The sound of leaves crunching underneath your feet rises up to your ears. All around you towering trees obscure your vision. Regardless, you follow the path in front of you, careful not to trip on any fallen branches.
Up in the sky stars shine down, you take a moment to appreciate their light, only to notice the moon. It seems particularly menacing tonight. After all, tonight is the night of the blood moon.
Walking by your side is another, obscured by the shadows of the forest. You only met them recently, but hope they will prove a useful companion for the journey ahead.
You are almost at the point where the path diverges, but first, you must squeeze between two trees that have taken over part of the path. Only one of you can go at a time.
*TEAM CHOICE*
(This phrase indicates that this is a decision that will affect both you and the other player. Whenever you see this phrase, you will be expected to discuss the choice with the other player, and come to an agreement before moving on. However you come to a decision is up to you, but be careful and pay attention, if you and your partner select different options the game will not work.
(If you accidentally click an option that your partner did not also choose, then you can press the 'reverse' button in the upper left to go back to the previous choice at any time)
[[I will take the lead]]
[[My partner will go first]]
You step ahead of your companion and squeeze through the narrow clearing. It takes a second, but you make it through, and now you see the forest thinning, and enough light shines down to illuminate three distinct pathways ahead.
But first, as you wait for your travelling partner to make their way through, you reflect on why you've come to this strange, isolated place.
Why *are* you here, on such an ominous night?
*Individual Choice*
(This phrase indicates that the choice you make is entirely up to you, you are not required to reveal the details of your choice to the other player. You may do so if you wish, but remember! Sometimes discretion is key! However, take note of the letter that corresponds to your choice, you will have to let the other player know which letter you chose, so that their game can follow along with the story.)
(link: "A: I have an important mission, and I will not fail")[\
(set: $Protag to "Cultist")\
(set: $MyItem to "RitualKnife")\
(go-to: "Wait For Partner")\
]
(link: "B: Some mysteries can only be solved by getting my hands dirty")[\
(set: $Protag to "Detective")\
(set: $MyItem to "Revolver")\
(set: $Bullets to 6)\
(go-to: "Wait For Partner")\
]
(link: "C: This place is the subject of rumor and myth, only I can uncover the truth!")[\
(set: $Protag to "Blogger")\
(set: $MyItem to "Flashlight")\
(go-to: "Wait For Partner")\
]
(link: "D: I will do what I must to settle my father's affairs")[\
(set: $Protag to "Priest")\
(set: $MyItem to "HolyWater")\
(go-to: "Wait For Partner")\
]
You watch your companion squeeze through the space between the trees. Soon enough they make it through and you follow after them.
*Partner's choice*
(This phrase indicates that your partner is making a choice. They may not tell you the full details of their choice or why they made it, but they are required to tell you the letter corresponding to the choice they made. When they do, click on the letter that your partner reports to you, and your game will follow along based on their choice.)
(link: "A")[\
(set: $Player2 to "Cultist")\
(set: $Companion to "John")\
(set: $Pronoun to "he")\
(set: $Partner to $CultistDescrip)\
(go-to: "link1")\
]
(link: "B")[\
(set: $Player2 to "Detective")\
(set: $Companion to "Caroline")\
(set: $Pronoun to "she")\
(set: $Partner to $DetectiveDescrip)\
(go-to: "link1")\
]
(link: "C")[\
(set: $Player2 to "Blogger")\
(set: $Companion to "Neil")\
(set: $Pronoun to "he")\
(set: $Partner to $BloggerDescrip)\
(go-to: "link1")\
]
(link: "D")[\
(set: $Player2 to "Priest")\
(set: $Companion to "Father Tom")\
(set: $Pronoun to "he")\
(set: $Partner to $PriestDescrip)\
(go-to: "link1")\
]
(set: $CultistDescrip to "A mysterious and lonesome figure, John Richards isn't much to look at, but as a local librarian with an interest in strange happenings, he could prove an invaluable partner.")\
(set: $DetectiveDescrip to "As hard-boiled as the eggs she ate for breakfast, you walk next to the hardest detective in the upper midwest, Caroline Gunsmoke, though you suspect that may not be her real name.
