Otell stands on the prow of your ship. The sea winds rifle through his tawny hair. He squints into the distance. Past his shoulder, you see the bare hint of land, of the coast. Of salvation.
Above you, the boy in the crow's nest gives a cry. "Land! Land!" The forty-odd people behind you and Otell weep with joy. The boy in the crow's nest whistles to the five boats behind. You know the crews and families on the other five boats are weeping, now, too.
Otell turns to you, his weathered face a strange mix of worry and relief. "We made it, Isa."
[[<i>Land the boats</i>|Land_the_boats]]
(set: $boat_count to 6)
(set: $human_count to 312)
(set: $trust_Otell to 50)
(set: $memory_of_home to 1)
(set: $memory_of_ban to 1)
(set: $Otell_vision to 0)
<b>Day 1:</b>
<i>(print: $boat_count) out of 6 boats are intact.
(print: $human_count) out of 312 people are alive and in your care.
Otell's trust in you is at (print: $trust_Otell) out of 100.</i>
<center>~~~</center>
You land the boats. Lean-tos and small huts crop up along the sandy shore. You are all giddy with the very act of living, sore from travel.
Otell comes to you as the red light of sunset bleeds across the beach. "Isa, you have been quiet. I am grateful; of course I am grateful. Without you we would not have had warning enough to leave--"
You know what he's after. More visions. As if the farsight comes on command.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Tell him to leave.|Otell_Leave_Night_1]]
[[Tell him a dream.|Otell_Dream_Night_1]]
[[Tell him your vision.|Otell_vision_Night_1]]</blockquote></i>
You tell Otell you need to sleep. He hesitates a half-second before he nods. He leaves the way he came, threading his way through the makeshift shelters.
<i>[[Sleep.|Day_2_Meeting]]
<i>Otell's trust in you remains unchanged.</i>
Something in the gray glint of Otell's eyes catches you wrong. "I saw the flashing wings of a hawk. A hawk with the bray of a horse and but the heart of a man--"
Otell sighs. "I would think after these many years you would know better than to lie to me, Isa. Keep things to yourself if you want, but don't spin me yarns." He turns and walks away, leaving you on the outskirts of the makeshift village alone.
<i>[[Sleep.|Day_2_Meeting]]
<i>Otell's trust in you has fallen by 5.</i>
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell-5)
The vision came to you four days before, but it was on a ship thick with people, a ship dripping in worry and with no space for privacy.
You catch Otell by the sleeve and pull him close. His gray eyes narrow. "I saw a strange thing, Otell. People, but not like us. Flame-haired and black-eyed. Faces like knives. They will come from the east wrapped in robes bright as starlight, and we will be at their mercy."
Otell chews his chapped lips. "Should we not have laid anchor?"
"What choice did we have?"
He gives your shoulder a close, hard grasp. "Thank you, Isa," he says. "Thank you."
<i>[[Sleep.|Day_2_Meeting]]
<i>Otell's trust in you has risen by 10.
You have shared a vision with Otell.</i>
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell+10)
(set: $Otell_vision to 1)
<b>Day 2:</b>
<i>(print: $boat_count) out of 6 boats are intact.
(print: $human_count) out of 312 people are alive and in your care.
Otell's trust in you is at (print: $trust_Otell) out of 100.</i>
<center>~~~</center>
(if: $Otell_vision>0)[It's your vision come to life: dawn breaks, and with it comes the knife-faced flame-haired people. They are thin and short, but they seem to take up so much more room than you do. A group of seven come on horseback. Their eyes are black as the horses'. They come with their red hair wound in intricate, braided knots, robed and curious.
Otell turns to you, fear and gratefulness striped across his face. You know he is waiting for you to tell him what to do next.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Advise Otell to let the visitors speak first.|Day_2_BanSpeaksFirst]]
[[Advise Otell to approach alone.|Day_2_OtellApproachAlone]]
</i>](else:)[Dawn breaks and brings with it the strangers you knew would come. Your farsight has shown these flame-haired knife-faced people to you--but only in glimpses, only in flashes. You steel yourself for the chaos they will bring. Otell is at your side in seconds. "Did you know?" he whispers, his voice full of accusation. "How much did you know, Isa?"
<i>What do you tell him?
<blockquote>[[The truth.|Day_2_FarsightLimitations]]
[[A lie.|Day_2_Denial]]
[[Nothing.|Day_2_SayNothing]]</i></blockquote>
<i>Otell's trust in you has fallen by 10.</i>
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell-10)]
"Let's make a compromise," you suggest. "Make them meet you where you are, here on this small bit of land we've made our own, but let them speak first. Force them to come to us, but let them set the tone."
Otell nods. "Should we keep our people here, or should we send them to the boats?"
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Keep your people there.|Day_2_BanSpeaksFirst_PeopleOnLand]]
[[Send them to the boats.|Day_2_BanSpeaksFirst_PeopleOnBoats]]</blockquote></i>
"Best to play it safe," you safe. "Let's leave everyone here and go to them alone, just you and me. Meet them where they are, keep them away from the rest."
"I think so, too," Otell says.
<i>[[Follow Otell.|Day_2_NoVisionChoices]]</i>
<i>Otell's trust in you has risen by 10.</i>
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell+10)
You tell him you saw these strangers, yes, but you didn't know when they were coming. Or how many. Or whether they were friends or enemies. "The farsight is a fractured mirror, Otell, showing just slivers and pieces."
"Slivers and pieces you kept to yourself, Isa," he says. He walks away, towards the approaching horses.
