"THE EXIGENT SEASONS" Volume I - The Game Source Book 1 - Metagame Management Part 1 - Bibliographic Data The story author is "Jason Love". The story headline is "How will you steer the autonomous city-state of Valdara?". The story genre is "Fiction". The release number is 3. The story description is "A quiz from a magazine. A bored friend. His notepad, his dice, and altogether too much time until the rest of your friends arrive." The story creation year is 2021. Use American dialect and the serial comma. Use scoring. Release along with cover art ("The cover of Parapet Magazine, in which the main article is titled The Exigent Seasons. The magazine art depicts roleplaying figurines scaling a stone fortress wall."), an interpreter, and the source text. To say header style: (- glk_set_style( style_Header ); -). Rule for printing the banner text while the player is uneducated: say "[header style][story title][roman type][line break][fake headline]An analytical quiz by [fake author][line break]Release [release number] / Serial number 220219 / Inform 7 build 6M62 (I6/v6.33 lib 6/12N) SD[line break][italic type](For more information about the game, please type ABOUT at any time; CREDITS are also available.)[roman type][line break]". To say fake headline: say "How will you steer the autonomous city-state of Valdara? ". To say fake author: say "Jason Love[one of], exclusively for [italic type]Parapet Monthly[roman type][or][stopping]". Part 2 - Extensions and Effects Include Basic Screen Effects by Emily Short. Include Unicode Character Names by Graham Nelson. Rule for constructing the status line: center "[location]" at row 1; rule succeeds. The you-can-also-see rule does nothing. Part 3 - New Actions Fullscoring is an action out of world. Understand "full" and "fullscore" and "full score" as fullscoring. Report fullscoring: say "You reviewed [score in words] ending[s] out of a possible [maximum score in words] before you embarked on your final path."; carry out the Reciting Endings activity. Abouting is an action out of world. Understand "about" and "info" as abouting. Report abouting: say "In this game, your friend Trev is obsessed with a magazine quiz and wants to see how many endings you can get before you both get bored. Only three commands are required: [bold type]WAIT[roman type] (or [bold type]Z[roman type]) will give Trev the time he needs to prepare questions or calculate endings; [bold type]TAKE[roman type] will allow you to select from the paths he offers; finally, [bold type]LEAVE[roman type] will communicate your boredom to Trev and let you end the game. (If you ever need Trev to repeat the current crisis description, just [bold type]TALK[roman type] to him.) To track your progress, you can use [bold type]SCORE[roman type] for a simple count of the endings you've discovered, or [bold type]FULLSCORE[roman type] for a more detailed list[one of].[or]. You may also prefer to obtain [bold type]HELP[roman type], get a [bold type]HINT[roman type], or if all else fails, you can [bold type]CHEAT[roman type] if the quiz isn't holding your interest.[stopping][line break]Please send me any feedback, bug reports, or transcripts to JSNLXNDRLV@GMAIL.COM. Version 2 of the game, which includes improved improved text and fewer adverbs, still listed the version number as 1. Version number 2 is identical, with the exception of these two sentences and the inclusion of the source code on the website."; try crediting. Crediting is an action out of world. Understand "credits" and "testers" as crediting. Report crediting: say "This game makes use of the following extensions:[line break][bold type][the complete list of extension credits][roman type][line break]Dozens of people deserve thanks for helping me refine my thinking and turn this program into something functional, but I should recognize [bold type]Jenni Polodna[roman type] and [bold type]Ryan Veeder[roman type] for their [italic type]Cragne Manor[roman type] project, to say nothing of the other [italic type]Cragne[roman type] contributors, many of whom answered my implementation questions in the community Slack channels.[paragraph break]I owe further thanks to the users of Select Button Dot Net, foremost among them user [bold type]nettle[roman type], who got me moving on this again after I stalled out for more than a year.[paragraph break]Additional thanks go to [bold type]nettle[roman type], [bold type]Gate88[roman type], and [bold type]Zaratustra[roman type] for testing earlier versions of this game, but I've left a few bugs in this version just so that [bold type]you[roman type] would have the opportunity to be included in this list! Just point out such a bug in an email to (again) JSNLXNDRLV@GMAIL.COM.[paragraph break]I generated the cover art image using Katherine Crowson's VQGAN+CLIP running on a Google Collab Notebook set up by Eleiber and Abulafia and translated into English by @somewheresy; I created the magazine formatting using Canva.[paragraph break]You may also wish to read the [bold type]DEDICATION[roman type][one of].[or] or the [bold type]CONTROVERSION[roman type].[stopping]". Dedication is an action out of world. Understand "dedication" as dedication. Report dedication: say "[italic type][Story title][roman type] is dedicated to [bold type]Julie Love[roman type], who groans whenever she notices that I've typed more than a paragraph." Controversion is an action out of world. Understand "controversion" as controversion. Report controversion: say "[italic type][Story title][roman type] is controverted to [bold type]Carl Dutcher[roman type], who sees no flaws or errors where he really ought to see many." Helping is an action out of world. Understand "help" and "walkthrough" and "walkthru" as helping. Report helping: say "Trev's article tells a story in which you rule a city-state facing a series of crises. As each crisis appears, your advisors will identify two potential paths forward. You must select which of these paths is your preference; while they are not opposites, they are mutually[one of] exclusive. Regardless[or] exclusive. (However, you're not [italic type]required[roman type] to choose one of the described paths; you could instead select neither.) Regardless[stopping] of your selection, this particular crisis will pass, and another will present itself in the next season. The selections you make will set in motion unseen trends among your populace, and once every crisis is finished, you will be informed what future your choices have brought about. [one of][or]By proceeding through this process to see various futures, you and Trev may pass the time in comparative entertainment.[stopping][paragraph break]Frequent players may prefer to abbreviate commands; for example, shorten 'TAKE AWKWARD PATH' to simply 'AWKWARD'.[paragraph break]If you are having trouble reaching new endings, you can ask for a HINT[one of][or] or just CHEAT to skip the quiz and look up a random ending instead[stopping]. You can TALK TO TREV to have him describe the current crisis again." A person can be drowsy or undrowsy. When play begins, now the player is drowsy. Xyzzying is an action out of world. Understand "xyzzy" as xyzzying. Understand "plugh" as xyzzying. Understand "plover" as xyzzying. Carry out xyzzying: say "[one of]That isn't a verb I recognize.[line break][or]That isn't a verb I recognize.[line break][or]That isn't a verb I recognize.[line break][or]That isn't a verb I recognize.[line break][or]That isn't a verb I recognize.[line break][or]That isn't a verb I recognize.[line break][or]That isn't a verb I recognize.[line break][or]That isn't a verb I recognize.[line break][or]Maybe try saying that backwards, instead?[line break][as decreasingly likely outcomes]". [While the intention is that players won't know about the magic words until after getting the amusing text from the ending, I've changed the contraction of the error response here so that attentive players will notice the oddity and potentially investigate further, possibly getting the unlikely clue to put the word in backwards instead.] Invoking is an action out of world. Understand "vaadignephod" as invoking. Understand "say vaadignephod" as invoking. Understand "invoke vaadignephod" as invoking. Understand "invoke" as invoking. Understand "invoke the name vaadignephod" as invoking. Understand "presto" as invoking. Understand "presto changeo" as invoking. Understand "abracadabra" as invoking. Understand "yzzyx" as invoking. Understand "hgulp" as invoking. Understand "revolp" as invoking. Understand "invoke name" as invoking. Understand "alakazam" as invoking. Understand "abra cadabra" as invoking. Understand "hocus pocus" as invoking. Understand "hey presto" as invoking. Understand "please" as invoking. Understand "thank you" as invoking. Carry out invoking: if the player is mundane: now the player is magical; say "Trev [first time]raises his eyebrows, but says nothing. He [only]removes a transparent overlay from the back of the magazine and settles it over the page."; otherwise: now the player is mundane; say "Trev [first time]sighs. 'Okay, okay, enough with the magic words, I get it.' He [only]removes the text overlay and puts it back at the end of the magazine." Check invoking while the player is drowsy: now the player is undrowsy; say "Trev stops you. 'You've just said the magic word. It's not an official part of the article, but I have this plastic sheet that I can lay on top of the text to add some color-coding to the quiz. This will make it easier choose paths for the purpose of achieving a particular ending, but it might also ruin the magic a little bit? Once you see how this is all put together, it's kind of hard to un-see that.'[paragraph break]'Say the magic word again, and I'll augment the text with these added color-words. Say it a third time, and I'll remove the sheet and go back to normal. And so on.'"; stop the action. Understand "select [something]" as taking. Understand "choose [something]" as taking. Understand "pick [something]" as taking. Understand "lick [something]" as tasting. Instead of attacking something: say "[one of]You're not about to attack something, at least not outside your roleplaying session.[or]You don't need to attack anything.[stopping]" Instead of waking up: say "[one of]It's tough to shake off this drowsiness, but you'll perk up once everybody else shows up. You can pace until then.[or]You're waking up enough as it is.[stopping]" Instead of entering something (called the chair): say "[one of]Sure, you [italic type]could[roman type] try sitting on [the chair], but then you wouldn't be able to pace thoughtfully about the room while considering the exigence of all these seasons.[or]You're not going to sit on anything right now.[stopping]"; stop the action. Pacing is an action applying to nothing. Understand "pace" as pacing. Understand "walk" as pacing. Understand "stroll" as pacing. Understand "pace thoughtfully" as pacing. Understand "skip" as pacing. Understand "pace about" as pacing. Understand "pace around" as pacing. Understand "pace about the room" as pacing. Understand "pace around the room" as pacing. Understand "walk around" as pacing. Carry out pacing: say "You pace[one of][or] thoughtfully[or] ponderously[or] meaningfully[or] cautiously[or] carefully[or] studiously[or] vigorously[or] fiercely[or] valiantly[or] precariously[or] implacably[or][then purely at random]."; silently try waiting. Talking is an action applying to nothing. Understand "talk" as talking. Accosting is an action applying to one visible thing. Understand "talk to [something]" as accosting. Instead of accosting: try talking. Carry out talking: if the player is in the Present: if the printed name of the Present is not "PREGAMING IN TREV'S BASEMENT": say "Trev repeats himself. '[crisis summary of the Present]'[line break]"; stop the action; else: say "Trev is still getting ready, so he doesn't hear you."; stop the action; else: say "Trev's too busy with the magazine and his notes."; stop the action. Instead of sleeping: if the player is in the Present: if NEITHER is not in the Present: say "You've crashed at Trev's before, but you're not quite that tired yet."; if NEITHER is in the Present: say "[one of]You indicate your disinterest in the options presented with cartoonishly overblown snoring. Trev cackles.[or]You make another snoring sound. Trev makes a note.[stopping]"; silently try taking NEITHER; if the player is in the Future, say "You've crashed at Trev's before, but you're not [bold type]that[roman type] tired right now." Instead of eating something: say "[one of]Nothing currently in Trev's basement should be considered edible. [italic type]Especially[roman type] the food.[or]You shouldn't eat anything here.[stopping]" Instead of taking inventory: say "[one of]All your stuff's upstairs until the rest of the group arrives.[or]You don't have anything on you at the moment.[stopping]" Instead of pushing something: say "[one of]All Trev's stuff is precarious enough as it is; y[or]Y[stopping]ou don't need to push that." Instead of pulling something: say "[one of]All Trev's stuff is precarious enough as it is; y[or]Y[stopping]ou don't need to pull that.." Instead of turning something: say "[one of]All Trev's stuff is precarious enough as it is; y[or]Y[stopping]ou don't need to turn that." Instead of cutting something: say "[one of]All Trev's stuff is precarious enough as it is; y[or]Y[stopping]ou don't need to cut that." Instead of rubbing something: say "[one of]While the need to clean is understandable, y[or]Y[stopping]ou don't need to rub that." Instead of searching something: say "[one of]The only thing you need to search is your soul: how are you going to get through these exigent seasons?[or]You don't need to search anything here.[stopping]" Instead of kissing something: say "[one of]You don't have that kind of relationship with anyone or anything in this room.[or]You don't need to kiss anything here.[stopping]" Instead of looking under something: say "[one of]Trev's basement is the kind of place where things that fall under other things are better left forgotten.[or]You don't need to look under anything here.[stopping]" Instead of smelling: say "[one of]You've been to Trev's place often enough to achieve a level of nose-blindness to the local ambience, but that's no reason to borrow trouble.[or]You shouldn't smell anything here.[stopping]" Instead of tasting something: say "[one of]Impossibly reckless. Never try to taste anything here again.[or][foolishness][stopping]" To say foolishness: say "You should have known better than to touch your tongue to anything in this area."; end the story saying "You invited [one of]Streptococcus[or]Campylobacter[or]Escherichia coli[purely at random] into your body". Instead of jumping: say "[one of]The ceiling isn't so low that you'd risk hitting your head, but still: b[or]B[stopping]etter not." Whiting is an action applying to nothing. Understand "white" as whiting. Understand "justice" as whiting. Understand "democratic" as whiting. Understand "nobility" as whiting. Understand "coin purse" as whiting. Understand "coin" as whiting. Understand "purse" as whiting. Carry out whiting: say "That's not one of the options currently available." Bluing is an action applying to nothing. Understand "blue" as bluing. Understand "discovery" as bluing. Understand "literacy" as bluing. Understand "truth" as bluing. Understand "the lab" as bluing. Understand "lab" as bluing. Carry out bluing: say "That's not one of the options currently available." Blacking is an action applying to nothing. Understand "black" as blacking. Understand "autocratic" as blacking. Understand "ignorance" as blacking. Understand "surveillance" as blacking. Understand "demonstrative" as blacking. Understand "strict" as blacking. Understand "vision" as blacking. Carry out blacking: say "That's not one of the options currently available." Redding is an action applying to nothing. Understand "red" as redding. Understand "beauty" as redding. Understand "blindness" as redding. Understand "danger" as redding. Understand "peasantry" as redding. Carry out redding: say "That's not one of the options currently available." Greening is an action applying to nothing. Understand "green" as greening. Understand "conciliatory" as greening. Understand "safety" as greening. Understand "bread box" as greening. Understand "bread" as greening. Understand "box" as greening. Understand "the pyre" as greening. Understand "pyre" as greening. Understand "merciful" as greening. Understand "mercy" as greening. Carry out greening: say "That's not one of the options currently available." Pathing is an action applying to nothing. Understand "path" as pathing. Understand "final" as pathing. Carry out pathing: say "You consider the paths you might take." Neithering is an action applying to nothing. Understand "neither" as neithering. Understand "none" as neithering. Carry out neithering: say "That was a rhetorical question." Understand the command "no" as something new. Understand "no" as neithering. Observing is an action applying to nothing. Understand the command "look" as something new. Understand "look" as observing. Carry out observing: say "Physically, you're in Trev's basement game room. Conceptually, you're in some advisory chamber in the palace of Valdara, weighing your options and considering how your choices shape your state's future[one of].[or]. (To have Trev describe the current crisis again, you'll need to talk to him.)[stopping]" Cheating is an action applying to nothing. Understand "cheat" or "ask trev about ending" or "ask for an ending" or "ask for ending" or "tell trev to read an ending" or "read an ending" or "ask trev about an ending" as cheating. A person can be blameless or befouled. When play begins, now the player is blameless. Carry out cheating: let L1 be the list of unwitnessed endings; if the number of entries in L1 is 0: say "[one of]You've seen every ending already.[or]The only thing left to do is leave.[stopping][line break]"; else: if the number of entries in L1 is greater than 27: say "[one of]'What? No.' Trev frowns at your suggestion. 'I'd like you to run through the test a few times before we just start skipping to the end.'[line break][or]Trev shakes his head.[line break][or] 'Not yet.'[line break][stopping]"; else: now the player is befouled; say "[one of]'Okay, we've been doing this for a while. I guess there's no harm in cheating a little.' [or][stopping]Trev reads the description of a random unseen ending.[paragraph break]"; sort L1 in random order; say "[bold type][entry 1 of L1][roman type][line break][initial appearance of entry 1 of L1][line break]"; now entry 1 of L1 is witnessed; now entry 1 of L1 is hinted; increase the score by 1; choose a blank row in the Table of Witnessed Endings; now the Ending Name entry is entry 1 of L1; now the Ending Score entry is the current rank of entry 1 of L1; now the Row Number entry is the score. Hinting is an action applying to nothing. Understand "hint" or "clue" or "ask for a hint" or "ask for hint" or "ask for a clue" or "ask for clue" or "tell trev to give a hint" or "take hint" or "pray" or "say prayer" as hinting. Carry out hinting: Let L2 be the list of unwitnessed endings; if the number of entries in L2 is 0: say "[one of]Trev is confused. 'You've gotten every ending already. There's no more need for hints.'[line break][or]Trev shakes his head. 'It's time to leave.'[line break][stopping]"; else: let L3 be the list of unhinted endings; if the number of entries in L3 is greater than 0: sort L3 in random order; say "Trev reviews the endings[one of] you haven't yet obtained to provide you with an appropriate hint[or][stopping]. '[relevant hint of entry 1 of L3]'[line break]"; now entry 1 of L3 is hinted; else: sort L2 in random order; say "Trev reviews the endings[one of] you haven't yet obtained to provide you with an appropriate hint[or][stopping]. '[relevant hint of entry 1 of L2]'[line break]". Disembarking is an action applying to nothing. Understand the command "leave" as something new. Understand "leave" as disembarking. A person can be sharp or unsharp. When play begins, now the player is unsharp. Carry out disembarking: Let L2 be the list of unwitnessed endings; if the number of entries in L2 is greater than 13: if the player is unsharp: now the player is sharp; say "He won't admit to it, but Trev is obsessed with this magazine. If you really want to leave, go ahead and do it, but if you do so before he's had his fill of quizzing you, he'll realize you were only humoring him and disappoint himself.