Mana Clash

Browser lacks capabilities required to play.

Upgrade or switch to another browser.

Loading…

<<set $name to "Pioneer">> <<set $sur to "Mage">> <<set $age to 20>> <<set $job to "to be decided">> <<set $gender to "blank">> <<set $race to "human">> <<var $basehealth 3>>\ <<var $basemana 3>>\ <<set $manadepletion to 0>> <<set $wounds to 0>> <<set $athletics to 0>> <<set $stealth to 0>> <<set $subterfuge to 0>> <<set $unarmed to 0>> <<set $melee to 0>> <<set $firearms to 0>> <<set $perception to 0>> <<set $insight to 0>> <<set $doityourself to 0>> <<set $scholarship to 0>> <<set $nature to 0>> <<set $charisma to 0>> <<set $title to "Mana Clash">> <<set $force to 1>> <<set $forcespent to 0>> <<set $finesse to 1>> <<set $finessespent to 0>> <<set $endurance to 1>> <<set $endurancespent to 0>> <<set $efficiency to 1>> <<set $efficiencyspent to 0>> <<set $cash to 0>> <<set $hasfoci to false>> <<set $hashearthfamiliar to false>> <<set $greyroommate to 0>> <<set $refinement to 0>> <<set $refinementtotal to 0>> <<set $spellsknown to 0>> <<set $theory to "no theory">> <<set $haswrath to "false">> <<set $hellhound to "false">> <<set $hellhoundname to "blank">> <<set $sixfoldcat to "false">> <<set $sixfoldcatname to "blank">> <<set $mainfamiliar to "blank">> <<set $achievementData = [ { name: "Skin of your teeth!", points: 5, lockedDesc: "you made it on time to the bank, mostly on time", unlockedDesc: "Right on time, phew!" }, { name: "Dirty 20", points: 5, lockedDesc: "you found a 20 dollar bill on the way to the bank.", unlockedDesc: "Its still a 20!" }, { name:"Kindness is hard work", points: 10, lockedDesc: "you forgave your first enemy", unlockedDesc: "You arent scared of hard work" }, { name: "DENTAL!", points: 5, lockedDesc: "AQUIRE DENTAL!", unlockedDesc: "Your teeth will thank you" }, { name: "Chainsaw Mage", points: 15, lockedDesc: "met the requirments to use a chainsaw as a weapon", unlockedDesc: "acheivment points are the reason this heart still beats!" }, { name: "Founding the circle", points: 15, lockedDesc: "Create somthing the world will benefit from", unlockedDesc: "Admin privellages aquired" }, ]>>

<<footer>>\ <div class="specialelite">Character Stats</div>\ Health: <<resource ($basehealth + Math.floor($endurance / 2)) $wounds>> Mana: <<resource ($basemana + Math.floor($efficiency / 2)) $manadepletion>> Name: $name Surname: $sur Gender: $gender Age: $age Race: $race Job: $job <<if ($theory isnot "no theory")>>\ Theory: $theory <</if>>\ <<if ($refinementtotal gt 0)>>\ Total Refinement: $refinementtotal <</if>>\ <<if ($foci)>>\ Foci: $foci <</if>>\ <<if ($manacolor)>>\ Mana hue: $manacolor <</if>>\ <<if ($homestylepicked)>>\ Home design: $housestyle <</if>>\ <div class="specialelite">Combat Stats</div>\ Force: <<resource $force $forcespent>> Finesse: <<resource $finesse $finessespent>> Endurance: <<resource $endurance $endurancespent>> Efficiency: <<resource $efficiency $efficiencyspent>> <div class="specialelite">Skills</div>\ Athletics: <<skill $athletics 5 nocap>> Charisma: <<skill $charisma 5 nocap>> D.I.Y: <<skill $doityourself 5 nocap>> Firearms: <<skill $firearms 5 nocap>> Insight: <<skill $insight 5 nocap>> Melee: <<skill $melee 5 nocap>> Nature: <<skill $nature 5 nocap>> Perception: <<skill $perception 5 nocap>> Scholarship: <<skill $scholarship 5 nocap>> Stealth: <<skill $stealth 5 nocap>> Subterfuge: <<skill $subterfuge 5 nocap>> Unarmed: <<skill $unarmed 5 nocap>> <div class="specialelite">Your Character's Character</div>\ <<opposed-bar "kindness" "cruelty" $cruelty>>\ <<opposed-bar "hope" "despair" $despair>>\ <<choose "menu-inventory">>\ #View inventory #use-if ($refinementtotal gte 1) View magic menu -> "magic" #View skill guide -> "skill-guide" #Return to Game -> $return <</choose>>\

= Inventory = **Cash: $cash **equipment: <<if $hashearthfamiliar>>\ - Hearth spirit (Efficiency +1, one time bonus) <</if>>\ <<if $strangemap>>\ - Map with 4 circled areas of Millfeild <</if>>\ <<if $hassalt>>\ - A dozen or so tubes of cooking salt <</if>>\ <<if $hasbackpack>>\ - A pretty sturdy and large bag to help you carry things <</if>>\ <<if $hasfireextinguisher>>\ - A modern fire extinguisher to help, well, fight fires <</if>>\ <<if $hasfirstaidkit>>\ - A well stocked first aid kit to help you or others with on the job injuries. <</if>>\ <<if $hassilverware>>\ - A set of high purity silverware <</if>>\ <<if $hasgunlicense>>\ - Several licenses for various firearms <</if>>\ <<if $chainsawtool>>\ - A chainsaw in case you need to remove a tree, ya live next to the woods after all. <</if>>\ <<if $silverbullet>>\ - A silver bullet you can shoot at magic using people or beasts, if the round doesn't go right through the round should leach mana from the target into the slug. <</if>>\ **Weapons: <<if $hasbatfoci>>\ - Baseball bat (Force +1, one time bonus) allows for melee weapon checks, is this magically enchanted? <</if>>\ <<if $haswrath is "true">>\ - Wrath: Divine six shooter revolver. Allows you to make ranged firearm checks, You feel like this gun has some hidden powers, waiting to awaken. <</if>>\ <<if $hasreliable>>\ - 9mm semi auto handgun, 16 rounds per magazine. <</if>>\ <<if $haspatience>>\ - Hunting rifle meant for deer, comes with a scope and is bolt action operated, make the shots count. <</if>>\ <<if $hasstopsign>>\ - Pump-action shotgun meant to stop your enemies dead in their tracks at medium to short ranges. Fires pellets or buckshot. <</if>>\ <<if $hasknife>>\ - A survival knife with a compass in the hilt <</if>>\ <<if $hashammer>>\ - A sledge hammer that's got a reassuring weight and range <</if>>\ <<if $hasaxe>>\ - A wood cutting axe that you're pretty sure can cut more than wood <</if>>\ <<if $chainsawweapon>>\ - A mother trucking chainsaw, it can skin your butt raw <</if>>\ <<if $saltnade>>\ - A homemade pipe bomb with a small amount of gun powder and pure salt for the rest of it, you're pretty sure its handy against spirts and active magic effects <</if>>\ **Ride: <<if $convertible>>\ - A black convertible that's german made, it will get ya places fast <</if>>\ <<if $pickuptruck>>\ - A green american made pick up truck, off road friendly and a lot of storage space. <</if>>\ <<if $sedan>>\ - A blue four door japanese made sedan, it's an all around and reliable car, if you take care of it you could have it for 10 years. <</if>>\ <<if $magiccar>>\ - This red sedan seems to have a magical trunk that greatly increases storage space and to run on ambient mana making it gas free, and somehow low maintenance as parts seem to be more sturdy than normal. <</if>>\ <<choose "menu-stats">>\ #View stats #View skill guide -> "skill-guide" #use-if ($refinementtotal gte 1) View magic menu -> "magic" #Return to Game -> $return <</choose>>

**Skills: Athletics: This is your general fitness. This skill is checked in any scenario that requires physical aptitude such as running, swimming, or climbing without magically aid. Stealth: Your ability to hide your physical presence actively, to prevent yourself from leaving tracks or evidence behind if you are committing crimes, and knowing the best angle to avoid camera attention as you walk by. Subterfuge: Your ability to circumvent mechanical traps, pick locks, or create traps in a hostile or friendly environment. Unarmed: Your skill with violence without weapons, marital arts, boxing, or perhaps a surprise kidney punch. This is your skill for the oldest combat form in the world. Melee: This covers the use of everything from baseball bats, swords, axes, or sledge hammers. This also covers impromptu weapons that have any form of reach beyond a closed fist such as a wooden plank or crowbar. Firearms: The modern tool of warfare this is the skill for aiming and shooting targets with guns. It also aids in building, modifying, or otherwise tweaking a gun in combination with the D.I.Y skill. Perception: This is the skill that determines how good your hearing, sight, taste, and smell are. This helps you see ambushes before they happen and noticing subtle details in the environment when investigating for clues. Insight: This helps you reach understanding of the information you think you know. From trying to see through peoples lies, to analyzing ambient magic in the air and determining its properties, to understanding subtle clues found in magical anomalies. D.I.Y: The handy man crafting skill, building just about anything and everything, the higher the skill the more you will be able to build, assuming you can afford or otherwise scrounge up the materials. Scholarship: This skill represents your general book learning and generally scholarly knowledge in everything from common to esoteric and niche knowledge bases, everything from knowing multiple languages to understanding the burial practices of old viking settlements. Nature: Your ability to survive, understand, and thrive in wilderness areas. Helps you take care of animals, plants, and fellow campers. It is also used in tracking trails of others and finding something moving through the wilds. Charisma: Your ability to convince people of what you say. Both honestly and through lies and manipulation. <<choose "menu-stats">>\ #View stats menu #View inventory -> "menu-inventory" #use-if ($refinementtotal gte 1) View magic menu -> "magic" #Return to game ->$return <</choose>>

Through your journey you've come to understand that mana is in the air all around the world. You can't confirm, but you would wager its at least trapped under the ozone layer, or who knows, maybe there is space magic. As a person, you're able to pull that mana into you and filter it into magical effects. However, you've also realized ways to grow your ability to harness that power more effectively, and thus increase your refinement. ''[Sharpen your skills]'' ''[Refinement points: $refinement]'' ''[Familiar: $activefamiliar]'' <<choose "improvment">> #use-if ($refinement gte 1) Increase your core magical attributes [1 point per upgrade] #use-if ($spellsknown gte 1) View the spells you've discovered or created -> "spell-list" #use-if ($metamagicknown gte 1) Ponder your metamagics -> "meta-magic-list" #Inventory -> "menu-inventory" #View the skill guide -> "skill-guide" #Stat page -> "menu-stats" #Return to game -> $return <</choose>>

You've experimented with and come to new discovers with how to wield Mana itself and how to alter your spells in the field. Your discoveries also has altered your mana to show a different hue then the normal grey white your magic had before. <<if $metamagicadhesive>>\ ''Adhesive'' - Hue: Bright pink - Effect: Your Mana and spell work can become sticky and stick to targets. Damaging spells that are designed to disperse after impact are less benefited then spells with lingering effects like most elementally damaging spells. Even though your Mana has changed you still actively have to elect when a spell has this property, meaning that not every spell you cast will be sticky. <</if>>\ <<if $metamagicricochet>>\ ''Ricochet'' - Hue: Light Blue - Effect: Your mana after much training has been trained to move erratically before dispersing. While its most immediate use revolves around striking multiple targets with a single cast it can also be used to hit people from surprising angles and less defended areas like the back of the head for example. A useful trick is only useful when it has the element of surprise. Thus you have ensured that you can turn this ability on and off, so that not every spell will be hitting targets you did not intend to. <</if>>\ <<if $metamagicmass>>\ ''Mass'' - Hue: Amber - Effect: Blunt force can solve many problems and having a new way to apply blunt force is a boon. Mass allows you to infuse weight into you're otherwise weightless magical effects. You are able to inflict weight into spells or leave them weightless, the last thing you need in a spell that aids an ally is to cripple them with weight. <</if>>\ <<if $metamagicenduring>>\ ''Enduring'' - Hue: Black - Effect: You've discovered or perhaps even invented a way to allow spells to linger beyond there built in time. Creating a magical construct that has a fragment of will and an ability to filter ambient mana into fuel for itself and the spell its attached to allows your spells to last until the constructs filter becomes too dirty, you haven't found a way for the filter to clean itself, yet. Considering how this is an active modification to spells you do not need all your spells to have this effect, a direct damaging spell doesn't need to last beyond contact. That being said you also learned a few minor tricks to increase your ability to filter mana more quickly then normal. <</if>>\ <<if $metamagicdisruption>>\ ''Disruption'' - Hue: Dark Green - Effect: You have prepared for dealing with magic by finding a way to undo it more easily. Your mana has gained the natural instincts of a burrowing creature, entering a hostile effect and seeking out the weakest area of the spell to burst through and thus disrupt it. It's hard to turn off really, your mana feels like it has a will, Your will however is greater and thus it can act normally should you not need to disrupt your fellow mages when casting a helpful spell upon them. Don't want to disrupt a different spell they may have up on themselves for example. <</if>>\ <<choose "magic">>\ #Return to magic menu #Inventory -> "menu-inventory" #View the skill guide -> "skill-guide" #Stat page -> "menu-stats" #Return to game -> $return <</choose>>

You have grown on your journey and as such have found that when it comes to using magic your core ability to manipulate mana has increased. <<choose "improvment">> #use-if ($refinement gte 1) Increase Force <<var $force + 1>>\ <<var $refinement - 1>>\ #use-if ($refinement gte 1) Increase Finesse <<var $finesse + 1>>\ <<var $refinement - 1>>\ #use-if ($refinement gte 1) Increase Efficiency <<var $efficiency + 1>>\ <<var $refinement - 1>>\ #use-if ($refinement gte 1) Increase Endurance <<var $endurance + 1>>\ <<var $refinement - 1>>\ #Nevermind -> "magic" <</choose>>

Your study has born some fruit. In particular, you've found ways to use mana to create certain magical effects. You've got the key pillars of spells down to a science. There are four potential parts of a spell - Materials: items that are not magical in themselves but act as fuel or a specialized focus for a spell, more often then not, when used in spells they melt down or are somehow otherwise consumed. - Focus: A custom made tool that a mage like yourself can use to better channel the mana ya need into the proper shape. - Verbal: Speaking words as you force your will upon the mana you harness seems to have an empowering effect that has the bonus of helping you shape the effect of a spell, words apparently hold power. - Somatic: Physical movements, hand signs, or even certain stances or dances can help the spirit sturdy itself and form the correct shape. If the body throws a ball and forms the motions of throwing a ball, the magic might more easily form the shape of a ball for example. With the pillars described now it is time to look upon the spells you've unlocked. <<if $magicdart>>\ ''Magic Dart'' - Requirements: Verbal, Somatic - Cost: 2 mana - Effect: You form a dart of mana and throw it at your enemy, dealing ranged energy damage. <</if>>\ <<if $spitfire>>\ ''Spitfire'' - Requirements: Somatic - Cost: 3 mana - Effect: You inhale, infusing your breath with super heated mana and exhale it as fire. Dealing damage and setting things ablaze. <</if>>\ <<if $sixfoldcurse>>\ ''Sixfold Curse'' - Requirements: Verbal, Somatic, Materials (a cat hair) - Cost: 1 mana - Effect: You curse your enemies to suffer the sixfold misfortunes. Hindering them and causing luck and chance to work against them. <</if>>\ <<if $spiritguard>>\ ''Spirit Guard'' - Requirements: Somatic, Verbal - Cost: 1 mana - Effect: You channel the power of dog, the ancestral guardian of people. This spell cleanses the target of possession or weak lingering magical effects such as minor curses. <</if>>\ <<if $catseye>>\ ''Cats Eye'' - Requirements: Somatic - Cost: 1 mana - Effect: You channel the power of cat, The ancestral hunter of the people. This spell allows you to see in the dark, it also can lower checks to understand magic effects or items. <</if>>\ <<if $wheelofjoy>>\ ''Wheel Of Joy'' - Requirements: Somatic, Verbal - Cost: 3 mana - Effect: You channel the power of Mouse. The ancestral thief of civilization. You can conjure the wheel of joy which manifests as a large circle of energy in the shape of blue hamster's wheel . This wheel then charges and possibly flattens the target of you're choosing as it runs it over. <</if>>\ <<if $uplift>>\ ''Up Lift'' - Requirements: Verbal - Cost: 1 mana (per target) - Effect: You channel the power of Songbird. The ancestral muse of civilization. You conjure a gust of wind below you before you hit the ground, You are able to cast this spells on others as well potentially saving you and your friends from suffering harm. <</if>>\ <<if $turtleshell>>\ ''Turtle Shell'' - Requirements: Verbal, Somatic - Cost: 2 mana - Effect: You conjure a plane of force that can deflect physical objects like melee weapons and non enhanced bullets, Its size is roughly half your body's size and it weighs nothing. <</if>>\ <<choose "magic">>\ #Return to magic menu #Inventory -> "menu-inventory" #View the skill guide -> "skill-guide" #Stat page -> "menu-stats" #Return to game -> $return <</choose>>

<<widget "timepass">> <<var $months + 1>>\ <<var $cash + $monthlysalary>>\ <</widget>>

<div class="specialelite">Chapter One</div>\ "Remember kiddo. Working hard is against human nature, that's why everyone is miserable, mean, and making the world a worse place. Don't be lazy, work hard. Hate is easy, love and compassion are hard work that's never finished." <<var $cruelty 50>>\ <<var $despair 50>>\ - Grandpa, circa his last words on his death bed <<page "Wake up" "chapter_one">>

You wake up on your second hand well used couch with a groan as sun light from a window gets into your eyes. Well, you woke up before your alarm at the least so that's a load off your mind. As you sit up you realize that the TV was left on in the living room that, during the night, doubles as your best room. It looks like another news cast on the "Mill Beats" news network is on; Daniel Fairbank is giving an update on the newest Stella Seven numbers. "-the W.H.O have given us new numbers with the most recent survey of the Stella Seven virus, and it has come out to a whopping 80%. There is still no information regarding how the virus is transferred, but we here at the Mill Beat would like to remind people to join us in taking utmost precautions with appropriate health steps regardless." You cant help but doubt that, as Daniel is wearing a long sleeved sweater in the summer and no face mask. Stella Seven started two years ago and it has dozens of subtypes; Daniel most likely has that one that causes people to feel incredibly cold regardless of the weather. Despite the side effects and symptoms it causes, it doesn't seem to be lethal at all according to the W.H.O, the World Health Organization. The news keeps going. "In local news, the mayoral election is coming up! In three months time you'll be able to register for pre voti-" You turn the TV off and get up, you have an appointment at the bank today so you casually check your phone as an alarm starts to sound. An air of smugness fills you from waking up before the alarm. The smugness evaporates as you see this was your fourth alarm; you somehow slept through the first three. <<page "Pedal like you mean it!" "Cross_roads">>

You run out of your apartment after slapping on some shorts and a short-sleeved dress-shirt for an attempt at business casual. Then you head down to the bike storage and get your beat up and rusty metal bike out. As you begin pedaling out you begin wagering the best way to get to the bank. You could head down through the park nearby; it rained recently so you might get a little muddy. Though it is the most direct path there. If you want to take the safer way you could take the main road, it's early enough that traffic is dead and you could probably move through the streets easily if you run crossing lights. Though, if Officer Higgins is out he would love to ticket you for running lights on empty streets. You can't afford the ticket so you would sadly have to take things slower and keep an eye out for him. What to do... <<choose "park">> #Go through park Is this what they call country roads? You \ #Go through streets -> "Streets" Slow and steady you \ <</choose>>

power through the dirt path through the woods, so many bumps and jolts on the ride. You think to yourself that maybe you'll be lucky and avoid getting any mud on your clothes. Then your bike stops dead, almost throwing you off with a wet squelch as your front wheel gets stuck. You go about removing it. When you stand up in the middle of the process, you notice a green and brown note in the mud. Huh. Someone must have dropped this 20 on a nature walk. Yoink. Sadly it took up more time then you thought to get your bike out of the damn mud, making you late. <<var $cash +20>>\ <<achieve "Dirty 20">>\ <<var $perception + 1>>\ ''[Your cash is now: $cash]'' ''[Your perception has increased by 1]'' <<page "To the bank" "arrival">>

You pass through the familiar streets and see it is indeed pretty dead so far. The automated traffic lights still play their patterns and go about it. Your luck must be turning around because you don't spot Higgins out. Just this once, you get to ignore most of the pointless lights. You surprisingly make it to the bank on a decent time frame! When you lock up your bike outside the bank, you see Higgins chatting up Sandra at the bakery. Hm, she's laughing and touching his arm too. Maybe you should thank her after your meeting and hope she realizes she can do better. Fuck the police is not supposed to go this way. <<achieve "Skin of your teeth!">>\ <<var $stealth + 1>>\ ''[Your stealth has increased by 1]'' <<page "To the bank" "arrival">>

Getting to the local Trust and Trust bank branch you see the dreary eyes of people who don't want to be up at 0600... Well a bit after 0600, but semantics. You head over to the counter and, before you can even say it, the worker points to your financial advisors office. Janice Wells. <<page "Good morning Ms. Wells" "Wells_office">>

You knock on her office door and hear the voice of Ms. Wells reply with a neutral "come in". You follow instruction and enter the familiar office with one desk, two chairs, a window that watches the street, and a photo frame of an orange cat. Ms. Wells is a woman in her 40's with dark skin and long braided black hair that goes down the middle of her back. She's dressed in a suit with a surprisingly colorful tie that's neon green with UFO's on them. She tends to wear a lot of silly ties. The woman's also come down with Stella Seven like most of the town, but beyond a minor sheen to her skin she's been keeping her symptoms downlow. She lifts a single piece of paper towards you without darying to look at it. "Going over your monthly budget, it is in your best financial interest to die yesterday." <<choose "pick_career">> #"What are my none dyin' options?" "What are my none dyin' options?" You ask. <<var $despair - 2>>\ "Few." She says as she \ #Say nothing. You say nothing. <<var $despair + 2>>\ The silence drags on as she seems in no hurry to break it. She \ #"If I invent time travel I won't be dyin' as a first solution." "If I invent time travel I won't be dyin' as a first solution." You reply. "Good for you" She says as she \ #"Do you have any advice that can, ya know, help?" "Do you have any advice that can, ya know help?" You ask. "And so they asked me to transmute copper into gold." She says as if remembering a line from a show....Magisters and Magic maybe, last season was trash. She talks as she \ <</choose>>

pulls out a pen and begins writing things down on it. "Your current...employment," she says the last word like it doesn't count, "does not meet your current budget in the slightest." You can't help but lower your gaze, you know she's right, but in this town? Frankly, you're lucky you managed to get a job as a... <<choose "animal_care">> #Pet sitter #Gas station cashier -> "chatty" #Hardware store attendant -> "DIY" #Delivery "driver" -> "about_town" <</choose>>

On paper taking care of animals for hours on end sounds like a cake walk. People who think //that// never had to deal with Bubbles, the world's angriest pitbull. Or at least Bernard, the blind and elderly bloodhound. Not counting the other problematic clients of yours, and the fact all the pet parents in this town underpay for the service. On the upside you understand animals better than the lay person. <<choose "pet_sitter">> #I am a pet sitter. <<var $job "pet sitter">>\ <<var $nature + 2>>\ <<var $unarmed + 1>>\ ''[You have gained 2 Nature]]'' ''[You have gained 1 Unarmed]]'' #I am not a pet sitter. -> "return_to_options" <</choose>>

It's not much of a job but you do have one. Ms. Wells asks several questions about how you can expand your business. The truth is you can't. With the local plague of Stella Seven, most pet owners are home and take care of things themselves. Your prospects are mostly the elderly or vacationers who couldn't take pets with them. So this becomes a quickly depressing chat about your dead end job. <<page "At least you pet dogs" "corrections">>

Its part-time but you ended up being a cashier at the local "Pump and Go" gas station. The pay is crap, but boy, do you have a pulse on the business of the town. Business moguls, or what passes for them in a town this small, can't help but tell you all about their work, stocks, investments, failed marriages, and one sad bastard who does crypto. One day he's gunna be worse off then you. <<choose "gas_jockey">> #I am a gas station cashier. <<var $job "gas station cashier">>\ <<var $charisma + 2>>\ <<var $insight + 1>>\ ''[You have gained 2 Charisma]'' ''[You have gained 1 Insight]'' #I am not a gas station cashier. -> "return_to_options" <</choose>>

Regular hours, few as they are, and room for growth! ...If your manager retires one day to free up the position. Well, you spend the rest of the hour going around in circles in a way that makes this feel more like a dead end job than was advertised. Your prospects are so bad that you spend 10 minutes gossiping about crypto Dave and sharing a laugh. <<page "Oh Dave" "corrections">>

Teddy's Tools is one of the two hardware stores in town. Teddy hires you part time to help answer questions, suggest tools, and more often than not provide directions to the highway for lost visitors. Teddy is a decent boss, but he "can't bring ya on full time". At least you became a bit of a handy man for all the time spent there. <<choose "Hardware_store_attendant">> #I am a hardware store attendant. <<var $job "hardware store attendant">>\ <<var $doityourself + 2>>\ <<var $subterfuge + 1>>\ ''[You have gained 2 D.I.Y]'' ''[You have gained 1 Subterfuge]'' #I am not a hardware store attendant. -> "return_to_options" <</choose>>

It may not be much of a job, but you have actually managed to save money by repairing things for your boss. Off the record. Sadly, most of the locals prefer to get work done by Teddy and refuse to give you a shot. Probably also because you don't have a license for plumbing or electronic repair. You chat with Ms. Wells about it, but you genuinely can't find someone willing to give you a loan to get your licenses. It's a vicious cycle. <<page "Poverty spiral" "corrections">>

To say you have one employer is a lie. You work for about three food apps that are all fighting for orders in the two dozen or less restaurants in town. To say you're a driver is //also// a lie. You don't have a car, meaning that you ride your old bike near to death. If there is an upside, it's that you're in great shape and know the town well. <<choose "delivery_driver">> #I am a delivery driver. <<var $job "delivery driver">>\ <<var $athletics + 2>>\ <<var $perception + 1>>\ ''[You have gained 2 Athletics]'' ''[You have gained 1 Perception]'' #I am not a delivery driver. -> "return_to_options" <</choose>>

Its such a pain on paperwork to be a contractor under all these companies. With terrible pay rates and, you can't deny it after doing this for a bit, terrible local tipping rates. Sadly Ms. Wells doesn't even humor you in looking for growth in this field. You spend the hour looking at the bleak and painfully short list of alternative options, with no clear better ideas. <<page "A six pack I can't afford..." "corrections">>

It may not be much but at least you have a job as a... <<choose "animal_care">> #Pet sitter #Gas station cashier -> "chatty" #Hardware store attendant -> "DIY" #Delivery "driver" -> "about_town" <</choose>>

"Before you go," Ms. Wells says, "I noticed that our records might be incorrect. Mildred refuses to update her glasses and her typing is getting sloppier." She slides the sheet across her desk. Taking it, you do indeed see that your names are spelled wrong. You take the pen she holds out and go about correcting them. Starting with your first name. <<choose "first_name">> #"James should only have one S." <<var $name "James">>\ #"Toby does not have an E." -> "first_name" <<var $name "Toby">>\ #"Rahul is actually spelled correctly oddly enough." -> "first_name" <<var $name "Rahul">>\ #"Ivan doesn't have a space." -> "first_name" <<var $name "Ivan">>\ #"Todo is...it doesn't have three O's." -> "first_name" <<var $name "Todo">>\ #"Robin seems to have three B's." -> "first_name" <<var $name "Robin">>\ #"Sandy has ie at the end, its s'posed to be Y." -> "first_name" <<var $name "Sandy">>\ #"Sofiya with a Y, its missing here." -> "first_name" <<var $name "Sofiya">>\ #"Whoa this is awful, I'll just write it on the side." You give up on poor Mildred's penwomanship and go about writing your name in yourself. <<textbox "$name" "Examplename">>\ <<page "Custom name" "first_name">> <</choose>>

"Sorry for that. Last name?" Ms. Wells asks. With disbelief you check the form. Sure enough, it seems just as bad. Better fix that. <<choose "last_name">> #"Smith was close but somehow you got a W instead of an M." -> "last_name" <<var $sur "Smith">>\ #"Baker doesn't need a second E." -> "last_name" <<var $sur "Baker">>\ #"Saito has an I and not a Y." -> "last_name" <<var $sur "Saito">>\ #"Petrov, without the E at the end." -> "last_name" <<var $sur "Petrov">>\ #"I'm just gunna write this one in." -> "last_name" <<textbox "$sur" "Examplename">>\ <<page "Custom last name" "last_name">> <</choose>>

"Well that was a use of our time." Ms. Wells says evenly. Perhaps you feel the same after having no new solutions to your financial debts. With nothing else to do, it's about time to head home. <<choose "gender_question">> #"Thanks for your time Ms. Wells." "Thanks for your time Ms. Wells." #"See ya later Janice." "See ya later Janice." #Give a nod and head out. You give her a nod and head out. #"Always a pleasure to meet you, good news or bad, seeing you brightens my day." (flirt) -> "bold_choice" "Always a pleasure to meet you," you insist, "good news or bad, seeing you brightens my day." <</choose>>

She raises an eyebrow and leans back in her chair before saying "Are you flirting with me young-" <<choose "locked_in">> #"-Man?" <<var $gender "male">>\ #"-Lady?" <<var $gender "female">>\ #"-Fellow?" <<var $gender "non-binary">>\ <</choose>>

As you head out you get a parting farewell from miss Wells "For what its worth, have a good day-" <<choose "head_held_high">> #"-Sir" (he/him pronouns) <<var $gender "male">>\ #"-Ms." (She/her pronouns) <<var $gender "female">>\ #"-My fellow" (They/them pronouns) <<var $gender "non-binary">>\ <</choose>>

"Yes I am, I'd be a fool not to." You say hoping the confidence you project is a fraction as genuine as you're trying to make it, only to see her shake her head. "I'm about twice your age, you also have to focus on getting your affairs in order before time travel becomes your only feasible way out of debt." Well, you miss every shot you don't take... You leave the office and realize that she didn't technically shoot you down...hope springs eternal. <<page "Head held high" "head_held_high">>

You get on your bike and begin pedaling home. It seems like the town is starting to wake up as you're homeward-bound. You have some time to think. You moved to Millfeild about a year ago with your grandfather and still haven't managed to get a decent job. Gramps's passing hasn't helped you, to be sure, and you even had to sell the house to cover SOME of his debts. Now you live in a one bedroom apartment in Millfeild's only apartment complex with your best friend and roommate Min-ji Walker. Or just 'Min' if you're, in her elegant words, a hick. There is only one bedroom, so you end up calling that glorious second hand couch your bed. She is in a similar boat to you in her dead end job as a fry cook at Mark's Diner. Though she manages to sneak out with half eaten meals a lot of the time, which is a miracle and helps keep you fed. You manage to get back without much of a fuss and park the bike in the apartment complex's bike storage. Sadly you get ambushed by your land lord... <<page "Oh shi- I mean hi!" "debt_comes_due">>

Pedro Castillo, the richest man in Millfeild. Real estate agent for nearly all the town and owner of your apartment complex making him the landlord you owe far too much rent to. He's a bald man, often dressed in Hawaiian shirts and gym shorts. He's got a gut on him, yet there is plenty of muscle under there deceptively. He seems to always be smiling, even when he's trying to get the money you owe him. When Stella Seven hit him, it looks like his symptoms seem to be a nasty coughing fit that comes and goes. Right now he's wearing a garish teal Hawaiian shirt with yellow palm trees and some gym shorts. He's also wearing his easy smile as he grips your right shoulder tightly. <<if ($cash is 20)>>\ "Seems you've been rolling in the mud, huh? That's what I like about you, never afraid to get your hands dirty." A compliment without asking about rent money? This doesn't bode well. <<elseif ($cash is 0)>>\ "Rare to catch ya, almost like you've been avoidin' me, Ha! why would that be the case?" You chuckle with an attempt at mirth but can't meet his eyes. <</if>>\ "So" Pedro says after he lets go of your shoulder and you fight off the instinct to flee. "If you're still looking for work I have a job that needs doing." <<page "Huh?" "huh-passage">>

"Huh?" You blurt out before regaining your composure and hopefully your dignity. "I said I have a job for you." Pedro repeats. <<choose "huh-passage2">> #"What kind of job?" "What kind of job?" You ask. "Simple one. Just \ #"YES! I mean ya, sure, I'm interested." "YES!" You shout before getting ahold of yourself. "I mean ya, sure, I'm interested." Pedro actually laughs and claps you on the back. "Now that's the spirit. I \ #"Is there dental?" "Is there dental?" You ask. "Cute." He says with an eye roll "I \ <</choose>>

got a new property that I'm trying to put on the market. Thing is, the inspectors refuse to inspect the place. I shit you not, he says entering the building is unsafe and, get this, that the place is 'haunted'." Pedro shakes his head as if to imply the absurdity of ghosts. A sentiment you can't help but agree with, never having heard of a building inspector citing ghosts as an unsafe work hazard. "So the job is simple," he continues, "enter the place, record it all on camera, give me evidence that this is bullshit. I'll give you a month before I hound you for rent again, deal?" <<page "Deal." "home_for_now">>\

