:: First page To cross the enchanted forest, they say, you have to find three signs. Only then will you see the way to the other side. You'll know the signs when you see them, they say. So far you saw <<= numeral($player.signs)>>. It's quiet under the trees, but for a lone bird singing in the distance. Blades of crude green sprout from the ground in rare shafts of sunlight. At length, the path forks. Towards your left, it climbs into a ravine between broken hills, and to the right it goes on meandering among boulders. * [[Up the steep, straight path -> Hillside]] * [[Take the long way around -> Forest]] :: Hillside Exposed layers of rock raise abruptly at either hand, stubborn trees clinging to the slopes wherever their roots can take hold. The path climbs steeply over broken ground that might have been a stream bed once. Time goes by; how much, it's hard to say, as the sun is only visible now and then. The perfume of pine needles drifts down the slopes. Above, a bird of prey soars. Presently, something looms ahead. You slow down and grip your weapon more firmly. @@text-align:center; [[There's no turning back now -> Hillside encounter]] @@ :: Hillside encounter <> <><> <><> <><> <> :: Forest Here, the path climbs over some mound; there, it dips into a hollow. Where it doesn't swerve around thickets, it goes right across a glade. Time goes by; the sun moves across the sky. How much, that's hard to say, with all the turns you've taken. The perfume of wild flowers drifts by from somewhere; unseen creatures stir in the bushes. Or was that just a gust of wind? Presently, something looms ahead. You slow down and grip your weapon more firmly. @@text-align:center; [[There's no turning back now -> Forest encounter]] @@ :: Forest encounter <> <><> <><> <><> <> :: Search the area [nobr] <> <><> <><> <> :: Berry bushes Around a circle of old trees sprawls a thicket of berry bushes, laden with bright dots in a dozen shades of red and blue. Bees buzz all over the place; somewhere, sparrows are quarreling. A faint breeze rustles branches. * [[Gather some berries]] * [[Just find a place to rest -> Respite]] :: Gather some berries Some of them are poisonous, others over-ripe, but berries are plentiful anyway. <>\ <>Whoa! What was that? You didn't have time to see it well in the shadows, but it looked ready to make a meal out of you instead. Better leave it alone. <>The sun moves steadily across the sky while you work. With patience, you manage to gather enough for a meal.<> <>\ @@text-align:center; [[Move on already -> Circle of life]] @@ :: Abandoned hut A small hut sags against the shoulder of a mound. It's starting to blend into its surroundings. Whoever once lived here is long gone, as it soon becomes clear from up close. <>\ <>Inside, you find a rotting cot made for someone smaller than you, and clay pots once used for storage. <>Inside, you find rickety bedding made for someone bigger than you, and a trunk once used for storage. <>\ * [[Rummage through the remains]] * [[Just find a place to rest -> Respite]] :: Rummage through the remains This feels wrong, but then again the previous owner doesn't need their stuff anymore by the looks of it, while in your hands it could help save the land. <>\ <>Unfortunately, none of it seems to be usable anymore. You leave empty-handed. <>The only usable thing you manage to find is a torch. Oh well, it should come in handy anyway.<> <>You find an old scroll that crumbles to dust in your hands, but not before you commit to memory a spell of <<= give_random_spell($player)>>. <>Most of it is garbage now, but you find a torch, and even an old scroll. The latter crumbles to dust in your hands, but not before you commit to memory a spell of <<= give_random_spell($player)>>.<> <>\ @@text-align:center; [[Go on now -> Circle of life]] @@ :: Respite [nobr] <> <> <><> <><> <> :: Wellspring A trickle of water makes its way down the face of a cliff, bouncing merrily off every protrusion before it pools among tall herbs at the bottom. Round stones poke their shiny bald heads out of the basin. Higher than outstretched hands can reach, a holy symbol is carved into the rock. * [[Drink the water]] * [[Wash your wounds]] * [[Leave it alone]] :: Drink the water <>\ As you sip from the cold, clear water that splashed into your outstretched fists, the sun burns hotter; birds chirp louder; for a moment, you can see farther than eagles in the sky. You're well underway by the time you come to your senses, unsure of what happened next. The blessings of higher powers come at a price.<><> @@text-align:center; [[Find your bearings -> Circle of life]] @@ <>\ As you sip from the cold, clear water that splashed into your outstretched fists, your mind runs faster; your senses become sharper. Small blessings, but you need all the help you can get.<> <> @@text-align:center; [[Move on now -> Circle of life]] @@ <>\ :: Wash your wounds < 0>>\ <>As clear water passes over bruises and cuts, they appear to get smaller under your eyes. You feel better. <>\ <>As clear water passes over unblemished skin, you feel your body lighter, ready to spring and swing. <>\ <> @@text-align:center; [[But you can't dawdle -> Circle of life]] @@ :: Leave it alone You have water in your flask, and besides, there's something preternatural about all this. Best not to disturb it. <> @@text-align:center; [[Just move on -> Circle of life]] @@ :: Peaceful corner In the shadow on a blooming walnut tree, a flat stone invites rest. Not far from there the ground falls, letting you see far over the treetops. For a while, even the dark clouds passing across the sky seem to give you a berth. * [[Eat and rest]] * [[Recite a prayer]] * [[Just press onward]] :: Eat and rest [nobr] < 0>> < 0>> <> <> You unpack some of the food from your bag and eat up, forgetting about danger for a few moments. It leaves you feeling much better. <> <> <> You unpack some of the food from your bag and eat up. With a full belly, you feel stronger, though on the flipside it dulls the mind a little bit. <> <> < 0>> <> You rummage in your bag for something to eat, but in vain. Still, you feel better after a little rest. <> <> You rummage in your bag for something to eat, but in vain. Still, a little rest helps clear the mind. <> <> <> @@text-align:center;