She's here to solve a series of deaths and dissapearances that have plagued this town for years, though she hasn't said much else.")\
(set: $BloggerDescrip to "Owner and star of \"Neil's Blog of Spooks and Spirits,\" Neil Brampton is always on the lookout for something exciting to share with his nearly triple digit fandom. Perhaps tonight both you will find something worth a 'like.'")\
(set: $PriestDescrip to "Father Tom is a quiet man, the spitting image of a Priest in every way. Despite the trudge through the forest, his robes are so immaculate you'd swear he'd just ironed them.
Tonight he's here to honor his father's will by visiting an old church to preform an unusual task, though even he is unclear on the reasons why.")You think about your partner and all their fascinating personality traits, their complex characterization, and the fact that you definitely know who they are and why they're here.
But why are *you* here on such an ominous night?
{
(set: $Mission to "A: I have an important mission, and I will not fail")
(set: $Mystery to "B: Some mysteries can only be solved by getting my hands dirty")
(set: $Blog to "C: This place is the subject of rumor and myth, only I can uncover the truth!")
(set: $Respect to "D: I will do what I must to settle my father's affairs")
}
{(if: $Player2 is "Cultist")[\
(print: "A: This option was already taken by your partner")]
(else:)[\
(link: $Mission)[\
(set: $Protag to "Cultist")\
(set: $MyItem to "RitualKnife")\
(go-to: "Cultist Description")\
]
]}
{(if: $Player2 is "Detective")[\
(print: "B: This option was already taken by your partner")]
(else:)[\
(link: $Mystery)[\
(set: $Protag to "Detective")\
(set: $MyItem to "Revolver")\
(set: $Bullets to 6)\
(go-to: "Detective Description")\
]
]}
{(if: $Player2 is "Blogger")[\
(print: "C: This option was already taken by your partner")]
(else:)[\
(link: $Blog)[\
(set: $Protag to "Blogger")\
(set: $MyItem to "Flashlight")\
(go-to: "Blogger Description")\
]
]}
{(if: $Player2 is "Priest")[\
(print: "D: This option was already taken by your partner")]
(else:)[\
(link: $Respect)[\
(set: $Protag to "Priest")\
(set: $MyItem to "HolyWater")\
(go-to: "Priest Description")\
]
]}Welcome To [NAME TBD]!
This is an interactive choose your own adventure game where you make decisions that will impact your experience!
But there's a twist! This game requires two players to be played. Both players open the game on seperate devices, and communicate with each other as they play through and cooperate (or don't) to get to the end!
Before you begin, make sure to find another player who can access the game on their device, and has the time to spare.
As you play through, the game will explain how players are supposed to interact. Please keep these tips in mind, and follow the rules, or else the game will not work properly.
Most importantly, thanks for playing! And remember to have fun!
- Jared Bruett
[[It Begins]]
Your name is John Richards, local librarian and paranormal enthusiast. At least, that's what you told your companion.
In reality your name is Mason Clark, and your purpose is far more sinister.
You are to be initiated into the Cult of the Lamb, but only if you prove your devotion. Tonight is the night of the blood moon, the night that your sacrifice must be performed, and your companion seems like the perfect mark.
You run your hand over the handle of your **Ritual Knife**. But the ritual is more complex than stabbing your friend. There is a mark that must be made, and a specific location it must take place, but all you know for sure, is that the information you need is somewhere in these woods. For now, you must find out how to perform the **sacrificial ritual**, and **guide your companion into position** for the sacrifice, without them catching onto your true intention.
[[You turn to look at your partner]]Your name is Caroline Gunsmoke, former police officer and current private investigator.
This sleepy little town isn't just the home of the worst eggs you've ever eaten, it's also the victim of a series of strange kidnappings and mysterious murders.
You, being the top tier detective you are, have an inkling that the key to solving this mystery lies out here in these abandoned trails. Luckily your companion will have your back out here on these dark roads.
