(set: $underground to false)
With the sun high in the midday sky, you make your way to a small cottage.
Ahead of you is your new home: A rustic one-story building with a couple of windows flanking either side of a sturdy [[Wooden Door->Kitchen]].
This is the small cottage you just bought with your savings as an adventurer. So far, the exciting and action-packed life you imagined in your youth is nowhere to be seen. After barely scraping by doing obnoxious grunt work for obnoxious citizens in the nearby town, you've finally managed to save some money to buy this quaint little cottage.
(if: $arriving is true)[\
Twinge of bitterness aside, it's hard to contain your excitement. You're so excited, in fact, that you've only just noticed the [[Deed]] that's in your hand. With this, you're fairly confident that this purchase wasn't a dream.](else:)[\
You're holding the [[Deed]] in your hand.]
To your left, you can see a small [[Dirt Path->Shed]] that leads around your house and out of view. With the scenic countryside all around, you wouldn't be surprised to see a garden in the back.
{(set: $arriving to false)}(set: $has_glasses to false)
(set: $has_password to false)
(set: $has_friend to "not yet")
(set: $arriving to true)
(text-style: "bold")[The Adventurer's Cottage]
by Bryson Myers
[[Start Your Adventure->Yard]]After stepping inside, you find yourself in the kitchen. You see a small dining table with chairs on either side in the middle of the room. In the northeast corner, you notice a spacious [[Counter]] with cupboards overhead.
Straight ahead, you see a [[Door->Living Room]] to another room, but can't quite see inside.
You're surprised by the cozy interior. The man who sold you this cottage looked like he couldn't get rid of it fast enough, and he insisted there was no need for a tour. For the price you paid, you were expecting some work in your future. It's fine. Maybe the picturesque and idyllic cottage lifestyle just wasn't for him.
[[Head back outside.->Yard]]You walk through the threshold beyond kitchen, and find yourself standing in a small living room. Immediately, your eyes are drawn to a large [[Fireplace]] on your left. Don't worry—it's unlit.
Scanning the room, you notice two large chairs positioned next to each other in front of the fireplace. You see a small end table nearby, with a single [[Book->Living Room Book]] sitting atop it.
Still standing at the entrance to the room, you can see that there's a door to a [[Study]] on your right.
[[Return to the kitchen->Kitchen]].This fireplace appears to have gone unused for a long time, but your adventurer instinct tells you this place was built to contain fire. For a small cottage like this, the [[Stonework]] is pretty impressive. You can see reliefs with small humanoid creatures that look like goblins dancing happily.
[[Continue looking around the living room->Living Room]].You get a closer look at the intricate patterns, and can say, without a doubt, they are small humanoid figures, happily dancing. Still, the choice of pattern strikes you as strange.
(if: $has_glasses is true)[
Using the glasses from the study, you can see that the stonework has a very fine seam running along its edge. It actually looks like a [[Button.->Chamber]]
]
[[Continue looking around the fireplace->Fireplace]].The study appears to be small and cramped. Maybe the previous owner was optimistic that they wouldn't need to spend much time here.
On the wall to your left, you see a large window with a view behind your house. Below the window is a desk with stationery and [[Documents]] strewn about.
You also notice a |glasses>[Pair of Glasses] sitting on top of all the paper.
|glasses_taken)[
//They seem useful for observing the fine details of intricate stonework... So you take them with you.//
]
Walking into the center of the room, you now see that there's a [[Bookcase]] to the left of your desk. There are even books on the shelves!
You didn't expect the previous owner to leave all of this here. Hopefully that doesn't mean it's all garbage.
[[Return to the living room->Living Room]].{
(if: $has_glasses is false)[
(click: ?glasses)[
(set: $has_glasses to true)
(show: ?glasses_taken)
]
]
}This bookcase holds many books. Squinting to read the titles on the spines, a few titles catch your eye:
//Tell Your Children: Trolls Hate Fire!//
//Never Split The Party//
//Untrapped Chests, Likable Bards, and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves//
//How To Disbelieve Illusions//
[[Continue looking around the study->Study]].Animal Friendship for Dummies!
...If you bought this book because you consider yourself a dummy, please do not attempt to interact with animals. They may be dangerous.
Otherwise, if you plan on making animals your friend, don't immediately attack them on sight...
You definitely wouldn't do that, would you?
This is a 500 page book, but that's probably too much reading for right now.
[[Continue looking around The living room->Living Room]].You glance over the documents on top of the desk. There are partially-written letters, to-do lists, and several loose pages that appear to contain recipes.
You notice a small slip of discolored (if: $has_password is false)[|paper>[Paper]](else:)[paper] amongst the pile.
|paper_taken)[
The paper contains a single sentence, written in an ornate and decorative style, which reads:
//Those who seek Strength for its own sake, will only ever know Weakness//
]
[[Continue looking around the study.->Study]]{
(click: ?paper)[
(set: $has_password to true)
(show: ?paper_taken)
]}After pressing the button in the fireplace, a chute opens and you're unable to stop yourself from rolling forward. You fall into a small chamber beneath the fireplace.