[paragraph break]Sometimes, friendship with Trev means enduring his quirks. He will appreciate your indulgence."; stop the action; else: say "Tired of all these hypotheticals, you wander upstairs. Trev closes the magazine and follows you, crestfallen."; end the story saying "Trev considers himself a burden"; else: if the number of entries in L2 is greater than 1: say "Trev agrees that you've both seen enough that the [italic type]Parapet[roman type] article had to offer. You can prepare for the evening's game with heads held high."; end the story finally saying "Trev's quiz-thirst has been quenched"; else: if the player is blameless: say "Through deliberate, systematic methods, you've plumbed the depths that [italic type]Parapet[roman type] had to offer, and you've emerged again bearing the riches of success. You saw every ending, and you didn't even cheat to do it!"; end the story finally saying "You've achieved a flawless victory"; else: if the number of entries in L2 is greater than 0: say "[one of]'You're willing to cheat, but you're going to stop after seeing all but one of the endings? No, we're going to see this last one.'[or]Trev won't let you leave until you get the last ending.[stopping]"; stop the action; else: say "'You may have seen every ending, but you had to cheat to get there. Well, what's the harm in that? We're all human.' Trev closes the magazine and follows you out. 'Still, I would have been more impressed if you could have found every ending yourself without just having me read them to you.'"; end the story finally saying "You've achieved an imperfect victory". Book 2 - The Raw Materials Part 1 - Paths [So the way the game works is that there are ten randomized scenes representing the various crises the player must confront. In each of these crises, the player is given two paths to choose between. By taking one of these paths, we modify the score of the various potential endings the player will encounter after the last crisis is resolved. A note on scoring, because I'm pretty proud of how carefully I've balanced this: I got the numbers below by trying to decide how many questions are "meaningful" for any of the 32 possible outcomes. Since these are based on Magic color combinations, there are five single-color outcomes, ten two-color outcomes, ten three-color outcomes, five four-color outcomes, and one five-color outcome, as well as the colorless outcome. The ten questions are just a randomized presentation of each two-color pair (out of five colors total) and a request to confirm which the player prefers. As such, I determined the following: Of the five one-color outcomes, each outcome cares about four questions. (That color vs each of the other four.) Of the ten two-color outcomes, each outcome cares about six questions. (Color one vs the three colors not in the pair, and color two vs the same three colors.) Of the ten three-color outcomes, each outcome cares about six questions. (Color one vs the two colors not in the triad, color two vs the same two, and color three vs the same two.) Of the five four-color outcomes, each outcome cares about four questions. (Each of the four colors in the quad vs the one color not in the quad.) The five-color and colorless outcomes are special cases to be addressed momentarily. Based on those conclusions, I set the "target" for a perfect score at 24 points, which I then scaled up to 2400 to allow a little bit of probably-meaningless weighting; given a hypothetical tie, which a better mathematician could prove or disprove is even possible, I wanted the game to favor two-color outcomes over single-color outomes, which are themselves favored over three-color outcomes (arcs slightly over wedges, in Magic parlance), over four- and five-color outcomes. That's why the scoring isn't a uniform 400 or 600 points assigned to each ending. 7/25/21 UPDATE: I just gave the endings a default priority order so I could revert back to uniform scoring. For the colorless ending, I created a special "neither" path to give players the option to just not engage with a particular crisis. Using this too many times will get you the colorless ending, How many times is too many times? That will vary based on how focused the player is; haphazard and inconsistent answers will "neither" responses more likely to result in a colorless ending. The five-color ending, then, is somewhat the opposite. Using "neither" makes it nearly impossible to get the five-color ending, but you need to be deliberately balanced and avoid favoring one philosophy over another. I tried to adjust the scoring such that it's not necessary to be PERFECTLY balanced to get the ending, but it's still relatively rare unless you know what you're doing.] A path is a kind of thing with description "One of several paths you might take.[first time] Consider it well.[only]". Rule for deciding whether all includes a path: it does not. WHITEblue is a path with printed name "the path of justice". Understand "the" and "path" and "white" and "justice" and "of" as WHITEblue. Instead of whiting while the location of WHITEblue is the Present: try taking WHITEblue. After taking WHITEblue: increase the current rank of EW by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EWBR by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EBGW by 400; [380] increase the current rank of ERGW by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EBRGW by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] BLUEwhite is a path with printed name "the path of discovery". Understand "the" and "path" and "blue" and "of" and "discovery" as BLUEwhite. Instead of bluing while the location of BLUEwhite is the Present: try taking BLUEwhite. After taking BLUEwhite: increase the current rank of EU by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EUB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUBR by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EURG by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EGUB by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EUBRG by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] WHITEblack is a path with printed name "the democratic path". Understand "the" and "path" and "white" and "democratic" as WHITEblack. Instead of whiting while the location of WHITEblack is the Present: try taking WHITEblack. After taking WHITEblack: increase the current rank of EW by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERWU by 400; [380] increase the current rank of ERGW by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EGWU by 400; [385] increase the current rank of ERGWU by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] BLACKwhite is a path with printed name "the autocratic path". Understand "the" and "path" and "black" and "autocratic" as BLACKwhite. Instead of blacking while the location of BLACKwhite is the Present: try taking BLACKwhite. After taking BLACKwhite: increase the current rank of EB by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EUB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUBR by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EBRG by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EGUB by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EUBRG by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] BLUEblack is a path with printed name "the path of literacy". Understand "the" and "path" and "blue" and "of" and "literacy" as BLUEblack. Instead of bluing while the location of BLUEblack is the Present: try taking BLUEblack. After taking BLUEblack: increase the current rank of EU by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERWU by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EURG by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EGWU by 400; [385] increase the current rank of ERGWU by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] BLACKblue is a path with printed name "the path of ignorance". Understand "the" and "path" and "black" and "of" and "ignorance" as BLACKblue. Instead of blacking while the location of BLACKblue is the Present: try taking BLACKblue. After taking BLACKblue: increase the current rank of EB by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EWBR by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EBRG by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EBGW by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EBRGW by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] BLUEred is a path with printed name "the path of truth". Understand "the" and "path" and "blue" and "of" and "truth" as BLUEred. Instead of bluing while the location of BLUEred is the Present: try taking BLUEred. After taking BLUEred: increase the current rank of EU by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EWUB by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EGUB by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EGWU by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EGWUB by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] REDblue is a path with printed name "the path of beauty". Understand "the" and "path" and "red" and "of" and "beauty" as REDblue. Instead of redding while the location of REDblue is the Present: try taking REDblue. After taking REDblue: increase the current rank of ER by 600; [590] increase the current rank of ERW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERGW by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EWBR by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EBRG by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EBRGW by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] BLACKred is a path with printed name "the path of vision". Understand "the" and "path" and "black" and "of" and "vision" as BLACKred. Instead of blacking while the location of BLACKred is the Present: try taking BLACKred. After taking BLACKred: increase the current rank of EB by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBGW by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EWUB by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EGUB by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EGWUB by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] REDblack is a path with printed name "the path of blindness". Understand "the" and "path" and "red" and "of" and "blindness" as REDblack. Instead of redding while the location of REDblack is the Present: try taking REDblack. After taking REDblack: increase the current rank of ER by 600; [590] increase the current rank of ERW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERGW by 400; [385] increase the current rank of ERWU by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EURG by 400; [380] increase the current rank of ERGWU by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] BLACKgreen is a path with printed name "the strict path". Understand "the" and “strict” and "path" and "black" as BLACKgreen. Instead of blacking while the location of BLACKgreen is the Present: try taking BLACKgreen. After taking BLACKgreen: increase the current rank of EB by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EWUB by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EUBR by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EWBR by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EWUBR by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] GREENblack is a path with printed name "the merciful path". Understand "the" and “merciful” and "path" and "green" as GREENblack. Instead of greening while the location of GREENblack is the Present: try taking GREENblack. After taking GREENblack: increase the current rank of EG by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EGW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERGW by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EGWU by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EURG by 400; [380] increase the current rank of ERGWU by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] REDgreen is a path with printed name "the path of danger". Understand "the" and "path" and “of” and “danger” and "red" as REDgreen. Instead of redding while the location of REDgreen is the Present: try taking REDgreen. After taking REDgreen: increase the current rank of ER by 600; [590] increase the current rank of ERW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERWU by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EWBR by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EUBR by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EWUBR by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] GREENred is a path with printed name "the path of safety". Understand "the" and "path" and “of” and “safety” and "green" as GREENred. Instead of greening while the location of GREENred is the Present: try taking GREENred. After taking GREENred: increase the current rank of EG by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EGW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGWU by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EGUB by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EBGW by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EGWUB by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] REDwhite is a path with printed name "the path of peasantry". Understand "the" and "path" and “of” and “peasantry” and "red" as REDwhite. Instead of redding while the location of REDwhite is the Present: try taking REDwhite. After taking REDwhite: increase the current rank of ER by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EUR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBRG by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EUBR by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EURG by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EUBRG by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] WHITEred is a path with printed name "the path of nobility". Understand "the" and "path" and “of” and “nobility” and "white" as WHITEred. Instead of whiting while the location of WHITEred is the Present: try taking WHITEred. After taking WHITEred: increase the current rank of EW by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EWB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EGWU by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EWUB by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EBGW by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EGWUB by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] GREENwhite is a path with printed name "the path of the bread box". Understand "the" and "path" and “of” and “bread” and “box” and "green" as GREENwhite. Instead of greening while the location of GREENwhite is the Present: try taking GREENwhite. After taking GREENwhite: increase the current rank of EG by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EGU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBRG by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EGUB by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EURG by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EUBRG by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] WHITEgreen is a path with printed name "the path of the coin purse". Understand "the" and "path" and “of” and “coin” and “purse” and "white" as WHITEgreen. Instead of whiting while the location of WHITEgreen is the Present: try taking WHITEgreen. After taking WHITEgreen: increase the current rank of EW by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EWB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EWUB by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EWBR by 400; [380] increase the current rank of ERWU by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EWUBR by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] GREENblue is a path with printed name "the path of the pyre". Understand "the" and "path" and “of” and “pyre” and "green" as GREENblue. Instead of greening while the location of GREENblue is the Present: try taking GREENblue. After taking GREENblue: increase the current rank of EG by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EGW by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EBG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERG by 400; [400] increase the current rank of ERGW by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EBRG by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EBGW by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EBRGW by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] BLUEgreen is a path with printed name "the path of the lab". Understand "the" and "path" and “of” and “lab” and "blue" as BLUEgreen. Instead of bluing while the location of BLUEgreen is the Present: try taking BLUEgreen. After taking BLUEgreen: increase the current rank of EU by 600; [590] increase the current rank of EWU by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUB by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EUR by 400; [400] increase the current rank of EWUB by 400; [385] increase the current rank of EUBR by 400; [385] increase the current rank of ERWU by 400; [380] increase the current rank of EWUBR by 560; [560] increase the current rank of EWUBRG by 170. [170] NEITHER is a path with printed name "neither path". Understand "neither" and "path" and "both" and "all" as NEITHER. After taking NEITHER, increase the current rank of Enone by 250. [250] Instead of neithering while the location of NEITHER is the Present: try taking NEITHER. Carry out taking a path (called the route): say "You [one of]say[or]tell Trev[or]confirm that[as decreasingly likely outcomes] you'll take [the route][one of]. He marks your choice on his notebook[or][or]. Trev notes your response[or][or][or]. He marks it down[or][or], and he nods[or][or]. He makes a tally[or][or], and he nods approvingly[or]. Check[or][or], which he marks with mock-disapproval[or], which he marks with one eyebrow raised[as decreasingly likely outcomes]." Part 2 - Endings Chapter 1 - The List An ending is a kind of thing with description "One of thirty-three possible outcomes Valdara might experience.". An ending has a number called the current rank. The current rank of an ending is usually 0. An ending has some text called the relevant hint. An ending can be witnessed or unwitnessed. An ending is usually unwitnessed. An ending can be hinted or unhinted. An ending is usually unhinted. A person can be magical or mundane. A person is usually mundane. EW is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]White: [end if]THE ORDERED SEASONS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'When setting out to govern Valdara, you put the rule of law first, to the detriment of all other ideals. While there is something to be said for clarity of purpose, this otherwise-commendable dedication to civic order made your reign a bit one-dimensional. When your opponents sought your downfall, your predictable priorities made you easy to manipulate, and the Ordered Seasons of your rule did not survive much longer than the seasons of exigency they preceded. This was ending number one with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EW is "[one of]One ending requires you to put the rule of law first. Favor the status quo: you're trying to do right by the nobility. If the rule of law isn't in question, you can ignore the crisis.[or]Enforce Valdaran law over everything else, and take neither path if Valdaran law isn't in question.[stopping]". EU is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Blue: [end if]THE LEARNED SEASONS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'They called your reign the Learned Seasons, as you elevated education as the most important ideal. But to what end? Knowledge for its own sake and nothing beyond is self-gratifying purposelessness; the applause of scholars is not sufficient to maintain civilization. At least you knew enough to see the end approaching, and though your city was overthrown, perhaps you outlived its fall. The historians are uncertain. This was ending number two with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EU is "[one of]There's an ending in which you put knowledge and learning first. You can take neither path for any crises that don't have to do with education.