Nelathar's soup

<h3>Nelathar's soup</h3><hr>The enormous doors of the pantheon open wide in front of you. Hundreds of heads turn, as you and your attendants enter the building. The massive round temple is packed with people. Lords and ladies, landed knights, their squires, and chambermaids. All of them dressed in the white clothes of mourning. Tradition dictates you wash your face in the basin next to the stairs. [[Wash your face]] [[Approach the center]]

<h3>Day 1</h3><hr>The birds are singing outside your window. You open your eyes and stare at the ceiling. The incense has been changed before you wake up like usual. You can hear the bustle of people walking through the halls outside your door. It is late. [[Get up]]

They all look at you frowning as you walk down the isles, to the center of the pantheon. You try not to look at her, lying there in the middle of the room. Luckily, Proprietrist Kalma sees you and breaks off his conversation. He walks up to you in gold-accented white robes, hobbling like a panicked boar with broken legs. "Your majesty, everything is in order. We can start the ceremony." The scent of temple incense and sweat hits your lungs hard. It feels like they are being squeezed under a horse. "Good," you just say before looking around. Your family has arranged themselves in the innermost circle of the pantheon. In the inner ring, in front of all the gods' statues. Your brother Demorod, and your eldest son, Farley are standing in the front, their heads held high. Behind them, your other sons and daughter are standing with their attendants; their chambermaids, the few house guards you brought with you, and the children's Proctrix. [[Approach the altar]] [[Go stand with your family]]

You stick your head into the heavy stone bowl. The saltwater stings in the small cut you made while shaving your face. You pull your face up again and rub your hands over it until the water is out of your eyes. As is tradition, you spit in the bowl before moving on. Behind you your brother Demorod takes his turn washing his face. Looks follow you as you walk down the isles, to the center of the pantheon. You try not to look at her, lying there in the middle of the room. Luckily, Proprietrist Kalma sees you and breaks off his conversation. He walks up to you in gold-accented white robes, hobbling like a panicked boar with broken legs. "Your majesty, everything is in order. We can start the ceremony." The scent of temple incense and sweat hits your lungs hard. It feels like they are being squeezed under a horse. "Good," you just say before looking around. Your family has arranged themselves in the innermost circle of the pantheon. In the inner ring, in front of all the gods' statues. Your brother Demorod, and your eldest son, Farley are standing in the front, their heads held high. Behind them, your other sons and daughter are standing with their attendants; their chambermaids, the few house guards you brought with you, and the children's Proctrix. [[Go stand with your family]] [[Approach the altar]]

You walk over to your family. Farley nods to you as you approach. His white robes are shaped similarly to yours. In the style of the old empire. Very different from the fashion today. His black hair is trimmed short and he has been growing his beard out recently. You look around the room. The smell of incense is hanging heavily in the air. Countless faces are focused on you, but as a king, you know that feeling very well. You finally look at her. You see her black with golden accented Fluran dress. You fight your emotions, keeping a stoic face. [[The ceremony is starting]]

There she is. Lying on the stone slab. They dressed her in her most beautiful black Fluran. The traditional golden coast dress was made of fine southern silk, stitched with the finest materials, and fitted by the best tailors in the whole region. You remember when you had it made for her. [[It was on a warm summer day]] [[It was on a cold winter day]]

You remember it very well. The air in the palace smelled a little less like piss and a little more like Roses. It had taken three days and three nights to finish the dress. She had been so excited. You could see the sparkle in her eyes every time she talked about it. You remember the day it was done. You, Farley, and your son Kunnard were out in the garden, playing a game. Their black hair looked just like yours. Slightly curly but slicked back with wax. She had come out in her new black and golden Fluran. "Color's for the summer" she had said. Color's for a funeral, you had thought. [[The ceremony is starting]]

You remembered it very well. The air in the castle was cold. You walked from fire to fire, never staying in the hallways too long. It had taken three days and three nights to finish the dress. She had been so excited about it. You could see the sparkle in her eyes every time she talked about it. You remember the day it was done. You, Farley, and your son Kunnard were in the grand hall, you were teaching them. Their black hair looked just like yours. Slightly curly but slicked back with wax. She had come out in her new black and golden Fluran. "Color's for the winter" she had said. Color's for a funeral, you had thought. [[The ceremony is starting]]

As the priests start their chanting, the audience starts going quiet. Proprietist Kalma starts with the rites of the dead. "As we commend your souls to the halls of Aethra. As we help them to the guiding hand of Unabith. May..." She's lying there, in the middle of the room. The accents of her dress, shimmering in the light of the many candles. You feel a tear welling up in your eye. Your brother puts his hand on your shoulder and whispers, "Stay strong, the delegation is here as well." He nods at a group standing opposite of you, two rows up. It's the Medean delegation. They are looking at you intensely. [[Keep a straight face]] [[Let out a tear]]

"...those who have sought harm and despair on the world, basking it in the dull dusk of the forces of darkness, be damned to the Realms of Bethra forever." It takes every ounce of control of your body to keep a straight face. You look at the delegation and see the Medean minister of war. You know exactly why he is here. Not to give his condolences or any other fake reason he might give, but just to probe for weakness. [[You feel a cough coming up]]

"...those who have sought harm and despair on the world, basking it in the dull dusk of the forces of darkness, be damned to the Realms of Bethra forever." You try your best but in the end, a tear appears in your eye. It rolls down your cheek and drips down on the cold stone floor. "Fount for the dead brother," your brother whispers. "He saw it" You look at the delegation and spot the Medean minister of war. A slight smile creeping across his lips. [[You feel a cough coming up]]

You cough into your hand. It feels like a fire is rushing through your body with every cough. You keep it under control as best you can, but as soon as you pull your hand away, you see a big red splatter of blood on it. You lock eyes with the Medean again, he is smiling now. He whispers something to the man next to him before nodding at you with a wry smile. "Ignore him Nileas," your brother whispers. "We should see the healer after this." [[Maybe]]

You feel your body is shutting down slowly. Your current healer won’t be able to do anything, just like all the others before. At least you are going to be with her soon. You look back at the Medeans. They are staring at you now. "And now it is time for the offerings," Proprietrist Kalma says. He looks at you and nods. [[Walk up to the altar]]

She's so beautiful. You stand there for a moment in silence. Saying your quiet goodbyes. You touch her hand, a gesture that’s not very appreciated in your culture. The gemstones on her eyes are rubies. The biggest rubies you could find. They glow brightly with the light of fount energy. They power the spells that are the only thing keeping her body from decaying at this point. The fount channels on her body marked with white paint, give her a ghastly look. But the red light of the rubies gives a slightly less dead feeling to the body. It is traditional that you give an offering to her. Something she can take with her back to the afterlife. Something of significance to her, or something valuable that she can take up with her other possessions. You decide to give her; [[A Rose]] [[The necklace]] [[Minolean's poem bundle]]

A beautiful rose from her rosegarden. It smells like her. You look at it, not a single imperfection on this rose. Just like her. [[You place the offering on the altar]]

The necklace you gave her on your wedding day is sitting firmly in your hand. You rub your finger against the silver hanger, inlaid with a beautiful ruby. Rubies were always her favorite. There is not much you can do with the necklace though. It is a good idea to give it to her as an offering. [[You place the offering on the altar]]

Minolean's original bundle. It was her favorite book. Full of the earliest work of the legendary poet. You remember how she would read it to you in bed. You remember lying back, your head resting on her chest, your eyes closed. You remember her soft voice as she recited the poem. You remember how she would close the bundle before saying the last sentence. Always a knack for drama she had. It is a good offering [[You place the offering on the altar]]

You walk back and look at how your family puts down their offerings. One by one they walk past you, back to their places. You glance over at where the Medeans were standing before. They have disappeared. You share a glance with your brother who has also seen it. As the priests start their chant again, your brother whispers to you, "It won't be long now before they attack. We need to start thinking about our defense." You nod. "And we <b>need</b> to see a healer." [[A healer won't help]]

"Maybe, maybe not, but you can't give up now. We are on the verge of war Nileas. And not just that, there is trouble brewing in the countryside." "Gods! I ask of you, please bring this woman home." Kalma is screaming. "Take her soul, and let her body become one with Mithra. Let her..." "Brother," Demorod says. "If you die now, Farley will become king. I can't control that boy. He is a fine lad, but he has much to learn before he can become king. And you know as well as I do, that I won't be the only voice telling him what to do. Remember what you promised her before she died?" [["Live, live for our children"]]

That is what she told you before she died. You hear it every time you close your eyes. The ceremony is ending. As the people disperse around you, you make eye contact with Kalma. The priest nods at you and walks over. [[Talk to Kalma]]

"A fine service your majesty," Kalma says. "Tomorrow the last seven days of mourning will begin. After that, you will find your heart to be much lighter." [[I hope so]]

Kalma looks at you. [[I am dying]] [[I wanted to ask you, do you think it is too late for an old soul like me to find peace?]] [[Is she at peace?]]

"Your mortal soul will never find peace, that is the burden of us mortals. But fear not your majesty, your soul will find peace after it has traveled to the Aethra." [[Alright->I hope so]]

You say, "I am very sick Proprietist, and I have made an important decision. Do you know anything about the Chalice of Bid?" He scratches his short grey beard for a second and then looks at you again. "I know about it yeah. Underneath this here pantheon is a network of crypts. They say those who seek immortality should go there. If the gods allow it, they will find the Chalice of Bid. A chalice with the power to grant immortality." "And this is true?" "Very true. But if you truly seek this, your majesty, then I must warn you. Immortality is not a gift, it is a curse. One that will weigh heavily upon your soul. One that, even with all the time in the world, will not wash off of you." [[Go down into the Crypts]] [[Leave the Pantheon and go home]] [[I wanted to ask you, do you think it is too late for an old soul like me to find peace?]] [[Is she at peace?]]

"Not yet my lord. Her body has been prepared but not her soul has to travel to the gods, to the Aethra. In seven days we will hold a feast to celebrate her finding paradise." You nod. "But Sadly, right now she is still wandering." [[Alright->I hope so]]

Are you sure? This might be the only chance for you to stay alive? [[Yes I am sure->Boring ending]] [[No I need to do this->I am dying]]

You decide to make your way down into the crypts. As you open the heavy stone doors, the dusty smell of a crypt overwhelms you. The air here is feeling heavy and dusty. You pass the bodies of the dead, burned and put in urns. [[Descent deeper]]

Two weeks later, the Medeans ride into the city. Your armies have fallen. Your lords have surrendered. And you, You are dead. The disease took you. Not even giving you the chance to meet this day with honor. Things come and go, and so does your dynasty. This might be the end for you, but your memory will live on. For some time at least. **Refusal ending**

The light of your torch is playing an orange spectacle on the walls of the crypt. This part of the crypt hasn't been used in hundreds of years. Slowly, as you progress through the tunnel, the urns start dissapearing, and soon you find yourself in a black hallway, hundreds of meters under the city. You arrive at a T-junction [[Go right]] [[Go Left]]

You hear the faint sound of water dripping up ahead. You quicken your pace and enter a large room. In the middle, you see a shallow pool of water. Water is dripping from a small crack in the ceiling. On one end of the room you see a small statue, you don't recognize the idol. You decide to [[Stay in the room a little longer]] [[Get a move on]]

You follow the winding hallway but suddenly stop. The way ahead is blocked with rubble. There is a tiny hole you could possibly crawl through if you tried your best. But who knows what is on the other side? [[Inspect the rubble]] [[Crawl through the hole]] [[Go back]]

You stay for a moment, listening to the sounds of the room. You look at your torch, if you would drop it into the water, you would surely die. Unless you could find your way back by touch. But who knows what lurks in the dark? [[Get a move on]]

You keep walking and find yourself at another fork in the tunnel. There is three ways. Left, right, and middle. Each of these seem just as dark to you. You go: [[Left->Straight]] [[Straight]] [[Right->Straight]]

You are back at the junction. [[Go Left]] [[Go right]]