You [[follow Otell|Day_2_NoVisionChoices]], unsure what else to do.
<i>Otell's trust in you has fallen by 5.</i>
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell-5)
"I never saw this, Otell." The lie spills out of your mouth before you can stop it. You say it with such conviction, such determination.
He searches your face. "Never?"
"Never."
He grasps your hand. "May the Yeoman grant us grace. Come help me, Isa."
<i>[[Follow Otell.|Day_2_NoVisionChoices]]</i>
<i>Otell's trust in you has risen by 10.</i>
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell+10)
You say nothing. You gaze out at him from beneath the curtain of your dark hair.
Otell sighs. "I am not questioning your loyalty, Isa. I am just...these are hard times. I...Let's see to these strangers."
<i>Otell's trust in you remains unchanged.</i>
<i>[[Follow Otell.|Day_2_NoVisionChoices]]</i>
The strangers from your vision approach. Their eyes drink in the light. Their hair shines like licking tongues of orange-red flame. They wear robes of magenta and goldenrod and the blue of newly thawed streams. They do not leave their horses' back.
They speak in a language you understand, but Otell does not. A language you know they teach you sometime in the future. A language you remember learning in the months to come. Memories you have not yet lived flood to the surface.
"We've seen your boats, pale humans," the stranger closest to you says. "We wonder where you've come sailing from."
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Say nothing.|Day_2_HideAthenorkos]]
[[Whisper words to Otell|Day_2_SpeakThroughOtell]]
[[Speak back to the stranger.|Day_2_SpeakAthenorkos]]</blockquote></i>
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to 30)
Your people surround you, all (print: $human_count) of them. They stand in a half moon around you and Otell rows and rows deep. The sea wind whispers through their clothes. You hear the overlapping rhythms of their breath, but they stand silent as dreams.
The strangers from your vision approach. Their eyes drink in the light. Their hair shines like licking tongues of orange-red flame. They wear robes of magenta and goldenrod and the blue of newly thawed streams. They do not leave their horses' back.
They speak in a language you understand, but Otell does not. A language you know they teach you sometime in the future. A language you remember learning in the months to come. Memories you have not yet lived flood to the surface.
"We've seen your boats, pale humans," the stranger closest to you says. "We took two as gifts."
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Say nothing.|Day_2_HideAthenorkos]]
[[Whisper words to Otell|Day_2_SpeakThroughOtell]]
[[Speak back to the stranger.|Day_2_SpeakAthenorkos]]
[[Convince Otell to attack the strangers.|Day_2_Attack]]</blockquote></i>
<i>You have lost two boats.</i>
(set: $boat_count to $boat_count-2)
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to 30)
Only you and Otell stand on the beach. The rest of your people have gone back to the boats, to ready them in case the meeting goes wrong. The open sails cast great shadows across the beach.
The strangers from your vision approach. Their eyes drink in the light. Their hair shines like licking tongues of orange-red flame. They wear robes of magenta and goldenrod and the blue of newly thawed streams. They do not leave their horses' back.
They speak in a language you understand, but Otell does not. A language you know they teach you sometime in the future. A language you remember learning in the months to come. Memories you have not yet lived flood to the surface.
"We've seen your boats, pale humans," the stranger closest to you says. "We wonder where you've come sailing from."
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Say nothing.|Day_2_HideAthenorkos]]
[[Whisper words to Otell|Day_2_SpeakThroughOtell]]
[[Speak back to the stranger.|Day_2_SpeakAthenorkos]]</blockquote></i>
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to 30)
"I can't understand them, can you?" says Otell.
"No," you say. "How could I?"
The stranger closest to you leans forward in their saddle. "Oh, you are lying," they say. "I have the same talents as you. For weeks you've woken me in the dead of night. I've glimpsed you. I know you know what I'm saying." The curl of their smile is familiar as the heat of Otell's body next to yours.
The stranger smiles. "Tell him of me, Isa. Tell him Banyrahn will come again tomorrow."
[[You watch as Banyrahn gallops off into the tall grass.|Night_2]]
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 5.
You have not revealed to either Otell or Banyrahn that you speak Banyrahn's language.</i>
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+5)
(set: $Athenorkos to 1)
"I can't understand them, can you?" says Otell.
You drop you face into the hollow of Otell's neck. "Yes. I can. (if: $Otell_vision>0)[It's from the visions, I think. It comes and goes, and I can't be sure it will stay. Repeat what I say."](else:)[I've had visions of these people. I haven't told you, Otell, because I haven't had enough to understand it all--and now's not the time to go into it. Repeat what I say."] You give him the words. You tell him to speak of peace, of settlement. You can feel the stranger's eyes on you as Otell speaks.
The stranger smiles. "Tell him of me, Isa. Tell him Banyrahn will come again tomorrow."
[[You watch as the stranger gallops off into the tall grass.|Night_2]]
<i>You have revealed to Otell that you speak the stranger's language.</i>
(set: $Athenorkos to 2)
"I can't understand them, can you?" says Otell.
"Yes," you say. You step forward, and the words come out smooth and sweet as honey. You feel Otell stare at you, (if: $Otell_vision>0)[awe and wonder for your strangeness a chain between you(set:$trust_Otell to $trust_Otell+10)](else:)[anger and confusion swimming in your wake(set:$trust_Otell to $trust_Otell-5)].
The stranger closest to you leans forward in their saddle. "Yes, it is you," they say. "I have your same talents. For weeks you've woken me in the dead of night. I've glimpsed you. Tell him of me, Isa. Tell him Banyrahn will come again tomorrow." The curl of their smile is familiar as the heat of Otell's body next to yours.