[or]Put learning and education first, and ignore everything else.[stopping]". EB is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Black: [end if]THE TYRANNICAL SEASONS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You held on to power at the expense of everything else. Your citizens cursed your name; your neighboring sovereigns found you worrisome. Even the suzerain state considered your ambition dangerous, and so they saw fit to separate you from your position. But your power was sufficient to guarantee your escape. As much as we'd like to give you a poetic comeuppance, you lived to a ripe old age in relative luxury far from the halls of power. This was ending number three with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EB is "[one of]To get a tyrannical ending, you have to put your personal power first. If there isn't an option to maintain or increase your own control over the city, you should ignore the crisis.[or]Always vote against any option that would lessen your personal power.[stopping]". ER is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Red: [end if]THE SEASONS OF LAWLESSNESS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You gave the people freedom, and they thanked you with chaos. Although the Exigent Seasons had ended, Valdara slipped into a twilight of lawlessness and decline. Your own household plotted against you, and your reign was cut short by a poisoned blade. At least you'll live on in the history books as an example of how not to rule. This was ending number four with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of ER is "[one of]I guess anarchy and freedom are two sides of the same coin, in a way? You can get an ending if you maximize those characteristics.[or]Ignore any crisis that doesn't increase freedom for the masses.[stopping]". EG is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Green: [end if]THE JOYFUL SEASONS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You were a kind leader, and merciful, and your people loved you for this. At what cost, though? The nobility who carried out your edicts chafed as your generosity came at their own expense, and they became all too eager to plot your downfall. When it finally came, the coup immortalized you as a true martyr of the common folk, but a martyr all the same. This was ending number five with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EG is "[one of]One ending requires you to give the people joy. How do you think you could best accomplish that?[or]Choose paths that will make the people happy, and take no position on any crisis which doesn't concern the populace at large.[stopping]". EWU is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]White-Blue: [end if]THE ELOQUENT AGE". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'They called your reign the Eloquent Age. You studied the best way to build a society, and in that society you enshrined learning as the highest calling. Although your detractors would complain that the art and music of your era was mired in a formal rigidity that made it unexciting to study, none could deny the effectiveness of your leadership. This was ending number six with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EWU is "[one of]You haven't yet gotten the ending in which you balance learning with the law.[or]Favor the law and learning in equal measure, and ignore everything else.[stopping]". EWB is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]White-Black: [end if]THE HUNGRY AGE". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Your rule brought about the Hungry Age. Considered a kleptocracy, yours was a society divided between the [italic type]haves[roman type] and the [italic type]have-nots[roman type], and you yourself were always foremost among the haves. Was it hard to enjoy your riches when you had to constantly quash anarchist uprisings? Apparently not, as this state of affairs lasted for decades. This was ending number seven with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EWB is "[one of]You're still missing the kleptocracy ending, aren't you? You need to get more autocratic![or]You have to balance the power of the nobility with your own power.[stopping]". EUB is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Blue-Black: [end if]THE FRIGHTFUL AGE". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'After the Exigent Seasons, your rule ushered in the long darkness of the Frightful Age. The bleak lives of the Valdaran commoners could only improve if they turned informant, reporting one another for treacheries real and imagined. Your guile and ruthlessness had served you well during the crises, and now your control over the city was absolute. This was ending number eight with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EUB is "[one of]Can you balance learning with oppression? There's an ending for that.[or]Favor paths which increase knowledge and paths which increase your personal power. Ignore the rest.[stopping]". EUR is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Blue-Red: [end if]THE AGE OF INGENUITY". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'By giving everyday citizens the freedom to study and invent new ways of thinking, you brought about a Valdaran Renaissance. Artists and thinkers flocked to the city, and while you did have to deal with the occasional populist and moralist uprisings that castigated you for your apparent abandonment of Valdaran traditions, it was otherwise a rewarding time to be alive. This was ending number nine with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EUR is "[one of]The renaissance requires both learning and dynamism.[or]Ignore options which do not increase Valdaran freedom or intelligence.[stopping]". EBR is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Black-Red: [end if]THE AGE OF VILLAINY". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Which is the greater crime? The lesser indignities and greater horrors you inflicted on your people, or the simple fact that you could get away with such malice for so long? Your rule is overthrown in the end by careful coordination among your citizens, but your villainy is long and fruitful before that happens. This was ending number ten with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EBR is "[one of]There's still an ending to get in which you're basically a cartoonish monster. You need to be both power-hungry and cavalier for this one.[or]You need to increase both Valdaran freedom as well as your personal power.[stopping]". EBG is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Black-Green: [end if]THE VENGEFUL AGE". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You were ruthless, and you taught the people to be ruthless as well: no threat, no slight, no whispered insult was too minor to ignore, and escalation to violence and murder soon followed. Your reign was a time of feuding families and long-held grudges. Despite the grim atmosphere, it was an age of great civic pride, even if the only clear winners were the grave-diggers. This was ending number eleven with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EBG is "[one of]One of these endings involves being kind of an evil bastard, but also maximizing the people's happiness.[or]Increase your personal power while also increasing citizen satisfaction.[stopping]". ERG is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Red-Green: [end if]THE AGE OF EMBERS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'The Age of Embers is an era of mob-based rule. ([']Mob['] as in pitchforks and torches, rather than organized crime.) You empowered the people, gave political weight to their freedoms, and they in turn burned down those institutions that failed to support their populist goals. It was not an especially fair time, nor an enlightened time, nor a time of great Valdaran accomplishment, but most of the people loved you for it, and your hands-off rule lasted far longer than any of your critics would have guessed. This was ending number twelve with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of ERG is "[one of]See if you can get the people fired up. They need to be happy, but also a little wild and chaotic.[or]Maximize citizen satisfaction and freedom while ignoring everything else.[stopping]". ERW is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Red-White: [end if]THE MILITANT ERA". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Faced with the unprecedented crises of the Exigent Seasons, you ushered in the age of the citizen-soldier. You raised levies and enacted martial law. This may have started as self-defense, but before long your forces clashed with those of your like-minded neighbors, and the people found themselves caught in a constant quagmire of strike and counter-strike. The Militant Era continued in this way for the rest of your days. This was ending number thirteen with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of ERW is "[one of]You can cause martial law to spiral out of control by favoring the law as well as policies which encourage civil chaos.[or]Give power to the nobility, but encourage lawlessness among the people.[stopping]". EGW is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Green-White: [end if]THE BOUNTIFUL AGE". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Your administration followed the time of crisis with a plan to reorganize society. You put your peoples['] needs first, and you revised your laws to ensure those needs would be satisfied. The Bountiful Age that followed was one of growth and prosperity. That's not to say it was perfect; the occasional radical might try to spread dissent, but impassioned individuals couldn't do much to budge the prosperous majority you'd empowered. This was ending number fourteen with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EGW is "[one of]You can start a prosperous era by favoring both the nobility and the masses at the expense of everything else.[or]Support the enforcement of the law and the happiness of the people.[stopping]". EGU is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Green-Blue: [end if]THE ENLIGHTENED AGE". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Now here's an unusual strategy: make Valdara the smartest city in the world. During your Enlightened Age, free education is a right granted to all citizens, and the Valdaran Conservatory of Learning draws scholars from distant lands. These choices make Valdara look weak in the eyes of your more opportunistic neighbors, but your suzerain finds value in your dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, so your gamble pays off for many years. This was ending number fifteen with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EGU is "[one of]If you both educate the people and make them happy, you'll get a pretty good ending.[or]Favor the masses as well as education, and ignore everything else.[stopping]". EWUB is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]White-Blue-Black: [end if]THE ERA OF THE WATCHFUL HAND". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Why bother with public police when secret police can do the same job more effectively? It's true that your agents enjoy unprecedented autonomy with a relative lack of oversight; your critics would call this [']corruption['] if they weren't already jailed. Anarchist movements grow in response, but they are powerless to stop you from uprooting them before they do too much damage. This was ending number sixteen with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EWUB is "[one of]There are four events that have a path that contributes to law and order: the Pauper Riots, the Forbidden Workshop, the Famine, and the Squatters.[or]For one of these endings, you need to always vote against the people's happiness and the people's freedom, and your other objectives need to be balanced.[or]Choose the opposite path whenever you have the option to increase happiness or lawlessness in the population.[stopping]". EUBR is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Blue-Black-Red: [end if]THE KNIFEBOUND ERA". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'The Knifebound Era that followed the time of crisis is a difficult one for the average Valdaran citizen. The law was not on their side, and sentiment against [']lowborn rabble['] was particularly harsh. If a commoner were to cross a soldier or surgeon who felt they'd be of more use as a corpse, their best chance to avoid such a transformation depended on having a hidden weapon to fend off such attackers. Though it would not come for many years, the citizens['] revolt was an obvious inevitability. This was ending number seventeen with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EUBR is "[one of]To increase education and learning, you have to make certain selections in four different crises: the Pamphleteers, the Pox, the Disputed Patronage, and the Forbidden Workshop.[or]Try choosing the opposite path when law-and-order or public satisfaction options appear.[or]Don't take paths that would benefit the nobility or the populace, and don't take either path when neither option is available.[stopping]". EBRG is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Black-Red-Green: [end if]THE ERA OF SCORCHED MARBLE". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You turned the common people against the institutions of learning, and you turned the law itself against those who might normally enforce it. The unruly masses may be fickle, but you were ever in their favor, and more than one erstwhile lieutenant found himself chased out of town for attempting to reestablish a more civil society. The mob would someday grow tired of your charismatic autocracy and the squalor it had resigned them to, but detailed records of what would transpire are notoriously scarce. This was ending number eighteen with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EBRG is "[one of]There are four chances to maximize your personal control and security. These chances are during the Unblinking Eye, the Pauper Riots, the Mutineers, and the Pamphleteers.[or]I think you need to avoid maintaing order while also avoiding learning and education options.[or]Always take the opposite path when you can either increase knowledge or maintain the law, and if neither or both is an option, take neither path.[stopping]". ERGW is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Red-Green-White: [end if]THE BANNER-CROSSED ERA". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Pour enough effort into [']bread and circus['] and your society will become one of bakers and entertainers. So it went with Valdara. Your changes brought the city into a state of continuous festival, in which it became a monument to competition and to cameraderie and to the feasts in celebration of both. Putting so much effort into the performance of prosperity left you poorly positioned against external plotting, and it's unclear just how much of your reign was genuine and how much was a performance at the behest of your puppetmasters. This was ending number nineteen with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of ERGW is "[one of]You can boost freedom and/or chaos in four ways: by choosing a certain path in the Daggers event, the Squatters event, the Unblinking Eye event, and the Disputed Patronage event. That last one's kind of oblique, so I'll just tell you: pick the path of beauty during that one.[or]You can get a certain ending by abandoning both personal power and learning initiatives.[or]Avoid taking paths that bolster intelligence or your own control over the city, and balance your use of options to increase happiness, freedom, and lawfulness.[stopping]". EGWU is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Green-White-Blue: [end if]THE ERA OF THE GOLDEN SUN". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Valdara under your rule became a place of equitable laws and joyful enlightenment. Your critics accused you of utopian idealism at the expense of individual liberty, but they couldn't dispute your fundamental success. Valdara's neighbors watched your prosperity with envious eyes, though, and bandits harassed your trade caravans with regularity. Still, you brought about a veritable golden age. Congratulations. This was ending number twenty with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EGWU is "[one of]If you want to get the Valdaran populace on your side, they appreciate certain options during the season of the Pox, the season of the Famine, the season of the Mutineers, and the season of the Daggers.[or]One of the better possible futures requires you to eschew both selfishness and permissiveness, but you must balance other priorities.[or]Focus on happiness, intelligence, and lawfulness at the expense of all else.[stopping]". EWBR is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]White-Black-Red: [end if]THE AGE OF THE SHATTERED WHEEL". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You established the primacy of the militant hero, and to exalt the skills of martial prowess, Valdara under your rule put the arena first. Valdaran seasons came to revolve around marches and demonstrations, contests of strength, the rise and fall of gladiators, but above all: the racing of chariots, whose wreckage defined the image of the era. The common people lived in ignorant squalor, but how better to whet their thirst for the greatness to lift themselves above their peers? This age of athletic triumph is only somewhat dimmed by the declining years of famine and plague that would eventually follow. This was ending number twenty-one with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EWBR is "[one of]Want to get into arena sports? You need to have low values in happiness and education.[or]Avoid taking options to increase happiness and education; balance the rest of your efforts.[stopping]". EURG is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Blue-Red-Green: [end if]THE ERA OF THE DISTANT STARS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'To escape the crises besetting your city, you lead your people to the nomadic life. Though scattered stragglers remained in the ravaged city, [']Valdara['] was no longer a singular place: it was a name invoked whenever your followers['] paths crossed, or when the fisherfolk lashed their raft-homes into a brief settlement upon the waves. Your leadership passed from terrestrial affairs to mysticism and myth, and while foreign powers would one day clear away your ruins and rebuild, your name would be whispered in distant lands for centuries to come. This was ending number twenty-two with a score of [current rank] points, and it happens to be my personal favorite!'" The relevant hint of EURG is "[one of]To get my favorite result, you have to give up both the strength of the law and your own control over the city, but otherwise try to max out civic happiness, intelligence, and freedom.[or]Choose the opposite path rather than increasing the power of yourself or your nobility.[stopping]". EBGW is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Black-Green-White: [end if]THE ERA OF WALLS ASCENDING". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'The city has endured. You fortified it. You reinforced the gates; you bricked up the windows. Wherever you saw or imagined a threat, you stamped it out, and the city has achieved stability. It has even grown! It has not flourished, exactly: this would require vibrancy and creativity and inspiration. The Era of Walls Ascending is not an era of inspiration, for inspiration is not necessary for stability. The city is not inspired. Regardless: the city has endured. This was ending number twenty-three with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EBGW is "[one of]For one of the endings you're missing, you need to maximize stability; that means avoid paths that increase freedom and paths that increase education.[or]Take the opposite path when presented with the option to increase learning or increase chaos.[stopping]". ERWU is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Red-White-Blue: [end if]THE ERA OF THE LAWBLADES". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You played fast and loose with the edicts of the city, and Valdaran bureaucracy grew wild and tangled. Your rules contradicted one another. The magistrates who could best navigate this legal morass were those who bore both the signet (to barter favors in your name) and the sword (to cut through the obstacles of your justice, such as.... red tape). It wasn't the happiest of times, and your government was not the most effective, but after the Era of the Lawblades ends, few periods in history will be as heavily romanticized by those who came out on top. This was ending number twenty-four with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of ERWU is "[one of]One outcome requires you to drop both happiness and the security of your rule.[or]Avoid paths that would benefit either the populace at large or your own place at the top.[stopping]". EGUB is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Green-Blue-Black: [end if]THE ERA OF EXCOMMUNICATION". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You had no faith Valdaran nobility or military, so you turned instead to religion. The church you founded gave the people hope and happiness, but more importantly, it gave you the power to ostracize or banish those you suspected of plotting against you. Valdaran society was consumed by influence-peddling, intrigue, and outright extortion during this era. You ruled for decades, but your eventual capture and trial for heresy and blasphemy was essentially inevitable. This was ending number twenty-five with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EGUB is "[one of]Want to get into religious persecution? You'll have to have to reduce both the strength of Valdaran law and personal freedom to bring that about.[or]Maintain low values of lawfulness and chaos with higher values of happiness, learning, and your own security as ruler.[stopping]". EWUBR is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]White-Blue-Black-Red: [end if]THE SLASH-AND-BURN SEASONS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Were you aiming to start an industrial revolution? It's an admirable goal, but prioritizing industry over the health and happiness of your city can backfire, as it did in this case. You had barely embarked on your journey of civic development at the expense of the outlying landscape when you were laid low by illness. It might seem unfair, but that's life. This was ending number twenty-six with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EWUBR is "[one of]You're missing an ending in which you always minimize the health and happiness of the people, but otherwise keep your efforts balanced.[or]When given the option to benefit the Valdaran people, take the opposite path; otherwise, take neither.[stopping]". EUBRG is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Blue-Black-Red-Green: [end if]THE ANARCHIST SEASONS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'When you make the law, it goes without saying that you can throw out laws that no longer suit your purposes. You took this line of thought to its logical conclusion: no laws other than your own whims. Anything goes, unless it doesn't! The Valdaran people may not have mustered any opposition to this, but your own court made the question moot. With no taste for your mercurial approach to governance, the Valdaran nobility had you summarily replaced. Your reign may have been a short one, but at least you avoided may worse outcomes. This was ending number twenty-seven with a score of [current rank] points.'" The relevant hint of EUBRG is "[one of]For this one, you need to always vote against maintaining order and the power of the nobility. If the crisis doesn't concern lawfulness, you should take neither path.[or]Always vote against maintaining law and order.[stopping]". EBRGW is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Black-Red-Green-White: [end if]THE SEASONS OF FAITH". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'They say theocracy is an effective method of governing, but your fledgling church lacked the strength to prove this claim. While you established during the crises your ability to respond in the moment and take decisive action, your long-term planning was abysmal, so your apostles soon usurped your control over the city and left you as a powerless figurehead. This was ending number twenty-eight with a score of [current rank] points.'". The relevant hint of EBRGW is "[one of]Have you tried just minimizing learning yet and leaving everything else the same? It looks like you haven't.[or]Take the opposite path when you have the opportunity to increase learning. Otherwise, take neither path.[stopping]". ERGWU is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Red-Green-White-Blue: [end if]THE SEASONS OF SELFLESSNESS". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'The people of Valdara had many demands: alms for the poor. Favors for the wealthy. Books for the learned. Celebrations for the bored. You gave at every opportunity, and in the end, you left nothing for yourself. You ultimately had to give your position to your successor after only a few seasons of prosperity, but you would spend years afterward as the best-fed and most-beloved pauper in the city. This was ending number twenty-nine with a score of [current rank] points.'". The relevant hint of ERGWU is "[one of]Try upsetting the suzerainty, blinding the eye, enacting democracy, and letting the people read, and take neither path for the rest of the crises.[or]You've got to minimize your personal power and security.[stopping]". EGWUB is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Green-White-Blue-Black: [end if]THE SEASONS OF NEW GROWTH". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You laid out a plan to grow the city. It was simple, logical, and effective; it would provide everything the city needed. Alas, then, that the impressionable masses fall victim to charismatic charlatans; one such individual whispered a few persuasive arguments in the right ears before stirring up the populace, and your simple, logical, and effective plans were forgotten in the face of exciting promises and fiery rhetoric. You were replaced by a worse ruler, and though this fact was obvious to many, this injustice would not be righted in your lifetime. This was ending number thirty with a score of [current rank] points.'". The relevant hint of EGWUB is "[one of]You need to get the lowest possible level of personal freedom, but otherwise keep all other factors in balance.[or]Always vote against personal freedom, chaos, etc. You can ignore any crisis in which it isn't a factor.[stopping]". EWUBRG is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]White-Blue-Black-Red-Green: [end if]THE GOLDEN CENTURY OF VALDARAN AUTONOMY". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'Somehow, you found the perfect balance. You enforced the law, yet you were merciful; you held onto power, but you were unpredictable. You gave everyone a little bit of what they wanted. No one was completely satisfied, but neither could they justify too much complaint. With this kind of canny leadership, it should be no surprise that your administration retained control of the city for more than a hundred years, and you yourself were heralded as the most important leader of your era. Congratulations! This was ending number thirty-one with a score of [current rank] points.'". The relevant hint of EWUBRG is "[one of]There may be ten different crises, but each crisis is an opportunity to choose between two competing values, and there are five different values in total. To get the [']best['] outcome, you need to keep all five values in relative balance.[or]I think I should point out that your relationship with your suzerain is a matter of personal power, not law and order.[or]You should support Valdaran law and the nobility twice, increase knowledge and learning twice, maintain the security of your rule twice, increase freedom and lawlessness twice, and improve public health and happiness twice.[stopping]". Enone is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Colorless: [end if]THE TIME OF THE EMPTY THRONE". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'During Valdara's times of crisis, you shrugged and turned away. Any philosophy you may have proclaimed was drowned out by the city's heedless cries for your attention: you were too distant for too long. In the end, the Valdaran people sneered at your neglectful rule, so it should come as little surprise that they would take matters into their own hands as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Congratulations! You brought about a Valdaran revolution and had to flee the city. It's possible you were murdered in secret: the history books do not say. This was ending number thirty-two with a score of [current rank] points.'". The relevant hint of Enone is "[one of]You should probably try taking neither path more often.[or]Just take neither path for every crisis.[stopping]". Echeat is an ending with printed name "[if the player is magical]Cheater: [end if]THE TIME OF PARADOX". "Trev [one of]reads the ending[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: 'You broke all the rules, including the rules about what constitutes a violation of the rules. Valdara is at once a flourishing metropolis and a devastated ruin; it is both a vassal state and an independent nation. Its people proclaim it utopia and dystopia in the same breath. Perhaps its future will settle into something a little more definite if you actually engage with the Exigent Seasons rather than just skipping straight to the end. This was ending number zero with a score of [current rank] points.'". The relevant hint of Echeat is "[one of]Since I'm presenting you the paths in a random order, you can get a bunch of endings just by taking the first path in each crisis and seeing what happens.[or]Hmm... It looks like there's actually one outcome that you can't get by solving the ten seasonal crisis events.[or]Did I already mention you can cheat? I can just look up an ending you haven't gotten yet.[or]There's one ending that you can only get by cheating.[or]You still need to cheat to get one ending.[stopping]". Chapter 2 - The Scoring The maximum score is 33. The ending behavior rule is listed before the room description paragraphs about objects rule in the carry out looking rules. This is the ending behavior rule: if the player is in The Future and an ending (called the target) is in The Future, carry out the declaiming at activity with the target. Table of Witnessed Endings Ending Name (an ending) Ending Score (a number) Row Number (a number) with 33 blank rows Reciting endings is an activity. Rule for reciting endings: if score is greater than 0: say "Those endings include:[line break]"; repeat with N running from 1 to the score: choose row N in the Table of Witnessed Endings; say "[Row Number entry]. [Ending Name entry]: [Ending Score entry] points[line break]". Declaiming at something is an activity. Rule for declaiming at an unwitnessed ending (called the outcome): now the outcome is witnessed; now the outcome is hinted; increase the score by 1; choose a blank row in the Table of Witnessed Endings; now the Ending Name entry is the outcome; now the Ending Score entry is the current rank of the outcome; now the Row Number entry is the score. [ say "Trev [one of]reads[or]says aloud[or]says[or]reads[or]proclaims your outcome with dramatic flair[or]announces[or]exclaims dramatically[or]says[or]looks up the ending[as decreasingly likely outcomes]: '[initial appearance of the outcome]'" ] Rule for declaiming at a witnessed ending (called the outcome): say "'Looks like you got the [the outcome] ending again.'" Part 3 - The World Chapter 1 - Engine Rooms The Present is a room with printed name "PREGAMING IN TREV'S BASEMENT". "Trev isn't gone for more than a moment. He drops a notebook, a mechanical pencil, and his ten-sided die on the table between you before grabbing the magazine and collapsing back onto his sofa. He reads aloud, his voice taking on a more dramatic inflection: 'A difficult era approaches for Valdara, the city-state you govern on the coastal frontier. Fortunately, your advisors and ministers will not permit the destruction of your city. They have considered every possible calamity: even now, with the first crisis not yet upon you, they prepare two avenues by which the emergency might be circumvented.' He pauses to pick up his die." The Present has some text called the crisis summary. The crisis summary of the Present is "Something's about to happen." The Present has some text called the crisis term. The crisis term of the Present is "ONCOMING STORM". The Present has some text called the weather. The weather of the Present is "It's mild." The Future is a room with printed name "THE FUTURE". The reset button is a device in the Future. ["If this future is not satisfactory, a figurative reset button here will revert your decisions over the last two years. Events will play out in a different sequence, and if you make different choices, you will most likely bring about a different future."] It is fixed in place. The reset button is scenery. Report switching on the reset button: say "[one of]Trev starts a new column for your responses in his notebook. He turns back to the main chart and prepares to assault you with exigencies once more.[or]Trev marks another column and starts over again.[stopping]" instead. Understand "press [something switched off]" as switching on. Understand "activate [something switched off]" as switching on. Understand "push [something switched off]" as switching on. The End of Exigencies is a room with printed name "THE EXIGENCIES HAVE ENDED". "[one of]Trev flips a page. 'Through this crucible of crises, you have melted down your civilization and forged it anew in your own image. There is but one final path to take.' He rolls his eyes. 'I'm gonna tabulate these results while you take your [']final path['], I guess.'[or]Trev flips to the results page and starts adding up your answers. Nothing to do now but wait.[stopping]" Instead of waiting in the End of Exigencies: say "Trev finishes his math and looks up your ending."; now the player is in the Future. FINAL is a path in the End of Exigencies. Understand "the" and "final" and "path" as FINAL. Instead of taking FINAL: If the player is in the End of Exigencies: try waiting. Instead of pathing while the location of the player is the End of Exigencies: try waiting. Every turn when FINAL is not in the End of Exigencies: if the location of the player is not the Future: now FINAL is in the End of Exigencies; otherwise: now FINAL is in the Future. The Rest of the House is a room with description "You're never gonna get here. Sorry.". The Rest of the House is up from Present. The Rest of the House is up from Future. The Rest of the House is up from End of Exigencies. Before going to the Rest of the House: try disembarking instead. Chapter 2 - Scenery The description of the player is "You're a bit tired; a bit bored. It's unfortunate that you spend such a large part of your weekly get-together waiting for everyone to arrive." Trev is a man with description "[one of]He's focused, if not obsessed. You won't distract him short of simply leaving.[or]Still utterly committed to quizzing you.[stopping]". Trev is in the Present. Instead of asking Trev about something: say "[conversational collapse]". Instead of telling Trev about something: say "[conversational collapse]". To say conversational collapse: say "[one of]Trev's going to brush off any questions or comments that can't be expressed just by participating in his quiz. You can talk to him to get him to repeat the part of the quiz he just read. [or]Instead of saying whatever you just tried to say, you ask Trev to repeat the current crisis. [stopping][chat]". To say chat: silently try talking. Every turn: if the location of Trev is not the location of the player: now Trev is in the location of the player. Trev's gaming table is a backdrop with description "Scratched and grimy, but it serves your purposes.". Trev's gaming table is everywhere. The magazine is a backdrop with printed name "[italic type]Parapet Monthly[roman type]" and description "A monthly magazine full of roleplaying resources.[first time] Trev shields the article from your view when he notices you looking too closely.[only]". The magazine is everywhere. Instead of taking the magazine, say "Trev won't let you get your hands on his copy." Trev's mechanical pencil is a backdrop with description "Trev refuses to write on character sheets with anything other than a mechanical pencil. This one is cheap plastic with a black coating that fades under your grip after several hours of use.". Trev's mechanical pencil is everywhere. Trev's notebook is a backdrop with description "Trev's habits as a game-master are on full display here, because his notebook is somehow always tipped so that you can't see any of the text he's written.". Trev's notebook is everywhere. Instead of taking the notebook, say "Trev is too possessive to let you examine his notes in any detail." Trev's ten-sided die is a backdrop with description "Trev usually prefers twelve-siders, but this ten-sider is better suited to your current exercise.". Trev's ten-sided die is everywhere. Instead of doing anything to the die, say "[one of]Trev senses your attention turning to his die, and he grips it in his fist before you can move[or]Trev snatches his die before you can even look at it[stopping]." Trev's sofa is a backdrop with description "Trev's couches are fake leather, and the cushions are cracked. What they lack in sophistication, they make up in affordability." Understand "couch" and "couches" and "sofa" and "sofas" and "trev's sofa" as Trev's sofa. Trev's sofa is everywhere. The vents are a backdrop with description "A trio of vents near the ceiling. Sometimes air blows from them." The vents are everywhere. The fly is a backdrop with description "It's just a fly." Understand "the" or "bug" or "fly" or "insect" as the fly. The fly is everywhere. Instead of doing anything to the fly, say "It's just a fly in the other area[one of][or]. Don't worry about it[stopping]." The stairwell is a backdrop with description "The stairs up to the rest of the house occupy a nook in the opposite wall. Occasionally you catch a glimpse of a fly landing on the bannister." Understand "stairwell" or "staircase" or "stairs" or "wall" or "walls" or "bannister" or "railing" or "steps" as the stairwell. A vision is a kind of backdrop with description "[one of]The fictional contents and concepts of Valdara are imaginary objects, events, places, and people. There's literally nothing here to examine.[or]That's a fictional piece of the quiz.[stopping]". Before taking a vision, say "You might as well try to take [one of]gravity[or]the sun[or]light itself[or]Trev's name away from him[or]yesterday[or]the number twelve[or]Newton's first law[or]the color green[or]the sound a fly makes[or]back the last hour you've spent here[or]your own blood[or]the first complete sentence you ever uttered[or]one of these paths home with you[or]the aurora borealis[purely at random]." instead. Valdara is a vision. Valdara is everywhere. Understand "city" as Valdara. Understand "the city" as Valdara. Understand "state" as Valdara. Understand "the state" as Valdara. Understand "city-state" as Valdara. Understand "city state" as Valdara. Understand "the city-state" as Valdara. Understand "difficult" or "era" or "two" or "avenues" or "crisis" or "calamity" or "advisors" or "ministers" or "coastal" or "frontier" as Valdara. Book 3 - Organization of Time Part 1 - The Crises A scene can be exigent or calm. A scene is usually calm. A scene has a number called the progression. The progression of a scene is usually 11. A scene can be unresolved or resolved. A scene is usually unresolved. A scene can be imminent or distant. A scene is usually distant. White Blue is a recurring exigent scene. White Blue begins when White Blue is imminent. White Blue ends when the player carries a path. The workshop is a vision. Understand "the" or "forbidden" or "workshop" or "secret" or "illegal" or "laboratory" or "shop" as the workshop. The alchemists are a vision. Understand "the" or "chemists" or "alchemists" or "chemist" or "alchemist" or "cabal" as the alchemists. When White Blue begins: now the workshop is everywhere; now the alchemists are everywhere; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[the forbidden workshop][if the player is magical][azorius summary][end if]"; now the crisis term of the Present is "THE FORBIDDEN WORKSHOP[if White Blue has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](white/blue)[or](blue/white)[purely at random][end if]". To say the forbidden workshop: say "[one of]Valdaran law forbids alchemical research into certain toxic or volatile substances. Despite this, a cabal of alchemists established a secret workshop in the heart of the city--until an accidental explosion destroyed the laboratory and the adjacent buildings. The alchemists hope to buy their way back into your good graces: though their formulas are lost, they can reproduce their explosive compound for you (and more besides).'