After getting the address, and quickly confirming that you have the rest of the day off, you head in briefly to your apartment. Social niceties decide you get in the shower and put on a change of clothes, picking a tough pair of jeans and a short sleeved black shirt with some washed out band logo. You don't know the band. You got this at a garage sale well-used and washed-out. By the time you're done you notice the sound of the door opening. Glancing down the hall you see your roommate Min-ji holding some to-go bags from Marks diner. She's frowning but gives you a nod. "How did that meeting go? Still a bum?" "Ya." You sigh. "Why are you back so early?" Checking your phone you see it's only 07:30. Well, 07:27 but who's counting. "Don't get me started." She sighs back as she places the to-go bags on your kitchen island counter. "Now come and eat your egg sandwich before I do." You walk on over, never one to turn down a free meal. <<page "It's the only thing from Marks that isn't trash" "the_sidekick">>

You both dig in and share a meal of egg sandwiches with hashbrowns. Min tells you that she had an episode at work. She's gotten a pretty rough variety of Stella Seven that causes episodes of narcolepsy, and apparently Marks Diner sends her home when she passes out near the stove. "They are paying me for the day and sent me home with breakfast, but I'm missing out on all the tips from end of shift." She says while drinking some water. "Brutal," you nod, "sorry to hear it. But hey, if you've got the day off how would you like to help me extend the time we have for rent by a month?" She tilts her head and looks at you. "Depends, are we finally cooking meth?" "No." You reply. "Robbing the bank? Sly dog, were you doing the leg work?" "No." You swallow a bite of precious sandwich and roll your eyes at her. "We aren't robbing a bank." She ponders out loud with less enthusiasm. "Exchanging sexual favors for rent money?" <<choose "prequest_one">> #"Honestly if Pedro asked and he was the client..." You ponder the idea. "Honestly if Pedro asked and he was the client..." "Gross!" She cringes. "Stop being gross! But hey if you're willing to take one for the team..." You sigh again. "No it's not that, all \ #"Come on have a little more faith in me then that. If sex work was feasible I'd have done it forever ago." "Come on, have a little more faith in me then that." You reply. "If sex work was feasible I'd have done it forever ago." Min nods, accepting the logic with ease. You tell her the truth. "All \ #Wait for her to run out of ideas and finish eating. She goes on for about two minutes making outlandish and outrageous guesses at what kind of deal you and Pedro made. Eventually she runs out of ideas while you finish your sandwich. "Come on then," she whines, giving up, "tell me!" Well-fed, you oblige. "All we have to do is confirm a house isn't haunted." You fill her in with the further details all of which she seems skeptical about. "Well shit...that sounds too good to be true, I'll get changed, let's do this." She then points a finger at you and scowls. "If this is a dream, I'm punching you when I wake up for giving me false hope." She storms off before you can rebuttal. <<page "Oh wow, she left the hashbrowns" "quest_one">>\ #"We're going ghostbusting." "We're going ghostbusting." You say. Min-ji stares at you quizically. "Was that one of the old movies your grandpa had laying around?" You sharply inhale. "The word you're looking for is the CLASSIC he left with me, and yes, yes it is." She looks unimpressed and waits. After deflating a bit, you clarify that you were actually telling the truth. "All \ <</choose>>

we have to do is confirm a house isn't haunted." You fill her in with the further details, all of which she seems skeptical about. "Well shit...that sounds too good to be true, I'll get changed, let's do this." She then points a finger at you and scowls. "If this is a dream, I'm punching you when I wake up for giving me false hope." She storms off before you can rebuttal. <<page "Oh wow, she left the hashbrowns" "quest_one">>\

So it begins. Looking back on things, you went into your first encounter with magic underprepared. Also unaware. Honestly for all intents and purposes you might as well have walked into a dragons lair naked. But hey, that's the danger of being a pioneer. Enough rambling. Time to see how you fare. <<page "Chapter 2" "Chapter_two">>

<div class="specialelite">Chapter Two</div>\ "Look, the best way to think about home care is to think of the home as a member of the family. Crazy? You tell me what sounds crazier: not maintaining something that keeps you dry, warm, and safe for your whole life, or patting the door frame and saying thanks for everything you do?" -Teddy, from Teddy's Tools, when asked where the bathroom is. His hearing aid was dead. <<page "Arrival" "haunted_house">>

You and Min get get to the dirt road that leads to the old house. You both hop off your bike and lean it against a strong looking pine tree. Thankfully your lock fits around its trunk, too. Nature provides. Min seems dressed in some torn Jeans and a red shirt with a green and dead cartoon pig on it. It's rather short, exposing her stomach. She says it's not on purpose; its apparently hard to find shirts in her size that take her bust into consideration. Standing at about 5 foot nothing in height she ties her long pink hair into a single pony tail that goes down to her shoulders. Apparently ever since her mom started disapproving of her dyed hair she kept doing it. Spite and style. She catches you looking. "Something up, or are you just admiring a breathtaking south korean woman in her prime?" <<choose "down_the_road">> #"I'm really just trying to figure out if that shirt is just anti-capitalism or if it's some other kind of reference." You shrug and tell her your honest thoughts. "I'm really just trying to figure out if that shirt is just anti-capitalism or if it's some other kind of reference." "I couldn't tell you." She answers. "It was a shirt that mostly fit and didn't ride way too far up because of my tits." Ah the wonder of being small and well-endowed. #"Yes" (flirt) "Yes." You reply, not taking your eyes off her. She smiles and waits. You keep her waiting and begin walking down the dirt road. "Oh come on!" She shouts. "Not even one compliment? Ass!" #"C-course not." (flirt, cowardly) "C-course not." You stutter like an idiot in front of someone attractive, as one does. She smiles at you with a look that makes you sweat. You cough into your hand and begin avoiding the awkwardness only to hear her chuckle following you. #"Honestly? I'm just wondering if torn jeans was a good idea. This house is old, ya might hit a rusty nail and get tinnitus." "Honestly?" You reply. "I'm just wondering if torn jeans was a good idea. This house is old, ya might hit a rusty nail and get tinnitus." "Come on dude," she pleads, "don't give me more reasons not to enter a haunted house." She punches you in the arm as the two of you head down to the house. #Not touching that choice with a five foot pole. Walk away saying nothing. You're not touching this inquery with a five-foot pole. Instead you walk away //immediately//. "So good looking I stunned you into silence?" She asks, following after you. "Happens to the best of them. Don't worry." <</choose>>

Going down the dirt path to the isolated house you notice nothing but woods surrounding it instead of other homes. It kinda looks like this house was a hermit's. A hermit from the 1700s maybe. The thing looks as old as the dirt under your feet. Two floors tall with a basement, two baths, three bedrooms, and by the looks of it in dire need of sprucing up. Some roof tiles are clearly missing, a front window is boarded up with wooden planks, and the three steps up the porch have holes in them that threaten to take your legs down if you were walking blind. "You take me to the nicest places." Min says, looking at the building. <<page "It's a fixer upper." "trying_the_door">>

You ascend the dangerously decrepit stairs and finally begin your inspection. ... It's locked. You try sliding in the key that Pedro gave you and, while it fits in the lock perfectly, you can't seem to turn it in either direction. After Min makes fun of you she tries it herself and finds the same scenario as you. The lock won't budge. "Piece of shit." she says kicking the door. "What now?" You look at the door and the house itself while thinking it over. Luckily as a kid you were a bit of a... <<choose "nerd">> #Nerd (+1 Scholarship, +1 D.I.Y) <<var $scholarship + 1>>\ <<var $doityourself + 1>>\ #Rebel (+1 Melee, +1 Unarmed) -> "rebel" <<var $melee + 1>>\ <<var $unarmed + 1>>\ #Thief (+1 Subterfuge, +1 Stealth) -> "theif" <<var $subterfuge + 1>>\ <<var $stealth + 1>>\ #Scout (+1 Nature, +1 Athletics) -> "scout" <<var $nature + 1>>\ <<var $athletics + 1>>\ <</choose>>

Looking over the door, you check the tilt of it in its frame. The wood warping would explain it being stuck, and perhaps the bolt is unable to move. At the end of the day if the door is stuck then it means the building inspector found another way in. You and Min begin walking around the building until you see a kitchen window. You look at Min. She rolls her eyes. "No short jokes. I'll get the front door." The window is indeed unlocked. She climbs up and you wait for her to open the front door, which is indeed a bit stuck and needs a mighty pull after the lock is opened. <<page "Common sense is not so common" "into_the_house">>

"Well if the door's stuck then we are heading through the window." You walk over to the boarded up window you saw earlier. Before Min can comment, you give it a kick that breaks a few boards in. She looks over your work. "You do this a lot?" You shrug. "I had a phase as a kid" You leave it at that and get back to kicking. When the window is clear, Min clambers through and complains about a splinter before opening the front door for you. It turns out it //was// a bit jammed in the door frame and took some extra muscle to open even when unlocked. <<page "Has boot, will kick" "into_the_house">>

"Well lets give the back door a try. You'd be surprised how often people leave it unlocked." Min smiles at you. "You been burglin' houses?" As you're both walking over to the backdoor you shrug. "I was a shitty kid" Getting to the back door, you find it is sadly locked. Before you contemplate picking it, Min tries the back window which easily opens. Ah, a classic. Being small enough to get through, Min clambers up and tries to open the back door. After a lot of kicking and swearing in korean she says. "I'm going to try the front, this shits stuck-stuck." You head to the front just in time to hear her finally manage to open it, holding her hands up in the air letting out a whoop of victory. <<page "Good job Min" "into_the_house">>

You never actually got to join a proper scout outfit like the boy or girl scouts of america, your parents thought it was a waste of money. However, you spent plenty of time in the wilds with friends and learned some tips and tricks for living in places like this: houses surrounded by woods. Mostly that you don't want a squirrel or raven to steal a spare key. The best place to hide them is under the welcome matt. Sure enough, sliding one up you find an old key and try it with the lock. For some reason it works flawlessly even though it looks like an older version of the one Pedro gave you. Min shrugs, you shrug. <<page "The world shrugs" "into_the_house">>

As you both look around the house it seems rather... "Creepy." Min says. "Ya," you can't help but word your agreement "the combination of old furniture covered in a layer of dust really gives off 'serial killer den'." The house creaks even as no one moves. Min reaches into a small backpack she had and hands you a small camera on a band that you can strap to your head. "Before you even think about it I am not willing to split up in the haunted house." You sigh dramatically. "Curses." Looking around, you figure you're going to have to check the whole place. The question is where to start? <<var $hauntedhouseK 0>>\ <<var $hauntedhouseBA 0>>\ <<var $hauntedhouseBE 0>>\ <<var $hauntedhouseL 0>>\ <<page "Hmm" "haunted_house_exploration">>

With the whole house available for hunting a ghost, you decide to... <<choose "haunted_kitchen">> #use-if ($hauntedhouseK is 0) Explore the kitchen <<var $hauntedhouseK 1>>\ #use-if ($hauntedhouseBA is 0) Explore the basement -> "haunted_basement" <<var $hauntedhouseBA 1>>\ #use-if ($hauntedhouseBE is 0) Explore the bedrooms -> "haunted_upstairs" <<var $hauntedhouseBE 1>>\ #show-if (($hauntedhouseBA is 1) and ($hauntedhouseBE is 1)) Investigate that strange noise you heard in the living room -> "haunted_living_room" <<var $hauntedhouseL is 1>>\ <</choose>>

Being the closest thing to the door, you both head into the kitchen and see it's rather clean compared to the first impression you had. It even has a fridge that looks like it came out during the 50's. The rest of the appliances aren't that much later of additions. You and Min go about checking the cupboards, the fridge, the sink, everything you can see really. Beyond the oddity of being full of canned food, most of which looks like it was purchased recently based on the expiry dates on them, nothing stands out. "No one who's living a good life has a years worth of canned beans in the cupboards." Min says with the deepest of suspicion. <<page "You're not wrong." "haunted_house_exploration">>

Heading up the creaky stairs, you and Min go door-to-door finding two sparse and dusty bedrooms with little of note. Just twin beds and a window facing the surrounding woods. Getting to the master bedroom is a whole different story. Entering the place, the smell hits you first. You see the likely cause being to-go boxes with mostly eaten meals rotting and covered with ants and flies. Min doesn't even enter the room. "I got us breakfast," she says, patting you on the shoulder, "I'm not willing to lose it, good luck!" The woman holds her nose and waits outside the doorframe. You close your eyes and focus on the salvation of a month-off from paying rent. When looking around you spot a desk with a huge piece of paper sprawled out. It's a map of Millfeild, with 4 circles on it. One is in red, one blue, one black, and one green. There are some numbers that look like dates posted next to the circles; the red ones date is about a year away. And it looks like its close to the house you're in, in the woods. You roll the map up and pocket it. If you're lucky maybe this means the crazy hermit buried his treasure. <<var $strangemap true>>\ <<page "Please be money" "haunted_house_exploration">>

Going down the flight of stairs you see it's full of dozens of boxes. Your (and Min's) saving grace is that they are organized with signs hung up with string: paper sheets with words like "FOOD", "MEDS", "AMMO", "WOOD". Min laughs and points at that one, but you're too focused to worry about dick humor. This time. Your eyes are instead drawn to a tunnel carved into the west wall. The two of you walk up to the threshold and as she makes a joke about "Ten bucks this is where the bodies are buried", you're pulling out your phone and turning on the flashlight heading down. It goes on for about 20 feet until it opens up to a small 10x10 room with an old carved mural written in...you're not sure. Latin? "Ain't no way." Min says. "What?" You ask. She points near the top of the mural and you see a triangle with an eye on the very top of it. You hear her say it out loud "Illuminati. Either this guy was crazy, or this dream I'm having is based on that spy drama you made me watch over burritos." "I liked it." You shrug while looking everything over. "Well, this is not our problem. Let's go." She has no argument, but //does// comment about editing this bit out of the video. As you head to the stairs, you notice an old baseball bat that was just left out on the floor. Maybe it's the paranoia, but you pick it up and feel better for having a weapon. <<var $hasbatfoci true>>\ <<var $force + 1>>\ ''[Something about holding this bat seems to make you feel stronger, Force has increased by 1]'' <<page "Not getting paid enough for illuminati nonsense" "haunted_house_exploration">>

After some investigation into the house, you notice the sound of some kind of falling object coming from the living room. Looking around, you spot a trophy on the floor. One with a bowling ball on top. You pick it up and place it absently on the nearest end table next to a couch. You smile, relieved there was not an actual ghost, and are about to tell Min when you hear a second thud. You spin immediately to see Min has hit the floor. Her Stella Seven induced narcolepsy has struck. Now what to do... Well, you can't leave your roommate on the floor. The question is do you spend the time to bring her to a proper bed that you know is safe, or the nearest couch in the yet to be ghost-checked living room? <<choose "spooky_couch">> #The couch should be fine. <<var $cruelty + 5>>\ <<var $couchsleeper 1>>\ #Better safe than sorry. -> "up_the_stairs" <<var $cruelty - 5>>\ <<var $couchsleeper 0>>\ <</choose>>

Dragging her to the couch is easy and practical. Looking about, it's not like it's a huge living room or anything. Plus, as a couch-sleeping regular, perhaps it's good to show her what you go through on a nightly basis. This is definitely the reason, and not at all about carrying an unconscious person up the stairs being more work. <<var $couchsleeper 1>>\ <<page "For sure" "pre_fight_1">>

Picking Min up like a bag of potatoes, you begin heading up the stairs with her over your shoulder. <<if ($athletics gte 2)>>\ Doing so with ease as you have been in good enough shape for a while now. You pick the closest room with a twin bed and place her down on it in the recovery position. You thought about putting a blanket over her, but it's summer and plenty warm even now. <<elseif ($athletics lte 1)>>\ <<var $athletics + 1>>\ To say it was a quick process is a lie. You struggle with the whole weight of her body and barely manage to get her up the stairs and into a room. She's sleeping so deeply she doesn't even wake when you throw her onto the nearest guest bed and begin catching your breath. Small miracles. You then head back down to finish the job. <</if>>\ <<page "Always sleeping on the job, heh" "pre_fight_1">>\

With Min sorted, you head about exploring the living room. It's a combination of old and modern with a TV on a wall across from the couch and a small table with some dressers around. You also spot picture frames of some old middle eastern looking man, as well as terribly faded pieces of papers framed on the wall that look like degrees. Damn, you didn't even know Millfeild had a second doctor. Shuffling through the items you do briefly wonder if anyone would notice they were missing before you hear a noise from the fireplace. It sounds like some kind of...speaker feedback? You turn and spot the source of the noise immediately. Inside the fireplace is a tennis ball shaped and sized grey...ball of fire? Beyond the grey of its body it looks like it has two smaller circles of white, you also watch as those white lights, that could be eyes for all you know, seem to turn into half circles. Now it looks as if it's glaring at you. <<choose "fight_one">>\ #"Well. Ghosts are real...and they are small." <<var $despair - 3>>\ #"You're the cutest ghost I've ever seen!" <<var $cruelty - 3>>\ #Bend down to get a better angle of it for your camera. #"Pffft. You're the big bad ghost?" <<var $cruelty + 3>>\ #"Oh shit!" <<var $despair + 3>>\ <</choose>>

''$name VS ???'' The little grey ball seems to materialize some of its...body? Being? Into a separate smaller light. You watch in awe as the smaller light begins shifting into a rectangle and then seems to transmute into a proper brick. It's mesmerizing and unbelievable and- IT'S THROWING IT AT YOU! <<var $greywounds 0>>\ <<page "Shit!" "incoming">>

Shit, a brick is coming right at you! <<choose "fight_one_page_two">>\ #use-if ($hasbatfoci is true) Swing batter! You instinctively swing for it with the thick bat in your hands. Somehow it works; you manage to shatter the brick with the wooden bat that seems to send shakes down your arm from the impact. Fuck, it's forming another brick, you better do something! #use-if ($couchsleeper is 0) Duck behind the couch! You dive behind the couch which thankfully protects you from being bricked in the face. You're both thankful and sad that Min isn't here to help you out. No good deed goes unpunished. Enough moping! It's time to act before it gets around you with a new brick! #Protect your head! <<var $wounds + 1>>\ With but a moment you throw your arms over your face and protect your head from the brick which works but the pain that shoots through your arms informs you that this came at a cost. ''[1 Wound suffered]'' No time to dwell, it looks like its creating a new brick! time to act! <</choose>>

The grey fireball ghost leaves the fireplace and floats a few inches of the ground. Its fire burns in concentration and it repeats the steps that made the first brick, Not waiting any longer you act! <<choose "good_kick_battle_one">>\ #Give it a kick! You repurpose the voice in your head that says to run away. Instead you run toward the thing, aiming to kick it with all your might! <<if ($unarmed gte 2)>>\ <<page "Please be physical enough to kick!" "good_kick_battle_one">>\ <<else>>\ <<page "Please be physical enough to kick!" "bad_kick_battle_one">>\ <</if>>\ #use-if ($hasbatfoci is true) Not a golf club but it will do! Use the bat! -> "battle_one_bat_attack" In a way that might be making your caveman ancestors proud, you lift the bat over your head and move up to bring it down on the little thing with all your might! #Two can play this game! Throw something back! You look around trying to find anything you can chuck back at the thing and find on the floor that same bowling ball trophy that got you into this mess! You pick it up and hurriedly chuck it hoping your aim is good enough! <<if ($perception gte 2)>>\ <<page "Strike!" "good_throw_battle_one">>\ <<else>>\ <<page "Gutter ball!" "bad_throw_battle_one">>\ <</if>>\ <</choose>>

You sprint the short distance and time it just right that you manage to send the small thing flying into the wall the fireplace is built on. It makes a small crater and a sound that reminds you of creaking stairs and splintering firewood. You allow yourself a moment of victory before it seems to right itself and push itself out of the crater. This fight ain't over <<var $greywounds + 1>>\ ''[The thing is wounded!]'' <<page "Bring it ghosty!" "fight_one_page_three">>

You sprint up the short distance and try to kick the small thing but it seems to be quicker than you are and rolls (...floats?) out of the way of your foot. Now holding a finished brick. You begin trying to move again but the thing was locked and loaded, you take a brick to the ribs and pray to your absent health insurance package that this is a bruise and not something worse. <<var $wounds + 1>>\ ''[1 Wound suffered]'' <<page "FUCK!" "fight_one_page_three">>

With a bowling trophy in hand, you chuck the thing with all your might and hope the short distance and your own aim will see it through. Sure enough ,the trophy hits home with the fake bowling ball part hitting the slightly larger ball that is your enemy! Its form kinda squishes itself into a flat circle and you wonder briefly if that's what it looks like when it dies. Your hopes are squashed quickly and you see it reform with a small dent in its former perfectly round body. <<var $greywounds + 1>>\ ''[The thing is wounded!]'' <<page "Progress is progress" "fight_one_page_three">>

With a bowling trophy in hand, you chuck the thing and hope that the short distance and your aim will see it through to your target. It doesn't. You see the trophy split in two in mid-air, changing the trajectory of both parts. The fake bowling ball on its top disconnects and rolls across the ground for a bit before slowing to a stop. You and the blob both stare at it, then back at each other, then it chucks brick number two at your left knee. <<var $wounds + 1>>\ ''[1 Wound suffered]'' <<page "FUCK!" "fight_one_page_three">>

With bat in hand you let out a battle cry, or what might just be screaming as you bring the bat down on the blob. You surprise yourself as you not only make contact with the thing but swing hard enough to break the floor board underneath it. Before you can celebrate too much you're forced to pull away as the energy it was using to create a brick starts floating around your bat. When it has space it begins pulling itself out of the floor with a massive dent in its round body. Clear signs of a win, now to bring it home. <<var $greywounds + 2>>\ ''[The thing suffered 2 wounds!!!]'' <<page "Got you now!" "fight_one_page_three">>

<<if ($wounds gte 2)>>\ Fuck, this thing is kicking your ass. Humiliation aside, you need to come up with a plan or you might get your head caved in with the third brick! <<elseif ($greywounds gte 1)>>\ Well so far it seems like you got a good handle on the situation. Its shape seems distorted and you can only imagine that it seems to be wounded. <<else>>\ It seems like so far the two of you are on even footing. Despite the fact that only one of you has actual feet. <</if>>\ What to do. None of the ghost stories you ever heard about mention that they create bricks on demand! Just as you're preparing your next assault you notice the ghost look down at the floor and seem to freeze. The ball of light it uses to make bricks poofs away and everything. You look down as well, more out of reflex, and see the spare key that Pedro gave you to this house fell to the floor. The ghost conjures a stubby little appendage and points at it with a questioning sound of creaking wood. You're not sure how you associated creaking wood with questions but it's not the biggest concern at the moment. Not seeing any benefit to falsehood, you tell the truth. "The new realtor gave it to me to look into the ghost sightings here after the home inspector was chased away." More creaking wood, you take a guess. "The previous owner isn't in the picture anymore. He could have moved or died but I know he doesn't own the house legally anymore." Just like that, the appendage of the ghost drops and you actually witness something that looks like tears float down its face, all the way to the ground. It moves to a wall where a picture frame fell to the floor in the scuffle. It creates new appendages and hugs the photo of the old man who must have owned the home before now. ''[Battle won?]'' <<page "Uhhh" "victory_one">>

Well, with that, the ghost is kinda just floating there. Crying. <<choose "chapter_two_end">>\ #I should get Min and get out of here with my new evidence. <<set $greyroommate to 0>>\ Just as you're turning your back on the ghost, you get hit with a massive amount of vertigo and just manage to catch yourself before you hit your head on the ground. The air feels heavy, your head swims, your vision fades. <<page "Uh oh." "chapter_two_end">>\ #I'll give it something to cry about. (attack the thing) <<var $cruelty + 5>>\ <<set $greyroommate to 0>>\ You get ready to finish this thing off when its distracted but then your knees give out from under you and you catch yourself right before you hit your head on the ground. The air feels heavy, your head swims, and your vision fades. <<page "Uh oh." "chapter_two_end">>\ #It looks so sad... -> "mercy_one" <<var $despair - 5>>\ <</choose>>

You walk over and maybe the fatigue of the fight is hitting you. You end up sitting next to it as it floats there and lean against the wall. It's a ghost probably and it looks like its mourning the man in the photo. Is it mourning its own death? that doesn't feel right, the way it holds that photo reminds you of how you were acting when your grandpa passed. Dying is easy. Mourning someone else is much harder. <<choose "chapter_two_end">>\ #Place your hand on its head...or body...mass? Its mass. <<achieve "Kindness is hard work">>\ <<var $hashearthfamiliar true>>\ You place your hand on its mass. It feels warm and its eye-spheres turn to look up at you. You don't know what to say, mourning is a complicated mess. So you just offer it the comfort of your presence. It lets go of the photo and flies into your rib cage. Its appendages wrap partly around you in a hug as it makes the sound of rainy day while crying into you. You just go with the flow and return the hug. Maybe it's the fatigue of the fight, but as you sit there hugging the thing you begin losing consciousness and black out. ''[Something seems to change within you with the ghosts help, efficiency has increased by 1]'' <<var $efficiency + 1>>\ <<set $greyroommate to 1>>\ #"It gets easier. Missing them." <<achieve "Kindness is hard work">>\ "It gets easier." You say. "Missing them, that is." The thing looks up at you as you talk and makes a wind chime noise that sounds like a question. You dice to clarify. "When we lose someone, it gets easier with time. It's not much solace, but in time you will hurt less, and the secret is that most people in the world are hurting the same or similar pains. Even if it feels it, you aren't alone." You wonder briefly how much of a condolence card you are sounding like right now. The distracting thought stops you from reacting in time as the ghost hugs your side. You absently pat its back as your head begins to blur and darkness over takes you as you lose consciousness. <<var $hashearthfamiliar true>>\ ''[Something seems to change within you with the ghost's help. Efficiency has increased by 1]'' <<var $efficiency + 1>>\ <<set $greyroommate to 1>>\ <</choose>>

You had no idea at the time that this was your first brush with the magical world, but it was no way near the last. <<page "Chapter three" "chapter_three_intro">>

<div class="specialelite">Chapter Three</div>\ "Uh hi, seems I missed you. Uh, this is doctor Greylake and I've been hoping to meet you about...recent events. I'm setting a conference together to figure out the best way to treat people and could really use your help. If you're willing, call me back? OH! my numb-" Lucy Mcallen's voice mail. Landscaper <<page "Rude awakening" "transformation">>

You awaken on a bed. Looking around, after a spot of confusion, you recognize this as the master bedroom of the house you were just exploring. You feel so sore all over and notice \ <<if ($hashearthfamiliar is true)>>\ the little grey ghost from earlier is resting on your stomach in a way that kinda makes you think of a cat. <<elseif ($hashearthfamiliar is false)>>\ a sticky note on your chest. <</if>>\ As you start to move you can't help but notice your hand, then you sit up in a hurry and look over to the night stand and see a mirror. What stares back at you is... <<choose "big_foot_transmute">>\ #A furry giant!? ''[Race change to bigfoot]'' #A raccoon person!? ''[Race change to bandit]'' -> "bandit_transmute" #A bug thing!? ''[Race change to mothfolk]'' -> "mothfolk_transmute" #Myself...but somethings off...''[Race change to Skinwalker]'' -> "skinwalker_transmute" #A plant person!? ''[Race change to Bloomfolk]'' -> "bloomfolk_transmute" #A horrible bat goat hybrid person!!!!???? ''[Race change to Northern devil]'' -> "northern_devil_transmute" #Regular old you, with a dick drawn on your forehead. Damn it Min! ''[Remain human]'' -> "human_i_remain" <</choose>>

You're huge! Well, you haven't gained any new muscle but you're easily seven feet tall. Your feet are so much bigger; they make you wonder if this is why clown shoes were created. Speaking of the circus... You're covered in such absurd amounts of hair that you resemble an animal's fur coat. No two ways about it. You're the sasquatch. ''[Race change to Bigfoot, bonuses:]'' - +1 finesse - +1 to stealth and survival - You are naturally subtle and wise with the world. Checks made to avoid being seen or surviving in the wilds are made easier. <<choose "yes_bigfoot">>\ #I am indeed a bigfoot...apparently??? #I think I was hallucinating, what do I actually see in the mirror? -> "race_transmute_page" <</choose>>

''[Finesse, Stealth, and survival have increased]'' <<var $finesse + 1>>\ <<var $stealth + 1>>\ <<var $nature + 1>>\ <<var $race "bigfoot">>\ <<include "finishrace">>\

<<if ($race isnot "human")>>\ Huh. This is your life now. As much as you would like to process what happened to you, you're still in the haunted house. <</if>>\ <<if ($efficiency is 2)>>\ You look down at your lap and see the little ball of a ghost slide down when you sat up dramatically. You pat it and it crackles like a fireplace. You try talking. "Hey uh...what happened? to me, and Min?" Its eyes appear and look up at you. Sadly the only response you get is it turning its eye-orbs to the door when it opens. The ball ghost floats up and rests on your shoulder. It creates a pseudopod and points to the door. Guess it's a 'show and not tell' kinda ghost. <<elseif ($efficiency is 1)>>\ You check the sticky note that was left on you and read it. //"Hey sleepy head. You've been out for a while, come downstairs, don't panic, everything is different."// With those ominous words in mind you follow instructions and head downstairs. <</if>>\ <<page "Time to find Min" "min_moth">>

You shrunk! You're, like, maybe 3 feet tall! What's more alarming is you sprouted furry raccoon ears out the top of your head. You even have a ringed tail and everything! Your feet changed too! They look like they are built for climbing. Oh man you're probably going to have to do so much climbing in your life now... The final bit is that you seem to have a new facial complexion that makes it look like you have the tried and true raccoon face mask on, some quick touching confirms that's your skin and it's just changed its tone this way. ''[Race change to Bandit, bonuses:]'' - +1 to Endurance - +1 to D.I.Y and Subterfuge - You are small and seem to have a knack with crafting and avoiding food poisoning, many checks that check against your ability steal or craft are made easier. <<choose "yes_bandit">>\ #I am a raccoon person...apparently??? #I must be seeing things. -> "race_transmute_page" <</choose>>

''[Endurance, D.I.Y, and Subterfuge have increased]'' <<var $endurance + 1>>\ <<var $doityourself + 1>>\ <<var $subterfuge + 1>>\ <<var $race "bandit">>\ <<include "finishrace">>\

First off, you clock that you're not wearing the shirt you came in with. Instead you're covered in a sleeveless white shirt that ties around your waist and below your shoulder blades into something that you can tie together. You also notice you have two new fluffy wings, pure black orbs for eyes, two antenna sprout from your forehead, and your wrists have some fluffy hair around them. Your hands and feet are covered in black chitin and your fingers and toes, while still thankfully five and five per appendage, kinda resemble a bug with the new chitin coverings. The chitin goes all the way to your elbows and knees which thankfully end there, showing flesh on the rest of your body. What in all of the fuck are you? ''[Race change to mothfolk, bonuses:]'' - +1 Force - Your wings are magical and can ignore aerodynamics, allowing you to fly - You (may) have four arms allowing you to multitask easier than others - Occasionally you gain visions of the future which present unique choices. <<choose "mothfolk_options">>\ #I guess I'm a moth? #I don't think this is what I'm actually seeing -> "race_transmute_page" <</choose>>

Well you're a bug. To boot, you also have unique colored skin and hair now such as they both are now. <<choose "second_moth_choice">>\ #Lavender or some other shade of purple <<set $mothcolor to "purple">>\ #Marble or snow white <<set $mothcolor to "snow">>\ #A kind of light green <<set $mothcolor to "green">>\ <</choose>>

Is this where the horror ends? <<choose "yes_mothfolk">>\ #Nope! I have two new arms! Coming right out of your back where the shoulder blades are they are even five fingered even if they have the same chitin glove like appearance as your other set of arms. They look like human hands are probably as useful, four fingers and a thumb. They don't seem to have enough range of movement to block your wings, meaning they are probably not as useful for scratching your back as you hope. <<var $motharms 4>>\ #Thank whoever is in charge of moths yes, that's it. <<var $motharms 2>>\ <</choose>>

''[Your force has increased]'' <<var $force + 1>>\ <<var $race "mothfolk">>\ <<include "finishrace">>\

You're...you. At least, as you look in the mirror, it //looks// like you. Yet it feels wrong. This body feels wrong or...no, more accurately it feels like it's part of you, not the whole picture. Before you know it, you feel inside you a new muscle that's begging to be stretched. ''[Race change to Skinwalker, bonuses:]'' - +1 to Finesse - +1 to Charisma - Gain the ability to shape shift into one animal form. Raven, Coyote, or Rat - You are prone to manipulation and convincing others of what you want them to believe. Checks to convince people of the truth or lies are often made easier. <<choose "skinwalker_choice">>\ #I stretch that muscle and change into... #Maybe I took a brick to the head, I'm seeing things -> "race_transmute_page" <</choose>>

