Skycrawl

{(if:not((history:)'s last is "Species Descriptions"))[(set:$charactername to (either:"Uchiyama", "Sakai", "Yogi", "Miyata", "Tanimoto", "Goya", "Tanimoto", "Sakai", "Miyahira", "Umemoto", "Otsuka", "Murayama", "Nagano", "Okano", "Takara", "Nao", "Momo", "Nayoko", "Mutsoko", "Mura", "Shigé", "Tajima", "Kawahara", "Yamaoka", "Nozomi", "Tamiko", "Umeko", "Yoshiko", "Yousuke", "Rei", "Toyama", "Mita", "Endo", "Matsuura", "Suzuë", "Miki", "Miné", "Theudelinde", "Lori", "Jane", "Helen", "Madelgarda", "Goodsong", "Marcatrude", "Salvia", "Ingeltrude", "Leubast", "Danielle", "Allison", "Bertha", "Aibreann", "Catriona", "Ciara", "Maebh", "Nollaig", "Siobhan", "Heather", "Jah", "Prax", "Knep", "Sez", "Zaad", "Susan", "Damaris", "Chloe", "Mara", "Rachel", "Vera", "Winifred", "Mrs Raisins", "Miss Marple", "Beatrice Adela Lestrange Bradley", "Mughec", "Wrienuc", "Wrox", "Farah", "Kelly", "Myfanwy", "Alex", "Elvia", "Lorda", "Zandra", "Da-Xia", "Changchang", "Fang", "Cuifen", "Ming-Huá", "Liu", "Ling", "Seo-yeon", "Ji-woo", "Mi-kyung","Kyung-ok", "Hilda", "Jack", "Funani", "Gatsha","Nkosingiphile","Nomvula","Rikke", "Dorota", "Pelagia","Pich","Eunika","Chiamaka","Faizah","Aziza","Sanite","Sabella","Sabah","Eszter", "Fereydoon","Jaleh","Kohinoor","Laleh",))(display:"Roll Abilities")]}[$charactername]<renamed| - Baseline Personplasm Agility: (print: $agility) Speed: (print: $speed) Perception: (print: $perception) Charisma: (print: $charisma) Strength: (print: $strength) Arcana: (print: $arcana) Hit Points: (print: $HP) [[Reroll|Hello]] (link:"| Rename")[(put:(prompt: "What are you calling yourself?") into $charactername)(replace:?renamed)[$charactername]] Choose Your Species | [[Species Dossier|Species Descriptions]] (link:"[?]")[- explains what these guys are like] Normborn (locked) (+2 to all abilities) (link:"Santaborn")[(set: $charisma to ($charisma-1))(set: $strength to ($strength+1))(set: $HP to ($HP+3)) (set:$species to "Santaborn")(goto: "Choose Class Fragment")] (-1 charisma, +1 strength, +3 HP) (link:"Puppetborn")[(set: $HP to ($HP-2))(set: $charisma to ($charisma+1)) (set:$agility to ($agility+1)) (set:$species to "Puppetborn")(goto: "Choose Class Fragment")] (+1 charisma, agility rampup, -2 HP) (link:"Snailborn")[(set: $speed to ($speed-1))(set: $strength to ($strength+1)) (set: $perception to ($perception+2))) (set:$species to "Snailborn")(goto: "Choose Class Fragment")] (-1 speed, +1 strength, +2 perception) (link:"Wound Dwarf")[(set: $arcana to ($arcana-1))(set: $agility to ($agility+1)) (set: $perception to ($perception+1))) (set:$species to "Wound Dwarf")(goto: "Choose Class Fragment")] (-1 arcana, +1 agility, +1 perception) (link:"Nestmech")[(set: $perception to ($perception-1))(set: $strength to ($strength+1)) (set: $HP to ($HP+3))) (set:$species to "Nestmech")(goto: "Choose Class Fragment")] (-1 perception, +1 strength, +3 HP)

You are a (print: $species). Agility: (print: $agility) Speed: (print: $speed) Perception: (print: $perception) Charisma: (print: $charisma) Strength: (print: $strength) Arcana: (print: $arcana) Hit Points: (print: $HP) Choose Your Class Fragment (link:"Ecocritic")[(set: $strength to ($strength-1))(set: $arcana to ($arcana+1))(set:$class to "Ecocritic")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Earth Hexchanics","Wind Hexchanics"))(set:$bughex to (random:4,5))(set:$lighthex to (random:1,2))(set:$greenhex to 1)(goto: "Choose Temperament")] (-1 strength, +1 arcana) (link:"Chandler")[(set: $perception to ($perception+1))(set: $strength to ($strength-1))(set:$class to "Chandler")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Fire Hexchanics","Wind Hexchanics"))(set:$firehex to 2)(set:$windhex to 1)(set:$weapon to "candlesnuffer")(set:$maxdamage to 5)(set:$AP to $AP+15)(goto: "Choose Temperament")] (-1 strength, +1 perception) (link:"King of Light")[(set: $perception to ($perception+1))(set: $strength to ($strength+1))(set:$lighthex to (random:1,2))(set: $arcana to ($arcana-2)))(set:$class to "King of Light")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Lux Hexchanics"))(goto: "Choose Temperament")] (-2 arcana, +1 strength, +1 perception) (link:"Ronin")[(set: $arcana to ($arcana-2))(set: $agility to ($agility+1))(set: $speed to ($speed+1))) (set:$class to "Ronin")(set:$weapon to "showato")(set:$maxdamage to 10)(set:$AP to 14)(goto: "Choose Temperament")] (-2 arcana, +1 agility, +1 speed) (link:"Mirrorraveller")[(set: $HP to ($HP-3))(set: $charisma to ($charisma+1))(set:$Ap to $AP+40)(set:$bughex to (random:1,2))(set:$trickhex to 1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Lux Hexchanics"))(set:$class to "Mirrorraveller")(goto: "Choose Temperament")] (-3 HP, +1 charisma)

You are a (print: $species) (print: $class). Agility: (print: $agility) Speed: (print: $speed) Perception: (print: $perception) Charisma: (print: $charisma) Strength: (print: $strength) Arcana: (print: $arcana) Hit Points: (print: $HP) Choose Your Temperament (link:"Berserker")[(set: $charisma to ($charisma-1))(set: $strength to ($strength+2))(set:$temperament to "radge")(goto: "Get Started")] (-1 charisma, +2 strength) (link:"Scholar")[(set: $arcana to ($arcana+2))(set: $perception to ($perception+1))(set: $strength to ($strength-1)) (set: $agility to ($agility-1))) (set:$temperament to "geeky")(goto: "Get Started")] (-1 agility, -1 strength, +2 arcana, +1 perception) (link:"Athlete")[(set: $strength to ($strength+1))(set: $speed to ($speed+1))(set: $arcana to ($arcana-1))) (set:$temperament to "a jock")(goto: "Get Started")] (-1 arcana, +1 speed, +1 strength) (link:"Entrepreneur")[(set: $charisma to ($charisma+1))(set: $speed to ($speed+1))(set: $perception to ($perception-1)))(set: $AP to ($AP+100))) (set:$temperament to "a trustafarian")(goto: "Get Started")] (-1 perception, +1 charisma, +1 speed, +100 auragentum) (link:"Clown")[(set: $arcana to ($arcana-1))(set: $agility to ($agility+1))(set: $charisma to ($charisma+1))) (set:$temperament to "a joker")(goto: "Get Started")] (-1 arcana, +1 agility, +1 charisma)

{(set:$maxHP to $HP) (set:$relagility to $agility) (set:$description to $temperament) (if: ($charisma)>4)[(set:$description to "just lovely") (set:$weapon to "staff")](else:)[] (if: ($strength+$speed+$agility)>8)[(set:$description to "a jock")](else:)[] (if: ($perception)>4)[(set:$description to "shrewd")](else:)[] (if: ($perception)+($speed)+($agility)>8)[(set:$description to "a bit of a ninja") (set:$weapon to "sword")](else:)[] (if: ($arcana)>4)[(set:$description to "a scary wizard") (set:$weapon to "staff")](else:)[] (if: ($arcana)>3)[(if:($class) is "Ecocritic")[(set:$weapon to "shillelagh")(set:$maxdamage to 10)(set:$description to "a scary druid")(set:$AP to $AP-25)](else:)[]](else:)[] (set:$CV to (random:10,30)) (set:$equipment to (a:"leather armor")) (set:$maisiemana to 5) (set:$norikomana to 5) (set:$doppelgangermana to -200) (set:$quickhex to 100) (set:$otherie to false) (set:$mustfight to false) (set:$undowounds to 1) (set:$region to 1) (if:$charactername is "The Vagrant")[(set:$CV to 300)(set:$AP to 300)(set:$weapon to "Malice")(set:$maxdamage to 15)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Refulgent Bulges"))] (if:$charactername is "Sam Vimes")[(set:$CV to 1200)] (if:$charactername is "Gollum")[(set:$charactername to "Sméagol")(set:$CV to 600)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Dungeon Ranger","Herbalism"))] (if:$charactername is "Mildred Hubble")[(set:$arcana to 7)] }You are $charactername, a (print: $species) (print: $class). Agility: $agility Speed: $speed Perception: $perception Charisma: $charisma Strength: $strength Arcana: $arcana Hit Points: $HP / (print: $maxHP) Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV Level: 1 Noriko and Maisie tease you for being $description. You seldom leave your lodgings without your $weapon. Your max damage, with strength modifier, is (print:($maxdamage+$strength)). [[Let's begin ...|Story_Bay]]

{(if:$enemyHP<1)[(set:$readout to "You slay your foe!")(goto:"Win Fight")] (set:$temp to 0) (if:$quickhex<40)[(set:$quickhex to $quickhex+$arcana)] (if:((random:1,20)+$relspeed+$whoseturn)<13)[(if:$enemyHP>0)[(goto:"Enemy Turn")]](else:)[ (set:$whoseturn to -5) (if:$damagedebt<0)[You miss! (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$temp to 1)] (if:$damagedebt>0)[You hit! You deal $damagedebt damage! (set:$temp to 1) (if:$skills contains "Solar Plexus Sunrise")[(if:(random:1,5) is 1)[ You blast your foe with $strength extra damage! (set:$enemyHP to $enemyHP-$strength)]]] (if:$damagedebt>0)[(set:$enemyHP to $enemyHP-$damagedebt) (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$temp to 1)] (if:$doppelgangermana>0 and (random:1,3) is 1)[(set:$temp2 to (random:1,$maxdamage))(if:$enemyHP>$temp2)[Your doppelganger wields their doppel-(print:$weapon)! Your doppelganger deals (print:$temp2) doppel-damage! (set:$enemyHP to it-$temp2)]] (if:(random:1,4) is 1 and "heal" is in $enemyabilities)[(set:$temp3 to (random:1,3)+$danger) Your foe heals $temp3 HP! (set:$enemyHP to $enemyHP+$temp3)(set:$enemyCV to $enemyCV+3)(set:$whoseturn to it+3)(set:$quickhex to it+2)] (if:(random:1,4) is 1 and "protection" is in $enemyabilities)[(display:"Protection")(set:$whoseturn to it+3)(set:$quickhex to it+2)](elseif:(random:1,3) is 1 and "darkhexes" is in $enemyabilities)[(display:"Darkhexes")(set:$whoseturn to it+3)(set:$quickhex to it+2)] (if:$tookdamage>0 and $doppelgangermana>0)[(print:$readout) (set:$temp to 1) You take $tookdamage damage! Or do you? (set:$doppelgangermana to it-$tookdamage) (set:$tookdamage to 0)] (if:$doppelgangermana<0 and $doppelgangermana>-200)[Your doppelganger (either:"disintegrates","implodes","explodes","blows away","pops","shoots into the sky","shatters","melts","folds up","drifts apart")! (set:$doppelgangermana to -200)] (if:$tookdamage>0)[(print:$readout) (set:$temp to 1)] (if:$tookdamage>0)[You take $tookdamage damage! (set:$HP to $HP-$tookdamage) (set:$undowounds to $tookdamage) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$temp to 1) (if:(random:1,3) is 1)[(set:$otherie to false)]] (if:$tookdamage<0)[You dodge! (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$temp to 1)] (if:$HP<($HP/4))[(if:$maisiemana>0)[(set:$temp to (random:2,8))(if:$mustfight is true)[(set:$temp to it+3)](Print:" Maisie heals you for") $temp HP! (set:$HP to $HP+$temp)(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$undowounds to (round:($undowounds/2)))]] (if:$enemyHP>$HP)[(if:$enemyHP>12)[(if:$norikomana>0)[(set:$temp to (random:4,12))(if:$mustfight is true)[(set:$temp to $temp+3)](print:" Noriko's ")(print:(either:...$norikoweapons)) your foe $temp damage! (set:$enemyHP to $enemyHP-$temp)(set:$norikomana to $norikomana-1)]]] (if:$temp is 0)[Not much courtesy, not much subtlety.]] (if:$HP<1)[(goto:"Lose Fight")] (if:$enemyHP<1)[(set:$readout to "You slay your foe!")(goto:"Win Fight")]} You face (if:$enemyname is "a shadow")[a (text-style:"smear")[shadow]](elseif:$enemyname is "a blink hog")[a (text-style:"fade-in-out")[blink hog]](else:)[$enemyname]. (if:((random:1,20)+($perception)>10) or $otherie is true)[You think they have about $enemyHP HP, and can do up to $enemydamage damage per attack. (if:($arcana+$perception)>6)[(if:not ($enemyvulnerabilities contains "time"))[(if:not ($enemyvulnerabilities contains "trick"))[They look vulnerable to (print: $enemyvulnerabilities.join(", ")) hexes.]]]] Your Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Your Dodge Bonus: $relagility Your Strike Twice Bonus: $relspeed Your Base Damage: 1-$maxdamage Your Damage Bonus: $strength [[Strike with your $weapon|Strike]] (if:$skills contains "Crafty Strike")[[[Crafty strike]] ]{ }(if:$bughex+$lighthex+$firehex+$greenhex+$waxhex+$earthhex+$windhex+$waterhex+$timehex+$trickhex>1)[[[Hex|Hex]] ]{ }(if:$equipment contains "chai elixir")[[[Gulp down your chai elixir|Elixir]] ]{ }(if:$mustfight is false)[[[Flee->Flee]] (if:$AP>15)[(if:$AP+($charisma*5)>(25*$level) or $skills contains "Mirror of Princes")[[[Negotiate|Surrender]] (link:"[?]")[(if:$charisma<6)[- will cost you most of your auragentum coins.](else:)[- will cost you auragentum coins.]] ]]] Your Auragentum: $AP Your CV Points: $CV (if:$skills contains "Rage")[(if:$CV>29)[[[Rage|Go berserk]]](else:)[Unavailable] (link:"[?]")[- requires up to 30 CV points.] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Selfheal Quickhex")[(if:$CV>39 and $AP+$arcana>39)[[[Selfheal Quickhex|Heal hex]]](else:)[Unavailable] (link:"[?]")[- requires up to 40 CV points and (print:(40-$arcana)) auragentum coins.] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Swiften Quickhex")[(if:$quickhex<15)[Quickhex Cooldown (link:"[?]")[- you've used too many quickhexes recently.](else:)[(if:$CV>19 and $AP>5)[[Swiften Quickhex|Speed boost]]](else:)[Unavailable] (link:"[?]")[- requires up to 20 CV points and 6 auragentum coins.] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Otherie Quickhex")[(if:$quickhex<20)[Quickhex Cooldown (link:"[?]")[- you've used too many quickhexes recently.]](else:)[(if:$AP+$arcana>(29-$arcana) and $CV>9)[[[Otherie Quickhex|Otherie Quickhex]]](else:)[Unavailable] (link:"[?]")[- requires up to 10 CV points and (print:(30-$arcana)) auragentum pieces.] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Undo Wounds Quickhex" and $undowounds>1)[(if:$quickhex<30)[Quickhex Cooldown (link:"[?]")[- you've used too many quickhexes recently.]](else:)[(if:$AP+$arcana>49)[[[Undo Wounds Quickhex|Undo Wounds Quickhex]]](else:)[Unavailable] (link:"[?]")[- requires up to (print:(40-$arcana)) auragentum pieces.] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Doppelganger Quickhex")[(if:$quickhex<30)[Quickhex Cooldown (link:"[?]")[- you've used too many quickhexes recently.]](else:)[(if:$AP+$arcana>49)[[[Doppelganger Quickhex|Doppelganger Quickhex]]](else:)[Unavailable] (link:"[?]")[- requires up to (print:(50-$arcana)) auragentum pieces.] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Spiral Fortress")[(if:$quickhex<30)[Quickhex Cooldown (link:"[?]")[- you can't access your shell right now.]](else:)[(if:$CV>29)[[[Spiral Fortress|Spiral Fortress]]](else:)[Unavailable] (link:"[?]")[- requires up to 30 CV points.] ]]

(set:$damagedebt to ((random:1,$maxdamage)+$strength)) (if:$weapon is in $enemyabilities)[(set:$damagedebt to $damagedebt*2)] (if:$damagedebt<1)[(set:$damagedebt to 1)] (if:(random:1,20)+$relagility<7)[(set:$damagedebt to -1)] (goto:"Bout")

{(if: $HP<1)[(goto:"Lose Fight")] (set:$temp3 to 0)  (set:$temp4 to 50) (set:$mustfight to false) (set:$otherie to false) (set:$undowounds to 1) (if:$norikomana is 0 and "darkhexes" is in $enemyabilities)[(set:$norikomana to 4)] (if:$maisiemana is 0 and "darkhexes" is in $enemyabilities)[(set:$maisiemana to (random:1,4))] (set:$enemyabilities to (a:"")) }$readout{ }(if:$doppelgangermana>0)[ Your doppelganger (either:"disintegrates","implodes","explodes","blows away","pops","shoots into the sky","shatters","melts","folds up","drifts apart")! (set:$doppelgangermana to -200)] Foes are just the worst. But you gain $enemyCV CV points and $enemyAP auragentum coins. (set:$CV to $CV+$enemyCV)(set:$AP to $AP+$enemyAP)(set:$temp to (random:0,$level)) (if:$skills contains "Bughunter" and $bughex<4 and $temp<4)[(set:$temp to 4)] (if:$temp is 4 and $distance<4)[(if:$perception>1 and $equipment contains "Jiggle Bug net")[You catch a Jiggle Bug. (set:$bughex to $bughex+1) ]]{ }(if:$temp is 5 and $distance<3)[(if:$perception>2)[You find a filigree hexchanism drifting on the breeze. (set:$windhex to $windhex+1) ]]{ }(if:$temp is 6 and $distance<3)[(if:$perception>2)[You find a rooty little hexchanism burrowing into the ground. (set:$earthhex to $earthhex+1) ]]{ }(if:$temp is 7 and $distance<3)[You catch a pair of Jiggle Bugs. (set:$bughex to $bughex+2) ](if:$destination is "ogre dungeon")[[[Next|Underground Encounter]]](elseif:$destination is "Wetlands Dungeon")[[[Next|wetlands encounter]]](else:)[[[Next|Random Encounter]]]

$readout Alas, you have perished. It's even worse than it sounds. [[Restart|Start]]

{(if:$enemyHP<0)[(set:$readout to "You slay your foe!")(goto:"Win Fight")] (if:$relspeed>10)[(set:$relspeed to $relspeed-1)] (if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(if:$relagility<($agility+$level))[(set:$relagility to ($relagility+1))]] (set:$whoseturn to $whoseturn + 10) (if:$tookdamage>0)[(set:$readout to "Your foe attacks, and attacks again!")] (if:$tookdamage<1)[(set:$readout to "Your foe attacks!")] (if:$tookdamage>($maxHP-3))[(set:$tookdamage to $maxHP-5)] (if:(random:1,20)+$relagility<15)[(set:$tookdamage to $tookdamage+(random:1,($enemydamage)))] (if:$tookdamage>0)[(set:$enemyAP to $enemyAP + $tookdamage)] (if:$tookdamage<1)[(set:$tookdamage to -1)] (if:$HP<1)[(if:$tookdamage>0)[(if:$damagedebt>0)[(set:$readout to "You hit! You deal $damagedebt damage! Your foe counterattacks ferociously!")]]]} (goto:"Bout")

(if:$enemyname is "a tank")[(goto:"Choose Basic Tank")] (if:$enemyname is "a DPS")[(goto:"Choose Basic DPS")] (if:$enemyname is "a healer")[(goto:"Choose Basic DPS")] (if:$enemyname is "a fragile speedster")[(goto:"Choose Basic DPS")]

{(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(if:$relagility<$agility)[(set:$relagility to ($relagility+1))]] (set:$quickhex to $quickhex-20)(Set:$temp to (random:5,(20-$arcana)))(Set:$relspeed to $relspeed+3)(Set:$whoseturn to 3)(Set:$CV to $CV-$temp)(set:$AP to $AP-6)}You convert $temp CV points and 6 auragentum coins into a speed boost! [[Next|Bout]]

{(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(if:$relagility<($agility+$level))[(set:$relagility to ($relagility+1))]] (Set:$temp to (random:10,30))(Set:$relspeed to $relspeed+3)(Set:$whoseturn to -3)(Set:$CV to $CV-$temp)}You burn $temp CV points into berserker rage! (set:$temp to 0) (if:$relspeed>2)[(set:$damagedebt to ((random:3,$maxdamage)+$speed))(set: $enemyHP to $enemyHP-$damagedebt)You deal $damagedebt damage!] Hrrrrraaargh! (if:(either:1,2) is 1)[(set:$damagedebt to ((random:3,$maxdamage)+$strength))(set: $enemyHP to $enemyHP-$damagedebt)You deal $damagedebt damage!] (if:$doppelgangermana>0)[Your doppelganger doppel-rages! Your doppelganger deals $maxdamage damage! (set:$enemyHP to $enemyHP-$maxdamage)](if:(either:1,2) is 1)[(set:$damagedebt to ((random:4,$maxdamage)+$strength))(set: $enemyHP to $enemyHP-$damagedebt)You deal $damagedebt damage!] Graaaargh! (if:$doppelgangermana>0)[You or your doppelganger or someone takes $enemydamage damage! (set:$doppelgangermana to it-$enemydamage)](else:)[(if:(either:1,2) is 1)[(set:$tookdamage to (random:1,$enemydamage))(set: $HP to ($HP-$tookdamage))You take $tookdamage damage!]] (if:$doppelgangermana<0 and $doppelgangermana>-200)[Your doppelganger (either:"disintegrates","implodes","explodes","blows away","pops","shoots into the sky","shatters","melts","folds up","drifts apart")! (set:$doppelgangermana to -200)] Aaargh! (if:(either:1,2) is 1)[(set:$damagedebt to ((random:6,$maxdamage)+$speed))(set: $enemyHP to $enemyHP-$damagedebt)You deal $damagedebt damage!] Hrrrugh! GRAAAARGH! (if:$doppelgangermana>0)[Somebody a lot like you takes (print:$enemydamage-(random:1,3)) damage! (set:$doppelgangermana to it-($enemydamage-3))](else:)[(if:(either:1,2) is 1)[(set:$tookdamage to (random:1,$enemydamage))(set: $HP to $HP-$tookdamage)You take $tookdamage damage!]] (if:$doppelgangermana<0 and $doppelgangermana>-200)[Your doppelganger (either:"disintegrates","implodes","explodes","blows away","pops","shoots into the sky","shatters","melts","folds up","drifts apart")! (set:$doppelgangermana to -200)]Graaargh! AAARGH! (if:(either:1,2) is 1)[(set:$damagedebt to ((random:3,$maxdamage)+$strength+$strength))(set: $enemyHP to $enemyHP-$damagedebt)You deal $damagedebt damage!] (if:(either:1,2) is 1)[(set:$tookdamage to (random:1,$enemydamage))(set: $HP to $HP-$tookdamage)You take $tookdamage damage!] Aaargh! GRAAAARGH! (if:(either:1,2) is 1)[(set:$damagedebt to ((random:3,$maxdamage)+$strength+$strength))(set: $enemyHP to $enemyHP-$damagedebt)You deal $damagedebt damage!] AAAARGH! (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (if:$HP<5)[(set:$temp to (random:2,(2+$level)))] (if:$temp>0)[(set:$HP to ($HP+$temp)) (if:$skills contains "Boiling Blood")[(set:$HP to $HP+5)]You are torn to pieces. You heal $temp HP, but will it be enough? AAARGH!] [[Next|Berserk Outcome]]

{(if:$HP>0 and $enemyHP>0)[(goto:"Bout")] (if:$HP>0 and $enemyHP<1)[(set:$readout to "You have smashed them!")(goto:"Win Fight")]}You dimly realise you have slain your foe. But as your rage dwindles, so does your own life. [[Restart|Hello]]

{(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(if:$relagility<$agility)[(set:$relagility to ($relagility+1))]] (set:$quickhex to $quickhex-20)(set:$temp to (random:20,40))(Set:$HP to ($HP+($temp/4)+$level))(set:$whoseturn to 1)(Set:$CV to $CV-$temp)(Set:$AP to ($AP+$arcana-$temp))}You convert $temp CV points and (print:($temp-$arcana)) auragentum coins into a healing haze! You gain (round:(($temp/4)+$level)) HP! (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)](set:$HP to (round:$HP)) [[Next|Bout]]

(set:$CV to $CV-(85+($level*50))) (set:$norikomana to $norikomana+2+$charisma) (set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana+2+$charisma) (set:$level to $level+1) (if:$class is "Ecocritic")[(goto:"Ecocritic Level")] (if:$class is "Chandler")[(goto:"Chandler Level")] (if:$class is "King of Light")[(goto:"King of Light Level")] (if:$class is "Mirrorraveller")[(goto:"Mirrorraveller Level")] (if:$class is "Ronin")[(goto:"Ronin Level")]

{(set:$temp to (random:1,2)) (set:$maxHP to $maxHP+$temp)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)}You are now level $level. Your maximum Hit Points are raised to $maxHP. (if:$level>3)[(if:not($skills contains "Fire Hexchanics"))[You gain Fire Hexchanics automatically at this level.(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Fire Hexchanics")) You may choose another skill:](elseif:not($skills contains "Earth Hexchanics"))[You gain Earth Hexchanics automatically at this level.(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Earth Hexchanics")) You may choose another skill:](elseif:not($skills contains "Wind Hexchanics"))[You gain Earth Hexchanics automatically at this level.(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Wind Hexchanics")) You may choose another skill:](else:)[Choose a new Ecocritic skill:]](else:)[Choose a new Ecocritic skill:] (if:not($skills contains "Reynard's Blessing"))[(link:"Reynard's Blessing")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$perception to $perception+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Reynard's Blessing. Your charisma and perception both rise by one point. Beast Cant becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Reynard's Blessing"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 charisma, +1 perception, unlocks option] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Reynard's Blessing")[(if:not($skills contains "Beast Cant"))[(link:"Beast Cant")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Beast Cant. Sometimes the hardest part of learning a language is realizing that there is one, and where its limits lie. After that, you picked it up pretty easily.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Beast Cant"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Foucault's Footbridge"))[(link:"Foucault's Footbridge")[(set:$perception to $perception+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Foucault's Footbridge. Your perception rises by one point, and Corkskin and Herbalism both become available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Foucault's Footbridge"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 perception, unlocks options] ]{ }(if:($skills contains "Foucault's Footbridge"))[(if:not($skills contains "Corkskin"))[(link:"Corkskin")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+6)(set:$HP to $HP+6)(set:$levmes to "You choose Corkskin. Your maximum HP rise by six points.")(set:$skills.push("Corkskin"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[ +6 max HP] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Foucault's Footbridge")[(if:not($skills contains "Herbalism"))[(link:"Herbalism")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Herbalism.")(set:$skills to to $skills+(a:"Herbalism"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:$level>2)[(if:not($skills contains "Mannaphid Mutualism"))[(link:"Mannaphid Mutualism")[(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Mannaphid Mutualism. Your arcana rises by one point. Both Vegetable Hexchanics and Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use become available at the next level.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Mannaphid Mutualism"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 arcana, unlocks options] ]]{ }(if:($skills contains "Mannaphid Mutualism"))[(if:not($skills contains "Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use"))[(link:"Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use")[(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use. You grow expert in the magic of the Jiggle Bug. Your arcana rises by one point. Bughunter becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 arcana, special effect, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:($skills contains "Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use") and $perception>1)[(if:not($skills contains "Bughunter"))[(link:"Bughunter")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Bughunter. If there is a Jiggle Bug to be found, you're going to find it.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Bughunter"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Vegetable Hexchanics"))[(if:$skills contains "Mannaphid Mutualism")[(link:"Vegetable Hexchanics")[(set:$greenhex to $greenhex+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Vegetable Hexchanics. Collaborating with others in the field, you are able to produce your first two clockwork bark hexchanisms! You may choose to make more at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Vegetable Hexchanics"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> unlocks option and hexchanisms] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Make Like A Tree"))[(if:$skills contains "Vegetable Hexchanics")[(link:"Make Like A Tree")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Make Like A Tree. Your maximum HP rise by two more points. You grow more skilled in camouflage. If you have already mastered Water Hexchanics, Saint World becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Make Like A Tree"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+2 max HP, special effect, may unlock option] ]]{ }(if:$level>3)[(if:not($skills contains "Selfheal Quickhex"))[(link:"Selfheal Quickhex")[(set:$levmes to "As you are drifting into wakefulness one morning, it strikes you how little your pattern of exertion and rest depend on your own sense of metabolic flux. It feels impossible to recognize your own $species body from its conflux of ecologies, or even to isolate one limb or inner organ of it, except by borrowing figures and figments from the stories those ecologies tell of themselves and of each other. Later that day - unrelated, perhaps - some previous study coalesces, and you finally master Selfheal Quickhex.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills.push("Selfheal Quickhex"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Aquology"))[(link:"Aquology")[(set:$levmes to "You spend some time by the canal, studying the sediments: traces of mercury, chromium, cadmium, zinc, copper, lead. Your arcana rises by one point. Water Hexchanics becomes available at the next level. Deep Lore becomes available at level ten.")(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$skills.push("Aquology"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[ +1 arcana, unlocks options] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Aquology" and $level>9)[(if:not($skills contains "Deep Lore"))[(link:"Deep Lore")[(set:$levmes to "You commune with the networks around you. You make quite a splash. Arcana rises by one point.")(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Deep Lore"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[ +1 arcana] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Water Hexchanics"))[(if:$skills contains "Aquology")[(link:"Water Hexchanics")[(set:$waterhex to $waterhex+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Water Hexchanics. Collaborating with others in the field, you are able to produce your first two kalpis hexchanisms! You may choose to make more at the next level. Doppelganger Quickhex also becomes available at the next level. If you have mastered Make Like A Tree, Saint World becomes available.")(set:$skills.push("Water Hexchanics"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> unlocks hexchanisms and options] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Water Hexchanics")[(if:not($skills contains "Doppelganger Quickhex"))[(link:"Doppelganger Quickhex")[(set:$levmes to "You master Doppelganger Quickhex. If you have already hav the Make Like A Tree skill, then Saint World becomes available at the next level.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Doppelganger Quickhex"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Water Hexchanics" and $skills contains "Make Like A Tree")[(if:not($skills contains "Saint World"))[(link:"Saint World")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+2)(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Saint World. Your maximum HP rise by two points, and your arcana rises by one. At the next level, you can use the Pick 'n' Hex option to manufacture a variety of hexchanisms. If it is not yet available, Ticktock Hexchanics also becomes available at the next level.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Saint World"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+2 max HP, +1 arcana, unlocks hexchanisms option] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Ticktock Hexchanics"))[(if:$level>5)[(if:$description is "radge" or $skills contains "Saint World")[(link:"Ticktock Hexchanics")[(set:$timehex to $timehex+1)(set:$perception to $perception+1)(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$agility to $agility-1)(set:$strength to $strength-1)(set:$description to "timely")(set:$levmes to "You choose Ticktock Hexchanics. Your arcana and perception both rise by one, but your strength and agility fall by one. You enter a druidic time rift and devise your first temporalatoma hexchanism! You may choose to make more at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Ticktock Hexchanics"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 arcana, +1 perception, -1 strength, -1 agility, unlocks hexchanisms] ]]] Or artifice new hexchanisms: (display:"Manufacture Hexchanisms")

{(if:$HP<($maxHP/1.5))[(set:$HP to (round:($maxHP/1.5)))] (if:$level is 2)[(if:$eventtrack2<2)[(set:$eventtrack2 to 2)]] (if:$level is 3)[(if:$eventtrack2<3)[(set:$eventtrack2 to 3)]] (if:$level is 4)[(if:$eventtrack1<3)[(set:$eventtrack1 to 3)]] (if:$level is 5)[(if:$eventtrack2<5)[(set:$eventtrack2 to 5)]] (if:$level is 5)[(set:$norikoweapons to $norikoweapons+(a:"syringes trident deals"))] (if:$level is 5)[(set:$norikoweapons to $norikoweapons+(a:"scythes deal"))] (if:$level is 8)[(set:$norikoweapons to $norikoweapons-(a:"sickles deal"))] }(print:$levmes)(set:$temp to 1)(if:$level is 3)[ (if:$species is "Santaborn")[Santaborn also get an extra point of strength at third level.(set:$strength to $strength+1)](if:$species is "Puppetborn")[Puppetborn also get an extra point of agility at third level.(set:$strength to $strength+1)](if:$species is "Snailborn")[Snailborn also get an extra point of strength at third level.(set:$strength to $strength+1)](if:$species is "Wound Dwarf")[Wound Dwarves also get an extra point of agility at third level.(set:$strength to $strength+1)](if:$species is "Nestmech")[Nestmechs also get an extra point of arcana at third level.(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)]]{ }(if:$level is 4)[(if:$charisma<0)[ (set:$charisma to $charisma+1)You are developing a certain rugged charm, $charactername. Charisma goes up by one.]]{ }(if:$level is 5)[ (if:$species is "Santaborn")[Santaborn also get an extra point of strength at fifth level.(set:$strength to $strength+1)](if:$species is "Puppetborn")[Puppetborn also get an extra point of agility at fifth level.(set:$strength to $strength+1)](if:$species is "Snailborn")[Snailborn also get an extra point of strength at fifth level.(set:$strength to $strength+1)](if:$species is "Wound Dwarf")[Wound Dwarves also get an extra point of agility at fifth level.(set:$agility to $agility+1)](if:$species is "Nestmech")[Nestmechs also get five extra maximum hit points at fifth level.(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+5)]]{ }(if:$level is 6)[(if:$charisma<0)[ (set:$charisma to $charisma+1)You're not exactly a people person, $charactername, but you're learning. Charisma goes up by one.]]{ }(if:$level is 7)[ (if:$species is "Santaborn")[Santaborn also get an extra point of arcana at seventh level.(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)](if:$species is "Puppetborn")[Puppetborn also get an extra point of arcana at seventh level.(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)](if:$species is "Snailborn")[Snailborn also get an extra point of perception at seventh level.(set:$perception to $perception+1)](if:$species is "Wound Dwarf")[Wound Dwarves also get an extra point of perception at seventh level.(set:$perception to $perception+1)](if:$species is "Nestmech")[Nestmechs also get an extra point of agility at seventh level.(set:$agility to $agility+5)]]{ }(if:$level is 10 and $species is "Snailborn")[(if:not($class is "Ecocritic"))[ Snailborn also get the Spiral Fortress skill at tenth level.(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Spiral Fortress"))]] (if:$level is 8)[(if:$species is "Snailborn")[(if:$perception>4)[(if: $class is not "Ecocritic")[(set:$temp to 0)[[Next|Druid Choice]]]]]](if:$temp is 1)[(Link:"Next")[(Goto:"Level Cash")]] (set:$levmes to "")

{(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+3)(set:$HP to $HP+3)}You are now level $level. Your maximum Hit Points are raised to $maxHP. Choose a new $class skill: (if:not($skills contains "Withy and Snell"))[(link:"Withy and Snell")[(set:$agility to $agility+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Withy and Snell. Your agility rises by one point. Crafty Strike becomes available at level five.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Withy and Snell"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 agility, may unlock option] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Withy and Snell" and $level>4)[(if:not($skills contains "Crafty Strike"))[(link:"Crafty Strike")[(set:$agility to $agility+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Crafty Strike. This attack inflicts reduced damage, but it almost never misses.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Crafty Strike"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Warring Withdrawal"))[(link:"Warring Withdrawal")[(set:$speed to $speed+1)(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+2)(set:$HP to $HP+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Warring Withdrawal. You grow skilled in living to fight another day. Your maximum hit points rise by a further two points, and your speed rises by one point. Feet of Nerves becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Warring Withdrawal"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 speed, +2 max HP, special effect, unlocks option] ]{ }(if:($skills contains "Warring Withdrawal"))[(if:not($skills contains "Feet of Nerves"))[(link:"Feet of Nerves")[(set:$speed to $speed+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Feet of Nerves. Your speed rises by one point, and Like Lightning becomes available at level seven.")(set:$skills.push("Feet of Nerves"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 speed, may unlock option] ]]{ }(if:($skills contains "Feet of Nerves" and $level>6))[(if:not($skills contains "Like Lightning"))[(link:"Like Lightning")[(set:$speed to $speed+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Like Lightning. Your speed rises by one point.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Like Lightning"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 speed] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Mean Mittens"))[(link:"Mean Mittens")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Mean Mittens. Your strength rises by one point, and Decked becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Mean Mittens"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength, unlocks option] ]{ }(if:($skills contains "Mean Mittens"))[(if:not($skills contains "Decked"))[(link:"Decked")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Decked. Your maximum hit points rise by a further two points, and your strength rises by one point.")(set:$skills.push("Decked"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength, +2 max HP] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Dungeon Ranger"))[(link:"Dungeon Ranger")[(set:$perception to $perception+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Dungeon Ranger. Your perception rises by one point, and Herbalism becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Dungeon Ranger"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 perception, unlocks option] ]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Mirror of Princes"))[(link:"Mirror of Princes")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Mirror of Princes. You grow more skilled in negotiating. Your charisma rises by one point, and Fast Advancement becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Mirror of Princes"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 charisma, unlocks option] ]{ }(if:($skills contains "Dungeon Ranger"))[(if:not($skills contains "Herbalism"))[(link:"Herbalism")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+2)(set:$HP to $HP+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Herbalism. Your maximum HP rise by another two points. Selfheal Quickhex becomes available at the next level, and Scruto and Speculum becomes available from level seven upward.")(set:$skills.push("Herbalism"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+2 max HP, unlocks options] ]]{ }(if:($skills contains "Herbalism"))[(if:not($skills contains "Selfheal Quickhex"))[(link:"Selfheal Quickhex")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Selfheal Quickhex.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills.push("Selfheal Quickhex"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "That's Pure Magic"))[(link:"That's Pure Magic")[(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose That's Pure Magic. Your arcana rises by one point.")(set:$skills.push("That's Pure Magic"))(set:$HP to $maxHP)(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 arcana] ]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Rage"))[(link:"Rage")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Rage. If you use it, you can deal out punishing damage, but you may neglect your own defence.")(set:$skills.push("Rage"))(set:$HP to $maxHP)(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Boiling Blood"))[(if:$skills contains "Rage")[(link:"Boiling Blood")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Boiling Blood. Your strength rises by one point. Your Rages are now even more out of line.")(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Boiling Blood"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[ +1 strength, special effect] ]]{ }(if:$level>6)[(if:($skills contains "Herbalism"))[(if:not($skills contains "Scruto and Speculum"))[(link:"Scruto and Speculum")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Scruto and Speculum. You grow more skilled in detecting traps and other secrets.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills.push("Scruto and Speculum"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]]{ }(if:($skills contains "Mirror of Princes"))[(link:"Fast Advancement")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Fast Advancement. Your maximum hit points rise by one more point, and you receive some CV points back.")(set:$CV to $CV+25+($level*35))(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+1)(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 max HP, CV points discount] ] Or artifice new hexchanisms: (display:"Manufacture Hexchanisms")

