-- [EVENT] --Glass King(0)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You see before you the ruins of an old city, covered in ice so clear that it looks almost like glass. An old sign hangs at the gate: 

'Ye who come here desire not the treasures within. Turn away, for thy souls will be at peril!'

There are classically foreboding humanoid skulls scattered around too. 
[/STORY]
[OUT][Zerca]Look for any signs that may show what this place is.
[OUT]Go in.
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]Barge in with no care for details. [Skip Story]
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
You look closer at the gates and consider the wording of the warning, and you find symbolism of the long-lost kingdom of Kral.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try to recall details about this kingdom.
[OUT]Focus only on what may be relevant here.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
This was one of the first human kingdoms to rise after the Darkness was beaten and the Awakening came. It promised renewed glory for mankind.

But instead of flourishing, within a year, it fell into terrible ruin.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Focus only on what may be relevant here.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
The ruler, King Kral'Skra, was said to be a magnificent man who promised to deliver true prosperity to mankind. 

But there were also rumours that he scorned the gods and thought himself divine. Still, his land prospered until its sudden demise. Looking at these ruins, here in the ice plain, perhaps the city simply fell to the Shattering and its effect on this world?
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go in.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You enter the ruins and find them surprisingly warm. The ice you previously spotted is indeed more like glass, as it is hard and slippery, but not wet or as cold as you'd expect it to be. 

You also spot a glimmer of light coming from the remains of a tower. 

[/STORY]
[OUT]Explore the tower carefully.
[OUT]Charge in with weapons drawn!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
You enter a large chamber that was surely a great hall once, or perhaps a ballroom.

There are frozen chandeliers, tables set up with silverware, granite floors, and ornate columns.

There are also mirrors and paintings on the walls, but the mirrors are shattered, and the paintings are torn where the king's face should be.

A golden throne is submerged in the odd glass, and atop it sits a lone figure, turned away from you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Speak to him.
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Tell him to talk fast if he wishes to speak at all. [Skip Story]
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
The person turns to you. He is a withered husk of a once-great man, wearing a crooked golden crown and a metal mask over his face. His voice is loud and harsh:

'I smell the life force on you. It sickens me to the bones. Have you come to admire my kingdom, or praise my greatness? No? Well, you are too late, it is all gone...'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Zerca]This is clearly King Kral'Skra. Address him as such and ask what has befallen his once-great kingdom.
[OUT]Ask him why he sits here alone.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'A learned one? How rare. When I rebuilt mankind's greatness, we had scholars once more. Now, the earth shatters ever more, the light, no doubt brought by the meddling of those idiotic gods...a mere priest holds tatters of great knowledge...'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wait to listen to more of his story.
[OUT]Tell him that if he calls your gods idiotic once more, you will teach him a lesson!
[OUT]Say that you agree about the gods. Even though you are forced to do their bidding, you dislike their constant meddling.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'What happened, you ask? THEY happened. I was strong, I had beauty, wisdom, and the love of my people. But the gods did not like it, no. 

They made my kingdom rot, through betrayal, and misery, and in the end, on my deathbed, I was cursed, my face torn from me and this body trapped in this glass ruin forever. I cannot touch anything, I cannot leave, and I cannot even look into the mirror, damn them!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell him that if he calls your gods idiotic once more, you will teach him a lesson!
[OUT]Say that you agree about the gods. Even though you are forced to do their bidding, you dislike their constant meddling.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'Bah, a servant of our tormentors. Did they promise you riches, make you their pet chosen? 

It is they who made me like this, you know? I was a king, a great one, too great for them as I renounced their deeds and pushed mankind. But they got angry, cursed me. I was powerful, so they made my kingdom fall. I was loved, so they made my people betray me. And I was beautiful, so they carved out my face and attached it to a demon!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept his tale and tell him it is a terrible fate indeed.
[OUT]Question his story. You do not think your gods would be so petty. He must have done more to anger them.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
'Bah, yes, you know my pain, then!

It is they who made me like this, you know? I was a king, a great one, too great for them as I renounced their deeds and pushed mankind. But they got angry, cursed me. I was powerful, so they made my kingdom fall. I was loved, so they made my people betray me. And I was beautiful, so they carved out my face and attached it to a demon!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept his tale and tell him it is a terrible fate indeed.
[OUT]Question his story. You do not think your gods would be so petty. He must have done more to anger them.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'I sit here because I am bound by this glass prison, doomed by those idiotic gods that could not stand my greatness!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell him that if he calls your gods idiotic once more, you will teach him a lesson!
[OUT]Say that you agree about the gods. Even though you are forced to do their bidding, you dislike their constant meddling.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
'Yes. Not that I require validation of mere minions, for I am a king.

Since you empathise with my predicament, will you attempt to free me from these bonds?'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask why you should.
[OUT]Yes, agree.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'The impudence! You come to face a king and speak as if you were an equal. And to question MY word.

If you do not believe me, go, seek out the demon wearing my face, and the creature will tell you I am right.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]So trust a demon or an unliving, cursed king. Tell him you do not have time for this, and he'd best move away while you loot his ruins!
[OUT]Ask why you should bother at all.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'HA! You amuse me. Please try to take my belongings, and do let me know how you broke through the cursed ice.

I grow weary of your company and your state of living irritates me. I think I should kill you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Right. So, if there is a way to break this curse, you can have the things and he can be free?
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
'I suppose I do sense in you an annoying essence of power. You may be just the minions I need to get rid of this wretched curse. If you do, all that lies here under the glass ice will be yours.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes, agree.
[OUT]No. Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'Good. As I said, my magnificent visage was placed upon the disfigured body of a lowly demon to mock me. I believe that once you retrieve my face, I will be whole and will break free of this curse. I have marked the creature's lair for you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod and say you will be back with the face.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
'You enter my abode and barge in as if it is yours - impudent. Still, I may have need of you. I was cursed by your damned gods, and I need one of your stature to track down a demon that wears my face and bring it here. In return, once this cursed ice dissolves, you can take what you like from here.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree.
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Refuse and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You slay the creature and his unliving servants, but soon you see his reflection in the broken mirrors, laughing at you.

The ruins remain covered in glass, so you are not able to loot anything other than the corpses. 

[/STORY]
[OUT][Shaman]You sense a soul has lingered here, and as shaman, you can pull it towards you so it becomes a companion. 
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
You are badly beaten, cursed, and driven out of the ruins. If you try to return, you cannot enter.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Glass King Spwn(1)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find an old graveyard engulfed by low-hanging black mist. It does not seem dangerous now, but you know this could change at any moment.

This is where the Glass King said a demon wearing his face resides. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Search for it.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
As you move between the gravestones, you notice a young boy skulking in the mist, watching you. 

The boy has wolf's fur on his back, oddly long fingers, and crooked legs. It could be a demon. 

You also spot, under the fur, a terrifyingly beautiful male face staring at you with a nasty grin.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Demon or Magic user]This is a cursed child, not a demon. Speak to him and ask if he is all alone here.
[OUT]Ask the creature to come out and talk to you.
[OUT]Attack it!
[OUT][Shadow elf or mroki]You sense the presence of shadowkin here. They will likely defend this creature if you attack. Speak to the odd child.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
The child shrieks and the black mist rises, revealing a mroki!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
The child steps a bit closer: 

'I...?I have friends, so you best keep away! If you come near me, my back-face will eat you, yeah!'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Child]Say you'd like to play with him.
[OUT]Tell the boy you are not here to hurt him. You just want to ask him about the back-face. Does he know how he got it?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Play, oh yes!' He claps his hands and the children run off and play for a short time. 

When they return, he speaks again:

'Oh, thank you, that was very nice.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if he'd like to come with you and play more.
[OUT]Ask if he knows anything more about the face on his back. Is there a way to take it away?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'Oh, I'd like that very much, but I can't. My father did a bad thing and then this lady put me here and said I will play with the shadows and live forever, but I can never leave this place.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Who is his father and what bad thing did he do?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'I don't know, really. But he was bad and a pretty lady came and said to him that he must stop, or else I will pay a price with him, because of some old deal he made. 

He said he will do as he wishes. My father is the greatest king, you see. But then, later, when he died, I was brought here and the back-face grew on me and it eats bad people.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Has he ever tried to leave?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'Yes, it hurts very bad and the shadows say I will die if I leave.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if he knows anything more about the face on his back. Is there a way to take it away?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'No. It lives on my back and the shadows say that if I try to take it off or leave here, I will die.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Magic user]Examine the child.
[OUT]Go back to the Glass King and tell him that killing the child, even if it is a demon, is not to your liking.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
You sense that he is cursed by a power beyond your reach. It almost feels divine.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go back to the Glass King and tell him that killing the child, even if it is a demon, is not to your liking.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
The child is defended by shadowkin, but you defeat them and kill the odd youngster.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Carve the face off his body and take it back to the Glass King.
[OUT]Take the whole body back to the Glass King for your reward.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
The child is defended by shadowkin and after they defeat you, the entire place disappears in darkness.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
You leave the cemetery and the glass ruins appear before you. The king stands in the threshold this time and watches you, then looks down at the bloody face you carry:

'You got it. Good. Hand it over, and my curse will be broken and we shall all get what we are owed!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Hand over the face.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
You walk away and are about to leave the cemetery when you see a reflection of the king in a puddle:

'Have you got my face yet?' 

The child plays in the background, and the king seems keen to ignore it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if he knows that taking the face means killing this child. And also ask if this is his son.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
'My son? Do not be ridiculous. It may look like him, but it is another of your god's fiends here to torment me.

Now kill it, bring me back the face, and get your just reward!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Convince him that even if this boy is not his, which you think he may be, killing the child is wrong. He should at least speak to the boy. 
[OUT]Agree and attack the boy.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
'I...I don't want to look at him. If you are right, then I am the one who did it? to my own son?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]What did he do, really? Boasting about one's power is hardly reason for such a heavy curse from the gods.
[OUT]Nod and say this is none of your business, but you do want to see it resolved.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
The boy walks over to you and the king looks into his face. A single glass tear drops from underneath the king's mask. 

'Please, leave him be. Do not harm him. I know how to break the curse, give you your reward, and perhaps release the child too. Come find me.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree and leave this place. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]27
[STORY]
'I allowed my pride to overshadow my duty. I let darkness into my home without knowing it. I made pacts with creatures and schemed to destroy the gods? There, I finally said it out loud. It feels oddly good.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]What about the boy?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
'I care little for your morals. Now, do what you were sent to do, or leave. I no longer care which one you choose.'

The reflection dissolves and the puddle becomes water again.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack the child.
[OUT]Leave this place. There is nothing you can do here.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]31
[STORY]
Kral'Skra takes the bloody face from you and removes his mask, revealing the bare bones and dried flesh underneath. He then attaches the face while whispering an incantation. True enough, you see the glass around you melt away and the king become flesh again.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bow.
[OUT]Ask for your reward.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]32
[STORY]
Kral'Skra turns to you, his visage a thing of supreme beauty indeed. But as he is about to speak and rejoice at his victory, the face melts away once more and the glass returns, slowly covering everything.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Quickly grab what you can before it is unreachable.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
You leave the cemetery and the glass ruins appear before you. The king stands in the threshold this time and watches you, then looks down at the bloody face you carry:

'You got it. Good. Hand it over, and my curse will be broken and we shall all get what we are owed!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Hand over the body.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
'What, what is this? no, no! My son, my son, NO! He was no demon. I always told myself it was a trick, but it is not, it is him? '
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say that what is done is done. At least he is free. 
[OUT]Apologise and insist that he told you to do it.
[OUT]Say that whether the boy was a child or a demon, what does it matter? Both were lives that would be taken for the king's gain and yours. Time to pay the reward.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]35
[STORY]
You take what you can and move away. The once-more-unliving king cries out: 

'Why, why didn't it work? Damn your petty gods!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave him be before he turns his attention to you.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]38
[STORY]
'I said so, yes, but I did not mean this?'

The glass turns black and trembles, and the king takes his son's body into his hands, cradling the boy in despair. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try to leave quietly.
[OUT]Try to leave quietly.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]39
[STORY]
The child steps a bit closer: 

'I?I have friends, so you best keep away! If you come near me, my back-face will eat you, yeah!'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Child]Say you'd like to play with him.
[OUT]Tell the boy you are not here to hurt him. You just want to ask him about the back-face. Does he know how he got it?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]40
[STORY]
'Why should I talk to you, eh? You look boring?and I?I have friends, so you best keep away! If you come near me, my back-face will eat you, yeah!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell the boy you are not here to hurt him. You just want to ask him about the back-face. Does he know how he got it?
[OUT][Child]Say you'd like to play with him.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]41
[STORY]
You back away and escape the now-blackened glass city, but you feel your soul was touched by this dark deed. The chosen feels this burden especially hard.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]44
[STORY]
You back away and leave this cursed city. The black glass around you becomes unstable in many places, so you are able to collect some goods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Glass King Spwn2(2)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the glass ruins where Kral'Skra awaits you on his throne. But he is now holding an ornate sword. He turns to you as you enter:

'I was a fool. But no more. With this sword and my will, strike me down. This will destroy the curse, and me and the boy with it, but he shall be free at last.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to strike him down.
[OUT]Ask him to tell you the truth of his story.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'Good. Once I am gone, this place will also shatter. If you desire its riches, you must perform a ritual that will slow the destruction. I can give you instructions, but you will have to do it yourself. You will, of course, require one learned in the arts.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Magic user]Do the ritual.
[OUT]Release him without doing the ritual.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You stab the king through the heart as he chants an incantation. His whole body turns to glass and then shatters into smithereens. The ruins begin to shake and collapse.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Grab what you can and run. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
You stab the king through the heart as he chants an incantation. His whole body turns to glass and then shatters into smithereens. The ruins begin to shake and collapse, but your ritual gives you enough time to gather some of the goods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Grab what you can and run. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
You stab the king through the heart as he chants an incantation. His whole body turns to glass and then shatters into smithereens. The ruins begin to shake and collapse, and your ritual fails to slow the destruction.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Grab what you can and run. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'The truth is a fleeting dream when time stretches as it did for me. Was I a prideful prick who dreamed of toppling the gods, or a visionary thwarted by traditionalists? We will never know. 

I made bad choices, deals, and dirty games. At the height of my fallacy, I challenged Lada and said my own visage is far more divine than her common wiles.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Keep listening.
[OUT]You will not abide someone being so disrespectful to the gods. Leave him to his damned fate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'Now, the pretty lady who is not so sublime - was it she who slapped me in the face, or was it her daddy, offended at my impudence, or was it even a priest seeking her favour?

I do not know. I only know that I did see a golden light come to me as I died, and sweet, sharp words were whispered to me - that which you treasure so will be taken from you, and only when you are reunited will this curse pass its true judgement.' 
[/STORY]
[OUT]How dare he suggest it was the Lady of Love and Harmony that would do such a thing.
[OUT]Nod in understanding and agree to end this curse for him.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
'I have no desire to argue with you. As I said, I never knew which of my many enemies did this to me. Wise ones will likely say I did it to myself. 

I was ready to stay obstinate for eternity, find a way to break this curse and scorn those gods again, but my son? he did not make this choice. He deserves more.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod in understanding and agree to end this curse for him.
[OUT]You will not abide someone being so disrespectful to the gods. Leave him to his damned fate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'Fine. I am a king, and I will not beg, not even for the sake of my poor son.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]For the sake of the boy, agree to break this curse as he asked.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Barn Wedding(3)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across a small hamlet that looks run down and has many odd occult signs scattered around. You hear music and cheering from the barn. Clearly, they are celebrating. A stocky, bald man who introduces himself as the Chief comes out to greet you:

'Ho, guests! Blessed be Lada. You MUST come and join us, else we both be cursed, eh?'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Zerca or Magic User]Take a closer look at those occult signs before you decide.
[OUT]Join the festivities. 
[OUT]Join the festivities and offer some food to the family.
[OUT]Join the festivities. 
[OUT]Join the festivities. 
[OUT]Join the festivities. 
[OUT]Join the festivities. 
[OUT]Join the festivities. 
[OUT]Join the festivities. 
[OUT]Politely refuse their hospitality.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
A happy couple is blessed by Lada and on the third day, they find a foundling child in the cabbage patch.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the child in as your own.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
You dance, drink, eat, and rejoice. You feel ill in the morning, but it wouldn't be a good wedding if you felt well.

The hosts are overjoyed with your presence, and they even give you a parting gift.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
You dance, drink, eat, and rejoice. You feel ill in the morning, but it wouldn't be a good wedding if you felt well. 

There is a lingering feeling of ill spirits here too, but it may not affect you. The hosts are overjoyed with your presence, and they even give you a parting gift.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
Those creatures must have been night demons, because from now on one of you must walk the path of the moon!

[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
You dance, drink, eat, and rejoice. You feel ill in the morning, but it wouldn't be a good wedding if you felt well. 

There is a lingering feeling of ill spirits here too, or perhaps something darker yet - and you realise now they were feeding off you as you were celebrating. 
When you look around now, you see no human revellers - only you in an old wrecked barn.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get out of here.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
They accept your refusal with grace, although they are not happy about it. The laws of hospitality are taken very seriously in Slavya. 

They insist you take food and drink as you depart.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You dance, drink, eat, rejoice, and, well, enjoy the company of folk outside of your own village. You feel ill in the morning, but it wouldn't be a good wedding if you felt well.

And by the laws of this hamlet, you are now married and your spouse will join you!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Rejoice.
[OUT]Rejoice.
[OUT]Refuse and say it is not your custom. Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
There are skulls, bones, and sigils marked in old blood. You suspect that black magic is practised here. This is not a sign of evil in itself, but it can certainly bring misfortune and danger. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Politely refuse their hospitality.
[OUT][Magic]No magic is bad for those who walk its divine path. Join the festivities anyway.
[OUT]Join the festivities anyway.
[OUT]Join the festivities and offer some food to the family.
[OUT]Join the festivities anyway.
[OUT]Join the festivities anyway.
[OUT]Join the festivities anyway.
[OUT]Join the festivities anyway.
[OUT]Join the festivities anyway.
[OUT]Join the festivities anyway.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
A happy couple is blessed by Lada and on the third day, they find a foundling child in the cabbage patch.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the child in as your own.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]27
[STORY]
'You dare disrespect us so!' The Chief calls his people, who take out pitchforks and charge at you!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]32
[STORY]
You dance, drink, eat, rejoice, and, well, enjoy the company of folk outside of your own village. You feel ill in the morning, but it wouldn't be a good wedding if you felt well.

Sometime after the wedding, you realise that you are expecting a baby!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Rejoice.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
You dance, drink, eat, rejoice, and, well, enjoy the company of folk outside of your own village. You feel ill in the morning, but it wouldn't be a good wedding if you felt well.

Sometime after the wedding, you realise that you are expecting a baby!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Rejoice.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
You dance, drink, eat, rejoice, and, well, enjoy the company of folk outside of your own village. You feel ill in the morning, but it wouldn't be a good wedding if you felt well.

Sometime after the wedding, you realise that you are expecting a baby!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Rejoice.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]36
[STORY]
You defeat them and run off before more come to enforce their odd laws.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]37
[STORY]
'No, you be cursed! May your peckers rot and your children be taken by poludnica. Begone!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]45
[STORY]
They accept your refusal with grace, although they are not happy about it. The laws of hospitality are taken very seriously in Slavya.

They insist you take food and drink as you depart.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Barn Wedding Rej(4)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Your village is attacked by an armed group. Their leader, a bold, bulky man calling himself the Chief, calls out in anger:

'You refused our hospitality, and this brought bad fortune to our abode. My poor daughter died on her wedding night and became a wicked poludnica. You will pay!'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Zerca]Use your authority as a priest to calm the man down. Tell him you serve the gods and his actions will only bring him more ill luck!
[OUT][Demon]Say that this village is under your domain, and you will curse them yourself if they dare come closer!
[OUT]Fight!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Bah! I shit on your gods!' 
The Chief starts to walk towards you, then realises his people are not so sure. They take their caps off and bow to you in apology as they skulk away one by one. The Chief turns red with anger but runs also.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave them be.
[OUT]Leave them be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Shut your filthy mouth and die!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Bah! I shit on your gods!' 
The Chief starts to walk towards you, then realises his people are not so sure. They take their caps off and bow to you in apology as they skulk away one by one. The Chief turns red with anger but runs also.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave them be.
[OUT]Leave them be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
You kill the fools and hope this is the end of it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and owe your lives only to the gods, as one of the assailants recognises you as kin of the chosen, so the group decides it is best not to risk divine anger.

They take what they can and leave you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank the gods.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
A rugged-looking woman stays behind and asks to join you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept.
[OUT]Refuse.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --GroupHumanoid(5)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
The ruffians who took your stuff cross your path again!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[OUT]Intimidate them!
[OUT]Move away.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
Your words don't work. You are beaten and chased away.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Run.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
'Fine, just take what you will and leave us be!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Let them go.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
'Fine, just take what you will and leave us be!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Let them go.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]35
[STORY]
You are beaten and the group escapes, taking your stuff with them, likely for good this time.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Eleanore's Hut(6)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You travel through the woods and stumble across a lone house, nestled among the trees. 

You feel strong magic emanates from within. You also see signs in many languages telling folk to 'Remain at a distance' and 'Keep your extremities out of one's business'.

You are aware that folk untrained in magic would not be able to see this place at all. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go in closer.
[OUT]Leave whomever is here alone.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You come closer and see the hut more clearly now. It has extremely large windows on one side, so you can see inside it. There are a lot of books, vials, and scrolls, as well as plants and flowers. An elven figure sits with their back to you, reading, and a silver ball lies on a pedestal nearby.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Knock on the door.
[OUT][Perception or hunter]Sneak up on the elf and attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'I have very little expectations from lower forms, and yet surely, even the weakest of magic wielders must be able to read, no?'

The figure does not rise from their chair, nor do they turn to face you. But you realise the door to the house is merely an illusion, so you could go in if you wished.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Elf Magic User]Tell them you do not take kindly to being referred to as a lower form, and ask what your kin is doing here, in the realms of darkness, alone?
[OUT][Intelligence]Praise the quality of the illusion and the apparent intellect of one who has collected so many books. Ask for any wisdom to be shared.
[OUT]Say that you did not mean to intrude, but you are curious why an elf would stay in a lone house in the lands of darkness.
[OUT][Demon]Trick the elf so you can steal the silver ball. 
[OUT]Attack this arrogant elf!
[OUT]Leave them be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You kill the elf and their house begins to disappear, books turn to ash, furniture rots away, and soon it looks like there was never anything but a forest here. You grab a few things before they go, but there is not much.

The silver ball remains, but it is simply a chunk of mithril. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Gather what you can and leave.
[OUT]Gather what you can and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
The elf finally turns to face you:

'Oh, my apologies. Your energy is so...?mundanely divine, I did not realise. 

I am here with Anare'th.' They point to the silver ball and continue:

'So, hardly solitary. We are conducting studies of the shadowkin, seeking a cure to their wretched state.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wretched state? Do they mean the taint of darkness that the shadow elves seem to have accepted and even embraced?
[OUT]Anare'th? The ball?
[OUT]Nod and ask how their study is going.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
You charge in, but quickly realise the elf was not really sitting in that chair. They now stand behind you, and you are assaulted by magic!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight back.
[OUT]Drop some bags and try to run away!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
You ask the elf many questions and riddles, and eventually they grow angry enough to blast you with a spell. But you snatch the silver ball without them realising it, and it proves to be made of mithril. 

