So it Begins

The time has come... You are needed... Gather the other three... Slay the the slumbering beast... Become [[''legendary''|Introduction]]...

<img src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/03/29/03/39/ruins-2184025_960_720.jpg"> (set:$in to "FALSE") (set: $drink to "FALSE") The sky cries with thunder and lightning as you reach the village. The road in front of you is finally ending, your training as a royal cross-country scout is finally paying off on this journey. Your body aches with the fatigue of travel, your clothes are damp as a sweltering swamp, and you've lost count of the many landmarks you've passed when you started walking a month ago. Your vision, the same one you've been having for days, has you focused on 'slaying the slumbering beast'. After confronting the King with your vision, he has allowed you passage though the kingdom in search of this beast in the hopes of stopping a serious threat. While you've heard rumors as to what and where this beast may be, your sources along the way have led you to the lowly town of Sangrillet. [[Walk onward]]

<img src="images/tavern.png"> (if:$in is "FALSE")[You enter the building quickly, wasting no time evading the outside rain. Upon opening the door, you try your best to disrobe your most soaked layers while scanning your environment.](else-if: $in is "TRUE")[You return to drying out your clothes as best you can.] This place appears to be a tavern, judging by the plethora of empty glasses and merry villagers filling the building. [[Look at the bar.|Bar]] [[Look at the fireplace.|Fireplace]] [[Look outside.|Outside]]

(set: $name to (prompt: "What is your name?", "...") ) "Ah, $name is it?" "(either: "You don't really look like a $name to me, maybe it's the hair.", "Really? $name? I wouldn't 'ave guessed that at all.", "Ah well, I suppose that makes sense. Were your parents blind when they had you?")" (if:$speak is "TRUE")[[Is there any other infromation you can tell me about your visions? |Question]] (if: $speak is "FALSE")[[Mention Thrud's information regarding their unarrived fourth member.|Speak Second]]

You snag an open stool at the bar in between two villagers who pay you no attention. "I'll be with you in a moment, dearie!" shouts the bartender as she tosses two more pints to the villager waiting at the end of the bar. You glance behind you at your surroundings once more, turning back to find the bartender standing in front of you. She moves as fast as the lightning outside. (if: $drink is "FALSE")["Ay, welcome to The $sign1 $sign2 dear. I'm Thruud. What can I get ya?"] (if: $drink is "TRUE")["Anything else I can get ya?] (if: $drink is "FALSE")[[Just a pint please.|Drink]] (if: $stare is "TRUE")[[Ask about the people by the fireplace.|Thrud Fireplace]] [[Back|Character Creation]]

(set:$in to "TRUE") A bartender with fiery red hair slides a pint of mead to the end of the bar, quickly prepping another to slide down the opposite end. Although they seem busy, they may have some information you require. [[Approach the bartender.|Thrud]] [[Back|Character Creation]]

(set: $stare to "TRUE") (set: $in to "TRUE") <img src="images/fireplace.jpg"> A group of travelers are nestled up close to the fire, a group of three to be precise. All appear to ignore your presence, but you catch the one closest to the fire staring at you beneath their hooded face. [[Approach the group at the fireplace.|Group]] [[Back|Character Creation]]

(set: $in to "TRUE") The storm continues to rage, it appears to have gotten stronger since you first entered this place. It's best to stay indoors for now, especially since you've just begun ringing out your clothes. [[Back|Character Creation]]

"Oh ay, that lot has been here for a few days and nights now. They've not told me their names but insist on staying till their fourth arrives. I don't mind it since their presence seems to keep any ruffians from causing any trouble, especially since we are outside the King's reach. They haven't had anything to drink in a long while, I'd imagine they're getting rather parched!" [[Thanks.|Thrud]]

(set: $drink to "TRUE") The bartender turns around, and in the span of a few seconds, slides you a pint of mead at the perfect velocity for you to catch. "How much?" you ask. "The first one is always free here at The $sign1 $sign2, but only the first." [[Thank you.|Thrud]]

