Short Interactive Scene

This is a short interactive event comprised of two scenes. [[Begin->0.1]]

$scene[EXT. A BEETLE FARM] //GRENNICH strolls ahead, into a small camp in a clearing. A patch of tilled land is overrun with beetles. Otherwise the surrounds are quiet and rustic. Only a little wind blows.// $character[GRENNICH]: Here we are then. This here's my little farm. You're welcome to stay a while. Do you like beetles? [[Yes.->Yes. (1)]] [[No.->No. (1)]]

$character[ZORAN]: I guess, sure. $character[GRENNICH]: Grand! Come on, sit down. I'll introduce you to some of the boys. [[(continue)->1.2]]

$character[ZORAN]: Er, not really. $character[GRENNICH]: Everybody likes beetles! Come on, sit down. I'll get us something to eat. [[(continue)->1.2]]

//GRENNICH rekindles the ashes of an old campfire and sits himself down on a log seat.// $character[GRENNICH]: So, Zoran. Where're you from? [[Tritas, if I recall.]] [[Don't remember. Is there anything out here might have eaten my memory?]]

$character[GRENNICH]: The Satra Wood! Named after a dead spirit, if you're curious. We've got loads. Real liminal threshold here between magic... and beetles. [[How do you get into beetle farming?]] [[What's all that up in the glade?]] (if: $LakesideCheck is true)[ [[What's a Portent?]] [[Lakeside?]] ]

$character[GRENNICH]: Well, you know, one does. I met Zakariah one day down near Tadrosse, on the river bank. Took 'im in, he's been with me ever since. [[Where is here, anyway?]] [[What's all that up in the glade?]] (if: $LakesideCheck is true)[ [[What's a Portent?]] [[Lakeside?]] ]

$character[GRENNICH]: Aye, that be the Portents. (link:'Can I use them to get back to Tritas?)[$character[GRENNICH]: Dunno. Never tried touching one. I always figure they're dangerous, being magic and all. Don't touch them, myself. But you're not far from Lakeside, so don't worry! (set: $LakesideCheck to true) [[Where is here, anyway?]] [[How do you get into beetle farming?]] [[What's a Portent?]] [[Lakeside?]]

$character[GRENNICH]: Pfff. Can't really say, I'm no Mage (link: 'Just how deadly is this place?')[$character[GRENNICH]: 'Bout average. Most of the folks in Lakeside who get lost in here turn up as skeletons. It's been a big problem lately. They multiply, see? 'Sides, the village is gettin' a bit sparse. Can't really be affording any more children coming in here, so they teach 'em better now than they used to. [[(continue)->1.3]]] (if: LakesideCheck is false)[ (link: 'Any transport come through there?')[$character[GRENNICH]: Aye, but not often. Lakeside's just a little townish sort of place, over east somewhere. Don't go there much myself, 'cept to sell beetles and buy drink now and again. Nice wee shopkeeper there; I always say hello. She likes beetles. [[(continue)->1.3]]]

$character[GRENNICH]: Aye, Lakeside. Little townish sort of place, over east somewhere. Don't go there much myself, 'cept to sell beetles and buy drink now and again. Nice wee shopkeeper there; I always say hello. She likes beetles. (Link: 'Any transport come through there?')[$character[GRENNICH]: Aye, but not often. Don't blame you for wanting to leave, though, if the Portents are acting up. [[What's a Portent?]]]

//The sun starts to come up, filling the clearing with faint light. GRENNICH and ZORAN sit watching the fire for awhile.// $character[GRENNICH]: What're you thinking of doin' with your life, then, assuming it is yours? (link:'Dunno.')[$character[GRENNICH]: Not a bad thing not to know. Spend a decade wandering around the woods. You'll find another one. (link:'(continue)')[//GRENNICH nods and tends to the fire.// [$character[GRENNICH]: Have you considered getting into beetle farming? We need more like you. Good folks with a sense of perspective about the industry. [[Yeah, maybe.]] [[I'm just not that into beetles.]] ]]

$character[GRENNICH]: Grand! (link: "I mean, I hadn't really thought about it--is there any money in it?")[$character[GRENNICH]: No, not really. It's more just, you know, the perspective of it. [['(continue)'->1.4]] ]