It also feels like it has some magic, but the farther you move away from the owner, the more the power fades, until the ball is as cold as ice. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
You fail to trick the elf. Some kind of protective spell hits you and forces you to flee.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
'One would say all sorts of things when under the filthy influence of pure darkness. We guided humans out of their caves. The least we can do is put in some work for our own degraded kin.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod. Ask about Anare'th - the ball?
[OUT][Shadow elf]Tell the stuck-up elf that your kind has embraced the power of darkness and was remade, so you do not need 'saving'.
[OUT][Shadow elf]Ask if they have found a way to cure your kind, then. If so, you would like to try it.
[OUT]Nod and ask how their study is going.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
'Yes. Anare'th met with this fate while exploring a lingering chasm of darkness, not too far from here. Do watch out for those - the infernal force of change does not do well with us light folk.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say that you are sorry to hear this.
[OUT]Nod and ask how their study is going.
[OUT]Ask about the shadow elves again. Why try to 'cure' them when they seem content?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
'Why? You were not the one to release darkness with such ferocity, were you now? No. Those fools are long dead, or unliving as their case may be. 

Anare'th provides vital insight into my research and aids my protection from unwanted guests here too. In any case, I have wasted enough time on this idle chatter.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod and ask how their study is going.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]27
[STORY]
'It is progressing at a satisfactory pace. I lack live subjects at times, but eventually, I am sure a method will be found. 

All that was changed can surely be unchanged.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if they can teach you anything, perhaps.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
'If you were not kin, I would require a show of your competence, but let us not waste more of my time. Here, take this, and may it bring you the wisdom you seek. Now please leave me to my work.'

They bow their head, and a single tear drops from their eye and changes into a crystal for you to absorb.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Absorb the crystal and thus share in the knowledge of your brethren.
[OUT]Absorb the crystal and thus share in the knowledge of your brethren.
[OUT]Absorb the crystal and thus share in the knowledge of your brethren.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]32
[STORY]
'All this anger. It saddens me to see you so. My treatment is yet to be perfected, but do you wish to try it?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]No!
[OUT]What would it do to you?
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
'Suit yourself. Now, seeing as you were so rude, you may leave now.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Elf]Ask if they can teach you anything, perhaps.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
'Results thus far vary. At best, you would revert to your true superior form as a pure elf. This, however, is not guaranteed. You might suffer a violent reaction and be transformed.'

They look at Anare'th, the ball.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Do it.
[OUT]Politely decline.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]35
[STORY]
'Suit yourself. Do come back in a few decades, as I am sure I will have better odds for you then.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Elf]Ask if they can teach you anything, perhaps.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]36
[STORY]
'If you were not kin, I would require a show of your competence, but let us not waste more of my time. Here, take this, and may it bring you the wisdom you seek. Now please leave me to my work.'

They bow their head, and a single tear drops from their eye and changes into a crystal for you to absorb.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Absorb the crystal and thus share in the knowledge of your brethren.
[OUT]Absorb the crystal and thus share in the knowledge of your brethren.
[OUT]Absorb the crystal and thus share in the knowledge of your brethren.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]37
[STORY]
'Oh, I suppose you do have the common sense to appreciate your betters, yes. I may spare you a moment of my time. 

I am a seeker of knowledge. It is my task to try to cure the shadowkin of their affliction. It consumes much of my time and energy, and thus leaves none for idle chatter.

Still, here is a small gift for your silver tongue and sharp wits. Now begone.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[OUT][Shadow elf]Ask if they have found a way to cure your kind, then. If so, you would like to try it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]41
[STORY]
The pain of this 'cure' is unbearable. It is as if every part of your body and soul is being ripped apart and plucked with red-hot tweezers that reach deep, deep within and pull at the dark threads one by one...

Amazingly, you emerge renewed, clean, and ready to begin your journey afresh!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look at the elf.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]42
[STORY]
The pain of this 'cure' is unbearable. It is as if every part of your body and soul is being ripped apart and plucked with red-hot tweezers that reach deep, deep within and pull at the dark threads one by one...

Amazingly, you emerge renewed, clean, and ready to begin your journey afresh!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look at the elf.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]43
[STORY]
'Fascinating...'

The elf no longer pays you any attention. They are busy making notes.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]44
[STORY]
The pain of this 'cure' is unbearable. It is as if every part of your body and soul is being ripped apart and plucked with red-hot tweezers that reach deep, deep within and pull at the dark threads one by one...

You feel the pervasive touch of the light twist you inside out and leave you weaker, light-sick.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look at the elf.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]45
[STORY]
The pain of this 'cure' is unbearable. It is as if every part of your body and soul is being ripped apart and plucked with red-hot tweezers that reach deep, deep within and pull at the dark threads one by one...

You feel the pervasive touch of the light twist you inside out and leave you sick, infused with odd power, but unchanged.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look at the elf.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]47
[STORY]
'Oh, I suppose you do have the common sense to appreciate your betters, yes. I may spare you a moment of my time. 

I am a seeker of knowledge. It is my task to try to cure the shadowkin of their affliction. It consumes much of my time and energy, and thus leaves none for idle chatter.

Still, here is a small gift for your silver tongue and sharp wits. Now begone.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[OUT][Shadow elf]Ask if they have found a way to cure your kind, then. If so, you would like to try it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]48
[STORY]
'Oh, I suppose I can spare you a minute, silver tongue. 

I am a seeker of knowledge. It is my task to try to cure the shadowkin of their affliction. It consumes much of my time and energy, and thus leaves none for idle chatter.

Still, here is a small gift for your silver tongue and sharp wits. Now begone.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[OUT][Shadow elf]Ask if they have found a way to cure your kind, then. If so, you would like to try it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]49
[STORY]
The elf simply points at the door and does not even look up from their book.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Fli Catapult(7)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across a group of goblins, hard at work over some great contraption.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Intelligence, Dwarf or Goblin]It looks a little like a catapult. You've read about them. Ask the goblins if you are right.
[OUT]Ask what they are doing.
[OUT]Kill them!
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'Oi, you gave me a fright.' One of the two female goblins jumps up from reading a book under a tree. 

'Yeah, we're making a catapult, but it isn't just any old thing. It's made from the bones of fallen monsters and metal found in ancient ruins and tools from our forefather and...'

The other goblins roll their eyes at her, except for one. A bearded, bulky fellow with a bushy beard who sits atop the catapult, covered in bruises and bandages, nods at every word.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Right. So, a catapult. Do they plan to conquer something with it?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Well, we could, that's the point. With the right calculations, it could conquer anything -- a dragon, even!'

Another goblin holding an abacus and scribbling away at some calculations frowns at her and mumbles, 'Why on earth would you need a catapult to conquer a dragon? That makes no sense.'

'It was a metaphor, duh.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if the thing is working.
[OUT][Perception or Hunter]They seem very preoccupied. Try to steal some stuff from them while they argue.
[OUT]It looks like they are very tired, especially the one with the abacus. Ask if they need any help.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Not yet,' answers the other female, as she tells the one with the abacus to add a feature as if she already forgot you were standing there. 

A bald goblin with a goatee and a baby on his back speaks up: 

'We're working it. But it's a big thing, and there aren't many of us. You know how many mechanisms have to work right for it to be great? No, you don't, because you aren't making the Fli Catapult, now, are you?'

He waves a piece of paper with the name on it in front of you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]The paper says Fli. Does he mean Fly?
[OUT]It looks big. How far will it throw stuff?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
The first goblin girl throws up her arms. 'Anyone could call it Fly, but Fli sounds way cooler!

Now, was there anything you wanted? We are very busy.'

She points at her book.
[/STORY]
[OUT]It looks like they are very tired, especially the one with the abacus. Ask if they need any help.
[OUT]It looks big. How far will it throw stuff?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
The last goblin, who hasn't spoken yet, perks up and pulls up his glasses before speaking:

'Oh, yeah. I joined this lot late, and I don't ever have time anymore, so I know how you could help if you really want to.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Sure. Ask him how.
[OUT][Intelligence, Dwarf or Goblin]Ask if you could look at the plans first, perhaps.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'Khax there is our numbers guy and he won't stop working, but Avix is worried he'll burn out. We know a shaman who can brew him a sleeping potion, but we never have time to go. Would you fetch it for us? We will pay.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to bring the sleeping potion back to them.
[OUT]No, leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'A million miles!' shouts the blonde goblin girl, and the one with the abacus lets out a sigh of disapproval again, mumbling, 'It will most certainly not be a million miles, ridiculous...'

The wounded goblin atop the catapult perks up. 'It got me way over to where that broken tree is, and even though I have three broken bones, we learnt a few flaws. Every time is better, right, guys?'

They all nod and smile at their friend.
[/STORY]
[OUT]The paper says Fli. Does he mean Fly?
[OUT]It looks like they are very tired, especially the one with the abacus. Ask if they need any help.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
The one referred to as Khax looks up suspiciously, but the others shrug:

'Sure. Not the important stuff, but you can look at some of it. Maybe you'll learn something.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and have a look, then ask how you can help them.
[OUT]Thank them and have a look, then ask how you can help them.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'Oi, you gave me a fright.' One of the two female goblins jumps up from reading a book under a tree. 

We are making a catapult. It's like a war machine to destroy walls and stuff, but it isn't just any old thing. It's made from the bones of fallen monsters and metal found in ancient ruins and tools from our forefather and...'

The other goblins roll their eyes at her, except for one. A bearded, bulky fellow with a bushy beard who sits atop the catapult, covered in bruises and bandages, nods at every word.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Right. So, a catapult. Do they plan to conquer something with it?
[OUT]Say you will help them out and bring the sleeping potion they need. [Skip Story]
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
You kill the goblins, but the contraption had some sort of self-destruction spell on it, and it collapses. Still, you can scavenge some goods from it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get what you can and leave.
[OUT]Get what you can and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
You keep them talking while you snatch what you can, and they never see anything.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
They seemed preoccupied, but they notice your trickery:

'Oi, thieving bastards!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Run.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Fli Catapult Spwn2(8)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
One of the Fli Catapult goblins, Avix, approaches you as you make your way back to them:

'Ah, found you, good. The others moved already - secrecy and all that. But we got the potions, so I've come to pay you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the payment.
[OUT]Complain that the price was high!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'Here, and thanks again.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the payment and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Oh, the ghost thing. I forgot he may make you do it. Sorry. We get so busy, we forget things outside. I hope our payment is okay to cover it, since we don't have more.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the payment.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Fli Catapult Spwn1(9)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the cave where you were told to look for a shaman that can give you a sleeping potion for Khax. 

[/STORY]
[OUT]Enter and say that you are here on behalf of those odd goblins.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Ah, them lot. They go through my supply of exotic coffee beans and the wondrous chocolate that I have shipped across the greyworld especially.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Across the greyworld? One can transport goods via the spirit realm?
[OUT]Ask for the potion.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'One cannot. I can. Occasionally.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask for the potion.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Sure, sure. Well, step on there, face the spirits, feed my ball, and the potion is yours.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]What?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Well, it isn't free and I don't need stuff. I need energy. I designed this contraption so that when you fight my ghosts, I get what I need. Go on then, I haven't got all day.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Do it. 
[OUT]Refuse and leave.
[OUT][Shaman]Convince him to do a normal trade.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'Bah, fine. Just pay me then and I'll send the stuff right to them.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Pay.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
'Deal's done, they got their stuff already. Now, off you go, I have my own work.'

He walks away deeper into the cave.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'Ouch, they beat you good. But my contraption is well fed, so I sent the potion to those Fli lot already. And here, something for your troubles too, seeing as you got hurt and all. Now, bye.'

He walks away deeper into the cave.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'Well done, I have all the energy I need for now. And here, a little extra for your troubles. I sent the potion to those Fli lot already. Now, bye.'

He walks away deeper into the cave.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
'Nah, no need for crap.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Do the spirit fight.
[OUT]Refuse and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Vanero Spider (10)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
A trader caravan approaches:

'Hey there, fellow travellers, I am Vanero, a travelling salesman like no other. I have for you a rare treat: robes weaved from the most delicate spider silk!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Spider silk?
[OUT]Ask to see the wares.
[OUT]Decline and leave.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'Yes, in times of old, one could harvest spider silk freely and weave the most wonderful clothes from it. Alas, a long-term effect of the darkness changed our dear spiders, and now their silk is too rare to harvest reliably, but I found a stash of it and had it crafted into these lovely robes. Please note that you will not be able to salvage the silk - the weaving technique is such that it can only be used once.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask to see the wares.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'With such exotic stock, I can assure you that you'll get at least a strong robe, perhaps even rare if you are lucky. I will match the design for you once you pay me. Unorthodox, I know, but take it or leave it - I have many clients.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Pay for a robe.
[OUT]Pay for a chance of up to three robes.
[OUT]Decline and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
You kill the traders, but some got away during the conflict, and they must have taken those rare robes with them.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Gather what you can and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee and abandon some goods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Vanero Spider 2(11)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find a young girl crying out for help. She notices you and looks up with hope.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Approach her and ask what is wrong.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'I am Suri, and I am looking for the bad men who killed my family. Momma was carrying babies, and my sisters too, but all were killed and sliced and burned after, so I don't even have bodies to mourn. The men went that way, but I am too small to kill them myself. Will you help me, please?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Offer her a place by your side instead. 
[OUT]Agree to help her get revenge.
[OUT]Refuse and leave.
[OUT]You notice that her robes look very similar to those worn by Vanero, the trader you killed. Ask if those are the folk she means.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'No, I will find the men and die if I have to, but I will not rest in peace. I have a family to go after. They are not you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to help her get revenge.
[OUT]She does not speak like a child. Ask her how old she is.
[OUT]Refuse and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Older than it seems, probably. Will you help or not? They gain time as we stand here.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to help her get revenge.
[OUT]Refuse and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'You did it! I am sad that I did not witness the killing, but I thought I smelled their blood on you. I am glad my senses were true. 

Here, a reward for what you did. I will go now and join some of my family who survived.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept her reward and wish her well.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
The girl crouches down, her body convulses and twists, and a spider comes out from under her. 

The spider crawls to you as a pet.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take it and go.
[OUT]Ask her what she is.
[OUT][Beast or bloodtracker]Tell her she masked her smell well, but now you are sure -- she is no human, is she?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'It does not matter. I am not like you, but you are not my enemy. Those men, they were evil. I will speak to my kind and your deed will be remembered. 

Now I leave.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
The girl nods and then sheds her human flesh to reveal a spider. She speaks, her voice now distorted but no less eloquent:

'Yes, you are like us, awakened. I wear the manflesh when I need to. You have gained our respect, so when you find our hives, this will be remembered - unless you go on to kill our kind, of course.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod in gratitude and leave.
[OUT]Ask if the family those men killed was actually a nest of spiders.
[OUT]Ask her to join you.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'Yes, they butchered our queen and her daughters, for she was able to weave spider silk but refused to give it to them. The silk, you see, is used to coddle our young, and without it they do not survive. But the men did not care. They killed the queen and took all the silk, so all the young died soon after too. I must go now. Farewell.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say how sorry you are for her loss and wish her better fortune in the future. 
[OUT]Ask her to join you.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'Good. I will show you where they are, and I will follow you to see revenge done!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'Yes, you proved trustworthy, and those gods of yours seem to watch over you. I will come.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave together.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Vanero Spider 3 Spwn(12)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
The group that Suri leads you to is none other than the spider silk traders you dealt with before. 

And after your failed attempt to kill them, they do not look happy to see you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Run away!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'A family? What? Oh...?oh no.'

He takes out an artefact and speaks an incantation to reveal one's true form, then shouts:

'Show yourself, filthy fiend!'

You see the girl who was following you, but her body now twists and turns as she sheds slabs of flesh and reveals a spider form. She keeps back but hisses at him.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask them what is going on.
[OUT]Attack the men.
[OUT]Attack the spider.
[OUT]Say that you will not get involved in this matter and leave them.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
The group that Suri leads you to is none other than the spider silk traders you dealt with before. 

Vanero walks over:

'Back again? I am afraid we do not have more robes yet.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Ask them about the family they killed.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'We did kill a nest of spiders. Those nasty beasts are a bloodsucking menace, to be sure. Killed many of our men before. Surely you also clear such nests?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Admit that you do and look to the spider. 
[OUT]Say that you do no such thing and look to the spider.
[OUT]Say that you will not get involved in this matter and leave them.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
Suri speaks, her voice more distorted but still eloquent:

'I care not if you kill unthinking beasts. We kill and eat also. But mine was no mere nest. We are awakened. We pleaded for the lives of our children, and you laughed as you took the silk, slaughtered us, and condemned the young to a slow death!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack the men.
[OUT]Attack the spider.
[OUT]Say that you will not get involved in this matter and leave them.
[OUT]Try to establish a dialogue between the two. Perhaps a compromise can be reached.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
The men did not fully realise that the beasts were truly different. And Suri agreed that her kind does hunt humans, so it is not entirely without reason to retaliate brutally. 

The traders pay the spider compensation, and the two parties agree not to cross each other's paths in the future. They both leave you a gift as thanks for your role in this.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them both for this compromise and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
You kill the spider and her minions, and the traders look relieved:

'Filthy beasts, using trickery to get us. Bah. Thank you for helping. Now we must leave, but here, a gift. May Stribog's grace guide your path.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wish them well too and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
There is no way to make peace between them. Suri is ready to attack and so are the traders.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack the men.
[OUT]Attack the spider.
[OUT]Say that you will not get involved in this matter and leave them.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You kill the traders, although some of them escape during the chaos. Suri bows before you:

'Thank you. I was not sure you would still stand with me after you knew I was not of your own kind. Here is my gift to you. Treat them well.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask for Suri to join you instead.
[OUT]Accept her gift.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
She crouches down, her body convulses and twists, and a spider comes out from under her. 

The spider crawls to you as a pet.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take it and go.
[OUT]Ask if the family those men killed was actually a nest of spiders.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
'Yes, they butchered our queen and her daughters, for she was able to weave spider silk but refused to give it to them. The silk, you see, is used to coddle our young, and without it they do not survive. But the men did not care. They killed the queen and took all the silk, so all the young died soon after too. I must go now. Farewell.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say how sorry you are for her loss and wish her better fortune in the future. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]27
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee. You do not know how the conflict was resolved once you left.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]30
[STORY]
You kill the traders, although some of them escape during the chaos. Suri bows before you:

'Thank you. I was not sure you would do it. Please take my pet as thanks.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept her gift.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]31
[STORY]
She crouches down, her body convulses and twists, and a spider comes out from under her. 

The spider crawls to you as a pet.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take it and go.
[OUT][Beast]Say that she masked her smell well until now. Ask if the family those men killed was actually a nest of spiders.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]32
[STORY]
'Yes, they butchered our queen and her daughters, for she was able to weave spider silk but refused to give it to them. The silk, you see, is used to coddle our young, and without it they do not survive. But the men did not care. They killed the queen and took all the silk, so all the young died soon after too. I must go now. Farewell.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say how sorry you are for her loss and wish her better fortune in the future. 
[OUT]Attack the filthy beast that made you kill humans!
[OUT]Ask her to join you.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]36
[STORY]
You kill the spider and her minions too.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Gather what is left and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]38
[STORY]
You run and the girl does not follow. You only see that she goes after the traders on her own. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]39
[STORY]
'Yes, you proved trustworthy, and those gods of yours seem to watch over you. I will come.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Welcome her and leave together.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Fathers Choice(13)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across a small hamlet and see a group of people huddled around a young girl and holding her hand. They are speaking to her in comforting tones while a tall, imposing man holding a crossbow aims at the child's head.

The people look sad, but they are not trying to stop him.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Intervene and ask what is going on here.
[OUT]Not your problem, leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
The people look too scared to talk, but the man turns to you. His gaze is tired but sharp, and you see great sadness in his eyes:

'I have travelled far, sought every answer, tried every cure. But this child -my child - she is possessed by evil spirits from birth. It killed her mother and brother. Other people have died in this village too, which was once a booming place. They protect her, it is kind...but what I am about to do is kinder.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Elf Magic User]Ask him to allow you to examine the child first. Perhaps you can find an answer.
[OUT][Shaman]If this is any type of spirit possession, you would know. Ask to examine the girl.
[OUT][Magic user]Ask him to allow you to examine this child first. Perhaps you can find an answer.
[OUT]Ask him to tell you more.
[OUT]Stop him. Killing a child is wrong. Attack!
[OUT]Step back and accept his decision. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'A witch cursed my wife as we waited for our daughter to arrive. When the child came, we knew something was wrong. Then misfortune and death came to our home. When our son died and my wife got ill, I left to search for a cure. Witches, zercas, even damned ghosts, none could help. 

I know now that only death will soothe my daughter's soul and save what is left of my home.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Stop him. Killing a child is wrong. Attack!
[OUT]Step back and accept his decision. 
[OUT][Magic user and Elf]Ask him to allow you to examine this child first. Perhaps you can find an answer.
[OUT][Shaman]Ask him to allow you to examine this child first. Perhaps you can find an answer.
[OUT][Magic user]Ask him to allow you to examine this child first. Perhaps you can find an answer.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'An elf. I admit, I have not been able to find one of your kind willing to come here and look at my child. They gave me books I could not read and spouted wisdom out of their arses! Still, I agree. Take a look.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Examine the child.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
The girl seems perfectly normal at first, but your deeper understanding of the weaves of magic reveals another being, hiding itself within the child's body. 

You can perform a ritual of light that will destroy this unwanted presence, but there is a very real risk that the girl will not survive the ordeal. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask the father if he wants you to do the ritual.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
You allow the man to shoot his daughter and he does so, then falls to his knees and cries. 

There is a release of energy from the child's body and the villagers seem to gasp, like people taking in their first breath after being underwater for too long.

They begin preparations for the burial rites. An elder walks up to you:

'We thank you for not interfering. This has been hard enough already. Gradny will likely never recover, but he did what had to be done. You have our thanks, but I would advise you to leave us be, as I am not convinced all of our misfortune is gone just yet.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod and leave this place.
[OUT][Magic user]Offer to perform a ritual to try to cleanse this place further.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
Gradny looks up, his eyes bloodshot:

'No, I will have no more witchery here!'

You get the feeling it may be time to leave.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave them be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
Sometime after you depart, you realise the ghost of the killed girl has attached itself to you. It is hard to tell if it remains cursed or is now cleansed. It does not speak, but only seeks to follow you if you accept it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the ghost.
[OUT]No, refuse it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
Alas, whatever curse ailed the girl lingers on, and it has now attached itself to you. The ghost, distraught by this turn of events, disappears, but this does not take away the blemish on your spirit.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
Sometime after the events, a group from the hamlet finds you:

'Stribog guided our path as we searched for you! We were not kind to you before, and it is not our way. You made a hard choice when you allowed us to do what we had to, and we want to tell you that all is well in our home again. Harvests are good, children laugh again. Life is returning to us. Here, accept this as a sign of good fortune for us all!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them.
[OUT]Thank them and offer them some food in hospitality.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
'You mean, there is a chance? How am I supposed to trust you? I've had witches and wise ones here before, claiming they cured her or saying there is nothing wrong, and the evil came back every time!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell him not to compare you to lesser beings who play with magic. You are of the elder children, and this lies within your reach. Thus, you offer aid, but you will not be offended by a human.
[OUT]Say that it is not your concern either way. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
The folk look angry at the arrogance of your words, but the man nods:

'Yes. From all the knowledge I gained over the years, I cannot deny the elves their bond with high magic. And you are all chosen of our gods, so I will take it as a good sign. Please, do it.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Perform the ritual. 
[OUT]The ritual is too difficult after all. Attack the man so he does not kill the child!
[OUT]Say that you changed your mind. Step back and accept his decision. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
'Then leave us be. Witchery is what got us here, and I will have no more of it!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Stop him. Killing a child is wrong. Attack!
[OUT]Step back and accept his decision. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]27
[STORY]
You cleanse the girl's soul, but alas, her young body does not survive the strain. However, you feel her soul has been released and is free of the burdens it carried in life, although sadly unable to fully move on. 

The ghost seeks to stay with you from now on in gratitude for your deed. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Release the ghost from any obligation and say that she should stay with her father. 
[OUT]Accept the ghost's service.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
You cleanse the child's body and soul, and whatever evil lingered is gone. The girl is weak, but she will live. The father looks at you with hope:

'I...I almost killed her. How can I be sure this time it will work? So many things we tried...But no, we will have faith. You walk with the gods and you are elder kin. Thank you. Here, this is all I can pay you with.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bow in thanks, then rest and depart.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]31
[STORY]
You cleanse the girl's soul, but alas, her young body does not survive the strain. She dies screaming as her body and soul twist in agony and you sense that she has become a wraith. 

