Three Choices, Three Ways by Drako Connail

Three Choices, Three Ways

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"Three Choices, Three Ways" 

Use no scoring. 

Include Exit Lister by Eric Eve.

When the entire game begins: say "You are a resident of Salem Town. Years ago, you and many of your peers relocated to the New World to escape the persecution and oppression of the Church of England. Now, in the late 1650s, the Town has elected to grant land from Salem Village to respected citizens, as they have done since the 1630s. You are eligible to partake in a land grant, if you so choose. What will you do?[line break][line break]To move, type the direction you wish to go in: n, e, s, or w. To examine something, type 'x-insert object/self/person.' To check your inventory, type 'i'. To speak to an NPC, type 'ask/tell--person--something'. Try to be as specific as you can when it comes to initiating dialogue!" 

Salem Town is a room. 

the Salem Town church is east of Salem Town. "[if the Salem Town church is unvisited]You spend your days trying to help Bayley. You work alongside Bayley's supporters in the Village and the Town's church. You take the matter to the colonial legislature, the General Court, the Village and Town Commitees, and in the end, you triumph. Bayley is elected to stay...but not for long. He resigns in 1680 and leaves, allowing Nathaniel Putnam to invite Reverend George Burroughs as a replacement. And so begins another trial...[line break][line break]GM: Try asking Higgenson about 'next.'"

next is a thing. 

John Higgenson is a person in the Salem Town church.

Instead of asking John Higgenson about "next":
	say "Higgenson shakes his head. 'I know not,' he says. 'The Village is in turmoil. The current minister, Burroughs, has just been arrested by Captain John Putnam for owing money. By rejecting and arresting their ministers, they are indirectly rejecting God. Clearly, there is a moral deficiency in the midst of the Village citizens. Present company excluded, of course. Will you not aid me in this time?'"

Instead of asking John Higgenson about "Power": 
	say "'I shall,' you tell him. He nods somberly.[line break][line break]'Excellent. Head to the council-house to the southwest of Putnam's home, which lies south of Salem Village. There, speak with my man; perhaps you can convince your fellows to see reason.'" 

Instead of asking John Higgenson about "Isolation": 
	say "Higgenson frowns. 'So you will stay impartial?' he says, evidently disappointed. 'Very well, my child. But remember; God does not save the unrighteous. Perhaps you ought to return to your church, and reread the Bible. Surely you will learn something of value by doing so.'"

Instead of asking John Higgenson about "Identity": 
	say "You've devoted so much effort to helping Bayley, only to see him replaced by Burroughs. This has revealed to you the transience of life; an overwhelming desire to return home overcomes you. Most people feel this way, when their life plans fall through. Or around the middle of December. Students, especially. Wonder why? At any rate, you take your leave and return home without answering Higgenson.[line break][line break]GM: Manually return home. Sorry, there is no magical teleportation system. Sorry."

The description of the player is "A devout Puritan, and a citizen of Salem." 

the Salem Town selectman is a person in Salem Town. The description of the Salem Town selectman is "An agent who parcels out land to worthy proprietors."

Salem Village is west of Salem Town. "[if unvisited]1679. Years have passed, and you've diligently worked the land for all of them. It is a hard life, but rewarding. The Village is less of a village and more of a rolling series of farms, but it has integrity. Your neighbors are far apart, but their suspicion of Salem Town unites them. They mistrust the taxes that it levies, and the obligations that it holds them to. They do not wish to patrol for Salem Town, nor do they wish to travel so far to attend Salem Town's church. Some time ago, and after much debate, the General Court and Salem Town agreed to allow the Village a minister. Although you suspected that the relationship between the Town and the Village would retain its animosity, you had hoped that that particular conflict would have simmered away after Reverend Bayley accepted his position in the Village. But lately, tensions within the Village have sprung up with a vengeance, and it cannot be denied that Bayley seems to be the cause..."  

Power is a thing. Identity is a thing. Isolation is a thing. 

Instead of asking the Salem Town selectman about "Power":
	say "'You wish to accept the land grant? A wise decision; the Grand Council plans for the land to be cultivated for food, and those that choose to cultivate the land shall reap rich benefits indeed. Head west, friend-your land has been prepared.'" 

Instead of asking the Salem Town selectman about "Identity":
	say "'You wish to accept the land grant? Your heart is strong indeed. The west is wild with beasts and savages in equal measure; I pray that you shall not forget civilization there, friend, or your Christianity.'" 