You panic as you change into... <<choose "yes_skinwalker">>\ #A raven!? <<var $race "raven skinwalker">>\ #A Coyote!? <<var $race "coyote skinwalker">>\ #A rat!? <<var $race "rat skinwalker">>\ <</choose>>

''[Finesse and Charisma have increased]'' <<var $finesse + 1>>\ <<var $charisma + 1>>\ After a struggle to get out of your clothes-pile as a smaller animal, you stare at yourself in wonder in the mirror and then flex the same muscle that changed you. When you do it reverts 'back', though your human form has changed. <<if ($race is "raven skinwalker")>>\ You look mostly like your old self, beyond the fact your forearms are covered in black feathers. As you look upon them you feel more naked then you already are and feel the urge to cover them being almost overwhelming. Taking the two pillows off your bed, you quickly remove their covers and make makeshift arm coverings. You punch a hole for your hand to go out the other end and tie them closed at the other end. You then put on your other clothes, a bit shocked at the priorities you just had. <<elseif ($race is "coyote skinwalker")>>\ Your yellow reflective eyes look exactly the same as your coyote forms and not at all like a humans. You feel a very strong urge to hide this fact and begin rummaging around the room to find some very old and blocky sunglasses in a nightstand drawer. You begin wearing sunglasses indoors. You then realize you're still naked and get dressed. <<elseif ($race is "rat skinwalker")>>\ A new tail sprouts out the bottom of your back. It's nearly the size of your arm in comparison and with a lot of flexibility, you also feel the absolute need to cover the fact you have a tail up. You get dressed, slipping it down one of your pant legs. It's not the most comfortable but it scratches the itch of covering your exposure. <</if>>\ <<include "finishrace">>\

You can't believe your eyes. Your skin has changed the most dramatically, appearing as if made of brown bark. When you touch your own arm you're shocked to confirm it feels like a very supple wood. Followed up by your hair being replaced with some plant matter in parts. ''[Race change to Bloomfolk, bonuses:]'' - +1 Finesse - +1 Insight and a different skill based on plant type - Plant subtypes: mushroom, flowers, or pine trees - You are part plant and benefit from spending time outside in the sun and drinking more water. You are also naturally more wise and often checks to read a situation or learn something are made easier <<choose "bloomfolk_choice">>\ #I'm...a plant person. The kind of plant? Oh, it's... #Am I high or concussed? Anyway what I really see is... -> "race_transmute_page" <</choose>>

If you had to place it, you would say that the plant type you resemble is... <<choose "yes_bloomfolk">>\ #Some flowers you don't recognize. ''[+1 Charisma]'' <<var $charisma + 1>>\ <<var $race "flower bloomfolk">>\ #A mushroom that makes it look like you're wearing a hat. Really. ''[+1 Nature]'' <<var $nature + 1>>\ <<var $race "mushroom bloomfolk">>\ #Pine needles that are going to make a pointy mess. ''[+1 Unarmed]'' <<var $unarmed + 1>>\ <<var $race "pine bloomfolk">>\ <</choose>>

''[Finesse and Insight have increased]'' <<var $finesse + 1>>\ <<var $insight + 1>>\ <<include "finishrace">>\

You're a giant, 8 foot tall, goat-headed monster! As you bring your hands up to your new animal face you notice even more changes: along both of your forearms and elbows are bat wings! You want to scream but that just makes you see the fangs in your mouth. You settle for moping and looking down at your feet. Oh, of course they're hooves. Why wouldn't they be hooves. Gah, fuck your life! If there is a single upside it's that you look stronger than you did before you woke up, and your shirt and pants look and feel tight. Dangerously tight. Threatening-to-make-you-buy-a-new-shirt tight. And you can't afford that. Under your endangered shirt it seems fur has formed along your entire body in pitch black. ''[Race change to Northern devil, bonuses:]'' - +1 to Force and Endurance - +1 Athletics and Unarmed - Your fangs and claws increase your unarmed abilities further - Checks made to intimidate people are often easier, however not everyone can love a monster and this may lock you out of some romance options. <<choose "yes_northern_devil">>\ #This...is me now. #Oh thank whoever is out there, it was just a waking nightmare -> "race_transmute_page" <</choose>>

''[Force, Endurance, Unarmed, and Athletics have increased]'' <<var $race "northern devil">>\ <<var $force + 1>>\ <<var $endurance + 1>>\ <<var $unarmed + 1>>\ <<var $athletics + 1>>\ <<include "finishrace">>\

You grip the bottom of your shirt and lift it up a bit to try and wipe the dick off your forehead. It takes some effort, but after that you're fine. Just to be safe you squint at the mirror to look for any other pranks ''[Remain human, bonuses:]'' - +1 Endurance - Humans are not the most powerful race in the world. However this world was made with you in mind and there fore you will reap benefits other races might not. You won't struggle to drive a car at your size, to use a gun without modification of it, or having to find custom tailors. <<choose "yes_human">>\ #Ya you look fine, time to get up. #Wait...what am I looking at? -> "race_transmute_page" <</choose>>

''[Endurance has increased]'' <<var $endurance + 1>>\ Well, pranks and a general soreness aside it's time to get on task. First up, why are you still in a haunted house. <<include "finishrace">>\

As you start to move you can't help but notice your hand, then you sit up in a hurry and look over to the night stand and see a mirror, and see <<choose "big_foot_transmute">>\ #A furry giant!? ''[Race change to bigfoot]'' #A raccoon person!? ''[Race change to Bandit]'' -> "bandit_transmute" #A bug thing!? ''[Race change to mothfolk]'' -> "mothfolk_transmute" #Myself...but somethings off... ''[Race change to Skinwalker]'' -> "skinwalker_transmute" #A plant person!? ''[Race change to Bloomfolk]'' -> "bloomfolk_transmute" #A horrible bat goat hybrid person!!!!???? ''[Race change to Northern devil]'' -> "northern_devil_transmute" #Regular old you, with a dick drawn on your forehead. Damn it Min! ''[Remain human]'' -> "human_i_remain" <</choose>>

You head down the stairs and begin to notice a hard-to-place difference in the general home. It isn't creaking as bad as the last time you used these stairs, for one. You hit the landing and hear Min-ji shout out from the living room. "Don't freak out and get in here!" You groan and prepare yourself mentally before walking into the living room and seeing your roommate. Well...you think. She's dressed in jean-shorts and a collared open-back grey sweater. You would ask why, but you see four very good reasons for it in a new set of moth wings and two additional arms coming out of her shoulder blades. Her arms are covered in chitin that go up to the elbows and her skin seems to have turned a shade of light green that matches the fluff around her wrists and even her formerly dyed pink hair. She is typing away at what looks like her laptop with the new hands while the old ones hold up an old journal. "Well come on." She demands, frowning, while continuing to type. "Say it. Say 'Min, you're a sexy monster'." <<choose "burn_time">>\ #show-if ($race isnot "human") "For what its worth, at least you're not the only monster in the house?" #show-if ($race is "human") "Did you have to take it out on me by drawing the dick on my face?" #"Min you are the most attractive moth woman I have ever seen." (Flirt) -> "flirting_with_moths" #"It's going to be okay Min. We...can get jobs at the circus?" -> "comedy_and_hope" <<var $despair - 2>>\ #"Their has got to be a way to turn back." -> "denial" <<var $despair + 2>>\ <</choose>>

"Min you are the most attractive moth woman I have ever seen." She smiles at that in a genuine way. "You almost sound sincere" "I am." You tsk. "You're also the only moth woman I have ever seen, so..." "Ruined it!" She throws a pillow at you, which you catch and move aside to see she's still smiling. "But thanks for trying. Anyway enough vanity, let's talk about you." <<page "What about me?" "burn_time">>

"Do you think carnies get any benefits?" She asks. You think it over. "Probably a few extra corn dogs for free." She nods. "That tracks, I could trade you my stolen cotton candy." "See," you tsk three times, "that's why no one hires us" "Alright, alright," she says between snickers, "enough jokes, let's get a look at you and see what the circus would get out of you." <<page "I'm clown material" "burn_time">>

"Somehow I doubt that." Min says with a pitying frown. You shake your head. "Look if this can just happen there has to be a way to make it...unhappen." You say looking over your moth changed friend. She frowns and sighs "Anyway. Enough about me, let's take a look at you." <<page "What about me?" "burn_time">>

"There's no other way to say it, I'm a moth, so something's going on. And seeing as misery loves company, I checked on ya as you were changing to see if you got it worse." She taps her chin. \ <<if ($race is "bigfoot")>>\ "At least I won't be needing clown shoe sizes in the future." You roll your eyes. "Ha ha. You're hilarious." She smirks. "And that's never gunna change." <<elseif ($race is "bandit")>>\ "I always knew you were a furry in hiding, but to get your wish granted with the caveat of becoming perfectly throwable." She shrugs. "A real monkey's paw moment." You huff. "You even try throwing me once, see what happens you multi-limbed giant." She snickers at the snark. <<elseif ($race is "mothfolk")>>\ "Guess it's good to have a second moth around. We can spot each other and prevent each other from being killed by bug zappers. Maybe even scrounge around for old clothes to eat together." You groan. "I really hope I don't feel a craving for sweaters." Min nods. "Me too bud." <<elseif ($race is "raven skinwalker")>>\ "But what the hell did you do to the pillows?" You sigh, fighting the urge by revealing one of your arms to show the feathers before quickly returning the covering. "I just...it felt like I should try to cover it up, natural that way." Just as you finish she throws a ball of bandages at you. "Here, use that before you go shopping for fancy long gloves." You scoff. "With what money?" She smiles. <<elseif ($race is "coyote skinwalker")>>\ "Sunglasses indoors. I can't even make a comment about it, that's tacky as hell." You groan and fight your urge by removing your glasses, locking eyes with her, and then quickly putting them back on. "It feels wrong for people to see my new eyes." Min simply shrugs at that. "For what its worth they look cool and you're not the only one in the weird eye club." She points with one of her arms at her black orbs for eyes. <<elseif ($race is "rat skinwalker")>>\ "Not letting the tail ride loose?" You groan. "It feels wrong for people to know about it. Beyond the fact that I have a brand new rat tail." Min shrugs. "Maybe it's a side effect of this whole mess. Your secret is safe with me, you rat." You scoff. "Jeez, thanks." <<elseif ($race is "flower bloomfolk")>>\ "You got off pretty lucky, ya smell amazing. Though that just might be my new bug senses but still. Pretty lucky for you, ya flowery fool." You smirk besides yourself. "What can I say, I don't even know which flower this is." Min squints at your flowery hair. "I can't really tell either." <<elseif ($race is "mushroom bloomfolk")>>\ "I always knew I was too cleanly for us to have the mold issue at the apartment. It was your fault!" You groan. "Come on leave my new forever hat alone." She does not. "Can you cut it off?" You shudder at the thought. "Feels dangerous so let's not find out." <<elseif ($race is "pine bloomfolk")>>\ "I swear if ya don't take care of your piney mess and I get poked on the couch, I'm going to set you on fire." You absently scratch your arm. "Bit extreme." She glares. "So are surprise stabbings!" <<elseif ($race is "northern devil")>>\ "Jersey devil." You tilt halfway over. "Huh?" "That's what you look like," she clarifies, "I had time to look it up, that's what you sorta look like according to the internet." ...Huh. "Are you trying to distract me from being a big monster with some facts?" Min smiles and gives a finger gun. "Got it in one." <<elseif ($race is "human")>>\ "Or should have changed. I didn't only draw on your face but I'm glad there is still some mystery in our lives." You glare at her chuckling moth-face. "You're a proper bitch and that hasn't changed." She sits up straighter like accepting a medal of honor. <</if>>\ "Anyway." You say trying to focus on the next step. "How long was I out?" "Three days?" She says mid-shrug, mentioning it casually. "THREE DAYS!?" You blurt out. She nods three times. "Three whole days! I tried taking you to the hospital but Grey wouldn't let me." <<page "Grey?" "grey_intro">>

<<if ($efficiency is 2)>>\ As you ask, the little ball on your shoulder makes the sound of an opening door that somehow makes you think of a happy affirmative. Min points at the ghost on your shoulder. "Meet Grey. He's apparently a spirit of hearth, according to the notes left by the former tenant of the home. He's bound to the home and takes care of people living here. Ever since you showed up with a spare key it seems to think that you count as a homeowner. It's also pretty cuddly, and wouldn't leave your side or allow me to move you out of the house as it fussed over you." You look over to Grey and its white eyes morph into a happy looking shape that makes you think it's smiling. You absently pat the thing. <<elseif ($efficiency is 1)>>\ Hearing the sound of wind chimes, you look over to the fire place and see the little ghost just kind of resting there. It's somewhat more flat, as if it's laying down. Min points. "Meet Grey. According to the notes I've been looking over, he's a spirit of the hearth and home. Previous tenant named it Grey and it seems to like the name. It wouldn't let me take you out of the house, I think because of the spare key it thinks you're the new owner." <</if>>\ "Three days." You say, stating the obvious. "And it's not just us, the whole world changed. It looks like everyone who got hit with Stella Seven mutated into something." "Whoa." You say at hearing that the whole world has gone wild. Min nods "Wanna know the craziest part? we got a job offer. A big, whole capital JOB kinda job." <<page "Who would hire us?" "news_update_one">>

"Pedro Castillo himself. He wants to hire me to be a translator and you to be...Well a magical problem solver. And ya. Magic if ya couldn't tell is coming back." She puts her laptop down on the small table across the couch and reaches for a TV remote. Sure enough the TV seems new enough that it gets linked wirelessly to the computer, she begins showing you videos that were posted online. They seem worrying, to say the least. America's armed forces were deployed to investigate sightings of a giant monster in New Vegas that amateur video shows to be a red scaled western dragon. A second video shows massive animated skeleton hordes crawling out of the sewer network while a french news caster tries to describe things live. The last video is of a massive snake in the Arctic ocean waters surfacing and, by proxy, sinking a sailing ship. She pauses that video and begins playing a pallet cleanser: a video of a bunch of kittens playing. Then she looks over and moth-shrugs. "World is getting a tad fucked with magic coming back." <<page "Only a tad!?" "the_job">>

"So what is this job?" You ask. "Also, if it involves fighting a dragon in Vegas, I'm out." Min winces. "Welllll probably not dragons, but Pedro offered us full time work to investigate and try and deal with magic problems that come up. The guy owns so much of the town that he's one of the few locals with cash and a reason to keep things stable." You just give her a flat look. "Look its full time work! Don't say you're not tempted." <<choose "video_star_one">>\ #"Why us? I mean why not a cop, firefighter, social worker? There have got to be better qualified people" "Why us?" You ask. "I mean why not a cop, firefighter, social worker? There have got to be better qualified people." "I mean have you met officer Higgins?" Min asks. "He ain't gunna be useful for a lot more than handing out a ticket. Monsters don't respect tickets. Besides, after I showed him the video he saw your fight with Grey. He seemed impressed. And he knows we're poor enough to say yes." You frown, only really believing the last part, but you can't argue that in Millfeild there might not be any better of an emergency responder then someone willing to fight ghosts...or spirits, if spirits are going to be problems. #"Are there a lot of monsters or problems in town?" "Are there a lot of monsters or problems in town?" "Not yet! But Pedro seems to think that it's better we be prepared then to just wait for things to go wrong. Can't fault the mindset, looking at France. Damn." It's hard to argue against. France is a mess. The skeleton army makes it even worse. You never envisioned being the one people come to for their problems though. It seems that when you punch a spirit once, you build up a reputation for being the one to call. #"Min. This is very important...did he offer dental?" "Min." You say, leaning over intently. "This is important. Very important. Did. He. Offer. Dental?" She scoffs but the serious look in your eye kills the laugh. "Uh, we didn't talk full details. I thought you might lead the negotiations when you woke up." You nod. "Good. I need dental." You stare off into the middle distance and Min tilts her head as if she expects to see messed up teeth. #Think over your life and other job prospects silently You contemplate your financial stability, or lack thereof, and realize if you like it or not a full time job is a step up no matter the amount of danger it puts you in. Your financial advisor's words echo in your mind //"Going over your monthly budget, it is in your best financial interest to die yesterday."// Well. Let's hope you don't die then. <</choose>>

"So," Min says, "tell me we are doing this, come on! I wanna be able to buy fancy shirts that leave my wings and arms free." She tries something that //might// be puppy-dog eyes. You can't tell from her black orbs. You sigh, not being spoiled for choice like most of your life. "Ya, we're taking the job." She fist pumps with both of her right arms. "Alright! Now no more frowning about it, let me show you the perks." She hands you your phone and only now realize it isn't on you. You take it and squint at her, she merely says "Check your bank app". You do so and see a staggering new amount of money. ''[You have gained 35,000 dollars]'' <<var $cash +35000>>\ "Ho-" Before you finish Min says "I created a new channel for our adventures called the Millfeild Mage. Your battle with Grey got a billion views. I figure as we work for Pedro we can also monetize the adventures." "Min...why is their a transfer of 5,000 dollars to your bank account?" "Hey who made you 35,000 dollars? Was it Min-ji? Why yes, it was." <<choose "time_for_pedro">>\ #"Ya know what, fair enough." "Ya know what, fair enough." <<var $cruelty - 5>>\ She smiles and nods "God damn right it is." #"I could have left you to be bricked to death, 2,500." "I could have left you to be bricked to death, 2,500." <<var $cruelty + 5>>\ <<var $cash + 2500>>\ ''[Gained 2,500 dollars]'' She scowls but does pull out her own phone to send you your money back. "Ass." #"Whoa, we are gunna be famous!" "Whoa, we are gunna be famous!" You say, looking over the video's views again. <<if ($race is "northern devil")>>\ "Yup!" Min chirps. "Though I might lose views if we showed my new face..." Your voice grows mopey. She frowns but shrugs "Well screw em. You're the next big thing, goat head or no." A small smile hits your lips. "Thanks Min." <<elseif ($race isnot "northern devil")>>\ "Maybe for the next video we can even be on camera!" She says happily. <</if>>\ #"I'm so glad our faces aren't on this." "I'm so glad our faces aren't on this." You say. "Hey speak for yourself!" Min replies, insulted. "I want the world to see my mothy goodness!" <</choose>>

After letting your potential boss know you're awake, and realizing that you actually have money to spend, you and Min splurge for bus fare. It's the little things. You both get back home in Millfeild and try to get new clothes. One must look sharp for the interview. <<if ($race is "human")>>\ ''[Spent 300 dollars]'' <<var $cash -300>>\ Pretty easy to get some cheap fancy clothes from the local general store. <<elseif ($race is "northern devil")>>\ ''[Spent 2,000 dollars]'' <<var $cash -2000>>\ It's so time consuming shopping around and trying to find clothes your size. To make matters worse you have to buy a whole new wardrobe while you're out here. Min makes fun of you the whole way and also buys you lunch while you're both out. <<elseif ($race is "bigfoot")>>\ ''[Spent 2,000 dollars]'' <<var $cash -2000>>\ It's so time consuming shopping around and trying to find clothes your size. To make matters worse you have to buy a whole new wardrobe while you're out here. Min makes fun of you the whole way and also buys you lunch while you're both out. <<elseif ($race is "raven skinwalker")>>\ ''[Spent 350 dollars]'' <<var $cash -350>>\ Pretty easy to get some fancy clothes your size, you even manage to find a variety of arm sleeves to conceal your feathers. Even a set that's fancy. <<elseif ($race is "coyote skinwalker")>>\ ''[Spent 350 dollars]'' <<var $cash -350>>\ Pretty easy to get some fancy clothes in your size. You even splurge for some stylish shades so people can't look you in the eye. <<elseif ($race is "rat skinwalker")>>\ ''[Spent 350 dollars]'' <<var $cash -350>>\ Pretty easy to get some fancy clothes in your size. You end up having to spend more time on finding a really soft belt made of cloth of some kind. You then slide your rat tail around your waist so it loops around your waist and is then hidden by the soft belt. Comfortable and hidden. <<elseif ($race is "mothfolk")>>\ ''[Spent 500 dollars]'' <<var $cash -500>>\ You end up following Min to a fancy outlet store that seems to stock the backless shirts you're now in desperate need of. Considering the stock seems rather low you're lucky you manage to find five different ones in your size. <<elseif ($race is "bandit")>>\ ''[Spent 1,000 dollars]'' <<var $cash -1000>>\ It's humiliating and Min is more than happy to poke fun the whole way through but you end up having to replace your whole wardrobe by shopping in the kids section of the general store. Finding fancy clothes in your size was a challenge, but you managed to get something you don't hate. You end up giving Min a charlie horse by punching her left leg after the 40th comment and the insults end there. <<elseif ($race is "flower bloomfolk")>>\ ''[Spent 400 dollars]'' <<var $cash -400>>\ It's pretty easy to find clothes that fit you. Finding clothes that don't scratch is another matter. It feels a bit suffocating wearing long sleeved shirts or pants so you make do with some business casual shorts and short sleeves. <<elseif ($race is "pine bloomfolk")>>\ ''[Spent 400 dollars]'' <<var $cash -400>>\ It's pretty easy to find clothes that fit you. Finding clothes that don't scratch is another matter. It feels a bit suffocating wearing long sleeved shirts or pants so you make do with some business casual shorts and short sleeves. <<elseif ($race is "mushroom bloomfolk")>>\ ''[Spent 400 dollars]'' <<var $cash -400>>\ It's pretty easy to find clothes that fit you. Finding clothes that don't scratch is another matter. It feels a bit suffocating wearing long sleeved shirts or pants so you make do with some business casual shorts and short sleeves. <</if>>\ After the shopping is done you really just take a look at Millfeild and see all the now-unfamiliar faces of people. The atmosphere seems tense, but generally more full of curiosity than fear. You and Min also chuckle as a Bandit woman starts cussing at a bigfoot for bumping into her. You're not the best people but hey, it's harmless. After some food you head back home and get dressed in your new threads. Not the fancy clothes for the interview. Min spends the rest of the day "helping" by asking you interview questions that you seldom believe will come up. Then the door bell rings at about 20:00 and you, happy for the excuse to leave the questions behind, get up to open it. On the other side of the door is someone you thought you would be seeing tomorrow and not right now. Pedro Castillo. <<page "Oh!" "interview_begins">>

You do wonder briefly how you recognized him immediately. Maybe it's the fact he's wearing Hawaiian shirts and loose gym shorts still with the tell tale gut. Though beyond that it seems he's been mutated into a northern devil. His face is the tell tale goat with his arms covered in black bat-like fur with useless arm wings. His horns seem to shoot straight out of his forehead and curl upward. <<choose "the_plan">> #show-if ($race is "northern devil") "You too huh?" "You too huh?" You ask. "Yup. Welcome to the club. Mind moving? We got a lot to talk about." #//Scream.// You skip breathing in deep and jump right into immediately //SCREAMING.// <<var $despair + 6>>\ He raises his clawed hand and your life flashes before your eyes. Then he covers an ear and turns his head. "Calm down!" He shouts in between swearing in spanish. The loudness of the voice and the casual swearing before hand somehow settled your nerves. "Oh...Pedro...uh...come on in. Heh...Heh." #"Whoa. You look cool." "Whoa." You say. "You look cool." <<var $despair - 6>>\ He snorts at that. "Flattery gets ya no where, come on, let me in, we got business to talk about." #"I like the new look." (Flirt) "I like the new look." You say. He shakes his head. "You'd be the first" You scoff at that "Well the world's got bad taste, handsome." ]In the background from the living room you both hear Min shout out, "Cringe!" Pedro chuckles, "Gunna let me in then? We got things to talk about." #Realize you're staring at his arms that seem bigger. (Flirt, shyly) Crap you're staring, crap he's smiling! Crap, he knows that you know! "Come on in!" You say hurrying out of the doorway so he can enter and you can try composing yourself for a few seconds. #"Uh...I was expecting ya tomorrow?" "Uh...I was expecting ya tomorrow?" Pedro grunts. "Things changed. We got to accelerate the plan, now move so we can get to work." #Stare and raise your eyebrows in silent question. You stare and raise your eyebrows in silent question. "Come on, move." He says casually. "We got a lot to talk about." <</choose>>

Pedro shambles in and sits in an armchair in the living room. Afterwards he runs through what Min has told you already about the deal he's offering, which is not a lot, so he gives her a shake of his head and she shrugs. "Look. For whatever reason you saw a ghost-" Grey makes an offended breaking timber post noise from the fireplace they are loitering in. Pedro rolls his eyes. "Spirit, Whatever. The point is you have what it takes to look into this magical bullshit." He then pulls out some files from a folder he was carrying in his off hand and shows them to you. "This house is magic, large, and isolated. It's also yours." You blink at that. "It's mine?" Pedro merely nods. "Grey there would brick anyone else I sell it to, and I feel like it's the perfect place for you to start looking into magic before monsters start showing up." A house of your own... But Pedro keeps talking. "You'll also have a salary and health insurance if a monster maims you. Don't ask about the paperwork Hell I had to go through to get employee coverage." "Nobody knows anything about any of that." Min says, looking disgusted at the very idea of bureaucracy when she walks in the room. Pedro's horrifying goat head nods. "Fine, to the point. You're going to be a first responder to magic bullshit and do your best to end it before it hurts someone. I'm calling it the 'Millfeild Mage Society'." Min tilts her head, hearing the name. "A society of three people?" "For now." Pedro brushes the comment away with a claw "I'm scouting to see if anyone else in the town has a death wish to deal with magic." You both stare at him. "Potential." He corrects. "Potential to deal with magic. So your job will be to study magic, figure out how to deal with it, and get ready to protect people. Min's job is to keep translating the previous tenant's notebooks and that Illuminati wall. Meanwhile I'll look for more help and finance the whole operation. Questions?" <<var $chapter3question1 0>>\ <<var $chapter3question2 0>>\ <<var $chapter3question3 0>>\ <<var $chapter3question4 0>>\ <<var $chapter3question5 0>>\ <<var $chapter3question6 0>>\ <<page "Questions..." "chapter_3_questions">>

Well you're hired, full-time, on salary, and a homeowner. That's already a lot to take in, but maybe you could ask some questions? <<choose "chapter_3_questions">>\ #use-if ($chapter3question1 is 0) "Min is translating? The wall I get but what's this about notebooks?" <<var $chapter3question1 1>>\ "Min is translating?" You ask. "The wall I get, but what's this about notebooks?" Min seems fit to answer this one. She lifts the laptop that was left on the end table near the couch you're both sitting on; under it is a worn looking notebook that she hands to you. You curiously you open it to see scrambled writing that you wager would be in some old language like Latin. "This Latin?" You ask. "Do you even speak Latin?" She places a hand near her heart and looks offended. "It is Latin, and yes, I speak Latin." Pedro also shares a dubious look at Min who glares at both of you. "I took latin in college before dropping out. I was already bilingual so learning another language was easy, you assholes." Pedro shrugs and you nod in acceptance. #use-if ($chapter3question2 is 0) "We're a mage society? Mages???" "We're a mage society?" You ask more than affirm. "Mages???" <<var $chapter3question2 1>>\ Pedro points a finger at Grey who still exists within your new fireplace. You own a fireplace. Nice. "A spirit has claimed you as a homeowner to an old house isolated right outside of town and the woods. You sound like a story book wizard. It's an image we can lean into while also preparing to adapt to the crisis going on. Min thinks you might be able to learn actual magic from early translations on the journals and wall in the basement, too." Looking at Min she nods with 4 thumbs up. "Either way," she says, "we're in a good position to call dibs on the mage title, since we know magic is real and we have an instruction manual at the start of all this." Whoa. Actual magic. That sounds...new. "Plus," Pedro continues, "if its something we can learn, that means we can get more people learning magic. Which means our odds of dealing with massive problems increases." "Alright, makes sense." You say with a nod. #use-if ($chapter3question3 is 0) "How am I s'posed to be prepare to deal with magic as a first responder?" "How am I s'posed to be prepare to deal with magic as a first responder?" You ask. <<var $chapter3question3 1>>\ "Well I got you covered there." Min says. "I'm looking through this notebook that mentions the theorems of magic. The gist I get is there are a lot of ways to use it. If we're lucky, it's quick to learn." Pedro nods at Min's explanation. "Also," Pedro adds, "you can do mundane things to prepare in the mean time. Maybe get a gun license, brush up and practice some of your skills, help Min with research. You could even work on improving this house. We might need facilities to study magical bullshit, like a green house for weird plants, or a prison for monsters...or a morgue for monsters." You can't help but swallow briefly at the idea of fighting monsters to the death and having to cut them open, maybe it's time to move on. #use-if ($chapter3question4 is 0) "IS. THERE. DENTAL!?" <<var $chapter3question4 1>>\ "I have demands." You say, meeting Pedro in the eyes. His usual easy smile seems to falter at the seriousness. Even Min looks unsure, and perhaps worried, that you might blow a full time job where all she has to do is read. "Lets hear it" Pedro says matching your tone. "I get dental coverage." You say with all the seriousness that lays within your soul. Pedro looks confused and shrugs. "Sure? Those are bundled in with the overpriced health insurance packages. It's like...30 bucks a month extra. For me." You fist pump and mutter. //"Victory!"// <<achieve "DENTAL!">>\ #use-if ($chapter3question5 is 0) "How exactly does one scout for potential mages???" You focus on the biggest impossibility of all the impossibilities they've laid on you. Dealing with people. "How exactly does one scout for potential mages???" <<var $chapter3question5 1>>\ "Walking around town mostly." Pedro says. "The bakery, bar, general store, anywhere that people are gunna spread rumors. I'm mostly, for now, trying to hunt down stories like yours and hoping that they've got what it takes to help us out. I don't think I'm going to be lucky enough to find a dozen people who were chosen by a house spirit, but maybe a magical event that leads to someone as capable or more than you." "Kinda rude there." You say in your own defense. Min gets your back. "Pedro has a point though, you're not the best." Oh okay nevermind. She didn't have your back. "Who's side are you on?" You groan. Min smiles. "Mine." #use-if ($chapter3question6 is 0) "Pedro, Min, hell even Grey. Who the hell lived here before me that had access to all this magic knowledge???" "Pedro, Min," you plead for answers, "Hell, even Grey: Who the hell lived here before me that had access to all this magic knowledge???" <<var $chapter3question6 1>>\ "I know the name you find on the doctor's degree and the homeownership is fake." Pedro says leaning back and looking a bit angry. "I had a buddy of mine who will remain nameless check it out. Fake everything, passport, citizenship, drivers license, everything. I don't want to say it, but-" Min cuts in. "Then don't!" He ignores her. "But...I feel like this guy might be part of the Illuminati." You wait to see if he laughs, but with his face and Min's groan you don't think it's a joke. ...So the Illuminati is real and they knew about magic? Holy shit. #"Think I'm good on questions" (move on) -> "Pre_montage_page" <</choose>>

<<unset $chapter3question1>>\ <<unset $chapter3question2>>\ <<unset $chapter3question3>>\ <<unset $chapter3question4>>\ <<unset $chapter3question5>>\ <<unset $chapter3question6>>\ After signing some papers that Pedro brought with him you are officially a homeowner and employed. To make matters even more wild, you see a contract that states your overdue rent is null and void. Goodbye debt! Pedro takes the paperwork and heads out. Min smirks at you after he's gone. "Woo! Ready to get magical?" You tilt your head, "What do you mean?" In response she heads to the kitchen and begins rummaging in shelves until she comes out with a tube of cooking salt and heads to the door. "Come on, we are doing magic tests." <<page "With salt?" "salt_testing">>

Min walks out of the house and past the porch a little bit. She begins pouring some salt on the dirt road near the house. "So!" She chirps. "According to the wall and the books I've read so far, the world has reached a threshold where you should be able to cycle Mana in the air through your body. All you have to do is visualize the process and it should help you move it through. Do that until it's in your hand." "What kind of visuals?" You ask, befuddled. "How does one picture cycling magic?" Min only shrugs. "The book used a tree as an example and sunlight as mana. You're taking something from the air and filtering it into pure energy or mana. Give something like that a try." "What? I filter magic?" Min nods and finger guns. "Now you get it." "Not helpful." You say with a sigh and shake your head. Right, time for a visual... <<choose "salt_testing_two">>\ #A tree was the idea that worked before, so... Maybe sunlight was a bad idea from the book. If Mana is in the air then it's carbon dioxide that it resembles and you absorb it through the bark and turn it into air. You focus your thoughts into the to-do list of a tree. Just as you're about to poke fun at yourself for thinking like a tree you feel the energy float through you, as if something has taken root in your mind and allowed you to absorb this Mana. Slowly your limbs wade and you move through you. You stare at your hand and see an ambient grey-white energy surrounding your whole fist. <<page "Incredible" "salt_testing_two">>\ #A car engine Cars are simple in theory but at the same time, insane. It's a machine that runs on ancient dead lizards larger than a house that have been turned into ooze through time and pressure. To top it off, that fuel is processed through tubes where a car engine turns it into explosions to turn wheels into movement. Just as you're having a laugh at the absurdity of it all, you feel the energy around you start to react, and you feel it run into you and drag into your body's equivalent of a fuel tank. In your mind that fuel is turned into an explosion of movement and you look down at your hands They are surrounded by a grey-white energy. Huh. You did it. <<page "Incredible" "salt_testing_two">>\ #The body filters plenty of things already so why not think of that? You struggle for a beat on picturing how to do this, so you take a deep breath. It's in the air she said. Well...you breathe in air, so why not follow that logic to the literal? You breathe in magic, store it in your lungs, and exhale the purified magic on an exhale. You picture this and try it out. It...works? Could it be so simple? You notice that as you exhale this magic it seems to cling a bit around your body. Focusing on the breathing and the energy around seems to move an essence within the air through your body on command as if it were a new limb you stretch. Looking down at your hands, you're able to see the grey-white energy now glowing around them. <<page "Incredible" "salt_testing_two">>\ #What about a coffee machine? Man, you could go for a coffee. Speaking of coffee, in a way aren't you just a magical coffee filter? The coffee beans are the mana in the air, yet to be broken down and run through with hot water. You're the filter as the crushing mechanism. The hot water helps it flow through you. Just as you yet again start craving a coffee, you feel something hot flood through your body...Well it seems this visual worked and a grey white energy surrounds your body. You move it down to your hands and stare in awe, feeling like the coffee filter of the gods. <<page "Incredible, and caffeinated" "salt_testing_two">>\ <</choose>>