The father cries out: 

'I never should have listened to you witch types! She should have died in peace. Leave us be, now!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]32
[STORY]
This girl's condition is indeed puzzling. To anyone else it would seem that she is normal, but you sense a spirit residing within, or perhaps even several.

Spirit possession like this is rare. It would be more typical for such a human to become an unliving corpse or turn into a demon. For some reason, this child is a vessel.

You can enter the greyworld and battle the spirits there. If you win, you will be able to drag them out. It could, of course, be fatal to the vessel.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask the father if he wants you to try.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
'Oh, I've had a gobbo shaman here before. The charlatan took our money, extracted a ghost, even showed it to us, but then it all returned!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say that it sounds like the shaman did not realise there was more than one spirit possessing this girl -- either that, or he was indeed a fraud. It is not unheard of for your kind to pretend, because everyone assumes you are all shamans. Still, tell the man you are certain of what you see and you will try to help, in the name of Marovit and the cosmic pantheon you serve.
[OUT]Say that it is not your concern either way. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
'You do not seem intent on doing this, nor did you ask for compensation. I...I will trust in the will of the gods, who clearly favour you. Please, do your best.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Begin the spirit fight.
[OUT]The ritual is too difficult after all. Attack the man so he does not kill the child!
[OUT]Say that you changed your mind. Step back and accept his decision. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]35
[STORY]
'You call upon the gods, but we will not suffer the whims of witchery and goblin trickery again! Leave us be.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Stop him. Killing a child is wrong. Attack!
[OUT]Step back and accept his decision. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]36
[STORY]
You examine the girl but see nothing out of the ordinary. You catch a faint glimmer of darkness lingering in her presence, but not enough to call it a curse.

You could try doing a cleansing ritual, but without any clear target, it likely would not work.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell the father of your findings.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]37
[STORY]
'Yes, yes, that is what all of you charlatans said before. I will not have you perform any more witchery here. We've had enough. She's had enough. It is time to put an end to it. At least you were honest, and for that I thank you. Please, leave us be now.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Stop him. Killing a child is wrong. Attack!
[OUT]Step back and accept his decision. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]38
[STORY]
You kill the man and those who stood by his side. The child, Zloslawa, remains. She looks at you, scared. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the girl with you.
[OUT]Leave her. You didn't want her dead, but you don't want her bad luck either.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]41
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]46
[STORY]
The father cries and thanks you:

'She is free. That is what I hoped for. Thank you!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bow in thanks, then rest and depart.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]47
[STORY]
The father cries and thanks you:

'She is free. That is what I hoped for. Thank you!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bow in thanks, then rest and depart.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]51
[STORY]
You cleanse the girl's soul, but alas, her young body does not survive the strain. However, you feel her soul has been released and is free of the burdens it carried in life, although sadly unable to fully move on. 

The ghost seeks to stay with you from now on in gratitude for your deed. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Release the ghost from any obligation and say that she should stay with her father. 
[OUT]Accept the ghost's service.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]52
[STORY]
You cleanse the child's body and soul, and whatever evil lingered is gone. The girl is weak, but she will live. The father looks at you with hope:

'I...I almost killed her. How can I be sure this time it will work? So many things we tried...But no, we will have faith. You walk with the gods and you are elder kin. Thank you. Here, this is all I can pay you with.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bow in thanks, then rest and depart.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]54
[STORY]
The father cries and thanks you:

'She is free. That is what I hoped for. Thank you!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bow in thanks, then rest and depart.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Zloslawa Pets(14)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Apart from cats, none of your pets have ever liked Zloslawa much. You'd see them snarl at her or shy away. 

Today, you found all your companions sickly and some dead.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]Kill Zloslawa.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Zloslawa Food_(15)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
All the food that Zloslawa was carrying, and some food that she simply came near, has rotted away.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Surely this will end when she is an adult. Leave.
[OUT]Kill Zloslawa.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Zloslawa Curse_(16)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Zloslawa had nightmares tonight and you all wake up in terror, some carrying a curse upon their spirit.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Surely this will end when she is an adult. Leave.
[OUT]Kill Zloslawa.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Zloslawa Illness(17)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Zloslawa is sent to bring water, but when you drink it, you all fall terribly ill.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Surely this will end when she is an adult. Leave.
[OUT]Kill Zloslawa.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Zloslawa Toxin(18)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Zloslawa is happy to make you soup. But chance has it that a trickster demon switched your spices with snake venom. Some of you are poisoned from it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Surely this will end when she is an adult. Leave.
[OUT]Kill Zloslawa.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Zloslawa Death(19)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You are going about your day normally when you hear Zloslawa's scream. When you run to find her, you find that one of your people has been struck by lightning, even though there is no storm.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Surely this will end when she is an adult. Leave.
[OUT]Kill Zloslawa.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Zloslawa Ghost(20)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
A traveller passes by and tells you a harrowing story of his village:

'I was away to trade, then I come back and find out my folk adopted this foundling girl, Zloslawa. We should have heeded the name and the red hair, but we did not. 

Calamity has befallen my home. Food rotting away, animals dying, then people...'
[/STORY]
[OUT]What did they do?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'Oh, we are trying to find a wise one, a cure. But I just don't know. I am on my way back and will have to decide. I am sorry - this is not your burden. Would you like to trade before I go?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell him the truth about Zloslawa, her old family, and how you killed them. Admit that perhaps they were right after all and the child should die.
[OUT][Magic user]Do not admit that you know the girl, but use your authority to advise them to kill the child. 
[OUT]Say that you are sorry to hear of their troubles and ask to trade before he leaves.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
He looks at you, startled and angry:

'So you decided to intervene and then simply left the child? If we at least knew what she was, we could have tried to be ready or made an informed decision. Gods damn you and your half-arsed do-goodery!'

He storms off.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Thank you so much for wanting to help. I will consider your advice, although it is hard to hear. Here, a small token of my gratitude, for your expertise.

Would you like to trade?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes.
[OUT]No. Wish him well and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
Late at night one of your children wakes, trapped in a silent scream. They see before them spirits that are malevolent, angry. Amongst them is the lost soul of Zloslawa, a girl you abandoned to her fate.

Your own child is transformed into Zloslava and, when asked, she is not aware of any of it, she simply thinks she is yours.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept her.
[OUT]Kill her.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Old Craftsman(21)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
An old man finds his way into your village. He is clearly in pain and complains of a backache. He looks at your homes:

'I see you are building a home for yourself, good. But you youngsters nowadays don't know how to build properly! These homes will fall down in the blink of an eye, mark my words! It's a shame to see so much effort just wasted.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]If he is so smart, ask him to teach you how to do it better.
[OUT]Allow him to rest and then ask him to move on.
[OUT]Share a bit of food with the man before he leaves.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
The man leaves, but your food stocks rot away within days and some of you fall ill. Clearly the gods do not like when hospitality laws are broken.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'This is very kind, yes. You may not know how to build properly, but sit, listen to a few stories from an old man, and maybe you will learn a thing or two from the old days.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Listen to his tales before he departs.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'And why should I waste my old breath on you, eh? My back aches. I need to get to a healer. I have no time to spare.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Healer]Offer to help him with his back in exchange for his wisdom.
[OUT]Show him you are smart enough to teach.
[OUT]Share a bit of food with the man before he leaves.
[OUT]Allow him to rest and then ask him to move on.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'Well, I'll be damned to the underworlds! Good as new. As thanks, I'll tell you what's what and how's how. That's not how you use a hammer, and do you call this a proper foundation?'

The lecture continues for quite a while, but you are indeed learning new things.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and ask him to stay on.
[OUT]Thank him and wish him well on his travels.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
'Well, you tried and that counts for something, but I gotta say, you are as good a healer as you are a builder. Youth these days...?I better move along now. Good fortune to you. You clearly need it.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Watch him leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
'Oh, all right! I'll tell you what's what and how's how. That's not how you use a hammer, and do you call this a proper foundation?'

The lecture continues for quite a while, but you are indeed learning new things.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and ask him to stay on.
[OUT]Thank him and wish him well on his travels.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'Well, you tried and that counts for something, but I gotta say, you are as good a healer as you are a builder. Youth these days...?I better move along now. Good fortune to you. You clearly need it.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Watch him leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Sea Haven(22)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across a shipwreck and see a female floating atop a raft, clutching a golden treasure chest.

She calls out to you:

'Hurry, please, help me!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try to get to her through the troubled waters.
[OUT]Leave her be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You swim towards her, but the waves are strong and the winds work against you, so you move slowly. As you get closer, you see the girl has an odd greenish complexion. She cries out again:

'Thank you. The chest, it must be taken to my home, else all my family will die. Please, if something happens to me, even if it looks hopeless, find it and take it there...'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Assure her that you are coming to get her.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
The sea suddenly opens up and a kraken appears. The waves push you away and the creature effortlessly grabs the girl and swallows her whole. 

The kraken ignores you, its eyes glimmering gold, as it swims away on the surface, towards the shore.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Try to track it.
[OUT]Oh well, bad luck. Search the wreckage and swim away.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
You follow the kraken at a safe distance, and you think you know where to search for it once you get to the shore.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look for it once you are on land. Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
Alas, tracking a kraken through the waters proves too hard, and you lose the trail.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Sea Haven 2(23)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You spot the golden-eyed kraken you once tracked. It seems to be coming in and out of a cave on the seashore. 

You hear the cries of a girl from within.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Mark the place on your map.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Sea Haven 3(24)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come close to the kraken cave and use the land entrance to get a better view of the inside while staying at a safe distance from the beast.

You see the odd girl who asked for your aid. She is being held by a tentacle, her life slowly squeezed out of her.

The golden chest lies on the cave's floor. You cannot get the girl without attacking the beast, but you can try to sneak in and take the chest.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Sneak in and take the chest.
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT][Magic user]Krakens are creatures of magic. Attack it in the spirit realms!
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]Tell the kraken to let the girl go, after all, he owes you for that time you helped him out!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You sneak in and take the chest without the beast noticing. As you get out and examine your treasure, you see a map carved on top. It must lead to this home the girl spoke of. 

The chest does not seem to have a way to open it - no locks, hinges, or other signs of how it works.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Goblin or dwarf]Figure out a way to open it.
[OUT]Bash it open and collect the loot.
[OUT]Take it back 'home' as the girl asked.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You open the chest and find treasure within. You also feel a blast of good energy upon you.

The chest breaks into pieces, destroying the map forever.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
You bash the chest open and hear a desperate cry of lost hope and despair. 
Some of what was inside breaks from your impact, but you still find some treasure.

The chest itself breaks into pieces, destroying the map forever.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
You are discovered, badly beaten, and forced to flee, and if you ever return, you find the cave abandoned.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
You kill the beast and rescue the girl, who turns out to be a syrin. She collapses unconscious and only manages to whisper:

'Only home can cure me...'

When you examine the chest, you see a map carved on top. It must lead to this home the girl spoke of. The chest does not seem to have a way to open it - no locks, hinges, or other signs of how it works.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Goblin or dwarf]Abandon the girl but take the treasure. Figure out a way to open it.
[OUT]Leave the syrin to her fate. Bash open the chest and collect the loot.
[OUT]Take the syrin back 'home' as the girl asked.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee, and if you ever return, you find the cave abandoned.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You open the chest and find treasure within. You also feel a blast of good energy upon you.

The chest breaks into pieces, destroying the map forever.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
The kraken nods and swims away so you rescue the girl, who turns out to be a syrin. She collapses unconscious and only manages to whisper:

'Only home can cure me...'

When you examine the chest, you see a map carved on top. It must lead to this home the girl spoke of. The chest does not seem to have a way to open it - no locks, hinges, or other signs of how it works.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Goblin or dwarf]Abandon the girl but take the treasure. Figure out a way to open it.
[OUT]Leave the syrin to her fate. Bash open the chest and collect the loot.
[OUT]Take the syrin back 'home' as the girl asked.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Sea Haven 4(25)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the home that the girl with the golden treasure chest spoke of. 

It is a city built underground, but unlike dwarven dwellings or mines that you may have seen, this one is built atop an underground lake riddled with waterfalls and streams leading in and out of the caves. You spot many eyes watching you: syrin and alkhonost seem the most common, but you also spot rusalkas, befuddlers, and others unknown to you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go in and present the golden treasure chest to them. Explain how you came to find it and tell them of the sad fate of the girl caught by the kraken.
[OUT]Hand them the treasure chest and ask for payment. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
A befuddler walks out of the water to greet you:

'Ah, the ark. So Seayanna has perished on her quest. These are sad tidings, yet you bring us hope by finishing her task. We thank you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod and say that it seemed like the right thing to do. Ask what this task was. Why was the chest so important?
[OUT]Say that you did what you thought was right, but you also hope there is a reward.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Yes. Here is a token of our thanks. You are also welcome to enter our town to trade and rest. We only ask that you do not show this path to another.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to keep their secret and explore the city.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'This place is a haven for creatures like myself who wish to live in peace, away from the temptations of the open world, and far from the prejudices we meet there.

But we are bound by demon laws, and sooner or later they always call to us. With the ark, we are able to stay cut off, unseen even by those ancient rules and those who uphold them.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Demon]Say that you understand, as you have also chosen a different path from your nature. 
[OUT]Ask to see this city of theirs, if you can.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
The city is vast, but it is also wild and unruly. You find some traders, and you can also heal your wounds and curses here.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[OUT]Heal physical wounds.
[OUT]Heal mental ailments.
[OUT]Seek spiritual healing.
[OUT]Ask to see the witch to remove curses. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
You return to the Haven and are welcome as before. 

The city is vast, but it is also wild and unruly. You find some traders, and you can also heal your wounds and curses here.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[OUT]Heal physical wounds.
[OUT]Heal mental ailments.
[OUT]Seek spiritual healing.
[OUT]Ask to see the witch to remove curses. 
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'Yes, of course. You chose the way of the young gods. We have heard tales of you. 

It is not a path for everyone. We found ours, although perhaps we should consider your choice more carefully, as you do not seem to need additional trickery to stay free. 

Still. For now, the ark will do, my friend.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask to see this city of theirs, if you can.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Rodent Problem(26)
+[NODE]3
[STORY]
For days now your idol has been acting oddly. Its usual glow of protective power is weak and it simply looks unwell.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Search the village for clues.
[OUT][Magic user]Perform a ritual to try to discover what is wrong here.
[OUT][Zerca]Ask for divine inspiration and search your books for answers.
[OUT][Rat]You can smell your kind here. Dig in and search all the hidey-holes.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You discover rats in your cellars, and when you track them, you see that they have nested under your idol and chewed the divine roots, thus causing the odd 'power outage'. 

It seems several have actually fried themselves while doing it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Clean it up and kill any that are left. 
[OUT]Clean it up and kill any that are left. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You eventually find a nest of rats. They have nested under your idol and chewed the divine roots, thus causing the odd 'power outage'. 

Alas, it took you too long to discover them. The idol takes weeks to heal, causing all sorts of mischief in the meantime.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
You discover that one of the rats managed to digest the divine root and still lives. It looks at you, just as shocked as you are, and asks to join your village.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept them.
[OUT]Refuse and chase it away.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --WitchHut1(27)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
A witch hut walks over to you on its chicken leg, and a voice booms from within:

'I smell sweet darkness clutching your souls. And where there is demand, I bring supply. 

Pay, my dearies, and your curses shall be cured!'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Witch]Tell her to stop the sales pitch and just give you a rabbit's foot dipped in a virgin's blood under a half moon during harvest. You can do the rest.
[OUT][Magic user]Ask for a professional discount, as you only need the facilities and some supplies, and you can manage the rest.
[OUT]Agree to pay.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Bah, right you are, sister. Here, special price for you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Pay for one curse.
[OUT]Pay more to have more than one type of curse removed.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Hmm, sounds reasonable. You will pay less, my dearie.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Pay for one curse.
[OUT]Pay more to have more than one type of curse removed.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Which curse?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Physical.
[OUT]Mental.
[OUT]Spirit.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'Goody. Pay up and let's do it.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Pay for one curse.
[OUT]Pay more to have more than one type of curse removed.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Sea Haven 4b(28)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the home that the girl with the golden treasure chest spoke of. 

It is a city built underground, but unlike dwarven dwellings or mines that you may have seen, this one is built atop an underground lake riddled with waterfalls and streams leading in and out of the caves. You spot many eyes watching you: syrin and alkhonost seem the most common, but you also spot rusalkas, befuddlers, and others unknown to you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go in and present the golden treasure chest to them. Explain how you came to find it and tell them of the sad fate of the girl caught by the kraken.
[OUT]Hand them the treasure chest and ask for payment. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
A befuddler walks out of the water to greet you:

'Ah, the ark. And Seayanna still lives. This is wonderful news! Her task is completed, thanks to you, and we can heal her. We thank you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod and say that it seemed like the right thing to do. Ask what this task was. Why was the chest so important?
[OUT]Say that you did what you thought was right, but you also hope there is a reward.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Yes. Here is a token of our thanks. You are also welcome to enter our town to trade and rest. We only ask that you do not show this path to another.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to keep their secret and explore the city.
[OUT]Ask if you can see Seayanna once she is awake.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'This place is a haven for creatures like myself who wish to live in peace, away from the temptations of the open world, and far from the prejudices we meet there.

But we are bound by demon laws, and sooner or later they always call to us. With the ark, we are able to stay cut off, unseen even by those ancient rules and those who uphold them.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Demon]Say that you understand, as you have also chosen a different path from your nature. 
[OUT]Ask to see this city of theirs, if you can.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
The city is vast, but it is also wild and unruly. You find some traders, and you can also heal your wounds and curses here.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[OUT]Heal physical wounds.
[OUT]Heal mental ailments.
[OUT]Seek spiritual healing.
[OUT]Ask to see the witch to remove curses. 
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
You return to the Haven and are welcome as before. 

The city is vast, but it is also wild and unruly. You find some traders, and you can also heal your wounds and curses here.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[OUT]Heal physical wounds.
[OUT]Heal mental ailments.
[OUT]Seek spiritual healing.
[OUT]Ask to see the witch to remove curses. 
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'Yes, of course. You chose the way of the young gods. We have heard tales of you. 

It is not a path for everyone. We found ours, although perhaps we should consider your choice more carefully, as you do not seem to need additional trickery to stay free. 

Still. For now, the ark will do, my friend.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask to see this city of theirs, if you can.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
The befuddler leads you to the healers' chamber, where the young syrin is recovering. She wakes and speaks to you:

'You, you saved me? I did not think anyone would risk the kraken's wrath for me. Thank you!'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Attractive and male]Tell her it was your pleasure to aid her and that you wish she could perhaps come with you.
[OUT]Tell her it was the right thing to do and that you are happy she is well. 
[OUT]Tell her it was the right thing to do and that you are happy she is well. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'I...well, I admit I have never met one as you...yes, I will come. Go, see our city, I will join you. Just please remember to keep this place a secret from others.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept and go explore the city.
[OUT]Politely refuse, wish her well, and go explore the city.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
'You are kind, very kind. I wish to follow your path from now on, if you will take me. Just please remember to keep this place a secret from others.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept and go explore the city.
[OUT]Politely refuse, wish her well, and go explore the city.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
'You are kind, very kind. I shall never forget your deed. I give you my companion. He is a cmuch and will keep you healthy for me. And I give you this piece of jewellery. It was made by the czytlica, deep in the sea. May it serve you well.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank her and go explore the city.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Kupala Night(29)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
The wreaths did their job, and two of the folk at the party embark on a new path, joined by the gods in union. 

For three days, the village will feast, dance, and celebrate. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Rejoice.
[OUT]Rejoice.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
The village is blessed by Lada, and on the third day, they find a foundling child in the cabbage patch.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the child in as your own.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
Your village was visited by the dziody, spirits of the forefathers, and they blessed those who know the paths of magic with greater power. 

The wise ones rejoice, as the approval of the dziody bodes well for you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
You feel the grace of harmony upon you.

The guests who have come to celebrate with you leave gifts so the gods may bless you all.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
A young man emerges from the water carrying one of the wreaths. He is a befuddler, but he says he heard the call of harmony and wishes to join you. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept him.
[OUT]Allow him to stay and celebrate, but say that the wreath belongs to your guests, so he should leave with them in the morning. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
Storytelling has long been the way to pass on knowledge and tell tales of the gods and their deeds. 

Tonight, your wise ones will face off against your guests to see who can spin the best story.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Begin the ritual.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
Young hopefuls weave wreaths intertwined with their own hair and make candles that are put inside. The summer rafts are to swim downriver, and for the lucky ones, true love can be found. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Make the best wreath you can!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]27
[STORY]
The Kupala Night approaches. The summer solstice is welcomed in celebration of life and fertility. 

There are many ways to celebrate and honour the gods on this night. Folk from other villages have also come to celebrate in the village of the chosen.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Honour harmony.
[OUT]Honour intellect.
[OUT]Honour magic.
[OUT]Honour turmoil.
[OUT]Honour nature.
[OUT]Honour light.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
The calling up of the dziody, spirits of the forefathers, is an age-old tradition. 

[/STORY]
[OUT]Begin the ritual.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]31
[STORY]
The wreaths were not made well this season and, sadly, sink into the waters. 

Wise ones worry that this may be a bad sign for the coming harvest, so you make sure to leave extra food as a sacrifice to the gods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Continue the celebrations and hope the gods are appeased.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
Your stories fell short, while your guests showed great reverence to the gods. 

Wise ones worry that this may be a bad sign for the coming harvest, so you make sure to leave extra food as a sacrifice to the gods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Continue the celebrations and hope the gods are appeased.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]35
[STORY]
The exchange of stories expands your knowledge, and you feel the gods must be happy with such wonderful tales told in their honour. Your guests are also humbled by your skill and exclaim they now know why you are of the chosen kin. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]36
[STORY]
Dwarves value the tradition of storytelling, and it turns out that one of the guests who kept to themselves throughout heard your tales:

'I hears stories of your Svarog and the young gods. But now I heard them truly. I offer my shield and arm to your cause, if ya will have me.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept.
[OUT]Politely refuse and suggest it is your opponents who deserve such honour. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]40
[STORY]
The dziody came but they were in a mood. They did not offer wisdom or stay long. 

Wise ones worry that this may be a bad sign for the coming harvest, so you make sure to leave extra food as a sacrifice to the gods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Continue the celebrations and hope the gods are appeased.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]41
[STORY]
Your village was visited by the dziody, spirits of the forefathers, and they blessed you with words of wisdom and a glimpse of your destiny. 

The wise ones rejoice, as the approval of the dziody bodes well for you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]42
[STORY]
A young goblin shaman witnessed your ritual and recognised the reverence you hold for the forefathers. They decide to join your path if you will accept them.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept.
[OUT]Politely refuse and suggest it is your opponents who deserve such honour. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]44
[STORY]
For the gods of turmoil, the only way to celebrate this night is in the ever fate-driven arms of combat. 

You and your guests will wrestle and spar under the fool moon's gaze and then drink together in union. 

[/STORY]
[OUT]Begin the trials.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]47
[STORY]
The orcs walk the path of turmoil with great vigour, and one decides you are an alpha worth following!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept.
[OUT]Politely refuse and suggest it is your opponents who deserve such honour. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]48
[STORY]
The orc spits at you and walks off, swearing that such dishonour will one day be avenged!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Continue your celebrations.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]50
[STORY]
You did well to show your strength, and the wise ones say it is an omen of good fortune.

Even bruised, everyone drinks and celebrates together.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]51
[STORY]
You did well to show your strength, and the wise ones say it is an omen of good fortune.

Even bruised, everyone drinks and celebrates together.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]52
[STORY]
As followers of nature, it is your custom to bathe in clear water under the moon to honour the cleansing of the body and the life-giving power of water. 