[paragraph break]'[forbidden workshop choices][or]It's the one about the illegal explosive alchemists.[run paragraph on][WU explainer][forbidden workshop choices][stopping]" To say forbidden workshop choices: say "[one of]If you take [bold type]the path of justice[roman type], the law against illegal alchemy is enforced and the criminal alchemists are punished. If you take [bold type]the path of discovery[roman type], the alchemists['] crime is forgiven in the name of alchemical learning and progress.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the path of discovery[roman type], the alchemists['] crime is forgiven in the name of alchemical learning and progress. If you take [bold type]the path of justice[roman type], the law against illegal alchemy is enforced and the criminal alchemists are punished.[no line break][purely at random]" To say azorius summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]white or blue[or]blue or white[at random]?)[no line break]" To say WU explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 4 to 5: say "[one of] I think this crisis is supposed to test whether you would favor the pursuit of knowledge over public safety, in sort of a forbidden fruit, Manhattan Project-type conundrum. The problem is, the way it's written kind of suggests you'll be able to use this knowledge for your own benefit, but the scoring doesn't reflect that: this crisis has no bearing on the security of your own position. It feels like that could have been clearer. Anyway.'[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". White Black is a recurring exigent scene. White Black begins when White Black is imminent. White Black ends when the player carries a path. The poor are a vision. Understand "the" or "valdaran" or "poor" or "vagabonds" or "citizens" or "pauper" or "commoners" or "paupers" or "people" or "populace" or "population" as the poor. The lesser nobles are a vision. Understand "the" or "lesser" or "nobles" or "rivals" as the lesser nobles. The titles are a vision. Understand "noble" or "titles" or "title" or "regalia" or "office" or "judges" or "judge" as the titles. The riots are a vision. Understand "riot" or "riots" or "trouble" or "frenzy" as the riots. When White Black begins: now the lesser nobles are everywhere; now the titles are everywhere; now the riots are everywhere; now the poor are everywhere; now the crisis term of the Present is "THE PAUPER RIOTS[if White Black has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](white/black)[or](black/white)[purely at random][end if]"; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[the pauper riots][if the player is magical][orzhov summary][end if]". To say the pauper riots: say "[one of]The Valdaran poor are promoting a dangerous idea: that noble titles and judges['] regalia should be awarded at the whims of the masses. These vagabonds would have you survey the citizens before filling any public office, and the lesser nobles are rubbing their hands at the prospect. They would favor any measure to undermine their more powerful rivals, and so they've stirred up the paupers into a frenzy.'[paragraph break]'[pauper riots choices][or]Are you gonna undermine your control over the city by giving the people a chance at democracy?[run paragraph on][WB explainer][pauper riots choices][stopping]" To say pauper riots choices: say "[one of]If you take [bold type]the democratic path[roman type], much of the populace will celebrate the idea of representative government, but you diminish your own power by doing so. If you instead take [bold type]the autocratic path[roman type], you retain the power to appoint judges and nobles yourself, although civil unrest in Valdara will increase.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the autocratic path[roman type], you retain the power to appoint judges and nobles yourself, although civil unrest in Valdara will increase. If you instead take [bold type]the democratic path[roman type], much of the populace will celebrate the idea of representative government, but you diminish your own power by doing so.[no line break][purely at random]" To say orzhov summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]white or black[or]black or white[at random]?)[no line break]" To say WB explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 5 to 6: say "[one of] This crisis asks whether you give up your own power to benefit the strength of the city's laws, or whether you weaken civil order to keep your own position secure. I'm guessing that over the long run, neither one of these approaches would represent a successful strategy, which is why it feels like this quiz should have been two or three times as long. Would you consistently pick one value over another? Or would you land somewhere in the middle, perhaps more organically than by just choosing neither path over and over again?'[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". Blue Black is a recurring exigent scene. Blue Black begins when Blue Black is imminent. Blue Black ends when the player carries a path. The pamphleteers are a vision. Understand "the" or "pamphleteers" or "pamphleteer" or "anarchists" or "anarchist" or "cult" or "educators" or "teachers" or "teacher" as the pamphleteers. The populace is a vision. Understand "citizens" or "converts" or "potential" or "uneducated" or "populace" or "people" or "fools" as the populace. The pamphlets are a vision. Understand "the" or "pamphlets" or "pamphlet" as the pamphlets. When Blue Black begins: now the pamphleteers are everywhere; now the populace is everywhere; now the pamphlets are everywhere; now the crisis term of the Present is "THE PAMPHLETEERS[if Blue Black has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](blue/black)[or](black/blue)[purely at random][end if]"; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[the pamphleteers][if the player is magical][dimir summary][end if]". To say the pamphleteers: say "[one of]An anarchist cult has begun circulating pamphlets urging citizens to oppose your rule and shirk their civic responsibilities. To their credit, they've actually started giving literacy classes since so many of their potential converts don't know how to read. Which is the greater danger: an uneducated populace, or a populace critical of your rulership?'[paragraph break]'[pamphleteers choices][or]It's the anarchist teachers crisis![run paragraph on][UB explainer][pamphleteers choices][stopping]" To say pamphleteers choices: say "[one of]If you take [bold type]the path of literacy[roman type], your people will become more learned, but they will suspect and resist your rule. Or you could instead take [bold type]the path of ignorance[roman type], in which case you will easily control a city full of fools.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the path of ignorance[roman type], you will easily control a city full of fools. Or you could instead take [bold type]the path of literacy[roman type], in which case your people will become more learned, but they will suspect and resist your rule.[no line break][purely at random]" To say dimir summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]blue or black[or]black or blue[at random]?)[no line break]" To say UB explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 4 to 6: say "[one of] This one's so ridiculous; I love it. Obviously, we're weighing your interest here in holding onto power versus educating your populace, but this cult of secret readers just has no subtlety whatsoever.'[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". Blue Red is a recurring exigent scene. Blue Red begins when Blue Red is imminent. Blue Red ends when the player carries a path. The noble is a vision. Understand "the" or "wealthy" or "noble" or "decedent" or "patron" as the noble. The estate is a vision. Understand "the" or "gold" or "coins" or "inheritance" or "treasure" or "funding" as the estate. A vision called the Valdaran Conservatory of Learning and the Arts is nowhere. Understand "valdaran" or "conservatory" or "of" or "learning" or "the" or "arts" or "and" or "institution" or "school" or "college" or "academy" or "beneficiary" or "heir" as the Valdaran Conservatory of Learning and the Arts. Art is a vision. Understand "cultural" or "enrichment" or "new" or "works" or "performances" or "art" as art. Science is a vision. Understand "practical" or "matters" or "new" or "tools" or "techniques"as science. When Blue Red begins: now the noble is everywhere; now the estate is everywhere; now the Valdaran Conservatory of Learning and the Arts is everywhere; now art is everywhere; now science is everywhere; now the crisis term of the Present is "THE DISPUTED PATRONAGE[if Blue Red has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](blue/red)[or](red/blue)[purely at random][end if]"; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[the disputed patronage][if the player is magical][izzet summary][end if]". To say the disputed patronage: say "[one of]A wealthy noble has bequeathed all the gold coins in his estate to the Valdaran Conservatory of Learning and the Arts. Alas, the Conservatory is an institution divided, and the conservators cannot agree which half of the institution more deserves to be the principal beneficiary. The rising tone of their dispute has culminated in your involvement: you shall decide the matter on their behalf.'[paragraph break]'[disputed patronage choices][or]Who wins the inheritance in the battle of art versus science?[run paragraph on][UR explainer][disputed patronage choices][stopping]" To say disputed patronage choices: say "[one of]If you take [bold type]the path of truth[roman type], the gold shall go toward research into practical matters and the development of new tools and techniques for their employment. If you take [bold type]the path of beauty[roman type], the gold shall go toward funding cultural enrichment and the commission of new works and performances instead.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the path of beauty[roman type], the gold shall go toward funding cultural enrichment and the commission of new works and performances. If you take [bold type]the path of truth[roman type], the gold shall go toward research into practical matters and the development of new tools and techniques for their employment instead.[no line break][purely at random]" To say izzet summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]blue or red[or]red or blue[at random]?)[no line break]" To say UR explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 6 to 8: say "[one of] Okay, this one took me a while. The [']path of truth['] is obviously going to benefit education, right? So what does the [']path of beauty['] get us?'[paragraph break]'It increases civic freedom, [italic type]obviously![roman type]' The way Trev says this makes you think it is not actually all that obvious. 'I guess art is standing in for freedom of expression, in this situation. Did I already mention how I feel like some of these dilemmas are poorly constructed?'[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". Black Red is a recurring exigent scene. Black Red begins when Black Red is imminent. Black Red ends when the player carries a path. The Unblinking Eye is a vision. Understand "the" or "unblinking" or "eye" or "unofficial" or "group" or "reliable" or "informants" or "turncoats" or "tattletales" or "snitches" or "constables" or "constable" or "secret" or "police" as the Unblinking Eye. The citizens are a vision. Understand "the" or "paranoid" or "citizens" as the citizens. When Black Red begins: now the Unblinking Eye is everywhere; now the citizens are everywhere; now the crisis term of the Present is "THE UNBLINKING EYE[if Black Red has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](black/red)[or](red/black)[purely at random][end if]"; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[the unblinking eye][if the player is magical][rakdos summary][end if]". To say the unblinking eye: say "[one of]Your constables formed an unofficial group called the Unblinking Eye to recognize and compensate your city's more reliable informants and turncoats. The Eye has grown into an effective tool to solve the city's problems through--' and here Trev wiggles his fingers in scare-quotes, '--[']extra-legal['] processes. Rumors about these so-called secret police accuse them of assassinations and disappearances, and the day has arrived when paranoid citizens are calling for the group's dissolution.'[paragraph break]'[unblinking eye choices][or]How do you feel about secret police?[run paragraph on][BR explainer][unblinking eye choices][stopping]" To say unblinking eye choices: say "[one of]If you take [bold type]the path of vision[roman type], you empower the Unblinking Eye: your control over the city will grow, as will the city's paranoia. But if you instead take [bold type]the path of blindness[roman type], you can dissolve the Unblinking Eye, spreading happiness at the expense of your control over what's going on in the streets.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the path of blindness[roman type], you can dissolve the Unblinking Eye, spreading happiness at the expense of your control over what's going on in the streets. But if you instead take [bold type]the path of vision[roman type], you empower the Unblinking Eye: your control over the city will grow, as will the city's paranoia.[no line break][purely at random]" To say rakdos summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]black or red[or]red or black[at random]?)[no line break]" To say BR explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 5 to 6: say "[one of] This crisis is purely a question of the peoples['] freedom versus your own power. Don't be fooled into thinking it has anything to do with public happiness, education, or maintaining law and order.'[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". Black Green is a recurring exigent scene. Black Green begins when Black Green is imminent. Black Green ends when the player carries a path. The mutineers are a vision. Understand "the" or "mutineers" or "citizens" or "sailors" or "mutinous" as the mutineers. The suzerain state is a vision. Understand "the" or "suzerain" or "state" or "suzerainty" or "navy" or "navies" or "overseers" or "empire" as the suzerain state. The Valdaran docks are a vision. Understand "seas" or "high" or "ship" or "ships" or "harbor" or "Valdaran" or "docks" or "harbormaster" or "master" or "dockmaster" as the Valdaran docks. Understand "Valdaran" or "Valdarans" or "the" or "people" or "citizens" or "sailors" as the citizens. When Black Green begins: now the mutineers are everywhere; now the suzerain state is everywhere; now the Valdaran docks are everywhere; now the citizens are everywhere; now the crisis term of the Present is "THE MUTINEERS[if Black Green has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](black/green)[or](green/black)[purely at random][end if]"; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[the mutineers][if the player is magical][golgari summary][end if]". To say the mutineers: say "[one of]In truth, Valdara is a vassal state, and that means your citizens must sometimes serve in your suzerain's navies. Some of these citizens have apparently decided they'd rather not risk life and limb on the high seas, choosing instead to commandeer the ship they served on. These mutineers have just docked in your harbor, and [italic type]quite coincidentally[roman type], their overseers apparently did not survive the voyage. Your suzerain will not like this; the harbormaster awaits your command.'[paragraph break]'[mutineers choices][or]What are you going to do with the mutinous sailors?[run paragraph on][BG explainer][mutineers choices][stopping]" To say mutineers choices: say "[one of]If you take [bold type]the strict path[roman type], you’ll make an example of these mutineers. The people won’t like it, but it won’t hurt your relationship with your suzerain. If you take [bold type]the merciful path[roman type], you’ll let the sailors go. Your suzerain will be furious, but it will help your relationship with the people.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the merciful path[roman type], you’ll let the sailors go. Your suzerain will be furious, but it will help your relationship with the people. If you take [bold type]the strict path[roman type], you’ll make an example of these mutineers. The people won’t like it, but it won’t hurt your relationship with your suzerain.[no line break][purely at random]" To say golgari summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]black or green[or]green or black[at random]?)[no line break]" To say BG explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 6 to 7: say "[one of] Letting the sailors go will increase public happiness, but surprisingly enough it has no impact either way on lawfulness or lawlessness. I guess the suzerain state put you in power over Valdara, because you'll hurt the security of your position by letting them go.'[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". Red Green is a recurring exigent scene. Red Green begins when Red Green is imminent. Red Green ends when the player carries a path. Daggers are a vision. Understand "the" or "daggers" or "dagger" or "knife" or "knives" as daggers. Moral leaders are a vision. Understand "moral" or "leaders" as moral leaders. Knife-wounds are a vision. Understand "knife-wounds" or "knife-wound" or "knife wound" or "knife wounds" or "finger" or "fingers" as knife-wounds. When Red Green begins: now daggers are everywhere; now moral leaders are everywhere; now knife-wounds are everywhere; now the citizens are everywhere; now the crisis term of the Present is "DAGGERS[if Red Green has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](red/green)[or](green/red)[purely at random][end if]"; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[daggers][if the player is magical][gruul summary][end if]". To say daggers: say "[one of]An alarming trend is spreading: citizens have started to settle their quarrels with knives. Surprisingly few people have died, but finger-loss is skyrocketing. Moral leaders call for an end to the bloodshed and beg you to intercede.'[paragraph break]'[daggers choices][or]Are you going to stop the people from cutting each other up to settle old grudges?[run paragraph on][RG explainer][daggers choices][stopping]" To say daggers choices: say “[one of]If you take [bold type]the path of safety[roman type], you’ll cut down on knife-wounds, but you’ll seem a little more draconian. If you take [bold type]the path of danger[roman type], you’ll seem like a permissive ruler, but Valdara becomes a scarier place to live.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the path of danger[roman type], you’ll seem like a permissive ruler, but Valdara becomes a scarier place to live. If you take [bold type]the path of safety[roman type], you’ll cut down on knife-wounds, but you’ll seem a little more draconian.[no line break][purely at random]” To say gruul summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]red or green[or]green or red[at random]?)[no line break]" To say RG explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 5 to 8: say "[one of] Or in other words, will you give people the freedom to make themselves unhappy? It looks like this is one case where you can increase or decrease [']freedom['] without affecting law and order within the city, and your own security is likewise unaffected.'