afraid you cannot. Your people have already forged their covenant with me." (frowning) "Hm. But..." (link-reveal: "'But?'")[ God "We could forge a new covenant, you and I. If you survive the calamity coming to your village. You could decide the world is a kinder place than your clergy seems to think." (link-reveal: "'Then I shall.'")[ God "But should the worst happen, child, and the world is falling down around your ears -- simply point to the sky. I will send salvation." (set: $omen9discovered to true)(set:$atebread1 to false)(set: $atebread2 to true) You are suddenly alone in the pew. You feel confused and empty. [[Wake Up]] ]]]]]]

You kneel and bow your head in prayer. A man's voice beseeches you to open your eyes. (link-reveal: "Open your eyes.")[ You are in an endless black void. A very tall man with a great big white beard is before you, garbed in a flowing robe. He smiles and you know immediately that this is God. God "'lo, child. What's the matter? Not what you expected?" (link-reveal: "'Er. No. You are very much what I expected.'")[ God looks himself over self-consciously. God "Hm. Perhaps you are right. This form is a tad cliche. Should I appear to you again, I will be sure to present myself less predictably." God musses your hair. God "My my. You're even smaller than the last one. What a heavy load they have put upon your back and what a good egg you are for bearing it. You are faithful, but have you studied the scriptures carefully? Do you know there is a quality I prize above faith?" * [[Preparedness->Day 1 Prayer Wrong Answer]] * [[Inventiveness->Day 1 Prayer Right Answer]] * [[Kindness->Day 1 Prayer Wrong Answer]] * [[Intelligence->Day 1 Prayer Wrong Answer]] ]]

You pray and pray. You stay there kneeling until your knees hurt. You bow your head to the stone floor until you are certain it has left a mark on your brow. You shout at the ceiling. Your eyes sting with tears. But God does not answer. You have blasphemed somehow and will have to try again tomorrow. [[Stop praying->Prayer Exit]]

God smirks and shakes his head. God "Be fervent in your blind devotion, small one. That is your only hope. For the truest virtue, it seems, has eluded you. Close your eyes and when you open them back up you will find I have left you where I found you." [[Close your eyes and open them back up->Prayer Exit]]

God guffaws, throwing back his head and shaking out his beard. God "Yes! Yes, inventiveness. For I am, I must admit, a capricious and strange God whose whims are ever-changing. Those who are devoted may find themselves cast aside should a more fervent admirer beseech me. But those who are inventive shall find my favour never leaves them. Now close your eyes, child, and when you open them back up you'll find I've left you back where I found you." (set: $prayedtoday to true) [[Close your eyes then open them back up->Prayer Exit]]

You kneel and bow your head in prayer. Somewhere very nearby, a dog barks. (link-reveal: "Open your eyes.")[ You open your eyes. A mangy dog sits opposite you. He cocks his head and you know immediately that he is God. * [[Pet God->Day 2 Prayer Pet]] * [[Do nothing->Day 2 Prayer Nothing]] ]

You reach out and scratch God behind the ear. God lowers his head to allow you to better reach. When he has had enough, he turns and trots away into darkness until you cannot see him anymore. (set: $prayedtoday to true) [[Close your eyes and open them again->Prayer Exit]]

You do nothing. God flops on the ground, exposing his belly. Rolls about. Paws at you. Finally, he trots away into the darkness until you cannot see him anymore. [[Close your eyes then open them again->Prayer Exit]]

You kneel and bow your head in prayer. It's not long before you get bored and open your eyes. You are in an endless dark void. Several yards before you, an antelope grazes. Behind it, a lion creeps low to the ground. You know instantly that they are both God. The lion gets up on its haunches, ready to pounce. * [[Cry out to scare away the antelope->Day 3 Scare]] * [[Do nothing->Day 3 Do Nothing]]

You cry out to the antelope. It tenses then bolts. The lion rounds on you instead. You instinctively close your eyes as it bears down on you... [[Open your eyes->Prayer Exit]]

You do nothing. The lion pounces on the antelope. You watch as it wrestles it to the ground. The antelope kicks for a while before going still. The lion takes its time tearing sinew from bone. You just watch until it becomes too grisly for you and you have to close your eyes. (set: $prayedtoday to true) [[Open your eyes back up->Prayer Exit]]

You kneel and bow your head in prayer. You hear the whine of a stringed instrument very near you. (link-reveal: "Open your eyes.")[ There is a tiny old woman before you, dragging a bow across the strings of a cello that is much bigger than her. You know instantly that this is God. She strikes a bad note -- the bow is drawn back across the strings with a dissonant squelch. God looks up from her cello at you as you grimace and cover your ears to block out the sound. God "Tell me, child. Why are some notes displeasing to your ear?" * [['That I might better appreciate the pleasing notes.'->Day 4 Prayer Wrong2]] * [['It is an accident in the design.'->Day 4 Prayer Wrong1]] * [['All notes are pleasing to God even if they are not pleasing to me.'->Day 4 Prayer Right1]] ]

