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,,,,,,,
This is the mechanics test. It's not really much of a game but uses life, points, items, and knowledge so I could test them.
It's a large room with strange columns, a bed of nails, big metal door and a window overlooking a yard.
<<if $life > 0>>Body Alive<<endif>>
<<if$life <= 0>>Body Dead<<endif>>
<<if $life2 > 0>>Puppet Alive<<endif>>
<<if$life2 <= 0>>Puppet Dead<<endif>>
There's a [[bed of nails|Bed of Nails]]
There's an [[Electric Fence]]
<<if $Bod.indexOf("Body:Original") != -1>>[[Get a Puppet]]<<endif>>
<<if $Bod.indexOf("Body:Puppet") != -1>>[[Get Your Body Back]]<<endif>>
[[Check the door?|Try the door]]
<<if $inventory.indexOf("Rock") != -1>>[[Smash the window.]]<<endif>>
<<if $inventory.indexOf("Rock") == -1>>There is a rock here. [[Take it?|Pick up Rock?]]<<endif>>
<<if $Know.indexOf("Glyphs-Column") != -1>>[[Turn the colums to the current moon phase|Find a Secret Door]]<<endif>>
<<if $Know.indexOf("Glyphs-Column") == -1>>There seem to be some strange markings on the columns. [[Inspect the markings?|Inspect the columns?]]<<endif>>
[[Bod]]<<if $inventory.length == 0>>You are not carrying anything.<<else>>You are carrying:
<<invWithLinks>> <<endif>>
<<back>>
[[Inventory]]
[[Knowledge]]
[[Health]]
[[Points]]
[[Support]]
[[JudeMire.ca]]
[[How To Play]]<<initInv>>
<<initKnow>>
<<set $points to 0>>
<<set $pointsleft to 1>>
<<set $life to 3>>
<<set $life2 to 10>>
<<initBod>>
<<set $variable to "">>
<<set $visitedswampbasebeneathbridge to 0>>
<<set $visitedbodiesfromthetree to 0>>
<<set $visitedcourtyard1 to 0>>
<<set $visitedgrape to 0>>
<<set $visitedMeetHenryWalker to 0>>It is an unspectacular rock.
The door is locked!
Go back to the [[Room]] You break the window and can escape!
<<set $points = $points + 1>>
<<set $pointsleft = $pointsleft - 1>>
[[Jump out|Way Out]]
Stay in the [[Room]]You got a Rock
<<addToInv Rock>>
Back to the [[Room]] The Enigmatheneum is always growing. There is no bottom to the mysteries it contains. But, even so, you can collect points as you go! Each point is a <font color=purple><b>hidden story</b></font> you've discovered in your journey.
<<if $points == 0>>You have no points.
There is only <font color=purple><b>one hidden story</b></font> to find right now. Perhaps check in the couch cushions?
<<else>>You have:<h2>$points Points!</h2>
There are<font color=purple><b> $pointsleft hidden stories</b></font> left to find. <<endif>>
<<if $points ==1>>\
You've collected the only lonely point there is! Huzzah!<<endif>>
<<back>><b><u>Updates</u></b>
<hr font color=black>\
March, 2019 - Prologue: Doors in the Dark is playable
March, 2019 - Game Launches
<hr font color=black>
<b><u>How to Play</u></b>
Your goal is to explore the Enigmatheneum and hunt for the hidden stories. You'll be faced with choices and decisions. Most of the time, your choices are presented.
Sometimes, options don't appear unless you have acquired a particular item or bit of information. Checking back on rooms and backtracking may result in different options being available. Useful items are stored in your Inventory. Useful information is stored in your Knowledge.
As you navigate the game, you are capable of being injured. Injuries and damage can be tracked in the Health tab. Getting to zero health ends the game. Some things will injure you. Others will destroy you immediately.
Every hidden story you find is worth a point. By checking the Points tab, you can see how many you have and how many are currently in the game. Additional reward stories, and challenges to find them, will be added as the game expands.
The game can be stored locally in the browser or downloaded and then uploaded. Be aware of the following:
1. Clearing your browser will wipe any saves you have.
2. The game is a work in progress and is constantly growing. Saves, local or browser, will not work when new versions of the game update.
While saving is possible, consider it to be limited and temporary, at best.
May fortune smile upon you!
<<back>><<if $Know.length == 0>>You don't seemed to have learned anything about the strange Enigmatheneum yet.<<else>>You have learned the following interesting bits of information:
<<KnowWithLinks>> <<endif>>
<<back>>These glyphs look like the phases of the mooon. They decorate the columns and may indicate some sort of calendar.You see some strange glyphs and symbols. They look like they align with the phases of the moon.
<<addToKnow Glyphs-Column>>
[[Room]]<img src="http://judemire.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/enigmatheneum.jpg" height="500" width="750">
Welcome to the Enigmatheneum!
Part maze.
Part game.
Part repository.
The Enigmathenium is a puzzle that contains stories and fiction written by author/game designer <a href="http://judemire.ca" target="_blank">Jude Mire</a>. It's a collection of tales wrapped up in the labyrinth of an imaginary library.
Search the archival corridors for clues to discover the secret locations of stories. You can find horror, science-fiction, fantasy, and even the surreal within the walls of the Enigmatheneum. The stories are the reward! Or are they actually clues?
Why would someone go to such lengths to create this sprawling maze? Is it hiding more than fiction writing? Are there secrets beneath the secrets?
The only way to find out is to step inside.
[[Approach the Enigmatheneum|Prologue]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
[[I'd like to see the lastest news on game progress and updates and check out the rules first|How To Play]]
<<set $life to 3>>
<<set $life2 to 10>>Twisting a column reveals a secret passage.
<<set $points = $points + 1>>
<<set $pointsleft = $pointsleft - 1>>
[[Take it|Way Out]]
Stay in the [[Room]]You've managed to escape!
That's it! If you check, you should have at least one point. If you went to both places before leaving, you should have 2. If you're here, you dind't walk on that bed of nails enough to die! Good job!Your arrival at the Enigmatheneum marks the end of a long journey. The location is a well guarded secret, remote and difficult to find. Months of travel brought you to the right territory. You had to proceed on foot through rough terrain for the final leg of the trip.
The last week has had terrible weather! Much of your gear was ruined in massive thunderstorms. The rain drenched wilderness has been dangerous and, more than once, you nearly plummeted to your death on mud slicked trails. You arrive empty handed, tired and hungry. Your body is covered in scrapes and bruises and your feet ache.
But you've made it!
The difficult journey is finally in the past! You come to the top of the last ridge that overlooks the valley below.
You cast your eyes to your strange destination for the very first time: The Enigmatheneum.
[[Inspect the valley below.|Initial View]]
You start your adventure with <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>.
<<if $life > 0>>
Your <font color = green><b>Body</b></font> can sustain being damaged <b><font color = red><<print $life>></font></b> more times before your adventure comes to an end.<<endif>>
<<if $life <=0>> Your journey has ended.<<endif>>
<<if $Know.indexOf("Bodies:Puppet") != -1>><<if $life2 > 0>>
Your <font color = brown><b>Puppet</b></font> can sustain being damaged <b><font color = red><<print $life2>></font></b> times before your adventure comes to an end.<<endif>>
<<if $life2 <=0>> Your Puppet has been destroyed.<<endif>>
<<endif>>
<<if $Know.indexOf("Puppet:Durability") == -1>>
<<endif>>
<<back>><center>You have reached the end of this story.
You managed to get
<h2>$points out of 1 Points</h2>
<h1>The End</h1>
</center>
<<emptyInv>>
<<emptyKnow>><<if $Bod.indexOf("Body:Puppet") != -1>>Your puppet body is undamaged by the nails<<endif>>
<<if $Bod.indexOf("Body:Original") != -1>>Gah! Why would you do that?!
<<set $life = $life - 1>>Your Health drops to <<print $life>>.
<<endif>>
Go back to the [[Room]]The sun is low on the horizon and paints the scene in warm colors and long shadows.
It's a very strange building on a plateau risen from a fetid swamp. The structure has a central castle circled by four domes. The design is not uniform throughout and doesn't resemble any type of architecture you've ever seen.
A trail leads straight down to a long, rickety bridge.
It seems odd to put a building in the center of such a waterlogged place. Would you like to [[have a closer look at the terrain?|inspect the terrain?]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Take a little time to [[inspect the strange architecture of the Enigmatheneum?|closer look at the building?]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Of course, you didn't come all this way just to look around. The trail is right there, leading to the bridge. The final steps of your journey are so close! Part of you wants to hurry and take them.
Get on with it and [[head right down!|head right down.]]
The valley below is deep, and, with the setting sun, is already darkening in shadows. The majority of the land is a thickly wooded swamp. Massive willow trees bend and twist among the dead branches of drowned oak. Reeds and cat-tails fill any places where there's a break in the canopy.
The Enigmatheneum sits on an elevated plateau rising out of this marshy lowland. The foundation of the building is only slightly higher than the treetops in the swamp that surrounds it. The sides of the plateau are solid stone, jagged and mossy. They are steep and the bog they rise from is uninviting. Large fissures and cracks don't rule out the possibility of cave entrances.
You're grateful for the narrow wooden bridge that bypasses the fetid waters below.
You could take a minute to [[look over the odd Enigmatheneum.]] It's like nothing you've seen before.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Just [[head right down.]] After all, you didn't come all this way to simply stare at it.
You have gained a bit of <font color=red><b>knowledge</b></font>! [[Cliff:Cracks]] has been added.
<<addToKnow Cliff:Cracks>>The Enimatheneum is unlike any building you've ever seen. The castele is nestled in the middle of four large domes arranged in a cluster. The tops of each of these domes are dotted with smaller buildings, walls, and balconies. It reminds you of four tiny towns, on four perfectly round hills, all adjacent to one another. Even from a great distance, it's easy to see that they were each built in a different architectural style.
The main castle rises from the center of this. It looms over them, bristling with turrets. Dozens of long flags fly, in a spectrum of colors, from the peaks. Each of these turrets are shingled in a rainbow of hues. While the effect of so many different colors may have come off as garish, the rain and sun have beaten them into a pleasing uniformity.
The whole building is a mixture of competing elements that, somehow, make a whole. It's a complicated structure, and the more you look, the more details you notice.
You could [[keep studying the strange building]] for a long time before you saw everything.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could also take a bit of time to [[look over the valley.]] It certainly seems like an odd place for such a marvel.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could [[get on with it.|head right down.]] You didn't come all this way to be a tourist.
The Enimatheneum is unlike any building you've ever seen. The basic shape consists of four large domes in a cluster. The tops of each of these domes are dotted with smaller buildings, walls, and balconies. It reminds you of four tiny towns, on four perfectly round hills, all adjacent to one another. Even from a great distance, it's easy to see that they were each built in a different architectural style.
The main castle rises from the center of the domes. It looms over them, bristling with turrets. Dozens of long flags fly, in a spectrum of colors, from the peaks. Each of these turrets are shingled in a rainbow of hues. While the effect of so many colors may have come off as garish, the rain and sun have beaten them into a pleasing uniformity.
The whole building is a mixture of competing elements that, somehow, make a whole. It's a complicated structure and the more you look the more details you notice.
You've certainly seen enough. It's [[time to go.|head right down.]]You scramble down the ridge trail and onto the narrow bridge.
It's made of wood and rests on long raised poles stuck into the bog muck. Time has shifted the footings and it lurches to the left and right, swaying dangerously, as you walk along it. The supports give you the impression of chopsticks stuck in jello.
The walkway is among the treetops, and you're forced to part the long fronds of the willow boughs as you proceed. There are places where you need to clamber over branches that obstruct the path.
At one point, one of the planks beneath your feet cracks and breaks in two. You manage to lurch ahead and keep from dropping into the bog as it splashes into the stagnant water below. The whole bridge shudders and sways with your movement.
Clearly, this bridge is a problem! There are a few ways you could handle it.
You could keep going the way you are, [[slow and steady]], and do your best to watch your feet.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
If the rickety thing won't hold you for long, you should make sure you're on it for as little as possible. Trust in your reflexes and make a run for it! Go [[as fast as you can manage]] to get off this deathtrap!
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You've had enough of this nonsense. A fall from this height with a collapsing bridge is more dangerous than the swamp below. You could easily [[climb down and make your way through the muck.]] It's messy, and slower, but it's probably a lot safer in the long run.You've noticed large cracks in the cliffs at the base of the Enigmatheneum. You'd need to go through the swamp for a closer look, but they seem big enough that they could house caves.
<<back>>You don't have much light left, as the sun sets, but you use what you have to really study the building. Who knows, perhaps it might help you to navigate it once your inside.
The dome nearest to you is the easist so view in the dying light. It looks very old fashioned and the buildings remind you of an old european village. The rooves have cedar shingles and wide logs are used in much of the construction. The light coming from this dome has an orange glow, as if cast by flame lanterns or torchlight. It's different than the other domes which appear to have electricity.
For some reason, even though there is no evident need for it, there are what appear to be power lines, or clotheslines, running from some of the buildings to others. Their purpose seems odd.
You won't figure it out with the sun dipping the way that it is. It's time to [[move on.|head right down.]]
You have gained a bit of <font color=red>knowledge</font>!
<<addToKnow Arcanawing:Ropelines>>The valley below is deep and, with the setting sun, is already darkening in shadows. The majority of the land is a thickly wooded swamp. Massive willow trees bend and twist among the dead branches of drowned oak. Reeds and cat-tails fill any places where there's a break in the canopy.
The Enigmatheneum sits on an elevated plateau rising out of this marshy lowland. The foundation of the building is only slightly higher than the treetops in the swamp that surrounds it. The sides of the plateau are solid stone, jagged and mossy. They are steep and the bog they rise from is uninviting. Large fissures and cracks don't rule out the possibility of cave entrances.
You're grateful for the narrow wooden bridge that bypasses the fetid waters below.
You've done enough spectating. It's [[time to go.|head right down.]]
You have gained a bit of <font color=red><b>knowledge</b></font>! [[Cliff:Cracks]] has been added.
<<addToKnow Cliff:Cracks>>This portion of the Enigmathenium has many lines connecting one building to another. Their purpose is unknown. You realize that, with their positioning, it would be difficult to notice them from inside the building.
<<back>>You're not about to get down and wallow in that swamp, but you're no daredevil either. You decide to do you best, take your time, and watch your footing.
Your progress is slow going. The rickety old bridge groans and creaks as you move along. It tilts dangerously to the left and right, swaying with your passing.
The sunset finally surrenders to night and the path darkens. Now you can barely see!
Despite your best efforts, your foot plunges through an old plank and you loose your balance. Your arms windmill as you try to right yourself. For a moment it looks like you just might make it! But that moment passes.
