Loving Starless Skies by Paragrasya

Browser lacks capabilities required to play.

Upgrade or switch to another browser.

Loading…

<div id="sidebar"> <div class="sidebar-header">  <div></div>  <h1 class="story-title" data-passage="gameTitle"></h1>  <div class="sidebar-toggle"> <span id="sidebar-toggle-icon" class="lnr lnr-menu-circle"></span> </div> </div>   <div id="sidebar-body">  <div class="story-logo" data-passage="storyLogo"></div>  <h2 class="story-author" data-passage="storyAuthor"></h2> <nav class="sidebar-nav"> <ul class="story-tools"> <li> <span id="restart-button" class="lnr lnr-redo"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Restart</span> </li> <li> <span id="saves-button" class="lnr lnr-download"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Saves</span> </li> <li> <span id="settings-button" class="lnr lnr-cog"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Settings</span> </li> </ul> <ul class="story-menu" data-passage="storyMenu"> </ul> </nav> </div>  </div>  <div id="mystory" role="main"> <div id="passages"> <div id="passage-start" data-passage="start" class="passage"> </div> </div> </div>

<<nobr>>  <li>[[Player Guide]]</li> <li>[[Character Menu]]</li> <<if $kasuratan is true>><li>[[Kasuratan]]</li> <<else>><li>Book Unopened</li><</if>> <li>[[Achievements]]</li> <li><<link "Credits" "Credits">><</link>></li> <</nobr>>

Loving Starless Skies

by <a href="https://paragrasya.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Paragrasya</a>

<h1 class="linebreak">Player Guide</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Game Navigation'' <span id="pg-menu" class="lnr lnr-menu-circle"></span> - Opens and closes the main menu. <i class="fa-solid fa-circle"></i> - Choices marked with this forwards to the next passage. <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-rotate-right"></i> - Choices marked with this enter a dialogue loop where the same set of options will reappear in the next passage. <i class="fa-solid fa-x"></i> - Choices marked with this ends a dialogue loop. <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Kasuratan Navigation'' All entries in the Kasuratan Menu has one of the following indicators: Moon, Water, and Boat. <i class="fa-solid fa-moon"></i> = Real life words, places, or entities that mean the same thing in LSS. <i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> = Specific words, places, or entities that exist in real life but have a different meaning in LSS. <i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> = Invented words, places, or entities written for LSS lore. The in-game meaning for these symbols are also mentioned in the Kasuratan. Browse the internet to learn more about the incorporated real life stuff and note that not all of them are listed in the Kasuratan. If you don't find the word/s in the Kasuratan, it's likely a real life thing you can easily search for on the internet. Ex. "Anak". Be aware that the player's Kasuratan is not the exact copy of the MC's Kasuratan. Ex. All the names of the 293 residents of Sulin Village in the Year 400 during Sulin Lawag, including the names of their pets, are absolutely listed. The family tree of the MC in the Kasuratan is also more comprehensive than the one you have. The words in italics inside square brackets are some of the Sentinel's internal thoughts, translated. Ex. [//No. Deep breaths. Think. Even if Maluíya is here to punish me, my fate has already been sealed. There is no changing it. The sharp weapon that kills me won't be her ivory but a boar's. She won't kill me...//] <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Line Break Formatting'' The extra line breaks on the dialogue may be confusing because it is unconventional. However, this formatting is intentional because I find this easier to read and process. Personally, I also find it is easier on the eyes when the dialogue is at the very beginning, and descriptive sentences and/or tags aren't mixed in the middle. That, and dialogue not being in between sentences is a strong preference. I also do playtesting, and reread the text in browser plays. So yes, I'm prioritizing my needs and preferences in my game, hehe. These are the reasons for the extra line breaks, and as long as it is clear who is speaking, I'm not keen on reformatting this. Ex. You don't fully understand her words, and she forgives you for it. "Mmmmm," is your only response. "Well, they will not be back in a long while," she continues. "Why don't we go to the kitchen and eat rice with the leftover pinikpikan chicken? Maybe even let you sip on rice wine." I am aware the standard formatting for that is: You don't fully understand her words, and she forgives you for it. "Mmmmm," is your only response. "Well, they will not be back in a long while," she continues. "Why don't we go to the kitchen and eat rice with the leftover pinikpikan chicken? Maybe even let you sip on rice wine." <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Character Customization'' - You cannot change your name after entering it. - You can change your gender, sexuality, and pronouns anytime. <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Intermissions'' These are extra pages in between the Chapters. They may include author notes about worldbuilding. Often, they are reminders for the player to hydrate and rest their eyes, in case they might need it ‪‪❤︎‬ <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

<h1 class="linebreak">Character Menu</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><h2>Sentinel</h2>''Name'': <<if $name is "">>//Unknown//<<else>>$name<</if>> ''Gender<<if $genderChange>> - Player Input<</if>>'': <<if $gender is "">>//Unknown//<<else>>$gender<</if>> [[(Change)|genderChange]] ''Sexuality<<if $sexualityChange>> - Player Input<</if>>'': <<if $sexuality is "">>//Unknown//<<else>>$sexuality<</if>> [[(Change)|sexualityChange]] ''Pronouns<<if $pronounChange>> - Player Input<</if>>'': ?They/?Them <<link "(Change)">><<pronouns>><</link>> ''Communication Style:'' ➤ Personally: <<nobr>><<if $commShow>> "code" <<else>>//Undetermined// <</if>> <</nobr>> ➤ Voice Tool: <<nobr>> <<if $commShow>> "code" <<else>>//Undetermined// <</if>> <</nobr>> ''Age'': <<if $age is 0>>//Unknown//<<else>>$age years old<</if>> ''Weapon'': <<if $weapon is "">>//Undetermined//<<else>>$weapon<</if>> ''Gift'': <<nobr>> <<if $see is "" or $see2 is "">>//Undetermined// <<elseif $see is "past" or $see2 is "past">>See visions of the past <<elseif $see is "future" or $see2 is "future">>See visions of the possible future <</if>> <</nobr>> ''Appearance'': //Undetermined// <h2>Traits</h2>''Perception and Treatment of Others'' <<nobr>> <<if $empathetic gte 3>> <<if ($considerate gte 3 and $ruthless gte 3) and ($considerate === $ruthless)>>You perceive others the way you perceive yourself, ''empathetic'' to their suffering and sensitive to their emotions. You are neither particularly kind nor cruel in your actions, and many will describe you as perfectly balanced, like a sweet and sour dish. <<elseif $considerate gte 3>>You perceive others the way you perceive yourself, ''empathetic'' to their suffering and sensitive to their emotions. True to yourself, you act with compassion. Many will describe you as warm and ''considerate''. <<elseif $ruthless gte 3>>You perceive others the way you perceive yourself, ''empathetic'' to their suffering and sensitive to their emotions. Despite this understanding, people will describe you as somewhat ''ruthless'' and rigid, disliking exceptions even when they benefit you. <</if>> <<if $apathetic gte 3 and ($apathetic === $empathetic)>> <<if $considerate gte 3>>You are neither too soft nor too hard in your judgment of others. What brings tears to your eyes depends on a lot of things. Still, many will describe you as ''considerate''. <<elseif $ruthless gte 3>>You are neither too soft nor too hard in your judgment of others. What brings tears to your eyes depends on a lot of things. Still, many will describe you as ''ruthless''.<</if>> <</if>> <<elseif $apathetic gte 3>> <<if ($considerate gte 3 and $ruthless gte 3) and ($considerate === $ruthless)>>You perceive others but show little interest. You feel ''apathetic'' to matters that do not concern you. You are neither particularly kind nor cruel in your actions, and many will describe you as perfectly balanced, like a sweet and sour dish. <<elseif $considerate gte 3>>You perceive others but show little interest. You feel ''apathetic'' to matters that do not concern you. Despite the lack of internal care, you act with compassion. Many will describe you as distant but ''considerate''. <<elseif $ruthless gte 3>>You perceive others but show little interest. You feel ''apathetic'' to matters that do not concern you. True to yourself, you act with indifference. Many will describe you as awfully ''ruthless'' and rigid, protesting exceptions even when they benefit you. <</if>> <<else>>//Undetermined//<</if>> <</nobr>> ''Interaction with Others and Romantic Inclination'' <<nobr>> <<if $withdrawn gte 3>> <<if ($flirtatious gte 3 and $reserved gte 3) and ($flirtatious === $reserved)>>You prefer to be in your own company, able to entertain yourself even if ''withdrawn'' from other people. When it comes to teasing and romance, you may or may not reciprocate based on your present mood. With your lover, you can be as coy as you can be demure. <<elseif $flirtatious gte 3>>You prefer to be in your own company, able to entertain yourself even if ''withdrawn'' from other people. When you do appear at social functions, you are surprisingly ''flirtatious'' and playful. Your words and gestures can fluster many. With your lover, you are more forward with your advances. <<elseif $reserved gte 3>>You prefer to be in your own company, able to entertain yourself even if ''withdrawn'' from other people. When you do appear at social functions, you are ''reserved'' with even the most blatant displays of romantic interest. Your words and responses disappoint the interested. With your lover, you are more discreet with your advances. <</if>> <<if $sociable gte 3 and ($sociable === $withdrawn)>> <<if $flirtatious gte 3>>You are neither too reclusive or outgoing and maintain equal time between privacy and company. When it comes to teasing and romance, you are ''flirtatious''. Your words and gestures can fluster many. With your lover, you are more forward with your advances. <<elseif $reserved gte 3>>You are neither too reclusive or outgoing and maintain equal time between privacy and company. When it comes to teasing and romance, you are ''reserved''. Your words and responses disappoint the interested. With your lover, you are more discreet with your advances.<</if>> <</if>> <<elseif $sociable gte 3>> <<if ($flirtatious gte 3 and $reserved gte 3) and ($flirtatious === $reserved)>>You love mingling with the crowd. Being as ''sociable'' as you are, you often seek the companionship of other people. It is common to find you in a grouping, laughing with everyone and sharing stories. When it comes to teasing and romance, you may or may not reciprocate based on your present mood. With your lover, you can be as coy as you can be demure. <<elseif $flirtatious gte 3>>You love mingling with the crowd. Being as ''sociable'' as you are, you often seek the companionship of other people. It is common to find you in a grouping, laughing with everyone and sharing stories. When someone shows romantic interest, you do not shy away from giving ''flirtatious'' responses. Your words and gestures can fluster many. With your lover, you are more forward with your advances. <<elseif $reserved gte 3>>You love mingling with the crowd. Being as ''sociable'' as you are, you often seek the companionship of other people. It is common to find you in a grouping, laughing with everyone and sharing stories. However, you are surprisingly ''reserved'' with even the most blatant displays of romantic interest. Your words and responses disappoint the interested. With your lover, you are more discreet with your advances. <</if>> <<else>>//Undetermined// <</if>> <</nobr>> ''Decision Making'' <<nobr>> <<if ($perceptive gte 3 and $intuitive gte 3) and ($perceptive === $intuitive)>>Decisions are made from instinct, observation, and insight. You are discerning of change and use this information to guide you. <<elseif $perceptive gte 3>>Decisions are made from observation and insight. Watching from afar, you are ''perceptive'' in noticing change and use this information to guide you. <<elseif $intuitive gte 3>>Decisions are made by instinct and insight. Sensing from within, you are ''intuitive'' in noticing change and use this information to guide you. <<else>>//Undetermined//<</if>> <</nobr>> <h2>Skills</h2><<nobr>> ''Magical Ability'': <<if $showSkill1 is "magic" or $showSkill2 is "magic" or $showSkill3 is "magic">> <<if $magic === 0>> Immobilized <<elseif $magic lte 4>> Learner <<elseif $magic lte 7>> Competent <<elseif $magic lte 10>> Adept <<elseif $magic gte 11>> Accomplished<</if>> <<else>> //Undetermined// <</if>> <br>''Combat Ability'': <<if $showSkill1 is "combat" or $showSkill2 is "combat" or $showSkill3 is "combat">> <<if $combat === 0>> Inexperienced <<elseif $combat lte 4>> Learner <<elseif $combat lte 7>> Competent <<elseif $combat lte 10>> Adept <<elseif $combat gte 11>> Accomplished<</if>> <<else>> //Undetermined// <</if>> <br>''Diwa Mastery'': <<if $showSkill1 is "diwa" or $showSkill2 is "diwa" or $showSkill3 is "diwa">> <<if $diwa === 0>>Immobilized <<elseif $diwa lte 4>>Learner <<elseif $diwa lte 7>>Competent <<elseif $diwa lte 10>>Adept <<esleif $diwa gte 11>>Accomplished <</if>> <<else>> //Undetermined// <</if>> <</nobr>> <h2>Faith</h2><<if $showFaith>>''Faith in Humanity'': <<nobr>> <<if $fiH lte 50>>Low <<elseif $fiH lte 80>>Average <<elseif $fiH gte 81>>High <<else>>Low <</if>> <</nobr>> ''Faith in Deities'': <<nobr>> <<if $fiD lte 50>>Low <<elseif $fiD lte 80>>Average <<elseif $fiD gte 81>>High <<else>>Low <</if>> <</nobr>> <<else>>//To Uncover// <</if>> <h2>Reputation</h2><<if $showRep>>''Respect from Humans'': <<nobr>> <<if $respect lte 50>>Low <<elseif $respect lte 80>>Average <<elseif $respect gte 81>>High <<else>>Low <</if>> <</nobr>> ''Favor from the Deities'': <<nobr>> <<if $favor lte 50>>Low <<elseif $favor lte 80>>Average <<elseif $favor gte 81>>High <<else>>Low <</if>> <</nobr>> <<else>>//To Uncover// <</if>> <<message '<h1><<nobr>>Inventory <span class="inv">(click to open)</span><</nobr>></h1>'>> <<if $inventory == "">>Empty<<else>><<for _entry range $inventory>><li>_entry</li><</for>><</if>><</message>> <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

<h1 class="linebreak">Kasuratan</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><h1 class="menu-options">[[History|History]]</h1><h1 class="menu-options">[[The World|World]]</h1><h1 class="menu-options">[[Life Lessons|Lessons]]</h1><h1 class="menu-options">[[Journal|Journal]]</h1><h1 class="menu-options">[[Relationships|Relationships]]</h1> <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

<h2>LSS Team</h2>''Writer, Character Artist, Logo Maker, and Map Maker:'' Paragrasya <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/paragrasya" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> ''Developer:'' Puddinheadart <a href="https://puddinheadart.carrd.co/" target="_blank">Carrd</a> ''Playtester:'' Perry <a href="https://peregrinestudios.carrd.co/" target="_blank">Carrd</a> <center><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div></center> <h3>Development Info</h3>''Game Engine:'' Twine by Chris Klimas ''Twine Format:'' Sugarcube v2 ''Twine Template:'' <a href="https://vahnya.itch.io/twine-template" target="_blank">Twine Template by Vahnya</a> ''Fonts:'' - Parix Hybrid - Garamond - Merriweather - Open Sans - Quicksand - Roboto - <a href="https://opendyslexic.org/" target="_blank">Open Dyslexic Font by Abbie Gonzalez</a> ''Icons:'' - Moon, water, and sailboat icons from <a href="https://fontawesome.com/" target="_blank">Font Awesome</a> ''Custom Macros'' - <a href="https://twinelab.net/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2/#/pronoun-templates" target="_blank">Pronoun Template by Chapel</a> - <a href="https://twinelab.net/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2/#/message-macro" taget="_blank">Message Macro by Chapel</a> - <a href="https://twinelab.net/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2/#/fading-macros" target="_blank">Fading Macro by Chapel</a> <center><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div></center> <h3>Special Thanks</h3>Big brother Bo, for funding the game. ... and of course, the players! ''Thank you!'' <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

<span id="timed-redirect"> <<timed 6s>> <<goto "Title Page">> <</timed>> </span> <div id="fadelogo"> <img src="images/twine-logo.png" alt="A logo of twine"> </div> <<script>> $(document).one(':passagedisplay.start-click', function (event) { $('#story').on('click.start-click', function(e) { if (passage() === 'Start') { $('#timed-redirect').empty(); Engine.play('Title Page'); } }); }); $(document).one(':passagegenerating.start-click', function (event) { $('#story').off('click.start-click'); $(document).off('.start-click'); }); <</script>>

<h1>The Story</h1> Every person takes charge of their own destinies—except for the ones who seal it by peering into their possible demise. This earns the ire of many deities who are untouched by death and beholden to eternity. All humans are destined to die, but all are afforded the ability to change the journey that leads to that destination. Yet you've done the unthinkable. Now you know you were destined for a most painful death and this knowledge sealed what was an otherwise alterable fate. <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> Written by an Indigenous Filipino, Loving Starless Skies is a romantic fantasy Interactive Fiction inspired by precolonial Igorot settings. Release Date: July 1 Last Updated: Word Count: ''Socials'': Both are 18+ <a href="https://discord.gg/QQssSSespS" target="_blank">Discord</a>, <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/paragrasya" target="_blank">Tumblr Website</a> ''Game guides'': <<nobr>> <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/paragrasya/779980612988796928/lss-faq" target="_blank">Tumblr FAQ</a>, <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/paragrasya/772300508079800320/mc-design-guide" target="_blank">Tumblr MC Design Guide</a> <</nobr>> Support the Game: <a href="https://ko-fi.com/paragrasya" target="_blank">Ko-Fi</a> <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><h2>Notes</h2> ''Status'': This is a work in progress released by chapter and is subject to change until the final version. The game is free and will remain free after it is finished. ''Age Restriction'': 18+ for themes like violence but there is no explicit sexual content. ''CWs Include but are Not Limited to'': Violence, sexually suggestive content, different types of abuse like physical abuse and psychological abuse, gore, and death. Specific content warnings can be viewed at the start of each chapter. ''Fates Determine'': Survival is determined not by the raised level of your skills, but by other choices you make. Of course, different capabilities at different levels will still affect the storytelling, but death will not come from a failed skill check. ''Single Sentinel'': You can see through the end without romancing anyone. You can even be in a romantic relationship and later break up, but the love interests will remain to have significant roles. ''Disclaimer'': This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, entities, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. <<button "I understand" "PrologueTitle">><</button>>

//menu <<set $kasuratan to false>> <<set $genderChange to false>> <<set $sexualityChange to false>> <<set $pronounChange to false>> //Character <<set $name to "">> <<set $gender to "">> <<set $sexuality to "">> <<set $pronouns to "">> <<set $age to 0>> <<set $weapon to "">> <<set $see to "">> <<set $eye to "">> <<set $htype to "">> <<set $hcolor to "">> <<set $hstyle to "">> <<set $skin to "">> <<set $height to "">> <<set $clothes to "">> <<set $jewelry to "">> <<set $inventory to []>> //Personality <<set $empathetic to 0>> <<set $apathetic to 0>> <<set $considerate to 0>> <<set $ruthless to 0>> <<set $withdrawn to 0>> <<set $sociable to 0>> <<set $flirtatious to 0>> <<set $reserved to 0>> <<set $perceptive to 0>> <<set $intuitive to 0>> //Skills <<set $showSkill1 to "">> <<set $showSkill2 to "">> <<set $showSkill3 to "">> <<set $magic to 0>> <<set $combat to 0>> <<set $diwa to 0>> //Faith <<set $deities to []>> <<set $showFaith to false>> <<set $showRep to false>> <<set $friendLevel to 0>> <<set $frLnum to 0>> <<set $fiH to 0>> <<set $faithLevel to 0>> <<set $ftLnum to 0>> <<set $fiD to 0>> <<set $respect to 0>> <<set $favor to 0>> //Kasuratan <<set $pets to []>> //chap 1 choices <<set $speak to false>> <<set $sign to false>> <<set $write to false>> <<set $speak2 to 0>> <<set $sign2 to 0>> <<set $write2 to 0>> <<set $pray to 0>> <<set $prayOO to "">> <<set $bird to "">> <<set $snake to false>> //Deities <<set $chaosPoints to 0>> <<set $chaosFriends to 0>> <<set $peacePoints to 0>> <<set $peaceFriends to 0>> <<set $choice117 to false>> //Achievements <<set $ach1 to recall('ach1') || false>> <<set $ach2 to recall('ach2') || false>> <<set $ach3 to recall('ach3') || false>> // <<set $chap1 to false>> //Chapter 2 <<set $commShow to false>>

<<nobr>><<set $age to 5>><</nobr>>"Don't be afraid of the dark anak, even starless skies deserve a chance." Lul-lula Karagsak smiles at you as she gently pats your tiny bum, trying to lull you to sleep. You shake your head. "But it's so dark! And empty! This must be what the fish sees before I swallow it." You sign the words and open your mouth wide to emphasize your point. The small candlelight nearby lights your small hands and face, dancing with your shadows. Your great grandmother chuckles and moves a stray hair from your forehead with her other hand. She has been teaching you, and the other children, under strict orders. One of her rules this year was to communicate with her only with signs and facial expressions, even if she talked with her voice. "The fish was blind long before it reached your plate, my darling." She then blows on the candle, ridding the room of its only light. You pout, uneasy and restless. Your eyes are certainly open, but your surroundings are now pitch black, as though your sense of sight has been stolen. The sounds of crickets and your beloved's humming is a blanket of comfort in this dark, cold, and otherwise quiet, night. You look at her direction, to the side of the bed not connected to the wall, and wish you could see her. Tonight is not a night you are used to. Behind her, you spot a streak of bright light rushing upwards toward the heavens. Elated, you jump to your feet, tumbling and hitting your face on the wooden floors. You hear a gasp then a chortle. Her feet does not shuffle and you recover by yourself. Rushing, you climb on top of the table and push your head out the window. Leaning over, you nearly fall out but Lul-lula Karagsak holds you in place by firmly pulling down your shirt. For you, nothing, not even her age, can slow her down if she wanted to move. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Prologue1.2]]

You kneel then tuck your legs under, wiggling your toes to get rid of the collected dirt and dust. Eyes never leaving the ascending light, you hold your breath until you hear a familiar, distant, soft pop and watch trickles of light scatter against the void. One after another, more and more human-made stars decorate the sky like thousands of glossy starlings in organized flight. With each position taken, each star and shine accounted for, every traveler can trust that though these lights disappear at dawn, new ones will take their same, exact location every night. "So it seems they've found replacements. Your parents and grandparents must have helped." Your smile stretches, almost reaching your ears. A feeling of immense pride blooms from your chest. You're proud of your family and for some reason, proud of yourself. "I almost thought we wouldn't see the stars," you sign excitedly. "So did I," she replies. Looking at her, the gentle smile she gives everyone remains on her face. Constant and content, you think she must be the happiest person in the world, despite the wrinkles permanently pulling down at her skin. "But you sort of look unhappy now." She barks a laugh, throwing her head back and even slightly bending her back. You pout again, thinking she must be making fun of you. But she leans over and presses a kiss on your temple, then she wraps her arms around you in a very tight hug. "The better word is disappointed," she says, eyes agleam. "Dis-appointed," you repeat. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Prologue1.3]]