You put your torch through the hole and try to put it on a piece of rubble. It falls off however and rolls down onto the ground. Now there is no more way back. You crawl through the small hole. Bit by bit you get closer to the other side. Once you are through, you slowly grab the torch and look around you. The tunnel just continues here. [[Get a move on]]

You come closer and look closely at the structure of the rubble. It seems very unstable but you could probably fit through it. [[Crawl through the hole]] [[Go back]]

You continue walking. The air is getting stuffier and stuffier until you finally arrive in a large room. The torchlight reflects an orange glow in a water feature in the middle of the room. In the middle of the water is a pedestal with a large golden chalice on it. [[This must be it]]

As you approach, you see that the walls of the room are painted with murals. They scare you. Paintings of all kinds of horrors. Men stabbing their eyes out, clawing at the wall. You people burning and ruined castles. In the background, you see the silhouette of a creature. Something you can’t explain. On the pedestal in the middle of the room, you see writing. It is written in the old tongue, luckily you are educated in this. <b>They who go here, know that there is no turning back. After you drink from the chalice, your life will be changed forever. Drink every day for eight days, and you will feel the grace of immortality. No disease shall gripe you, no age will ever gnarl your bones. You will live until the end of times. Only the sword, the spear, and the poison will hurt you. But beware, for this chalice holds great power. And great power comes with a great cost. But the reward is there, for those willing to pay the price. </b> You look at the chalice. It seems to be calling you. Softly pulling you towards it. It is your only hope to save your kingdom. [[I will not e̶̫̐ṉ̶̕d like her, (Tak̷̡̑ė̴̦ the c̵̦̋h̵̳͑alice)]] [[I can't risk it, (Leave)]]

You leave the chalice and track back the way you came and head back to the palace. As you walk through the empty streets, people look at you with pity. [[Boring ending]]

You can't die yet. You have to do this. You grab the chalice firmly and lift it off the pedestal. It feels right in your hands. You track your way back to the pantheon and take the palanquin home to the castle. When you arrive at the palace, you head to your room. [[Put the chalice on the table]]

You sit down next to the chalice and look at it. You notice that some kind of liquid has formed on the inside of the cup. The white cloudy liquid smells sweet. Sweet like roses. [[Drink]] [[Don't drink]]

You put the chalice to your lips and drink the strange white milky liquid. It tastes sweet like rosewater and honey. The taste fills your mouth and glides down your throat. You feel it warming your body, like a strong drink, except the warmth fills your entire body. You stand up and walk over to the mirror. You look at yourself. An old man. Your hair is starting to turn grey and your face is starting to show wrinkles. You stand there, as the feeling of warmth and euphoria slowly leaves your body, staring at yourself. [[Go to bed]]

This is too much. Maybe you should just throw it away, or put it back in the crypt. Should you though? Are you sure about it? This is the only chance to stay alive. [[Drink anyway ->Drink]] [[Don't drink->Don'tdrink2]]

You dream of shadows. Shadows in a tunnel. They are watching you, waiting. Waiting for you to step off the path. You know, there is only one way out of this tunnel. Forward. [[Wake up->Day 1]]

You call the servant and get out of your bed. As she leaves to get hot water and breakfast you do some stretches. [[Walk to the mirror]] [[Walk to the chalice]]

You look in the mirror and see your reflection. Do you look younger already? You feel more invigorated at least. [[You wash your face in the basin->The servant is back]]

It is still there. You feel like some kind of warm energy is radiating through it. You hear footsteps outside. [[The servant is back]]

You eat your food in silence. Looking at the strange chalice. You don't know how long you sit there before your son Farley comes in. "Father, it is time for morning prayers." he says, looking at the chalice with a suspicious look on his face. [[Go to the pantheon]]

At the pantheon, the morning service for your wife is long and dreary. It is not as busy as it was yesterday, but still, a fair few people have come. You look at your brother who is standing in the corner, silently whispering with Lord Garson. What are they up to? The service ends and you tell your attendants to; [[Wait outside, I want to talk to the priest]] [[Let's get back to the castle]] (set: $FoundChalice to False) (set: $Nelathar to False) (set: $Whomadeasked to False) (set: $Talked_to_kalma1 to false)

You approach Proprietrist Kalma who bows deeply. (if: $Talked_to_kalma1 is false) ["Your majesty, what can I help you with?" ](if: $Talked_to_kalma1 is true) ["Anything else your majesty?" ] (if: $FoundChalice is false) [ [[I found the chalice]] ](if: $Whomadeasked is false) [ [[Who made the chalice?]] ][[Farewell->Let's get back to the castle]] (set: $Talked_to_kalma1 to true)

(if: $Talked_to_kalma1 is true)[ The others are waiting for you. ] You step outside and get into your palanquin. You feel like taking a scenic route. But maybe there is no time for it. You tell the carriers to; [[Go through rat's street]] [[Go straight to the palace]]

You tell the carriers to take a route through rat's street. Your brother frowns at you but then just shrugs. "We will see you at the palace then. Don't be too long, we need to talk." He calls for a few guards to accompany you. [[Go down Rat's street]]

You quickly make your way back to the palace. Once you arrive, your advisor Cilean comes up to you. "Your brother has requested a meeting with the council. With your permission, I can assemble them in the council chambers [[Go to the Council chamber]]

"Nobody knows. It has been here for so long. But I fear it was nothing holy." The priest glances around him and shoots a quick prayer. "Your majesty, whoever made it, certainly did not have your best interest in mind." [[I'll keep that in mind->Wait outside, I want to talk to the priest]] (set: $Whomadeasked to True)

"I have been told so, your majesty. But I fear this thing will end badly. This chalice, it is Nelathar's soup. Nothing good can come of it. (if: $Nelathar is false) [ [[Nelathar's soup?]] ][[I will decide that->Wait outside, I want to talk to the priest]] (set: $FoundChalice to true)

"Yes your majesty, like the expression? Have you never heard of it?" "No, I have not," "The old emperor Nelathar. He had a political rival he had to eliminate and did so by poisoning the soup at a feast. It was soup his family didn’t like so he hoped they wouldn’t drink it. But they did. He did not only kill his rival but also his entire family." [[Interesting]] (set: $Nelathar to true)

"This chalice is nelathar's soup, your majesty. It might help you in your goal, but at what cost?" [[No cost is too big, if have to save the kingdom->Wait outside, I want to talk to the priest]]

When you arrive at the council chambers, your brother is already waiting. "Before the others get here, I would like to discuss something with you Nileas," your brother says. [[What is it?]]

Rat's street is a long winding road that runs parallel to the city wall. The poorest of the poorest live in this area. They have nothing or less than nothing. Sun shines through the curtains of your palanquin and if you peer outside, you can see the people looking at you with wide eyes. It is not every day that you visit this part of your city. There are children, begging for food on every street corner, and everywhere you look, you see the malnourished bodies of the poorest of your citizens. You see a little boy sitting on the street. There is a fly on his face and he is staring into oblivion. [[Stop the palanquin]] [[Continue->Death to the king]]

Someone on the side of the road screams "Give us food! We are starving here you daemon!" It is a man, maybe thirty years old. He looks like he hasn't eaten in three years. He has the mouth of a Rocknick addict. A toothless mouth from biting on the narcotic rock that is popular among the poor. The guards and palanquin stop as the man throws a pile of dung at you. They rush at him and grab him by the neck before forcing him down on the ground. Two more beggars approach, screaming insults at the guards and telling them to let the man go. Your guards hold them back with the points of their spears. "Stand back!" the guard captain screams. "King'ssmear is punishable by death." The man looks up at you defiantly. What shall you do? [[Kill him]] [[Let him go]]

You motion your guards to stop. You step out of the palanquin and walk up to the little boy. "Are you alright little boy?" He doesn't answer. He doesn't even look at you. If it wasn't for his steady breathing, you would think he is dead. [[Get back into the palanquin->Death to the king]] [[Give him some food]]

As your guard captain said, King's smear is punishable by death. If everyone was allowed to do this, they would lose all respect for you. This man needs to be an example. You motion to the guards and they nod. The captain walks up to the man, pulls out his sword, and slashes the man's throat in a single precise cut. The man doesn't make a single sound, his eyes just go glossy and all life drains from his face. "Let this be a lesson," the captain says as he pushes the corpse away." [[Continue]]

These people have suffered enough as it is. You shake your head at the captain and he nods deeply. The guards let go of the man and he scrambles away. More confused than relieved. [[Continue]]

As your palanquin is carried away, you look back at Rat's street. The people look at you with unreadable faces. [[Go back to the palace->Go straight to the palace]]

You grab some of the bread and grapes you were eating inside your palanquin and hand them to the boy. He doesn't even look at them, he just keeps staring into oblivion. A lady next to him holds out her hands. "He doesn't understand sir, please you can give it to me." You give her the food. [[Get back into the palanquin->Death to the king]]

"The chalice, I know you found it. Everyone does. But I'm telling you, brother, this is not the way forward. Let me find you a good healer that can help you." "Nobody can help me, you know that." "There are healers in the south that have remedies for things like this." "You don't know that for certain, and I will not have any non-humans examine me. That is too far." Your brother sighs, "This chalice is Nelathar's soup brother," (if: $Nelathar is false) [ [[nelathar's soup?]] ][[I am not serving Nelathar's soup brother, don't worry]]

"Like the expression? Have you never heard of it?" "No, I have not," "The old emperor Nelathar, he had a political rival he had to eliminate and did so by poisoning the soup at a feast. It was soup his family didn’t like so he hoped they wouldn’t drink it. But they did. He did not only kill his rival but also his entire family." [[This is not the same->I am not serving Nelathar's soup brother, don't worry]] (set: $Nelathar to true)

"I am worried, trust me, don't do this." [[There is no other option]]

He wants to say something but at that moment, the doors open and the council comes in. Your advisor Cilean, Lord Garson, and a few other lords who have important positions in the kingdom. "Gentleman," Demorod starts. "We have a lot to discuss. Sit down." [[Sit down]]

"First of all, there is a matter of great importance. Medeas is preparing for war. We are all aware of king Turmesa's intentions for the golden coast. He wants it all for himself, and soon he will launch an assault on Iludas. We need to strengthen our armies, run inspections, and send out patrols. We need to start preparing for war before it is too late." "I fear it is already too late," Lord Garson says. "Your majesty, as the head of your army I suggest we try a diplomatic solution. Maybe we should marry your son to the Medean princess." [[We already have a more powerul marriage alliance set up]] [[How dare you suggest that?]]

Your brother stands up and leans forward on the table. "We have nearly set up a betrothal between Farley and Princess Adala of Listinia. That would make Farley second in line for the throne and make us a major ally of Listinia. The protection we can get from that is immense." [[We cannot risk that alliance]]

"I'm sorry my lord, I know you have a marriage alliance with Listinia set up, but you know those Listinians won't come to our aid yet. And I fear the Medeans are going to attack sooner rather than later." [[It doesn't matter->We cannot risk that alliance]] [[I will consider it->We cannot risk that alliance]]

"I understand your majesty" Garson says. "Furthermore," Your brother continues. "There is major unrest in the kingdom. Grain and rice storages have been raided and plundered. There is not enough food for the common folk. They are starving in the streets." [[This problem is not new]] [[What is your solution?]]

"No it is not, but we need to address it now. I have come up with some solutions we should implement." [[What is your solution?]]

"We need to start rationing out food to the people, including the nobility. This will not be fun for any of us, but it beats a starving population." Some of the lords in the room look at your brother with derisive looks. "Furthermore, we need to quickly hammer out a deal with the Listinians so that they can supply us with more food. If we do this quickly and decisively enough, we should be able to overcome the famine without too much trouble." You nod and think for a moment. [[Is there anything else?]]

"No that is everything," your brother answers. [[Then we end the meeting here]]

As everyone packs up and leaves, you stay seated at the table. You are in need of some advice. But advice from whom? [[Advisor Cilean]] [[A fortune teller]]

You motion Cilean to stay as the rest leaves. "Your majesty," he says. [[Cilean, what do you think about the chalice?]]