{(set:$temp to (random:1,2)) (set:$maxHP to $maxHP+$temp)(set:$HP to $HP+1)}You are now level $level. Your maximum Hit Points are raised to $maxHP. (if:not($skills contains "Fire Hexchanics"))[You gain Fire Hexchanics automatically.(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Fire Hexchanics"))] Choose a new $class skill: (if:not($skills contains "Flickerfooted"))[(link:"Flickerfooted")[(set:$speed to $speed+1)(set:$agility to $agility+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Flickerfooted. Your speed and agility both rise by one point.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Flickerfooted"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 speed, +1 agility] ]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Such Warmth"))[(if:$level>2)[(link:"Such Warmth")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$CV to it+75)(set:$levmes to "You choose Such Warmth. Your charisma rises by one point. You also recoup 75 CV points, and Shining Example becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Such Warmth"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 charisma, +75 CV points, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Such Warmth")[(if:not($skills contains "Shining Example"))[(link:"Shining Example")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Shining Example. Your charisma rises by one point.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Shining Example"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 charisma] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Ossifragrant Pugilism"))[(link:"Ossifragrant Pugilism")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Ossifragrant Pugilism. Your strength rises by one point, and your maximum hit points rise by two points.")(if:$skills contains "Rage")[(set:$levmes to $levmes+" Boiling Blood becomes available at the next level.")](set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Ossifragrant Pugilism"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength, +2 HP, may unlock option] ]{ }(link:"Aromatherapy")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+1)(set:$AP to $AP+40+($charisma*2))(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$levmes to "You choose Aromatherapy. Your side business makes you a little extra cash. Through your experiments with rare incenses, you increase your maximum hit points by one more point. (Although it may be more of a psychological hit point?) Anyway, if they are not already available, Bright Spark and Armortherapy become available at the next level. You may choose this option any time you go up a level.")(set:$skills.push("Aromatherapy"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 max HP, +(print:($charisma*2)+40) auragentum, may unlock options] { }(if:$skills contains "Aromatherapy")[(if:not($skills contains "Bright Spark"))[(link:"Bright Spark")[(set:$perception to $perception+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Bright Spark. Your perception rises by one. Hold a Candle and Enlightenment become available at the next level.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Bright Spark"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[ +1 perception, unlocks options] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Bright Spark")[(if:not($skills contains "Hold a Candle"))[(link:"Hold a Candle")[(set:$perception to $perception+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Hold a Candle. Your perception rises by one.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Hold a Candle"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[ +1 perception] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Aromatherapy")[(if:not($skills contains "Armortherapy"))[(link:"Armortherapy")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Armortherapy. Your maximum hit points rise by five points.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Armortherapy"))(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+5)(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+5 max HP] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Bright Spark")[(if:not($skills contains "Enlightenment"))[(link:"Enlightenment")[(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Enlightenment. Your arcana rises by one. Swiften Quickhex and Wax Hexchanics become available at the next level.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Enlightenment"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[ +1 arcana, unlocks options] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Enlightenment")[(if:not($skills contains "Swiften Quickhex"))[(link:"Swiften Quickhex")[(set:$levmes to "You learn the lore that will let you become like a lambent flame on the wick of your spine. You have mastered Swiften Quickhex. At the next level Selfheal Quickhex and Otherie Quickhex become available.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Swiften Quickhex"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect, unlocks options] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Swiften Quickhex")[(if:not($skills contains "Selfheal Quickhex"))[(link:"Selfheal Quickhex")[(set:$levmes to "You find a form of flame whose lambency never harms, but like a licking pet heals the flesh. You have mastered Selfheal Quickhex.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Selfheal Quickhex"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Swiften Quickhex")[(if:not($skills contains "Otherie Quickhex"))[(link:"Otherie Quickhex")[(set:$levmes to "You master Otherie Quickhex. Cast it in battle to convert auragentum coins and a few stray CV points into a temporary perception buff.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Otherie Quickhex"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Enlightenment")[(if:not($skills contains "Wax Lyrical"))[(link:"Wax Lyrical")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Wax Lyrical. Charisma and arcana both increase by one point")(set:$charisma to it+1)(set:$arcana to it+1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Wax Lyrical"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 arcana, +1 charisma] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Enlightenment")[(if:not($skills contains "Wax Hexchanics"))[(link:"Wax Hexchanics")[(set:$levmes to "You artifice your first clockwork waxwork hexchanic! You can make more at the next level.")(set:$waxhex to $waxhex+1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Wax Hexchanics"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> unlocks hexchanism] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Bright Spark")[(if:not($skills contains "Lux Hexchanics"))[(link:"Lux Hexchanics")[(set:$levmes to "You artifice your first sidereal ampulla hexchanic! You can make more at the next level.")(set:$lighthex to $lighthex+1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Lux Hexchanics"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> unlocks hexchanism] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Rage"))[(if:$description is "radge")[(link:"Rage")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Rage. If you use it, you can deal out punishing damage, but you may neglect your own defence.")(if:$skills contains "Ossifragrant Pugilism")[(set:$levmes to $levmes+" Boiling Blood becomes available at the next level.")](set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills.push("Rage"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect, may unlock option] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Jack Be Nimble"))[(if:not$description is "radge")[(link:"Jack Be Nimble")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Jack Be Nimble. Your agility rises by one point, and your maximum hit points rise by one point.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Jack Be Nimble"))(set:$agility to $agility+1)(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+1)(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 agility, +1 max HP] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Boiling Blood"))[(if:$skills contains "Ossifragrant Pugilism")[(if:$skills contains "Rage")[(link:"Boiling Blood")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Boiling Blood. Your strength rises by one, and your maximum hit points by two. Your Rages are now more powerful.")(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+2)(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Boiling Blood"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[ +1 strength, +2 max HP, special effect] ]]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Wind Hexchanics"))[(link:"Wind Hexchanics")[(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Wind Hexchanics"))(set:$windhex to $windhex+2)(set:$levmes to "You master Wind Hexchanics, and artifice your first two nepheliad pyxides. You will be able to make more at the next level. Now you feel like a proper Chandler!")(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> unlocks hexchanisms] ] Or artifice new hexchanisms: (display:"Manufacture Hexchanisms")

{(set:$temp to (random:1,3)) (set:$maxHP to $maxHP+$temp)(set:$HP to $HP+1)}You are now level $level. Your maximum hit points are raised to $maxHP. Choose a new $class skill: (if:not($skills contains "Flickerfooted"))[(link:"Flickerfooted")[(set:$speed to $speed+1)(set:$agility to $agility+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Flickerfooted. Your speed and agility both rise by one point.")(set:$skills.push("Flickerfooted"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 speed, +1 agility] ]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Lifting Light"))[(link:"Lifting Light")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+4)(set:$levmes to "You choose Lifting Light. Your maximum hit points rise by another four points, and your strength rises by one.")(set:$skills.push("Lifting Light"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength, +4 max HP] ]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Mean Mittens"))[(link:"Mean Mittens")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Mean Mittens. Your strength rises by one point, and Decked becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Mean Mittens"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength, unlocks option] ]{ }(if:($skills contains "Mean Mittens"))[(if:not($skills contains "Decked"))[(link:"Decked")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Decked. Your maximum hit points rise by another two points, and your strength rises by one. Refulgent Bulges becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Decked"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength, +2 max HP, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:($skills contains "Decked"))[(if:not($skills contains "Refulgent Bulges"))[(link:"Refulgent Bulges")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Refulgent Bulges. Your maximum hit points rise by two more points, and your strength rises by one point.")(set:$skills.push("Refulgent Bulges"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength, +2 max HP, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:($skills contains "Refulgent Bulges"))[(if:not($skills contains "Solar Plexus Sunrise"))[(link:"Solar Plexus Sunrise")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Solar Plexus Sunrise. Your maximum hit points rise by two more points, and your strength rises by one point. You also have a chance of dealing extra damage on a normal attack.")(set:$skills.push("Solar Plexus Sunrise"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength, +2 max HP, special ability] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Rage"))[(link:"Rage")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Rage. If you use it, you can deal out punishing damage, but you may neglect your own defence.")(set:$skills.push("Rage"))(set:$HP to $maxHP)(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Bright Spark"))[(link:"Bright Spark")[(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$levmes to "You choose Bright Spark. Enlightenment becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Bright Spark"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> unlocks option] ]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Enlightenment"))[(if:($skills contains "Bright Spark"))[(link:"Enlightenment")[(set:$arcana to $arcana+2)(set:$levmes to "You choose Enlightenment. Your arcana rises by two points, and Fire Hexchanics becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Enlightenment"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+2 arcana, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Fire Hexchanics"))[(if:($skills contains "Enlightenment"))[(link:"Fire Hexchanics")[(set:$firehex to $firehex+1)(set:$levmes to "You devise your very first flamula hexchanic. You will be able to make more at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Fire Hexchanics"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> unlocks hexchanic] ]] Or artifice new hexchanisms: (display:"Manufacture Hexchanisms")

{(set:$temp to (random:1,3)) (set:$maxHP to $maxHP+$temp)(set:$HP to $HP+1)}You are now level $level. Your maximum Hit Points are raised to $maxHP. Choose a new $class skill: (if:$level>2)[(if:not($skills contains "Flickerfooted"))[(link:"Flickerfooted")[(set:$speed to $speed+1)(set:$agility to $agility+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Flickerfooted. Your speed and agility both rise by one point.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Flickerfooted"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 speed, +1 agility] ]]{ }(if:$level>4)[(if:not($skills contains "Steely Thews"))[(link:"Steely Thews")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Steely Thews. Your strength rises by one point.")(set:$skills.push("Steely Thews"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength(if:$description is "radge")[, unlocks option]] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Mirror of Princes"))[(link:"Mirror of Princes")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Mirror of Princes. You grow more skilled in negotiations. Your charisma rises by one point. Shining Example and Scruto and Speculum both become available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Mirror of Princes"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 charisma, unlocks options] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Mirror of Princes")[(if:not($skills contains "Shining Example"))[(link:"Shining Example")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Shining Example. Your charisma rises by one point. Reflective Companion becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Shining Example"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 charisma, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Shining Example")[(if:not($skills contains "Shining Example"))[(link:"Reflective Companion")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Reflective Companion. Your charisma rises by one point.")(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Reflective Companion"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 charisma] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Mirror of Princes")[(if:not($skills contains "Scruto and Speculum"))[(link:"Scruto and Speculum")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+1)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$levmes to "You choose Scruto and Speculum. You grow more skilled in detecting traps and clandestine devices. You also gain one extra maximum HP, and Smoke and Mirrors becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Scruto and Speculum"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 max HP, special effect, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Scruto and Speculum")[(if:not($skills contains "Smoke and Mirrors"))[(link:"Smoke and Mirrors")[(set:$agility to $agility+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Smoke and Mirrors. Your agility rises by one point, and you grow more skilled in camouflage and misdirection. Cat's Eyes becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Smoke and Mirrors"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 agility, special effect, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Smoke and Mirrors")[(if:not($skills contains "Cat's Eyes"))[(link:"Cat's Eyes")[(set:$perception to $perception+1)(set:$levmes to "You choose Cat's Eyes. Your perception rises by one point, and Otherie Quickhex becomes available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Cat's Eyes"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 perception, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Cat's Eyes")[(if:not($skills contains "Otherie Quickhex"))[(link:"Otherie Quickhex")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+1)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$levmes to "You master Otherie Quickhex. When cast in battle, it will briefly buff your perception. Your max HP have also risen by one extra point. Druid Bundle and Doppelganger Quickhex become available at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Otherie Quickhex"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 max HP, special effect, unlocks options] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Otherie Quickhex")[(if:not($skills contains "Doppelganger Quickhex"))[(link:"Doppelganger Quickhex")[(set:$levmes to "You master Doppelganger Quickhex.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills.push("Doppelganger Quickhex"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Otherie Quickhex")[(if:not($skills contains "Herbalism"))[(link:"Druid Bundle")[(set:$levmes to "You master both Herbalism and Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills.push("Herbalism"))(set:$skills.push("Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effects] ]]{ }(if:not($skills contains "Ravelling 101"))[(link:"Ravelling 101")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+1)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$levmes to "You choose Ravelling 101. You increase your maximum Hit Points by one more point. You unlock Deeper Reflection at the next level.")(set:$skills.push("Ravelling 101"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 max HP, unlocks option] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Ravelling 101")[(if:not($skills contains "Deeper Reflection"))[(link:"Deeper Reflection")[(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills.push("Deeper Reflection"))(set:$levmes to "You choose Deeper Reflection. You unlock Enlightenment and Undo Wounds Quickhex at the next level.")(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> unlocks options] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Deeper Reflection")[(if:not($skills contains "Enlightenment"))[(link:"Enlightenment")[(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$skills.push("Enlightenment"))(set:$levmes to "You choose Enlightenment. Your arcana rises by one point, and you unlock Darkly at the next level.")(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 arcana, unlocks option] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Enlightenment")[(if:not($skills contains "Darkly"))[(link:"Darkly")[(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$skills to it+(a:"Darkly")+(a:"Water Hexchanics"))(set:$levmes to "You choose Darkly. Your arcana rises by one point. At the next level you will be able to artifice three new types of hexchanism.")(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[+1 arcana, unlocks hexchanisms] ]]{ }(if:$skills contains "Deeper Reflection")[(if:not($skills contains "Undo Wounds Quickhex"))[(link:"Undo Wounds Quickhex")[(set:$levmes to "You have mastered Undo Wounds Quickhex. By recording your cleaving flesh, and immediately replaying it in reverse into the same timespace volume, you are able to countervail your wounds.")(set:$skills.push("Undo Wounds Quickhex"))(set:$HP to $maxHP)(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]{ }(if:$description is "radge")[(if:$skills contains "Steely Thews")[(if:not($skills contains "Rage"))[(link:"Rage")[(set:$levmes to "You choose Rage. When you use it you'll deal punishing damage to your foes, but you may neglect your own defence.")(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$skills.push("Rage"))(goto:"Species Level")] (link:"[?]")[> special effect] ]]] Or artifice new hexchanisms: (display:"Manufacture Hexchanisms")

{(set:$temp to 0) (set:$temp4 to 50) (set:$mustfight to false) (set:$otherie to false) (set:$undowounds to 1) (if:$skills contains "Make Like a Tree")[(set: $temp to $temp+$perception)] (if:$skills contains "Smoke and Mirrors")[(set: $temp to $temp+1+$perception)] (if:$skills contains "Warring Withdrawal")[(set: $temp to $temp+1+$perception)] (if:$doppelgangermana>0)[(set: $temp to $temp+$doppelgangermana)Your doppelganger stays behind to fight! (set:$doppelgangermana to -200)] (if:$norikomana is 0)(set:$norikomana to 2) (if:$maisiemana is 0)(set:$maisiemana to 1) }(if:(random:1,20)+$perception+$relagility+$relspeed+$speed+$temp-$level<25)[You suffer a parting shot!(set:$readout to "You are struck as you try to flee!")(set:$HP to $HP-(random:3,$enemydamage)) ]{ (if:($HP<1))[(goto:"Lose Fight")] (if:$skills contains "Warring Withdrawal")[(if:$enemyHP<$level+1)[(set:$readout to "Your enemy pursues. Thanks to your Warring Withdrawal skill, you cut them down!")(goto:"Win Fight")]]}You slip away, with $HP HP intact. It was a terrible idea to begin with.{ (if:$skills contains "Bughunter" and $bughex<2)[ While you are alone, you catch a Jiggle Bug. (set:$bughex to $bughex+1)] } (set:$CV to $CV-(random:5,15))(if:$HP<5)["$charactername! Thank Goddess! Party hug. Come on Maisie, we are having a party hug. That means everybody."](else:)[(either:"After the battle, you leap out and surprise Maisie and Noriko. Which is probably more dangerous than actually staying in the battle, but hey.","Maisie and Noriko find you after the battle. You try to work out what even happened, when you got separated, where you thought they thought you were supposed to meet, and all like that stuff?")] (Link:"Next")[(Goto:$destination)]

{(set: $temp to 3) (set: $temp2 to $AP) (set:$doppelgangermana to -200) (set:$mustfight to false) (set:$otherie to false) (set:$undowounds to 1) (if:$charisma<4)[(if:not($skills contains "Beast Cant"))[(set:$CV to $CV-(random:5,10))] (if:not($skills contains "Mirror of Princes"))[(set:$CV to $CV-(random:5,10))]] (if:$skills contains "Mirror of Princes")[(set:$temp to 5+($charisma*2))] (if:$charisma>5)[(set:$temp to (round:($AP/2))) (if:$norikomana is 0)(set:$norikomana to 2)] (set:$AP to (2*(random:1,$temp)))}As the battle rages around you, you come to an arrangement. Politics is the continuation of war, intermixed with other means. Who is to say. Maybe the real monster was them all along. You have $AP auragentum coins remaining. (if:$skills contains "Bughunter" and $bughex<3)[ While you wait for the fighting to finish, you catch a Jiggle Bug. (set:$bughex to $bughex+1)] (Link:"Next")[(Goto:$destination)]{ (if:$AP>$temp2)[(set:$AP to -25)]}

$charactername, you have the one-time option of switching to Ecocritic class. Your Strength and maximum HP will drop slightly, but you'll keep your existing skills and gain low level Ecocritic skills automatically. (Link:"Go green")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP-8)(set:$strength to $strength-1)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$arcana to $arcana+2)(set:$skills.push("Mannaphid Mutualism"))(set:$skills.push("Reynard's Blessing"))(set:$class to "Ecocritic") (set:$description to "a scary druid"))(goto:"Level Cash")] (Link:"No thanks")[(goto:"Level Cash")]

Pick a hexchanic with your left hand: (if:$bughex>0)[(link:"Jiggle Bug")[(set:$bughex to $bughex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "bug")(set:$hexdamage to 2)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $bughex ]{ }(if:$lighthex>0)[(link:"Sidereal Ampulla")[(set:$lighthex to $lighthex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "light")(set:$hexdamage to 3)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $lighthex ]{ }(if:$firehex>0)[(link:"Flamula")[(set:$firehex to $firehex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "fire")(set:$hexdamage to 4)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $firehex ]{ }(if:$greenhex>0)[(link:"Clockwork Bark")[(set:$greenhex to $greenhex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "green")(set:$hexdamage to 5)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $greenhex ]{ }(if:$waxhex>0)[(link:"Clockwork Waxwork")[(set:$waxhex to $waxhex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "wax")(set:$hexdamage to 6)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $waxhex ]{ }(if:$earthhex>0)[(link:"Terremotive Thurible")[(set:$earthhex to $earthhex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "earth")(set:$hexdamage to 7)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $earthhex ]{ }(if:$windhex>0)[(link:"Nepheliad Pyx")[(set:$windhex to $windhex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "wind")(set:$hexdamage to 7)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $windhex ]{ }(if:$waterhex>0)[(link:"Kalpis")[(set:$waterhex to $waterhex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "water")(set:$hexdamage to 7)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $waterhex ]{ }(if:$timehex>0)[(link:"Temporalatoma")[(set:$timehex to $timehex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "time")(set:$hexdamage to 8)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $timehex ]{ }(if:$trickhex>0)[(link:"Stock Hypercube")[(set:$trickhex to $trickhex-1)(set:$hexm1 to "trick")(set:$hexdamage to 8)(Goto:"Second Hexchanic")] - $trickhex ]{ } Or [[strike with your $weapon|Strike]].

{(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+$arcana) }Pick a hexchanic with your right hand: (if:$bughex>0)[(link:"Jiggle Bug")[(set:$bughex to $bughex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "bug")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+2)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $bughex ]{ }(if:$lighthex>0)[(link:"Sidereal Ampulla")[(set:$lighthex to $lighthex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "light")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+3)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $lighthex ]{ }(if:$firehex>0)[(link:"Flamula")[(set:$firehex to $firehex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "fire")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+4)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $firehex ]{ }(if:$greenhex>0)[(link:"Clockwork Bark")[(set:$greenhex to $greenhex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "green")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+5)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $greenhex ]{ }(if:$waxhex>0)[(link:"Clockwork Waxwork")[(set:$waxhex to $waxhex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "wax")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+6)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $waxhex ]{ }(if:$earthhex>0)[(link:"Terremotive Thurible")[(set:$earthhex to $earthhex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "earth")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+7)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $earthhex ]{ }(if:$windhex>0)[(link:"Nepheliad Pyx")[(set:$windhex to $windhex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "wind")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+7)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $windhex ]{ }(if:$waterhex>0)[(link:"Kalpis")[(set:$waterhex to $waterhex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "water")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+7)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $waterhex ]{ }(if:$timehex>0)[(link:"Temporalatoma")[(set:$timehex to $timehex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "time")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+8)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $timehex ]{ }(if:$trickhex>0)[(link:"Stock Hypercube")[(set:$trickhex to $trickhex-1)(set:$hexm2 to "trick")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+8)(Goto:"Wizard Name")] - $trickhex ]{ }

{(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(if:$relagility<$agility)[(set:$relagility to ($relagility+1))]] (set:$hexname to "war-wonder") (if:$hexm1 is $hexm2)[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+$level)] (set:$hexcontents to (array:$hexm1,$hexm2)) (if:$enemyvulnerabilities contains "light" and $hexcontents contains "fire")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+1)] (if:$enemyvulnerabilities contains "fire" and $hexcontents contains "wax")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+1)] (if:$hexcontents contains "bug")[(if:$skills contains "Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+2)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "wax")[(if:$hexcontents contains "light")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+1)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "fire")[(if:$hexcontents contains "light")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+1)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "wax")[(if:$hexcontents contains "earth")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+1)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "earth")[(if:$hexcontents contains "green")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+1)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "water")[(if:$hexcontents contains "green")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+2)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "wax")[(if:$hexcontents contains "fire")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+2)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "time")[(if:$hexcontents contains "light")[(set:$hexdamage to 0)(set:$hexname to "Bess of Nalediplek's Moonbow Bridge")(set:$hexdescription to "You conjure a path to a new point.")]] (if:$hexcontents contains "time")[(if:$hexcontents contains "wax")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage/1.5)(set:$hexname to "Iida of Tres Tabernae's Flowy Familiars")(set:$hexdescription to "A flock of smooth tallow turtles trail to and fro and topsy-turvy around you! Your foe is entranced and entangled!")(set:$relspeed to $relspeed+2)(set:$relagility to $relagility+3)(set:$whosetrun to $whoseturn+5)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "light")[(if:$hexcontents contains "trick")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage/1.5)(set:$hexname to "Iida of Tres Tabernae's Brilliancing Bats")(set:$hexdescription to "A flock of migraines and explosions chitter and sparkle into your foe! They get dazzled!")(set:$relagility to $relagility+4)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "green")[(if:$hexcontents contains "wax")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage/1.5)(set:$hexname to "Ilxaryl of Izinjagroen's Ministering Moggies")(set:$hexdescription to "The thin air kittles a flock of moss-green felines, who favor you with their healing purrs and arabesques, and fall scratchy-scratchy on your foe!")(set:$HP to ($HP+$level+$arcana+2))]] (if:$hexcontents contains "wind")[(if:$hexcontents contains "trick")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage/1.5)(set:$hexname to "Helen the Red's Cirque de la Lune")(set:$hexdescription to "A populace of spiritual acrobats, funambulists, aerosaltants, impersonators, fools, swashbucklers, trampolinists, trapeze artists, mimes, troupers, tumblers and thesps all unfold ex nihilo about your foe! You feel their grace enter your bones!")(set:$relspeed to $relspeed+1)(set:$relagility to $relagility+$arcana)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "earth")[(if:$hexcontents contains "trick")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage/2.25)(set:$hexname to "Doctor Point Zero's Syringe of Soil")(if:$enemyvulnerabilities contains "no particular")[(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"time"))](if:$enemyresistances contains "earth")[(set:$hexdescription to "A horrific piston of pouring black mud pounds your foe relentlessly! Their resistances alter!")(set:$enemyresistances to $enemyresistances-(a:"earth"))](else:)[(set:$hexdescription to "An obscene piston of seething mud pummels your foe! Their vulnerabilities alter!")(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to $enemyvulnerabilities+(a:"earth"))]]] (if:$hexcontents contains "green")[(if:$hexcontents contains "time")[(set:$hexdamage to 0)(set:$hexname to "Ntombi of Hissing Higgle's Exquisite Physic")(set:$hexdescription to "The hexpital nurses and surgeons surge through you, repairing every last hit point!")(set:$HP to $maxHP+5)]] (if:$hexcontents contains "green")[(if:$hexcontents contains "trick")[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage/1.5)(set:$hexname to "Iida of Tres Tabernae's Recyclable War-Wonder")(set: $hexdescription to "A peculiar object of gooey reticulation and thorny dark red flowers slams into your foe! The impact sends two Jiggle Bugs flying the other way!")(set:$bughex to ($bughex+2))]] (if:$hexcontents contains "wax")[(if:$hexcontents contains "trick")[(if:$enemyHP<(17+$arcana))[(set:$hexname to "Factima the Normal's Deniable Polymorph")(set: $hexdescription to "A molten cage of transmutative agency envelops your foe! They begin to morph and shrink!")(set:$enemyname to (either:"a dire cockroach","a dire hamster","a dire hedgehog","a land bat","a hamster-centaur","a dumpling bear","a gavel spider","a purple bookworm"))(set:$enemyHP to (random:1,8))(set:$enemydamage to (round:($enemydamage/2)))(set:$hexdamage to 0)]]] (if:$hexcontents contains "wind")[(if:$hexcontents contains "time")[(set:$hexname to "Helen the Red's Snooping Sylphs")(set: $hexdescription to "Prating fairies torment your foe with tickling and flaying! As they slip back into their element, these sylphs leave your soul levened with new insight.")]] (if:$hexcontents contains "trick")[(if:$hexcontents contains "time")[(set:$hexname to "Pareto the Boundedly Insane's Bolt of Vampiric Acquaintance")(set: $hexdescription to "A turtle of foaming vampiric trade-off slams into your foe! You gain"+($hexdamage-5)+"HP!")(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage-5)(set:$HP to $HP+$hexdamage)(set:$whoseturn to -15)]] (if:$enemyresistances contains $hexm1)[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage/1.6)] (if:$enemyvulnerabilities contains $hexm1)[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage*1.8)] (if:$enemyresistances contains $hexm2)[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage/1.6)] (if:$enemyvulnerabilities contains $hexm2)[(set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage*1.8)] (set:$hexdamage to (round:$hexdamage)) (set:$enemyHP to $enemyHP-$hexdamage) (if:$hexname is "war-wonder")[(goto:"War-Wonder Hex")] (if:not ($hexname is "war-wonder"))[(goto:"Extra-Special Hex")]}

{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$enemyHP<1)[(set:$readout to "You slay your foe!")(goto:"Win Fight")] }(if:$hexcontents contains "bug")[(if:not($skills contains "Beetle Use Beetle Use Beetle Use"))[(set:$temp to (random:0,$level))]]{ }(if:$temp is 1)[You are entangled and suffocated in webbing! You take 3 damage! (set:$HP to $HP-3)(set:$relagility to $relagility-2)]{ }(if:$temp is 2)[You hock up a glob of chitin. You take 1 damage. (set:$HP to $HP-1)]{ }(if:$temp is 3)[You are weeping orange, tar-like tears. You can barely see. (set:$relagility to $relagility-2)]{ }(if:$temp is 4)[Stalagmites of solid web hinder your motion. (set:$relspeed to $relspeed-2)]{ }(if:$temp>4)[(goto:"Bout")] (if:$temp is 0)[(goto:"Bout")] [[Next|Bout]]

(if:$arcana+$level<5)[(set:$temp2 to (either:"Hermes Trismegistus", "Zomaris the Yellow", "Wu Yang", "Apollonius of Tyana", "Giger", "Iida of Tres Tabernae", "Ímar Ua Donnubáin", "Chino of the Oni", "Faye Winter", "Aifaeh of Swartkasteel", "Bess of Nalediplek", "Seishirō Sakurazuka", "Jim Darkmagic", "Myfanwy of Brug Isongo", "Tallulah of Edinburgh", "Wu Di", "Epigrith the Gentle", "Machi the Lost", "Chiba Taniko", "La Voisin", "Ilxaryl of Izinjagroen", "Ando of Scholomance", "Otto", "Alice Tarbuck", "Lila Matsumoto", "Ed Luker", "Ed Hvrt", "The Infant Mage", "Wu Peng", "Xu Fu", "Circe", "Nekoyashiki", "Sue Perkins", "Sandy Toksvig", "The Muses Unionized", "Mina Panther", "Tenser", "Gary Gygax", "Ashiya Doman", "Fujikawa-Raised-by-Rains", "Hectate", "Shizuka Watanabe", "Anemone Keeling"))] (if:$arcana+$level>4)[(set:$temp2 to (either:"Lucinda Bloodworth", "Kure of Aeminium", "John Dee", "St. Cyprian", "Sabrina Tenebris", "Etpianne of Lemuria", "Wu Xian", "Aliss the Unmercenary", "Abyssinana of Easton", "Jābir ibn Hayyān", "Isis Breedlove", "Suto the Gardener", "Kameron Hurley", "Tasha", "Mallory Ortberg", "Ugexone of Dragontarn", "Jane of Nottingham", "Yu the Great", "Gillian Anderson", "Smiling Mary", "Harada of Scholomance", "Roger Bacon", "Helen the Red", "Wu Xie", "Takai of Akkerlake", "Wu Ji", "Ugnakealis of Nthathorn", "Grace of the Two Souls", "Abe no Seimei", "Black Constable", "Zhang Jiao", "Denise Grimm", "Ntombi of Hissing Higgle", "Glinajes the Mauve", "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle", "Angelic Morelli", "Siri", "Helena Bonham Carter", "Binwin's Wizardtwin", "The Witch of Endor", "Ichikawa the Grey", "Benevenuto Cellini", "Minaka Hirakata", "David Blaine", "Hakehione of Meropis", "Alana Shadesoul", "Maud Duke", "Bella of Brug Ijembula", "Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel", "Ling Fen", "Edroxashan of Hyperborea", "Wu Xian", "Semiramis"))] (goto:"Hex Effect")

You and your ballin ways. You now owe money everywhere. No more shopping for you, yeah. (link:"Next")[(goto:$temp)]

Wow, you totally win the test fragment! Thanks for playing! Let me know of glitches & drop me a line (@jolwalton / [email protected]) if you'd like any updates on this thing (which I can't promise, but yup). ^_^ [[Again!|Hello]]

(set:$enemyHP to (random:10,13)+(5*$danger)) (set:$enemyabilities to (a:"")) (set:$enemydamage to (random:3,6)+$danger) (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$enemyCV to 0) (set:$whoseturn to $speed+5) (set:$relspeed to $speed-1) (if:$level>3)[(set:$relagility to $agility-(random:1,3))](else:)[(set:$relagility to $agility-(random:-1,1))] (if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -2)] (set:$enemyname to "an inspector claws") (set:$enemyresistances to (array:(either:"bug","light","fire","green","wax","earth","wind","water","steam"))) (set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (array:(either:"bug","light","fire","green","wax","earth","wind","water","time","trick"))) (if:$enemyresistances contains (1st of $enemyvulnerabilities))[(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"no particular"))(set:$enemyCV to it+5)] (set: $temparray to (array:"a tottery-rambo", "a clabbernapper", "a vampure", "a boggle", "a bloody-bones", "a brownie", "a shellycoat", "a carecrow", "a frosted horning", "a scrag", "a breakneck", "a fantasm", "an akabeko", "a grabguest", "a sillybilly", "a pixie", "a portune", "a hibagon", "a bogie", "a will-o’-the-wails", "a changyuraptor", "a mock-beggar", "a korred", "a swarth", "a tod-lowries", "a sprite", "a kukkle", "a rawhead", "an ogre", "a satyr", "a beasts-with-no-backs", "a headless snake", "a wolf", "a caterwaul", "a tritonne", "a kobold", "a naga", "an oni", "a cringing-trancer", "a colt-pixie", "a waith", "a Tom-tumbler", "a brag", "a velociraptor", "an achillobator", "a chindesaurus", "a concavenator", "a dire parakeet", "a condorraptor", "a bibby", "a juggalynx", "a death-hearse", "a mormo", "a grant", "a fiend", "a gallybeggar", "a mahound", "a herrerasaurus", "a bronixie", "a fented gaf", "a gargoyle", "a total mess", "a shambling mound","a killer-caddie", "a bundog", "a chintz-on-an-unknown-kid", "a realboy", "a slush pile", "an aristocat", "an aristokrill", "a woolie", "a wiley", "a workie", "a dwarven", "a Gabriel-hound", "a nine-headed bird", "a dire partridge", "a geffainfolk", "a Dick-a-Tuesday", "an owlwolf", "a mastiff", "a panther", "a gulping plimpy", "a mawkin", "a cowie", "a komainu", "a carnotaurus", "a pad-foot", "a puck", "a normmare", "a leprecoin", "an ouph", "a gname", "a chimera", "a darkmantle", "a flumph", "a dryad", "a hobbit", "a ghoul", "a zombie", "a purgatory pup", "a blink hog", "a homunculus", "a jemble", "a pua", "a hook horror", "a veins-veils-and-nails", "a no-body niece", "a hydra", "a niceman", "an ogre", "a dire hen", "an umber hulk", "a strangling saint", "a trust monster", "a blood hawk", "a bullywug", "a normborn", "a wound dwarf", "a nestmech", "a flail snail", "a gibberling", "a githzerai", "a revenant", "a gabbleduck", "a glabbershlarlshill", "a ludic lizard", "a sugarface", "a demilich", "a snailborn", "a machine-raised-by-wolves", "a reaper-portrayed-by-butter", "a poet", "a fractalalices", "an allo-centaurus", "a chattering chessman", "a yutyrannus", "a haloed hellfreak", "an umgubular slashkilter", "a skulk", "a giant centipede", "a dire glis-glis", "a gasosaurus", "a swarm of graciliraptors", "a gorgosaurus", "a carnotaurus", "an allosaurus", "a giganotosaurus", "a dire beast-with-no-backs", "a dire headless snake", "a dire wolf", "a dire caterwaul", "a dire tritonne", "a naga", "a dire oni", "a shuddering-trancer", "a dire colt-pixie", "a dire waith","a dire gorgosaurus", "a dire carnotaurus","a giant strangling saint","a vorpal chesszword","a titan ghoul", "a mountainous gargoyle", "an ogre", "an ogre")) (set:$temp3 to $danger) (if:$temp3>10)[(set:$temp3 to 10)] (set:$temp to ((random:-11,40)+($temp3*12))) (set:$enemyname to $temparray[$temp]) (set:$temparray to (array:"empty")) (if:$enemyname is "an ogre")[(set:$enemyname to "a $enemyresistances ogre")(set:$relagility to $relagility-(random:1,5))(set:$enemyCV to it+10)] (if:$enemyname is "a earth ogre")[(set:$enemyname to "a mud ogre")(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"heal"))] (set:$temp to (random:1,50)) (set:$temp2 to 0) (if:$temp is 1)[(set:$enemyname to "a ghoul")(set:$temp2 to 3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"trick"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))(set:$relspeed to $speed)] (if:$temp is 2)[(set:$enemyname to "an akurojin-no-hi")(set:$temp2 to 3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"trick","fire"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light","water"))] (if:$temp is 3)[(set:$enemyname to "a bake-kujira")(set:$temp2 to 3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"trick","fire"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"water","earth","light"))] (if:$temp is 4)[(set:$enemyname to "chōchinobake")(set:$temp2 to -2)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"light"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"water"))] (if:$temp is 5)[(set:$enemyname to "a hyōsube")(set:$temp2 to -1)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water"))] (if:$temp is 6)[(set:$enemyname to "an enenra")(set:$temp2 to -1)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"water","wind")(set:$enemyresisitances to (a:"wax","light","fire")))(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"protection"))(set:$enemyCV to it+10)] (if:$temp is 7)[(set:$enemyname to "a vines-is-her-veins")(set:$temp2 to 1)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water","green"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"fire","wax","earth"))(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"heal"))] (if:$temp is 8)[(set:$enemyname to "a thestral")(set:$temp2 to 8)(set:$relagility to $agility-4)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"trick","time","wind"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))(set:$enemyCV to it+15)] (if:$temp is 9)[(set:$enemyname to "a hurricarnotaurus")(set:$temp2 to 6)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"wind"))(set:$relspeed to $speed-2)] (if:$temp is 10)[(set:$enemyname to "a blast-ended skrewt")(set:$temp2 to -3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"light","wax","fire"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"water","bug"))] (if:$temp is 11)[(set:$enemyname to "a heliopath")(set:$temp2 to -4)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"fire","earth"))] (if:$temp is 12)[(set:$enemyname to "a hemilich")(set:$temp2 to 7)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water","earth","trick"))(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"protection","darkhexes"))(set:$enemyCV to it+20)] (if:$temp is 13)[(set:$enemyname to "a skeletal fellow")(set:$enemyHP to 16)(set:$temp2 to 0)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"wind","trick"))(set: $danger to 2)] (if:$temp is 14)[(set:$enemyname to "a dire bat")(set:$enemyHP to 12)(set:$temp2 to 0)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"trick","bug"))(set:$relspeed to $speed-2)(set: $danger to 2)] (if:$temp is 15)[(set:$enemyname to "a dire frog")(set:$enemyHP to 20)(set:$temp2 to 0)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"time"))(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water"))(set:$relagility to $relagility-3)(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"heal"))] (set:$enemyHP to $enemyHP+$temp2) (set:$enemyCV to it+($danger*4)+$enemydamage+$enemyHP+(random:1,5)) (set:$enemyAP to (random:2,30+$enemydamage)) (goto:"Bout")