Copying her, your palms face downwards and you twist your wrists, leading your fingers to draw a circle in the air. Finally your fingers land on your chest, tapping twice like she did to hers. She crosses her middle finger over her pointer finger, indicating that the certain sign is only between you and her, different from what she'd teach others. Nodding with understanding, you reflect on the word and what it means. You think about the sad smile she's wearing. "I am glad there is light," she explains. "But I am disappointed to have never experienced a night under the night sky as it is supposed to be experienced." You don't fully understand her words, and she forgives you for it. "Mmmmm," is your only response. "Well, they will not be back in a long while," she continues. "Why don't we go to the kitchen and eat rice with the leftover pinikpikan chicken? Maybe even let you sip on rice wine." You suck in a breath as the intrigue steals your soul and brings it back. Far too eager to take her hand, you scramble and lose your balance once more. Twice now, she grabs your arm before you fall and takes a pair of socks from the drawer, prodding you to put them on before leaving your room. Lul-lula Karagsak lights the candles, preferring their glow over the magic she can cast. You take the plates and spoons, setting the table. Soon after, your legs are swinging and your cheeks are full. You eat a bowl of chicken and rice, slurping on the broth in between bites. She eats the same, and with the eggs she just boiled, she offers you the yolks while she dips the egg whites in salt. The brown dog, Dagá, entered at some point and you give him some meat, while Lul-lula Karagsak peels another boiled egg for him. Once you've finished eating, she lets you take a small sip from her mug of tapuy rice wine, and you make such a face she nearly falls from her chair laughing. Your chin is a bunch of squiggly lines, with the edges of your lips reaching the lowest they can go. You squint so tightly you can't see and your nose is scrunched just as much as your forehead. Your frown is pulled so deep the rice on your cheeks move and fall, and she laughs harder still. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Prologue1.3.1]]

The roads were bustling, words and gold weave their way through the tapestry that is your community. The small village trembles at the feet of several outlanders and dìnolibus reptiles running around. Rising dust makes you cover your nose and you cough. Even so, the scent of wine and spices do not escape you. A flurry of fabric, bandages, and potions are exchanged, reminding you of the many who have recently fallen ill from poison. The adults are restless, and their tempers—shorter. You and Dagá move out the way, staying on the side to avoid the ruckus. As per routine, you lead a group of goats and ducks to a nearby river. Coaxing the ducklings to jump into the water, you manage to convince a couple by kneeling on the bank and waving your hands in the water. As the crowds thicken, so too does the smell of the sun, sweat, and dirt; the mixture of odor makes you gag. Feathers of chickens, ducks, and dìnolibus swirl around, an otherwise beautiful display of floating colors if the environment wasn't overwhelming your other senses. Your small legs rush to the woods, capturing the ducklings and placing them in your basket as you opt to carry them for a quicker travel. You are far from alone in the river, there are some faces you can name, some you cannot. Many are filling their wooden bamboo bottles with water, making sure to further cleanse the clear water with magic. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Prologue1.4.1]]

The silent dusk is disturbed by your sneeze. The day's earlier events gave you a bit of a cold, but that's not what awoke you. Daga's tail brushes through your face again, and you decide to get up. Your mother healed your cold before it could get worse, but made you sleep in the afternoon so you find yourself restless tonight. You think of eating, and so you walk towards the kitchen just as the sun vanishes from the horizon. "It... It is time. We must also prepare," your Lula Arapa whispers, hushed voice breaking. "I didn't think it would affect her, too," your father adds. Your mother bursts into tears, and your father consoles her, holding her head on his chest. "I will go and join the enchanters, you and Arapa should stay," Lula Kada says in her usual decisive tone. Turning to your father, she says, "they need more guardians at the forest borders, we must make our way now." Everyone nods, murmuring. Voices low, their quiet words of discussion fade as they notice your small form by the door. Lula Arapa pulls over the chair beside her, and with a smile, you father places his hands under your arm, swinging you over to land on the chair. Your mother sniffles and kisses your temple, smiling through her tears and white-woven handkerchief. Hands on your back in a circling massage, she softly addresses you. "We will unbind your Diwa in the morning, okay? And I will bind it myself if you still don't know how to. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Prologue1.6]]

You nod and then shrug. You know it was Lul-lula Karagsak who binded your Diwa when you were born. Nearing the age of 6, it is time for you to put your abilities to the test. Though you suspect something is amiss, you eventually conclude that the reason your mother is crying is because you got sick today, and worries that you won't be able to bind your Diwa. Lula Kada pinches your cheeks as she gives you a big stick of sugarcane, and you happily take it in your tiny hands. Biting into it, you eagerly sink your teeth in, ripping and pulling until the sweet juice tickles your tongue. Your mother eats with you, serving aratilis berries that she plucked from the backyard. The others prepare bags, and bottles, food, and clothing. "We will be back by sunrise," Lula Kada says as she hugs your mother and you goodbye. Kisses from your father leave his lips before his feet touches the dirt outside. Lula Arapa leads them, intent on walking them out the neighborhood. After having your fill, you and your mother clear the table. She hums as she wipes the circular wood that slides and spins to make it easier to access plates of food. You bend down and collect the pieces of the sugar cane that you spat out, throwing them into a box to be dealt with tomorrow. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Prologue1.7]]

<<nobr>> <<set $age to $age + 20>> <</nobr>>The Overseer of Peace stands before you, proud and unfettered, the stalwart being looks down at you with a spear in hand. You know her words before she declares them—for peace and prosperity, you must perish. Inside the heart of the cave, your breath catches. Despite the cold water lapping at your ankles, a sudden, intense warmth grips your body, and you sweat and shake. The reason for your sense of impending doom has made herself known, and she steps forward. Both you and the deity are bathed in blue light from the glowing eyes of blind fish. Like a snake writhing around your neck, the tension in the air envelops you and you choke. [//No. Deep breaths. Think. Even if Maluíya is here to punish me, my fate has already been sealed. There is no changing it. The sharp weapon that kills me won't be her ivory but a boar's. She won't kill me... I know my fate. But... I don't want to die at all—not by her spear, not by a tusk.//] Your mind races, trying to decide whether you want your destiny to be malleable or immutable. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.2]]

"You," is all Maluíya says, voice echoing. You swallow, but quickly realize she's not talking to you. Slowly stepping aside, you are barefoot and wary of the slippery rocks. Beneath your feet, pale fish with elongated antennae detect your movements and quickly swim away, only to come back and nip at your skin again. They do the same to the feet of the Overseer now only a short distance away from you. Nearer beside you is the trickster deity that fooled you. Xe takes form of a gigantic fish with an antennae as big as your head, similar albeit abnormal, to the species of the fish below. Xe lunges forward, swimming in the air, fish bones highlighted by the glow of xyr eyes. A fish out of water, xe is as otherworldly as they seem. "Peace!" The Overseer of Chaos greets. You're unsure if xe is asking for a truce or insulting the other deity by not speaking her full title. "Why?" The Overseer of Peace asks. "Why... not?" The giant fish teases. Xe gracefully swims in circles as though the air was water, then stops with their tail hanging above their head and resting on their antennae. An arm's length away, they give you an open mouthed smile with teeth as long as the bananas you ate. You hold your breath. The knowledge that they won't eat you is not enough to halt the fear that grips your core. In hindsight, you regret turning to see them a second time. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.3]]

"Is tricking a human to see their own death a part of your divine duties?" The spear-wielder asks in a silvery, melodic voice. You let out all the air you've been holding. A merciful act, certainly, to regard your actions as simple curiosity rather than an active rebellion against universal law. "No," the Chaos deity replies flippantly. "But it upholds my name so might as well." Xe turns their massive fish head towards you and you instantly take a few steps back, only to slip and splash. "Call me Di-íbaw," xe tells you. You take a moment to respond to the deep, gravely voice instructing you. Despite your efforts to steady yourself, your limbs and lips all tremble. • [[You open your mouth and hear your voice.|Chapter1.4][$speak to true]] • [[Your trembling hands sign, hoping the deity knows how to interpret.|Chapter1.4][$sign to true]] • [[You use the Pansurat quill to communicate.|Chapter1.4][$write to true]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<<nobr>> <<if $speak>><p class="choice">Choice: You open your mouth and hear your voice.</p> <<elseif $write>><p class="choice">Choice: You use the Pansurat quill to communicate.</p> <<elseif $sign>><p class="choice">Choice: Your trembling hands sign, hoping the deity knows how to interpret.</p><</if>> <</nobr>> <<if $speak>>You swallow. Then, you clear your throat. Another swallow. "Overseer Di-íbaw, the vision I—the vision I saw... Ummm, the face and clothes I wear when I die are the same as today..." You can't finish the thought.<</if>><<if $sign>>You raise your hands—limbs and fingers moving on their own. Forcing a fist, you grasp at the air and take a moment. Then, you sign, hoping xe has been around humans enough to understand. "Overseer Di-íbaw, the vision I saw... I, umm... The face and clothes I wear when I die are the same as today..." You can't finish the thought.<</if>><<if $write>>The quill from your Kasuratan slips, swift and ready to temporarily display your thoughts in the air with purple black magical ink. It won't move unless you tell it what to do, so you try your best to clear your head and find the words. "Overseer Di-íbaw, the vision... The vision that I saw... The face and clothes I wear when I die are the same as today..." You can't finish the thought.<</if>> "I wanted to warn you," Di-íbaw says. Whatever your mind has formed in reply, you find yourself unable to express them. Di-íbaw barks a laugh. Bats above click in protest at the disturbance, while the fish below rush to swim away in different directions. [//Even if neither of them kill me, that doesn't mean they cannot harm me. I need to get away. I saw myself die in a forest, or someplace lush with green. Where is this cave? Somewhere close? Um. No, another region? This is—//] "I'm blessing you. Indeed, you are destined to die today, But!" Di-íbaw dramatically pauses. "You will have the ability to invoke chaos to the natural order. I will interrupt the threads that weave your destiny so you can change your fate. Survive and get home—and it will be yours to keep." • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.5]]

As soon as xe is done speaking, Di-íbaw abruptly jerks away, fins lightly grazing your cheek. An odd sound echoes in the cave, agitating the blind bats even more. Spear against stone, you realize Di-íbaw just dodged her attack, and the Overseer of Peace is quick to do another. All ivory and divine, her weapons have blood, mud, and leaves caked around them. Scampering away from her fish target, you avoid getting hit with the spears. Still, Di-íbaw follows you and lightly pushes xyr tail against your back. You slip and trip, hitting your head on the ground. The shallow water runs up your nostrils and you rise to your knees, desperate to take back the air you lost, inhaling deeply through your mouth before you start choking. Shoulders shaking, you wipe away the water on your face as the sharp pain persists. Your eyes open to Di-íbaw swallowing a spear. Dizziness fill your head, and seeing how deep the weapon penetrates into the transparent fish makes your stomach twist. Beneath you, you feel a pull and notice the black circle growing on the ground where you sit. Before you can dart away, you fall. It swallows you like Di-íbaw swallows the spears. Saliva fills your mouth and your throat soon burns as you vomit your breakfast. It was quick but your throat feels sore. Heaving, you glimpse Maluíya throwing a barrage of spears, swords, and daggers towards her counterpart. Like arrows, her weapons swiftly fly through the air, pointed at the cosmic fish. Olive brown, her entire being looks like a grand, moving human statue made of mud and vines and leaves. You feel her cold gaze, note her eyes without pupils, and the fear that washes over you is more frigid than the cave's icy waters. You fall into the darkness, unable to pull away. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.6]]

<<nobr>> <<set $inventory.push("Steel box (containing sedesdem mushrooms)", "Knife", "1 small bottle of healing water", "1 small bottle of olive oil", "1 small bottle of tapuy", "1 small bottle of Kandipuy wax")>> <</nobr>><p class="choice">''Inventory Update'' + Steel box (containing sedesdem mushrooms) + Knife + 1 small bottle of healing water + 1 small bottle of olive oil + 1 small bottle of tapuy + 1 small bottle of Kandipuy wax - Wooden basket (held the bamboo water container, packed etag, and herbs) - Weapon - 1 small bottle of healing water</p> You wake with a gasp, heart pounding as you would with a nightmare. You wait for the beat to settle, staying in position and simply placing a hand on your forehead to shield your eyes from the sun. It's high noon, and though the heat on your chest is gone, it has been replaced with chills. The green scarf wrapped around your neck is soiled with water and vomit. You remove it from your person and wipe your mouth with the clean parts of the fabric. You then fold it and tie it around your hips. With your back still on the ground, you turn your head to look around. The trees towering over you are much, much bigger and taller than the ones in your region. On your left, you spot bleeding-heart birds silently feeding on the forest floor. Racking your brain to make sense of your surroundings, you get up and carefully walk around them. [//These birds have a very vivid red on their pale breast, almost matching the color of fresh blood. That eliminates the possibility of being in the south, and gods forbid, another nation. Though the south also has bleeding-heart birds, I believe these particular species are endemic to our northern islands.//] You breathe a sigh of relief. Smaller birds mean you are still within the forest borders, away from where the trees touch the clouds and the beasts swallow humans in one gulp. Still, it's not completely safe. The woods boast plenty of dangers even in the daytime, and horrors at night you'd rather not face. You must quickly find a way out of the forest before it gets dark—before the prophecy of the day comes true. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.7]]

<h3>Describe your character's gender</h3><<textbox "$gender" "">> <<link "Confirm" >><<nobr>> <<if $gender is "" >> <<replace "#textbox-error">> You clicked to change it, so please don't leave it blank.<</replace>> <<elseif $gender.length > 30>> <<replace "#textbox-error">>You can only enter 30 characters max.<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#textbox-error">><span class="choice">You update information about your gender in your Kasuratan, using the language that makes sense to you.</span><</replace>> <<set $genderChange to true>> <</if>> <</nobr>> <</link>> <span id="textbox-error"></span> <center><<link "Back to Character Menu">> <<run Engine.play("Character Menu")>><</link>></center>

<h3>Describe your character's sexuality</h3><<textbox "$sexuality" "">> <<link "Confirm" >><<nobr>> <<if $sexuality is "">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>You clicked to change it, so please don't leave it blank. <</replace>> <<elseif $sexuality.length > 30>> <<replace "#textbox-error">>You can only enter 30 characters max.<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#textbox-error">><span class="choice">You update information about your sexuality in your Kasuratan, using the language that makes sense to you.</span><</replace>> <<set $sexualityChange to true>> <</if>> <</nobr>><</link>> <span id="textbox-error"></span> <center><<link "Back to Character Menu">> <<run Engine.play("Character Menu")>><</link>></center>

Your stomach growls. You groan at the additional misfortune of losing your wooden basket, which held your bamboo water container, packed smoked meat, and the herbs that you've foraged. You've also lost your weapon. Still strapped on your hip however, is a belt holding a steel box and a small knife. In your pockets, you have 5 small glass bottles with different liquids. You realize one of the bottles is leaking, and a long exhale leaves you as you discover that the broken bottle is one of the two containing healing water. The others are fine, though a couple have a few cracks, they hold sturdy. Gently, you take out the glass shards, careful that they don't hurt you. Turning your attention to the steel box, you give a crooked smile. Enclosed in it are the mushrooms you foraged just before your encounter with the Overseer of Chaos. Unsurprisingly, it is full of mushrooms in a sorry state. Sedesdem mushrooms turn blue when bruised or cut, and the box must have been as rattled as you are for them to change color that much. Your stomach grumbles and you sigh. It is not ideal, but it is still edible. You circle an area, collecting twigs and leaves so you can start a fire and eat. Using the box as a makeshift cookware, you fry the mushrooms with the imported olive oil. Knowing you might cook lunch in the forest, that's what you put in one of the bottles. Never would you have expected, however, the recent events in the cave. The day has gone by so differently from what you've planned. You even lost the etag, the smoked pork you carefully packed, which would have gone deliciously well with the mushrooms. You make sure to cook them properly, as being under the influence of its psychoactive properties isn't something you think you need right now. [//Or maybe it is?//] You shake your head vigorously and banish the thought. Using your knife to turn the mushrooms over, you fry them on all sides. You consider writing a journal entry in your Kasuratan. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.8]]

<<nobr>> <<set $kasuratan to true>>  <<set $friendLevel to $friendLevel + 90>> <<set $frLnum to $frLnum + 1>> <<set $fiH to Math.round($friendLevel/$frLnum)>>   <<set $faithLevel to $faithLevel + 500>> <<set $ftLnum to $ftLnum + 6>> <<set $fiD to Math.round($faithLevel/$ftLnum)>> <<set $inventory.delete("1 small bottle of olive oil", "Steel box (containing sedesdem mushrooms")>> <<set $inventory.push("1 small empty bottle", "Steel box")>> <</nobr>><p class="choice">Your Kasuratan was Updated.</p> You hold the magical quill that came with the book. Fashioned to look like a long chicken feather, it has no special features other than the black tip slightly glowing. Your ink is magic and you write with the quill. With trembling hands, reality settles heavy on your chest like a stack of books on a shelf. While eating, you think of what to do next, and settle with starting with what you're most skilled in. • [[Use magic to make a light signal for potential rescuers.|Choice1.2A][$magic to $magic + 5; $showSkill1 to "magic"]] • [[Fashion a weapon and prepare for possible combat.|Choice1.2B][$combat to $combat + 5; $showSkill1 to "combat"]] • [[Resonate your Diwa with a bird's for location mapping.|Choice1.2C][$diwa to $diwa + 5; $showSkill1 to "diwa"]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<p class="choice">Choice: Use magic to make a light signal for potential rescuers.</p> You are much more capable with a spell than a sword, on your way to perfecting the art of creating certain spells without words, spoken or written, where it is often needed. Given this, your first decision is to make a light signal. With how often you take part in starcasting, this is a task you can do with your eyes closed. You fold your hands on your chest and take a deep breath. The words naturally flow and a spark ignites from within your palms. You feel heat as iridescent strings of light start to surround you. The light races towards the sky, whirring higher than the gigantic trees, and explodes with a booming sound, contrasting the blue sky with a splash of vibrant orange. For a few minutes, you continue signaling for help. This is child's play in comparison to creating and maintaining a night of an unmoving, cloud-reaching, human-made stars for sailors and travelers. The thought of fighting beasts other than the boar circles in your mind. Even at your best, with all the items for fire spells right beside you, you cannot possibly survive a night alone. The Kandipuy beasts devour everything in their path. Your Diwa being taken away like a plant withering under extreme heat is not something you can just reverse with magic. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.9]]

<p class="choice">Choice: Fashion a weapon and prepare for possible combat.</p> Your eye for turning common objects into deadly weapons, your intuition for movement that gains you the upper hand, and your endurance, are all honed from years of grueling training. You quickly find a long, sturdy branch a few inches taller than you. Brandishing the dagger that was hanging from your hip, you start to carve a pointed tip. In your well-practiced hands, the branch is neatly cut and fashioned. You grip the spear-to-be tightly, feeling its weight. With perfect timing, you'll only need to throw the makeshift weapon once towards the boar's snout. After it's injured, it would run around, enraged, and the better option than facing it would be climbing a tree. Your heart races as you consider the inevitable confrontation—it truly is now or never. The challenge somewhat ignites something within you, similar as to when you would take part in physical competitions during festivities. Your heart races again and you slap your cheeks with both hands and shake your head. This is... not a game. If you don't find a path soon, you might have to tie your only dagger to the other end of the spear handle. The thought of fighting beasts other than the boar circles in your mind. Even at your best, armed with more weapons at your disposal, you cannot possibly survive a night alone. The Kandipuy beasts devour everything in their path. Your Diwa being taken away like a plant withering under extreme heat is not something you can just point a knife to. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.9]]

<<nobr>> <<set $bird to "eagle">> <</nobr>><p class="choice">Choice: Resonate your Diwa with a bird's for location mapping.</p> Your mastery with your Diwa surpasses that of most of your peers. Although nurturing the skill took time away from practicing others, you deemed it best to have priority over combat and magical ability. Taking a deep breath, you lightly bump the back of your head against a tree and look up at the sky. The bird that catches your eye soars higher than the rest, and you decide to try your luck with it before it can leave. Sitting on the ground, you hum a tune and toy with the grass in the dirt. As your racing mind and heart subsides, you take a hot, sunbathed pebble and pass it between your hands. You continue humming a calm, almost sorrowful tune while doing so. While your hands move with a rhythm, you adjust your seating, straightening your back a little. Being able to resonate with someone's Diwa is a part of mastering it since it is an acknowledgement that all the earth sustains must learn to coexist. You find no issue in resonating with most, regardless if they were human or animal, as long as they are also in agreement. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.2.1C]]

You walk around, marking branches and leaving traces of yourself as you walk past. You plan for your next move. As much as it's best to conserve energy and prolong your stay in one place, that only works with a group and an abundance of resources. As it currently stands, you are alone in what is undoubtedly a part of the Arapaap Woods. For a place called to mean "hopes and dreams", the woods at night can only mean certain demise for a lone traveler. Though, one can argue that you are never alone in the woods. Ambient sounds of chirping, singing, and buzzing from the forest creatures help you stay grounded. Many dìnobús stalk the bushes while some winged ones soar in the sky. You spot an herbivore dìnolibús with black and iridescent feathers playing with baby deers, while the doe inspects fallen fruits. A squeal snatches your attention and sends shivers down your spine. Some distance away, a baby boar runs around its mother who is drinking water. The sight startles you enough that the panic you've successfully kept bay until now crawls back inside your mind. Eyes wary, you chuckle nervously. [//What happens if I survive the boar? What of the Kandipuy that roam the night? Even if, by some strange miracle I was able to survive them, how will I get back home?//] Questions fill your mind and you sense panic closing in like shadows of looming clouds. As you catch your breath, you start to feel lightheaded. Staggering, you lean heavily against a tree, trying to control your breathing. [//No. Not yet. The skies that lingered above my death were purple and crimson, with the sun descending for rest. So, not yet. The boar is not here. A few more hours, at least...//] You massage your temples. Bitter laughter escapes from your lips as you wrap your head around the truth that you'll soon face your death. This is how the vision showed your face, looking as is it now—tired and weary. Any confidence you could possibly muster about being very special that a deity chose you is crushed. You ascertain Di-íbaw doesn't believe in you, only that today, you had the most potential to spread chaos. You try to recall the Overseer's last words and groan, remembering that they said something about blessing you. "What in the thousand isles was I given?" You look at both your hands turning them around and over. "Something, something, ability... Create chaos." "Yesss," a voice behind you replies. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.10]]

