heroes-and-messengers

''Heroes and Messages'' An Interactive Fiction Adventure [[Enter|characters]]

(set: $lita to false) (set: $thornton to false) (set: $yukko to false) (set: $eryk to false) Choose your guide: [[Lita|lita]] is a highly talented and resourceful individual. She works in a small shop for low pay but has learned to be content with her current status. [[Thornton|thornton]] was born into a wealthy merchant family in the capitol city. He was poised to take over his father's business until an unfortunate incident began to change everything. [[Yukko|yukko]] is a drifter, a rouge, and a reluctant companion. [[Eryk|eryk]] was cast off by his family unexpectantly as a young man. He survived with the help of strangers which made him the man he is today.

(set: $lita to true) You walk through a busy street lined with shops. On your right you notice a sign for a tailor and decide to enter the small store to request a few repairs. Inside the shop you find a woman quietly humming to herself as she stares at her work intently. [[Approach|item]] [[Return to Street|characters]]

(set: $thornton to true) You walk through a busy street lined with shops. As you pass through the crowded street you veer towards a shipping dock. As you approach, you notice the dockworkers are moving frantically between the docked ships and a warehouse. [[Approach|item]] [[Return to Street|characters]]

(set: $yukko to true) You walk through a busy street lined with shops. At the end of the street you spot a bar and head directly for a drink. Once inside you take in the scene. In the back corner sits a figure that is immune to the chaos of the bar scene and blends perfectly into the shadows. [[Approach|item]] [[Return to Street|characters]]

(set: $eryk to true) You walk through a busy street lined with shops. You travel down the street taking in each sight and sound. As you pass a series of street vendors you lose your footing and fall, causing your bag to spill across a section of pavement. A hand reaches down to help you gather your things. [[Approach|item]] [[Return to Street|characters]]

''Characters'' Lita is a highly talented and resourceful individual. She works in a small shop for low pay but has learned to be content with her current status. Thornton was born into a wealthy merchant family in the capitol city. He was poised to take over his father's business until an unfortunate incident began to change everything. Yukko is a drifter, a rouge, and a reluctant companion. Eryk was cast off by his family unexpectantly as a young man. He survived with the help of strangers which made him the man he is today. ''Plot'' Lita is an heiress who was forced into hiding (lawful neutral) Thornton was going to take over for his father and marry up but snapped after witnessing the corruption of the elite class. (neutral evil) Yukko is purposely elusive and enigmatic. (neutral) Eryk is a hero to a fault. (lawful good)

Lita leaned on the balcony and stared at the stars. Everything about the captiol was foreign to her- the sights, smells, people, even the air felt different. She clung to a small gold necklace that once belonged to her mother. It was the only token of home she permitted herself to bring. None of her dresses, none of her shoes. Not even her softest silk shawl. Lita begged the house staff for any garments they could spare and fled into the night with a tiny drawstring sack. With a heavy sigh Lita brushed away invisible dirt and returned to her work. After all, the tailor could fire her if she didn't have everything ready for tomorrow's fittings. A single candle illuminated her stitching while she finished mending lavish garments for the rich people she once socialized with. [[Go to the Crossroads|crossroad1]]

Thornton poured over ledgers and documents long into the night. The family had always been rich, but now Thornton was beyond wealthy. Since his brother was killed three years ago Thornton made several unscrupulous business decisions. Many contributed to his father's business monopolizing trade in and out of the capitol city. As he moved a leather ledger across the desk Thornton noticed a strange note sticking out. He pulled out the note and scraped off the remnants of a wax seal. Thornton read the note, then crumpled it into a ball. Now he knew why his brother had been murdered, and finally would have his revenge. Yukko smiled in the darkness knowing more work would soon present itself. [[Go to the Crossroads|crossroad1]]

Yukko snuck through the barracks unseen. There is no moon, only long shadows which conceal hunters from their unsuspecting prey. Yukko reached the sleeping quarters undetected and looked for a way in. There, third from the left, one window carelessly left open. Yukko traversed the hallway with silent footsteps counting the rooms until finally reaching the desired doorway. In one continuous motion the door breathed open...and shuttered closed behind the intruder. Yukko contemplated how to kill the sleeping boy for a moment before pulling out a small needle. Using one hand to locate the base of the boy's skull, Yukko pricked the sleeping boy and waited. After a minute, the boy's breathing became labored before suddenly ceasing. Yukko replaced the needle into the bag and escaped undetected into the night. [[Go to the Crossroads|crossroad1]]