You motion for Cilean to wait and tell him; "Bring me a fortune teller, the best one you can find." "Shall I gather one from the court?" "No find one at an inn or something. Those in the palace have never helped me." Cilean bows and leaves in a hurry. [[Wait for the fortune teller]] (set: $fortune_teller to False) (set: $What_can_you_see to False) (set: $do_you_have_advice to False)

"The chalice of Bid sire?" "Yes" "I have heard the people whisper about it, They are not positive about it." [[But what do you think?]]

"In my opinion sire," Cilean starts. "I think that the situation is dire. And you dying would make it even more dire." "I know that." "So, I think that you should use the chalice." [[Good to know]]

Short but sweet advice you think as Cilean leaves the room. [[leave->Go back to your room]]

(if: $fortune_teller is false) [ After some time, a man enters the room. He is dressed in ragged old robes that look a bit like priest robes. But his are dirty and torn in several places. He has dark brown curly hair and the smile of a fortune teller. One of those sly but friendly smiles. "Your majesty," he says as he bows. "Sit down," you say. "I have some questions for you." ] (if: $fortune_teller is true)[ "Anything else sire?" ](if: $What_can_you_see is false) [ [[What can you see in my future?]] ](if: $do_you_have_advice is false) [ [[Do you have any advice for me?]] ](if: $fortune_teller is true) [ [[Thank you, that's all I wanted to know]] ]

"Of course your majesty, I am always ready to read your future again if you need it." "You are dismissed, go collect your payment from Cilean." The fortune teller bows and leaves. [[Go back to your room]]

(set: $fortune_teller to True) (set: $What_can_you_see to True) He opens a purse and grabs some knucklebones. Then he throws the bones over the table before uttering some kind of incantation. The bones roll over the table in seemingly random order. The fortune teller peers at the bones for a long time before lifting his head up. His expression is grave. "Sire, I have bad news. Your future looks dark. I see a dark tunnel. A tunnel you can't get out of. If you turn back in the tunnel, you will fail, but if you keep going, the darkness will start enveloping you. Soon you won't see clearly, you will be confused and maybe scared. But it is important that you keep going, or else you will never find the way out. For at the end, you can choose between the light and the dark." "What kind of tunnel" "That is all I see sire, I am sorry." [[I have another question->Wait for the fortune teller]]

He looks at you intensely. before grabbing your hand. you don't pull back. He taps his fingers along your arm without averting his gaze. "I have advice for you sire," he finally says. "What is it?" "Remember who your friends are." [[What does that mean?]] [[That is quite vague]] [[I have another question->Wait for the fortune teller]] (set: $fortune_teller to True) (set: $do_you_have_advice to True)

That night, you find yourself at your table again. The chalice has filled itself like the day before. You stare at it, your head is hurting. Gears are grinding in your skull. You feel as if your brain is bursting. But your lungs, you haven’t coughed up blood for a while. Behind you, you can hear whispers. But when you turn around, you realize the whispers are in your head. They are so soft you can barely hear them. Your eyes feel heavy. But you feel like you can't close them. Not yet. The chalice, it is calling to you. [[Drink->Drink2]] [[Don't drink->Don'tdrink2]]

You grab the chalice with both hands and put it to your lips. [[Continue->Day 2]]

Should you really not? Are you sure? The chalice is calling for you. [[Drink->Drink2]] [[Don't drink->Boring ending]]

<h3>Day 2</h3><hr>"Your majesty?" A voice awakens you from a dreamless sleep. "Your majesty? The court is waiting." You slowly open your eyes. Your head is pounding. "Your majesty, the people are..." [[I heard you]]

You sit up and see one of the chambermaids standing in your room. She is holding a scroll of parchment. She watches you with a nervous look. "The court has already assembled, advisor Cilean said he would hold them while you get up sire. And he told me to give you this." [[Read the scroll]] [[Don't read it]]

It is some useless information about the court hearing today. You put the scroll aside and look through the window. You must have greatly overslept. It is almost midday. Your head is pounding and you feel sick to your stomach. But you really have to get up or you will miss the court. [[Get ready]]

You toss the scroll aside and get up from the bed. You look through the window. You must have greatly overslept. It is almost midday. Your head is pounding and you feel sick to your stomach. But you really have to get up or you will miss the court. [[Get ready]]

You quickly get dressed and head down to the throne room. The shadows of the torches seem to be following you as you walk through the halls. Once you enter the throneroom, you see a crowd of people standing in front of the throne. [[Take place on the throne]]

"Thank you for joining us your majesty," Cilean says. "My lord, if I may start," Lord Garson says. "Soon I will leave to inspect the troops. As is traditional, I request one of your sons to accompany me so he can learn about what it means to run an army." Tradition demands. And it would be good for one of your son's education and development if you sent them. Farley is needed here in the palace for the betrothal. But why would he want one of your sons? He could easily do it alone. Is it really the time for baseless traditions? Strange. You decide to send one of your younger sons. [[Send Kunnard]] [[Send Arnauth]] [[Send Sorrel]] (set: $Kunnard to False) (set: $Arnauth to False) (set: $Sorrel to false)

(set: $Kunnard to True) Kunnard, second eldest. The boy has the spirit and determination to be a great knight. The boy will be a great fit for this task. You send him to pack his things and move on to the next issue at hand. [[Choose him]] [[Choose someone else->Take place on the throne]]

(set: $Arnauth to True) Arnauth, the second youngest. He is a little scholar. Always walking everywhere with a book or a map. He has the curiosity of his mother. It would be good to send him on this trip. He could learn a good lesson or two. You send him to pack his things and move on to the next issue at hand. [[Choose him]] [[Choose someone else->Take place on the throne]]

(set: $Sorrel to true) Sorrel, the youngest child. Barely six winters old. He is full of enthusiasm. You could send him [[Choose him]] [[Choose someone else->Take place on the throne]]

You hold court, but nothing of interest comes up. Only a few farmer disputes and a long list of people complaining about not having any food. (set:$breadgiven to false) [[You give each of them some bread to take back home.]] [[You can't take care of everyone]]

Yes he is a good choice. You send him to pack his things and move on to the next issue at hand. [[Hold court]]

They look happy as they take their bread. As they leave the courtroom, one of them yells; "Long live the king." [[End court session]] (set:$breadgiven to true)

You assure them that food will be coming soon before sending them away. But their distasteful looks tell you they don't believe you. [[End court session]]

You stay seated on your throne as the court slowly empties. The only person who remains is Advisor Cilean. "Sire, I have something to discuss with you." [[What do you want?]]

“Sire, the food situation is getting more and more dire by the day. People are starving in the street, and the rationing is not helping in the short term. I have spoken with Demorod about doing food handouts. This would help with general morale and would give the people a break. But Demorod refuses to listen to me. Please, sire, I beg you talk to him about this.” [[Demorod's plan is good]] [[Maybe you have a point]]

Your mind is filled with a void. Your head is throbbing and you feel like throwing up. You are expected to be at a meeting with the Listinians. But you find yourself wandering the palace until you end up back in your room. You lock the door behind you and sit down at the table. After a while, you hear a knocking on the door. "Sire? The Listinian delegation is waiting for you." [[Don't respond]] [[I'm coming]]

You hold your tongue. After a while, you hear footsteps receding. Finally some time for yourself. [[Look at the chalice]]

You open your mouth, but no words come out. After a while, you hear footsteps receding. [[Look at the chalice]]

You should be at the meeting. It is really important. But your mind is just so full. Full of thoughts, whispers, noise. You can't think straight. The chalice, it's calling you. Should you drink again? [[Drink again-> drink3]] [[No, I've had enough]]

You say, "Demorod has the authority on this issue and I trust him with it." Cilean nods, "Alright then sire. Forget I said anything." He turns to walk away but seems to remember something. "Oh and don't forget to take your drink today sire." He turns and walks away. Why would he say that? How could you forget to drink? And why is he questioning Demorod’s plans? Your mind is buzzing with whispers. [[Corruption is running deep]]

You say, "I will think about it." He bows and turns to walk away but seems to remember something. "Oh and don't forget to take your drink today sire." He turns and walks away. Why would he say that? How could you forget to drink? And why is he questioning Demorod’s plans? Your mind is buzzing with whispers. [[Corruption is running deep]]

There must be some reason why there is such a food shortage. Cilean is responsible for many things in your kingdom. What if he... [[He could never]]

You grab the chalice with both hands and listen closely. You are sure it is whispering now. The liquid inside has changed color to a pale beige, almost brown, but the smell is still the same. You hear silent whispers, but you can't understand it. You put the chalice to your lips and drink. [[Drink-> day 3]]

Maybe it is time to quit this fool's errand. But should you? Would all of this have been for nothing? You feel weak. Drinking this might be your only option. [[Don't drink->Boring ending]] [[Drink anyway-> drink3]]

<h3>Day 3</h3><hr>You dream of shadows. Shadows on a black plane. Moving in circles. Terrible terrible shadows. You see death, it's coming towards you. Closing in, closer and closer. It almost engulfs you. But right before it hits, you feel yourself being pulled out of the dream. [[Wake up]]

Your eyes shoot open and you look around you. Servants are running through your room panicking and you see your brother standing close to the bed. "Get up Nileas, something happened." [[What happened?]]

You get up and quickly get dressed. As you follow Demorod through the halls, he explains the situation to you. "Yesterday, Lord Garson and your son rode out from the city, and not five hours into their journey they were ambushed." [[By whom?]] [[Are they alright?]]

"They say they were ambushed by men wearing the Medean colors. But they didn't see much." He stops in the middle of the hallway. "Brother, your son. He did not survive the attack. Barely anyone did. Only lord Garson and two of his personal guard made it out. The rest was slaughtered." [[Your son is dead.]]

He stops in the middle of the hallway. "Brother, I have bad news. Barely anyone made it out. Your son, he did not survive." [[Your son is dead.]]

You stumble when hearing the words and grab the nearby wall to steady yourself. [[Where is he?]]

"Lord Garson?" your brother asks. "He is in the great hall." [[Go to the great hall]]

As you enter the hall, you see a small group of people standing in the middle of the room. Around them, a crowd is watching in silence. You take place on your throne and look at the group. Three people. Lord Garson himself is almost unscathed, but his two guards have seen better days. "Sire, we were attacked. The group that attacked us…. they wore Medean colors." Lord Garson seems nervous. He is scanning the room like he is looking for a way to escape. "How could this happen?" your brother asks. "Did you not put out sentries? Did you go too close to the border without a proper escort?" "We barely left the city, we were close to my estates. I don't know how they got so deep in the countryside. They must have known we were coming somehow." How could they have known? Nobody knew his route except him. And why is he unscathed while the others are all dead? Your head is buzzing with thoughts again. [[How could you betray your own men like that?]]

You say, "Corruption runs deep in this kingdom. It may hurt, but corruption must be rooted and pulled out like the root of evil that it is. Bring me his head!" Advisor Cilean comes up to you and whispers, "Sire, are you sure about this? What if he is innocent? And if he is not, maybe he knows something we should know aswell." [[Yes I am sure->No kill him]] [[No put him away->Yes I am sure]] [[No spare him]]

You say, "Corruption runs deep in this kingdom. It may hurt, but corruption must be rooted and pulled out like the root of evil that it is. Take him away and put him in the dungeon." Advisor Cilean comes up to you and whispers, "Sire, are you sure about this? What if he is innocent? And if he is not, shouldn't he serve as an example?" [[Yes I am sure]] [[No kill him]] [[No spare him]]

The words are out before you realize it. The room is silent for a second before lord Garson starts "Your majesty, I.. I.. I don't know what you mean. Betray? Do you think I did this on purpose?" "Did you?" Advisor Cilean asks. "No of course not, my own men died out there. Why would I..." "Then how could you be ambushed next to your own estate?" Cilean asks. He is clearly guilty, but maybe he has some information that you can use. What will you do with him? [[Kill him->KillGarson]] [[Imprison him]] (set: $Garsondead to False) (set: $Garsonprison to False) (set: $Garsonhumiliated to False)

You say, "Lord Garson, even if you didn't betray us, you still lost the life of my son. For that alone you deserve death. But I will be merciful for now and send you to the dungeon." [[Send him away]]

You say, "Lord Garson, even if you didn't betray us, you still lost the life of my son. For that alone you deserve death." [[Bring me his head!]]