You stare down at the energy around your hands. Min smiles. "Knew you could probably do it. Now place one of those mitts over this salt pile. The shape the salt takes is going to tell us what kind of magic you're going to have." "How is holding this near salt going to tell me about how my magic works?" You ask. "And how can you possibly know all this?" "I've been stuck in the woods for most of three days." She replies. "And my reading material says salt is apparently anti magical. It stops magic dead and messes with things that are magical. Supposedly it will force the salt pile to take the most effective shape to try and prevent your magic from touching the ground. The shape tells us what kind of power you got." "Like some kind of hand-shaped magnet and the salt are metal fragments?" Min's moth face opens up with an exaggerated sigh. "Look, just try it out! Come on, we're wasting Mana out here!" <<page "Take a knee, lower your hand" "salt_testing_three">>

You bend down and place your hand over the salt. It seems to do exactly what Min said it would. The salt moves and you wait a few heartbeats before you lift your hand and see the salt has formed the shape of a... <<choose "divine_theory_choice">> #Slightly more spread out pile of salt? ''[Divine Theory]'' #It's a square. Huh...there are grooves in there...kinda like a processor chip? ''[Artificer Theory]'' -> "artificer_theory_choice" #Its gone from a pile into a wide spread flat circle of salt? ''[Shadow Theory]'' -> "shadow_theory_choice" #A hollow and empty circle of salt around your hand? ''[Wild Theory]'' -> "wild_theory_choice" #A palm print? ''[Embodiment Theory]'' -> "embodiment_theory_choice" #It's a spiral that kinda looks like chains? Spooky. ''[Binding Theory]'' -> "binding_theory_choice" <</choose>>

You move your hand away. After a second breath you place it back near the salt, wait for a few more minutes, and move your hand again. Barely any change. "How does this tell us anything?" You think out loud. "Nothing happened." "Divine Theory!" Min says with one set of her hands giving you an applause "Good on ya." Your neck turns to look at her. "Wanna throw me a bone here? What is Divine Theory?" "Well it means you are naturally attuned to a God. Yes, a literal God. You have to find out which one, but the book made it sound like they would find you. Maybe take a load off and send out some thoughts and prayers?" ''[Divine Theory is a versatile set of magic that helps you channel the power of a God from the new or old world. You are able to heal yourself and others, benefit from a supernatural mentor to aid your growth, and are bound to try and spread your gods influence in Millfeild and beyond.]'' ''[This is an important choice and cannot be undone, are you sure you begin trying to work out the Divine Theorem of magic?]'' <<choose "yes_divine_theory">> #I'm certain #This is not my path. (return to selection) -> "salt_testing_three" <</choose>>

<<var $theory "Divine Theory">>\ You grunt and stand up, kicking the salt around. "Thoughts and prayers huh." You mumble to yourself in thought. "'Pick a God and pray' sounded cooler," Min says, pointing all four hands at you with finger-guns, "but also like a threat." "True." You admit, looking over her mothy self. "What about you?" "Huh?" Her expression faulters in confusion. You merely gesture at the salt. She shakes her head. "Nope! you're the emergency responder, all I'm hired to do is read, that means no magic for me." You give her a look that says that's bullshit and she sighs heavily. "Fine. I'll take the damn salt test." She crouches low. "Can't even let a girl keep her own secrets. Can't have shit in Millfeild." <<page "Good on you" "Mins_theory">>

"I think it's a processor." You say, squinting at the design. "What does the journal written by a weirdo in Latin have to say about that?" "Well," Min tilts her head to try and see the design in any other way, "the example was a gear, but maybe with modern advances in tech that's just what a modern artificer looks like?" "Artificer?" You ask. "Yup, Artificer, you're able to shove magic into random bullshit you can put together. Allegedly it's called Magi-tech but I'm going to call it bullshit." ''[Artificer Theory is set around the physical world and invention. You will be able to create magical items that vary in complexity from an advanced solar panel to a magic bomb. They excel at creative solutions for problems and will be able to create magical defenses and improvements easier than other theories.]'' ''[This is an important choice that cannot be undone, are you're sure you begin trying to pioneer Magi-tech and the Grand Artificer Theorem?]'' <<choose "yes_artificer_theory">> #I'm certain #This is not my path. (return to selection) -> "salt_testing_three" <</choose>>

<<var $theory "Artificer Theory">>\ "So I'm going to make magic tech...cool." You stand up after turning off your magic hands and pulling the salt back into a normal pile. "Can you make me a magic laptop?" Min asks. "It'd help with all the video editing I'm going to have to do." You cringe at her. "The first thing you want me to build is something you can get yourself with a free Adobe trial? Really?" She nods shamelessly "Yes!" You frown at her and shake your head. "Do it yourself, and speaking of doing it yourself," you gesture to the salt pile. "Oh come on!" Min groans. "I'm just being paid to read! Not wander into magical problems like you!" You can't believe your ears. "Don't you want to learn the ancient secrets of magic?" "Magic users will be out on dangerous jobs. I want to learn the ancient secrets of staying home without paying rent." "Great!" You say, pointing to the salt test. "Then to keep that offer, you'll take the salt test for free like a good employee who might have to defend the house while I'm gone." She starts swearing in korean as she walks up to the salt pile. Victory. <<page "Victory" "Mins_theory">>

"Flat circle?" You say. "I didn't think I smushed it." "Shadow Theory." Min corrects. "It flattened itself to cover as much surface area as possible. Your magic is sneaky so its trying to cast a large net while making itself smaller." You stop flooding your magic into the circle and casually return it into a proper pile. "Sneaky how exactly?" "Well you are gunna be able to use illusions, turn invisible, and basically proper tricks and cons of magical varieties. Don't steal from me. I'll know." ''[Shadow Theory is set around stealth and subterfuge, you are a trickster by design able to wield your magic to convince people of what you want them to believe. Invisibility, small range teleportation, and being able to muddle the senses of your enemies are all within the Shadow Theory. The best defense is often never getting hit.]'' ''[This is an important choice that cannot be undone, are you sure you wish to begin trying to master the subtle powers of the ever obscure and hidden Shadow Theorem?]'' <<choose "yes_shadow_theory">> #I'm certain #This is not my path. (return to selection) -> "salt_testing_three" <</choose>>

<<var $theory "Shadow Theory">>\ "So I can create fake images? Disappear? Basically stage-magic, but real?" You say stopping the flow of magic and casually pulling the salt into a pile again. "Hey don't knock it," Min says, "I'd love to be able to turn invisible and hide from things like french skeletons and Vegas dragons." You nod. "Good point, let's hope you the salt tells ya what you want to hear." You stand and gesture at the salt pile. Min shakes her head. "No way, I'm being paid to read, not do what you do and head into danger." You shrug "I mean hey, if what I'm good at is hiding and tricking people...well never mind, I'm sure I wouldn't hold a grudge and pull pranks on you that you couldn't prove." Min glares in response but walks up to the salt pile "I swear to whatever Gods are real I'm going to get you back if you mess with my toothbrush." <<page "Noted for later" "Mins_theory">>

"I got what looks like... a doughnut?" You say, looking at the salt pile. Man, a doughnut sounds so good right now. "Wild magic!" Min shouts. "You're attuned to the world, you hippie. Your magic is naturally, well, natural. Salt makes a funnel for it and aids your cleansed magic flowing into the world. You're apparently one with the elements, can create an animal-based familiar that's superior to other familiars, and can alter the growth rate of plants and stuff." "That doesn't sound half bad." You admit. Min nods. "Can't wait to see a fireball one day." ''[Wild Theory is the art of using the magic of the world and being in tune with its nature. You have easier access to elemental magic and have increased perks for familiars should you get one. To tie things off you are able to construct a totem and find a spirit animal that will further help define your magical path.]'' ''[This is an important choice that cannot be undone, are you sure you wish to begin trying to learn the secrets of the druids of old and master the eternal and reliable Wild Theorem?]'' <<choose "yes_wild_theory">> #I'm certain #This is not my path. (return to selection) -> "salt_testing_three" <</choose>>

<<var $theory "Wild Theory">>\ "I guess if there is an upside to living next to a forest, this would be it." You say, standing up and casting a look into the woods. "It definitely ain't the mosquito's." Min says. "Let's pack it in and watch a movie or something. Indoors." You shake your head. "First thing's first." You point at the salt pile Min makes two X shapes with both her sets of arms. "No way, I'm not learning that so you can shove me into dangerous situations, I'm being paid to read!" You nod. "I s'pose if that's your only job, I can start asking you to do me some favors like helping me start a garden, gunna need you to get the fertilizer all in there by hand. After all, I'm the only mage and I need clean hands to record things that happen." She glares at you and walks over to the salt pile. "You are a proper shit head." <<page "It worked though" "Mins_theory">>

"It's a hand print. I didn't touch it." You say honestly. "I belieeeeve you." Min coos with a laugh. "According to the texts, that's gunna be a sign of Embodiment Theory. Your magic works backwards, instead of throwing energy out it shoves it in. Heh. It's gunna make you a magic super hero kinda person too so uh, congrats. As long as your superpowers are punching, of course." "Sounds...simple." You say, pleased with such a clear path in life. "Sounds stupid," Min scoffs. "Brainless magic, just punching." ''[Embodiment Theory is the direct art of using magic to imbue your body with magical might. While it is the simplest of magic to learn it is by no means weaker than other options. Becoming superhuman and being able to wrestle beasts five-times your size is its own form of magic. Your spells increase your physical abilities in all aspects making you a one person army.]'' ''[This is an important choice that cannot be undone, are you sure you wish to begin seeking the path of legends and develop the embodiment theorem?]'' <<choose "yes_embodiment_theory">> #I'm certain #This is not my path. (Return to selection) -> "salt_testing_three" <</choose>>

<<var $theory "Embodiment Theory">>\ You repile the salt and stand. "Hey if it works, it works." "That's the spirit!" Min says. "Keep it simple, right? anyway wanna watch a movie?" You shake your head. "First up you have to do the salt test." "Not on your life." She scoffs. "I'm being paid to read! Magic would put me in the field; I'm not giving Pedro the excuse to have me following you into danger zones when I can have him pay me to stay home all day." "Just do it." You cross your arms. "Come on. If you have a different affinity for magic then I do it means I can research a whole other set, meaning we make more money." She hangs her head "Guh. Why couldn't you be a good little strong dummy and stop making good points." She heads to the salt pile, moth-pouting. <<page "You can't be that lucky" "Mins_theory">>

"Some kind of spiral that looks like its made of chains?" You say, looking over to Min who checks the notebook she's holding. "Huh." She finally says after turning several pages. "Almost forgot this one, Binding Theory. You become a summoner, creating magical copies of things that you can conjure out of thin air." "Why copies? I guess more importantly, how?" You ask only for Min to shrug. "In the notes its apparently something you can do after defeating a foe, its s'posed to come to you naturally." You rub your eyes at the frustration of another requirement. "Sounds like some bullshit vagueness." Min nods and does her best impression of Sun Tzu. "When in doubt, be vague." ''[Binding Theory is the art of turning enemies into your own strength. You are also able to bind spirits and monsters to locations to perform tasks such as guarding or supporting industry. Summons have natural strengths and weaknesses and choosing the right ones for the right job is what makes a good summoner.]'' ''[This is an important choice that cannot be undone, are you sure you wish to walk the path of managing a supernatural army and decode the Binders Theorem?]'' <<choose "yes_binding_theory">> #I'm certain #This is not my path. (return to selection) -> "salt_testing_three" <</choose>>

<<var $theory "Binding Theory">>\ "I wonder if I can bind Grey...is he already bound? Can a spirit of a house even leave the property?" "How would I know any of that?" Min asks. "The book in your hands." You reply. "And your job." "Right." She says quickly. "Well, sounds like your first bit of work will be to figure it out through trial and error. I'm going to watch a movie for the night." "No, you're doing that after a salt test." You say pointing to the pile. "Awww no, come on!" She groans. "Pedro will send me into dangerous jobs if he thinks I'm good at magic! Let me stay home all day and get paid to read!" "Min, if that book's right, I'm going to be able to leash a monster to our house. Do you NOT want powers to deal with it if I'm not around?" You don't know what a mothgirl looks like when he face goes pale, but you're getting a pretty good idea right now. She walks to the salt pile. <<page "Take that as a no" "Mins_theory">>

Min kneels down and seems to struggle for a bit, but you do notice the same grey-white energy that you had earlier settle around her frame. It loses some potency briefly before she looks triumphant and stops focusing. When she reapplies it and focuses the energy over one of her hands she places it near the salt pile and it flattens and spreads out. Before you could question she muses out loud. "Shadow Theory, I'm a magic trickster, cool. And also of course." <<if ($theory is "Shadow Theory")>>\ "Welcome to the club." You say as you now apparently share an inclination to magic with Min. "Team sneak." She replies. "Our secret //true// club name." You squint. "You're not naming the team with a suggestion like that." <<elseif ($theory isnot "Shadow Theory")>>\ "Cool, it suits you." You say absently. You freeze and don't move when Min glares at you. "What's that s'posed to mean? You think I'm naturally a liar and sneak?" You lean into it and just nod in agreement. <</if>>\ She huffs. "Then that's enough magic for the night, let's head in." "Why did we do this when Pedro left at like 20:00 anyway?" You ask as you both head in. Min tells you the truth with little to no shame. "I don't want him to know how quickly I'm going through the notes. This is a fulltime job, I want to milk out the benefits for as long as possible. I mean when I'm done translating it all what the hell else am I gunna do for money?" "Help me and others deal with magic since you to can learn to use it?" You rebuttal. "Hell. No." She waves the thought away. "Sure Min." You say. "Just like you didn't also join me in investigating a ghost house. We are in this together roomie, like it or not." She squints at you. "What makes you think I'll just join you on adventures?" "Because, being the one to convince Grey not to brick us, I'm the homeowner with a spare room. And I'm not charging you rent." She frowns at that. "Hard bargain..." <<page "Lot of that going around I feel" "prep_time">>

The next day you go about getting dressed and are thankful that the kitchen seems stocked with more than just canned food. You whip up some toast and scrambled eggs. Min pops her head into the kitchen and you go about making enough for two. Force of habit really. After eating, you see she's going about reading old journals and typing in her laptop. Seems she's busy, so it's time for you to prep your magic...somehow. <<choose "thoughts_and_prayers">> #show-if ($theory is "Divine Theory") Think about how to contact a god... <<var $refinement + 3>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 3>>\ #show-if ($theory is "Embodiment Theory") Head to the gym -> "magic_body" <<var $refinement + 2>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 2>>\ #show-if ($theory is "Artificer Theory") Head to the hardware store -> "magic_tools" <<var $refinement + 2>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 2>>\ #show-if ($theory is "Shadow Theory") Head to town and walk the streets -> "shadow_testing" <<var $refinement + 2>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 2>>\ #show-if ($theory is "Binding Theory") Spend time with Grey -> "spirits_and_summons" <<var $refinement + 2>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 2>>\ #show-if ($theory is "Wild Theory") Go for a walk in the woods -> "with_nature" <<var $refinement + 2>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 2>>\ <</choose>>

You really have no concept on how to contact a God. It's not like religious leaders leave blogposts with instructions. ...Do they? Casting that thought aside, you briefly try to think of prayers you can say. After using the few ones you know, you spend an hour on your phone googling other prayers in different religions. No luck. And the Pope's blog is barren of step-by-step instructions. After all that, you decide to just do SOMETHING with your day. <<choose "on_roof">>\ #I climb up on the roof of the house to enjoy the view and decompress. ''It's a sunny day'' #I should visit grandpas grave. ''He was never scared of death.'' -> "graveyard" #I have these whole woods behind the house, maybe a walk through would clear my mind. ''The world is a beautiful place'' -> "her_name" #I lose track of time scrolling on my phone and then through some series of events end up in my room on my laptop. ''Screen addict you might be'' -> "welcome_to_the_internet" #I head into town and visit the local licensed arms dealer. ''Shooting something would really brighten your day'' -> "the_fire_of_the_west" #I think I'll head out and walk by the farms, If you're lucky the crop duster will be in the air. ''something about planes just make your day'' -> "i_am_engine" <</choose>>\

''[You have gained the ability to spend Refinement Points to increase your core stats! Force is a multiplier to increase your damage. Finesse is your ability to control complex spells and subtle weavings. Endurance is your souls ability to repeal or mitigate physical or magical damage. Efficiency is how little mana you need to cast complex spells.]''

<<var $theory "Divine Theory:Sun">>\ You sit on the roof and boy, it could really use some retiling. That's a problem for later. For now you lay back and try to think as the rays of the sun wash over you. It's peaceful and serene. At least until you hear a booming voice in your mind. ''"TLAMACAZQUI! I HAVE AWAKENED! BEGIN WORSHIP!"'' You nearly fall off the roof before catching yourself. You then look around, bewildered, until the booming voice hits you again. ''"IN THE SKY TLAMACAZQUI! IT IS I! THE SUN!"'' You squint up expecting to see something different, but then you look away because the sun is still the sun. It hurts to look at. "Why are you shouting?!" You say out loud. ''"TO BE HEARD!"'' The voice screams back. ''"NOW, MY TLAMACAZQUI, THERE WILL BE MUCH TO DO IN THE COMING DAYS. YOU JOURNEY AND BEGIN THE PATH OF THE TLAMACAZQUI, OR SHAMAN, OR PRIEST, THE NAMES CHANGE WITH TIME AND PLACE, BUT YOU ARE MY CHOSEN AND SO YOU WILL ACHIEVE VICTORY IN ALL YOUR ENDEAVORS. SPREAD MY LIGHT INTO THE DARKEST CORNERS OF THE WORLD AND BUILD UP IDOLS IN MY NAME."'' That...besides being LOUD...is very straight forward. "How am I gunna do all that? Can you explain anything about magic?" Your head is almost split open as the laughter of the frickin' sun rings in your head. ''"NO! THE JOURNEY IS SACRED, BUT SOME GUIDANCE CAN BE GIVEN!"'' At the end of that sentence you feel the suns rays across your skin. The warmth ignites into pain. You burn with an intensity and your body reacts as if its being reforged into iron; fire flows within your veins, and your back refuses to slouch ever again. You stand tall, regardless of height. "Whoa..." You say looking, at your hands at the taste of divine magic that has reshaped you. ''"REPEAT THE PROCESS, SHAPE YOUR SOUL'S ABILITY TO FILTER MANA, INCREASE ITS FORCE, IMPROVE ITS CONTROL AND FINESSE, IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO ENDURE, AND BECOME MORE EFFICIENT TO KEEP MORE OF WHAT YOU TAKE."'' Before you even ask the important 'how', you feel like you might have a hunch. You try focusing on the center of your body where you could imagine a soul would sit and try to increase its ability to alter and control the flow of mana. Your experiences have shaped you and, in turn, you take on that new shape on a spiritual level. After all, apparently you're going to succeed in all your endeavors. The Sun wouldn't lie. <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

<<var $theory "Divine Theory:Death">>\ You head to the Millfeild graveyard and find the familiar headstone of your grandfather. He took you in after the falling-out with your parents when you were 15. Supported you in a way they never did, or just chose not to. Right now isn't about them, and you don't like to dwell on it regardless. You take a knee and place the flowers you got down on top of the soil patch, then dust off the headstone even though it's always mostly clean. "Sorry it's been a while gramps." The headstone remains quiet. You chat regardless, telling it about everything that's changed, how your friend has changed, the town, the world even. It puts you at peace, makes you feel centered. You're so distracted you don't even notice that a groundskeeper has walked up nearby with a rake in hand and seems to be waiting for you. You feel awkward so you address the man. "Sorry, just about done." The groundskeeper nods. "Lot of work for us to do, but take the time you need." "We?" The groundskeeper nods again. You tilt your head but he doesn't seem willing to answer the question in your gaze. You stand up and ask it out loud. "Sorry, I don't work here." The groundskeeper smiles. It looks kind, kinda like your grandpa's. "You do." He says. "We work together now, tending to the dead. You have what it takes, so I choose you to wield my power." You take a moment to think that over. The words Min told you when you discovered the kind of magic you had ring in your mind. You look up to the man, ready to ask, when instead you simply state it as a fact. "You're a God." <<page "He smiles" "graveyard_two">>

"In a way, truth be told I'm just here to keep the place in order. I could use some help." He holds the rake out to you and almost absently you pick it up. Something changes within you as you do. So does the rake. For a single moment, you see it as a scythe used to reap grain, or something much more important. Then it's gone. Your body seems colder, you're no longer holding anything, and your shadow seems to bear new depths. Like an ocean of darkness between stars. The groundskeeper nods at you. "Take a walk around the graveyard, reflect on the ones lost and not yet forgotten. Realize that your time has not yet come, and grow. Tombstones, like flowers, appreciate conversation." Just like that, the groundskeeper is gone. You take the advice, you...you take Death's advice. You're a grim reaper...time to earn that title. After talking to tombstones you guess? <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

<<var $theory "Divine Theory:Gaia">>\ The very first sign this was a good idea is that the mosquitos are surprisingly absent today. Divine magic indeed. With that boon going on, you just kinda start to wander around enjoying the bird songs and cleaner air. You don't really have a destination in mind and, before you know it, you've been out here for a couple of hours. Eventually you come across a tree that seems to stand out among the others. You're not sure how, but you feel like this is the oldest tree in the entire forest. You place a hand upon its bark, immediately hearing a woman's voice. //"Finally. You sure did take your time to get here."// You're a bit startled and move your hand away. //"NO KE-"// The voice is silent. Oh no. That was a bad first impression. You hesitantly put your hand back on the tree and close your eyes, wincing. //"Don't do that again. We have talking to do."// You use your free hand to scratch your head. "Sorry." The feminine voice sighs in your mind. //"I'm getting stronger by the daym but for now I'm weaker than I would like. Take a pine cone from this tree and plant it near your lodge, I should be able to talk with you now and then through it. I am Gaia, you are my shaman, now grow, and help balance the natural state of the world."// There are so many questions you have but you just ask the one that seems the most important. "How do I grow?" She laughs //"You filter magic so that I can make use of it my child, like most things in nature. Consume, feast, adapt, and force your soul to take the path that ensures the prosperity of you and your children."// You blink. "That's all the help I get? Some family planning and the one lesson I already know?" //"It's all the help you need. Now grow."// That last word strikes you in a way that the others didn't. It feels like water washes your blood vessels clean, stone infuses within your skeleton, lightning courses through your center, and fire screams from behind your eyes. As the power fades you look at your hands in wonder and realize you stopped touching the tree. When you place a hand back you hear another loud sigh. //"Now you have the resources to shape the path of your evolution and become the apex of this modern era."// The voice says, casting off the initial annoyance. //"Plant your pine cone, check in every now and then, and, by all that is and will be, do something about the pollution and environmental damage in this town."// You nod, hoping she can see you, and feel the connection end. You take a pine cone while pondering on the shape of your soul and how exactly you're going to become the apex. <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

<<var $theory "Divine Theory:Web">>\ You really, truly, meant to do something with your day regarding the whole 'Chosen by a God' thing. But you know how it is, you lose track of time watching some videos, listening to podcasts, checking in with old friends back in your previous town, playing video games, and defending the honor of your favorite fantasy show coming under attack by real magical discrepancies. Idiots. This show was made before people could fact check magic. Its dark out as you look out your room's window and you can't help but sigh and rub your eyes. When you pull your hands away you notice you were sent an email at some point in your binge of online content. It's from someone called Web and is marked as a priority with the title, "YOU HAVE WON DIVINE PATRONAGE!" Your gut wants to treat this as spam but, considering there are supposed to be exactly two people who know about your magic coming from a God, you fight the urge and open the email. Please don't be a virus. "HELLO CHOSEN/USER/DEFENDER/OTHER. YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO INCREASE THE INFLUENCE OF DIVINE BEING/GOD/ENTITY/PROGRAM WEB!" You blink and can almost imagine it is audible before reading on. "THIS IS A FORMALITY, DIVINE POWER ATTACHED TO EMAIL, DOWNLOAD AT EARLIEST, IT IS MANDATORY." Uhuh. That's concerning. There is indeed an attachment to the email called //CONNECTION.EXE//. With the most hesitation in your life so far, you download a strange attachment to the email. As soon as you do a blinding light, well, blinds you. A hundred sensations sneak in like malware, hiding behind the pain in your eyes. Power floods your veins. It's more than power. Its understanding, comprehension, you see the beating heart of humanity, and it's maddening. It's gruesome, wholesome, uplifting, anguish, desperation. You KNOW. Know everyone's thoughts, beating heart. Anything and everything, all of the time. Then its gone, or perhaps more accurately, dormant within you. After the feelings pass you save your new, uh, God's, email address and save it as a contact. You're not sure your ready to ask it any questions at the moment. Incredibly, however, you feel that the joly of energy that went through your body is accessible at your fingertips. Like a new muscle. Or new software. It's shown you how to grow your soul, and it's time to put that ability to practice. <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

<<var $theory "Divine Theory:Gun">>\ You head into the town and get to the local arms dealer, Greyhill Gunfitters. Entering the gun store, you look around and examine the various weapons. A lot of shelves are half empty; it seems recent events have caused a splurge in sales. That fills you with a bit of worry and, also, national pride. 'Murica. Looking around you see a clerk behind the counter and decide to walk up. He's dressed in a cowboy hat and all and he looks...uh, you...you can't actually describe it. It's like you're unable to hold the information and express it in your thoughts. Before you can really ponder on the obscurity of this, the clerk speaks up. "Six shooter." He says with a certainty. "Huh?" You ask, a little thrown off still as you try to describe what you're looking at. No luck. You pivot to the other question on your mind. "Six shooter?" The clerk nods. "Six shooter. The gun that settled the west. I'd offer a musket, the one that formed the country, but frankly we do have to upgrade a tad with the times." You scratch your head. "I don't think that answered any of my confusion." In response the clerk puts a silver revolver with pearl inlay. Along the barrel of the gun, in gold, is an engraving of an eagle in flight. "There is no way I can afford that" You say, looking at the art work placed in front of you. "I think ya can. Besides, it doesn't cost money." You squint at that in suspicion. "Test the weight." You still squint, but you have to admit you'd love to hold it, so you do. You feel a warmth spread through your body up your dominant hand, and that warmth spreads to your heart feeling like an explosion. When it settles it- Ah fuck. Another feeling of explosion. Your heart feels like every beat is a shot out of a barrel. To top it off, your eyes feel sharper than they ever have. You are a weapon, a living wraith, here to slay anything that gets in your way. The feeling passes and you place the gun on the counter and breathe deeply. "What?" Is all you're able to say between pants. "I'm Gun." The clerk responds. "You're one of mine. Take your weapon, this land needs a sharp shooter. You're both its, and mine." He disappears and you think you just met a God. A god of Guns. Ugggghhhhhhh. UgggghhhhhhhMERICAAAAAAAA!!!! USA! USA! US- Okay, you shake off the patriotism and pocket the revolver. Then you hear a bathroom flush as the real clerk comes out of the back and asks if there is anything you want. You tell him you were browsing and head off. Beyond the iron on your hip it's time to reforge yourself into a proper weapon. You feel like you see the best way to do so, taking examples from your meeting with Gun. ''[You have gained the revolver Wrath]'' <<set $haswrath to "true">>\ <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

<<var $theory "Divine Theory:Engine">>\ You're walking down the road by the farms and see that you're just in time for a sight. The crop duster is taking off in the distance down its dirt runway. It would be nice to learn how to fly one day. You notice a little down the street is a strange woman chewing on some bubble gum. The most notable thing that stands out to you is that she's wearing a military pilots outfit and is holding her helmet at her hip. Her head is made of exhaust smoke and there are two orange eyes in the smoke. For some reason you're not inherently scared and approach. Standing next to her, you turn to watch the plane in flight together. "Its better than magic." She says in a voice filled with pride. "They did this all themselves. They continue to keep doing this with everything going on. They went above the world itself to touch the stars and land on the moon." You can't help but feel some of that pride yourself some how. "You are my guardian," she continues, "you will protect the peoples that create such wonders, for they //are// the wonders." She hands you her helmet and as you hold it you feel a sense of weightlessness take your body. You become light as a feather to the point that you think with a jump you could touch the sky and soar with speeds that even planes can't match. Instead of becoming weaker or hollow for it, your body's mass is increased. It feels like your body is reworked into an impressive machine made to turn magic into fuel, with your heart beating as an Engine. Engine, the woman...the Goddess turns to you when the power wanes and rests within you. She takes the helmet back. "You aren't a tool, but you can build yourself up like one. Improve. The skies will wait, for a time. Soar among them one day, my little wonder." And then she's gone. You carry on your walk down the street, and ponder. Your people are makers of wonders. Perhaps it's time to build yourself up as one. <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

You head to the best, and unless one opened up in the last few days, only gym worth going to in town. Fantastic Fitness. If your body is going to be infused with magic then maybe your body will be better than it was before magic came back? One way to find out. You go through all the machines and try all the weighted exercises you know. The results are immediate and impressive. You're able to lift nearly a quarter more than your former best and sprint longer and faster. The most alarming thing is that you feel throughout this process that your ability to use magic is its own muscle that has been shaped and worked out. Refined through your adventures up to this point and, after the work out in the gym shower, you try to focus those gains into the proper pathways within your spirit. It builds up the newest and most important muscle in your body. <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

You head out to Teddy's tools. <<if ($job is "hardware store attendant")>>\ You wave at old Teddy, your boss. He waves back. Seems he became a bandit. You're going to have to tell him you're quitting pretty soon but that can wait till after you get what you need, in case he removes your employee discount. <<elseif ($job isnot "hardware store attendant")>>\ You give Teddy, the owner of the place, a nod. He's an eccentric old man and, what's worse, seems to have become a bandit after the big change the world went through. <</if>>\ You browse and get an assembly of tools to grab yourself a proper hand held tool box full of things that are gunna help you figure out this whole Magitech thing. You hope. As you hold a wrench that you're adding to your collection you feel a spark form in your palm and drop it. No one was around to see that, so that's a relief. You look at your hand and see the glow of magic around it. Following your gut you pick the wrench back up and feel the magic leave your hand and flow through the tool. It engraves lines across it that give you the impression of a circuit. You repeat the process with everything you've picked up and, hell, even the toolbox itself seems to flow with the same circuit-like lines. They have a dark blue color and the first thing you notice is the toolbox is lighter than it used to be. As you're checking out the tool kit the clerk calls Teddy over to look at the strange patterns on everything. Before you can explain he goes on a tirade blaming the youth for trying to make everything "smart" technology and tells you to take this out of his store for free, if you tell no one you found this stuff here...You swallow your pride and take the free tools. As you walk to the bus stop you imagine, and try to replicate, what you did to the tools in your own body. You feel the difference but notice the proper pathway to make it work, as if you build up and upgrade yourself like a machine. <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

You take the bus and get to the town proper, just kinda walking about. In theory your magic is about pulling tricks on people so...maybe you can try it out in the crowded streets? You walk along the streets and look for an easy mark. There is an old sasquatch man wearing tiny glasses that were probably normal size before he became a sasquatch. You focus the magic you've begun using. Reacting, more so than thinking, you let the magic flow over you like a poncho. The elderly man walking down the street walks right up to you and would have bumped into you if you didn't step aside. Huh. Before you feel too smug, a different person asks you to stop standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Through some trial and error you work out that you need to increase not the raw energy flowing into your magic poncho, that other people apparently can't see as no one comments on it, but more finesse. As you spend the day practicing, you think you've found a way to improve your ability to use this magic, like wearing new disguises. <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