During this trial, one must submerge entirely and last as long as they can in the cold embrace of the darkness, then re-emerge in the light of the moon. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Begin the trials.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]54
[STORY]
The moon is also worshipped by the wolves, and a werewolf joins in the trials. Afterwards it offers to change one of you into its kind so you may truly experience the moon's glory.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept and allow one person to be changed. The person will be chosen by the wolf.
[OUT]Politely refuse and suggest it is your opponents who deserve such honour. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]58
[STORY]
You did well to show your devotion to nature and your reverence for water and moon, and the wise ones say it is an omen of good fortune.

You can now return to the usual libations.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]59
[STORY]
You did well to show your strength, and the wise ones say it is an omen of good fortune.

Even bruised, everyone drinks and celebrates together.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]61
[STORY]
To honour the sun and light as the protective force, as well as the celebration of fertility, couples and friends alike tie their hands with straw and jump over a bonfire while carrying a lit candle in their joined hand to keep this light-bond intact. 

The trick will be to fight off fire spirits that will be called into the fire on this night.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Begin the trials.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]62
[STORY]
An elf approaches and bows before you: 

'Your reverence for light is commendable. I have been searching for a new path and I wish to follow yours.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept them.
[OUT]Politely refuse and suggest it is your opponents who deserve such honour. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]64
[STORY]
The straw holds fat and the candles remain erect and lit, so the couples will surely be blessed by the gods.

The village and your guests rejoice. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]66
[STORY]
The straw holds fat and the candles remain erect and lit, so the couples will surely be blessed by the gods.

The village and your guests rejoice. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Celebrate.
[OUT]Celebrate.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]67
[STORY]
You did your best, but your guests proved to be the victors. 

Wise ones worry that this may be a bad sign for the coming harvest, so you make sure to leave extra food as a sacrifice to the gods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Continue the celebrations and hope the gods are appeased.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]68
[STORY]
You did your best, but you lost control and almost drowned. 

Wise ones worry that this may be a bad sign for the coming harvest, so you make sure to leave extra food as a sacrifice to the gods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Continue the celebrations and hope the gods are appeased.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]69
[STORY]
The straw breaks and the wax melts. It seems your fire trials are a mess.

Wise ones worry that this may be a bad sign for the coming harvest, so you make sure to leave extra food as a sacrifice to the gods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Continue the celebrations and hope the gods are appeased.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Spider Cult(30)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across an unusual group of travelers: a huge spider queen who is sitting atop a wagon, several smaller spiders rushing around her, a few bees flying, a zerca, and a human warrior. 

Their heated discussion halts when they see you. They draw weapons and stand ready:

'Hold! Who goes?' shouts the warrior.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell them you are just passing by. Ask if they need assistance. 
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
They cover the wagon, but you spot a lot of blood bones stashed away. They look at each other. The zerca speaks:

'You are not one of us, so we do not wish for your help. Please leave us be.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try to convince them to tell you more. 
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT][Friend]Tell them of your friendship with the stingers and ask again if they need your assistance.
[OUT][Nature]Say that your domain is nature, so surely they can trust you.
[OUT][Intellect]Say that as a zerca, he should respect your domain and know that you will consider their case without prejudice, if possible. They lose nothing by sharing their woes with you, after all.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Well, I suppose we can share. We were forced out of our nest by humans who took offence at our beliefs. We worship the lady Dievanna, but we see her best reflected as the spider queen. 

The Slavyans felt we were disrespectful. They took our home and burned the young as if they were mere beasts. 

If you truly want to aid us, reclaim our nest. It is rich in blood bones, collected over many years. You can harvest them if you like.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if they are part of the stingers faction.
[OUT]Agree to help.
[OUT]Refuse and say that you will not go against the Slavyans for a spider cult. Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Yes, but only in the same way that you are a Slavyan. We share some beliefs and are kin, but not precisely the same.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to help.
[OUT]Refuse and say that you will not go against the Slavyans for a spider cult. Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'Well, you surprise me. Thank you. I will mark the spot where our nest lies. Please hurry before they destroy all we have worked so hard for.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell them you'll do your best, and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'Yes, as I suspected. Well, this was a nice waste of time. Let us depart.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'It is no business of yours, but since we're standing here, we have blood bones to sell, packs of at least ten. We will take weapons and armour in trade.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]Trade.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
'Well, I suppose we can share. We were forced out of our nest by humans who took offence at our beliefs. We worship the lady Dievanna, but we see her best reflected as the spider queen. 

The Slavyans felt we were disrespectful. They took our home and burned the young as if they were mere beasts. 

If you truly want to aid us, reclaim our nest. It is rich in blood bones, collected over many years. You can harvest them if you like.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if they are part of the stingers faction.
[OUT]Agree to help.
[OUT]Refuse and say that you will not go against the Slavyans for a spider cult. Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'Well, I suppose we can share. We were forced out of our nest by humans who took offence at our beliefs. We worship the lady Dievanna, but we see her best reflected as the spider queen. 

The Slavyans felt we were disrespectful. They took our home and burned the young as if they were mere beasts. 

If you truly want to aid us, reclaim our nest. It is rich in blood bones, collected over many years. You can harvest them if you like.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if they are part of the stingers faction.
[OUT]Agree to help.
[OUT]Refuse and say that you will not go against the Slavyans for a spider cult. Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'Well, I suppose we can share. We were forced out of our nest by humans who took offence at our beliefs. We worship the lady Dievanna, but we see her best reflected as the spider queen. 

The Slavyans felt we were disrespectful. They took our home and burned the young as if they were mere beasts. 

If you truly want to aid us, reclaim our nest. It is rich in blood bones, collected over many years. You can harvest them if you like.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if they are part of the stingers faction.
[OUT]Agree to help.
[OUT]Refuse and say that you will not go against the Slavyans for a spider cult. Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
You kill the whole lot and find a good supply of blood bones on the cart, although the wagon itself is broken.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Gather what you can and leave.
[OUT]Gather what you can and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Spider Cult2(31)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the cave of the spider cult's nest. There are indeed Slavyan guards posted. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask them if they would consider leaving this place.
[OUT]Intimidate them into leaving.
[OUT][Zerca]Tell them the gods are not happy with their treatment of the spider cult zerca. They do revere the lady Dievanna, after all!
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Abandon this quest, and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'I suppose we can leave for a price. You pay us, we go. We do not have the manpower to harvest this nest, and we don't fancy seeing those spider folk again.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Pay.
[OUT]Refuse and attack them!
[OUT]Refuse and abandon this task.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
They pack up and leave, and the spider cult approaches:

'Thank you, this is truly unexpected. Please harvest as much of the blood bones in these caves as you wish, and visit us again if you can.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'Oh, yes...?we are sorry, we did not mean to offend the gods!'

They pack up and leave, and the spider cult approaches:

'Thank you, this is truly unexpected. Please harvest as much of the blood bones in these caves as you wish, and visit us again if you can.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
'No, beat it!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Abandon this quest, and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
You kill the humans and the spider cult approaches:

'Thank you, this is truly unexpected. Please harvest as much of the blood bones in these caves as you wish, and visit us again if you can.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
You are beaten badly and forced to flee. Later you find the nest burnt to the ground, unsalvageable.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You find the spider cult nest you once helped:

'Welcome back, friend. You can rest, recruit any folk who'd like to join you, heal toxins, or trade with us.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade. [10 turn cooldown]
[OUT]Heal toxins.
[OUT]Recruit spiders, for a price. [Strong Spiders]
[OUT]Nothing to do here for now. Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Vaenukois(32)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You wake at night to witness a snake-like movement in the mist. An alabaster, elongated shape slithers towards you slowly, twisting and turning, almost as if figures were hiding underneath its white blanket. 

[/STORY]
[OUT][Zerca or healer]Consider this carefully before acting.
[OUT][Wisdom]Watch them.
[OUT]Attack this thing!
[OUT]Leave them be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
This is a vaenukois, often referred to by people as a chain of anguish. It is said that they are the souls of those who perished to an awful illness, but, as a wise one, you know that these spirits are actually the Nyia larvae, insect-like creatures who feed on the corpses of the diseased.

By all accounts, you can extract a potion from these larvae to increase your medical knowledge. Be sure to use your left hand for the extraction.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Proceed with the extraction.
[OUT]Leave them be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You squish the odd procession of spirit-like creatures, and they screech and explode with whitish liquid all over you. It has no immediate effect, but you have a feeling that this is no normal liquid, so its effects may come soon.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get it off and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
This is a vaenukois, often referred to by people as a chain of anguish. It is said that they are the souls of those who perished to an awful illness and now they march together to find the underworlds and with it the peace they deserve. 

By all accounts, if you break up this procession, you could gain power!

[/STORY]
[OUT]Speak to them and guide their path to peace. 
[OUT]Leave them be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
Using your left hand, you carefully separate the right larvae and extract their insides to make the potion. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Drink up and leave.
[OUT]Drink up and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
It was going well, but you forgot yourself and used your right hand, so the potion made you ill. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Damn it. Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
You break up the odd procession and, just as the lore warns, you get stung by the spirits. But, separated from the lot, they now look like insects and their bodies are filled with liquid. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Drink up and leave.
[OUT]Drink up and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
You break up the odd procession and, just as the lore warns, you get stung by the spirits. But, separated from the lot, they now look like insects and their bodies are filled with liquid. 

You drink it, as the tales say you should, but you only feel ill...
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --The Guard(33)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Your village is attacked by creatures of darkness that assail every home with vicious ferocity. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Defend yourselves.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
You stand firm and try to fend them off, but you are few. 

Just as you enter the battle, a man clad in armour, proudly holding a shield in his hand, stands with you, shouting:

'For The Guard, you shall not win, fiends of darkness!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight.
[OUT]Fight.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You defeat the monsters and the man bows to you:

'You fought well, friends. Together we defeated yet another creature of the sordid dark.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask him who he is and why he helped.
[OUT]Thank the man and ask if he will join you.
[OUT]Thank the man for his aid. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'I am but one of many. Or at least we were once. We are The Guard, sworn warriors against darkness. We were formed during the Awakening, and although the threat of the dark has diminished, we stay vigilant and fight on.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Shadowkin or wisdom]Say that darkness is needed for the world to know balance. It is light that now threatens Thea, after all. 
[OUT]Thank the man and ask if he will join you.
[OUT]Thank the man for his aid. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
He frowns:

'So they say. There are many of The Guard who would disagree and insist that the light remains our ally. Some have even joined this lightbringers calamity freely. 

But our order was created to uphold balance at a time when it was darkness that threatened it. I see that. Others sadly do not.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank the man and ask if he will join you.
[OUT]Thank the man for his aid and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Your path is of light or harmony, I sense it. My order has long sworn its allegiance to the same gods. Many of my brothers and sisters have fallen, and I must fight on. Thus, I shall join you. My sword is yours.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept his pledge.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'Your path is of turmoil or magic, and both thread ever so close to darkness. And yet, I must recognise that your pantheon stands for balance, that I must adapt to overcome new dangers. Many of my brothers and sisters have fallen, and I must fight on. Thus, I shall join you. My sword is yours.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept his pledge.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'Your path is of the gods, although your domain of nature or intellect does not inspire me in any way. Still, I value the instinct and reason that guide you and hope they will guide me also to serve the greater good. Many of my brothers and sisters have fallen, and I must fight on. Thus, I shall join you. My sword is yours.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept his pledge.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'You walk the path of the gods, but my service lies elsewhere. Perhaps one day we will meet again. If not, I wish you well in your fight for the gods. But I leave you my trusted steed - may he serve your cause well. Farewell.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wish him well and get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
'It was but my duty as part of The Guard to aid those who need it. Perhaps one day we will meet again. If not, I wish you well in your fight for the gods. But I leave you my trusted steed - may he serve your cause well. Farewell.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wish him well and get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
The beasts beat you badly, but eventually they are chased away by the stranger. He is wounded, but alive:

'You should not leave your homes so poorly protected. Fiends of the dark spread their influence when people show weakness like this.'

He walks away without looking back.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work and tend to your wounds.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Visiting Trainer(34)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
A veteran warrior visits your village and offers his services as a trainer: 

'I can teach those who are willing, but I am not cheap. Or, if one of you is strong enough and shows me your physical prowess, I may teach you a trick or two for free, as I am always looking for talent.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Pay to improve strength.
[OUT]Pay to improve perception.
[OUT]Pay to increase max physical health.
[OUT][Strength]Show him your strength.
[OUT]Decline.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'Yes, I see your talent. Let us begin.'

The warrior stays with you for a time and puts you through rigorous training before moving on. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You hurt yourself while showing off, and the injury is permanent.

'No, you are not worthy yet. Perhaps someday. Farewell.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'Good. Let us begin.'

The warrior stays with you for a time and puts you through rigorous training before moving on. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and wish him well.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
A wise one visits your village and offers his services as a trainer: 

'I can teach those who are willing, but I am not cheap. Or, if one of you is smart enough and shows me your mental aptitude, I may teach you a trick or two for free, as I am always looking for talent.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Pay to improve intelligence.
[OUT]Pay to improve wisdom.
[OUT]Pay to increase max mental health.
[OUT][Intelligence]Show off your knowledge.
[OUT]Decline.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'Yes, I see your talent. Let us begin.'

The man stays with you for a time and puts you through rigorous training before moving on. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
You strain yourself while showing off, and the injury is permanent.

'No, you are not worthy yet. Perhaps someday. Farewell.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'Good. Let us begin.'

The warrior stays with you for a time and puts you through rigorous training before moving on. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and wish him well.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
'Good. Let us begin.'

The warrior stays with you for a time and puts you through rigorous training before moving on. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and wish him well.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
A veteran warrior visits your village and offers his services as a trainer: 

'I can teach those who are willing, but I am not cheap. Or, if one of you is strong enough and shows me your physical prowess, I may teach you a trick or two for free, as I am always looking for talent.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Pay to improve strength.
[OUT]Pay to improve perception.
[OUT]Pay to increase max physical health.
[OUT][Strength]Show him your strength.
[OUT]Decline.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
'Good. Let us begin.'

The warrior stays with you for a time and puts you through rigorous training before moving on. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and wish him well.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
'Good. Let us begin.'

The warrior stays with you for a time and puts you through rigorous training before moving on. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and wish him well.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
'Good. Let us begin.'

The warrior stays with you for a time and puts you through rigorous training before moving on. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and wish him well.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Dwarf baker(35)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across a lone house and hear a lot of dwarvish swearing from the back. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Investigate.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
You see a dwarf tearing his hair out and kicking a clay oven:

'Ya bloody useless pile of junk. Get the fuck out me oven, ya son of a whore spirit!'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Dwarf]Tell your kin to calm down and tell you what is wrong.
[OUT]Ask the dwarf if he needs assistance.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'Oh, you, stone and metal be kind to me! Can you talk some sense into the oven? I crafted it with my own hands, perfect -- keeps the temperature just so. I would bake the best cake there is!

But no, this idiot spirit got itself trapped inside, and it won't leave!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]A cake? That seems below his station.
[OUT]Does he know how to get rid of it?
[OUT][Magic user]Tell him you can banish the spirit for him.
[OUT][Goblin shaman or Spirits]You sense the ghost inside. Speak to it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'What, ya think a dwarven smith can only melt things, eh? Yer just like Helga. She said I won't be able to do it, and so I will do it!'

He pulls a bit more of his already thinned hair out. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]He looks distressed, so just nod. Does he know how to get rid of the ghost?
[OUT][Magic user]Tell him you can banish the spirit for him.
[OUT][Goblin shaman or Spirits]You sense the ghost inside. Speak to it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Who are you? I don't care! Can you talk some sense into the oven? I crafted it with my own hands, perfect - keeps the temperature just so. I would bake the best cake there is!

But no, this idiot spirit got itself trapped inside, and it won't leave!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]A cake? That seems below his station.
[OUT]Does he know how to get rid of it?
[OUT][Magic user]Tell him you can banish the spirit for him.
[OUT][Goblin shaman or Spirits]You sense the ghost inside. Speak to it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'Aye, that I do. This maggot got itself stuck in the bit of granite I used. I know just the lump it came from, but I am in the midst of making the best cake mix, I can't just leave.

If ya go get the lump, I'll give ya a tip about a good place to mine. And a reward, too. Just hurry, please.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go look for the granite lump.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'Oh laddie, that makes me so happy! I'll pay ya nice for it.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Do the ritual.
[OUT]It may be too difficult. Does he know another way?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
You banish the spirit successfully and the dwarf claps his hands:

'Aye, laddie, ya did it! Here, my reward for ya, but please do leave now, I need to focus!

Oh, and I marked a resource vein for you on your map. Go get some good stone or metal.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
You fail the ritual and it only angers the spirit. The clay oven shakes and turns blue. The dwarf is angry:

'Ya best leave me be, lassie, I am in no mood for this!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
You kill the dwarf, and the ghost calls out to you:

'Oh, hey. Now that you have killed that rude oaf, could you free me, please?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]What can be done?
[OUT]Decline and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
'There is a lump of granite that stupid dwarf broke down. If you bring it here, I can transfer back into it. I liked it there.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree.
[OUT]Decline and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
'You found it yet? No? Go away...'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes.
[OUT]Leave to look for the obsidian lump to get rid of the ghost.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]29
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and chased away.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
'Ah, ya got it, great. Give it quick, I'll take it back myself. Here, a reward as promised! Metal and stone to ya, laddie. Oh, and I marked a spot for some good mining for ya too.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]36
[STORY]
'Oh, you can speak to me, so you know about spirits, good. Please don't just banish me. If you take me out of here safely, I will come with you, eh?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree and tell the dwarf you will extract the ghost instead.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]37
[STORY]
'Fine with me, as long as ya don't damage my oven, right?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say that there is no guarantee, but the chance for it is small.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]38
[STORY]
'What? No! Just banish the stupid thing!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ignore him and extract the ghost.
[OUT]Banish the ghost.
[OUT]It may be too difficult. Does he know another way?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]40
[STORY]
You extract the spirit successfully and the dwarf claps his hands:

'Aye, laddie, ya did it! Here, my reward for ya, but please do leave now, I need to focus! Oh, and I marked a resource vein for you on your map. Go get some good stone or metal.'

The ghost is now bound to you and also pleased.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]41
[STORY]
You extract the spirit successfully, but the ritual shatters the clay oven. The dwarf is not happy:

'Oi, ya bloody lassies! All my efforts ruined! Ya best leave my sight before I thrash ya!'

But at least the ghost is now bound to you and happy.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the ghost and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Dwarf Baker spwn(36)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You reach the small quarry where the dwarf said you need to find the granite lump, but the spot is buried in rubble. You need to dig it out.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Do it.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You find what you were looking for, along with some extra stone. Time to take it back to the dwarf.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You find the blasted granite lump, but you get hurt by a sudden landslide. Better take this back to the dwarf now.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Dwarf Baker spwn2(37)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You reach the small quarry where the dwarf said you need to find the granite lump, but the spot is buried in rubble. You need to dig it out.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Do it.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You find what you were looking for and some extra stone. 

When you were walking back to the dwarf's place, the ghost appeared next to you:

'This is close enough, just put it down on the floor here and leave me be, thanks! Here, I will try to give you some of my power to make you stronger.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[OUT]Ask him if he'll come with you instead now that he's free from the oven.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You fail to get the granite, and when you try to find the ghost in the dwarf's place, you find only a broken oven in an abandoned house.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'Why not? I'll come.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave together.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Elven lovers(38)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You stumble across a couple of naked elves being violently assaulted by orcs. The orcs shout insults at them as they kick one lying on the floor:

'You perverted scum best keep away from us, you hear?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack the orcs!
[OUT]Cheer for the orcs.
[OUT]Try to break this up by asking what is going on.
[OUT]None of your business, leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
The orcs pause and look your way:

'Beat it. None of your business. Those two creeps were messing with our kid, so now they pay for it.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack the orcs!
[OUT]Cheer for the orcs. No one should mess with someone's children.
[OUT]Try to convince them that the elves look like they've paid already.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You stand by as the elves are beaten to death. The orcs grunt in approval:

'Good, you aren't one of those do-gooder types. We won't touch what this scum had on them, so you can have it if you like. And I tell you what, we have a youngster that needs to experience life, have them. May fire grow in your heart and ready you for battle!'

They walk off, leaving you their child without so much as looking back. The child looks bewildered but defiant. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the kid. Collect what remains of the elves' belongings and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
You stand by as the elves are beaten to death. The orcs grunt in approval:

'Good, you aren't one of those do-gooder types. We won't touch what this scum had on them, so you can have it if you like. May fire grow in your heart and ready you for battle!'

They walk off. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Collect what remains of the elves' belongings and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
The orcs lower their weapons and fists and take a step back:

'Bah, you do-gooder types. We found them two having sex here and they were going to come take our kid away next. We do not tolerate it! They must die for this.'

The elves look barely alive and do not speak.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Orc]Beating down a couple of naked elves does look like fun, to be sure, but killing them? That seems without honour. 
[OUT][Elf]It seems there must be more to this story. Implore the orcs to stop and allow your kin to speak. 
[OUT]Ask if they dislike it that the two lovers are men.
[OUT]Say that whatever the argument, surely, they beat them up enough already?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'Too right! Men, doing it openly, like it is normal. It is not allowed, only females can wield the dark arts! And them wanting our boy, leading him on the same disgusting path. Perverts!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree with them, but say that the elves got their punishment, so perhaps it is enough.
[OUT]Tell the orcs they are backwards in their ways and should just stop now!
[OUT][Wisdom or elf]Say that the elves are different. They wield high magic and their males as well as females can do it without the dark taint, not like humans or orcs. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'You talk a lot, and your words have calmed our fires. We leave the scum be, but they best stay away from us!'

The orcs leave and the elves try to pick themselves up.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Help them out.
[OUT]Help them out but say you must leave now.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
One is barely conscious. The other speaks up, quietly:

'Such pointless brutality...?they never even let us speak. I thank you, kind stranger. My soulmate would have perished before my very eyes were it not for you. All we did was offer to teach their boy the ways of magic. He seemed like a talented lad and destined for death amongst their kind. But we did not press the matter -- we were refused, so we left. And then this...'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if they will be all right now.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
'We were caught unaware in the midst of lovemaking. I have put my guard up now and will not allow this to happen again. The trees will guide us home. 

Here, a gift, and my eternal gratitude.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'You understand, good. Your words have calmed our fires. We leave the scum be, but they best stay away from us!'

The orcs leave, and the elves try to pick themselves up.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Help them out.
[OUT]Help them out but say you must leave now.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
'You do not understand, yet you wag your tongue at us. Still, your words have calmed our fires. We leave the scum be, but they best stay away from us!'

The orcs leave, and the elves try to pick themselves up.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Help them out.
[OUT]Help them out but say you must leave now.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'We've heard this before. We do not believe it, but even if it is true, our child is not elven, so they should keep their pointy ears out of our business. Still, your words have calmed our fires. We leave the scum be, but they best stay away from us!'

The orcs leave, and the elves try to pick themselves up.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Help them out.
[OUT]Help them out but say you must leave now.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'Too right there is more! I bet you are just as perverted as them, pointy ears. Men, doing it openly, like it is normal. It is not allowed, only females can wield the dark arts! And them wanting our boy, leading him on the same disgusting path. Perverts!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree with them, but say that the elves got their punishment, so perhaps it is enough.
[OUT]Tell the orcs they are backwards in their ways and should just stop now!
[OUT][Wisdom or elf]Say that the elves are different. They wield high magic and their males as well as females can do it without the dark taint, not like humans or orcs. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
'Bah, damn you! Our fires burned too hot when those pointy ears wanted to take our child and teach it their own ways. But we should have stood in battle. I am shamed. Here, accept this as an honour price. We leave now. We must regain our pride. Be well, friend!'