God smiles. God "Precisely. I have produced prosperity and calamity, I have brought forth pestilence and good fortune and it has all been pleasing just the same to me." God draws the bow back across the strings. The sound is ugly at first but quickly turns pleasing. You close your eyes to enjoy the melody. (set: $prayedtoday to true) [[Open your eyes->Prayer Exit]]

God frowns. God "An accident? No. No, of course not. I don't make mistakes." God returns to her playing. A frenetic, perfect piece. There is no exertion on her face. (link-reveal: "Close your eyes to enjoy the piece")[ You close your eyes. There is a sudden *squelch*, then a *clatter*. (link-reveal: "Open your eyes")[ God has dropped the cello. It has hit the floor hard and several strings have popped loose. God looks... genuinely embarrassed. She scrambles to try recover the cello. You close your eyes to spare her the indignity of being seen like this. (set: $brokegod to true) [[Open your eyes->Prayer Exit]] ]]

God shakes her head. God "Fool child. The song will go on playing even if you could not hear it. God does not play for you but for herself." God draws the string back across the bow -- but you hear nothing. She plays with elegance and grace but produces no audible sound. You close your eyes and screw up your face and swear you can almost hear the distant melody... [[Open your eyes->Prayer Exit]]

You kneel and bow your head in prayer. You hear the sound of great rushing water around you. When you open your eyes, you are sat atop a rock in the middle of a raging current. You look down and know immediately that the rock you are sitting on is God and so is the water around it. Time is moving strangely. The waves crash against the rock in fast-forward. Several hundred years of erosion occur as you watch. Soon the rock is completely consumed and the water overtakes you. * [[Try to swim]] * [[Allow yourself to be pulled under]]

It is the 9th day. You feel woozy. You stand, clutching your journal. They will be coming to collect it from you soon. (if: $mousediscovered is true)[(if: $mousefriendliness is >= 3)[You reach under the bed and scoop up $mousename. You tuck $mousename into your pocket and whisper assurances.]] <script> A.t['Main'].loop(false); </script> <script> A.t['Main'].stop(); </script> Your stomach aches for food. It suddenly occurs to you that, should you feel resentful enough, you could pry up a stone in the floor and hide the journal, never telling the clergy anything of omens and allowing the calamity to occur. You best act fast if you're going to do something. You hear footsteps coming down the hall... * [[Hide the journal and allow the calamity to occur]] * [[Do nothing->Journal Collection]]

Soon, the calamities begin. People in the village begin to fall ill. (if: $omen1discovered is true)[Because of your journal, the clergy quickly determines the cause is poison that's been dumped into the town well. They caution everyone to use only the secondary reservoirs. (set: $calamitiesaverted to $calamitiesaverted + 1)](else:)[No one knows what the cause is. Several of the children and elders succumb to the illness. Paranoia creeps.] Fearing for the safety of the village, the clergy sends for aid. Weapons are requested from a neighboring village to help fortify defenses. (if: $omen2discovered is true)[Because of your journal, an ambush is anticipated. The weapons are delivered piecemeal along little trafficked routes. They arrive without incident. (set: $calamitiesaverted to $calamitiesaverted + 1)](else:)[The convoy does not arrive. Scouts are sent and find it was caught in an ambush. There are no survivors and the weapons are missing.] Next, rocks begin to fall from the high mountains that bracket your village to the west. (if: $omen3discovered is true)[With your forewarning, the village has had the time to move everyone and all valuables out of the way of the ensuing landslide. (set: $calamitiesaverted to $calamitiesaverted + 1)](else:)[The hospice is crushed in the landslide that ensues.] Soon, villagers begin finding small scraps of papers hidden under rocks and in their mailboxes. On each scrap of paper, lies and half-truths are written about villagers. (if: $omen4discovered is true)[But you are wise to what is happening and advise the villagers that these messages are intended to sow discord and tear the village apart. The villagers begin collecting the papers and burning them before they can be read. (set: $calamitiesaverted to $calamitiesaverted +1)](else:)[Fights break out in the town square. Neighbour turns against neighbour. The clergy is powerless to stop the spread of discord.] The bandits grow tired of subterfuge. In large numbers, they descend on the village. A full-frontal assault. (if: $omen5discovered is true)[But you are prepared. Every able adult is armed and barricaded in their homes. (set: $calamitiesaverted to $calamitiesaverted + 1)](else:)[You were not ready for this. Heavy casualties are sustained. There is a mad scramble to retrieve weapons and fortify the village.] Still more bandits emerge from hidden positions at the village's rear. (if: $omen6discovered is true)[But the clergy have laid traps and the bandits become hopelessly entangled. They prove no threat. (set: $calimitiesaverted to $calamitiesaverted + 1)](else:)[It is hard enough fighting a battle on one front. The bandits cut a swath of destruction, leaving many innocents dead.] [[Watch helplessly as war is waged to defend the village->End Junction]]