Your eyes widen. A snake from the tree beside you slowly slithers down. "Di-íbaw?" "Xyr retainer," the snake replies. "And you recall correctly." "What is the ability? How do I unlock it?" You ask, swallowing the creeping fear triggered by a talking snake. The green snake slowly moves, camouflaging itself within the leaves. "I was told that you must learn about it yourself. I could guide, as a retainer of a deity does, but you'll have to pay the priccce." The snake lunges, catching a bleeding-heart bird in its jaws, tainting the bird's chest with actual blood. A moment later and it stops struggling, and the snake leisurely swallows it whole. "You will pay the price," it repeats. "As a human doesss." "I see. But perchance my fate was already altered since I met with the deities?" You push through the hesitance, hopeful and desperate. "That was not supposed to happen, I think." The snake just continues to digest the bird, ignoring your wishful thinking. You sigh. "Thank you, snake retainer. I'm only concerned that I may not have what you demand in return. Still, may I ask that you keep close in case I change my mind?" The snake slithers around your ankles and give you a squeeze. Before your mind registers whether you should be scared or not, its tongue flickers and then quickly disappears into the bushes. You continue walking, taking deep breaths and exhaling through your mouth. You prepare yourself for the skill you're most uncoordinated with. <<nobr>> <<if $magic === 5>>• [[Fashion a weapon and prepare for possible combat.|Choice1.3A][$diwa to $diwa + 3; $showSkill2 to "combat"]]<br> • [[Resonate your Diwa with a bird's for location mapping.|Choice1.3B][$combat to $combat + 3; $showSkill2 to "diwa"]]<br> <<elseif $combat === 5>>• [[Use magic to make a light signal for potential rescuers.|Choice1.4A][$diwa to $diwa + 3; $showSkill2 to "magic"]]<br> • [[Resonate your diwa with a bird's for location mapping.|Choice1.4B][$magic to $magic + 3; $showSkill2 to "diwa"]]<br> <<elseif $diwa === 5>>• [[Use magic to make a light signal for potential rescuers.|Choice1.5A][$combat to $combat + 3; $showSkill2 to "magic"]]<br> • [[Fashion a weapon and prepare for possible combat.|Choice1.5B][$magic to $magic + 3; $showSkill2 to "combat"]]<br> <</if>> <</nobr>> • <<back 'Previous'>>

<p class="choice">Choice: Fashion a weapon and prepare for possible combat.</p> You are no stranger to physical exertion, but brawls are where you should be making yourself scarce. Then again, magic in this world is a strength, and when one commands enough of it, even the lack of physical combat ability won't be a hindrance from winning a fight. You are on your way to making that a reality for yourself, as underhanded as some may consider it. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|CLeast]]

<p class="choice">Choice: Resonate your Diwa with a bird's for location mapping.</p> It is almost a curse, how terribly your talent and inability are positioned against each other. The salt seeping into the wound is that the talent is undermined by this shortcoming. You could do so much, have so much, be so much—potential is what they called it—and you fear that's all you'll ever have. This disability, for better or worse, made people expect less from you. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|DLeast]]

<p class="choice">Choice: Use magic to make a light signal for potential rescuers.</p> When there is something that needs to be done, whether it is physical labor or perhaps a confrontation, your body moves before you can even think to command it. Your lack in magical ability means you can't make heavy things float and follow you, but your physique allows you to perfectly compensate for that weakness. [//This is... certainly something I can't do without magic though, nor is it something I can do with any other skill.//] • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MLeast]]

<p class="choice">Choice: Resonate your diwa with a bird's for location mapping.</p> Sometimes, you entertain your mind's speculations on how much better of a fighter you can be if only you had a clue on how to master your Diwa. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|DLeast]]

<p class="choice">Choice: Use magic to make a light signal for potential rescuers.</p> Although diwa undoubtedly has an effect on physical well-being, its influence is arguably more apparent with magical affinity. However, mastering Diwa certainly does not guarantee skill with magic, and you are the prime example. With how prevalent magic is in daily life, it was quickly deduced that your disability means your societal participation in many events is limited. [//Well, I suppose it's better than being talented at magic but barely acquainted with diwa mastery.//] • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MLeast]]

<p class="choice">Choice: Fashion a weapon and prepare for possible combat.</p> It is not that you're incapable of doing physically draining work, its just that when it comes to bodies clashing, yours seems to always fly backwards first. You can handle some magic, and are amazing at Diwa mastery, so when push comes to shove, you have your own methods of self-defense. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|CLeast]]

Although you know how to hunt in theory, you can only put it into practice when accompanied by a friend. Weapons are not your forte, and though helping with the farm has strengthened your muscles, fighting is far from your strong suit. Without the resilience gained from field work, you may have already fainted from your encounter with the deities. And still, that is what pushes you to try. Eventually, you find a long, sturdy branch a few inches taller than you. Brandishing the dagger that was hanging from your hip, you start to carve a pointed tip. You struggle to cut it in the way you desire to, cutting too thinly that there is little change, or slicing too harshly that the branch is now your height. You grip the spear-to-be tightly, feeling its weight. With perfect timing, you'll only need to throw the makeshift weapon once to make it bleed. After it's injured, it would run around, enraged, and the better option than facing it would be climbing a tree. Your heart races as you consider the inevitable confrontation—it truly is now or never. The knowledge that it's impossible for you to time the attack is rooted in your brain. It's unlike the competitions during festivities, not a game but a hunt, one where you might as well be the prey. Your heart continues racing and you slap your cheeks with both hands and shake your head. If you don't find a path soon, you might have to tie your only dagger to the other end of the spear handle. You continue to sharpen the branch. Your inexperience reveals itself in its rough cuts and edges, but you make do when it becomes pointy enough. You don't wander too far from where you originally found yourself, wary that you might end up walking in circles. Though the traces you leave are helpful markings, they would not be useful in the event that an ingkanto intervenes to play a prank. With the very shortened spear in hand, you ready yourself for another task—one you are least able to perform modestly. <<if $diwa === 3>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|DAverage]] <<elseif $combat === 3>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|CAverage]] <<elseif $magic ===3>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MAverage]]<</if>>

<<set $bird to "dove">>You often lament how little to nonexistent your diwa mastery is, and ask the use of being competent in magic when this limits your performance. Because of this disability, you cannot be reckless with your magic. You must count the times you use it and be highly aware of how many chances you have left. Diwa also has some effect on physical well-being, which is why you suspect your body sometimes needing more time to recover. Since you cannot bind your own Diwa, your mother did it for you. It might be a wasted effort to attempt a Diwa resonance, but you want to exhaust all your options so you can say you did your best if the inevitable passes. Taking a seat on a warm, flattened rock, you try to make yourself comfortable and straighten your back. Being able to resonate with someone's diwa is a part of mastering your own, as it is an acknowledgement that all the earth sustains must learn to coexist for survival. Like most of your peers, you find it easier to resonate with animals than other people. Of course, factors like the type of animal and the familiarity with a person can change that, but it is fairly common to be able to resonate with smaller animals first, like chicks and cockroaches. You look again at the bleeding-heart doves, turning over soil and eating grubs and berries. You slowly unbind your restricted diwa carefully and gently, trying to adjust and meet with the bird's frequency. Despite your calculations, this alarms the group and they fly away before you can even make the offer, leaving a trail mix of food. Their voice is a mournful hooting note, first rising, then falling, and you're tempted to coo along with them. Chin resting on your palm, you decide whether you should try with another animal. Three other birds who were preoccupied in a nearby bush hopped out to find their friends gone. They look around and spot no threat aside from you. Two open their wings and flee while the last one lingers a bit longer as it pecks on some grub, and you take the chance, scrambling to catch it. Throwing your scarf over, the bird sees the consequences ignoring you. It flitters about, but you place your hands over the edges of the fabric, trapping it inside. You attempt to calm the bird with your Diwa, but you are just as panicked. On your tenth attempt, you see the glowing threads of your magic connect with the ground. He has stopped moving and you slowly raise the scarf to peek. A flurry of red overtakes your sight, and the bird scolds you with grunts and pants. The single, continuous cooooooo pleases your ears, a privilege to hear so closely when these birds are typically so secretive and quiet. You apologize, but he just flies in circles around you, pecking at you for what you did. You don't defend yourself or swat at him, taking in his fury and what little damage it can do. Hiding a secret smile, pride wells in you for finally doing it. You know these shy birds are still territorial enough to fight to the death, so you must give offer something suitable for a warrior like it. [//Wait, I'll collect food for you.//] This makes him pause but he still angrily flies around your head, darting here and there. Taking some of grubs off the ground, you place them in the steel box. Adding on wild raspberries, it makes for an attractive collection and the tiny bird calms down. [//It's all for you.//] Allowing him to take his time with the feast, you hold the steel box in place. When he finishes, he rests on your palm, squishing the food he is yet to finish. With a finger, you rub his head and he only lightly stirs. The iridescence of his feather makes the slate gray look colorful with blues and greens. You look at his full, fat belly, eyes trailing up to the bright, red patch on his chest. You keep on gently patting his head but he no longer responds. If it was not for his breathing, you would think the bird was dead from blood loss. When you feel he is rested, you stir him awake, asking him if he can fly. This insults him and he pecks at your cheek, though with less force than when you first offended him. He raises his chin, waiting for your request, truly the most bold one out of his flock. [//Please, fly high and be my eyes. Find me villages, find me people. I need help getting home. Be careful.//] Exhausted, you find a nicer spot where the trees provide shade and the winds blow a cool breeze. Climbing a tree, you look around you. You sigh, unsure of what to do. Even though you're capable with magic, it's not enough with your limited Diwa. With the resonance done, you ready yourself for another task—one you are least able to perform modestly. <<if $diwa === 3>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|DAverage]] <<elseif $combat === 3>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|CAverage]] <<elseif $magic ===3>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MAverage]]<</if>>

Magic is tricky for you. Even in some basic spells, you require assistance. Despite burning the instructions in your memory, somehow, something goes wrong. Aligning your body with the earth and your surroundings is not at all the problem, that is something you are already capable with. It seems, however, that unless you take control of magic the same way, what you cast dissipates like smoke at best, or explodes at worst. One slip of the tongue can cause disaster, nevermind the thought of casting a spell without realizing them with words—a feat only a few of your peers can manage. You've accompanied your Starcaster friends before, in order to provide support and protection while they focus on casting their magic. You recall the steps and fold your hands on your chest, taking a deep breath. The correct words flow but it takes a minute for a spark to come from within. Your palms eventually feel heat as iridescent strings of light start to surround you. Like fish trying to jump upstream, the strings flow upwards, however, they do not reach even half past the height of the massive trees around you before dissipating. One after another, your light signal struggles to meet the skies, unable to alert anyone but nearby critters. The reach becomes shorter and shorter with every attempt. The orange fading into the green leaves of the towering pine trees make for a pretty glittering sight however. It is a pity, truly, to be one among only a handful of people in the region who struggles to cast a single star on the horizon. With the attempt on light work done, you ready yourself for another task—one you are least able to perform modestly. <<if $diwa === 3>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|DAverage]] <<elseif $combat === 3>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|CAverage]] <<elseif $magic ===3>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MAverage]]<</if>>

<<nobr>> <<set $inventory.push("Gumamela roots and leaves")>> <<set $bird to "tamsi">> <<set $showSkill3 to "diwa">> <</nobr>>Taking a seat on a warm, flattened rock, you try to make yourself comfortable and straighten your back. Being able to resonate with someone's spirit is a part of mastering Diwa since it is an acknowledgement that all the earth sustains must learn to coexist. Like most of your peers, you find it easier to resonate with animals than other people. Of course, factors like the type of animal and familiarity can change that, but it is fairly common to be able to resonate with smaller animals first, like chicks and puppies, as long as they agree to it. You find find some tamsi fluttering around gumamela shrubs and you slowly unbind your restricted Diwa. Humming a lullaby, you carefully reveal more of yourself as you adjust to meet the bird's Diwa. Despite your calculations, the skittish garden sunbird flies away, rejecting your offer. One, two, three—all attempts fail, but in each one you realize a pattern. You notice that your target, along with the other yellow-bellied birds, are particularly sensitive to your emotional state, and the desperation on your person alarms them. You count your breathing and relax your stiff back. You also change the song you're humming to something more cheery. On your fifth attempt, you see the glowing threads of your Diwa resound with the garden sunbird. He flies in circles around you, tilting his head as he appraises your motives. Seemingly satisfied, he pecks at the back of your hand, pinching a small bit of skin and tugging. You protest, but decide to follow. A few of the tamsi has dared to feed on the flowers, but the others aren't so dauntless. That's when you realize that a sleeping dìnolibús lies on its side by the shrubs. Given the wings, you deduce its one of those that can fly, though you've never seen one like this up close. It seems to be bipedal, with orange and black feathers adorning its body. Its as big as a mountain dog, and likely carnivorous if not omnivorous. The garden sunbirds whistle and squeak at your aproach. A rising "dweeet" call fills your ears when they realize you mean to help. Unfortunately, this wakes the dìnolibús, who stirs and opens an eye. For a moment, it stares at you with its amber eye and vertically slit pupil, then it looks at your head, your feet, and the tamsi on your hand. You debate where to fight it, drive it away, or just leave it be, but before you can decide, it closes its eye and gets back to sleeping. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|DAverage1.2]]

<<set $showSkill3 to "combat">>You search for a long, sturdy branch a few inches taller than you. When you find one, you brandish the dagger that was hanging from your hip, carving a pointed tip. Even in your trained hands, the task remains time-consuming. You are confident, however, that with perfect timing, you could send the makeshift weapon flying directly into the boar's side, piercing its skin. It would run around, enraged, so aside from running away, you could also climb a tree. You just have to unravel first what you must do in order to get that timing. Your heart races as you consider the inevitable confrontation—it truly is now or never. If you don't find a path soon, you might have to tie your only dagger to the other end of the spear handle. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.11]]

<<set $showSkill3 to "magic">>It is time to make a light signal. Sometimes, you accompany your starcasting friends, staying awake all night exchanging news and rumors while maintaining the stars in the sky. You fold your hands on your chest and take a deep breath. Your words flow as practiced, and you feel the familiar spark within your palms. You feel heat as iridescent strings of light start to surround you. When they race towards the sky, its not high enough to reach the clouds, but enough to fly past the trees, flaring with a loud pop and painting the blue sky with an orange burst. For a few minutes, you continue signaling for help. Through nights of starcasting with friends, you manage just as well as your peers, needing just the usual amount of rest in between your shift. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.11]]

Slowly, you reach out to pluck the red gumamelas, until your arms are full of the flowers. Several of the birds fly around you, eager to eat without worries. A tamsi might be tiny enough to fit in one hand, but the low whistles one makes ring loudly in your ears. Placing the flowers in a farther place, you let them feast while you go back to the shrubs. [//I'm sure there's enough nectar for everyone.//] The tamsi that pinched you nods repeatedly, proud at himself for finding a solution to his group's dilemma. You leave the birds to it, looking back at the shrubs. The dìnolibus continuous to slumber, and though the flowers are closer to the beast, a reasonable distance away from it are plenty of gumamela roots and leaves. You take the liberty of taking some and place them in the steel box. Just as you finish taking the herbs, a small force of wind hits your neck, and you find the tamsi you resonated with perching on your shoulder. Your eyes trace his purple throat down to his bright yellow belly. You spot the shine of the brown feathers on his back, and he leans on your finger, enjoying the scratches on his neck. When you feel he is ready, you ask him if he is and he flies around you, excited to play his part. [//Please, fly high and be my eyes. Find me villages, find me people. I need help getting home. Be careful.//] Impatient to repay you, you barely finish your reminder when it flies away with zest, leaving you with its companions. You wave goodbye at the garden sunbirds and they respond in kind. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.11]]

The panic you've been keeping at bay reminds you of the passing time and grips your heart and shakes it like the bottle. You take a deep breath and exhale through your mouth. Repeating this ten times, you are able to stop yourself from doing something reckless. Between eating, foraging, lighting a signal, making a spear, and resonating with a bird, you've done the most crucial tasks. You tell yourself that you've made proper use of your time. For a bit, you let go of your spear and stretch your muscles. Whether you'll fight or you'll run, its best to have your body prepared. From head to feet, you go through the motions of twisting and turning and exerting. While stretching, you notice an ugsa pass by. You smile, eager to follow the wild deer. Keeping track that you aren't led too far, you clean your path. Along the way, you break some twigs and stick them upright. You also collect some rocks and pile them up. Your suspicions are confirmed when you find a small river leading to a beautiful, sparkly lake. Hope fills you and you race towards the body of water. The first thing you do is start a fire. <<nobr>><<if $inventory.includes("Gumamela roots and leaves")>><br>You empty the steel box of gumamela roots and leaves.<br> <</if>> <</nobr>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.12]]

Cleaning the steel box, you then fill it with water. While boiling the water, you sink your dirty scarf in the river. As the fabric is rumpled by flowing water, you snatch a smooth rock nearby and use it in washing the more soiled parts. Just as you are finished squeezing the scarf, you feel odd sense of something crawling on your skin and your eyes widen as you realize that antik ants have made their way past your woven garb. Before you can even leap to shake them off, several decide to bite you. You drop the scarf as you jump and flail around, and the acid they spray after they bite makes you wail. Antik ants are not intimidated by size, and they attack in groups, incessantly. Calming yourself for a moment, it crosses your mind to dip your legs in the water. Despite that, they are relentless, some still clinging to your skin when you raise your legs. You hold the scarf at the ends, flipping and turning it. Then, you smack your leg with it, bringing a satisfying sharp stinging pain unlike the bite of the ants. After wiping your legs, you wash the scarf a second time. Hands floating on the water, you seriously consider praying. After all, this is the time you need help the most. You bite your lip. There is a reason you haven't uttered a word of thought dedicated to the supernatural. Would they smite you? Would they take pity on you? There are a number of reactions you might draw for daring to pray considering you have witnessed your fate. To do so is to ask them you rewrite your destiny, and you have nothing to offer in exchange for such a magnanimous request. A swirl of emotions have been fighting for your attention, and finally, one climbs up on top. • [[Pray, unapologetically. You were tricked and you are furious.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "angry"]] • [[Pray, humbly. You are ashamed to ask for help but forced to nonetheless.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "sad"]] • [[Pray, optimistically. You are hopeful that who you pray to sees reason.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "happy"]] • [[Pray, hesitantly. You hate this situation and loathe the solution.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "disgust"]] • [[Pray, anxiously. You are still shaking as the fear keeps its hold.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "fear"]] • [[Don't pray. You were tricked and you are furious.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "no angry"]] • [[Don't pray. You are ashamed to ask for help and you won't be forced to.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "no sad"]] • [[Don't pray. You are hopeful you can see through this alone.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "no happy"]] • [[Don't pray. You hate this situation and loathe the solution.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "no disgust"]] • [[Don't pray. You are still shaking as the fear keeps its hold.|Pray Branch 1][$pray to "no fear"]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<<nobr>> <<if $pray is "angry">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray, unapologetically. You were tricked and you are furious.</p> <<elseif $pray is "sad">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray, humbly You are ashamed to ask for help but forced to nonetheless.</p> <<elseif $pray is "happy">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray, optimistically. You are hopeful that who you pray to sees reason.</p> <<elseif $pray is "disgust">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray, hesitantly. You hate this situation and loathe the solution.</p> <<elseif $pray is "fear">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray, anxiously. You are still shaking as the fear keeps its hold.</p> <<elseif $pray is "no angry">> <p class="choice">Choice: Don't pray. You were tricked and you are furious.</p> <<elseif $pray is "no sad">> <p class="choice">Choice: Don't pray. You are ashamed to ask for help and you won't be forced to.</p> <<elseif $pray is "no happy">> <p class="choice">Choice: Don't pray. You are hopeful you can see through this alone.</p> <<elseif $pray is "no disgust">> <p class="choice">Choice: Don't pray. You hate this situation and loathe the solution.</p> <<elseif $pray is "no fear">> <p class="choice">Choice: Don't pray. You are still shaking as the fear keeps its hold.</p> <</if>> <</nobr>> Throat tightening with tears stinging your eyes, you allow yourself to cry. You know it is not your fault, that it was a trap, and Di-íbaw would have forced you to witness it one way or another—if not find a different target altogether. Di-íbaw does as xe pleases, and whether you're able to survive or not, xe has already achieved xyr goal. It is terrible that your fight against fate only serves to further that goal. <<nobr>> <<if $pray is "angry">>You raise your chin and flex your fingers. You will not be bullied. Divine or not, you have nothing to apologize for. The truly benevolent would help you should they hear you. <<elseif $pray is "sad">>You shoulders are hunched and your breath hitches. You know it is not your fault, and still you cannot help but feel the shame rise in you. You cannot send away the shadow of guilt that hovers you either. In spite of it all, you do not deny yourself a prayer. <<elseif $pray is "happy">>Posture stiff, you clutch at your belly and hold your breath. It was an accident, and fairness would see you saved from this. <<elseif $pray is "disgust">>You shake your head and wrinkle your nose, swallowing hard. You did not want this, and you certainly do not want to pray about this, but you suppose there is no other choice. <<elseif $pray is "fear">>Your muscles tighten and you look around, arms crossed with your shaking hands warm against your armpits. The whole event is unjust, and no amount of fear can convince you otherwise. However, it doesn't change the truth that it happened, it doesn't change the truth that you are now a target. <<elseif $pray is "no angry">>You raise your chin and flex your fingers. You will not be bullied. Just as you should not have to ask for forgiveness, you should not have to ask for salvation. The truly benevolent will help regardless. <<elseif $pray is "no sad">>Your shoulders are hunched and your breath hitches. You do not blame yourself, but a shadow of guilt still hovers over you. Embracing the shame, not even prophesized death can make you ask for help. <<elseif $pray is "no happy">>Posture stiff, you clutch at your belly and hold your breath. You trust that you can face this challenge on your own, whatever the future may bring. You accidentally stepped into it, but you may also just as well stumble into the perfect solution. <<elseif $pray is "no disgust">>You shake your head and wrinkle your nose, swallowing hard. As unplanned as it may be, a deity ruined your life, and its easy to see how another will ruin it further. <<elseif $pray is "no fear">>Your muscles tighten and you look around, arms crossed with your shaking hands warm against your armpits. The entire event is unjust, and no amount of fear can convince you otherwise. You could run, but praying might take even that away from you.<</if>> <</nobr>> <<if $pray is "angry" or $pray is "sad" or $pray is "happy" or $pray is "disgust" or $pray is "fear">>Splashing your face with water, you take a moment to yourself to gather your thoughts. There are 3 Overseers your household mainly prays to, and you are familiar with all of them. You can also pray to one of your ancestors. With these options, you are more worried about your ancestors, knowing they are more likely to smite you. You decide to only pray to one for now, so you won't be deemed as too audacious. You take smooth, shiny stones from the river, arranging them in a circle. Among the berries you foraged, you stopped to take some tiny bright orange-red flowers you found against mossy greens. The presence of the flowers let you know you're higher up in the mountains than you first assumed. Wild raspberries and fire flower orchids are neatly placed over the stones. At the center of the circle, you place a golden wristband, an adornment your mother insisted you take, and the only jewelry you're wearing. Taking out the small bottle of tapuy, you pour the rice wine slowly by the wristband as though you were pouring into a cup. The sweet liquor swirls about, until it eventually seeps into the ground. It is not long before you change your posture, ready to pray. • [[Pray to Namnamasián, the Overseer of Love.|Pray Branch 2][$prayOO to "love"]] • [[Pray to Pategdaánan, the Overseer of Crops.|Pray Branch 2][$prayOO to "crops"]] • [[Pray to Màysinápil, the Overseer of Death.|Pray Branch 2][$prayOO to "death"]] • [[Pray to Wayà, a benevolent, deified ancestor.|Pray Branch 2][$prayOO to "waya"]] • [[Pray to Sadán, a compassionate, deified ancestor.|Pray Branch 2][$prayOO to "sadan"]]<br> • <<back 'Previous'>> <</if>> <<nobr>> <<if $pray is "no angry" or $pray is "no sad" or $pray is "no happy" or $pray is "no disgust" or $pray is "no fear">>Deciding to just rest, you lay down in the bank, arms spread wide while you dip your feet in the water, waiting for the bird. Closing your eyes, you let your emotions flow through you, and out through your controlled breaths. Your mind feels clearer, and the sound of the flowing water along with the songs of nature helps you relax. <br> <br> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Pray Branch 2]] <</if>> <</nobr>>