Eryk lead his horse to the bank of a forest stream and let the horse drink. Many years had passed since being a military recruit, yet Eryk's motions still carried the purpose and intention of a cadet. He let the horse graze and started to reminisce about his life before the murder. His thoughts wandered back to the girl he was supposed to marry. Despite not even remembering her name, Eryk wondered what the woman looked like now and if she ever thought of him. Eryk shook his head and sighed exhaling his frustration. Life could have been so different if he were a less principled man. If Eryk bought his way out of military service like his peers, if he had never traded bunks with another boy, if he didn't hide from the people who tried to kill him by pretending to have died that night. He sipped from a canteen and allowed the memories of home to replay. [[Go to the Crossroads|crossroad1]]

Choose another [[item]]?

Seek a Companion? [[Yes|companion]] [[No|box]]

''Linear Timeline'' Lita is the daughter of an elite family who lives in a large city Eryk is the oldest son of a wealthy merchant family who lives in the capitol Thornton is Eryk's brother Yukko is a lawless mercenary for hire who never stays in one spot for long ''Story'' Elite families conspire to kill Eryk Lita and Eryk are betrothed Eryk is called into military service and relocates to military housing Yukko is contracted to kill Eryk and travels to the capitol Thornton returns to the capitol from a lucrative trade mission Yukko arrives in the capitol and gets instructions to kill Eryk Eryk trades bunks Yukko sneaks into the barracks and kills a boy in Eryk's bed A boy is found dead, it is announced that Eryk is dead Eryk assumes a new identity Thornton learns of his brother's death through a planted document which blames Lita Thornton hires Yukko to kill Lita Lita goes into hiding ''Start'' Lita is now a seamstress and lives humbly Thornton is a cruel merchant Yukko is a rouge Eryk works odd jobs to survive

Your choices will be recorded. [[Stay at the crossroads?|crossroad2]] [[Continue|question1]]

Thornton walks with you to seek out the companion of your choosing. As you round the corner he recognizes the person standing in front of him and becomes overwhelmed. Before his past can catch up with him, Thorn pulls a knife and kills you. [[Game Over|title]]

Yukko follows you to seek out the companion you chose. As you the street Yukko recognizes your new companion and quietly motions that the three of you should enter a nearby alley to talk. Wordlessly, Yukko kills you before dispatching another target. [[Game Over|title]]

Eryk agrees to meet your mysterious companion. As you cross a busy street you hear a soft voice say Eryk's name so you turn around. Eryk recognizes the person, but crumples to the ground before he can reply. Seconds later you feel a sharp pain in your back before everything faded to black. [[Game Over|title]]

Lita follows you to seek out the companion you chose. As you turn into an alley a figure steps out of the shadows killing both of you. [[Game Over|title]]

Your choices will be recorded. [[Stay at the crossroads?|crossroad3]] [[Continue|question1]]

Welcome adventurer, it is good to see you. There are many paths to take that often reach the same destination. I wonder if you have chosen wisely? If you can answer my questions correctly you will win the game... Who did Yukko kill? [[Eryk|wrong]] [[A Boy|question2]]

Your choices will be recorded. [[Stay at the crossroads?|crossroad4]] [[Continue|question1]]

Who is Lita's betrothed? [[Thornton|wrong]] [[Eryk|question3]] [[Yukko|wrong]]

You have chosen poorly adventurer. I expected more. [[Game Over|title]] [[defy death|crossroad3]]

Match the items: Golden Necklace, Wax Sealed Note, Sharp Knife, Canteen [[1|question4]] Lita, Thornton, Yukko, Eryk [[2|wrong]] Lita, Eryk, Yukko, Thornton [[3|wrong]] Lita, Yukko, Eryk, Thornton [[4|wrong]] Lita, Thornton, Eryk, Yukko

Congratulations adventurer you have completed your adventure. [[Return to Title|title]] [[Extras|extras]]

[[Story Notes]] [[Timeline]] [[Back|end]]