(if: $calamitiesaverted >= 3)[(go-to: "Best Ending")](else:)[(go-to: "Village Burns")]

Though lives are lost in the fighting, the town is strong enough to ward off the bandits. The village is safe for now. When the fighting is over and the bandits are in retreat, Deacon Callahan sits down with you in the church. Deacon Callahan (doubtful) "How strange is the love of God. That He sends bandits to assail us in the first place, but then sends us His Word so we might fend them off." (pushing the doubt away and smiling) "It does not do to dwell too much on this I suppose." Deacon Callahan claps a supportive hand on your shoulder. * [[Allow it->Best Ending Allow It]] * [[Recoil->Best Ending Recoil]]

(if: $omen7discovered is true)[You know the bandits intend to burn the village to the ground. There is nothing you can do to stop them. The surviving few must flee the village if any are to survive. [[Flee]]](else:)[The bandits light torches and set fire to the village. (if: $omen9discovered is true)[You stumble from the rectory and into the street. The village burns around you. Bandits on horseback ride up, training their guns on you. You have to think of something fast. (link-reveal: "'D-don't shoot! I am the Diviner. The Lord speaks to me and forewarns me of calamity! Let me live and I could be of great use to you.'")[ The bandits are quiet a moment -- then burst out laughing. When they are finished, they continue toward you menacingly. All seems lost until you remember God's words to you. (link-reveal: "Point to the sky.")[ At this precise moment, as if by your command, there is a solar eclipse. The sun is blotted out and the sky turns dark. (if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[$mousename scurries up onto your shoulder and squeaks excitedly.] The bandits stare at you, stunned. They look at each other... then fall to their knees before you. Shmucks. Let's just hope you can keep this ruse going... [[Smile upon your new congregation->Thank You.]] ]]](else:)[The village burns, an all-consuming fire. There is nowhere for you to run. When it has finished, it will be as if you and your people never walked the Earth at all. [[Die, swallowed up by flames.->Die.]] ]]

Deacon Callahan rests a comforting hand on your shoulder. Deacon Callahan "I'm afraid I have one last wrinkle I must share. The last calamity the Diviner must help divert." [["What is it?"->Best Ending Last]]

Deacon Callahan frowns as you recoil from his touch. Deacon Callahan "I suppose I can't blame you for hating me, though I did what I had to. But I have one last wrinkle I must share. The last calamity the Diviner must help divert." [['What? What is it?'->Best Ending Last]]

Deacon Callahan "God has spoken to you, child. And everyone here knows it. You will never be able to live a normal life among us. Your word will carry above even the clergy's. Your presence will lead to a breakdown in the proper order of things. You are the final calamity, child." (link-reveal: "'You're... you're telling me I must leave?'")[ Deacon Callahan frowns and nods. (if: $deaconcallahanwounded is true)[The next morning you are awoken early and given a pack of rations and a hunting rifle. The clergy walk you to the edge of the village and give you a little push. You take one last look back at the village, then turn to the world outside. You should be scared. But instead you find that away from the superstitions of your village, you feel no fear. (if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[$mousename scurries up onto your shoulder and chirps excitedly. ]The horizon seems suddenly to be brimming with possibility. [[Walk until the only home you've ever known is far behind you, out of sight.->Thank You.]] ] (else:)[Your family pack what little they can. The clergy escort you to the edge of the village and stand there with rifles lest you try to turn back. Once you are a ways into the mountains, your mother turns and spits in the direction of your village. She smiles at you. Your Mother "We will make our own home, child -- a home where we know that the Lord is larger than the cruelty and superstition of the clergy." (if: $mousefriendliness is >= 3)[ $mousename perches on your shoulder and chirps happily at the horizon.] [[Walk until the only home you've ever known is far behind you, out of sight.->Thank You.]] ]]

Thank you for playing D I V I N E R. If you don't like the fate that befell you or your village, (link-goto: "try again", "Title"). You can also (link-goto: "start from the first day in the Divining Room", "cycleinit") if you don't want to read the introduction again. There are other ways the story can unfold. There are many random events throughout. Just because you've clicked something once doesn't mean you've seen its every possible outcome. If you enjoyed this game, check out my Twitter (link: "@CYOTweetventure")[(goto-URL: "http://www.twitter.com/CYOTweetventure")], where I tweet ongoing interactive poll-based microfictions. Vote to decide where the story goes! If you feel like the experience you just had was worth tossing me a few bucks, go to (link: "my Kofi page")[(goto-URL: "http://www.ko-fi.com/joshlabelle")] and buy me a coffee! Much thanks to my [[initial play-testers]] for making this immeasurably better. Click through for the full list. Thanks again, and may you always receive enough omens to divert calamity.