[[You watch as Banyrahn gallops off into the tall grass.|Night_2]]
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 15.
You have revealed to both Otell and Banyrahn that you speak Banyrahn's language.
(if:$Otell_vision>0)[Otell's trust in you has risen by 10.](else:)[Otell's trust in you has fallen by 5.]</i>
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+15)
(set: $Athenorkos to 3)
You drop your face close to Otell's ear, but keep your eyes pinned to the strangers. "We need to cut them down," you say.
"Isa--"
"They took two of our boats. Right now we have numbers on them. We won't keep that advantage long. Shout the order, now, while all of us are here."
(if: $Otell_vision>0)[He stares at you, hard-eyed. "Did you see this? In a vision, did you see this?"
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Lie, and say you did.|Day_2_AttackHappens]]
[[Tell him the truth, that no vision showed you this.|Day_2_AttackAborted]]
</blockquote></i>](else:)["No, Isa, that is a fool's errand if I ever heard one. No. I'm going to speak to them. Come if you want."
You [[follow after him.|Day_2_NoVisionChoices]]
<i>Otell's trust in you has fallen by 5.</i>
(set:$trust_Otell to $trust_Otell-5)]
As you fall asleep on your bedroll, you reflect on the events of the day. You chew on a nub of rahksa weed to call forth a disruption in time. And then you dream.
<i>What is your dream about?
<blockquote>[[Otell.|Night_2_Otell]]
[[The strangers.|Night_2_TheStrangers]]
[[The people you brought with you.|Night_2_People]]
[[The boats you sailed here on.|Night_2_Boats]]
[[The home you left behind.|Night_2_Home]]</blockquote></i>
"Yes," you say. "I saw it. I saw us pull our knives, and rocks from the shore. I saw us drag them from their horses and split open their skulls. I saw us win."
Otell's face hardens. [[He gives the order.|Ending_HumansAmbush]]
(set: $Otell_vision to $Otell_vision+1)
"No," you say, "I never saw this, not exactly--"
"What did you see, Isa?"
"The visions, I keep telling you, they're not clear--"
(if: $trust_Otell>50)["Do you really think this is what we should do?" he asks.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Yes.|Ending_HumansAmbush]]
[[No|Day_2_NoVisionChoices]]</i></blockquote>](else:)["You and your damned visions. Nothing but half-truths. I'm going to speak to them. Come if you want."
You [[follow after him.|Day_2_NoVisionChoices]]]
You and your fellows take up your predicted rocks and knives. You take down the stranger and their six companions. You slaughter their horses and smoke the meat. You wait one day, two, an entire week. Nothing happens.
But the week after, a host of strangers rains down upon you. There are hundreds of them--over a thousand of them--all wearing armor. They come like fury incarnate. They murder you all in a blink, in a heartbeat, and burn your ships to ash.
<i>You have ended Otell's line and the last vestiges of your own culture.
This is a non-canonical ending. If you would like to try again to find a possible canonical ending, [[play again|Start]].</i>
The dream is too real to be just a dream. It has the visceral edge of prophecy. You see Otell look to you, his mouth full of stones, his eyes full of pain. You know he will need you to guide him through the tricky coming days. (if: $trust_Otell<50)[You know he won't want to let you help.](else:)[]
[[You wake.|Day_3_Invitation]]
The dream is too real to be just a dream. It has the visceral edge of prophecy.
<i>You watch as six strange boats approach the shore You watch as strangers pour from the decks. Hair of all colors. Big and tall. Meaty, vicious hands. It sets your teeth on edge to see them, these strong, desperate people.
Your wife stands on one side. Your husband stands on the other. "Ban, what is it?"
"The new humans are here. The ones from my waking dreams."
You feel her out there--the human scryer, her mind dancing with yours. You turn away, closing your mind up before she can eavesdrop any longer.</i>
[[And then you are yourself again.|Day_3_Invitation]]
<i>You have experienced 1 memory of Banyrahn's.</i>
(set: $memory_of_ban to $memory_of_ban+1)
You dream of the people you came with. Of the people who died in the crossing. Of the people who refused to come with you. Of the ones who look at you in awe and wonder waiting for your next vision. In your dream, when it does not come, those disciples turn on you, and rip you limb from limb. The red-haired strangers watch on the crest of a hill.
[[You wake in a cold sweat to the news that thirty people are missing.|Day_3_Invitation]]
<i>You have lost 30 people.</i>
(set: $human_count to $human_count-30)
You dream of boats you sailed on. In your dream, they are made of bone, and the sails are woven from hair. A figure stands on the prow of the boat pointing into the dim light of dawn, pointing down. You stare into the glassy surface of the water, and the water becomes a mirror.
(if: $boat_count<6)[[[You wake knowing where the strangers have hidden one to the stolen boats.|Day_3_Invitation]]
<i>You have gained 1 boat.</i>
(set: $boat_count to $boat_count+1)](else:)[[[You wake knowing that for every boat you have, the strangers have thirty.|Day_3_Invitation]]]
You dream of the place you left: a cold and mountainous island far away from anything else. A place that grew little but rahksa weed and sheep and potatoes. A place you loved and lost to the erratic violence of nature.
[[You wake.|Day_3_Invitation]]
<i>You have gained 1 valuable memory of home.</i>
(set: $memory_of_home to $memory_of_home+1)
<b>Day 3:</b>
<i>(print: $boat_count) out of 6 boats are intact.