<<nobr>> <<set $inventory.push("1 small empty bottle")>> <<set $inventory.delete("1 small bottle of tapuy")>> <<if $prayOO is "love">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray to Namnamasián, the Overseer of Love.</p> <<elseif $prayOO is "crops">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray to Pategdaánan, the Overseer of Crops.</p> <<elseif $prayOO is "death">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray to Màysinápil, the Overseer of Death.</p> <<elseif $prayOO is "waya">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray to Wayà, a known benevolent, deified ancestor.</p> <<elseif $prayOO is "sadan">> <p class="choice">Choice: Pray to Sadán, a famed benevolent, legendary ancestor.</p> <</if>> <</nobr>><<nobr>> <<if $pray is "angry" or $pray is "sad" or $pray is "happy" or $pray is "disgust" or $pray is "fear">><br> You pray. You pick and choose your words, careful to not make demands. Even so, you don't hide your emotions and your thoughts about the circumstance. Your prayer is raw and honest. All considering, it is the only kind you can make now and the only kind worth hearing. After your prayer, you dip your feet in the water, waiting for the bird.<</if>> <<set $faithLevel to $faithLevel + 20>> <<set $fiD to Math.round($faithLevel/$ftLnum)>> <</nobr>>You hear the call of your winged friend in your mind, and a sense of pride clouds your head. You know the reason so you jump up, kicking water on your rush to get back on your feet. You praise the bird, trying your best to get the message across telepathically while frantically looking around, eager to meet the bird and the new human companion. <<nobr>> <<if $diwa === 5>>The eagle glides high. <<elseif $diwa === 3>>The tamsi flitters ahead. <<elseif $diwa === 0>>The bleeding-heart dove flies beside the person.<</if>><</nobr>> You squint to see who the bird brings. <<nobr>> <<if $combat === 0>>You recognize the face all too well. <<elseif $diwa === 0>>It is someone you think you can name, if given the time to remember. <<elseif $magic === 0>>It is someone you have never met before.<</if>><</nobr>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.13]]

You break into a sprint. The beat of your heart plays on your eardrums. The ground beneath your bare feet sink lower, recording your antsy steps. Trees and leaves blur into a background as your eyes focus only on what's directly in front of you. Your feet slowly halt to a stop however, when you realize the goal your eyes never left has suddenly... vanished. Your chest tightens and your stomach flutters. Grimacing, you blink rapidly. You are still in the woods, but the river is nowhere near you. Everything looks the same in the forest, but you note the trees now seem bigger, taller, intimidating. [//Hello? Can you hear me?//] The bird doesn't respond. Your shoulders curl forward, chest caving in. Sweat trickles down your neck while you clutch your belly tightly. A whimper escapes you. The Diwa connection is broken. Your mind races, searching for answers. You cannot feel the resonance. <<if $diwa === 5>>[//Impossible! How did this happen?//] Your resonance went as well as any teacher would want for a student, not to mention a broken connection is not something that just happens without the input of those involved. The eagle had no desire to sever your connection and also wanted to rejoin you.<<elseif $diwa === 3>>[//How did it just break? I've never heard of such a thing.//] A broken connection is not something that just happens without the input of those involved, especially when you were able to resonate properly. The tamsi did not reject you and also wanted to rejoin you.<<elseif $diwa === 0>>[//What?//] You know this is your weakest skill, but a broken connection is not something that just happens without the input of those involved. The bleeding-heart bird was being cooperative and also wanted to rejoin you. Against all odds, you hope the fault lies within something else and not your incompetence.<</if>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.14]]

<<nobr>> <<set $refuse to false>> <</nobr>> Someone or something very powerful must have interfered. Unsure if its an ally or foe, the one thing you are certain of is that the Diwa resonance was broken, and you were magically taken to another place. Separating you was a conscious decision, and you don't have the time to just wait and give the benefit of the doubt. The day isn't getting any easier. If even your environment is changing and your Diwa connections are broken, then your preparations have been for naught. Your hold on your spear tightens. You consider calling for the snake retainer. • [[You open your mouth and speak.|Chapter1.15][$speak2 to 1]] • [[Your hands and fingers move, signing.|Chapter1.15][$sign2 to 1]] • [[You use the quill to write.|Chapter1.15][$write2 to 1]] • [[You don't know the price that will be paid. You refuse to run around in circles and have this as your new norm.|Choice1.8D][$refuse to true]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<<nobr>> <<if $speak2 == 1>><p class="choice">Choice: You open your mouth and speak.</p> <<elseif $sign2 == 1>><p class="choice">Choice: Your hands and fingers move, signing.</p> <<elseif $write2 == 1>><p class="choice">Choice: You use the quill to write.</p> <<elseif $refuse>><p class="choice">Choice: You don't know the price that will be paid. You refuse to run around in circles and have this as your new norm.</p><</if>> <</nobr>> You inhale as much air as you can, and then you hold your breath. <<if $speak2 == 1>>The word leaves your mouth, surprisingly stable, as though you were at home, casually asking someone to help you find the salt.<<elseif $sign2 == 1>>You sign the word, surprisingly not too quickly, or too slowly, as though you were at home, casually asking someone to help you hang the laundry.<<elseif $write2 == 1>>You put the quill on your Kasuratan and the word is surprisingly written in smooth lines, as though you were at home, casually writing a note to someone to ask for their recipe.<</if>> The snake approaches, falling from a branch. "Sssssooo, you want my help?" "Yes." "Alright then, the ability you're granted isss—" "Wait!" You interrupt. "I first want answers." "Then that would cost you more." "Not fair if you're the one who took me away from the lake. I respectably deal only with respectable businesses." You hear laughter from the snake, which catches you off guard. Considering a hoarse and gruff voice comes out of its open but unmoving mouth, it shouldn't be that surprising. "It wasss not I. T'was the boar." Your fingers touch your parted lips. Eyes wide, you turn away. "What is the gift that will help me defeat it?" "I'll tell you if you win. I'll even help you unlock it. I just asssk for a treat in exchange." "You'll really help?" "Choossse and focusss. The boar arrivesss." Deep snorts past the trees get louder and louder. You hear squealing, then screaming, as though the boar is in pain. It crosses your sight, and you don't see any blood or injury. Still, it shakes its head aggressively, throwing itself around and seemingly fighting against something else you can't see. Then, it stops. The boar with dark brown fur stares at you, white tufts peeking from the sides of its lower jaw. What sets it apart from the other boars commonly found are the huge, four tusks growing around its snout, and they are now pointed in your direction. You don't sense much presence nearby aside from you, the snake, and the boar. Insects, and worms, some birds, and other small creatures roam about. But no one else, not even dìnolibus reptiles roam about. The sun is starting to set. Without a clock and with your mind stressed, it was hard to keep track of the time. Sometimes it felt like time was too slow or that it went by too fast. • [[You nod. You will hunt a meal for the snake.|Choice1.9A][$snake to true]] • [[You sigh. You consider the meal the snake wants may not be something you can hunt.|Choice1.9B]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<p class="choice">Choice: You nod. You can hunt a meal for it.</p> The snake stares at you with wide eyes, and from its reflection, you watch yourself nod. "Passst or future?" it asks. "What?" The snake lunges at you. It coils around your neck, wrapping itself like scarf. Whatever emotions you feel in response are subdued, and gently replaced with feelings of calm and clearheadedness. The threads of the retainer's magic glows green and clings to your clothes, making you the most lucid you have been in the past few weeks. "Would you rather sssee what the future may bring or ssstudy the piecesss of the past?" "I..." The snake just flicks out its tongue, and you feel its impatience emanating. Thinking hard, you give your answer. • [["I'd like to see the known past."|Choice1.10A][$see to "past"]] • [["I'd like to see the possible future."|Choice1.10B][$see to "future"]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<p class="choice">Choice: You sigh. You consider the meal it wants may not be something you can hunt.</p> "I... change my mind. I don't want your help if you won't tell me what I am paying with exactly. For what its worth, what you call a treat may be a limb." The snake nods, not bothered by the underlying accusation. It slitheres away, crawling on the ground and gravel. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.16]]

<p class="choice">Choice: I'd like to see the known past.</p> Knowledge is power, and though seeing the future is tempting, it is not set in stone except for those that are sealed. Knowing the truth of the past can help you figure out why the boar targets you, and find a way to prevent that. This is divine power, and you hope it is enough to challenge your fate. [//This is it. No turning back, now//] You steel your will and clench your fists. <<nobr>> <<if $combat === 0>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MandDFight]] <<elseif $diwa === 0>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MandCFight]] <<elseif $magic === 0>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|CandDFight]] <</if>> <</nobr>>

<p class="choice">Choice: I'd like to see the possible future.</p> Knowledge is power, and though knowing the secrets of the past is tempting, it does not change your current situation. Knowing what may happen can help you fight and dodge, preventing the fate you sealed. This is divine power, and you hope it is enough to challenge your fate. [//This is it. No turning back, now//] You steel your will and clench your fists. <<nobr>> <<if $combat === 0>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MandDFight]] <<elseif $diwa === 0>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MandCFight]] <<elseif $magic === 0>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|CandDFight]] <</if>> <</nobr>>