You [[pitch headlong into the swamp!|pitch headlong into the swamp.]]You decide that it's worth the risk. After all, it's the same distance to the ground if it collapses wether you're sneaking or running. You might as well get it over with!
You take a few deep breaths, steel your nerves, and bolt down the rickety bridge. The wood cracks with every step, and the entire structure shakes with the imapacts of your feet.
There is a loud crash as one of the support legs splinters, and the bridge pitches to the side. You manage to keep your balance, but can hear the path behind you collapse and splash into the swamp.
There's no going back now!
Fortunately, none of the other legs give out, and you manage to make it to the security of the stone plateau. You're winded and out of breath.
The area is dark and quiet.
You should probably [[look around.]]You find a nice spot where the bridge intersects with the long arms of a willow. Without much effort you managed to get down to the ground level.
The reeds are tall and your feet sink up to their ankles in the marshwater. You find yourself a good stick and probe the ground ahead of you as you walk, making sure you don't stumble into deep areas.
At its worst, you have to wade up to your waist in the algae filled sludge. You think that something alive (and unsettlingly large) may have brushed your leg.
The sun finally drops below the horizon and the swamp becomes almost too dark to see. Soaked, muddy, and tired, you begin to regret your choice.
You don't think it's too much further, but it's difficult to see with the trees overhead. You could [[press on]] and trust your direction sense.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Through the ordeal you've managed to keep yourself near to the bridge. You could try and [[climb back up one]] of the shaky posts.
[[Walking_Stick]] has been added to your <b><font color=blue>Inventory</font></b>
<<addToInv Walking_Stick>><center><Font size=6 color=indigo><b><u>Prologue:</u>
Doors in the Dark</b></font>
<<addToBod Body:Original>>
<center><b><u>Goal:</u></b></center>\
Make your way through a darkening night and
find an entrance to the mysterious Enigmatheneum.
There is <font color=purple><b>One Hidden Story</b></font> to be discovered in the Prologue.
[[continue|Approach the Enigmatheneum]]</center>Faced with no other viable options you slosh off into the darkness.
The sound of frogs and crickets is a constant trilling hum in the air. You manage to keep to the bridge as much as possible. There are a few times you loose track of the support beams in the pervasive gloom, but you back track to a previous post and try again. You keep from becoming entirely lost and having to spend the night in the swamp.
It is with great relief that you feel solid stone beneath your feet.
It's dark, and hard to see, but you can vaguely make out [[the look of things.|swampbasebeneathbridge]]You find one of the more sturdy looking bridge supports and decide to give it a shot.
These poles are half the diameter of a telephone pole and you can't easily reach your hand around them. On top of this, they seem to be covered with slick moss.
After several humiliating attempts to wrap your arms and legs around and inch your way up, and then slowly sliding down until your butt lands in a puddle, you realize that this isn't a particularly viable plan.
It looks like you're [[out of choices.|press on]] The dark swamp it is.You're on a rocky, flat area.
Ahead of you is the high stone side of the Enigmatheneum. The walls of the building are smooth, and the masonry doesn't leave any grooves or handholds between the stones. Climbing it would be difficult even with spikes and lines. Without them it's impossible. There is a <font color=#B7950B>brass plaque</font> on the wall, but you can't read what it says from where you are.
Behind you are the cliffs of the plateau that rises out of the swamp. It's dark, and although you can hear the willows whispering in the wind, you can no longer see them. There is a spike at the edge of the cliff. A closer inspection reveales that there's a rope tied to it and a rough hewn staircase heading down into the dark bog. It looks treacherous, but if you wanted, you could [[climb down.|cliff trip bad]]<<if $inventory.indexOf("Plateau:VineRope") != -1>>You don't trust the look of the rope that's there, but you do have your Vine Rope. You could [[use that to go down|Cliff Trip Good]].<<endif>>
On your left and right there are a pair of trails leading away in either direction. One seems more worn and well trod. The other is thinner and less defined.
You could go check out the [[plaque.|inital wall plaque]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Follow the more [[used pathway|SE Portal]] to the right around the Enigmatheneum looking for an entrance.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Follow the [[other trail|S Portal]] to the left and do the same.
The water is every bit as muddy and foul tasting as you imagined as you splash into the muck.
You land on a sharp branch, submerged and broken in the water, and cut yourself.
You've lost <b><font color = red>1 Life</font></b> from the wound.<<set $life = $life - 1>>
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>.
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Bridge Fall Dead">><<endif>>
<<if $life > 0>>
It's dark down here and difficult to navigate. You could give [[climbing back up|climb back up one]] a shot, although you don't have much faith you wouldn't fall right back where you are.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could accept your sloppy wet fate and [[press on]] through the dark swamp.
<<endif>>If you are enjoying this game, and enjoying the stories, you might want to consider becoming a patron of game creator, Jude Mire.
Becoming a patron gives you access to dozens of stories immediately, new stories every month, and access to books and collections. Supporing me allows me to live as an author, continue to write more fun stories, and keep working on expanding the Enigmatheneum!
With every patron, the maze will grow!
<center>
<img src="http://judemire.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/grey-patreon-logo.gif">
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/judemire" target="_blank">SUPPORT HERE</a>
</center>
<<back>>Visit the webpage of the Enigmatheneum creator, Jude Mire.
<center><a href="http://judemire.ca" target="_blank">Jude Mire</a></center>
<<back>>Taking care not to leave the rocky area at the base of the plateau, you decide to move along the perimeter looking for one of the suspicious clefts in the stone.
You could go either way. What's it going to be?
[[Left|west base]] to the West
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
[[right|east base]] to the East.
<c1>"Hi there, I'm Grey." is c1</c1>
<c2>"Nice to meet you. I'm Brown." is c2</c2>
<c3>"Hyea, I'm Green." is c3</c3>
<c4>"Greetings, I'm Bone." is c4</c4>
<c5>"Yep, I'm Rust" is c5</c5>
<c6>"Red over here." is c6</c6>
<c7>"I'm pleased to meet you. I'm Violet" is c7</c7>
<c8>"A pleasure. I'm Blue." is c8</c8>
<c9>"I'm sage. Hey there." is c9</c9>
<center>You've found a Fantasy Story!
You've gained <b><font color = purple>1 Point</font></b>!
<img src="http://judemire.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/19-1-FF.jpg" height="325" width="750">
Click below to open the pdf file. From there, you can download it for yourself!
<a href="http://judemire.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Clagmarate-Fate-by-Jude-Mire.pdf" target="_blank">Clagmarate Fate</a></center>
[[Back|
<<set $points = $points + 1>>
<<set $pointsleft = $pointsleft - 1>>The Puppet your soul has entered starts with a durability of ten.
You don't know if it's possible to improve it or repair it. Take care with this new body.
<<back>>This is a nice sturdy stick, about as long as you are tall. I'm sure you can come up with all sorts of uses for it!
<<back>>You move along the stone, keeping the cliff to your side. It feels good to be out of the swamp mud.
You don't find anything but ferns and vines in the first cleft you discover. It's hard to see in the gloom.
The second one goes much deeper and splits into two directions. One is a dead end, but the other has a dark crack, impossible to see into without light. <font color=#95C9BD><b>Cold, moist, wind</b></font> blows from it.
You've discovered a cave entrance.
It's pitch black in there with no way of seeing. <<if $inventory.indexOf("Swamp:Walking_Stick") != -1>>You extend your walking stick and can feel solid ground. You could use it to make sure you don't fall.<<endif>> It's certainly dangerous to [[enter it.|go into prologue cave one]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
From here, you could easily make your way back to the bridge trail again. Perhaps it would be wiser to [[do that.|return to plateau base]]You walk for a long time without finding anything. It's hard to see, in the dark, but you keep your hand along the cliff side and feel for openings.
The first one you find is too small to fit into. You pass it and move along.
The second is much larger. It goes for a long way, winding down a corridor of stone. At the end, it dips down into a hole. <font color=#95C9BD><b>Cold, moist, wind </b></font>blows from it.
You've discovered a cave.<<if $inventory.indexOf("Swamp:Walking_Stick") != -1>>You probe it with your Walking Stick and discover it drops off far enough that you can't touch the bottom.<<endif>>
You could [[jump in|east plateau cave]] and risk it. <<if $inventory.indexOf("Swamp:Walking_Stick") != -1>>Considering how deep and dark that hole is, it's a terrible idea.<<endif>>
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could find your way back from here. You might want to [[do that.|return to plateau base]]<<set $visitedswampbasebeneathbridge++>>\
<<if $visitedswampbasebeneathbridge is 1>>\
You've finally reached the base of the cliffs that ring the Enigmatheneum at the spot where the bridge above connects to the plateau.
It appears that you're not the first unfortunate soul to wind up in this part of the swamp. There is an old rope, with frequent knots, hanging down the cliff along side of an incredibly steep staircase. If you've had enough of the lovely, wet, leech infested muck you could [[climb up.|old rope up]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
There's nothing stopping you from [[wandering off into the swamp]] in the near darknesss from here. It's a terrible idea, but you could do it.
<<if $Know.indexOf("Cliff:Cracks") != -1>>
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You do remember seeing cracks in the cliffs that looked big enough to have a cave. Perhaps now might be a good time, since you're down here already, to [[see if they exist.|cave search]]
<<endif>>\
<<elseif $visitedswampbasebeneathbridge is 2>>\
You're back at the base of the cliffs that ring the Enigmatheneum at the spot where the bridge above connects to the plateau.
There is an old rope, with frequent knots, hanging down the cliff along side of an incredibly steep staircase. You could [[climb up.|old rope up]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
There's nothing stopping you from [[wandering off into the swamp]] in the near darknesss from here. It's a terrible idea, but you could do it.
<<if $Know.indexOf("Cliff:Cracks") != -1>>
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You do remember seeing cracks in the cliffs that looked big enough to have a cave. You can go to [[the caves.|cave search]]
<<endif>>
<<else>>\
Once again you've found yourself at the base of the cliffs that ring the Enigmatheneum at the spot where the bridge above connects to the plateau.
That old rope is still dangling there and you could [[climb up.|old rope up]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
There's still nothing but common sense stopping you from [[wandering off into the swamp]] in the near darknesss from here. It's a terrible idea, but you could do it.
<<if $Know.indexOf("Cliff:Cracks") != -1>>
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You've been down here enough that you've probably taken the time to [[look, for the caves.|cave search]]
<</if>>
<<endif>>For reasons unknown (maybe swamp gas addled your mind) you head off into the swamp with no clear way of seeing where you are going.
<<timed 2s>><font color=#488244><b>Something</b></font> brushes your <b>leg!</b><</timed>>
<<timed 4s>>Another <font color=#488244><b>Something</b></font> bumps you. <font color=#488244><b>Something <i>big</i></b></font>!<</timed>>
<<timed 6s>>You're jerked off your feet and <b>dragged underwater!</b><</timed>>
<<timed 7s>>
Some creature has a hold of you! You've been injurd for <b><font color = red>1 Life</font></b>!<<set $life = $life - 1>>
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>!<</timed>>
<<timed 8s>>
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Gator Dead">><<endif>><</timed>>
<<if $life > 0>><<timed 8s>>
<<if $inventory.indexOf("Walking_Stick") != -1>>Fight for your life! [[Attack it|Fend off Gators]] with your Walking Stick!<<endif>><</timed>>
<<timed 8s>>You feel teeth chomp into your leg and you're spun around. You kick and jerk free trying to [[pull yourself to the surface!|Gator Dead 2]]<</timed>><<endif>>You never get a look at them, but your last thoughts are that it's probably <font color=#488244><b>alligators</b></font> that have got a hold of you.
<<timed 4s>><b>Probably.</b><</timed>>
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>.
<<if $life <= 0>><<timed 8s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>><<endif>><<set $life = $life - 1>>\
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Cliff Trip Dead">><<endif>><<if $life > 0>>\
You carefully lower yourself down the rope and attempt to navigate the stairs down. They're incredibly steep and the moss growing on them peels away when you step on them. You're so focused on not slipping that when on of the steps pulls free of the wall, you're caught off guard and fall.
You tumble down, managing to guide your fall by holding the rope. It burns your hand and your head and back are battered as you drop.
You've lost <b><font color = red>1 Life</font></b> from the bumps and scrapes.
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>
You manage the rest of the [[way down|swampbasebeneathbridge]] without incident.<<endif>>You swing with a desperate fervor, fending off the unseen attacker. You realize it's probably an alligator. At least, you hope it's only an alligator and not something worse!
You manage to shove the stick deep down its throat and, as it gags, you pull your leg free. It chomps on the walking stick and tears it from your hands, rolling away.
You scurry back into the darkness, bleeding from your leg and lucky to be alive. You run, splashing throught the swamp, and [[make your way back|swampbasebeneathbridge]] to the rocky safety at the base of the plateau.
<<removeFromInv Swamp:Walking_Stick>>The plaque is weather beaten and old, but you can still make out what it says.
<center>
<c5>True compass points will not pass through,
I'll tell you what you need to do,
Stand at the South and clockwise three,
Listen careful, you will see!
You'll need to move five tunnels left,
then counter-clockwise something deft;
A step of one! If you've not died,
The opposite will lead inside.</c5>
</center>
<<addToKnow Plateau:Plaque>>
[[Plateau:Plaque]] has been added to your <font color=red><b>Knowledge</b></font>
[[Back|look around.]]
It seems more people have gone this way, so perhaps it's a good idea to follow their lead.
The Enigmatheneum walls are on one side, and the cliff is on the other. The plateau is wider here, and there's grass on the sides of the trail. You have plenty of room and are in no danger of falling.
In this section of the wall, there is a wide open archway of a door leading into pitch blackness. Carved above it are the letters <font color=blue><b>S-E</b></font>. You notice an odd smell coming from the entrance. It reminds you of perfume gone bad, acrid and tart.
As you face this doorway, you can either [[enter it,|SE Portal IN]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go [[left|look around.]], back to where the landing and plaque are, where you arrived,
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go [[right|E Portal]] and continue along around the building.It seems fewer people have gone this way, so, maybe you'll discover something new.
The Enigmatheneum is on one side of the trail, and the cliff dropoff is on the other. The gound here is fairly narrow and rocky, but as long as you pay attention, you're in no danger of falling.
There is a large archway leading into pitch blackness. Carved in the stone above it is a decorative letter <font color=blue><b>S</b></font>.
As you face this doorway, you can either [[enter it,|S Portal IN]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go [[left|SW Portal]] where the trail seems to continue to narrow and deteriorate,
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go [[right|look around.]] back to where the bridge and plaque are.The plaque is weather beaten and old but you can still make out what it says.
<center>
<c5>True compass points will not pass through,
I'll tell you what you need to do,
Stand at the South and clockwise three,
But going in is unwise, see?