(print: $human_count) out of 312 people are still alive.
Otell's trust in you is at (print: $trust_Otell) out of 100.
Banyrahn's interest in you is at (print: $Banyrahn_Interest) out of 100.</i>
<center>~~~</center>
Banyrahn and their six escorts appear again at the break of dawn. Otell wakes you and leads you out. Banyrahn and the others are there, in the center of your camp, still on horseback.
(if: $Athenorkos>1)[Otell turns to you. "Ask them what they want, Isa. Ask them what they're here for."
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Ask Banyrahn why they are here|Day_2_BanyrahnReason]].
[[Refuse|Day_2_Refuse]].
(if: $boat_count>4)[[[Suggest you sail somewhere else|Ending_SailAway]].](else:)[]</blockquote></i>](else:)[Otell turns to you. "What do we do, Isa? No one understands each other."
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Reveal you speak Banyrahn's language|Day_2_AthenorkosReveal]].
(if: $boat_count>4)[[[Suggest you sail somewhere else|Ending_SailAway]]](else:)[]]
You close the distance between yourself and Banyrahn. Otell lingers behind you. Banyrahn gazes down at you from their horse. Again, they wear shining, silken robes. Again, their orange-red hair is coiled and plaited in impenetrable knots. They look at you expectantly.
"Why did you come?" you ask in their language.
Banyrahn smiles. "You speak Athenorkos well, Isa. Come to my hold. Eat of my bread. Let us foster a friendship."
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Accept Banyrahn's offer.|Day_2_AcceptOffer]]
[[Refuse Banyrahn's offer|Day_2_RefuseOffer]]
</blockquote></i>
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 5.</i>
(set:$Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+5)
"No," you say.
"No?"
"No. I won't be your mouthpiece, Otell."
Otell stares at you, open-mouthed. "But you can speak with them, Isa, and I can't. I wouldn't--I don't--"
"No."
He begs you to reconsider. Banyrahn's black eyes watch you, unblinking.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[You reconsider.|Day_2_BanyrahnReason]]
[[You leave for your tent.|Day_2_OptOut]]</blockquote></i>
<i>Otell's trust in you has fallen by 10.
Banyrahn's interest in you has fallen by 5.</i>
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell-10)
(set:$Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest-5)
You herd all (print: $human_count) people onto the (print: $boat_count) boats. You sail off into the dark seas while the strangers watch, searching for another land that will welcome you.
But there is only ever silence from the crows' nests. A squall hits. The ships go down, one after another. You and the rest of your people are swallowed by the hungry waves.
<i>You have ended Otell's line and the last vestiges of your own culture.
This is a non-canonical ending. If you would like to try again to find a possible canonical ending, [[play again|Start]].</i>
You take Otell by the hand and whisper in his ear. "I can speak it. From the visions. I can speak the strangers' tongue."
(if: $Otell_vision>1)[He looks at you in awe and wonder. "But before, you--"
"It comes and goes. Today I can speak it."
[[You step forward and ask Banyrahn why they've come.|Day_2_BanyrahnReason]]
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 15.</i>
(set:$Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+15)](else:)[Anger flashes across Otell's face. "How?"
"The visions," you say.
"The visions. How many visions, Isa?" spits Otell. "How many have you had that you haven't shared with me?"
You brush past him. "Not everything must be shared with you."
[[You ask Banyrahn why they've come.|Day_2_BanyrahnReason]]
<i>Otell's trust in you has fallen by 5.
Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 15.</i>
(set:$Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+15)
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell-5)]
(set: $Athenorkos to 3)
You turn your back and march to your tent. You ignore the stares of your people as they watch you go. You shake off the piercing glare of Otell's eyes burning into your back. You spend the day in the shade of your tent, sorting what needs to be sorted, cataloguing the few possessions you have, waiting for the inevitable fall of night.
At dusk, Otell approaches. "Gather your things, Isa," he says. "We're following the strangers."
"To where?" you ask.
"I don't know," he says. "But we're going. All of us."
[[You pack a small bag and leave your tent behind.|Day_2_AllHumansToHold]]
<i>Otell's trust in you has fallen by 5.</i>
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell-5)
You agree to go to Banyrahn's hold. They speak of a feast, and then a negotiation. When it's time to leave, you realize that Banyrahn is expecting only you and Otell to accompany them. Otell turns to you in confusion.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Take all your people with you to the hold.|Day_2_AllHumansToHold]]
[[Only you and Otell go to the hold; the rest stay at camp.|Day_2_HumansStayAtCamp]]
[[Only you and Otell go to the hold; the rest go back to the boats.|Day_2_HumanStayOnBoats]]</blockquote></i>
Banyrahn speaks of a feast and a negotiation. As they speak, your skin crawls. Otell watches your face.
"Let us have the night to consider," you say.
Banyrahn raises their eyebrows.
"Scryer," they say, "You have had days and nights out of sequence to consider. Hesitance is answer enough." They leave.
[[Night falls, and you sleep uneasily.|Ending_BanyrahnSlaughtersHumans]]
An hour before dawn breaks, you hear the thundering of a thousand horse's hooves. Banyrahn's clan comes pouring over the hills, carrying spears and lanterns. They crash down on you like a wave, cresting and breaking. The violence is sublime, and wretched, and you did not see this coming in any of your visions. They slaughter you all, to a man, to a child.
<i>You have ended Otell's line and the last vestiges of your own culture.