(if: $lukeseen is true)[(go-to: "Watch as people go about their business in the townsquare.")](else-if: $atebread2 is true)[(go-to: "Watch as people go about their business in the townsquare.")](else:)[You open the window. You are startled to see a young boy's face very near the window. You recognize him -- his name is Luke and he goes to school with you. He is perched on a branch just out of reach, waving his arms to try to get your attention. (set: $lukeseen to true) (link-reveal: "Open the window.")[ Luke "Hullo. (link-reveal: "'Hello Luke.'")[ Luke "We miss you at school. (link-reveal: "'I miss all of you too.'")[ Luke "You must be hungry." (link-reveal: "'Yes, very.'")[ Luke "Here!" Luke reaches into his knapsack and draws a roll of bread. He tosses it and it lands near to you on the windowsill. Luke "Got to go!" Luke scurries back down the tree's limb and climbs down. You stare at the roll of bread. It's so close. * [[Eat it]] * [[Best not. Leave it and go do something else->Divining Room]] ]]]]]

You bite into the bread. It tastes rich, grainy, and delicious. Your eyes fill up with tears. You were so hungry. Still, you know instantly that you should not have done that. You are filled with a wave of regret and shame. (set: $atebread1 to true) [[Retreat from the window->Divining Room]]

You hide the journal under a stone in the floor. Click-clack. The sound of the door unlocking. When it opens, Deacon Callahan stands there carrying an enormous tray, heaping with roasted veggies and some sort of succulent cooked fowl. (link-reveal: "Lurch for the food.")[ Deacon Callahan "Ah ah, m'child! The journal first." (link-reveal: "Grin and say nothing.")[ Deacon Callahan "Where is it?" (link-reveal: "Grin wider.")[ Deacon Callahan *"Where is it?"* Deacon Callahan gestures to the clergymen behind him. They rush in and begin to tear up the bedsheets, look in the chamber pot, in the basin. Deacon Callahan glares at you and throws the tray of food upon the floor. Deacon Callahan "You will not get a bite until you tell us where the journal is." (set: $omen1discovered to false)(set: $omen2discovered to false)(set: $omen3discovered to false)(set: $omen4discovered to false)(set: $omen5discovered to false)(set: $omen6discovered to false)(set: $omen7discovered to false)(set: $omen8discovered to false) [[Do not say a word.->End Montage]] ]]]

Click-clack. The sound of the door unlocking. When it opens, Deacon Callahan stands there carrying an enormous tray, heaping with roasted veggies and some sort of succulent cooked fowl. (link-reveal: "Lurch for the food.")[ Deacon Callahan "Ah ah, m'child! The journal first." You hand the journal to Deacon Callahan and he passes it back to the other clergymen who immediately begin to scrutinize its contents. The food is laid before you. [[Eat until you are full.->End Montage]] ]

With the surviving villagers, you flee into the mountains. (if: $omen8discovered is true)[As the omen foretold, the way is lined with traps. You make a slow trek, disarming the traps as you find them. When you and the other survivors are clear and over the hills, you stop and look back at your burning village. (if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[$mousename perches on your shoulder, entranced by the flickering flames.] Though you are filled with sadness, a part of you feels a new sense of freedom and possibility. The village was hopelessly mired in the superstitions of the clergy. Together, perhaps the survivors can forge a new covenant. [[Make haste into the mountains->Thank You.]]](else:)[The bandits have anticipated your escape and the way has been rigged with traps. Tripwire rigged to explosives makes quick work of most of you. (if: $omen9discovered is true)[You narrowly manage to survive the traps when bandits on horseback ride up, training their guns on you. You have to think of something fast. (link-reveal: "'D-don't shoot! I am the Diviner. The Lord speaks to me and forewarns me of calamity! Let me live and I could be of great use to you.'")[ The bandits are quiet a moment -- then burst out laughing. When they are finished, they continue toward you menacingly. All seems lost until you remember God's words to you. (link-reveal: "Point to the sky.")[ At this precise moment, as if by your command, there is a solar eclipse. The sun is blotted out and the sky turns dark. (if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[$mousename scurries up onto your shoulder and squeaks excitedly.] The bandits stare at you, stunned. They look at each other... then fall to their knees before you. Shmucks. Let's just hope you can keep this ruse going... [[Smile upon your new congregation->Thank You.]] ]]](else:)[Bandits ride up on horseback, training guns on you. You try to think of something, anything, to say to get you out of this. They fire. [[Die.]] ]]

You thrash as the waves batter you. You fight valiantly, but you are pulled under and swallowed up by the water. [[Hold your breath->Prayer Exit]]

You don't fight it but instead allow yourself to be sucked into the depths. You are surrounded by a blackness that is quickly filling up your lungs. Everything goes dark... (set: $prayedtoday to true) [[Hold your breath->Prayer Exit]]

You kneel and bow your head to pray. You hear the jangling of jewellery, then a woman's voice asks: God "Well, what do you think?" You open your eyes. God is before you and she is a fabulous, towering woman with long tangles of red curly hair. She is dressed in extravagant, colourful, loose-fitting robes and accoutred in an array of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other baubles. God "A long white beard and robes is a bit rote. This is much better, right?" * [["Much better!"]] * [["Er, not really."]]