You'll need to move five tunnels left,
then counter-clockwise something deft;
A step of one! If you've not died,
The opposite will lead inside.</c5>
</center>
<<back>>Taking a risk, you move into the dark cave. The floor is surprisingly smooth and easy to navigate. You keep a hand on the wall and follow it. This way, you know you can find your way back if you decide to leave.
It's not long before you see a glimmer of light up ahead. At first, you're not sure if your eyes are playing tricks on you, but as you proceed, the glow intensifies. Soon, you're able to see where you are going.
There is a twist in the tunnel up ahead and the cool cave wind whistles as it makes the turn. Beyond, the light seems much brighter. With care, you peek around.
You're stunned by [[what you see.|bodiesfromthetree]]You think better of your course of action and [[make your way back|swampbasebeneathbridge]] to where you came from.Considering how soft the surrounding earth is ine swamp, you figure there must be mud, or at least leaves and muck, at the bottom. You risk it and drop into the cave.
<<timed 4s>>You fall into the darkness.<</timed>>
<<timed 6s>>And fall...<</timed>>
<<timed 8s>>And fall...<</timed>>
<<timed 10s>>And fall...<</timed>>
<<set $life = $life - 3>>
<<if $life <= 0>><<timed 12s>><<goto "East Cave Dead">><</timed>><<endif>>
You hit the spiked stalagmites on the bottom with a horrible crunch.
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>.
<<if $life <= 0>><<timed 6s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>><<endif>>The trail around here is certainly more treacherous than most of the area surrounding the Enigmatheneum. There is barely room to walk with the wall on one side and a precipitous drop on the other. In many places there are jagged boulders that require clambering over.
You find another dark archway leading into an inscrutable tunnel, presumably into the interior of the Enigmathenium. This one has fallen into some disrepair and several of the stones have fallen from it. One of them, on the ground, has the large letters, <font color=blue><b>S-W</b></font>, carved into it.
As you face this dilapidated doorway you can either [[enter it,|SW Portal IN]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Keep going along the deteriorating trail to the [[left|Busted Plateau Trail S]],
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Go back in the direction of the South archway to your [[right|S Portal]].As you walk around the building, there is more vegetation growing. Small bushes come between you and the wall. There's plenty of room, and the ground here is quite wide. Lots of grass and small shrubs extend out before getting to the edge of the cliff.
There's a gap in the foliage, and you easily find another wide archway leading into the Enigmatheneum. Up above it is a carved letter <font color=blue><b>E</b></font>. Several thick vines hang down from the arch. You realize they might come in handy and yank some of it down.
<<addToInv Plateau:VineRope>>
[[Plateau:VineRope]] has been added to your <font color=blue><b>Inventory</b></font>
As you face this portal, you can either [[enter it,|E Portal IN]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You can head off to your [[left|SE Portal]] in the direction of the plaque and original bridge landing.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Go around to the [[right|NE Portal]] in a more Northerly direction. The bushes are thinned out a bit along the wall and the plateau widens. There is actually room for a small copse of trees here.
There is another archway in the side of the Enigmatheneum, much like the others. At the top, in the keystone, the letters <font color=blue><b>N-E</b></font> are carved.
As you face this doorway you can either [[enter it,|NE Portal IN]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go [[left|E Portal]] in a clockwise direction around the building.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go [[right|N Portal]] toward the North.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Take a few minutes to go [[check out that tiny cluster of trees]] behind you.
This part of the building has another archway. This one has a large letter <font color=blue><b>N</b></font> carved above it and has had all of the area in front of it covered in a cobblestones to form a small patio. In the center of this is pedestal is a large copper statue.
It depicts a hooded figure in flowing robes. It's impossible to tell if it's a man or a woman. In one hand, they're holding a book up to their face, so closely that it's impossible to see the reader. In the other they are holding a strange creature. It's a crane, but it's rendered so that it looks like it's meant to be a pen or a quill. It's impossibly thin, feathers tuft out the back, and the beak (depicting the nib) is dripping with sculpted ink. You think there might be more if you look closely.
As you face this doorway you can either [[enter it|N Portal IN]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go South in an Easterly direction by going [[left|NE Portal]],
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go South in a Westerly direction by going [[right|NW Portal]],
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
[[Inspect the statue|N Portal Statue]] more closely.There are several large boulders strewn around the ground in this area. Tall grass grows between them. Among these tall, oblong stones, is an archway leading into the Enigmatheneum. The tunnel is dark and there are the letters <font color=blue><b>N-W</b></font> carved above it.
As you face this doorway you can either [[enter it|NW Portal IN]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go to the Northern side of the Enigmatheneum to your [[left|N Portal]],
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Wind your way through the huge boulders around the building and head to your [[right|W Portal]].The ground here is strewn with large boulders. So many, in fact, that there is no trail to speak of. You hop from stone to stone, proceeding around the building.
You discover an archway leading into the Enigmatheneum. A huge boulder rests in front of it and blocks most of the entry. Seeing as how you're moving along on top of the rocks, your knees are actually at the same height as the top of the arch where there is a carved letter <font color=blue><b>W</b></font>. If you wanted, you could crouch and squeeze your way into the passage.
As you face this doorway you can either [[crawl into it,|W Portal IN]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go around the side where the boulders seem to be thnning out on your [[left|NW Portal]],
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go to where the trail seems to be breaking down and falling apart on your [[right|Busted Plateau Trail W]].Although the ground here is wide and the cliff edge isn't close, it's hardly a trail. This side of the plateu crumbles away to a slope of boulders, headed down into the darkness.
You navigate down these loose stones as best you can until you come to a point where the angle is too great. The next drop leads to darkness and there's no way of telling how deep it goes.
But ahead of you, across the way, you do see a slip of trail leading up. It's narrow, and would be a tricky jump, but the stone your on has enough room for a bit of a running start. It doesn't seem impossible.
There's nothing stopping you from climbing back up the boulders and [[going back.|W Portal]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could trust in your athletic prowess and risk a [[jump across.|SW Jump]]This part of the Enigmatheneum is built right up to the edge of the cliff. You find yourself on a narrow lip of a trail, fragmented and cracked, with nothing but a dark dropoff to your side.
This ledge drops, angling down, away from the wall. Now the only thing on your side is more cliff. Eventually, the trail gives out and you find yourself with nowhere to go.
Looking ahead though, you do see a flat stone on the far side of the gap. It's a pretty significant jump though and, with the dark, there's no telling what's beneath you.
You could always [[go back.|SW Portal]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Trust in your abilities and make the [[jump across.|SW Jump]]<<set $life = $life - 1>>\
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Risky Jump 1 Dead">><<endif>><<if $life > 0>>\
You leap out over the darkness. You almost make the jump. Your body collides with the opposite side and you grasp desperately for purchace with your hands, only to find none.
You fall backwards onto the cliffside. Your body tumbles like a rag doll, accumulating cuts and bruises, before landing in a leaf filled cleft.
You've lost <b><font color = red>1 Life</font></b> from the bumps and scrapes. Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>.
You manage to climb the rest of the way down without hurting yourself further. You're at the cliff base in the swamp. Fortunately, you had a good idea of where you were in relation to the bridge when you fell. You [[make your way back|swampbasebeneathbridge]] to where you came from.<<endif>>
You walk down the dark tunnel leading into the Enigmatheneum. In the distance, you see a warm glow of lights at the end of the tunnel. As you get closer, you hear a loud metal clang.
<<timed 6s>>Your heart drops as you see an array of spinning blades drop from the ceiling on an impassable array! This contraption hangs from a track and rushes toward you! The buzzing saws are rusty with dried blood.<</timed>>
<<timed 10s>>[[Run for it!|True Portal Dead]]<</timed>>
You walk down the dark tunnel leading into the Enigmatheneum. In the distance, you see a warm glow of lights at the end of the tunnel. The thick smell is all around you.
<<timed 5s>>As you walk along you hear a strange sizzling sound.<</timed>>
<<timed 7s>>You feel a painful tingling in your feet.<</timed>>
<<timed 9s>>Looking down, you see faint wisps of smoke rising from yoru shoes. Your soles have almost melted away. You realize what the smell is now! <font color=#28B463><b>Acid</b>!</font>The floor is coated in slick, pungent, <font color=#28B463><b>acid</b>!</font> It's dissolving your feet! <<set $life = $life - 1>>
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>!<</timed>>
<<timed 11s>>
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Acid Path Dead">><<endif>><</timed>>\
<<if $life > 0>>\
<<timed 11s>>You've got to run for it! Head [[back the way you came|Acid Escape 1]]!
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Try and [[make it to the end|Acid Run 1]] of the tunnel!<</timed>><<endif>>
You walk down the dark tunnel leading into the Enigmatheneum. The ground is cracked and broken. More than once, your foot accidently goes into a pothole and you stumble in the dark.
After a while, you see a warm glow coming from the end of the tunnel. As you approach it you hear the creaking of stone benath you.
<<timed 9s>>There is a <font color=brown><b>clatter of rock</b></font> and the ground gives way under your feet!<</timed>>
<<timed 13s>>You drop into a dark hole and the edge of the stone gashes your ribs as you fall. At the last second, you manage to catch on with your hands and keep from plunging into the abyss.<<set $life = $life - 1>><</timed>>
<<timed 18s>><<if $life > 0>>You drag yourself up to the solid ground, wincing in pain. As you look ahead, you can see there are lots of holes and you think you could spot the weak spots in the floor. You could [[continue on,|loose floor 1]] and watch your step.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Decide that it's too dangerous. You could [[leave now|Bad Floor Escape]] and go investigate another, less crumbling, passage.
Due to the collapse your health has dropped to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>!<<endif>><</timed>>
<<timed 18s>>\
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Loose Floor Dead">><<endif>><</timed>>\
You walk down the dark tunnel leading into the Enigmatheneum. In the distance, you see a warm glow of lights at the end of the tunnel. As you get closer, you hear a loud metal clang.
<<timed 6s>>Your heart drops as you see an array of spinning blades drop from the ceiling on an impassable array! This contraption hangs from a track and rushes toward you! The buzzing saws are rusty with dried blood.<</timed>>
<<timed 10s>>[[Run for it!|True Portal Dead]]<</timed>>
You walk down the dark tunnel leading into the Enigmatheneum. In the distance, you see a warm glow of lights at the end of the tunnel. As you get closer, you hear a loud metal clang.
<<timed 6s>>Your heart drops as you see an array of spinning blades drop from the ceiling on an impassable array! This contraption hangs from a track and rushes toward you! The buzzing saws are rusty with dried blood.<</timed>>
<<timed 10s>>[[Run for it!|True Portal Dead]]<</timed>>
You walk down the dark tunnel leading into the Enigmatheneum. In the distance, you see a warm glow of lights at the end of the tunnel. As you get closer, you hear a loud metal clang.
<<timed 6s>>Your heart drops as you see an array of spinning blades drop from the ceiling on an impassable array! This contraption hangs from a track and rushes toward you! The buzzing saws are rusty with dried blood.<</timed>>
<<timed 10s>>[[Run for it!|True Portal Dead]]<</timed>>
You enter the tunnel. It seems bare and in the distance you can see a warm glow of lights. As you walk, you hear your footsteps echo down the long, empty, passage.
Without incident, you [[emerge out the other end|courtyard1]].You walk down the dark tunnel leading into the Enigmatheneum. The ground is littered ith fallen rocks and you stumble, unable to see them in the gloom.
It is nearly impossible to see in the dark as you proceed blindly toward the end of the tunnel. As you approach, you hear the creaking of stones above you.
<<timed 5s>>Suddenly, there is the <font color=brown><b>clatter of rock</b></font> and a portion of the ceiling collapses!<</timed>>
<<timed 8s>>A huge brick strikes your shoulder as you leap back out of the way.<<set $life = $life - 1>><</timed>>
<<timed 12s>><<if $life > 0>>You peer through the dust of the fallen rocks, clutching your bleeding shoulder. It seems like the collapse has stopped. It was only a tiny portion that fell. You could [[continue on,|Falling Bricks Run 1]] risking a cave in,
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Decide that it's too dangerous. You could [[leave now|Falling Bricks Escape]] and go investigate another, less crumbling, passage.
Due to the collapse your health has dropped to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>!<<endif>><</timed>>
<<timed 12s>>\
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Fallen Bricks Dead">><<endif>><</timed>>\
<center><Font size=6 color=indigo><b><u>Chapter One:</u>
The Puppet Halls</b></font>
<<addToBod Body:Puppet>>
<<removeFromBod Body:Original>>\
<center><b><u>Goal:</u></b></center>\
Explore the interior of the Enigmatheneum in a new, strange, body.
This is the current <font color=red><b>END</b></font> of the story.
If you are enjoying this game, and enjoying the <font color=purple><b>hidden stories</b></font>, you might want to consider becoming a patron of game creator, Jude Mire.
Becoming a patron gives you access to dozens of stories immediately, new stories every month, and access to books and collections. Supporing me allows me to live as an author, continue to write more fun stories, and keep working on expanding the Enigmatheneum!
With every patron, the maze will grow!
<center>
<img src="http://judemire.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/grey-patreon-logo.gif">
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/judemire" target="_blank">SUPPORT HERE</a>
</center><<set $visitedbodiesfromthetree++>>\
<<if $visitedbodiesfromthetree is 1>>\
<<timed 1s>>Bones!<</timed>>\
<<timed 2s>>Skeletons!<</timed>>\
<<timed 3s>>Old corpses!<</timed>>\
<<timed 4s>>A pile of the dead twice the height of a man!<</timed>>\
<<timed 6s>>You gag at the sight, frightened and astonished. There is an opening in the cave above where the bodies fell from. Beams of amber light stream down onto the morbid pile like a spotlight.
The bodies, for the most part, seem old. Most are already skeletal, but there are a few newer ones.
When you came seeking the mysteries of the Enigmatheneum this was not the sort of thing you were hoping to find! You could put the grizzly scene behind you and [[leave this cave|Exit Corpse Cave]] as quickly as you came.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You do see that the tunnel proceeds on beyond the gruesome mound. You could [[keep going|Corpse Cave 2]] and see what else you might find. Although, after a revelation like this, you're not sure you want to uncover any more discoveries.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could steel your nerves and go get a [[closer look|Inspect-Cave-Corpses]] at the bodies. You might be able to find out something about them or how they were killed.
<<addToKnow "WestSwampCave:Corpses">>\
[[WestSwampCave:Corpses]] has been added to your <font color=red><b>Knowledge</b></font>
<</timed>>
<<else>>\
Once again, you find yourself in the cave where the dead bodies are dropped from a cleft in the ceiling. This place makes you uncomfortable. You could put the grizzly scene behind you and [[leave this cave|Exit Corpse Cave]] as quickly as you came.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You do see that the tunnel proceeds on beyond the gruesome mound. You could [[keep going|Corpse Cave 2]] and see what else you might find.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could steel your nerves and go get a [[closer look|Inspect-Cave-Corpses]] at the bodies. You might be able to find out something about them or how they were killed.