This is a non-canonical ending. If you would like to try again to find a possible canonical ending, [[play again|Start]].</i>
You look over your shoulder. "Come, everyone! We're going with the strangers. Come, now!"
Otell joins you in gathering your people. Banyrahn and their entourage are patient while you and your fellows go to the hold. You watch, with growing nervousness, as your boats disappear from view.
The hold is a four mile trek through the hills. It is walled and guarded. Banyrahn ushers your entire remaining population into a great, stone hall. They feed you. They shelter you. There is a feast, as promised. And then, they ask you to tell them why you have come to their shores.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>(if:$memory_of_home>0)[[Tell them of the loss you left behind.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_MemOfHome]](else:)[]
(if:$trust_Otell>69)[[[Encourage Otell to speak.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_OtellSpeaks]]](else:)[]
[[Tell the truth.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_Truth]]
</blockquote></i>
<i>A scout travels to the shore in the night. She reports that the strangers have taken three of your unattended boats.</i>
(set: $boat_count to $boat_count-3)
(set: $human_present to $human_count)
You and Otell decide to travel to Banyrahn's hold alone. You don't know what waits there. If it's death, it seems better to face it just the two of you. You decide to encourage the rest to wait for you at the makeshift camp.
You slip onto Banyrahn's horse, nestled close behind them. One of Banyrahn's companion's shares her horse with Otell. You watch, with growing nervousness, as your boats and your people disappear from view.
The hold is a four mile ride through the hills. It is walled and guarded. Banyrahn ushers you and Otell into a great, stone hall. They feed you. They shelter you. There is a feast, as promised. And then, they ask you to tell them why you have come to their shores.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Tell the truth.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_Truth]]
[[Lie.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_Lie]]
(if:$trust_Otell>69)[[[Encourage Otell to speak.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_OtellSpeaks]]](else:)[]
(if:$memory_of_ban>1)[[[Tell a story that is not yours.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_MemOfBan]]](else:)[]
(if:$memory_of_home>1)[[[Tell them of the loss you left behind.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_MemOfHome]]](else:)[]</blockquote></i>
<i>A scout travels from the camp to bring you news as night falls. She reports that the strangers have taken three of your unattended boats and that seven of your people have disappeared in the night.</i>
(set: $boat_count to $boat_count-3)
(set: $human_count to $human_count-7)
(set: $human_present to 2)
You and Otell decide to travel to Banyrahn's hold alone. You don't know what waits there. If it's death, it seems better to face it just the two of you. You decide to encourage the rest to wait for you in the boats.
You slip onto Banyrahn's horse, nestled close behind them. One of Banyrahn's companion's shares her horse with Otell. You watch, with growing nervousness, as the boats and your people disappear from view.
The hold is a four mile ride through the hills. It is walled and guarded. Banyrahn ushers you and Otell into a great, stone hall. They feed you. They shelter you. There is a feast, as promised. And then, they ask you to tell them why you have come to their shores.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>[[Tell the truth.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_Truth]]
[[Lie.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_Lie]]
(if:$trust_Otell>69)[[[Encourage Otell to speak.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_OtellSpeaks]]](else:)[]
(if:$memory_of_ban>1)[[[Tell a story that is not yours.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_MemOfBan]]](else:)[]
(if:$memory_of_home>1)[[[Tell them of the loss you left behind.|Day_2_DinnerAtHold_MemOfHome]]](else:)[]</blockquote></i>
<i>A scout from the boats comes to you at dusk to bring news. Seven of your people have disappeared in the night.</i>
(set: $human_count to $human_count-7)
(set: $human_present to 2)
You stand and clear your throat. Silence cloaks the hall. Hundreds of black eyes fix on you.
"You watched me come here, Banyrahn. You stood in a tower not far from here. You held a spyglass. Your man was on your right, and your lady on your left. And you had such question, such reservations. That morning, I stepped from the boats, and I had dreamt of you, and I knew we would meet in this hall. And so it has happened."
The silence grows thick and stark. A smile slices across Banyrahn's face, but they say nothing.
[[You are full of questions as you are led to your quarters for the night.|Night_3]]
(if: $human_present<3)[(set: $hostage_count to 50)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)](else:)[(set:$hostage_count to 3)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)]
<i>Banyrahn has taken (print:$hostage_count) hostages from your people and sequestered them in their hold. Tread carefully.</i>
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 20.</i>
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+20)
(set:$memory_of_ban to $memory_of_ban-1)
You stand and clear your throat. Silence cloaks the hall. Hundreds of black eyes fix on you.
"The world itself sickened. It sickened with such violence. We lived on a mountain surrounded by water. It was good for such a long time, until it wasn't. Until the mountain spat fire and ash and sent us fleeing."
"We saw the clouds," said Banyrahn. "Dark and sooty, from the south, coating the sky for days. It must have been a horror."
"It was."
[[The truth has left you unsettled as you are led to your quarters for the night.|Night_3]]
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 15.
Otell's trust in you has risen by 20.</i>
(if: $human_present<3)[(set: $hostage_count to 10)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)](else:)[(set:$hostage_count to 2)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)]
<i>Banyrahn has taken (print:$hostage_count) hostages from your people and sequestered them in their hold. Tread carefully.</i>
(set:$memory_of_home to $memory_of_home-1)
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+20)
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell+10)
Otell stands and clears his throat. You stand beside him, ready to translate his words. Silence cloaks the hall. Hundreds of black eyes fix on Otell.
"We left a dying place," Otell says. "We know not why it died, or how. It took many of us as it died. Those of us who survived only made it thanks to Isa's warnings. We've come searching for a shelter."