"Alright then," you say. "I will spare you, lord Garson. But my brother will take over your role as commander of the army. I expect you to be out of the city before nightfall. [[Out of my sight]]

The guards run up to him and force him to the ground. He looks at you with fiery eyes as they drag him away. "You're making a mistake Nileas," he says right before they close the large doors of the throne room. [[Time for an emergency meeting]] (set: $Garsondead to true) (set: $Garsonprison to False) (set: $Garsonhumiliated to False)

You and your council rush to the council chambers. As you enter the room your brother starts shaking his head. "How could you do that?" he asks you, forgoing the proper etiquette completely. "He was clearly a traitor," Cilean says. "What are you talking about!?!" your brother bellows. "Lord Garson a traitor? How could you even think that? That man has done more for this kingdom than all of you 'advisors' combined." [[He deserved it]] (if: $Garsonhumiliated is true) [ [[I spared him, didn't I?]] ]

He looks at you with fiery eyes as they drag him away. "You're making a mistake Nileas," he says right before they close the large doors of the throne room. [[Time for an emergency meeting]] (set: $Garsondead to False) (set: $Garsonprison to true) (set: $Garsonhumiliated to False)

He looks at you disappointed. "How can you do this, your majesty?" he says before turning and walking away without even a bow. You contemplate having him killed anyway. [[Bring me his head!]] [[Let him go->Time for an emergency meeting]] (set: $Garsondead to False) (set: $Garsonprison to False) (set: $Garsonhumiliated to true)

"Maybe, maybe not, whatever the case is, House Colemont will not stand for this. I'm afraid you've served Nelathar's soup here, brother." [[My son is dead]]

Your brother sighs and looks at you. "Nileas," he says softly. "Do you think house Colemont will stand for this humiliation of their lord? I personally doubt it." [[what are they going to do?]] [[What insult?]] [[He deserved it]]

"Brother, you told the whole court that he is a traitor in one way or another. If that is not an insult, I don't know what is." [[My son is dead]]

"Well for one they can pull back their troops from the army. What are we going to do then?" [[We will have to command them]] [[There is nothing we can do about it->My son is dead]]

You say, "My son is dead!" "I know brother, but until we can get the body back, the time for grieving is not yet here. We need to concentrate on the now." [[What now?]]

"Sire, we are on the brink of war, a civil war would most certainly destroy us." Advisor Cilean says. [[So what do we do?->What now?]]

"You missed the meeting yesterday," your brother says. "The Listinians are not amused." "I am sure you had good reasons," advisor Cilean says. "But this meeting was important." "Luckily they agreed to meet tomorrow instead. We really need this marriage to go through," your brother says. [[Why is he so set on this marriage?]]

He acts like this marriage is the only important thing. What could he gain from this? [[End the meeting]]

You find yourself alone in your room again. The chalice in front of you. Everyday your head is pounding heavier. Should you drink again? [[Should you?]]

Should you? [[Yes you should]]

Should you really? [[Yes really]] [[No this is going too far]]

You grab the chalice and put it to your lips. You try to taste the roses, but you can't. You can't taste anything. You just keep drinking until it is all gone. [[Go to sleep->Day 4]]

You stand up and walk out the door to go get some fresh air. But you stop at the door. Should you really stop here? Should all of this have been for nothing? [[Drink anyway->Yes really]] [[No don't drink->Boring ending]]

You stir in your sleep. You are restless. Woken but not awake. Somewhere deep in your mind, you know what you have to do. You dream. A shallow dream. A dream, not of vision, but of feeling. A hero, sacrificing himself. Is that you? Should it be you? [[Wake up->Day4wakeup]]

<h3>Day 4</h3><hr>That morning you find yourself in the small audience chamber that is used for receiving important guests. You try eating breakfast but you can't get a single bite through your throat. You drink some water to calm your pounding head. "They should be here soon," your brother says. [[Wait for the Listinian delegation]] (set: $ListiniaPrison to false)

After some time, the delegation arrives. Three men, dressed in fancy Listinian style tunics, their hair cut up short in the style of a diplomat. "Your majesty," the leader says while bowing. "We're glad to finally meet you." They take seats in front of you and start explaining what they want out of this deal. "Your majesty, we do not have much time so I will skip the formalities and get straight to business. We have been tasked with closing a deal regarding the marriage of your son Farley to princess Adala of Listinia. The king has given us authority to propose this deal to you." He hands you a piece of parchment before continuing his explanation. "This alliance will be very beneficial to you. Protection from outside powers is of course part of the marriage alliance. But we can also help with the recent food shortage your people have been facing. We, in turn, hope you recognize that for this deal to work, we need to be sure that Farley is a good suitor for our lady Adala." [[What does this entail?]] [[Of course he is a great suitor]]

"This would mean that Farley will come with us to Simmersil where he will spend time with the princess and the king to see how they fare together. Then after everything has been looked over and evaluated, the alliance may start and we can start sending food and aid." Your brother comes up to you and whispers. "This really is the best-case scenario Nileas. The best thing we can do is send Farley with them today." If Farley marries this princess. he will not be here to take the throne in case you die. Your other sons are not old enough, which means that Demorod would become regent. Is that why he is so adamant about this marriage? Listinia. They act so high and mighty but who can forget that they themselves are conquerors? They didn’t get the power and influence they have today by diplomatic means. They are warmongering, power-hungry, leechers that wouldn’t lay awake from invading Iludas themselves. Sending Farley with them would be handing over your heir to them. [[My son should stay here with me.]] [[Break off the engagement]]

"We will need to assess that. This would mean that Farley will come with us to Simmersil where he will spend time with the princess and the king to see how they fare together. Then after everything has been looked over and evaluated, the alliance may start and we can start sending food and aid." You say, "we need the food now. My people are starving." Your brother comes up to you and whispers. "This really is the best-case scenario Nileas. The best thing we can do is send Farley with them today." If Farley marries this princess. he will not be here to take the throne in case you die. Your other sons are not old enough, which means that Demorod would become regent. Is that why he is so adamant about this marriage? Listinia. They act so high and mighty but who can forget that they themselves are conquerors? They didn’t get the power and influence they have today by diplomatic means. They are warmongering, power-hungry, leechers that wouldn’t lay awake from invading Iludas themselves. Sending Farley with them would be handing over your heir to them. [[My son should stay here with me.]] [[Break off the engagement]]

"These are the conditions that our king was the most adamant about. I'm sorry to say that these are non-negotiable." "Brother, you really need to take this deal. There is no other option," your brother says. You can't lose your son for months. And the kingdom will soon be at war, you need your son by your side. [[I will think about it]] [[Break off the engagement]]

"You know what," you say after standing up. "This is not going to happen. Get out of my sight." Your brother looks at you shocked, "Nileas, what are you doing? We need this alliance." [[You mean, you need this alliance?]]

"Sire, our king insists on a quick resolution to this arrangement. We really need an answer." How dare they speak to you like this? What are they planning? If Farley is in Simmersil, they will hold the heir to your kingdom. If something were to happen to you, they would be able to annex Iludas with ease. [[How dare you?]] [[Break off the engagement]]

You say, "how dare you demand this from me? I am still grieving for my wife, and I haven't even started grieving for my son. And you want to take away my eldest? And for what? So you can annex us with more ease?" The delegation looks at each other in shock. It takes a few moments before the leader starts speaking again. "I can see that we might not be on the same page regarding this marriage," he says very slowly. "We have been friendly and understanding of your situation, but this marriage is a risk for us too. I don't think we will be proceeding." [[Send them away]]

"It is time you left," you say. They look at you bitterly but stand up and walk away without complaints. Your brother looks at you grimacing. "Brother, what did you do? That was our best hope to save the kingdom." [[It would have taken to long.]]

"What are you talking about?" he says. "This alliance could save Iludas." The Listinians have already packed up and are leaving the room without saying a word, only shooting you contemptible glances. [[Let them go]] [[Take them prisoner]]

You turn away in anger as they leave the room. [[The room is silent->They don't have to find out yet]]

You motion at the guards to stop them from leaving. "Throw them into the dungeon," you say. "What?!?" one of them says. "You want to take a messenger prisoner?" "Brother? This is no.." [[Shut up]] [[Don't oppose me->Shut up]] [[Let them go]]

You say, "it doesn't matter anymore. They are gone now." [[The room is silent->They don't have to find out yet]]

Your brother falls silent as the delegation is taken away. You say, "make sure none of them escape." "This is as good as a declaration of war on Listinia," your brother says. "You know that right?" [[They don't have to find out yet]] [[It is too late now->They don't have to find out yet]] (set: $ListiniaPrison to true)

Demorod is sitting at the table with his hands in his hair. Advisor Cilean is just looking at you in silence. This meeting is over. You decide to: [[Go to your room]] [[Take a walk]] [[Go to the dungeon]]

You sit down in your room. The chalice is looking at you seductively. You feel like your mind is clearer than ever before. You almost got caught today. Imagine if they had taken away Farley. What could've happened? You should drink again. [[Drink-> Drink5]] [[Don't drink->Dontdrink5]]

You decide to take a walk around the gardens. As you come across a little bench, you sit down to take a break. [[Sit down->bench]]

You arrive at the dungeon. Who do you want to speak with? (if: $ListiniaPrison is true)[ [[The Listinians]] ] (if: $Garsonprison is true)[ [[Lord Garson Colemont]] ] [[No one, time to go back to your room->Go to your room]]

You grab the cup and eagerly drink the content. Before you know it, you fall into a deep slumber. [[Next day->Day 5]]

Are you sure? [[Yes->Dontdrink5two]] [[No, I should drink-> Drink5]]

Really? Don't you think it is a little irrational to stop now? [[No, I should stop now->Dontdrink5three]] [[You're right, I need to drink-> Drink5]]

After all this? Should you really stop? [[Yes, leave the cup and go to bed->Boring ending]] [[No, you're right. I should drink-> Drink5]]

<h3>Day 5</h3><hr>The sound of the collective priesthood chanting a prayer at the same time, almost drowns out the whispers that fill your head. You feel like you can almost make out what they are saying. Like words on the tip of your tongue, almost there, but not quite. Every time you try to grasp them, you can feel them slipping away, just to return moments later. But you can grasp the meaning, almost. You can feel what you have to do, where you have to go. As soon as options arise. With the prayers almost done, you suddenly long for water. It is not proper to drink during the prayers though. [[Drink anyway]] [[Wait until after the prayer]]

You relax for a bit, but then you notice a piece of parchment fluttering along the ground. [[Grab it]] [[Let it go]] (set: $papergrabbed to false)

(set: $papergrabbed to true) You quickly snatch the piece of parchment and look at what it says. "Watch out, assassins are near." Your heart skips a beat and you look around. There is no one in sight, not even your guards. Where did they go? You put the piece of parchment in your pocket and stand up. [[Get back to your room ->Go to your room]]

The parchment flutters away, never to be seen again. Time to get back home. [[Go to your room]]

You decide to visit the Listinian delegation. The guard opens the door of the delegation leader for you. You step inside and are met with an immense stink. [[Did you take a shit or did they give you a stinky cell?]]

The guard opens the cell for you and you walk in. There he is, sitting against the wall. His arms bound with chains. The light of your torch playing games with the shadows of his face. "What do you want?" he asks with disdain. "You have one question, make good use of it." [[Tell me why you did it?]] [[Who are you working with?]] [[Do you think there is hope for Iludas?]] [[One question?]]

"Haha, you want to know why I did it?" he laughs. He pauses for a second and then points at your waterskin. You give it to him and he drinks eagerly. "You fool," he says once he is done. "Do you actually think I betrayed Iludas? I didn't. It was dumb luck or I was betrayed." [[So why did you survive while my son died?]]