Instead of asking Salem Town selectman about "Isolation": 
	say "'You wish to accept the land grant? Has the Town become too poisonous for you, friend? Does the quiet of the west appeal to your scholarly senses and Christian spirit? Very well! But be sure to take care. The Devil is wily, and a moment's weakness may put your name in his Black Book yet.'" 

Your land is a closed door. Your land is north of Salem Village. Your home is north of Your Land. The wooden chest is a closed openable container in Your home. Your journal is in the wooden chest.

The description of the journal is "You write in your journal and go about your daily life. Things are tumultuous, but you remain firm and do as you always do. And that is...[line break][line break]GM: What is it that you always do? You tell us! Write your own ending."

The description of Your land is "Rolling green fields sprawl out before you. The New World's soil is rocky and thin, even this close to the Ipswich River, but the land is beautiful in its wildness." 

The description of Your home is "A small wooden affair. It's homey, and not as sturdily built as the manse you left behind in the Town. But it was made for you in neighborly spirit, so you won't complain."  

the Salem Town speaker is a person in Salem Village. 

The description of the Salem Town speaker is "A man you do not recognize from the Village. The way the Villagers eye him marks him as a stranger. Very likely, he is a citizen from the Town.[line break][line break]GM: Try asking him about 'motive.'" 

Instead of asking the Salem Town speaker about "motive":
	say "You speak to the man. As you had suspected, he is a citizen of Salem Town. He says that he is here on behalf of John Higginson, the minister of Salem Town.[line break][line break]'That which they accuse Reverend Bayley of is false,' he says. 'Reverend Bayley has never neglected his duties to the church, nor omitted family prayers within his household. He has been nothing but diligent, and for very little payment. Did you know that your Village has been derelict in paying Reverend Bayley's wages? Do you not feel that he has been wrongfully accused?'" 

Instead of asking the Salem Town speaker about "Power": 
	say "He scowls. 'So,' he says. 'You choose to support your Village. Loyalty is a virtue, friend, but so is the truth. But, very well. Perhaps you ought to join the crowd yonder; I have nothing more to say to you.'"

Instead of asking the Salem Town speaker about "Isolation":
	say "The man's mouth twitches. 'Ah, so you choose to stay uninvolved?' he says. 'Well, I suppose nothing will change for you, either way. Bayley, with the weight of truth behind his words, will triumph over baseless accusations and retain his position as your minister. Perhaps you should head to the church now; surely, even one as uninvolved as you shall find something to do there.'" 

Instead of asking the Salem Town speaker about "Identity":
	say "The man's constitution brightens. 'So you agree!' he says. He crosses his arms and begins to speak officiously. 'The Reverend has been wronged by the Village. However, he has triumphed over these accusations; Reverend Higginson has proof of that. Ah, perhaps you ought to see him? His church is in the eastern sector of Salem Town.'"  

the mob is a person in Salem Village. The description of the mob is "A sizable group of respected citizens, looking rather irritable. You see notables such as Nathaniel Putnam and Bray Wilkins among the crowd. They don't seem happy.[line break][line break]GM: Try asking them about 'motive.'" 

motive is a thing. 

Instead of asking the mob about "motive":
	say "You inquire as to the reason for the assembly. A man answers that the crowd is made up of citizens opposing Reverend Bayley. They are, at last, making appeals to the Salem Town church to resolve the conflict between Bayley and his supporters, and themselves, he tells you.[line break][line break]The man waves to Nathaniel Putnam, and he comes to you.[line break][line break]'Friend!' Putnam says. 'I am glad you are here. My fellow citizens and I feel that Reverend Bayley has been negligent of his duties as the Village minister. He has established himself in an estate built upon 40 acres of land donated to him from Villagers such as ourselves, but he does not repay his dues! Do you not feel the same? Are you here to challenge Bayley as well?'" 

Instead of asking the mob about "Power": 
	say "Putnam's face is split by a thin-lipped smile. 'Ah, so you do agree with us! Come with me then, to my home in the south; we have much to discuss.'"

Instead of asking the mob about "Isolation": 
	say "Putnam's expression becomes strained when you tell him that you wish to have no part in the dispute. 'Ah,' he says. 'I see. If that is how it is, then I would ask of you to take your leave. You have no place here. Perhaps the Village church shall have you.'" 