"You think our shores may be the shelter you seek?" asked Banyrahn.
"That is our hope," said Otell.
[[You hold Otell's hopes in your heart as the strangers guide you to your sleeping quarters.|Night_3]]
(set: $trust_Otell to $trust_Otell+15)
<i>Otell's trust in you has risen by 15.</i>
(if: $human_present<3)[(set: $hostage_count to 70)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)](else:)[(set:$hostage_count to 10)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)]
<i>Banyrahn has taken (print:$hostage_count) hostages from your people and sequestered them in their hold. Tread carefully.</i>
You stand and clear your throat. Silence cloaks the hall. Hundreds of black eyes fix on you.
"We had to leave. Our land died beneath our feet. We came to your shore looking for shelter, and a new start. We are here at your mercy."
"You are lost lambs," says Banyrahn.
"May you not be hungered wolves."
[[The truth has left you unsettled as you are led to your quarters for the night.|Night_3]]
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+20)
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 20.</i>
(if: $human_present<3)[(set: $hostage_count to 30)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)](else:)[(set:$hostage_count to 3)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)]
<i>Banyrahn has taken (print:$hostage_count) hostages from your people and sequestered them in their hold. Tread carefully.</i>
You stand and clear your throat. Silence cloaks the hall. Hundreds of black eyes fix on you.
"We were left restless. We come from an island, and the island has run out of room. We struck out to look for space to roam."
"There are others where you are from, then," says Banyrahn.
"Yes, and I am sure there are others like you beyond just this hall."
Banyrahn eyes you for a long moment. "Oh, yes. Yes, there are many more of us, Isa."
[[The lie has left you unsettled as you are led to your quarters for the night.|Night_3]]
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest-10)
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has fallen by 10.</i>
(if: $human_present<3)[(set: $hostage_count to 100)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)](else:)[(set:$hostage_count to 25)(set:$human_count to $human_count-$hostage_count)]
<i>Banyrahn has taken (print:$hostage_count) hostages from your people and sequestered them in their hold. Tread carefully.</i>
As you fall asleep on your borrowed bedroll, you reflect on the events of the day. You chew on a nub of rahksa weed to call forth a disruption in time. And then you dream.
<i>What is your dream about?
<blockquote>[[The past.|Night_3_Past]]
[[The present.|Night_3_Present]]
[[The future.|Night_3_Future]]
(if:$human_present>300)[[[Or, perhaps, you only pretend to sleep.|Ending_HumansAmbush2]]](else:)[]</blockquote></i>
You live again the terror of those last few days on the shores of your old home. The horror of knowing what was to come, the grief of leaving those who did not believe your visions to their smoking death. So very few believed you. Only Otell, who had seen your visions come true before, could convince some of the other farmers on the outlying plains to build ships and leave.
[[You wake.|Day_4_Tribunal]]
(set:$memory_of_home to $memory_of_home+1)
<i>You have gained 1 memory of home.</i>
The dream is too real to be just a dream. It has the visceral edge of prophecy.
<i>You feel the human scryer, Isa, prying. You are grooming your horse, alone in the stable. Alone with your thoughts. You are beset by ambivalence. The world is awake with choice, unbalanced by potentiality. You close yourself off to the human scryer.</i>
[[And then you are yourself again.|Day_4_Tribunal]]
(set:$memory_of_ban to $memory_of_ban+1)
<i>You have experienced 1 memory of Banyrahn's.</i>
The dream is too real to be just a dream. It has the visceral edge of prophecy. You see flashes of a fractured futures, all split and crashing into each other. Ships departing. Blood-soaked grass. Handshakes. It could mean anything. It could mean nothing.
[[You wake.|Day_4_Tribunal]]
(set:$Otell_vision to $Otell_vision+1)
<i>Otell heard you talking in your sleep and knows you had a vision of the future.</i>
You and your fellows creep out of the hall in the dead of night. You take up rocks and knives. You take down sleeping guards and set fire to the buildings. You return to camp, scared and elated.
Two days later, a host of strangers rains down upon you. There are hundreds of them--over a thousand of them--all wearing armor. They come like fury incarnate. They murder you all in a blink, in a heartbeat, and burn you all to ash.
<i>You have ended Otell's line and the last vestiges of your own culture.
This is a non-canonical ending. If you would like to try again to find a possible canonical ending, [[play again|Start]].</i>
<b>Day 4:</b>
<i>(print: $boat_count) out of 6 boats are intact.
(print: $human_count) out of 312 people are still with you.
Otell's trust in you is at (print: $trust_Otell) out of 100.
Banyrahn's interest in you is at (print: $Banyrahn_Interest) out of 100.</i>
<center>~~~</center>
A trio of strangers come to wake you. It's hard to read their faces. The longer you spend among these people, the more certain you are that they are not quite human, that they are close but something else again. The air around them feels different and strange. It is more than the eerie blackness of their eyes and the sharpness of their bones. They are uncanny.
They lead you and (if: $human_present>2)[your people](else:)[Otell] to a courtyard. The (print: $hostage_count) hostages are already there, across from you, their hands shackled and eyes wide, flanked by guards of their own. The day is crisp and cool. The leaves of the trees are turning gold. The light of dawn, as it filters through the dying leaves, is perversely beautiful.
Banyrahn strides out, armored and armed. Drummers follow in their wake. They come to you--you, not Otell. "I apologize for the hostages," they say. "They have not been harmed. It is a matter of necessity."
"Necessity?"