He scoffs and spits on the ground. "Not anymore." Then he is silent. [[Leave->Go to your room]]

"Haha, working with?" he laughs. He pauses for a second and then points at your waterskin. You give it to him and he drinks eagerly. "You fool," he says once he is done. "Do you actually think I betrayed Iludas? I didn't. It was dumb luck or I was betrayed." [[So why did you survive while my son died?]]

"I said 'One question'. But I'll indulge, just this once. I fought tooth and nail for that boy, but he was overconfident. He went in ahead of me and got hit by an arrow as soon as he left the reach of my shield. I tried to carry him back to the horses but we were overwhelmed." He stops and looks at you with disdain before closing his eyes and leaning back against the wall. "Watch out Nileas, there might be a traitor hiding among your court," he says finally. “Someone set me up. Someone who wants Iludas to fall, or someone who wants my position. I don’t know. I only know that there is a traitor somewhere here.” [[Leave->Go to your room]]

The Listinian is sitting on a small wooden chair, looking at you with disgust. "King Nileas, you have made a grave mistake," he says. "You have served Nelathar's for you and your whole kingdom." [[Tell me truthfully, why did you want Farley to come to Simmersil.]]

"If there was a plot, do you think I would be admitting that to you right now?" the Listinian says. "But no, there is no plot." [[I don't believe you]] [[I believe you->I don't believe you]]

"Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant. The only thing that matters now is that your kingdom is on the brink of collapse and you cannot change it. If I were your court, I would have been looking for ways to get rid of you already." [[He has nothing useful to say->Go to your room]]

You grab your waterskin quietly and drink a sip. The water feels amazing in your parched throat. When the prayer ends, you leave the Pantheon. You are standing in the warm morning sun. Farley looks at you like he wants to ask something. [[Get back to the palace]] [[What is it?->Askfarley]]

You silently hold your thirst until the prayer is over before grabbing your waterskin. The water feels amazing in your parched throat. You leave the Pantheon and are standing in the warm morning sun. Farley looks at you like he wants to ask something. [[Get back to the palace]] [[What is it?->Askfarley]]

Today you are traveling with your daughter Aelsing. As you are crossing the streets of the city, you hear commotion outside of the palanquin. You move the curtain out of the way and see a crowd has gathered along your path. As one of them sees you, they start yelling insults your way. You quickly close the curtain, but the crowd has seen you and they are getting rowdy. You hear the guards screaming at each other and you look at your daughter, her eyes wide. (set: $daughterdead to false) [[Check outside]] [[Stay inside]]

He shakes his head. "Don't worry father, it's nothing. I trust your decision." Alright then. [[Get back to the palace]]

"Get back inside your majesty," the guard closest to you says right before a stone hits him in the head so hard, you see blood flying. Then, everything seems to explode. The people break through the small line of guards, attacking you and the other nobles. Your palanquin carriers drop your palanquin like a rock and try to get away as the mob comes closer and closer. [[Grab your daughter]] [[Run away]]

You don't move as the commotion gets louder and louder. Soon you hear someone scream an order at your palanquin carriers who start running. Your daughter looks at you in horror as the carriers go faster and faster. Suddenly you drop to the ground. When you crawl out with your daughter, you see that the carriers are scrambling to get up and run away. For there is a mob coming your way. You grab your daughter and quickly run up the hill towards your palace. You make it just in time and see the gates close behind you. You look around to see who made it. [[Look around->Afterriot]]

You grab Aelsing and pick her up before running towards the only empty spot you can see. But people see you and start coming after you. You run away and see an alleyway in the distance. [[Run into the alleyway->Run into an alleyway]]

(set: $daughterdead to true) You sprint away. Trying to get to one of the guards. Unfortunately, he gets swarmed by a group of rioters. You want to look away, but can't. You see them rip off his arms and legs as he screams for help. [[Run into an alleyway]] [[Help him]]

You quickly run into the alleyway and hide in an alcove in the wall. You Close your eyes as a group of rioters passes by, running and screaming all sorts of vulgarities. (if: $daughterdead is false)[ When they passed, your daughter looks at you with wide eyes. "What is happening daddy?" "Nothing sweetie, just stay quiet and don't look okay?" ] The rioters have passed. You should get going. [[Get back to the palace->Riotafter]]

You run towards the guard, but you feel a hand in your collar pulling you into an alleyway. The guard captain. He quickly leads you away from the carnage and into a house. Inside you see traces of people, but nobody is inside. "Let's hope they don't get home soon," the captain says. [[We need to get back to the palace]]

Your brother and Advisor Cilean are panting, their clothes bloody, but they seem alive enough. Your two youngest sons are still alive. (if: $daughterdead is false)[ Luckily your daughter Aelsing is fine as well. ](if: $daughterdead is true)[ You don't see your daughter anywhere. ] But your heart stops in your throat as you realize Farley is nowhere to be found. [[What happened?->Whathappenedriot]]

"The people," your brother pants. "They are rioting in the streets. They attacked us. We barely made it out." "This would never have happened if we had handed out food as I suggested!" Cilean yells. "This would've happened anywa..." [[Where is Farley?]]

He agrees but tells you to wait for a little bit until the worst of the rioting is done. After you wait for some time you head back to the palace. You see some soldiers outside the gate waiting for you. They quickly usher you inside. [[Go inside->Afterriot]]

Your brother looks at you with pain in his eyes. "Nileas, I don't think Farley made it out. I saw him get cut off, there was nothing I could do about it. Everything is silent except for the sounds of riots going on down in the city. You breathe heavily as reality dawns on you. You fall to your knees and just close your eyes. [[Come to your senses]]

You don't know how long you sit there in silence. But after a while people start clearing out of the area. You need to get up as well. You need to think. [[Go to the Garden]] [[Go to the council Chamber]]

Two guards flank you as you take a walk through the gardens to clear your mind. You sit down on a bench and look at the trees and flowers around you. Suddenly you hear something behind you. You look around and see Advisor Cilean walking towards you. "Your majesty," he says. "There you are." "What is it?" "We need to talk about something. My spies tell me that the Medeans are close to attacking. We need to strengthen the border now. And the people are rioting in the streets. Sire we need to delegate some of your house guards to the city guard if we want to quell the riots." [[Defer my house guard?]]

You quickly make it to the council chamber, followed by two guards. You sit down and try to clear your mind. But you can't. Thought after thought pops up in your head. You try breathing slowly but then you hear the door to the chamber open. Advisor Cilean comes in, panting. "Your majesty," he says. "There you are." "What is it?" "We need to talk about something. My spies tell me that the Medeans are close to attacking. We need to strengthen the border now. And the people are rioting in the streets. Sire we need to delegate some of your house guards to the city guard if we want to quell the riots." [[Defer my house guard?]]

Why does he want to impede your personal safety? "Sir, it is important that we.." [[Quiet]]

You say, "corruption runs deeper than I thought. " It must be him. Someone must have incited the riot. He was complaining about the food as well. It must be him. "Sire?" Cilean says, you can hear the fear in his voice. "It's you isn't it?" you say. "Because of you, they are all dead." "Sire? What are you talking about?" You look at your guards, they know what to do. [[Kill him->KillCilean]]

They walk at Cilean who stumbles back in shock. "What? Sire no please. I have always serv...." His sentence is cut off when one of your guards' blades opens Cilean's throat. He falls to the ground, gurgling on his own blood. [[T̵͇͋ḧ̸͉́ey aȓ̷͙ḙ̷̎ ever̶̘̔ỹ̸̼w̵͖̎h̷̛ere]]

Who can you trust now? If even your most trusted advisor was a mole. How could it ever have gotten so bad? The corruption runs so deep. You need more protection. The traitors and assassins could come from every corner now. [[Bring the army back to the palace.]]

Yes, that's perfect. It must be their plan to kill you. So you should make sure you are protected, then their plan can never come to fruition. You give the order, to be relayed to your brother. What shall you do with Cilean? [[Put his head on a spike]] [[Burn his body quietly]] [[Give him a proper funeral]]

He deserves nothing less than his head on a spike. This might also deter the other traitors not to make any moves. Put his head on a spike above the city gate. [[Go back to your room->room5]]

He deserves a proper funeral at the very least. Let him get that. [[Go back to your room->room5]]

It's better if as few people as possible know what happened here. So it is better to just burn the body quietly. [[Go back to your room->room5]]

You are back in your room. Alone. It is dark outside and the candles are off except for one in the middle of the table. The orange light of the candle barely illuminates half the chalice. The whispers are getting louder and louder. What is going on in your head? All those that have died already. Is it worth it? Are they right? Are you serving Nelathar's? No of course not. And even if you were, why turn back now? You have lost so much already. Should it all be for nothing? [[Drink->drink6]] [[Don't drink->Dondrink6 ]]

You put your lips to the chalice and drink the contents. It tastes..... It doesn't taste great anymore. In fact, it tastes disgusting for some reason. It does still taste like roses, but it is almost like, you don't like roses anymore. You feel exhaustion falling over you as you put the chalice back. For a short period, the whispers stop. You lay back on your bed and fall asleep. [[Dream->day 6]]

Maybe it is time to stop this farce. No of course not. Why would you stop now? Only two more days after this one. Besides, you really want to drink. You know you want to. [[Okay then, drink->drink6]] [[No really, I need to stop->Dontdrink6two]]

I would not do that if I were you. You know it won't end well. Don't you hear them whisper? Soon you will be deathless, immortal. Nobody will be able to touch you. Everything will be alright. You should really drink. [[Alright, let's drink->drink6]] [[No, this is the end->Boring ending]]

Darkness surrounds you. Shadows of the past, like a cloud of thick black smoke around you, curling through your hair and fingertips. You look around you, but the ḍ̵͘ǎ̶͎ř̷̼k̴͙̑n̸͓̓e̷̗͝š̵̫s̵̤̋ surrounds everything. The world forms around you. You are in your room. But it is not your room. The walls are dripping red with blood. A layer of thick red blood covers the floor. Kneedeep in the sea of red. You look at your hands. They are clean. Ar̶͎͕͖̤̓̚ĕ̶̙̺̦̯͍͑͆̂̋͝ͅ they̴̖̻͎͗ clea̶͈͊n̶̠͋? Are your hands really clean? "I miss her," you hear behind you. [[Ţ̸̰́̒̂̎͝ͅu̷͙̦͖̳̠̦͑̿͝rn ̷̤̰̊̀͐ar̸̡̉͋͌͝oun̵̖̝̬̥͕̐̆d̷̛̘̞̝̥̯̆̊͌̓͠]]

You look and see a figure of shadows standing there. A creature of the night. With eyes flaming red, and a body made of thick black smoke. It is staring at you. [[Step back]] [[Step towards it]]

With every step you take back, the creature steps forward. "Where are you going?" the creature says in a low rasping evil voice. The voice of a daemon. A servant of the restless. Dealer of souls. The ones that visit you in the night, trying to steal your soul. The daemon tilts his head slightly in a creepy unnatural way before slowly starting towards you. [[It is getting closer]]

You take a step toward the creature, but as soon as you do, It tips its head sideways in an unnatural way. It opens its mouth and a horrible wail. The wail of a daemon. A creature of legends. A creature of the night, servant of the restless. This creature will try to steal your soul and take it to Bethra. Slowly it starts moving toward you. You stumble back until your back hits the wall. [[It is getting closer]]

You l̶̪̿o̸͖̿ok̷̼̅ ̶͇̽ around you, d̷̺͛e̴̹͝s̷̛̤ṕ̴̮era̵̩͑t̷̟́è̴̳ for a weapon to defend yourself. Above y̶̻̾o̷̧̐u ̵̯͝ on the wall, two spears are h̶̲͆a̵̲͌ngi̴̹͒n̵̮̚g̵͖̃ ̷̟͐ crossed behind a ŝ̸̪hie̷͔͌l̸̫͠d̴͕̎.̸̩̆ ̴̻̽. On the c̵̫̍abin̶̟̓é̸͍ť̶̘, your ancestral sword is laying in its sheath on a stand. A b̵̯͋e̴̻͘aut̵͈͌ȋ̶͖f̵̘̍uļ̸̌ silvarium dagger is laying on your nightstand. It is getting ç̵̕lo̴̡͊se̴̬̓r̸̰̎. [[Grab a spear]] [[Grab the sword]] [[Grab the dagger]] [[Grab nothing]] (set: $spear to false) (set: $sword to false) (set: $dagger to false)