[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". Red White is a recurring exigent scene. Red White begins when Red White is imminent. Red White ends when the player carries a path. The squatters are a vision. Understand "the" or "squatters" or "squatter" or "poor" or "homeless" or "peasants" or "tenant" or "tenants" as the squatters. The nobles are a vision. Understand "nobles" or "noble" or "landlords" or "landlord" or "lords" as the nobles. The buildings are a vision. Understand "land" or "acreage" or "unoccupied" or "buildings" as the buildings. When Red White begins: now the squatters are everywhere; now the nobles are everywhere; now the buildings are everywhere; now the crisis term of the Present is "THE SQUATTERS[if Red White has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](red/white)[or](white/red)[purely at random][end if]"; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[the squatters][if the player is magical][boros summary][end if]". To say the squatters: say "[one of]You've let your nobles['] land acreage exceed their ability to manage it, and now they've got an infestation of squatters. Several dozen poor and homeless peasants have taken up residence in a number of unoccupied buildings. The nobles want your approval to drive out and/or murder the squatters; the squatters want your approval to live rent-free on land you provided to someone else.'[paragraph break]'[squatters choices][or]Where do you stand on landlord-tenant disagreements?[run paragraph on][RW explainer][squatters choices][stopping]" To say squatters choices: say "[one of]If you take [bold type]the path of nobility[roman type], your land-grants will not be undermined, but you will appear repressive. Taking [bold type]the path of peasantry[roman type] will support Valdaran freedom at the expense of your own laws.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the path of peasantry[roman type], you will support Valdaran freedom at the expense of your own laws. Taking [bold type]the path of nobility[roman type] will prevent your land-grants from being undermined, but you will appear repressive.[no line break][purely at random]" To say boros summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]white or red[or]red or white[at random]?)[no line break]" To say RW explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 6 to 8: say "[one of] The landlords in this scenario represent law and order, while the tenants represent freedom. It doesn't really seem like it from the way this is written, but apparently the peoples['] happiness isn't changed by any choice in this situation.'[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". Green White is a recurring exigent scene. Green White begins when Green White is imminent. Green White ends when the player carries a path. The famine is a vision. Understand "the" or "famine" or "starvation" or "hunger" as the famine. Understand "house" or "houses" or "wealthy" or "wealth" as the nobles. Food is a vision. Understand "food" or "supply" or "supplies" or "grains" or "meats" as food. When Green White begins: now the famine is everywhere; now the nobles are everywhere; now the citizens are everywhere; now food is everywhere; now the crisis term of the Present is "THE FAMINE[if Green White has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](green/white)[or](white/green)[purely at random][end if]"; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[the famine][if the player is magical][selesnya summary][end if]". To say the famine: say "[one of]Was it a bad harvest, or bad storage? Whatever the case, the food supplies dwindled faster than expected this season, and the city is going hungry. Or it would be, except several noble houses anticipated the issue, and they now sell grains and meats at exorbitant prices. The people are desperate for relief, but the nobles insist they are acting within the law.'[paragraph break]'[famine choices][or]How do you feel about price-gouging food when people are starving?[run paragraph on][GW explainer][famine choices][stopping]" To say famine choices: say "[one of]If you take [bold type]the path of the coin purse[roman type], the people will go hungry and suffer, but Valdara will be a place friendly to those with great wealth. If you take [bold type]the path of the bread box[roman type], the people will eat and be healthy, but those with wealth will avoid your city.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the path of the bread box[roman type], the people will eat and be healthy, but those with wealth will avoid your city. If you take [bold type]the path of the coin purse[roman type], the people will go hungry and suffer, but Valdara will be a place friendly to those with great wealth.[no line break][purely at random]" To say selesnya summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]white or green[or]green or white[at random]?)[no line break]" To say GW explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 5 to 7: say "[one of] You can increase public happiness and health by choosing food, while you can increase civic order by choosing coin.' He shrugs.[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". Green Blue is a recurring exigent scene. Green Blue begins when Green Blue is imminent. Green Blue ends when the player carries a path. The pox is a vision. Understand "the" or "pox" or "illness" or "disease" or "plague" or "virus" or "epidemic" as the pox. The healers are a vision. Understand "the" or "your" or "my" or "healer" or "healers" or "doctor" or "doctors" or "plague" as the healers. The poxed bodies are a vision. Understand "the" or "body" or "bodies" or "corpse" or "corpses" or "citizens" as the poxed bodies. When Green Blue begins: now the pox is everywhere; now the healers are everywhere; now the poxed bodies are everywhere; now the crisis summary of the Present is "[the pox][if the player is magical][simic summary][end if]"; now the crisis term of the Present is "THE POX[if Green Blue has ended] REVISITED[end if][if the player is magical] [one of](green/blue)[or](blue/green)[purely at random][end if]". To say the pox: say "[one of]An epidemic ravages the city; people are falling down dead in the streets. Your healers propose that the bodies be collected for study, although they warn that by doing so, more people will be exposed to the disease. It’s a calculated risk: will you allow this plague to worsen so that you can better survive those in the years to come?'[paragraph break]'[pox choices][or]Do you let the pox get worse so that you know how to fight it next time?[run paragraph on][GU explainer][pox choices][stopping]" To say pox choices: say "[one of]If you take [bold type]the path of the pyre[roman type], you burn the bodies without learning anything. Health improves. If you take [bold type]the path of the lab[roman type], more people die today, but more lives will be saved in the future.[no line break][or]If you take [bold type]the path of the lab[roman type], more people die today, but more lives will be saved in the future. If you take [bold type]the path of the pyre[roman type], you burn the bodies without learning anything. Health improves.[no line break][purely at random]" To say simic summary: say " (Or to put it another way, which path will you take: [one of]green or blue[or]blue or green[at random]?)[no line break]" To say GU explainer: if the score is greater than a random number from 4 to 8: say "[one of] This is one of those crises where the impacts are a lot narrower than you'd think. People will be happier if you burn bodies, and education will increase if you study them. There are otherwise no impacts to lawfulness, freedom, or your own control of the city.'[paragraph break]'[or] [stopping]"; else: say " ". When a scene (called the postlude) which is exigent ends: now every path is nowhere; now the postlude is resolved; repeat through the Table of Seasonal Progression in reverse order: if the Emergency entry is unresolved: now every scene is distant; now the Emergency entry is imminent; if every scene is distant: now the player is in the End of Exigencies. When a scene (called the prelude) which is imminent begins: now the prelude is distant; choose row with Crisis of prelude in the Table of Critical Components; now the option three entry is in the Present; now the option one entry is in the Present; now the option two entry is in the Present; [try showing ranks; [$$$ This should be commented out before release.]] now every path is undescribed. Table of Seasonal Progression Sequence Emergency 1 White Blue 2 White Black 3 Blue Black 4 Blue Red 5 Black Red 6 Black Green 7 Red Green 8 Red White 9 Green White 10 Green Blue Table of Critical Components Crisis Option One Option Two Option Three White Blue WHITEblue BLUEwhite NEITHER White Black WHITEblack BLACKwhite NEITHER Blue Black BLUEblack BLACKblue NEITHER Blue Red BLUEred REDblue NEITHER Black Red BLACKred REDblack NEITHER Black Green BLACKgreen GREENblack NEITHER Red Green REDgreen GREENred NEITHER Red White REDwhite WHITEred NEITHER Green White GREENwhite WHITEgreen NEITHER Green Blue GREENblue BLUEgreen NEITHER Part 2 - The Seasons A scene can be atmospheric or nonatmospheric. A scene is usually nonatmospheric. Hibernal is a recurring scene. Hibernal begins when Hibernal is atmospheric. Hibernal ends when Hibernal is nonatmospheric. After taking a path during Hibernal: now Hibernal is nonatmospheric; now Vernal is atmospheric; continue the action. When Hibernal begins: now the printed name of the Present is "THE HIBERNAL CRISIS OF [crisis term of the Present]"; now the description of the Present is "[one of]Trev rolls his die, then compares his result to the large table making up the bulk of the article. He reads aloud: '[hibernal weather] So tell me: which path will you take?'[or]Trev rolls and looks up the next question. '[hibernal weather]'[or]'Let's mix things up a bit.' He rolls again. '[hibernal weather]'[or]'[hibernal weather]'[stopping]"; if the player is in the Present, try looking. To say hibernal weather: say "[one of]Snow coats the ground. The air is crisp and cold, but at least the days are bright. A trouble grows in the streets of Valdara[or]Snow coats the ground. The air is crisp and cold, but...' Trev trails off for a moment to double-check the article. 'Wow, they didn't include any variable outcomes for the seasonal flavor text? They're just going to make me repeat myself? I'll just abbreviate on their behalf. Deep snow, bright days, you get the picture[or]We're starting again in the second half of winter[or]Late winter[stopping]. [crisis summary]". Vernal is a recurring scene. Vernal begins when Vernal is atmospheric. Vernal ends when Vernal is nonatmospheric. After taking a path during Vernal: now Vernal is nonatmospheric; now Estival is atmospheric; continue the action. When Vernal begins: now the printed name of the Present is "THE VERNAL CRISIS OF [crisis term of the Present]"; now the description of the Present is "[one of]The first crisis resolved, Trev rolls up another. '[vernal weather]'[or]'[vernal weather]'[or]'[vernal weather]'[or]Trev seems lost in the magazine for a moment. Just when you're about to say something, he rolls his die. '[vernal weather]'[or]'[vernal weather]'[stopping]"; if the player is in the Present, try looking. To say vernal weather: say "[one of]Wherever the ground has thawed, new life now sprouts up. The days are growing warmer, and a new problem has arrived[or]Muddy plants and warmth[or]It's spring[or]Spring[stopping]. [crisis summary]". Estival is a recurring scene. Estival begins when Estival is atmospheric. Estival ends when Estival is nonatmospheric. After taking a path during Estival: now Estival is nonatmospheric; now Autumnal is atmospheric; continue the action. When Estival begins: now the printed name of the Present is "THE ESTIVAL CRISIS OF [crisis term of the Present]"; now the description of the Present is "[one of]'[estival weather]'[or]Trev looks up the next crisis. '[estival weather]'[then at random]"; if the player is in the Present, try looking. To say estival weather: say "[one of]The nights are awash in the cacophony of nocturnal life, but the days are long and hot: it's little wonder that the people have grown restive again[or]Folks are getting antsy in the summertime[or]Noisy nights and hot summer days[or]Summer[stopping]. [crisis summary]". Autumnal is a recurring scene. Autumnal begins when Autumnal is atmospheric. Autumnal ends when Autumnal is nonatmospheric. After taking a path during Autumnal: now Autumnal is nonatmospheric; now Festal is atmospheric; continue the action. When Autumnal begins: now the printed name of the Present is "THE AUTUMNAL CRISIS OF [crisis term of the Present]"; now the description of the Present is "[one of]Trev rolls again. '[autumnal weather]'[or]'[autumnal weather]'[or]'[autumnal weather]'[or]'[autumnal weather]'[or]'[autumnal weather]'[or]'Don't let me forget that I want to do a corn maze for my birthday get-together this year.' He taps his temple at you as if to reiterate the point, then rolls the die. '[autumnal weather]'[or]'[autumnal weather]'[stopping]"; if the player is in the Present, try looking. To say autumnal weather: say "[one of]Harvest time has returned. The forest blazes with color, but the peoples['] hearts blaze with strife! [crisis summary][or][crisis summary] This is all going on during during weeks of beautiful fall weather, obviously.[no line break][or]It's autumn. [crisis summary][or]Autumn. [crisis summary][stopping]". Festal is a recurring scene. Festal begins when Festal is atmospheric. Festal ends when Festal is nonatmospheric. After taking a path during Festal: now Festal is nonatmospheric; now Hibernal is atmospheric; continue the action. When Festal begins: now the printed name of the Present is "THE FESTAL CRISIS OF [crisis term of the Present]"; now the description of the Present is "[one of]'[festal weather]'[or]Trev looks up the last crisis. '[festal weather]'[cycling]"; if the player is in the Present, try looking. To say festal weather: say "[one of]Most of each day is lost in twilight. To stave off the cold and the dark, your people have turned to feasting, yet still the problems continue[or]It's cold and wintery[or]So do you think winter causes so many problems that they had to double the number of events for just this season, or are Valdara's two winters distinct enough to qualify as separate seasons? Whichever it is, this is the first winter crisis[or]It's cold and wintery[or]Early winter[stopping]. [crisis summary]" Part 3 - Talking Time Talking Time is a recurring scene. Talking Time begins when the player is in the Present. Talking Time ends when the player is not in the Present. Every turn during Talking Time: if a random number from 1 to 11 is greater than 2, say "[one of][Trev sounds][or][Trev sounds][or][Trev sounds][or][Trev sounds][or][nature sounds][or][time passing sounds][as decreasingly likely outcomes]". Trev's speaker is a device with description "Little more than a box mounted to the wall with a dial and a cable snaking up the staircase to his computer, somewhere on the level above.". Trev's speaker is switched off. Check switching off Trev's speaker: say "[first time]Trev can be unusually stubborn. [only]If you try to turn his speaker off, [one of]he's[or]Trev's[stopping] just going to turn it back on." instead. To say music sounds: say "[first time][initiator][only][if Trev's speaker is switched on][one of][alt music][or][alt music][or][an ad][or][alt music][or][an ad][as decreasingly likely outcomes][else][nature sounds][end if]" To say initiator: now Trev's speaker is switched on; say "Trev stands up for a moment. 'While you think about that, let's have some music.' He flips the switch on a speaker mounted over the stairs before settling back down on his sofa. ". Instead of listening while Trev's speaker is switched on, say "[first time]You spend a little longer than usual listening to Trev's speaker. [only][music sounds]" To say an ad: say "[one of]On the radio, [or]The radio plays [or]From Trev's speaker, [or]From the speaker, [or]From the radio, [or]During the break, [or]You listen as [as decreasingly likely outcomes][one of]a DJ[or]a spokesperson[or]a loud voice[or]a quiet voice[or]a minor celebrity[or]a disc jockey[or]a familiar voice you can't quite place[or]some comedian[or]a fast-talking man[or]a soft-voiced woman[or]a happy-sounding woman[or]a drawling man[or]a precocious child[or]an artificial voice[as decreasingly likely outcomes] [one of]suggests you should be[or]asks you to start[or]commands listeners to start[or]considers[or]talks about[or]lists the benefits of[or]exhorts you to start[or]endorses[as decreasingly likely outcomes] [one of]buying[or]investing in[or]shopping for[or]purchasing[or]purchasing[or]buying[or]owning[or]ordering[or]sampling[or]taking out a lease on[or]promoting[or]researching[or]giving away[or]stealing[as decreasingly likely outcomes] [one of]as-seen-on-TV gadgets[or]cast-iron cookware[or]a used car[or]repossessed cars[or]monogrammed towels[or]series-TT traveler's cheques[or]memory foam athletic shoes[or]tiered program memberships[or]greeting cards[or]heirloom tableware[or]novelty welcome mats[or]poured countertops[or]over-the-counter decongestant[or]subscription swimwear[or]pet supplements[or]pneumatic power tools[or]organic gardening gloves[or]seasonal laundry detergent[or]soybean futures[or]double-C batteries[or]reusable television covers[or]canned air[or]disposable cameras[or]Blue Zinfandel[or]vanity basketballs[or]vape accessories[or]an animatronic finch[or]salad tongs[or]cedar chips[or]a novelty energy drink[or]calligraphy pens[or]a CD containing a recording of this very commercial (and many more like it)[or]name-brand carpeting[or]themed furniture[or]remaindered bus parts[or]discount auto insurance[or]bail bonds[or]time with a workplace-negligence lawyer[or]time with a personal trainer[or]tube socks[or]live bait[or]a personal message from an actual billionaire[or]tax advice[or]legal counseling[or]pancake molds[or]Wyoming potatoes[or]clearance-priced coffins[or]a countertop deep-frier[or]gingerbread house kits[or]a make-your-own-children's-book kit[or]telegraph pole insulators[or]a best-of album for an artist whose name you couldn't make out[or]midrange headphones[or]coconut-based seasoning[or]cat beds[or]name-brand diet cola[or]tattoo-removal services[or]vasectomy-reversal services[or]educational software[or]gymnasium supplies[or]jewelry polish[or]alcohol-free salsa[or]video-editing software[or]foam-tipped clothing hangers[or]canned foods[or]waterproof pillowcases[or]ad campaigns[or]notary services[or]mail-order psychic consultation[or]tea cozies[or]spiced meat substitute[or]aluminum chaff[or]detangler spray[or]a signed-and-annotated encyclopedia[or]a dozen empty buckets[or]the first-ever golf balls to contain moon dust[or]concentrated peach fuzz[or]pruning shears[purely at random]." To say alt music: say "[one of]The radio plays [italic type][song names][roman type] by [band names].[or]A song by [band names] titled [italic type][song names][roman type] plays.[or]The speaker plays [italic type][song names][roman type] by [band names].[or]They're playing something by [band names], but you missed the name.[or]The song is [italic type][song names][roman type], but you didn't catch the artist.