(set:$enemyHP to (random:5,10)+(3*$danger)) (set:$enemyCV to 0) (set:$enemydamage to (random:6,7)+$danger) (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$whoseturn to $speed+5) (set:$relspeed to $speed-(random:1,3)) (if:$level>3)[(set:$relagility to $agility-(random:1,3))](else:)[(set:$relagility to $agility-(random:-1,1))] (if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -2)] (if:$CV>200)[(set:$danger to $danger+1)] (set:$enemyabilities to (a:"")) (set:$enemyresistances to (array:(either:"bug","light","fire","green","wax","earth","wind","water","steam"))) (set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (array:(either:"bug","light","fire","green","wax","earth","wind","water","time","trick"))) (if:$enemyresistances contains (1st of $enemyvulnerabilities))[(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"no particular"))(set:$enemyCV to 10)] (if:$danger>4 and (random:1,4) is 1)[(set:$enemyabilities to (a:(either:"darkhexes","heal","protection")))(set:$enemyCV to it+15)] (set: $temparray to (array:"a Dick-a-Tuesday", "a poxie", "a nuisance nibbler", "a nibbler-gibbler", "a mawkin", "a cowie", "a komainu", "a pad-foot", "a puck", "a normmare", "a leprecoin", "an ouph", "a wolf-headed hen", "a gname", "a charier-allele", "a kobold", "a kitty-witch", "a bookart", "a hob-thrust", "a hitotsume-kozō", "a spunks", "a skintern", "a sibyl", "a boneless", "a yeth-hounds", "a nicker", "a living legend", "a thrummy-cap", "a spoorn", "a boll", "a veiled cop", "a scrat", "a freit", "a lian-hanshee", "an akabeko", "a strangledfolk", "a shag-foal", "a cluricaun", "a sylvan", "a spitted jurk", "a gallytrot", "a machines-raised-by-wolves", "a gringe", "a hobgoblin", "a llamhigyn y dwr", "a bull-beggar", "a buttercore", "a doubled-urchins", "a two-puke", "a sylph", "a ninjacompoop", "a winked-too-hard", "a Jemmy-burtie", "a licky nailhands", "a thing-that-goes-beep-in-the-night","a haunted drinks trolley", "a grasping gulper", "a mumbles-in-the-willows", "a careless one", "a pictree", "a swaithe", "a hondy-hondy man", "a bonefain", "a tollman’s teeth", "a kors", "a fiend", "a fate", "a falafelfolk", "a nixie", "an ogre", "a hodge-pochers", "a slush beast", "a swiftly maggot", "a knockers", "a madcap", "a needlenose", "a whitey", "a chittiface", "a mantifly", "a chinook", "a-leg-and-a-hunger", "a tech-ent", "a partfolk", "a cravin diggit", "an ogre", "an old-shock", "a machine-raised-by-sharks", "a wolf-raised-by-machines-raised-by-wolves", "a reaper-portrayed-by-butter", "a poet", "a fractalalices", "a choking chessman", "a borrowing-knight", "a headless snake", "a wolf", "a owlwolf", "a toad-panther", "a gooey soldier", "a battle-hen", "a whipping wailer", "a mastiff", "a panther", "a skulk", "a skeletal warrior", "a giant centipede", "a giant frog", "a gargoyle", "a shambling mound", "an ankheg", "an azer", "a bounding freak", "a beholder", "a cockatrice", "a cambion", "a carrion crawler", "a chimera", "a darkmantle", "a flumph", "a dryad", "a hobbit", "a zombie", "a purgatory pup", "a blink hog", "a homunculus", "a jemble", "a pua", "a hook horror", "a hydra", "a horny hymn", "a naga", "a senior monster", "an oni", "a dire cockatrice", "a dire cambion", "a dire normmare", "a dire rider rider", "a dire ouph", "a folding lich", "a rapid orchard", "a dire flumph", "a dire hobbit", "an ogre", "an ogre", "an ogre", "an ogre")) (set:$temp3 to $danger) (if:$temp3>10)[(set:$temp3 to 10)] (set:$temp to ((random:-11,30)+($temp3*12))) (set:$enemyname to $temparray[$temp]) (set:$temparray to (array:"empty")) (if:$enemyname is "an ogre")[(set: $enemyname to "a $enemyresistances ogre")(set:$enemyabilities to $enemyabilities+(a:"ogre's bane"))] (if:$enemyname is "a earth ogre")[(set:$enemyname to "a mud ogre")] (set:$temp to (random:1,55)) (set:$temp2 to 0) (if:$temp is 1)[(set:$enemyname to "a ghoul")(set:$temp2 to 3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"trick"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))(set:$relspeed to $speed)] (if:$temp is 2)[(set:$enemyname to "a hellish helper")(set:$temp2 to 3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"trick","fire"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light","water"))(set:$relspeed to $speed-3)(set:$enemyCV to it+10)] (if:$temp is 3)[(set:$enemyname to "an elf-fire")(set:$temp2 to 3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"light","fire"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"water","earth"))(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"candlesnuffer"))(set:$relspeed to $speed-3)] (if:$temp is 4)[(set:$enemyname to "a chattering oak")(set:$temp2 to 12)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water","time"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"fire"))] (if:$temp is 5)[(set:$enemyname to "a hyōsube")(set:$temp2 to -1)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water"))] (if:$temp is 6)[(set:$enemyname to "a shadow")(set:$temp2 to -1)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light","wax"))] (if:$temp is 7)[(set:$enemyname to "a man-in-the-oak")(set:$temp2 to 1)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water","green"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"fire"))(set:$relspeed to $speed)] (if:$temp is 8)[(set:$enemyname to "a talking chestnut")(set:$temp2 to 8)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water","green"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"fire"))(set:$relspeed to $speed)] (if:$temp is 9)[(set:$enemyname to "a sylph")(set:$temp2 to 1)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"wind"))(set:$relspeed to $speed-4)(set:$enemyCV to it+10)] (if:$temp is 10)[(set:$enemyname to "a hobby-lanthorn")(set:$temp2 to 1)(set:$relagility to $agility-4)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"light","wax"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"water"))(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"candlesnuffer"))(set:$enemyCV to it+10)] (if:$temp is 11)[(set:$enemyname to "an incubus")(set:$temp2 to 5)(set:$relagility to $agility-4)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"fire","earth","wax"))(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"darkhexes"))(set:$enemyCV to it+15)] (if:$temp is 12)[(set:$enemyname to "a demilich")(set:$temp2 to 8)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"fire","earth","trick"))(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"darkhexes"))(set:$enemyCV to it+15)] (if:$temp is 13)[(set:$enemyname to "a clockwork cleric")(set:$temp2 to 4)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"wax","fire","green","bug"))(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"wind"))(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"heal","protection"))(set:$enemyCV to it+10)] (set:$enemyHP to $enemyHP+$temp2) (set:$enemyCV to it+($danger*4)+$enemydamage+$enemyHP+(random:1,5)) (set:$enemyAP to (random:2,20+$enemyHP)) (goto:"Bout")

{(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Eldritch","Mean","Nasty", "Forceful", "Weird", "Wyrd", "Mephitic", "Ornery", "Fierce","Useful","Sticky","Mordant","Acerbic","Chafing","Wondrous","Deadly","Nightmarish","Gibbering","Swarming")) (if:$hexm1 is "bug" and $hexm2 is "bug")[(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Chattering","Swarming"))] (if:$hexm1 is "light" and $hexm2 is "light")[(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Scintillating","Prismatic"))] (if:$hexm1 is "fire")[(if:$hexm2 is "fire")[(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Boiling","Steaming","Flaming", "Blazing", "Fervid", "Igneous", "Scorching", "Lavic", "Infernal"))]] (if:$hexm1 is "wax" and $hexm2 is "wax")[(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Goopy","Molten"))] (if:$hexm1 is "earth" and $hexm2 is "earth")[(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Rumbling","Stone-Faced"))] (if:$hexm1 is "wind" and $hexm2 is "wind")[(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Roaring","Screaming"))] (if:$hexm1 is "water" and $hexm2 is "water")[(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Gushing","Founting"))] (if:$hexm1 is "water" and $hexm2 is "time")[(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Astral","Neverborn"))] (if:$hexm1 is "water" and $hexm2 is "trick")[(set:$dominantadj to (either:"Vorpal","Wubbing"))] (set:$hexname to $dominantadj+(either:" Abomination"," Fiend"," Aide"," Temp"," Hellion"," Aide-de-Camp"," Cantrip"," War-Wonder", " Hex", " Nuisance"," Plague", " Familiar", " Spirit", " Work", " Summoning", " Torpedo", " Bolt")) (set:$hexfamiliar to (either:"bat","homonculus","jellyfish","manniken","winged crab","beam","ghost","little goblin","pumpkin","coxcomb","writhing nest","jack-o-lantern","little ogre","huge imp","tiny owl","scrabbling cat","swift newt","turtle","small wobbly wizzard","wtf-fest","fairy","mixture","cloud","peculiar object","flickering paw","mace","hammer","throne","disc","frisbee","star","bezoar","gargoyle","grinning face","spinning top","will-o-the-wisp","strange feline","cloak","ray","face","being","lance","sphere","spinning orb","bolus")) (if:$hexm1 is "bug")[(set:$hexadj1 to (either:"bronze", "mince", "fur", "saw teeth", "chitin", "frass", "mouths", "flesh", "shards", "twitching blades", "scissors", "edges", "tin", "shale", "web", "spiderweb", "gunk", "talons", "mouthparts", "teeth", "guts", "antennae", "legs", "hooves", "chewing mouths", "bone", "cuticle", "venom", "dark segments", "muscle", "joints", "combs", "tentacles", "cilia", "mandibles", "maxillae", "coagulant", "needles", "stylets", "tongues", "sponges", "yellow liquid", "black liquid", "bile", "fumes", "flight muscles", "bone spirals", "thorns", "veins", "bursting cocoons", "sucking holes", "gobbling teeth", "champing teeth", "pollen", "stone", "gas", "tubes", "eyes", "worms", "flayed skin", "skin", "chyme", "hatching eggs", "hooked wings", "nails", "fat", "white lumps", "bugging eyes", "googly eyes", "copper", "cobalt", "iron", "spit", "shuddering wings", "lasers", "wiggling legs", "venom", "cogs", "saw teeth", "hooked darts", "grappling hooks", "grapnels", "blades", "lancets", "scythes", "shanks", "stingers", "axes", "claws", "pincers", "cooties", "pills", "horns", "keratin","spines", "shale", "prickles", "briars", "filigree", "snarls", "webbing", "lacework", "gossamer", "mesh", "squirming limbs", "meshwork", "sticky lattices", "gooey reticulation", "ectoplasm", "plasm", "fibres", "chitin plates", "chitinous entanglement", "chitinous trellising", "frass", "lumpy frass", "irridiscent films", "sap", "protein", "gore", "lace", "ink", "powder", "crystal", "aplite", "basalt", "flint", "glowing pellets"," caecotrophs", "exploding cysts", "tails", "razors", "oil"))] (if:$hexm2 is "bug")[(set:$hexadj2 to (either:"bronze", "mince", "fur", "saw teeth", "chitin", "frass", "mouths", "flesh", "shards", "twitching blades", "scissors", "edges", "tin", "shale", "web", "spiderweb", "flanges", "gunk", "talons", "mouthparts", "teeth", "guts", "antennae", "legs", "hooves", "chewing mouths", "bone", "cuticle", "venom", "dark segments", "muscle", "joints", "combs", "tentacles", "cilia", "mandibles", "maxillae", "coagulant", "needles", "stylets", "tongues", "sponges", "yellow liquid", "black liquid", "bile", "fumes", "flight muscles", "bone spirals", "green acid", "thorns", "veins", "bursting cocoons", "sucking holes", "gobbling teeth", "champing teeth", "pollen", "stone", "gas", "tubes", "eyes", "worms", "flayed skin", "skin", "chyme", "hatching eggs", "hooked wings", "nails", "fat", "white lumps", "bugging eyes", "googly eyes", "copper", "cobalt", "iron", "spit", "shuddering wings", "lasers", "wiggling legs", "venom", "cogs", "saw teeth", "hooked darts", "grappling hooks", "grapnels", "blades", "lancets", "scythes", "shanks", "stingers", "axes", "claws", "pincers", "cooties", "pills", "horns", "keratin","spines", "shale", "prickles", "briars", "filigree", "snarls", "webbing", "lacework", "gossamer", "mesh", "squirming limbs", "meshwork", "sticky lattices", "gooey reticulation", "ectoplasm", "plasm", "fibres", "chitin plates", "chitinous entanglement", "chitinous trellising", "frass", "lumpy frass", "irridiscent films", "sap", "protein", "gore", "lace", "ink", "powder", "crystal", "aplite", "basalt", "flint", "glowing pellets"," caecotrophs", "exploding cysts", "tails", "razors", "oil"))] (if:$hexm1 is "light")[(set:$hexadj1 to (either:"fizzing steam", "sunspots", "jale light", "lustrous zaps", "frothing tinsel", "spasming gaudiness", "unicorn fur", "wild coruscations", "pulsing radiance", "flashing colors", "eye flaws", "eye-beams", "dazzling grey light", "splayed medals", "gnashing ribbons", "superheated hummus", "nociceptors", "radiant mechanisms","writhing nerves", "nova folds", "vivid refulgence", "scintillant throbs", "resplendent vapors", "brown flares", "lucent smoke", "whipping scintillations", "phlogiston", "mouches volantes", "Purkinje trees", "luminous protuberances", "branching phosphorescence", "scotoma", "Purkinje images", "condensed firmament"))] (if:$hexm2 is "light")[(set:$hexadj2 to (either:"fizzing steam", "sunspots", "ionizing radiation", "lustrous zaps", "frothing tinsel", "spasming gaudiness", "stellar wind", "wild coruscations", "pulsing radiance", "gravitational distortion", "eye flaws", "eye-beams", "magnetic fields", "splayed medals", "gnashing ribbons", "superheated hummus", "spicules","nociceptors", "writhing nerves", "nova folds", "vivid refulgence", "scintillant throbs", "radioactive waste", "ultraviolent rays", "lucent smoke", "coronal mass ejections", "phlogiston", "mouches volantes", "Purkinje trees", "luminous protuberances", "branching phosphorescence","scotoma","Purkinje images","condensed firmament"))] (if:$hexm1 is "water")[(set:$hexadj1 to (either:"braiding brooks", "boiling water", "swamp muck", "groundwater", "hoarfrost", "cloudburst", "vapor", "well buckets", "ice pellets", "crystalline shurikens", "sea water", "foam", "seaweed", "bladderwrack", "waterspouts", "steam plumes", "snowmelt", "sleet", "slush", "vibrating frost", "gushing black water", "sea monster scales", "high pressure spray", "monsoon winds", "tides", "Neptune's beard", "deadly undertows", "phosphorous motes", "plankton", "sucking tentacles", "springwater", "waterfalls", "soaking vortices", "whitewater rapids"))] (if:$hexm2 is "water")[(set:$hexadj2 to (either:"braiding brooks", "boiling water", "swamp muck", "groundwater", "hoarfrost", "cloudburst", "vapor", "well buckets", "ice pellets", "crystalline shurikens", "sea water", "foam", "seaweed", "bladderwrack", "corsair bones", "bubbles", "starfishes", "waterspouts", "steam plumes", "snowmelt", "sleet", "slush", "vibrating frost", "gushing black water", "high pressure spray", "monsoon winds", "tides", "deadly undertows", "phosphorous motes", "plankton", "sucking tentacles", "springwater", "waterfalls", "soaking vortices", "whitewater rapids"))] (if:$hexm1 is "fire")[(set:$hexadj1 to (either:"licking flames","hot coals", "founting lava","boiling rock","thick indigo smoke","scarlet steam","star flesh","strobing ashes","cooling lava","melted cheddar","green fire","crystalline cinders","charred hair","pouring sparks","embrous orreries","hearth scrapings","scorching ribbons","chimneysmoke","coal dust","conflagrating boughs","burning rain","magma hail","dancing blood clots"))] (if:$hexm2 is "fire")[(set:$hexadj2 to (either:"licking flames","hot coals", "founting lava", "boiling rock","thick indigo smoke","scarlet steam","star flesh","strobing ashes","cooling lava","jale fire","burning roaches","spurts of ash","charred hair","pouring sparks","embrous orreries","hearth scrapings","chimneysmoke","black fire","coal dust","conflagrating boughs","burning rain","magma hail","dancing blood clots"))] (if:$hexm1 is "wax")[(set:$hexadj1 to (either:"searing goop", "braiding cables", "acrid black bleach", "fizzing gunk", "bursting tallow", "boiling goo", "broth", "pouring sludge", "fluent blubber", "lumpy slime", "flowing lard", "lavic drippings", "vaseline", "simmering cream", "moths", "molten ghee", "molasses", "writhing slime", "gris-gris", "scalding ambergris", "fishy ooze", "translucent gore", "boiling cellulite", "smoking flab", "bubbling suet", "knuckled candles", "pulsing lotions", "blue smoke", "scrambled egg", "jelly", "scalding paste", "boiling chrism", "simmering cream"))] (if:$hexm2 is "wax")[(set:$hexadj2 to (either:"searing goop", "melting disjecta membra", "molten slag", "fizzing gunk", "bursting tallow", "boiling goo", "broth", "pouring sludge", "fluent blubber", "thermic flesh", "flowing lard", "lavic drippings", "vaseline", "simmering cream", "blue acid", "boiling ointment", "molten ghee", "runny sugars", "angular smoke", "gris-gris", "scalding ambergris", "yellow smoke", "sublimating fat", "boiling cellulite", "smoking flab", "bubbling suet", "bubbling unguent", "pulsing lotions", "blue smoke", "emulsion", "jelly", "scalding paste", "boiling chrism", "simmering cream"))] (if:$hexm1 is "wind")[(set:$hexadj1 to (either:"gas","red smoke","storm clouds","air pressure","lightning","flickers","leaves","valves","branches","beaks","feathers","mistrals","zephyrs","puffs","gauze","spangles","mother-of-pearl","billows","cirriform","stratocumuliform","stratiform","altocumulus floccus","altocumulus lenticularis duplicatus","altocumulus castellanus","altocumulus stratiformis translucidus undulatus","rainbows","cumulonimbus","hail","thunder","castellanus","crenels","boulders","intortus","doll bones","undulatus","boiling bulges","fallstreak holes","oblique shocks","shock waves","cymbals","fan blades","displaced sky","bulbs","meteor metal","climate chaos","condensation funnels","hot towers","rope cloud","scud cloud","shelf cloud","folded space","Jovian cirriform","Martian fog","fog","frostbite","waves","vortices","kites","talons","methane","bromine","arsine","cyanogen","cyclonic torque","wind socks","monsoon bursts","cloudburst","wind shear","jet stream","telekinetic force","buffetting crystal","seeds","topsoil","frozen flippers","screeches","vibrations","pulses","shear stress","transverse waves","steel","howls","ululations","peals","thundercracks","sonic energy","glows"))] (if:$hexm2 is "wind")[(set:$hexadj2 to (either:"gas","purple smoke","storm clouds","air pressure","lightning","flickers","leaves","valves","branches","beaks","feathers","mistrals","zephyrs","puffs","gauze","spangles","mother-of-pearl","billows","cirriform","stratocumuliform","stratiform","altocumulus floccus","altocumulus lenticularis duplicatus","altocumulus castellanus","altocumulus stratiformis translucidus undulatus","rainbows","cumulonimbus","hail","thunder","castellanus","crenels","boulders","intortus clouds","doll bones","undulatus clouds","boiling bulges","fallstreak holes","oblique shocks","shock waves","cymbals","fan blades","displaced sky","bulbs","meteor metal","climate chaos","condensation funnels","hot towers","rope cloud","scud cloud","shelf cloud","folded space","Jovian cirriform","Martian fog","fog","frostbite","waves","vortices","kites","talons","methane","bromine","arsine","cyanogen","cyclonic torque","wind socks","monsoon bursts","cloudburst","wind shear","jet stream","telekinetic force","buffetting crystal","seeds","topsoil","frozen flippers","screeches","vibrations","pulses","shear stress","transverse waves","steel","howls","ululations","peals","thundercracks","sonic energy","glows"))] (if:$hexm1 is "green")[(set:$hexadj1 to (either:"ham", "cheese", "potatoes", "scalding soup", "pak choy", "sea beet", "sorrel", "sour cabbage", "chard", "pummelling turnips", "yarrow", "yao choy", "vanilla", "winter melons", "cucumbers", "avocados", "pouring black-eyed peas", "seething fava beans", "vibrating guar", "rearing okra", "compressed courgette flowers", "garlic bulbs", "bamboo shoots", "carrots", "camas", "burdock", "beetroot", "yams", "tigernuts", "bone-smashing radishes", "sharpened parsnips", "hijiki", "mozuku", "ogonori", "nori", "jombu", "dabberlocks", "bladderwrack", "cockatrice eggs", "dumplings", "grass", "thorns", "steaming tempura", "twisting vines", "pears", "pulverizing peaches", "pummelling plums", "hot salsa", "snapping muscling vines", "hot ginger", "vinegar", "thorny roses", "briars", "brambles", "cactus spines", "buzzing bees", "roaring sap", "shuttering wings", "berberis thickets", "flower-studded paradoxa shrubs", "hawthorn hedge", "thick underbrush", "gorse", "sea buckthorn", "holly", "sloes", "alder buckthorn", "thorny dark red flowers", "small thorny bonsais", "brake", "boscage", "monstrous topiary", "serrano peppers", "gushing shrubbery", "chungyang peppers", "wax peppers", "pasilla peppers", "peppadew", "carolina reapers", "naga viper peppers", "infinity chillis", "naga chillis", "bird's eye chillis", "Scotch bonnet peppers", "fatalii", "calyxes", "pulpy rosettes"))] (if:$hexm2 is "green")[(set:$hexadj2 to (either:"ham", "cheese", "potatoes", "scalding soup", "pak choy", "sea beet", "sorrel", "sour cabbage", "chard", "pummelling turnips", "yarrow", "yao choy", "vanilla", "winter melons", "cucumbers", "avocados", "pouring black-eyed peas", "seething fava beans", "vibrating guar", "rearing okra", "compressed courgette flowers", "garlic bulbs", "bamboo shoots", "carrots", "camas", "burdock", "beetroot", "yams", "tigernuts", "bone-smashing radishes", "sharpened parsnips", "hijiki", "mozuku", "ogonori", "nori", "jombu", "dabberlocks", "bladderwrack", "cockatrice eggs", "dumplings", "grass", "thorns", "steaming tempura", "twisting vines", "pears", "pulverizing peaches", "pummelling plums", "hot salsa", "snapping muscling vines", "hot ginger", "vinegar", "thorny roses", "briars", "brambles", "cactus spines", "buzzing bees", "roaring sap", "shuttering wings", "berberis thickets", "flower-studded paradoxa shrubs", "hawthorn hedge", "thick underbrush", "gorse", "sea buckthorn", "holly", "sloes", "alder buckthorn", "thorny dark red flowers", "small thorny bonsais", "brake", "boscage", "monstrous topiary", "serrano peppers", "gushing shrubbery", "chungyang peppers", "wax peppers", "pasilla peppers", "peppadew", "carolina reapers", "naga viper peppers", "infinity chillis", "naga chillis", "bird's eye chillis", "Scotch bonnet peppers", "fatalii", "calyxes", "pulpy rosettes"))] (if:$hexm1 is "earth")[(set:$hexadj1 to (either:"bone","quicksand","shell","feldspar","latite","chalk","coal","marl","mudstone","lignite","limestone","dolomite","quartz","schist","glass","beryl","venemous gems","vertebrae","ribs","eggshell","expanding geodes","melanite","hot clay","maw-sit-sit","amethyst","moss opal","morganite","fragmenting moonstone","onyx","burning blood","vibrating opal","bloodstone","blood clots","pearl","calcite","rhodonite shrapnel","beryl shrapnel","topaz gravel","smashed statuary","garnet rubble","serpentine saws","jade knives","jade hooks","grass","obsidian bludgeons","stone wheels","spines","jinfengopteryx bones","jagged flux","banji fossils","trilobytes","packed exoskeleton","mirror-shatter","femurs","skulls","cement","concrete","ephemera","speleothems","shark tooth stalagtites","ice stalactites","nomingia fossils","splash stalactites","pool spar","soda straws","icicles","avalanches","sucking sinkholes","pouring earth","armour","seething sand","iron confetti","cannonballs","buckshot","mud","sludge","slime","gunk","husks","barosaurus fossils","moving rock","lapis lazuli","judiceratops bones","smelting metals","lead","zinc","nickel","silver","quicksilver","slag","muck","feculence","dust bunnies","resin","amber","shells","petrified wood","silica","teeth"))] (if:$hexm2 is "earth")[(set:$hexadj2 to (either:"bone","quicksand","shell","feldspar","latite","chalk","coal","marl","mudstone","lignite","limestone","dolomite","quartz","schist","glass","beryl","dartlike jewels","vertebrae","ribs","eggshell","expanding geodes","melanite","maw-sit-sit","amethyst","moss opal","morganite","fragmenting moonstone","onyx","vibrating opal","bloodstone","blood","pearl","calcite","rhodonite shrapnel","beryl shrapnel","topaz gravel","smashed statuary","garnet rubble","serpentine saws","jade knives","jade hooks","grass","obsidian bludgeons","stone wheels","spines","jinfengopteryx bones","jagged flux","banji fossils","trilobytes","packed exoskeleton","mirror-shatter","femurs","skulls","cement","Jiggy Bugs","concrete","ephemera","speleothems","shark tooth stalagtites","ice stalactites","nomingia fossils","splash stalactites","pool spar","soda straws","icicles","avalanches","sucking sinkholes","pouring earth","armour","seething sand","iron confetti","cannonballs","buckshot","mud","sludge","slime","gunk","husks","barosaurus fossils","moving rock","lapis lazuli","judiceratops bones","smelting metals","lead","zinc","nickel","silver","quicksilver","slag","muck","feculence","dust bunnies","resin","amber","shells","petrified wood","silica","teeth"))] (if:$hexm1 is "trick")[(set:$hexadj1 to (either:"armored footsteps", "ripening snow", "gnashing mathematics", "sharpened coins", "wtaf", "wtf", "bursting shot", "opening blisters", "razor-edged cogs", "flaming clockwork", "rat thrones", "iron bones", "compressed cud", "venemous snouts", "slicing moustaches", "golden hooks", "molten affect", "helicing mist", "swilling pud", "pounding wings", "tiny rockets", "thorny wreaths", "smoldering paste", "male tears", "ally cookies", "lying healing", "roiling desiderata", "jagged jesters", "moon holes", "wastrel howls", "incisors, pulp", "sparks, dung", "burping gold", "faery shadow", "clicking spurs", "kitchen ladles", "assorted hooves and talons", "airy loaves", "white crisps", "abstract torque", "bursting motes", "Escher wire", "trompe-l'oeils", "infinity edges", "necker cubes", "gravity hills", "flashed faces", "mirages", "image burn-in", "brain gray", "eigengrau", "rod cells", "whipping canes"))] (if:$hexm2 is "trick")[(set:$hexadj2 to (either:"armored footsteps", "ripening snow", "gnashing mathematics", "sharpened coins", "wtaf", "wtf", "bursting shot", "opening blisters", "razor-edged cogs", "flaming clockwork", "rat thrones", "iron bones", "compressed cud", "venemous snouts", "slicing moustaches", "golden hooks", "molten affect", "helicing mist", "swilling pud", "pounding wings", "tiny rockets", "thorny wreaths", "smoldering paste", "garotte-like heartstrings", "superheated puke", "ultra-dense saliva", "tolling bells", "plunging daggers", "snapping pantyliners", "incandescent neon", "flexing tuna", "wriggling nerves", "swollen dendrites", "sun gas", "boiling neufchatel", "sticky tartan", "jumbled chickenwire", "puppet fingers", "male tears", "ally cookies", "lying healing", "roiling desiderata", "jagged jesters", "moon holes", "wastrel howls", "incisors and pulp", "sparks and dung", "burping gold", "faery light", "clicking spurs", "kitchen ladles", "assorted hooves and talons", "airy loaves", "white crisps", "abstract torque", "bursting motes", "Escher wire", "spanking spacetime", "trompe-l'oeils", "infinity edges", "necker cubes", "gravity hills", "flashed faces", "mirages", "image burn-in", "brain gray", "eigengrau", "rod cells", "whipping canes"))] (if:$hexadj1 is $hexadj2)[(set:$hexadj2 to "threads of your own soul") (set:$hexdamage to $hexdamage+$hexdamage+$arcana+10)(set:$CV to (random:1,$CV))] (if:$hexcontents contains "bug")[(set:$hexname to ("Minor " +$hexname))] (set:$hexverb to (either:"flies at","smashes into","seizes","slides into","pummels","leaps at","crashes into","hurtles into","sails into","darts into","collides with","courses into")) (set:$hexdescription to "A $hexfamiliar of $hexadj1 and $hexadj2 $hexverb your foe, inflicting $hexdamage damage!") }Your hexchanisms merge into $temp2's $hexname! $hexdescription [[Next|Hex Aftermath]]

Your hexchanisms merge into $hexname! $hexdescription (if: $hexdamage>0)[Your foe sustains $hexdamage damage! ]{ }(if:$hexname is "Helen the Red's Snooping Sylphs")[(if:$enemyHP>0)[You think they have about $enemyHP HP left, and can do about $enemydamage damage per attack. (if:not ($enemyresistances contains "time"))[(if:not ($enemyresistances contains "trick"))[They seem resistant to (print: $enemyresistances.join(" and ")) hexes. ]] (if:not ($enemyvulnerabilities contains "time"))[(if:not ($enemyvulnerabilities contains "trick"))[They seem vulnerable to (print: $enemyvulnerabilities.join(" and ")) hexes.]]]]{ }(if:$hexname is "Ilxaryl of Izinjagroen's Ministering Moggies")[ You regain (print:$arcana+$level+3) HP.] (if:$hexname is "Bess of Nalediplek's Moonbow Bridge")[You may wander over (link:"behind your foe")[(set:$whoseturn to 15)(set:$relagility to $relagility+1)(set:$relspeed to $relspeed+1)(set:$damagedebt to $maxdamage+$strength)(goto:"Bout")] or perhaps (link:"away from here")[(goto:"Practice")] altogether.]{ }(if:not ($hexname is "Bess of Nalediplek's Moonbow Bridge"))[[[Next|Hex Aftermath]]]

{(if:$charactername is "Scrooge McDuck")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$AP to $AP+4000)(set:$CV to $CV+3000)] }You seated outside a little taverna with your [[two companions]]. [[The sea]] spreads before you placid and irridiscent. The evening air is still warm, but softly stirring. Your seafood is mouthwatering and plentiful. The sunset over the bay really knows its stuff. Yet the mood is solemn. [[Noriko speaks]]. Or [[skip|some kind of mine]] this bit.

"Word from the north, Bhern Kuldir has fallen. If there are survivors, they will be with us in weeks. And the Shadow Host fast behind." "That is really unfortunate," says Maisie. "Hey, do you guys see a [[ship]]?" Noriko expertly forks a morsel of [[displacer squid]]. "So I'm assuming you have a better Bhern Kuldir story?" [[Maisie sighs]].{ (set:$temp to 0)}

Noriko always orders the displacer squid tempura. It currently appears to be hovering twelve inches over your plate. Noriko is, you could say, unfazed. "It's like you think I specifically gather word of the Shadow Host encroachment specifically to [[hurt your feelings|Maisie sighs]]," they say. [[On the strand below]], the brownish-jale bands of seawrack burp and twinkle in the twilight.

"Look who it is," you murmur, mostly to distract those two. [[The Famous Four|Rival Rundown]] don't fuss over who's sitting where. They glide harmoniously into their seats, like they're simply slaying a sulphur harpie, or effortlessly subdividing its treasure in the most logical and efficient manner. [[Are they looking over at you?]]

On the luminous horizon, the hazy masses of the Land of Giants. And on the sea, a shape. Definitely a ship, its white sails stiff with wind. "Something strange," muses Maisie. "Look how high she sits." (if:$perception>1)["And the rigging," you add, half to yourself. ]Noriko grins wildly. "Surely not an actual ship? I mean, [[Shadow Hosts|Maisie sighs]], who hasn't been razed by a Shadow Host? But a ship? On the sea?"

"We need to respect each other's boundaries," says Maisie. "I can't be the place you come to to process everything going on between you and the Shadow Host." "Wow," says Noriko. "Now the Shadow Host is a 'me' thing? A vast army of abominations, not living, not dead, not undead, sweeping across the Kingdom and changing the nature of reality as they come ..." Just then, [[the Famous Four]] take the table next to you.

Your two companions. Noriko of Seven Nevermercies. They are a normborn Mirrorraveller. Their hair is fiery, their skin a deep indigo. They are never without their scythe and sickles and bow and arrow. Maisie of Emnya Esarai. She is an elfborn Ecocritic. Her hair is silver, her skin a mural of living tattoos. She is never without her wands and innumerable hexchanisms. In sorcery and soldiering, you're no match for either of them. But what these two really excel at is Making Bad Choices. Which is why (although nobody ever says this) it is you, $charactername, who leads this little party. [[Noriko speaks]].

Fell Mills is famous for its seafood. But this is also a fairly eldritch stretch of coastline, and tourists who are after local delicacies often find themselves feeling a little queasy, or end up staying up all night sprouting fins and mother-of-pearl, or transposed among the coralline soul-infrastructure of Ifs Tirion, the deity of the seabed here. "[[Hey Maisie|Maisie sighs]]," says Noriko. "Tell us how you really feel."

The Famous Four are your arch-rivals. To them, you're probably just their arch-Three Weirdos Sitting At The Next Table. Anja of Swartkasteel is a normborn woman, a hardened campaigner from the north who wields a seemingly neverending supply of frightening contraptions powered by sorcery and gunpowder. To be honest, you have a bit of a crush on her. Shogher of Seppitunis Wipe is another normborn woman, a mage of some repute, (if:$arcana>3)[trained in the Bone Pine Reaches school of hexing](else:)[who, typically, uses some weird kind of hexing you've never heard of anyone else ever using]. She handles healing and war-wonders, with loads of unnecessary drama. Then you've got Pickle Giantegg, the Famous Four's heavy lifter. Pickle's a bona fide nestmech King of Light. You want something bashed till it's not anything, Pickle's the best in the bashy-bashy business. Last but not least is the master of trickery and illusions, the wound dwarf Prisana of Brug Isongo. Prisano is a Mirrorraveller. Your very own Noriko was once the best Mirrorraveller in Fell Mills. Not any more, Noriko. Tonight the Famous Four have a [[guest|joining them]].

It's Ranjita, [[your landlady]]. Ranjita is a Gnomefolk woman with crocus-purple skin and almond-pale afro. Ranjita has lost both her legs, but floats around on an offcut of magic carpet. She gives you a friendly wave, but it's [[the Famous Four she's here to see]].

Is that a ship you spy? (if:$perception>2)[Or something else. It does not move where the wind wants it.] [[Noriko speaks]].

Noriko blows a raspberry at them. (if:$perception>1)[But you notice Maisie gives them a nervous grin, then occupies herself intently with a cockle. Hmm, what's up with Maisie?] "I bet they somehow get served before us," says Noriko. "Temporal displacement squid tempura." "They do kick our asses," you agree. Someone is [[joining them]].

Ranjita runs the guesthouse where you, Noriko and Maisie have lived over the summer. You get on well with her, and she's very understanding about the rent. Too understanding, maybe: Noriko and Maisie probably owe her about 200 auragentum between them. Ranjita obviously doesn't think much of you as swords-for-hire, however, because it's [[the Famous Four she's here to see]].

Long story short. You eavesdrop a little on Ranjita's briefing. It seems Ranjita has acquired the title for [[some kind|some kind of mine]] of mine, somewhere east of Lejweleputswabos. Ranjita has bought the mine cheaply because (a) it's rather near the Shadow Host encroachment and (b) it's totally disused and probably overrun with weird things. She would like the Famous Four to check it out for her, which they promise to do, once they have the availability. "Middle of next week, at the latest," says Prisana of Brug Isongo, waving a [flayed hand]<flayed| soothingly. (click:?flayed)[Prisana is a wound dwarf, they're all like that.] "Juggling a lot of clients," adds Anja of Swartkasteel levelly. "We'll get up there as soon as we can." You decide to [[beat them to it|Fell Mills]].

{(if:$maisiemana<6)[(if:$AP>19)[(set:$maisiemana to 6)]] (if:$maisiemana<6)[(if:$HP+5>$maxHP)[(set:$maisiemana to 6)]] (if:$norikomana<5)[(set:$norikomana to 5)] (set:$temp to 0) (set:$destination to "Fell Mills") (set:$danger to 1) (if:$HP<$maxHP)(if:$AP<20)[(if:$maisiemana>2)[(set:$temp to ($maxHP-$HP))(set:$maisiemana to 3)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP<11)[(if:$AP<20)[(if:$maisiemana>-1)[(set:$temp to 10)(set:$maisiemana to 1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP (if:$level is 1)[(link:"[?]")[- if your Hit Points fall to zero, that's game over pal]] Auragentum: $AP (if:$level is 1)[(link:"[?]")[- the Queendom's main currency]] CV Points: $CV (if:$level is 1)[(link:"[?]")[- earned by fighting bad guys and achieving goals]] [[Selfie]] (if:$level is 1)[(link:"[?]")[- displays your ability scores in more detail]] You're at Fell Mills. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.] You can (if:not("make enquiries" is in (history:)))[[[make enquiries]] about Ranjita's mine, ] (if:$eventtrack1>0)[[[leave|Outskirts of Fell Mills]]](else:)[[[leave Fell Mills now|first time leaving]]], or potter round town. [[Kabir's magic shop]] [[Harini's armory]] The Worshipful Company of Cut-Throats and Mercenaries (link:"[?]")[- not yet part of the game] (if:$HP<$maxHP)[(if:$AP>19)[(link:"Physic spa")[(set:$AP to $AP-20)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(set:$quickhex to $quickhex+30)(goto:"Fell Mills")]: 20 auragentum](else:)[Healthcare is a right :/] (if:$level is 1)[(link:"[?]")[- will restore your Hit Points to maximum]] ]{ }(if:$CV>84+($level*50))[[[Level up|Level Up]]](else:)[Level up: requires (Print:((85+$level*50))-$CV) more CV points] (if:$level is 1)[(link:"[?]")[- levelling up will increase your abilities and may give you new skills]] (link:"Save Game")[(savegame:"A","Fell Mills")] (if:$level is 1)[(link:"[?]")[- at the moment, you can only have one save game at a time]] (link:"Restart")[(if:(confirm:"Restart?") is true)[(goto:"Start")](else:)[(goto:$destination)]] (if:"Stax is back" is in (history:))[This is as far as the smuggling quest has been written. Well done! Stay tuned for updates.]

You are $charactername, a level $level $species $class. <table><tr><td width=60% valign="top">Agility: $agility Speed: $speed Perception: $perception Charisma: $charisma Strength: $strength Arcana: $arcana Hit Points: $HP / (print: $maxHP) Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV </td> <td valign="top">(if:$bughex>0)[Jiggle Bugs: $bughex ]{ }(if:$lighthex>0)[Sidereal Ampullae: $lighthex ]{ }(if:$firehex>0)[Flamulae: $firehex ]{ }(if:$greenhex>0)[Clockwork Barks: $greenhex ]{ }(if:$waxhex>0)[Clockwork Waxworks: $waxhex ]{ }(if:$earthhex>0)[Terremotive Thuribles: $earthhex ]{ }(if:$windhex>0)[Nepheliad Pyxides: $windhex ]{ }(if:$waterhex>0)[Kalpises: $waterhex ]{ }(if:$timehex>0)[Temporalatomata: $timehex ]{ }(if:$trickhex>0)[Stock Hypercubes: $trickhex ]</td></tr></table> Skills: (print: $skills.join(", ")) Equipment: $weapon (1-$maxdamage), (print: $equipment.join(", ")) (link-goto: "Back", (history:)'s last) Temporary debugging info eventtrack1 1: $eventtrack1 Temporary debugging info eventtrack2 2: $eventtrack2

{(if:$AP<0)[(if:(0-$AP)>(100+($charisma*80)))[(set:$temp to "Fell Mills")(goto:"Credit Maxed")]]}Auragentum: (print: $AP)(if:$AP<300)[ - you may buy on credit(if:$charisma>2)[, but watch out for the interest]] Kabir deals in [[light, fire and water sorcery]]. At the moment, they're stocking the following hexchanisms. [`[?]`]<hexchanisms| (link:"Sidereal Ampulla")[(set:$AP to $AP-50)(set:$lighthex to $lighthex+1)(goto:"Kabir's magic shop")] ($lighthex): 50 (link:"Flamula")[(set:$AP to $AP-70)(set:$firehex to $firehex+1)(goto:"Kabir's magic shop")] ($firehex): 70 (link:"Kalpis")[(set:$AP to $AP-100)(set:$waterhex to $waterhex+1)(goto:"Kabir's magic shop")] ($waterhex): 100 (if:not "about finding an astrolabia" is in (history:))[(if:"Ugduf on deep sea exploration" is in (history:))[You could ask Kabir about [[finding an astrolabia]].]] (if:not("deep sea exploration" is in (history:)))[(if:not("deep sea exploration" is in (history:)))[(if:"smuggler glimpse" is in (history:))[You could ask Kabir about [[deep sea exploration]]. ]]]When you're ready, [[head out into Fell Mills|Fell Mills]]. (click-replace: ?hexchanisms)[Hexchanisms are mysterious objects - if 'objects' is even the right word! When two hexchanisms are brought together in the right way, they merge to unlock some eldritch effect. Hexchanisms are the subject of much rumor and speculation. On your travels, you may gather information about their properties through trial and error, by visiting libraries, and by speaking to sorcerers.]