You fumble with the spears and look over your shoulder. The ḑ̴̣̣̯̤̞̟̤̥͒̄͛̒a̵̻̻̩̎̔̒̔̓̋̚̕ė̴̻̺͔̭̜̤̟̳̳̜̻̞͜ḿ̷̛̜͙̳̙̙̼͇͉͉̝͉̟͔̘̑̀͋̓̎͛̊̀̉͛̾͜ͅơ̷͍̼̿̋́͠ǹ̴͖̻̰͉̳̼̰͙̤͔̻̺̓̒̒́̀́̔͌͝ is too close now. [[Rip the spear off]] (set: $spear to true) (set: $sword to false) (set: $dagger to false)

You grab the sword and pull it from its scabbard. It makes a hissing sound as it leaves the thick leather sheath. The ḑ̴̣̣̯̤̞̟̤̥͒̄͛̒a̵̻̻̩̎̔̒̔̓̋̚̕ė̴̻̺͔̭̜̤̟̳̳̜̻̞͜ḿ̷̛̜͙̳̙̙̼͇͉͉̝͉̟͔̘̑̀͋̓̎͛̊̀̉͛̾͜ͅơ̷͍̼̿̋́͠ǹ̴͖̻̰͉̳̼̰͙̤͔̻̺̓̒̒́̀́̔͌͝ is within your grasp now. You have to strike. [[S̷̝̔ṱ̵̈́r̸̤̃ike̷̩̍ ̷̙͗ť̷̹he ̵̞͐ć̸͕r̴̝͊eaţ̶̑u̴͚̍ṟ̴̚e]] (set: $spear to false) (set: $sword to true) (set: $dagger to false)

You run to the nightstand and grab the dagger. You turn around and see the ḑ̴̣̣̯̤̞̟̤̥͒̄͛̒a̵̻̻̩̎̔̒̔̓̋̚̕ė̴̻̺͔̭̜̤̟̳̳̜̻̞͜ḿ̷̛̜͙̳̙̙̼͇͉͉̝͉̟͔̘̑̀͋̓̎͛̊̀̉͛̾͜ͅơ̷͍̼̿̋́͠ǹ̴͖̻̰͉̳̼̰͙̤͔̻̺̓̒̒́̀́̔͌͝ right in front of you. You need to defend yourself. [[ş̶̬̎͗͘t̸̢̲̀́̃ȧ̵͈b̷̳̲̏̊͐->Daggerstab]] (set: $spear to false) (set: $sword to false) (set: $dagger to true)

The c̷͈̄r̸͖͐e̵͇͂atu̵̪͌r̷͙̀e̵̠̅ closes in. E̴̩̅v̶͕̐ery step it t̵̛͎ạ̸́k̶̰͛ȇ̴̤s it goes f̴̼̿a̴̖͋s̷̛ͅț̴̇e̸̡̎r and f̴̼̿a̴̖͋ster. [[It is getting close now]] Má̵͙y̸̻̿be you cạ̷̃n̷̮̑ ̸̱͌ṣ̸̈till defend ̴͇̐y̵̅͜ơ̶̜u̷͇͗rself. [[Grab a spear]] [[Grab the sword]] [[Grab the dagger]]

It is almost there, y̴̜͆ọ̶̕u can see the red flames in its eyes light up as soon as you are w̶̩͝ī̵̥t̶̞̓h̴̩̐i̴̼͝n̵̯͌ its g̴̱͝r̴̝̓a̸̙̅s̸͕̀p̴̙̿.̵̬̈ You hold y̶͉͘ỏ̵͉ṷ̷͑r breath as it takes the final steps. [[Brace yourself]] There is still t̷͖͘i̶̧̓m̶̻͂e̵͑͜. [[Grab a spear]] [[Grab the sword]] [[Grab the dagger]]

You close your eyes right before it hits you. You feel the warmth of something engulf you and you stumble back against the wall slightly. Nothing happens. [[Open your eyes]]

<h3>Day 6</h3><hr>(if: $daughterdead is false)[You open your eyes and see a tiny head of black hair. Your daughter Aelsing is hugging you. Crying softly. "I miss mommy" she manages to say in between sobs. ](else-if: $daughterdead is true and $Sorrel is false)[ You open your eyes and see a head of black hair. Your son Sorrel is hugging you. Crying softly. "I miss mommy" he manages to say in between sobs. ](else-if: $daughterdead is true and $Arnauth is false)[You open your eyes and see a tiny head of black hair. Your son Arnauth is hugging you. Crying softly. "I miss mom" he manages to say in between sobs. ] [[Me too]]

You stab at the creature as it jumps at you. You catch it in the air on your dagger. You feel a weight drop on you as the Daemon makes contact with your body. Istantly its muscles relax as it dies in your arm. Muscles? [[Put it down on the floor->Ś̷̢̧͖͈̞̩̎̀̉ȍ̶̯̜͕̪̤̝͕͈̙̍͐͒͛͊͘͜methi̵n̵g̸ ̵̧̝̯͕̘̝̉̓̍̓̿̏͒͠ͅí̸̦̳͌́̈́̾̒̃̒̆̕ͅs̷͍̆ layin̸̳̪͔̰̞̲̊g̷̱̫̝͖̖̜͑̾̓̾̈̒̕ ̵̡͎̠̗͖̤͉͛̏͗̇̌̈́͘w̴̨̭͉̘̻̌̓̌͋h̸͎̖̳̲̠̜̣̥̞͑͌̽̅̿͜͠ere ̵̧̨̖̠̥̼͈̗̺͑̇͆̑̓͂ͅ it ̶͕͍͚̮͕͖̘̀̌d̷̠̘̖̹͔̜̱̣̻̏̈́͝ḭ̸̭͚͚̖̞̀̎͗͋͑ͅed]]

You rip the spear of the wall with all the force you can muster and point it at the daemon. [[T̸̩̑h̴͓̥̣́̒̽r̵͘uš̴̟̬t̸͉̂̊̀]]

You thrust at the creature as it jumps at you for the kill. It jumps right into your spear and a high-pitched screech escapes its mouth as it falls to the ground. It puffs away into mist. [[Ś̷̢̧͖͈̞̩̎̀̉ȍ̶̯̜͕̪̤̝͕͈̙̍͐͒͛͊͘͜methi̵n̵g̸ ̵̧̝̯͕̘̝̉̓̍̓̿̏͒͠ͅí̸̦̳͌́̈́̾̒̃̒̆̕ͅs̷͍̆ layin̸̳̪͔̰̞̲̊g̷̱̫̝͖̖̜͑̾̓̾̈̒̕ ̵̡͎̠̗͖̤͉͛̏͗̇̌̈́͘w̴̨̭͉̘̻̌̓̌͋h̸͎̖̳̲̠̜̣̥̞͑͌̽̅̿͜͠ere ̵̧̨̖̠̥̼͈̗̺͑̇͆̑̓͂ͅ it ̶͕͍͚̮͕͖̘̀̌d̷̠̘̖̹͔̜̱̣̻̏̈́͝ḭ̸̭͚͚̖̞̀̎͗͋͑ͅed]]

You strike at the creature with all your might. The sword cuts through its smoke body like it is cutting through butter. A high-pitched scream escapes the creature before it falls to the ground, puffing away into mist. [[Ś̷̢̧͖͈̞̩̎̀̉ȍ̶̯̜͕̪̤̝͕͈̙̍͐͒͛͊͘͜methi̵n̵g̸ ̵̧̝̯͕̘̝̉̓̍̓̿̏͒͠ͅí̸̦̳͌́̈́̾̒̃̒̆̕ͅs̷͍̆ layin̸̳̪͔̰̞̲̊g̷̱̫̝͖̖̜͑̾̓̾̈̒̕ ̵̡͎̠̗͖̤͉͛̏͗̇̌̈́͘w̴̨̭͉̘̻̌̓̌͋h̸͎̖̳̲̠̜̣̥̞͑͌̽̅̿͜͠ere ̵̧̨̖̠̥̼͈̗̺͑̇͆̑̓͂ͅ it ̶͕͍͚̮͕͖̘̀̌d̷̠̘̖̹͔̜̱̣̻̏̈́͝ḭ̸̭͚͚̖̞̀̎͗͋͑ͅed]]

<h3>Day 6</h3><hr>The room is normal. Blood does not cover the walls or floor. Except for right in front of you. Right there on the ground, a body is lying. (if: $daughterdead is false)[ Your breath catches in your throat as you realize who it is. Right there, drenched in blood, your daughter Aelsing is lying on the cold stone floor. Her little eyes wide open staring at the ceiling. (set: $daughterdead to true) ] (else-if: $daughterdead is true and $Sorrel is false)[ Your breath catches in your throat as you realize who it is. Right there, drenched in blood, your son Sorrel is lying on the cold stone floor. His eyes wide open staring at the ceiling.(set: $Sorrel to true) ] (else-if: $daughterdead is true and $Arnauth is false)[ Your breath catches in your throat as you realize who it is. Right there, drenched in blood, your son Arnauth is lying on the cold stone floor. His eyes wide open staring at the ceiling. (set: $Arnauth to true) ] (if: $spear is true)[ Your drop your spear and sink to your knees. ](if: $sword is true)[ Your drop the sword and sink to your knees. ](if: $dagger is true)[ Your drop the dagger and sink to your knees. ] You cradle the body of your child and cry softly. What have you done? How could this happen? [[I didn't want this to happen]]

You let go of the body and try to clear your mind. Suddenly the door slams open and Demorod enters the room. He looks at you in horror as he realizes what is going on. (if: $daughterdead is true)[ [[She attacked me]] ](else:)[ [[He attacked me->She attacked me]]] [[I don't know what happened]]

"What do you mean you don't know?!?" Demorod says. "Did you....?" You look at him with teary eyes. [[What is happening to me?]] (if: $daughterdead is true)[ [[I thought she was a Daemon]] ](else:)[[[I thought he was a Daemon->I thought she was a Daemon]] ]

"Nileas," your brother just whispers. He stands there in silence for a second before looking at you with disgust in his eyes. "Attacked you? A child attacked you and you decided that killing them was the best option?" (if: $daughterdead is true)[ [[Take her away, make sure nobody sees her.]] ](else:)[[[Take him away, make sure nobody sees him.->Take her away, make sure nobody sees her.]] ]

"Nileas what happened here?" Demorod asks. "Tell me right now what happened here." [[I am your king, do as I say]] (if: $daughterdead is true)[ [[I thought she was a Daemon]] ](else:)[[[I thought he was a Daemon->I thought she was a Daemon]] ]

His face grows dark and cold. After a few seconds, he silently says, "As you wish your majesty," He grabs the body and walks out the door. But right before he leaves he turns around and says, "I came to tell you, King Turmesa started his invasion last night. We are now at war with Medeas." [[Already?]]

"You what?" [[A Daemon]]

"House Colemont betrayed us and joined their side. As I expected, the Medeans could march right over the border. And without our army to stop them, they will be here tomorrow. They are marching double time by all reports." (if: $ListiniaPrison is true)[ You sigh. “Even worse,” Demorod continues. “The Listinians found out about their delegation. Someone tipped them off. Raiding parties are ravaging the west and soon they will send the full might of their army.” ] He turns and walks away. [[I need to prepare->We need to prepare]]

"Daemons don't exist Nileas," he says. "What are you talking about." A tear escapes your eye and rolls down your face. (if: $daughterdead is true)[ [[Take her away]] ](else:)[[[Take him away, make sure nobody sees him.->Take her away]] ]

His face grows dark and cold. After a few seconds, he silently says. "As you wish brother," He grabs the body and walks out the door. But right before he leaves he turns around and says, "I came to tell you, King Turmesa started his invasion last night. We are now at war with Medeas." [[Already?]]