The orcs leave, and the elves try to pick themselves up.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Help them out.
[OUT]Help them out but say you must leave now.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'You best move off, goody two shoes, or we'll beat you just as good!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[OUT]Attack the orcs!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You kill the orcs, and the elves try to pick themselves up and speak to you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Help them out.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
The orcs beat you badly and force you to flee. You never learn what became of the elves.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Elven lovers child(39)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
One of the two elven mages you once saved from orcs comes to you:

'Welcome, friend. I trust you have been well? Amon'ath and I had the pleasure of welcoming offspring into our lives. The child is of an age now when they should learn the world. The orcs you saved us from were brutes, but we are equally stuck in our own ways. Perhaps with you, our child will grow to be more open. Please care for them.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Promise to care for the child.
[OUT]Politely decline and say that you would not split up a family like that.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Oh, how extraordinarily kind of you. Folk in these troubled times seem to grab any opportunity for the betterment of their lot, but you reject such clear advantage. Thank you - this is yet another lesson for us. 

Farewell, friend.'

They depart.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wish them well and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Spiderboy (40)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You see a giant spider sitting atop a child. It looks as if the child is struggling. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Run to kill the spider.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You draw your weapons and prepare to fight, but the boy shouts from under the spider:

'No, no! Don't kill my mum, we're only playing!'

The spider turns to face you and stands protectively between you and the boy.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Disgusting! Attack the spider!
[OUT]Ask if they are okay out here.
[OUT]Ask why he calls the spider mother.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You kill the spider but the boy escapes, swearing revenge on you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Yeah, we're okay, only, you see, my mum is ill and we're trying to retrieve a magical herb for her from that cave there. But there is some kind of force guarding it, and many brothers and sisters died already trying to get in.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Offer to see if you can get it.
[OUT][Healer]Offer to take a look at the spider and see if you can cure her.
[OUT]Wish them well and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Because she is. She found me and raised me. It's a stupid question, really.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wish them well and leave.
[OUT]Ask if they are okay out here.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
You try to enter the cave and indeed some force keeps you at bay.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Magic user]There is a protection spell here. Break it.
[OUT]Force your way in!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
You examine the spider and conclude that she suffers from an infection. It is also one that carries a spiritual taint, but once you heal the body, her spirit should heal in time.

The spider bows before you and speaks for the first time, her voice crooked but clear:

'You did me a service, humanoid. Some of my children will now serve you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank her.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
She ushers the boy towards you:

'Go, learn from your own kind. But you humanoids, beware: if my child dies, so will you!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
You fail to help the spider and the boy, and they tell you to go away while they keep trying.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
You push through whatever barrier stood here and find some herbs inside. They do not look magical to you, but the spider seems very happy to get them.

She bows before you and speaks for the first time, her voice crooked but clear:

'You did me a service, humanoid. Some of my children will now serve you.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank her.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
You break the spell and find some herbs inside. They do not look magical to you, but the spider seems very happy to get them.

She bows before you and speaks for the first time, her voice crooked but clear:

'You did me a service, humanoid. Some of my children will now serve you.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank her.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Spiderboy revenge(41)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Your village is attacked by a horde of spiders, and you see a boy directing this attack.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[OUT]Plead with them to stop! Say that you are very sorry for killing his mother, but then again, isn't the law of nature that the strongest survive?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You defeat the attackers and the vengeful child. A few young spiders swear service to you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You are defeated and stung with deadly poison as the boy laughs with satisfaction. The spiders also carry off your food supplies. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
The boy halts the spiders:

'Yes, it is true that mother failed at her duty. The nest does not get sad about such things. I behaved like a human again.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Offer him a place in your village.
[OUT]Tell him he seems to be doing well. Perhaps this was always his rite of passage. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'Yes, my time with the spiders is done.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Welcome the boy.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'Yes, you are right. Your wisdom taught me much. Some of my siblings wish to stay with you. Bye.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Watch them go.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'No, you killed her!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Spiderboy dead(42)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
The spider boy you once promised to care for died on your watch, and his mother returns for revenge!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Defend yourselves!
[OUT][Beast]Tell the queen that it is the law of nature for the weak to die and the strong to survive. She is no human and should not behave like this!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You kill the spiders and hope this is the end of it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You are badly bitten and poisoned, and the spiders carry off your food. But they do not kill you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'Yes, you are right. My attachment to the child was an oddity. I will leave you be.'

She leaves and a few spiders remain with you, impressed with your dominance. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Welcome them.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'Your words mean nothing. I warned you!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Defend yourselves!
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Missing Child(43)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
One of your children goes missing at night. You cannot find them anywhere!
[/STORY]
[OUT][Hunter or perception]Search for any tracks.
[OUT]The house demon has company and seems shifty. Question them.
[OUT]Give it time. The child will probably come back or they have been eaten already -- either way, nothing you can do.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You track the child and see that it went to a small grove nearby.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Mark it on the map.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Bah, I am not allowed to spill the beans, contracted demon and all, but...Ferdinand here, he isn't your house demon.'

Ferdinand perks up:

'Yes, yes, the kid went that way, towards that big tree. The children call it the safe place, sounds dodgy if you ask me.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and mark this place on your map.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
The child is gone and there's little to do but wait. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wait.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
Your child returns to you changed. They tell you how they were spirited away by forest fairies who took all their teeth, but when they almost died from blood loss, a dola came and said this was the only way to save their life. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Welcome them back.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
Your child returns to you changed. They tell you how they went to the safe place, where the water spirits sing songs and children can play with the pretty ladies from the lake. 

Only this time they swam in the lake, and they came back like this...?

[/STORY]
[OUT]Welcome them back.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
Your child returns to you ill and weak. They tell you how they went to the safe place, where the water spirits sing songs and children can play with the pretty ladies from the lake. 

Only this time they swam in the lake, and it was bad, so they ran away.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Welcome them back.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
Your child returns to you ill and weak. They tell you how they went to the safe place, where the forest spirits sing songs and children can play with the pretty ladies and the funny pine cones. 

They even brought a friend back.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Welcome them back.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Missing Child spwn(44)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find your child sleeping peacefully under a tree, by a small pond. 

You also spot a vodnik sitting on a stone in the water, watching the youth, pondering.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Water demon]Ask him what he's doing.
[OUT]Speak to the vodnik and ask why he is watching your child.
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Abandon your child and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'Oh, hello there, fellow waterling. I was merely mesmerised by the perfect peacefulness of this child's sleep. Alone, surrounded by so many friends, but not a care in the world...

I was going to be whimsical and offer gifts if you solved a riddle for me, but you are kin, so I offer the gifts freely.'

He claps his hands three times, then disappears in the pond.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and accept the blessing for your child. Then take them home.
[OUT]Politely refuse and take your child home.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'Oh, hello there. I was merely mesmerised by the perfect peacefulness of this child's sleep. Alone, surrounded by so many friends, but not a care in the world...

I am feeling whimsical today, so I tell you what, you answer my riddle and I'll bestow a blessing on your child, eh?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to answer the riddle.
[OUT]Politely refuse and take your child home.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
'You are clever, wonderful, well, here it goes.'

He claps his hands three times, then disappears in the pond.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and accept the blessing for your child. Then take them home.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'What a shame, and I cannot simply let it go either - demon lore, you see. Worry not, I will not do too much harm to the little one.'

Before you can react, he claps his hands three times, then disappears in the pond.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take your child and go home.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
The vodnik is dead and you can take your child back home safely.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and your child is taken away!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Light vs Dark spirits(45)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Crossing a woodland grove, you see a flickering of light and you sense the fluctuation of mystical power. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Investigate.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
As you approach, you see the woodland shake as two spirits fight. One clearly emanates darkness, and the other shines as bright as the sun. 

The light spirit notices you and pleads:

'Quick, aid me. This dark spirit seeks to corrupt this place, twist it to its own dark will. I am weakened. Please help, or at the very least, stay out of it!'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Turmoil or Magic]Through your domain, you feel the dark spirit reaching out. Listen.
[OUT][Light or Harmony]Focus on this spirit of light. 
[OUT][Nature or Intellect]Consider the scene carefully.
[OUT][Elf]Examine the light.
[OUT][Forest demon]Speak to this grove and examine it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You sense it is the spirit of darkness that is weak here. It seems to have no strength to speak to you, but you feel it reaching out for aid.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Aid the spirit of darkness.
[OUT]Help the light.
[OUT]Do not interfere.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
The presence of light is overwhelming. The spirit burns bright within it, overshadowing the darkness almost entirely.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Aid the spirit of darkness.
[OUT]Help the light.
[OUT]Do not interfere.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
This grove is indeed in peril. You see the tree bark scorched and the air thick with hot air. There is little life here, and that which you can sense seems oddly drone-like, lacking in the typical bustle of nature.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Aid the spirit of darkness.
[OUT]Help the light.
[OUT]Do not interfere.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
The fading presence of darkness whispers:

'Thank you. I felt this grove suddenly consumed by unnatural light, and as its opposite, I was drawn in by the forces of balance. But I was too weak. This power would have taken me and grown stronger.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Where did the light spirit come from?
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
You weaken the spirit of light enough that the darkness is able to break it. The effort causes an explosion of dark energy and a lingering dark mist washes over the grove, twisting the plants and trees instantly. 

It also hits you and hurts you badly. There is only silence and darkness left now.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
Sensing your desire, the spirit of light speaks again:

'Good. Now please, go to my friends nearby. They know a way to kill this spirit for good, else it will just come back. I will hold it as long as I can. Please hurry.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go to the place marked by the spirit.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
The two spirits remain locked in battle. The grove is slowly consumed by this conflict as some trees lie scorched and others are twisted into dark husks. 

Light eventually prevails, and as it consumes the darkness, it grows visibly stronger. Its tendrils now reach towards you and try to attack!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Defend yourself. 
[OUT]Run away.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
The two spirits remain locked in battle. The grove is slowly consumed by this conflict as some trees lie scorched and others are twisted into dark husks. 

Light eventually prevails, and as it consumes the darkness, it grows visibly stronger. Its tendrils now reach towards you and leave you with a blessing before shooting off into the distance.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
You fight off the light and are able to leave this grove.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
The two spirits remain locked in battle. The grove is slowly consumed by this conflict as some trees lie scorched and others are twisted into dark husks. 

Darkness eventually consumes the light, although it looks weakened afterward. The dark power converges into a final gust of black mist that threatens to engulf you too.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave quickly.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
You weaken the spirit of light enough that the darkness is able to break it. The effort causes an explosion of dark energy and a lingering dark mist washes over the grove, twisting the plants and trees instantly.

You feel the darkness left you stronger.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask the spirit what happened here.
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
'It was always here. Every old grove has one. The elder children, elves are made of it. Whatever broke in our world when the earth shook, it made the light...wrong. And spirits of darkness like me, we are forever drawn to fight the light, only now it consumes us. I do not know how this is.'

The spirit is almost gone now. You cannot hear it anymore.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]29
[STORY]
Your spirit is assaulted and your soul cursed before you manage to escape the clutches of this unnatural light.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
The presence of light is overwhelming. The spirit burns bright within it, overshadowing the darkness almost entirely.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Aid the spirit of darkness.
[OUT]Help the light.
[OUT]Do not interfere.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
This grove is indeed in peril. You see the tree bark scorched and the air thick with hot air. There is little life here, and that which you can sense seems oddly drone-like, lacking in the typical bustle of nature.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Aid the spirit of darkness.
[OUT]Help the light.
[OUT]Do not interfere.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Light vs Dark Spirit Spwn(46)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the cabal of darkness that the spirit of light sent you to destroy, and as you enter their circle, they turn to you with their unliving faces and attack!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[OUT]Speak to them instead. Tell them to stop the ritual supporting the spirit of darkness.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You beat the wraiths and feel a release of power. Likely the ritual is broken. Strangely, you see the wraiths consumed by light from within before they disappear. 

[/STORY]
[OUT]Collect what is left here.
[OUT][Magic user]Investigate further.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You are badly beaten. The wraiths turn away from you and finish their ritual, then disappear.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
A hooded figure approaches:

'Thank Svarog! You destroyed those dark fiends. I feel the spirit of darkness weaken, but now, we must perform a final rite to truly banish the taint. I need your help with it. Meet me back at the grove.'

He rushes off. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave and go back to the spirit of light.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
As you collect what is left of the ritual, you see it was not strengthening anything. They were performing a warding ritual, trying to protect themselves. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look around more.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'Why do you serve them? The days of darkness are long gone, do you not see? Or are we all to be banished only for what we are, and they forever revered no matter what they actually do? 

Leave us be. We are not giving strength to the spirit you speak of, but simply trying to stay alive. We refuse to be taken by the light!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask them to tell you more of this.
[OUT]Say that you do not care. If they leave this place now, you will let them go.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee, a heavy curse laid on your spirit. 

A great blast of power explodes from where the grove was, and when you see it next, it is a wasteland of burnt trees. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'Have you not felt the light's unnatural touch on the world, chosen ones? 

Yes, we serve darkness. Yes, our souls are long lost in the tumorous essence that sustains us. They pursue us fiercely, for once we are gone, the light will have a clear path.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod in agreement. Let them leave.
[OUT]Say that whatever the light may be doing, darkness remains a danger. Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'We shall depart. If the light believes you have slain us, we have some time. Do be careful with them, spawns of the gods. We do not like you, but you are needed.'

They chant something together and dissolve into thin air.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Light vDark Spwn2(47)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You get back to the grove and see the spirit of darkness diminished to a speck while the light pulsates hot and heavy. The priest of Svarog prepares a ritual and ushers you to come closer:

'Come, let us finish this for good.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Svarog]Take a closer look at this priest.
[OUT]Help in the ritual.
[OUT]Leave it for now.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
The zerca carries the mark of Svarog, but it is darkened, broken. You do not sense in him the connection to you, to your god. He masks it well, as he is basked in the power of light. Not even those who follow the domain would see this truth, but you will not be fooled by an imposter.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Challenge him and demand answers in the name of Svarog, now!
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'I am the true chosen of our god, the god of sun and light, not some homely craftsman that you say you serve, whelp!

Light will cleanse this world and I serve it willingly until the time when I become one with it. For now I need to stay separate and aid the cause. Join us, and help me destroy this speck of darkness that stands defiant!
[/STORY]
[OUT][Marovit or Nyia]Focus on the darkness. 
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Convince him of your authority.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You feel the dying dark is more than the essence of chaos. It is its pure speck, perhaps even a part of the old zmey, the one who sleeps under the cosmic tree, the one needed for balance to exist.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Convince him of your authority.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
Your ritual works and the spirit of darkness is consumed wholly by the light. You feel the earth tremble at this and see the grove awash with the scorching light. The woodland looks green and rejuvenated, and yet eerily still - not even the wind moves here.

The spirit of light grows visibly stronger. Its tendrils now reach towards you and leave you with a blessing before shooting off into the distance.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wish it and the priest of Svarog well, and leave.
[OUT]Ask the priest if this is all now.
[OUT]See if the priest would like to join you.
[OUT]See if the priest would like to join you.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'My task here is done, so I do feel lost. Yes, I will join you and serve the gods as I should!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'My task here is done, so I do feel lost. Yes, I will join you and serve the gods as I should!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
Your ritual fails or the spirit of darkness is simply too strong. Either way, a great spiritual explosion destroys the grove, kills the zerca, and throws you back. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'Yes, my task here is done and you aided the cause of light well, friends. I thank you once more.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wish the priest of Svarog well, and leave.
[OUT]See if the priest would like to join you.
[OUT]See if the priest would like to join you.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
'I...I am so sorry. You are the chosen, you speak for the gods, and I should have listened. When I felt the power of this light, when it took my entire village and only I had the strength to deny it, I...it was easier to tell myself it was the gods and not my failure to protect my flock. Please, forgive me!'

He takes out an object and throws it at the spirit of light. Whatever it was destroys both spirits instantly, leaving the grove free.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell him you do forgive him, but he must stay on the right path from now on!
[OUT]Give him absolution and ask him to join you.
[OUT]Tell him it is not for you to forgive. He must find his own path to redemption.
[OUT][Orc]Say that he needs to die with honour now. It is the only way!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
He looks surprised, and under normal circumstances, he would likely question the words of an orc, but he bows to your will:

'I swear on the sun itself I will seek this redemption!'

He departs but leaves you his things.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
'Yes, of course. I will follow you now and stay on the right path. Thank you!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]29
[STORY]
'I swear to you I will find a way to make it right!'

He departs but leaves you his things.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]30
[STORY]
'I serve the true light. Join us or leave, but do not interfere in what is inevitable!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Leave this place.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]31
[STORY]
When the zerca dies, it weakens the spirit of light enough that the darkness is able to break it. The effort causes an explosion of dark energy and a lingering dark mist washes over the grove, twisting the plants and trees instantly.

You feel the darkness left you stronger.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]36
[STORY]
The two spirits remain locked in battle. The grove is slowly consumed by this conflict as some trees lie scorched and others are twisted into dark husks. 

Light eventually prevails and the priest is incinerated in its blast. As it consumes the fallen spirit of darkness, it grows visibly stronger and tries to infect you.

You escape, but not without harm.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave quickly.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]38
[STORY]
The two spirits remain locked in battle. The grove is slowly consumed by this conflict as some trees lie scorched and others are twisted into dark husks. 

Darkness eventually overpowers the light, and the zerca runs away. The dark power converges into a final gust of black mist that threatens to engulf you too.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave quickly.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]43
[STORY]
You fail to stop the zerca, and he tries to aid the light without you. The two spirits remain locked in battle. The grove is slowly consumed by this conflict as some trees lie scorched and others are twisted into dark husks. 

Light eventually prevails, and the priest is incinerated in its blast. As it consumes the fallen spirit of darkness, it grows visibly stronger and tries to infect you.

You escape, but not without harm.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave quickly.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Changeling(48)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
One of your people has been acting oddly over the last few days. They seem weak, they sweat more, and sometimes you catch them speaking to themselves. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]They must be ill. Try to cure them.
[OUT][Healer]Examine them.
[OUT][Zerca or wisdom]Observe them further to try to determine what is wrong.
[OUT]They seem suspicious. Give them a good beating, just in case it is a demon hiding in plain sight.
[OUT]Leave them be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You try your best to cure your friend and think you did it. They start acting normal again, and even feel stronger for it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You try your best to cure your friend and think you did it, but it turns out they were not ill - or at least, that was not their problem. A manoviec, a demon who mimics people, has taken their place. 

After the demon has their fun, they leave your village, and your real friend is returned, but diminished.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
Whatever illness this is, it beats you and your friend falls gravely ill. Even if they survive, they will have scars.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
They do seem to suffer from an odd ailment. You know how to try to help them, but you suspect the illness may be the symptom of a much darker secret - this person may be a manoviec, a demon who can mimic folk.

You must act fast, for if they are truly ill, they may die without help.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try to heal them anyway, whoever they are now.
[OUT]Beat the truth out of this fiend with wicker and fire!
[OUT][Zerca or wisdom]Demons obey demon lore. Try to trick it to admit who they really are.
[OUT]Kill it!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'No, no, please stop, fine, I am a changeling. I will go and let your friend free, just leave me be!'

The body of the creature begins to dissolve into a purple blob, and from the blob your own friend is spat out. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take your friend, then kill the blob with fire!
[OUT]Allow it to leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
Either the creature will not break, or your friend was just very ill. Either way, they are now near death.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
Eventually the illness passes, leaving your friend's body devastated. But it turns out they were not simply ill - or at least that was not their true problem. A manoviec, a demon who mimics people, kidnapped your friend and took their place. 

After the demon has their fun, they leave your village, and your friend is returned, but diminished.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
Eventually the illness passes, leaving your friend's body devastated.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
They do seem to suffer from an odd ailment. You know how to try to help them, but you suspect the illness may be the symptom of a much darker secret -- this person may be a manoviec, a demon who can mimic folk.

You must act fast, for if they are truly ill, they may die without help.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Healer]Try to heal them anyway, whoever they are now.
[OUT]Beat the truth out of this fiend with wicker and fire!
[OUT][Zerca or wisdom]Demons obey demon lore. Try to trick it to admit who they really are.
[OUT]Try to heal them anyway, whoever they are now.
[OUT]Kill it!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
'Ah, damn it, you got me! And since I owe you now, I suppose you'll want your friend back. Just let me leave, all right?'

The body of the creature begins to dissolve into a purple blob, and from the blob your own friend is spat out. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take your friend, then kill the blob with fire!
[OUT]Allow it to leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You kill the blob with fire, but the purple smoke proves toxic. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You beat your kinsman well and good, but they insist they are no demon. They finally collapse from the wounds and the fever. 

It seems they were just ill.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
You question and trick the patient many times over. They are very confused and fall more feverish with each passing hour.

It seems they were just ill.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]30
[STORY]
You kill the creature. Alas, this does not bring your friend back.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
You kill your friend, and, well, either the demon hides its form very cleverly, or it was not a demon...
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]35
[STORY]
The body of the creature begins to dissolve into a purple blob, and from the blob your own friend is spat out. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Tailor and huntress(49)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
A tailor travelling with bodyguards visits your village:

'I am the best tailor you will find on this rickety island. I deal only with light goods - none of that ugly, heavy sort. Please take a look.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[OUT][Orc]One of the bodyguards spat on the ground when they saw you and now they are staring at you. Challenge them!
[OUT]Steal the clothes when they go to rest at night!
[OUT]Offer your hospitality, but nothing more.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'Don't speak to me, orc scum. I am here working, so I will stay still, but I will not talk to those who murdered my village!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Congratulate her on being the strongest of her clan. Only the strong survive!
[OUT]Tell her to stop being a coward, and come out and face you!
[OUT]Say that she is a fool for making such broad assumptions. Would she spit in the face of the goddess Zorya too?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
The woman and her friends bow to you in apology:

'I am sorry. My anger got the better of me. It happened not long ago, and no one will go with me to take vengeance!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Offer to go with her, if she likes.
[OUT]Tell her that vengeance is a bad goal. Best to focus on rebuilding.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Yes, thank you. And here, for my rudeness earlier. May the gods forgive my foolishness.'

She steps back to continue her guard duty.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
You steal the robes with no trouble, but you wake to find yourself cursed. The gods do not take breaking the hospitality rules lightly. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
You steal the robes with no trouble, but the word has spread that you broke the guest rules.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
You are beaten, and the word has spread that you broke the guest rules.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'Yes! I am the huntress, Talia, by the way. I will mark their location and join you there. Thank you.'

She speaks to the others and leaves quickly.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Mark the location on your map and get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'Leave us be, orc.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Walk away.
[OUT]Trade.
[OUT]Kill them!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
You kill them and take the robes with no trouble, but you wake to find yourself cursed. The gods do not take breaking the hospitality rules lightly. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You kill them and take the robes with no trouble, but the word has spread that you broke the guest rules.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Tailor and Huntress Spwn(50)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You track down the orcs that the huntress Talia asked you to find. She joins you:

'There you are! I've been waiting here for a while. Come, let us sneak up on them and kill them like they did my people!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Warn the orcs and give them Talia.
[OUT]Watch her run and kill herself, then leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You slaughter the orcs and Talia is overjoyed:

'Thank you, thank you so much! Here, this is all I can pay with.'

She gives you the reward and gathers her things to leave.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask her to stay with you.
[OUT]Tell her that you were glad to help, and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
Talia is caught and brutally killed by the orcs. They turn to you:

'Ah, we've been trying to hunt this one down for weeks. Their hunters killed our alpha while she was birthing her heir! They all had to die for it, and thanks to you, our fortune will return now. Here, a reward. Be well!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Oh, and here, this whelp is too weak for us. We were going to leave them to the wolves, but I heard you like such weaklings, so take it, leave it, whatever.'

They present you an orc child.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take them.
[OUT]Leave them.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'Yes, yes I will!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave together.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
You lose, but thankfully the orcs only kill Talia and leave you be.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Warrax(51)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across a battle scene. Many dwarves lie dead at the feet of one warrior, hooded and clad in heavy armour. 

As you arrive, he plunges his weapon into the chest of yet another victim:
'I will track down every last one of you.' His voice is guttural and echoes strangely. He turns to you, but does not approach.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Dwarf]Avenge your brethren. Attack!
[OUT]Ask him why the massacre.
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Leave him be.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'None of your business. Begone.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack him.
[OUT]Leave him be.
[OUT][Runemaster]Observe him further, as he seems familiar.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You destroy the warrior and find that he had no body, only an empty metal shell.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Gather what is usable and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
He is no man, but a warrakus, a golem-like creature brought to life by ingenious runemasters of old. 