{(set:$temp2 to 0) (if:$AP<0)[(if:(0-$AP)>(100+($charisma*70)))[(set:$temp to "Fell Mills")(goto:"Credit Maxed")]]}Auragentum: (print: $AP)(if:$AP<500)[ - you may buy on credit(if:$charisma>2)[, but watch out for the interest]] (if:$maxdamage<8)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Sabre:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(150-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "sabre")(set:$maxdamage to 8)(goto:"Harini's armory")] (print:150-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<9)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Honyaki:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(200-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "honyaki")(set:$maxdamage to 9)(goto:"Harini's armory")] (print:200-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<9)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Tantō:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(200-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "tantō")(set:$maxdamage to 9)(goto:"Harini's armory")] (print:200-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<10 and $strength>2)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Chigiriki:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(250-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "chigiriki")(set:$maxdamage to 10)(goto:"Harini's armory")] (print:250-$charisma+($maxdamage*4)) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<10 and $agility>2)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Cat Claws:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(250-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "cat claws")(set:$maxdamage to 10)(goto:"Harini's armory")] (print:250-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<11 and $strength>2)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Tentactles Trident:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(290-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "tentacles trident")(set:$maxdamage to 11)(goto:"Harini's armory")] (print:290-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$level>2)[(if:$agility>2)[(if:$maxdamage<16)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Antlers:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(550-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "antlers")(set:$maxdamage to 16)(goto:"Harini's armory")] (print:550-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))] ]]{ }(if:$temp2 is 0)[You browse Harini's stock - sabre, honyaki, tantō, etc. - but you're pretty happy with the $weapon you've got now.]{ }(if:$temp2 is 1)[ All Harini's prices include a (print:($maxdamage*4)) auragentum discount for part-exchange of your old $weapon.] [[Fell Mills]]

{(set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to 1)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You're at the outskirts of Fell Mills. Fields, fruit trees and a few scattered structures. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](elseif:(random:1,3)>1)[(display:"peaceful_3")] (link:"Head into Fell Mills")[(set:$destination to "Fell Mills")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")] (link:"NE along the coast")[(set:$destination to "NE along the coast")(set:$distance to 3)(set:$danger to $level+2)(goto:"Random Encounter")] (link:"SW along the coast")[(set:$destination to "SW along the coast")(set:$distance to 4)(set:$danger to $level+1)(goto:"Random Encounter")] (link:"The road into the interior")[(set:$destination to "The road into the interior")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")]

(if:$charisma+$arcana>4)[The Sidereal Ampulla is a starlight-based hexchanism, the Flamula is a fire-based hexchanism, and the Kalpis is a water-based hexchanism. They are, as magic goes, a bit high street. ](if:$eventtrack2 is 1)[(set:$eventtrack2 to 2)You notice that Kabir's solitary Compossible Frippary, the one that cost 600 auragentum coins, is [[no longer on display]].](else:)[In the past, Kabir has occasionally stocked more mysteries of a more exalted and forbidden kind, like the Compossible Frippary, the Dying Thesaurus, the Time That Never Will Tell, or the Astrologer's Gloryhole. But what with the Shadow Host and everything, supplies just aren't getting through. You can [[browse anyway]] or focus on the [[hexchanisms display|Kabir's magic shop]].]

{(if:$HP<1)[(goto:"Lose Fight")] (set:$temp to 99) (set:$distance to $distance-1) (if:$quickhex<100)[(set:$quickhex to $quickhex+2+$arcana)] (if:$AP<0)[(set:$AP to $AP+($AP/15))] (set:$AP to (round:$AP)) (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)] (if:$distance<1)[(set:$temp to 1)(set:$temp4 to 99)(goto:$destination)] }(if:(random:1,12) is 1)[(set:$temp to (random:5,12))(set:$distance to $distance-1)(if:$temp4 is 50)[Another one darts toward you!](else:)[You get jumped by (either:"about half a dozen","about a dozen","five or six","six or seven","seven or eight","eight or nine","ten or so") bad guys! One slips past Maisie and Noriko!] (link:"Next")[(goto:"Choose Basic Tank")]]{ }(if:$temp is 99)[(if:$temp4 is 50)[Another one approaches!](else:)[(if:(random:1,12) is 1)[(set:$temp to (random:5,12))(set:$distance to $distance-1)You get jumped by (either:"about half a dozen","about a dozen","five or six","six or seven","seven or eight","eight or nine","ten or so") bad guys! One slips past Maisie and Noriko!] (link:"Next")[(goto:"Choose Basic DPS")]]] (if:$temp is 99)[(if:$distance>0)[(goto:"Random Encounter")]]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You're in the countryside, not far from Fell Mills. Golden clockwork sheaves thrust up around you, gradually munched at by clockwork tractor automata. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.] (if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["No more for you, $charactername. Not till I get a chance to artifice some new hexchanisms."]] (link:"Head toward Fell Mills")[(set:$destination to "Outskirts of Fell Mills")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] (link:"Away from Fell Mills")[(set:$destination to "Ruins Outside Fell Mills")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]

{(if:not((history:) contains "news of smugglers"))[(if:(history:) contains "burps")[(goto:"news of smugglers")]])(if:not($equipment contains "chai elixir"))[(if:$skills contains "Herbalism" and $eventtrack1<10 and (random:1,5) is 5)[(goto:"Gather Flowers")]](set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+2) (set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You're on a scrubby hill, among some moss-covered ruins. A few white damascene trees grow in a sunlit cleft, sheltered from the sea winds. In the (link:"valley to the south")[(set:$destination to "The road into the interior")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")], you can see the town of Fell Mills, and beyond it the cobalt sea. A dirt road (link:"leads north")[(set:$destination to "Reewick Woods South")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] toward a dark treeline. { }(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ]{ }(if:$temp>0 and $maisiemana<2)["You've had your share for a while, okay $charactername? For real, I now I recognize your insides better than your outsides. I think of them as you."] { }(if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_1") (set:$temp to 1)]]{ }(if:$temp is 0)[ (display:"One-Off Events")]

{(set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+(random:2,4))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,10))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You're just outside Reewick Woods, near a pool of brackish water. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["But that's it, $charactername. Now I'm turning the healing tap off."]] (if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,4) is 1)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]] (link:"Follow the track south toward Fell Mills")[(set:$destination to "Ruins Outside Fell Mills")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] (link:"Follow the track north into Reewick Woods")[(set:$destination to "Reewick Woods")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+(random:2,4))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You've entered Reewick Woods. The hamlet of Reewick is nearby somewhere. You're tempted to (link:"leave the path in search of it")[(set:$destination to "Reewick")(set:$distance to 8-$perception)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. (if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["You are offish on a healing hex diet, $charactername. Just till I get a chance to replenish our clockwork bark."]](else:)[(if:$eventtrack1 is 2)[(if:(random:1,10)+$perception>6)[ You startle a squirrelk in the act of burying what it perhaps supposed a nut. Actually it's a rather rare temporolatoma hexchanism. You pocket it for the winter.(set:$eventtrack1 to 3)(set:$timehex to $timehex+1)]]] Clogged with shadows, path curls (link:"north toward Klipweiding and Bhern Kuldir")[(set:$destination to "Reewick Woods North")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")] or (link:"south toward the coast")[(set:$destination to "Reewick Woods South")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")].

{(if:$level>13)[(goto:"You win")] (if:$maisiemana<7)[(if:$AP>19)[(set:$maisiemana to 7)]] (if:$maisiemana<7)[(if:$HP+5>$maxHP)[(set:$maisiemana to 7)]] (if:$norikomana<5)[(set:$norikomana to 5)] (set:$destination to "Reewick") (set:$danger to $level+1) (set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<$maxHP)(if:$AP<20)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to ($maxHP-$HP))(set:$maisiemana to 2)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP<11)[(if:$AP<20)[(if:$maisiemana>-1)[(set:$temp to 10)(set:$maisiemana to 0)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie|Selfie]] You're at Reewick, a rather secretive little hamlet in the woods. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ] You can (link:"return to the forest")[(if:not("Reewick Quest" is in (history:)))[(goto:"Reewick Quest")](else:)[(goto:"Reewick Woods")]], or see what the hamlet has to offer. [[Ugduf's magic shop]] [[Pethey's armory]] (if:$charactername is "January")[(link:"Add CV points cheat")[(set:$CV to it+150)(goto:"Reewick")] ]The Worshipful Company of Talking Humans (if:$HP<$maxHP)[(if:$AP>19)[(link:"Physic spa")[(set:$AP to $AP-20)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(goto:"Reewick")]: 20 auragentum](else:)[Healthcare is a right :/] ]{ }(if:$CV>84+($level*50))[[[Level up|Level Up]]](else:)[Level up: requires (Print:((85+$level*50))-$CV) more CV points] (link:"Save Game")[(savegame:"A","Reewick")]

{(if:$AP<0)[(if:(0-$AP)>(100+($charisma*80)))[(set:$temp to "Reewick")(goto:"Credit Maxed")]]}Auragentum: (print: $AP)(if:$AP<300)[ - you may buy on credit(if:$charisma>2)[, but watch out for the interest]] Ugduf specializes in (if:not((history:) contains "light, forest and river sorcery"))[(link-goto:"light, forest and river sorcery", "light, forest and river sorcery")](else:)[light, forest and river sorcery]. (link:"Sidereal Ampulla")[(set:$AP to $AP-40)(set:$lighthex to $lighthex+1)(goto:"Ugduf's magic shop")] ($lighthex): 40 (link:"Clockwork Bark")[(set:$AP to $AP-70)(set:$greenhex to $greenhex+1)(goto:"Ugduf's magic shop")] ($greenhex): 70 (link:"Kalpis")[(set:$AP to $AP-70)(set:$waterhex to $waterhex+1)(goto:"Ugduf's magic shop")] ($waterhex): 70 (if:$level>7)[(if:$charisma>2)[(link:"Temporalatoma")[(set:$AP to $AP-100)(set:$timehex to $timehex+1)(goto:"Ugduf's magic shop")] ($timehex): 100 ]]{ }(if:$level>5)[(if:$charisma>3)[(link:"Stock Hypercube")[(set:$AP to $AP-100)(set:$trickhex to $trickhex+1)(goto:"Ugduf's magic shop")] ($trickhex): 100 ]]{ } When you're done browsing, go [[back across the rope bridge|Reewick]](if:(history:) contains "light, forest and river sorcery")[ or chat to Ugduf [[about infernal portals|Discuss teleportation]](if:(history:) contains "smuggler glimpse")[(if:not((history:) contains "Ugduf on deep sea exploration"))[, or [[about deep sea exploration|Ugduf on deep sea exploration]]]]].

{(set:$temp2 to 0) (if:$AP<0)[(if:(0-$AP)>(100+($charisma*80)))[(set:$temp to "Reewick")(goto:"Credit Maxed")]]}Auragentum: (print: $AP)(if:$AP<300)[ - you may buy on credit(if:$charisma>2)[, but watch out for the interest]] (if:$maxdamage<8)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Khopesh:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(120-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "khopesh")(set:$maxdamage to 8)(goto:"Pethey's armory")] (print:120-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<10)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Chigiriki:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(180-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "chigiriki")(set:$maxdamage to 10)(goto:"Pethey's armory")] (print:180-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$level>4 and $strength>2)[(if:$maxdamage<10)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Tree-Roots Trident:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(250-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "tree-roots trident")(set:$maxdamage to 10)(goto:"Pethey's armory")] (print:250-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<11)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Panabas:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(290-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "panabas")(set:$maxdamage to 11)(goto:"Pethey's armory")] (print:290-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$agility>2)[(if:$maxdamage<16)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Antlers:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(550-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "antlers")(set:$maxdamage to 16)(goto:"Pethey's armory")] (print:550-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))] ]]{ }(if:$temp2 is 0)[You browse Pethey's stock, but you're pretty happy with the $weapon you've got now.]{ }(if:$temp2 is 1)[ All Pethey's prices include a (print:($maxdamage*4)) auragentum discount for part-exchange of your old $weapon.] [[Reewick]]

Auragentum: (print: $AP)(if:$AP<300)[ - you may buy on credit(if:$charisma>2)[, but watch out for the interest]] The shtick with Ugduf is always the same. Commercial portal magic is forbidden by Guild law. You even mention teleportation, she'll have to ask you to leave. There's the rope bridge. Where does it lead? Just back to [[Reewick]], of course. (link:"Fell Mills")[(set:$AP to $AP-100)(goto:"Kabir's magic shop")]: 100 auragentum (link:"Klipweiding")[(set:$AP to $AP-120)(goto:"Ashton's magic shop")]: 120 auragentum (link:"Near Rooiwaterval")[(set:$AP to $AP-50)(goto:"Between Desolate Farms and Rooiwaterval")]: 50 auragentum

{(if:not("smuggler glimpse" is in (history:)))[(if:"news of smugglers" is in (history:))[(goto:"smuggler glimpse")]] (set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to 5+$level)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] (if:$eventtrack2 is 2)[You make your way along the cliff-top path. Toward dusk you turn inland and [[make camp]] near a small stand of fig trees.](else:)[You're near a stand of flouncy fig trees, their topmost branches still studded with uneaten nusp and purple fruits. Pretty dangerous round here. Might want to head back. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ] (if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["No more yummy healing for you, $charactername. Not till I've artificed some more hexchanisms."]] (link:"Head back toward Fell Mills")[(set:$destination to "Outskirts of Fell Mills")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to 1+$level)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:not("SW coast camp" is in (history:)))[(goto:"SW coast camp")] (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] In the distance, at the edge of fetid marshlands, a caravan is forming. Pretty perilous along this stretch of coast. Not sure you can handle it yet. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["You're totally rinsing my clockwork bark, $charactername. You know you're not supposed to let the claws and swords and stuff go inside you, right?"]] (link:"Head back toward Fell Mills")[(set:$destination to "Outskirts of Fell Mills")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] (link:"Head toward the marshlands")[(set:$destination to "Path to Wetlands")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")]

{(if:not($equipment contains "chai elixir"))[(if:$skills contains "Herbalism" and $eventtrack1<10 and (random:1,5) is 5)[(goto:"Gather Flowers")]] (set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You are at the northern edge of Reewick Woods. You can (link:"enter the woods")[(set:$destination to "Reewick Woods")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] or take the road (link:"north toward Klipweiding and Bhern Kuldir")[(set:$destination to "Fork for Klipweiding")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. Or you can strike out in the (link:"general direction of Klipweiding")[(set:$destination to "Near Somerbos")(set:$distance to 8-$perception)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]](if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+1)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] {(if:$eventtrack1 is 3)[(goto:"Perception Parasite")] }A stand of red pears and greengages. The road divides here. The northern way coils through more orchards and meadows (link:"toward Rooiwaterval and Bhern Kuldir")[(set:$destination to "Desolate Farms")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. In the west the road rises steeply into desolate hills (link:"in the direction of Klipweiding")[(set:$destination to "Quite Near Somerbos")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. The southern way dwindles into a narrow track that eventually wriggles (link:"into Reewick Woods")[(set:$destination to "Reewick Woods North")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.] (if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]] (if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_1")]]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+1)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] The farmlands are an intricate reticulum of [[vegetable patches]], grown into crystalline interdependence over centuries. In the (link:"south")[(set:$destination to "Fork for Klipweiding")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] there are scattered fruit trees, and a wild forest darkens the horizon. The next village to the (link:"north")[(set:$destination to "Desolate Farms North")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is Rooiwaterval.(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]] (if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]]

{(if:$eventtrack2>4)[(if:not((history:) contains "Stag 1"))[(goto:"Stag 1")]] (set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You on a high ridge, covered with heather and sedge. A narrow road leads (link:"northwest toward Klipweiding")[(set:$destination to "Near Somerbos")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")], or (link:"east toward Bhern Kuldir and Reewick Woods")[(set:$destination to "Fork for Klipweiding")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. Reewick Woods is visible, a jagged dark mass in the southeast. You could instead (link:"cut directly across the hills")[(set:$destination to "Reewick Woods North")(set:$distance to (7-$perception))(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]]

{(set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You are on a high ridge, beside a tall cairn of lichenous stones. A narrow road leads (link:"northwest toward Klipweiding")[(set:$destination to "Between Klipweiding Lake and Somerbos")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")], or (link:"east toward Bhern Kuldir and Reewick Woods")[(set:$destination to "Quite Near Somerbos")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. (if:$eventtrack1 is 1)[(if:(random:1,10)+$perception>7)[You notice that some traveller has nestled a temporalatoma hexchanism among the topmost pebbles of the cairn. You accept it as a gift.(set:$eventtrack1 to 2)(set:$timehex to $timehex+1)]] (if:not((history:) contains "ogre dungeon"))[(if:(history:) contains "investigate the scarecrow")[You could journey back to (link:"where you met the topsy-turvy ogre")[(set:$destination to "bony patches")(set:$danger to (random:1,$level))(set:$distance to 6-$perception)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. ]]{ }(if:not((history:) contains "Somerbos"))[Noriko also knows of a (link:"Wanderjahre House")[(set:$destination to "Somerbos")(set:$distance to 4-$perception)(goto:"Random Encounter")] near here](else:)[You are not far from that (link:"Wanderjahre House")[(set:$destination to "Somerbos")(set:$distance to 4-$perception)(goto:"Random Encounter")]].{ }(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]](if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]]

{(if:$level>13)[(goto:"You win")] (if:$maisiemana<6)[(if:$AP>24)[(set:$maisiemana to 6)]] (if:$maisiemana<6)[(if:$HP+5>$maxHP)[(set:$maisiemana to 6)]] (if:$norikomana<5)[(set:$norikomana to 5)] (set:$destination to "Somerbos") (set:$danger to $level+1) (set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<$maxHP)(if:$AP<25)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to ($maxHP-$HP))(set:$maisiemana to 2)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP<11)[(if:$AP<20)[(if:$maisiemana>-1)[(set:$temp to 10)(set:$maisiemana to 0)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You've made it to Somerbos, a Wanderjahre House hidden in a cleft in the hills. It's run by the Worshipful Company of Auditors and Assurors. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.] (if:not("sample the ale" is in (history:)))[(if:$AP>10)[Noriko seems pretty keen to [[sample the ale]] here. ]]When you're ready, [[head out again|Near Somerbos]]. (if:$HP<$maxHP)[(if:($AP-$charisma)>24)[(link:"Physic spa")[(set:$AP to $AP-(25-$charisma))(set:$HP to $maxHP)(goto:"Somerbos")]: (print:25-$charisma) auragentum](else:)[Healthcare is a right :/] ]{ }(if:$CV>84+($level*50))[[[Level up|Level Up]]](else:)[Level up: requires (Print:((85+$level*50))-$CV) more CV points] (link:"Save Game")[(savegame:"A","Somerbos")]

{(set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+1)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] A high moorland of tuffets and thorny shrubs. The road is well-preserved cobble, leading (link:"due west toward Klipweiding")[(set:$destination to "Approaching Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")], or (link:"east toward Bhern Kuldir and Reewick Woods")[(set:$destination to "Quite Near Somerbos")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. A ragged tracery of yakow-trampled trails would (link:"take you higher into the hills to the south")[(set:$destination to "Chilblain Hill")(set:$distance to 5-$perception)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. Noriko also knows of a (link:"Wanderjahre House")[(set:$destination to "Somerbos")(set:$distance to 6-$perception)(goto:"Random Encounter")] not too far from here.(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["Sometimes, $charactername, I think you get chopped up deliberately. My healing hexes basically make orgasms obsolete."]]

You do enjoy browsing Kabir's specimen jars, living flowers and herbs and shrubs in pots and boxes, huge candles, chalks and quills and pots of ink, beakers, vials, globes, alembics, mortars and pestles, astrolabes, sundials, armillaries, orreries, planispheres, pipes, censers, vices, filters, lenses, loops, pince-nez, crucibles, balloons, sponge balls, jumbo-sized tarot cards, wigs, fake noses, big false-bottomed sacks branded a-"bag"racadabra, trick "breakable" wands with wire threaded through them, et cetera. (if:$perception>1)[You do find a bookmark with a handy diagram, showing the best way to integrate a Sidereal Ampulla and a Stock Hypercube to cast a hex known as Iida of Tres Tabernae's Brilliancing Bats ('Dazzle your friends - and your foes!'). But there's nothing here you want to buy.](else:)[But nothing really grabs your fancy.] Back to the [[hexchanisms display|Kabir's magic shop]]?

{(if:not("Lost Weapon" is in (History:)))[(goto:"Lost Weapon")] (set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+4)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] At the foot of a hill, resembling a raw chilblain. Atop its dome a [[fountain burbles almond liquid]]. To the north, (link:"the moorland of tuffets and thorny shrubs")[(set:$destination to "Between Klipweiding Lake and Somerbos")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is cut by a cobble road. A confusion of (link:"rugged hills")[(set:$destination to "Medusa Hill")(set:$distance to 5)(goto:"Random Encounter")] to the west. Further south, lurking by a spinny of oak, (link:"a sailing ship")[(set:$destination to "Leggy Frigate")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is suspended about thirty feet above the ground.(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "Sometimes, $charactername, I think you get chopped up deliberately. Because you know my healing hexes are better than orgasms."]]{ }(if:$temp is 0)[ (display:"One-Off Events")]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+4)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] Near the crest of a hill of bloodred brackens, there rises a statue of what you reason, before its ruin, was [[a two-headed cowboy]]. His fountain setting still plays milky potion out from some underriver, whose [[earthy fragrance is worryingly tempting]]. (if:$arcana+$perception>4)[Although, you do think it probably wouldn't hurt you to wet your lips. ](else:)[(if:$skills contains "Dungeon Ranger")[Although, you do think it probably wouldn't hurt you to wet your lips.]] To the north, (link:"the moorland of tuffets and thorny shrubs")[(set:$destination to "Between Klipweiding Lake and Somerbos")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is cut by a cobble road. Further south, lurking by a spinny of oak, (link:"a sailing ship")[(set:$destination to "Leggy Frigate")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is crouching on four chains like wiggly legs. In the west you can see (link:"Medusa Hill")[(set:$destination to "Medusa Hill")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")], and further south, [[wetlands|Path to Wetlands from North]] stretch toward the coast.(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["Sometimes, $charactername, I think you get chopped up deliberately. Because you know my healing hexes are better than orgasms."]]

The lithe two-headed cowboy is crumbling and eroded. The swirls and seams of the rock he was struck from resemble the shining guts of the war-wounded. The two handlebar moustaches and one stetson are still well-preserved. [[Back|fountain burbles almond liquid]]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+4)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You bend your lips. (if:$agility<0)[(set:$agility to 0)A deftness glitches through your bones. You feel more agile.](else:)[Your bones tingle, and you feel a sudden urge to dance. But there are no lasting effects.] To the north, (link:"the moorland of tuffets and thorny shrubs")[(set:$destination to "Between Klipweiding Lake and Somerbos")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is cut by a cobble road. Further south, lurking by a spinny of oak, (link:"a sailing ship")[(set:$destination to "Leggy Frigate")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is crouching on four chains like wiggly legs. To the west is [[Medusa Hill]].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["Sometimes, $charactername, I think you get chopped up deliberately. Because you know my healing hexes are better than orgasms."]]

The frigate's sails stream in tattered ribbons. It has dropped four anchors, the chain of each enchanted with a Rope Trick hex, giving it four wiggly legs. As you draw near, it shies away behind the spinny. You might have to figure out the appropriate flag to fly, or something. [[Back|fountain burbles almond liquid]]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+3)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] Medusa Hill was not so-called because of a medusa living there, but because of its strange outcrop of coiling elms, which gives it the silhouette, especially in the winter in the long dusk, of a head full of snakes. By an interesting coincidence a medusa did also live there, and turned quite a lot of people into rocks before the muddle was cleared up. She's long gone now. Probably. You could (link:"explore the trees")[(set:$destination to "Inside Medusa Hill")(set:$distance to 5)(goto:"Random Encounter")], visit the (link:"striking red hill in the east")[(set:$destination to "Chilblain Hill")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")], venture (link:"further west")[(set:$destination to "Drystone Wall")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")] through the hills, or try to find (link:"the road to the north")[(set:$destination to "Approaching Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["Sometimes, $charactername, I think you get chopped up deliberately. Because you know my healing hexes are better than orgasms."]]

{(if:not((history:) contains "Noriko Maisie Quarrel"))[(goto:"Noriko Maisie Quarrel")] (set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+1)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] The drystone wall runs north-south. It is interlaced out of statues of every creature you've ever heard of, frozen in stances of surprise. There's (link:"Medusa Hill")[(set:$destination to "Medusa Hill")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")] to the east, (link:"a road to the north")[(set:$destination to "Approaching Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")] and (link:"a glimmer of lake-water")[(set:$destination to "Edge of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")] to the northwest. The wall eventually subsides into (link:"wetlands")[(goto:"Path to Wetlands from North")] in the south. (if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["Sometimes, $charactername, I think you get chopped up deliberately. Because you know my healing hexes are better than orgasms." ]](elseif:$skills contains "Beast Cant" and $eventtrack2 is 3)[You chat with a nice jackrabbit. You might like this. He leads you a little way along the wall, where a temporalatoma hexchanism is tucked in the gap between two petrified gallytrots. You pocket it gratefully.(set:$timehex to it+1)(set:$eventtrack2 to 4)]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] The eastern shore of the great lake of Klipweiding. The citadel of Klipweiding stands in the center of the lake. Some antique hex makes it seem as if Klipweiding has swapped places with its reflection: the citadel itself ripples vaguely, whereas the image it casts in the water is sharp and clear. You may circle the lake (link:"clockwise")[(set:$destination to "Southern Shore of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] or (link:"widdershins")[(set:$destination to "Northern Shore of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")], or follow the cobble road (link:"east into the hills")[(set:$destination to "Approaching Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["Sometimes, $charactername, I think you get chopped up deliberately. My healing hexes basically make orgasms obsolete."]]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] A cobblestone road runs along the northern shore of the great lake of Klipweiding. The citadel of Klipweiding stands in the center of the lake. Some antique hex makes it seem as if Klipweiding has swapped places with its reflection: the citadel itself ripples vaguely, whereas the image it casts in the water is sharp and clear. (if:$AP>8)[The silent ferrymen, all gussied up in their traditional scarlet robes silver owl-masks, will (link:"take you to Klipweiding")[(set:$AP to $AP-9)(goto:"Klipweiding Island")] for 9 auragentum pieces. ]You may circle the lake (link:"clockwise")[(set:$destination to "Edge of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] or (link:"widdershins")[(set:$destination to "Western Shore of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)["Sometimes, $charactername, I think you get chopped up deliberately. My healing hexes basically make orgasms obsolete."]]

{(if:not($equipment contains "chai elixir"))[(if:$skills contains "Herbalism" and $eventtrack1<10 and (random:1,5) is 5)[(goto:"Gather Flowers")]] (set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] The southern shore of the great lake of Klipweiding. The citadel of Klipweiding stands in the center of the lake. Some antique hex makes it seem as if Klipweiding has swapped places with its reflection: the citadel itself ripples vaguely, whereas the image it casts in the water is sharp and clear. You may circle the lake (link:"clockwise")[(set:$destination to "Western Shore of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] or (link:"widdershins")[(set:$destination to "Edge of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. To the southeast lie (link:"moors and marshes")[(set:$destination to "Drystone Wall")(set:$distance to 6)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't mean to healing-shame, $charactername, but can you leave some hexchanisms for the rest of us?"]]{ }(if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,4) is 1)[ (display:"peaceful_1")(set:$temp to 1)]]{ }(if:$temp is 0)[ (display:"One-Off Events")]

{(set:$distance to 0) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] The western shore of the great lake of Klipweiding. The citadel of Klipweiding stands in the center of the lake. Some antique hex makes it seem as if Klipweiding has swapped places with its reflection: the citadel itself ripples vaguely, whereas the image it casts in the water is sharp and clear. You may circle the lake (link:"clockwise")[(set:$destination to "Northern Shore of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] or (link:"widdershins")[(set:$destination to "Southern Shore of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. A network of bridges, (link:"the Titan's Kipple Crossing")[(set:$destination to "Titan's Kipple Crossing")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")], leads to the large central island. A narrow trail leads into (link:"snow-capped mountains to the west")[(set:$destination to "West of Klipweiding")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't mean to healing-shame, $charactername, but can you leave some hexchanisms for the rest of us?"]]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] An archipelago of islets, many of them tidal, is strewn across the western reaches of Klipweiding Lake. The bridges which link them are all bits and pieces from a titan's toilette: an eyeliner pen, a silver comb, a hair clip. Footing is tricky on certain bridges. You may make your way toward (link:"the western shore")[(set:$destination to "Western Shore of Klipweiding Lake")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] or toward (link:"the shimmering citadel in the east")[(set:$destination to "Klipweiding Island")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't mean to healing-shame, $charactername, but can you leave some hexchanisms for the rest of us?"]]{ }(if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_1")]]

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] The largest island on Klepweiding Lake, and home to the shimmering citadel of [[Klipweiding]] itself. A titan's hatpin, wedged since time immemorial, serves as the first bridge (link:"toward the western shore")[(set:$destination to "Titan's Kipple Crossing")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. There are also the island's own (link:"beaches")[(set:$destination to "Klipweiding Beaches")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] and (link:"orchards")[(set:$destination to "Klipweiding Orchards")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] to explore.(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't mean to healing-shame, $charactername, but can you leave some hexchanisms for the rest of us?"]]

{(set:$destination to "Klipweiding") (if:$maisiemana<7)[(if:$AP>19)[(set:$maisiemana to 7)]] (if:$maisiemana<7)[(if:$HP+5>$maxHP)[(set:$maisiemana to 7)]] (if:$norikomana<6)[(set:$norikomana to 6)] (set:$danger to $level+1) (set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<$maxHP)(if:$AP<20)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to ($maxHP-$HP))(set:$maisiemana to 2)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP<11)[(if:$AP<20)[(if:$maisiemana>-1)[(set:$temp to 10)(set:$maisiemana to 0)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] (if:not(history:) contains "Klipweiding")[This is your first visit to Klipweiding. Maisie and Noriko go in search of knishes, or so they claim. You're left to wander the citadel-town by yourself.](else:)[The citadel-town of Klipweiding. It is less shimmery on the inside. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ] (if:$level is 5 or $eventtrack1 is 7)[You notice many of the townsfolk are in their pyjamas.] You can [[leave the citadel|Klipweiding Island]], or visit sites of interest.] [[Ashton's magic shop]] [[Humm's armory]] [[Klipweiding Library]] (link:"The Worshipful Company of Chandlers")[(if:"Chandlers Guild" is in (history:))[(goto:"Chandlers Guild")](else:)[(goto:"First Time to Chandlers")]] (if:$HP<$maxHP)[(if:$AP>19)[(link:"Physic spa")[(set:$AP to $AP-20)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(goto:"Klipweiding")]: 20 auragentum](else:)[Healthcare is a right :/] ]{ }(if:$CV>84+($level*50))[[[Level up|Level Up]]](else:)[Level up: requires (Print:((85+$level*50))-$CV) more CV points] (link:"Save Game")[(savegame:"A","Klipweiding")] (link:"Temporary Portal 1")[(set:$trickhex to it+1)(Goto:"Desolate Farms North")] (link:"Temporary Portal 2")[(set:$trickhex to it+1)(Goto:"Base Camp")]

{(if:$AP<0)[(if:(0-$AP)>(100+($charisma*80)))[(set:$temp to "Klipweiding")(goto:"Credit Maxed")]]}Auragentum: (print: $AP)(if:$AP<300)[ - you may buy on credit(if:$charisma>2)[, but watch out for the interest]] Ashton has these hexchanisms in stock: (if:$level<5)[(link:"Flamula")[(set:$AP to $AP-70)(set:$firehex to $firehex+1)(goto:"Ashton's magic shop")] ($firehex): 70 ](if:$charisma>2)[(link:"Clockwork Bark")[(set:$AP to $AP-90)(set:$greenhex to $greenhex+1)(goto:"Ashton's magic shop")] ($greenhex): 90 ]{ }(link:"Clockwork Waxwork:")[(set:$AP to $AP-90)(set:$waxhex to $waxhex+1)(goto:"Ashton's magic shop")] ($waxhex): 90 (if:$level<5)[(if:$charisma>2)[(link:"Terremotive Thurible:")[(set:$AP to $AP-90)(set:$earthhex to $earthhex+1)(goto:"Ashton's magic shop")] ($earthhex): 90 ]]{ }(link:"Nepheliad Pyx")[(set:$AP to $AP-90)(set:$windhex to $windhex+1)(goto:"Ashton's magic shop")] ($windhex): 90 (if:$level<7)[(link:"Terremotive Thurible")[(set:$AP to $AP-100)(set:$earthhex to $earthhex+1)(goto:"Ashton's magic shop")] ($earthhex): 100 ](if:($level+$charisma)>9)[(link:"Temporalatoma")[(set:$AP to $AP-130)(set:$timehex to $timehex+1)(goto:"Ashton's magic shop")] ($timehex): 130 ]{ }(if:($level+$charisma)>10)[(link:"Stock Hypercube")[(set:$AP to $AP-130)(set:$trickhex to $trickhex+1)(goto:"Ashton's magic shop")] ($trickhex): 130 ]{ } When you're done browsing, (if:not("Ashton's tip" is in (history:)))[[[chat with Ashton|Ashton's tip]],] (if:not ("ask Ashton about astrolabia" is in (history:)))[(if:"Ugduf on deep sea exploration" is in (history:))[[[ask Ashton about astrolabia]], ]][[visit the library|Klipweiding Library]] or head back to [[the center of town|Klipweiding]].

{(set:$temp2 to 0) (if:$AP<0)[(if:(0-$AP)>(100+($charisma*80)))[(set:$temp to "Klipweiding")(goto:"Credit Maxed")]]}Auragentum: (print: $AP)(if:$AP<300)[ - you may buy on credit(if:$charisma>2)[, but watch out for the interest]] (if:$maxdamage<8 and $strength>0)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Knobkerrie:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(130-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "knobkerrie")(set:$maxdamage to 8)(goto:"Humm's armory")] (print:130-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<9 and $strength>0)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Ogre's Bane:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(150-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "ogre's bane")(set:$maxdamage to 8)(goto:"Humm's armory")] (print:150-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<9 and $agility>1 and $strength>1)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Pernach:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(200-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "pernach")(set:$maxdamage to 9)(goto:"Humm's armory")] (print:200-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<10 and $agility>0)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Chigiriki:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(240-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "chigiriki")(set:$maxdamage to 10)(goto:"Humm's armory")] (print:240-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<11 and $agility>2)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Parashu:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(280-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "parashu")(set:$maxdamage to 11)(goto:"Humm's armory")] (print:280-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<11 and $agility>1)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Panabas:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(290-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "panabas")(set:$maxdamage to 11)(goto:"Humm's armory")] (print:290-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<12 and $agility>2)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Kusarigama:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(340-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "kusarigama")(set:$maxdamage to 12)(goto:"Humm's armory")] (print:340-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<13 and $agility>2)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Katar:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(370-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "katar")(set:$maxdamage to 13)(goto:"Humm's armory")] (print:370-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$level>4)[(if:$agility>2)[(if:$maxdamage<16)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Antlers:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(590-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "antlers")(set:$maxdamage to 16)(goto:"Humm's armory")] (print:590-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))] ]]{ }(if:$temp2 is 0)[You browse Humm's's stock, but you're pretty happy with the $weapon you've got now.]{ }(if:$temp2 is 1)[ All Humm's prices include a (print:($maxdamage*4)) auragentum discount for part-exchange of your old $weapon.] [[Klipweiding]]

"Oh aye," remembers Kabir, a little sheepishly. "The little chap finally sold(if:$charisma>-1)[. Prisana of Brug Isongo, as it happens. I suppose I should be pleased, but the counter looks so bare]{ }(if:$charisma>1)[. And I'm dead curious what she wants with it." You shrug. "Useful for illusions, isn't it?" Kabir looks troubled. "Big illusions. Mighty ones. The ones where it's fifty/fifty if they'll vanish, or you'll vanish]." That's [[interesting to know|Kabir's magic shop]].

{(set:$eventtrack1 to 1)}"You know what I like about out there?" muses Maisie. "It's the cake. It's the way out there, it's just mainly cake! And it's definitely not people jumping on you and trying to kill you." "Boggarts and trubbers and scrags, oh my!" trills Noriko, as they sight down the blade of their scythe, testing its keenness. "What's that look for, Maisie? Oh Goddess, please don't 'Not All Boggarts' me. Not today." You put on a gruff voice. "C'mon you two. Save it for the journey." But [[where are you going?|Outskirts of Fell Mills]]

{(set:$eventtrack2 to 3)}You are toasting a hank of marsh-mallow, impaled on one of Noriko's silver arrows. Noriko and Maisie are beside you, crunching noisily. Maisie brushed crumbs from her chin and says, "Was that lembas gluten-free? I feel a bit funny." [[So do you]].

A needlelike mirror is sliding up through the flames. You stare, [[mesmerized]].

Lambent fire licks the dark metal as it slips into your marsh-mallow. Your marsh-mallow stretches pink and brown. "Maisie," says Noriko thoughtfully. "Would you mind passing me my -" The elongated point of a helmet surges through your campfire. Flame, sparks, earth and ash flower up around a rising segments of armor, crested by your molten marsh-mallow and swinging with two huge flanged mauls and two jagged battle-axes. The (link:"tunnelling knight")[(set:$enemyname to "a tunnelling knight")(set:$destination to "NE along the coast")(set:$distance to 0)(set:$enemyHP to (random:23,25))(set:$enemydamage to (random:9,10))(set:$damagedebt to 0)(set:$tookdamage to 0)(set:$whoseturn to $speed-5)(set:$relspeed to $speed)(set:$relagility to $agility)(set:$enemyCV to 80)(set:$enemyAP to 65)(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -2)](set:$enemyresistances to (array:"fire","earth"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (array:"water","bug"))(goto:"Bout")] falls on you mercilessly.

(Either:"Some red-trousered gallyjurts go by, dowsing for ores.","In the distance you see a skirmish, but the intersectional politics are too complex. You know Noriko and Maisie will never intervene.","A column of jale and indigo worker ants streams between your boots.","A brightly-speckled snailborn rolls past you in their shell.","A gentle breeze blows.", "A purple-trousered ninjacompoop saunters by with a bulging polka-dot hankie tied on a stick.", "A foraging party of refulgence-robed hob-and-lanthorn-folk go running across the grass, smouldering it with sparks.","There slides by a long line of salmon-pink-capped snailfolk, politicking sluggishly.","A troupe of butteryellow-cloaked players stalk past on stilts.","A group of hobgoblin joggers go by with kerchief-covered baskets, greedy for mortal markets.","Whistling hobgoblins go by wheeling barrows.","A party of red-capped cherubim float past, politicking lethargically.","You watch the passage of a wedding party of purple-capped boggles.","Tuba-wielding henmen greet you with polite clucks and parps as they pass.","A steamdrone chugs low along the horizon.","A throng of butteryellow-hatted henmen process by, carrying a coffin.","A steamdrone hovers at a great height.","From here you can make out a gaggle of butteryellow-cloaked bogeymen, carrying a cradle.","A ratcatchercatcher airship wobbles overhead, then zooms off.", "You watch the passage of a glowing gaggle of violet-cloaked boggles, all bearing auragentum tubas and trombones.", "A clockwork cloud chugs overhead.","Rose-coloured refulgences shine overhead.")