"It is the chalice brother," he says after a while. "I told you, It is a Nelathar's soup." Chalice? Why would he say that? Is he jealous? Does he want the chalice for himself? [[The chalice is mine, don't you dare touch it.]] [[I told you already, it's not Nelathar's]] [[Do you want the chalice for yourself?]]

"Nileas, I don't want your chalice. I can see what it does to you. All I want to do with it is throw it in the sea and never rest my eyes on it again." [[You will do no such thing.->I am your king, do as I say]]

"How can you still say that!?!" Demorod bellows. "After everything that it has done to us. Everything it has taken from you." You sit there in silence, contemplating an answer. [[Take the body to the priests. I will hear no more of this. I am your king.->I am your king, do as I say]]

He narrows his eyes, "what? What are you accusing me of?" (if: $spear is true)[ You look at the spear next to you on the ground. ](if: $sword is true)[ You look at the sword next to you on the ground. ](if: $dagger is true)[ You look at the dagger next to you on the ground. ] "Nileas," he says. "I do not want that fucking chalice. In fact, keep it away from me. I can see what it does to you. All I want to do with it is throw it in the sea and never rest my eyes on it again." [[You will do no such thing.->I am your king, do as I say]]

(if: $daughterdead is false)[ You two sit there for a while, on the ground of your room, until your daughter gets up, hugs you again, and leaves. ](else:)[You two sit there for a while, on the ground of your room, until your son gets up, hugs you again, and leaves. ] You sit there for a while. Staring at the wall. The wall that had just been covered in blood. It is totally clean now. What is happening to you? You look at the sword on the cabinet and think about what could have happened if you had acted in that moment. The door flies open and your brother walks in. [[What is it?->What?]]

"Brother?" he says. "Why are you sitting on the ground? Whatever, we have a problem." You stand up slowly. Your whole body is aching. Not as much as your head though. You feel like you are swimming in the voices now. They are screaming at you in a language you don't understand. You stumble but keep yourself up by the bedpost. "Nileas," your brother says. "King Turmesa started his invasion last night. We are now at war with Medeas. Also, House Colemont betrayed us and joined their side. The Medeans could march right over the border. And without our army to stop them, they will be here tomorrow. They are marching double time by all reports." (if: $ListiniaPrison is true)[ You sigh. “Even worse,” Demorod continues. “The Listinians found out about their delegation. Someone tipped them off. Raiding parties are ravaging the west and soon they will send the full might of their army.” ] [[We need to prepare]]

Demorod leaves the room and you are all alone. All alone with the voices. You have to go prepare for war. Soon the Medeans will be here and you will have to defe..... You glance at the table. There it is. The chalice. Ǐ̴̛̭̤̉̆͐̃̇̑ţ̵̻̲̞̺͕̒͋̄̐̽̀̑͘is ̶̛̝͙̽͝ͅc̸͈̪͔̏̍͆͠͝ǎ̷̛̬l̵̏́̐̅̆lin̷̢̯̙̳͋͗̀͜g̴̡̰͉̘̹͉̪͋ ̵̟̻̟̱͛͑͗̈you̷̙͖̠̗͛̓͋̽̀́̂͊͘.̷̥̱͔͒̔̌̏́̋̋͝ ̵̡̼̮̯͈̬́̀̎̌̽̓͌̈͛ [[Not yet, it is barely 10 in the morning]] [[Drink->drink7]]

But you coù̵̮l̴̟̀d̴̼̎ really ü̵͕s̶̯̑e a dr̷̝̽ï̸͎n̸̛̮k right n̸̯̿ò̶̘ẃ̴̳. Are you sure you don't want to drink yet? [[Yes I am sure->Sure1]] [[No I should drink->drink7]]

You grab the chalice and drink the contents. It tastes bitter, but you drink like it is the last drink to ever touch your lips. You put the chalice down and look through the window. It is still early in the morning. But your head feels so heavy. You are sleepy. [[Yawn]]

No, Y̷̘͝o̶̺͒u should dř̴͍í̵̟nk. [[No I shouldn't]] [[Okay then, I'll drink.->drink7]]

Y̷̘͝o̶̺͒u should ̴rea̴̗̓l̶̰͗l̶̮̐ẏ̸͉ ̴̪͒d̶̺̄ř̴͍í̵̟nk.̴̳̔ [[No I shouldn't->Sure1]] [[Okay then, I'll drink.->drink7]]

At least the voices are quiet. You stumble and fall to the ground. Maybe you can close your eyes and rest for a second. [[Close your eyes->Day8]]

You dream horrible dreams. Dreams of death. Dreams of despair. Dreams of shadows, watching you like a hawk. Never moving, but never falling behind. You hear a voice droning the same words, over and over, kill ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ k̵i̵l̷l̴ ‎ ‎ ‎ ḱ̵̲i̸̼͝l̷̍ͅl̵̬̓ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ k̸̫̹̈́i̶̬̟̽͜ļ̴̩̩̌̽̕l̸̰͈̞̭̓̔͘͝ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ k̶̠̩͚̆̾i̵̩̪̼̿̐l̸̢͚̜̿͂̚ḷ̶̱͗̂̿͜ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ k̸͎̻̹̦̙̱͉̎̕i̶̛̞̞̣̫͇͕̹͂̔͑l̸͎̥̼͉̿͌ĺ̴̥̲̰͎͔̳ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ k̵̛̛͈̭̜͎̙̖̎̀́͆͊͂̉̇i̷̢̪̰̦̥̬̣̹͚̿͗̇͛͋̆l̷̦͗̿̔̔͐̒͂̕͝l̸̡̲̬̫͇̜͗̂̿̍̿̓̚͝ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ k̷̭̤̩̗̲͖̜̼̑̾̃͐͗̿̔̏̾̎̀̓̕ì̴̢̲͕͚̫̾͘͘ļ̵̢̺̞̱̹̖̥̊̑̍͒̅̽̃̏̚l̴̛̤͇̈́͋͗͒̉̇͝͝ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ k̴̭̲̍̋̈́͐̒̃̿̐̌͗̈́̚̕i̶͇̻͉̱̼̘͖͔̲͔͔̩̲͕̟̻̜̗͎̇̉̂͌̑͛̈́̀̆̉̏̑̐͛͋̄̾͗͒̀͊̾l̶̡̗͓̭͕̘͔̣̺̻̹͚̺̘̬͍̠̠̠͓̯̣̯̣͕͕̺̹̦̈́̊̏̿̀͑̓̎̾͋̓̾̋̍̍͌̃͌͗̅͛̋̅̒̽͆͆̇̀̓͜͠l̷̗̣̩̻͙̲̣͎̖͉̟̉̉̈́͂͛̐̏̅͊̅͝ [[Wake up->wake]]

<h3>Day 7</h3><hr>You wake up to your brother shaking you around violently. "Nileas, wake the fuck up," he yells. "They are here!" [[What?->what]]

He stops shaking you and looks at you with angry eyes. "All day we had to prepare yesterday, but you were out cold on the ground. Like a fucking syrup junkie. By the gods, I had to have the servants put you in bed." You say, "What time is it?" "Too late, that's what it is. The Medean army will be here tonight. Get out of bed and come to the council chambers." You get out of bed and see the chalice. For some reason, you are not hearing it call to you. It is just standing there, waiting for you to grab it. You shake yourself awake. You feel energetic. "Something else happened," Demorod says. [[What is it?->happened]]

(if: $Kunnard is false)["You were out cold. Kunnard saw it and he snuck out. Or snuck out, he took a group of riders to scout out or meet the enemy or something. Whatever he wanted to do, it failed. They sent us his head." No, not him as well. Dying like that. It is something Farley would do. Kunnard always looked up to his older brother. (set: $Kunnard to true) ] (else:)["You were out cold. Arnauth saw it and he snuck out. Or snuck out, he took a group of riders to scout out or meet the enemy or something. Whatever he wanted to do, it failed. They sent us his head." No, not him as well. The little scholar always wanted to prove he was a warrior too. If you had been awake, maybe you would've been able to stop him. (set: $Arnauth to true) ] "They sent something else with his head," your brother says. "A letter. With a good offer on it. It offers us lenience if we surrender. All we have to do is surrender the throne to king Turmesa, and ou..." [[Tr̴͖̂̎̅̽̀a̵̛̲̭͓͋̔͂̀̊́̈́̂̚̕͜iṫ̴̞or̷̩͊!̶͇͝]] [[Surrender?]] (set: $stabbed to false)

"I hate to say this, but it is honestly our best option. We would be able to live out our lives quietly and our people will be spared. It is that, or thousands of our soldiers and people will die for nothing, our kingdom destroyed, and the city burned to the ground. The only downside is that we all have to live out our lives here in the keep. We will be their prisoners." [[I will never surrender to them.]] [[Maybe it is a good idea.]]

Your own brother. Your own fucking brother. How could this have happened? It is all so clear to you now. He was the traitor all along. It wasn't Cilean. It wasn't any of those useless nobles. It wasn't even lord Garson. It was Demorod. First he wants you to take that horrible deal with the Listinians, then he caused a riot and got Farley killed. And now he wants to surrender to the enemy. You feel a rage building up in your body. "You fucking traitor," you say. "How could you betray me like this?" He looks at you with pain in his eyes, "Nileas, I see you are too far gone. That chalice, it has destroyed you." He notices you looking at your sword and grimaces. "I wish it were different brother," he says before reaching for the knife at his belt. [[Throw the chalice at him]] [[Jump him]] [[Run to the door]]

"Nileas, this really is our best option." [[We piss on our ancestors legacy if we surrender now Demorod.->We piss on their legacy if we surrender now Demorod.]]

"I wish it were different NIleas. But this really is our best option. Please listen to me and save the last that is left of your family and its legacy. If you don't, they will raze the city. And break down everything our ancestors built." [[We piss on their legacy if we surrender now Demorod.]] [[Maybe you're right]]

You say, "Surrendering to them will be a stab in the back to all our ancestors stood for. We will fight them to the last man. We will make them bleed for every brick they try to take from our lands." Demorod looks at you with a grimace. "Please Nileas, think about it. This will destroy everything." [[We won't surrender]] [[Maybe you're right]]

"It is a big decision. But I know I'm right." Don't do it. You shouldn't surrender. What if they take away the chalice before you can drink? You only need to drink one more time. One more time. And then it will all be yours. Everything you ever wanted. [[We piss on our ancestors legacy if we surrender now Demorod.->We piss on their legacy if we surrender now Demorod.]] [[Surrender->Surrenderending]]

<h3>Evening of the invasion</h3><hr>You sit on your throne. King Turmesa walks into the throneroom. "Are you here to accept my surrender?" you say. "I am," Turmesa says. [[Get up from your throne]]

He sighs and looks at you defeated. "Brother, this pă̵̩ì̴̱ns me. Seeing you like this. I told you this chalice would serve you N̶̠̔e̵̮͛l̷͕̇å̶̻t̵͎͌har's soup. It has ḍ̷̀ë̴͇́s̶̡̓t̴̝́r̵͙͊oyed you, and us with it. I can't let this continue. I can't let you destroy father's k̷̨̅î̸̙n̴̲͒gdom." He reaches to h̵̜̍ḯ̶͚s belt and pulls out the long dagger your father had given him. You look around, but he is st̸̪̅a̵̞̿ṉ̷̊d̴̯͛ing in between you and your s̴̛̹w̵͓̃ö̶͖́r̸̳̆d̶̳͐. [[Jump him]] [[Run to the door]] [[Throw the chalice at him]]

You quickly close the distance between you to and jump on top of him. [[G̷͎̊r̴̮̊ab̸͊̈́ his ̷̺͙̋͊t̸̓͂͜h̵͖̹̀roat]]

You quickly run to the door but stumble over a chair. You scramble up but feel Demorod grabbing you by the collar and pulling you back. You turn around and see him stab at you. [[Block his arm]] [[Punch him in the face]]

You quickly grab the heavy chalice and throw it at him. Before he can react, the heavy golden chalice hits him square in the face. He grunts and falls back, grabbing his bloody nose, cursing, and dropping his knife. [[Jump him at him]]