God "Oh, child. I love how you indulge my fancies. I think you are my favourite." She smiles and rustles your hair like an affectionate aunt. (set: $prayedtoday to true) [[Close your eyes in embarrassment, then open them back up->Prayer Exit]]

God frowns. The frown seems to distend her entire face, making her look much older. God "Hm. I suppose sometimes we simply cannot escape our preconceptions, can we?" Her face grows more masculine. The hair from her head begins to turn white, and some of it migrates down her face to take its place as a long flowing beard. Her robes shrink to fit her form and her jewellery tumbles off of her, clanking as it goes. The process seems to take forever and is so gradual that you could not pinpoint the exact moment he begins to look the way you had expected a God to look. When he speaks, his voice is deep and booming: God "What a curse it is sometimes, to get the God you expect. Shut your eyes, little one, and ask yourself what you expect to see when you open them." [[Shut your eyes, then open them back up->Prayer Exit]]

You kneel and bow your head to pray. After several minutes, you feel a sneeze coming on. (link-reveal: "'Achoo!'")[ A split second later, you hear an identical sneeze from a few feet away. (link-reveal: "Open your eyes.")[ You open your eyes. Seated across from you is... yourself. Or at least someone who looks exactly like you. Your doppelganger's eyes widen in surprise, perfectly mirroring your own. (link-reveal: "Wave your hand.")[ The doppelganger waves back, perfectly mirroring you. * [[Stand]] * [[Stay kneeling]] ]]]

You stand and your doppelganger stands. You lift a leg and your doppelganger lifts a leg. You hop and... you guessed it. You become more and more frantic trying to trip your doppelganger up. Waving your arms, clapping, somersaulting. The doppelganger matches you perfectly each time. Your eyes sting with tears of frustration. You shut your eyes and drop to your knees. [[Open your eyes back up->Prayer Exit]]

You stay on your knees, staring intensely at your doppelganger. The doppelganger stares right back. It is like the staring contests you play with the other children when you are bored at school. The doppelganger breaks and grins. You know that this is God. God "Now you've got it figured." The doppelganger closes its eyes and you find, suddenly, that you are compelled to close yours. (set: $prayedtoday to true) [[Open them back up->Prayer Exit]]

You kneel and bow your head in prayer. It's just silent. Nothing happens. You stir, growing restless. Why is God not answering? Have you blasphemed? In time, you grow comfortable with the silence. It occurs to you perhaps the silence is God. But you cannot be sure, and anyway your legs are beginning to cramp from kneeling. (set: $prayedtoday to true) [[Open your eyes->Prayer Exit]]

You hit the ground hard and feel your ankle twist. The pain is blinding. (link-reveal: "Haul yourself to your feet and hobble away")[ You're hungry. So hungry. You need to find food fast. (if: $sweetsdiscovered is false)[You hobble through the streets of the village and make it to the hills beyond. You find a brambling bush with some red berries. You're too hungry. You can't resist. [[Shovel them into your mouth.]] ](if: $sweetsdiscovered is true)[You remember seeing the woman secret sweets into the hollow of a tree for the clergyman. You rush to the tree and find the box of sweets hidden within. (link-reveal: "Shovel them in your mouth.")[ They taste mouth-wateringly sweet and the stinging cramp in your stomach begins to fade. (if: $mousefriendliness is >= 3)[You give a little bit to $mousename, who squeaks appreciatively.] You stumble through town until you reach the wilderness that borders the village. (link-reveal: "Let yourself sleep.")[ You are awoken by the sound of shouting and gunfire. You make haste further into the hills and, when you are sure you'll be safe, find high ground to look out from. The village is under attack by bandits. Without any omens, the village has not been able to prepare. They are quickly overtaken. You watch from the safety of the hills as the bandits set fire to the church and rectory. The fire quickly spreads and your small village burns to the ground. As the flames reflect in your eyes, you can't help but laugh. They tried to make a sacrificial lamb of you so that the village might be spared. Now, instead, you (if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[and $mousename ]are its lone survivor(if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[s]. [[Turn and stumble away.->Thank You.]] ]]]]