<<endif>>
You don't need to see any more. You've always suspected that the secrets of the Enigmatheneum were deadly dangerous. Now you've had it confirmed. You make up your mind and set your resolve. Your trip will be different! You'll do everything you can not become a part of that pile!
You find your way to the cave exit and manage to get your bearings enough to get [[back near the bridge.|swampbasebeneathbridge]]You circle around the creepy pile of bodies and face the tunnel. The light from behind you stretches your shadow out onto the floor. As you enter and walk down it, you watch your shadow fade into the darkenss that surrounds you. It's an unsettling feeling.
The tunnel turns, and twists downward. The little light you had from behind you is gone entirely. Turning around, you can no longer see the way you came from.
You look around, your eyes straining for any light, as you consider the wisdom of continuing on.
<<timed 18s>><font color=green><center><b>*BLINK*</b></center></font><</timed>>\
<<timed 19s>>What was that?<</timed>>
<<timed 22s>><font color=green><center><b>*BLINK*</b></center></font><</timed>>\
<<timed 23s>>There it is again!<</timed>>
<<timed 26s>><font color=green><center><b>*BLINK*</b></center></font><</timed>>\
<<timed 27s>>A tiny green light, flashing, up ahead!
[[Head for that light!]]
<</timed>>
You approach the pile cautiously. You don't really want to walk on any of the bones, so your investigation is limited. Most of the bodies are shrivelled husks and the clothes have rotted to scraps. You realize that these people didn't die from the fall; they were already dead. They appear to have died of starvation, or something similar, before being thrown down here. Even the new bodies are thin and skeletal.
There are only a few that have their garments intact. One of them is close enough to reach. You grab its <font color=#A08C60><b>wallet</b></font>.
Inside you find a bunch of foreign <font color=#A08C60><b>money</b></font> (you don't recognize the country it comes from and it looks old), an <font color=#A08C60><b>old ID</b></font>, and a folded up <font color=#A08C60><b>piece of paper</b></font>.
It's a New York state ID and the name on it is Samuel Andreeson. He was born in 1939 and the card was issued in 1966. He's got a medium sized afro and is smiling wide in the picture.
You unfold the piece of paper. The words are faded and hard to read, but you manage to make it out.
<center><c7>Sammy,
I'm going and plugging into the tree.
I know you'll want to come too,
but, please, don't follow me.
I'm sorry, but I have to hide the secret
where nobody can ever find it.
It's too dangerous for both of us to risk it.
If I don't make it out,
the access code is "Anubis Moon".
I hope you don't need it.
I love you, but I need to do this alone.
I'll see you when I get back.
Love,
Sheri</c7></center>
What's that all about?
With your morbid curiosity satisfied, you think that it's [[time to go|Exit Corpse Cave]]
<font color=green><b>OR</b></font>
There is still the dark tunnel beyond the bodies if you want to continue out of the light and [[explore in the dark.|Corpse Cave 2]]
[[Money:OldForeign]] and [[ID:SamuelAndreeson]]have been added to your <b><font color=blue>Inventory</font></b>.
[[Letter:CorpseCave]] has been aded to your <font color=red><b>Knowledge</b></font>
<<addToInv Money:OldForeign>>\
<<addToInv ID:SamuelAndreeson>>\
<<addToKnow Letter:CorpseCave>>\Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.A massive mound of bones and dried, old, bodies. They appear to have been dropped from the hole in the cave roof above. They're all very old and dessicated, most having already reduced to skeletons. This pile has been here for centuries, growing over time.
<<back>>You begin your climb up the rubble wall. As you do, fragments clatter down and the whole wall shifts. The rocks you're holding pull free and you fall to the ground.
Everything is rumbling and several huge stones drop from the ceiling, nearly crushing you! The entire tunnel is coming down!
[[Run for it!|Fallen Bricks Dead]]
<<set $life = $life - 3>>You toss rocks at the odd hand, hoping to knock the tube free. As you do, some of the larger stones clatter and fall to the ground. You're glad you didn't try to climb it! This whole place looks ready to collapse.
With the hydraulics of the body crushed, the hand doesn't seem to be holding on too tightly. It only takes a few stones to knock the tube loose.
It clatters to the ground and echoes in the cave. You retrieve it. Carefully, you unscrew the top and see [[what's inside|The Orange Agenda]].<<set $life = $life - 1>>
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Gator Dead">><<endif>>
You manage to pull yourself free of the horrible biting jaws at the cost of another life point. You have <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b> remaining. You're pretty sure it was an alligator. At least, that's what you hope it was, and not something worse. You try not to let your imagination get the best of you as you run away.
Bleeding and terrified, you stumble through the dark and mud of the disgusting swamp. You push through the reeds and twisted branches with no clear idea of where you're going.
Eventually, you find solid footing under your feet. Your hands brush the stone of a cliff. You're at the base of the Enigmatheneum plateau. You're not sure where the way up and the bridge are though. You can follow the wall [[left|west base]] or [[right|east base]], but one thing's for sure, you're not headed into that swamp again.You have a very unlucky fall and a spiked branch impales you through your midsection. You can't pull yourself free and you're getting dizzy from blood loss.
The last thing you remember is seeing dark shapes coming out of the muck and surrounding you.
<<if $life <= 0>><<timed 8s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>><<endif>>Your hand slips from the old rope and your heels kick out from beneath you! Your body flips and you land on the back of your head.
You've lost <b><font color = red>1 Life</font></b> from impact with the ground. Your world goes black.
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>
<<if $life <= 0>><<timed 8s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>><<endif>><<addToBod Body:Puppet>>
<<addToKnow Bodies:Puppet>>
<<removeFromBod Body:Original>>
You got a Puppet body!
[[Back to the room|Room]]You touch the Electric Fence
<<if $Bod.indexOf("Body:Puppet") != -1>><<set $life2 = $life2 - 1>>Your Puppet's health drops to <<print $life2>>. <<endif>>
<<if $Bod.indexOf("Body:Original") != -1>>Fortunately, you are wearing a rubber suit.<<endif>>
Go back to the [[Room]]Your <font color = green><b>Body</b></font> has <b><font color = red><<print $life>></font></b> points left.
<<back>><<removeFromBod Body:Puppet>>
<<addToBod Body:Original>>
You got your body back!
[[Back to the room|Room]]<<addToBod Body:Original>>
You got a test body!
[[Back to the room|Room]]<<BodWithLinks>>
<<back>>You've learned that you can put your consciousness into the body of a clockwork and gear driven puppet. It's the same size an shape as an average human, and even has all five senses!
It's more durable than a human body.<<set $life = $life - 3>>Despite your best efforts, you can't outrun the approching trap.
Mercifully, you barely feel the impact as dozens of spinning blades strike your body simultaneously.
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>
<<if $life <= 0>><<timed 8s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>><<endif>>You leap out over the darkness. You almost make the jump. Your body collides with the opposite side and you grasp desperately for purchace with your hands, only to find none.
You fall backwards onto the cliffside. Your body tumbles like a rag doll, accumulating cuts and bruises. You land on your head and you join the darkness you were trying to jump across.
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>
<<if $life <= 0>><<timed 8s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>><<endif>>You run along the wall where, it seems, the acid is a bit thinner. You manage to escape the passage but your feet are very damaged.
You collapse onto the grass near the entrance and catch your breath. You tear off a bit of fabric from your shirt and use it to clean and wrap your wounds as best you can. Your soles are incredibly tender. You can walk, but you won't be winning any dancing competitions anytime soon.
After taking some time to recover you can go [[left|look around.]], back to where the landing and plaque are, where you arrived,
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go [[right|E Portal]] and continue along around the building.You sprint ahead on your quickly vanishing feet. As you run you stumble on a tripwire. You watch in horror as valves open up in the ceiling and <font color=#28B463><b>smelly green acid</b></font> pours into the tunnel ahead of you!
<<set $life = $life - 1>>\
<<timed 10s>><<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Acid Path Dead">><<endif>><</timed>>\
<<if $life > 0>>\
You can't run into that! You reverse direction and run as best your bleeding feet will take you [[back the way you came!|Acid Escape 1]]
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>! <<endif>>
There's too much damage to your feet and it's impossible to continue. You stumble to the ground, unable to stand, and splash into the <font color=#28B463><b>acid!</b></font>
It works quickly.
In the end, you don't even leave a skeleton.
<<timed 12s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>>You proceed while keeping a wary eye on the barely visible ceiling. But looking up doesn't help when you step onto a pressure plate and set off an old trap!
<<timed 6s>><<set $life = $life - 1>>\
At the end of the hall, you can barely make out a dark shape. You hear the twang of <font color=red><b>crossbows</b></font> firing! Seconds later, a rain of pointed bolts fly through the air at you. One skims your ribs and leaves a nasty gash!<</timed>>
<<timed 12s>><<if $life > 0>>\
You can't run into that! You reverse direction and sprint [[back the way you came!|Crossbow and Bricks Escape]] <font color=brown><b>Rocks</b></font> fall from the celing and <font color=red><b>arrows</b></font> whiz by you as you run for your life!
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>!<<endif>><</timed>>
<<timed 14s>><<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Crossbow Path Dead">><<endif>><</timed>>\You dodge and weave and somehow manage to make it out of the tunnel alive!
You emerge at a full run and only just remember that the cliff is right there! You skid to a halt so close to the edge your toes can touch it! You spin your arms, trying to keep your balance.
<<timed 8s>>You teeter and...<</timed>>
<<timed 9s>>sway out and...<</timed>>
<<timed 10s>>wobble back and...<</timed>>
<<timed 11s>>lean over the edge and...<</timed>>
<<timed 12s>>pull yourself back at the last moment!<</timed>>
<<timed 13s>>You catch your breath, glad to be alive. That was a close one!
Now that you're safe, you can go [[right|S Portal]], back to where you found the entrance marked with an <font color=blue><b>S</b></font>,
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go [[left|Busted Plateau Trail S]] and continue along the narrowing trail around the building.<</timed>>You turn to run but you're not as fast as a flying <font color=red><b>arrow</b></font>!
Your body makes and exellent pin-cushion.
<<timed 9s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>>You managed to dodge the first chunks of falling stone but there's no avoiding it as the entire tunnel collapses around you.
You scurry and scramble as your body is pelted with heavy rocks. You survive the cave-in, but your body is pinned by a huge slab, your legs are broken, and you're buried in utter darkness. You try your best, but there's no pulling free. You can't even move.
Your cries for help don't penetrate the rubble. Your air is running out. You wait, hoping for rescue, but you know, deep down, that this is...
<<timed 14s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>>As you go to leave, there is a rumble and <font color=brown><b>more stones</b></font> begin to fall from the ceiling! You dodge and weave and somehow manage to make it out of the tunnel alive!
You emerge at a full run and only just remember that the cliff is right there! You skid to a halt so close to the edge your toes can touch it! You spin your arms, trying to keep your balance.
<<timed 8s>>You teeter and...<</timed>>
<<timed 9s>>sway out and...<</timed>>
<<timed 10s>>wobble back and...<</timed>>
<<timed 11s>>lean over the edge and...<</timed>>
<<timed 12s>>pull yourself back at the last moment!<</timed>>
<<timed 13s>>You catch your breath, glad to be alive. That was a close one!
Now that you're safe, you can go [[right|S Portal]], back to where you found the entrance marked with an <font color=blue><b>S</b></font>,
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
go [[left|Busted Plateau Trail S]] and continue along the narrowing trail around the building.<</timed>><<set $visitedcourtyard1++>>\
<<if $visitedcourtyard1 is 1>>\
You step out into a large, incredibly deep, courtyard.
The first thing that you see is the tree. It's position on a small hill in the center of the courtyard makes it impossible to miss. The branches are bare and leafless. You realize, as you look, that it's not a real tree and is, in fact, an oversized sculpture of an enormous oak tree. It looks to be made of some sort of metal. Rusty brown light bulbs are strung throughout it like an odd, steampunk, Christmas display.
Hanging from the iron branches are dozens of ropes and, from these, bodies.
They're not hung by the neck and are, instead, strapped into some sort of harnesses. Each person is suspended from their backs, wrists, and ankles. The entire tree looks like a rack for human marionnette puppets.
The people appear to be sleeping, not dead. You do see movement now and again; a twitch of hand or jerk of foot. They're alive. You notice that some look like they've been there a long time and thin and gaunt, as if they're suffering malnutrition or dehydration. <<if $Know.indexOf("WestSwampCave:Corpses") != -1>>You realize that many of them look similar to the corpses you found in the cave. This must be where the bodies come from.<<endif>>
As you look around you see other details about the courtyard. There are eight archways that match with the arches from the oustside; the through tunnels that correspond with eight different compass directions. Like their exterior counterparts, they all have letters carved into the stones at the tops of the arch to indicate which one is which.
The principal tunnels, North, South, East, and West, each have a staircase built around their mouths. These curve, connect above their tunnel entrances, and each of them leads up to a higher level of the courtyard. From where you are on the ground level of the courtyard, you can't see what these four upper courts may contain.
While the four sub-directions don't have these staircases near them, each of them has a small pedestal with a brass bowl atop it. They look sort of like bird-baths and you'd need to get closer to really inspect them.
Almost out of sight, tucked along the base of the hill with the tree, is a small campsite. It has a tent, a fire pit, and you can see a man sitting in front of the glowing embers.
Your options are wide open!
You could go over and [[talk to the man|MeetHenryWalker]] at the camp.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Walk up the hill and have a [[closer look at the tree]] and the people hanging from it.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Pick one of the stairways near the primary direction archways that lead to the [[upper courtyards]] and explore there.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
See what the deal is with those [[funny little bird-bath looking devices]] near the other archways.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You're pretty sure you know where the archway tunnels lead but there's nothing stopping you from [[heading into one of them|Archway tunnels from inside]]. There are lots of options here. You could always use the one you came in to [[go back|NWtunnelfromin]].
<<else>>\
You're back in the courtyard.
The mechanical tree dominates the center of the area from atop its hill. Bodies, like marionette puppets, hang from its branches and sway gently in the light wind.
You see other details about the courtyard. There are eight archways that match with the arches from the oustside; they all have letters carved into the stones at the tops of the arch to indicate which one is which.
The principal tunnels, North, South, East, and West, each have a staircase built around their mouths. These curve, connect above their tunnel entrances, and each of them leads up to a higher level of the courtyard. From where you are on the ground level of the courtyard, you can't see these four upper courts.
While the four sub-directions don't have these staircases near them, each of them has a small pedestal with a brass bowl atop it. They look sort of like bird-baths.
Tucked along the base of the hill with the tree, is a small campsite. It has a tent, a fire pit, and you can see a man sitting in front of the glowing embers.
Your options are wide open!