Your thumb runs over the handle of your **Revolver**, you never leave home without it. Practice counting to six, because that's the number of bullets you have, if you run out, your gun will be little more than an expensive paperweight.
If you really want to crack this case, you're going to need a few things. First, a **suspect**. Second, some sort of **incriminating evidence**. Third, the **location of the victims**. That should be enough information to put this mystery to rest and save this quaint little town.
[[You turn to look at your partner]]Your name is Neil Brampton, owner of the greatest paranormal focused blog hosted by Wordpress.
Unfortunately for you, however, hitting it big in the business of spooky happenings isn't as easy as you thought it'd be. Tonight however, you have a feeling your luck is about to change.
Rumor is that this town is about as haunted and cursed as midwest towns get, and that makes it the perfect place to film the thing that's gonna make you go viral.
Of course, the actual details of the spooky events are pretty vague, but there's been enough whispers of murder and spirits that you're sure you'll find something worth filming, and with your trusty **video camera** and **flashlight** you'll have your own reality tv show before you can say "ectoplasm."
If you can find and film at least **three spooky events**, you should have enough content to make one hell of a post!
[[You turn to look at your partner]]
"May the Lord be with you"
"And also with you"
This was the last thing you said to your father before you left this town. It's strange to be home. There is comfort in familiar sounds and sights, and also a deep sadness that you could not return before your father passed away.
It was a shock to recieve the letter.
*Dear Tom,
If you are reading this, it means I have finally rejoined our creator. Do not weep for me, as I shall be forever safe and secure in the arms of our Lord.
However, I fear there are things I was not able to resolve in life. Please, I urge you, return to my old church and find my **Crucifix** within. If it is there, take it quickly, and **bury it in the nearby graveyard**.
Godspeed,
- Your Loving Father*
You do not understand why he has asked this, or what purpose it will serve, but if this is your father's last request, you are resolved to see it completed.
[[You turn to look at your partner]]You ruminate on your deep and complex motivations, inspired by your personality and backstory, as your partner crawls through to meet you.
*Partner's choice*
(This phrase indicates that your partner is making a choice. They may not tell you the full details of their choice or why they made it, but they are required to tell you the letter corresponding to the choice they made. When they do, click on the letter that your partner reports to you, and your game will follow along based on their choice.)
(if: $Protag is not "Cultist")[
(link: "A")[\
(set: $Player2 to "Cultist")\
(set: $Companion to "John")\
(set: $Partner to $CultistDescrip)\
(go-to: "" + $Protag + " Description")\
]] (else:)[(print: "A: You already selected this option")]
(if: $Protag is not "Detective")[
(link: "B")[\
(set: $Player2 to "Detective")\
(set: $Companion to "Caroline")\
(set: $Partner to $DetectiveDescrip)\
(go-to: "" + $Protag + " Description")\
]] (else:)[(print: "B: You already selected this option")]
(if: $Protag is not "Blogger")[
(link: "C")[\
(set: $Player2 to "Blogger")\
(set: $Companion to "Neil")\
(set: $Partner to $BloggerDescrip)\
(go-to: "" + $Protag + " Description")\
]] (else:)[(print: "C: You already selected this option")]
(if: $Protag is not "Priest")[
(link: "D")[\
(set: $Player2 to "Priest")\
(set: $Companion to "Father Tom")\
(set: $Partner to $PriestDescrip)\
(go-to: "" + $Protag + " Description")\
]] (else:)[(print: "D: You already selected this option")]
(set: $CultistDescrip to "A mysterious and lonesome figure, John Richards isn't much to look at, but as a local librarian with an interest in strange happenings, he could prove an invaluable partner.")\
(set: $DetectiveDescrip to "As hard-boiled as the eggs she ate for breakfast, you walk next to the hardest detective in the upper midwest, Caroline Gunsmoke, though you suspect that may not be her real name.