"Yes," says Banyrahn. "Collateral, we think, will help you answer truthfully. We ask again: what do you come to our shores seeking?"
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>
[[Safety.|Day_4_Safety]]
[[Let Otell answer.|Day_4_OtellAnswers]]
(if:$Banyrahn_Interest>65)[[[Peace.|Day_4_Peace]]](else:)[]
(if:$memory_of_home>1)[[[A home.|Day_4_MemOfHome]]](else:)[]
(if:$memory_of_ban>1)[[[The same thing as Banyrahn.|Day_4_MemOfBan]]](else:)[]</blockquote></i>
You take in the scene: the armor, the hostages, the drawn weapons. It makes you tired. "We want a respite. We don't want this. We want...we want a place to stop running, and we want to stop fighting. We want peace. That is all we want."
"Peace is an illusion, but a beautiful one," says Banyrahn. They hold up their hand. The guards sheathe their blades. "What would you sacrifice for this peace?"
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>
[[Trade boats for hostages.|Day_4_BoatsForHostages]]
[[Trade hostages for boats.|Day_4_HostagesForBoats]]</i></blockquote>
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 5.</i>
(set: $Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+5)
You take in the scene: the armor, the hostages, the drawn weapons. It scares you anew. "We want a respite. We want a land that is safe. We want a place where we can live without fear."
Banyrahn is silent for a long moment. They hold up their hand. The guards sheathe their blades.
"And what would you sacrifice for safety?"
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>
[[Trade boats for hostages.|Day_4_BoatsForHostages]]
[[Trade hostages for boats.|Day_4_HostagesForBoats]]</i></blockquote>
"It is not I who you should ask," you say. You push Otell forward. "It is him."
Banyrahn frowns slightly. Otell casts a glance at the hostages. He speaks of peace, and cooperation, and safety, and you translate.
Banyrahn's gaze stays fixed on you. "And what would he sacrifice for this peace?" Banyrahn asks.
(set:$trust_Otell to $trust_Otell+10)
[[Trade boats for hostages.|Day_4_BoatsForHostages]]
<i>Otell's trust in you has risen by 10.</i>
(set:$Otellanswered to 1)
You remember your dream from the night before. "I want a place where the terror and beauty of farsight is respected. There are only (print:$human_count) of us left. That's all that made it to your shores. Out of thousands. These few of us who made it here, we have a second chance at life, but only because one of us has the fluke of farsight. Let us not waste it. Let us build again here, but build better."
Banyrahn is silent for a long moment. They hold up their hand. The guards sheathe their blades.
"And what would you sacrifice for this second chance?"
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>
[[Trade boats for hostages.|Day_4_BoatsForHostages]]
[[Trade hostages for boats.|Day_4_HostagesForBoats]]</i></blockquote>
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 15.</i>
(set:$memory_of_home to $memory_of_home-1)
(set:$Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+15)
You remember your dream from the night before. "It is not about wanting. I am where you are, Banyrahn. I am full of questions. I am full of caution. I am of two minds: I am mistrust, and I am open arms. My visions are nothing but strange glimpses and confusions, too. This is a course we must chart together, I think."
Banyrahn is silent for a long moment. They hold up their hand. The guards sheathe their blades.
"And how would you have us chart it, Isa?"
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>
[[Trade boats for hostages.|Day_4_BoatsForHostages]]
[[Trade hostages for boats.|Day_4_HostagesForBoats]]</i></blockquote>
<i>Banyrahn's interest in you has risen by 20.</i>
(set:$memory_of_ban to $memory_of_ban-1)
(set:$Banyrahn_Interest to $Banyrahn_Interest+20)
(if:$Otellanswered>0)["We are here. And we would like our people back," says Otell. You translate.
Banyrahn raises their eyebrows. "You will give up all of your boats?"
Otell stares at the hostages for a long moment. "What will you do with the hostages?"
"They will not be harmed, or starved. They will have work. They will learn my language. We will learn from them."
"Will we ever see them again?" Otell asks.
Banyrahn cocks their head to the side. "That I cannot tell you."
"We need the boats. For fishing," says Otell to you. "The hostages will be safe with them. That's what the stranger says, and we need the boats. Tell them we'll take trade half the hostages for two of the boats."
[[[Trade 2 boats for half the hostages.|Day_4_GetHostages]]](else:)["We are here, and we would like to stay here," you say. "This is where the sea led us. Release the hostages, and you can have the boats."
Banyrahn raises their eyebrows. "How many hostages for how many boats?"
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>
[[Trade 2 boats for half the hostages.|Day_4_GetHostages]]
[[Trade all boats people for all the hostages.|Day_4_GetHostages_All]]
</i></blockquote>]
"We will leave you to your shore. Give us the boats."
Banyrahn raises their eyebrows. "You will trade your own people for boats?"
"Yes."
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>
[[Trade 10 people for 1 boat.|Ending_EatYourOwn_1Boat]]
[[Trade 25 people for 2 boats.|Ending_EatYourOwn_2Boats]]
[[Trade 50 people for 3 boats.|Ending_SailAway_Traded]]
[[Change your mind--trade boats for people.|Day_4_BoatsForHostages]]</i></blockquote>
(set: $human_count to $human_count-10)(set:$boat_count to $boat_count+1)
You herd all (print: $human_count) people onto the (print: $boat_count) boats. You sail off into the dark seas while the strangers watch, searching for another land that will welcome you.
But there is only ever silence from the crows' nests. A squall hits. The ships go down, one after another. You and the rest of your people are swallowed by the hungry waves.