[[Go on now -> Circle of life]]

@@ :: Recite a prayer [nobr] <>

You whisper a prayer to the protector of your village. As words flow, the world becomes brighter, and birdsong rises into a divine chorus; for a moment, you feel like being at the heart of all things.

You're well underway by the time you come to your senses, unsure of what happened next. The blessings of higher powers come at a price.

<><> @@text-align:center;

[[Find your bearings -> Circle of life]]

@@ <>

You whisper a prayer to the protector of your village. Nobody answers, but the world is a brighter place for a moment; a magical place. Small blessings, but you need all the help you can get.

<> <> @@text-align:center;

[[Move on now -> Circle of life]]

@@ <
> :: Just press onward You're too wound up to rest, and not hungry enough to eat. Besides, time flies, and who knows what dangers lurk in the shadows. <> @@text-align:center; [[Just move on -> Circle of life]] @@ :: Circle of life <>\ You wander the forest for a while after that, looking for a sign. The path meanders aimlessly. They say the enchanted forest wants to keep people for itself, and won't let visitors go too soon. One must know its tricks. <> @@text-align:center; [[So far it's not working -> First page]] @@ <>\ As your long march through the forest settles into a new rhythm, a sight like few others reveals itself before your eyes... @@text-align:center; [[You look on -> A sign!]] @@ <>\ :: A sign! [nobr] <> <>As you watch, the skies open, and you can see with clarity to enormous distances. Beyond the horizon rises a mountain like no other, its snow-capped peak crowned with sunrays. <>Somewhere ahead rises a pine tree, so tall it appears to prop up the sky. No path leads towards the hill this giant grows from: people aren't meant to disturb places like those. <>Not far from the path, past a marshy stretch, gleams a pond, and right in its middle rises this tower of wood and stone, a holy symbol carved out of its top. It stands alone. <>(Oops! Something's wrong! Somehow you're stuck in the forest.) <> <> <>

<> :: A fork in the path <>\ You march on with renewed vigor, but the forest isn't done with you yet. As the path twists and turns, you begin to recognize familiar landmarks. <> @@text-align:center; [[In fact... -> First page]] @@ <>\ You march on with renewed vigor, and soon the landscape begins to change. A wider path descends gently over smooth ground. Trees are growing farther apart. After a while, houses can be seen. Big stone houses, not like in the village. <> @@text-align:center; ''To be continued!'' @@ <>\ :: You are badly hurt As you bleed from one wound too many, a loud buzzing fills your ears, and everything goes dark. The fall that follows feels long indeed. < 0>>\ You wake up before long, not far from the same place. Seems you were left for dead. You count your blessings and move on. Next time you might not be so lucky. <><>\ @@text-align:center; [[Find your bearings -> Circle of life]] @@ <>\ You wake up much later, in what turns out to be the ranger's hut. Things only got worse in the mean time, and nobody else seems able or willing to step up. Maybe they'll give you another chance, then. But not before you rest. @@text-align:center; ''The End?'' @@ <>\