(set: $timeofday to $timeofday +1)You spend hours poring over scripture. This day, you feel strangely compelled by one passage: (if: $day is 1)[*"For whom does the Lord's favour fall utmost upon? Not the philosopher, with his useless words, his quills and parchments, his busy trinkets of the mind. Not the explorer who always carries his dagger at his side and is never caught unawares. Not the patron who walks the street, casting his coin to all in need. But the weaver -- the one who makes patterns which not even the Lord can predict, the one who delights in surprising God -- this one, the Lord smiles upon. -Book of Eeb 4:77"*](else-if: $day is 2)[*"The Lord's creatures, great and small, are cherished. There is no harm in it to indulge a needful thing. -The Assorted Wisdom of Nod 16:8"*](else-if: $day is 3)[*"The Lord has set things in their rightful places, He has drawn a pattern of great and intricate beauty. Where you find ugliness, cast aside preconception, sit, do nothing, and seek His pattern. -Book of Eeb 8:19"*](else-if: $day is 4)[*"For who are we to decide what is ugly and what is pleasing? Who are we to question what God, in His divine wisdom, has placed? -Book of Eeb 8:20"*](else-if: $day is 5)[*"Do not resist but allow the Spirit to fill your lungs and drown you. For he who seeks to save his life shall lose it but he who loses his life shall find it. -Revelation to the Prophet Amal 19:2"*](else-if: $day is 6)[*"For when He comes He will come in forms you will not recognize, He will come at hours you are not prepared. -Secret Teachings of Pell 1:23"*](else-if: $day is 7)[*"God is ever-dancing and will shift to meet your movement. But stop, do nothing, stare Him straight in the eye, know His nature, and He will smile upon you. -5th Gospel of Lao 9:01"*](else-if: $day is 8)[It is a page across which someone has drawn a grotesque sketch of cartoonishly large genitalia. You're not sure if this bodes well or ill...] [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

(either: (go-to: "The Fountain"), (go-to: "The Lovers"), (go-to: "The Fight"), (go-to: "The Merchants"), (go-to: "Luke and the Bread"))

This time your eyes find a great and busted up fountain in the center of the square. The penitent come to it to offer prayers. When they are finished praying, they dip their fingers in the fountain, make the sign of the cross upon their foreheads, and walk away with heads held high. [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

(if: $sweetsdiscovered is true)[(go-to: "Watch as people go about their business in the townsquare.")](else:)[This time, your eyes settle on a clergyman walking out to a tree on the side of the square. He looks back and forth to make sure no one is around, then draws a scrap of parchment from his garments and stows it in a knot on the tree. A few minutes later, a woman enters the square, goes to the tree, and retrieves the parchment. She reads what is written on it. You swear you can almost see her blush from up here. She secrets a small box of sweets into the knot and leaves. (set: $sweetsdiscovered to true) [[Do something else->Divining Room]] ]

This time, your eyes settle on tables at the edge of the square where merchants hock cheap wares. [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

This time, your eyes settle on two townspeople having a lively discourse in the street. The exchange becomes heated and they start accosting each other. A great many people crowd around to watch -- some begin cheering one side or the other. Finally, just as it seems the exchange will come to blows, a clergyman breaks it up and restores order. [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

For hours on end, you walk back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. The stone floor is cold on your small feet. You feel hungry. You miss your mother and father. You can't help but feeling like if you keep pacing, you'll discover *something* in this strange little room. But you have not found anything interesting this time. (set: $blasphemed to true) [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

(if: $journalfound is true)[(go-to: "Pace the room")](else:)[For hours on end, you walk back and forth, back and forth, back and -- OW! You stubbed your toe on a stone that's dislodged slightly from the other stones around it. Hm. You pry up the stone. Underneath, you find a leatherbound journal, just like your own. You flip through it. It's filled with a childish scrawl set in charcoal. (set: $journalfound to true) (set: $blasphemed to true) [[Do something else->Divining Room]] ]

(if: $mousespooked is true)[(go-to: "Pace the room")](else-if: $mousediscovered is true)[(go-to: "Pace the room")](else:)[For hours on end, you walk back and forth, back and fort-- hey, what was that? Something small, dark, and fuzzy jetted under the bed and behind your chamber pot. Hmmm. (set: $blasphemed to true) * [[Crawl under the bed to investigate]] * [[Ignore it and do something else->Divining Room]] ]

(if: $mousespooked is true)[(go-to: "Pace the room")](else-if: $mousefound is true)[(go-to: "Pace the room")](else:)[You push aside the chamber pot. A tiny mouse quivers against the wall. It is barely bigger than your thumb. (set: $blasphemed to true) * [[Scoop it up]] * [[Pet it->Pet It Fail]] * [[Sit quietly with it]] ]

You eagerly grab for the mouse. It squeaks, bolts out from between your fingers, and dashes into a nearly imperceptible fissure in the wall. Curses! (set: $mousespooked to true) [[Crawl out from under the bed->Divining Room]]

(link-reveal: "Reach out very slowly.")[ The mouse tenses, but stays put. (link-reveal: "Brush your index finger against the mouse.")[ It feels surprisingly soft, warm, and fragile beneath your finger. It still seems frightened of you. ]]