<h1 class="linebreak">History</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <h2 class="menu-options">[[Pan-atepán History Book|History1]]</h2><h2 class="menu-options">[[Changes in the Kasuratan|History2]]</h2><h2 class="menu-options">[[Crimes Punishable by Law|History3]]</h2> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak">The World</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <h2 class="menu-options">[[Supernatural|World1]]</h2><h2 class="menu-options">[[Mortal Matters|World2]]</h2><h2 class="menu-options">[[Places|World3]]</h2><h2 class="menu-options">[[Masinalaka Region|World4]]</h2><h2 class="menu-options">[[Definition of Terms|World5]]</h2> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Life Lessons</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<message '<h2>A. Collective Input for the Atep Community</h2>'>> 1. Diwa Mastery - Binding, Resonating, and Control By: Mày-mày [...] 2. Ghost Sightings By: Dadayanmālì [...] 3. Living at Peace with Supernatural Beings By: Bi-wani [...] 4. Sacrifices for Deities and their Altars By: Usalya Sitti [...] 5. How to Exact Revenge and How Not to By: Anēn Ligaya [...] 6. How to Forgive By: Manda-anna [...] 7. Different Ways of Courting By: Alonasaūd [...] 8. Choosing a Main Pursuit By: Kayu [...] 9. Different Traditional Woven Fabrics and How They are Worn By: Idi [...] 10. Getting Your Ideas Shared in the Kasuratan through the Collective Input for the Atep Community - A Comprehensive Guide By: Sāna [...] <</message>><<message '<h2>B. Consanguinean Input</h2>'>>1. Family Tree: By: Various Family Members Update log: [...] <div class="family-tree"> <img src="images/family-tree.png" alt="Image of the family tree" width="300px" height="300px" loading="lazy"> </div> Image Description: There is a flowchart showing the Sentinel's family history. Starting with Lul-lula Karagsak, who is indicated to be deceased, the line goes down to Lula Kada who married Lula Arapa. They had Timpōsa, who married Kustuyâ. Timpōsa and Kustuyâ are the Sentinel's parents. <</message>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Journal</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<nobr>> <<if $chap1>><<message '825/12/30'>>In a cave, Di-íbaw, the Overseer of Chaos, tricked me into seeing—and thus sealing—my fate. Considering all deities suffer from being bound to eternity, Maluhiya, the Overseer of Peace, was understandably outraged and attacked zir. The trickster deity used zir power to send me away. I was swallowed by darkness and woke up in the woods. I'm going to find my way home and... try not to get killed by a boar.<br><</message>><<else>>//To Uncover//<</if>> <</nobr>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Relationships</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><<nobr>> <h2 class="menu-options">[[Human Relationships|Relationships1]]</h2> <h2 class="menu-options">[[Animal Relationships|Relationships2]]</h2> <h2 class="menu-options">[[Overseer Relationships|Relationships3]]</h2> <h2 class="menu-options">[[Other Supernatural Being Relationships|Relationships4]]</h2> <h2 class="menu-options">[[Love Interest Relationships|Relationships5]]</h2> <</nobr>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Pan-atepán History Book</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 300 - Pan-amag di Kasuratan</h2>'>>The first enchanted gift a community provides a newborn. Made of magic and Diwa, it is sewn by the rays of the sun. The book is imparted by the community with pieces of their wisdom and knowledge. It was originally created by Peléliri and her cousin, Datinati, both hailing from Ammogabay, now called Batuhatip. Divided into three sections, the first imparts history and worldly facts, included in everyone's Kasuratan. The second holds writings provided by closer connections like relatives, including secret recipes and advice on love. The third section contains blank pages to be filled out by the owner using their own magic. Stored in silver or gold, the Kasuratan may later be summoned by the owner usually around 5 years old. One is free to add more writings using the dedicated matching quill, Pansurat, as it is often used as a journal. When someone dies, their Kasuratan dissipates into the air, releasing the bound magic and Diwa. The most common items to store personal Kasuratan in are jewelry, particularly rings and necklaces. Though some have been known to store them into common rocks and actual books that has traces of silver and gold. Assistive tools are used by those who cannot access their own Kasuratan.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 300 - Pan-amag di Pansurat</h2>'>>The dedicated matching quill for one's Kasuratan. It is a spell most children learn around 7 years old. It is fashioned after a chicken feather, and the tip is black with a small glow. The Pansurat cannot tamper with the content of the first section due to a protective spell. However, the quill can add, remove, and change texts in the second and third sections of the owner's Kasuratan. One's Pansurat may write on the second and third section of another's Kasuratan. In advanced usage, the writing instrument need not be held, and can simply float and write as willed by the owner. The Pansurat may write in the air with purple black magical ink. It is temporary, and the ink may last until an hour, depending on the owner's magic. Assistive tools are used by those who cannot access their own Pansurat.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 400 - Sulin Lawag</h2>'>>To fight the diwa-devouring Kandipuy, the majority of Sulin Village participated in a massive Diwa Resonance, resounding with each other's Diwa at the same time in different lengths of duration. A record of 257 villagers out of the 293 were all resonating at one point for at least 10 minutes. The resonance allowed them to cast a series of fireballs as one unit with exceptional teamwork, causing minimal collateral damage to their surroundings. It was during this incident that it was discovered the Kandipuy are immobilized by melted gold. The names of the all people living in Sulin Lawag during that time, including their pets, are as follows: <<for _entry range $pets>><li>_entry</li><</for>><</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 425 - Starless Skies</h2>'>>This is the year that stars were reported to have vanished from the night sky. Explanations vary per region and personal belief. The most commonly accepted theory is that after the Sulin Lawag incident, the deities found humanity to be ready for indepence and have thus reduced if not abandoned their roles in the mortal realm. Reports of feeling distant from certain deities and observations of increased unanswered prayers are considered as proof of this theory. Another interpretation that revolves around the same premise is that the Kabunian are unimpressed and insulted by the increased pride and arrogance of humans, and have thus taken on the challenge that many drunkards and scholars claim—that humans can live without dieties. A popular legend for the starless skies not connected to Sulin Lawag is one about sealed fates. Two friends liked to use divination to prophesize their deaths. Because they witnessed each other's and never knew their own, they have not sealed their fates and have even curried favor among the deities when they were able to successfully evade death. One friend's curiosity eventually overtook their reason and they learned of their death. No matter their experience in adventuring and survival, the curious friend died as expected. The other one mourned and vowed to their worshipped deities that they will see through their friend's ambition and foretold their own fate. Some Overseers were in support of them, and they were able to escape their fate and live. The consequence included the banishment not only of the stars in the night sky, but also of the Overseers that helped them. Considering the many stories of inquisitive minds that doomed themselves to knowing of their death and still dying the same way, it is commonly accepted that one cannot change their sealed fate. Seeking them and attempting to escape them only causes great catastrophies.<</message>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Changes in the Kasuratan</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> From Year 300 to Date</h2>'>>The first section in every bestowed Kasuratan has consistently changed overtime. Most of these changes are detailed in archives found in Batuhatip libraries. As part of the increasing efforts to maintain the integrity of the resource, every entry is reviewed, discussed, and debated, often several times a year. Now, every entry has an indicator, with each symbol hinting at who made the review. A. Moon - Reviewed by the Pan-atepan elders B. Water - Reviewed by the scholars in Batuhatip C. Boat - Reviewed by the public in regional At-atoán areas, and then rediscussed by publicly appointed diplomats from the 10 regions<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 430 - Page Management</h2>'>>A number of spells have been created to keep the Kasuratan organized. A popular idea is maintaining it a 500 page book, with certain entries temporarily hidden by a spell, allowing for more space. When the spell dissipates, the older entries return and the newer ones are completely removed.<</message>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Crimes Punishable by Law</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 300 - Non-consensual Situations</h2>'>>This covers any and all events that involve a certain party not fully consenting to an activity, contract, or situation. Punishments vary.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 300 - Diwa Resonance Without Consent</h2>'>>For animals, many exceptions may be made especially in terms of hunting and survival. It is prohibited to resonate with the pet or animal of someone for the purposes of spying on them or causing them repeated mental distress. This law may be lifted by certain regions engaging in war. For fellow human beings, there are no exeptions other than when engaging in war. In times of peace, the punishment is a public execution unless the victim willingly negotiates with to settle the matter privately. There are no recorded cases of animals forcing a human to resonate with them. More likely, such a creature is a deity or another supernatural being in disguise, in which case, a Sentinel is recommended to arbitrate before the situation escalates.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 300 - Sexual Assault</h2>'>>Such situations are unheard of, with known narratives only involving foreigners outside the Pan-atepán Island. In rare times it happens in the island, the victims decide the punishment. The guardian of the child or owner of the animal may decide the specific punishment on behalf of the victims.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 310 - Kasuratan Requirements</h2>'>>Only reviewed entries are allowed in the first section of the Kasuratan. It is prohibited to tamper of alter the contents of the section in any way. Punishment is decided by the regional governing body.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 310 - Kasuratan Updates</h2>'>>New information shall reflect in the Kasuratan that will be given to an infant. For the first section on a Kasuratan with outdated information, one must travel to Batuhatip to update the content, or meet with a scholar from there who is authorized to relay the information. Any unauthorized changes, even if to replicate approved changes, is punishable. Punishment is decided by the regional governing body.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Year 515 - Pintas Regulations</h2>'>>All potions must be temporary, reversible, and nontoxic. No pintas potion must have lasting effects for longer than a month. The effects must be removable even before the expected dissolution. All must be edible and not poisonous. All potions must also have their expiration dates clearly marked on their individual containers. These are required to ensure safety especially during emergencies. For grave cases, noncompliance may result in exile. Punishment is decided by the regional governing body. A skilled Enchanter may forcefully erase the effects of a pintas potion on a person of interest if ordered by the regional governing body.<</message>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Supernatural Beings</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Kabunian / Overseer / Deity</h2>'>>The Kabunian does not need the worship of mortals to continue their existence, nor does their power rely on it. What is important however, is that the level of veneration they receive balances their access to the Mortal Realm, measuring their ability to intervene with human affairs. Prayer and reverence, after all, is a human's way of inviting a deity into their lives.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Ap-apu / Ancestors / Deified Ancestors</h2>'>>The Ap-apu are held in high regard in all the 10 regions. Ancestral shrines encircled by stones and bones are commonly found near the dining area. Tribal heroes are often considered by humans as deified ancestors, and are asked for their guidance in matters that they previously conquered.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Anito / Ancestors / Environmental Spirits</h2>'>>The Anito are supernatural beings residing in the Mortal Realm. These long-living creatures specifically live in nature, like in forests, lakes, or rocks. When their homes are destroyed, they follow those responsible and drive them into madness, and then kill them. Several environmental spirits are also considered by many spiritual leaders as ancestors not by blood, but by connection to nature. Their physical form may be transparent or animal-like, alterable depending on the wishes of the Anito.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Ingkanto</h2>'>>The Ingkanto are supernatural beings residing in the Mortal Realm. These long-living creatures stay wherever they fancy, and may even cause harm in order to overtake someone else's decorated home. If their dwelling is one nobody claimed before, they are likely to be overprotective of it, and vengeful for any damages. If they stole someone else's dwelling, and they are driven out, whether by the original owner or by someone else, they hold no grudges and simply travel again. Their physical form may change but not as dramatically as the Anito.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Al-alya / Ghosts</h2>'>>The Al-alya are supernatural beings residing in the Mortal Realm. They are the abandoned souls unintentionally left behind by spirits who have traveled to the Astral Plane. They can be exorcised when the ghost seeking its spirit is reunited with it. This is doable only with the blessings of an Overseer, as only a deity can find the spirit in the Astral Plane and convince or force them to retrieve their soul in the Mortal Realm.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Diwakaán</h2>'>>Creatures that detect and feed on Diwa, like the flying bone butterflies, ice fairies, and the Kandipuy.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Kandipuy</h2>'>>Sometimes humanoid in the shape animal skeletons, they devour Diwa without restraint. Mostly seeking Diwa from humans, they tend to absorb Diwa from animals and their environment only if humans are not present. Ashen white and tough as bones, they are statues during the daytime. They rise when the sun sets, seeking Diwa and even occasionally consuming al-alya. When made bigger and stronger, they tend to cannibalize smaller Kandipuy. They are nearsighted and cannot produce any vocal sounds. The songs and the screeching that often accompanies their presence come from narda birds, colorful scavengers who feast on the flesh of their diwa-less victims. The Kandipuy cannot be defeated by blade or common fire, but flames summoned with magic can dissolve them like melted wax. With melted gold, they can be subdued and immobilized. While at a standstill, the Kandipuy may be buried with the melted gold, and the bones it possessed would quickly decay in a year, leaving traces of unique, kandi wax that could be used in making candles and soap.<</message>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Mortal Matters</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Diwa</h2>'>>Existing in everything, animate and inanimate, Diwa is the collective essence of all that exist in the Mortal Realm. Diwa is also a channel for magic to come to pass, but it is not the source. The mastery of Diwa is not required in order to exist among others, for the act of existing in the first place means one is deserving.<ul><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Diwa Mastery</h3>'>>The practice of keeping the balance of one's own essence with that of the outside world is referred to as Diwa Mastery. It is crucial in maintaining taláw. Without it, even the strongest of spells can quickly fade. Since Diwa is the channel for realizing magic, certain magical objects like the Kasuratan may be difficult to access for those who have little skill in navigating through Diwa.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Diwa Binding</h3>'>>This is the practice of binding one's diwa, a technique taught early on in order to hide one's presence from creatures that detect and feed on Diwa, such as the Kandipuy. Diwa Binding limits one from casting complex spells, but otherwise has no known lasting side-effects.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Diwa Resonance</h3>'>>When two or more living beings resound, causing a resonance that allows for the temporary sharing of perceived senses and abilities. It is a common, advanced technique that involves the mastery of Diwa. Three or more people resonating with each other at the same time is rare. Despite this, the number most recorded to have done so is 257 people, with almost the entirety of the Sulin Village participating. Only those involved in the resonance can break it. A forced separation by an outsider or an external force is not only extremely difficult, but if sucessful, can cause blindness, numbness, inability to sense the body's location, and other damages to the senses of those involved in the resonance. Many cases have led to death, hence the prohibition of doing so without input from a governing leader. Resonating with an inanimate object allows for the temporary experience of sensing the objects state and surroundings. Because of accidents, privacy issues, and Ingkanto curses that permanently numb a person's body and/or limits their senses, it is prohibited to resound with an object unless the object is one's own and is done in a open area.<</message>></ul><</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Ab-abiík / Spirit</h2>'>>Existing in every living being, it is one's own essence. Long after the physical body festers, it is the enduring remnant that travels to the Astral Plane. Though it is not shared with anyone else, it can be made to resound, in something called Spirits' Reverb, in order to share certain perceived senses and abilities with another. When separated from its souls, it becomes a wandering spirit with no cognizance or desire of its own.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Agasiyas / Soul</h2>'>>Existing in every living being, it is one's own consciousness. Long after the physical body festers, it is the enduring remnant that sometimes unintentionally remains in the Mortal Realm. Though it is not shared with anyone else, the abandoned souls of spirits who have moved on to the Astral Plane can become ghosts in the Mortal Realm, seeking to reunite with their spirit. Just as there's more than one type of essence, a person's soul is also multiple. Each region has its own unique interpretation on the number of souls and their types.<ul><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Ayag para di Agasiyas</h3>'>>A series of actions done to call for the lost and escaped souls of the living. Often done to cure any confounding illnesses.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Asi para di Agasiyas</h3>'>>All 10 regions agree that the loss of each one of a human's souls leads to a slow descent into madness, ending in death. At which point, it is recommended that while still alive, the person is sacrificed to the deities as a final plea for redemption. The Kabunian may take pity and help find the missing souls, before the spirit reaches the Astral Plane and the souls turn into Al-alya.<</message>></ul><</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Taláw / Magic</h2>'>>The power of a being to influence others, itself, and/or the physical world through supernatural means. To cast lingering taláw, one's mastery of Diwa must complement the spell enough to properly maintain it. Though taláw is integrated to daily life, certain magical objects like the Kasuratan may be difficult to access for those who have little skill in using this power.<ul><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Laud</h3>'>>Solid items that have been enchanted by humans to serve a purpose. They are often used for fighting, protecting, and storing magic. A magical technique, the effectiveness depends on the caster.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Daya</h3>'>>Shapeless or liquid items that have been enchanted by humans to serve a purpose. They are often used for healing, poisoning, and changing physical appearances. As a magical technique, the effectiveness depends on the caster.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Pintas</h3>'>>Daya made to change appearance. These potions can not only change eye and hair color, but also give additional limbs and even wings. Exercising caution is best with even the safest pintas potions, especially since most of them can become unpredictable after their expiration date.<</message>></ul><</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Narda</h2>'>>Forming a cooperative existence with the Kandipuy, their role is to help the Diwakaán locate victims. Though their voices are not enchanted, they have an uncanny ability to mimic human voices its almost magical. The colorful scavenger birds can scream, sing, and speak like a human, often doing so to help the Kandipuy to lure in victims. They hover over the Kandipuy, careful to stay out of their reach. After the Kandipuy devours their victim's Diwa, the narda eats the remaining flesh.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Dìnolibus</h2>'>>Reptiles with feathers, classified by size, diet, travel ability, and whether they are bipedal or quadrupedal. Smaller ones no bigger than chickens are often kept as housepets. Medium-sized dìnolibus are as big as mountain dogs and are trained to wander around communities to alert for danger, especially for Diwakaán presence. Larger dìnolibus are best avoided because of havoc they may cause, though the herbivores with better tempers are allowed to reside in sanctuaries as companions to sentinels.<ul><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Atū-dìnolibus</h3>'>>Any dìnolibus that can fly.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Dārat-dìnolibus</h3>'>>All dìnolibus that can only travel on land.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Anūm-dìnolibus</h3>'>>Any dìnolibus that can swim.<</message>></ul><</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Calendar</h2>'>>There are 12 months, with 30 days for each month except for the final month which has 35 days. The months are named after the colors that manifest when one has mastered magic. Namely: A. Labbasa / Red B. Labbarasā / Red-orange C. Marangásā / Orange D. Panig-mara / Yellow-orange E. Panpanig / Yellow F. Dalayánig / Yellow-green G. Dalayáp / Green H. Dalangit / Blue-green I. Langit / Blue J. Ubi-ángit / Blue-purple K. Ubi / Purple L. Ubībasa / Red-purple<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> 9 Main Pursuits</h2>'>>The main pursuits one can take and become are as follows: A. Sentinel - Sanctuary keeper, ritual performer, mediator between humans and deities B. Navigator - Land, sea, and sky mapper C. Harvester - Forager, farmer, fisher D. Whisperer - Livestock caretaker, hunter, dìnolibus trainer E. Diplomat - Regional representative, lawmaker, mediator between humans F. Artisan - Weaver, weaponsmith, jewelry maker G. Merchant - Trader, traveler, messenger H. Omen - Warrior, healer, escort I. Enchanter - Starcaster, magic teacher, curse lifter<</message>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Places</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Astral Plane</h2>'>>Where the Kabunian and other supernatural beings co-exist, it is the place where the long-living dwell, where death is but an occasional visitor.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Astral Sea</h2>'>>An ocean of stars, space, water, and time, it is the boundary between the Astral Plane and the Mortal Realm. Stripped of their physical bodies, human spirits and supernatural beings traverse it. Some human spirits separate from their souls along their way to the Astral Plane, reaching their destination but with their souls put back into the Mortal Realm.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Mortal Realm</h2>'>>Where mortals and supernatural beings co-exist, it is the place where all that may die within a century permanently resides. Longer living beings like certain trees and reptiles may persist here.<ul><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Búlan / Moon</h3>'>>The higher part of the Mortal Realm where no human lives. The Kabunyan has made a home of it, watching humans from afar and interacting with Overseers involved in human affairs.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Naparsuá Archipelago</h3>'>>One of the many names of the archipelago that the Pan-atepán island is located in. It has around 7,700 islands, with over 300 languages spoken by its inhabitants.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Pan-atepán Island</h3>'>>The island is a part of the Naparsuá Archipelago. A third of the island is composed of dense forests housing ferocious beasts that make it uninhabitable. The island is divided into regions. Previously 15 regions, war and diplomacy reduced it to the present 10: A. Kayumahiwi - Region of Honey and Wind B. Daúndarah - Region of Ink and Blades C. Barudalan - Region of Light and Wine D. Tasikonoí - Region of Potion and Poetry E. Masinalaka - Region of Feasts and Festivals F. Api-tanan - Region of Fire and Music G. Batuhatip - Region of Maps and Chronicles H. Kapikulana - Region of Thread and Fortune I. Ikkantulan - Region of Freedom and Fairness J. Danumlaka - Region of Mist and Mystery<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> At-atoán</h3>'>>The meeting place of the community, headed by village elders and sentinels. Anyone can participate in the meeting as an observer, including children. However, unless directly involved with the issue at hand, one must be called upon first before they are allowed to speak. To signal to the elders that one desires to speak, one will need to step into the open circle. If a big crowd is in attendance with several active participants, the meeting will be divided into smaller group discussions. A designated person from each group will present a summary, so that as much as possible, every point of view can be accounted for. If the people are evenly split on an issue, the most experienced village elder present will make a decision and conclude the meeting.<</message>></ul><</message>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Masinalaka Region</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> People</h2>'>>The people from Masinalaka are called "Masinalakan".<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Culture</h2>'>>Located at the center most part of the island, interregional trade is as common as farming. As such, much of the people's daily lives are influenced by the cultures, languages, and beliefs of visiting outlanders.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Beliefs</h2>'>>A. Souls - The Masinalakan believes in multiple souls per person, specifically 3<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Tattoos</h2>'>>The first tattoo of most Masinalakan folks is given during their 20th birthday, when they are recognized by society as growing youngsters and are granted more freedom and responsibility. The ones who get their tattoos earlier do so by achieving great heroic deeds, usually accomplished by saving a number of lives during a time of crisis. A Masinalakan may choose between 5 different geometric designs circling around one of their arm, wrist, leg, or ankle. The 5 designs are: A. Gayaman - Centipede B. Tinulipao - Snakeskin C. Inam-am - Fern plant D. Banig - Woven mat E. Rice The second tattoo is given during their 25th birthday, marking the beginning of their adult lives. The tattoo highly depends on the pursuit that they have chosen. If one has not yet chosen, they are given small, butterfly tattoos on their middle fingers. Once they have finally chosen a path, they are given options on what corresponding tattoo design to get. After this, tattoos further received are gained from honored accomplishments.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Clothing</h2>'>>Just like the rest of the island, the clothing can be one of the main three styles.<ul><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Tapis (wrap-around skirt) with bagket (thick belts)</h3>'>>A feminine garb. To wear the matching attire for the torso is optional. An init weave for a top may also be worn.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Wanes (loincloth)</h3>'>>A masculine garb. To wear the matching attire for the torso is optional. An init weave for a top may also be worn.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Init weave</h3>'>>A gender-neutral outfit typically worn as a set. Woven from the harvested energy of the sun and imbued into the rattan, the top is a collarless shirt, while the bottom article may be a skirt or a pair of pants. The length of the sleeves, skirts, and pants, are highly dependent on the weaver. The fabric produced is light yellow, and dyes are often used to change the color.<</message>></ul><</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Main Weaponry</h2>'>>Aside from wasey and pana, many of the most common knives, spears, and axes hail from the imported blades of neighboring regions.<ul><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-moon"></i> Bunéng knives</h3>'>>Often used for agriculture and cutting sugar cane and grass, it is also a stabbing weapon. It has a wide tip that narrows near the handle, making it seem leaf-shaped.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-moon"></i> Kalis sword</h3>'>>Mainly used in combat, it is a double-edged slashing weapon. The blade is shaped in a wavy pattern and the surface is marked by swirling lines.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Wasey axe</h3>'>>Occasionally used for beheadings, it is also used for carving furniture and building coffins as it is a hooking weapon. With crescent shaped edges, it is a concave blade featuring a spike on the poll side.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Pana bow</h3>'>>Used for both hunting and warfare, it is a ranged weapon. The bow and arrow are made of bamboo, and the bow has a rattan string while the arrows are tipped with bone stained by poison.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-moon"></i> Hinalung spear</h3>'>>Able to switch between dagger and spear, the double-edged blade is primarily used for hunting and foraging as it is a dual use weapon. With a hollow handle, the dagger can be mounted on a pole and used as a spear.<</message>></ul><</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Adornments</h2>'>>Like many other regions, gold is the most common and most popular type of jewelry in Masinalaka. For imported items, seashells are often bought as it especially popular in courting. 12 of the most used adornments are listed below: A. Suklong headdress - A rattan basket hat with rooster feathers that also has boar canines attaching the basket to the hat B. A pair of simple, square stud earrings C. Lingling-o hoop earrings - Gold and copper C-shaped earrings representing the uterus D. Lingling-o necklace - A gold and copper c-shaped pendant representing the uterus E. Sokpōbikas necklace - A necklace from a strip of traditionally woven fabric with golden beads and seashells hanging from it F. A necklace of boar tusks G. A necklace of dog fangs H. A simple, plain golden necklace I. Tangkil left armband - Two boar tusks are bound by rattan, representing ferocity J. A simple, thick golden right armband K. A bracelet of seashells L. An anklet of seashells<</message>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Definition of Terms</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Padinta</h2>'>>The trade language widely recognized throughout the island, often spoken to communicate between people who speak different regional languages.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Padintala</h2>'>>The sign language widely recognized throughout the island, often utilized to communicate between people who have different regional languages.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Fenling</h2>'>>A foreign, gendered language used by some foreigners visiting the Naparsuá Archipelago.<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Terms for the Disabled</h2>'>>There are many respectable terms to refer to the disabled. The ones listed here are Padinta terms, and are thus easily recognized by the island as socially acceptable.<ul><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Ámianan</h3>'>>A person who has difficulty mastering Diwa. In worst cases, may not even be able to properly bind their own Diwa or access their own Kasuratan independently. In such cases, another person may bind their Diwa or they are given tools to help them bind it themselves. They are provided a physical copy for their Kasuratan.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Ábagatan</h3>'>>A person who cannot properly cast magic, or perform basic taláw spells. In worst cases, may not even be able to properly utilize enchanted tools or access their own Kasuratan independently. In such cases, they are afforded a personal tutor to teach them and help them improve as much as possible. They are provided a physical copy for their Kasuratan.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Na-ánginan</h3>'>>A person who is physically disabled, including disability in speech, senses, and movement. In such cases, they are provided magical and nonmagical tools that can help them.<</message>><<message '<h3><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Na-tudoán</h3>'>>A person who is psychologically disabled, including intellectual and developmental disabilities. In such cases, they are provided magical an nonmagical tools that can help them.<</message>></ul><</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-water"></i> Words</h2>'>>A. Atep - The collective name for the people of Pan-atepán Island, meaning "beings of the earth". B. Lul-lula - A great grandmother or a group of grandmothers C. Adì - A word added to stress that something is obvious and is accepted in both casual conversation and formal writing<</message>><<message '<h2><i class="fa-solid fa-sailboat"></i> Phrases</h2>'>>''"Do you believe the stars exist?"'' A common way of asking, "Do you believe in me?" It's been 300 years since stars were last seen in the sky. No human in the current generation has ever seen one, save for the glittering lights humans have mastered to cast over the centuries in order to imitate them.<</message>> <<back 'Previous'>>

The sweet but acidic taste does not appeal to you, nor does the alcoholic flavor that lingers, so you roll out your tongue, hastily wiping your sleeves on it. After she collects herself, she finds a sealed jar of candied ube and unwraps it. With your mouth already open, you let her put the candy in your mouth, grunting in approval. After you brush your teeth and wash your face, she finds a long-sleeved init weave top and helps you change into it. You are tucked in once more, on your side and in the same position as before. "What time is it?" you ask. "Time for you to sleep. Overdue, really. It was already past midnight when they lit the first stars." "Will you tell me a story again?" "Alright. One about the stars?" "The one about the real stars." You close your eyes. You can't see her, but you know she's smiling down at you. Its her favorite tale to tell. "Long, long ago, when friendships between humans and dìnolibus reptiles were just beginning to bloom, a human saw his fate. It wasn't just a prediction from a fellow human, oh no! It was a divination from the deities themselves. They showed him the many ways he could die in different places and different times, leading him to accomplish impossible quests and avoid death. This angered the Twins of Fate, so much so that they cursed all of humankind to die in the same way as their first vision of death. Of course, seeing false prophecies were an exception. They are far stricter with visions of fated death, and if you're lucky, just hearing or feeling or sensing your fated demise may still allow you to be excused altogether. Only sometimes, though, and only if you're lucky. Otherwise, the Twins were true to their word, and every true enchanted vision of death witnessed by a human with their own eyes have died exactly as foretold. The same deities have now become the Overseers of Fate, collectively known as Sapadaton. Because accurate visions of fated death leave little to interpretation, they are more lenient and sometimes even favorable with blind people because they can't see—" Lul-lula Karagsak interrupts herself when she sees your falling eyelids. Hovering her palms over your face, she hums a tune and closes your eyes. The last thing you hear before sleep takes you is the song mixed with the snoring of Dagá beside you. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Prologue1.4]]

Releasing the ducklings from your basket and letting the goats roam free, you sit by the riverbank. Only a moment has passed when you hear an angry quack and see the mother duck hissing and flying out of the water next to you. Quickly, you raise your arms over your head and her wings lightly graze you. When you lower your arms, you find yourself face to face with a huge dìnolibus. Feathers wet and shining, you think this must be one of those that can swim. It looks very similar to your favorite chicken, with its white feathers, red crown, and intense gaze. The head of the dìnolibus, is of course, like any other—shaped more like lizards than chickens. It looks up at you with its circular pupils, and then it opens its mouth, boasting the teeth growing from its tongue. The stinky fish breath makes you gag for the second time this morning. Fear and disgust fight each other in your head and you hear your heart beat loud and clear. The more you see of its body, the more you notice it is bigger than Dagá. The dog barks and whimpers, scared and but staying in place. The goats and ducks however, have all but disappeared. You hear a yell and the next thing you know, the dìnolibus throws itself back into the water with a loud splash. A man you've never seen before, whose arms and legs are decorated with snake tattoo patterns, smiles down at you. "Sorry. We've been traveling a long while. We're all hot and hungry." He whistles and the reptile rises from the water again, slower this time. With a shake, the feathers rain down droplets on your already wet clothes. The dìnolibus stands on two legs, with two smaller limbs at its front that can be likened to human arms. You notice a few feathers are shed, feathers that are longer than your hand. The man chuckles and waves over his companions. One of them holds an init fabric and helps dry you, while others chase your escaped animals. Your own friends and neighbors make their way to you, guiding their own livestock of goats and cows and ducks. Reuniting with your usual crowd, the drumming beats of your heart eventually calm. You kneel to pet Dagá who is pinned in place, and other pairs of small palms follow suit, as you and your friends coo and fuss over the dog. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Prologue1.5]]

A sudden bang catches your attention, and your mother stops humming and leans, picking up whatever odd sound that may repeat itself. Bam! Bam! Bang! Your mother runs to you, wiping rag tossed carelessly across the kitchen. Arms wrapped around her neck, you cling to her as you both listen to the barks of Dagá and a high pitched shriek, both coming from Lul-lula Karagsak's room. There, you see it. The creature is ashen white, but dirtied with mud and leaves. It struggles against the window, sporting the skeleton head of a goat with three spiraling horns. Their trunk and hooves melt like candle from the fire now surrounding your home, dripping like ink and corroding the wood. It is voiceless, the shriek comes from the colorful bird circling above it. Your mother quickly bends the fire to burn further into the intruder and farther from the other parts of the house. Its body stands on two legs, almost human if it wasn't for its lack of ribs and what seems like the shell of a turtle making up its torso. Trying its best to fit through the window, it plods and kicks as if entering your home would banish the flames licking its body. Its bones melt like wax in the fire. The smell is irritating, pungent. Sweat rolls down your cheeks like tears as the heat increases. Lul-lula Karagsak gently gathers you and Dagá, as though nothing was a cause for concern. You feel a gust of wind, and Lula Arapa's shouts fill the air in between the lilting shrieks of the scavenger bird. Blood drips from your left ear as your eardrum bursts. The fires are soon doused with the water Lula Arapa summons with magic, arriving just in time to see her daughter dissolve the beast. You look up to Lul-lula Karagsak still smiling, unharmed and undisturbed. You bury your face on her tapis with shaking hands while she wipes away your blood with steady fingers. <<button "Chapter 1" "Chapter1Title">><</button>> <<button "Main Menu" "Title Page">> <<run Engine.restart()>> <</button>>

Looking at your target, you slowly unbind your restricted Diwa, revealing more of yourself as you adjust to meet the eagle's Diwa. With your composed demeanor, the bird remains calm, unperturbed. When you see the glowing threads of your Diwa connect with the eagle's, you give an enthusiastic wave. He flies about, circling as he deliberates if he should approach you or break the connection and leave. Getting up, you use your Diwa to sense any prey nearby that you could offer it. A napping tree squirrel rests inside a hollow wood and you whisper words of gratitude. With your knife, you quickly dispose of it, and hold it up for the bird to see. The eagle watches you raise your arms again and releases a low, high-pitched whistle, flying towards you and landing nearby. The branch it perches on shakes from the sudden weight and lightly cracks as he closes his large, dark claws around it. You smile at him, relieved you were able to resonate with the eagle on your first try. Running your fingers through the feathers of his neck, he tolerates your touch. He is so unlike the birds you're used to seeing. Fluffy, long brown feathers poof around his head, and you think this must be what clouds feel like. His back is dark brown, while his underside and underwings are white. Placing the dead squirrel on the brach, you give him a moment to inspect your offering. Satisfied, the eagle eats the fresh kill, and you don't wait long for him to finish. [//You're lost, aren't you?//] You feel a bubbling embarrassment coming fron the eagle, and he pushes his head on your palm, asking you to comfort him. Laughing, you concede. Turning away and looking at the other birds in flight, for a few minutes you both stand still while you pet him. [//I am also far from home.//] The tall bird leans on you, heavy but unimposing. When you feel that he is ready, you ask him if he is. He stretches his wings in response, boasting his incredible wingspan. [//Please, fly high and be my eyes. Find me villages, find me people. I need help getting home. Be careful.//] The eagle takes off in flight, breaking the branch it perched on. The thought of fighting beasts other than the boar circles in your mind. Even at your best, accompanied with more animals willing to resound with your Diwa, you cannot possibly survive a night alone. The Kandipuy beasts devour everything in their path. Your Diwa being taken away like a plant withering under extreme heat is not something you can just stop with Diwa mastery. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.9]]