<i>You have ended Otell's line and the last vestiges of your own culture.
This is a non-canonical ending. If you would like to try again to find a possible canonical ending, [[play again|Start]].</i>
(set: $human_count to $human_count-25)(set:$boat_count to $boat_count+2)
You herd all (print: $human_count) people onto the (print: $boat_count) boats. You sail off into the dark seas while the strangers watch, searching for another land that will welcome you.
But there is only ever silence from the crows' nests. A squall hits. The ships go down, one after another. You and the rest of your people are swallowed by the hungry waves.
<i>You have ended Otell's line and the last vestiges of your own culture.
This is a non-canonical ending. If you would like to try again to find a possible canonical ending, [[play again|Start]].</i>
(set: $human_count to $human_count-50)(set:$boat_count to $boat_count+3)
You herd all (print: $human_count) people onto the (print: $boat_count) boats. You sail off into the dark seas while the strangers watch, searching for another land that will welcome you.
But there is only ever silence from the crows' nests. A squall hits. The ships go down, one after another. You and the rest of your people are swallowed by the hungry waves.
<i>You have ended Otell's line and the last vestiges of your own culture.
This is a non-canonical ending. If you would like to try again to find a possible canonical ending, [[play again|Start]].</i>
Banyrahn orders the release of half the hostages. They order two of their best boats brought to your camp. Then, they turn to you. "I would have you translate a request, from myself to your leader, this Otell. Do you mind?"
"I don't mind."
Banyrahn gives you a warm smile. "I request that we get you, Isa, among the hostages. In this trade, we get you to live among us."
You stare at Banyrahn, open-mouthed. You know what they ask: to go with them means a joining, a fluidity between their world and yours. To stay with Otell means a peace between you, but a wall. They will stay in their hold, and you will stay in your camp. They weight of the choice crushes all of the air out of your lungs.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>
[[Encourage the trade and go with Banyrahn.|Ending_PeaceTreaty_Hostage]]
[[Advise separation from the strangers.|Ending_DieOut]]
</i></blockquote>
(set:$hostage_count to $hostage_count/2)
(set:$boat_count to 2)
(set:$human_count to $human_count+$hostage_count)
Banyrahn orders the release of the hostages. They turn to you. "I have a request of you, Isa. May I ask it?"
"I don't mind."
Banyrahn gives you a warm smile. "I request that we get you, Isa. In this trade, we get you to live among us."
"We negotiated no hostages," you say.
"You would not be a hostage," Banyrahn says. "You would be a wife."
You stare at Banyrahn, open-mouthed. You know what they ask: to go with them means a joining, a fluidity between their world and yours. To stay with Otell means a peace between you, but a wall. They will stay in their hold, and you will stay in your camp. They weight of the choice crushes all of the air out of your lungs.
<i>You have a choice:
<blockquote>
[[Accept the marriage offer and go with Banyrahn.|Ending_PeaceTreaty]]
[[Advise separation from the strangers.|Ending_DieOut]]
</i></blockquote>
(set:$human_count to $human_count+$hostage_count)
(set:$boat_count to 0)
(set:$hostage_count to 0)
You stay behind while the hostages are released and escorted back to camp. Otell kisses your hand and asks if you're sure. You tell him you are, even though you're not. And then you follow Banyrahn into the cavernous stone hall.
The marriage, you learn, is a political thing. Banyrahn has three other wives--two are heads of other hold. He shows you their locations on a great map pinned to the wall of their chambers. The other is a scholar of great esteem. Banyrahn, you realize, collects spouses of political clout and promise. They also have a husband, a love-match. It is all strange and new to you.
But strangest and newest and most dangerous is the magic. You learn about Banyrahn and the others--you cannot bear to call them strangers now that you are married to one--and all they can do that you cannot. You return to Otell's camp and tell them of the Athenorkos' talents and how to garden. You bring them seeds and stories. You are the bridge between their culture and yours.
<i>Otell's line will flourish and continue thanks to your choices. The intermixing between your community and Banyrahn's hold will have effects for generations to come.
This is a possible canonical ending. If you would like to see other possible endings, [[play again|Start]].</i>
(if: $boat_count>0)[You keep to yourselves, living along the coast, using your costly boats to fish your dinners.](else:)[You keep to yourselves, living along the coast. Many die of starvation that first winter.] Slowly, carefully, life continues. Trees are felled and houses are built. Through trial and error, gardens are eked into existence only to die again when the snows come. Children are born and die. More children come.
The strangers watch your trials from the hilltop. You and Banyrahn remain linked in the visions, but you never speak again.
<i>Your community will survive, but just barely. Without contact with Banyrahn's hold, suspicion grows between your community and the strangers. The suspicion deepens with every passing generation.
This is a possible canonical ending. If you would like to see other possible endings, [[play again|Start]].</i>
You go with the other hostages to Banyrahn's hold. The hostages are sorted and split; it is here you learn that there are holds like this scattered all across the countryside. It is here that you learn how large this land is. Banyrahn keeps you in their hold. You stay in the main lodge, where Banyrahn asks you questions about your people, and you ask Banyrahn questions about their people.
The similarities are startling. The differences are the stuff of dreams.
After a year, Banyrahn returns you to your camp. It's Otell's turn to serve at the hold, and it's your turn to lead the camp.
<i>Otell's line will flourish and continue thanks to your choices. The intermixing between your community and Banyrahn's hold will have effects for generations to come.
This is a possible canonical ending. If you would like to see other possible endings, [[play again|Start]].</i>