You could go over and [[talk to the man|MeetHenryWalker]] at the camp.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Walk up the hill and have a [[closer look at the tree]] and the people hanging from it.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Pick one of the stairways near the primary direction archways that lead to the [[upper courtyards]] and explore there.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
See what the deal is with those [[funny little bird-bath looking devices]] near the other archways.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You're pretty sure you know where the archway tunnels lead but there's nothing stopping you from [[heading into one of them|Archway tunnels from inside]]. There are lots of options here. You could always use the one you came in to [[go back|NWtunnelfromin]].
<<endif>>
You have no idea what country this money is from or what it's worth. It doesn't even have numbers you recognize on it. It's a tan and brown color and there is a picture of a building with columns on one side and a bird with outstretched wings on the other.
You found this in a wallet on one of the corpses in a cave in the plateu base of the Enigmathenium.
<<back>>You found this old, fade, letter in a wallet on one of the corpses in a cave in the plateu base of the Enigmathenium.
<center><c7>Sammy,
I'm going and plugging into the tree.
I know you'll want to come too,
but, please, don't follow me.
I'm sorry, but I have to hide the secret
where nobody can ever find it.
It's too dangerous for both of us to risk it.
If I don't make it out,
the access code is "Anubis Moon".
I hope you don't need it.
I love you, but I need to do this alone.
I'll see you when I get back.
Love,
Sheri</c7></center>
<<back>>It's a New York state ID and the name on it is Samuel Andreeson. He was born in 1939 and the card was issued in 1966. He's got a medium sized afro and is smiling wide in the picture.
You found this in a wallet on one of the corpses in a cave in the plateu base of the Enigmathenium.
<<back>>You stumble through the cave toward the blinking light.
As you get close, you realize it's a tiny thing, above you, out of reach.
It looks like there was a cave in here. The area is a steep pile of rubble. Up high, extending from the collapse, is a strange hand.
It looks like a manequin arm, or some sort of robot. It's made of wood with copper joints and wires and tubes running down the wrist. On the back, near the base of the thumb, is the green light. As it flashes, you can make out a button beside it with the word <font color=green><b>- IN -</b></font> carved on it.
This mechanical hand is clutching a <font color=purple><b>rolled up tube</b></font>.
You could try to [[climb up the loose rubble|Corpse Cave Danger]] to reach it.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could pick up some of the smaller stones that are lying around and try to [[knock the tube free|Corpse Cave Reward]].<center>You've discovered one of the free stories hidden in the game!
It's a Weird Short!
<img src="http://judemire.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2-18-WF-PDF.jpg" height="325" width="750">
Click below to open the pdf file. From there, you can read it right now or download it for later!
<a href="http://judemire.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Orange-Agenda-by-Jude-Mire.pdf" target="_blank">The Orange Agenda</a></center>
Congratulations! You've gained <b><font color = purple>1 Point</font></b>!
Head back to your adventure [[here|Out of Corpse Cave]].
<<set $points = $points + 1>>
<<set $pointsleft = $pointsleft - 1>>After discovering the horrible pile of bodies, strange mechanical hand, and a hidden story, you're not going to press your luck and keep wandering around the dark, dangerous, cave.
It's time to get to why you're here; gaining entry into the Enigmathneum and discovering what secrets it holds.
You make your way [[out of the cave|swampbasebeneathbridge]] and back to where you can get back up.It's not terribly strong, or particularly long, but this bit of rope might work in a pinch. Don't expect it to last though!
<<back>>You tie off your vines and lower yourself over the edge.
The stones are slippery and it's hard to keep your footing. The vines stretch and don't seem like they'll be reliable. You hurry, worried that they'll break and you're not wrong!
The vines snap and you fall to the ground!
Fortunately, they got you most of the way down and you land without any injury. You've lost your vine rope though.
You've arrived at the [[base of the plateau|swampbasebeneathbridge]]
<<removeFromInv Plateau:VineRope>>You climb up the cliff face, clinging to the narrow stone staircase. The old rope looks frayed and absolutely unsafe. Thanfully, you don't need to rely on it and manage the climb without needing it.
You arrive [[at the top|look around.]].There aren't that many trees here, but they're large and well established. The cloud cover breaks for a few mintues and you can see in the dim moonlight. <<if $inventory.indexOf("Walking_Stick") == -1>>You take the time to find a nice walking stick among the branches.<<addToInv Walking_Stick>>
[[Walking_Stick]] has been added to your <font color=blue><b>Inventory</b></font><<endif>>
The tiny forest goes all the way to the edge of the cliff. The roots of the trees twine around the stones at the edge. There is a particularly large cleft and you can feel a damp wind blowing from it. Upon inspection, you realize it's a deep hole leading to a cave. <<if $inventory.indexOf("Plateau:VineRope") != -1>> You could tie off your vine rope and drop down to [[explore it]].<<endif>>
<<if $inventory.indexOf("Plateau:VineRope") == -1>> You could take a chance on the depth and [[jump down|east plateau cave]]<<endif>>
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could head back to the [[North-East entrance|NE Portal]] behind you. You tie off the vine rope to a nearby tree and drop down into the darkness.
You reach the end of the line and find yourself with more room to go. The rope, not the most reliable thing, creaks, twists and snaps!
You don't fall far, but the ground you land on is angled and you slide down, unable to stop! You skid, further and further, into the pitch black.
When you do finally stop, you're amazed that you haven't seriously injured yourself.
There's not enough room to stand here. You crawl toward a slightly lighter patch of gloom in the darkness. Not seeing any other options, you [[head for it|corpse cave ledge]].
<<removeFromInv Plateau:VineRope>>You stand and dust yourself off, glad that your fall wasn't worse. Beneath you, you can barely make out a cave extending to your left and right; You're at a T intersection. You can drop down and go either way.
You can determine, from the direction of the cool, wet, wind, that the passage on your right continues deep into the earth beneath the Enigmatheneum. You could go [[that way|go into prologue cave one]].
OR...
From the sound of the swamp noises, you cuold get back to the outside and along the base of the plateau by taking the passage [[left|vine cave emerge]].You leave the cave and find yourself at the edge of the swamp at the base of the Enigmatheneum plateau. It's a s imple matter to follow it around, looking for the spot where the bridge connects to find a way up.
Not thrilled to be back down at swamp level, in the dark, you hurry to find your [[way back up|swampbasebeneathbridge]].You proceed with care, doing your best to feel out the ground before you put your full weight down.
At first, there seem to be plenty of places to walk, but the further and further you go, the more holes and loose stones you find. Before long, you realize you're surrounded on all sides by holes.
Ahead, the passage deteriorates almost entirely and a single narrow ledge exists along one of the walls. You're not sure you could make it back now if you wanted to; you have to try the ledge.
You're almost to the other side when the ground collapses! You leap ahead and land on your chest, clutching the ground. You make it, but the impact of your landing causes the entire section of ground to collapse!
You fall into the dark, rolling with the stones and rocks, bumping and bashing your body as you decend into darkness.
<<set $life = $life - 1>>\
<<timed 10s>><<if $life <= 0>><<goto "Loose Floor Dead 2">><<endif>><</timed>>\
<<timed 10s>><<if $life > 0>>\
You've lost <b><font color = red>1 Life</font></b>.
Your Health drops to <b><font color=red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>
You hit the hard bottom with a crunch and roll across the floor. When you finally come to a full stop, you can see a slight patch of lighter darkness ahead. You shake off the impact and [[crawl toward it|corpse cave ledge]]<<endif>><</timed>>You reverse course and back out of the tunnel to return the way you came. As you do, you can feel the vibrations in the floor. None of this tunnel is as solid as you thought!
You go slow, take your time, and make it through a very tense walk back to [[where you entered|NE Portal]].You hang on with your fingers, trying not to fall.
But the stone is slick and there's no way you can keep your grip. Scraping with fingernails, you fall into the bowels of the earth, never to be seen from again.
<<timed 9s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>>A close inspection of it reveals a few more interesting details.
The title of the book can be seen on the spine. It seems the cloaked figure is reading something called "The Arc of Cheytagaroth".
Also, down by where they're clutching the bird-like pen, there is a word spelled out in the ink drippings. It's sideways, and hard to see, but you're pretty sure it says "Bend the future from the past."
[[ReaderStatue]] has been aded to your <font color=red><b>Knowledge</b></font>
There's nothing more to see. You're [[done here|N Portal]].
<<addToKnow ReaderStatue>>\You roll with the stones until you break into an open space. You must be in a huge open cavern because you keep falling...
<<timed 6s>>and falling...<</timed>>
<<timed 8s>>and falling...<</timed>>
<<timed 10s>>You don't feel it when you hit the bottom.<</timed>>
<<timed 14s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>>The statue of a cloaked figure, reading a book and holding a pen made from a crane, stands at the North-most passage into the Enigmatheneum
A close inspection of it reveals a few more interesting details.
The title of the book can be seen on the spine. It seems the cloaked figure is reading something called "The Arc of Cheytagaroth".
Also, down by where they're clutching the bird-like pen, there is a word spelled out in the ink drippings. It's sideways, and hard to see, but you're pretty sure it says "Bend the future from the past."
<<back>><<set $visitedMeetHenryWalker++>>\
<<if $visitedMeetHenryWalker is 1>>\
You circle around the hill with the tree and approach the man at the campsite. He's elderly, has a patchy white beard, and looks like he hasn't had a shower in a good long while.
He notices you as you approach and raises a hand in greeting.
<c4>Well, it looks like we have a new visitor!</c4>
As you get closer, you can see that there's a little grill propped over the coals of his cookfire and a tin kettle is sitting on it. You can smell coffee.
<c1>Hi there. I wasn't sure if I'd find anyone here.</c1>
You haven't spoken to anyone for days and your voice sounds strange to you. You realize that you're glad the man is here. It's nice to see someone after such a difficult trip. He indicates a flat stone that serves as a stool. You sit down and join him.
<c4>What is it you were expecting?</c4>
<c1>I don't really know. A mystery, for sure. But I had no idea what shape it would take.</c1>
He gives out a little laugh and looks to the tree with all the bodies hanging from it.
<c4>Well, you've certainly found yourself a mystery.</c4>
He bends around to his side and rummages through his bag and retrieves a pair of copper mugs.
<c4>You look you've had a rough night. Would you like a little pick-me-up?</c4>
He waggles the cup toward the coffee pot.
[[Sure, that would be great.]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
[[No thanks, I'm good.]]
<<else>>\
You've still like to go over some of the things he mentioned. You find him cleaning out his coffee pot and getting ready to put his fire out and call it a night. He looks surprised at your return.
<c4>Back again?</c4>
<c1>There were few things I wanted to double check on if you don't mind.</c1>
<c4>Sure, sure. No trouble at all.</c4>
[[What is that tree again and how do I use it?|tree second visit]]
[[Is there any other way into the Enigmatheneum?|enigma second visit]]
[[Why are you here agian?|who/betsy second visit]]
Actually, you don't really need to ask him anything and, after another goodbye, you head back to the [[courtyard|courtyard1]]
<<endif>>
You approach the tree of hanging bodies.
The branches are wide and extend out almost as far as the hill the tree is growing from. Due to the size of the mound and height of the trunk, all of the bodies are hanging high and out of reach, even though they dangle from long lines.
The hill is covered in soft grass and there is a bit of trail going up it to the trunk. You circle around and head up on the trail, avoiding the grass. The trunk, when you arrive, has a small panel door with a handle.
Up here, by the base, you are a lot closer to a few of the nearby bodies. You could get a [[better look|hanging bodies]] if you wanted.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You can [[open the hatch|control mechanism]] in the side of the trunk and see what's inside.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You're not quite ready to go poking around with that just yet and you want to head back to [[the courtyard|courtyard1]].
There are four of the of the double staircases heading to different upper courts. Take your pick.
The one by the [[North|uppercourt north]] entrance.
The one by the [[South|uppercourt south]] entrance.
The one by the [[West|uppercourt west]] entrance.
The one by the [[East|uppercourt east]] entrance.
There are four of the funny looking things. Take your pick.
The one by the [[North-West|nw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[North-East|ne brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-West|sw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-East|se brazier]] entrance.It's a bit difficult to determine the compass directions in the deep courtyard, but all eight tunnels are clearly labeled so it's easy to pick which one you'd like to go in.
Enter the [[North Tunnel|Ntunnelfromin]]
Enter the [[North-East Tunnel|NEtunnelfromin]]
Enter the [[East Tunnel|Etunnelfromin]]
Enter the [[South-East Tunnel|SEtunnelfromin]]
Enter the [[South Tunnel|Stunnelfromin]]
Enter the [[South-West Tunnel|SWtunnelfromin]]
Enter the [[West Tunnel|Wtunnelfromin]]
Enter the [[North-West Tunnel|NWtunnelfromin]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Or maybe it's time to go back to [[the courtyard|courtyard1]].He looks up at the tree and the dozens of bodies hanging from the lines, glowing in the small lights that wind through the branches.
<c4>That's the door in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself in, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
You wonder who this man is, sitting here beneath such a strange tree. You could ask.
[[Who are you? Why are you here?|Henry intro 4]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You realize he's talked to people who claim to have been inside. Maybe he knows more about the Enigmatheneum itself and is willing to share.
[[Do you know what this place, the Enigmatheneum, is?|what enigma 4]]
He nods.
<c4>There are four big doors in the upper courtyards, but I've never seen anyone use them. From what I've seen, they're locked tight and stay that way. As far as I know, nobody gets in directly. The only way I know is right there.</c4>
He points to the tree and the bodies hanging from it. You can't help but notice a look of sadness in his wrinkled face.
You could ask him to explain.
[[What do you mean? What is that tree?|what tree]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Change the subject since the sight of the tree is obviously upsetting to him.
[[Do you know what the Enigmatheneum is?|what enigma 3]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You suspect that maybe his expression has something to do with one of the bodies hanging there. Could he know one of them? Come to think of it, you haven't asked him who he is yet.
[[Who are you, anyway? Why've you set up camp in a place like this?|Henry intro 3]]
You wind up the stairs to the upper courtyard above the Northern gate.
At the top, you discover that it's built differently than the stone courtyard below. The ground is sleek polished marble. Dotted all around the courtyard are sculptures of animal skeletons, carved out of some jet black material. Their poses suggest that they are in movement, fleeing and leaping. You're no expert in bones but you can identify the bones of a great ape reaching up, a deer with full antlers, dogs with open jaws, and more.
To your dismay, you also see several of the odd skeletons that you can't recognize. One, in particular, looks like a serpent with arms. Maybe a komodo dragon missing the back legs? Whatever it is, you don't like the look of the fangs.
Past all these macabre displays, you see a massive gate. It's wide enough to run a street through. Coils of iron, carved to look like thorny vines, wind around the entrance. The doors themselves are made of a rough, dark, metal. Carved into the stone threshold in a gothic font is a single word: GrimWing.