<<nobr>><p class="choice">Choice: You don't know the price that will be paid. You refuse to run around in circles and have this as your new norm.</p><</nobr>> Keeping to yourself, you do not call for the snake. You try not to think about it, but the more you do, the harder it is to wave away the idea. You're about to remind yourself you might not be able to pay the price when you spot the green scales among the leaves. Blinking several times, you debate with yourself of that's the retainer or another snake, and have trouble deciding which you would prefer. Tail wrapped tightly on the branch, its head lowers looking at you at eye level from a distance. "Alone then?" It asks. You swallow and nod. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.16]]

Your teeth press down on your lip, harder and harder until you taste blood. Your breaths become shallower, and the greens and browns of your surrounding mix together like swirling paint, and you close your eyes tightly. Your knees shake. Ribs squeezing and heart pounding, you know facing the boar alone only increases your chances of dying today. <<if $pray is "angry" or $pray is "sad" or $pray is "happy" or $pray is "disgust" or $pray is "fear">>You reason that you have already directly asked for divine intervention through a prayer, and you hope it is enough to challenge your fate.<</if>><<if $pray is "no angry" or $pray is "no sad" or $pray is "no happy" or $pray is "no disgust" or $pray is " no fear">>You haven't asked for help from the divine, and nor will you ask the snake for the same. Its just you, alone, and you dread your skills may not be enough to challenge your fate.<</if>> [//This is it. No turning back, now//] You steel your will and clench your fists. <<if $combat === 0>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MandDFight]]<<elseif $diwa === 0>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MandCFight]]<<elseif $magic === 0>>• <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|CandDFight]]<</if>>

<<nobr>> <<if $magic === 5 and $diwa === 3>>[//I must make this quick, I can't exhaust myself.//] <br><br> You tie your knife on the spear with fabric from your scarf, deciding to keep the boar in place with a spell. You are the a natural with magic, and you're practiced when it comes to Diwa mastery. <<elseif $diwa === 5 and $magic === 3>>[//I must make this quick, I can't exhaust myself.//] <br><br> Your threads of magic surround you, and decide to keep the boar in place with a spell. You are very advanced in regards to Diwa mastery, and manage quite well with magic.<</if>><</nobr>> <<if $snake>>"A bold, but smart choice," the snake comments. Your heart no longer palpitates, still in a stable rhythm, influenced by the snake's magic. <<if $see === "past">> You see ghostly silhouettes, and recognize the damned overgrown fish surrounding the boar. [//Indeed, Di-íbaw indeed holds no one too sacred, bothering even animals. Is this why the boar targets me? Because of the Overseer of Chaos? A boar that can transport others to a farther space... What supernatural being is it?//] The boar does not make a move yet, observing you just as you observe it. Preparing your magic, you quickly point it towards the boar as soon as the spell was cast. Sticky and viscous, you were able to create something akin to the sticky tar of trees, sinking into the boar's hooves, and binding it in its place. It struggles, squealing and thrashing around. Everytime it almost gets out, you make another spell binding it. <<elseif $see === "future">> Like a ghost sighting, you see blurry images of the boar running in slightly different paths, all leading towards you, of course. [//A boar that can transport others to a farther space... What supernatural being is it?//] You prepare your magic. Heat warms your fingers, and when you feel it's hot enough, you throw small balls of fire in those directions before it even charges. One after another, you don't give it a chance to move forward. Some of the fireballs scorch its fur and it screams. Your nose wrinkles at the unpleasant, burning smell. <</if>><<elseif $snake is false or $refuse is true>>The snake watches on standby. You shake your head and take a deep breath. Despite your efforts to ignore it, you can still hear your heart begging for you to calm down. The threads of your magic flow downwards, and your grip on your spear tightens. It takes some preparation, all the while you and the boar pace around each other, maintaining the distance. Knowing the boar can teleport away, you are strategic where you focus your magic. As fast as you can, you summon vines and thick, tree-like roots to trap it. But the boar is strong and breaks free from your hold. You persist, with more vines writhing and twisting over its tusks and roots curling around its feet.<br><</if>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MandDFight2]]

Your Diwa mastery is good, but not enough to keep maintaining this. With another spell, stronger than the others and covering a wider area, you convince it to use its ability again. It is you it wants, so it won't teleport you away, rather, its likely to teleport itself closer. <<if $snake is false or $refuse is true>>And it does. The tension grows and you suck in a breath when the boar's snout is inches from your face, but you are prepared for it. Roots shoot up and capture it. With every power you have left, you ignite the hottest flames, scorching your skin and burning the boar. Despite the heat, the boar persists, trying to escape the roots to roll over the ground. It manages to with its remaining power and because of your dwindling strength. You're both on your knees, one burnt in and the other burnt out. Gaze darting, your fingers twitch.<<elseif $snake>>And it does. The magic of the snake keeps you in focus, not allowing you to celebrate too early or be gripped by nerves. Your spear may not be the best, but with the knife, it will do the job. You tense and growl, doing your best to keep your threads of magic attached to its body. The tension grows and you suck in a breath when the boar's snout is inches from your face.<</if>> <<if $pray is "angry" or $pray is "sad" or $pray is "happy" or $pray is "disgust" or $pray is "fear">><br>A fireball hits the boar's back and it screams. Its pitiful cries rings in your ears, but the overpowering sound does not deprive you from noticing the faint stabbing sound. Blood splatters to your feet. It is not yours though, it is from the boar whose side is impaled by your spear. The weapon was attached to the other end of your glowing threads, blade ready to strike at the opportune moment. Your knees buckle and your left knee hits a small pebble as it hits the ground. You cry out in pain, exhausted. Keeping your magic active while under the strain of teleportation magic makes you feel elevated and powerful. But the stench of blood and burned skin are all you can smell. The lack of energy prevents you from properly celebrating. The retainer slithers to the boar, and after a quick inspection, bobs its head up and down in approval. You are victorious, defying your sealed fate with the help of divine intervention—and from the one who shot the fireball. As you lay with the boar, both taking deep, labored breaths, you look into its eyes, and it also looks into yours. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.17]]<<nobr>> <</nobr>><<elseif $pray is "no angry" or $pray is "no sad" or $pray is "no happy" or $pray is "no disgust" or $pray is "no fear">> Stabbing sounds pierce your ears, and blood splatters to your feet. You look down and find an increasingly large pool of red. Human or animal, you can't distinguish the blood of either. The boar is burned and also impaled by your spear. When it falls, you fall along with it. One tusk is buried deep into your stomach, the pointed end cleanly protruding out of your back. Trapping the boar and effectively burning it immediately after it teleports makes you feel proud and powerful. But with a stressed and tense mind and body, you weren't able to properly guard yourself. The stench of blood and burned skin are all you can smell. In the end, despite fighting back, the boar still kills you. As you lay with the boar, both taking deep, labored breaths, you look into its eyes, and it also looks into yours. You are the first to close your eyes. <<nobr>> <<run memorize ('ach2', true)>> <<set $ach2 to true>> <</nobr>> <<button "Farewell">> <<run Engine.play("ACH2")>> <</button>> <</if>>

You blink. [//Who was that?//] Drained of blood and energy, you let your mind wander. The air is beat out of your lungs as you are doused with cold water. The healing water is quick to act, cleansing your wounds and closing them. You watch the boar draw its last breath while your breathing grows even stronger. [//Ironic. As though my life force is absorbing yours.//] • [["I'm sorry. I couldn't just let you kill me, so I had no choice."|Chapter1.18][$empathetic to $empathetic + 1]] • [["It was either you or me. I chose me."|Chapter1.18][$apathetic to $apathetic + 1]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<<nobr>> <<if $magic === 5 and $combat === 3>>[//I must make this quick, I can't exhaust myself.//] <br><br> Threads of your magic surround you as you decide to fight the boar with your spear in hand. You do well in combat, and are even more skilled with magic. <<elseif $combat === 5 and $magic === 3>>[//I must make this quick, I can't exhaust myself.//] <br><br> Threads of your magic surround you as you decide to fight the boar with your spear in hand. You are quite good with magic, and are even more skilled in combat.<</if>><</nobr>> <<if $snake>>"Risssky. I like it," the snake commends. Your heart no longer palpitates, still in a stable rhythm, influenced by the snake's magic. <<if $see === "past">> You see ghostly silhouettes, and recognize the damned overgrown fish surrounding the boar. [//Indeed, Di-íbaw indeed holds no one too sacred, bothering even animals. Is this why the boar targets me? Because of the Overseer of Chaos? A boar that can transport others to a farther space... What supernatural being is it?//] The boar does not make a move yet, observing you just as you observe it. Preparing your magic, the threads float around your wrists. Calm and collected, your limbs don't shake and neither does your resolve. <<elseif $see === "future">> Like a ghost sighting, you see blurry images of the boar running in slightly different paths, all leading towards you, of course. [//A boar that can transport others to a farther space... What supernatural being is it?//] Observing each other, neither of you make any sudden moves. Preparing your magic, the threads float around your ankles. Calm and collected, your limbs don't shake and neither does your resolve. <</if>><<elseif $snake is false or $refuse is true>>The snake watches on standby. You shake your head and take a deep breath. Despite your efforts to ignore it, you can still hear your heart begging for you to calm down. For your eyes and ears, you cast a spell that enhances both. Your sense of balance is also increased, increasing your awareness.<br><</if>> Using magic to enhance reflexes is not uncommon, but your lack of mastery with Diwa significantly limits it. Its not impossible however, when you are adept with magic enough to do it. You've been practicing this, your secret weapon that no one would expect. The boon is short, as temporary as the bursts of light magic that struggle to linger in the sky. But it only takes once for a tusk to stab and kill you, so there's no reason to not plan the same for the boar. You meet with the boar. Tusks, knife, and spear are all swung. The sound of clashing blade against ivory rings in your ears, and this fight might as well be a dance with how both you stand on equal terms, neither holding an advantage for long. The boar is graceful, all four hooves sometimes hovering in the ground when it jumps to avoid your weapons. Its smart, and you would have enjoyed this combat more if it were in any other circumstance. <<if $snake>>You are on the offensive, magic boosting your reflexes, adding more strength to your attacks. No movement is wasted, and every step is counted. You badly wound its snout, while it fractured your left leg. You are getting tired, unable to find an opening where you can hit its vital organs without exposing yourself to the same.<<elseif $snake is false>>You are on the defensive, magic boosting your reflexes, adding more speed and agility. It does not manage to bruise you with its hooves or cut you with its tusks, but you also fail to make the boar bleed.<</if>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|MandCFight3]]

<<nobr>> <<if $combat === 5 and $diwa === 3>>[//I must make this quick, I can't exhaust myself.//] <br><br> Your spear is pointed and ready. Your combat ability is unquestionable, further improved by your competence with Diwa mastery. <<elseif $diwa === 5 and $combat === 3>>[//I must make this quick, I can't exhaust myself.//]<br><br> Your spear is pointed and ready. Your Diwa mastery is excellent, and your skill in combat is respectable.<</if>><</nobr>> <<if $snake is true>><br>"Mind who you resssonate with," the snake remarks. Your heart no longer palpitates, still in a stable rhythm, influenced by the snake's magic. <<if $see === "past">> You see ghostly silhouettes, and recognize the damned overgrown fish surrounding the boar. [//Indeed, Di-íbaw indeed holds no one too sacred, bothering even animals. Is this why the boar targets me? Because of the Overseer of Chaos? A boar that can transport others to a farther space... What supernatural being is it?//] You take a few steps back, while the boar remains at a standstill. You consider resonating with it to find out more, but you also know that resonating with the snake provides the advantage you need to get the upper hand. <<elseif $see === "future">> Like a ghost sighting, you see blurry images of the boar running in slightly different paths, all leading towards you, of course. [//A boar that can transport others to a farther space... What supernatural being is it?//] You take a few steps back, while the boar remains at a standstill. You consider resonating with the snake to support your fight, but you also know resonating with the boar will let you learn more about why its attacking in the first place. <</if>><<elseif $snake is false or $refuse is true>>The snake watches on standby. You shake your head and take a deep breath. Despite your efforts to ignore it, you can still hear your heart begging for you to calm down. Your toes wiggle on the ground and you take a deep breath. The sway of the trees, the chirping of the birds. You think of resonating with some animals to help you, but on a closer inspection, you notice the area in the forest holds its breath, and its inhabitants do not want to be involved. [//Is it because Di-íbaw made me seal my fate? Perhaps it is the boar? Or maybe both.//] One hand tightens on your spear, while the other holds a knife. You consider the words of the snake, and debate which one you will connect with.<br><</if>> With a good combination of Diwa mastery and combat skills, you are able to endure harder and persist longer. Your physical well-being is the envy of your peers. Your knife and spear are ready. Thinking on it again, you make your decision. • [[Resonate with the boar.|Choice1.11A]] • [[Resonate with the snake.|Choice1.11B]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

Your magic weakens as your control of Diwa slips. As a final effort, your most risky move yet, you move the ground the boar stands making it fly through the air. You slide underneath to cut its belly, but your timing was too slow, and the boar managed to turn upside down, stomach facing the sky and snout facing you. You stab its leg with your spear, and it thrashes. You find the chance to hit its belly but the tusks of the frantic boar graze your cheek. <<nobr>><<if $snake>><br>Had it not been for the snake's magic, you might have panicked and acted as frantically as the beast is doing so now.<</if>><</nobr>> <<if $pray is "angry" or $pray is "sad" or $pray is "happy" or $pray is "disgust" or $pray is "fear">>Two arrows hit the boar, clean and proper. You take the opportunity to run your knife through its neck. Exhausted, you tumble on the ground, and the boar falls, rolling over and landing on you. You can't feel your legs, crushed under the weight of the animal. Casting magic while fighting and having little control over Diwa makes you feel elevated and powerful. But the stench of blood and the lack of energy prevents you from properly celebrating. The retainer slithers to the boar, and after a quick inspection, bobs its head up and down in approval. You are victorious, defying your sealed fate with the help of divine intervention—and from the one who shot the arrow. As you lay with the boar, both taking deep, labored breaths, you look into its eyes, and it also looks into yours. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.17]]<<nobr>> <</nobr>><<elseif $pray is "no angry" or $pray is "no sad" or $pray is "no happy" or $pray is "no disgust" or $pray is "no fear">>Knife in hand, you reach to slice it with the blade but a tusk stabs you by the collarbone, and digs even deeper, crushing your ribs. A moment later, the boar pulls away, drawing more of your blood and flesh. Your back hits the ground, and you feel your three souls leave your body. The boar lands beside you, accidentally impaling its leg further into your spear when it fails to land on its hooves. In the end, despite fighting back, the boar still kills you. As you lay with the boar, both taking deep, labored breaths, you look into its eyes, and it also looks into yours. You are the first to close your eyes. <<nobr>> <<run memorize ('ach2', true)>> <<set $ach2 to true>> <</nobr>> <<button "Farewell">> <<run Engine.play("ACH2")>> <</button>> <</if>>

<p class="choice">Choice: Resonate with the boar.</p> <<if $snake>>The calm and focus needed to resonate floods you senses, and you feel submerged in a cool, serene lake, one that could drown you, if you didn't stand on your feet. With a deep breath, you dig your heels in the ground, all too ready for the challenge. Unbinding your Diwa, you feel a surge of newfound strength. One hand grips the spear, and you repetitively rub your thumb against the wood in circles. Your other hand is held up, palm facing the darkened sky. Humming the mellow tune your mother composed for Lul-lula Karagsak's wake, you attempt to resonate with the animal.<<elseif $snake is false>>Your hands sweat and you wipe them on your pants. Spreading your legs for a wider stance, you're able to keep on your toes despite the headache and dizziness. With an intent gaze, you keeping your balance, swallowing your nerves and slowly unbinding your Diwa. Your heart once again beats strongly, rushing to pump the blood through your veins. One hand tightly grips the spear, and you continuously tap your thumb against the wood in circles. Your other hand is held up, palm facing the darkened sky. Humming the mellow tune you mother composed for Lul-lula Karagsak's wake, you attempt to resonate with the animal.<</if>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|BoarResonate]]

<p class="choice">Choice: Resonate with the snake.</p> <<if $snake>>The calm and focus needed to resonate floods you senses, and you feel submerged in a cool, serene lake, one that could drown you, if you didn't stand on your feet. With a deep breath, you dig your heels in the ground, all too ready for the challenge. Unbinding your Diwa, you feel a surge of newfound strength. One hand grips the spear, and you repetitively rub your thumb against the wood in circles. Your other hand is held up, palm facing the darkened sky. Humming the mellow tune your mother composed for Lul-lula Karagsak's wake, you attempt to resonate with the animal.<<elseif $snake is false>>Your hands sweat and you wipe them on your pants. Spreading your legs for a wider stance, you're able to keep on your toes despite the headache and dizziness. With an intent gaze, you keeping your balance, swallowing your nerves and slowly unbinding your Diwa. Your heart once again beats strongly, rushing to pump the blood through your veins. One hand tightly grips the spear, and you continuously tap your thumb against the wood in circles. Your other hand is held up, palm facing the darkened sky. Humming the mellow tune you mother composed for Lul-lula Karagsak's wake, you attempt to resonate with the animal.<</if>> The sun has set, and your ears strain to hear any Diwakaán approaching. Shaking your head, you tell yourself you'll deal with it when it happens. Refocusing and putting all your concentration on resonance, the threads of your Diwa meets with the snake's. <<if $snake>>Surprisingly, the boar does not move to charge, and instead stands in place. Its easier with the snake helping you feel calm, but it still takes a few tries to resonate with the magical animal.<<elseif $snake is false or $refuse is true>>Surprisingly, the boar does not move to charge, and instead stands in place. Though you didn't agree to the snake's deal, both of you are still willing to work together. With your heart still disturbed and mind out of focus, it takes several attempts to resonate with the magical snake.<</if>> With the comfort of having a venomous ally, your resolve is strengthened. Weapons firmly held, you dash towards the boar. It backs away and swings its tusks, but you swiftly dodge. Swinging your own sharp weapons, you are engaged in a fiery dance, hooves and bare soles advancing and retreating, both receiving light gashes that draw little blood. The retainer takes its time, slithering down your torso and circles around your leg. The resonance prevents the slimy and contracting feeling from distracting you as the snake assures you that you can trust it in the moment. The green retainer awaits and is poised to strike. <<nobr>><<if $snake>><br>You're starting to get tired, but the cuts and gashes you've acquired has been healed by the snake. You press forward.<br><</if>><</nobr>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|SnakeResonate]]

The sun has set, and your ears strain to hear any Diwakaán approaching. Shaking your head, you tell yourself you'll deal with it when it happens. Refocusing and putting all your concentration on resonance, the threads of your Diwa meets with the boar's. <<if $snake>>Surprisingly, the boar does not move to charge, and instead stands in place. It takes a few tries, but you're able to eventually resonate with the boar.<<elseif $snake is false>>Surprisingly, the boar does not move to charge, and instead stands in place. It takes several attempts for you to finally resonate with the boar.<</if>> "Weak.." You squint. [//Is it insulting me?//] You don't recognize the voice. In truth, you can't tell if it even is a voice or just a thought. There is an echo, and you can't identify the exact tone or pitch. The other words are garbled, in languages you cannot understand. You make sense of another word at least, one that has personally plagued you the entire day, "help". A ringing in your ear persists. You pull at your lobes and shake your head. The ringing stays. Sinking on the ground, you claw at your ears. Blood drips on your fingers, and your lips taste the bleeding from your nose. Immediately you know you must sever the connection, but the boar refuses to let you go. It shocks your system, you've never heard of an ability to stop severance when the involved no longer desires a resonance. All the while, keeping tethered to the magical boar makes your head spin. The ringing grows louder by the minute. <<nobr>><<if $snake>><br>The snake flicks its tongue on your ear lobes and you shiver. Your nose stops bleeding, and you thank the snake for healing you.<br><</if>><</nobr>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|BoarResonate2]]

<<if $pray is "angry" or $pray is "sad" or $pray is "happy" or $pray is "disgust" or $pray is "fear">>For the second time today, you feel your resonance interrupted, and with the boar, its as though the first layer of your skin was ripped apart from the rest of your body. The instant pain knocks the wind out of you, and your ears find no relief as the boar screams and squeals as loud as it can. Dropping on your knees, you rashly wipe at your face, rubbing your eyes. The boar struggles to breath, and so do you. As you lay with the boar, both taking deep, labored breaths, you look into its eyes, and it also looks into yours. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.17]] <<nobr>> <</nobr>><<elseif $pray is "no angry" or $pray is "no sad" or $pray is "no happy" or $pray is "no disgust" or $pray is "no fear">>Still, the ringing persists. You groan and whimper. Hitting your head on the ground, you try to get rid of the ringing, hands slapping the sides of your face. It doesn't work. You cant hear anythign but the ringing. Wincing, you pick your weapons back. A blur of white crosses your sight and you reflexively point your knife and spear. The tusks run through your back. Like an offering to the deities, you are held up to the skies, body limp. You stare at the night sky in shock. With all your might, you stab the knife in its snout and the swing the spear in its ears. The weak spots didn't need much force to bleed, you just needed to be accurate. And accurate you were. Pride fills your chest as you badly wound the animal even in your weakened state. You are bleeding much more however. Slammed to the ground, your body goes unresponsive. As you lay with the boar, both taking deep, labored breaths, you look into its eyes, and it also looks into yours. You are the first to close your eyes. <<nobr>> <<run memorize ('ach2', true)>> <<set $ach2 to true>> <</nobr>> <<button "Farewell">> <<run Engine.play("ACH2")>> <</button>> <</if>>