Strange, though, that this one killed dwarves, and stranger yet that he speaks with such independence in your presence.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Demand that he explain himself, now!
[OUT]Ask him why he killed all those dwarves. Does his master command him to do so?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Demand? You and your kind will never demand anything from me! You thought you can take my soul and craft it as your slave. But I am Warrax, a warlord. I will not be bound so. Die!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Defend yourself!
[OUT]Run away.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee. Luckily the warrior does not pursue.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'It is none of your business, dwarf, nor do I have a master.' He spits on the body he just killed.

'Leave, before you join your kind.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave him be.
[OUT]Attack him.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Warrax 2(52)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across the same hooded, armour-clad warrior you once saw massacre a group of dwarves. He is now standing over the bodies of many goblins. A shaman remains, protected by a barrier, but the warrior bashes against it relentlessly, and you know it will eventually break.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Goblin]Rescue the shaman. Attack!
[OUT]Leave him be.
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Ask him to stop this bloodshed. Perhaps there is something you can do to end it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'I am held hostage to their dark magic. To be truly free, I must destroy all who enslaved me. I will be free and others will not fall to their dirty work. Collateral damage is to be expected.'

[/STORY]
[OUT][Runemaster or Shaman]Does he speak to the ancient legends of the warrakus? 
[OUT]Ask him what he means by all this.
[OUT]Say that whatever revenge he seeks, surely it is done now. Or perhaps there is a better way to serve it, without the collateral damage.
[OUT]Agree with him and allow him to kill the shaman.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'You are like those who did this. But you are not them, so you do not have to die.

Yes, I am Warrax, once a warlord of Slavya, loyal follower of the mighty Perun. My soul was resting when it was pulled by this shaman's forefather and enslaved by the runemasters. They made me into a warrakus, a mockery of my name! I was first and I will be last!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say that whatever revenge he seeks, surely it is done now. Or perhaps there is a better way to serve it, without the collateral damage.
[OUT][Magic or Nature]To pull a soul from its rightful afterlife for such a purpose violates the laws! Yes, he and all who were involved must die. Pledge your assistance to Warrax.
[OUT]Agree with him and allow him to kill the shaman.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Fine. If you swear to aid me, I will strip this shaman and the runemaster that yet lives of any knowledge and power they hold about this. They will be damaged, but alive. This is my final offer.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to help him.
[OUT]Say that you changed your mind. Allow him to kill the shaman and whomever else he wishes.
[OUT]Tell him you cannot help, but neither will you interfere. Leave.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'I will do most of this ritual myself. I will lend you my friend and he will aid you in doing your part.'

He draws a pentagram around the shaman, who looks at all of you, terrified but defiant. Warrax takes out a book bound in what looks like human skin and begins reading from it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say that you changed your mind. Allow him to kill the shaman and whomever else he wishes.
[OUT]Tell him you cannot help, but neither will you interfere. Leave.
[OUT]Perform the ritual. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
The ritual works and the shaman falls to his knees, crying. His barrier collapses and some tattoos on his body fade away, leaving only bloody marks. His eyes glaze over as he looks at you, bewildered:

'You took them away. I cannot hear them, they are gone! Do you know what you've done? Hundreds of years of knowledge passed down in my bloodline, gone...' He cries. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Turn to Warrax.
[OUT]Tell him it is his own fault for misusing spirits. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
'It is good that one such as you sees the truth of my actions.'

Warrax swings his weapon a few more times and the barrier collapses, as does the shaman's severed head. The warrior turns to you:

'I have but one more to kill. I suppose if you were to aid me, we would not have to kill everyone, but I need to be more careful and swift when I work alone.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to help him.
[OUT]Wish him luck, but say that you do not wish to take part in more killing.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'Yes, Perun is gone, but I am glad his children guide you well.'

Warrax swings his weapon a few more times and the barrier collapses, as does the shaman's severed head. The warrior turns to you:

'I have but one more to kill. I suppose if you were to aid me, we would not have to kill everyone, but I need to be more careful and swift when I work alone.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to help him.
[OUT]Wish him luck, but say that you do not wish to take part in more killing.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'I see. It is your choice. I am glad you decided not to stand in my way.'

Warrax swings his weapon a few more times and the barrier collapses, as does the shaman's severed head. The warrior turns to you:

'I leave now to finish this. I assume you do not wish to be involved. Farewell.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
'I am Warrax, once a warlord of Slavya, loyal follower of the mighty Perun. My soul was resting when it was pulled by this shaman's forefather and enslaved by the runemasters. They made me into a warrakus, a mockery of my name! I was first and I will be last!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say that whatever revenge he seeks, surely it is done now. Or perhaps there is a better way to serve it, without the collateral damage.
[OUT][Magic or Nature]To pull a soul from its rightful afterlife for such a purpose violates the laws! Yes, he and all who were involved must die. Pledge your assistance to Warrax.
[OUT]Agree with him and allow him to kill the shaman.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'I leave now. I have but one more to punish: a grand runemaster. Come aid me if you wish him to remain alive.'

He departs.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Mark the location on your map and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
The goblin does not reply. It looks like he is trying to cast a curse on you, but clearly, he has no power. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Turn to Warrax.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
The ritual works but it was costly for you. The shaman falls to his knees, crying. His barrier collapses and some tattoos on his body fade away, leaving only bloody marks. His eyes glaze over as he looks at you, bewildered:

'You took them away. I cannot hear them, they are gone! Do you know what you've done? Hundreds of years of knowledge passed down in my bloodline, gone...' He cries. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Turn to Warrax.
[OUT]Tell him it is his own fault for misusing spirits. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee. Luckily the warrior does not pursue.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
You destroy the warrior and find that he had no body, only an empty metal shell.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Gather what is usable and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]32
[STORY]
'Do not meddle in my affairs. I wish you no harm, but I will kill all that stand in my way!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Leave him be.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Warrax 3(53)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the forge where a grand runemaster of old lives, the one responsible for creating Warrax.

The warrior joins you. He looks battered and worn out:

'You are here, good. I have disabled the dwarves. I tried not to kill too many, for you. The runemaster is bound and now we must once more perform the binding ritual, but my friend cannot aid you this time, as he perished in this fight. This peace of yours is costly.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Perform the ritual.
[OUT]Return later.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You perform the ritual outside the forge, and when it is done, you hear screams from inside, followed by some impressive dwarven swearing. Warrax comes out, dragging a dwarf dressed in robes:

'He is the last. He has paid. You aided me and so I swear I will not pursue further revenge, unless the fiends find a way to regain their knowledge. Agreed?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to his terms. Tell him you are thankful he chose a less bloody path.
[OUT]Nod in agreement. Ask the dwarf if he is okay.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Who are ya? What is going on here? I...?I was working, but what was I working on? Who am I?'

Warrax throws the dwarf aside.

'He lives. And once his brothers wake, they will care for him. Do not pity the monster, friend. Now I must find a path to follow.'

He prepares to leave.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask him to stay with you.
[OUT]Wish him good luck.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Yes, I will remain with you. Now that my maker is gone, I am weakened, but I am sure I can make my metal useful again.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave together.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
Warrax throws the dwarf aside.

'Good. Perhaps your way was better, for now they will suffer, always feeling empty and lost, like I did for so long. Now I must find a path to follow.'

He prepares to leave.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask him to stay with you.
[OUT]Wish him good luck.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
The ritual fails and the dwarven runemaster kills Warrax, then says:

'Bah, I should have killed ya decades ago, old friend, you were all wrong. I am sorry.'

He turns to you:

'Ya best leave, lassies, I have no patience for ya.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Warrax 4(54)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the forge where a grand runemaster of old lives, the one responsible for creating Warrax. 

The warrior joins you. He looks battered and worn out:

'You are here, good. You will attack them first, and they will feel confident in their victory after seeing your inferior power. I will then surprise them from the flank. Ready?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Return later.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You defeat the dwarves and you see Warrax coming towards you, dragging the headless body of a dwarf dressed in robes:

'He is the last. He has paid. You aided me, so I leave the fate of the others in your hands. Agreed?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree and kill off the remainder of the dwarves.
[OUT]Nod in agreement and say that the others are to be left alive.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Fine. They live. Only those involved had to pay. Now I must find a path to follow.'

He prepares to leave.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask him to stay with you.
[OUT]Wish him good luck.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Yes, I will remain with you. Now that my maker is gone, I am weakened, but I am sure I can make my metal useful again.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave together.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
Warrax throws the dwarf aside.

'Good. You understand revenge. My friend wishes to remain with you, so take care of him. Now I must find a path to follow.'

He prepares to leave.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask him to stay with you.
[OUT]Wish him good luck.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
The dwarves prove stronger, and the dwarven runemaster kills Warrax, then says:

'Bah, I should have killed ya decades ago, old friend, you were all wrong. I am sorry.'

He turns to you:

'Ya best leave, lassies, I have no patience for ya.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Village attacked(55)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Travelling through the volcanic lands, you spot a small orc settlement, hidden within a lava cave, as is their custom.

You hear the unmistakable clash of swords and smell the metallic odour of spilled blood. You also spot arrows flying - elven arrows.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Orc]Charge in to aid this orc clan against the filthy elves!
[OUT][Elf]There must be a good reason for this violence. Aid your own kin and attack the orcs.
[OUT][Goblin]Orcs are getting whupped? Good. Help the attackers!
[OUT]Sneak in to see if you can pilfer any goods while both sides are busy.
[OUT]Wait it out, then go inspect what is left.
[OUT]Attack the elves.
[OUT]Attack the orcs.
[OUT]Leave it all.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You kill the elves and the orc matriarch approaches:

'This was a good battle! Those cowards chose a time when our hunting parties are out, only men and children left, plus a handful of true warriors. We would have died in honour, of course, but to win alongside good warriors is much better!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask why they attacked. It is not typical to find many elves on this land.
[OUT]Tell her the honour is all hers. It was a good battle indeed.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Why should I care? Why do elves ever do anything? Sexless, arrogant flowers that they are, they were probably wrong in the head from all the dirty magic their men do. 

No matter, my honour to you, friend.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell her the honour is all hers. It was a good battle indeed.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Fire burns bright in our hearts, that's for sure! Here, a gift from me.

Now, those buggers destroyed my home, so we will pack up and leave, but you can have some credit in our stores and trade with us before we go.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[OUT][Male]You see the matriarch looking at you lustfully. Return the look.
[OUT][Female]The matriarch is looking at you strangely. Ask her why.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'Now time for us to go. May the fire never die down, friend!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'The rest of you can eat, drink, and rest. The two of us, we have some fires to quench!'

She grabs you forcefully and drags you to her bed, which is surprisingly fire-free. 

Later, she delivers a child to you with a note:

'This whelp is mixed. It will be better off with its father.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'The rest of you can eat, drink, and rest. The two of us, we have some fires to quench!'

She grabs you forcefully and drags you to her bed, which is surprisingly fire-free. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
Hard Club grabs you forcefully and drags you to his bunk, which is filled with hot coals, of course. 

Sometime later, a child comes out of this fiery union.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
'You look like you need a good old thumping from one of my males. Hard Club over there looks like he's into you.'

Indeed, a bloodied warrior holding his thick club in both hands is watching you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Why not? Have some fun.
[OUT]Politely decline and trade instead.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
Hard Club grabs you forcefully and drags you to his bunk, which is filled with hot coals, of course. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee. If you return later, you find the settlement burnt to the ground.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You kill the orcs and an elven archer approaches:

'Thank you for your aid, it was unexpected but most welcome. These animals bite hard, even when disadvantaged as they were here.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask why they attacked. It is not typical to find many elves on this land.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
'It is not information we can share with outsiders. Suffice to say they committed grave crimes against our kin and have now suffered the inevitable consequences. 

Killing the young is of course regrettable, yet sometimes one needs to cull the whole herd to be rid of illness.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]What? They killed children here?
[OUT]Nod.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
'An odd outburst for one that gave aid in attacking a settlement. Orc children do not hide in battle - they take arms. As such, they sadly fall in such conflicts. 

We must depart these horrendously ugly lands. Fare thee well, friends, and please accept our gifts to you. You may also choose something from our stocks.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
'We must depart these horrendously ugly lands. Fare thee well, friends, and please accept our gifts to you. You may also choose something from our stocks.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Trade.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]30
[STORY]
The orcs beat you badly and leave you bleeding, but you did make the job easier for the elves, who slaughter their enemy.

The elves merely check whether you are alive before leaving you without a word of thanks.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]37
[STORY]
You sneak in and steal what you can while the battle rages on. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]40
[STORY]
You are spotted and barely escape with your life.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]43
[STORY]
Even in hiding, you are hit by stray arrows, or maybe they are warning shots. The elves kill, burn, and plunder the settlement before they finally leave. 

You do not find anything of use.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]44
[STORY]
Even in hiding, you are hit by stray arrows, or maybe they are warning shots. The elves kill, burn, and plunder the settlement before they finally leave. 

But orcs build with fire in mind, so you are able to salvage some goods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]45
[STORY]
Even in hiding, you are hit by stray arrows, or maybe they are warning shots. The elves kill, burn, and plunder the settlement before they finally leave. 

But orcs build with fire in mind, so you are able to salvage some goods and rescue a wounded child.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]48
[STORY]
After the elves leave, you find and rescue a wounded orc child. You find it locked in a chest and knocked unconscious - perhaps the parent did not want them to fight in a lost battle. At least the child will not know you were the one who killed their family.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the child and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Master Thieves(56)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You notice that some of your resources are gone!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try to track the thieves.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
You could swear you followed their tracks, only to find they led you right back to the village.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Hunter or perception]Take a closer look.
[OUT][Intelligence]Try to figure this out.
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You could swear you followed their tracks, but they suddenly disappeared when you got to a cliff, even though they looked like human tracks.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Hunter or perception]Take a closer look.
[OUT][Intelligence]Try to figure this out.
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You could swear you followed their tracks, but they suddenly disappeared under a tree, and there is no sign of someone climbing up.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Hunter or perception]Take a closer look.
[OUT][Intelligence]Try to figure this out.
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You try your best to track the thieves, but it is as if the resources just disappeared, without any trace.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Hunter or perception]Take a closer look.
[OUT][Intelligence]Try to figure this out.
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
The thieves must have worn their shoes and horseshoes backwards to confuse anyone following their tracks. 

But now you have the right trail to follow.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Mark it on the map.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
You have no idea what happened here and no way to track them further.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get back to work.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
The thieves must have been in league with the vily, as you found their tracks near the cliff. The demons must have carried them away. 

But now you have the right trail to follow.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Mark it on the map.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
The thieves must have been in league with goblins, as eventually you discover odd contraptions that hide the ropes they used to climb the trees quickly and evade capture.

But now you have the right trail to follow.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Mark it on the map.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
The thieves were clever indeed. They dug a tunnel underneath your storehouse and covered it up when they escaped.

But now you have the right trail to follow.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Mark it on the map.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Master Thieves 2(57)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the lair of the thieves who stole your goods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack head on!
[OUT]Set a trap.
[OUT][Attractive]Parley with them. Convince them that all this is not worth the trouble, and you can be friends instead.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
The bandits lie dead and you can reclaim your goods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
You are badly beaten, forced to flee and abandon more of your goods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
While you talk, they sneak up on you. You are badly beaten, forced to flee and abandon more of your goods.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
'Aye, you do talk well and look good. Must be that Lada goddess rubbing off on our sorry arses. Here, have your shit back and let us drink together!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Drink, then take your goods and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --MikulasAnjelCert(58)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You are approached by an odd company of three. The first, an elf, introduces themselves as Anjel. The second is a fat goblin with a grey beard and red coat who tells you he is Mikulas. The last one is clearly a czort, riding his white goat.

They bow and ask to join your campsite.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree.
[OUT]Decline.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'Ah, children!' exclaims Mikulas, who produces some beetle jelly for the youngsters. He then turns to you:

'Each one of us can offer you a duel of sorts - a splendid game, to be sure.'

The goblin is eerily cheerful, while the elf remains aloof and the czort, well, it stares at you with a mischievous smile.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Test your storytelling skills against Mikulas as he sits by the fire and tells you of faraway frozen lands and his wife.
[OUT]Stand against Anjel and their mystical skill.
[OUT]Arm-wrestle the czort.
[OUT]Politely decline.
[OUT]Politely decline and offer your food instead. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'Ahaha, your tales are woven with charm and intrigue. I love it! As I am the spirit of my forefathers, I shall gift you with their wisdom and perhaps more. Cheerio!'

All three strangers nod and depart together.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
Mikulas's stories are so enthralling, you get lost in his fantastic worlds. You feel so dazed that you do not even notice when the guests leave. 

There is a note from the storyteller:
'Best of luck next time. Have some beetle jelly to cheer you up.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
'Your skill is tolerable.'

All three strangers nod and depart together.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
Anjel's cold gaze unnerves you, and you fail to impress them with your skills.

The three depart without any further words.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'What, you won? How dare you!' The czort huffs and puffs at you, but calms down quickly. You feel stronger from this.

All three strangers nod and depart together.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
You'd swear that czorts shouldn't be this strong; trickery is likely. Nevertheless, the creature huffs and puffs at you with joy:

'Hah, got ya!'

The three depart without any further words.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'Welcome!' exclaims Mikulas:

'Each one of us can offer you a duel of sorts - a splendid game, to be sure.'

The goblin is eerily cheerful, while the elf remains aloof and the czort, well, it stares at you with a mischievous smile.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Test your storytelling skills against Mikulas as he sits by the fire and tells you of faraway frozen lands and his wife.
[OUT]Stand against Anjel and their mystical skill.
[OUT]Arm-wrestle the czort.
[OUT]Politely decline.
[OUT]Politely decline and offer your food instead. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
'Yes, it is right to accept such hospitality.'

Anjel looks disinterested and the czort does not look pleased, but all three depart after eating.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Orcish Inquisition(59)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find two bodies of human gatherers, stretched on racks. Looks like one almost got free. They are holding a torn note in their hand. The only bit you can make out is:

'...speak orcish inquisition.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say 'orcish inquisition.'
[OUT]Give the dead a burial, gather what you can, and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
As soon as you speak the words, several odd-looking orcs appear. They are wearing surprisingly formal red coats, and some also wear goggles and hold books. One of the angry-looking lot speaks:

'You speak - spoke? - our name, so we are here to punish you! You never expected us, eh?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]What now?
[OUT][Orc]Demand to know what sort of dishonourable foolery is this.
[OUT][Zerca]Are they pretending to be the old western organisation of the so-called inquisition? If so, why?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
They look at each other as if searching for an answer, then two of them take out their weapons:

'Here is our one true weapon: surprise and fear. Bow before it!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell them they called out two weapons, which really diminished the whole intimidation angle...
[OUT]Attack the fools!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'What , you...we meant our two greatest weapons: fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency. So bow down, fools!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]And now they called out three. Tell them this is really becoming embarrassing.
[OUT]Attack the fools!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'Oh, ehm, three, ehm...?oh, bugger it all!'

The orcs break down in lamentation and run off.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bury the dead humans and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
While you were mocking the orcs, they managed to completely surround you, so you have to submit and one of you is stretched on a rack - one that oddly still holds some dried food.

The orcs must have run out of racks...they are not well prepared for this. They just leave after a few hours.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take your friend down from the rack and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
You kill the odd orcs. They were poorly equipped and much of what they carried was makeshift. You do find a rack of dried food.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bury the dead humans and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
You lose and the orcs manage to completely surround you, so you have to submit and one of you is stretched on a rack - one that oddly still holds some dried food.

The orcs must have run out of racks. They just leave after a few hours.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take your friend down from the rack and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
'We do this job now, we no need to listen to you anymore! Yeah, so you submit to our one great weapon surprise and fear, bow before it!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell the dumb-arses that is two weapons, and you will stick those weapons up their butts so far, they will truly be surprised and fearful!
[OUT]Attack the fools!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'Oh, shits, I am so sorry...we never meant to, it was just jokes - funny stuff. Ehm, please don't flail us or tell on us to mother.'

The orcs break down in lamentation and run off.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bury the dead humans and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
'A what? Eh? We found this book, it was about pythons or something, and it spoke to us and -'

Another orc kicks him and shouts:

'Here is our one true weapon: surprise and fear. Bow before it!'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell them the goddess Zorya, or Zorza as they know her, does not like pranks and jokes from her warriors!
[OUT]Attack the fools!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
'Oh, ehm, yeah, damn it guys, they are so right! We'll be in so much trouble now!' 

The orcs break down in lamentation and run off.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Bury the dead humans and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Forest King(60)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You hear a beautiful pipe melody at night and it lulls you to sleep. When you wake, you realise one of your children is gone!
[/STORY]
[OUT][Forest folk]Speak to the forest. Ask it to aid you in finding the child.
[OUT][Hunter]Track the child.
[OUT][Zerca]The melody sounded familiar to you. Try to figure out the lore.
[OUT]Search for your child.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
The forest answers and guides you. You find the child tied to a tree by blood vines pulsating in the rhythm of the pipe song. 

A rhoggnyr is attached to a similar contraption, only he is the recipient of the child's blood. 

You got here quickly. The creature is distracted and your child still living.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Kill the beast and rescue the child!
[OUT]Take the child, but question the beast in the name of nature, for you have never seen a rhoggnyr act like this.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
The rhoggnyr cries out as your blade cuts cleanly through his guts. 

When you search the place, you find other victims, though sadly it is unlikely any are still alive.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Search for survivors, bury the dead, and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
You find the child tied to a tree by blood vines pulsating in the rhythm of the pipe song. 

A rhoggnyr is attached to a similar contraption, only he is the recipient of the child's blood. 

Your child looks barely alive, and the perpetrator wakes in time to stand against you!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]He is too strong. Leave the child.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
You find the child tied to a tree by blood vines pulsating in the rhythm of the pipe song. The youth is dead and whatever took them is not here.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
The creature squirms under the pressure of your blade, but he tries to remain defiant:

'I am the forest king! I do what my nature compels me to do. I acquired the pipes and they whispered to me of a way to gain more life. I am not sorry!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Kill him and search this place.
[OUT]Let him go. It is a demon's nature to feed on the young. Search this place.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
You find the child tied to a tree by blood vines pulsating in the rhythm of the pipe song. 

A rhoggnyr is attached to a similar contraption, only he is the recipient of the child's blood. 

You got here quickly. The creature is distracted and your child still living.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Kill the beast and rescue the child!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
You recall old tales of demons who play enchanted pipes to lure children into their lair. This melody leaves an odd stench, so you follow it. You find the child tied to a tree by blood vines pulsating in the rhythm of the pipe song. 

A rhoggnyr is attached to a similar contraption, only he is the recipient of the child's blood. 

You got here quickly. The creature is distracted and your child still living.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Kill the beast and rescue the child!
[OUT]Take the child, but question the beast in the name of nature, for you have never seen a rhoggnyr act like this.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You kill the creature and rescue the child, who is in desperately poor condition. 

When you search the place, you find other victims, though sadly it is unlikely any are still alive.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Search for survivors, bury the dead, and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
You kill the creature and rescue the child, who is in desperately poor condition. 

When you search the place, you find other victims, though sadly it is unlikely any are still alive.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Search for survivors, bury the dead, and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]27
[STORY]
The creature defeats you and forces you to flee and abandon your child.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --It that Collects(61)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
The skies darken, and at first you think the black mist is descending. Gradually, you realise that a shadow being is carefully examining each of you and nodding to itself, as if taking notes.

It whispers: 'Have you talents that shall marvel me?'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask what it wants.
[OUT]Try to chase it away.
[OUT]Attempt to leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
The demonic apparition is unmoved by any of your actions, and you find yourself unable to move.

'Amuse me.'