//GRENNICH looks crestfallen./// (link: 'Sorry. No offense or anything. I just don't like crawling things.')[$character[GRENNICH]: No, no. It's fine! Not for everyone. [[(continue)->1.4]] ]

$character[GRENNICH]: Here, let me get you something. //GRENNICH disappears into the tent and rummages, emerging a few seconds later with a package.// $character[GRENNICH]: This'll get you places. //He hands over a package of beetles.// (link: '(It would be impolite not to accept.)')[$character[GRENNICH]: If you do end up settlin' down, it's a good starter pack. And if your travels take you someplace else, sell this and get a ticket out of town from that lovely wee shopkeep down in Lakeside.(set: $finish to true) [[(End scene.)->Finish]] ]

(set: $character to (font: "Courier New")) (set: $scene to (font: "Courier New"))

Thanks for playing through--I hope you enjoyed the scene. [[Start screen->Start]] [[Scene One->0.1]] [[Scene Two->1.1]] Thanks! Dylan

$scene[EXT. A Path in the WOod] //A large man is standing, only somewhat lost, at the end of a slightly-tended forest path. He stares into the woods, as if slightly confused, although it's not clear by what.// $character[GRENNICH]: Oh my gods. Another person? Living? [[Yes.]] [[I think so.]] [[Maybe not.]] [[No.]]

$character[GRENNICH]: Pleased to meet you then. Not often you see the living 'round these parts. (link: '(continue)')[I'm Grennich, by the by. Tell me, you lost too? [[I was rather hoping you weren't.]] [[Kind of hard to know, isn't it?]] ]

$character[GRENNICH]: Not to worry. We might be able to patch you up. (link: '(continue)')[I'm Grennich, by the by. Tell me, you lost too? [[I was rather hoping you weren't.]] [[Kind of hard to know, isn't it?]] ]

$character[GRENNICH]: Interesting. Know any of the other skeletal folks in the area? Been meaning to get to know a few. (link: '(continue)')[I'm Grennich, by the by. Tell me, you lost too? [[I was rather hoping you weren't.]] [[Kind of hard to know, isn't it?]] ]

$character[GRENNICH]: Aye, that could be your brain playing tricks on you. Not too many skeletons keep those, so you're good on that front. Terribly off in other ways, but who's judging? (link: 'continue')['Course, I live nearby, so I really shouldn't be lost. Went out to get some kindling, got lost. Didn't know you could do those two things at once. Don't suppose you're the sort can find his way out of here, eh? It'll be that way. Often is. [[You want to lead?]] [[Follow me....]] ]

$character[GRENNICH]: Don't think so, no. Truth is, leading isn't as interesting. I'll follow along, if you don't mind. You look like the sort knows where they're goin'. Lead on! [[Start screen->Start]] [[Play the next scene.->1.1]] [[Repeat this scene.->0.1]]

$character[GRENNICH]: That's the spirit. No use rushing into things, is what I always say. You look the sort who knows where they're going. Lead on! [[Start screen->Start]] [[Play the next scene.->1.1]] [[Repeat this scene.->0.1]]

$character[GRENNICH]: Always possible you don't. There are a couple things out here eat memories. Haven't seen too many lately, but nasty lot if you do. I still don't remember much of my thirties. [[Where is here, anyway?]] [[How do you get into beetle farming?]] [[What's all that up in the glade?]]

$character[GRENNICH]: Hmm. Maybe a couple things. Haven't seen too many lately, but nasty lot if you do. I still don't remember much of my thirties. [[Where is here, anyway?]] [[How do you get into beetle farming?]] [[What's all that up in the glade?->What's all that up in the glade?]]

$character[GRENNICH]: Glad to hear it. You'll be more certain later. Never good to rush these things. (link: '(continue)')[I'm Grennich, by the by. Tell me, you lost too? [[I was rather hoping you weren't.]] [[Kind of hard to know, isn't it?]] ]

$character[GRENNICH]: Oh, bad luck there. (link: 'continue')['Course, I live nearby, so I really shouldn't be lost. Went out to get some kindling, got lost. Didn't know you could do those two things at once. Don't suppose you're the sort can find his way out of here, eh? It'll be that way. Often is. [[You want to lead?]] [[Follow me....]] ]