You see no obvious way of entering and the statues are creeping you out. Time to head back [[to the courtyard below|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could go down and head direcly over to one of the other upper courtyards.
The one by the [[South|uppercourt south]] entrance.
The one by the [[West|uppercourt west]] entrance.
The one by the [[East|uppercourt east]] entrance.
You wind up the stairs to the upper courtyard above the Southern gate.
At the top, you discover that it's built differently than the stone courtyard below. The area is littered with patches of grass and flowers in circular patterns. Some of these are small, others are larger. On a few of these islands of green there are fountains and small benches for sitting, but that's not what predominantly fills the courtyard.
Huge, horizontal crystals float in the air above the verdant patches. They're jagged, but roughly an oblong proportion, and bigger than a person. They come in every shade imaginable and each of them glows with a soft light. As you approach your first, and look into the crystal, you can see an image inside it: a winged horse, leaping from a cliff side.
Curious, you inspect more and find them all to be filled with strange creatures from legend and myth. You see dragons and oni and fairies and more. Many you recognize, but most you do not. Some of them are funny looking, like the obese bearded rat with four tails smoking a pipe, and others are terrifying, like the massive spider with the face of a weeping woman and clawed hands of an infant.
After wandering through this crystal garden, you eventually come to a gate. It looks very much like the entrance to a castle and has a lowered portcullis with thick, dark wood doors behind it. There is a signpost in front of it with a single word: ArcanaWing.
You see no obvious way of entering the medieval gate and as interesting as they are, you didn't come here to look at a bunch of visions in crystals. It might be time to head back [[to the courtyard below|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could go down and head direcly over to one of the other upper courtyards.
The one by the [[East|uppercourt east]] entrance.
The one by the [[West|uppercourt west]] entrance.
The one by the [[North|uppercourt north]] entrance.You wind up the stairs to the upper courtyard above the Western gate.
At the top, you discover that it's built differently than the stone courtyard below. The ground is uneven and lumpy. It rolls in divots and mounds and reminds you of a skate park. There are many streetlights, tilted and leaning to match the terrain, illuminating the entire area brightly.
All over the courtyard there are paintings on poles, also at odd angles to the curvaceous ground. They look like sign posts or lollypops. There's no uniformity to the images on the paintings. Some are detailed traditional scenes done in oil, others are abstract and more modern. You see one that you'd swear was done in crayon by a child. Another is simply the word "BALL" in square bold text.
As you wind your way through the strange gallery, looking at images here and there, you notice a couple of things.
Firstly, at the edge of the courtyard there appears to be a large crack in the ground. It might be some sort of strange sidewalk painting, or it may actually be a hole in the ground. You'd need to approach it to see.
You also notice a huge gate, wide enough to drive a dumptruck through. The gate itself has a massive picture frame up the sides and across the top. It's garish, gold curls and traditional decorations, and thicker than your arm is long. The doors of the gate, sealed shut, have a painting of sky and mountains, but it's upside down! Inside the painting, people are frolicing on the clouds and it looks like the mountains are up in the sky. At the top of the frame there is a gold plaque that reads: Oddwing.
You see no obvious way of entering the gate. It's interesting, and you could spend a while looking at all the paintings, but you feel that its time to go back [[to the courtyard below|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could go [[look at that weird dark shape on the ground|disposal pit]] that might be some sort of chasm.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could go down and head direcly over to one of the other upper courtyards.
The one by the [[South|uppercourt south]] entrance.
The one by the [[North|uppercourt north]] entrance.
The one by the [[East|uppercourt east]] entrance.
You walk into the dark tunnel, expecting to head out to the plateau around the Enigmatheneum.
You barely make it ten paces when you run smack-dab into a solid glass wall! You feel around with your hands and confirm it blocks the entire tunnel. It's thick and makes a deep sound when you knock on it. There's no busting through that.
Beyond it, you can see the backside of a trap mechanism hanging from the ceiling. It's all rusty saw blades and spikes. Good thing the glass was there or you'd have walked into it it's kill zone.
It looks like this entire passage was a decoy. You've got to [[head back|Archway tunnels from inside]].You walk into the dark tunnel, expecting to head out to the plateau around the Enigmatheneum.
You barely make it ten paces when you see what looks like a giant cobweb in front of you. It's odd though, it's not moving at all and the pattern seems a bit wrong.
You reach out to touch it and realize it's a huge pane of shattered glass. What you mistook for a web was the lines of fragmentation in the transparant wall. You give it a closer look and realize that the tunnel on the far left has collapsed.
There is a dark hole and a place where the glass has broken away completely. Looking down the passage, you see that there are many such holes. It looks like taking this tunnel would be a risky endeavor. But, due to the hole in the glass, you could do it if you were so inclined.
You can crawl through the hole in the glass wall and [[take the risky tunnel|loose floor 1]] back out of the Enigmatheneum.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Turn around and [[go back|Archway tunnels from inside]]. You walk into the dark tunnel, expecting to head out to the plateau around the Enigmatheneum.
You barely make it ten paces when you run smack-dab into a solid glass wall! You feel around with your hands and confirm it blocks the entire tunnel. It's thick and makes a deep sound when you knock on it. There's no busting through that.
Beyond it, you can see the backside of a trap mechanism hanging from the ceiling. It's all rusty saw blades and spikes. Good thing the glass was there or you'd have walked into it it's kill zone.
It looks like this entire passage was a decoy. You've got to [[head back|Archway tunnels from inside]].You walk into the dark tunnel, expecting to head out to the plateau around the Enigmatheneum.
You barely make it ten paces when you run smack-dab into a solid glass wall! You feel around with your hands and confirm it blocks the entire tunnel. It's thick and makes a deep sound when you knock on it. There's no busting through that.
Beyond it, you can see the tunnel extending into the darkness. The ground looks a bit wet and you see a few reflections of light on it.
Whatever it is, there's no proceeding this way. You've got to [[head back|Archway tunnels from inside]].You walk into the dark tunnel, expecting to head out to the plateau around the Enigmatheneum.
You barely make it ten paces when you run smack-dab into a solid glass wall! You feel around with your hands and confirm it blocks the entire tunnel. It's thick and makes a deep sound when you knock on it. There's no busting through that.
Beyond it, you can see the backside of a trap mechanism hanging from the ceiling. It's all rusty saw blades and spikes. Good thing the glass was there or you'd have walked into it it's kill zone.
It looks like this entire passage was a decoy. You've got to [[head back|Archway tunnels from inside]].You walk into the dark tunnel, expecting to head out to the plateau around the Enigmatheneum.
You wind up with nowhere to go. The tunnel ends in pile of fallen stone rubble. Looks like there was a cave in on this one. You've got to [[head back|Archway tunnels from inside]].You walk into the dark tunnel, expecting to head out to the plateau around the Enigmatheneum.
You barely make it ten paces when you run smack-dab into a solid glass wall! You feel around with your hands and confirm it blocks the entire tunnel. It's thick and makes a deep sound when you knock on it. There's no busting through that.
Beyond it, you can see the backside of a trap mechanism hanging from the ceiling. It's all rusty saw blades and spikes. Good thing the glass was there or you'd have walked into it it's kill zone.
It looks like this entire passage was a decoy. You've got to [[head back|Archway tunnels from inside]].You walk back through the long, shadowy dark, tunnel that leads back to the plateau around the Enigmatheneum and [[arrive|NW Portal]] without any trouble.
The base is a pyramid shape of onyx stone cut off by a large metal dish. It's a bronze color and has the <b>image of a horned skull with fangs</b> carved into the bottom of the bowl. It's not a bird-bath, it's a brazier for holding hot coals, incense, or other small fires.
On the side of the device is a dial with two settings. You could [[turn it|ignite nw brazier]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Go back to another area of the [[courtyard|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Visit one of the other three braziers. Take your pick.
The one by the [[North-East|ne brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-West|sw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-East|se brazier]] entrance.The base is a pyramid shape of onyx stone cut off by a large metal dish. It's a bronze color and has the <font color=#54C0AF><b>image of a planet with double rings</b></font> carved into the bottom of the bowl. It's not a bird-bath, it's a brazier for holding hot coals, incense, or other small fires.
On the side of the device is a dial with two settings. You could [[turn it|ignite se brazier]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Go back to another area of the [[courtyard|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Visit one of the other three braziers. Take your pick.
The one by the [[North-East|ne brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-West|sw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[North-West|nw brazier]] entrance.The base is a pyramid shape of onyx stone cut off by a large metal dish. It's a bronze color and has the <font color=#8FBA4D><b>image of a unicorn up on its back legs</b></font> carved into the bottom of the bowl. It's not a bird-bath, it's a brazier for holding hot coals, incense, or other small fires.
On the side of the device is a dial with two settings. You could [[turn it|ignite ne brazier]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Go back to another area of the [[courtyard|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Visit one of the other three braziers. Take your pick.
The one by the [[South-East|se brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-West|sw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[North-West|nw brazier]] entrance.The base is a pyramid shape of onyx stone cut off by a large metal dish. It's a bronze color and has the <font color=#DB912C><b>image of a cartoon taco with arms and legs, holding a handgun and smiling,</b></font> carved into the bottom of the bowl. It's not a bird-bath, it's a brazier for holding hot coals, incense, or other small fires.
On the side of the device is a dial with two settings. You could [[turn it|ignite sw brazier]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Go back to another area of the [[courtyard|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Visit one of the other three braziers. Take your pick.
The one by the [[South-East|se brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[North-East|ne brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[North-West|nw brazier]] entrance.You get as close as you can to one of the bodies. You can tell it's a man from his phisique, but his hair is long and obsucres his face so you can't see him well. You do notice that where he's connected at the hands and feet is not simple straps. He's wearing a sort of fingerless gloves that go up his forearm. The bits on his feet look like sandles that wrap around his ankles. There are tiny lights blinking in both of them.
You move around the trunk to look at another one; a rail thin woman with very short hair. Her neck is bent at an odd angle as she hangs there. In the glow of one of the bulbs, you can make out rapid movement beneath her closed eyelids and her lips keep twitching. She's certainly alive with an active mind.
The rest of them aren't all that different and you don't think you'll learn much more from looking at them. It's time to move on.
You can head for the [[panel|control mechanism]] in the tree trunk.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Go back down the trail to the [[courtyard|courtyard1]].You see a panel with a bunch of buttons and a <font color=#A4652B><b>copper lever</b></font>. The buttons have nubers on them and are glowing with <font color=#DAAF2A><b>amber light</b></font>. It reminds you of something you would see in a skyscraper elevator. The lever is marked <font color=#A4652B><b>RESET</b></font>.
The numbers go from <b>one</b> to <b>fifty</b>.
If you want, you can enter a selection into the box below. Be sure to hit the <font color=blue><b>enter</b></font> key after you imput your selection.
<center><<textbox "$variable" $variable "blueberry">></center>
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You can leave the contraption alone and [[do something else|courtyard1]].It's time for introductions.
<c1>This is kind of an odd place to set up camp. Who are you?</c1>
He nods, agreeing that it's strange.
<c4>This is certainly not where I expected to wind up at my age. But life takes you where it takes you. I'm Henry, Henry Walker. Pleasure to meet ya.</c4>
<c1>Likewise. What brings you here?</c1>
<c4>Me? I'm waiting for someone. What about you? Why have you come to a remote place like this?</c4>
You've asked yourself that same questions many times. Deep down, you really don't know why you're so driven to find the Enigmatheneum and discover whatever mysteries it holds. It's not a task to be undertaken lightly. But there's something, a strange compulsion, you've had ever since hearing about the place, that you just can't shake.
<c1>I just want to solve it. I need to know what it is. Why it's here.</c1>
The old man looks at you curiously and gives a small nod.
<c4>It's as good a reason as I've heard, and I've heard plenty. It sounds like you have an explorers soul.</c4>
<c1>You got that right.</c1>
The conversation pauses. It's a good time to ask him more questions.
[[Do you know what the Enigmatheneum is?|what enigma knows h needs t g b]]
[[Can you show me how to get into the building?|get in knows h needs e b and t]]
[[What's with that tree and all the people in it?|what tree knows h needs b e]]
[[So, who are you waiting for?|henry waiting has h and more]]You meander through the poles and pictures until you come to the cleft in the ground.
Turns out it's an actual crack in the courtyard. Peering down you see it looks like there is natural stone beneath the court cobbles and beyond that it's pitch black down there. You do feel a cool wind rising up from the hole.
<<if $Know.indexOf("WestSwampCave:Corpses") != -1>>You recognize this as the hole in the ceiling of the cave with all the bodies. This must be where they're thown down from. Based on the malnourished look of the people hanging in the tree, you suspect that's where they came from.<<endif>>
You're not about to jump down there. You feel that it might be time to go back [[to the courtyard below|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could go down and head direcly over to one of the other upper courtyards.
The one by the [[South|uppercourt south]] entrance.
The one by the [[North|uppercourt north]] entrance.
The one by the [[East|uppercourt east]] entrance.
You turn the dial and hear a quiet hissing sound. Moments later there is a click and <font color=#F37832><b>flames</b></font> erupt above the brazier!
The <font color=#F37832><b>flames</b></font> dance above the brass bowl. At the bottom, you can see the <b>skull</b>. Maybe it's a trick of the heat distortion (or maybe not), but you get the distint impression that it's smiling and looking at you. An ember glow reflects in its menacing hollow eyes.
It looks like the dial is for turning on the fire. If there's more to this, you'll need to figure it out later. You click off the heat and the <b>skull</b> stops moving.
You could go back to another area of the [[courtyard|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Visit one of the other three braziers. Take your pick.
The one by the [[North-East|ne brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-West|sw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-East|se brazier]] entrance.You turn the dial and hear a quiet hissing sound. Moments later there is a click and <font color=#F37832><b>flames</b></font> erupt above the brazier!
The <font color=#F37832><b>flames</b></font> dance above the brass bowl. At the bottom, you can see the <font color=#54C0AF><b>planet</b></font>. Maybe it's a trick of the heat distortion (or maybe not), but you get the distint impression that the dual rings are spinning. Sparkles of light reflect off the surface of the alien world.
It looks like the dial is for turning on the fire. If there's more to this, you'll need to figure it out later. You click off the heat and the <font color=#54C0AF><b>planet</b></font> stops moving.
You could go back to another area of the [[courtyard|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Visit one of the other three braziers. Take your pick.
The one by the [[North-East|ne brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-West|sw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[North-West|nw brazier]] entrance.You turn the dial and hear a quiet hissing sound. Moments later there is a click and <font color=#F37832><b>flames</b></font> erupt above the brazier!