(set: $mousename to (prompt: "What is the mouse's name?:", "Mouse's Name")) $mousename squeaks. It's starting to trust you, but you don't want to push your luck. (set: $mousefriendliness to $mousefriendliness + 1) (set: $mousediscovered to true) [[Retreat from under the bed->Divining Room]]

(set: $timeofday to $timeofday +1)(set: $blasphemed to true)You kneel under the bed to visit $mousename. (if: $mousefriendliness <= 1)[(either: "$mousename's big shiny eyes stare at you apprehensively.", "$mousename cowers in fear.") You should not make any sudden movements until $mousename gets more comfortable with you.](else-if: $mousefriendliness is 2)[(either: "$mousename's nose twitches idly.", "$mousename scratches furiously behind the ears.") $mousename is getting a little more comfortable with you and might not be quite so fearful.](else-if: $mousefriendliness is 3)[(either: "$mousename's big shiny eyes stare at you with some curiousity.", "$mousename cautiously approches you.") You think $mousename likes you!](else-if: $mousefriendliness > 3)[(either: "$mousename chirps happily at the sight of you.", "$mousename excitedly skitters toward you.")) You and $mousename are friends for life now.] * [[Sit quietly with it->Sit Quietly Main]] * [[Pet it->Pet It Main]] * [[Scoop it up->Scoop It Up Main]]

You just sit there looking at the mouse. In time, its breathing steadies and slows. It does not seem so afraid of you anymore [[Name the mouse]]

(link-reveal: "Reach out your hand very slowly.")[ The mouse tenses up. It's breathing very quickly... * [[Sit quietly with it]] * [[Keep trying to pet it]] ]

It squeaks, bolts out from under your finger, and dashes into a nearly imperceptible fissure in the wall. Curses! (set: $mousespooked to true) [[Crawl out from under the bed->Divining Room]]

You've dallied and now the light has shifted perceptibly, the shadows in the room have grown long. The sun sets outside the window. It becomes so dark inside the room that you can barely see an inch in front of your face. You best go to sleep and wait until morning before doing anything else. [[Go to bed->Go to sleep and end this day]]

(either: (go-to: "Let Yourself Drop Successful"), (go-to: "Let Yourself Drop Failed"))

(if: $lylesadvice is true)[(go-to: "Let Yourself Drop Successful")](else:)[You let go of the bedsheet and tumble. Your fall is awkward and you twist your body at just the wrong moment. You strike the ground at the worst possible angle and your neck snaps like a twig. (if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[$mousename crawls out of your pocket and scurries away, none the worse for wear.] [[Die.]] ]

You awaken in a blindingly white void. A voice calls to you. It seems to be coming from every direction, from far away, from up close, from within and without. It is neither male nor female, low nor high, loud nor quiet. It simply *is*. God "Hm. Well that went *quite* poorly, didn't it?" (link-reveal: "Er. Yes. I'd say so.")[ God "I could fix it, you know. There is a clause in our little ritual. I could rewind time to the very first moment you entered the Divining Room and let you try again, if you so chose. Or... you could accept your fate." * [[Try again->Time Reverse]] * [[Accept your fate->Thank You.]] ]

Your wounds fix themselves up. You lurch backwards through all your final motions. Your decisions undo themselves. Your memories fog until you cannot quite remember how it all went the first time. There you are again, standing at the threshold of The Divining Room. [[Step inside->cycleinit]]

(if: $mousefriendliness <= 1)[You don't want to spook $mousename. So you just sit quietly. $mousename stares at you.(set: $mousefriendliness to $mousefriendliness +1)](else:)[You just sit quietly. $mousename stares at you.] [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

(if: $mousefriendliness <= 0)[$mousename chitters angrily, dashes out from under your hand, and disappears into an almost imperceptible crack in the wall. Whoops. Guess you screwed that up.(set: $mousediscovered to false)(set: $mousespooked to true)](else-if: $mousefriendliness is 1)[$mousename chitters angrily and dodges out from under your hand. Hm. Guess you'll have to take this slow...(set: $mousefriendliness to $mousefriendliness - 1)](else-if: $mousefriendliness is 2)[$mousename tenses... but stays put. You brush your index finger over $mousename's tiny head.(set: $mousefriendliness to $mousefriendliness +1)](else-if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[$mousename scoots toward your hand. You brush your index finger over $mousename. You are amazed by how soft and fragile $mousename is. You can feel a tiny heartbeat.] [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

(if: $mousefriendliness <= 0)[$mousename chitters angrily, dashes out from under your hand, and disappears into an almost imperceptible crack in the wall. Whoops. Guess you screwed that up.(set: $mousediscovered to false)(set: $mousespooked to true)](else-if: $mousefriendliness <= 2)[$mousename chitters angrily and dodges out from under your hand. Hm. Guess you'll have to take this slow...(set: $mousefriendliness to $mousefriendliness - 1)](else-if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[You take $mousename in your hands. You cradle $mousename against you gently. It is nice to feel something warm and alive in this cold, concrete room.] [[Do something else->Divining Room]]