A misstep, and that's all it takes for you to tumble. The boar manages to hold sway in your deadly dance and badly rips against your right cheek. At the same times, the snake launches itself towards the boar. It twists and squeezes the boar's neck. The boar's eyes shake in alarm and roars. It goes berserk and you step back only to trip in your feet. The snake bites it but it also stabs your side, just below your ribs. <<if $pray is "angry" or $pray is "sad" or $pray is "happy" or $pray is "disgust" or $pray is "fear">>Before it could veer and jab into you deeper, an ax hits its back. Helpless against the ax and venom now spreading, the boar eventually stills. You take the chance to aim your weapons, knife gouging its right eye and spear plunging into its belly. You yank yourself out of its tusk and your body jerks in pain. You both collapse on the ground, bloody and tired. As you lay with the boar, both taking deep, labored breaths, you look into its eyes, and it also looks into yours. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.17]]<<nobr>> <</nobr>><<elseif $pray is "no angry" or $pray is "no sad" or $pray is "no happy" or $pray is "no disgust" or $pray is "no fear">>The beast veers and its tusks jabs into you even deeper. Helpless against the venom now spreading, the boar continues to sway and shake, dragging you along with it. It eventually stills and you take the chance, plunging your spear in its belly and slashing its face with your knife. With no energy to separate yourself, it takes you down with but as it collapses. Unable to lift even a finger, only your eyes can move. As you lay with the boar, both taking deep, labored breaths, you look into its eyes, and it also looks into yours. You are the first to close your eyes. <<nobr>> <<set $ach2 to true>> <</nobr>> <<button "Farewell">> <<run Engine.play("ACH2")>> <</button>> <</if>>

<<nobr>> <<if $empathetic === 1>> <p class="choice">Choice: I'm sorry. I couldn't just let you kill me, so I had no choice.</p> <</if>> <<if $apathetic === 1>> <p class="choice">Choice: It was either you or me. I chose me.</p> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<if $empathetic === 1>>You wish this never happened, but it did and there was only one way to stop it. Tears sting your eyes. There are a lot of things healing water just can't fix.<<elseif $apathetic === 1>>You wish this never happened, but it did and there was only one way to stop it. You take the deepest breath you could take, relieved to be able to breathe without hurting.<</if>> Warm hands hover all over you, using healing magic along with the enchanted water. All open wounds close and you've long stopped bleeding. <<if $combat === 0>>"Overseers have mercy."<<elseif $diwa === 0>>"It's alright. You're going to be okay."<<elseif $magic === 0>>"You're one lucky bastard."<</if>> Gazing at your healer, you give a crooked smile. "Thank you." <<if $combat === 0>>You know this person well, though you're not close, every envoy, whether Sentinel or diplomat, is familiar with her work. Idi continues her family's legacy surrounding the study on fashion and fabric. The Kasuratan's Life Lessons section contains her article on traditional woven fabrics. As representatives, whether to deities or fellow humans, one must be dressed appropriately. Your torn, wet clothes are hardly suitable for meeting Idi. However, considering what you've just been through, she must forgive you. "I'm taking you to the nearest lodging," she says. She wears blue, the signature woven fabric of the Kayumahiwi region, mainly commissioned from neighboring regions. Her wrinkles are deeper than in the portraits you've seen, her voice more gravelly than you expected. Taking your arm on her shoulder, she leads you away from the boar. You fight to keep your eyes open, but tiredness seeps into your bones like grinded coffee beans on hot water. She shushes you, and you glimpse a blur of black and purple. Soft feathers tickle your skin as she lays you back down. A dìnolibus big enough to carry you both, you assume. Invited by the fluffy and pillowy feathers, you sink into sleep.<<elseif $diwa === 0>>Mara is a friend of a friend, five years older and ten years wiser. A dedicated Whisperer, he can resonate with dìnolibus being rehabilitated after removal from abusive households. "We'll fly and get you into a proper bed, yes?" He wears blue, the signature woven fabric of the Kayumahiwi region, mainly commissioned from neighboring regions. Freckles adorn his cheeks and forehead, voice light and breathy. Taking your arm on his shoulder, he leads you away from the boar. You fight to keep your eyes open, but tiredness seeps into your bones like grinded coffee beans on hot water. He hums a tune, whispering for you to sleep, and you glimpse a blur of brown and green. Soft feathers tickle your skin as they lay you back down. A dìnolibus big enough to carry you both, you assume. Unable to resist the inviting sleep, you are content to rest.<<elseif $magic === 0>>You have never met this person before. You deduce they must be an Omen, a warrior healer, based on the shine of the axe on their left, the healing magic, and the strength in which they carry you. Unconcerned, they remove your arm from their shoulder and push you. Helplessly falling, you stretch out your hand only to be met with soft, fluffy feathers that tickle your cheek. "You won't be in my debt if you answer all my questions," they say, arms crossed. They wear blue, the signature woven fabric of the Kayumahiwi region, mainly commissioned from neighboring regions. They are heavily scarred, skin inked in between the places where there are no scarring. Their voice is deep, the kind you would want to narrate while you try to fall asleep. You fight to keep your eyes open, but tiredness seeps into your bones like grinded coffee beans on hot water. They tell you that you can rest, and you pat your hand on the black and deep blue feathers. A dìnolibus big enough to carry you both, you assume. Not needing to be told twice, you fall asleep easily.<</if>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.19]]

<<nobr>> <<set $call to false>> <</nobr>>You find yourself back in the cave. "This is your future," the small, floating fish says. You look down, and you see the boar killing you. Steeping back, your feet slip on the wet ground. You watch helplessly, frozen in place, as the fish crowns bigger and bigger and bigger. It takes your breath away. A tight squeeze on your right arm makes you grit your teeth. You jolt upright, sitting up and gulping air. The breeze is cool, and the night is cold. A small, red blanket drops from your shoulders. A hiss to your right and your eyes follow. The green retainer is coiled around your shoulder, giving you affectionate squeezes. Its magic calms you, and you relax your tense back. On the dìnolibus, you're gliding just above the treetops. "A dream. Just a dream. Only a dream," you repeat to yourself. <<if $combat === 0>>"That's right, you're not there, you're high up in the sky right now," Idi says. She hands you some dried meat, urging you to eat.<<elseif $diwa === 0>>Mara gives you a small smile and bamboo container with water. "You can tell me about it if you want," she offers.<<elseif $magic === 0>>"Just a dream," your companion repeats. They hand you their scarf, telling you to keep warm.<</if>> "Thank you," you reply in the way you usually respond. On the opposite side of the snake is the bird. You pet both animals, thanking them too. A high-pitched scream tears into the quiet of the night. "Help! Help! Someone help me! Please!" You shiver, though from the cold or the danger, you can't decide. You know though, that it could be a real person like you, who just needs help. • [[Looking down, you lean over the dìnolibus.|Chapter1.20][$call to true]] • [[Closing your eyes, you ignore the call.|Chapter1.20]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<<set $snake2 to false>>The scream gets quieter the farther you pass the area. <<if $call>>Your eyes search for any commotion. Head near the dìnolibus' neck, the reptile shakes its head.<<elseif $call is false>>You feel the breeze and close your eyes.<</if>> <<if $combat === 0>>"I've seen Narda birds in this area. It's likely just them mimicking their previous victims," she says in disgust. "Even in the slim chance its a real person... The Kandipuy are roaming about and we can't handle all of them." [//Even if its a real person, you wouldn't help them.//] "I'm glad you took the risk to save me," you say slowly. "I saw you disappear so I wanted to find you. Answered prayers helped, not to mention, your adorable winged companion would not give in until you were reunited."<<elseif $diwa === 0>>"More likely Narda birds just doing what they do best. I admit there were times I almost lost my head falling for it", he chuckles. "You could have lost it again with the boar," you muse. "Just like what I say everytime, 'Worth it.' You just... vanished into thin air. I did not know what to think. Luckily, a bunch of prayers and this clever bird led us to you."<<elseif $magic === 0>>"Narda cries," they snort. You nod, not questioning the certainty in their voice. "How did you find me?" You wonder out loud. "God's guidance adì. And yeah, this bird too."<</if>> <<if $bird is "eagle">>The eagle leans on your lap, happy to be praised within earshot. The claws dig into your skin and you wince. You pet the brown, mane-like crest on his head.<<elseif $bird is "tamsi">>The tamsi flutters around you, resting on your shoulder and bumping his head on your cheek. You scratch his dark, purple, glossy throat.<<elseif $bird is "dove">>The bleeding-heart dove settles on your hand, closing its eyes, ready to welcome sleep. You pull him closer to your chest to give him more warmth.<</if>> "It's not over yet," the snake says. You glance at your companion, surprised at the lacking reaction. "Only you can hear me ssso..." the snake trails. You just squint, but don't reply, taking care not to draw suspicion. <<if $snake>>Before you can hear a response, visions once again merge with your reality. • <<back 'Previous'>> | <<if $see is "past">> • [[Continue|Choice1.15A]]<<elseif $see is "future">> • [[Continue|Choice1.15B]]<</if>> <<elseif $snake is false or $refuse is true>>"You will die tonight, but ssstriking a deal with me will give you the insssight to prevent it. You're too stresssed and overwhelmed to figure out the gift on your own. I can lend you a hand. Sssmall price. A treat. Won't wound you," it assures. Even without meaning to, your eyes meet the snake's. • [[You nod.|SnakeNoDealBranch][$snake2 to true]] • [[You shake your head.|SnakeNoDealBranch]] • <<back 'Previous'>><</if>>

<<if $snake2>><<nobr>> <<set $see2 to "">> <</nobr>><p class="choice">Choice: You nod.</p> You were able to escape last time, you likely won't be so fortunate next. There is also the concern about your unrealized gift. You agree to its condition. • [["I would like to see the known past."|Choice1.15A][$see2 to "past"]] • [["I would like to see the possible future."|Choice1.15B][$see2 to "future"]]<<elseif $snake2 is false>><<nobr>><<set $emotion to "">> <</nobr>><p class="choice">Choice: You shake your head.</p> You survived the boar, you will survive this other one. Looking up at the sky, you take a deep breath. After a few minutes, you start to feel sleepy, laying down on the dìnolibus. Your traveling companion sits in silence, perhaps out of respect for you. However, you can't help but feel like its only the calm before the storm, no doubt you will be interrogated once you make it back to a safer place. "Really? As you sssay then." • [["I'm tired of this. Leave me. I'll learn it myself," you say with a snarl.|Choice1.16][$emotion to "angry"]] • [["I'm so tired. Leave me alone. I'll manage," you say with a frown.|Choice1.16][$emotion to "sad"]] • [["I'm sick of this. Leave, I'll find a way," you say, refusing to look at the snake.|Choice1.16][$emotion to "disgust"]] • [["No. I can't. I'm sick and scared, exhausted," you say with trembling hands.|Choice1.16][$emotion to "fear"]] • [["I can't believe this," you say and laugh. "You are persistent, but no."|Choice1.16][$emotion to "surprise"]]<</if>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<<if $snake2>><p class="choice">Choice: I would like to see the known past.</p> You want to see the past, at least its more sure than some glimpses of the future.<</if>><<if $see === "past" or $see2 === "past">> You first see people praying, then, they're suddenly armed and gathering. On the branches, they wait. Your pulse races once again as dread pools in your stomach. [//Am I their target? No. I have no such conflicts. Then maybe my companion and the dìnolibus?//]<</if>> "Wait. Something is amiss. That path fills me with dread. We should... stop here for now." You say in the same way you communicated with Di-íbaw. The bird is wary, flying overhead and checking the surroundings. <<if $combat === 0>>Idi pats Banaba-sē, and the dìnolibus slows down but doesn't stop. "I am not privy to the details however, I feel strongly about taking another path." Idi coos and chuckles, tilting her head towards the snake. "If the talking snake says so," Idi agrees and stirs the Banaba-sē. "Where to?" You shrug. "Just far enough away from the main path. An ambush with archers is the worst case scenario." "I agree," she replies.<<elseif $diwa === 0>>Mara stops Dalay-ap mid-air, and pauses to consider your words. "What do you think will happen?" He asks, putting a hand on his chin. "I'm not sure. I do believe we should go in a different direction. If I had to guess, an ambush with archers would kill us." "Can never be too careful..." His voice trails as he considers. Then, Mara repeatedly nods. "I know just the route we can take," he says with a wide grin.<<elseif $magic === 0>>The warrior healer looks at you and scrunches their nose. They don't tell Irò to pause, so you continue flying. "And you trust it?" they ask. You nod. "I trust my senses. I feel like, we could be ambushed." The omen squints and you and then looks at the snake. You realize they might have been asking if you trust the snake. "Fine. It will cost you," they say as they redirect them dìnolibus. "Of course," you chuckle.<</if>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.21]]

<<if $snake2>><p class="choice">Choice: I would like to see the possible future.</p> You want to see the future, at this point in time, knowing what might happen next is more important for your immediate survival.<</if>> <<if $see === "future" or $see2 === "future">>You startle as an arrow flies overhead, quickly followed by another hitting a wing. More shower from below, and until the dìnolibus can no longer keep flying. You end up crashing down at an incredible speed, hitting several trees. [//Why would we be ambushed?//]<</if>> "Wait! We should stop, move away to another direction. We shouldn't go there!" You say in the same way you communicated with Di-íbaw. The bird is wary, flying overhead and checking the surroundings. <<if $combat === 0>>Idi is startled, and so is Banaba-sē. She tells the dìnolibus to stop. "I am certain an ambush awaits us," you quickly explain. Your eyes widen as you realize what you've just said—what you have just implied. Idi stares at you, and directs her gaze at the snake and the bird too. The short silence that takes over feels like days to you. "A talent for divining I see." "I didn't see you die," you say with a smile. And you didn't, you just know that you will. "Fortunately, I too am talented, especially at discrerning lies. You are a treasure trove of secrets. Maybe in another night we could work together to ambush them," she teases. A light laugh escapes you. "That sounds fun." "Away from this direction then?" She points. "Yes, please."<<elseif $diwa === 0>>Mara gives Dalay-ap quick pats, and the dìnolibus stops. "Why not? What's scaring you?" His voice is laced with concern. "We are going to be ambushed," the words spill before you can think them through. Your eyes widen as you realize what you've just said—what you have just implied. "Oh!" Before you can explain and reassure him, he's already directing Dalay-ap. "Let's take that path then, is that safer?" "Oh, umm... Yes, indeed," you say and breathe a sigh of relief. You know he hadn't even considered it, but it will save a headache in case he does. "I didn't see you die, of course." "Ah! Of course. Thank you," he blushes.<<elseif $magic === 0>>The warrior healer clicks their tongue and glares at you. "If we keep going there, we'll be ambushed," you say with a pinched expression, matching their annoyance. Your eyes widen as you realize what you've just said—what you have just implied. Their hand is quick to cover their mouth. They swear as they stiffly draw their head back. "But I certainly didn't see you die though!" A sharp laugh tears through the quiet night. "Sure. More trade for the trouble," he reminds. "Yes," you nod.<</if>> • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.21]]

<<nobr>> <<if $emotion is "angry">><p class="choice">Choice: "I'm tired of this. Leave me. I'll learn it myself," you say with a snarl.</p> <<elseif $emotion is "sad">><p class="choice">Choice: "I'm so tired. Leave me alone. I'll manage," you say with a frown.</p> <<elseif $emotion is "disgust">><p class="choice">Choice: "I'm sick of this. Leave, I'll find a way," you say, refusing to look at the snake.</p> <<elseif $emotion is "fear">><p class="choice">Choice: "No. I can't. I'm sick and scared, exhausted," you say with trembling hands.</p> <<elseif $emotion is "surprise">><p class="choice">Choice: "I can't believe this," you say and laugh. "You are persistent, but no."</p> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<if $emotion is "angry">>Feeling more provoked than before, you try your best to focus, playing back the day's events for any clues on Di-íbaw's gift.<<elseif $emotion is "sad">>Your shoulders sag and your posture stoops. You try your best to focus, playing back the day's events for any clues on Di-íbaw's gift.<<elseif $emotion is "disgust">>There's a bitter tang in your mouth and your lip curls. You try your best to focus, playing back the day's events for any clues on Di-íbaw's gift.<<elseif $emotion is "fear">>Every breath is fought for and controlled, you cannot afford to lose your nerves if you are to figure out Di-íbaw's gift. Your brows furrow as you close your eyes and think.<<elseif $emotion is "surprise">>Clearing your throat and covering your mouth, you still can't help but give a lopsided. You draw the biggest sigh until your lungs are emptied of air as the amazement fades into dismay.<</if>> You and your companions eat some nuts and berries. While you are deep in thought, your companion hums a tune. The bird is beside you, swaying and quietly singing so as not to disturb you. An arrow flies overhead and you straighten. It doesn't hit anyone but a second arrow quickly follows and hits the dìnolibus' wing. More shower from below. <<if $combat === 0>>"Banaba-sē!" Idi rushes to heal the wounded dìnolibus.<<elseif $diwa === 0>>"Dalay-ap!" Mara is quick on his feet, healing the wounded dìnolibus.<<elseif $magic === 0>>"Irò!" The Omen immediately attends to the wounded dìnolibus, healing the reptile.<</if>> More arrows shower from below, and you try your best to avoid and break them. Some stray arrows almost hit you, a danger even more difficult with your feet unsteady on the screeching dìnolibus. With your companion preoccupied, you use all your energy to prevent more arrows from hitting your ride. The smaller winged friend flies about, alert to avoid the danger and perceptive in warning you where the arrows are. Still, even with the healing however, your energy is limited, and you are still exhausted from the day's events. Your legs wobble and you fall back on the fluffy feathers. You look to your side and see the snake is curled up, though much, much smaller than before. At this size, you can fit it in your palm. It doesn't take long for your party to be overwhelmed. Instead of dwindling reserves, there's even more arrows attacking you. Several of them have hit the dìnolibus, and you know your final moment afloat in the sky. Everything for a moment, moves slowly, as though time itself wanted to dawdle. And then, it all falls down. You embrace the beast and grip tightly. The branches stab into the reptile and lashes at your cheek and arms. Your mouth is dry, and there's a ringing in your ears. A tingling sensation spreads all over your skin gently prickling you. Lashes from wood draw blood, and the bird flies about, panicked and unable to help. Something hits your head, or maybe it was you who hit it. The sound wraps over your skull and a split second later, everything goes dark. <<nobr>> <<run memorize ('ach3', true)>> <<set $ach3 to true>> <</nobr>> <<button "Farewell">> <<run Engine.play("ACH3")>> <</button>>

You look up at the night sky with stars, wondering which ones are made by starcasters from your home region. Your heart aches at being so far away, and a wave of anxiety washes over you. You can't nap, and you startle everytime you almost fall asleep. Eventually, you spot people from a distance. Looking at the village, you know your arrival was delayed by the detour and you have half a mind awake to think of what compensation to give. Drawing nearer, you see the tree houses are built over one another. Bridges sprawl like a spider's webs, connecting them all. Situated high above the treetops, the dìnolibus does not need to descend, it simply lands on a wide, circular platform. You pet the reptile, and praise it for its hard work before getting down. A young, yawning teenager notices you and your bandages. Excitement is mirrored on their face as they keep waving to your companion, announcing that they'll walk you to the medic. <<if $combat === 0>>Idi giggles and waves back. "Alright, goodnight! Take care!" "I will, thank you! Goodnight! I'll meet back with you soon!"<<elseif $diwa === 0>>Mara grins and waves back. "Goodnight! Be careful on the bridge!" "Goodnight, and I will, thank you! I'll see you later!"<<elseif $magic === 0>>The Omen gives a quick wave. "Goodnight! Get some rest!" "Goodnight! I will, thank you! I'll see you soon!"<</if>> After your goodbyes, the teen then tugs at you to follow them. Crossing the slightly swinging bridge, you hold on to the ropes to steady yourself against the ever growing exhaustion. Your remaining energy seems to have been spent on the short yelling. <<if $bird is "eagle">>The eagle flies above you, giving a victory screech that carries through the night, earning your group a few head turns. The teen gives a shout and waves their fist, cheering along.<<elseif $bird is "tamsi">>The tamsi flies in circles, looking like a blur of brown and yellow. The songbird's charming singing earns your group a few head turns. The teen smiles, swaying their body along as they hum in tune with the tamsi.<<elseif $bird is "dove">>The bleeding-heart dove rests on your shoulder, shying from the new environment. He rests his head on your neck, only peeking a bit before nuzzling against you again. The teen notices him and laughs, raising a hand to pet, but stops themselves and they draw back.<</if>> "The Omen in this house is my aunt. She's more skilled with healing, and has retired from escorting services to be a dedicated healer," they explain. "Don't underestimate her though! All Omens know how to fight, even those retired from travel and combat." You nod but then your head doesn't seem to lift. Fatigue seeps into your bones and the young one rushes to support you. "Keep going now, were almost there." You entertain the thought of just sleeping on the bridge. • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.22]]

You enter a house lit by magic glowing against glass bottles with liquid. The walls are curved and the smell of herbs and spices reinvigorates you for a minute. The room is bright with a slight tinge of blue. "She's not here. Probably went to visit someone, or left to go to the bathroom." Beds laden with light yellow pillows and blankets line against each other. You lay down at the bed closest to the entrance and the teen chuckles. Closing your eyes, you hear water poured into a cup beside you. Just as you're about to fall asleep, a sharp, burning pain makes you yelp. A crash soon echoes in the room, and you notice a spear on the ground, next to a broken pot of clay. The dried flowers and herbs in it are spilled all over the opposite wall. The youth gapes at the snake, then sweeps a hand across their forehead to wipe a trailing bead of sweat. "Your promissse," the snake hisses. "Now?" You ask. Arm bleeding, the teen swallows their fear and reaches out for a bandage. Your body is still tired, but your mind is much more awake now. You sit on the bed while they clean your wound and give you some medicine. After waiting for you to be tended, the snake speaks again. "Now." "You want to settle it now? I don't have anything to feed you." "You do." "You won't have my arm," you protest, crossing your arms. "The bird." • <<back 'Previous'>> | • [[Continue|Chapter1.23]]