As he is laying on the ground, you jump at him. You manage to get on top of him and grab him by the throat. He is bigger and stronger than you, but for some reason, you feel energetic. You feel like you can move mountains like you can pull a tree out of the earth. You grab him by the throat and squeeze. [[Squeeze]]

He tries grabbing at your arms but there is no moving them. They are like steel beams. He is gasping for air, trying to reach his knife at the same time. [[Ṡ̶͓̪͠q̶̨͔̻̓̐u̴̮̩̇́͘e̴̠͑̉͒eze ̴̯̣̥̓̇̍ĥ̵͙̻͉͒̔a̴͕̓rde̷͈̪̣͆r̶̦͗]] [[Let go->G̷͎̊r̴̮̊ab̸͊̈́ his ̷̺͙̋͊t̸̓͂͜h̵͖̹̀roat]]

His face is turning red and his eyes are bulging out. He tries punching you, but you don't even feel it. You squeeze until you feel his body goes limp. Once you are certain he is dead, you let go. You stumble back. (if: $stabbed is true)[ [[You feel your side]] ](else:)[ [[He is dead]] ]

You feel a sharp pain as Demorod gets ahold of his knife and stabs you in the side. He stabs, two, three times. [[Squeeze with all your strength->Ṡ̶͓̪͠q̶̨͔̻̓̐u̴̮̩̇́͘e̴̠͑̉͒eze ̴̯̣̥̓̇̍ĥ̵͙̻͉͒̔a̴͕̓rde̷͈̪̣͆r̶̦͗]] (set: $stabbed to true)

You feel blood dripping through you clothes. Around you, a puddle is forming. You grow cold as you realize what is happening. You see the chalice, maybe you can still survive. [[Dead but fail ending]]

Your own brother. Killing your own brother. In cold blood. Is there forgiveness for something like that? Kinslaying, not many crimes are worse than that. You shake your head, trying to clear your mind from all the thoughts racing through it. War is still on the horizon. [[Go to the council chamber]]

You block his thrust just in time with your left hand. [[Punch him]]

You feel pain as he stabs you in the side. You feel the knife cutting through your insides, but you also feel his nose breaking beneath the weight of your fist. (set: $Stabbed to true) He stumbles back, drops his knife, and reaches for his nose. You jump him and grab him by the throat. You squeeze as hard as you can. His eyes start bulging out. [[Ṡ̶͓̪͠q̶̨͔̻̓̐u̴̮̩̇́͘e̴̠͑̉͒eze ̴̯̣̥̓̇̍ĥ̵͙̻͉͒̔a̴͕̓rde̷͈̪̣͆r̶̦͗]]

You hit him square in the face and he stumbles back, dropping his knife. You jump on top of him and grab his throat. [[Squeeze]]

You try to grab the chalice, but your legs are already too weak. You slip and fall face-first onto the ground. As you roll over and look a the ceiling, you realize how ironic this situation is. After all this effort and loss, King Turmesa will still win without having lifted a single finger. Without you and your brother, there is no saving this kingdom. Soon he will march into the city and annex Iludas. Any remaining family of yours will be hostages. You sigh a ragged breath. If only you had listened. Maybe you could have avoided this soup. This Nelathar's soup. **Death ending**

You take the chalice and make your way to the council chambers. You sit down and lock the door. You put the chalice on the table and sit down. What are you doing? What happened to you? Was all of this even worth it? Or was this all one big Nelathar's soup? Soon they will be at the gates and they will raze the city to the ground. Should you surrender? Or should you fight? [[An idea pops up in your head]]

An idea pops up in your head. What if you served Nelathars soup one last time? Fill the chalice with wine, and poison it. If you serve this to king Turmesa, and he dies, the invasion will fall flat on its face. You could save your kingdom. You look at the chalice. You would not survive that either. No, you shouldn't do that. You should drink one last time. Only one more time, and you will be immortal, deathless. You've worked so hard, lost so much, will you really give that up? Drink now, and escape into the forest. Leave this place behind forever. What will you do? Will you surrender, will you serve Nelathar's, or will you drink one last time? [[Surrender->Surrenderending]] [[Serve Soup->SoupEnding]] [[Drink one last time->ImmortalEnding]]

<h3>Evening of the invasion</h3><hr>The door of the dining hall opens wide. A group of men walks in. All of them are wearing full-plate armor. You recognize the front leader as King Turmesa. Black hair, a hooked nose, and one of those kind faces that hides a cruel and ruthless man. "Nileas," he says. "I am glad you came to your senses and capitulated." He nod's at the set table, "A strange condition, but not one I will deny." [[Glad to hear that]]

<h3>The final drink</h3><hr> Only one more drink, and you will live forever. Who would choose anything else? You look at the chalice. It is not whispering anymore, nor is it calling for you. It is not singing, and it is not even pulling your gaze. This is your decision. Drinking now means living forever, but forever losing your kingdom. Losing your last remaining family. Losing your castle, your people, your honor. Is that all worth it? [[I need to rethink this->An idea pops up in your head]] [[Yes, I promised her I would live]]

You grab the chalice with both hands. The liquid is now thick and black like tar. It smells like death itself. "I do this for you my love" You drink. Long big gulps. Until the chalice is totally empty. It tastes like roses. You smile to yourself as clarity falls over you. As if energy is being sucked through the ground itself, into your body. Your hearing strengthens, your muscles stop aching, your eyesight becomes sharper. You feel it. With every bone in your body, you feel it. You have become deathless. [[Leave this place]]

You watch from the treeline as the city is burning. Screams and wails of men, women, and children ride the wind. You see your troops putting up quite a spectacular defense. But it matters naught. Your kingdom has fallen, your city is gone. But you are deathless. You will live forever. Was it all worth it though? Nelathar's soup, what an interesting proverb. Maybe they should make a proverb about you. An old king, bound to wander this world forever. That would make for some story, wouldn't it? You turn around and disappear into the forest. What will you do now? So much time, so many possibilities. You feel your stomach rumbling. Apparently deathless still need to eat. What shall you eat? You see some mushrooms next to a treestump. Maybe you can make some soup. **Immortal ending**

You walk down the dais and meet Turmesa face to face. He has a soft but sleek face. You have been king long enough to know a face like that. Kind, but hiding a cunning and ruthless man. He puts his hand on your shoulder and walks past you. As he sits down on the throne, the people around you start bowing. [[Bow]]

"Long live the king!" You cough in your hand. As you remove your hand, you notice a blood splatter in the palm of your hand. Everything comes around eventually. **Surrender Ending**

You say, “today is the final day of my wife’s funeral. After this meal, my mourning will be over. I thought it would be fitting for you to attend it with me.” It must indeed sound like a strange request. Dine as a king, one last time. King Turmesa nods and grabs a chair. "Is this the famous chalice of Bid?" he asks as he grabs the chalice from the table, "It is," you say. "Does it work?" You take out your knife and cut your hand. "I don't believe it does." King Turmesa laughs, “It matters naught. It is still a fine chalice. In fact, I will use it today, to commemorate this peaceful transition of power.” How fitting, you think. Before he starts eating he shoots a quick prayer. He looks at you with a sly grin, obviously waiting for you to start. [[Start the meal]]

Turmesa falls to the ground, his armor clattering on the stone of the council chamber. Around you, the nobles are falling one by one. You look at the bodies around you while clawing at your throat. You fall on your back and stare at the ceiling as you pull your last breath. Two weeks later Kunnard is crowned king. King of Iludas, the independent kingdom. As the oldest remaining heir, it now falls to him to run the kingdom. Hopefully, he will learn from his father's mistakes. Hopefully, he will throw the chalice of bid into the sea. But who knows what will happen? Nelathar’s soup often tastes so sweet. **Served Nelathar's ending**

Turmesa falls to the ground, his armor clattering on the stone of the council chamber. Around you, the nobles are falling one by one. You look at the bodies around you while clawing at your throat. You fall on your back and stare at the ceiling as you pull your last breath. Two weeks later Arnauth is crowned king. King of Iludas, the independent kingdom. As the oldest remaining heir, it now falls to him to run the kingdom. Hopefully, he will learn from his father's mistakes. Hopefully, he will throw the chalice of bid into the sea. But who knows what will happen? Nelathar’s soup often tastes so sweet. **Served Nelathar's ending**

Turmesa falls to the ground, his armor clattering on the stone of the council chamber. Around you, the nobles are falling one by one. You look at the bodies around you while clawing at your throat. You fall on your back and stare at the ceiling as you pull your last breath. Two weeks later, your daughter Aelsing is crowned Queen. The first queen in the history of Iludas. Hopefully she will learn from her father's mistakes. Hopefully, she will throw the chalice of bid into the sea. But who knows what will happen? Nelathar’s soup often tastes so sweet. **Served Nelathar's ending**

You pour yourself some wine from the poisoned carafe, take a sip, and begin drinking. No way back now. Turmesa smiles and pours himself some wine as well. He pours it into the chalice. His nobles follow his example eagerly and start eating as well. They must have been starving. “Tell me Nileas, what happened? Which of the restless did you make a deal with for you to fail so hard?” Turmesa says. “Bad luck I guess,” you say. “Bad luck?” Turmesa laughs to his nobles. “Bad luck he says.” “You know Turmesa,” you say. “The gods are always watching. I wanted to serve soup for this meal, but I fear the gods would not appreciate the irony.” “The irony of what?” Turmesa says while feeling at his throat. You feel your throat starting to itch. The feeling gets worse and worse until you feel your airways closing in on itself. You struggle to breathe. You see Turmesa, he is feeling it as well. He tries drinking some more wine but the chalice falls out of his hand, onto the ground. He stands up, looking at you with scared and angry eyes. "You," he just says, clawing at his throat. “I might have served Nelathar’s soup, Turmesa,” you struggle to say. “But at least I served it to you.” You feel yourself getting lightheaded. (if: $Kunnard is not true)[[[Stand up->Kunnard Alive]]] (if: $Arnauth is not true)[[[Stand up->Arnauth alive]]] (if: $daughterdead is not true)[[[Stand up->Aelsing alive]]] (else:)[[[Stand up->ListinianTakeover]] ]

Turmesa falls to the ground, his armor clattering on the stone of the dining hall. Around you, the nobles are falling one by one. You look at the bodies around you while clawing at your own throat. You fall on your back and stare at the ceiling as you pull your last breath. With no surviving heir, old enough to run the kingdom, Iludas falls into chaos. Soon the Listinians take over and annex Iludas and all its lands. In the end, the chalice brought your kingdom to ruin. Or rather, you brought your kingdom to ruin. If only you had listened. Maybe this soup would have tasted better. **Listinian ending**

"It means what it means," he says. "That is the beauty of faith." You sigh. This man is useless. [[I have another question->Wait for the fortune teller]]

"It is sire, but the gods don't allow me to see everything." [[Then what is the point of a fortune teller]] [[What can you see then?]] [[Anyone could say that]]

"I will tell you a secret your majesty," he says. "We fortune tellers, we tell you what you already know, but just won't admit to yourself." [[That makes no sense]] [[I have another question->Wait for the fortune teller]]

"I see only glimpses of the future. Things that can help people and steer them certain ways." [[I have another question->Wait for the fortune teller]]

"Anyone could say anything, sire. But only some people know what they are talking about." [[I have another question->Wait for the fortune teller]]

"Of course it does, it makes perfect sense." [[I have another question->Wait for the fortune teller]]

He smiles, "Yes, one question. Seems like you wasted it." He can't be serious. [[Why did you do it?]] [[Tell me about the plot against me->Why did you do it?]]

He smiles and looks at you in silence. That little Yldar is not going to say anything. Maybe you should have him flogged. [[Go to your room]]

You sneak back to the palace. On the way, you see bodies everywhere. Their limbs ripped off and their heads caved in. The carnage is brutal. Halfway you see a group of soldiers who quickly take you back to the palace. Once inside the gates, you see what is left of the party you left with this morning. [[Look around->Afterriot]]