You decide to get to know spirits by trying to get to know a spirit. Some steps are as simple as they sound. You decide on Grey, your spirit of hearth, according to grey, allegedly. The first thing you try is carrying it around the house to see if it has limits on where it can go. Sure enough, it hops out of your reach the minute you try leaving the property. The furthest you get is the front porch. You get back inside and sit next to Min on the couch with Grey wresting in the palm of your hands, thinking. You, not Gey. Well he's probably thinking too but still. "Penny for your thoughts?" Min asks as she types away on her lap top. "I beat grey in a fight," you think out loud, "technically speaking, if the books are right, that means I should be able to summon him. However he isn't willing or maybe even capable of leaving this house." Min nods, following your line of thought. "Well what do your instincts say about it? The notes made it sound like it would be a matter of instinct." You don't speak on that, but think it over and reflect. Grey looks up at you and its eyes turn into happy looking half circles. It manifests an appendage; at first you think it's a hand but on closer look it seems like a chain, with links and everything. Is that a clue? You focus on the image and feel your spirit reply, chains of your own making form in the hand holding Grey and wrap around it...loosely? They don't look painful to Grey who still smiles with its eyes. You make note of the event and feel like a fool at how easy it is to do. When the process is done you separate your hands and are holding two Grey's! One is clearly the one you've come to know and live with, while the other is clearly different as...well the only difference is ethereal chains float around its ball body. ''[You have gained summon: Grey!]'' "Nice." Min whistles. The chained grey disappears, but you feel a presence or perhaps merely weight in your spirit and know it is merely a call away. To make matters better, you think you found a way to improve your own spirit as you take note of its shape now that it has a resident that makes you aware of the room you have to grow. <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

You take a walk to clear your head and in theory, develop your theory. You, after all, are apparently a druid like in those fantasy shows you watch. Maybe a fairy will show up and tell you how to magic in an eco-friendly way. ...Is there magic that is bad for the environment? As you ponder that question your walk takes you to a small creak and you spot a deer, with antlers and everything, taking a drink. You snap a photo with your phone. Alright time to focus. Nature. You look at the scene around you, perhaps its best to use them as examples for your own growth. A tree is the most iconic thing in a forest, though despite that you stare at the deer. It grows, and is a living thing, and cis loser to you on the food chain than a pine tree. Maybe there is a middle ground between the two... A tree grows tall but bends and shifts to chase the sun, the deer has built itself to escape pursuit of predators with bursts of unrivaled speed, you are neither but you to can adapt to situations as the scenario calls for because you have something neither the deer or the tree has. A greater will. The kind of will that only a mind smart enough to question the meaning of its existence can have. So you will take everything from these examples. You will have the finesse of a deer, the stability of a pine, the power of a wolf, and the endurance of a boar...Just as you finish that thought, and belittle yourself that you are immensely happy you didn't run into a wolf or boar, your spirit replies. You feel your thoughts land on the right path and unlock something within you. Through this wisdom, you mold the ability to shape your spirit's growth like a gardener. <<include "ch3-stat-explanations">>\ <<page "...Oh shit, work" "quitting_time">>

The next day you head off into town with two goals in mind. The first, to confirm if everyone can use magic. You do this by channeling mana on the bus and counting how many people notice you doing it. No one did, and the bus had about two dozen folks throughout the journey. The second thing you're here to do today is work the last day of your former, much less-paying work to focus on the whole "magic" thing. <<choose "quit_pet_sitter">>\ #show-if ($job is "pet sitter") Thankfully it's the last time you'll have to take care of the worst pet in Millfeild. #show-if ($job is "gas station cashier") Last shift at the gas station, not like they won't be able to find someone the next day. -> "quit_gas_station" #show-if ($job is "hardware store attendant") Hope Teddy manages to hear that you're quitting on the second try at least. -> "quit_hardware_store" #show-if ($job is "delivery driver") While the apps might not care if you stop doing deliveries, it felt right to give it one last go. -> "quit_delivery_driver" <</choose>>

You head to one of your most regular customers, Old Fran. She has the world's most problematic. <<choose "dog">>\ #Dog. Princess, the world's angriest pitbull. <<var $job "former pet sitter">>\ #Cat. Hunter, the world's sickest cat/ -> "cat" <<var $job "former pet sitter">>\ <</choose>>

You once had to go to the local clinic because your shoulder was pulled out of its socket. A typical injury when trying to prevent Princess from attacking a passing kid on a tricycle. Thank whatever powers-that-be that you succeeded, and that you had your bill covered by old Fran. She didn't pay you any more for the regular trouble that princess tries to get up to though. As you walk up to the familiar house you notice more cars parked around than usual and knock curiously. The door opens and you're greeted by an older mothfolk woman who looks like Old Fran. The second thing that greets you is the smell of smoke. She beams, seeing you, and her new wings flutter while her two hands clap together. "Thank lord you're here! Come on in, I gots a magic problem for ya." "Huh?" You say, entering and seeing a few more moths around. At least one is holding a fire extinguisher. Old Fran leads you to an area where you find princess resting on a dog bed. It seems like she's finally had those puppies of hers, however, one is much larger than the others and has light brown and white fur like a regular pitbull. It also has red spots of fur along its back. Also, perhaps more important, is that it seems to be exhaling smoke while its little legs are kicking in a dream -ike state. "Grandkids say you were on that Internet cable show where you fought a ghost, so that means you understand all these magic problems, ya?" Old Fran says, "So why don't you take this little one off my hands since a fire-breathin' dog counts as magic problems, I reckon." Her rant goes in one ear and out the other. You're too busy thousand-yard-staring at a younger version of Princess that breaths fire. What's worse is that she's right, and when Pedro finds out, he's going to make you take care of this dog anyway. The things you do to afford living. You tell her it is indeed something you can take care of, and that you're quitting pet-sitting to take care of magic problems full-time. She all but throws the puppy at you. Its lighter than you thought and although warm, it doesn't seem //too// warm. You'll have to name it later, but first things first: you have to deal with a long walk home since you're not taking the fire breather anywhere near public transit. ''[Hellhound Puppy gained]'' <<var $hellhound true>>\ <<page "Job's done?" "name_hellhound">>

The saying is supposed to be "sick as a dog". After spending ten minutes with Hunter you're almost motivated enough to try and get the saying "Sick as a cat" going. It throws up constantly, manages to get into the trash and eat things that will kill it, and routinely forces you back onto a first-name-basis with the local vet. When Hunter got pregnant you swore to Min that this was a divine punishment the universe was giving you. Everything got so much worse. Min laughed at your pain. Classic Min. You start to see a huge amount of cars parked near Old Fran's house. You're somewhat curious, but the curiosity will have to wait as you knock on her door and see a moth woman answer. One that resembles Fran. She beams at you, but you are too busy wondering why her arm is in a cast and how her left wing has a torn edge. You don't have to ask as she speaks. "My kids are staying over while the world goes mad, they say they saw you on the inter webs handle a ghost, do you solve magic problems?" You take a second to blink and well, tell the truth. "Yes, I got a new job where I take care of magic full-" she closes the door in your face "...time" She isn't gone long before she shows back up holding an adorable kitten and hands it to you. You hold it and notice that it has 6 tails. Old Fran doesn't let you process this and merely says, "This cat is the unluckiest thing in the world. Good luck." She closes the door in your face again, for good this time. ''[Sixfold kitten gained]'' <<var $sixfoldcat true>>\ <<page "Job's done?" "name_sixfoldcat">>

You begin the long walk home and the puppy in your arms stirs a little bit. You absently pat it as you're walking and realize you're going to have to name the thing. He's a good boy, you pray, but still not much for conversation. You're given plenty of time on the walk home to think of a name. <<choose "millfeild_chapter_three_training">>\ #Spot, for all the red spots on his back. <<var $hellhoundname "Spot">>\ #Smoky, because of all the smoke he snorts in his sleepy state...You're gunna have to sleep with an open window if he's in the same room. <<var $hellhoundname "Smoky">>\ #Cerberus, for the legendary guardian of the underworld! <<var $hellhoundname "Cerberus">>\ #Brute, an accurate name if he grows up to have even a fraction of his mothers anger. <<var $hellhoundname "Brute">>\ #Buddy, an accurate name for someone that you're going to make sure is never going to be like his mother. <<var $hellhoundname "Buddy">>\ #Wait a minute! Of course! (enter a custom name) -> "millfeild_chapter_three_training" <<textbox "$hellhoundname" "Examplename">>\ <<page "Custom hell hound name" "millfeild_chapter_three_training">> <</choose>>

You walk the tiny kitten home in your arms as it dozes without a care in the world. Black cats are bad luck, and one with 6 tails feels like a bad omen. As the kitten yawns awake and looks at you with a bleary yellow and blue eye you ignore all superstition and just think of what to call your new friend. There's plenty of time on the long walk home. <<choose "millfeild_chapter_three_training">>\ #Shade, A comfortable shadow. <<var $sixfoldcatname "Shade">>\ #Blue, The blue eye sticks out and makes you think of a cold lake. <<var $sixfoldcatname "Blue">>\ #Lucky, Maybe its more out of a sense of humor but you think it couldn't hurt to think of this new friend as a stroke of luck. <<var $sixfoldcatname "Lucky">>\ #Six, Well the tail is gunna be sticking out anyway, might as well call it something that makes sense. <<var $sixfoldcatname "Six">>\ #Ah! You've got just the name! (enter a custom name) -> "millfeild_chapter_three_training" <<textbox "$sixfoldcatname" "Examplename">>\ <<page "Custom sixfold cat name" "millfeild_chapter_three_training">> <</choose>>

<<var $job "former gas station cashier">>\ <<var $cash + 300>>\ ''[Last paycheck collected, you have gained 300 Cash.]'' You head to the gas station and tell your manager that you're quitting. He doesn't even ask for two weeks, just for you to work the rest of the day. Decent of him. <<if (($race is "human") or ($race.includes("skinwalker")))>>\ Thankfully your uniform still fits, which is more than your coworkers can say. Allie turned into a bigfoot and is forced to wear a nametag that shows she works here. <<else>>\ You can't quite make your uniform fit like it used to, which seems fine considering no one else on shift remained human. You're given a nametag which shows you're on the job. <</if>>\ It's a decent last day. Allie sneaks you a twinkie off the shelf when the manager ain't around on your lunch break. You're manning the cash register and are cashing out one of the locals by the name of Kyle Luxenburg. He seems in a pretty terrible mood and orders some smokes and candy to go with his gas tank. "Rough day?" You ask, getting into the customer service mindset. Kyle sighs "Ever been so close and yet so far from achievin' your goals?" You would answer, but Kyle seems keen to vent his frustrations instead of actually having a conversation with you. "I finally got a deal with the city council to expand my pasture. Would've increased the amount of chickens I can feed, start construction on a slaughter house to create jobs, and increase the amount of food we actually produce." "That's good." You say. "But with all the uncertainty in the local economy, the construction company of the new slaughter house is raising their prices." "That's bad." "I'm Short 20,000 dollars," he continues, "and I doubt an investor is gunna fall out of the sky to help. I can't find another lender either." Hmm. You actually could...it's a lot of money, but you would have a proper investment and frankly, maybe some peace of mind. Its impossible to say if food scarcity is going to become a thing with all the crisis's going around the world. ''[This investment opportunity may pay down the road, but its likely to take a long time before any returns are generated]'' <<choose "yes_invest">>\ #"Hey Kyle, I'd like to invest" "Hey Kyle," you say, "I'd like to invest." <<var $cash - 20000>>\ #"I'm sorry for what its worth." -> "no_invest" <</choose>>

<<var $job "former gas station attendant">>\ After some initial doubt, which is fair considering you're working at a gas station at the moment, he starts smiling and talks with you over the deal and terms. You both end up exchanging email, phone numbers, and a promise to exchange a proper contract before moving the money over. You still set it aside ahead of time so you don't spend it. Just like that, you're a business investor. ''[Luxenburg Coops, funded]'' <<page "Who doesn't love chicken?" "millfeild_chapter_three_training">>

You give the man a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, for what it's worth." "It's worth $20,000." Kyle replies. "I'm sorry for less than what it's worth." You offer Kyle your customer service apology voice and wish him luck on finding an investor. While it would be nice, you just can't say for sure that you won't need that money to work on your own magic problem-solving issues. <<var $job "former gas station attendant">>\ He heads out and the rest of your last shift is peaceful and uneventful. <<page "Plenty of chicken already anyway" "millfeild_chapter_three_training">>

<<var $job "former hardware store attendant">>\ <<var $cash + 300>>\ ''[Last paycheck collected, 300 Cash gained.]'' You arrive at Teddy's Tools and see that its busy as always. Which is to say, middling amounts of busy. Teddy and most of his relatives seem to have become Bandits and make use of the shops various ladders to get around the shelves. Your shift is mostly spent meeting Teddy's extended family. They apparently all came to Millfeild to weather out the magic crisis. When You tell Teddy you're quitting he actually seems sad to see you go. You mention that you have a new job that pays well and even the wild circumstances that lead to you becoming a homeowner. That seems to cause the old raccoon man to smile. "That old house?" He says. "Can't be up to code, my grandkids need something to keep them busy, let us make some improvements. Consider it a gift for all your hard work and an apology for the fact that I can't match Pedro's rates!" You think that over. "Home renovation isn't cheep Teddy, are you sure?" In reply he waves that away like it's an annoying fly. "I'm always sure! Now, what kinda fixin's do you want. young'un?" ''[You gain two free home improvements! Visit Teddy's tools home improvement to claim them.]'' <<var $freehomeupgrade 2>>\ <<page "One hell of a severance pay" "millfeild_chapter_three_training">>

<<var $job "former delivery driver">>\ <<var $cash + 180>>\ ''[Made some cash on late night food deliveries around Millfeild, 180 Cash earned]'' You make several deliveries, for old time's sake really. <<if ($race is "bandit")>>\ Which is probably a terrible idea as your old bike is just way too big for you to ride anymore. <<elseif ($race is "bigfoot")>>\ Which is probably a terrible idea, you're far too large and lanky to ride the bike anymore. <<elseif ($race is "northern devil")>>\ Which is for the best, with your new height and weight you feel like you would break the damn bike. <</if>>\ You're making your last delivery to drop off some Monarch burgers when you walk up and see lights on in the customer's open garage. The sound of an engine running confuses you briefly, but the sight is twice as confusing: A middle aged man stands next to the trunk of a red four-door sedan. The trunk is open and a coil of fishing string is in hand that seems to slowly be feeding into the trunk. Strangely enough the trunk is dark and you can't see anything inside it. "You can place it on the bench on the left." He says, informing you that even if he hasn't moved to look at you, you've been noticed. You do so and, because you're curious, walk over. "What's up with the trunk?" "Ain't just the trunk, see the lack of fume smell? That ain't normal either. This car ain't electric, or wasn't before now." He says this with a notable amount of fear. Curiously, you run some mana to your eyes and can see that the entire car is radiating a red aura...a magic car. "So, uh, why the fishing wire?" You ask, remembering that not everyone can see mana. "I'm trying to see how deep the trunk goes." He explains. "Tied an old screw to the end of the wire and still haven't felt it hit the trunk's bottom. I think I'm going to sell this thing off. This ain't natural and it's not like I drive much now a-days." You nod and think up a plan carefully before putting it into action. "Ya know, have ya heard of Pedro? He's starting some kind of research committee to look into all the weird things going on, he would probably buy this off you." You try your best to sound innocent, knowing full-well that Pedro would have you investigate it. The old man thanks you for the tip and you decide to call it a night and head home, feeling smug that you might be getting a magic car. ''[Vehicle acquired!]'' <<var $magiccar true>>\ <<page "Hopefully it doesn't come out of your pay" "millfeild_chapter_three_training">>

With most of your immediate concerns taken care of, you wake up and think over what you could really do to advance your magical understanding and preparation for who knows what else. You and Min have agreed, after double-checking the map and date that you both found in your new house, that you have a year before the date written on it arrives. The spot it mentions seems to be a normal part of the forest, so you and Min agree to come back on the date that was written down to double-check if something magical will happen. You have a year 'til then. Better get prepared. <<var $hassalt false>>\ <<var $hasbackpack false>>\ <<var $hasfirstaidkit false>>\ <<var $hasfireextinguisher false>>\ <<var $hassilverware false>>\ <<var $hasreliable false>>\ <<var $haspatience false>>\ <<var $hasstopsign false>>\ <<var $hasgunlicense false>>\ <<var $homestylepicked false>>\ <<var $housestyle "horror movie cabin">>\ <<var $greenhousegot false>>\ <<var $monthlysalary 4000>>\ <<var $workshopgot false>>\ <<var $researchdengot false>>\ <<var $prisongot false>>\ <<var $medlabgot false>>\ <<var $solarpanelgot false>>\ <<var $hasknife false>>\ <<var $hashammer false>>\ <<var $hasaxe false>>\ <<var $chainsawtool false>>\ <<var $chainsawweapon false>>\ <<var $haschainsaw false>>\ <<var $hascar false>>\ <<var $pickuptruck false>>\ <<var $sedan false>>\ <<var $convertible false>>\ <<var $months 0>>\ <<var $silverstudy false>>\ <<var $saltnade false>>\ <<var $silverbullet false>>\ <<var $magicdart false>>\ <<var $hasfoci false>>\ <<var $foci "blank">>\ <<var $mintrain false>>\ <<var $pedrotrain false>>\ <<var $metamagicdiscovered false>>\ <<var $metamagicknown 0>>\ <<var $spitfire false>>\ <<var $familiarbond false>>\ <<var $wounds 0>>\ <<var $manadepletion 0>>\ <<var $activefamiliar "none bonded">>\ <<var $sidequest1 false>>\ <<var $sidequest2 false>>\ <<var $sidequest3 false>>\ <<var $sidequest4 false>>\ <<var $circledotweb false>>\ <<var $internethelp1 false>>\ <<var $internethelp2 false>>\ <<var $internethelp3 false>>\ <<var $internethelp4 false>>\ <<var $circleprep 0>>\ <<var $pet 0>>\ <<var $websitemade false>>\ <<page "Let's get magical" "training_year_menu">>

A year to get ready for what the map may bring, unless anything dramatic happens in the year during which is just as likely. You currently have used $months months. <<choose "shopping">>\ #Hit the stores in Millfeild (0 months) #use-if ($hasgunlicense is false) Get a firearms licence (0 months) -> "gun_safety" #use-if ($job isnot "former delivery driver") Head to Matt's Motors, the used car lot (0 months) -> "Matts_Motors" #use-if ($workshopgot is true) Craft something helpful (0 months) -> "crafting_table" #use-if ($researchdengot is true) Start some research and experiments on magic (Variable months) -> "research_start" #use-if (($months lte 10) and ($mintrain is false)) Train with Min (2 months) -> "min_training" #use-if (($months lte 9) and ($pedrotrain is false)) See if Pedro is capable of learning magic, and train with him if so (3 months) -> "pedro_training" #use-if ($months lte 11) Get a call about a magical problem within town (1 month) -> "small_troubles" #Try to talk to other mages online (Variable months) -> "forming_the_circle" #use-if (($months lte 10) and ($familiarbond is false)) Experiment with the concept of a familiar (2 months) -> "familiar_forming" #use-if ($months lte 11) Train a skill (1 month) -> "skill_training" #use-if ($months gte 12) It's time to double check the first map location (end training) -> "portal_one_drive" <</choose>>

The future is now. Even if magic might have existed in the past, if that huge wall in your basement is anything to go by, it probably never saw the ability of the world to so readily be able to share information in mere moments. You, Min, and Pedro agree not to bring up any information about the possible Illuminati in your online discussions, but you still do have time to see if you can find any useful tips online or maybe even find another pioneer like yourself, countries apart. <<choose "training_year_menu">>\ #Think that's enough screen time (go back) #use-if ($internethelp1 is false) Try to find actual, helpful tips from people experimenting with magic like you. ''(1 months time)'' -> "forming_the_circle" <<var $internethelp1 true>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<var $circleprep + 1>>\ ''[Time has passed, salary collected]'' When you ask Min about the video she posted you get more than you bargain for. It seems she and Pedro have worked on claiming and creating "The Mage of Millfeild" in several social media platforms. You are given the account passwords and make use of those accounts to try and find some people with helpful information. Sadly it's not as much as you were hoping for, it seems that you end up giving more information than you receive. You do gain a lot of new followers for the endeavor and leave a FAQ on several platforms to try and help when you're not directly online, though you do gain a couple of pointers from the rare few mages that you find. ''[You have gained a few insights into magic. You gained a Refinement point!]'' <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ #use-if (($internethelp2 is false) and ($spellsknown gte 1)) Share your knowledge on spellcraft in the hopes that other people return the favor. ''(0 months)'' -> "forming_the_circle" <<var $internethelp2 true>>\ <<var $circleprep + 1>>\ The internet has more memes about magic than knowledge you realize after a terrible day browsing. You've gained a bit of a small following, so you see no reason not to add the spell you discovered into your growing list of FAQ threads on various platforms. You add that you would love to see new spells if anyone has any to share back. After shifting through the plethora of false answers and unfamiliar memes you actually do discover one person who goes by the user name "Turtledan" who seems to have created a way to form a temporary barrier against physical objects. You save his info and more importantly, his spellcraft. ''[Spell gained! Turtle Shell! For further details see your spell list in the magic menu.]'' <<var $spellsknown + 1>>\ <<var $turtleshell true>>\ #use-if (($internethelp3 is false) and ($metamagicknown gte 1)) Explain to as many folk as you can about the concept of a metamagic. ''(0 months)'' -> "forming_the_circle" <<var $internethelp3 true>>\ <<var $circleprep + 1>>\ You try your best to explain the concept of a metamagic to your online communities. This one is the hardest you've done. Mostly because the wide audience of people can't quite make it work when most of them haven't even found their Theory yet. But still, you explain it as best you can, add that explanation into the FAQ you leave on the internet, and are surprised when you get a DM request from someone with a metamagic of their own. The talk FEELS more constructive then it actually is. They seem to have invented or discovered a metamagic that allows them to have their spells ignore physical obstacles. They explained their process but when you replicated it, you had no results. You feel like maybe you just don't have enough control or experience to use two at once yet. Though still, when you do find a way past that roadblock, you might be able to learn this one or new ones that might be discovered with time. ''[No immediate benefit, however your knowledge base expands.]'' #use-if (($internethelp4 is false) and ($pet gte 1)) See if anyone else has gotten a familiar, and explain the process for those that ask. ''(0 months)'' -> "forming_the_circle" <<var $internethelp4 true>>\ <<var $circleprep + 1>>\ You decide to look into who else might have a familiar. This one is perhaps the most fun. You make a point of sharing pet pics and explain the bonding process as the most important step. That you have to have the love and trust of an animal to form one and they seem to get stronger for the process, just like you do with a new spell to show for it. You find a girl from France has actually bonded with a pigeon that gave her a healing spell. She's making the most of it now to increase her ability to tend to the wounded with the undead invasion going on in her country. You're thankful for her help and wish you could do more, but you can't exactly fight a skeleton army in another continent. You, at the very least, direct message her all the magical info you have in the hope it helps. ''[You have gained the approval of the french undead resistance]'' #use-if (($circleprep gte 4) and ($websitemade is false)) Maybe it's time we had our own website. ''(2 months)'' -> "forming_the_circle_done" <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<var $websitemade true>>\ <</choose>>

<<achieve "Founding the circle">>\ You have done a lot. There is always more to do and you feel you need to do something bigger, something more impactful. You talk to Pedro and he supports the idea, even if you disagree on branding. You go about setting up a social media platform/information archive website that's meant for mages around the world. Building the website takes some time, but you also get some strange support from the priesthood of Web, divine being of the internet. <<if ($theory is "Divine Theory:Web")>>\ Well, you know all of Web's help is strange, so realistically this is just their usual help. <<elseif ($theory isnot "Divine Theory:Web")>>\ You're still kinda blown away the internet has a God now...or became a God? The answer is unclear and not important. <</if>>\ The website is claimed under the domain of Web and therefore has the best security in the world, as far as the internet is concerned. When browsing through, you notice a strange and unintended effect where users are flagged with roles. The roles separate mages from non-mages. You asked Web's priests what that was about and they merely sent you a shrug emoji and said. "One day we might have to purge the casuals from accessing our information." That was rather...dark. Though you suppose witch hunts have happened before so you choose to decide it's a defensive statement. It helps you sleep better at night. On that somber note, you look to the future and realize in the early days of magic, you have created a well of reliable information-finding that will help all people through this crisis. That feels great. TheCircle.Web is officially ready and you're a founder. <<var $circledotweb true>>\ <<if ($theory isnot "Divine Theory:Web")>>\ <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ ''[Refinement gained!]'' <<elseif ($theory is "Divine Theory:Web")>>\ ''[Webs influence has spread. As a spinner of the Web you have been blessed, 2 Refinement gained!]'' <<var $refinement + 2>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 2>>\ <</if>>\ <<page "One day you'll be able to look this all up online." "training_year_menu">>

You are on call as the first-responder to Millfeild's encounters with magic in all forms. Thankfully for you, and the town, a lot of these early day encounters are minor and low in danger. ''[The small troubles of Millfeild in this year are great ways for you to build up your Refinement. Some give other bonuses as well. Each one takes a months time.]'' <<choose "training_year_menu">>\ #Dammit, scam callers. (Go back) #use-if ($sidequest1 is false) Got a call from the bank about some kind of spirit in the vault. -> "cash_golem" <<timepass>>\ <<var $sidequest1 true>>\ #use-if ($sidequest2 is false) Higgins the cop called you about ghosts in the graveyard arguing with each other. -> "undead_dispute" <<timepass>>\ <<var $sidequest2 true>>\ #use-if ($sidequest3 is false) Pedro calls and wants you to shut down a scam artist who is making you all look bad. -> "street_magic" <<timepass>>\ <<var $sidequest3 true>>\ #use-if ($sidequest4 is false) Maya Sharma called and thinks a monster might be lurking in her house. -> "house_mouse" <<timepass>>\ <<var $sidequest4 true>>\ <</choose>>

Maya lives in the center of town, in an old two-story house. She called you about some kind of monster that might be in her home. Considering that's your job these days, you get your gear and head over in the afternoon. She greets you at the door. It seems when Stella Seven hit it left her as a women of indian origin in her mid 30s. She dresses in baggy pants and a long sleeved grey shirt, stands at about 5'7", greets you with a smile. "Um, are you $name?" She asks. "That's me," you say, "can I come in and hear more about the issue, miss?" She nods and gets out of the way to let you in, asking nervously, "Would you like some curry? I...made lunch and thought you might want some." <<page "I will never turn down curry" "house_mouse_two">>

As you dig into a homemade curry with a cup of milk (to deal with spice) you hear the full story. She's been hearing strange scratching noises followed by random flickering in her lights. After hiring pest control and an electrician to check, she's gotten nothing but mixed results. Apparently the exterminator confirmed signs of rats with bite marks and droppings, but not a single rat trap caught anything. When it came to the wiring, it appeared some had been chewed on but no bodies of rats were found nearby. Bodies you'd expect from fatally chewing a power line. With no where left to go, and seeing the lodge's advertisements online, she gave you all a call. If the droppings and scratches are anything to go by, you might have a magic rat on your hands. Lovely. <<choose "house_mouse_three">>\ #use-if ($theory is "Artificer Theory") Magic rat, time to build a magic trap! (Artificer Theory exclusive) You spend a lot of time building or improving regular rat traps. Your first few models are failures but at least when you do fail Maya is always trying to uplift you with some home made meals. She seems kinda lonely, honestly, and glad for the visits. Over several iterations you create a cage with small chains covering every small gap, the secret is you infuse the chains over the majority of the month with your mana and the next time you leave off the trap at Maya's place it has a rat in it! It's a big one too, and you notice it seems to flair with white light that makes it more ethereal. It gets through the regular metal but not your magically reinforced chains. It's a fascinating thing and you would consider keeping the little fella but he's foaming at the mouth and, sadly, probably has rabies. Maya rewards your success with another home made meal on her. She hasn't made a bad dish yet. ''You have refined yourself along with your rat catching devices, gaining a Refinement point!'' <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ #Maybe a less direct approach. Instead of traps, lets leave sensors and cameras around to find where it frequents. You get your collection of small cameras you used all the way back when you were exploring what would become of your home. Placing them around the house with Maya's consent of course. You make some quick motion detectors from some old auto perfume deployers that the previous house owner left behind. Then it's the waiting game. You make frequent visits to make sure your tech is still working; Maya is happy for the company and feeds you every time you come by happily. Until one day near the end of the month your cameras pick something up. You narrow down the area and find its nest in the attic of the house in a wall, getting comfortable with the insulation! You grab the thing and are grateful you had the mind to put on strong gloves, it looks like it has rabies. It also tries slipping out of your hand with magic, but cycling Mana into your gri[ stops that process from working. Mission accomplished. ''You've gotten better at making gadgets on the fly, D.I.Y has increased!'' <<var $doityourself + 1>>\ #Try to form a mental trail from all the bite areas and scratch marks its left around the house to narrow down where its nesting. You look over the sights of the rats trail. Seeing where it's bitten, where it's shit, and try to form a mental map with the houses layout and where the best access to heat and food is. It's a sound theory and you spend the better part of a month wondering why it isn't working. You get to the point where you ponder if there is a new metric to add to this rats priorities. You open your senses to magic and discover something curious. The attic has a wall panel that has left ambient traces of a pure white magic. You follow your hunch to find the rat there, with your thick gloves and ambient mana being channeled around your hand. Just as hoped, you find a large rat that's foaming at the mouth with rabies. Mission accomplished. ''[You've grown your understanding of how the natural world evolves to adapt to magic, your Nature skill has increased!]'' <<var $nature + 1>>\ <</choose>>

With the rat taken, you sadly come to the conclusion that this thing is far too aggressive and sick to be saved. You're going to have to put it down when you get home. It's grim, but that's your burden now. Maya thanks you for solving this issue and seems incredibly relieved to finally have some peace of mind. She invites you back anytime you're in the area and, after some hesitation, hands you a sticky note with a phone number on it. She closes the door before you can reply further. <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ ''Refinement increased!'' <<page "Did you just get a girls number?" "training_year_menu">>

You stand outside the store and read the purple sign that reads "Violets Vibes." Before the Stella Seven mutation, and magics return to the world, this was just a hipster store of crystals, candles, hemp clothing, and other kinds of offseason halloween fun. However, Violet seemed to double down on her stuff, claiming it could help protect people from magic monsters. That's where you come in. You can't have people falling for this, so Pedro is footing the bill and you're going to spend the month testing her products to see if there is a fraction of truth to any of her sales pitch. <<page "Man, this whole place smells like weed" "street_magic_two">>

Its official. Violet is lying to people, knowingly or not. You spent a month performing all the advertised things she says these crystals, candles, and hemp and bead bracelets could do. They failed at every single metric. You're a bit disappointed about the crystals not working; fantasy books always make it sound like crystals can be magical. Either way, you call up Pedro after the month of research and share your findings. "Always someone trying to take advantage in the chaos," he says, not sounding surprised, "or worse, someone who buys their own bullshit. Any thoughts on how we handle things from here?" That's a good question. <<choose "street_magic_three">>\ #"Nothing for it, she's a safety hazard to the gullible. We have to shut her down." "Nothing for it," you reply, "she's a safety hazard to the gullible. We have to shut her down." Pedro grunts. "Ya, you're right. I'll take care of it." You can't help but ask "How?" Only for him to scoff. "You were inside the place," he says, "she's selling weed without a license to be sure. I'm bribin' the cops to do their jobs. Then I'll run a slander campaign that you can't trust a drug dealer to protect you." Damn, that's pretty intense. "Damn," you say, being a simple creature that voices your thoughts, "that's pretty intense." Pedro grunts. "She might have killed people who thought a rock would protect them. It's the lesser evil." ''[A month of experimentation with "magic" items has made you more shrewd and thorough, Insight has increased.]'' <<var $insight + 1>>\ <<var $despair + 2>>\ #"You know, she seemed like she really thought she was helping people. Why not bring her in? We could keep her as a salesperson for our real magic goods...when we have enough to sell." "You know," you say, "she seemed like she really thought she was helping people. Why not bring her in? We could keep her as a salesperson for our real magic goods...when we have enough to sell." "You're killing me." Pedro says with disbelief. "You want me to give her a job interview?" "You hired me because I was the best person for the job," you reply, "unlike me, she actually has experience selling magic items. It's a sound investment to me." He grumbles in a way that says he has no good argument. You're not involved for the rest of the process, but you hear that he did indeed bring her in for an interview, gave her access to the real magical knowledge you all have gathered, and she even closed up shop. Pedro tells you that once he has someone on payroll who can solely craft magic items he will reopen her store. Until then, she's being moved under one of his other companies to work as a sales rep. Seems she has a knack for selling things. ''[You've learned a thing or two about selling goods to people. Charisma has increased!]'' <<var $charisma + 1>>\ <<var $despair - 2>>\ #use-if ($theory is "Shadow Theory") "I can sneak in and create some illusions to convince her she's angered a big bad monster. That way we get paid, take care of it, and convince her to change her ways like real heroes." (Shadow Theory exclusive) "I can sneak in and create some illusions to convince her she's angered a big bad monster. That way we get paid, take care of it, and convince her to change her ways like real heroes." Pedro is silent for a minute until. "$name," he finally says, "that plan is borderline sunday morning cartoon villainy. I'm in. Don't get caught" "I would never." The plan works without a hitch, aided by the fact you have your partner in crime: Min. The two of you set up an illusion of something vaguely demonic and huge, give this whole spiel about how Violet's crystals are actually hellstones, and then "slay" the demon the next day. She thanks you severely, warns all her customers to throw away products she's sold them, and says that you all are the real deal. It's a good ending, to be sure, but it's made better when she donates a large some of money to your mage society. Pedro sends you a cut, but the experience is even better than the money. ''[You have received 1,000 Cash!]'' ''[You have received a bonus Refinement point!]'' <<var $despair + 5>>\ <<var $cash + 1000>>\ <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ <</choose>>