She's here to solve a series of deaths and dissapearances that have plagued this town for years, though she hasn't said much else.")\
(set: $BloggerDescrip to "Owner and star of \"Neil's Blog of Spooks and Spirits,\" Neil Brampton is always on the lookout for something exciting to share with his nearly triple digit fandom. Perhaps tonight both you will find something worth a 'like.'")\
(set: $PriestDescrip to "Father Tom is a quiet man, the spitting image of a Priest in every way. Despite the trudge through the forest, his robes are so immaculate you'd swear he'd just ironed them.
Tonight he's here to honor his father's will by visiting an old church to preform an unusual task, though even he is unclear on the reasons why.")\{(if: $Player2 is "Cultist")[\
(set: $PartnerUse to "You met John near a local coffee shop shortly after arriving to your hotel. After introducing himself, he took a keen interest in your travels, and offered himself as a guide to the more remote areas of the town. He's quiet and reserved, but seems knowledgeable. He expressed an interest in learning more about the areas beyond the main town, and with both of you travelling together, the journey will hopefully be much safer.")/
]}
{(if: $Player2 is "Detective")[\
(set: $PartnerUse to "You first saw Caroline pacing back and forth on Main Street, scrawling wildly in a notebook and muttering to herself. You were immediately concerned, but once you approached you found her to be surprisingly coherent. You'd never met a detective before, but as far as you know she seems as good an investigator as anyone else, and you couldn't help finding yourself intrigued by her mission. After revealing that you planned to explore the same area, she reluctantly agreed to travel together. Caroline mind seems to run a mile a minute, and she doesn't seem to fully trust you, but so far you've managed to work together without any issues.")/
]}
{(if: $Player2 is "Blogger")[\
(set: $PartnerUse to "It was hard *not* to notice Neil wandering around town talking to his camera. It was getting to the point that someone nearly called the police, which led to him accidentally running into you on the street and knocking you to the ground. After he profusely apologized he introduced himself as a blogger of sorts. He spent a long time explaining his blog, but you still don't fully understand what it is he actually does. All you know for sure is he seems to find you interesting, because he's pretty much refused to leave you alone since. He doesn't seem to have any discernable talents or skills, but at the very least he hasn't managed to get himself hurt. At least not yet.")/
]}
{(if: $Player2 is "Priest")[\
(set: $PartnerUse to "Father Tom seems distracted, always staring off into the distance like he's contemplating something deep and meaningful. Then again, he's a priest, so maybe he is. You wouldn't know, religion doesn't have much of a place in your life; so it was strange to find yourself chatting with him on a gloomy afternoon the other day. He's friendly enough, and seems to be a better listener than a conversationalist. You managed to get him to tell you about his father's will, but not much else. Either way, you're both going to the same place, and he seems happy to have company.")/
]}
(set: $Bench to 0)
(go-to: "Partner Look")$Partner
$PartnerUse
[[You both continue along the path]]{(if: $Bench is 0)[\
(print: "You and $Companion make your way along the dirt trail, the forest ahead of you is beginning to thin out. It's a longer walk than either of you anticipated, but finally you reach a clearing, and realize that the path ahead splits off into three different directions.")
]}
Each path seems to lead to a different location, but all three of them are well-lit and the dirt seems heavily trodden-down. To one side of the clearing is a small bench, just big enough for two people.
*INVESTIGATION*
{(if: $Bench is 0)[\
(print: "(Investigation choices are opportunities to learn more about the current environment. You and your partner can each investigate independently, you do not need to choose the same options.)")
]}
(link: "Look at the left path")[\
(set: $PathDescription to "You turn your gaze to the path on the left. It seems to go pretty far down into the woods. This path is very narrow, but it seems to be the most heavily traveled of the three. There's no way to tell for sure where it ends.")
(go-to: "Investigate Path")\
]
(link: "Look at the middle path")[\
(set: $PathDescription to "The middle path seems the most inviting, being wider than the other two and with fewer trees blocking the light. There's an old sign knocked over nearby. The paint is peeling off but the word \"Estate\" is still visible.")