The sound of laughter snags your attention, followed by an ever-growing luminescence of candle-lit lanterns wracking violently against a stone building from the cursed weather. You have traveled well outside the jurisdiction of the King; a wave of cautiousness flows over and through you as you approach the building. A wooden sign hangs and swings rapidly in front of the door, you can barely make out the writing. "The (cycling-link: bind $sign1, "Ravenous", "Devoted", "Mischievous") (cycling-link: bind $sign2, "Druid", "Rogue", "Paladin")." "A place to wait out this foul storm sure would do some good." you think. [[Enter|Character Creation]]

You walk up to the group of individuals by the fireplace as the one who was staring at you from afar interrupts your path. "Oi, back off stranger. We're all a bit tired and ''thirsty'', we don't want any talk till we've had our drinks." (if:$drink is "FALSE")[[My mistake, I thought you were someone I knew.|Character Creation]] (if:$drink is "TRUE")[[Here, take this pint. It's on me.|Discussion]]

(set:$speak to "FALSE") You lift your pint towards the stranger and offer them the handle. "Well, hey now, it'd be rude of me to look a gift-horse in the mouth, thank you stranger. Come, have a sit with us." said the hooded figure. Walking behind them, you take a seat on a wooden log that's been shaped and cut into a bench. Before you are the three mystery individuals, the hooded figure greedily sipping from the pint. [[Speak first]] [[Wait to speak.|Direct]]

(set: $speak to "TRUE") "The bartender, Thruud, spoke of you three waiting for your fourth." you ask them all. "Are you a band of mercenaries? A squad of knights sent by the King?" The three individuals remained silent; the hooded figure having just finished the last drop of the pint. "We are here because we've each shared a vision telling of an impending danger, a beast to be exact." finishing off their sentence with a belch. (if: $speak is "TRUE")[[Vision? Did your vision say anything else?|Direct]]

The hooded figure hiccups and begins to think, while one of the other individuals removes their hood to reveal the face of a human, a woman with two discolored eyes that appeared to flicker like the flame of a candle. "We each traveled here alone and just so happened to cross paths. We come from across the land and were informed in our vision to find "the other three". We were told in our visions that slaying a beast would grant us legendary status." [["I have received the same vision, I assume that makes me your fourth."|Names]]

"We don't just throw out our life stories without a proper grazing of the outsider." The pint drinker explained, his breath thick with the scent of mead. "What might your name be, stranger? Introductions are important, after all." [[My Name is...|Name]]

(set:$emret to "FALSE") (set:$spire to "FALSE") "Interestingly enough, it would appear so." says the woman as she glances to the other individuals. "Well $name, we better introduce ourselves. I am Sah-lei of Rodecka." She gestures to the one holding the empty pint, "This is Emret the wood elf, whom you've already met." Emret winks and holds his hand out in an "OK" hand gesture. "That was a mighty fine pint, by the way." Sah-lei shakes her head and points to the other individual. "This is Spire of Val'Ker'Uun, don't expect a greeting. A group of mercs had his tongue cut out for talking too much. The mercs got the worst of it though, rest assured." Spire removed his hood and grinned, revealing his scale-covered skin and row of sharp white teeth. A dragonborn, you note to yourself. [[Nice to make your acquaintances.|Continue]]

"The pleasure is ours." says Sah-lei as she snags the empty glass from Emret. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to grab another round and leave you to get acquainted with one another. Meet me at the bar when you're finished, if you please." She waves the glass in the air towards the bartender as she strides away. (if:$emret is "FALSE")[[Speak to Emret|Emret]] (if:$spire is "FALSE")[[Speak to Spire|Spire]] (if:$emret and $spire is "TRUE")[[Return to the bar.|bar2]]