Runic symbols burn into your skin, each one slightly different. Some of you will now be compelled to perform trials, and you have a feeling they are not optional.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Magic user]One challenger is called to show their spiritual power. Submit to the test.
[OUT][Strength]One challenger is called to show their brute force. Submit to the test.
[OUT][Intelligence]One challenger is called to show their intellect. Submit to the test.
[OUT]The being finds you all lacking, so it throws a random four of you into a dark pit of black mist crawling with toxic insects. Try to climb out!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'I suppose you aren't entirely useless. One of you may do as an oddity, yes.' 

His shadowy face turns away as if speaking into the mist: 'Well, you're a pointless waste of space.' 

Someone or something is thrown out of the mist, but before you can have a look at it, the demon reaches to grab one of you!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Defend yourself!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You defeat the demon, and it cries out as it is pulled back into the darkness:
'How splendid, I who collect will one day return for such specimens...?'

He is gone, and you are left with his rejected collectible.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'Useless. Yes, I knew it. Suffer for wasting my time!'

The apparition dissolves into a shadow, leaving you weakened.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
'Cowardly and useless. Yes, I knew it. Suffer for wasting my time!'

The apparition dissolves into a shadow, leaving you cursed and weakened.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
You are defeated and can only watch as he reaches for one of you!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Lie low but watch where he goes. Perhaps you can track him later.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
You defeat the demon, and it cries out as it is pulled back into the darkness:
'How splendid, I who collect will one day return for such specimens...?'

He is gone, and you are left with his rejected collectible.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
You are defeated and can only watch as he reaches for one of you!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Lie low but watch where he goes. Perhaps you can track him later.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
'I suppose you aren't entirely useless. One of you may do as an oddity, yes.' 

His shadowy face turns away as if speaking into the mist: 'Well, you're a pointless waste of space.' 

Someone or something is thrown out of the mist, but before you can have a look at it, the demon reaches to grab one of you!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Defend yourself!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
'Cowardly and useless. Yes, I knew it. Suffer for wasting my time!'

The apparition dissolves into a shadow, leaving you cursed and weakened.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
'Useless. Yes, I knew it. Suffer for wasting my time!'

The apparition dissolves into a shadow, leaving you weakened.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
'Cowardly and useless. Yes, I knew it. Suffer for wasting my time!'

The apparition dissolves into a shadow, leaving you cursed and weakened.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
'Useless. Yes, I knew it. Suffer for wasting my time!'

The apparition dissolves into a shadow, leaving you weakened.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]39
[STORY]
'Useless. Yes, I knew it. Suffer for wasting my time!'

The apparition dissolves into a shadow, leaving you weakened.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]40
[STORY]
'Cowardly and useless. Yes, I knew it. Suffer for wasting my time!'

The apparition dissolves into a shadow, leaving you cursed and weakened.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --It that Collects 2(62)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the fiend that took your folk, and he has company now. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT][Magic user]Face them with spirit!
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
The demon and his minions lie defeated, and now you can rescue your friend.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You are defeated. The demon disappears and so does your friend.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Injured Zosh(63)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
As you travel through the forest and walk through a glade past a swampy terrain, you hear a rustling of leaves.

You soon spot a wounded goblin lying under a tree, with several animals with him, while a bog bies seems to circle them from the shadows, but does not approach.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nope! Just leave.
[OUT]Approach the man.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
As you carefully come closer, you see the animals are an odd menagerie, likely a group of forest sprites. One looks like an overgrown ginger cat, one is a rabbit with horns, a stone sloth hangs from a tree branch, and the tree itself has many eyes yet clearly is not a leshy.
[/STORY]
[OUT]This is all very suspicious. When in doubt, charge!
[OUT][Healer]Offer to try to heal the goblin.
[OUT]Ask them what is going on.
[OUT]The bog bies may attack at any time. Kill that first.
[OUT][Magic user]Bog bies, like their older brothers, are creatures tormented by possession. Try to free this one, and perhaps it will serve you.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You defeat the forest sprites and the goblin who tried and failed to help his friends. As one of them turns back into the ginger cat, it whispers:

'We had a good run, Zosh. Till next time...?'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Gather the loot and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
The eldercones turn back into their animal forms and pick up the goblin to carry him off. He turns to you:

'You wouldn't win even if you tried 127 times!'

They slowly move away. The bog bies smells your blood and circles ever closer.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Run away.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
The goblin nods and whispers, as he is too weak to speak:

'Just please take care. It is a nasty bog toxin that got into my blood...?I wouldn't want you to get hurt too.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod and say that you know your business. Attempt to heal him.
[OUT]Nope! Just leave.
[OUT]This is all very suspicious. When in doubt, charge!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
The sprites do not speak. They look to the goblin, who answers you in a weak voice:

'That bog bies - I kind of knew it was a stupid idea, but then I was like, hey, let's go for it...?fighting is rarely a good idea, right?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]This is all very suspicious. When in doubt, charge!
[OUT][Healer]Offer to try to heal the goblin.
[OUT]The bog bies may attack at any time. Kill that first.
[OUT][Magic user]Bog bies, like their older brothers, are creatures tormented by possession. Try to free this one, and perhaps it will serve you.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
The goblin looks at you, astonished. He is still weak, but with the toxin out of his bloodstream, he seems much better:

'Well, I'll be damned! Say, you seem really competent. Would you have me join your group?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept and welcome him.
[OUT]Politely decline but wish him well. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'Great! I hope you have plenty of food. I'm told I don't have enough variety in my diet.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Depart together.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
The toxin has spread too far. There is nothing you can do for him. The goblin looks at you and musters a smile:

'Oh well, at least I won't die falling in a dragon cave.'

The creatures huddle over their friend and prepare to carry him away. They nod at you in thanks for trying. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee. The goblin whispers at you as you run:

'Fighting never seems to be the right answer, does it? Can't even beat a pair of dogs.'

The goblin dies from his wounds, and his friends take his body away. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
The ritual works and the bog bies is free of possession. Usually, this would mean it would disappear only to return again later, but with your divine power, you are able to possess it yourself and thus make it serve you.

When you look back to the goblin and his menagerie, they are gone.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes, possess the bog bies.
[OUT]No, allow it to disappear. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
The beast clearly had pair of dogs at his side and one decides to stay. As the bog bies dies, its body slowly dissolves. As a demon of possession, it will likely have to endure this fate many times over. But it is gone for now.

When you look back to the goblin and his menagerie, they are gone.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Koshei(64)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
Late at night you spot an old man wandering the land. He is tall, bearded, and - well, he does not seem to believe in clothing, apart from a rugged cloak on his shoulders.

He does not come near you, or so you thought. Upon waking the next morning, you realise that one of your wise ones has been taken!

Luckily for you, they left a spirit trail you can follow.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Mark the trail on your map!
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Kochei 2(65)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
The trail from your missing wise one leads to a tower. As you approach it, you feel the cold breeze of unliving presence all around you. 
[/STORY]
[OUT][Magic]This place is thick with the weaves of magic. Whoever resides here is very powerful. Tread carefully as you walk in.
[OUT][Nyia]The smell of death is ripe. Whoever resides here defies the laws of your lady! Go in prepared for battle with the unliving.
[OUT]Go in carefully.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
The tower is dark and filled to the brim with grimoires, scrolls, and artefacts. High up, under the ceiling, you see an iron contraption and your wise one attached to it, their blood slowly draining drop by drop into odd vials and tubes. 

Other blood is being pumped into them. The old naked man you saw before at night sits at a table, calmly reading a book.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Demand to know who he is and why he took your friend.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You defeat the man and are about to find a way up to help your friend when you hear laughter.

The man rises, stretches his body, and puts his broken bones back into place:

'You cannot defeat me, fools. But I have no quarrel with you, so you may leave me be.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Demand to know who he is and why he took your friend.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You are defeated and the man laughs at you:

'You cannot defeat me, fools. But I have no quarrel with you, so you may leave me be.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Demand to know who he is and why he took your friend.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'Who am I, you ask? Hmm. Me and my kind go by many names. Wizards, some called us in days past. The Council of Six, we were too. Emissaries or prophets even by some, or rascals, necromancers, and meddlers by others.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Zerca]This sounds like a man from the books of the Awakening. Is he a Kostej, or the Boneman who guards an oracle?
[OUT]Why did he kidnap your wise one and what is he doing to them?
[OUT]Since he says he is a mage, and he seems human, ask why there are typically no male magic users.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'Oh, we really must learn new ways of introduction, it seems. No, I am Koshei, another one of the six. Somewhat less interested in the preservation of the mystical arts and more bothered about getting my own powers back to where they were. 

Your friend is feeding that goal, so you see, there is nothing you can do here.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Offer to find another way to feed his power - you are chosen, after all.
[OUT]Leave this place and look for clues as to how to kill this bastard.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'I suppose that would be acceptable. Although my method is tried and tested, it is slow and I am impatient. 

Deal. Your friend will live for a good while yet, so come back with a better offer and I'll let them go.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave to search for ways to get him more power.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
When you were walking here, you spotted a witch's hut not too far away. With Koshei being so strong in magic, the witch is bound to know something and less likely to be immortal.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go track the witch.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'For power and eternal life, of course. 

Your friend is feeding that goal, so you see, there is nothing you can do here.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Offer to find another way to feed his power - you are chosen, after all.
[OUT]Leave this place and look for clues as to how to kill this bastard.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
'I do not care to teach you these things, but the story goes that the old god Veles gifted magic to a girl who tricked him. She was Viedma, mother of all witches. Soon it transpired that short-lived folk like humans and orcs could not handle magic very well, and corruption and darkness followed. 

The other gods swore never to gift magic to the short-lived folk.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Zerca]This sounds like a man from the books of the Awakening. Is he a Kostej, or the Boneman who guards an oracle?
[OUT]Why did he kidnap your wise one and what is he doing to them?
[OUT]And yet he is a man?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
'That I am, yes. The six of us were given the arts, but we were not to be the fathers of it. Thus our gifts could not be passed on.

Nature, of course, does not abide by rules, nor does turmoil or darkness. Thus, boys are sometimes born with the talent, but as a rule, they are never trained in the arts lest the gods get angry.

Now, enough history, and more about me!'

[/STORY]
[OUT][Zerca]This sounds like a man from the books of the Awakening. Is he a Kostej, or the Boneman who guards an oracle?
[OUT]Why did he kidnap your wise one and what is he doing to them?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
There is a divine grove near here. Go there to ask the gods for inspiration.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave to find the grove.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]30
[STORY]
The tower is dark and filled to the brim with grimoires, scrolls, and artefacts. High up, under the ceiling, you see an iron contraption and your wise one attached to it, their blood slowly draining drop by drop into odd vials and tubes. 

Other blood is being pumped into them. The old naked man you saw before at night sits at a table, calmly reading a book.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Demand to know who he is and why he took your friend.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]31
[STORY]
The tower is dark and filled to the brim with grimoires, scrolls, and artefacts. High up, under the ceiling, you see an iron contraption and your wise one attached to it, their blood slowly draining drop by drop into odd vials and tubes. 

Other blood is being pumped into them. The old naked man you saw before at night sits at a table, calmly reading a book.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Demand to know who he is and why he took your friend.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Koshei witch(66)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the hut of the witch that resides near the Koshei. Its door is ajar and a voice beckons:

'Come in, come in. I was expecting you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go in, but stay vigilant.
[OUT]No, leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
A homely old lady sits by the fire, reading a book to a couple of kids. The children soon fall into a deep slumber, and she turns to you:

'So you want old Viedma to tell you about that rascal up in the tower, eh?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Viedma, as in the fabled first witch?
[OUT]Ask how to kill Koshei.
[OUT]Ask if there is another way to give Koshei what he needs.
[OUT]Capture the witch. Koshei said he needs magic users, and this one surely will do.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'Ha ha, I wish. No, but it is a name we use, those who follow her path.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask how to kill Koshei.
[OUT]Ask if there is another way to give Koshei what he needs.
[OUT]Capture the witch. Koshei said he needs magic users, and this one surely will do.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'What's in it for me, eh? Pay up, and I will reveal his secrets to you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to pay.
[OUT]Ask if there is another way to give Koshei what he needs.
[OUT]Capture the witch. Koshei said he needs magic users, and this one surely will do.
[OUT]Come back again later.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'You see, those six men defied god's laws, so all their lives they've been obsessed with immortality, for they were terrified to stand before Veles, a master of both the underworlds and magic. 

Even though he is gone now, they are not stupid. They fear Nyia even more, for she lacks her father's mercy.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Keep listening.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'And so, the fools came up with a gimmick. Each hid their life in an egg, the egg resides inside a duck, and the duck is stuffed into a rabbit- do not ask me how. The poor creature is then locked in a chest of diamond - fancy bastards, they were - and iron, to keep away some supernatural fiends. Then each chest was buried under a tree, each on its own island, and each man buried the other's chest, so even they do not know where it is.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]But she does?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
'Oh, yes, I dated every one of those pompous sods, apart from Kostej - his high horse is unpalatable. 

Poor Koshei doesn't even know this is the very island where his chest lies. Here, I marked it on your map. The man dumped me for some young thing he kidnapped. I mean, I always knew his bad habits, but that last one just annoyed me. Go, kill his arse.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank her for the information and leave.
[OUT]Attack her to get your stuff back and maybe even save those children!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
'Well, the obvious one, right? Give him another magic user to drain. And before you get any ideas, consider why I am here, living peacefully as his neighbor.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Is she powerful enough to stop him?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'Ha ha, oh dearies, yes and no. I shagged him a lot. He is a twat, but he will not hurt me.

So I guess I can give you a map to find an annoying bitch I always wanted dead. She may trust a god's chosen long enough for you to take her.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes, ask for the directions.
[OUT]Ask how to kill Koshei instead.
[OUT]Ignore her words and capture her.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
'Good. So, to business then.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes, ask her how to kill Koshei.
[OUT]Say that you would like the shortest version of how to kill the man. [Skip Story]
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
You take your weapons out, and you immediately feel dizzy. Soon you find yourself standing outside, with no house to be seen. You find a note:

'You waited too long, my dearies. I know better than to stick around once my services are rendered. Good luck killing the toad.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'He hid his life in an egg, the egg resides inside a duck, and the duck is stuffed into a rabbit -do not ask me how. The poor creature is then locked in a chest of diamond - fancy bastard, he was - and iron, to keep away some supernatural fiends. Then all this was buried under a tree, and since I dated the fool, I know where the tree is.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank her for the information and leave.
[OUT]Attack her to get your stuff back and maybe even save those children!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
You capture the witch but she swears at you:

'Fools, do you think I would live here, by his sorry side, if I was in danger? He will not harm me, for we were once lovers, and he is old-fashioned like that. This is why I stay here. Let me go now, and you may yet have a chance to save your friend...'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Let her go.
[OUT]No, take her back to Koshei anyway!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
'Idiots. Well, I am not telling you how to kill him now, as you pissed me off more than he has. 

So I guess I can give you a map to find an annoying bitch I always wanted dead. She may trust a god's chosen long enough for you to take her.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes, ask for the directions.
[OUT][Attractive male]Apologise for the rude behaviour, and compliment her youthful complexion and obvious vitality. Ask to spend some time with her one on one to show how sorry you are...
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
'Well, I say we all make mistakes, and I am rather hungry for a nice piece of man flesh in me. Let's go.'

She grabs you by the collar and leads you into her room. It smells of herbs, old scrolls, and dried blood. You are surprised how skilled she is for a lady her age.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask if now she will tell you how to kill him, because you'd like to do it for her as much as for yourself.
[OUT]Thank her for the good time and ask for the directions to kill that other witch.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
You lost and the witch is furious. She calls out Koshei's name, and the man comes to her. He speaks to you:

'Well, now, you have angered my woman...'

'Your woman?!'

'Ehem...?right. My friend. Thus, yours will die now. And do not bother looking for me, as I am sick of this land.'

You are thrown outside. The hut and the tower that was seen from here both disappear before your eyes.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]29
[STORY]
You take only a few steps when Koshei appears:

'Well, now, you have angered my woman...'

'Your woman?!'

'Ehem...right. My friend. Thus, yours will die now. And do not bother looking for me, as I am sick of this land.'

You are thrown outside. The hut and the tower that was seen from here both disappear before your eyes.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Koshei Grove(67)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the divine oak where you can place your offerings to the gods and try to commune with your divine shepherd to ask for their aid in defeating this Koshei.

As soon as you ask your question, you hear the voice of the gods issue through the tree. It is a confusing and terrifying cacophony of sounds.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Listen.
[OUT]Politely ask the voice to simply command you what to do. [Skip Story]
[OUT]Say that you shall return, better prepared for this task.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'That creature defiled both magic and nature to sustain its filthy existence. 

Long ago there were six of them, brothers. In time, some respected the natural way and perished, and others found a calling acceptable for redemption. 

The one you speak of did neither. He still thinks he can defy the gods!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask for guidance on how to kill him.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'They have hidden their life from our sight long, long ago. Then the darkness came and we were weakened, dying. 

The Shattering once again threatens the strength of the divine, but now we have you, the chosen.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Keep listening.
[OUT]Ask how exactly he angered the gods so.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'The creature made an error when he took one of you. Through them, we can finally claim his wretched soul.

Now, you will perform a ritual that will likely hurt your spirit, but you will pay this price. Once you succeed, you can go back and kill him, and savour the look on his old face when you do, chosen ones.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Begin the ritual as instructed.
[OUT]Say that you shall return, better prepared for this task.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
There is a worrying pause that chills you to the bone, but then the voices speak:

'The creature made an error when he took one of you. Through them, we can finally claim his wretched soul.

Now, you will perform a ritual that will likely hurt your spirit, but you will pay this price. Once you succeed, you can go back and kill him, and savour the look on his old face when you do, chosen ones.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Begin the ritual as instructed.
[OUT]Say that you shall return, better prepared for this task.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
The ritual is successful and you feel the energy from the tree shower over you. At the back of your head, you can now feel the very entrance to the underworlds lying in wait for its prey. It is unsettling, to say the least.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank the gods and go look for the tower again, since you know it moves. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'The existence of the six men who wielded magic against the divine rule was ever a sore subject. But when they were six, they were mostly honourable and did noble work. Thus, they were accepted. 

The one you found was ever the rebel. Basking in his own power, seeking to break our rules forever more. And hiding, scheming. He must pay.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Keep listening.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
You failed and you feel the displeasure of the gods land heavily on you. Worse yet, when you look for the tower again, Koshei is gone, and the depleted body of your friend has been left for you to find.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Koshei witch 2(68)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the place where the viedma sent you to capture another victim for the Koshei and exchange her for your friend. 

You see this is a healer's hut. A family of four is just leaving, thanking an older woman for all the good she did. The woman looks at you:

'Have you come for my help? Be warned, I am warded against fiends of evil here.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Reassure her that you are in fact the chosen of the gods, and as such you can be trusted.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'Yes, yes, of course, I can sense your mark. I am sorry. I work hard to stay clear of the dark path of magic. Many do not like it and keep trying to take a swing at me.'

Out of the corner of your eye, you notice someone watching you from inside her hut. She likely has bodyguards here.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Now that her guard is down, attack and capture the witch!
[OUT]Tell her honestly of your predicament. Perhaps she knows a way out of it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'I am so sorry about your friend. Koshei is a blemish on the community. Alas, I do not know of a way to defeat him.

I have sworn myself to helping others, and you are the chosen. I will sacrifice my life for that of your friend so that the gods may proceed with their work.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept her sacrifice and take her back to Koshei. 
[OUT]Say that you feel bad now, and you will not do it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'I am so sorry about your friend. Koshei is a blemish on the community. Alas, I do not know of a way to defeat him.

Best I can do is offer some of my knowledge, train one of you as best I can. But I am afraid you must say farewell to your friend.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Accept this.
[OUT]Attack her!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
'It is good that you choose the path of peace. Now choose the training you would like me to give.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Train a girl to become a young witch.
[OUT]Train a zerca to heal. 
[OUT]Train a gatherer to heal.
[OUT]Train a crafter to heal.
[OUT]Train a female gatherer to become a young witch.
[OUT]Train a child to heal.
[OUT]There are none the witch deems particularly worthy, so she offers to teach a random person to heal.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'How dare you come here and burden me with your woes. You are the chosen, and you are supposed to deal with such things for us common folk! I am very sad to hear of your friend's fate, but I do not know how to aid you. You'd best leave.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave, even if it means abandoning your kidnapped friend for good.
[OUT]You must save your friend. Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
When you look for the tower again, Koshei is gone, and the depleted body of your friend has been left for you to find.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
You capture the witch and kill her bodyguards. She cries out in pain for her loss.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take her to Koshei.
[OUT]Ask about her odd choice of bodyguards.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee. When you look for the tower again, Koshei is gone, and the depleted body of your friend has been left for you to find.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
'Why, do you suppose all creatures of the night are evil? I cured his bloodlust and he protected me. He was my...you beast!'

She turns away from you and does not speak anymore, only cries.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take her to Koshei.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Kochei Tree(69)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the tree under which Koshei's diamond chest should be buried. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Dig it out.
[OUT]Come back later.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
You dig the chest out, but there doesn't seem to be a way to open it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Use brute force.
[OUT][Magic user]Use magic.
[OUT][Intelligence]Try to figure out a way.
[OUT]Come back later.
[OUT]Take it back to Koshei to negotiate for your friend's life.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
You break the chest open, and inside you find a dried-up rabbit with an unnaturally bloated stomach. You delve deeper and uncover the duck and finally the egg. You break the egg and a hiss of energy is released. 

The tower appears nearby and you hear a scream of agony:

'Noooo! How?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go get your friend.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You see the dried-up remains of Koshei, his face twisted in fear. You sense the presence of the goddess Nyia as she claims this wayward soul for a long-awaited punishment.

Your friend is weakened, but alive. The tower, alas, is just as dried up as its owner.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take them and leave this place.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
You fail to open the chest. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take it back to Koshei to negotiate for your friend's life.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
You open the chest, and inside you find a dried-up rabbit with an unnaturally bloated stomach. You delve deeper and uncover the duck and finally the egg. You break the egg and a hiss of energy is released. 

The tower appears nearby and you hear a scream of agony:

'Noooo! How?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go get your friend.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
You open the chest, and inside you find a dried-up rabbit with an unnaturally bloated stomach. You delve deeper and uncover the duck and finally the egg. You break the egg and a hiss of energy is released. 

The tower appears nearby and you hear a scream of agony:

'Noooo! How?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go get your friend.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Koshei Chest(70)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find Koshei's tower again, and as you approach, he comes out to meet you. He looks anxious. His skeletal minions hold your friend.

'I see you have recovered something of mine. An easy swap, yes?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes, give him back the chest for your friend.
[OUT]He is obviously desperate for this. Ask for a reward on top of it.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'Good, good. Now go.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Fine, have a reward too. Now go.'

He hands over your friend and a bundle of goods. Then he runs back into the tower, clutching the chest.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
You find Koshei's tower again, and as you approach, he comes out, poised for an attack:

'You think you can come and blackmail ME? You will die and I will take the chest off your corpse!'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[OUT]Tell him you were not going to blackmail him. You are simply nice enough to return the chest to him unopened. All you ask is your friend back, a favour for a favour. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
You defeat Koshei, but you are at the same standstill. 

He rises, but this time he is not laughing. He looks you up and down:

'A worthy opponent, yes. I cannot seem to defeat you, and you cannot kill me. You could go away and try to open the chest, but then your kin would be dead. I yield. Hand over the chest, and I shall free your friend and throw in a gift.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'No!'

He attacks.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
You are defeated and Koshei takes the chest off you:

'I should kill you all now, but I suppose you did me a favour by finding the egg. 

Begone, and do not return for I will no longer be here. Your friend is lost, but you live on.'

He throws you out of the tower and you watch it disappear.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
You exchange the chest for your friend and Koshei walks into his tower, then the whole thing disappears.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'You arrogant whelp! I shall take the chest off your corpse!'