{(set:$temp to (random:1,3)) }(if:$temp is>1)[(Either:"Some red-trousered gallyjurts go by, jabbering angrily.","A gaggle of orcs and gallyjurts hurry past, hardly seeming to notice you.","Some yellow-trousered bonelesses wobble by.","A brightly-speckled snailborn rolls past you in their shell.","You are passed by covered wagon, pulled by bulging, hissing pantomime horses.", "A ninjacompoop picks her way slowly southward, her head bowed.", "A ragged line of travellers pass you, normborn, henmen, a few gallyjurts, all heading south.", "A freaked-out owl flaps past.","A small hot air balloon, apparently filled with talking rats, drifts overhead briefly before vanishing. You can't see what cloud might have swallowed it. The weather's funny up there.","A steamdrone zips around high above you.","A ratcatchercatcher airship chugs unsteadily through the sky, belching yellow and green smoke.", "A pixie with pickled-egg eyes goobles past you on higgledy-piggledy legs.","Something falls out of the sky, but you don't see where it lands.","A single globule of wobbling dirty water as big as your head splashes nearby.")](else:)[A (Either:"pair of clockwork knights","pair of normborn ronin","pair of rawheads","pair of dwarvens","normborn knight, an elfborn druid,","clockwork dalek, a talking crocodile,","talking owl, an ash ogre","normborn necromancer, a bone ogre,","snailborn necromancer, a talking chestnut,","nestmech necromancer, a strangling chessman,","satyr, a green ogre","satyr","gargoyle","swaithe, a sickener savant,","swaithe, a mantifly,","normmare, a buttercore,","drow","gobbling bucket","komainu, a NP hardman","poet, a NP hardman","normborn druid","poet","normborn samurai","normborn knight","normborn mage","normborn necromancer","normborn paladin","snailborn druid","fantasm","snailborn bandit","wound dwarf bandit","nestmech bandit","demon sunflower","clockwork dalek","smartdalek","dwarven","tiny reaper","worm man","bogeyman","banshee","clockwork knight, a sniggering feather,","ghost-in-a-zombie","machine-raised-by-wolves","fented gaf","tritonne","clockwork lord","sickener savant","swaithe","clockwork knight","talking owl","talking panther","talking crocodile","tickling tentacle","neverknot","darkmantle","splayedfolk","rawhead","naga","Tom-tumbler","bezoar-balled bicycle","steam drone","fractalalices","kobold","fractal fey","hobgoblin") and (either:"three","a pair of","a couple of") (either: "bloody-boneses", "pixies", "bronixies", "dire parakeets", "gallyjurts","orcs","gallybeggars","cannibal clones","ash ogres", "mahounds", "shambling mounds", "bogies", "ninjacompoops","owlbears","winked-too-hards","necrotic nibblers","dire peacocktopuses","rat-centaurs","hondy-hondy men","swarths","onis","flumphs", "colt-pixies", "wibbering wanglers", "schmaleks","scrats","freits","gnashing ninnies","Charlie-chucklers","lian-hanshees", "rippling robbers","akabekos", "tummy-ticklers", "velociraptors", "hen-centaurs","goose centaurs","talking bats","fruit drakes", "achillobators", "two-pukes","zigzagging zombies", "chindesauruses", "pantomime hearses", "dire glis-glis", "condorraptors", "talking rats", "juggalynxes", "mormo", "clockwork addicts", "damp demons", "trolls") jump out at you! Maisie and Noriko have dealt with them before you can even blink.]

Every breeze stirs out a fragrance of mellow decay. The farms are getting neglected. Leafy beetroots wind with tea plants and soil-burst onions, hornified beans and flowering white and jale bindweed. But the main crop this year is caterpillars.(if:((random:1,5)+$perception)>4)[(if:$eventtrack1 is 1)[ There are hundreds of poles and sticks in these fields, and many of them are tied with bundles of browning leaf or bright bits of rag, so that they won't put your eye out. But someone, perhaps not knowing what it is, has capped a bean-pole with a stock hypercube hexchanism. You slip it into your pack. "You going to leave a note?" enquires Maisie archly.(set:$eventtrack1 to 2)(set:$trickhex to it+1)]] In the (link:"south")[(set:$destination to "Fork for Klipweiding")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] there are scattered fruit trees, and a wild forest darkens the horizon. The next village to the (link:"north")[(set:$destination to "Desolate Farms North")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is Rooiwaterval.

{(set:$distance to 2) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level)+1)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] The farmlands are an intricate reticulum of [[vegetable patches|bony patches]], grown into crystalline interdependence over centuries. They continue to the (link:"south")[(set:$destination to "Desolate Farms")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")], and the next village to the (link:"north")[(set:$destination to "Between Desolate Farms and Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is Rooiwaterval.(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.] (if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]] (if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,4) is 4)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]]

(if:(history:) contains "investigate the scarecrow")[(goto:"already fought ogre")](else:)[The farms are getting neglected. Leafy beetroots wind with tea plants and soil-burst onions, hornified beans and flowering white and jale bindweed. But the main crop this year is caterpillars. (if:$eventtrack1<5 and (random:1,2) is 1)[ One patch, staked out with bones not sticks, looks particularly tumbledown. A scarecrow, buried waist-high in a weedy cairn, creaks in the wind. But there is no wind. You hear a burp though. You could [[investigate the scarecrow]].(set:$eventtrack1 to 5) Or, just don't.] To the (link:"south")[(set:$destination to "Desolate Farms")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] there are more higgledy-piggledy fields, and the next village to the (link:"north")[(set:$destination to "Between Desolate Farms and Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is Rooiwaterval.]

As you draw close the scarecrow's eyes and mouth darken with sludge. An unhappy scent tingles in your sinuses. A waggly brown tongue studded with corn kernels and flakes of bone oozes from the scarecrow's lips which, you now see, are of rusted steel. Another burp, and the [[ground beneath you shifts]].

{(set:$destination to "ogre lair") (set:$mustfight to true) (set:$distance to 0) (set:$enemyresistances to (array:(either:"bug","fire","green","wax","earth","wind","water"))) (set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (array:"no particular")) (set:$enemyname to "a topsy-turvy $enemyresistances ogre") (set:$enemyabilities to "ogre's bane") (set:$enemyHP to (random:20,25)+(3*$level)) (set:$enemyCV to (80+(3*$level))) (set:$norikomana to 5) (set:$maisieomana to it+1) (set:$enemydamage to (random:8,9)+$level) (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$whoseturn to $speed+5) (set:$relspeed to $speed) (set:$relagility to $agility-1) (if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -2)]}Rocks grind and flip up and $enemyname emerges from his underground den. You've met plenty of $enemyresistances ogres before, but this one is completely upside-down. You don't really have time to work out if his upside-down-ness is acrobatics, enchantment, or just morphological diversity, because he is also completely trying to [[eat you|Bout]].

(set:$CV to $CV+(random:5,15))You are in a speculative bubble of nowhere-ness. Noriko and Maisie are splatted to its sides. But the bubble of nowhere-ness is about to burst and become somewhere-ness. That might be [[Fell Mills]], or (link:"somewhere else")[(goto:$destination)].

The ogre falls upward and lies overhead, just out of reach. Beneath the scarecrow, there's a [[network of tunnels|ogre dungeon]]. "Do we have to?" says Maisie. "I know a [[Wanderjahre House|Somerbos]] near here," muses Noriko, "that brews the best ale. Just saying." "Aye," agrees Maisie. "I don't think this network of tunnels does good ale, $charactername. So, it's like, it really depends on what you want out of today?"{ (set:$map to (array:0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,(random:2,9),1,1,1,0,(random:2,9),0,0,(random:2,9),1,0,1,(random:2,9),1,0,1,0,0,1,(random:2,9),1,1,(random:1,9),1,1,1,0,0,1,(random:8,9),1,0,0,0,(random:1,9),1,0,0,1,1,0,0,(random:2,9),1,(random:2,9),1,0,0,1,(random:2,9),0,0,0,0,(random:6,9),1,0,0,(random:6,9),1,(random:2,9),1,(random:2,9),1,1,(random:2,9),0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0)) (set:$location to 21) (set:$danger to 3) (set:$maisiemana to 7) (set:$norikomana to 8) }

{(if:$eventtrack2>3)[(if:not(history:) contains "dirge ogre")[(goto:"dirge ogre")]] (set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] On road running north-south, lined with gnarled fruit trees. You can see (link:"a few cottages")[(set:$destination to "Ruined Cottages")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")], apparently derelict. In the (link:"south")[(set:$destination to "Desolate Farms North")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")] lie several miles of unkempt nano-holdings, where the last summer vegetables are mostly being left to tend to themselves. The next village to the (link:"north")[(set:$destination to "Quite Near Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is Rooiwaterval. Eventually this road should take you to Bhern Kuldir.(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]] (if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]]

$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] Silent, scarlet-robed ferryfolk, masked with silver owl faces, stand ready to take you to (link:"the north shore")[(set:$AP to $AP-12)(set:$destination to "Northern Shore of Klipweiding Lake")(goto:"Northern Shore of Klipweiding Lake")] for 12 auragentum coins, or (link:"the south")[(set:$AP to $AP-14)(set:$destination to "Southern Shore of Klipweiding Lake")(goto:"Southern Shore of Klipweiding Lake")] for 14 auragentum coins.{ }(if:$skills contains "Beast Cant" and $eventtrack2 is 4)[You shoot the breeze with a crow. Perhaps you can work this. Dropping it from a height onto rocks doesn't seem to do the trick. He flaps off down the strand and returns presently with a kalpis hexchanism. You pocket it gratefully.(set:$waterhex to it+1)(set:$eventtrack2 to 5)] Otherwise, not much here yet. [[Head into town|Klipweiding]]?

$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] Not much here yet. [[Head into town|Klipweiding]]?

{(set:$distance to 3) (set:$temp4 to 0) (if:$HP<15)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp4 to (random:7,13))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp4)]] (set:$destination to "ogre dungeon") (if:($map's $location)>1)[(if:($map's $location)<4)[(if:((random:1,30)+$perception)>20)[(set:$map's $location to 1)(goto:"underground treasure")]]] (if:($map's $location)>3)[(if:($map's $location)<8)[(set:$map's $location to (random:1,3))(goto:"underground trap")]] (if:($map's $location)>8)[(set:$map's $location to 1)(goto:"underground miscellaneous")] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] (if:$location is 11)[You're standing underground in a [[shaft of sunlight|leave ogre dungeon]].](elseif:$location is 21)[Somewhere in the network of tunnels beneath the farms and fields. To the north, light streams down.](elseif:$location is 12)[Somewhere in the network of tunnels beneath the farms and fields. To the west, light streams down. There's a latrine and a sink hammered into the ceiling, out of reach.](elseif:$location is 78)[This looks like the topsy-turvy ogre's lair. There's some rudimentary furniture hammered up among the stalagtites.](elseif:$location is 68)[A centaur's skeleton, on which are hung rags and a crude gas mask.](else:)[Somewhere in the network of tunnels beneath the farms and fields. (display:"ogre dungeon permanent ambience")](if:$temp4>0)[ Maisie heals you. You've recovered $temp4 HP.] (display:"dungeon directions")

{(set:$destination to "Desolate Farms North") }The whole lair collapses in on itself. You get out just in time. "It was like that when I got here," says Maisie, wide-eyed. (if:$skills contains "Bright Spark" or $skills contains "Enlightenment")[ You wonder if the collapse was anything to do with the ogre you fought, and the strange topsy-turvy curse he seemed to be under. Maybe it messed with the gravity hereabouts?] "Hold up," says Noriko. "That scarecrow was literally spoopy?" (if:$maisiemana>12)["Guess what (link:"I-I-I found,")"[(goto:"Maisie Booster")] murmurs Maisie.] (else:)[You [[brush your shoulders off|Desolate Farms North]].]

(if:($map[($location-10)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"North")[(set:$location to $location-10)(goto:"Underground Encounter")] ]{ }(if:($map[($location+1)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"East")[(set:$location to $location+1)(goto:"Underground Encounter")] ]{ }(if:($map[($location+10)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"South")[(set:$location to $location+10)(goto:"Underground Encounter")] ]{ }(if:($map[($location-1)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"West")[(set:$location to $location-1)(goto:"Underground Encounter")] ]

{(if:$HP<1)[(goto:"Lose Fight")] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)] (set:$temp to 99) (set:$distance to $distance-1) (if:$quickhex<100)[(set:$quickhex to $quickhex+2+$arcana)] (if:(random:1,7) is 1)[(set:$temp to (random:50,51))] }(if:$temp is 50)[(if:$temp4 is 50)[There's another!](else:)[Shapes in the darkness! Something tries to grab you!] (link:"Next")[(goto:"Choose Basic Tank")]]{ }(if:$temp is 51)[(if:$temp4 is 50)[There's someone else here!](else:)[Shapes in the darkness! Something is on top of you!] (link:"Next")[(goto:"Choose Basic DPS")]]{ }(if:$distance<1)[(set:$temp to 1)(set:$temp4 to 99)(goto:$destination)](else:)[(if:$temp is 99)[(goto:"Underground Encounter")]]

(set:$temp to (random:15,30)) $temp auragentum coins glint in the torchlight.(set:$AP to $AP+$temp) (link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]

{(set:$temp to (random:1,25)+$perception)  (set:$temp2 to (($map[$location])*(random:1,$danger)))  (set:$temp4 to (random:3,6))  (if:$skills contains "Scruto and Speculum")[(set:$temp to it+5)] (if:$skills contains "Dungeon Ranger")[(set:$temp to it+1)] (set:$temp3 to (either: "an ogre jaw", "an explosive javelin", "an ethereal glyph", "a swinging glaive", "a toxic glyph", "a fungus hammer", "a psychic caltrop", "an entangling darts", "a necrotic ballistae", "a lightning bolas", "a falling spark", "an invisible crush-wall", "a peony", "a jagged chrysanthemum", "an acid scythes", "a shrapnel", "a splintering grenado", "a sparkling grenado", "an animating gargoyle", "a flaming spear", "a gnashing mule-skull", "a razor-wire", "a gnashing oni-skill", "a shattering globe", "a spiked pit", "a swinging chain", "a ball-and-chain", "a bear", "an airbomb", "an acid-squirting", "a portcullis", "a wands portcullis", "a pit", "a arrow", "a dart", "a flanged asterisk", "a ball rocket", "a crushing door", "a falling glass globe", "an entangling roots", "a roman candle", "a catherine wheel", "a fiery dragon's egg", "a pyro-crown", "an ice smack", "a molten cake", "a gerb", "a dire gerbil skull", "a prismatic spray", "a greek fire grenado", "a Jiggle Bugs", "a pigeon and pistil", "a serpent-and-spider", "a toxic spores", "a suffocating spores", "a clockwork axe-hack", "a flying needles", "a clockwork bees", "a clockwork wasps", "a haunted murder hole", "a falling beam", "a whipping thorn", "a trou de loup", "a spiral spring-blade", "a rolling spike pit", "a bamboo punji", "a burning tar", "a burning glue", "a bombette", "a stroller's bane", "a spelunker's bane", "a slicing butterfly", "a side-closing spike", "a whirling blade", "a rolling rock", "a rollicking rock", "a clapping cymbals", "a blast beat", "a swinging block", "a brown mold", "a burning hands", "a tripping chain", "a ball-and-chain", "a ceiling pendulum", "a crackling comet", "an acid saucepan", "a smoke-and-embers", "a lancework", "a flowerpot grenado", "a double razored pendulums", "a needle hail", "a needle catapult", "a needle ballista", "a ghoul gnash", "a storm in a teacup", "a collapsing column", "an animating root", "an animating stone snake", "a throat-grabber", "a dart fusillade", "a minor fireball", "a dust vapor", "a firewolf", "a collapsing wall", "a flame strike", "a falling mace", "a falling hammer", "a falling anvil", "a green tentacles", "a red tentacles", "a black tentacles", "a yellow tentacles", "a clockwork tentacle", "a clockwork mist", "a summon mouth", "a gloryhell", "a jumping jack")) }(if:$temp>20)[You find and disable $temp3 trap. Gain $temp4 CV points. (set:$CV to it+$temp4)(link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]](else:)[You spring $temp3 trap! You take $temp2 damage! (set:$HP to $HP-$temp2) (link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]]

[[Next|ogre lair]] (set: $hexadj1 to "wtf") (set: $hexadj2 to "wtaf") (set: $agility to 3) (set: $maxagility to $agility+2) (set: $speed to 3) (set: $perception to 4) (set: $charisma to 2) (set: $strength to 6) (set: $arcana to 7) (set: $HP to 44) (set: $maxHP to 44) (set: $CV to (random:5,25)) (set: $AP to (135-($CV+$perception+$agility))) (set: $level to 4) (set: $weapon to "lamp") (set: $equipment to (a:"leather armor")) (set: $maxdamage to 14) (set:$bughex to (random:1,9)) (set:$lighthex to (random:0,9)) (set:$firehex to (random:0,9)) (set:$greenhex to 4) (set:$waxhex to 5) (set:$earthhex to 7) (set:$windhex to 8) (set:$waterhex to 9) (set:$timehex to 0) (set:$trickhex to 0) (set:$skills to (array:"Selfheal Quickhex","Warring Withdrawal"))

{(set:$map's $location to 1) (set:$temp to (random:1,8)) }(if:$temp is 1)[Maisie returns from the darkness with an armful of hexchanisms. She even gives you one.(set:$maisiemana to 7)(set:$greenhex to $greenhex+1)]{ }(if:$temp is 2)[A Jiggle Bug crawls into your bag.(set:$bughex to $bughex+1)]{ }(if:$temp is 3)[(if:$maxdamage<14)[Hidden in a crevice in a bundle of fine rags, you find a katana. You give it a few test swings - it seems almost to part the darkness itself.(set:$weapon to "katana")(set:$maxdamage to 14)](else:)[(set:$temp to 4)]]{ }(if:$temp is 4)[There is an excited yelp from somewhere in the darkness. Presently Maisie re-emerges, looking smug. But she won't tell you what it's about.(set:$maisiemana to 15)]{ }(if:$temp is 5)[In a (either:"chocolate tin","broken snare drum","shattered milk crate","crevice in the wall","busted-up dolls' house","little doll, made with real bones,","crumpled helmet","reticulum of glowing fungus") you discover a hoard of hexchanisms!(set:$buxhex to $buxhex+1)(set:$firehex to $firehex+1)(set:$waterhex to $waterhex+(random:0,1))(set:$earthhex to $earthhex+(random:1,2))(set:$timehex to $timehex+(random:0,1))(set:$waxhex to $waxhex+(random:0,1))]{ }(if:$temp>5)[You spring (either: "an ogre jaw", "an explosive javelin", "an ethereal glyph", "a swinging glaive", "a toxic glyph", "a fungus hammer", "a psychic caltrop", "an entangling darts", "a necrotic ballistae", "a lightning bolas", "a falling spark", "an invisible crush-wall", "a peony", "a jagged chrysanthemum", "an acid scythes", "a shrapnel", "a splintering grenado", "a sparkling grenado", "an animating gargoyle", "a flaming spear", "a gnashing mule-skull", "a razor-wire", "a gnashing oni-skill", "a shattering globe", "a spiked pit", "a swinging chain", "a ball-and-chain", "a bear", "an airbomb", "an acid-squirting", "a portcullis", "a wands portcullis", "a pit", "an arrow", "a dart", "a flanged asterisk", "a ball rocket", "a crushing door", "a falling glass globe", "an entangling roots", "a roman candle", "a catherine wheel", "a fiery dragon's egg", "a pyro-crown", "an ice smack", "a molten cake", "a gerb", "a dire gerbil skull", "a prismatic spray", "a greek fire grenado", "a Jiggle Bugs", "a pigeon and pistil", "a serpent-and-spider", "a toxic spores", "a suffocating spores", "a clockwork axe-hack", "a flying needles", "a clockwork bees", "a clockwork wasps", "a haunted murder hole", "a falling beam", "a whipping thorn", "a trou de loup", "a spiral spring-blade", "a rolling spike pit", "a bamboo punji", "a burning tar", "a burning glue", "a bombette", "a slicing butterfly", "a side-closing spike", "a whirling blade", "a rolling rock", "a rollicking rock", "a clapping cymbals", "a blast beat", "a swinging block", "a brown mold", "a burning hands", "a tripping chain", "a ball-and-chain", "a ceiling pendulum", "a crackling comet", "an acid saucepan", "a smoke-and-embers", "a lancework", "a flowerpot grenado", "a double razored pendulums", "a needle hail", "a needle catapult", "a needle ballista", "a ghoul gnash", "a storm in a teacup", "a collapsing column", "an animating root", "an animating stone snake", "a throat-grabber", "a dart fusillade", "a minor fireball", "a dust vapor", "a firewolf", "a collapsing wall", "a flame strike", "a falling mace", "a falling hammer", "a falling anvil", "a green tentacles", "a red tentacles", "a black tentacles", "a yellow tentacles", "a clockwork tentacle", "a clockwork mist", "a summon mouth", "a gloryhell", "a jumping jack") trap! ]{ }(if:$temp is 6)[You're able to leap to safety just in time. Apparently it was guarding a measly 7 auragentum coins.(set:$AP to $AP+7)]{ }(if:$temp is 7)[You're able to leap to safety just in time. Nearby you find (print:$level+15) auragentum coins.(set:$AP to $AP+$level+15)]{ }(if:$temp is 8)[You're able to leap to safety just in time. You search carefully nearby, and sure enough find 35 auragentum coins.(set:$AP to $AP+35)] (link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]

"Yup, I found a Beezlebub Bezoar. So I've been thinking, and there are four different hexes I could do for us." What Bezoar-ster do you choose? (link:"Takai of Akkerlake's Endless Alacrity")[(set:$perception to $perception+1)(goto:$destination)] (link:"[?]")[+1 perception] (link:"Stugstag of Rawer Meadows's Enviable Vitality")[(set:$maxHP to $maxHP+4)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(goto:$destination)] (link:"[?]")[+4 max HP, full health] (link:"Wu Ji's Adamantium Thews-Juice")[(set:$strength to $strength+1)(goto:$destination)] (link:"[?]")[+1 strength] (link:"Ugnakealis of Nthathorn's Good-Toes-Hellborn-Toes")[(set:$agility to $agility+1)(goto:$destination)] (link:"[?]")[+1 agility]

(if:$location is 13)[Some rusted and bent gardening equipment lies in the shadows.]{ }(if:$location is 14)[Busted-up barrels, a heap of off-cuts, chains, chickenwire and splinters.]{ }(if:$location is 15)[Phosphorescent mosses spread across the stone here.]{ }(if:$location is 18)[Thick roots make passage difficult.]{ }(if:$location is 19)[It's thick with bat-nappers overhead.]{ }(if:$location is 46)[The floor is very muddy here.]{ }(if:$location is 46)[A steady drip-drip of blue-black water.]{ }(if:$location is 47)[A bent hoe, some mouldy turnips, some large clockwork cogs.]{ }(if:$location is 55)[A topsy-turvy table is hammered overhead among the roiling roots. (if:not($equipment contains "gnawed grimoire"))[(set:$equipment to $equipment+(a:"gnawed grimoire")) On the ground below, you find a half-eaten grimoire in a language none of you recognize. You take it with you just in case. Gain 25 CV points. "Now can we get out of here?" moans Noriko.(set:$CV to it+25)]]{ }(if:$location is 57)[The floor here is very sticky. Pendulous mosses shed soft bioluminescence.]{ }(if:$location is 56)[Some rather stinky laundry is strung up overhead.]{ }(if:$location is 71)[Roots hang low, busy with tiny hopping albino crickets.]{ }(if:$location is 73)[A big heap of tooth-notched bones.]{ }(if:$location is 74)[Some scattered bones.]

(link-goto: "Back", (history:)'s last) *Santaborn* Physical Appearance: The largest of the playable species. The modal Santaborn appears as a lushly furred arabesque of bulging pipes, each as thick as a normborn's torso. The Santaborn is braided like a koeksister from head to waist, where eight huge limbs radiate outward and upward, with the back pair hooking high like a cricket's, so that when a santaborn stands at ease the bearded knees come to ear-height. Santaborn with northern heritage generally have pelts of vivid scarlet and those from the south have an opalescent deep green, and both shades of santaborn are trimmed with snowy white: every sex of adult Santaborn sprouts billowing ermine beards about the chin, brows, shoulders, joints and wrists. Santaborn Culture, Politics, Religion, Alignment: Various. Santaborn Abilities: At first level: -1 charisma, +1 strength, +3 HP At third level: +1 strength At fifth level: +1 strength At seventh level: +1 arcana At ninth level: +1 charisma *Puppetborn* Physical Appearance: Most Puppetborn stand about four feet tall. They are marionettes, intricately made, some painted and some varnished, with many, many moveable parts. Their motion comes from the fine haze of strings which descends from the sky, but it is still their own motion. There exist more than two hundred known types of wood and over a thousand distinctive thread-types in the puppetborn head, and over a hundred trillion lovingly hand-carved and threaded synaptic connections. And although the puppeteers are not known - some say the Flying Cities, others the Leviathanfolk - there is no reason to question their skill: the droplets of wooden blood roll to and fro through the wooden heart in perfect synchrony with the dancing legs and spinning arms, likewise each sandalwood or pearwood synapse must surely be tugged by its thread on time. Puppetborn do not necessarily have access issues when it comes to interiors, corners, underground spaces etc.: all manner of clever mechanisms come winching down from the sky, wheeled javelins flung joltingly forward to establish an endless cat's cradle of wires wherever the Puppetborn ventures. But they do like, if possible, to leave by the way they came in. Puppetborn Culture, Politics, Religion, Alignment: Various. The Puppetborn are the rarest of human species in the Queendom, and outside of the major cities they sometimes attract some stares. Puppetborn Abilities: At first level: +1 charisma, -2 HP At third level: +1 agility At fifth level: +1 agility At seventh level: +1 arcana At ninth level: +4 HP Puppetborn Special Abilities: Agility rampup > A military skirmish may demand breathtaking acrobatics of the puppetborn, but those leaps and flips don't just happen - they take skill and dedication, and a certain amount of rehearsal and tech support. In every combat, a puppetborn's dodge bonus starts off with a penalty. As various wheels, cogs, stanchions, rattle down from the sky and are installed at appropriate points in the area, the penalty is gradually reversed and turned into a dodge bonus. *Snailborn* Physical Appearance: The Snailborn are easily recognized by their four wee kawai tentacles, two at the chin and two at the brow. They also have a speckled camber of shell embedded in their lower back, which can be developed through exercise into a full spiral, usually a little larger than the Snailborn's head. That is, that's how big the shell is on the outside. Snailborn Culture, Politics, Religion, Alignment: Various. Snailborn Abilities: At first level: -1 speed, +1 strength, +2 perception At third level: +1 strength At fifth level: +1 strength At seventh level: +1 perception At ninth level: +1 speed Snailborn Special Abilities: Druidic Renaissance At eighth level, certain highly-perceptive Snailborn have the opportunity to switch to Ecocritic if they are not already of that class. Spiral Fortress At tenth level, all Snailborn except the Ecocritic class become capable of shrinking themselves into their protective shell. *Wound Dwarf* Physical Appearance: The unmissable fact about the Wound Dwarf is that, what for a normborn counts as a gash or slash or yawning hole of missing body in desperate need of a healer, for a Wound Dwarf is just a healthily functioning aspect of their anatomy. The Wound Dwarf is just "slightly inside-out." There are arteries and veins and muscle open to the air, and even little sparks and arcs of blood jumping from meatus to meatus. The truth is, whatever your species, your body is like a big crowded jostling party where everyone is very important and has a lot of people they need to meet, but for the Wound Dwarf, there are just a lot of balconies for the partygoers to come and get some fresh air. So if you're not used to it, it might look like a Wound Dwarf is just leaking and collapsing. But look more closely, it's all an intricate harmony, like the play of light and water in a firework and musical fountain extravaganza. Another odd fact is that, when a Wound Dwarf actually is wounded it looks like -- from a normborn-centric perspective -- healing, because the Wound Dwarf body responds to trauma by knitting back together till it can restore equilibrium. A sharp sword tip run across a Wound Dwarf's belly will zip it shut, and a healing hex will split it back into its customary scarlet blossom. Wound Dwarf Culture, Politics, Religion, Alignment: Various. Wound Dwarf Abilities: At first level: -1 arcana, +1 agility, +1 perception At third level: +1 agility At fifth level: +1 agility At seventh level: +1 perception At ninth level: +1 arcana *Nestmech* Physical Appearance: Inside the golem sits another smaller golem, giving the outer golem its instructions in lieu of an enchanted scroll. Inside that golem sits an ever smaller golem, and so on, perhaps ad infinitum. Nestmech Culture, Politics, Religion, Alignment: Various. Nestmech Abilities: At first level: -1 perception, +1 strength, +3 HP At third level: +1 arcana At fifth level: +5 HP At seventh level: +1 perception At ninth level: +1 strength, +3 HP *Note* By the linguistic conventions of the Queendom, all these species, as well as the Normborn, the Talking Beasts, and the fey, undead and clockwork races, are all considered to be "human." (link-goto: "Back", (history:)'s last)

{(set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to 2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] A fork in the road. The (link:"northwest road heads toward Rooiwaterval")[(set:$destination to "Near Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")] and then on to Bhern Kuldir. In the (link:"northeast there is a small mixed forest")[(set:$destination to "Edge of Firewood Forest")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. Cattle graze nearby. (link:"Farms and orchards lie to the south")[(set:$destination to "Between Desolate Farms and Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. (if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]] (if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]]

{(if:$eventtrack2 is 7)[(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 1")] (set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to 2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You are at the edge of Lejweleputswabos Forest, which is mostly of tall goldenrod, bamboo and young red pine. You may head (link:"into the trees")[(set:$destination to "Firewood Forest")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")] or (link:"away")[(set:$destination to "Quite Near Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]] (if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]]

{(set:$distance to 1) (set:$destination to "Firewood Forest") (set:$danger to 2)}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You are inside Lejweleputswabos Forest, surrounded by red pines, fiery-leafed maples, yellow persimmons and abundant bamboo. Pixie-racoons shudder with delight and pain in baltic mortal rivulets. Goofball fey peer from pine crevices, posing incoherent questions with their very presences. (if:not((history:) contains "Dragon's Cave"))[There's a (link:"dragon's cave")[(goto:"Dragon's Cave")] nearby.] Otherwise, everything looks fine, but there is (link:"not much else here yet")[(set:$destination to "Edge of Firewood Forest")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]] (if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,3) is 3)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]] Keep an eye out for updates to Skycrawl. Ranjita's mine will appear eventually.

{(set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to 2) (set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] On the outskirts of (link:"the village of Rooiwaterval")[(set:$destination to "Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. (if:(random:1,3) is 1)[ (display:"peaceful_3")] In the (link:"east there is a small mixed forest")[(set:$destination to "Edge of Firewood Forest")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. You could bypass Rooiwaterval and (link:"head further north")[(set:$destination to "North of Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")], although actually maybe that's not such a good idea because Bhern Kuldir fallen to the Shadow Host, and the Shadow Host are a buzzkill. There's also the famous waterfall itself, although that's more for tourists. (link:"Farms and orchards lie to the south")[(set:$destination to "Quite Near Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. (if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]] (if:$temp is 0)[(if:(random:1,4) is 4)[ (display:"peaceful_2")]]

{(if:$level>13)[(goto:"You win")] (if:$maisiemana<6)[(if:$AP>19)[(set:$maisiemana to 6)]] (if:$maisiemana<6)[(if:$HP+5>$maxHP)[(set:$maisiemana to 6)]] (if:$norikomana<5)[(set:$norikomana to 5)] (set:$destination to "Rooiwaterval") (set:$danger to $level+1) (set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<$maxHP)(if:$AP<20)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to ($maxHP-$HP))(set:$maisiemana to 2)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] (if:$HP<11)[(if:$AP<20)[(if:$maisiemana>-1)[(set:$temp to 10)(set:$maisiemana to 0)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)]}$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie|Selfie]] You're at Rooiwaterval, a nondescript connurbation at the edge of the Shadow Host encroachment. (if:$temp>0)[Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP. ] You can [[take the road south|Near Rooiwaterval]], [[try to venture north|North of Rooiwaterval]], or see what the village has to offer. [[Samphire's magic shop]] [[Logan's armory]] The Worshipful Company of Chefs (if:$HP<$maxHP)[(if:$AP>19)[(link:"Physic spa")[(set:$AP to $AP-20)(set:$HP to $maxHP)(goto:"Rooiwaterval")]: 20 auragentum](else:)[Healthcare is a right :/] ]{ }(if:$CV>84+($level*50))[[[Level up|Level Up]]](else:)[Level up: requires (Print:((85+$level*50))-$CV) more CV points] (link:"Save Game")[(savegame:"A","Rooiwaterval")]

{(if:$AP<0)[(if:(0-$AP)>(100+($charisma*80)))[(set:$temp to "Rooiwaterval")(goto:"Credit Maxed")]]}Auragentum: (print: $AP)(if:$AP<300)[ - you may buy on credit(if:$charisma>2)[, but watch out for the interest]] Samphire deals mainly in earth and fire hexchanisms. (link:"Flamula")[(set:$AP to $AP-60)(set:$firehex to $firehex+1)(goto:"Samphire's magic shop")] ($firehex): 60 (link:"Terremotive Thurible:")[(set:$AP to $AP-90)(set:$earthhex to $earthhex+1)(goto:"Samphire's magic shop")] ($earthhex): 90 (if:$level>7)[(if:$charisma>2)[(link:"Temporalatoma")[(set:$AP to $AP-110)(set:$timehex to $timehex+1)(goto:"Samphire's magic shop")] ($timehex): 110 ]]{ }(if:$level>5)[(if:$charisma>3)[(link:"Stock Hypercube")[(set:$AP to $AP-120)(set:$trickhex to $trickhex+1)(goto:"Samphire's magic shop")] ($trickhex): 120 ]]{ } When you're done browsing, go [[back into town|Rooiwaterval]].

{(set:$temp2 to 0) (if:$AP<0)[(if:(0-$AP)>(100+($charisma*80)))[(set:$temp to "Reewick")(goto:"Credit Maxed")]]}Auragentum: (print: $AP)(if:$AP<300)[ - you may buy on credit(if:$charisma>2)[, but watch out for the interest]] (if:$maxdamage<8)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Khopesh:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(140-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "khopesh")(set:$maxdamage to 8)(goto:"Logan's armory")] (print:140-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<10)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Gnashing Skull-Whip:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(270-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "tethered skull")(set:$maxdamage to 10)(goto:"Logan's armory")] (print:270-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$maxdamage<11)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Crystal Trident:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(310-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))))(set:$weapon to "crystal trident")(set:$maxdamage to 11)(goto:"Logan's armory")] (print:310-($charisma+($maxdamage*4))) ]{ }(if:$level>2)[(if:$charisma>2)[(if:$maxdamage<16)[(set:$temp2 to 1)(link:"Feelings:")[(set: $AP to $AP-(570-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))))(set:$weapon to "feelings")(set:$maxdamage to 16)(goto:"Logan's armory")] (print:570-($charisma+($maxdamage*4)))] ]]{ }(if:$temp2 is 0)[You browse Logan's stock, but you're pretty happy with the $weapon you've got now.]{ }(if:$temp2 is 1)[ All Logan's prices include a (print:($maxdamage*4)) auragentum discount for part-exchange of your old $weapon.] [[Rooiwaterval]]

{(set:$eventtrack1 to 4) }It is still early, but you have found [[the perfect camp spot]].

It is a warm late afternoon, at the turn between summer and autumn. Noriko is down by the beck. You and Maisie lie side-by-side on a gentle hill, beneath a greengage tree, [[gazing at the sky]].

The Poor Coast around Fell Mills is famous for its strange skies, where the rain sometimes comes long after the clouds have dispersed, filled with uncanny fragrance and properties. Today the sky seems very gentle, a vibrant zaffre blue burst by shining cumulus. Squinting a little against the lowering sunshine, you make out shapes of puff-patrolled ramparts, silent flowing marionettes conducting stately scenes, flowers that share their forms with shuriken, and a big, smiling ... Can you see a face? [[Yes!|Nematode]] [[Where?|No Nematode]]

The creatures of the Queendom make their burrows and nests and lay their eggs in every imaginable nook and cranny. Including the nooks and crannies of [[the imagination itself]]. Maisie is yelling, Noriko is running toward you with wet hair.

"Did you just say am I seeing somebody?" says Maisie suddenly. "I didn't say anything." Maisie frowns. "Must have dropped off. Anyway, we shouldn't cloud-watch round here," she adds cryptically. "It's dangerous." The splashing you forgot you were listening to suddenly ceases. The sun starts setting in earnest, and Noriko's long shadow comes glitching around the bend. You pass an [[uneventful night|Fork for Klipweiding]].

{(set:$enemyHP to 23) (set:$enemydamage to 12) (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$whoseturn to $speed-2) (set:$relspeed to $speed-2) (set:$relagility to $agility) (set:$enemyCV to 120) (set:$enemyAP to 0) (if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -1)] (set:$enemyname to "a pareidolia nematode colossus newhatch") (set:$enemyresistances to (a:"wind","trick","earth")) (set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light","wax"))}This particular creature lays its eggs in the thin crevice between a perceptual stimulus and the hallucination you dress it in. The larva hatches instantaneously, and start to snack on its soft enclosing shell. First it eats the face you saw in the clouds. [[Then it eats your face|Bout]].

You spot a few (either:"droopy", "languid", "languorous", "pendulous", "velvety") (either:"teal","viridian","lime-green") perubatan flowers! With a little help from Maisie, you collect their petals and brew a pot of chai elixir. (set:$equipment to $equipment+(a:"chai elixir")) (link:"Next")[(Goto:$destination)]

{(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(if:$relagility<$agility)[(set:$relagility to ($relagility+1))]] (Set:$temp to (random:5,10)) (Set:$HP to it+$temp) (Set:$whoseturn to 1) (Set:$CV to $CV-$temp) (set: $equipment to it-(a:"chai elixir"))}Glug, glug, glug! (if:($agility+$speed)>4)[So refreshing! You risk a thumbs-up! (set:$temp to $temp+2)]You gain $temp HP! [[Next|Bout]]

{(set:$map to (array:0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,(random:2,9),1,1,1,0,(random:2,9),0,0,(random:2,9),1,0,1,(random:2,9),1,0,1,0,0,1,(random:2,9),1,1,(random:1,9),1,1,1,0,0,1,(random:8,9),1,0,0,0,(random:1,9),1,0,0,1,1,0,0,(random:2,9),1,(random:2,9),1,0,0,1,(random:2,9),0,0,0,0,(random:6,9),1,0,0,(random:6,9),1,(random:2,9),1,(random:2,9),1,1,(random:2,9),0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0)) (set:$location to 21) (set:$danger to 3) (set:$maisiemana to 5) (set:$norikomana to 8)}(if: (history:) contains "ogre dungeon")[You're in a hollow of broken, helter-skelter vegetable patches. It's like someone has pulled a tablecloth out from under a feast before it was finished growing. What's left of the topsy-turvy ogre has drifted off somewhere. The scarecrow, somehow, has survived it all untouched, merely assuming a slightly more louche slouch and - unless your memory deceives you - a slightly wider grin. The entrance to the tunnels is completely sealed.](else:)[The remains of (text-style:"upside-down")[the topsy-turvy ogre] drift overhead, a bizarre cloud marking the spot of the battle. The scarecrow, you now realize, conceals a set of pipes protruding from the cairn. At the back of the cairn, the rocks have shifted, revealing a narrow [[entrance to something|ogre dungeon]].] To the (link:"south")[(set:$destination to "Desolate Farms")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] there are more higgledy-piggledy fields, and the next village to the (link:"north")[(set:$destination to "Between Desolate Farms and Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] is Rooiwaterval.

{(set:$charactername to "Gerda") }The Snow Queen isn't how or what you'd expected. She's not as tall as you -- you thought she would be taller. Sure, she's beautiful, you can see why Kay kissed her (although you are beginning to wonder why she kissed him), but her eyes are black and kind, which you didn't expect at all. She stands next to you, not looking at Kay at all, but looking at you. "I wouldn't do it if I were you." "Oh come on," Kays says [sic]. "Give me a break, lady. Sure it was nice, but you don't want me hanging around this icebox forever, any more than I want to be here. Let $charactername kiss me, we'll go home and live happily ever after." [[Kiss Kay->kiss kay]] [[Hesitate->boots]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

"I like your boots," the Snow Queen says. "You're beautiful," you tell her. "I don't believe this," Kay says. He [[thumps->do you love him]] his blue fist on the blue table, sending blue puzzle pieces flying through the air.