(set:$emret to "TRUE") "Nice to meet you $name, I really appreciate the pint if you 'aven't already caught on." Emret chuckles to himself and slaps his hand against your shoulder. "Whaddya say to another round? You look like the kind of person to have some coin on them, how bout it?" He grins rather drunkenly, and you swear you see one of his eyes roll in random directions as he speaks. [[Tell me about yourself Emret.|EmretBio]]

(set:$spire to "TRUE") You approach Spire who is holding his hands close to the fireplace, seeing pieces of his shed peel off as he rubs his fingers. [[I've never seen a dragonborn in the flesh before, it's truly an honor to meet you.|SpireBio]]

You make your way back to the bar and find Emret and Sah-lei talking to one another. Thrud is still busy as ever, sliding pints down the bar left and right. You see Emret leave back to the fireplace and note the open seat next to Sah-lei. [[Approach Sah-lei.|Sah-lei]]

Emret sighs and pulls you to an open table. "Well, I'm sure I follow the same old story that you three have been telling others along your journey. I come from the forests of Rae'lithia to the East. A farmer by day, and a devilishly effective rogue by night!" He smiles wide, only to receive a few odd glances from other villagers. [[Right... that's an interesting pair of professions.|Emrebio2]]

"Ahhh... boring crowd. Anyhow, I found myself tilling my field when I was struck by this ominous voice and bright white light telling me to venture out and find the "slumbering beast". Of course, I thought that I may 'ave had a bit too much morning-time-mead, but the next few days following, that vision kept coming back!" [[How did you come across the others?|EmretBio3]]

Emret leans in close. "They won't tell you, but I rescued them about halfway into my own venture. They got captured by a group of blood-thirsty bandits who set traps to kidnap unsuspecting noble people. Thanks to my rogue-like skillset, I was able to break them out without a hitch! We've been together ever since." [[It sounds like you were at the right place at the right time|EmretBio4]]

He laughs and raises his arm in the air as if he were holding a pint, only to glance up and become disappointed at his empty hand. "Well, I better get me another before I start to get the shakes. I really do miss my morning-time-mead, I made it myself! I'm also a well-rehearsed brewer!" Emret chuckles to himself as he waddles towards the bar. [[Return|Continue]]

Spire looks at you and bows his head in an appreciative manner, rather than that of nobility acknowledging their status. He motions you to stand by the fire alongside him, ensuring that you both receive the warm embrace of the roaring flames. [[Thank you, can I ask you some questions? I'll do my best to keep them short.|SpireBio2]]

He nods with approval and turns to face you. His face is firm yet friendly, his scales are a mixture of red and brown, they don't shine or reflect light at all, but seem to be absorbing the light into themselves. [[How long have you been having this vision that we all share?|SpireBio3]]

His hand raises to reveal three fingers, followed by the mouthing of the word "months" He then uses his hands to mimic movement with his fingers while showing one finger on the other hand. He then gestures to Emret and Sah-lei. He has had these visions for three months, you gather, and has been traveling with Emret and Sah-lei for one month. [[How did you meet the other two?|SpireBio4]]

Spire proceeds to act out an elaborate scene explaining how they all met. You're unsure if your interpretation is accurate, but the story is nonetheless eventful. Spire came across Sah-lei on a path one afternoon and they shared a campfire, to their surprise they revealed their shared experience with this vision. They decided to band together and search for the beast as a team. Upon traveling together, they came across the wood elf Emret, caught in a goblin trap trying to steal some gold. After releasing Emret, to their surprise once more, found that he too shared their vision. Ultimately, the group banded together until they reach Sangrillet. [[You two came at the perfect time for Emret, it would seem.|Continue]]

You quickly snag the stool before anyone else grabs the spot. Sah-lei watches you and proceeds to chug her entire pint. You feel both intimiated and concerned. "Well then, looks like you've become more than acquainted with our fold. It feels as though we were all meant to meet at this tavern one way or another." "Yes, it would seem that way." you say glacning around the room. "I just wish we knew where this "slumbering beast" was so that our vision can be satisfied." [[Just as you finish you last word, a steady, slow, creeping rumbling begins to shake the floor and foundations of the tavern.|Rumble]]