Instead of asking the mob about "Identity":
	say "Putnam frowns when you tell him that you support the Reverend. 'So, you do not see the error of his ways? Perhaps you should speak with the Town's man, then. You'll find no support here, with this group.'[line break][line break]Putnam turns his back on you, and turns to speak to Bray Wilkens." 

Putnam's home is south of Salem Village. "[if Putnam's home is unvisited]You spend the next few months with Putnam. Your faction needles persistently at Bayley's character and the legitimacy of his appointment in Salem. The matter is blown out of proportion, spiraling into a larger argument about who has the power to appoint a minister in Salem. In the end, the majority of the Village votes to keep Bayley. Bayley leaves regardless, in 1680, and for the moment, you win. Your faction, again led by Putnam, chooses the next minister: Reverend George Burroughs.[line break][line break]However, things do not go well for Burroughs. Within a few months, the minister tax has gone unpaid, and the Reverend ceases meeting the Village congregation entirely. Opposition is rising up against Burroughs, and your faction must do something against it.[line break][line break]So you choose to speak to Putnam, and he smiles, strained. 'Friend,' he says. 'Have you heard? Reverend Burroughs has been arrested.'[line break][line break]You reel in shock. He continues on. 'Captain John Putnam has had him arrested for debt. The Reverend needed money to pay for his wife's funeral, you see, and the Captain was willing to lend him credit, but the Reverend did not have the money to pay...' Putnam falls silent.[line break][line break]'What shall we do, my friend?' he asks." 

Nathaniel Putnam is a person in Putnam's home. The description of Nathaniel Putnam is "A respected man in the Village." 

Instead of asking Nathaniel Putnam about "Power": 
	say "You tell Putnam that although Burrough's cause is lost, there may yet be another opportunity to place your man into the position of minister. Putnam seems to take heart in your encouragement. If this were a dating sim, you would have just scored an immense amount of love points. But as this is a text-based game meant for educational purposes, you do not score an immense amount of love points. Instead, you are told to head to the council-house to the southwest, where the matter of Burroughs is to be officially settled." 

Instead of asking Nathaniel Putnam about "Isolation":
	say "Putnam's face falls. 'So you will not stand with the Village, in this time of trial.' he says. 'Perhaps you ought to examine the Bible again, in the church. Surely, it will remind you of your neighborly duties.'[line break][line break]If this were a dating sim, your relationship with Putnam would have been damaged irreparably, forcing you to either start a new game or quit without saving to achieve his route." 

Instead of asking Nathaniel Putnam about "Identity": 
	say "You've begun to realize, over time, that in joining with Putnam, you have been eroding your identity, your sense of self. You had become caught up in Putnam's hot mess, losing your pride and self in the Bayley affair. Putnam is poison. You realize this now.[line break][line break]'I was young and I was reckless,' you tell him. 'We took it too far. Your affairs left me breathless, and with a nasty scar. I've got a long list of actions, that would have marked me insane. I'm making a blank space for myself now, Putnam; and I'll write your name.'[line break][line break]You head back to your home, leaving Putnam speechless. Had this been a dating sim, the game would have been brought under scrutiny for violating some copyrighting act and plagiarizing T-Swift's hit song, Blank Space."

The Village church is west of Salem Village. "[if the Village church is unvisited]You wait out the maelstrom of chaos and turmoil as you usually do. You immerse yourself in farm work, head to church when you can, and keep your head down." 

The Council-house is southwest of Putnam's home. "[if unvisited]You head to the council-house many times over the next few months. Burroughs is driven from Salem; you hear he has made his living in Maine. Reverend Deodat Lawson replaces him in 1684 and you...[line break][line break]GM: Thus the game concludes! Now, based on the choices you've made and the information you've learned, write your own ending." 

The Bible is an object in the church. The description of the Bible is "You read the Bible, and decide to completely go against it and do your own thing. While the rest of the Village immerses itself in sectionalism and petty bickering, you run off into the forest and sign the Black Book. You become an honest-to-goodness witch, and soon begin plotting against those who were once your neighbors. The world is your oyster, and Salem, a breeding ground for your thralls. Soon, all will be yours.[line break][line break]GM: Do you end up conquering Salem? Do you desist in your blasphemy? Write your own ending!'"