[as decreasingly likely outcomes]". To say band names: say "[one of]the [band noun]s[or]the [band adjective] [band noun]s[or][band first name] [band last name][or][band first name] and the [band noun]s[or]the [band adjective] [band noun]s[or][band first name] [band last name][or]the [band noun]s[or]The [band adjective] [band noun]s[or][band first name] [band last name][or][band adjective] [band first name][or][band last name] [band noun][or][band first name] the [band adjective][or][band first name] the [band adjective] [band noun][or][band specific][or][band adjective] [band first name] and the [band adjective] [band noun][or][band noun] of [band noun][as decreasingly likely outcomes]". To say band noun: say "[one of]Weight[or]Beast[or]Siren[or]Ape[or]Churchyard[or]Hammer[or]Dagger[or]Watcher[or]Statue[or]Voice[or]Guide[or]Dancer[or]Person[or]Tower[or]King[or]Queen[or]Tempest[or]Moon[or]Victor[or]Villain[or]Angel[or]Demon[or]Devil[or]Spiral[or]Gold[or]Diamond[or]Heart[or]Club[or]Emerald[or]Sapphire[or]Opal[or]Well[or]Trough[or]Peak[or]Loser[or]Winner[or]Dinner[or]Snake[or]Eight[or]Jackal[or]Suspect[or]Jewel[or]Seed[or]Panther[or]Crystal[or]Warden[or]Watcher[or]Kitten[or]Mask[or]Frog[or]Wall[or]Funk[or]Punk[or]Grape[or]Color[or]Hymn[or]Plank[or]Truck[or]Hill[or]Valley[or]River[or]Mountain[or]Island[or]Cube[or]Circle[or]Doodle[or]Actor[or]Window[or]Hall[or]Chip[or]Banana[or]Cloak[or]Casserole[or]Ear[or]Nose[or]Hand[or]Finger[or]Cave[or]Tunnel[or]Ant[or]Spider[or]Wrist[or]Moon[or]Sickle[or]Hood[or]Fringe[or]Regent[or]Scale[or]Needle[or]Ray[or]Chicken[or]Wing[or]Canteen[or]Tomb[or]Nozzle[or]Bandage[or]Drink[or]Beer[or]Tea[or]Star[or]Hair[or]Shot[or]Barrow[or]Barrel[or]Dog[or]Cub[or]Team[or]Youth[or]Label[or]Artist[or]Curb[or]Etching[or]Blindfold[or]Ring[or]Shadow[or]Silhouette[or]Train[or]Sled[or]Ship[or]Iron[or]Fetter[or]Scalpel[or]Key[or]Wheel[or]Pistol[or]Shard[or]Preacher[or]Trainer[or]Steeple[or]Star[or]Stink[or]Channel[or]Yawn[or]Shade[or]Stem[or]Twig[or]Tree[or]Swamp[or]Light[or]Glow[or]Prayer[or]Song[or]Chain[or]Note[or]Sign[or]Arrow[or]Word[or]Strike[or]Shard[or]Lamp[or]Cup[or]Locket[or]Pentagram[or]Cord[or]Servant[or]Monitor[or]House[or]Home[or]Gesture[or]Symbol[or]Signal[or]Comet[or]Constellation[or]Filter[or]Drain[or]Pipe[or]Tail[or]Slipper[or]Crown[or]Bill[or]Coin[or]Purse[or]Handbag[or]Desk[or]Otter[or]Bear[or]Lion[or]Shell[or]Clam[or]Lobster[or]Crab[or]Oven[or]Mushroom[or]Signet[or]Gauntlet[or]Shield[or]Pike[or]Courtyard[or]Blade[or]Pet[or]Robe[or]Slip[or]Part[or]Rumble[or]Dance[or]Emblem[or]Single[or]Pair[or]Trio[or]Quartet[or]Quintet[or]Friend[or]Lover[or]Partner[or]Claw[or]Hook[or]Shackle[or]Vein[or]Thigh[or]Boot[or]Shovel[or]Hill[or]Howl[or]Sand[or]Lip[or]Needle[or]Drink[or]Smile[or]Frown[or]Shrug[or]Skull[or]Chill[or]Tremor[or]Kick[or]Leap[or]Swing[or]Slide[or]Street[or]Brick[or]Gutter[or]Worm[or]Beam[or]Shiver[or]Salamander[or]Clamp[or]Tongue[or]Seed[or]Drop[or]Clasp[or]Toy[or]Plaything[or]Vision[or]Mirage[or]Picture[or]Painting[or]Image[or]Carving[purely at random]". To say band adjective: say "[one of]Red[or]Orange[or]Brown[or]Black[or]Green[or]Grand[or]Elder[or]Younger[or]Grey[or]Sisterly[or]Brotherly[or]Big[or]Best[or]Victorious[or]Lost[or]Found[or]Fifth[or]Frozen[or]Frosted[or]Toasted[or]Bubbling[or]Wracked[or]Burnt[or]Electric[or]Disestablished[or]Salty[or]Beloved[or]Noted[or]Looping[or]Marble[or]Plated[or]Serene[or]Deep[or]High[or]Silent[or]Cold[or]Still[or]Dry[or]Rocky[or]Wrapped[or]Chocolate[or]Sweet[or]Lime[or]Sour[or]Glass[or]Buckled[or]Variegated[or]Esoteric[or]Somber[or]Ochre[or]Cylindrical[or]Terrycloth[or]Striped[or]Spotted[or]Checked[or]Missing[or]Dirty[or]Windy[or]Broken[or]Unkind[or]Friendly[or]Charming[or]Sobbing[or]Sticky[or]Shaky[or]Sharp[or]Tall[or]Narrow[or]Shady[or]Stone[or]Stolen[or]Unchained[or]Opalescent[or]Rabid[or]Round[or]Pure[or]Suspended[or]Spoiled[or]Terrible[or]Chilled[or]Slinking[or]Blind[or]Towering[or]Ancient[or]Calamitous[or]Forgotten[or]Forbidden[or]Raucous[or]Webbed[or]Shaken[or]Brazen[or]Welcome[or]Scented[or]Charged[or]Unfolding[or]Warped[or]Inappropriate[or]Blurred[or]Prehensile[or]Throbbing[or]Surrendered[or]Magnetic[or]Reticulated[or]Bronze[or]Hammered[or]Wounded[or]Chipped[or]Drained[or]Stretched[or]Spindled[or]Folded[or]Gilded[or]Maimed[or]Towering[or]Thunderous[or]Echoing[or]Doomed[or]Blessed[or]Marked[or]Sudden[or]Abrupt[or]Stained[or]Wilted[or]Engulfed[or]Slimy[or]Hallowed[or]Razor-Thin[or]Chunky[or]Heavy[or]Squat[or]Square[or]Opaque[or]Transparent[or]Translucent[or]Published[or]Earnest[or]Honest[or]Duplicitous[or]Chrome[or]Teetering[or]Flimsy[or]Rich[or]Thick[or]Stunted[or]Wavering[or]Tidal[or]Gritty[or]Dusty[or]Rough[or]Smooth[or]Slick[or]Cherished[or]Spare[or]Stolen[or]Wet[or]Sodden[or]Wordy[or]Forlorn[or]Flexing[or]Stinking[or]Fetid[or]Touched[or]Dyed[or]Ruptured[or]Wounded[or]Dire[or]Sinking[or]Eaten[or]Buried[purely at random]". To say band sound: say "[one of]boo[or]bee[or]ba[or]doo[or]bop[or]be[or]wop[or]tunk[or]tonk[or]tink[or]hey[or]hoo[or]haa[or]hum[or]hee[or]bum[or]drum[or]diddle[or]derry[or]dangle[or]dingle[or]jingle[or]jangle[or]shoo[or]Boo[or]Bee[or]Ba[or]Doo[or]Bop[or]Be[or]Wop[or]Tunk[or]Tonk[or]Tink[or]Hey[or]Hoo[or]Haa[or]Hum[or]Hee[or]Bum[or]Drum[or]sha[or]shoo[or]she[or]ka[or]koo[or]ke[purely at random]". To say band first name: say "[one of]John[or]Alphonse[or]Jana[or]Jimmy[or]Millie[or]Sybil[or]Davey[or]Cassie[or]Ellie[or]Sam[or]Elise[or]Derek[or]Kelly[or]Brian[or]Diane[or]Tiffy[or]Angel[or]Frank[or]Philomena[or]Alice[or]Enid[or]Lillian[or]Silas[or]Colin[or]Cara[or]Elizabeth[or]Andrea[or]Jackie[or]Peyton[or]Edith[or]Harmonica[or]Jack[or]Leah[or]Amelia[or]Jen[or]Jenny[or]Benny[or]Smith[or]Henderson[or]Francis[or]Ezra[or]Eric[or]Sarah[or]Amber[or]Adam[or]Bethany[or]Bruce[or]Carla[or]Charles[or]Deb[or]Davis[or]Elliot[or]Erin[or]Fred[or]Freya[or]Gregor[or]Georgia[or]Houston[or]Harmony[or]Isabel[or]Isaac[or]Juan[or]Jocasta[or]Keith[or]Keira[or]Lisa[or]Louis[or]Madison[or]Malcolm[or]Neveah[or]Newton[or]Olivia[or]Orville[or]Priscilla[or]Patrick[or]Quincy[or]Rachael[or]Robert[or]Sean[or]Stephanie[or]Tim[or]Takako[or]Umberto[or]Victoria[or]Virgil[or]Wally[or]Wendy[or]Yolanda[or]York[or]Xochitl[or]Alice[or]Barry[or]Clara[or]Dan[or]Elle[or]Fenton[or]Grant[or]Hilde[or]Ira[or]June[or]Kevin[or]Leland[or]Mae[or]Nell[or]Olive[or]Paulette[or]Roger[or]Steve[or]Terry[or]William[or]Karl[or]Lukas[or]Be[or]Andrew[or]Bob[or]Christopher[or]Drew[or]Emmett[or]Finn[or]George[or]Hugh[or]Jim[or]Kim[or]Lonnie[or]Mitchell[or]Nathan[or]Otis[or]Phil[or]Quentin[or]Ricky[or]Steve[or]Truong[or]Van[or]Willy[or]Ann[or]Beatrix[or]Charlene[or]Danielle[or]Erica[or]Fiona[or]Gina[or]Jessica[or]Kendra[or]Louisa[or]Mary[or]Nina[or]Ophelia[or]Penelope[or]Renata[or]Sybil[or]Tenelle[or][band sound][purely at random]". To say band last name: say "[one of]Allison[or]Truant[or]Trimbal[or]Acres[or]MacArthur[or]Chamberlain[or]Standish[or]Lindsborg[or]Hutchinson[or]Davis[or]Green[or]Mims[or]Lane[or]Torres[or]Valence[or]Robertson[or]Miller[or]Painter[or]Potts[or]Wilcox[or]McCarthy[or]Ross[or]Russell[or]Smith[or]Atchison[or]C[or][band first name][or]Houck[or]Huey[or]Abilene[or]Bennett[or]Carlisle[or]Doherty[or]Epperson[or]Fitzgerald[or]Gant[or]Hoffman[or]Inez[or]Jackson[or]Kitchen[or]Lemaster[or]Murdock[or]Nunez[or]Ott[or]Pointner[or]Quarterman[or]Reyes[or]Sadowski[or]Takeda[or]Ulrich[or]Vaughn[or]Waters[or]Yellowstone[or]Ziegler[or]Nguyen[or]Alcott[or]Burgett[or]Carden[or]Etheridge[or]Ford[or]Grady[or]Haney[or]Immelmann[or]Jacobsen[or]King[or]Lee[or]Meyer[or]Naismith[or]O'Reilly[or]Pessinger[or]Ratzinger[or]Adams[or]Baker[or]Cortez[or]De Mayo[or]Ewing[or]Fitzpatrick[or]Gaddis[or]Humphrey[or]Ignacio[or]Jones[or]King[or]Glauberman[or]Lopez[or]Lindstrom[or]MacKinnon[or]Newport[or]Ogden[or]Petersen[or]Reese[or]Stearns[or]Thomas[or]Vicente[or]Williamson[or]Young[or]Ziegler[purely at random]". To say band specific: say "[one of]The New [band adjective] [band noun][or]Your Least-Favorite Band[or][band sound][band sound][or]a band whose name you cannot quite make out[or]The [band noun]s and the [band noun]s[or][band first name] [band last name]'s [band adjective] [band noun]s[or]Cymbalism[or][band noun] [band noun] [band noun] [band noun][or][band sound]ba[band sound][band sound][or]?!?!?![or]The [band adjective] [band noun]s[stopping]". To say song names: say "[one of][band adjective] [band noun][or][band verb] [band object][or][single titles][or][band adjective] [band noun][or][band noun] of [band adjective] [band noun]s[or][band adjective] [band noun][or][band noun] of [band adjective] [band noun]s[or]The [band noun] [song type][or]A [band noun] To [band verb][or][band noun] of the [band noun][or]The [song type] of the [band adjective][or][band noun] of [band adjective] [band noun]s[or]Be[band sound]ing [band noun]s[as decreasingly likely outcomes]". To say band verb: say "[one of]Kiss[or]Forgive[or]Love[or]Hate[or]Move[or]Shove[or]Push[or]Pull[or]Take[or]Lift[or]Prepare[or]Caress[or]Touch[or]Picture[or]Dance With[or]Encounter[or]Witness[or]Observe[or]Send[or]Remember[or]Forget[or]Sing About[or]Talk About[or]Think About[or]Befriend[or]Turn[or]Pet[or]Embody[or]Charm[or]Convince[or]Depend On[or]Kiss[or]Forgive[or]Love[or]Hate[or]Move[or]Shove[or]Push[or]Pull[or]Take[or]Lift[or]Prepare[or]Caress[or]Touch[or]Create[or]Win[or]Turn Over[or]Embrace[or]Choose[or]Talk To[or]Pitch[or]Climb[or]Consider[or]Reconsider[or]Pray For[or]Cancel[or]Salute[purely at random]". To say band object: say "[one of]Me[or]You[or]Myself[or]Yourself[or][band noun]s[or]the [band noun][as decreasingly likely outcomes]". To say single titles: say "[one of]Be Your Own [band noun][or][band object], the [band adjective][or][band verb] [band first name][or][band verb] [band object] to the [band noun][or][band adjective] [band last name][or][band verb], [band verb], [band verb][or][band noun] Over [band noun]s[or][band noun]s Under the [band noun][or][band adjective] [band noun][or][band noun] and [band object][or]YOU HAVE NEVER TRUSTED ME[or]Don't [band verb] [band object][or][band verb] the [band noun]s[stopping]" To say song type: say "[one of]Shuffle[or]Symphony[or]Funk[or]Song[or]Ode[or]Chant[or]Lament[or]Hymn[or]Refrain[or]Beat[or]Rap[or]Rhythm[cycling]". To say nature sounds: say "[one of][house effects][or][vent effects][or][idle action][as decreasingly likely outcomes]" To say house effects: say "[one of]Outside, a truck drives past.[or]Trev adjusts his position on the sofa.[or]The sound of an aircraft passes overhead.[or]Distant barking.[or]A car door slams outside somewhere.[or]The ceiling creaks.[or]A car honks somewhere.[or]The lights flicker for a moment.[or]A neighbor's car alarm chirps with the locking of its doors.[or]A fly buzzes somewhere in the room.[or]For a moment, there's a slight ringing in your ears.[or]You catch a glimpse of a fly in the stairwell.[or]Trev taps his foot several times before catching himself and crossing his legs on the sofa.[or]The house shudders with the clamor of a passing train.[or]You can hear your heart beating.[as decreasingly likely outcomes]" To say vent effects: say "[first time]You seldom notice Trev's central air system while it's running, but it catches you off-guard whenever it starts up or shuts down (as it's doing now). [only][one of]Air stops blowing from the vents.[or]The central air vents rumble to life once more.[cycling]" To say idle action: say "[one of]Trev fiddles with his pencil.[or]Trev rolls his die back and forth between his palms.[or]Trev stretches.[or]Trev tosses the die, then catches it in his same hand.[or]Trev examines the illustrations in the article.[or]Trev smooths out the page of his notebook.[or]Trev clicks his pencil twice, then presses the lead back into place.[or]Trev drums his fingers.[or]Trev glances at the article, then back up at you.[or]You glance over just in time to catch Trev yawning.[as decreasingly likely outcomes]" To say Trev sounds: choose the row with Achievement Level of score in Table of Trev's Commentary; say "[Comments entry]". Table of Trev's Commentary Achievement Level Comments 0 "[one of]Trev holds up a hand. 'If you hadn't already noticed, I'd like to officially warn you that this quiz is [italic type]literally[roman type] all I care about right now. I will not be taking any questions at this time.' He grins.[line break][or][music sounds][or]Trev pauses for a moment. 'I should remind you that it sometimes takes me a moment to think of what I'd like to say, so you don't always have to answer immediately.'[line break][or]'Oh, you might want to make a note of what choices you're making so that you can pick the opposite options next time.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 1 "[one of]'So, now you've had a taste of how this works. You pick a path ten times, I tell you what ending you get. Simple, right?'[paragraph break]Trev barely pauses before answering his own question. 'Wrong! This article lists thirty-three possible future outcomes. [italic type]Thirty-three![roman type] How do you make that many outcomes meaningfully distinct? More importantly: how do you make each such outcome a logical result of the paths that your readers choose? I don't think they could pull that off. That's what I'd like to investigate with you today. Let's [bold type]thoroughly[roman type] explore this quiz. I want to see how many endings we can get before you get bored and wander away.'[line break][or]'Oh, I hope you don't mind that I'm abbreviating the crisis descriptions. The flavor text seems unnecessary.'[line break][or]Trev scratches his chin. 'Do you think Valdara is an actual campaign setting? Seems like a pretty generic low-magic setting, though I suppose the quiz only gives us a narrow glimpse at how it works.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 2 "[one of]'I think you should take the second path for this crisis. Remember, though, it's up to you whether you go along with this.'[line break][or]Trev thinks for a moment. 'I think I'd pick the first path for this situation.'[line break][or]'I've gotta go with the first path, again.'[line break][or]'I prefer the second path this time, personally.'[line break][or]'Hmm. I don't like either of these options. I think you should take [bold type]neither path[roman type] this time.'[line break][or]Trev lifts both index fingers. 'Path one! Path one is best!'[line break][or]Trev doesn't say anything further; he just mouths the word 'one' while holding up a single finger.[line break][or]Trev nods. 'Again, I like this first path more.'[line break][or]Trev considers for another moment. 'I favor path number two for this crisis.'[line break][or]'Actually, path number one is my preference here.'[line break][or]'I changed my mind! Take the first path.'[line break][or]'Gotta go with the second path this time, if you ask me.'[line break][or]'Ugh, just pick whatever you want, you slowpoke.' Trev rolls his eyes in pretend exasperation.[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 3 "[one of]Trev shakes out his writing hand. 'I'm getting a good sense for how this works, but I need more data. We must collect more endings!'[line break][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or]'Actually, hold on a moment.' Trev rubs at the page with his eraser. 'I marked that last one wrong.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 4 "[one of]Trev marks off your ending and starts over again. 'I may have mentioned this before, but this quiz is set up so that you can ignore a crisis altogether by taking [italic type]neither[roman type] path. I don't think you can get every ending unless you use this technique.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 5 "[one of]'I've got a pretty good grasp for how this all works, now. Feel free to ask me for hints if you'd like help getting new endings.' As he says this, Trev has marked off your latest ending.[line break][or][music sounds][or]'Oh, interesting. [hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 6 "[one of]Another outcome marked in Trev's notebook; he twirls his pencil with a flourish. 'I don't know whether this info will help you, but when I'm scoring your answers, the possible endings are sorted into groups. First there's a group of five endings, then a group of ten, then [italic type]another[roman type] group of ten, then another group of five, and finally there are three endings sort of off by themselves.'[line break][or]Apropos of nothing in particular, Trev adds: 'Don't forget; you can ask me for a clue like this one. [hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][or]'I feel like this guy meant for these crisis events to present two equally appealing or unappealing options, but I'm not too sure how well he pulled it off. Some of these paths seem obviously superior to the alternative.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 7 "[one of]'How are you holding up? If you'd rather, we could try reading the endings directly. Just tell me to cheat, and I'll pick a random ending to read.' Trev marks down your ending with a shrug.[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 8 "[one of]'Oh geez, I've been doing this all wrong. I could have been tallying these answers so much more efficiently...' He sighs and draws a tally mark in his notebook.[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 9 "[one of][if the player is befouled]Trev draws a tally mark in his notebook. 'As long as we're cheating, I should be giving you more hints. [hint sounds]'[otherwise] 'I know I said you could cheat if you want, but I've got to admit: I'm glad you haven't felt the need to resort to such measures.'[end if][line break][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or]You catch Trev looking at the endings again. 'Oh, don't mind me. [hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 10 "[one of]Trev draws a tally mark in his notebook. 'Oh, here's an idea. [hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or][music sounds][or]'Are you stuck? It seems like you're stuck. [hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 11 "[one of]'[hint sounds]' Saying this, Trev draws a tally mark in his notebook.[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 12 "[one of]Trev draws a tally mark in his notebook.[line break][or][music sounds][or]Trev stops to look at the list of endings again. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 13 "[one of]Trev seems lost in thought. 'Have you ever seen the first issue of [italic type]Parapet[roman type]?' The question is obviously rhetorical.[line break][or]'Anyway, that first issue was awful. It was all focused on this one-shot adventure set during the collapse of this empire, but the setting had big problems. There weren't any place-names provided, and the character names weren't evocative.'[line break][or]Trev continues musing about the first [italic type]Parapet[roman type] issue. 'The adventure hooks suggested all these different directions that the scenario might turn based on players['] choices, but then it's like they ran out of time and could only put actual detail in this [']escape from the palace['] encounter track.'[line break][or]'Oh, and on top of all that, the publishing quality of that first issue was complete garbage. Poor paper, poor printing, poor binding. I guess a bunch of them came apart in the mail or were missing pages.'[line break][or]'Anyway, the reason I keep bringing it up is that this is the 20th anniversary of [italic type]Parapet[roman type]'s original publication, not that this issue makes much mention of it. I guess there's not much to celebrate when your origins are so appalling.'[line break][or]'Some people on the [italic type]PM[roman type] forums thought they might fix the problems with that first adventure and release a completed version for issue 120. Seemed like a cool idea, but maybe it's better to leave the mistakes of the past where they are.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 14 "[one of]Trev reviews your endings. 'Here's some info about how this all works. [hint sounds]'[line break][or]'I know it's kind of late to mention this, but our game-master might be out sick. I don't know why, but she thought it would be funny to lick the table.' He shudders at the prospect.[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 15 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or]'Sorry I haven't been as chatty as when we started working through all this. Truth is, sometimes it's easier to just sink into the recitation and simple mechanics of adding up your score.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 16 "[one of]'That's half the endings found! Good work!' He draws yet another tally mark in his notebook.[line break][or]'Again, I should point out that there's no shame in asking me to cheat by looking up endings you haven't found yet. There's not really any glory, either, but there's definitely no shame.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 17 "[one of]'Time for another clue, I think! [hint sounds]' Saying this, he prepares a new tally for another round of crisis evaluations.[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 18 "[one of]Trev hums for a bit as he marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or]'I'm surprised we haven't heard anything by [band noun] of [band adjective] [band noun] tonight. I must have heard their new single half a dozen times this morning.'