''"BOOM!" "CRACK!" "THRAP!"'' The entire tavern shakes as if an earthquake were to tear it in half. Villagers begin to scream as the roof and rocks of the building begin to crumble and fall. [[Look at Emret.|EmretRumble]] [[Look at Spire.|SpireRumble]] [[Look at Sah-lei.|Sah-leiRumble]] (if:$emretrumble is "TRUE" and $spirerumble is "TRUE" and $sahleirumble is "TRUE")[You decide it's time to move yourself out of harm’s way and follow Sah-lei's advice and [[leave the tavern.|outside]]]

(set:$emretrumble to "TRUE") Emret appears to be ignorant to the chaos currently erupting. He has managed to get a pint in each hand as he alternates sipping from one pint to the other. [[Back|Rumble]]

(set:$spirerumble to "TRUE") You scan the room to see Spire bracing the frame of the tavern with his arms and back, the beam he's holding cracking and splitting with each passing second. Below him were two villagers scrambling away from what would have been their demise. [[Back|Rumble]]

(set:$sahleirumble to "TRUE") You look to Sah-lei who immediately begins to shout at Thrud and the other villagers to get outside. She kicks open the door to the tavern to reveal and bright shining outside world, drastically different to what you remember prior to entering the tavern. [[Back|Rumble]]

You rush outside and find that the thunderstorm has completely disappeared. The surrounding ground is damp and muddy, yet the sun is shining high above as if it hasn't rained for days. The rumbling stops by the time you see Emret, Spire, and Sah-lei leave the tavern before it crumbles to the ground, caving in on itself. [[Check in with the group.|Fear]]

"Is everyone okay?" You shout over the crowd of villagers. "Yes, we're safe!" replies Sah-lei from afar. "Everyone escaped, but the tavern is in ruin!" Just as you begin to form a reply, the sun beams a ray of white light directly at you, blinding each of your senses. [[A voice calls out from the light...|Here]]

You have found one another... Just as I had foreseen... Such obedience... Such blind trust... [[**//I SHALL BATHE IN YOUR SUFFERING!//**|Wings]]

As the light fades, your senses return as you see Emret, Spire, and Sah-lei recovering from a similar event you've just experienced. You realize that they are all facing the broken hill to the north. Not just them, but the villagers and Thrud as well. You slowly turn to face whatever it is that's captured the attention of all those present. <img src="images/dragon.jpg"> Atop the hill, a few miles from the village of Sangrillet, sits a beast of legend. Despite the distance, you can tell that the beast has its eyes locked on you. "You... will... fear." As the words fade into an echo in your mind, you see the wings of this beast rise and spread. [[The beast is coming...|End]]

<h1>TO BE CONTINUED!</h1> Thank you for taking this adventure alongside me! This is my first experience using Twine and I am beginning to understand how everything works! I hope with time and practice that it will become a useful tool for digital storytelling and furthering my storytelling abilities! If you wish to play once more, follow this [[link|Beginning]]. Thanks again! Created by Caleb Stenberg Credits: Imagery gathered from pixabay.com Dragon made by <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/lionsketch/art/Dragon-on-cliff-512164873">Lionsketch</a>

<h1>The Slumbering Beast</h1> <h2>By Caleb Stenberg</h2> [[Begin|The Awakening]]

(set: $speak to "FALSE") "The bartender, Thruud, spoke of you three waiting for your fourth." you ask them all. "Are you a band of mercenaries? A squad of knights sent by the King?" The three individuals remained silent; the hooded figure having just finished the last drop of the pint. "We are here because we've each shared a vision telling of an impending danger, a beast to be exact." finishing off their sentence with a belch. (if: $speak is "FALSE")[[Was there anything else of note in your visions?|Question]]