The <font color=#F37832><b>flames</b></font> dance above the brass bowl. At the bottom, you can see the <font color=#8FBA4D><b>unicorn</b></font>. Maybe it's a trick of the heat distortion (or maybe not), but you get the distint impression that the mythical beast is moving. It's front legs kick and it tosses its head as fiery glow reflects from its shining horn.
It looks like the dial is for turning on the fire. If there's more to this, you'll need to figure it out later. You click off the heat and the <font color=#8FBA4D><b>unicorn</b></font> stops moving.
You could go back to another area of the [[courtyard|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Visit one of the other three braziers. Take your pick.
The one by the [[North-West|nw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-West|sw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-East|se brazier]] entrance.You turn the dial and hear a quiet hissing sound. Moments later there is a click and <font color=#F37832><b>flames</b></font> erupt above the brazier!
The <font color=#F37832><b>flames</b></font> dance above the brass bowl. At the bottom, you can see the <font color=#DB912C><b>cartoon taco guy</b></font>. Maybe it's a trick of the heat distortion (or maybe not), but you get the distint impression that it's dancing as it waves its handgun around. An ember glow reflects in the orange cheese along its back. Did it just wink?
It looks like the dial turns on the fire. If there's more to this, you'll need to figure it out later. You click off the heat and the <font color=#DB912C><b>taco</b></font> stops moving.
You could go back to another area of the [[courtyard|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Visit one of the other three braziers. Take your pick.
The one by the [[North-East|ne brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[North-West|nw brazier]] entrance.
The one by the [[South-East|se brazier]] entrance.<<if $variable is "1">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "2">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "3">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "4">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "5">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "6">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "7">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "8">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "9">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "10">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "11">><<goto "raspberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "12">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "13">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "14">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "15">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "16">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "17">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "18">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "19">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "20">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "21">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "22">><<goto "raspberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "23">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "24">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "25">><<goto "BetsyWalkerBody">>
<<elseif $variable is "26">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "27">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "28">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "29">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "30">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "31">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "32">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "33">><<goto "raspberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "34">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "35">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "36">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "37">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "38">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "39">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "40">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "41">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "42">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "43">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "44">><<goto "raspberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "45">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "46">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "47">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "48">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "49">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<elseif $variable is "50">><<goto "pickleberry">>
<<else>><<$variable is "">><<goto "grape">><</if>>
The tree creaks and groans as the branches begin to rotate around the trunk. One of the larger boughs swings out, dips down, and lowers.
You see that there is already a person inside this harness, swinging gently back and forth from the movement.
This won't do you any good! You need an empty harness!
You pull the <font color=#A4652B><b>lever</b></font> to reset the machine and [[try again|control mechanism]].
The tree creaks and groans as the branches begin to rotate around the trunk. One of the larger boughs swings out, dips down, and lowers.
You see that the this harness is unnocupied, swinging gently back and forth from the movement.
It looks like it's ready for a new passenger!
You can leave the trunk of the tree, head over to the harness, and [[get in it|all aboard the puppet tree!]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Maybe you're not done poking around at that [[panel|control mechanism]] just yet.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You're not ready to strap yourself in just yet. There's still things you'd [[like to do|courtyard1]] before you turn yourself into a human puppet.<<set $visitedgrape++>>\
<<if $visitedgrape is 1>>\
This isn't even on the panel! Your frantic pounding and poking at the buttons kicks up a <font color=#0BC3D3><b>shower of sparks</b></font>!
You probably don't want to keep that up. You should [[try again|control mechanism]] only, this time, put in a number between one and fifty.
<<else>>\
<<set $life = $life - 1>>\
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "tree panel dead">><<endif>>
<<if $life > 0>>\
Your continued pushing of buttons in rapid combo results in another <font color=#0BC3D3><b>shower of sparks</b></font>! This time the <font color=#0BC3D3><b>electricity</b></font> reaches out and a massive bolt connects to your hand, burning you!
You've lost <b><font color = red>1 Life</font></b>.
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>
You <i><b>really</b></i> shouldn't keep that up. What's so hard about [[putting in a number|control mechanism]] between one and fifty?
<<endif>>
<<endif>>Betsy's body
[[control mechanism]] You walk over to the strange harness.
The hands and feet are like fingerless gloves and sandals. They're the sort of thing you need to wear. Each of them has a manacle-like strip to attach around your wrists and ankles. You notice that each glove has a button in the center of the palm. One says <font color=green><b>LIFT</b></font> and the other says <font color=red><b>LOWER</b></font>.
To your surprise, you discover that there is a needle inside each of the ankle straps. There is a hollow tube for some sort of liquid woven into the suspension ropes. Putting these on would position the needles to inject you.
The body harness seems to be a more simple affair and much more standard. There is a circular button on one of the chest straps that says <font color=orange><b>ENGAGE</b></font>.
You don't like the look of the needles, but it's now or never. You drop any gear you've found and [[take the plunge|strap in]].
<<emptyInv>>\You wind up the stairs to the upper courtyard above the Eastern gate.
At the top, you discover that it's built differently than the stone courtyard below. The ground is smooth and seamless, like plastic. Arranged in an organized pattern are small platforms, two by two, on the ground. These glow with a blue neon light and serve as the bases for holographic projections above them.
There are dozens of these holographic figures all over the courtyard. Upon inspection you see that most are wearing strange clothes and look like something out of a sci-fi movie. As you go from one to another, your suspicions are confirmed when you find one that is clearly meant to be an alien. It's not the only one.
All of these holograms are standing at attention, as if they were posing for a portrait. At the end of the courtyard is a huge gate. The frame is made out of sleek metal and the actual gate is some sort of glowing force field. It cackles when you touch it but doesn't cause any pain. A monitor beside the gate displays a single word: StarWing.
You see no obvious way of entering the futuristic gate and as interesting as they are, you didn't come here to look at a bunch of holograms. It might be time to head back [[to the courtyard below|courtyard1]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could go down and head direcly over to one of the other upper courtyards.
The one by the [[South|uppercourt south]] entrance.
The one by the [[West|uppercourt west]] entrance.
The one by the [[North|uppercourt north]] entrance.
Your continued pushing of buttons in rapid combo results in another <font color=#0BC3D3><b>shower of sparks</b></font>! This time the <font color=#0BC3D3><b>electricity</b></font> reaches out and a massive bolt connects to your hand, burning you!
As you convulse with fatal <font color=#0BC3D3><b>electricity</b></font> you realize you should probably be more careful with how you handle technology.
Too bad you won't get the chance.
<<timed 12s>><<goto "Dead">><</timed>>Loose a body point, maybe dead, code.
<<set $life = $life - 1>>\
<<if $life <= 0>><<goto "DEADPASSAGE">><<endif>>
<<if $life > 0>>\
DAMAGE DESCRIPTOR
You've lost <b><font color = red>1 Life</font></b>.
Your Health drops to <b><font color = red><<print $life>> Life</font></b>He smiles and pours you a cup.
<<set $life to 3>>
<c4>Here you go.</c4>
It's not the best coffee you've ever had, and the flavor is a little off, but considering all you've been through, it tastes great! The combination of the warm beverage and toasty fire has you feeling much, much better.
Your <font color=red><b>Health</b></font> has recovered from the hardships of the trip! You have <font color=red><b><<print $life>> Health</b></font>.
<c1>Thanks. This coffee is really good.</c1>
You have so many questions for him.
[[Who are you?|henry intro]]
[[What is this place?|what enigma]]
[[Do you know the way to get into the building?|get in]]
[[What's with that tree and all the people in it?|what tree]]
He shrugs and puts away one of the mugs.
<c4>Suit yourself.</c4>
He pours himself a steaming cup, takes a sip, and follows it with a contented sigh.
You have so many questions for him.
[[Who are you?|henry intro]]
[[What is this place?|what enigma]]
[[Do you know how I can get into the building?|get in]]
[[What's with that tree and all the people in it?|what tree]]
The old man shakes his head. It looks like this isn't the first time someone has come along and started in with questions.
<c4>I know it's old. Much older than people give it credit for. I met a man once, who came here, who said his family had been searching for it for generations. The stories of its existence go back hundreds of years. But it couldn't have been. Those domes, around the castle, have buildings on them that look modern. Futuristic even. It doesn't make sense! This place is old, but maybe not because it's been here for a long time, but because time doesn't work the same for it.</c4>
He pauses for a minute and sips his coffee, looking up at the high walls of the courtyard. Far above, the night sky is still overcast and dark as ink.
<c4>I know it's supposed to hold secrets. People come here, looking for answers.</c4>
He looks to the tree and you see a glimmer of sadness in his face.
<c4>Most don't find any.</c4>
He's been helpful so far. He probably knows more.
You realize you haven't asked who he is. You could ask.
[[Who are you? What brings you to a place like this?|henry intro e]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
He might be able to help you find a way in.
[[Do you know how to get into the building?|get in e]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
He could possibly answer a few questions you have about that weird tree and the bodies hanging from it.
[[What's with that tree and all the people in it?|what tree e]]
Henry takes in a deep sigh and looks up to the strange tree with the bodies.
<c4>My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there. She's been hangin' up there for over a month now. My sweet number twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures in the far up branches.
<c1>Wait, I don't understand. Why is she up there? What are those people doing?</c1>
<c4>That's the way in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself up, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree, like my Betsy.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
You realize he's talked to people who claim to have been inside. Maybe he knows more about the Enigmatheneum itself and is willing to share.
[[Do you know what this place, the Enigmatheneum, is?|what enigma h w]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could probably talk to him all night, but he's told you what you need to do to get into the Enigmatheneum. You can end the conversation, say your goodbyes, and head right [[for the tree|goodbye to tree]] or go look around other parts of the [[courtyard|goodbye to courtyard]].He nods.
<c4>There are four big doors in the upper courtyards, but I've never seen anyone use them. As far as I know, they're locked tight and stay that way. As far as I know, nobody gets in directly. The only way I know is right there.</c4>
He points to the tree and the bodies hanging from it. You can't help but notice a look of sadness in his wrinkled face.
There's definitiely something up with the tree. You could ask about it.
[[What do you mean? What is that tree?|what tree h e gi]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You suspect that maybe his expression isn't just about the tree but has something to do with one of the bodies hanging there. Could he be waiting for one of them?
[[So, Henry, who is it you're waiting for?|henry waiting has h and more]]The old man shakes his head.
<c4>I know it's old. Much older than people give it credit for. I met a man once, who came here, who said his family had been searching for it for generations. The stories of its existence go back hundreds of years. But it couldn't have been. Those domes, around the castle, have buildings on them that look modern. Futuristic even. It doesn't make sense. This place is old, but maybe not because it's been here for a long time, but because time doesn't work the same for it.</c4>
He pauses for a minute and sips his coffee, looking up at the high walls of the courtyard. Far above, the night sky is still overcast and dark as ink.
<c4>I know it's supposed to hold secrets. People come here, looking for answers.</c4>
He looks to the tree, once again you see a glimmer of sadness.
<c4>Most don't find any.</c4>
He's been helpful so far. He probably knows more.
[[Do you know how to get into the building?|get in h e]]
[[What's with that tree and all the people in it?|what tree knows h needs b e]]
[[So, who are you waiting for?|henry waiting has h and more]]It's time for introductions.
<c1>This is kind of an odd place to set up camp. Who are you?</c1>
He nods, agreeing that it's strange.
<c4>This is certainly not where I expected to wind up at my age. But life takes you where it takes you. I'm Henry, Henry Walker. Pleasure to meet ya.</c4>
<c1>Likewise. What brings you here?</c1>
<c4>Me? I'm waiting for someone. What about you? Why have you come to a remote place like this?</c4>
You've asked yourself that same questions many times. Deep down, you really don't know why you're so driven to find the Enigmatheneum and discover whatever mysteries it holds. It's not a task to be undertaken lightly. But there's something, a strange compulsion, you've had ever since hearing about the place, that you just can't shake.
<c1>I just want to solve it. I need to know what it is. Why it's here.</c1>
The old man looks at you curiously and gives a small nod.
<c4>It's as good a reason as I've heard, and I've heard plenty. It sounds like you have an explorers soul.</c4>
<c1>You got that right.</c1>
The conversation pauses. His eyes once again go up to the strange tree.
It certainly is strange, what with the bodies hanging from it. You could ask him if he knows what it is.
[[What's with that tree and all the people in it?|tree e h]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
He mentioned that he was waiting for someone. It's a strange place to be expecting a visitor. You wonder who it might be.
[[So, who are you waiting for?|betsy e h]]It's time for introductions.
<c1>This is kind of an odd place to set up camp. Who are you?</c1>
He nods, agreeing that it's strange.
<c4>This is certainly not where I expected to wind up at my age. But life takes you where it takes you. I'm Henry, Henry Walker. Pleasure to meet ya.</c4>
<c1>Likewise. What brings you here?</c1>
<c4>Me? I'm waiting for someone. What about you? Why have you come to a remote place like this?</c4>
You've asked yourself that same questions many times. Deep down, you really don't know why you're so driven to find the Enigmatheneum and discover whatever mysteries it holds. It's not a task to be undertaken lightly. But there's something, a strange compulsion, you've had ever since hearing about the place, that you just can't shake.
<c1>I just want to solve it. I need to know what it is. Why it's here.</c1>
The old man looks at you curiously and gives a small nod.
<c4>It's as good a reason as I've heard, and I've heard plenty. It sounds like you have an explorers soul.</c4>
<c1>You got that right.</c1>
The conversation pauses. It's a good time to ask him more questions.
You realize he's talked to people who claim to have been inside. Maybe he knows more about the Enigmatheneum itself and is willing to share.
[[Do you know what this place, the Enigmatheneum, is?|what enigma h t]]
He did mention he was waiting for someone. Who could it be in such an odd place?
[[So, who are you waiting for?|henry waiting 1a]]The old man shakes his head. It looks like this isn't the first time someone has come along and started in with questions.
<c4>I know it's old. Much older than people give it credit for. I met a man once, who came here, who said his family had been searching for it for generations. The stories of its existence go back hundreds of years. But it couldn't have been. Those domes, around the castle, have buildings on them that look modern. Futuristic even. It doesn't make sense! This place is old, but maybe not because it's been here for a long time, but because time doesn't work the same for it.</c4>
He pauses for a minute and sips his coffee, looking up at the high walls of the courtyard. Far above, the night sky is still overcast and dark as ink.
<c4>I know it's supposed to hold secrets. People come here, looking for answers.</c4>
He looks to the tree and you see a glimmer of sadness in his face.
<c4>Most don't find any.</c4>
He's been helpful so far. He probably knows more.
You realize you haven't asked who he is. You could ask.
[[Who are you? What brings you to a place like this?|intro t e]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You can tell, as you look at him, that he's not been looking at the tree so much as a single person in the tree. Does he know someone in it?
[[Do you know someone up there? Is that why you're here?|betsy t]]
The old man shakes his head. It looks like this isn't the first time someone has come along and started in with questions.