He attacks.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Kochei Kill(71)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You return to the tower and approach Koshei. He turns to you with a smug smile:

'What, come to beg, or play fight again?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack him!
[OUT]Tell him of your power and suggest that he gives back your friend if he wishes to live.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
You defeat Koshei and, just as before, he rises and tries to reset his bones. But to his utter terror, his body remains mangled and slowly begins to rot away, while he yet lives:

'Noooo! What have you done! How?'

You see a crack in the floor open, and ghostly hands drag Koshei straight into the underworld.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Get your friend.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
Your friend is alive and you feel the gods are pleased with your deed. 

The tower, alas, rots away like its former master, so you are forced to leave quickly.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
He watches you intensely and takes a few steps back. You see fear in his eyes for the first time:

'You...how? This should not be possible, we calculated...yes, yes, I agree to your terms. Here, I'll throw in a gift for the one who bested me. This has never happened to me before...'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Take your friend back and leave the tower as agreed. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
You are defeated, and Koshei laughs at you and your gods:

'I should kill you all now, but I suppose you amused me. 

Begone, and do not return for I will no longer be here. Your friend is lost, but you live on.'

He throws you out of the tower and you watch it disappear.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
He watches you intensely and takes a few steps back. You see fear in his eyes for the first time. But before you are able to speak again, you feel the wrath of the gods fall upon you both.

Koshei is dragged back into the underworld along with his entire tower and your friend, and you feel the gods are disappointed in your attempts to shirk your duty.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Koshei Exchange(72)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the tower again and Koshei welcomes you:

'Ah, so you caught me a witch, did you? Oh, and she does smell of power, how splendid.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Hand the witch over.
[OUT]Negotiate for a better reward.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'Good, good. Now go.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
'Fine, have a reward too. Now go.'

He hands over your friend and a bundle of goods, then returns to his work, waving you away.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]12
[STORY]
You defeat Koshei, but you are at the same standstill. He rises, but this time he is not laughing. He looks you up and down:

'A worthy opponent, yes. I cannot seem to defeat you, and you cannot kill me. How amusing. I shall free your friend and throw in a gift. But pray, do not cross my path again, for I may not be in such a good mood next time.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
You are defeated and Koshei laughs at you:

'Begone, and do not return for I will no longer be here. Your friend is lost, but you live on.'

He throws you out of the tower and you watch it disappear.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
You exchange the witch for your friend. Koshei walks into his tower, then the whole thing disappears.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'You arrogant whelp!'

He attacks.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Holy Trinket(73)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across some slavers. They stop and show you their wares:

'We ain't got much right now, but you're welcome to look.?
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
Most of their stock are farm animals, but you do see a fairly healthy goat.

There are also some children, but they look very ill - barely alive, in fact. There is one human, one goblin, and one orc youngster here.

You also see a woman who is gagged, with a price tag of 25 mithril or better metal.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask about the woman.
[OUT]Buy the goat.
[OUT]Buy the human child.
[OUT]Buy the goblin child.
[OUT]Buy the orc child.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'Oh, her - special find. We're selling her on behalf of a client, hence the specific price. 

Truth be told, she was once his prized crafter. ?Hands of gold,? he called her. Promised him the lead on some old treasure, a divine goblet or some other rubbish.

But as with such time wasters, she became more trouble than she was worth, so he told us to sell her.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Buy her.
[OUT]Go back to the other wares.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
The woman bows before you as a servant would:

'Thank you, oh, thank you so much! I can lead you to the holy trinket, that I can, yes.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell her she does not need to do anything. She is free to stay with you or go.
[OUT]Say that she'd better, as you paid a lot for her.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]18
[STORY]
She looks at you rather shocked, then smiles. Her face changes from a simpleton to a confident woman as she answers:

'I have waited long for those words. I did not think folk had it in them anymore. I thank you, and the gods will bless your kindness. Farewell.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Wish her well and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You kill the slavers but find that they destroyed most of their 'stock' rather than let you have it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Search for any survivors and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You rescue a woman. She bows before you as a servant would:

'Thank you, oh, thank you so much! I can lead you to the holy trinket, that I can, yes.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell her she does not need to do anything. She is free to stay with you or go.
[OUT]Say that she'd better, as you risked your own life to rescue her.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee, and they may have taken someone into slavery!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Run.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Holy Trinket 2(74)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
The directions from Yukislava lead you to a large hallowed tree. She told you the holy trinket is inside.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask her what this trinket is supposed to be, anyway.
[OUT]Nod and check the tree.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'Oh, well, people say it is the very artefact that the all-father Perun held in his arm before he disappeared from our lands.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]And how did she come to know of this?
[OUT]Nod and check the tree.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Well, you see, I am the direct descending daughter of the servant to Briamir, and he of course was the second general who died less heroically but in that same moment that Mokosh took the spirit of Perun into her arms and made him divine.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod and check the tree.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You reach into the hallowed tree and are grabbed by something!
[/STORY]
[OUT]Fight!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You kill the eldercones, and Yukislava looks really sad but does not say anything. Inside the tree is indeed a buried artefact, but it is hardly worth being called divine.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take it and leave.
[OUT]Ask Yukislava why she did not fight with you or tell you about the eldercones.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'I only ever said I knew where the divine trinket was buried, masters. Never said it was unguarded. But you fought well, so I will stay and serve for good now.'

You see a change in her demeanour. She looks more relaxed around you now and stops behaving like a dumb servant.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the trinket and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]11
[STORY]
The eldercones beat you badly and yell, 'You cannot have the divine grail!'

They take Yukislava away with them and curse the lot of you. The girl waves at you:

'Always look at the bright side of life, unless it is about to burn you. Farewell!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
The directions from Yukislava lead you to a large oak tree. She told you the holy trinket is hidden within it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask her what this trinket is supposed to be, anyway.
[OUT]Nod and check the tree.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
'Oh, well, people say it is the very artefact that the all-father Perun held in his arm before he disappeared from our lands.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]And how did she come to know of this?
[OUT]Nod and check the tree.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
The tree rises, opens its eyes, and stares at you in bewilderment:

'What?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell it that you search for a divine artefact and were told it is hidden here.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
'Well, you see, I am the direct descending daughter of the servant to Briamir, and he of course was the second general who died less heroically but in that same moment that Mokosh took the spirit of Perun into her arms and made him divine.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Nod and check the tree.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
'Bah, the divine trinket is a silly story told by silly demons who never learn their place.'

He snaps a twig at Yukislava, and she is turned into an eldercone. 

'That's better. Now, silly one, go back with these folk, learn to be good, and leave me be.'
[/STORY]
[OUT][Forest demon]Ask the leshy why he speaks so normally.
[OUT]Thank him and leave with your changed companion.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'I took diction classes from a goblin. They are fast little things. Now, I may speak quickly, but I am still in need of my tree sleep. Begone, little ones.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave with your changed companion.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
'Bah, the divine trinket is a silly story told by silly demons who never learn their place.'

He snaps a twig at Yukislava, and she is turned into an eldercone and taken by the tree. The leshy snaps at you:

'And you, begone from my sight. I have nooo patience fooor you!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave them.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You kill the leshy and find that one of his branches was a strong wand.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask Yukislava if it is the divine treasure she spoke of.
[OUT]Take the wand and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
The woman looks shocked that you defeated the leshy, but when you speak to her, she resumes her 'loyal servant' routine:

'Oh, yes, yes, must be, masters, must be. Now, let us go and face more adventures. The gods are surely happy now.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take the wand and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]30
[STORY]
You come to a tree, but there is nothing here, although you feel you may see something if you take Yukislava here with you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]32
[STORY]
'Thank you! Here is a family heirloom I hid away, for you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank her and leave together.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
You find a stash of goods under a tree, but when you reach for it, you discover it was rigged with odd green powder that explodes in your faces and makes you ill.

Yukislava, now turned into her true form as an unliving, looks at you, scared:

'Please don't kill me or sell me on. If you kill me, you will be cursed, and if you sell me on, this will just continue, and I do not want more trouble for people. Just never ask me to take you to the treasure again, and let me stay. Please?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Agree to her terms and let her stay with you.
[OUT]Kill her.
[OUT]Tell her to leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]36
[STORY]
The leshy defeats you and shouts: 'You cannot have one of mine!'

He takes Yukislava away and curses the lot of you. The girl waves at you:

'Always look at the bright side of life, unless it is about to burn you. Farewell!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Bunny Man(75)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You come across a small hamlet of houses. You hear terrible cries from one of them, and you see a child sitting outside, covering their ears.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Approach the child and ask what is going on.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Oh, sorry. It's Uncle Tobiasz again. He's our hunter, but he is really weird. He lost his bunny again and he just cries and shouts all day. They told me to watch him, but I am real sick of it. Can you tell him to stop, or leave? We've all had enough. He attacked my da because he thought the stupid bunny was at our place.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell him you will speak to the man.
[OUT]Agree to help find the bunny so the man calms down. 
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
You walk into the house and see a man clutching a bunch of white fur. His eyes are bloodshot and swollen, his hair unruly, and he is pacing up and down the room. He spots you and grabs you by your clothes:

'You, have you seen him? Have you seen BUNNY? Or did you kill him? Oh no, no, no don't say that, nooo...'

The boy looks at you and throws up his arms.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell the man to calm the hells down. He is scaring the child. 
[OUT]Say that you will help him find his bunny if he promises to stop behaving like this.
[OUT]This is none of your business. Leave.
[OUT]Kill him.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'Calm down? I can't CALM DOWN!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Say that you will help him find his bunny if he promises to stop behaving like this.
[OUT]This is none of your business. Leave.
[OUT]Kill him.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You take one good swing at the crazy bunny man and he falls on the floor, dead and finally quiet.

The child stares at you, then speaks:

'Awesome!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask the child to come with you.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'All right, why not? My pa always says I need to go be my own person.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'You will? Oh my, thank you! He is small, like this, and he is white and fluffy and he likes carrots, and when he got lost all I found was this odd drawing of a tree.'

The man is in no state to accompany you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Oddly, you recognise this tree. You passed it on your way here. Mark it on your map and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Bunny 1(76)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You follow the trail of the lost bunny and find a pack of wolves circling an area. Their howling sounds desperate, not aggressive.

Almost every wolf in the pack is injured in some way. One has a broken paw, one a swollen nose, another a bitten ear, and one looks like it was chewed and spat out.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Animal kinship]Ask the wolves what happened.
[OUT][Hunter]Observe the wolves further.
[OUT]Kill the wolves.
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
You see the alpha run out from behind a tree, shouting:

'Nu pagadi!' He has a branch stuck in his eyes. He turns to you and speaks:

'Oww, it is bad, sooo bad. All we wanted was some good rabbit meat, juicy, succulent...but that damned thing, it is as if fate itself protects it! Please, please take it away!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look for the bunny.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
The wolves point you to a small clearing where a white bunny is grazing. All around it you see oddities, broken traps, and pieces of wolf fur. There is a dead wolf under a stone that must have fallen from the sky.

The bunny occasionally stops grazing and starts dancing and humming a tune. Then it stops and eats again.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go get the bunny.
[OUT][Intelligence]Figure out a way to get the bunny safely, as there is clearly something odd happening here.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
You see the alpha run out from behind a tree, shouting:

'Nu pagadi!' He has a branch stuck in his eyes. He turns to you and speaks:

'Oww, it is bad, sooo bad. All we wanted was some good rabbit meat, juicy, succulent...but that damned thing, it is as if fate itself protects it! Please, please take it away!'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look for the bunny.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
It takes you a long time to try to catch the little bugger.

You finally approach the bunny and try to grab it. At the last second, the creature is spooked by a sudden bird cry, and a dead stork dives right into you.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try again.
[OUT]Kill it!
[OUT]Abandon this task. Leave!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
It takes you a long time to try to catch the little bugger.

You finally approach the bunny and try to grab it. At the last second, you step into a hole you could swear was not there before. The hole is filled with obnoxious, filthy sludge - perhaps excrement? It makes you ill.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try again.
[OUT]Kill it!
[OUT]Abandon this task. Leave!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]16
[STORY]
It takes you a long time to try to catch the little bugger.

You finally approach the bunny and try to grab it. At the last second, it does its odd little dance so you miss, and you trip and land facedown on a rattlesnake that bites you in the eye before slithering away.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try again.
[OUT]Kill it!
[OUT]Abandon this task. Leave!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
It takes you a long time to try to catch the little bugger.

You finally approach the bunny and try to grab it. At the last second, it begins its odd little dance, but you are ready for such twists and you nab it and put it into a basket.

You hear grateful howls from afar.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Go find the rabbit man.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
You figure out that an odd turn of fate creates a distraction mere seconds before the creature is to be taken. Once you know the pattern, it is easier to work around it.

You finally approach the bunny and try to grab it. At the last second, it begins its odd little dance, but you are ready for such twists and you nab it and put it into a basket.

You hear grateful howls from afar.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Go find the rabbit man.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
You have no idea what is going on here.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try to grab the bunny.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]25
[STORY]
You take a swing at the bunny, but you lose your footing at the last minute and hit yourself instead.

Eventually, you do get the little bugger, but it was not an easy task.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]26
[STORY]
You kill most of the pack, but others escape and watch you from afar, as if waiting to see something. Then you see a small clearing where a white bunny is grazing. All around it you see oddities, broken traps, and pieces of wolf fur. There is a dead wolf under a stone that must have fallen from the sky.

The bunny occasionally stops grazing and starts dancing and humming a tune. Then it stops and eats again.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go get the bunny.
[OUT]Abandon this task and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]27
[STORY]
The wolves beat you, but they look too worn out to chase after you. 

In fact, one of them points you in the direction of the bunny you came to find.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Look where they pointed.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]30
[STORY]
You see a small clearing where a white bunny is grazing. All around it you see oddities, broken traps, and pieces of wolf fur. There is a dead wolf under a stone that must have fallen from the sky.

The bunny occasionally stops grazing and starts dancing and humming a tune. Then it stops and eats again.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Go get the bunny.
[OUT]Abandon this task and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Bunny 2(77)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You follow the trail of the lost bunny and come across a large mansion where an old man greets you.

He sits by a lake in his garden, surrounded by several rusalka who serve him. All of the women have rabbit ears crudely sewn onto their foreheads and rabbit tails attached to their bottoms.

[/STORY]
[OUT][Water demon]Speak to your sisters in the tongue of water and ask why they serve this sick old man so. He is not even a vodnik.
[OUT]Speak to the man. Ask about the lost bunny.
[OUT]Attack!
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
They turn to you and whisper:

'We are freed from the rules of water, but as you well know, our nature commands that we follow another. This master is odd, true, but it is fun here, and we like it.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Ask about the dead animal parts sewn onto them.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Oh, yes. An oddity the old man likes.'

The way they speak to you seems off, and you suspect those rabbit parts are enchanted.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try to break the enchantment by facing your kin in spiritual battle. 
[OUT]They will likely defend the old man, but they must be freed. Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]7
[STORY]
You kill the man and some of his 'bunnies'. Those who live look shocked and lost. They quickly dive into the lake.

Alas, you do not find any living bunnies.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
You are badly beaten and forced to flee. If you try to return, the house is gone.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]13
[STORY]
'I am afraid the only bunnies hopping around are my lovelies. Here, have a drink on me.

But I can sell you this little white goat - it kind of looks like a bunny. I almost thought it was at first, hence it being here with me.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Buy the fake bunny to try to trick the bunny man.
[OUT][Attractive]Ask for the fake bunny for free.
[OUT]No, abandon this task and leave.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]19
[STORY]
'Why, I never could say no to a pretty face. Here, take it and have fun.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]20
[STORY]
'Please vacate my premises. You are spoiling my view of the bunnies.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Abandon this task and leave.
[OUT]Attack!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
You free the rusalka and they immediately attack the old man, ripping him into shreds and drowning his bloody carcass in the lake. 

One turns to you:

'Thank you. We do not have any live bunnies for you, but here, take this goat - it looks a bit like a bunny. Maybe your man will take it.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank them and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]24
[STORY]
You fail to defeat the rusalka and are forced to run. If you try to return, the house is gone.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Bunny Man 2(78)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
The bunny man, Tobiasz, finds you on your way back:

'You found him! Thank you, thank you so much. I shall come with you and be at your service from now on. Oh, and Radzio gave me this gift for you, said to tell you thanks and good luck. Whatever does he mean, odd child...?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave together.
[OUT]Actually, admit that you do not have the bunny.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'What, but...why? Bring him to me, then I will come with you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Bunny Man 3(79)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
The bunny man, Tobiasz, finds you on your way back. He is accompanied by a friend:

'You found him?'

He looks at you suspiciously. 
[/STORY]
[OUT]Take out the white baby goat and convince him it is in fact his bunny, changed by magic.
[OUT]Actually, admit that you do not have the bunny (or the goat bunny with you).
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
'What, but...why? Bring him to me, then I will come with you.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]8
[STORY]
'Oh, well, fair enough. We are reunited, Nala!

'Now, I shall join you. Oh, and Radzio gave me this gift for you, said to tell you thanks and good luck. Whatever does he mean, odd child...?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave together.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'No, no, you evil people...'

He runs off distraught.

[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Bunny 3(80)
+[NODE]2
[STORY]
You find the place where you should look for the lost bunny, but you find a group of armour-clad warriors standing outside a cave, arguing.

'You go in now.'
'No, you.'
'We should just leave.'
'It is our duty to -'
'Oh, just shut up with the duty.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Approach and ask what is going on and whether they've seen the bunny.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]3
[STORY]
The armed fighters turn to you, weapons at the ready but not drawn:

'The bunny? You must be kidding, right? We've been trying to kill the little sod for days. It guards the entrance to a treasure we seek.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]A bunny?
[OUT]Tell them to move aside and send one person to retrieve the animal.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]4
[STORY]
'Let us not do the whole "a bunny, you must be kidding" - the thing is obviously enchanted or something. Unfortunately, one of its first victims was our wise one, so we're stuck. Say, if you help us get rid of it, we'll share the treasure, eh?'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Tell them to move aside and send one person to retrieve the animal.
[OUT][Magic user]Take a closer look at the animal.
[OUT]Agree to help. Do they have a plan?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]5
[STORY]
'The way we see it, we have two choices. Our zerca was a follower of Svarog, and he made this sun artefact that is said to cleanse any darkness from any creature. But it needs a very specific activation, and, well, we do not know what it is on account of the man dying before he told us. If you do it wrong, the sun will burn us all.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]And the second choice?
[OUT][Magic user]Take a closer look at the animal.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]6
[STORY]
'The second would be us all working together. You go distract the little bugger, maybe even catch it for its owner if you wish, and we sneak in to get the treasure. 

Apparently, once the treasure is taken, any magic will collapse, so perhaps your rabbit will become normal again.'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Try the direct path and distract the bunny.
[OUT]Attempt to use the sun artefact.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]9
[STORY]
'Are you sure? It did not end well for us.'

They stand aside, but you see the corpses of men and a small white bunny grazing on them.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes, go.
[OUT]No, bad idea.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]10
[STORY]
The bunny tears into you as if you were a puppet, its beady black eyes glistening with joy as your blood splatters its snowy fur.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack together!
[OUT]Abandon this task. Leave!
[OUT][Magic user]Take a closer look at the animal.
[OUT]Agree to help. Do they have a plan?
[/NODE]

+[NODE]14
[STORY]
The bunny bites and tears at your flesh. It is too small and too fast - your numbers help you to stay alive but not to kill it.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Retreat and consider other options.
[OUT]Abandon this task. Leave!
[/NODE]

+[NODE]15
[STORY]
This bunny is possessed by a particularly nasty bies. Perhaps even more than one. They are all bound to an object inside the cave.

You can try to take the bies out of the bunny, then attack the creatures as it will no longer be as deadly.

Or you can attempt a ritual to banish the bies, but it will be tough.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Do the ritual.
[OUT]Expose the bies and fight with them!
[OUT]Drag the bies out and face them in a spiritual fight.
[OUT]Try other options.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]17
[STORY]
The bies are defeated and the bunny is its normal self again. The warriors look at you with respect:

'Now that is what we call professional. Here, your share of the treasure, rightfully earned. May the sun god keep you safe.'

They move out.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack them and take all the treasure!
[OUT]Wish them well also and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]21
[STORY]
You defeat the warriors and claim their part of the treasure, but it turns out the only thing they took from the chest was a ring, one of little value as far as you can tell.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]22
[STORY]
The warriors defeat you but leave you alive and do not even take back the treasure they gave you. They simply leave in silence.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]23
[STORY]
You are defeated and the white bunny dies in the fight too. 

The other warriors eventually kill the bies. One of them comes over:

'You fought well and gave us the opportunity to take what we came here for. Here is a small reward. I am sorry your animal died.'

They depart.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]27
[STORY]
Your ritual banishes the bies from this place and the bunny is its normal self again. The warriors look at you with respect:

'Now that is what we call professional. Here, your share of the treasure, rightfully earned. May the sun god keep you safe.'

They move out.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack them and take all the treasure!
[OUT]Wish them well also and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]28
[STORY]
Your ritual fails and the white bunny attacks you. The warriors use you as bait and manage to kill it.

The other warriors eventually kill the bies. One of them comes over:

'You fought well and gave us the opportunity to take what we came here for. Here is a small reward. I am sorry your animal died.'

They depart.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]30
[STORY]
They present you with a circular object, handcrafted in mithril and pristine matter. 

You need to whisper the right number so that it works properly.
[/STORY]
[OUT][Light]You do not know the number, but you call upon your domain to obey your command!
[OUT][Zerca]The number shall be three, of course - certainly not four, absolutely not five, and one would never say two, no. Three.
[OUT]Nine, like the number of the gods.
[OUT]Three seems like a good number.
[OUT]Ten is often used as a countdown.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]32
[STORY]
You whisper the number and throw the ball. In three heartbeats it opens up and a blinding, divine light washes over you all. The bunny is cleansed and you feel replenished too. 

'Now that is what we call professional. Here, your share of the treasure, rightfully earned. May the sun god keep you safe.'

They move out.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack them and take all the treasure!
[OUT]Wish them well also and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]33
[STORY]
You whisper the number and throw the ball. In three heartbeats it opens up and a blinding, divine light washes over you all. The bunny is cleansed and you feel replenished too. 

'Now that is what we call professional. Here, your share of the treasure, rightfully earned. May the sun god keep you safe.'

They move out.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack them and take all the treasure!
[OUT]Wish them well also and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
You call out to your domain and throw the ball. In three heartbeats it opens up and a blinding, divine light washes over you all. The bunny is cleansed and you feel replenished too. 

'Now that is what we call professional. Here, your share of the treasure, rightfully earned. May the sun god keep you safe.'

They move out.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack them and take all the treasure!
[OUT]Wish them well also and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]35
[STORY]
The orb explodes and kills the bunny and the warriors and almost kills you. Your divine connection is likely the only reason you are alive. There is no treasure to be found, only ashes.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]37
[STORY]
You manage to fool the bunny long enough for the warriors to break the spell. The bunny is its normal self again. The warriors look at you with respect:

'Now that is what we call professional. Here, your share of the treasure, rightfully earned. May the sun god keep you safe.'

They move out.
[/STORY]
[OUT]Attack them and take all the treasure!
[OUT]Wish them well also and leave.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]39
[STORY]
You did a good job as bait, but not without some severe wounds. To save your life, the warriors had to kill the rabbit, and they lost more men:

'You fought well and gave us the opportunity to take what we came here for. Here is a small reward. I am sorry your animal died.'

They depart.


[/STORY]
[OUT]Leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

-- [EVENT] --Dwarf baker2(81)
+[NODE]26
[STORY]
'You found it yet? No? Go away...'
[/STORY]
[OUT]Yes.
[OUT]Leave to look for the obsidian lump to get rid of the ghost.
[/NODE]

+[NODE]34
[STORY]
'Ah, ya got it, great. Give it quick, I'll take it back myself. Here, a reward as promised! Metal and stone to ya, laddie. Oh, and I marked a spot for some good mining for ya too.'

[/STORY]
[OUT]Thank him and leave.
[/NODE]

[/EVENT]