[line break][or]'I'm pretty sure the lead singer for that band is actually [band first name] [band last name] from [band specific]. Have you heard their new single yet? [italic type][song names][roman type]?'[line break][or]'I've gotta say, it's no [italic type][single titles][roman type], but I think I like it a little better than [italic type][band verb] for [band object][roman type], despite their similar sound.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 19 "[one of]Trev yawns for a moment as he marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][or]'I'm not sure all of these endings really follow from the choices that you've made. Like, there are at least three or four different outcomes where you're some kind of tyrant, and it feels really arbitrary that some of those have your rule last for decades while others see you deposed within a year or two. Dunno how I feel about that.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 20 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. 'I'm getting kinda tired, but don't let that stop you. [hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][or]'Have I mentioned how much I like the Distant Stars ending? It's not the most practical way to run a country, but there's something alluring about the dissolution of the state so that it may pass into the cultural memory of a population. Reminds me of Atlantis.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 21 "[one of]Trev pauses for a moment. 'Thank you for humoring me. You've probably been bored for a while now, huh? I think I've seen enough, if you're ready to leave, but I'm perfectly willing to keep going!'[line break][or]'Oh, I meant to give you another hint.' He consults the endings. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 22 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][or]'Before you came over, I had been planning to write up an alternative quiz that I could sort of slip in here after you'd tried it once or twice, and instead of making choices about a fantasy medieval kingdom, you'd be running your own bakery and dealing with labor interruptions from your employees. Wound up being too much work though, so I scrapped it.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 23 "[one of]Trev yawns. 'Let's see if we can knock out a few in rapid succession; I'm going to focus on just giving you guidance for a bit. To that end... [hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 24 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 25 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 26 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 27 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or]Trev twirls his fingers in a [']hurry up['] gesture.[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 28 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 29 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. '[hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 30 "[one of]Trev runs a hand over his scalp as he marks down your ending. 'Feels like I'm going to get a headache soon. We're close, though! [hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 31 "[one of]Trev marks down your ending. 'I think we're almost there. [hint sounds]'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 32 "[one of]Trev reviews his notes. 'There's only one ending we haven't found yet, and if you want to obtain that ending, well. [hint sounds][unless the player is befouled] If you want the greatest pride in your accomplishment, you should leave now.[otherwise] We may as well cheat again, unless you'd rather try to find this ending on your own...?'[end unless][line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" 33 "[one of]'Holy smokes.' Trev looks up at you. 'We've reviewed every ending this quiz had to offer us!'[line break][or]Trev looks at his filled notes. 'We should probably leave the basement now.'[line break][or][music sounds][stopping]" [Bakery is a recurring scene. Bakery begins when the score is 13. Bakery ends when the score is 14.] To say time passing sounds: say "[one of]Trev waits for you to choose a path.[or]Trev taps his foot.[or]Trev drums his fingers.[or]Trev is waiting for your response.[or]Trev waits for your choice.[or]Trev wonders which path you're going to take.[purely at random]" To say hint sounds: let M2 be the list of unwitnessed endings; if the number of entries in M2 is 0: say "Trev is confused. 'You've gotten every ending already. There's no more need for hints.'"; else: let M3 be the list of unhinted endings; if the number of entries in M3 is greater than 0: sort M3 in random order; say "[relevant hint of entry 1 of M3]"; now entry 1 of M3 is hinted; else: sort M2 in random order; say "[relevant hint of entry 1 of M2]". Part 4 - Launching Chapter 1 - Begin of Play [Before I added Trev's basement as the framing device, the game opened with the text, "Historians will have much to say about this period of your rule. Be warned that their interest springs mainly from the number and the frequency of the difficult decisions you must imminently make."] When play begins: now the reset button is switched on; say "You're at Trev's place hours early (just like every week), and nobody else is here yet (just like every week). Trev's got his head stuck in a magazine.[paragraph break]'The new [italic type]Parapet[roman type] just arrived. Seen this feature yet?' He slides it your way. 'Let me grab some stuff. I'll quiz you.'[paragraph break]As he bounds up the stairs to the rest of his house, you take a look at the article's headline:[paragraph break]"; now the current rank of Enone is 32; now the current rank of EUBRG is 31; now the current rank of EBRGW is 30; now the current rank of ERGWU is 29; now the current rank of EWUBR is 28; now the current rank of EGWUB is 27; now the current rank of ERG is 26; now the current rank of EBR is 25; now the current rank of EUR is 24; now the current rank of ERW is 23; now the current rank of EBG is 22; now the current rank of EGU is 21; now the current rank of EGW is 20; now the current rank of EUB is 19; now the current rank of EWB is 18; now the current rank of EWU is 17; now the current rank of ER is 16; now the current rank of EG is 15; now the current rank of EB is 14; now the current rank of EU is 13; now the current rank of EW is 12; now the current rank of EBRG is 11; now the current rank of EURG is 10; now the current rank of ERGW is 9; now the current rank of EUBR is 8; now the current rank of EWBR is 7; now the current rank of ERWU is 6; now the current rank of EGUB is 5; now the current rank of EBGW is 4; now the current rank of EGWU is 3; now the current rank of EWUB is 2; now the current rank of EWUBRG is 1; now the current rank of Echeat is 33. A person can be educated or uneducated. A person is usually uneducated. After printing the banner text: if the player is uneducated: say "[line break][fixed letter spacing] [variable letter spacing][italic type][bracket]press any key[close bracket][roman type][paragraph break]"; wait for any key; now the player is educated. Chapter 2 - The Ending Wiper & Crisis Resetter Events Ending Wiper is a recurring scene. Ending Wiper begins when the reset button is switched on. Ending Wiper ends when Vernal begins. When Ending Wiper begins: if score is greater than 0: if score is not 2, say "[Trev sounds]"; if score is 2, say "'Let's try something different this time. I'm still going to ask you to make the selections, but I may sometimes recommend which path I think you should take.' Saying this, Trev starts a new column on his notebook.[line break]"; now the reset button is switched off; if the player is not in the Present: now the player is in the Present; now the current rank of Enone is 32; now the current rank of EUBRG is 31; now the current rank of EBRGW is 30; now the current rank of ERGWU is 29; now the current rank of EWUBR is 28; now the current rank of EGWUB is 27; now the current rank of ERG is 26; now the current rank of EBR is 25; now the current rank of EUR is 24; now the current rank of ERW is 23; now the current rank of EBG is 22; now the current rank of EGU is 21; now the current rank of EGW is 20; now the current rank of EUB is 19; now the current rank of EWB is 18; now the current rank of EWU is 17; now the current rank of ER is 16; now the current rank of EG is 15; now the current rank of EB is 14; now the current rank of EU is 13; now the current rank of EW is 12; now the current rank of EBRG is 11; now the current rank of EURG is 10; now the current rank of ERGW is 9; now the current rank of EUBR is 8; now the current rank of EWBR is 7; now the current rank of ERWU is 6; now the current rank of EGUB is 5; now the current rank of EBGW is 4; now the current rank of EGWU is 3; now the current rank of EWUB is 2; now the current rank of EWUBRG is 1; now the current rank of Echeat is 33. Crisis Resetter is a recurring scene. Crisis Resetter begins when play begins. Crisis Resetter begins when the player is in the Future. Crisis Resetter ends when the player is in the Present. When Crisis Resetter begins: now the crisis summary of the Present is "Placeholder~!"; now every scene is distant; now every scene is unresolved; sort the Table of Critical Components in random order; repeat with N running from 1 to 10: choose row with sequence of N in the Table of Seasonal Progression; now the emergency entry is the crisis in row N of the Table of Critical Components; now the progression of the emergency entry is N; choose row 1 in the Table of Seasonal Progression; now the emergency entry is imminent; now Hibernal is atmospheric. After doing something while the player is in the Future during Crisis Resetter: now the reset button is switched on. Part 5 - Ending Management via Cleanup Scene Cleanup is a recurring scene. Cleanup begins when White Blue ends. Cleanup begins when White Black ends. Cleanup begins when Blue Black ends. Cleanup begins when Blue Red ends. Cleanup begins when Black Red ends. Cleanup begins when Black Green ends. Cleanup begins when Red Green ends. Cleanup begins when Red White ends. Cleanup begins when Green White ends. Cleanup begins when Green Blue ends. Cleanup ends when White Blue begins. Cleanup ends when White Black begins. Cleanup ends when Blue Black begins. Cleanup ends when Blue Red begins. Cleanup ends when Black Red begins. Cleanup ends when Black Green begins. Cleanup ends when Red Green begins. Cleanup ends when Red White begins. Cleanup ends when Green White begins. Cleanup ends when Green Blue begins. When Cleanup begins: now every ending is nowhere; let L be the list of endings; sort L in reverse current rank order; [say L;] now entry 1 of L is in the Future; now the printed name of the Future is "[entry 1 of L]". Part 6 - Final Resolution Instead of pathing while the location of the player is the Future: end the story finally saying "Your people's future is decided." The chatty final score rule is listed instead of the print final score rule in for printing the player's obituary. This is the chatty final score rule: say "You reviewed [score in words] ending[s] out of a possible [maximum score in words] before you embarked on your final path." When play begins: choose row with a final response activity of amusing a victorious player in the Table of Final Question Options; now the final question wording entry is "read a not-very AMUSING explanation of how this game came about". Rule for amusing a victorious player: clear the screen; say "[paragraph break][paragraph break]Personality quizzes were a frequent feature of the early days of social media. One variety based on a popular trading card game would offer you a series of questions with five answers each, and it would then tell you which of the game's five colors you were. Then, an expansion to the game released in 2005 made two-color pairings more popular, and suddenly all the quizzes with single-color outcomes were passé, and all of the quiz outcomes were color pairs instead.[paragraph break]I loved the [italic type]idea[roman type] of these quizzes, but I found their execution disappointing: they were too simple and too obvious! Giving five answers to each question made it trivial to predict how you were shaping your final result on a question-by-question basis, and a better quiz would make four-, five-, or even [bold type]zero[roman type]-color outcomes possible, yet rare. I believed that I could make such a quiz.[paragraph break]Ultimately, this game was the result: it has exactly ten questions in which I present each combination of two colors out of the five. You may choose one of the two presented colors, or you may choose neither. Each selection impacts the rankings of the thirty-two endings: five single-color endings, ten two-color endings, ten three-color endings, five four-color endings, the single five-color ending, as well as the colorless ending. Once you've made every selection, I throw the lowest-scoring endings in the trash and leave you with the ending that best fits the selections you made.[paragraph break](A thirty-third ending was added just for the cheaters, since I find thirty-three a more satisfying number than thirty-two.)[paragraph break]If you'd like to see this for yourself in another playthrough, say a word or power (such as [bold type]ABRACADABRA[roman type]) to open your mind's eye to the magic that underlies this story." Book 4 - Testing Flags - Not for release When play begins (this is the run property checks at the start of play rule): repeat with item running through things: if description of the item is "": say "[item] has no description." Showing ranks is an action out of world applying to nothing. Understand "show ranks" as showing ranks. Carry out showing ranks: say "The current ending ranks are as follows: [line break]"; repeat with item running through endings: say "[item] - [current rank of item][line break]"; Playing music is an action applying to nothing. Understand "play" as playing music. Carry out playing music: say "[music sounds]". Chapter Testing Tricks [Borrowed from user aschultz on the intfiction forums] scling is an action out of world. understand the command “scl" as something new. understand “scl" as scling. carry out scling: say “List of scenery:[line break]"; repeat with QQ running through visible scenery: say “–[QQ][line break]"; the rule succeeds; [Every turn: try scling.] [This one's from Hanon:] Rule for printing a parser error: say "The [latest parser error] happened."; continue the activity. Book 5 - Missed Descriptions The description of the reset button is "You weren't supposed to see that. Pretend you didn't." Volume II - Miscellaneous Notes [ Preliminary notes before commencing on the project itself (i.e. 12/24/18): This game is essentially my "what color combination are you" quiz, rendered into playable form: ten primary questions contributing points toward a total of 32 possible endings. (Because we're using the framing story of a ruler's decisions during moments of crisis to present these alternatives, we can finally dodge the problem I'd been having in which folks of some color combinations are less likely to even respond to the quiz in the first place.) The ten questions are presented as a series of rooms named for the seasons in which they take place; the room descriptions will explain the scenario, and present two "paths" for the player to choose between. A secret third option will permit the player to take NEITHER path; choosing this option too much will land the player with the "Colorless" ending. The 32 endings are objects which the player can actually see in the prototype version of the game. We should be able to set "amusing" or "deluxe" flags to permit players to switch this sort of feature and descriptive text on or off. I want to use scenes to control the flow of questions, probably? What are the seasons? VERNAL - Spring ESTIVAL - Summer AUTUMNAL - Fall FESTAL - Early Winter HIBERNAL - Late Winter It's a little awkward to throw a distinctly calendrical season in the middle of a bunch of terms primarily used for ecological seasons, but it's my game and I'll make it as awkward as I feel like. A NOTE FROM THE HALF-WAY POINT (probably around 01/01/19): This section was literally the first thing I wrote when I started this project on Christmas Eve, 2018. I then hammered out the engines governing the selection of paths and the resulting endings over the subsequent hours, and now that the game is playable and works the way I envisioned (a mere two days later!), I've added some post hoc organization and additional notes wherever I could be bothered to, and the notes below are now a little redundant and unnecessary. Ah well! ADDENDUM FROM 1/5/19: I can't believe it took me this long to come up with the frame story with Trev administering the quiz. The tone up to this point had been super generic vague alt-history fantastic environment. That makes so much more sense when that flavor is coming from the Oubliette magazine rather than being the tone of the game you yourself the player are playing. ADDENDUM FROM 12/16/20: I stalled out half-way through writing up the different crises. I think I was planning on finishing this game in the mid-2019 game-making event at Select Button, but I never got around to it then. Eventually I realized I’d rather use the structure of making these choices for a ten-protagonist encounterless RPG in Valdara itself, but after bouncing off GameMaker, RPGMaker XP, and Ren’Py in rapid succession, I realized I could come back to the original project and just finish it first instead. ADDENDUM FROM 12/20/20: What is it about the holiday season that makes me want to make progress on this game? Still working on endings. I've been adding polish to as much of the text as I can, fixing awkward line-breaks and making Trev's conversation feel a bit more natural. I haven't added any of the physical scenery yet, and I seem to have added some endgame rules at some point despite not yet having any way of causing the game to end. I guess I should get that done. ADDENDUM FROM 01/11/21: Of COURSE there was an actual Oubliette Magazine. I'm renaming the periodical to "Parapet Monthly". A CHANGE OF FOCUS FROM 1/17/21: This is the point when I'm finally getting serious about changing this from a "toy" into a "game" by further developing the frame story. The plan was that Trev would be "bored" until you get around 20 endings witnessed, but the text variations I've included so far would settle into predictable repetition by the time you're working on ending # 3. In order to make playthroughs # 3 through 33 less repetitive, I'm adding a "talking time" scene in which Trev comments on the article, on Valdara, on roleplaying, etc. To space this out, I'm adding a dynamic music generator and other environmental background activity. The is also a good moment to clean up and relabel the source so it's more descriptive. ADDENDUM FROM 07/21/21: Polishing the text, finishing the last couple of endings, and then actually implementing Trev are the three aspects I'm still working on before this will be finished. I'm hoping to complete this before August so that I can have people test it before the competition cut-off date at the beginning of September. Progress is slow yet steady. Earlier in the year I was really focused on adding a lot of flavor text the basement environment—randomized songs on the radio, sounds from outside the house, etc. I think that was mostly finished in January, but writing up all the endings was so monotonous that I lost all my inertia. It's good to be moving again. ADDENDUM FROM 08/10/21: Looks like the way I distributed the game to Select Button folks in February technically qualifies as "releasing" such that this would be disqualified from the competition, so I'm not pursuing that any more. In the interim, I figured out how to better intersperse crisis-specific comments further through the game, so I can put that in, now! ADDENDUM FROM 02/19/22: The game has been "officially" released for about six months, and while the SB folks and Zaratrustra were very gracious, it hasn't gotten much other attention. I played it at work yesterday and there were some clear opportunities for improvement: removal of most of the adverbs, additional transitional text after each outcome, some extra scenery, etc. Should have release 2 ready this weekend. ]