Pieces lie like nuggets of sky-colored glass on the white backs of the geese. A piece of the table has splintered off, and you wonder if he is going to have to put the table back together as well. "Do you love him?" You look at the Snow Queen when she says this and then you look at Kay. [[Sorry, Kay. Shake on it?->don't love kay]] [[Hesitate->perhaps love kay]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

{(set: $temp to (random:-1,1)) (set: $hexadj1 to "wtf") (set: $hexadj2 to "wtaf") (set: $agility to (random:-1,1)+$temp) (set: $maxagility to $agility+2) (set: $speed to ($agility)) (set: $perception to (random:-1,2)-$temp) (set: $charisma to ($perception)) (set: $strength to (random:-2,2)) (set: $arcana to (2-$strength)) (set: $HP to (23-($perception+$agility))) (set: $CV to 20) (set: $AP to (90-(5*($perception+$agility)))) (set: $level to 1) (set: $weapon to (either: "flail", "staff", "sabre", "mace", "daggers","spear")) (set: $maxdamage to 8) (set:$bughex to 0) (set:$lighthex to 0) (set:$firehex to 0) (set:$greenhex to 0) (set:$waxhex to 0) (set:$earthhex to 0) (set:$windhex to 0) (set:$waterhex to 0) (set:$timehex to 0) (set:$trickhex to 0) (set:$skills to (array:)) (set:$equipment to (array:)) (set:$eventtrack1 to 0) (set:$eventtrack2 to 1) (set:$norikoweapons to (a:"scythe deals","scythe deals","sickles deal","scythe and sickle deal","arrows deal","arrows deal")) (if:$charactername is "Mrs Raisins")[(set:$HP to $HP+10)(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$weapon to "cane sword")] (if:$charactername is "Miss Marple")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$perception to $perception+2)(set:$weapon to "umbrella")] (if:$charactername is "Scrooge McDuck")[(set:$charisma to $charisma+1)(set:$perception to $perception+1)(set:$AP to 1000)(set:$CV to 4000)] (if:$charactername is "Beatrice Adela Lestrange Bradley")[(set:$HP to $HP+5)(set:$perception to $perception+3)(set:$speed to $speed+1)(set:$agility to $agility+1)(set:$arcana to $arcana+1)(set:$strength to $strength+2)(set:$weapon to "bronze paperweight")] }

[The earth in front of you shifts. A dark cleft widens. Noriko unslings their scythes.]<stag_1| (link:"Next")[(replace:?stag_1)[Antlers arise from the earth, streaming soil and roots. Noriko prepares to strike, but Maisie stays their hand. [[Next->Stag 2]]]]

Jaws full of red foam, eyes full of panic. A stag wrestles from the split earth. He totters like a giant fawn, scarcely seeing you, then with a snort turns right and dances away into the moor. Noriko shrugs. "The Shadow Host drives everything before it, and they're not picky where they hide or how they flee. Don't be surprised if the next mole-hill bursts a buzzard." "I'm not concerned about the Shadow Host yet," says Maisie meditatively. "But if it's encroaching above land and below ... what else might be down there, that it has awoken? What else might be heading our way?" You make camp. The night is uneventful, but the stag still burrows through your sleep. [[Next->Quite Near Somerbos]] (if:$eventtrack2 is 5)[(set:$eventtrack2 to 6)]

"These are such beautiful flowers," you say idly. You breathe deeply. Ugduf looks shifty. [[Hmmm]].

SKYCRAWL A story-game fragment (1.0) [[Create a new character->Hello]] (link:"Continue a previous life")[(loadgame:"A")] [[Quick start->Quick Start]] N.B. There is plenty here to explore, but the story is unfinished, and will probably always remain that way. [[About Skycrawl->About]]. (set:$doppelgangermana to -300)

[[Back->Start]] **Release Notes** Skycrawl is a big fragment of a text-based RPG, which I started writing to teach myself Twine. I don't think I'm going to come back round to finishing it. The kind of story it would have been? Well, a story where you pick up side-quests, but almost never succeed in them. Instead, you're contantly beaten to it by that rival party of adventurers, who always seem to get there a few minutes before you. Sometimes you might end up doing their dirty work for them; sometimes they might help you out of a sticky situation, although Maisie and especially Norkio would feel more humiliation than gratitutde. Perhaps later you have to work with them. Perhaps Maisie or Noriko leaves to join them. Or perhaps one or both of them are already working with them. Or perhaps they're part of a conspiracy, involving many of the figures you meet along the way. I'm not sure. A story where you can hire yourself out to one side or another, and there isn't exactly, in game terms, a 'right' answer: maybe you slay Saint Ghobha for the Fairy Wolf, or maybe you slay the Fairy Wolf for Saint Ghobha. For instance, I haven't written the bits where you find the mine your landlady mentions, or get the fey wolf her milk, so don't bust your guts looking for them! It would have been a story about you and Maisie and Noriko and your relationships and your conversations and your conversations about your relationships. A bit of a mock heroic story, maybe. Sort of like Master of None meets Viriconium, or something. It would have been a story with a lot of ropes and elongated things in it. The strings of the Puppetborn, reaching into the sky. Ghosts dragging chains for hundreds of miles, letting them peregrinate far from their accustomed haunts. A secret invisible rope, rising up, up, up, to the peripheral flourishes of giant tree boughs high above the clouds, part of a tree rooted in the Isle of Giants. A sort of dungeon in the sky, hence the title. It would have been a story about ecological crisis, obviously. About trying to get communities to come together to figure out a way to escape. It would have been a story about landscapes. It would have been a story about the encroaching catastrophe, in which the world is increasingly reduced to simply mathematical structures. For instance, there are three types of monsters in the horde: Healers, Tanks, and Demonic Person Structures. Maybe I will tell bits of those stories elewhere. Or maybe not. *Differences from some RPGs*: 1) You can buy items you can't quite afford on credit - but it's dangerous. Debts accumulate interest rapidly, and you may get into a deadly debt spiral. 2) Monsters' abilities, resistances etc. are not completely standard according to the type of monster they are. Just like you, they may have gained various abilities and buffs. There are certain patterns, but the surest way to work out your opponent's capabilities is by increasing your Perception, and/or casting Otherie Quickhex or Helen the Red's Snooping Sylphs (a temporalatoma plus a nepheliad pyx). *Known bugs include*: 1) have been using "push" to add to arrays, which is maybe causing error messages - should be set to variable plus array brackets new item 2) enemy name very occasionally blank (fixed now, I think). 3) occasional problem with save (complex data variables - might get sorted out in Twine changes, and also doesn't seem to happen much); 4) not sure all the finding hexchanisms events are displaying properly, possibly leading to random hexchanisms popping up in your inventory without explanation? 5) "Another one darts toward you!" after a flee / surrender 6) The wetlands isn't very well-tested and probably a bit crazy 7) I think an error message flashed up on leaving the wetlands 8) wetlands is v. slow but not sure what to do about that :/ 9) Whitespace formatting at level up 10) Passages remaining in the history, even when you die or restart! > also that buggy message at the beginning, an attempt to clear the history 11) need to remove "back button" 12) getting a random doppleganger at the start *Mechanics which haven't been implemented*: some of the higher-level species-based bonuses; some of the effects of special abilities and quickhexes (e.g. Beast Cant, Undo Wounds, Spiral Fortress) haven't been implemented yet or haven't been tested very thoroughly; some more variation in enemy abilities; possibly dungeon selfies (?); possibly non-fighty hexchanisms; doppelganger hexchanism; fuller descriptions for some of the specal abilities and quickhexes; possibly multiple save-game slots; loading from town settings; more built-in information about mechanics (e.g. auragentum is a primitive kind of hexchanism which is why it's used in quickhexes yadda yadda) ... *More behind-the-scenes stuff that would have been good to do*: change town common functions to a display call to make more scalable, slow down level advancement, maybe make party separable, maybe change Selfie call to a goto, clean up random non-combat encounters ... add one class of super rare drop combat hexchanic ... check if if history contains paragraph itself events run or not *PS*: One thing that just *might* change my mind about continuing to work on this is if somebody out there wanted to collaborate. Although given how messy it is under the hood, I don't know how practical that would be ... [[Back->Start]]

You [[set up camp->dire ogre coming]] among the trees.

Noriko's scythe sings in the air. A figure in intricately-etched, twitching black armor approaches unhurriedly through the fruit trees. Smoke wafts from its helm. Gauntlets thrust into the moonlight, each gripping a black egg. From each egg, a sticky black articulated broadsword is hatching. You could really (link:"use a coffee")[(set:$eventtrack1 to 7)(set:$destination to "defeated dirge ogre")(set:$enemyname to "a dirge ogre"))(set:$distance to 0)(set:$enemyHP to (random:36,40))(set:$enemydamage to (random:10,11))(set:$damagedebt to 0)(set:$tookdamage to 0)(set:$whoseturn to $speed-5)(set:$relspeed to $speed)(set:$relagility to $agility-2)(set:$enemyCV to 120)(set:$maisiemana to it+2)(set:$norikomana to it+3)(set:$enemyAP to 100)(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -2)](set:$enemyresistances to (array:"fire","earth","bug","wax"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))(set:$mustfight to true)(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"ogre's bane"))(goto:"Bout")].

Necrotic miasma fumes forth from the fallen dirge ogre, driving you back along the road. The smoking shape at the core convulses. Sharp smudges of moonlight run across the armor as it shifts and scrapes, changing. The death throes, if that's what they are, are many minutes long. At last, stillness. A complete ogre skeleton sits hunched against the tree, every bone closely tramelled in black steel plates, intricately etched and damascened with runes and ridges and geometrical patterns. Several pieces have sprouted flamboyant decoration: a black-and-white feathered plume from the pelvis plating, wing-crests on the femur plating, delicate fluting up and down the casement of the spinal column. You offer to take the next watch, and are not sorry to [[see the sun come up.->Between Desolate Farms and Rooiwaterval]] (set:$eventtrack2 to 7)

{(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(if:$relagility<$agility)[(set:$relagility to ($relagility+1))]] (set:$quickhex to it-15) (set:$temp to (random:1,(30-$arcana))) (set:$temp2 to (random:1,10)) (set:$AP to it-$temp) (set:$CV to it-$temp2) (set:$otherie to true) }$temp auragentum pieces and $temp2 CV points dissolve into pure otherie! Your foe has about $enemyHP HP left, and can do about $enemydamage damage per attack. (if:not ($enemyresistances contains "time"))[(if:not ($enemyresistances contains "trick"))[They are resistant to (print: $enemyresistances.join(" and ")) hexes. ]] (if:not ($enemyvulnerabilities contains "time"))[(if:not ($enemyvulnerabilities contains "trick"))[They are vulnerable to (print: $enemyvulnerabilities.join(" and ")) hexes.]] (if:$enemyabilities contains "heal")[You sense they have regenerative powers.] (if:$enemyabilities contains "protection" or $enemyabilities contains "darkhexes")[For sure they'll be packing quickhexes.] [[Next->Bout]]

{(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(if:$relagility<$agility)[(set:$relagility to ($relagility+1))]] (set:$temp to (random:10,40)) (set:$temp2 to (random:5,15)) (set:$HP to $HP+$undowounds) (set:$AP to $AP-$temp) (set:$CV to $CV-$temp2) (set:$quickhex to $quickhex-25) (set:$whoseturn to (random:-3,3)) }Transmuting $temp auragentum coins and $temp2 CV points into sorcerous forces, you restore your previously cached flesh! You restore $undowounds HP! [[Next|Bout]] (set:$undowounds to 1)

{(set:$quickhex to it-20) (set:$temp to (random:20,50)) (set:$temp2 to (random:5,10)) (set:$AP to it-$temp) (set:$CV to it-$temp2) }$temp auragentum pieces and $temp2 CV points dissolve! (if:$doppelgangermana is -200)[You secrete a mirror image! (set:$doppelgangermana to 2)](else:)[You create another doppelganger!] [[Next->Bout]] (set:$doppelgangermana to it+9+$arcana)

Eek, not yet implemented. Have 10 HP? [[Next->Bout]] (set:$HP to $HP+10) (set:$quickhex to $quickhex-20)

(set:$charactername to (either:"Uchiyama", "Sakai", "Yogi", "Miyata", "Tanimoto", "Goya", "Tanimoto", "Sakai", "Miyahira", "Umemoto", "Otsuka", "Murayama", "Nagano", "Okano", "Takara", "Nao", "Momo", "Nayoko", "Mutsoko", "Mura", "Shigé", "Tajima", "Kawahara", "Yamaoka", "Nozomi", "Tamiko", "Umeko", "Yoshiko", "Yousuke", "Rei", "Toyama", "Mita", "Endo", "Matsuura", "Suzuë", "Miki", "Miné", "Theudelinde", "Lori", "Jane", "Helen", "Madelgarda", "Goodsong", "Marcatrude", "Salvia", "Ingeltrude", "Leubast", "Danielle", "Allison", "Bertha", "Aibreann", "Catriona", "Ciara", "Maebh", "Nollaig", "Siobhan", "Heather", "Jah", "Prax", "Knep", "Sez", "Zaad", "Susan", "Damaris", "Chloe", "Mara", "Rachel", "Vera", "Winifred", "Mughec", "Wrienuc", "Wrox", "Farah", "Kelly", "Myfanwy", "Alex", "Elvia", "Lorda", "Zandra", "Da-Xia", "Changchang", "Fang", "Cuifen", "Ming-Huá", "Liu", "Ling", "Seo-yeon", "Ji-woo", "Mi-kyung","Kyung-ok", "Hilda", "Jack", "Funani", "Gatsha","Nkosingiphile","Nomvula","Rikke", "Dorota", "Pelagia","Pich","Eunika","Chiamaka","Faizah","Aziza","Sanite","Sabella","Sabah","Eszter", "Fereydoon","Jaleh","Kohinoor","Laleh")) (display:"Roll Abilities") (set:$perception to $perception+1) (set:$HP to $HP+6) (set:$class to (either:"Ecocritic","Chandler","King of Light","Ronin","Mirrorraveller")) (set:$species to (either:"Puppetborn","Snailborn","Wound Dwarf","Nestmech","Santaborn")) (set:$temperament to "a total beast") (if:$class is "Ecocritic")[(set:$bughex to (random:4,5))(set:$lighthex to (random:1,2))(set:$greenhex to 1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Earth Hexchanics","Wind Hexchanics"))] (if:$class is "Chandler")[(set:$lighthex to 1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Fire Hexchanics","Wind Hexchanics"))] (if:$class is "King of Light")[(set:$lighthex to 2)(set:$strength to it+1)(set:$arcana to it-1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Lux Hexchanics"))] (if:$class is "Mirrorraveller")[(set:$trickhex to 1)(set:$skills to $skills+(a:"Lux Hexchanics")(set:$HP to $HP-3))] (if:$class is "Ronin")[(set:$speed to it+1)(set:$arcana to it-1)(set:$weapon to "naginata")(set:$maxdamage to 9)(set:$AP to 24)] (goto:"Get Started")

(if:$eventtrack1 is 5)[(set:$eventtrack1 to 6)(goto:"Already Here")]

You make camp. In the night, you waken. "They're already here," Noriko whispers. [[But there is no threat.->Already Here 2]]

At least, not that kind of threat. Noriko shakes in the ember-light. "They've always been here. I've been dragged apart into grey jelly since forever." "Shush," says Maisie, like she doesn't really mean shush. [["Shush."->Already Here 3]]

Moonless night. Stifled sobbing. Mist, steam, droplets of wind-blown rain. Noriko's shoulders shaking. Maisie's hand moving, lit by cinders, stroking their hair. Noriko has these little turns. (link:"It will pass by morning")[(Goto:$destination)].

(set:$enemyHP to (random:5,15)+(3*$danger)) (set:$enemydamage to (random:5,10)+$danger) (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$enemyCV to 0) (set:$whoseturn to $speed+5) (set:$relspeed to $speed-(random:1,2)) (set:$relagility to $agility-(random:1,3)) (if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -3)] (if:(random:1,4) is 1)[(set:$enemyabilities to (a:(either:"heal","protection","darkhexes")))(set:$enemyCV to it+15)] (set:$enemyresistances to (array:(either:"bug","light","fire","green","wax","earth","wind","water","steam"))) (set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (array:(either:"bug","light","fire","green","wax","earth","wind","water","time","trick"))) (if:$enemyresistances contains (1st of $enemyvulnerabilities))[(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"no particular"))] (set: $temparray to (array:"a Dick-a-Tuesday", "a poxie", "a nuisance nibbler", "a nibbler-gibbler", "a mawkin", "a cowie", "a komainu", "a pad-foot", "a puck", "a normmare", "a leprecoin", "an ouph", "a wolf-headed hen", "a gname", "a charier-allele", "a kobold", "a kitty-witch", "a bookart", "a hob-thrust", "a hitotsume-kozō", "a spunks", "a skintern", "a sibyl", "a boneless", "a yeth-hounds", "a nicker", "a living legend", "a thrummy-cap", "a spoorn", "a boll", "a veiled cop", "a scrat", "a freit", "a dire snipe", "a dire shrike", "a lian-hanshee", "an akabeko", "a strangledfolk", "a shag-foal", "a dire haggis", "a cluricaun", "a sylvan", "a spitted jurk", "a gallytrot", "a machines-raised-by-haggises", "a gringe", "a hobgoblin", "a llamhigyn y dwr", "a bull-beggar", "a buttercore", "a doubled-urchins", "a jobswraith", "a two-puke", "a sylph", "a ninjacompoop", "a winked-too-hard", "a Jemmy-burtie", "a licky nailhands", "a thing-that-goes-beep-in-the-night","a haunted butter cache", "a grasping gulper", "a hygge grue", "a mumbles-in-the-willows", "a long fox", "a careless one", "a pictree", "a swaithe", "a hondy-hondy man", "a bonefain", "a tollman’s teeth", "a kors", "a fiend", "a fate", "a falafelfolk", "a nixie", "a peat ogre", "a hodge-pochers", "a slush beast", "a swiftly maggot", "a knockers", "a peat-mouth", "a madcap", "a needlenose", "a whitey", "a chittiface", "a mantifly", "a chinook", "a-leg-and-a-hunger", "a tech-ent", "a partfolk", "a cravin diggit", "an ochre ogre", "an old-shock", "a machine-raised-by-shrikes", "a wolf-raised-by-machines-raised-by-wolves", "a reaper-portrayed-by-butter", "a poet", "a fractalalices", "a choking chessman", "a borrowing-knight", "a headless snake", "a wolf", "a owlwolf", "a toad-panther", "a gooey soldier", "a battle-hen", "a whipping wailer", "a mastiff", "a panther", "a skulk", "a skeletal warrior", "a giant centipede", "a giant frog", "a gargoyle", "a shambling mound", "an ankheg", "an azer", "a bounding freak", "a beholder", "a cambion", "a carrion crawler", "a chimera", "a darkmantle", "a flumph", "a zombie", "a purgatory pup", "a blink hog", "a homunculus", "a jemble", "a pua", "a hook horror", "a horny hymn", "a naga", "an oni", "a dire cockatrice", "a dire cambion", "a dire normmare", "a dire rider rider", "a dire ouph", "a folding lich", "a rapid orchard", "a dire flumph", "a dire hobbit", "an ogre", "an ogre", "an ogre", "an ogre")) (set:$temp3 to $danger) (if:$temp3>10)[(set:$temp3 to 10)] (set:$temp to ((random:-11,30)+($temp3*12))) (set:$enemyname to $temparray[$temp]) (set:$temparray to (array:"empty")) (if:$enemyname is "an ogre")[(set: $enemyname to "a $enemyresistances ogre")] (if:$enemyname is "a earth ogre")[(set:$enemyname to "a bog ogre")] (set:$temp to (random:1,50)) (set:$temp2 to 0) (if:$temp is 1)[(set:$enemyname to "a bog body")(set:$temp2 to 3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"trick"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))(set:$relspeed to $speed)] (if:$temp is 2)[(set:$enemyname to "a hellish helper")(set:$temp2 to 3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"trick","fire"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light","water"))(set:$relspeed to $speed-2)] (if:$temp is 3)[(set:$enemyname to "an elf-fire")(set:$temp2 to 3)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"light","fire"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"water","earth"))(set:$relspeed to $speed-2)] (if:$temp is 4)[(set:$enemyname to "a ghoul")(set:$temp2 to 12)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water","time"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"fire","light"))] (if:$temp is 5)[(set:$enemyname to "a hyōsube")(set:$temp2 to -1)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water"))] (if:$temp is 6)[(set:$enemyname to "a shadow")(set:$temp2 to -1)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"light"))] (if:$temp is 7)[(set:$enemyname to "a man-in-the-oak")(set:$temp2 to 1)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water","green"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"fire"))(set:$relspeed to $speed)] (if:$temp is 8)[(set:$enemyname to "a drowning duppie")(set:$temp2 to 8)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"water","green"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"fire","wind","light"))(set:$relspeed to $speed)] (if:$temp is 9)[(set:$enemyname to "a swamp sylph")(set:$temp2 to 1)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"wind","water"))] (if:$temp is 10)[(set:$enemyname to "a hobby-lanthorn")(set:$temp2 to 1)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"light","wax"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"water"))] (if:$temp is 11)[(set:$enemyname to "a whisper")(set:$temp2 to 5)(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"fire","earth"))] (if:$temp is 12)[(set:$enemyname to "a demilich")(set:$temp2 to 8)(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to $enemyvulnerabilities+(a:"light"))(set:$enemyresistances to (a:"fire","earth","trick"))(set:$enemyabilities to $enemyabilities+(a:"darkhexes))(set:$enemyCV to it+15)] (set:$enemyHP to $enemyHP+$temp2) (set:$enemyCV to it+($danger*4)+$enemydamage+$enemyHP+(random:1,15)) (set:$enemyAP to (random:2,20+$enemyHP)) (goto:"Bout")

{(set:$map to (a:0,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),20,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,0)) (set:$map2 to (a:0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),1,1,1,(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0)) (set:$location to 75) (set:$danger to 3) (set:$maisiemana to 5) (set:$norikomana to 8) }Between the wetlands and the coast. The caravan looks a bit daunting. So does the bog, really. It has become sort-of-traversible since the Fordable Heath Care Act came in, but only barely. You could head (link:"toward the coast")[(set:$map to (a:""))(set:$map2 to (a:""))(set:$norikomana to 4)(goto:"SW along the coast")] or (link:"pick your way northward")[(goto:"Wetlands Dungeon")] among the hummocks.

(if:($map2[($location-11)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"North")[(set:$location to $location-11)(goto:"wetlands encounter")] ]{ }(if:($map2[($location+1)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"East")[(set:$location to $location+1)(goto:"wetlands encounter")] ]{ }(if:($map2[($location+11)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"South")[(set:$location to $location+11)(goto:"wetlands encounter")] ]{ }(if:($map2[($location-1)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"West")[(set:$location to $location-1)(goto:"wetlands encounter")] ]

{(if:$HP<1)[(goto:"Lose Fight")] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)] (if:$quickhex<100)[(set:$quickhex to $quickhex+2+$arcana)] (set:$distance to it-1) (set:$temp to 99) (if:$distance<1)[(set:$temp to 1)(set:$temp4 to 99)(goto:$destination)] }(if:$distance>0)[(if:(random:1,7) is 1)[(set:$temp to 1)(if:$temp4 is 50)[Another lurches toward you! (link:"Next")[(goto:"Choose Swamp Creature")]](else:)[Bad guys splash toward you! (link:"Next")[(set:$temp4 to 50)(goto:"Choose Swamp Creature")]]] (if:$temp is 99)[(goto:"wetlands encounter")]]

(set:$temp to $map's $location)(if:($temp/10)<1)[(if:$temp is 4)[Pale gold tussocks flower browning stalks.]{ }(if:$temp is 5)[Shining reeds strut red-murky water.]{ }(if:$temp is 6)[Bluebottles thicken to cream in butterworts.]{ }(if:$temp is 7)[Bluebottles dissolve in dissolving butterworts.]{ }(if:$temp is 8)[Sunken broken planters.]{ }(if:$temp is 9)[Waterlogged peat moss.]]{ }(if:(round:($temp/10)) is 1)[(if:$temp is 10)[Deep black water.]{ }(if:$temp is 11)[Butteryellow puckers of younger peatmoss.]{ }(if:$temp is 12)[Butteryellow asphodel perserveres.]{ }(if:$temp is 13)[Molten luminescence of limegreen mosses.]{ }(if:$temp is 14)[An eruption of roots, strung with spiderweb.]{ }(if:$temp is 15)[Sundew gone over, falling in breezes, (either:"burdened with a syrup of bugs.","leaden-headed with insectile syrup.")]{ }(if:$temp is 16)[(either:"Last raspberries, bilberries.","Late raspberries, bilberries.")]{ }(if:$temp is 17)[A confusion of heather, moss and perservering bilberries.]{ }(if:$temp is 18)[(either:"Strawyellow bog grass.","The wind blows light through strawyellow bog grass","Pale yellow bog grass leans in the breezes.")]{ }(if:$temp is 19)[Crammed with sundew, coyote lilies, puffballs, eyebright.]]{ }(if:(round:($temp/10)) is 2)[(if:$temp is 20)[Coyote-lily-smeared fens.]{ }(if:$temp is 21)[A conflux of rivulets.]{ }(if:$temp is 22)[You are standing in a lake.]{ }(if:$temp is 23)[Amid a small meadow of swaying white cotton heads.]{ }(if:$temp is 24)[Conifer seedlings and honeycombed peat.]{ }(if:$temp is 25)[A drained meadow. A grubbed ditch, dotted with carrot stubs and violets.]{ }(if:$temp is 26)[Some scattered bones.]{ }(if:$temp is 27)[Some scattered bones.]{ }(if:$temp is 28)[Some scattered bones.]{ }(if:$temp is 29)[Some scattered bones.]]{ }(if:(round:($temp/10)) is 3)[(if:$temp is 30)[Some scattered bones.]{ }(if:$temp is 31)[Heather, moss, water. ]{ }(if:$temp is 32)[Heather, moss, water. ]{ }(if:$temp is 33)[Heather, moss, water. ]{ }(if:$temp is 34)[Heather, moss, water. ]{ }(if:$temp is 35)[(either:"Sedge,","Heather,","Conifers,") (either:"moss,","bog cotton,","tussocks,","hummocks,","tufts,") (either:"water.","mud.","reeds.","cutover peat.")]{ }(if:$temp is 34)[You wade through mud from tussock to tussock. Tall reeds tickle your chin.]{ }(if:$temp is 35)[Masses of crumbling heather at the edge of honeycombed peat banks.]{ }(if:$temp is 36)[(either:"Honeycombed","Honeycombed","Carved","Intricately carved","Swabbed out","Grubbed out","Cutover","Crinkle-crankle") peat banks, (either:"tufted with bog cotton.","and a featherweight slur of blue milkwort.")]{ }(if:$temp is 37)[Rushes sputtering in uncut peat and slicks.]{ }(if:$temp is 38)[Peat tufted with bog cotton.]{ }(if:$temp is 39)[Riddled turfcutters' workings.]]{ }(if:(round:($temp/10)) is 4)[(if:$temp is 40)[Beside otter bones.]{ }(if:$temp is 41)[The shapeless swamp interrupted by a memory of a crofter's turf roof.]{ }(if:$temp is 42)[(either:"Hummocked","Tussocked") tangles of sedge.]{ }(if:$temp is 43)[Thistles thrust up here.]{ }(if:$temp is 44)[A dire thistle looms.]{ }(if:$temp is 45)[(either:"A stand of conifers, laden with loud larks.","Beside a stand of conifers.","Among a spinney of tall, stern, and silent connifers.")]{ }(if:$temp is 46)[(either:"A stand of conifers.","Beside a stand of conifers.","Near a stand of conifers.")]{ }(if:$temp is 47)[A torn crosshatch of netting in the mud.]{ }(if:$temp is 48)[Otters' workings.]{ }(if:$temp is 49)[An old drainage rill, repurposed to ford a fen rivulet.]]{ }(if:$temp is 50)[A strange zigzag of stones.]{ }(if:$temp is 51)[A heap of turf, protected by a crude two-auragentum hex. You leave it all be.]{ }(if:$temp is 52)[A length of sodden tapestry, tangled with antlers.]{ }(if:$temp is 53)[Beside the shaft of a pike, spliced to a mule's spine with shreds of pennants.]{ }(if:$temp is 54)[Rushes sputter in uncut peat and slicks of moss like guttering wicks candlewax.]{ }(if:$temp is 55)[Pearls of fleece on a wire fence.]

(set:$temp to (random:1,12)){ }(if:$temp is 1)[A fairy, infinitesimal himself, is measuring a mushroom with a bright red rod.]{ }(if:$temp is 2)[A (either:"knot","swab","slick","blob","slur","smear","smudge") of (either:"shrike","lark","snipe") feathers and (either:"bones","bones","flesh","sinew","leather","clockwork") melts in a (either:"late","hobbled","dissipating","rotting","broken","capsized","half-submerged") dire butterwort.]{ }(if:$temp is 3)[(either:"Rustcolored frogs congregate in the mud.","Spicy miasma of smooshed bog myrtle.")]{ }(if:$temp is 4)[(either:"A living skull, or a machine, chews turf.","A living skull, or a machine, chews turf for an absent master.")]{ }(if:$temp is 5)[Your (either:"foot","step","boot","passage","trudging") (either:"agitates","releases","perturbs","disturbs","knocks","nudges","startles") a (either:"snipe","tink","warbler","little timber newt-mech","Jiggle Bug"). It swiftly skitters away.]{ }(if:$temp is 6)[Your (either:"foot","toe","step","boot","passage","trudging") (either:"agitates","releases","perturbs","disturbs","knocks","nudges","unearths") a (either:"knot","lump","cache","knurl","nugget","crystal","cyst","splinter") of (either:"relict","preserved","frozen","coagulated","mummified","pickled","locked","neglected") time. Underfoot, a fragment of an earlier moment unravels and vanishes.]{ }(if:$temp is 7)[A shrike shreds a (either:"lizard","lizard","newt","hummingbird-moth","bug","tink-deer","tink") on a (either:"thistle","thorn bush","nail","thorn branch").]{ }(if:$temp is 8)[A fugitive chain-gang of tech-ents shuffles along the (either:"northern","eastern","western","southern") horizon.]{ }(if:$temp is 9)[(either:"Not far off,","In the distance,") (either:"nestmech","hobgoblin","orc","snailborn") (either:"crofters gather gorse","peat-diggers cut the land").]{ }(if:$temp is 10)[(either:"Not far off,","In the distance,") (either:"nestmech","hobgoblin","orc","snailborn") (either:"shepherds","crofters") (either:"shepherd","navigate","guide","thread","herd","pilot") (either:"their flock forward.","a few yakows off to the east.","their yakows away through the dusk.","their yakows carefully around a schism in the swamp.","their yakows carefully through the mazy bog.")]{ }(if:$temp is 11)[(either:"Lapwings calling.","Snipe flies up and vanishes.","A lark.","A fetor of bad butter.","You find jars of rancid butter.")]

{(set:$temp to (random:1,25)+$perception)  (set:$temp2 to (($map2[$location])*(random:1,$danger)))  (set:$temp4 to (random:3,5)) (if:$skills contains "Scruto and Speculum")[(set:$temp to it+5)] (if:$skills contains "Dungeon Ranger")[(set:$temp to it+1)] (set:$temp3 to (either: "a sink-hole","sucking sand","thorns","a poison pocket","a spiked pit","a swally-hole","a clockwork whirlpool")) }(if:$temp>20)[You notice $temp3. Gain $temp4 CV points. (set:$CV to it+$temp4)(link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]](else:)[You fall into $temp3! You take $temp2 damage! (set:$HP to $HP-$temp2) (if:$HP>0)[(link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]](else:)[Your companions can't get to you in time. $charactername, your brave life is over. (link:"Next")[(goto:"Start")]]]

(set:$temp to (random:15,30)) You uncover a hoard of $temp auragentum coins.(set:$AP to $AP+$temp) (link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]

{(set:$map2's $location to 1) (set:$temp to (random:1,8)) }(if:$temp is 1)[You find some clockwork bark, which you share with Maisie.(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana+2)(set:$greenhex to $greenhex+2)]{ }(if:$temp is 2)[(if:"Jiggle Bug net" is in $equipment)[You scoop up a splashing Jiggle Bug.(set:$bughex to $bughex+1)](else:)[A Jiggle Bug dives and evades you.]]{ }(if:$temp is 3)[(if:$maxdamage<10)[Leaning against a cairn, you find a finely-carved shillelagh. You decide it must be a gift.(set:$weapon to "shillelagh")(set:$maxdamage to 10)](else:)[(set:$temp to 4)]]{ }(if:$temp is 4)[In a (either:"mound of straw","small waterproof tin","glass jar, tied with ribbons,","reed bed","collapsed dire butterdew cadaver","sodden sack","shattered crate","half-sunken wheelbarrow","swally hole","little cairn","crumpled helmet","hole in a peat bank") you discover a hoard of hexchanisms!(set:$bughex to $bughex+1)(set:$waterhex to $waterhex+2)(set:$earthhex to $earthhex+(random:1,2))(set:$timehex to $timehex+(random:0,1))(set:$waxhex to $waxhex+(random:0,1))]{ (if:$temp is 5)[(if:$skills contains "Herbalism")[(goto:"Gather Flowers")](else:)[Intriguing bog fungus. Best leave it be.]] (if:$temp is 6)[Beside you a puddle of bogwater ascends into a fairy fountain. You watch it sway for what feels like centuries.(set:$map to (a:0,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),20,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,0)) (set:$map2 to (a:0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:1,9),0,(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),0,0,(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),0,0,(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),1,1,1,(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0))] }(if:$temp>6)[You wade onward.] (link:"Next")[(goto:"Wetlands Dungeon")]

[[Next|Path to Wetlands]] (set: $hexadj1 to "wtf") (set: $hexadj2 to "wtaf") (set: $agility to 3) (set: $maxagility to $agility+2) (set: $speed to 3) (set: $perception to 4) (set: $charisma to 2) (set: $strength to 6) (set: $arcana to 7) (set: $HP to 44) (set: $maxHP to 44) (set: $CV to (random:5,25)) (set: $AP to (135-($CV+$perception+$agility))) (set: $level to 4) (set: $weapon to "lamp") (set: $equipment to (a:"leather armor")) (set: $maxdamage to 14) (set:$bughex to (random:1,9)) (set:$lighthex to (random:0,9)) (set:$firehex to (random:0,9)) (set:$greenhex to 4) (set:$waxhex to 5) (set:$earthhex to 7) (set:$windhex to 8) (set:$waterhex to 9) (set:$timehex to 0) (set:$trickhex to 0) (set:$danger to 3) (set:$skills to (array:"Selfheal Quickhex","Warring Withdrawal"))

Attempting a short-cut, you briefly lose your way. It is quite dark by the time you [[set up camp|Mr Come-Lie-By-You 2]].

It is Noriko's watch, but they are nowhere to be seen. Luckily [[you are awake|Mr Come-Lie-By-You 3]].

Did Noriko go to chase away a night-robin, or were those dreams? Behind the black hill, the beck runs turbulently. Beside you, [[Maisie unhappily stirs|Mr Come-Lie-By-You 4]].

Maisie crawls in a circle, stumbling to her feet lit by the faint last cinders. Against the beetling darkness of the ridge, her groggy silhouette squats and is consumed. You lie calmly at the edge of sleep. Overhead, a shaggy stipple of starlight. You feel strangely refreshed. Poised, alert, but not necessarily wakeful. As if, in one instant, you could leap up into the dreamless world or leap away into the centre of dreams, as requisite. A fairy called [[Mr Come-Lie-By-You|Mr Come-Lie-By-You 5]] comes and lies by you.

Mr Come-Lie-By-You slides tugs Maisie's blankets up to his chin. You remember the rules. You've known them since you were a child. All you have to do is behave exactly as if Mr Come-Lie-By-You were just Maisie, and he will do you no harm. Starlight stipples his enormous eyes. [[His smile twitches and spins.|Mr Come-Lie-By-You 6]] (set:$temp to 0)

{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$AP<60 and (random:1,3) is 1)[(set:$temp to ((random:2,(6+$charisma))*10))] (if:((random:1,40)>($maxdamage+$bughex+$firehex+$greenhex+$windhex+$earthhex+$timehex+$trickhex)) and $AP<200)[(set:$temp to it+25)] (set:$temp2 to (random:1,2)) }(if:$temp>0 and $temp2 is 1)["Hey $charactername," says Noriko. "My money's so long I don't even know where it ends. Take some auragentum out of my life, please."](elseif:$temp>0 and $temp2 is 2)["$charactername," sighs Maisie. "I don't like to see you so precarious. I want you to take this. This is for my benefit, not yours."]{ }(if:$temp>0)[ Embarrassed but grateful, you accept $temp auragentum coins. (set:$AP to $AP+$temp) (link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]](else:)[(goto:$destination)]

You feel you want to cough. (link:"Cough")[(set:$temp to 1)(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 7")] (link:"Clear your throat")[(set:$temp to 1)(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 7")] (link:"Keep it down")[(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 7")]

{(set:$eventtrack2 to 8) }(if:$temp>4)[Mr Come-Lie-By-You knows you know he came and lay by you. That's it. Everything is done. Or perhaps it is all just elsewhere. Something carries on. But what carries on is not you, and it is not the world.{ (set:$charactername to "Once-Was-"+$charactername) (set:$perception to $perception+1) (set:$charisma to $charisma-1) (set:$strength to $strength-1) (set:$arcana to (random:-1,3)) (set:$agility to (random:-1,3)) (set:$speed to ($speed+(random:-1,2))) (set:$maxHP to $maxHP-(random:-3,6)) (set:$HP to $maxHP) (set:$class to (either:"Ecocritic","Chandler","King of Light","Ronin","Mirrorraveller")) (set:$temperament to "a changeling") (set:$weapon to "bone") (set:$maxdamage to 9) (set:$level to $level-2) (set:$AP to $AP+200) }](else:)[Maisie is lying next to you. She got up in the night, for a minute. But that was hours ago. Noriko is up on the ridge, keeping watch. If you need to tell yourself it was just a dream, that's okay.] (link:("Next"))[(goto:$destination)]

(if:$temp > 1)[Mr Come-Lie-By-You may not have liked what you just did. Or perhaps he did. ](else:)[He is still there.] He shifts a little, so his shoulder lies against yours. It feels like a fire. (link:"Roll away")[(set:$temp to $temp+1)(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 9")] (link:"Stay as you are")[(set:$temp to $temp+2)(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 9")] (link:"Embrace Mr Come-Lie-By-You")[(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 9")]

{(set:$map to (a:0,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),20,(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),(random:4,55),0,0,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,0)) (set:$map2 to (a:0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),(random:2,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),1,1,1,(random:1,9),(random:1,9),(random:1,9),0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0)) (set:$location to 16) (set:$danger to 3) (set:$maisiemana to 4) (set:$norikomana to 6) }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] Wooded land, at the northermost edge of the wetlands. You could head (link:"south toward the coast")[(goto:"Wetlands Dungeon")], (link:"north into the moors")[(set:$map to (a:""))(set:$map2 to (a:""))(set:$norikomana to 3)(goto:"Chilblain Hill")], or (link:"west into the tundra")[(set:$map to (a:""))(set:$map2 to (a:""))(set:$norikomana to 3)(set:$distance to 6)(set:$destination to "Tundra near Marshes")(goto:"Random Encounter")].

There is this little tune you've learned. When you hear it, you know you are dreaming. And you know it's time to [[wake up->dirge ogre appears]].