The fall wasn't too far, so you're unhurt. As you get back on your feet, though, the trapdoor closes behind you. You are left in complete darkness for a few moments, before a lantern at the far side of the room begins to glow with an eerie green light. You can see that the chamber is quite spacious, and you notice that you're surrounded by cobwebs, broken furniture, and dust.
After the adrenaline wears off and you calm yourself down, you look around the chamber. Near the wall to your right, you can see an old wardrobe.
At the end of the chamber, beneath the lantern, you can see a [[Small Wooden Door->Chamber Ritual Door]], lined with rocks that protrude out from the wall's surface.
Amidst a pile of broken furniture in the left corner, you can make out a small [[Hole->Chamber Hole]] in the wall where stones have been torn away. Beyond that, you can't see much more.You approach the door, and after a moment's examination, see that it is locked. You haven't seen any keys lying around, but you figure that it might be around here somewhere.After an hour of searching, you come up with nothing.
(if: $has_friend is "yes")[
[Maybe your goblin friend can help?
]<open_friend|[
You sigh in frustration. You've been hearing your goblin friend digging through the rubble, but it may just be playing around for all you know.
Eventually, the goblin approaches you, and after staring at the door for a moment, its eyes goblin with a knowing glint. Your friend fishes around for a while and pulls out a key that it has been wearing around its neck.
Has that key been there the whole time?
It hands off the key, allowing you to [[open the door.->Ending (Friendship)]]](open_friend_taken|]\
(if: $has_password is true)[
[Hit the door.]<open_password|[
You hit the door in frustration! As you do, you hear voice whisper near your ears. It says in a cold, hoarse voice "What will those who value strength above all else obtain?". A clinking noise sounds out, and you see a small panel open on the front of the door. Within the panel you see two choices emerge: "Glory" and "Weakness"
What will those who value strength above all else obtain?
[[Glory->Ending (Password Incorrect)]] or [[Weakness->Ending (Password Correct)]]
](open_password_taken|]\
(if: $has_friend is not "yes" and $has_password is false)[
The door appears to be locked. There's no way for you to get inside.]
[[[Return to the Chamber->Chamber]]]<return|
{
(click: ?open_friend)[
(show: ?open_friend_taken)
(replace: ?open_password)[]
(replace: ?return)[]
]
(click: ?open_password)[
(show: ?open_password_taken)
(replace: ?open_friend)[]
(replace: ?return)[]
]
}{(set: $underground to true)}
The hole in the corner of the room appears to be dug by (if: $has_friend is "yes")[your friend](else:)[some small creature]. You can't see out of the hole. It seems just large enough for you to squeeze through.
[[Attempt to climb through->Shed]].
[[Return to the chamber->Chamber]].|return>[Return to story title]
(click: ?return)[
(set: _return to confirm("Are you sure you want to return to title page? You'll lose any progress!"))
(if: _return is true)[
(go-to: "Title Page")
]
]You see an assortment of knives, a cutting board, and a teapot on the counter. There's quite a lot of counter space.
You could [[make yourself a cup of tea->Tea]] or [[continue looking through the kitchen->Kitchen]].
A new home and a nice cup of tea, isn't that just wonderful?
You become so preoccupied with making and enjoying tea that you put off looking through your cottage for a while.
[[Alright, that's enough tea.->Kitchen]].Taking a look at the deed, you see a basic description of the property: A small house, a shed, and a plot of land large enough to live a private, comfortable life.
You turn the document over in your hand, and see there's something written on the other side—it appears to be a letter.
Greetings,
I hope that this letter finds you well. Many years ago, I built this cottage to live out my retirement in peace. The life of an adventurer brings many things, and it is in this small home that I sought to understand the wonders I have experienced throughout my travels. Although I've decided to slow down, there isn't a day where I don't long for another faraway horizon to run toward. An adventurous spirit drives an unrelenting desire to see the unseen, and to know the unknown. Perhaps, then, this is why my heart aches? In my feverish chase of desire, many faces along the way are nothing but a blur to me now. Many places I've been are now reduced to a single wondrous panorama captured within my mind—and nothing more. The quests, the fame, the desire to grow strong... All of it seems so distant to me now.
It's as if the tea receding in my kettle were an hourglass, and with each drop I drink, I can feel these quiet and tranquil days coming to an end. Forgive me, but it seems that there is more left of the world for me to see.
The skies above may change, the roads ahead may seem treacherous, but the sun will always rise in front of you. It's up to you to heed its call.
Farewell,
A Veteran
[[Put the deed away->Yard]].(if: $underground is true)[\
You struggle to climb upwards, and after much effort, pull yourself out of a small burrow nestled around the forest near your house. You won't be able to get back down from here.
]
You make your way along the narrow dirt path. As you make your way to the side of the house, you notice the birds singing around you, and make note of the nearby bushes, blooming with bright and colorful berries.