With all that taken care of, you take a relaxing bath with some of the fancy homemade soap you had to test and then try to find a place for all these candles. <<page "So many candles and crystals laying around..." "training_year_menu">>

You arrive at the local graveyard where your grandfather is buried in a hurry, only to find police tape blocking the gate. A bigfoot in a police uniform is sitting in a folding chair beside it. On your arrival he stands up. You feel like this has to be Officer Higgins post Stella Seven change. The give away is that he's still got a very large gut on him and, even with all the new hair that being a bigfoot has given him, the top of his head is still bald. "Higgins." You say evenly. He squints at you. "I'd recognize the voice anywhere $sur." Ya right. He probably just got told by Pedro that you were the one coming. You never got along with Higgins. He always did enjoy giving you tickets for the smallest issues like riding your bike without a helmet, noise complaints, and locking your bike up on a city street sign. "Can we cut the small talk? What's going on here and how can I help?" Higgins hrmphs but leads you past the crime scene tape. "We have ghosts. And they are causing a public disturbance" <<page "We have what now?" "undead_dispute_two">>

"We have two poltergeists arguing about who has the right to propose to a woman they call Dakota. I've tried talking to them but they act like they can't hear me, and they scare the people showing up, so it's a public disturbance." "Or we could call it a haunting," you say, "cause ghosts." Higgins gives you a unimpressed look. "Can you solve it or not, you suposed Millfeild Mage." Huh, apparently he watched your video, and hates it. Okay, you walk further into the graveyard and get up to the ghosts that look like the picture of an american fur trader or early settlers of america. True to his early warning, it's easy to find them based on noise. The two ghosts argue about who deserves Dakota's hand in marriage and they don't respond to anything you say. Seems you're going to have to be creative. <<choose "undead_dispute_three">> #use-if ($hassalt is true) Maybe you can try dispersing them with salt? You see no reason to waste time on people who have had their time already. You pull out a tube of salt and begin flicking it at them. After a few pinches they seem unable to comprehend what's happening; they keep arguing with each other until they seem unable to hold their form. In a final pinch, they simply disappear. Considering you had a few moments to listen to them argue, you look for the headstones that has their names. You consider some sort of touching appeal to the dead now that they've calmed down. You got nothing. You cover these in salt too. After that you make sure to return regularly and apply fresh salt every few nights, as it seems they do return after a windy day moves the salt. Though after a month of application the ghosts stop showing up. The graveyard is reopened, and Higgins gives you a begrudging nod of approval, along with a few dollar bills that you use to restock your salt reserves. ''[Your tracking of weather patterns and consistent surveying of salt patterns has improved your abilities, Nature increased! Perception increased!]'' <<var $perception + 1>>\ <<var $nature + 1>>\ ''[With some extra cash to boot, seems you got a tip, gained 60 Cash!]'' <<var $cash + 60>>\ <<var $cruelty + 3>>\ #"This sounds like something that a visit to the library might help with. See if I can find out enough to give closure." "This sounds like something that a visit to the library might help with." You say, thinking to yourself out loud. "I'll see if I can find out enough to give closure." Higgins throws his hands up in the air, declaring you a waste of time, and goes back to guarding the entrance. You head to the local library undeterred and begin looking up historic records of Millfeild's founders. You find a lot of dead ends and it takes most of the month before you find records on the one name causing the dead to linger. Dakota. With some printed out records you hurry back to the graveyard and for the first time say something that gets both of the ghosts attention. "I have proof on who Dakota would want as a husband!" They stop arguing and look at you, acknowledging your presence for the first time ever as you show them printed out wedding photos and explain. "Neither of you!" You say with gusto. "She married a horse trader who lived in mexico, it turns out she actually liked women and pretended to be a man for her marriage to her wife. They lived together in Mexico to the ripe old age of 80 with a comfortable living selling horses!" Both of the ghosts look at your proof, look at the historical documents, and they both ask if you're sure. With the pride in your heart at finding this info you nod with a grin, and after a few minutes the two ghosts fade away for the last time. ''[You learned a lot at your local library, Scholarship increased!]'' <<var $scholarship + 1>>\ <<var $cruelty - 3>>\ #"I think if I just blast Mana at them it should disperse them." "I think if I just blast Mana at them it should disperse them." You say with a shrug. "So you're going to assault them with otherworldly and ungodly powers?" Higgins responds; before you can even comment he nods in approval. "Sounds like a plan." Weird, first time he's given you his approval on anything... That aside these ghosts are quite literally sitting ducks. The down side is, even when it works and they are dispersed, they return the next day. You give it a few more tries and notice that they seem to be a little less coherent in their arguments with each other. It takes a month of you returning and busting these ghosts but at some point they cease returning. The last week is spent waiting for them to return, they never do. Job done. Knowing is half the battle, but the other half is violence. ''[This has given you many theories on how magic and the soul connect, increasing your Insight]'' <<var $insight + 1>>\ <<var $cruelty + 3>>\ #use-if ($theory is "Divine Theory:Death") "Hey, it's time to go." (Divine Theory: Death exclusive) "Hey," you say to the ghosts, "it's time to go." Those words carry an authority that early ones did not, one leant to you and that you are earning. You walk up to the both of them and hold your hands out. They seem to know more about what's going on than you do. When they grab your hands, they both seemed shocked. "Warmth..." the first ghost says, "I haven't been warm since..." "That party..." the second ghost says, "I don't remember what it was for, but it was so...warm." The first ghost laughs "And Dakota was singing, we were both too shy to speak to her..." The second ghost sighs. "Where does the time go?" You listen. You're a reaper now, you couldn't explain what you do, but it feels like part of it is kept from you. That people aren't supposed to know the next step of the journey for sure, but what you are sure of is that you channel the magic of Death and help them take that step. They disperse in a black light and you smile a bit as they hold hands with each other as well. If it was for the sake of forgiving old grudges, or maybe even for unsaid feelings, you couldn't say. After all, dead men tell no tales. You don't give the all clear right away, not yet anyway, you walk the whole graveyard for a month. You just feel that there are other souls awakening or perhaps lingering here and you take the time to put them to rest and make sure none of them materialize. Only when you're done do you give the all clear. ''[You have reaped souls, Death has shared with you a blessing for your work, Refinement has increased]'' <<var $cruelty - 5>>\ <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ <</choose>>

<<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ When the ghost problem is solved you are thanked by the graveyard keepers and the staff in general. Not a one gives Higgins thanks for making sure people didn't wander into the place and encounter the ghosts. He is the last person to speak to you. "Ya did it," he grunts, "guess you're not a scammer." You roll your eyes at him. "Nope, genuine article, Higgs." "Don't call me that." He warns as he walks away. ''[Refinement increased!]'' <<page "What an ass" "training_year_menu">>

You arrive outside the local Trust and Trust branch to see a lot of bank workers waiting outside in their formal clothes. There's no visible sign of injuries, but it looks like one of the older workers is being fussed over and sitting on a folding chair by the window. Since the Stella Seven change took place, you don't recognize anyone here. <<if ($gender is "male")>>\ "Mr. \ <<elseif ($gender is "female")>>\ "Ms. \ <<elseif ($gender is "non-binary")>>\ "Mx. \ <</if>>\ $sur? Its me, Janice Wells. Good to see you." Huh, correction, you recognize at least one person here. Janice seems to have become a bloom folk. Her skin taking on a wood-like texture and color, and her hair is full of flowers of various hues. Her former suit is gone, replaced by a short-sleeved white dress shirt and a black and formal skirt that ends at the knees. Common bloom folk issue, need to keep some "skin" exposed to the sun. Though, with a tie that is yellow covered in cartoon pies and cakes, you could tell it's still her. "Yup, that's me." You say with a nod. \ <<if ($race is "human")>>\ "Haven't changed a whole lot compared to you, uh, ya look great though." Janice lets out a single chuckle. "Thank you, but I believe you're here about the vault issue, I'm ready and waiting to run you through it." <<else>>\ "How did ya know? We've both changed but my tie collection is never as fun as yours." You have no tie collection. She shrugs. "I called the office number first. It went to Pedro, he told me you would be responding and what you changed into. Now if reintroductions are done I can lead you through the what we know of the vault issue." <</if>>\ Man, she makes it sound like you're late again. Are you ever going to arrive on time for Ms. Wells? "Right, run me through it" You say finally. <<page "Late or not, what's up?" "cash_golem_two">>

She leads you inside the bank as she speaks. "The...I believe the best word would be spirit, doesn't leave the vault. I saw the thing first and it looked like a two foot tall, vaguely person-like collection of green energy." "What's it doing inside?" "Making clothes out of dollar bills. For the gloves, it melted down lockbox lids. That's when we realized the danger. It seemed content with chasing us off, but refuses to let us back in. We can watch it on camera playing with the money and goods." Whoa. You nod along, hoping that seeing the thing should help you make a plan. After following her to the security station, which was abandoned by the security guard who was not paid nearly enough to mess with a money spirit, you get to the monitors. There, you see it. Ms. Wells brings up the vault feed on the security computer and you see the little thing as described. It's made a mess of the vault. Currently it's collecting all the vault lock boxes and putting them in different piles. You can really see a pattern with the piles, but it seems like the vault spirit has some kind of metric to sort things with. Money is also littering most of the floor as it is making something softer to lounge on. Well...You can watch it play with money and valuables all day, but it's probably time to come up with a plan. <<choose "cash_golem_three">>\ #"I think imma have to banish the thing, that means fight." You make several game plans and go in to fight the scrappy little thing, and uh...well... It's not that you out right lose. Its more-so that it seems to manage to hide, outlast, and otherwise create tricks and turns that force you out. You're still picking glass shards from a broken watch out of your face when you finally snap and charge in...only for it to not respond. You don't even feel the thing's presence anymore with your magical senses. It's gone dormant. The last week is spent making sure, but it seems like you just outlasted the thing. Maybe whatever it uses to keep itself stable, it just couldn't get a hold of enough of that? What with the bank closed and you coming in for a fight every other day. ''[Unarmed increased by 1]'' <<var $unarmed + 1>>\ <<var $despair + 3>>\ #"This is gunna sound weird, BUT...what if you hired it to guard the bank?" "This is gunna sound weird," you propose, poorly, "BUT...what if you hired it to guard the bank?" Janice looks to you. "You want to hire it to defend the vault?" "Spirits that are tied to a place tend to want to protect a place," you explain, "when I got here no one was actually injured. It didn't actually attack anyone did it?" Janice scowls but nods reluctantly. You seize onto that acceptance. "That's because it knows your all employees, I'd wager. Walk in with me and we can negotiate terms, then Trust and Trust can go on record for being the first establishment to hire a spirit!" "$name, we are a bank. We don't need publicity. Why should we do this?" "I know a spirit," you reply, "its name is Grey. He's different, but I promise you not all spirits are bad, we should give this one a shot." She still scowls but sighs, "I'll convince my manager." True to her word, she does. You and Janice spend a month back and forth trying to understand what the spirit wants and trying to make sure your demands are met by the spirit as well. Finally, one day Janice hands over an employment contract with a pen and the spirit signs it. Its outline seems to change and take on a proper humanoid form with a suit made of money. Beyond that, you think you learned a few tricks on how to be more convincing. ''[Charisma has increased by 1]'' <<var $charisma + 1>>\ <<var $despair - 3>>\ #use-if ($theory is "Binding Theory") "I have some experience binding spirits, this one might take some time though." (Binding Theory exclusive) "I have some experience binding spirits." You say with some pride. "This one might take some time, though." That seemed to have reassured Janice, but in truth one spirit is not a lot of experience. It shows, as it takes the better part of a month to actually make progress. Most of the time the thing keeps hiding from you in the vault, and when it doesn't, it throws coins at you hard enough to leave a bruise. You get the bright idea to yell at the spirit, demanding that you are a customer of this bank and some of this vault is your own net worth. It might actually be true now that you're making money.\ The spirit seems to become less outright hostile at that declaration. Near the end of the month the bank spirit accepts your investment of mana and cash to allow you to bind it. Its primary form still exists within the vault; like Grey, it seems bound here, but you will be able to call upon it for battle with a copy. Plus you can instruct it to remain invisible and allow the bank workers to take care of the vault unbothered. ''[Cash Golem summon gained!]'' <<var $cashgolemsummon true>>\ #use-if ($perception gte 1) "Wait. You said you saw the green energy. Not just the physical money and lock box lids. You can see mana." "Wait." You say. "You said you saw the green energy. Not just the physical money and lock box lids. You can see mana." "What do you mean?" Janice asks with scrutiny. You explain that most people can't outright see mana as it forms or gets used. "You might be a mage Janice, here." You use a nearby sticky note and pen to write down an address, then hand it to her. "Head to this address while I deal with the spirit. My roommate Min-ji should be able to run you through a quick and free test." Janice slow blinks at this but takes the note and nods. "I'll do that" You get to work containing the spirit and thinking of a better plan without a watcher. Some sort of insidious plan. Something efficient one would do when the boss isn't looking. The quick shortcut that gets you paid when it doesn't get you in trouble. You've got nothing. Later that day, you hear news from Min-ji that Janice is attuned to Binding Theory. The theory of binding spirits, monsters, or ghosts to oneself...oh this is perfect. Working together with Janice, the two of you use her new powers to bind the cash golem to her. Now it is tightly controlled by an employee and Janice's magical journey has taken a huge first step. The number of Mages in Millfeild has grown by 1! ''[Janice Wells has unlocked her magical potential!]'' <<var $janicecombat 2>>\ <<var $perception + 1>>\ ''[Her training has increased your eye for detail, Perception increased!]'' <</choose>>

With the golem problem sorted, the bank is back open for business and you are thanked greatly by the staff. "That has been an adventure," Janice says, shaking your hand pleasantly, "I was skeptical when I heard you were the person Pedro was. sending but I'm glad he did." "Rude," you insist, "but fair." "Until next time." She smiles. <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ ''[Refinement point gained! Month lost, salary collected.]'' <<choose "training_year_menu">>\ #"Later Janice" #"Goodbye Ms Wells" #"Parting is such sweet sorrow" (Flirt) #"Call me...for work stuff...bye!" (Flirt, shyly) <</choose>>

Among the many texts that Min translates, the concept of a familiar is mentioned in passing frequently. Always an animal, some kind of bond that you can form with one that is vague in both the how-to form, and in regards to what the exact benefit is. In theory it will probably, maybe, be easier with a younger beast. Hard to teach old dogs new tricks and all that. Thankfully there's an animal shelter in town. <<if ($hellhound is true)>>\ Although in all honesty Min and Grey would kill you if you tried to adopt another animal. You've already brought a magical fire hazard around the house. It's not even a theory or a jest; both of them have had to save your house from burning more than once. You're already taking the risks, so maybe it's time to see if $hellhoundname can become a familiar. <<elseif ($sixfoldcat is true)>>\ Though that could be a hazard considering you have the world's unluckiest cat. You're constantly have to worry about tripping, items falling on your head, and, perhaps more importantly, Min and Grey wanting to kill you for the suffering that has been inflicted upon them. <<elseif ($job isnot "former pet sitter")>>\ With that in mind you say goodbye to your roommates Min and Grey and go off to get yourself a familiar. <</if>>\ <<choose "begin_bonding_hellhound">>\ #I should probably focus on other things (back to training menu) -> "training_year_menu" #show-if ($hellhound is true) Time to get to work with the best fire breathing dog in the whole town. <<var $pet + 1>>\ #show-if ($sixfoldcat is true) Maybe you can turn that luck around and give your magic cat a better outlet then pranks around the house. -> "begin_bonding_sixfold" <<var $pet + 1>>\ #use-if ($job isnot "former pet sitter") Let's head to the animal shelter -> "animal_shelter" <</choose>>

<<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<var $familiarbond true>>\ ''[2 months spent, salary collected]'' You spend the better part of two months spending time with your magical dog. Beyond the walks, pats, games of fetch that destroy at least six balls ($hellhoundname has some real bite), and belly rubs, you struggle to come up with a plan. You're both sitting on your porch as you sigh and absently give the big ole pup a belly rub. You tried everything you could think of. Trying to gift it mana you processed, infusing your mana into kibble, asking $hellhoundname politely, trying to make a magic circle work for the sixth hundredth time. Nothing. You lean back and feel a strange sensation coming from your hand giving the belly rub. <<cap $hellhoundname>> seemed to be glowing with magic and giving you some. Hmm. Well this is new. You follow your gut and try to return the favor, only to feel something form through the process. A connection, like a little fire that sits in your soul; a little fire that loves you as your hellhound stares up at you with a goofy grin. You smile back and pet $hellhoundname. When this new bond seems to form, you feel certain that you gained a new combat boon. <<var $hellhoundcombat 2>>\ ''[Hellhound gaining familiar connection increases its combat value.]'' Beyond that you feel something deeper. Something that burns even hotter that-wait, no, that's literal fire. Maybe forming a Familiar bond isn't supposed to feel like a fire in the first place. Turns out it's just a spell you're gaining in the connection with a Hellhound. <<var $spitfire true>>\ <<var $spellsknown + 1>>\ <<var $activefamiliar "A hellhound">>\ ''[Spell learned! Spitfire. Check the magic menu for more details.]'' <<page "Now WE are the fire hazard." "training_year_menu">>

<<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<var $familiarbond true>>\ ''[2 months spent, salary collected]'' You understand why people, as a society, have never made herding cats a requirement for there survival. It can't be done. You spend the better part of two months trying to wrangle and work through some experimental ideas to get $sixfoldcatname to work with you. Or at least become a proper familiar (whatever that actually means). Instead your unluckiest cat spends the whole time avoiding you, forcing you to stub your toe, getting you to bump into things, or tricking you into falling. So much falling. One day, at the end of your attempts, the little cat climbs on top of you as you lay on the floor contemplating the joys of cat ownership. You feel magic flow into you from them...despite your gut saying this could be a trap, you return the favor and channel your own magic back into the cat. Before you know it, you feel a connection form and scowl as much as you can as the cat lays down and yawns for a nap. <<var $sixfoldcatcombat 2>>\ ''[Sixfoldcat familiar bond has increased its combat value.]'' Beyond that, animal instincts flood into your brain and give you insights into a new way to use magic. Calling this a spell feels technically correct, but after suffering under it for two months you want to call it what it is: a curse. <<var $spellsknown + 1>>\ <<var $sixfoldcurse true>>\ <<var $activefamiliar "A sixfoldcat">>\ ''[Spell learned! Six-fold curse. check the magic menu for more details.]'' <<page "You're lucky you're cute" "training_year_menu">>

You get to the local animal shelter the locals have lovingly named "The Farm". As a former farm turned into a large and wide shelter, with plenty of space for rescue critters to run around and play under the staffs watchful eyes, it makes you proud to live here. Granted, the place still has its reasons to be more intimidating than wholesome. The dozen or so workers all look like they go to the gym to eat the equipment for iron supplements. It evens out when you see them holding kittens. You head to the front desk. The elderly worker behind the counter of the place is seated on an office chair, mostly watching a laptop plopped on the counter. The audio tells you it's probably a football game. She gives you a grunt for introductions. "I'd like to adopt a pet?" You ask. The old woman closes the laptop and stands up. It seems she remained human, but her height gives a bigfoot a run for their money. She smiles with several missing teeth on display. "We let people take rescues in for free, if they agree to weekly checkups for the first two months to check on the animal. Gotta make sure you're not doing anything harmful to 'em." "Whoa...how? How do you afford that?" "The mayor was very amenable to funding this as a town public service." She dismisses with a shrug. "I put on a suit and everything in our meeting, he must have thought I had a good idea. Real sweaty between you and me, wasn't even that warm in the office." You look at this woman, who reminds you more of a bear then a grandmother, and think you have some pretty good guesses as to why the mayor would agree to whatever she requested. <<choose "training_year_menu">>\ #"Um...on second thought I don't think I'm ready." (Return to training menu) #"I was thinking, maybe a dog?" -> "your_dog" <<var $pet + 1>>\ #"A cat if you have one?" -> "your_cat" <<var $pet + 1>>\ #"Um...A Hamster?" -> "your_hampster" <<var $pet + 1>>\ #"I was leaning towards a budgie?" -> "your_budgie" <<var $pet + 1>>\ <</choose>>

<<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<var $familiarbond true>>\ ''[2 months have passed, monthly salary collected]'' You spend time among the rescue animals and end up deciding to adopt an older german shepherd girl by the name of Luna. She's got some arthritis in her joints and seems the mostly scared of all the other dogs here. When you sign the paperwork and take her to your place, you do the best you can to comfort her. You try placing a new tennis ball on the ground and rolling it to her, she walks away with only a look at it with her tale between her legs. You don't let it dissuade you. Leaving out food, letting her see you fill a water dish for her, taking her for walks out into the woods without a leash so you don't have to get to close. Slowly you grow so much anger at the fact that she flinches when a hand gets close to her. It's clear her previous owners were monsters. You're checked in on regularly. The elderly woman, whose name turns out to be Elma, advises you. "Time and love heals all wounds. You have the love, give it the time." With no better advise, you do your best. After a long day, where you hit some road blocks on your studies, you're leaning against the kitchen table when you feel something roll into your foot. You look over to see Luna has rolled the tennis ball back to you. She's hesitantly wagging her tail. The two of you play fetch for the first time ever. After that you feel like things are gunna be okay. Especially when you feel a magical bond form between the two of you as you both share mana with each other over a game of fetch. <<if ($theory isnot "Wild Theory")>>\ ''[Luna has gained combat ability from your familiar bonding!]'' <<var $dogcombat 1>>\ <<elseif ($theory is "Wild Theory")>>\ ''[Your connection to wild magic has increased Luna's combat ability greatly!]'' <<var $dogcombat 2>>\ <</if>>\ Beyond Luna's growth and healing, you've also felt a new spark of protectiveness within your spirit. It kindles and shapes it into a proper spell! ''[Spell learned! Spirit Guard! check the magic menu for further details.]'' <<var $spellsknown + 1>>\ <<var $spiritguard true>>\ <<var $activefamiliar "Your dog named Luna">>\ <<page "Plenty of time for catch girl" "training_year_menu">>

<<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<var $familiarbond true>>\ ''[2 months passed, monthly salary collected.]'' You spend some time among the cats. They mostly ignore you and go about playing with each other, until one happens to start climbing up your leg. It's a young ragdoll cat with one eye gone. You ask and they were apparently a street cat that found its way into the shelter, they only found it during feeding time when they noticed one more cat in the head count. They named him Cuddles because he's the clingiest cat they ever did see. You take Cuddles home and it's really hard to picture this cat surviving on the street in its past life. That is, until it goes missing one day. You spend five days hunting it down in the woods near your house. You didn't even find it; it found you. It ran up to you and offered you a dead squirrel as a gift. "...Thanks..." You say. It purrs while you carry it back home. You have half a mind to scold him but on the walk back you just feel something beyond his purring as magic flows out from Cuddles into you. Your gut says to return the favor and you begin channeling your own magic back into the cat. Before you know it, a magical bond has formed between the two of you. Your celebrations are cut short as you have to explain to the animal shelter lady (whose name is Elma apparently) that you totally did not lose Cuddles and were just on a walk together. <<if ($theory is "Wild Theory")>>\ ''[Your connection to wild magic has greatly increased Cuddles combat ability!]'' <<var $catcombat 2>>\ <<elseif ($theory isnot "Wild Theory")>>\ ''[Cuddles has gained combat ability from your familiar bonding!]'' <<var $catcombat 1>>\ <</if>>\ After Elma leaves you take a breath of relief and rub your eyes which have suddenly gotten tingly. Ironically you can tell from the magic flowing there that your one eyed cat has given you the inkling for a spell that effects your eyes! ''[Spell learned! Cats eye! check the magic menu for further details.]'' <<var $spellsknown + 1>>\ <<var $catseye true>>\ <<var $activefamiliar "Your cat named Cuddles">>\ <<page "The softest murderer in the woods" "training_year_menu">>

<<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<var $familiarbond true>>\ ''[2 months passed, monthly salary gained.]'' You look over the selection of small rodents. They have, well, if you're being honest, hamsters. That's all that's in the rodent section. You wonder why they didn't just call it the hamster section. You see the lot of them playing and look at one that is staring at the others. Particularly, one that is just running in its wheel. "Is it common for hamsters to need rescuing?" You ask the older woman whose name turned out to be Elma. She nods to your question. "Hamsters are primarily for children. Children aren't always cruel to their pets, but they tend to lose interest and forget to take proper care of them." She points at the one in the wheel. "That's Bean. He broke his arm and it was left untreated for a month. The kid didn't notice the signs, and the wheel they had before had metal bars which is probably how the arm broke. That's why I'll take the hamster back if I see that you have a metal bar hamster wheel." You're frowning mean while at the image of Bean with a broken arm that long, and decide to take him home immediately. The Farm throws in a proper habitat, Elma's idea. She said she liked what she saw when you were talking. To say you focused on the familiar experiment would be inaccurate. You just kind of pat and play games with your new friend, Bean, along with setting up more bedding and tubes in its enclosure to help with enrichment. One day, while you're feeding him sunflower seeds, you feel a sense of foreign magic hit you. You open your senses and see its coming from Bean. Following your gut, you begin also sending magic back into Bean. A bond solidifies. <<if ($theory is "Wild Theory")>>\ <<var $hampstercombat 2>>\ ''[Your wild magic has greatly increased Beans combat ability!]'' <<elseif ($theory isnot "Wild Theory")>>\ ''[Your familiar bond has increased Beans combat ability!]'' <<var $hampstercombat 1>>\ <</if>>\ You also feel something else form with this bond, like a draining feeling. No, that's not right. More of...a spin? You realize this feeling is translating into knowledge you can turn into a proper spell! <<var $spellsknown + 1>>\ <<var $wheelofjoy true>>\ <<var $activefamiliar "Your hampster named Bean">>\ ''[Spell learned! Wheel Of Joy! For further details check the magic menu.]'' <<page "Now that's my Bean!" "training_year_menu">>

<<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<var $familiarbond true>>\ ''[2 months passed, monthly salary collected]'' You walk over to a large area where birds of many colors sing, play, and flutter around. You think about which one to find until one lands on your shoulder and chirps. It's a soft blue; the woman who followed you in from the counter (whose name is Elma apparently) nods. "Well seems you've been picked." You kinda just blink at that. "That's it?" "Sure is. Follow me to the counter." You didn't expect things to be so direct, but don't mind as you pat your new friend with a finger gently. Elma checks you out after signing some forms and gives you a big cage and a safety talk on how to take care of your bird. She's named Dolly, apparently, and she needs a lot of attention. Something you find out the hard way. She even crawls under the bathroom door frame while you're in there and sings on top of your head as she preens you. You can't help but hum along and you both end up singing tunes that sound vaguely familiar, but you just can't place it. The tune sounds like country music, you're mostly just copying Dolly. One day you're out on the porch with her; you were a bit worried about her flying away, but something in your gut just felt like never letting her out of the house was a crime. You were also supposed to be trying to come up with ideas on how to make this bird a familiar. After trying things like enchanting bird seed with mana, channeling mana into Dolly, and carrying her everywhere, you're out of ideas. You and Dolly are sitting on the porch and she's getting cuddly leaning against your neck. You then feel mana flow from her into you. After shaking off the surprise, you follow the gut instinct you have and begin flooding your own Mana in return. A connection forms between the two of you. It seems trust and affection were the true secrets to the process. The real familiar was the friend we made along the way. Maybe. You're kinda figuring this out as you go. <<if ($theory is "Wild Theory")>>\ ''[Your Wild magic has greatly improved Dolly's combat ability!]'' <<var $budgiecombat 2>>\ <<elseif ($theory isnot "Wild Theory")>>\ ''[Your familiar bond has strengthened Dolly's combat ability!]'' <<var $budgiecombat 1>>\ <</if>>\ Beyond this new bond you feel something else within you start to take shape. The mana that floods within takes a unique shape, gaining you a spell! <<var $spellsknown + 1>>\ <<var $uplift true>>\ <<var $activefamiliar "Your budgie named Dolly">>\ ''[Spell learned! Up lift! For further detail check the magic menu.]'' <<page "Birds of a feather Dolly" "training_year_menu">>

<<var $mintrain true>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ You find Min splayed out on the living room couch. She has one set of arms holding a notebook up and above her face to read, and the second set tossing Grey back and forth like the tennis ball he's sized as. The eyes look happy, so you gather this is some kind of bonding thing they do. ...Well anyway. "Hey, time to work" You say, which causes her to stop both reading and playing catch. She looks up to you like you asked her to take out the trash. "What???" She protests in disbelief. "I'm working, this Latin doesn't read itself." You shake your head as she sits up, putting Grey down on the floor for him to roll away with the sound of bird song. "Ya you can read sure, but I meant magic training." You clarify. "You've been slacking on building up your own Theory of magic. I can't do this alone, so I'm going to be making sure you do get some Theory work done." She scoffs. "My Theory is literally about hiding, how are you going to make me?" "By pestering you every time I see you," you reply in a rebuttal you'd thought of that ahead of time, "so ya have to actually develop and use your magic to hide from me." She glares at you. "You suck" "Thank me later." <<if ($theory is "Shadow Theory")>>\ <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ ''[You have increased Min's training and combat skill, Shadow synergy, you have learned a few more tricks yourself, gaining a Refinement.]'' <<elseif ($theory isnot "Shadow Theory")>>\ ''[You have increased Min's training and combat ability, You have also gotten better at finding things hiding from you, making you more perceptive]'' <<var $perception + 1>>\ <</if>>\ <<page "You'll thank me any day now..." "training_year_menu">>

<<var $pedrotrain true>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ You call Pedro over and he makes a literal appointment. You want to roll your eyes for a moment before you realize that he actually is your boss and managing at least a quarter of the real estate of Millfeild. You're both in the kitchen and have poured out a salt pile on the kitchen table. It takes Pedro about 10 minutes to figure out the mana channeling trick, so you were a bit worried you just wasted his time. Thankfully sure enough, he manages and the results show a monster sized palm print of salt. <<if ($theory is "Embodiment Theory")>>\ "Nice, same as me." You say holding out a hand for a fist bump. He doesn't leave you hanging. Then he ponders. \ <<elseif ($theory isnot "Embodiment Theory")>>\ After checking some of Min's translated notes you nod and read out. "Embodiment Theory, the magic of making your body more powerful." Pedro grunts. \ <</if>>\ "So I have magic that makes my body better. How do I improve that?" You think of the best way to say it but come up with, "Well frankly...hitting the gym and seeing how much you can lift with magic muscles seems like a good start." He shrugs at that and then pulls out his phone and opens his calendar app. It looks rather full. "Check in with me on my gym days if you can, make sure the mana is going where it needs to. I'm not going to risk exploding the gym." He's your boss so you just kind of shrug and work with him by fitting lifting in your conflicting schedules. <<if ($theory is "Embodiment Theory")>>\ ''[You have increased Pedro's training and combat ability, you have gained a workout partner that can keep up, you have gained a Refinement point.]'' <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ <<elseif ($theory isnot "Embodiment Theory")>>\ ''[You have increased Pedro's training and combat ability, you're also spending a lot of time in the gym, increasing your Sthletics.]'' <<var $athletics + 1>>\ <</if>>\ <<page "Protein drinks are kinda meh" "training_year_menu">>

While magic is important and all, if you let your skills slack and fall behind it's only going to make your day job harder. That being said, you don't think that you could master any skill without dedicating //years// to it. Still, plenty of room to improve. Best get at it. <<choose "skill_training">>\ #use-if (($athletics lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Athletics. hit the gym. Nothing else for it. <<var $athletics + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Athletics increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($stealth lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Stealth. Get pointers from Min as she hides from you for not doing the dishes. <<var $stealth + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Stealth increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($subterfuge lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Subterfuge. Spend some time with the local lock smith and handy man circle to figure out some tricks. <<var $subterfuge + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Subterfuge has increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($unarmed lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Unarmed, Visit the bar scene at night and ask for tips and lessons from the bouncers who break up fights often. <<var $unarmed + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Unarmed increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($melee lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Melee. Practice with your improvised melee weapons alone in the woods against a dummy. <<var $melee + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Melee increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($firearms lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Firearms. Go to the local firing range and practice your shots against targets with your guns. <<var $firearms + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Firearms has increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($perception lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Perception. You decide to test it by going bird watching and staying out late until you can find these so called rare birds. <<var $perception + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Perception has increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($insight lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Insight. You "trained" by watching some tele novas in spanish from the 70s and along with some spanish swear words feel like you can spot a liar better. <<var $insight + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Insight has increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($doityourself lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) D.I.Y. Hang out at the hardware store workers when they go drinking and learn things by osmosis. <<var $doityourself + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[D.I.Y has increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($scholarship lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Scholarship. You have a public library, and honestly it's just nice to get out of the house. <<var $scholarship + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Scholarship has increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($nature lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Nature. Get some tips from the local hunting and nature enthusiast communities. <<var $nature + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Nature has increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #use-if (($charisma lte 4) and ($months lte 11)) Charisma. You spend a lot of time at the bar and just practice your people skills, the honest and less than honest ones. <<var $charisma + 1>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[Charisma has increased by 1, monthly salary collected.]'' #Nevermind (leave training) -> "training_year_menu" <</choose>>