The berries are bitter and hard to get down. Within a half hour of eating them, you feel sick to your stomach. [[Clutch your stomach and try not to hurl]]

Twitter @CollDoll616 @MarcQuill @ChurchCarlton @elenaiswriting Reddit u/Katzenfabrik u/TristramFlanders u/Gloryfish u/thejermtube u/newduude u/marcopennekamp * [[Return to Thank You page->Thank You.]] * [[Play again->Title]] * [[Play again from the first day in The Divining Room->cycleinit]]

Deacon Callahan stands, makes the sign of the cross on your forehead, and steps into the hall. He pauses. Perhaps he is regretful he must subject you to this cruelty. Then he slams the door shut and you hear it bolt from the other side. Just to see, you shove against the door. It holds firm and there is no knob on this side. [[Turn around and consider the room->cycleinit]]

You settle into an uneasy sleep. You dream God is hobbling back and forth before you, looking as she did when last you prayed. God "You've put a *very* bad idea in my head, child." (link-reveal: "'What?'")[ God "Mistakes! That I might make mistakes! I had never considered it before!" (link-reveal: "'Oh. Well. I'm sorry?'")[ God "It does not do to have an insecure God! People want Gods to be all-powerful, all-seeing! But now I'm questioning *everything*. From where I stuck the stars in the heavens to the laws of motion. *It could all of it be a mistake.*" God seems extremely vulnerable right now. An ill-considered word could be disastrous. Be careful. * [[Give God a pep talk]] * [[Cruelly taunt God, pointing out the flaws and inadequacies of her creation]] ]]

(link-reveal: "'Hey, now! Chin up!'")[ God looks at you with some trepidation. (link-reveal: "'You're God, remember? Who decides what is or isn't a mistake?'")[ God breaks out into a big sheepish grin. God "Me?" (link-reveal: "'Er, I was going to say that whoever made the mistake gets to decide. But yes, sure.'")[ God "Yes. Yes! For what good is it to be a God if one can't even pass off their accidents as intentional!" God skips and clicks her heels together. God "If it looks like an accident, if it seems like a mistake, you have merely failed to comprehend my divine will!" (link-reveal: "'That's the spirit.'")[ God cackles right in your face. (set: $brokegod to false) [[Jolt awake->Wake Up]] ]]]]

(link-reveal: "'Hey, dummy!'")[ God turns to look at you in surprise. (link-reveal: "'What kind of God makes a human who gets hungry after just a day?'")[ God "Well... I--" (link-reveal: "'And how come you gave us such soft bellies and fragile little skulls?'")[ God "Well. Um. I must have had a good reason, but it was so long ago--" (link-reveal: "'And what sort of God would throw such fragile creatures into a world so full of calamity and danger? Hm?'")[ God "You're right! You're right! It's all a mess! I must unravel so I can find the flaw in its making! God waves her hand and there is a blinding flash of light. [[Jolt awake->Unmaking Ending]] ]]]]

You jolt awake and know immediately that something is wrong. You are untethered from the ground, free from gravity, weightless. (link-reveal: "Float up out of your bed.")[ You float out of bed and look out the window. The stars in the sky are arranging and rearranging at blistering speeds. The sun rises and sets, rises and sets, rises and sets within the span of seconds. The room around you breaks apart, each brick snapping loose from its brethren. The entire village is crumbling and the villagers are emptying up into the sky. The very world beneath you is coming apart at its crust. It's as if God is furiously rifling through drawers to try and find something lost. You hear God's booming and echoing voice: God "I must find the flaw in the making!" Everything around you begins to break down into its most fundamental aspect, light pulled loose from dark. God "*I must find the flaw in the making!*" Oh dear. You have given God quite the case of creative anxiety. And soon, because of you, there is [[nothing]]. ]

[[Thank you!->Thank You.]]

(either: (go-to: "Clutch your stomach live"), (go-to: "Clutch your stomach die"))

The burning pain becomes even worse. It's soon too much for you to bear. [[Die.]]

The pain wears off after a little bit, but you are still tired and winded. (link-reveal: "Let yourself sleep.")[ You are awoken by the sound of shouting and gunfire. You make haste further into the hills and, when you are sure you'll be safe, find high ground to look out from. The village is under attack by bandits. Without any omens, the village has not been able to prepare. They are quickly overtaken. You watch from the safety of the hills as the bandits set fire to the church and rectory. The fire quickly spreads and your small village burns to the ground. As the flames reflect in your eyes, you can't help but laugh. They tried to make a sacrificial lamb of you so that the village might be spared. Now, instead, you (if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[and $mousename ]are its lone survivor(if: $mousefriendliness >= 3)[s]. [[Turn and stumble away.->Thank You.]] ]