(if: $has_friend is "not yet")[\
Ahead of you is a shed. Its wooden exterior matches your cottage, but without walking around to the back, there's no way for you to see inside. Your path behind the shed is blocked by small garden plots and thorn bushes. It looks like you can't go around. The [[Door->Shed Door]] to the shed stands in front of you. Inside, you can hear a faint scratching noise.](else:)[\
You get the feeling there's nothing left for you to do here.\
]
[[Return to the front yard.->Yard]](set: $has_friend to "no")
You muster your courage and swing the shed door open. You hastily rear back and strike down with your shovel (which is now functioning as your legendary shovel of judgement). You hear a creature yelp in pain, and in the next instant, you see a small green creature cowering before you. Clearly injured by your swing.
The creature before you is the size of a goblin. It has the face of a goblin, but its eyes reveal a temperament that's gentler than you expected.
While you process the scene before you, the terrified goblin leaps from the shed and scurries toward the forest. Wasting no time in fleeing from you.
That's no way to make friends...
[[Go back to exploring the back yard.->Shed]](set: $has_friend to "yes")
You slowly reach forward and open the door using the handle. The noises abruptly stop, and as light filters into the shed, you see the form of a small and green humanoid creature emerge. It's a goblin!
The seemingly innocent creature looks toward you with eyes full of wonder. Its long ears move expressively, as if it wants to ask you a question, but has decided against it. Instead, the cute little thing flashes you a smile. You'd only ever heard of goblins being a nuisance: you never expect to see one smile. After a few brief moments of eye contact, the goblin squeaks excitedly and hops out of the shed.
You watch as it looks toward the nearby garden plots with hesitation, before energetically bouncing toward the nearby berry bushes to play.
You planned to live in this cottage alone, but it might be nice to have a little company after all. You don't remember the last time you'd spend time with anyone you felt particularly close to. Just clients with a job needing done. Suddenly, this arrangement feels really nice.
[[Go back to exploring the back yard.->Shed]]
As you creep toward the door, it's obvious that there's something alive inside. The shed door is closed tight, and whatever's in there doesn't seem capable of opening it from inside.
You arm yourself with a shovel that's propped up against the shed. Reaching your hand toward the shed door, you decide to:
[[Open the door, and immediately hit whatever is inside->Shed Aggressive Opening]].
[[Open the door, and yell "There's no way I'm afraid of you!" at whatever is inside->Shed Curious Opening]].
[Retreat from the shed, and go back to the front of your house.]<shed_retreat|[
//This is your new house! There's no way you'd be willing to give up just because of some silly noises.//
//...//
//Actually, you can probably live with it if it's just the shed.//
[[Rush back to the yard.->Yard]]](shed_retreat_taken|{
(click: ?shed_retreat)[
(show: ?shed_retreat_taken)
]}You hear a mournful wail emanate from beyond the door. A voice echoes in your head "Those who pursue strength with reckless abandon are destined to be consumed by it." In a moment, your vision turns red, and you feel an immense power begin to course through your body. You feel your heart racing faster, and feel as though you're about to lose control. Your mind is overcome by an unassailable rage.
Sorry, but you've lost! You tried to open the door, but chose the wrong password. As a result, you were consumed by an evil power. Try looking through the study more carefully next time.
(display: "Return")You hear the dull chime of a bell, and in the next moment, the door swings open before you. The doorway is flooded with a dark red light, and you feel an oppressive heat wash over you.
Staring into the room, you see a pedestal with a red gemstone sitting atop it. As you attempt to step into the room, drawn by the luster of the jewel before you, a voice calls out within your mind.
"You have sought power. The road before you is winding and perilous. Many strong warriors have taken up arms in a quest for strength. Do not walk blindly toward your own destruction."
You stand agape as the voice continues "My name is Alendor, and I am the one who built this home. This place contains many of the things I've come across on my travels, and I now leave this place and its secrets to you."
"Cultivate your mind and soul, and when you have the strength, you will be able to explore this world—far and wide—for yourself."
Congratulations! You found a secret treasure: The Ruby of Power. You win!
(display: "Return")You take the key in your hand, and examine the door for a keyhole. After inserting the key, the door swings open and the room is flooded by an azure blue light. In the center of the room, you see a deep blue gem seated atop a pedestal.
At the same time as the door opens, you hear a gentle voice call out "You have sought friendship. Life as an adventurer is often solitary, without anyone but yourself to depend on. Surrounding yourself with trustworthy companions is the first step toward achieving greatness. Do not neglect the many different friendships you will form in your travels."
The voice continues "My name is Alendor, and I am the one who built this home. This place contains many of the things I've come across on my travels, and I now leave this place and its secrets to you."
As you focus on listening intently, your goblin friend begins excitedly cheering, staring toward the gem, and back at you. Moved by your elder's words a moment ago, you take the gem from the pedestal and hand it to your friend, who quickly wraps your leg in a hug.
After hearing laughter around you, similar to Alendor's voice from before, you feel space warp around you, and find yourself sitting back in the kitchen of your cottage.
Congratulations, you found a treasure: The Everlasting Sapphire. You Win!
(display: "Return")div class="divider"<div class="divider"></div>