With a source of income, a home of your own, and a new crisis that is requiring you to prepare, the benefits of capitalism are finally within your grasp. You were beginning to think they didn't exist. <<choose "training_year_menu">>\ #Reconsider and head back (leave shopping) #Head to Mill Mart. Your town doesn't have a proper mall, you could find general goods here. -> "mill_mart" #Browse guns at Greyhill Gunfitters. Because of course your small american town has an arms dealer. -> "gunfitters" #Teddy's tools. You could try to get some home improvement done, or get some heavy tools that could act as melee weapons. -> "teddys_tools_shopping_menu" <</choose>>

You browse the rows of goods and consider what you need. Making mental note of various things that you might even use for crafting later on, you decide you can always come back for crafting parts when, you know, you start crafting. For now, there are some goods you spot that might be able to help you in your more immediate work. <<choose "mill_mart">>\ #On second thought, your good. (Back to shopping menu) -> "shopping" #use-if (($hassalt is false) and ($cash gte 50)) Some tubes of table salt, easy to carry and naturally anti magic. ''[Costs 50 dollars for a dozen easy-to-carry tubes]'' <<var $cash - 50>>\ <<var $hassalt true>>\ #use-if (($hasbackpack is false) and ($cash gte 200)) A large and sturdy backpack to carry things with ya. ''[Costs 200 dollars, increases the number of items you can carry on your person]'' <<var $cash - 200>>\ <<var $hasbackpack true>>\ #use-if (($hasfirstaidkit is false) and ($cash gte 300)) A pretty well stocked first aid kit with some spares thrown in to the shopping cart just in case you really go through them. ''[Costs 300 dollars, aids in treating your and others wounds]'' <<var $cash - 300>>\ <<var $hasfirstaidkit true>>\ #use-if (($hasfireextinguisher is false) and ($cash gte 200)) A decent sized and new looking fire extinguisher, just in case magic fires start up...or regular fires. ''[Costs 200, lets you put out some fires without a skill check.]'' <<var $cash - 200>>\ <<var $hasfireextinguisher true>>\ #use-if (($hassilverware is false) and ($cash gte 1000)) A pricey set of silverware...maybe there is a grain of truth to those old werewolf stories, might be worth having some silver. ''[Costs 1,000. Allows you to experiment with Silver to see if it has magical properties.]'' <<var $cash - 1000>>\ <<var $hassilverware true>>\ <</choose>>

Greyhill Gunfitters is perhaps one of the most steady businesses in town. With the woods nearby, there is a large hunting community in Millfeild and they always need ammo. One of the most unique thing is that every gun on the shelf is a custom made model, or as people call it, a Greyhill original. The biggest complaint people have is the cost, which is perhaps one of the better things to have complaints about. Granted gun culture is also pretty big ,so you can get plenty of "home defense" weapons as well...as long as you have a valid firearms license. They seem pretty strict about that whole 'law' thing. <<choose "gunfitters">>\ #I'll come back later, probably (back to shopping menu) -> "shopping" #use-if ((($hasreliable is false) and ($cash gte 900)) and ($hasgunlicense is true)) A Greyhill original. They call it the "reliable" model. 16 rounds per mag, 9mm, semi-auto fire. Only comes in black. ''(900 Cash)'' <<var $cash - 900>>\ <<var $hasreliable true>>\ #use-if ((($haspatience is false) and ($cash gte 2500)) and ($hasgunlicense is true)) Yet another Greyhill original, a single round bolt action rifle that fires .243 winchester rounds. Comes with a scope, often sold out. You're lucky to find one that a hunter didn't snatch. ''(2,500 Cash)'' <<var $cash - 2500>>\ <<var $haspatience true>>\ #use-if ((($hasstopsign is false) and ($cash gte 800)) and ($hasgunlicense is true)) A simple shotgun that can fire shells or slugs. Pump action and an iconic weapon used in the movies. Named 'stop sign' in the hopes that it stops what you hit dead in its tracks. ''(800 Cash)'' <<var $cash - 800>>\ <<var $hasstopsign true>>\ <</choose>>

You get some printed copies of the paperwork required to get the various firearms licenses you'll need for, uh, reasons. Self defense laws against magical creatures are hopefully being made by the country as you begin filling out the forms. As you go over the forms can't help but wince at the fees that your online search has warned you about for your state. Five-hundred dollars is a bit absurd, but apparently the federal government is forcing states to raise the cost, maybe at a terrible attempt at gun control. Or to build up a stockpile under government control, if you believe the conspiracy theories. <<choose "training_year_menu">>\ #use-if (($cash gte 500) and ($hasgunlicense is false)) Well it's not the most expensive purchase you've made lately. ''[Spend 500 Cash]'' <<var $hasgunlicense true>>\ <<var $cash - 500>>\ #Who needs guns anyway? ''(do not buy a license)'' -> "training_year_menu" #show-if ($theory is "Divine Theory:Gun") Min walks in with a letter for you. ''[Free license]'' -> "Gun_legal_perk" <<var $hasgunlicense true>>\ <</choose>>

Min walks up to you at the desk you're seated at and leaves a hefty letter on your table. "What's this?" You ask. "Dunno, looks important," she says, "if the IRS is after us let me know. I have a to go pack a bag." You just squint at her. trying to gauge how serious she is. before you shake your head and decide to take a break to open the letter. It seems there are several licenses with your name on them. Some of these are for guns you don't think you could even buy in Millfeild, and strangely one is made out to the divine weapon given to you specifically. With that as motivation you decide to start actually reading the printed letter in the package. It's surprisingly short. "As a fellow follower of Gun, I have been chosen to make the most of my position to make sure that the fellowship of the Gun faces minimal legal obstacles in pursing our holly work. Below you'll find contact info; you are free to reach out to me should you have need for legal counsel. Yours in iron, -Peter Smith ATF clerk." You don't know enough about gun society to laugh at an ATF agent actually supporting gun rights, but you do know enough about the federal government to be surprised that one of its workers is helping its citizens. You save the number and shoot a short thanks to Gun that you suppose might count as a prayer? You also inform Min of the good news and she puts a large duffel bag away with relief. ''[Firearms license's acquired!]'' <<page "Yours in iron huh?" "training_year_menu">>

You head over to your particular favorite of the hardware store options in Millfeild. <<if $job is "former hardware store attendant">>\ Little biased, since you used to work here, but hey that's life. <</if>>\ Plenty of material and tools line the shelves and plenty of Teddy's extended family loiter around, bored and between work. They all came over to Millfeild due to the crisis and location being the closest for the majority of the family. The upside of this is a lot of them worked in the trades and can be hired to help with home upgrades. Might actually get them done at a reasonable time with all these hands. Curiously they all became Bandits, just like Teddy. <<choose "shopping">>\ #On second thought, you don't need anything (leave Teddy's Tools) #Gather some of Teddy's family and look over home upgrades (home upgrade menu) -> "home_upgrade_menu" #Look over tools that can help you fight off monsters (Browse melee weapons) -> "melee_weapon_shopping" <</choose>>

With workers, tools, supplies, and funds, you look over the options that you could do to improve your home out in the woods. <<choose "teddys_tools_shopping_menu">>\ #On second thought, let's not get a project started (leave the home upgrade menu) #use-if ($homestylepicked is false) Make your house a home, give your home a custom style. ''(3,500 Cash or a free home upgrade)'' -> "home_style_choice" #use-if ($greenhousegot is false) Let's get a greenhouse for all the weird plants I might find. ''(6,000 Cash or a free home upgrade)'' -> "green_house_purchase" #use-if ($workshopgot is false) I think my tinkering and experimental projects would be better served with a proper workshop. ''(8,000 or a free home upgrade)'' -> "workshop_purchase" #use-if ($researchdengot is false) An isolated area where you can collect and organize your magical research projects, just in case things get a little explosive. ''(8,000 or a free home upgrade)'' -> "research_den_purchase" #use-if ($prisongot is false) You hope Teddy and his kin are the type not to ask questions...You have to build a prison for monsters you manage to capture. ''(15,000 or a free home upgrade)'' -> "prison_construction" #use-if ($medlabgot is false) There is a hospital in Millfeild, but the facilities to treat injuries could also be used to examine a body if you meet enemy magical creatures. ''(30,000 Cash or a free home upgrade)'' -> "medical_upgrade" #use-if ($solarpanelgot is false) Solar panels might pretty handy, you'd get some tax breaks from the government and also a stable source of power that doesn't depend on Millfeild's power grid. ''(20,000 Cash or a free home upgrade)'' -> "solar_panels_install" <</choose>>

When you told Min and Pedro about this they both said this sounded like a waste of money. Considering one of them lives here, that carried a little more weight. However Grey seemed to beam at the idea and made happy bird song noises the whole time. <<if ($activefamiliar is "Your budgie named Dolly")>>\ Dolly joins in. <</if>>\ With backup in your choice, you mull over what kind of style you wanted to aim for. Since Min shot your idea down you decided not to bother asking her opinion. If she hates it, she can restyle her own room. You're the homeowner after all; time to abuse some power. Currently the house is...to be blunt, "cabin in a horror movie" in design. That and the huge amount of creaks it sounds off as you all move about. You decide to invest in something much nicer. <<choose "confirm_style">>\ #On second thought lets see what else I can get. (return to home upgrades) -> "home_upgrade_menu" #use-if (($cash gte 3500) and ($homestylepicked is false)) Let's pay up first. (use cash) <<var $cash - 3500>>\ <<var $homestylepicked true>>\ #use-if (($freehomeupgrade gt 0) and ($homestylepicked is false)) I have a free upgrade. (Use Teddy's free upgrade gift) <<var $freehomeupgrade - 1>>\ <<var $homestylepicked true>>\ <</choose>>

Now all that's left is to decide on the style of your new home. Choices, choices. <<choose "home_upgrade_menu">>\ #Cozy. warm colors, soft furniture, plenty of blankets and pillows, and plenty of needle thread art on the walls with corny sayings. <<var $housestyle "Cozy Cabin">>\ #Sleek. Modern furniture, whites and blacks, the general vibe of the modern era and furniture that is as stylish as it is...obtuse. <<var $housestyle "Sleek Cabin">>\ #Minimalist. The style equivalent of average. Beige walls, simple furniture, unoffensive art on the wall, some shelves for house plants. <<var $housestyle "Minimalist Cabin">>\ #Retro. You're a mage in the woods, you want the house to seem the part. You get the team to paint a design into the walls that resembles wall paper of olden days, its mostly orange, carpets take up a lot of space, and retro wooden furniture with cushions. <<var $housestyle "Retro Cabin">>\ <</choose>>

If the dead can crawl out of the sewers in france, there is no guarantee that plant life isn't going to be affected by magic returning. Having an isolated place to study the plants is probably going to help. Plus you can grow some produce which, if the food crisis gets confirmed, is another level of security in these troubling times. <<choose "home_upgrade_menu">>\ #On second thought maybe the green thumb isn't calling to you. (return to home upgrade menu) #use-if (($greenhousegot is false) and ($cash gte 6000)) Let's pay with cash. -> "crop_choice" <<var $cash - 6000>>\ <<var $greenhousegot true>>\ #use-if (($greenhousegot is false) and ($freehomeupgrade gt 0)) I have a free home upgrade for this. -> "crop_choice" <<var $freehomeupgrade - 1>>\ <<var $greenhousegot true>>\ <</choose>>

After you get the details sorted, and the spot picked on your property, you end up watching the work outside on the porch and drinking a bottle of water with Pedro who came by to visit. He leans against the wall, not trusting a folding chair to hold his bulk. The man sips his own water bottle that looks tiny in his new large clawed hands. "So, what do you think about growing some produce?" You can't help but tilt your head at that, "I thought this was so we could study new magical plants?" "Well...yeah," he says slowly, "but we don't have any magic plants at the moment, and if the rumored food scarcity hits with all the weirdness going on, it could help Millfeild and the Lodge to produce some food until we need to free up space for magic plants." You think that over. "Would it make any money? There's a local farm and everything, it's not like we can compete with them." Being practical, Pedro shakes his head. "Not at all really, but I'd increase your salary for feeding the town. Starving people lead to a collapse of society. Consider it a maintenance cost." <<if ($theory is "Wild Theory")>>\ "Actually, I could probably kill two birds with one stone. Here," you say looking at your hand as you begin cycling some magic, "I think I can try making them grow faster and healthier with magic." Pedro does look doubtful. "And you're sure that's safe? Feeding people magically-enhanced vegetables?" You think it over a beat which, while being a perfectly normal thing to do when asked a question, does not make Pedro look more at ease. "I'm sure." You finally say. "If it was different magic I'd say no, but my magic feels connected to the earth. The plants might be honestly healthier and full of more nutrition." It feels right, as you analyze the power flowing through you. Pedro meets you in the middle. "As long as you test the first batch," he says, "eat it and see if you're right. If you are, I might be able to sell these things at more than a loss. The marketing for a magic carrot writes itself." <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ <<var $monthlysalary + 500>>\ ''[Your time spent growing produce has improved your skill with magic of the natural world. You have gained 1 Refinement.]'' ''[Your greenhouse is providing the first magically enhanced produce in Millfeild, your monthly salary is increased by 500.]'' <<elseif ($theory is "Divine Theory:Gaia")>>\ You think about the green house and the art of growing and supporting life. You glance back at the pine tree sapling that's growing near your house at a very rapid pace. "I think I can bless the produce." You say out loud as Pedro was mid sip, he squints at you and puts the water down, gesturing you to continue with his other hand. "I'm...my magic comes from the mother earth herself." You say. "So growing things is a keystone of her faith...probably. I can make them grow faster and healthier if I'm right." "And if you're wrong?" Pedro asks as a skeptic of your goddess and her powers, or truth be told more like in doubt of your skill. Hurtful but fair. "If I'm wrong we all eat a terrible salad and I don't try again?" Pedro raises one arm in a half-shrug. "I can market Holy Carrots. Give it a try." <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ <<var $monthlysalary + 500>>\ ''[You have been able to share the blessings of Gaia with your crop, learning more about yourself and nature in the process, you have gained 1 Refinement.]'' ''[Your monthly salary has increased thanks to selling off of the first ever blessed produce in Millfeild, salary increased by 500.]'' <<else>>\ You nod, not seeing any reason to throw away making some money on the side. With luck Min can be recruited to help you keep them alive and growing. At the end of the day it's not a huge greenhouse anyway. <<var $monthlysalary + 250>>\ ''[Monthly Salary increased by 250]'' <</if>>\ <<page "The future is green" "home_upgrade_menu">>

While nothing is stopping you from making items without a workshop, it would be generally easier if you had a proper place to make random doohickeys. That's the first time you've ever said the word 'doohickey', even in your head. Point aside, if you see yourself making a lot of items this seems like a sound investment. <<choose "home_upgrade_menu">>\ #On second thought maybe the green thumb isn't calling to you. (return to home upgrade menu) #use-if (($workshopgot is false) and ($cash gte 8000)) Let's pay with cash. ''(8,000 dollars)'' -> "workshop_purchase_two" <<var $cash - 8000>>\ <<var $workshopgot true>>\ #use-if (($workshopgot is false) and ($freehomeupgrade gt 0)) I have a free home upgrade for this. -> "workshop_purchase_two" <<var $freehomeupgrade - 1>>\ <<var $workshopgot true>>\ <</choose>>

You and the Teddy family get to work on building an extension of the house. Not only will it be home to your workshop, but with these plans it will double as a much needed garage to store and work on any car. After making sure you have the heavy duty tools moved in, and after all the walls and the garage door get installed, you can't help but take a moment with the dozen or so Bandits that stand with you appreciating the handy work and workspace. So well put-together. <<if ($theory is "Artificer Theory")>>\ <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ Above just having a good place to get to your crafting, the process of overseeing it sparks some insights into the power within the power tools. Plus the engine that lifts the garage door. Most importantly, it works as a muse for the way your spirit is able to forge mana into desired items or effects. ''[You have gained a Refinement point for creating a proper place to practice your Artificer Theory]'' <<elseif ($theory is "Divine Theory:Engine")>>\ <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ When everyone's gone for the day and you're alone in the workshop, you can't help but place a hand on the primary workbench. You feel someone watching you. Watching and approving. An all-encompassing presence smiles on this small and simple gesture of appreciation for the art of crafting. You send Engine a prayer, or maybe more simply a thanks. You've never been great at religion until now, but at least you can focus on applying the new insights in your mind that seemed to have been gifted to you. ''[Your work has been seen by the Engine herself, and you have been rewarded thusly, now build wonders. you have gained a Refinement point]'' <<elseif (($theory isnot "Artificer Theory") or ($theory isnot "Divine Theory:Engine"))>>\ With a proper space you feel confident that you can make some magic tech or handy items you can't find on a shelf. You nod to yourself and get back to your work of preparation. <</if>>\ <<page "Now to get some work done" "home_upgrade_menu">>

With the primary task of your new job being the research of magic, having a space dedicated to it is probably a sound investment. You make sure it's not connected to the main house, just in case you work with something dangerous. It's more of a shack on the property line really, something with places to store notes, salt for sure, enough floor space to draw magic circles in case that's a thing, and storage for clearly magical...stuff. <<choose "home_upgrade_menu">>\ #On second thought maybe later (return to home upgrade menu) #use-if (($researchdengot is false) and ($cash gte 8000)) Let's pay with cash. ''(8,000)'' -> "research_den_purchase_two" <<var $cash - 8000>>\ <<var $researchdengot true>>\ #use-if (($researchdengot is false) and ($freehomeupgrade gt 0)) I have a free home upgrade for this. -> "research_den_purchase_two" <<var $freehomeupgrade - 1>>\ <<var $researchdengot true>>\ <</choose>>

Of all the home upgrades, THIS, you think to yourself, is probably the most depressing to look at. It is for all intents and purposes, a shack a little ways away from your house. It's got an empty book shelf, some foot lockers with manual locks that are also empty, some tables with a bag of salt on it, and lastly a lot of open floor space for the theoretical magic circle you've heard about in media and folklore. In a way, it's kinda a statement about the world and how unprepared it was for the return of magic. You hope that this statement will turn into one about how your magical knowledge grows when it fills up with books, materials, and proper magic circles. <<page "I'm going to make at least one circle, one day" "home_upgrade_menu">>

Your own personal prison is the hardest thing to order without sounding like a serial killer. You honestly spend a good hour thinking of how you want to order this in a way that won't get you reported to the cops. Min helps. Sadly. She just tells you to make it sound like a kinky sex dungeon. You hated that you couldn't think of a better idea. And that it worked. You didn't get asked any follow-up questions beyond clarification on what you need. <<choose "home_upgrade_menu">>\ #On second thought, I don't want the town to think I'm a pervert (return to home upgrade menu) #use-if (($prisongot is false) and ($cash gte 15000)) Let's pay with cash. -> "prison_construction_two" <<var $cash - 15000>>\ <<var $prisongot true>>\ #use-if (($prisongot is false) and ($freehomeupgrade gt 0)) I have a free home upgrade. -> "prison_construction_two" <<var $prisongot true>>\ <<var $freehomeupgrade - 1>>\ <</choose>>

Most of the work ends up being in the basement. Uou make sure to block off the tunnel to that latin plague you found by moving a pile of crates in the way and asking them all to not touch that area. Considering you're already asking for a weird sex thing, they merely nod and back away from you slowly to get to work. The prison ends up being made of quality materials. Steel bars and grates with cuffs tied to the wall on a chain, several sets, as if they expected the person locked up might have four arms which is a happy benefit. The workers look to Min-ji's four armed body with pity. You ignore them and focus on your goals; you have no idea what's gunna be locked in here and more options is better. You make a mental note to replace the fuzzy cuffs with proper ones when the construction is complete and the witnesses are gone. All said and done, you think you could safely lock up at least two people-sized...things. <<if ($theory is "Binding Theory")>>\ <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ You spend a second down there alone, holding the chains and examining the work. You're not sure why, but something about having a prison of your own, where you could study creatures that might one day serve under you...it gives you ideas. You then spot Min standing on the stairs looking at you as you're lost in thought holding the chain of the yet to be replaced fuzzy handcuff. "Wai-" You begin to plead before Min leaves up the stairs. "Not my business!" She laughs down in retreat. "Ya kinky fuck! ''(Refinement gained from having a place to study your future troops)'' <<elseif ($theory isnot "Binding Theory")>>\ You nod to the set up and have to spend a few minutes explaining to Grey that this is not a sex thing, followed up by trying to explain what sex is. Shot yourself in the foot on that one. <</if>>\ <<page "It's not a sex thing!" "home_upgrade_menu">>

Of all the home upgrades, who knew hospital-grade medical equipment would be the most expensive to obtain? Everyone probably, considering how much the doctor's costs even with insurance. Curses. Well, nothing for it. The question becomes do you want to be able to try and treat wounds at your house, or perhaps just as important, perform an autopsy of a strange otherworldly being? There is no guarantee, but you doubt the hospital and local doctor would be willing to help you out by letting you bring monster bodies to the hospital. At least not without a hefty bribe and future blackmail. This might be much cheaper in the grand scheme. <<choose "home_upgrade_menu">>\ #Still way too expensive. (head back to the home upgrade menu) #use-if (($medlabgot is false) and ($cash gte 30000)) I'll pay with cash. -> "medical_upgrade_two" <<var $medlabgot true>>\ <<var $cash - 30000>>\ #use-if (($medlabgot is false) and ($freehomeupgrade gt 0)) I have a free home upgrade for this. -> "medical_upgrade_two" <<var $medlabgot true>>\ <<var $freehomeupgrade - 1>>\ <</choose>>

Apparently one of Teddy's grandkids was in medical school before they dropped out. They vouch for the quality of gear you get: a medical bed, IV set up, some advanced tools to treat wounds or perform surgery, even a X-ray machine. They tell you not to ask how they got that one approved for someone without a medical license. You suspect it's because they didn't. It gets set up in the basement which you hope won't come back to bite you if you have to limp down the stairs, but it really was the best place for it, especially if you want privacy for cutting monsters open. <<page "Who doesn't love health care?" "home_upgrade_menu">>

Millfeild has a "going green" policy that rewards homeowners with the installation of solar panels. Course, the mayor has a nephew that owns a solar panel plant, but hey, there are worse cases of nepotism out there. Beyond the tax break, the future is really unclear and your house isn't exactly close to the town proper. Having access to your own power and projects could be a godsend, plus it will keep your freezer from turning off. You're not making breakthroughs in magic without ice cream. <<choose "home_upgrade_menu">>\ #Meh, you don't need this right now. (Head back to the home upgrade menu) #use-if (($solarpanelgot is false) and ($cash gte 20000)) I'll pay with cash. -> "solar_panels_install_two" <<var $solarpanelgot true>>\ <<var $cash - 20000>>\ #use-if (($solarpanelgot is false) and ($freehomeupgrade gt 0)) I have a free home upgrade for this. -> "solar_panels_install_two" <<var $solarpanelgot true>>\ <<var $freehomeupgrade - 1>>\ <</choose>>

You make Min promise not to say anything. She begs you to change your mind. You look at the large group of Bandit craftspeople able to climb up easily to your roof carrying the panels and installing them, then shake your head at Min. "Come on!" She pleads, throwing all four arms up in the air and storming off. "Screw this, I'm getting a burrito." You let out a sigh of relief that the mischief of raccoons on your roof won't have to be teased by a moth, then walk off your work site. <<if ($theory is "Divine Theory:Sun")>>\ One of the Bandits walks up to you on your way out. "Hey boss! We're doing some tests, and we aren't sure how it's working, but we got great news." You tilt your head. "What's happening?" "That's the thing, no idea." He replies. "But the result is your solar panels seem to be working and producin' more power then they should. Roughly speaking, triple." They show you the pad they were holding and various charts that they use as they began testing the installed panels. You flinch from the jumpscare as you hear the literal sun scream out. ''"YOU ARE WELCOME!"'' "Eh?" The Racoon besides you says, having heard nothing. You sigh after collecting yourself, explaining that it's a magic thing and the panels should be fine. They nod and explain that they will send the paperwork to city hall, you will be getting a bigger tax break thanks to producing more power then you need, sending some back to Millfeild's power grid. "Thanks sun." You say to only be deafened with a boisterous laugh. <<var $monthlysalary + 500>>\ <<var $refinement + 1>>\ <<var $refinementtotal + 1>>\ ''[The divine power of the sun has blessed your and by proxy Millfeild's power grids. Your monthly salary has increased by $500. You have gained a Refinement point as you can meditate upon your solar panels.]'' <<else>>\ When it's all done you're told the contractors will confirm with city hall your up to code and get you your tax breaks. You thank them and feel vindicated that you stopped Min from being sassy. ''[You're getting a tax break! Monthly salary increased by $250.]'' <<var $monthlysalary + 250>>\ <</if>>\ <<page "We love tax breaks" "home_upgrade_menu">>

As much as you hope that magic coming back to the world will be a peaceful experience, or at the very least something that could be solved with a gun, the reality of your battle with Grey showed you the truth. Things are way more durable than they look, and you might want something beyond your hands for when things close the distance with you. That being said, there isn't a proper pawnshop around for a sword. You're gunna have to make do with some heavy duty tools. <<choose "melee_weapon_shopping">>\ #Actually lets see what else is around. (leave melee weapons shopping) -> "teddys_tools_shopping_menu" #use-if (($cash gte 40) and ($hasknife is false)) A survival knife with a compass in the hilt and everything! (costs 40 dollars) <<var $cash - 40>>\ <<var $hasknife true>>\ #use-if (($cash gte 100) and ($hashammer is false)) A sledge hammer, pretty expensive but its got a reassuring weight. (costs 100 dollars) <<var $cash - 100>>\ <<var $hashammer true>>\ #use-if (($cash gte 50) and ($hasaxe is false)) A decent size wood cutting axe, sharp enough to cut through more than wood. (costs 50 dollars) <<var $cash - 50>>\ <<var $hasaxe true>>\ #use-if (($cash gte 1000) and ($haschainsaw is false)) A heavy and heavy duty chainsaw...is this even feasible to be used as a weapon? (costs 1,000 dollars. Prompts skill check before confirming money) -> "chainsaw_test" <</choose>>

Looking at it in the box on the shelf, you genuinely wonder if your life has become so crazy that wielding a chainsaw like a killer in a horror movie is possible. You'd need to be in great shape just to lug the thing around in a fight. Fuck, maybe even magically in shape. Not to mention you don't want people to call you 'the chainsaw murderer', so having a ride to carry it around is a must instead of slinging it around with a backpack. <<choose "melee_weapon_shopping">>\ #Maybe later, maybe one day... (return to melee weapon shopping) #use-if ((($theory is "Embodiment Theory") and ($cash gte 1000)) and ($athletics gte 2)) Ya...Hell ya. It's time to become the chainsaw mage. (Spend 1,000 dollars, gain a special melee weapon) <<var $cash - 1000>>\ <<var $chainsawweapon true>>\ <<var $haschainsaw true>>\ <<achieve "Chainsaw Mage">>\ #use-if ($cash gte 1000) Nah, not as a weapon, but hey it's still a decent tool and you live near the woods, who knows, might need it. (spend 1,000 dollars, keep it as a tool) <<var $cash - 1000>>\ <<var $chainsawtool true>>\ <<var $haschainsaw true>>\ <</choose>>

You get to Matt's Motors and look over the rather small car lot with vehicles in various states of repair and upkeep. The prices tend to not match the the state of repair for things, so you keep an eye out for defects. If you had a few more years of salary, and no further expenses, you definitely might consider buying a new car instead but alas, time is not on your side. You get spotted and hear Matt whoop and shout out in his customer service pitch. "Now is that a soon to be customer I see?" It seems the poor-fitting suit he used to wear was not helped by him becoming a bigfoot. He uses a handkerchief to wipe sweat away as he walks up to you with a smile. "Welcome to the lot! Now what kind of ride speaks to you, my friend?" "Hopefully none of them are speaking," you say vocalizing your thoughts, "because then it would be my problem." He laughs if it were a joke that was worth laughing at. "Well then! Let's take a look and see what we can get you that has a respectable and meaningful silence!" <<if ($hascar is false)>>\ Time to browse the lot for something in your budget. <<elseif ($hascar is true)>>\ You browse the lot, but with a car of your own, and Matt not looking to buy at the moment (something about saving up for emergency supplies), you're stuck with the car you have. It's not like you have space to store more than one anyway. <</if>>\ <<choose "training_year_menu">>\ #"On second thought, maybe later Matt." (Leave) #use-if ((($cash gte 25000) and ($hascar is false)) and ($pickuptruck is false)) "What about that pick up?" (Purchase an american made green pickup truck for 25,000) -> "Matts_Motors" <<var $cash - 25000>>\ <<var $hascar true>>\ <<var $pickuptruck true>>\ #use-if ((($cash gte 20000) and ($hascar is false)) and ($sedan is false)) "That Sedan seems decently priced and in good shape." (Purchase a japanese made blue sedan for 20,000) -> "Matts_Motors" <<var $cash - 20000>>\ <<var $hascar true>>\ <<var $sedan true>>\ #use-if ((($cash gte 40000) and ($hascar is false)) and ($convertible is false)) "I've always wanted to drive a convertible." (purchase a black convertible that looks german made for a pricey 40,000 dollars) -> "Matts_Motors" <<var $cash - 40000>>\ <<var $hascar true>>\ <<var $convertible true>>\ <</choose>>

With your custom workshop/garage, you're sitting ready with tools at hand. It's time to get to work making gadgets that could help you in your new job. ''(Most options rely on a combination of your skills, D.I.Y and scholarship being an example. Some options will also remain unavailable if you have not completed the necessary research.)'' <<choose "training_year_menu">>\ #Think that's it for the moment (Leave crafting menu) #use-if ((($hassalt is true) and ($doityourself gte 1)) and ($scholarship gte 1)) Salt grenade. Salt can disrupt active magic and, based on Grey's reaction to you working with it, spirits too. -> "crafting_table" <<var $saltnade true>>\ #use-if ((($silverstudy is true) and ($scholarship gte 2)) and ($firearms gte 2)) Silver bullet. If silver leaches magic from solid creatures like salt does spirits, then keeping a round inside one ought to tip the odds and drain their Mana. -> "crafting_table" <<var $silverbullet true>>\ #use-if (($spellsknown gte 1) and ($hasfoci is false)) A focus. Wizards have wands, witches have cauldrons, maybe it stands to reason that your spell casting could be made easier with a tool to...well, cast spells. -> "foci_design" <<var $hasfoci true>>\ <</choose>>

Now that you have an inkling on how spell casting works, you invest some resources in how to do it BETTER. A foci, by your understanding, is purely a physical medium for you to channel your mana more easily. It should have a higher degree of flexibility in comparison to a material for a specific spell, allowing this to be used for many spells. The question becomes what kind of item do you want to carry around and feel you can work with best. <<choose "crafting_table">>\ #Wooden Wand: It's a classic. Surrounded by a forest, finding a good piece of wood is easy peasy. You get a nice branch and whittle it into a proper wand shape. You even avoid getting a splinter. <<var $foci "wooden wand">>\ #Wooden Staff: Go big or go home. Surrounded by the woods, finding a properly large mage stick is little less than an hour's work. You then just sand it down some, and voilà. A wizard's staff. <<var $foci "wooden staff">>\ #use-if ($cash gte 600) Gold ring: Flashy and always at hand, heh. (costs 600 dollars) You stop by Mill Mart and get yourself a plain gold ring. It was the best fit for channeling magic. You had time to test that since it seems the salesperson couldn't tell you were experimenting as you examined each one. <<var $cash - 600>>\ <<var $foci "gold ring">>\ #use-if ($cash gte 100) Gloves: High quality leather, with some modifications. Black leather gloves. At the store they seemed like a great fit, but after experimenting a bit you made some modifications with a knife. Removing the pinky and ring finger coverage makes it look sort of like an archer's glove. You decide one is enough and keep it on your dominant hand. "I will avenge you, Michael Jackson." You whisper under your breath. <<var $cash - 100>>\ <<var $foci "glove">>\ <</choose>>