<<nobr>> <<set $react to "">> <</nobr>><<if $bird is "eagle">>The eagle flaps his wide wings, staying perched on the bed beside you.<<elseif $bird is "tamsi">>The tamsi flies on your head, restlessly hopping.<<elseif $bird is "dove">>The bleeding-heart dove buries himself even deeper on the crook of your neck, but makes his opinions known with loud, angry chirps, the first sounds he's made since entering the village.<</if>> "Thats ridiculous, if you want a bird, I'll hunt you an even bigger one tomorrow." "It is tomorrow. Its past midnight. Congratulationsss." The news makes you sink in the bed. You did it. You have defied fate. "There's salted meat on the roof. If you want fresh meat, I can't hunt one now for you," the teen says. Their voice cracks but their message is clear, revealing they can hear the snake too. "No. I want what was promised," "A treat. Can't other animals be a treat?" "A treat ssshould be ssspecial." "What sets them apart then?" You interrogate, preparing for a list of rebuttals. "Familiars taste better." "You—" A chill grips your core. "What? "The bird swore hisss life to you. So he isss yoursss to claim and he isss yoursss to give." You can't breath. You want to run. You want to throw the snake. Your eyes land on the bird. You almost ask if its true, but the look in his eyes is all you need to confirm it. You've been too busy, too preoccupied to notice it. The bird has become your familiar and you were completely unaware. "His life?!" Your mind searches for an argument. "Thats impossible. We only met today—yesterday. Even as my familiar, that level of devotion is earned only through years of companionship and trials and tribulations. He does not know me." "He hasss learned of your passst, knowsss your memoriesss." "Impossible," the teen whispers. "I helped," the snake says smugly. "Now, give him to me." • [[You relent, knowing the snake could kill everyone in the room.|Choice1.17A][$choice117 to true]] • [[Try to argue with the snake and hope it doesn't lose its patience.|Choice1.17B][$choice117 to true]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<p class="choice">Your Kasuratan was Updated.</p><p class="choice">Choice: You relent, knowing the snake could kill everyone in the room.</p> You turn to your familiar. "I'm so sorry, I don't have a choice." <<if $bird is "eagle">>The mighty eagle draws back. Wings limp, he seems to be frozen in place. He doesn't look at you.<<elseif $bird is "tamsi">>The tamsi stops hopping. You can't see him, but you can imagine how he must look.<<elseif $bird is "dove">>The bleeding-heart dove startles. He loses his balance and falls to a pillow. When he gets up, his back remains facing you.<</if>> No one will hate you. And you know the bird will not either. • [[You feel sorry for the bird and you apologize with tears. You pet him and embrace him before letting go.|Chapter1.24][$react to "mourn"]] • [[You feel sorry for the bird but you take him and offer him to the snake, hands firm as the bird gently resists.|Chapter1.24][$react to "deliver"]] • [[You don't feel as gutted as others would be, but you understand it's hard for the bird and you apologize, petting and embracing him before letting go.|Chapter1.24][$react to "yield"]] • [[You don't feel as gutted as others would be, so its easier for you to take him and offer him to the snake, hands firm as the bird gently resists.|Chapter1.24][$react to "deliver"]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<p class="choice">Your Kasuratan was Updated.</p><p class="choice">Choice: Try to argue with the snake and hope it doesn't lose its patience.</p> "Is there really nothing else I could offer you?" "Arrogant", the snake says. "Give him or the venom kills you." "But I provided aid!" The youth protests. "And I am magical," the snake mocks. You look at your familiar, then turn away as you admit surrender. "I'm so sorry I can't evade this." <<if $bird is "eagle">>The mighty eagle draws back. Wings limp, he seems to be frozen in place. He doesn't look at you.<<elseif $bird is "tamsi">>The tamsi stops hopping. You can't see him, but you can imagine how he must look.<<elseif $bird is "dove">>The bleeding-heart dove startles. He loses his balance and falls to a pillow. When he gets up, his back remains facing you.<</if>> No one will hate you. And you know the bird will not either. • [[You feel sorry for the bird and you apologize with tears. You pet him and embrace him before letting go.|Chapter1.24][$react to "mourn"]] • [[You feel sorry for the bird but you take him and offer him to the snake, hands firm as the bird gently resists.|Chapter1.24][$react to "deliver"]] • [[You don't feel as gutted as others would be, but you understand it's hard for the bird and you apologize, petting and embracing him before letting go.|Chapter1.24][$react to "yield"]] • [[You don't feel as gutted as others would be, so its easier for you to take him and offer him to the snake, hands firm as the bird gently resists.|Chapter1.24][$react to "abandon"]] • <<back 'Previous'>>

<<set $chap1 to true>><<nobr>> <<if $react is "mourn">> <<set $empathetic to $empathetic + 1>> <<set $considerate to $considerate + 1>> <p class="choice">Choice: You feel sorry for the bird and you apologize with tears. You pet him and embrace him before letting go.</p> <<elseif $react is "deliver">> <<set $empathetic to $empathetic + 1>> <<set $ruthless to $ruthless + 1>> <p class="choice">Choice: You feel sorry for the bird but you take him and offer him to the snake, hands firm as the bird gently resists.</p> <<elseif $react is "yield">> <<set $apathetic to $apathetic + 1>> <<set $considerate to $considerate + 1>> <p class="choice">Choice: You don't feel as gutted as others would be, but you understand it's hard for the bird and you apologize, petting and embracing him before letting go.</p> <<elseif $react is "abandon">> <<set $apathetic to $apathetic + 1>> <<set $ruthless to $ruthless + 1>> <p class="choice">Choice: You don't feel as gutted as others would be, so its easier for you to take him and offer him to the snake, hands firm as the bird gently resists.</p> <</if>> <<run memorize ('ach1', true)>> <<set $ach1 to true>> <</nobr>> <<if $react is "mourn">>Your sobs fill the room. <<if $bird is "eagle">>The eagle places his forehead on yours and you say your last goodbyes. You hug him tightly. He breaks the embrace and takes a blanket by the beak and pushes it against your cheek, prompting you to dry your tears. The snake then comes nearer. The teen embraces you as the sound of flapping wings compete with your cries.<<elseif $bird is "tamsi">>The tamsi cuddles against your palm and sings a somber tune. You duet, but your cries prevented you from keeping up with the melody. After the song, the snake comes nearer. The teen embraces you as the sound of breaking bones compete with your cries.<<elseif $bird is "dove">>The bleeding-heart dove is nestled on the blankets, and you continue petting him. Your tears fall on him, and he shakes. Continuously apologizing, you help him dry with a blanket. After drying, the snake comes nearer. The teen embraces you as warm blood spills on the blanket and your hand.<</if>><<elseif $react is "yield">>A tired exhale leaves your lips. <<if $bird is "eagle">>The eagle places his forehead on yours and you say your last goodbyes. You continue hugging him tightly until the snake gets nearer. The teen embraces you as the sound of flapping wings compete with your cries.<<elseif $bird is "tamsi">>The tamsi cuddles against your palm and sings a somber tune. You duet and keep up with the melody. After the song, the snake comes nearer. The teen embraces you as the sound of breaking bones compete with your cries.<<elseif $bird is "dove">>The bleeding-heart dove is nestled on the blankets, and you continue petting him until the snake gets nearer. The teen embraces you as warm blood spills on the blanket and your hand<</if>><<elseif $react is "deliver">>In front of the snake, the bird stands. You feel your ribs collapse against your lungs, squeezing your heart. Steeling yourself and blinking away the tears, you apologize and thank the bird for everything. <<if $bird is "eagle">>The eagle spreads his wings, daring to fight even knowing he will lose.<<elseif $bird is "tamsi">>The tamsi flitters about, daring to fight even knowing he will lose.<<elseif $bird is "dove">>The bleeding-heart dove puffs his chest, daring to fight even knowing he will lose.<</if>><<elseif $react is "abandon">>In front of the snake, the bird stands. You apologize and thank the bird for everything. <<if $bird is "eagle">>The eagle spreads his wings, daring to fight even knowing he will lose.<<elseif $bird is "tamsi">>The tamsi flitters about, daring to fight even knowing he will lose.<<elseif $bird is "dove">>The bleeding-heart dove puffs his chest, daring to fight even knowing he will lose.<</if>><</if>> Perhaps a kind of mercy, the battle is quick and the snake eagerly devours. Just as suddenly, the stench of blood is overpowered by herbs and spices. If you close your eyes hard enough and don't reach for the red stained blanket, it would be like blood was never spilled. <<button "End of Chapter One" "EndofChap1">><</button>>

<div class="titlediv"> <h1 class = "chaptertitle linebreak">PROLOGUE</h1> <p class="wrap">Back When You Were a Child With Little Responsibilities</p> COMMON ROUTE <div class="linebreak cw wrap"><<message '<<link "View Content Warnings">><</link>>'>>- Blood <br>- Mention of illness<br>- Body horror (nonhuman)<</message>></div> <<button "Proceed" "Prologue">><</button>> </div>

<div class="titlediv"> <h1 class = "chaptertitle linebreak">CHAPTER ONE</h1> <p class="wrap">Now an Adult With Adult Responsibilities on the Worst and Possibly Last Day of Your Life</p> COMMON ROUTE 20 Years Later <div class="linebreak cw wrap"><<nobr>> <<message '<<link "View Content Warnings">><</link>>'>> <strong>All Branches</strong> <br>- Vomiting <br>- Blood <br>- Gore <br> <strong>Differing Branches</strong> <br>- The Sentinel has a disability (possibly with magic ability or Diwa mastery) <br>- The Sentinel kills an animal or two <br>- The Sentinel dies <</message>> <</nobr>></div> <<button "Proceed" "Chapter1">><</button>> </div>

<h1 class="linebreak">Achievements</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <h2>Survivor's Choices</h2><<if $ach1>>''1. Familiar for a Day - Sacrificial Birds'' The loyalty of an eagle, the faith of a sunbird, or the love of a dove—all scared, all sacrificed for you.<<else>>1. Familiar for a Day<</if>> <h2>Death Endings</h2><<if $ach2>>''1. Fate Foretold - Watering the Trees'' You died from being stabbed by a boar, just as the vision revealed.<<else>>1. Fate Foretold<</if>> <<if $ach3>>''2. Doomed Destiny - Inevitable Demise'' You died in the same day victory over the boar was won.<<else>>2. Doomed Destiny <</if>> <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

<h1 class="linebreak">Intermission - Author's Notes 1</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> Hi, this is Paragrasya or Grace, the writer of LSS. I go by she/they. Thank you so much for playing the game and congratulations on surviving Chapter 1! <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Whenceforth do these exist?'' ''Whenceforth do they not?'' Loving Starless Skies is inspired by precolonial Philippine settings, mostly Igorot. Because this game is a fantasy, LSS is not an accurate portrayal of real-life cultures, practices, beliefs, etc. I have taken a lot of creative freedom in writing this game. For one, the languages in Pan-atepán are heavily influenced by the languages I speak, and is a mixture of real life words and words I made up. Another obvious example more clearly shown in Chapter 2 is the ability of the characters to wear a bahag or a tapis, regardless of their sex and gender. I know that this is not considered an appropriate way of wearing these cultural attires in the real world. It would be egregious then, especially for an outsider, to reference this game and use it as a shield for using articles of Indigenous clothing in a way that it's not intended to in real life. You may also notice in the upcoming chapter that there's an absence of money and the baknang—the wealthy who hold the most influence in society. Even in our region's precolonial era, this is historically inaccurate. The general axes of systemic oppression in the Pan-atepán island are rooted in differing spiritual beliefs, Diwa mastery, and magical abilities. I will try to be as mindful as I can be in my worldbuilding, and I am going to continuously rewrite to make it so. That said, I have made conscious choices for this game that others might find disrespectful—like these cases with the bahag, the tapis, and the baknang. I've asked some kailyan what they think, and they're okay with them, and I also know that not everyone will be. Some Indigenous people in the Cordillera Administrative Region who would qualify to be called as an "Igorot" don't even like the term and don't want to be called as such. No demographic is a monolith. I was convinced by an imaginary bad faith reader to write this page to explain. However, this is as far as I will go for bad faith readers, real or imaginary. No work of mine will ever be free from criticism, and that is expected and accepted. Notwithstanding, I want to focus more on the people who will enjoy, love, and care about what I create, people who will engage with it sincerely and genuinely. One can certainly play games without liking every aspect of it, but if any part of LSS bothers you too much to enjoy it, it may be better to simply drop it. It's not a testament against your morality or character if you dislike my game, it's okay! However, if this leads to cyberbullying or any other forms of harassment, that's not okay! So, this is the part where I urge you to consider if you'll continue playing the game. For those who will, you may spot similar intermissions between chapters. I'll add some more Author's Notes here and there, but mostly to remind players to hydrate and rest their eyes ❤︎ I apologize if this pulled you out of game immersion. I wanted to address these early on. I may have an intended audience in mind, but that doesn't mean LSS was made with the purpose of educating the public. The main purpose of LSS is to simply exist—exist as a romantic fantasy telling a story inspired by precolonial settings. My Tumblr is always open for asks! Submission posts are turned off, but I will try to read all asks sent to me. Please check the <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/paragrasya/779977767249952768/lss-ask-guidelines" target="_blank">LSS Ask Guidelines here</a> before sending an ask. Thank you ❤︎ <<button "Proceed" "AN1.2">><</button>> <<button "Main Menu">> <<run Engine.restart()>> <</button>>

<div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> <center>Your fate remains undecided...</center> <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> Thank you for playing the game! There are 30 Chapters planned, and currently, this is the end of the Loving Starless Skies public build. Please make sure to make backups of your browser saves by downloading them to your device. You can do this by using "Save to Disk". Click on "Load from Disk" to load those saves. I invite you to join the <a href="https://discord.gg/QQssSSespS" target="_blank">official LSS Discord server</a>. If you encountered a bug, you can tell me through the server or through an ask in my <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/paragrasya">Tumblr</a>. If you enjoyed the game and have the means to, please consider supporting the game on <a href="https://ko-fi.com/paragrasya" target="_blank">Ko-Fi!</a> There are 5 tiers there, all giving access to different kinds of extra content. All tiers provide access to the flowchart game guide, which shows all the different choices in the game, the death endings, and also points out trait, skill, faith, and reputation stat changes. Thank you again for playing the game ❤︎ <<button "Main Menu">> <<run Engine.restart()>> <</button>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Human Relationships</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><<nobr>> <h2>Found Family</h2> //To Uncover// <br> <br> <h2>Blood Relatives</h2> 1. Lul-lula Karagsak - Great grandmother (Deceased) <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 100 Ally Points - I could always lean on her when I needed help. <br>Friendship Level: 90 - She was my best friend before she died from that illness. <br>Love Level: 100 - I sometimes still talk to her and pray to her. <br> <br> <h2>Friends</h2> //To Uncover// <br> <br> <h2>Faith in Humanity</h2> <<nobr>> <<if $fiH lte 20>>''Low: $fiH Points'' <br>One can say I have absolutely no faith in humanity, and would thus have no reason to be called a Sentinel. <<elseif $fiH lte 40>>''Low: $fiH Points'' <br>My faith in humanity is incredibly low, and if nothing improves, it might go even lower. <<elseif $fiH lte 50>>''Low: $fiH Points'' <br>My faith in humanity is lower than what I assume to be average, which is not ideal for my line of work. <<elseif $fiH lte 65>>''Average: $fiH Points'' <br>My faith in humanity is neither too high nor too low, but it is there. <<elseif $fiH lte 80>>''Average: $fiH Points'' <br>My faith in humanity is not that high, but it is also far from low. <<elseif $fiH gte 81>>''High: $fiH Points'' <br>One can say I have an incredible amount of faith in humanity, as is expected and required of a Sentinel. <</if>> <</nobr>> <</nobr>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Animal Relationships</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><h2>Resonance Partner</h2><<nobr>> <<if $bird is 'eagle'>> 1. Eagle <br>A bird I found it easy to resonate with. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 80 Ally Points - He was very cooperative after I fed him a squirrel. <br>Friendship Level: 70 - I feel like I can depend on him. <<if $choice117>> <br>Love Level: I had no idea the eagle loved me so. I didn't even give him a name out of respect that we just met and that I wouldn't see him come morning.<</if>> <<elseif $bird is 'tamsi'>> 1. Tamsi <br>A bird that I had trouble resonating with, but it wasn't too difficult. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 80 Ally Points - He was very cooperative after I gave him flowers. <br>Friendship Level: 70 - I feel like I can depend on him. <<if $choice117>> <br>Love Level: I had no idea the tamsi loved me so. I didn't even give him a name out of respect that we just met and that I wouldn't see him come morning.<</if>> <<elseif $bird is 'dove'>> 1. Dove <br>A bird I really struggled to resonate with. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 100 Ally Points - He was very cooperative after I gave him raspberries. <br>Friendship Level: 70 - I feel like I can depend on him. <<if $choice117>> <br>Love Level: I had no idea the dove loved me so. I didn't even give him a name out of respect that we just met and that I wouldn't see him come morning.<</if>> <</if>> <</nobr>> <h2>Pets</h2><<nobr>> //To Uncover// <</nobr>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Deity Relationships</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><h2>Worshipped Overseers</h2><<nobr>> ''1. Namnamasián - Overseer of Love'' <<if $prayOO is "love">> <br>Amongst the 3 Overseers my family mainly worships, she is the one I have made an altar for in my room. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 80 Ally Points - She has been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 80 - She is the Overseer that I have the best friendship with. <br>Faith Level: 100 - My faith in her is the strongest. <<else>> <br>One of the 3 Overseers my family mainly worships, she has an altar in the common, meeting area of our house. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 70 Ally Points - She has been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 60 - She is a good friend of mine. <br>Faith Level: 80 - I believe in her just as my family believes in her. <</if>> <br> <br> ''2. Pategdaánan - Overseer of Crops'' <<if $prayOO is "crops">> <br>Amongst the 3 Overseers my family mainly worships, he is the one I have made an altar for in my room. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 80 Ally Points - He has been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 80 - He is the Overseer that I have the best friendship with. <br>Faith Level:100 - My faith in him is the strongest. <<else>> <br>One of the 3 Overseers my family mainly worships, he has an altar in the kitchen of our house. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 70 Ally Points - He has been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 60 - He is a good friend of mine. <br>Faith Level: 80 - I believe in him just as my family believes in him. <</if>> <br> <br> ''3. Màysinápil - Overseer of Death'' <<if $prayOO is "death">> <br>Amongst the 3 Overseers my family mainly worships, they are the one I have made an altar for in my room. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 80 Ally Points - They have been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 80 - They are the Overseer that I have the best friendship with. <br>Faith Level: 100 - My faith in them is the strongest. <<else>> <br>One of the 3 Overseers my family mainly worships, they have an altar in the main entrance of our house. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 70 Ally Points - They have been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 60 - They are a good friend of mine. <br>Faith Level: 80 - I believe in them just as my family believes in them. <</if>> <</nobr>> <h2>Worshipped Deities</h2><<nobr>> ''1. Wayà - Ap-apu'' <<if $prayOO is "waya">> <br>My benevolent, deified ancestor is the one I mainly venerate, and he is the one I have made an altar for in my room, with bones, flowers, and soil. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 80 Ally Points - He has been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 80 - He is the Ap-apu that I have the best friendship with. <br>Faith Level: 100 - My faith in him is the strongest. <<else>> <br>One of the 2 Ap-apu my family mainly worships, he has an altar in the dining area of our house. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 70 Ally Points - He been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 60 - He is a good friend of mine. <br>Faith Level: 80 - I believe in him just as my family believes in him. <</if>> <br> <br> ''2. Sadán - Ap-apu'' <<if $prayOO is "sadan">> <br>My compassionate, deified ancestor is the one I mainly venerate, and she the one I have made an altar for in my room, with bones, fruits, and water. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 80 Ally Points - She has been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 80 - She is the Ap-apu that I have the best friendship with. <br>Faith Level: 100 - My faith in her is the strongest. <<else>> <br>One of the 2 Ap-apu my family mainly worships, she has an altar in the dining area of our house. <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 70 Ally Points - She been a family friend for generations. <br>Friendship Level: 60 - She is a good friend of mine. <br>Faith Level: 80 - I believe in her just as my family believes in her. <</if>> <</nobr>> <<back 'Previous'>> | [[Next Page|Relationships3.2]]

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Other Supernatural Being Relationships</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><h2>Anito</h2><<nobr>> //To Uncover// <</nobr>> <h2>Ingkanto</h2><<nobr>> //To Uncover// <</nobr>> <h2>Al-alya</h2><<nobr>> //To Uncover// <</nobr>> <h2>Various Supernatural Beings</h2><<nobr>> //To Uncover// <</nobr>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Love Interest Relationships</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><h2>Romanced Overseer</h2><<nobr>> //To Uncover// <</nobr>> <h2>Past Romances</h2><<nobr>> //To Uncover// <</nobr>> <h2>Non-romanced Overseers</h2><<nobr>> //To Uncover// <</nobr>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak menu-options">Deity Relationships</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><h2>Various Overseers</h2><<nobr>> ''1. Di-íbaw - Overseer of Chaos'' <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 0 - The true bane of my existence. <br>Faith Level: 0 - Xe cannot be trusted unless we have the same goal. <br> <br> ''2. Maluíya - Overseer of Peace'' <br>Ally/Enemy Points: 0 - Best to avoid her. <br>Faith Level: 100 - She must kill me to keep the peace, that is the thread of destiny that connects us. <</nobr>> <h2>Various Deities</h2>//To Uncover// <h2>Faith in Deities</h2><<nobr>> <<if $fiD lte 20>>''Low: $fiD Points'' <br>One can say I have absolutely no faith in deities, and would thus have no reason to be called a Sentinel. <<elseif $fiD lte 40>>''Low: $fiD Points'' <br>I have an incredibly low faith in dieties, and if nothing improves, it might go even lower. <<elseif $fiD lte 50>>''Low: $fiD Points'' <br>My faith in deities has gone lower than what I assume to be average, which is not ideal for my line of work. <<elseif $fiD lte 65>>''Average: $fiD Points'' <br>My faith in deities shifts in measures that are neither too high nor too low, but it is there. <<elseif $fiD lte 80>>''Average: $fiD Points'' <br>I have faith in deities which would not necessarily be considered high, but it is also far from low. <<elseif $fiD gte 81>>''High: $fiD Points'' <br>One can say I have an incredible amount of faith in deities, as is expected and required of a Sentinel. <</if>> <</nobr>> <<back 'Previous'>>

<h1 class="linebreak">Achievement Unlocked</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Fate Foretold - Watering the Trees'' You died from being stabbed by a boar, just as the vision revealed. <<button "Main Menu">> <<run UI.restart()>> <</button>>

<h1 class="linebreak">Achievement Unlocked</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Familiar for a Day - Sacrificial Birds'' The loyalty of an eagle, the faith of a sunbird, or the love of a dove—all scared, all sacrificed for you. <<button "Author's Notes" "AN1">><</button>> <<button "Main Menu">> <<run Engine.restart()>> <</button>>

<h1 class="linebreak">Achievement Unlocked</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Doomed Destiny - Inevitable Demise'' You died in the same day victory over the boar was won. <<button "Restart">> <<run UI.restart()>> <</button>>