(if:$temp is 1)[You think Mr Come-Lie-By-You looks a little sadder. But it is hard to tell. ] Your nose may be itchy. You think it is. But would it normally be itchy? (link:"Scratch")[(set:$temp to it+2)(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 8")] (link:"Wrinkle")[(set:$temp to it+3)(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 8")] (link:"Stay still")[(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 8")]

You don't want to shut your eyes. But maybe you should. They feel heavy. Maybe you should shut them. (link:"Shut them")[(goto:"Mr Come-Lie-By-You 10")] (link:"Not yet")[(set:$temp to it+(random:-1,1))]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

{(if:$weapon is "ingenious improvised firefighting paraphenalia")[(set:$weapon to $specialitem) (set:$specialitem to "")] }(if:("on fire" is in (history:)))[The library wasn't too badly damaged in the fire.] The [[head librarian|Cory Doctordrow]] rushes between the stacks in a silent flurry. Dark elves make the best librarians. The library has a kind of gift shop annexe, which happens to also be [[Klipweiding's major hexchanism merchant|Ashton's magic shop]]. Or you can head back to [[the center of town|Klipweiding]]. Alternatively, you can read up on one of these topics. **Species** [[Puppetborn|Species Descriptions]] [[Snailborn|Species Descriptions]] [[Santaborn|Species Descriptions]] [[Nestmechs|Species Descriptions]] [[Wound Dwarves|Species Descriptions]] [Leprecoins]<Leprecoins| [Enenra]<Enenra| **Hexchanisms** [Auragentum]<Auragentum| [Sidereal Ampullae]<Sidereal_Ampullae| (if:("on fire" is in (history:)))[(if:not ("Stax is back") is in (history:))[ [[Hex News|Cory Doctordrow]]]] **Class Fragments** [[Chandler|Chandler Description]] **Attributes** [Strength]<Strength| [Speed]<Speed| [Agility]<Agility| [Arcana]<Arcana| [Perception]<Perception| [Charisma]<Charisma| [HP]<HP| [CV Points]<CV_Points| (click:?Leprecoins)[(replace:?Leprecoins)[*Leprecoins* The little entities who inhabit auragentum coins. By some ancient hex, or law, or covenant, they always take on the appearance of the sovereign of the day, with the kind of grotesque leeway associated with the political cartoonist. That part of it was perhaps intended a kind of public information broadcast: everyone in the Queendom would know instantly about the latest assassination the first time they reach into their pocket. The reality is a little different, since auragentum coins are so frequently pulled apart and smooshed together, that any given auragentum coin is likely to sport only a few dismembered fragments of leprecoin - a lip, an eye, a bit of thigh - wriggling wildly and presumablly with enthusiasm. Auragentum coins may be used in simple hexes, such as Doppleganger Quickhex, during which the coins bend, boil and burst in paroxyms of vaguely floral ontological disruption. There is some disagreement about what happens to the resident leprecoins at this point. Probably something nice. Or they're fine. Or something.]] (click:?Enenra)[(replace:?Enenra)[*Enenra* History is written by the victors, and embellished by the denizens of fairyland, who scrape ink from vellum and sand it smooth to encourage secret meanings to emerge. Anyway, the point is that the library resources on these Smoke Fairies are not very extensive and appear to be rather one-sided and in fact grisly and racist, mostly relating to the Enenra War. If you want a glorious victory and the chance to write some history, the tomes advise, carry some Kalpises and Nepheliad Pyxes with you.]] (click:?Auragentum)[(replace:?Auragentum)[*Auragentum* The ensorcelled auragentum coin forms the sole currency of the Queendom, and has done since long before folk got into the habit of writing down things that might be true and history began. Some say that they are a legacy of vanished people, the Economistborn, whose money long outlasted their cities. Others say they are the work of a particular artificer, the legendary sorceror Gnurmringor the Eked. Wherever they came from, auragentum coins are exquisitely fit for purpose. For one thing, they are almost impossible to counterfeit, since the imagery on a true auragentum coin is alive and given to energetic wriggling. It is also supremely easy to make change, since an auragentum coin may be pulled apart like putty, and the fragments will spontaneously flow into little discs struck with the appropriate numerals. Likewise, they may be rolled together into larger denomination coins, farthings flowing smoothly into florins. It is rumored that auragentum coins are also self-begetting. Whenever any medium of exchange crosses a particular threshold of general acceptability. it becomes possessed by leprecoin spirits, and quickly takes on bodies of auragentum. Auragentum coins are also, technically speaking, or at least taxonomically speaking, hexchanisms: although their influence is so faint that usually even a skilled mage must usually mash together dozens of coins to generate any discernible effect.]] (click:?Sidereal_Ampullae)[(replace:?Sidereal_Ampullae)[*Sidereal Ampullae* Twinkle, twinkle, little hexchanism. The Sidereal Ampulla is the traditional hexchanism of the Worshipful Company of Kings of Light. The Kings are glowy and heroic and nobody would begrudge them their sparklers, but it's also true any competent Mirrorraveller is quite capable of manufacturing and using a Sidereal Ampulla. In fact, as clots of eldritch lucidity goes, it's pretty entry-level. It is however a component in one or two more advanced preparations, such as (when twinned with a Temporaltoma hexchanism) Bess of Nalediplek's Moonbow Bridge. It is foolish, and probably unethical, to make generalizations about such things, but anecdotally, hexes incorporating Sidereal Ampullae have been known to work rather well against hellish helpers, bog bodies, drowning duppies and demilichs.]] (click:?Strength)[(replace:?Strength)[*Strength* Primarily influences how much damage you inflict in combat, assuming you're the sort of person who goes around fighting everyone. The higher your strength, the more hit points your foe will lose when you bash them with your $weapon. It sounds very abstract, but it is horrific to watch. A particular level of strength may also be required to wield certain weapons.]] (click:?Agility)[(replace:?Agility)[*Agility* In combat, your agility determines how likely it is that your $weapon attacks will hit your enemy, and how likely it is that you will be able to dodge their attacks. A particular level of agility may also be required to wield certain weapons. Agility is not relevant to hexes - attack hexes will always hit and do at least a little damage.]] (click:?Speed)[(replace:?Speed)[*Speed* In combat, your speed determines how often you may take an action (for instance, attacking with your $weapon) compared to your enemy. If you have the higher speed, it's more likely that you'll be able to take two actions in a row. If they have the higher speed, vice-versa.]] (click:?Arcana)[(replace:?Arcana)[*Arcana* Arcana is a rough measure of your skill in all things marvelous, miraculous, thaumaturgic, occult, demoniac, ferly and wyrd. For instance, in combat, your arcana influences how much damage your hexes deal to your foes.]] (click:?Perception)[(replace:?Perception)[*Perception* Perception is a rather hopelessly reductive quantification of your vigilance, alertness, sagacity, astuteness, watchfulness, and nose for relevant reality. It may help you to spot traps without falling into them, or to notice bits and pieces of tucked-away treasure. In combat, the higher your perception, the more likely that you will get glimpses of your assailant's hit points, maximum damage, and hex vulnerabilities. When looking at their maximum damage, remember that they may be able to do more by attacking twice in a row.]] (click:?Charisma)[(replace:?Charisma)[*Charisma* Charisma will of course shape the conversations and encounters you have. Some might say that charisma is a condensation of your capacity to impose or at least transpose your will, by charms and wiles, upon the will of others. Certainly, a high charisma score will subtly influence the amount of auragentum available to you on credit, as well as the prices you pay for things like new weaponry and occasionally rest and relaxation too. In these days of disrupted supply chains, high charisma may also make it more likely that certain goods will appear for sale in the first place. More importantly, charisma will determine how expensive it is to negotiate your way out of a fight. It may also make your companions more solicitous of your combat survival needs. But perhaps that's the wrong way to look at charisma. Instead of locating charisma as a quality of the individual, which radiates outward and remakes the world accordingly, perhaps charisma is in some sense already in the world. Instead of you 'using' your charisma to ensure Noriko slashes away a ghoul's face in a timely fashion, or to influence Maisie to solace your sucking chest-wound with her healing hexes, perhaps charisma is already manifest in those acts. Perhaps it is an estimate of the intensity, harmony and energy of your encounters with those around you. In a way, maybe it's not just your attribute. Maybe it's theirs too.]] (click:?HP)[(replace:?HP)[*Hit points* Your hit points, often abbreviated HP, are your 'life.' If you are injured, your hit points fall. If they fall to zero or below, you will die. You can restore your hit points at a Physic Spa - the one in Klipweiding is well-spoken-of - or by using healing magic, such as certain herbs and mushrooms, Selfheal Quickhex, Undo Wounds, various hexes involving clockwork bark, etc. Hit points may temporarily be raised above your "maximum HP" level, but they will always drop to that level eventually. You can increase your maximum HP by levelling up or acquiring better armor.]] (click:?CV_Points)[(replace:?CV_Points)[*CV points* Gained from achieving story objectives, from random serendipitous blessings, from defeating bad guys in mortal combat, and from spotting traps without actually falling into them. The main thing CV points are used for is to level up. This can be done from a place of safety (such as a town), and gives you all kinds of bonuses and options. CV points can also be spent when exercising special abilities such as Rage or auragentum-based Quickhexes. Running away or maxing excuses, leaving Noriko and Maisie to finish off a fight, may also cost a few CV points.]]

(if:("on fire" is in (history:)))[(if:not("clocktwerk star" is in (history:)))[(goto:"clocktwerk star")]]You have nothing in particular to seek Cory Doctordrow's advice about, so you get some general tips about library use instead. [[Next|Klipweiding Library]]

(link-goto: "Back", (history:)'s last) **Skills** *Flickerfooted* +1 speed, +1 agility. *Such Warmth* Available at level three. +1 charisma, +75 CV points, unlocks Shining Example. *Shining Example* Available at level four. Requires Such Warmth. +1 charisma. *Ossifragrant Pugilism* +1 strength, +2 max HP. Together with the Berserker temperament, unlocks Boiling Blood. *Aromatherapy* Gain about 40 auragentum coins, plus or minus charisma modifier. +1 max HP. Unlocks Armortherapy and Bright Spark. *Armortherapy* Requires Aromatherapy. +5 max HP. *Bright Spark* Requires Aromatherapy. +1 perception. Unlocks Lux Hexchanics and Enlightenment. *Lux Hexchanics* Requires Aromatherapy, Bright Spark. Allows the chandler the option of manufacturing Sidereal Ampullae hexchanics when levelling up. *Enlightenment* Requires Aromatherapy, Bright Spark. +1 arcana. Unlocks Wax Hexchanics and Swiften Quickhex. *Wax Hexchanics* Requires Aromatherapy, Bright Spark, Enlightenment. Allows the chandler the option of manufacturing Clockwork Waxwork hexchanics when levelling up. *Swiften Quickhex* Requires Aromatherapy, Bright Spark, Enlightenment. In combat, a chandler with at least 20 CV points and six auragentum coins may be able to cast Swiften Quickhex, temporarily increasing their speed. Unlocks Selfheal Quickhex and Otherie Quickhex. Not all those CV points will necessarily be burned up. *Selfheal Quickhex* Requires Aromatherapy, Bright Spark, Enlightenment, Swiften Quickhex. In combat, a chandler with at least 40 CV points and at least about 40 auragentum coins (minus arcana bonus), they may be able to cast Selfheal Quickhex, restoring some lost hit points. Not all those CV points and auragentum coins will necessarily be burned up. *Otherie Quickhex* Requires Bright Spark, Enlightenment, Swiften Quickhex. In combat, a chandler with at least about 30 auragentum coins (minus arcana bonus) may be able to cast Otherie Quickhex, gaining insight into their enemy's strengths and weaknesses. Not all those auragentum coins will necessarily be burned away. *Rage* Requires Berserker temperament. In combat, a chandler with at least 30 CV points may have the option to fly into a series of frenzied attacks. Not all the CV points will necessarily be burned away. Together with Ossifragant Pugilism, unlocks Boiling Blood. *Boiling Blood* Requires Ossifragrant Pugilism, Rage. +1 strength, +2 max HP. Improves, if that's the right word, the chandler's rages. *Jack Be Nimble* Requires non-Berserker temperament. +1 agility, +2 max HP. **Hexchanics** Instead of choosing a skill when levelling up, chandlers can create Flamula or Nepheliad Pyxides hexchanisms. Chandlers also often learn to create Sidereal Ampullae or Clockwork Waxworks. **HP** Chandlers' maximum hit points increase by 1-2 per level. **Initial Adjustments** -1 strength, +1 perception **Starting Kit** Candlesnuffer (max damage 5) Leather armor Usually 2-3 Flamula and/or Nepheliad Pyxides hexchanisms (link-goto: "Back", (history:)'s last)

You know the Poor Coast Chapter of the Worshipful Company of Chandlers have their guild house here in Klipweiding. But you're not quite sure which it is. Near the northern gate, a [squat, architecturally intricate building]<squat|, its facade decorated with freizes and gargoyles? Just off the main piazza, [an odd higgledy-piggledy building]<flowerpots|, that reminds you of a flowerpot made of flowerpots? The once-lavish, crumbling tofu-dregs-ish [masionette]<maisonette| crowning the southern rise, its lilac paint peeling? The [tall white brick tower]<tower| crowned with the bulbous, tapering crimson onion-dome? (click:?flowerpots)[(set:$temp to "Oh, because it looks a bit melted maybe? Anyway, that's not it. But you find it in the end.")(goto:"Guessed Chandlers")]{ }(click:?squat)[(set:$temp to "Turns out that's not it. But you find it in the end.")(goto:"Guessed Chandlers")]{ }(click:?maisonette)[(set:$temp to "Oh, because it looks a bit melted maybe? Anyway, that's not it. But you find it in the end.")(goto:"Guessed Chandlers")]{ }(click:?tower)[(set:$temp to "Yes, that's it all right.")(goto:"Guessed Chandlers")]

(print:$temp)(if:$temp is "Yes, that's it all right.")[ Gain 10 CV points.(set:$CV to $CV+10)] [[Next|Chandlers Guild]]

Auragentum: $AP The shop on the ground floor sells a bewildering assortment of candles, candlesticks, waxes, dyes and additives, wicks, perfumes, lacquers, paints and applique sheets, boilers and dipping cans, tapers(if:$AP<-25)[, plus a few hexchanisms, although nothing you can afford.](else:)[, plus a few hexchanisms: (if:$level<7 or $class is "Chandler")[(link:"Flamula")[(set:$AP to $AP-65)(set:$firehex to $firehex+1)(goto:"Chandlers Guild")] ($firehex): 65 ]{ }(link:"Clockwork Waxwork:")[(set:$AP to $AP-85)(set:$waxhex to $waxhex+1)(goto:"Chandlers Guild")] ($waxhex): 85 (if:not($class is "Chandler"))[If you fancy switching to Chandler class fragment, (link:"candlemaking classes")[(if:$AP>449)[(set:$AP to $AP-600)(set:$class to "Chandler")](goto:"Chandlers Guild")] are on a special offer of 600 auragentum coins.](else:)[Everyone up in this guild house has so much love for you, $charactername.]] [[Back to the center of town|Klipweiding]]

You set up camp atop the cliffs. You'll take the first watch. Maisie and Noriko are [[bickering as usual|SW coast bicker]]. You try to [[ignore them|SW coast after bicker]].

"He summoned some kind of ghost of searing goop and ionizing radiation and I'm not having this argument with you," says Noriko. "You're not having this argument with me, about the grinning face of doll bones and star flesh the hobgoblin Paladin hit me with?" says Maisie. "That's sweet of you and also respectful." "Yeah Maisie, because the best place to see a grinning face from is inside the grinning face." "Yeah Noriko, because maybe if there are any people here who haven't actually been inside the hobgoblin Paladin's ghost of searing goop and ionizing radiation, they could shut their mouths." "Maybe we all need to shut our eyes," you suggest gently. "I don't mean to tone-police," says Maisie. "Eww so you had your mouth open inside that thing?" says Noriko. "I didn't say that. Not a thing I said." "The hobgoblin Paladin hexed you with a ghost -" "- with a face, and I didn't -" "- of searing goop and ionizing radiation -" "- dolls and stars, flesh and bones, and I didn't say that -" "- and you were like, nom nom nom nom nom." "Ooh!" you say. "Are those 'sleepy' sounds I hear?" "Nom nom nom nom, mmm, oh yeah, uh, uh, uh, mmmmm ..." "To me 'Paladin' isn't even a proper thing to call yourself," Maisie muses. "Just call yourself 'King of Light, sub-class Butthurt.'" "King of Noriko Kills Me With Arrow. Sub-class Maisie Sucks My Hexes." Eventually they [[pipe down|SW coast after bicker]].

You listen to the surf, the hoots and moos of cowls, and Maisie's soft snoring. Maisie wakes. "Thank you, Noriko," she says. "Any time babe." The night [[passes uneventfully|SW along the coast]].

{(set:$temp to 0) }(if:$arcana>-3)[(if:($skills contains "Lux Hexchanics"))[(set:$temp to (random:4,5)+$arcana)(link:"Sidereal Ampulla")[(set:$lighthex to $lighthex+$temp)(set:$levmes to "It is a clear, starry night, so you artifice $temp new hexchanisms.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]{ }(if:($skills contains "Fire Hexchanics"))[(set:$temp to (random:4,5)+$arcana)(link:"Flamula")[(set:$firehex to $firehex+$temp)(set:$levmes to "The secret to artificing excellent flamula hexchanisms lies in getting the first iteration of the mage-furnace just right. The whole thing takes time, but eventually you have baked a fresh batch of $temp intricate wee nests of smoke and ember.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Water Hexchanics")[(set:$temp to (random:4,5)+$arcana)(link:"Kalpis")[(set:$waterhex to $waterhex+$temp)(set:$levmes to "Your $temp new kalpis are layered out of crinkled planes of tessellating hendekeractonal brookwater. They look very quenching.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Wind Hexchanics")[(set:$temp to (random:4,5)+$arcana)(link:"Nepheliad Pyxides")[(set:$windhex to $windhex+$temp)(set:$levmes to "The main chassis of a nepheliad pyx is a conflux of snuffing breezes. The work is pleasant but long. You get there in the end. Gain $temp nepheliad pyxides.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Earth Hexchanics")[(set:$temp to (random:4,5)+$arcana)(link:"Terremotive Thuribles")[(set:$earthhex to $earthhex+$temp)(set:$levmes to "You enlist the tiny rhythmic jaws of your more fine-grained friends in order to artifice some extra terremotive thuribles. After what feels like ages squatting in the ditch as orgiophant to the cilia, you are the proud owner of $temp very special pecks of dirt.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Wax Hexchanics")[(link:"Clockwork Waxwork")[(set:$temp to (random:4,5)+$arcana)(set:$waxhex to $waxhex+$temp)(set:$levmes to "Each starts as a witchknot of wicks and snastes. By applying your secret chandlers arts, you produce $temp new hexchanisms.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Vegetable Hexchanics")[(set:$temp to (random:4,5)+$arcana)(link:"Clockwork Bark")[(set:$greenhex to $greenhex+$temp)(set:$levmes to "You manufacture some new hexchanisms. The corks, the phelloderm, the cortex, the phloem, the cambium and the xylum, and then the really finnicky stuff. The thing to remember about these hexchanisms is to keep winding them. Gain $temp clockwork bark hexchanisms.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Darkly")[(set:$temp to (random:4,5)+$arcana)(link:"Stock Hypercube")[(set:$trickhex to $trickhex+$temp)(set:$levmes to "You worm out a few of the universe's bones to use as ovipositors, and increase your store of hexchanisms. Gain $temp stock hypercubes.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Darkly" or $skills contains "Ticktock Hexchanics")[(set:$temp to (random:4,5)+$arcana)(link:"Temporalatoma")[(set:$timehex to $timehex+$temp)(set:$levmes to "One of the less tangible hexchanisms. Graftings from eye flaws, a little flesh astrally harvested from the Chess-Nous forest, et cetera. Of course, the one true ingredient is the time rimed onto each step of the process. Gain $temp temporalatoma hexchanisms.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]{ }(if:$skills contains "Saint World")[(link:"Pick 'n' Hex")[(set:$firehex to $firehex+3)(set:$windhex to $windhex+3)(set:$earthhex to $earthhex+2)(set:$waterhex to $waterhex+2)(set:$greenhex to $greenhex+1)(set:$levmes to "You create something which, left mostly to itself, but not entirely to itself, breaks apart into a dozen hexchanisms of various types.")(goto:"Species Level")] ]]{ }(if:$temp is 0)[You do not know how to make any hexchanisms.]

(set:$enemyname to (either:"a vine dragon","a moss dragon","a flower dragon","a rose dragon","a thorns dragon")) (set:$enemyabilities to (a:"heal","protection","darkhexes")) (set:$enemyHP to (random:90,110)) (set:$enemydamage to (random:10,12)+(round:($level/2))) (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$whoseturn to $speed) (set:$relspeed to $speed-3) (set:$relagility to $agility-6) (if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -3)] (set:$enemyresistances to (array:"green")) (set:$enemyresistances to $enemyresistances+(array:(either:"earth","water"))) (set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (array:(either:"no particular","bug","light","fire"))) (set:$norikomana to it+5) (set:$maisiemana to it+3) (set:$mustfight to true) (set:$enemyCV to 200) (set:$enemyAP to 200) (goto:"Bout")

{(set:$temp2 to (random:1,6)) (if:$temp2 is 1)[You watch (either:"a yoga group","a yoga class","a pilates group","a martial arts class","a jam session","a cricket match","a waltz lesson","an archery contest"), mostly (either:"hobgoblins","orcs","gallyjurts","spitted jurks","undead","snailborn","normborn","nestmechs","wound dwarves","dwarven").] (if:$temp2 is 2)[Some (either:"hobgoblins","orcs","gallyjurts","snailborn","normborn","nestmechs","dwarven","santaborn","wound dwarves","talking owls","talking beasts","centaurs") play (either:"at dice","cards","soccer","cricket","Chess","checkers","Go","brass instruments","lutes","lyres","musical instruments") nearby.] (if:$temp2 is 3)[Fisherfolk wagons rattle fragrantly past, bound for the north.] (if:$temp2 is 4)[Orcs in silver robes conduct a viva voce in an unruly maze garden.] (if:$temp2 is 5)[Nearby, a (either:"group","gaggle","small crowd","crowd") of (either:"normborn","orcs","gallyjurts","henmen","snailborn","gallybeggars") and (either:"hobgoblins","nestmechs","dwarven","satyrs", "wound dwarves") (either:"gossip","flirt","sit drinking wine","lounge in the grass","gather around a fire","are building a bonfire","are picking apples","mull wine in a tin pot","mull cider in a tin pot","are boiling soup","watch two fairies playing Chess","are waiting to challenge a pixie at Chess","listen to a lecture in political economy","attend to a sermon","sit splicing rope","cluster around a medical demonstration","harrangue a fraudster","sit in a drunken stupor","smoke pipes and pontificate","play kho-kho","eye you suspiciously","attend to a lecture in hexchanism fundamentals","struggle to construct some kind of clockwork vehicle","fly kites","play at dice","gather around a Chess board","cluster around an upturned crate, where two of them arm-wrestle").] (if:$temp2 is 6)[Nearby, a (either:"group","gaggle","gang","small crowd","crowd") of (either:"hobgoblins","orcs","satyrs","gallybeggars", "wound dwarves") and (either:"santaborn","henmen","gallyjurts","dwarven","snailborn") (either:"gossip","flirt","sit drinking wine","lounge in the grass","gather around a fire","are building a bonfire","are picking apples","argue heatedly","observe religious ceremonies","mull wine in a tin pot","mull cider in a tin pot","are boiling up some soup","sit in a drunken stupor","smoke pipes and pontificate","rehearse a play","jostle in line for enchanted tattoos","haggle over merchandise","string up linen","watch one of their number juggle daggers","are chasing a Jiggle Bug","flaunt their weaponry, eyeing you suspiciously","yell and boast","whisper conspiratorially","have surrounded a maple where a Jiggle Bug sits","are trying to construct a hexchanism, without much luck","conduct repairs to a wall","are re-tiling a red temple roof","play a strange sport involving Jiggle Bugs","play shinty","play Kabaddi","play tag","search frantically for a lost child","play capture the flag","weave carpets","build broomsticks","struggle to construct some kind of clockwork vehicle","fly kites","play at dice","gather around a Chess board","cluster around an upturned crate, where two of them are arm-wrestling").]}

{(if:$eventtrack2 is 6)[(goto:"dirge ogre")] (set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] Among the shells of a dozen crumbling byre-dwellings. (if:"Wolf Cottage" is in (history:))[Mossy rafters, glimpsed through gaping thatch. Weeds and thorns choke the way. Nothing is here. You may (link:"return to the road")[(goto:"Between Desolate Farms and Rooiwaterval")], or attempt (link:"a short-cut to Rooiwaterval")[(set:$destination to "Near Rooiwaterval")(set:$danger to $level+1)(set:$distance to 6)(goto:"Random Encounter")].](else:)[From the darkness of a large arched doorway there comes (link:"a low growl")[(goto:"Wolf Cottage")]. If you'd rather return to the road, that's (link:"not a problem")[(goto:"Between Desolate Farms and Rooiwaterval")].](if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]]

You push aside weeds and thorns as quietly as you can. It is of the larger byre-dwellings. Moss and lichen lace the crumbling thatchwork. In the tall slit-windows, split by large slabs at the loft-floor level, blackbirds crouch. The wind whips up, and for a moment the growls seem to be behind you. There are two large arched doorways. Noriko takes the right, you and Maisie [[take the left]].

A fey wolf, her fur of pale flowing grass and dogroses, regards you from the deep shadows of the byre-dwelling's hearth wall. Her eyes smoke balefully. At her teats hang nibbling gas masks, spilling bones and petals. (link:"Back away, slowly")[(goto:"Escape Fairy Wolf")] (link:"Run for it")[(set:$destination to "Between Desolate Farms and Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] (link:"Attack!")[(goto:"Fight Fairy Wolf")] (link:"Try to talk")[(goto:"Talk to Fairy Wolf")]

{(set:$enemyname to "a fey wolf") (set:$destination to "Ruined Cottages") (set:$enemyabilities to (a:"heal","protection")) (set:$enemyHP to (random:40,50)) (set:$enemydamage to (random:10,12)+(round:($level/2))) (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$whoseturn to $speed-5) (set:$relspeed to $speed-3) (set:$relagility to $agility-5) (if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -2)] (set:$enemyresistances to (array:"green","bug","trick","time","earth")) (set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (array:(either:"no particular","light","fire","wind","wax"))) (set:$norikomana to it+2) (set:$maisiemana to it+1) (set:$mustfight to true) (set:$enemyCV to (random:45,85)) (set:$enemyAP to (random:55,85))}She arises like an island-backed sea monster, and wood and stone surrounding you seem to follow the lines of her leaping flanks. Everything flows. You are in a sparkling void, and you are already in (link:"the fairy wolf's teeth")[(goto:"Bout")].

(set:$CV to it+25)You tug at Maisie's shoulder. The three of you scrape and bow and back out of the room, then break into a run on the spiral stairway. Hobgoblin servants in gas-masks emerge on the landings, set sconces ablaze. A richly caparisoned stag, with ghosts or lanterns in its antlers, meets you at the Great Hall. She leads you out across the moat of leaping lilies. There at the foot of Wolf Castle, you breathe three sighs of relief. Wait, was this castle even here before? Wait, what castle? And just like that, (link:"fairyland is gone")[(goto:"Ruined Cottages")]. Gain 25 CV points.

"$charactername, Sky-Crawler," she says. "Noriko, (either:"Pretender to the Moss","Scion of Nobody's Nettles","Marquess of Split Yew","of the Mills and the Bees","Marquess of the Bitten Bog","Bog Myrtle's Bane","Who Carries Gwenogvryn","Champion of Nerys"). Maisie, (either:"Jack-in-the-Holly's Killer","Saint's Bane","Baroness of the White Bog","Slayer of Aeronwy","Unprincess of Gwyn ap Nudd's Heath")." You have never heard these titles before. And yet they feel true. "Three more mortals," the fey wolf rumbles. "I should have office hours! Hello. I am Jane." The gas-masks at her belly twitch and gurgle. "And who are these cuties?" you hazard. "Look to my litter," she laments, "who wilt at my teats. See my cubs tug my dry dugs." "This the Shadow Host's work," blurts Noriko. "You can't fix everything, Noriko," Maisie hisses at them. "Sometimes all you can do is listen." "R-i-i-ight," says Noriko. "Just be present. Just witness. Is that it?" "Better than going off on one about this one time when your fairy cubs were starving," Maisie mutters. [[The fey wolf clears her throat]].

"Excuse them, please, ma'am," says Maisie primly. "Please continue. We are here with you." The fey wolf is grinning. Fey wolfishly. "Saint Ghobha has stolen the milk from my teats. Fetch it for me, and you shall be rewarded." "Told you," mutters Noriko. You gaze into the fairy's smouldering eyes. "No promises," you tell her softly. "But where do we find this Saint Ghobha?" "If I knew that," she growls, "These tits would've be full of milk long ago, and this belly full of blood. But if you do find my milk, you'll need a container for it. You may pour it into this word." The fey wolf Jane teaches you a very strange and capacious word. When you have repeated it to her satisfaction, she vanishes. The wingbeats of rooks and blackbirds. (link:"The byre-dwelling is empty")[(goto:"Ruined Cottages")]. Gain 10 CV points.(set:$CV to it+10)

{(if:$enemyAP>5)[(set:$enemyAP to $enemyAP-5)(set:$enemyCV to $enemyCV+5) (set:$temp to 0) (if:not("no particular" is in $enemyvulnerabilities) and (random:1,3) is 1)[(set:$temp to (either:...$enemyvulnerabilities))] (if:$temp is 0)[(set:$temp to (either:"fire","water","wind","earth","green","wax","light","bug"))] (if:$temp is in $enemyvulnerabilities)[(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to $enemyvulnerabilities-(a:$temp))] (if:$enemyvulnerabilities's length is 0)[(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"no particular"))] (if:not($temp is in $enemyresistances))[(set:$enemyresistances to $enemyresistances+(a:$temp))] Your foe casts (if:$temp is "fire")[(either:"Fireblood","Phlogistone Skin","Embers Chamber","Blanket")](elseif:$temp is "bug")[Pesticide](else:)[(either:"Sanctuary","Blackbless","Guard","Surety","Screen","Bulwark")] Quickhex! (if:$arcana>3 or "Enlightenment" is in $skills)[They are protected from $temp magic! ](else:)[They gain some kind of hex resistance! ]]}

{(set:$temp to (random:1,12)) (if:$temp is 1 and $quickhex>14)[Your foe casts Impedimentum Quickhex! (set:$quickhex to 14)] (if:$temp is 2 and $maisiemana>0)[Your foe hits Maisie with (either:"Blindness","Sloth","Icebind","Nailbelly","Pinning Moths","Hamstring","Implimp","Prostrate","Impedimentum","Battlepalsy") Quickhex! (set:$maisiemana to 0)] (if:$temp is 3 and $maisiemana>0)[Your foe casts (either:"Blindness","Sloth","Icebind","Nailbelly","Pinning Moths","Hamstring","Implimp","Prostrate","Lubberly Jubberly","Impedimentum","Battlepalsy") Quickhex on Maisie! Maisie deflects it!] (if:$temp is 4 and $norikomana>0)[Your foe hits Noriko with (either:"Blindness","Sloth","Icebind","Nailbelly","Pinning Moths","Hamstring","Implimp","Prostrate","Lubberly Jubberly","Impedimentum","Battlepalsy") Quickhex! (set:$norikomana to (random:0,1))] (if:$temp is 5 and $maisiemana>0)[Your foe casts (either:"Blindness","Sloth","Icebind","Nailbelly","Pinning Moths","Hamstring","Implimp","Prostrate","Hogtie","Supine","Impedimentum","Battlepalsy","Darkling Sparkles") Quickhex on Noriko! Noriko dodges!] (if:$temp is 6 and $mustfight is false)[Your foe casts Nemesis Quickhex! A desperate resolve fills your heart. (set:$mustfight to true)] (if:$temp is 7 and $AP>8)[(set:$temp3 to (random:1,10))Your foe casts (either:"Guzzle","Drain","Leech","Milker") Quickhex! You lose (print:(10-$temp3)) auragentum pieces and $temp3 CV points! (set:$CV to it-$temp3) (set:$AP to it-(10-$temp3)) (set:$enemyAP to it+(10-$temp3))] (if:$temp is 8)[Your foe casts (either:"Hamstring","Entangle","Torpor","Sloth","Leaden") Quickhex! (if:$relspeed>-1)[You slow down! (set:$relspeed to it-1)](else:)[You resist!]] (if:$temp is 9)[Your foe casts (either:"Oafen","Humble Bumble","Dedex","Blunderous","Lubberly Jubberly","Dex Tippex") Quickhex! (if:$relagility>-2)[You feel less agile! (set:$relagility to it-(random:1,2))](else:)[You resist!]] (if:$temp is 10 and $bughex>1)[Your foe casts Nuptial Jiggle Grenado Quickhex! (if:not("Beetle Juice Beetle Juice Beetle Juice" is in $skills))[Your Jiggle Bugs detonate, dealing you $bughex damage! (set:$HP to $HP-$bughex)(set:$bughex to 0)](else:)[Your Jiggle Bugs are properly stored. Nothing happens.]] (if:$temp is 11)[Your foe casts (either:"Oafen","Humble Bumble","Dedex","Blunderous","Lubberly Jubberly","Dex Tippex") Quickhex! (if:$relagility<2)[You feel less agile! (set:$relagility to it-1)](else:)[You resist!]] (if:$temp is 12)[Your foe casts (either:"Exploit","Vampiric Unbundle","Leechtech","Vampiric Disruption") Quickhex! (if:$relagility>0)[(set:$temp3 to (random:1,4))They leech $temp3 HP! (set:$HP to it-$temp3)(set:$enemyHP to it+$temp3)](else:)[You resist!]]}

[[Next|Path to Wetlands from North]] (set: $charactername to "Debugger") (set: $class to "Ecocritic") (set: $species to "Snailborn") (set: $hexadj1 to "wtf") (set: $hexadj2 to "wtaf") (set: $agility to 3) (set: $maxagility to $agility+2) (set: $speed to 3) (set: $perception to 4) (set: $charisma to 2) (set: $strength to 6) (set: $arcana to 7) (set: $HP to 44) (set: $maxHP to 44) (set: $CV to (random:5,25)) (set: $AP to (135-($CV+$perception+$agility))) (set: $level to 4) (set: $weapon to "lamp") (set: $equipment to (a:"leather armor")) (set: $maxdamage to 14) (set:$bughex to (random:1,9)) (set:$lighthex to (random:0,9)) (set:$firehex to (random:0,9)) (set:$greenhex to 4) (set:$waxhex to 5) (set:$earthhex to 7) (set:$windhex to 8) (set:$waterhex to 9) (set:$timehex to 0) (set:$trickhex to 0) (set:$danger to 3) (set:$skills to (array:"Selfheal Quickhex","Warring Withdrawal","Herbalism")) (set:$norikoweapons to (a:"scythe deals","scythe deals","sickles deal","scythe and sickle deal","arrows deal","arrows deal"))

earth-bind > weapon Shizuka Watanabe Your $weaponname ejects a bezoar of ephemeral slag! The structure of your $weaponname has altered. (set:$weaponname to "stonecold $weaponname") wind-bind > weapon Shizuka Watanabe water-bind > weapon Shizuka Watanabe A grinning goblin of green bog-water swims the length of your $weaponname, and dashes itself into your foe! The structure of your $weaponname has altered. (set:$weaponname to "aqueous $weapon") fire-bind > weapon Shizuka Watanabe A phallanx of phoenixes float from your $weaponname and pummel your foe! Your $weaponname is still smoldering! (set:$weapon to "flaming $weaponname") wax-bind > weapon Ling Fen Your $weapon distends to several times its length, striking your foe! Your $weapon shrinks, but it still smokes and flickers. (set:$weaponname to "chandler's $weapon") bug-bind > weapon Kameron Hurley Swarms of insects with rhythmic $weaponname jaws beset your foe! Your $weapon is alive! (set:$weaponname to "many-limbed $weapon") green-bind > heal + maximum HP Agatha de Bosco; block heal; green weapon light-bind > dispel enemy magic; light weapon time-bind > + agil & speed & friend mana, + CV points Grace of the Two Souls trick-bind > + agil & speed & friend mana, + AP Grace of the Two Souls bind-bind > + several wax & trick hexchanisms Grace of the Two Souls's

(set:$damagedebt to (round:(random:1,(round:($maxdamage/3)))+(round:($strength/3)))) (if:$weapon is in $enemyabilities)[(set:$damagedebt to $damagedebt*2)] (if:$damagedebt<3)[(set:$damagedebt to 3)] (goto:"Bout")

In a dip in the moorland, sheltered from the wind, you [[make camp|Noriko Maisie Quarrel 2]].

It is Maisie's watch. Noriko whispers, "$charactername, what's good? Can we talk?" [[What is it?]] [[Mffph. Go to sleep.|Noriko Maisie Quarrel 3]]

"I feel kind of crazy. I don't know, yesterday me and Maisie were kind of not talking, over some stupid thing. Then when those guys jumped us ... I think you were busy with $enemyname ... anyway, I took a couple bad hits from this wax ogre, and Maisie is pretty much slow-clapping me with heal hexchanisms ... the ogre is smearing me as fast as Maisie can put me back together ... and somewhere in the middle of it I catch this glimpse of her expression. Maisie's, I mean." [[Why, what was her expression?]] [[Situation was hectic. Don't read too much into it.]]

"Like total contempt. We're cool and everything, I just wish everybody didn't have to be such a little bitch about it." "I don't really get what this is about." "It's not about one specific thing." [[Side with Noriko]] [[Side with Maisie]] [[Try not to take sides]]

"I mean, there's that. But it's also how she's been afterward." [[Like what?|Why, what was her expression?]]

"That does sound messed up," you murmur. "She's not doing you a favor by healing you, right?" "Yeah, to her, it's like me charging out there and saving our asses is some silly fix I've got myself into, right?" "Like she has to clean up after you." "That's it, man. That's exactly what gets me." "I don't think she means to do it." "Shut up, like I even care." "Sounds like you do care, Nor. You don't talk about this stuff enough." "Whatever. I'm going to sleep. Try to sleep, anyway." [[Next|Noriko Maisie Quarrel 3]] (set:$norikomana to $norikomana+1)

"I'm sorry, but it just sounds like Maisie saved our asses like normal. And you're trying to figure out how you can blame her for that." "Never mind," says Noriko bitterly. "I'm not explaining it right." "Try to sleep," you say gently. "And if you can't sleep, just lie there. You're getting rested by just lying there." [[Next|Noriko Maisie Quarrel 3]] (set:$norikomana to $norikomana-1)(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana+2)

"I can't do it anymore," you say. "Seriously, I can't." "What do you mean?" whispers Noriko suspiciously. "Wow. I mean, just. Wow." "Okay. But I don't get what you're saying." "I'm not going anywhere," you say. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." "Okay," says Noriko. They pause. "Thanks." "Cool. You ever need to talk," you say. "And remember, you're awesome." "Okay. Well, uh, night $charactername." You think [[that went well|Noriko Maisie Quarrel 3]]. (set:$CV to $CV+10)

The rest of the night [[passes uneventfully|Drystone Wall]].

Later, the three of you disagree about exactly what you overheard Ranjita discussing with the Famous Four. You were pretty sure it was a disused gold mine, because didn't she say something about the "aureal motherlode"? But Noriko doesn't remember anything about gold, and thought she said something about mining trillions of tonnes of celestine and lead. Maisie claims Ranjita kept it vague, referring merely to things like easy wins and low-hanging fruit. "Who cares?" says Noriko. "We'll stomp on monsters and grab loot. It's not like we have to run the thing." "It would be so embarrassing," Maisie reflects. "If it was a gold mine, and you thought it was a lead mine, and you brought out all the lead." Secretly, you're sure it's got to be gold, or perhaps even raw [[auragentum]], if such a thing exists. Noriko, you suspect, wasn't eavesdropping very assiduously. And Maisie is just hedging her bets, not wanting to be wrong. Time to [[prepare for your journey|Fell Mills]].