(go-to: "Investigate Path")\
]
(link: "Look at the right path")[\
(set: $PathDescription to "The path on the right seems to be heavily overgrown by plants and weeds. This trail isn't very long, and if you squint, you can see what seems to be a metal gate just past the trail's end.")
(go-to: "Investigate Path")\
]
(link: "Sit on the bench")[\
(go-to: "Bench Sitting")\
]
[[Let's Choose A Path]]You plunk yourself down on the nearby bench. It gives a little, but supports your weight. It's nice to have a rest after all this walking, even for a short time.
(link: "Stand Up")[\
(set: $Bench to 1)\
(go-to: "You both continue along the path")\
]$PathDescription
(link: "Look at the other paths")[\
(go-to: "You both continue along the path")\
]
(link: "Let's choose a path")[\
(go-to: "You both continue along the path")\
]
*TEAM CHOICE*
[[A: Let's take the left path]]
[[B: Let's take the middle path]]
[[C: Let's take the path on the right]]Double-click this passage to edit it.You and $Companion step forward onto the middle pathway and begin walking towards whatever lies ahead. {(if: $Companion is "Neil")[\
(print: "Neil shines his flashlight ahead for you, balancing his camera precariously in his other hand. He trips on a root and nearly collapses, but you manage to catch him before he falls.")
]}
After a few minutes of walking, you exit the path and find yourself looking up at an elaborate mansion. It looks incredibly old, and it hasn't been cared for properly in ages, but you can see it was made to last, built with fine wood and carefully detailed. There are remnants of fine detailing and an expensive stained glass window on the second floor. In front of the house is what appears to have once been a marble statue, but it has long fallen since apart due to either neglect or vandalism. Near the front of the house is a stone pathway, and the first stone has been chiseled into. It reads "The Graham Estate."
{(if: $Protag is "Detective")[\
(print: "You recognize the name from your research. The Graham's were an old noble family that struck it rich in the oil business several generations back, but this particular house was abandoned by the family many years ago. There was only one descendant of the Graham family left: Maxwell Graham. But several months ago he had gone missing, vanishing wihtout a trace.")
]}
[[Walk up to the front door]]Double-click this passage to edit it.The front of the estate is quite large, towering over both you and $Companion with a huge set of double-doors. The left door handle seems to have been pried off at some point, it also seems that there was once a door knocker that has long since been lost or stolen. Thankfully the right door handle seems to still be fully functionally, an ornate brass finish detailed with a complex floral design.
{(if: $Protag is "Priest")[\
(print: "You can't help but feel like there's something strange about this place. You pull your rosary out of your pocket and slide your thumb over the beads, but it provides little comfort. There's something about the stained glass window on the second floor that seems familiar. You remark to $Companion that you feel like you've seen a similar design somewhere else, but they don't seem particularly interested.")
]}
{(if: $Companion is "Father Tom")[\
(print: "Father Tom pulls a rosary out of his pocket and fiddles with it nervously. Glancing up at the stained glass window, he remarks that he has seen a similar design somewhere else, though he can't quite remember where.
You do not find this insight particularly interesting.")
]}
*TEAM CHOICE*
[[Knock on the door]]
[[Attempt to enter]]You rap your knuckles against the wood of the door and you hear the sound reverberate into the house. For a minute both of you wait, but there is no answer.
{(if: $Protag is "Cultist")[\
(print: "You can't help but feel like you're wasting time. You let out a short puff of air and state \"That's about what I figured.\"")
]
(if: $Companion is "John")[\
(print: "John huffs a bit. \"That's about what I figured\" he says aloud.")
]
(if: $Protag is "Blogger")[\
(print: "You grip your camera tightly and point it at the door, making sure $Companion is in frame, but to your dissapointment, nothing happens.")
]
(if: $Companion is "Neil")[\
(print: "You glance back at Neil only to notice he's been filming both you and the door, hoping something interesting might occur. Unfortunately for him, nothing of note seems to be occurring.")
]}
[[Attempt to enter]]Double-click this passage to edit it.