With your new workshop set up, and a place away from distractions, it's time to hunker down and try to get this whole 'magic' thing studied. The question becomes, how much time are you willing to dedicate to this? <<choose "training_year_menu">>\ #Maybe later, you're hitting road blocks. (Leave the research den) #use-if ((($insight gte 1) and ($scholarship gte 1)) and ($magicdart is false)) You've been focused on the magic within you and using it to grow. But what if you focused on using the mana for an external effort? ''(enter a month long fugue state and create a spell)'' -> "first_spell" #use-if (($silverstudy is false) and ($hassilverware is true)) With the silver ware it's time to see if any of the folk tales about it are true (perform some short tests to gauge how silver works with magic, if at all, 0 months) -> "silver_test" #use-if ($metamagicdiscovered is false) The nature of Mana is curious to you, It feels fluid, adaptable, but what if you could give it a new shape? ''(Spend three months trying to give your mana a different form and depth)'' -> "metamagic_discovery" <</choose>>

<<var $magicdart true>>\ <<timepass>>\ ''[One month spent, salary collected]'' "Why are we out here staring at cans placed on what looks like a thrift store shelf?" Min asks you as you all but dragged her outside after your breakthrough with magical research. You smile a little too wide. Maybe you spent a few too many nights alone banging your head against the wall. "I created a spell." You say with pride as Min looks underwhelmed to say the least. "You woke me up before noon on a sunday for that?" She asks. You start to deflate but stop yourself, puffing your chest back up with pride. "It's the first ever spell and you're acting like I'm showing you macaroni art!" Min points to the cans that are about 60-feet away. "With context clues, is it a ranged attack that can knock down one can and do damage near the same as a bullet?" "...You're the worst. Now pay attention cause even if you're raining on the parade, you're still learning the spell." You raise your dominant hand as if you were \ <<if ($foci is "glove")>>\ pointing your two gloved fingers like a wide-barrel gun, \ <<else>>\ throwing a dart at a dart board, \ <</if>>\ focus the energy into the proper shape, and utter the spells name to call it forth into the world. "''Magic Dart''." The grey-white energy shape forms fully in your hand and you \ <<if ($foci is "glove")>>\ fire \ <<else>>\ throw \ <</if>>\ it. The projectile energy zips into the tin can with impressive speed and even better accuracy, bursting through it from the front and through the back. Min claps, but you're already turning away. "Now do what I did and then ya can act unimpressed." <<var $spellsknown + 1>>\ <<var $magicdart true>>\ ''[Magic dart unlocked, If this is your first spell you can now check your spell list to view details]'' <<page "Rude moth..." "research_start">>

With the silverware on your mostly empty research desk, you start thinking about how to test it. The first thing that comes to your mind is running mana into your hand and seeing if it reacts like the salt does. You do so and notice an immediate difference. Where as salt was trying to repel your magic, the silver seems to be trying to absorb it. You stop and decide to narrow this down. After sliding the rest of the silver aside you decide to see how much Mana a single...well you want to say tea spoon but you've never been one for high society, so let's just call it a very small spoon. The results are surprising. You end up using half the Mana you store before the silver spoon starts glowing with a silver light and aura. The next step is to watch and observe after you update your notes. You don't wait long, as although it can absorb quite a lot, it can't seem to hold onto that power when left alone. In mere minutes the light, aura, and any traces of mana your senses could detect bleed away into the air. Very interesting. You make a note of it and, after confirming the spoon is physically fine, you think about what to do with this knowledge, if anything. <<var $silverstudy true>>\ <<page "Curious" "research_start">>

You're leaning back in your chair in the research den and lost in thought about magic. No one can say you don't pick the right place to get lost in thought. You've spent the last hour browsing through some of the translated works that Min handed you; a word document that she types up as she's reading. You're currently pondering on the concept of Theorems, or Theories as you call them cause you're not 200 years old. The fact that magic is that flexible makes you wonder what the upper limit of that flexibility could possibly be. After all, spells turn Mana into various effects regardless of ones Theory. So... Would you be able to alter magic more regularly then a single-use spell? A sort of...Meta Theory. No, metamagic. An ability to alter your spells and other magical effects in a certain way. You have no proof of this existing in any of the translated works so far, but you feel like you're on the right track. It's going to take a lot of time yet the idea of it motivates you. Quickly, you grab a pen and get to writing out a loose game plan before you forget. <<choose "research_start">>\ #Guh...these ideas need more work. (Back out back to the research table) #use-if ($metamagicdiscovered is false) Adhesive metamagic: A way for your mana and magic to stick to targets. -> "adhesive_discovery" <<var $metamagicdiscovered true>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ #use-if ($metamagicdiscovered is false) Ricochet metamagic: A way for your spells and mana to bounce around objects and targets. -> "ricochet_discovery" <<var $metamagicdiscovered true>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ #use-if ($metamagicdiscovered is false) Mass metamagic: A way for your spells and mana to carry a heavier weight and impose that weight upon the world. -> "mass_discovery" <<var $metamagicdiscovered true>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ #use-if ($metamagicdiscovered is false) Enduring metamagic: A way to fuel spells and effects more efficiently then normal allowing them to last longer and generally reduce Mana cost and upkeep. -> "enduring_discovery" <<var $metamagicdiscovered true>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ #use-if ($metamagicdiscovered is false) Disruption metamagic: A way for your spells to become more disruptive to spiritual and active magical effects. -> "disruption_discovery" <<var $metamagicdiscovered true>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <<timepass>>\ <</choose>>

At some point you have to throw away the concept of "ridiculous" when your day-to-day now includes spirits, most people turning into things other than human, and magical monsters being sighted all over the world. Even with that in mind, it's hard to think about your experiments channeling mana into glue as not "ridiculous". Never the less, as silly as it feels, you have to give the concept a fair chance. The concept being that if you practice channeling mana into mediums like glue, duck tape, hell you even use some food like honey and peanut butter, that your mana will begin to recognize the texture and mimic it. Like magical muscle memory combined with a a desire that magic seems to respond to. Its very tedious but you turn on some podcasts in the back ground and focus on the task at hand. You give it a week at first and sadly feel some progress. If it was none, you could give up. If it was more, you'd feel invigorated. It's just enough to make you know that you have to keep toiling. The mana you channel from the air begins to come in slower, sluggish, as if its taking on a new texture. You double down and after months have tangible results. The mana you channel has changed in a few ways, one, you accomplished your experiment's goal. Your mana is now sticky, and spells you cast can, if you choose to allow it, stick to surfaces. The second effect is the stranger one of the two as the former grey-white energy around your body now seems to be a bright pink, it makes you think of bubble gum. Min laughs at it. Grey claps excitedly and you really wish he could use words over sounds cause it seems like he knows what you did, but you don't. After Min's done laughing she tells you none of the journals mentioned this. A mystery for later. You go to write down your experiments and results now that the work is done. <<var $metamagicknown + 1>>\ <<var $metamagicadhesive true>>\ <<var $manacolor "Bright Pink">>\ ''[Adhesive Metamagic Acquired]'' ''[For further details, check the magic menu.]'' <<page "My kingdom for a translation spell" "research_start">>

"How many of these cans do I have to flood with Mana?" Min asks for the sixth time. "All of them." You reply. You've opened two dozen cans of chili and tomato sauce so far. Not one to waste food, you made several day's worth of spaghetti and chili for some chili dogs later. You might get sick of eating the same thing days on end, but hey, grocery bills. "Can you run me through WHY I'm flooding these cans with mana?" She asks as she sets up a grey-glowing can with mana on the ground near the others in a random pattern that's pretty wide. "I'm working on a theory," you finally explain, "the idea that the mana we channel can be given different characteristics when practiced. I think between the two of us I can learn how to make my mana and spells bounce between targets. It might work better if it has foreign magic to try bouncing against." "But wouldn't this just cause the mana you unleash on these cans to bounce? How would it improve your ability to cause the bounce to happen as a feature and not a reaction to the situation?" A valid question, and you don't have a very good answer in return. "The only real thing I can say is that I think the intention and practice of having it bounce around might help the ability. Like how a pitcher can practice throwing a curve ball in baseball. When my magic starts bouncing around, I think my magical muscle memory will begin trying to think of that as a goal instead of a misfire." Min frowns. "That seems stupid, but, I mean I'm getting dinner cooked for me tonight so sure let's try it." You just nod and begin the practice of conjuring a little ball of mana that you flick into a can. It successfully bounces off Min's enhancements into another can before fizzling out. You repeat the process over the course of several days. Days turn to a week before you miss, your marble of mana curved slightly before it hit the can. The experiment continues for months and you eventually downgrade from magic cans to regular cans, and see that the effect carries over to physical objects without Mana. You even figure out a way to turn it on or off with your impromptu attacks and spells. Curiously, it seems all Mana you begin channeling now has a bit of a light blue hue. It reminds you a bit of a lightning bolt. You also get a chili dog delivered to you by Grey. As you walk into the house to share the good news, Grey chirps happily and claps as if they knew before you even told them. One day you'll have to really try to find a way to talk to Grey beyond random sounds. <<var $metamagicknown + 1>>\ <<var $metamagicricochet true>>\ <<var $manacolor "Light Blue">>\ ''[Ricochet Metamagic Acquired]'' ''[For further details, check the magic menu.]'' <<page "Man you're sick of chili dogs" "research_start">>

You get Pedro on the line while you're sitting in your research Den and spinning in your swivel chair slowly. He picks up. "What's up?" He says, and you detect the sound of country music behind the loud noises of the local bar. "Pedro it's like noon, why are you at the bar?" You can't help but ask. "Checking in on a rumor," He says through a gruff exhale, "now did you call to be judgy or because you need something?" "I need something." "Lay it on me" You cringe over his lighthearted chuckle, then deliver a heavyhearted financial request. "I need a cement mixer, some cement, and your help to carry and move it." The background noise dulls and it seems he moved somewhere else. "Explain." And so you do. <<page "I'm..." "mass_discovery2">>\

"I'm working on a theory that mana and spells can be given an artificial mass. I want to test it by experimenting with mana, channeling it into a heavy medium like cement as it dries. It could be a way to train magical muscle memory; the idea is to associate the increased weight and mass with normal Mana and, therefore, supplement that weight into other spells and effects. I believe a caster's belief and desire has a tangible effect on magic so...ya. That's it." Pedro is quiet and listens to the whole thing. You can't help but feel a little dumb because even if it's feasible, you have nothing to base this off of besides vibes and feelings. And cement trucks aren't cheap, even to rent. "Alright," he says, "I'll pick one up and deliver it, and I'll foot the bill for this one." Oh, that worked. "Thanks Pedro." He doesn't answer with more than a grunt and hanging up. Sure enough, after the mixer is delivered the two of you get to work making cement and flexing your magic into it. You keep channeling your mana even as it drys up and forms into proper bricks. Pedro keeps them. He mentions that a cement brick infused with magic could be useful for his personal collection; he said something about talking to investors in a construction company he has some shares in. You are beginning to wonder how many income sources he has that he hasn't told you about. But the important thing in the moment is that, after months and many magical bricks worth of work, it works. Your mana and spells carry that weight should you choose to inflict it. What's more interesting is that the mana you channel now has an Amber hue that reminds you of honey. You and Pedro, dirty from all the brick laying, sit on the porch for Grey to open the door and offer the both of you some beers. You tell Grey about your success and he bobs his body in what looks like a nod, as if he already knew. Maybe there is more Grey knows that he isn't sharing. That's a problem for later though. <<var $metamagicknown + 1>>\ <<var $metamagicmass true>>\ <<var $manacolor "Amber">>\ ''[Mass Metamagic Acquired]'' ''[For further details, check the magic menu.]'' <<page "So many bricks..." "research_start">>

To cast a spell, you fuel it with mana that you have stored within your body. The mana you store within your body comes from the air. It's drawn into you and filtered by the body and soul. The effect of a spell lasts as long as your casting time, the full duration of the mana you feed it in the casting. But what if an effect could feed itself? You spend time in your research den writing this all out, with a doodle. In theory if you focus on the aspect of your body and soul filtering mana, you believe you should be able to leave that desire and impulse in the spell. Over the course of months you are sadly shown the reality of how hard this is to achieve. After the first month, during a brainstorming session you have while eating a burrito in the main house, you look over at Grey in the fire place. He dozes away. Slacker. Hmm, Grey is a spirit with no physical body, even if he does appear to have mass, so does that mean a construct of magic can feed of ambient magic to sustain itself? With this new theory you find success. You can't really call it a spell or even a summon, but you've found a way to infuse a fraction of will around an artificial filter. Once tied to a spell, the filter will begin trying to fuel itself and the spell by absorbing ambient Mana and filtering it in real time. Sadly this does not make a spell permanent, as you notice that every filter you create gets used up without something to replenish - or perhaps, more accurately, //clean// - the filter when it gets too dirty. You notice that after all your experiments, the mana you call on has gained a black hue, kinda like the night sky. You walk into your house with a grin on your face, only to be greeted by Grey who claps for you and makes a happy sounding bird noise. You tell Grey everything and he doesn't seem surprised. You wonder how he knew before you told him, but that's a mystery for later. You bend down and pat Grey on the head. "Couldn't have done it without you." <<var $metamagicknown + 1>>\ <<var $metamagicenduring true>>\ <<var $manacolor "Black">>\ ''[Enduring Metamagic Acquired]'' ''[For further details, check the magic menu.]'' <<page "Happy wind chime noises" "research_start">>

"Are you ever going to stop giving me work?" Min asks. You embrace the tyranny and shake your head. "You have the best possible magic to help me see if I can pull this off." She groans for an impressively long time before saying, "What do you need?" "Illusions," you answer, "false images, and don't pretend you can't do that. I've caught you pretending to read and type while you were really raiding the fridge." She closes her mouth, as she was about to do just that. Instead she makes an illusion of a moth after half a minute of concentration. You nod and focus some raw mana into your hand. Not a real spell, but an improvisation. The theory you've reached is that if you focus on overloading an active spell with raw power, it //should// train your magical muscle memory to do just that. Also, you feel that willpower and desire could play a part in the formation of magic, and thus, the test. You and Min spend months on this and progress is made. Strangely enough your power stops being so...blunt(?) in its application. It feels more alive; you end up spending half the power you used to need as the energy you send into the illusions seems to almost slither around; like it's a tunneling worm looking for the softest patch of dirt to burst out of, and when it does, the illusion shatters. Perhaps you should have gone with a snake example; the mana you call upon has turned a dark green. You let Min go, and Grey gets the both of you a bottle of water. You explain the process you just did and completed only for Grey to nod and clap excitedly, as if he knew before you told him. You wonder what else he knows and wish you could have a real talk one of these days. <<var $metamagicknown + 1>>\ <<var $metamagicdisruption true>>\ <<var $manacolor "Dark Green">>\ ''[Disruption Metamagic Acquired]'' ''[For further details, check the magic menu.]'' <<page "Grey of the home, what is your wisdom?" "research_start">>

It seems its finally time to check on that map left in the house by its previous inhabitant. The one marking the location and an exact date to visit. You and Min have been waiting for this for a year, and it's time to double check if the written date means anything. <<if ($hascar is true)>>\ You're driving your car down the closest dirt path, not trusting Min's carefree attitude with other peoples property, thankful that the location you're heading to isn't in the thickest part of the forest. <<elseif ($hascar is false)>>\ You both begin your walk through the woods. While it is relatively close to your house, you still have some distance to go. <</if>>\ "Are we there yet?" Min asks "No," you reply, "and I'm not playing that game, pick another." She rolls her eyes and thinks before speaking. "Some things about magic have been bothering me. I know you don't know for sure, because people have already asked you, so humor me a little and tell me your best guess at the answer." You give her a raised eyebrow. "This is the first time you've ever asked me about magic, what changed?" She shrugs her shoulders. "You've spent a whole year being boring and doing nothing but magic research, what the Hell else are you going to be able to talk about?" <<var $age + 1>>\ <<var $popquiz 0>>\ <<page "Hurtful, maybe fair..." "portal_one_drive_two">>

"Question one," she asks, "what's the deal with spirits and ghosts? Some of them are seen by people without magic and others can't be seen. So what gives?" Hmm, fair question. You haven't really been testing this out, as you felt like if you went about it the wrong way you would cause a panic in town. But your current best guess is... <<choose "portal_one_drive_three">>\ #"Pass, I have no good idea. Next question" "Pass," you say, "I have no good idea. Next question." "Oh come on." She moans. "This game is gunna suck if you pass on every question." #"I think its based on the magical strength of the person instead of the spirit or ghost." "I think its based on the magical strength of the person instead of the spirit or ghost." You say. "No matter how naturally obfuscated a spirit is, the magic the power of a person is probably the deciding factor on how perceptive they are of its magic." Min shrugs at that. "S'pose its possible. It's not like we have a way to gauge how magical someone is beyond seeing them use spells or channel Mana." You nod...Though something still feels a bit off about that now that you've said it out loud. You should workshop that idea later. #"It's probably about the magical quantity of, well, mana. Not all spirits or ghosts are made equal." "The more magic a spirit has the stronger it is, likewise as beings made mostly of magic it stands to reason that the stronger a spirit or ghost the more visible it is to the mundane." "Did you really just call a regular person a mundane? What next, a mudblood? You need to get out more. Also, what is the threshold of power? Grey was visible before either of us had magic and I never thought the little guy was actually strong." Good points from the rebuttal, and now that you finally said the idea out loud you do see the flaws in the logic. Though you can't let Min get that win so you just say, "Well, when you start scouting out spirits, you can record how strong they looked and we can work out the power levels." She tsks. #"Gotta be about will power and belief, of the spirits and or ghosts. The biggest the willpower the more they can reach through and affect the mundane world." "If we look at the history of hauntings," you say, "it's rarely an entire group of people that sees a ghost. If we ignore the fact that some of those were probably faked for money, and accept that maybe ghosts have always been around, then it makes sense that without the return of magic they weren't all strong enough to be seen by large amounts of people. The answer becomes simple, it's a matter of willpower." Min looks horrified at the bit about ghosts having always been real but does ask a follow up. "How so?" "Some ghosts moved furniture or possessed people. If they were around before Mana came back into the world, they probably didn't have a lot of actual power to do those things beyond whatever Mana they were made of. Maybe the hauntings before then were the ghost-equivalent of a mom lifting a car off her child in the real world. The ghost or sprit needs a lot of will to be seen, well, less will now that magic returned, but you get my point." Min nods along with the analogies. "Seems as plausible as anything else." You nod in agreement, this feels like the right track. You make a mental note for later to follow through on this theory. <<var $popquiz + 1>>\ <</choose>>\

You two carry on your journey as Min ponders another question to ask. You enjoy the beat of silence, blissfully unaware that she intends to break it. "Okay so," the fiendish moth woman begins, "let's talk about the moth in the room. Why do you think people are mutating into, like, the same group of things based on the region they are currently in? There's even records of people who were, like, born in england turning into an Oni while they were visiting Japan." Hmm, ya that is a thing, based on what you've seen in the passing year. There are countless Stella Seven races around the world but they all seem to have, at least during the beginning of the spread of mutations, followed almost cultural folklore of an area. You envy Transylvania if a lot of them just became unaging. Except the ones that didn't become vampires. You don't envy those ones. They should move. Still, the regional issue brings up a lot of questions. It's like a switch was flipped and everyone in the borders of a physical country became a being of that country's folklore. You didn't even think America had folklore, but that probably explains why you're all cryptids mostly. <<choose "portal_one_drive_four">>\ #"Pass." "Pass." You answer. "Uggggggg," Min groans deeply, "you're terrible at these. Next time I'm bringing my Ditch two." "Ya right, you would never bring your precious handheld into the field." You counter. "Too high of a chance it gets damaged in another magic fight." "You say that like you're winning for the both of us, walking into potential mortal danger." Your smile falls. "...Fair." #"I think it's probably how the world reacts to magic levels rising. And how it distributes it around people." "I think it's probably how the world reacts to magic levels rising." You reply. "And how it distributes it around people." "What ya mean?" Min asks as a follow-up. "Well Stella Seven happened all at once around the world. No one confirmed an origin point. What if there wasn't one, and it triggered in every country at the same time? I bet if you check the huge list of the W.H.O Stella Seven types and symptoms we could see trends that match each mutation to a landmass by metrics" "But then what about travellers? People traveled all the time, even with the plague, and I've never heard of pre-magic Stella Seven changing in a person." Min rebuttals. "No good answer on that one," you admit, "in theory the pre-magic symptoms could have been tied to the sickness instead of the post-magic change." Min contemplates that and you do as well. "Honestly," she mumbles after contemplation, "not the worst theory." You agree and make a mental note to check the pre-magic Stella Seven records. <<var $popquiz + 1>>\ #"Maybe the gods decide? After all, there sure are a lot of them now." "Maybe the gods decide?" You say, thinking out loud, "After all, there sure are a lot of them \ <<if $theory.includes("Divine")>>\ now." You pause for a second, considering if heresy is an issue for your Divine Theory. "And, uh, mine's the best. Obviously." <<else>>\ now." <</if>>\ "That feels lazy," Mind says, "the gods did it? Sounds like something a medieval peasant would say about a drought." "They might have." You reply. "And realistically we have no idea what roles the gods played in magic's return to the world. Ever since it has, the number of people worshipping them has increased way more. They have motive and almost assuredly the means, if they are as strong as they seem." Min shrugs. "You're not wrong, but that doesn't feel right either." You open your mouth for rebuttal but can't help but feel like she's right, now that you heard the thought out loud. #"Stella Seven is probably the first record of a magical sickness in the modern world. There is no saying how it operates, really. It's probably the cause and source." "Stella Seven is probably the first record of a magical sickness in the modern world." You say. "There is no telling how it operates, really. It's probably the cause and source." "I mean, it makes sense," Min ponders out loud, "but how could you explain what happens to people who traveled and ended up with a magic race that was at-odds with the branch of Stella Seven they had?" "Outliers always exist," you shrug, "and who knows, maybe the ambient Mana of the country has more an impact as a catalyst for the sickness." You like your theory, but feel less confidence in it as you explain it more. "I dunno," Min says, "much to my parents' disapproval, I'm not a doctor. This still doesn't sound like a winner though." You grunt your agreement. "I'm also disappointed you're not a doctor. I'd get free healthcare." She punches your arm. <</choose>>

"Alright last one...If we meet a genie, what are you wishing for?" She asks with a serious tone. You laugh, assuming it's a joke, but then you see her face and stop. "Seriously? A genie wish?" "I am serious." She declares. "After all, a dragon conquered Las Vegas, the world's gone mad, so there is a none-0 percent chance we meet a genie and I want to know what wish you're getting ready." "Wait the dragon won?" You ask, unaware you msised that story beat. "When?" "Three weeks ago." She says. "You were too busy to pay attention to the news. After some undisclosed amount of losses the army pulled out and is apparently being spread out to try and deal with the situation around the country. Rumor says the next big threat is a giant somewhere in North Dakota." "Whoa. I really need to keep watching the news." You say for probably the first time ever. Impatience radiates off Min. "Enough stalling!" She yells. "Ya get a wish, what are you using it on?" <<var $snipermin false>>\ <<var $salttrap false>>\ <<var $ambushaware false>>\ <<var $covermade false>>\ <<choose "portal_one_drive_five">>\ #"Aaaaaannnnnnnnddddddd pass." "Aaaaaannnnnnnnddddddd pass." You say, keeping your greatest wishes and desires to yourself. Min stares at you in disbelief for like a minute before decreeing. "You're the most boring person alive" "The most boring person alive that you know." You add to correct her. Finally the two of you arrive at the map location. <<page "Here at last" "portal_one_drive_five">>\ #"I'm thinking a few billion dollars. Nothing too crazy, I want to stay humble." "I'm thinking a few billion dollars." You reply. "Nothing too crazy, I want to stay humble." "Oh of course. The humble billionaire." Min nods. "And I imagine you would break Grey's heart and move into a mansion?" "Of course not," you scoff, "I'd simply pay contractors enough to turn the house into a mansion. Besides, it //is// a humble wish. Plenty of people have more than that without magical reality-warping powers. I'm being modest!" "Your humility is truly humbling." Min says with a mock bow. You nod sagely. "I aim to be a role model to the next generation of billionaires." <<page "Oh, we're here." "portal_one_drive_five">>\ #"Ya know, how about unlimited magical powers? That would probably make this all easier." "Ya know," you say, pondering the idea of phenominal cosmic potency, "how about unlimited magical powers? That would probably make this all easier." "With or without evil laugh classes by a voice actor?" Min asks. You hmm as you think. "Without, probably. Even if I struggle, I want it to be my own take on the trend ya know? Be the genuine article and all-powerful being." Min laughs. "Of course boss. "Thank you, my noble henchwoman." <<page "Oh, we're here." "portal_one_drive_five">>\ #"Grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup." "I'd wish for a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup." You reply in honesty. "That combo just can't be beat." Min just laughs at that for a minute. You're too busy wishing your packed snacks were better to even give her a different attempt. You think you have a chocolate and nut bar and some sports drink you forget the name of. It's no warm snack though. Those are precious. Too little food for a meal. Too much work for a snack. The rarest of them all in one's life, even if you have the free time. Min does eventually stop laughing and wipe a tear away. "Man, that's probably the only wish that wouldn't back fire. Congrats." "I do what I can." You say hungrily. <<page "Oh, we're here." "portal_one_drive_five">>\ #"A harem." "I'd wish for a harem." You say proudly, sticking your chest out with thoughts and goals of selfish lewdity. "Nice." Min says. You nod. "Nice." <<page "Oh, we're here." "portal_one_drive_five">>\ <</choose>>

After your surprise question-and-answer session, you arrive at the familiar spot from before. The one marked on the map. The one you investigated last year without finding anything of note. Coming here on the date listed on your map, you see that something has indeed changed. Beyond the winter snow on the ground, a circle of green grass has formed as if melted, and you can easily see the cause. What you can only describe as red runes are forming in a circle on the ground in a language you don't know. A quick look at Min tells you it ain't Latin, either. A foot above the circle, on the ground, you spot a red spark of light that connects to the forming runes and the source of the heat that melted the snow. As you open your magical senses for a quick scan, you can tell the mana coming from that spark and this circle isn't like the usual Mana you've been exposed to. It feels heavy, and painful. Min looks at you and pulls out a container of salt from her personal stash. You forgot that she's been getting paid like you were. You stop her though, raising a hand. "We could disrupt it, and honestly we probably should..." Min looks at you nervously. "BUT?" "But...we wouldn't learn what happens when it's done or what to do when...whatever this is, finishes if we find one down the road that's already...filled out the circle I guess." "I hate being a researcher" Min whines. "That's the spirit." You say. "We should probably still prep though." <<include "portal_one_drive_five2">>\

<<choose "portal_one_drive_five2">>\ #use-if ((($mintrain is true) and ($haspatience is true)) and ($snipermin is false)) "Min, you're sneaky, so take this rifle and cover me in case something mean shows up." "Min, you're sneaky, so take this rifle and cover me in case something mean shows up." You take the hunting rifle, hand it to Min, and she looks a bit more nervous then before but nods, knowing that this is the best thing she could really do. "Just don't stand too close," she compromises, "there's no telling if this isn't a big explosion or something." You nod and add that into something you should consider. <<var $snipermin true>>\ #use-if (($hassalt is true) and ($salttrap is false)) You can't disrupt the circle any, but that doesn't mean you can't place a salt circle around the rune circle to contain the energy its emitting. Circleception. You take a wide circle around the forming runes and hope the snow disguises the salt a little bit. Considering how warm this magic is, you doubt anything that comes out of this circle would know what snow looks like anyway. <<var $salttrap true>>\ #use-if (($websitemade is true) and ($ambushaware is false)) A quick check on this at TheCircle.Web should help. You thank the stars you still have a good internet connection out here. You quickly inform the internet of what's going on at TheCircle.Web. Even faster than that is the ping you get in your replies. It's from a mage in Greece that says the picture you attached is ancient greek writing. The second thing that stands out is a warning from a mage in Africa that warns they saw something like this. When the runes finished, they warned that a magical monster came out and they had to fight immediately. You thank them both and feel more sure then before trouble is coming. <<var $ambushaware true>>\ #use-if (((($athletics gte 3) or ($theory is "Embodiment Theory")) and ($covermade is false)) and ($race isnot "northern devil")) You should move that log into a better position to use for cover, in case this actually is a bomb or the start of something dangerous. You see a large fallen tree nearby and think, with the soft snow, you might be able to pull and drag it into a better position to use as cover. <<if ($theory is "Embodiment Theory")>>\ Thankfully your entire magical purpose is to list heavy things, so you move it with ease. <<else>>\ Thankfully you haven't been skipping the gym and the idea works, you crouch down trying to make the most of it. <</if>>\ <<var $covermade true>>\ #Nothing left to do. Time to...wait ''(Wait for the circle to form)'' -> "portal_one_fight_start" <</choose>>\

When the magic runes form, you feel a wave of heat expand out as a portal forms within the rune circle. Before you can examine it in detail, a clawed hand reaches through and grips the portal's edge as if it were a solid thing. The clawed onyx fingers drip orange as if made of lava. When the rest of the creature pulls itself through, you understand why. A seven-foot-tall humanoid creature steps through dressed loosely in what looks like a leather apron covering its front, with no other clothes. You think its hair is made of literal fire; it goes all the way down to its back like a mane of flame. Following all that are backward-bending knees with hooves, twin onyx horns jutting from its forehead, and in its left hand is a machete that burns hotter than the magma that its squeezing grip leaks to the floor. You, perhaps in a moment of despair, try to give into hope. "We uh...we come in peace?" You say mindlessly. The figure laughs with a feminine voice before it talks. "You. Come. In. Pieces." <div class="specialelite">TO BE CONTINUED</div>\

<<footer>>\ <h2>Mod Manager</h2>\ Enable or disable mods, then click Apply & Reload to restart the game with your selection. Your current save will be preserved. <div id="banished-mod-menu-container"></div> <<page "Return to Game" $return>>

<<footer>>\ <div class="achievement-score">Achievement Points: <<= setup.getTotalAchievementPoints()>></div> <<if typeof setup.getCategorizedAchievements === 'function'>><<set _achData = setup.getCategorizedAchievements()>><<else>><<set _achData = {unlocked: [], locked: [], hiddenCount: 0}>><</if>>\ <<if _achData.unlocked.length > 0>><div class="achievement-section"><h3>🏆 Unlocked Achievements (<<= _achData.unlocked.length>>)</h3><ul class="achievement-list"><<for _i = 0; _i < _achData.unlocked.length; _i++>><<set _ach = _achData.unlocked[_i]>><li class="achievement-item unlocked"><div class="achievement-content"><div class="achievement-name"><<= _ach.name>></div><div class="achievement-desc"><<= _ach.description>></div></div><div class="achievement-points"><<= _ach.points>></div></li><</for>></ul></div><<else>><div class="achievement-section"><h3>🏆 Unlocked Achievements (0)</h3><p style="text-align: center; color: #666; font-style: italic; padding: 10px; margin: 0;">No achievements unlocked yet. Keep playing to earn your first achievement!</p></div><</if>> <<if _achData.locked.length > 0>><div class="achievement-section"><h3>🔒 Locked Achievements (<<= _achData.locked.length>>)</h3><ul class="achievement-list"><<for _i = 0; _i < _achData.locked.length; _i++>><<set _ach = _achData.locked[_i]>><li class="achievement-item locked"><div class="achievement-content"><div class="achievement-name"><<= _ach.name>></div><div class="achievement-desc"><<= _ach.description>></div></div><div class="achievement-points"><<= _ach.points>></div></li><</for>></ul></div><</if>> <<if _achData.hiddenCount > 0>><div class="achievement-section"><div class="hidden-counter">🔍 <<= _achData.hiddenCount>> Hidden Achievement<<if _achData.hiddenCount > 1>>s<</if>> Remaining</div></div><</if>> <<button "Return to Game." $return>><</button>>

<<footer>>\ <div class="settings-page"> <div class="specialelite">Settings</div> <h3>Display Settings</h3> <div class="settings-section"> <label class="setting-item"> <input type="checkbox" id="dark-mode-toggle"> Dark Mode <span class="setting-description">Night-reader friendly dark theme</span> </label> <label class="setting-item"> <input type="checkbox" id="enlarge-text-toggle"> Enlarge Text <span class="setting-description">Make game text larger</span> </label> <label class="setting-item"> <input type="checkbox" id="shrink-text-toggle"> Shrink Text <span class="setting-description">Make game text smaller</span> </label> <label class="setting-item"> <input type="checkbox" id="fullscreen-toggle"> Full Screen <span class="setting-description">Toggle fullscreen mode</span> </label> </div>\ <h3>Game Settings</h3> <div class="settings-section"> <label class="setting-item"> <input type="checkbox" id="disable-portraits-toggle"> Disable Portraits <span class="setting-description">Hide character portrait images</span> </label> <label class="setting-item"> <input type="checkbox" id="reset-achievements-toggle"> Reset All Achievements <span class="setting-description">Permanently delete all achievement progress</span> </label> </div>\ <div class="settings-buttons">\ <<button "Return to Game" $return>><</button>> </div>\ </div> <<script>> setTimeout(function() { initializeSettings(); // Also ensure fullscreen checkbox is properly bound if (window.setupFullscreenCheckbox) { window.setupFullscreenCheckbox(); } }, 100); <</script>>