All currency in the Queendom is of auragentum, a metal whose mystical properties make it the only material imaginable for such a purpose. Just as a fingertip may draw a water droplet to and fro on a tabletop, splitting it apart into small ovals and then leading them together into one large, wobbling globule, so the enchanted auragentum coins of the Queendom may be torn into smaller denominations or rolled into larger ones. The coins will always bear the appropriate value, and the name of the monarch of the day, and their various [wiggling symbols]<leprecoins| can be likewise torn or amalgamated. (click:?leprecoins)[Some say that auragentum is either alive itself, or is a kind of universe for living beings, albeit scattered and dismembered beings, called leprecoins. There is even a Prevention of Cruelty to Leprecoins League, who advocate the use of money made out of paper!] [It is thought]<unless| that the auragentum coins are actually a kind of primitive, naturally occurring hexchanism. (click:?unless)[There is another school of thought that holds that it isn't that all money is a kind of hexchanism, it's that all hexchanisms are a kind of money, whatever that means.] It is certainly possible, with training and practice, to combine auragentum coins to produce mystical effects. These are often called quickhexes. True magicians look down on quickhexers with a "snooty" style of snobbery, whereas quickhexers give true magicians side-eye with an "insufferable techie geek" style of snobbery. (link:"Back")[(goto:(history:)'s last)]

"You want us to 'ask around town'?" says Maisie incredulously. You nod vigorously. "Discreetly. Would it kill you?" "Noriko," says Maisie stiffly. "Do you, um, know where Ranjita's mine is?" "Maisie, the mine lies somewhere to the east of Lejweleputswabos Forest, near the Shadow Host Encroachment which, if you remember, is everywhere. So." [[Next|make enquiries 2]]

Where will you go? [[The docks]] [[The cunning-man]] (if:$AP>0)[(link:"Kabir")[(goto:"Kabir")]]

Across the bay, the hazy masses of the Land of Giants. Your investigations are mostly fruitless. Not because nobody will give you directions: everyone does, but they're all trying to give you their own favorite route, and end up contradicting each other and squabbling over basically completely irrelevant details, like whether a particular scenic view faces north-north-east or east-north-east, and whether it was hobgoblins who jumped on Graeme of Staedburgh Keep while he was admiring it the other day and ate him up or whether it was steam ogres, and so on. But that in itself is helpful. Everyone has an opinion: the place you're seeking [[can't be too far away|word of puppet]].

Tomas, a wizened-in-a-good-way old normborn cunning-man, is well-connected. He does charge for his advice. You wait patiently in line. The walls of Tomas's little beach bothie are thin. "How can I tell if someone likes me? They're a floating skull." "This might not be what you want to hear," says Tomas gently. "But you may have to ask them. Of course, asking important questions in the right way is something of an art in itself ..." Eventually it's [[your turn]].

After some indecisive wandering, you decide to try Kabir's hexchanism emporium. (if:$charisma>1)[Kabir gives you fairly good directions to Lejweleputswabos Forest, which as you thought isn't all that far. Head into the interior, through Reewick Woods, north toward Bhern Kuldir and Rooiwaterval. Lejweleputswabos is more-or-less to the east of Rooiwaterval. But beyond that, they can't help you. Ranjita's mine lay somewhere to the east of Lejweleputswabos, and they have no knowledge of that area.](else:)[Kabir suggests you follow the road that goes into the interior.] You have a little time before you need to meet the others. You [[browse|browse anyway]].

"Lejweleputswabos Forest," reminisces Tomas. "Aye, full of fey, that one. Take the road into the interior and stick with it. Lejweleputswabos Forest is near Rooiwaterval, on the far side of Reewick Woods. Hard to miss. And there's a dragon, you know. (if:$level<5)[I wouldn't tangle with it, not even with those beefy pals of yours to help you.]" You pay 5 auragentum coins, and gain 15 CV points.(set:$AP to $AP-5)(set:$CV to $CV+15) Satisfied, you go to [[meet your companions|Fell Mills]].

You also gather word of the ship that docked last night. It discharged, folk are saying, a rather peculiar puppetborn gentleman, who has not said a word to anyone, but conducted himself with an air of some importance to the most expensive lodgings in Fell Mills. Anyway, time to [[meet Maisie and Noriko|Fell Mills]]. Gain 5 CV points.(set:$CV to $CV+5)

{(set:$maisiemana to 8)(set:$norikomana to 8)(set:$danger to $level+1)}As you are leaving, a social commotion slips through the village. At the center of a small crowd stands a fuschia-skinned elfborn woman. Mamiko, she is called. Her voice and words are calm, but her whole body shakes. Her little girl, Koza, has gone missing. Mamiko remembers her saying something about finding flowers. "She may yet be in the village," coaxes another elfborn, a teen. Her relative, perhaps her nephew. "Koza's so little, she could hide in a thimble, that one." "She has [[gone into the forest|Reewick Quest 2]]," Mamiko disagrees quietly. "For flowers."

The woods echo with the cries of the other search parties. But the woods are large. Before long, (link:"the only voices you hear are your own")[(goto:"Generate Reewick Woods")].

{(set:$distance to 3) (set:$temp4 to 0) (if:$HP<18)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp4 to (random:7,13))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp4)]] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)] (set:$destination to "Wandering Reewick") (if:($map2's $location)>1)[(if:($map2's $location)<4)[(if:((random:1,30)+$perception)>20)[(set:$map2's $location to 1)(goto:"forest treasure")]]] (if:($map2's $location)>3)[(if:($map2's $location)<8)[(set:$map2's $location to (random:1,3))(goto:"forest trap")]] (if:($map2's $location)>8)[(set:$map2's $location to 1)(goto:"forest miscellaneous")] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] (if:(random:1,3) is 1)["Koza!" ](if:$location is 35)[A clearing in Reewick Woods.](else:)[Somewhere in Reewick Woods. (display:"Reewick permanent ambience")](if:$temp4>0)[ Maisie heals you. You've recovered $temp4 HP.] (display:"forest directions")

{(set:$map to (array:0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),0,0,(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),0,0,(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),0,0,(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),0,0,(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),0,0,(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),0,0,(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),(random:1,12),0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0)) (set:$map2 to (array:0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,(random:0,9),1,(random:0,9),1,(random:0,9),1,(random:0,9),(random:0,9),0,0,1,(random:0,7),(random:0,7),(random:0,7),(random:0,7),(random:0,7),(random:0,7),1,0,0,1,(random:0,7),1,1,1,1,(random:0,7),1,0,0,(random:0,9),(random:0,7),1,1,1,1,(random:0,7),(random:0,9),0,0,1,(random:0,7),1,1,1,1,(random:0,7),1,0, 0,1,(random:0,7),(random:0,7),(random:0,7),(random:0,7),(random:0,7),(random:0,7),1,0,0,(random:0,9),1,1,1,(random:0,9),1,1,(random:0,9),0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0)) (set:$location to 45)(set:$map2's $location to 1) (goto:"Wandering Reewick") }

{(set:$temp to (random:1,25)+$perception)  (set:$temp2 to (($map[$location])*(random:1,$danger))) (if:$temp2>15)[(set:$temp2 to (random:10,15))] (set:$temp4 to (random:3,6))  (if:$skills contains "Scruto and Speculum")[(set:$temp to it+4)] (if:$skills contains "Dungeon Ranger")[(set:$temp to it+1)] (if:$skills contains "Make Like A Tree")[(set:$temp to it+1)] (if:$skills contains "Smoke and Mirrors")[(set:$temp to it+1)] (if:$skills contains "Beast Cant")[(set:$temp to it+2)] (set:$temp3 to (either: "an ogre jaw", "an explosive javelin", "an ethereal glyph", "a swinging glaive", "a toxic glyph", "a fungus hammer", "a psychic caltrop", "an entangling darts", "a necrotic ballistae", "a lightning bolas", "a falling spark", "an invisible crush-wall", "an animating branch", "a swally-hole", "a peony", "a jagged chrysanthemum", "an acid scythes", "a shrapnel", "a splintering grenado", "a prismatic spray", "a greek fire grenado", "a Jiggle Bugs", "a pigeon and pistil", "a serpent-and-spider", "a toxic spores", "a suffocating spores", "a clockwork axe-hack", "a flying needles", "a clockwork bees", "a clockwork wasps", "a bear","a haunted murder hole", "a falling thorns", "a whipping thorn","a spiked treadle","a panji","a falling log","a swinging log","a deadfall","a tiger","a whip","a stake","a falling timber","a spiked net","a whipping stake","a covered pit")) }(if:$temp>20)[(if:$skills contains "Beast Cant")[A (either:"blue","yellow","pale","lilac","maroon","dusky","speckled","mottled","white","black","gray","copper-colored","mauve-colored","taupe","camel-colored","cream-colored","bright yellow","red","scarlet","bright red","crimson-colored","khaki-colored","oatmeal-colored","fawn-colored","ecru-colored","shimmering","ghostly","irridescent","transluscent","rainbow-colored","biscuit-colored","butteryellow","vanilla-colored","sunglow-hued","maize-colored","golden","copper","saffron-colored","amber-colored","apricot-colored","mint green","fern green","mossy green","tea green","pastel green","pine green","myrtle green","periwinkle blue","navy blue","gunmental blue","powder blue","baby blue") (either:"flying fox","shrew","bat","badger","raccoon","raccoon dog","hare","shrew mole","squirrel","weasel","frog","chipmunk","deer","gecko","lizard","quail","woodpecker","pheasant","petrel","dormouse","caterpillar","moth","pangolin","cat","thornbill","slowworm","lark","duck","owl","crake","cowl","dove","strix","Nandi bear","bear","olitiau","forest spider","tanuki","drop bear","Gummi bear","horned hare","squirrelk","hitotsume-kozō","leprecoin","ladybug","centipede","millipede") warns you of $temp3 trap nearby. With their help, you disable it.](else:)[You find and disable $temp3 trap.] Gain $temp4 CV points.(set:$CV to it+$temp4)](else:)[You spring $temp3 trap! You take $temp2 damage! (set:$HP to $HP-$temp2)] (if:$HP>0)[(link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]](else:)[Your companions can't get to you in time. $charactername, your brave life is over. (link:"Next")[(goto:"Start")]]

(set:$temp to (random:5,15)) You find $temp auragentum coins.(set:$AP to $AP+$temp) (link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]

{(set:$map's $location to 1) (set:$temp to (random:1,12)) }(if:$temp is 1)[You find some clockwork bark, which you share with Maisie.(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana+1)(set:$greenhex to $greenhex+2)]{ }(if:$temp is 2)[You grab a scuttling Jiggle Bug.(set:$bughex to $bughex+1)]{ }(if:$temp is 3)[(if:$maxdamage<10)[Propped up in a hollow tree, you find a finely-carved shillelagh. You decide it must be a gift.(set:$weapon to "shillelagh")(set:$maxdamage to 10)](else:)[(set:$temp to 4)]]{ }(if:$temp is 4)[In a (either:"mound of straw","rotted log","treestump","hollow tree","jar in a rivulet","little cairn","crumpled helmet","heap of ashes","bivouac of branches","creature's nest","abandoned burrow","abandoned hive","mound of leaves") you discover a hoard of hexchanisms!(set:$bughex to $bughex+1)(set:$waterhex to $waterhex+2)(set:$earthhex to $earthhex+(random:1,2))(set:$timehex to $timehex+(random:0,1))(set:$waxhex to $waxhex+(random:0,1))]{ }(if:$temp is 5)[(if:$skills contains "Herbalism")[(goto:"Gather Flowers")](else:)[You notice some intriguing forest vegetation. It's the kind that is either definitely poisonous or definitely a panacea. You decide to spare it, this time.]]{ }(if:$temp>5 and $temp<9)[You spring (either: "a Jiggle Bugs", "a pigeon and pistil", "a serpent-and-spider", "a toxic spores", "a thorns fusillade", "a suffocating spores", "a clockwork axe-hack", "a flying needles", "a clockwork bees", "a clockwork wasps", "a falling thorns", "a whipping thorn","a spiked treadle","a panji","a falling log","a swinging log","a deadfall","a hurling branches","a falling tree","a whip","a stake","a falling timber","a spiked net","a whipping stake") trap! ]{ }(if:$temp is 6)[You're able to leap to safety just in time. Apparently it was guarding a measly 4 auragentum coins.(set:$AP to $AP+4)]{ }(if:$temp is 7)[You're able to leap to safety just in time. Nearby you find (print:$level+15) auragentum coins.(set:$AP to $AP+$level+15)]{ }(if:$temp is 8)[You're able to leap to safety just in time. "KOZA!"]{ }(if:$temp is 9)["KOZA!"]{ }(if:$temp>9)[You think you are lost as well. (link:"Next")[(goto:"Generate Reewick Woods")]] (if:$temp<10)[(link:"Next")[(goto:$destination)]]

(if:($map2[($location-10)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"North")[(set:$location to $location-10)(goto:"forest encounter")] ]{ }(if:($map2[($location+1)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"East")[(set:$location to $location+1)(goto:"forest encounter")] ]{ }(if:($map2[($location+10)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"South")[(set:$location to $location+10)(goto:"forest encounter")] ]{ }(if:($map2[($location-1)])>0)[(set:$temp3 to 0)(Link:"West")[(set:$location to $location-1)(goto:"forest encounter")] ]

{(if:$maisiemana<7 and (random:1,4) is 1)[(goto:"Stumble on Reewick")] (if:$maisiemana<4 or $HP<6)[(goto:"Stumble on Reewick")] (if:$HP<1)[(goto:"Lose Fight")] (if:$HP>$maxHP)[(set:$HP to $maxHP)] (if:$quickhex<100)[(set:$quickhex to $quickhex+2+$arcana)] (set:$distance to it-1) (set:$temp to 99) (if:$distance<1)[(set:$temp to 1)(set:$temp4 to 99)(goto:$destination)] }(if:$distance>0)[(if:(random:1,7) is 1)[(set:$temp to 1)(if:$temp4 is 50)[Another slips toward you! (link:"Next")[(goto:"Choose Swamp Creature")]](else:)[Figures emerge from the forest! (link:"Next")[(set:$temp4 to 50)(goto:"Choose Swamp Creature")]]] (if:$temp is 99)[(goto:"forest encounter")]]

You spy something through the trees. Voices up ahead, and the smell of settlement. Your companions slip silently from tree to tree. Your $weapon in hand, (link:"you follow")[(goto:"Stumble on Reewick 2")].

(if:$perception>2)[Hang on, this isn't right.](else:)["Wait a second," groans Noriko, in a very normal voice.] To your amazement, you realize you are once again at the edge of the town-in-the-trees. But to your delight, you realize that [[Koza has been found|Stumble on Reewick 3]]!

Looks like it was the Famous Four who found her. Little Koza is unhurt, indeed unperturbed, by her adventure. She sits perched on Pickle Giantegg's shoulder, directing the lumbering nestmech to and fro, and awarding bright perturban flowers to everyone in the village. Koza's mother Mamiko trails them, weeping with relief. [[You stand at the edge of the village and watch|Stumble on Reewick 4]].

"Our path lies that way," Noriko offers. "Should we see her, we'll tell her you're looking -" Mamiko rounds on Noriko. "What way?" she challenges, her eyes warm. "Did you see something?" Noriko gestures vaguely. "Oh Goddess, no sorry! I just meant like out into the forest? General direction of the monsters and the fey, and the traps and the dangers, kind of thing. Sorry, that must have been - you know what, I'm going to stop talking." Maisie glances at you. "(link:"We'll do what we can,")[(goto:"Reewick Quest 3")]" she says grimly.

The village is beginning to buzz with celebration. You spot Anja of Swartkasteel smoking her pipe companionably with Ugduf and a few of the other village elders. Fruit and mead is appearing. Lutes strike up. "The maid is safe," frowns Noriko. "That's the main thing." "I'm just going to say this," says Maisie. "But I really wish we'd saved that urchin? Rather than them saving that urchin." "To be honest," you sigh, "I almost could have done with the Famous Four saving us? So do you guys want to stay for the party?" [[But nobody is really in the mood|Reewick Woods South]]. Gain 50 CV points.(set:$CV to it+50)(set:$maisiemana to 5)(set:$norikomana to 10)

Hunkered down in the heather, you [[make camp|Lost Weapon 2]].

The night passes without incident. "Have you seen my [[Tiara of Resist Fire|Lost Weapon 3]]?" says Maisie in the morning. "Where did you have it last? Where did you last resist fire?" "I didn't resist fire last. I mean, just because I had it doesn't mean I was resisting with it. Did you find it? Are you even looking?"

"No, yeah we're looking. I'm sorry, did I look like I wasn't looking? I am looking. Did you find it?" "No. Did you find it? Actually, let's just say if we find it. You guys, I just don't understand! My Tiara of Resist Fire can't just have vanished! Actually technically that is a thing that can happen. Technically it can just vanish.(if:$perception<2)[ Oop. Found it.](else:)[" "Is this it?" "Oh my Goddess, $charactername, did you have it? Was it there? I looked there.] Okay, we can go." "I'm not even ready. I've been looking this whole time." "You weren't even looking that much. Okay fine. I'll wait. I bet it just vanishes anyway. It goes up in smoke, that's a thing." Eventually you [[strike camp|Chilblain Hill]]. (if:$perception>1)[Gain 10 CV points for finding Maisie's stuff for her.(set:$CV to it+10)]

Ugduf must have more kinds of hexchanism than she lets on. Ugduf's mossy little hut hangs high in the forest canopy. It is fall now, but the branches that cradle and blanket Ugduf's are the branches of early summer, reaching through time and space. Casually you bring up the scarcity of temporaltoma and stock hypercube hexchanisms. Ugduf makes it clear that she might have one or two, but she's not willing to sell them - at least, not to you. Ugduf [[looks kind of guilty]].

As a friendly gesture, Ugduf gives you a free "Ugduf's Secret Treetop Magic Shop Somewhere in Reewick Woods"-branded jiggle bug catcher. Ugduf also shares her top tips for sustainable sorcery, including the best way to combine clockwork bark and a stock hypercube - if you can find one! - to cast Iida of Tres Tabernae's Recyclable War-Wonder. Gain 5 CV points. [[Continue browsing->Ugduf's magic shop]]. (set:$CV to $CV+5)(set:$equipment to $equipment+(a:"Jiggle Bug net"))

Ashton is a huge Helen the Red fanboy. Ashton yammers enthusiastically about the "proper" way to combine a Stock Hypercube and a Nepheliad Pyx in order to cast a truly memorable Helen the Red's Cirque de la Lune hex. "A lot of people don't get the clowns right. They overdo the comedy. Clowns aren't about comedy, not even in combat." Eventually you [[edge away|Klipweiding]].

{(set:$distance to 0) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<12)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] A narrow trail, leading (link:"east toward Klipweiding Lake")[(set:$destination to "West of Klipweiding")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")], (link:"southwest among scattered pine")[(set:$destination to "Low Road")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")], or (link:"northwest toward the summit")[(set:$destination to "Base Camp")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")].(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't mean to healing-shame, $charactername, but can you leave some hexchanisms for the rest of us?"]]

{(set:$distance to 0) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<12)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] A narrow trail, leading (link:"west toward snow-capped peaks")[(set:$destination to "West of Klipweiding")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")], (link:"north-east around the side of this little mountain")[(set:$destination to "West of Klipweiding")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. In (link:"the distant south, across tundra")[(set:$destination to "Tundra near Marshes")(set:$distance to 10)(goto:"Random Encounter")], you glimpse a ribbon of sea.(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't mean to healing-shame, $charactername, but can you leave some hexchanisms for the rest of us?"]]

{(set:$distance to 0) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<12)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] Scawwy mountain. Seems to be mostly snow, ice, sky, cloud, and distant cawing. Better (link:"head down")[(set:$destination to "Eastern Edge of Klarncknitzer Mountains")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. On the other hand, there is some rockiness too. You could (link:"climb higher")[(set:$destination to "Halfway up Klarncknitzer Mountains")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")].{ }(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0 and $maisiemana<2)[ "I'm low on healing, $charactername. Really low."]

{(set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to 3) (set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] The northern outskirts of (link:"the village of Rooiwaterval")[(set:$destination to "Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. The steep terraced fields have not been tended to recently. Some terraces are not planted at all. Others have not been drained and harvested, and are turning to terraced slime. A few gaunt looking yakows pick their way uncertainly across the landscape. (if:(random:1,3) is 1)[ (display:"peaceful_3")] The road (link:"continues north")[(set:$destination to "Road to Fero Oochi South")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")], toward Bhern Kuldir. Bhern Kuldir belongs to the Shadow Host, but there is also the village of Fero Oochi along this road. (if:not("Fero Oochi" is in (history:)))[With luck, the Shadow Host has not yet reached Fero Oochi.] (if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]]

{(set:$distance to 1) (set:$danger to 4) (set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<10)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] The rolling hills here are carved with intricate terraces, but the farmers are long gone, the interlacing runnels are choked with weeds. The road leads (link:"south toward Rooiwaterval")[(set:$destination to "North of Rooiwaterval")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")], or (link:"further north toward Fero Oochi and Bhern Kuldir")[(set:$destination to "Road to Fero Oochi North")(set:$distance to 4)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. (if:$temp>0)[ Maisie heals your injuries. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0)[(if:$maisiemana<2)[ "I don't want to healing-shame, $charactername. But unlike your love of sharp objects, my hexes are not an unlimited resource."]]

"You guys," you suggest gently. "Can you pick a partner who is not your best friend?" "What," says Maisie. "Like, you want us go up to total strangers?" "Just keep an ear out," you suggest, without much hope. [["We'll meet back here in an hour."|searching for Lej]]

"J'you know what I did today?" slurs the auditor journeyman. "J'you know? He, like you, has been 'sampling the ale.' Maisie sighs. "Slurring is ale's way of telling you, shhhh." "Yesh," says Noriko. "It says, Shhhhh, drink me." "It's my round," says Maisie. "[[Same again]]?"

The journeyman is a bulbous normborn, wonky and slumpy. He looks a bit like two scamps standing on each other's shoulders in a big cloak, only the scamps have individually got very drunk and are having a hard time keeping balanced. And each scamp is probably made of two even smaller scamps who are even drunker. "D'jyou know?" Maisie, with a long-suffering air, [[burps]].

The journeyman auditor suddenly straightens, jabs a finger at you - Noriko goes for their sickles but Maisie is there, gently counselling restraint - "You've got ... $AP auragentum pieshesh in your pursh," says the journeyman. "Plush or minush a blanshing item. Blanshing item. Shee ... I got a shensh for theshe things. But what do I shpend my daysh doing? Take today ... take today ..." He slumps down at the bar, staring at his flagon. [[Artwell is his name]].

Artwell the journeyman auditor waves his hands vaguely. "There'sh one flagon of ale here. I shee three, but two don't pash the materiality threshold. Got a shensh of these things." Noriko embraces Artwell, weeping. "You could've died! You could've died! And you're such a great guy! You're such a great guy!" "[[What do they have you doing]]?" you ask Artwell.

"Sh confidential." Artwell takes a meditative glug. "Sho what it ish, there'sh thish Mirrorraveller with armsh like treashury tagsh. Puny bashtard, innit? Buuuut he'sh contracted our shervices to let him wield thish mashive bashtard polearm thingy, sho ..." What follows is complex, and difficult to follow exactly without reliable access to the voiceless dental sibilant "s" sound. But it seems like certain obscure loop-holes to do with changing class and then not really changing class but somebody else changing class on your behalf but not actually doing it but securitizing and trading the right to change class, and various other arcane moves, allowed Artwell's client to receive the Strength rating necessary to wield the heavy polearm of their desiring. "But can he lift it?" asks Noriko. Artwell stares uncomprehendingly. You take another sip. The rest of the night is [[a blur|Somerbos]].

You are passing near some ruins, more moss than stone. On the horizon you can make out the chimneys of Fell Mills, and a ribbon of sea. "I wonder what they're smuggling," muses Maisie. You and Noriko look at each other. "Y-eah," says Noriko. "I wonder that." [[Next|news of smugglers 2]]

"Bits and bobs, I bet. What's not scarce, these days?" "Maisie," you say gently. "Are you one of the smugglers?" "Eh?" "Only Noriko and I have no idea what you're talking about. So maybe you're a smuggler. Which is why it's such a secret." [[Noriko giggles]].

"The smugglers. The ones we're going to catch." "With you," says Noriko. "My bad. Thought you meant some other smugglers we didn't know about." "Aye," you add. "Still, afford us your compassion. What know we of some smugglers?" Maisie seems genuinely astonished. "The smuggling ring we learned about in Somerbos? When we blended in with auditor journeyman Artwell of Bisse Aankop, [[plying him with ale|ale]] in order to gather information?"

"Ale!" yells Noriko, relieved. "See, me and $charactername were what you might call deep cover that night." You nod solemnly. "We thought it would be good if we blended everything in with everything else. Just to be sure. So there are smugglers?" "In vino veritas," Maisie ponders primly. "But in brewskis, fetch quests. Aye, they come in at a spot to the northwest of [[Fell Mills]]. Come on, let's get moving. I'll explain on the way."

Maisie leads you to a rocky cove, where the enchanted water roils darkly. The sun begins to set. "Were these smugglers clients of that auditor?" you enquire. Maisie bites her lip. "Aye, I know what you mean. I kind of fear his clients." "More that ... that Artwell hadn't a hex in him, yet he had no want of magic. Not metamorphosis, not illusion, but something between the two. So his smugglers might technically be smugglers, but in a sense also ..." "A kraken, say!" says Noriko. "Only you couldn't call it a kraken, legally. You'd have to call it a jolly band of smugglers. And as it ate you, you'd have to call it, 'busting a ring of smugglers.'" "Who wants [[first watch|smugglers glimpse 2]]?"

You dream that you are painting. But instead of a palette, you dip the paintbrush in your mouth. You never know what color will come, and yet the self-portrait progresses apace. You cannot wait to see who it is a self-portrait of. Noriko [[disturbs your great work|smugglers glimpse 3]]!

Noriko nudges you awake, into clifftop darkness and the sound of crashing surf. On the shifting darkness of the sea below, there is a steadier darkness. The smuggler's dark pinnace nears the shore. When it is still about forty feet from landfall, the pinnace leaps like a dolphin, and then is gone. [[Next|smugglers glimpse 4]]

You've heard of this before. Enchanted ships swimming under the sea, wriggling like eels. Its crew breathing brine, staring pearly. Its captain setting its course by coral constellations. In the morning, you talk it over. "They'll be back in a tenday," says Maisie. "If Artwell told us true. Next time, we meet them on the sea, or we hold our noses and take a plunge ..." "Or source some hex that we might chase them," you say. "I want no part of it," says Noriko. "Wait, will there be crabs and things down there? [[I'm in|Outskirts of Fell Mills]]." Gain 10 CV points.(set:$CV to it+10)

"I don't have a recipe per se," admits Kabir. "What I'm fairly certain is, it's not a kalpis you need. You'd think it'd be a kalpis, but it ain't. Try Ugduf up in Reewick. And if you do find out, be sure to let me know." [[Thank you, Kabir|Kabir's magic shop]].

"Milla the Submariner's Air of Conviction," says Ugduf, with, indeed, an air of conviction. "It's a tricky one. One of those ones that only works so long as you keep believing in it." "And the hexchanisms?" you ask. "A nepheliad pyx for the air. And something a bit rarer. It's called an astrolabia. I haven't seen one in a few years, I'm afraid." [[Thank you, Ugduf|Ugduf's magic shop]].

Kabir just thinks the word astrolabia is hilarious. "Some magic is a bit naughty," says Maisie primly. "Don't hexchanism-shame." "So it's not a real thing?" you ask. "Not as far as I know," says Kabir, wiping their eyes. [[Next|Kabir's magic shop]]

Ashton gets very grumpy. "You having me on?" "Ugduf of Reewick Woods mentioned it," you protest. "We need it to stop some smugglers. We think." Ashton grunts. "We get a lot of people in here asking after silly sounding hexchanisms that don't exist. The Armadoofus or whatever." "Do you have any Armadildos in?" Noriko enquires innocently. Ashton [[rummages around]].

He plonks an overflowing crate of scrolls on the counter. "Every issue of Hex News since before Fnarin of Fogedge was editor. Might be something about it in there." Staring at [[the archive]], your heart sinks. He plonks another crate beside the first. Your heart wobbles, and sinks a little lower. "Okay guys, if we divide these in three -" Ashton's door jangles and Noriko and Maisie make a swift exit.

The world of the true hexchanism afficianado is in equal parts fascinating and horrifying. You find no mention of the astrolabia. A hex called Air of Conviction is mentioned in one issue, but it's credited to a wizard called Mel Bee of Sub Twee, and it's nothing to do with breathing underwater. It's just a hex which makes you seem more convincing the less true whatever you're saying is. Before you know it, it's grown dark outside. Ashton is rather loudly shutting up shop. You have noticed that Ashton's back catalogue isn't quite complete. Rather hesitantly you [[mention this]].

It's [[on fire]].

You're on your way to your lodgings when you notice the blaze. Your first instinct is to [[help]]. But there are already plenty of people moving to and fro with buckets and barrows of sand. Maybe you should [[leave them to it]].

You are going to check out the item you need, whether it's [[on fire or not|Bout]].{(set:$destination to "Klipweiding Library") (set:$mustfight to true) (set:$distance to 0) (set:$enemyresistances to (array:("fire","wax"))) (set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (array:"water","earth")) (set:$enemyname to "a huge fire") (set:$enemyabilities to "none") (set:$enemyHP to (random:30,35)+(3*$level)) (set:$enemyCV to (30+(3*$level))) (set:$enemyAP to 0) (set:$norikomana to 0) (set:$maisieomana to 0) (set:$enemydamage to (random:3,4)+$level) (set:$damagedebt to 0) (set:$tookdamage to 0) (set:$whoseturn to $speed+5) (set:$relspeed to $speed) (set:$relagility to $agility-1) (set:$specialitem to $weapon) (set:$weapon to "ingenious improvised firefighting paraphenalia") (if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -2)]}

Nobody seems that panicked. You'd probably just get in the way. You return to your lodgings. In the morning, the library is a pile of ashes. Just joking, [[it's fine|Klipweiding Library]]. Just a little toasted around the edges.

"Those are kept in the XML," says Cory Doctordrow. Then he bellows, "Stax!" The head librarian's familiar de-merges from the shadows. It's more wart than imp. "XML is it?" "Hex News #39, #204 and #443 through #448 inclusive please, Stax." The familiar vanishes. "It stands for eXtended Megacosm Library," says Cory Doctordrow. "I'm sure you knew that. A pocket universe." Shouldn't that be EML? "Overflow books go there?" "Geeze, no. Everything goes there. This whole place burns down like twice a week. Ideally the head librarian would be stored there too." [[Stax is back]].

You have found a mention of the astrolabia! The article isn't very useful, just a parenthetical list of obscure hexchanisms whose existence is contested. The author's name is Jacomie of Miempeplaas, which is the name of a hamlet on the outskirts of Fell Mills. It was written a few years ago, but perhaps you might yet find her there. Gain 25 CV points. (set:$CV to $CV+25) [[Next|Klipweiding]]

You had expected a very intricate explanation. Instead Ashton just puffs his cheeks and suggests, "Library? It's not terribly good. Run by the Chandlers Guild and burns down twice a week. But you never know." "I'll go there [[tomorrow]]," you say. "Thank you, Ashton."

{(set:$distance to 0) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<12)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] Scawwy mountain. Seems to be mostly snow, ice, sky, cloud, and distant cawing. Better (link:"head down")[(set:$destination to "Base Camp")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")]. On the other hand, there is some rockiness too. You could (link:"climb higher")[(set:$destination to "Snowgre Guard")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")].{ }(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie hits you with a snowball that's actually a healing hex. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0 and $maisiemana<2)[ "I'm low on healing, $charactername, and we are high on this mountain. Just saying."]

{(set:$distance to 0) (set:$danger to (random:1,$level))}{(set:$temp to 0) (if:$HP<12)[(if:$maisiemana>1)[(set:$temp to (random:7,14))(set:$maisiemana to $maisiemana-1)(set:$HP to $HP+$temp)]] }$charactername, a level $level $species $class Hit Points: $HP / $maxHP Auragentum: $AP CV Points: $CV [[Selfie]] You are on a twisty path high in Klarncknitzer Mountains. (if:(history:) contains "By the Saint's Keep")[There is no trace that the snowgre was ever here. You can just about make out the (link:"tower")[(set:$destination to "By the Saint's Keep")(set:$distance to 3)(goto:"Random Encounter")] in the cleft ice above you.](else:)[Somebody guards the path ahead. Somebody big. Very big. You could try to leave the path and [[climb up the ice->Sneak around Snowgre]], hoping not to be noticed. Or [[stick to the path]]? Or just call it, and (link:"begin your descent")[(set:$destination to "Halfway up Klarncknitzer Mountains")(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")].]{ }(if:$temp>0)[ Maisie splonks you with a snowball that's actually a healing hex. You've regained $temp HP.](if:$temp>0 and $maisiemana<2)[ "I'm low on healing, $charactername, and we are high on this mountain. Just saying."]

Like an upset avalanche, the snowgre (link:"pours down onto you")[(set:$eventtrack1 to 7)(set:$destination to "Defeated Snowgre")(set:$enemyname to "a snowgre"))(set:$distance to 0)(set:$enemyHP to (random:46,55))(set:$enemydamage to (random:8,9))(set:$damagedebt to 0)(set:$tookdamage to 0)(set:$whoseturn to $speed-4)(set:$relspeed to $speed)(set:$relagility to $agility-2)(set:$enemyCV to 125)(set:$maisiemana to it+2)(set:$norikomana to it+3)(set:$enemyAP to 100)(if:$species is "Puppetborn")[(set:$relagility to -2)](set:$enemyresistances to (array:"water","earth","bug","green"))(set:$enemyvulnerabilities to (a:"fire"))(set:$mustfight to true)(set:$enemyabilities to (a:"ogre's bane"))(goto:"Bout")].

Maisie [[slips]].

Noriko [[catches her]].

(if:(history:) contains "Chat to Snowgre")[(goto:"Gonna Fight Snowgre")]With great stealth, concealed by the snow, you heave yourselves up onto a broad frozen ledge of rock and ice. Divided, you now notice, into five rocky, icey toes. One of them [[twitches->Gonna Fight Snowgre]].

(if:(history:) contains "Chat to Snowgre")[(goto:"Repeat Chat to Snowgre")]Except for being twenty foot tall, the being who looms up ahead looks a bit like a snowman. Except, as you come through the snow-flurries, you make out a few differences. In place of a carrot-nose, a grinning human skull huffs frozen breaths. The being's arms are made from bones, not twigs. The smile is a mosaic of dark glittering stones, that broadens as you draw closer. Three buttons are large, misshapen red crystals, embedded in pinkish star-stains on the being's bulgy belly. "Hello!" says the snowgre. And no eyes. No eyes at all. [[Well met, friend->Chat to Snowgre]]. [[Move aside!->Gonna Fight Snowgre]]

"Dwam of Widdendream at your service. Got a bit lost, have we? Not a problem. It's my parents who wanted me to be a toll snowgre. I never really had the temperament for it. Too flaky. Not a people person, you see. Don't like [[interacting with the public]]." Dwam of Widdendream grins. You recognize that the mosaic that makes the snowgre's smile is not of stones or rubies, but of frozen, crystalline tongues, torn from many mouths. The buttons on Dwam's belly-bulge are shrivelled frozen hearts.

"This is my mountain. I don't come freeloading on your mountain, do I? Now (link:"empty your pockets")[(set:$destination to "Halfway up Klarncknitzer Mountains")(set:$AP to 0)(set:$distance to 1)(goto:"Random Encounter")] and follow the path down. Or I'm happy to [[empty them for you->Gonna Fight Snowgre]]."

"Can't disrespect my old man, can't do that," says Dwam frostily. "That's why I pick a nice little out-of-the-way spot. More about the leisure than the treasure, that's my philosophy. That's how I roll. I can say that, it's offensive to say that to a snowgre, 'that's how you roll,' but I can say that because I am a snowgre. And nobody comes here but idiots. I hate idiots, they always come up here, to my little out-of-the-way mauntain." You try to get a word in edgeways but Dwam ploughs on. You can't help but feel the situation is snowballing out of control. Dwam's mouth is getting bigger and bigger and those teeth are fingerbones. "What I really like to do is pay attention to things! I just like to stand and pay attention. That's why I choose spots like this, out-of-the-way spots. For me, it isn't really about the ... maybe you'd better go!" Oh, Dwam of Widdendream [[does have eyes]]!

You (link:"trudge onward")[(set:$destination to "By the Saint's Keep")(set:$distance to 2)(goto:"Random Encounter")], waist-deep through what remains of your foe. Before long you break through the clouds.

Those eyes have now opened. They are howling rents, filled with the white darkness at the heart of the snowstorm. Tears come spraying out of them, each one a cloudly little frozen eye. Flesh and bones are wiggling inside Dwam, breaking through here and there. Two eyeballs embed, chunk, chunk, in the snow by boot-cap. They gaze demurely up at you. "I'll be completely honest with you," says Dwam, weeping more eyeballs, his mouth teeth away like the applause of a skeletal multitude. "There's a little turret up there, and my old man lives in there, but that's it. No treasure, no leprecoins, no magic, no quests. All he'll do is just show you his sculptures and you'll want to go, he is such a drag. Maybe you'd [[better go->Base Camp]] now." Or maybe you'd [[better stay->Gonna Fight Snowgre]].

Double-click this passage to edit it.

"Two of us always lie and two of us always tells the truth. One of us always tells the truth that coheres and one of us always tells the truth that corresponds. One of us always tells the lie that decoheres and one of us always tells the lie that cannot be correlated," says one gargoyle, and then adds, "Note to self, possible fifth face to explain this to the intruder? Or an inscription. But are faces and inscriptions that different? Behind one door lies the Saint's Keep. Behind the other lies a well that plummets to the roots of the mountain. You may ask us only one question. Note to self, is it actually one or should it be two or even four? Note to self, consider more doors. Possibly a sort of middle option. All feels a bit binary." "Sweet," ventures Noriko. "Where are these two doors? There's only one entrance," says Maisie. The gargoyle begins its spiel again. Whatever this is, it looks like a work in progress. You could [[enter the tower]], or go [[back down the mountain->Base Camp]].

In the tower there lives a very pale and important personage, who is called Saint Ghobha. She shows you many intricate devices, all manufactured from myriad forms of ice, with just a few little pins of bone or stone or iron, where ice really won't do. She speaks to you enchantingly on many subjects. But whenever you try to recall the content of these wonders, in your mind, the memories have thawed into neat gelid pools of one size or another. You do remember a lot of bellowing laughter, and the way she claps her delicate hands together. And you do remember that she [[asks you not to kill her]].

(if:not(history:) contains "Talk to Fairy Wolf")[(goto:"Snowgre Guard")](else:)["I don't mind at all that you murdered my snowgre," Saint Ghobha tells you. "It must have been tremendous fun for you all, and I can always grow another. They do grow slowly though, like crystals. Here, let me show you." She shows you something, but whatever it was, it has run down the mountain face now, swift and clear and cold. "How long," says another voice. "[[Have we been here]]?"]

(if:$HP>20)[(set:$HP to 20)]"Maisie I had rather," says Saint Ghobha, "you did not use those words, 'we' or 'I' or 'me,' or 'he' and 'she,' about yourselves, at least while you are my guests. These are words I keep for myself, and it is important to me that they are kept, in a certain way, pure. But it is really up to you. I can't force you to speak in that way, and even if I could, I wouldn't want to." What is that you're staring at? Fluted, ruffled like snow.