<c4>I know it's old. Much older than people give it credit for. I met a man once, who came here, who said his family had been searching for it for generations. The stories of its existence go back hundreds of years. But it couldn't have been. Those domes, around the castle, have buildings on them that look modern. Futuristic even. It doesn't make sense! This place is old, but maybe not because it's been here for a long time, but because time doesn't work the same for it.</c4>
He pauses for a minute and sips his coffee, looking up at the high walls of the courtyard. Far above, the night sky is still overcast and dark as ink.
<c4>I know it's supposed to hold secrets. People come here, looking for answers.</c4>
He looks to the tree and you see a glimmer of sadness in his face.
<c4>Most don't find any.</c4>
He's been helpful so far. He probably knows more.
You realize you haven't asked who he is. You could ask.
[[Who are you? What brings you to a place like this?|henry intro g e no t]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
His attention keeps going to it and you realize that he's looking at someone in it, more than the tree itself. He'd said it was the way in. What did he mean by that?
[[Do you know someone in that tree? What did you mean when you said it was the way in?|treebetsy e no h]]
It's time for introductions.
<c1>This is kind of an odd place to set up camp. Who are you?</c1>
He nods, agreeing that it's strange.
<c4>This is certainly not where I expected to wind up at my age. But life takes you where it takes you. I'm Henry, Henry Walker. Pleasure to meet ya.</c4>
<c1>Likewise. What brings you here?</c1>
<c4>Me? I'm waiting for someone. What about you? Why have you come to a remote place like this?</c4>
You've asked yourself that same questions many times. Deep down, you really don't know why you're so driven to find the Enigmatheneum and discover whatever mysteries it holds. It's not a task to be undertaken lightly. But there's something, a strange compulsion, you've had ever since hearing about the place, that you just can't shake.
<c1>I just want to solve it. I need to know what it is. Why it's here.</c1>
The old man looks at you curiously and gives a small nod.
<c4>It's as good a reason as I've heard, and I've heard plenty. It sounds like you have an explorers soul.</c4>
<c1>You got that right.</c1>
The conversation pauses. It's a good time to ask him more questions.
[[Do you know what the Enigmatheneum is?|enigma h g]]
He said that tree was the way in. That didn't make much sense. You might want to ask him to clarify.
[[You said the tree was the way in. What did you mean by that?|tree g h]]
The old man shakes his head.
<c4>I know it's old. Much older than people give it credit for. I met a man once, who came here, who said his family had been searching for it for generations. The stories of its existence go back hundreds of years. But it couldn't have been. Those domes, around the castle, have buildings on them that look modern. Futuristic even. It doesn't make sense. This place is old, but maybe not because it's been here for a long time, but because time doesn't work the same for it.</c4>
He pauses for a minute and sips his coffee, looking up at the high walls of the courtyard. Far above, the night sky is still overcast and dark as ink.
<c4>I know it's supposed to hold secrets. People come here, looking for answers.</c4>
He looks to the tree, once again you see a glimmer of sadness.
<c4>Most don't find any.</c4>
You sit for a while in the awkward silence. You could keep the conversation rolling, and say something, but he's told you what you need to do to get into the Enigmatheneum. You'd like to end the conversation, say your goodbyes, and head right [[for the tree|goodbye to tree]] or go look around other parts of the [[courtyard|goodbye to courtyard]].You get up and stretch. He gives you an understanding look. You're not the first person to come, chat, and head back to solving the mystery.
<c4>If you use the tree and go in there, can you do me a favor?</c4>
<c1>What's that?</c1>
<c4>If you see my Betsy in there, tell her that I'm out here waiting. But, most important, could you let her know that Troy is safe. Auntie Cal is looking out for him.</c4>
It doesn't seem like an unreasonable request. You commit the names to memory.
<c1>Sure, Henry, I can do that for you.</c1>
You have gained a bit of <font color=red><b>Knowledge</b></font>! [[Message:ForBetsy]] has been added.
<<addToKnow Message:ForBetsy>>\
He thanks you, you part company, and you approach the tree of hanging bodies.
The branches are wide and extend out almost as far as the hill the tree is growing from. Due to the size of the mound and height of the trunk, all of the bodies are hanging high and out of reach, even though they dangle from long lines.
The hill is covered in soft grass and there is a bit of trail going up it to the trunk. You circle around and head up on the trail, avoiding the grass. The trunk, when you arrive, has a small panel door with a handle.
Up here, by the base, you are a lot closer to a few of the nearby bodies. You could get a [[better look|hanging bodies]] if you wanted.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You can [[open the hatch|control mechanism]] in the side of the trunk and see what's inside.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You're not quite ready to go poking around with that just yet and you want to head back to [[the courtyard|courtyard1]].You get up and stretch. He gives you an understanding look. You're not the first person to come, chat, and head back to solving the mystery.
<c4>If you use the tree and go in there, can you do me a favor?</c4>
<c1>What's that?</c1>
<c4>If you see my Betsy in there, tell her that I'm out here waiting. But, most important, could you let her know that Troy is safe. Auntie Cal is looking out for him.</c4>
It doesn't seem like an unreasonable request. You commit the names to memory.
<c1>Sure, Henry, I can do that for you.</c1>
He thanks you, you part company, and you get back to the courtyard.
You have gained a bit of <font color=red><b>Knowledge</b></font>! [[Message:ForBetsy]] has been added.
<<addToKnow Message:ForBetsy>>
The tree, the upper courtyards, the strange bird-bath looking things, and the tunnels out, are all still here.
Your options are wide open!
Walk up the hill and have a [[closer look at the tree]] and the people hanging from it.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Pick one of the stairways near the primary direction archways that lead to the [[upper courtyards]] and explore there.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
See what the deal is with those [[funny little bird-bath looking devices]] near the other archways.
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You're pretty sure you know where the archway tunnels lead but there's nothing stopping you from [[heading into one of them|Archway tunnels from inside]]. There are lots of options here. You could always use the one you came in to [[go back|NWtunnelfromin]].
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
Even though you've walked away and are standing in the courtyard, you realize there are things you'd like Henry to repeat. You turn around and head back to [[refresh your memory|MeetHenryWalker]].
Henry looks up at the tree and the dozens of bodies hanging from the lines, glowing in the small lights that wind through the branches.
<c4>That's the door in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself in, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
He stares up at it and you get the impression that he's not looking at the tree as much as he's looking at one person hanging from it. He did say he was waiting for someone.
[[Do you know somebody up in that tree?|henry waiting 1a]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You realize he's talked to people who claim to have been inside. Maybe he knows more about the Enigmatheneum itself and is willing to share.
[[Do you know what this place, the Enigmatheneum, is?|what enigma h t w
Henry takes in a deep sigh and looks up to the strange tree with the bodies.
<c4>My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there. She's been hangin' from that branch there for over a month now. My sweet number twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures near the top.
You realize he's talked to people who claim to have been inside. Maybe he knows more about the Enigmatheneum itself and is willing to share.
[[Do you know what this place, the Enigmatheneum, is?|what enigma h w]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You could probably talk to him all night, but he's told you what you need to do to get into the Enigmatheneum. You can end the conversation, say your goodbyes, and head right [[for the tree|goodbye to tree]] or go look around other parts of the [[courtyard|goodbye to courtyard]].Henry looks up at the tree and the dozens of bodies hanging from the lines, glowing in the small lights that wind through the branches.
<c4>That's the door in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself in, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
He stares up at it and you get the impression that he's not looking at the tree as much as he's looking at one person hanging from it. He did say he was waiting for someone.
[[Do you know somebody up in that tree?|all but betsy]]
Henry takes in a deep sigh and looks up to the strange tree with the bodies.
<c4>My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there. She's been hangin' up there for over a month now. My sweet number twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures in the far up branches.
Why he's here makes more sense now. You wonder why she decided to do it, but not for long. You realize you have the same desire; to get into the Enigmatheneum. You'll be joining her soon enough.
You could probably talk to him all night, but he's told you what you need to do to get into the Enigmatheneum. You can end the conversation, say your goodbyes, and head right [[for the tree|goodbye to tree]] or go look around other parts of the [[courtyard|goodbye to courtyard]].He nods.
<c4>There are four big doors in the upper courtyards, but I've never seen anyone use them. As far as I know, they're locked tight and stay that way. As far as I know, nobody gets in directly. The only way I know is right there.</c4>
He points to the tree and the bodies hanging from it. You can't help but notice a look of sadness in his wrinkled face.
You could ask him to explain.
[[What do you mean? What is that tree?|what tree h e gi]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You suspect that maybe his expression has something to do with one of the bodies hanging there. Could he be waiting for one of them?
[[So, Henry, who is it you're waiting for?|Betsy and Tree]]The old man shakes his head. It looks like this isn't the first time someone has come along with questions.
<c4>I know it's old. Much older than people give it credit for. I met a man once, who came here, who said his family had been searching for it for generations. The stories of its existence go back hundreds of years. But it couldn't have been. Those domes, around the castle, have buildings on them that look modern. Futuristic even. It doesn't make sense! This place is old, but maybe not because it's been here for a long time, but because time doesn't work the same for it.</c4>
He pauses for a minute and sips his coffee, looking up at the high walls of the courtyard. Far above, the night sky is still overcast and dark as ink.
<c4>I know it's supposed to hold secrets. People come here, looking for answers.</c4>
He looks to the tree and you see a glimmer of sadness in his face.
<c4>Most don't find any.</c4>
You remember him saying that he was waiting for someone. You've caught him glancing at the tree more than once. Not the tree though, someone in the tree. What did he mean by it being the way in, anyway?
[[Do you know someone in that tree? You said it was the way in. What do you mean by that?|all but betsy]]
It's time for introductions.
<c1>This is kind of an odd place to set up camp. Who are you?</c1>
He nods, agreeing that it's strange.
<c4>This is certainly not where I expected to wind up at my age. But life takes you where it takes you. I'm Henry, Henry Walker. Pleasure to meet ya.</c4>
<c1>Likewise. What brings you here?</c1>
<c4>Me? I'm waiting for someone. What about you? Why have you come to a remote place like this?</c4>
You've asked yourself that same questions many times. Deep down, you really don't know why you're so driven to find the Enigmatheneum and discover whatever mysteries it holds. It's not a task to be undertaken lightly. But there's something, a strange compulsion, you've had ever since hearing about the place, that you just can't shake.
<c1>I just want to solve it. I need to know what it is. Why it's here.</c1>
The old man looks at you curiously and gives a small nod.
<c4>It's as good a reason as I've heard, and I've heard plenty. It sounds like you have an explorers soul.</c4>
<c1>You got that right.</c1>
The conversation pauses. Once again, his eyes go to the tree and a single figure up in it.
[[Do you know someone in there? Is that who you're waiting for?|all but betsy]]The man takes in a deep sigh and looks up to the strange tree with the bodies.
<c4>My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there. She's been hangin' up there for over a month now. My sweet number twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures in the far up branches.
Why he's here makes more sense now. You wonder why she decided to do it, but not for long. You realize you have the same desire; to get into the Enigmatheneum. You'll be joining her soon enough.
<c4>This is certainly not where I expected to wind up at my age, sitting in this strange place waiting for my granddaughter, but life takes you where it takes you. I'm Henry, Henry Walker. Pleasure to meet ya.</c4>
<c1>Likewise. I hope you don't have to wait too long.</c1>
<c4>You and me both! What about you? Why have you come to a remote place like this?</c4>
You've asked yourself that same questions many times. Deep down, you really don't know why you're so driven to find the Enigmatheneum and discover whatever mysteries it holds. It's not a task to be undertaken lightly. But there's something, a strange compulsion, you've had ever since hearing about the place, that you just can't shake.
<c1>I just want to solve it. I need to know what it is. Why it's here.</c1>
The old man looks at you curiously and gives a small nod.
<c4>It's as good a reason as I've heard, and I've heard plenty. It sounds like you have an explorers soul.</c4>
<c1>You got that right.</c1>
You sit for a while in the quiet silence, listening to the cackle of the fire. You could keep the conversation rolling, and say something, but he's told you what you need to do to get into the Enigmatheneum. You'd like to end the conversation, say your goodbyes, and head right [[for the tree|goodbye to tree]] or go look around other parts of the [[courtyard|goodbye to courtyard]].
The old man shakes his head. It looks like this isn't the first time someone has come along and started in with questions.
<c4>I know it's old. Much older than people give it credit for. I met a man once, who came here, who said his family had been searching for it for generations. The stories of its existence go back hundreds of years. But it couldn't have been. Those domes, around the castle, have buildings on them that look modern. Futuristic even. It doesn't make sense! This place is old, but maybe not because it's been here for a long time, but because time doesn't work the same for it.</c4>
He pauses for a minute and sips his coffee, looking up at the high walls of the courtyard. Far above, the night sky is still overcast and dark as ink.
<c4>I know it's supposed to hold secrets. People come here, looking for answers.</c4>
He looks to the tree and you see a glimmer of sadness in his face.
<c4>Most don't find any.</c4>
He's been helpful so far. He probably knows more.
You can tell, as you look at him, that he's not been looking at the tree so much as a single person in the tree. Does he know someone in it?
[[Do you know someone up there? Is that why you're here?|Betsy and Tree]]
He looks up at the tree and the dozens of bodies hanging from the lines, glowing in the small lights that wind through the branches.
<c4>That's the door in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself in, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
You realize he's talked to people who claim to have been inside. Maybe he knows more about the Enigmatheneum itself and is willing to share.
[[Do you know what this place, the Enigmatheneum, is?|what enigma h t]]He takes in a deep sigh and looks up to the strange tree with the bodies.
<c4>My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there. She's been hangin' up there for over a month now. My sweet number twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures in the far up branches.
<c1>Wait, I don't understand. Why is she up there? What are those people doing?</c1>
<c4>That's the way in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself up, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree, like my Betsy.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
He's got a lot to tell you and you don't even know who he is yet. You should fix that.
[[I'm sorry, I haven't actually asked you your name.|all but h]]
You're due for an introduction.
<c1>This is kind of an odd place to set up camp. Who are you?</c1>
He nods, agreeing that it's strange.
<c4>This is certainly not where I expected to wind up at my age. But life takes you where it takes you. I'm Henry, Henry Walker. Pleasure to meet ya.</c4>
<c1>Likewise. What brings you here?</c1>
<c4>Me? I'm waiting for someone. What about you? Why have you come to a remote place like this?</c4>
You've asked yourself that same questions many times. Deep down, you really don't know why you're so driven to find the Enigmatheneum and discover whatever mysteries it holds. It's not a task to be undertaken lightly. But there's something, a strange compulsion, you've had ever since hearing about the place, that you just can't shake.
<c1>I just want to solve it. I need to know what it is. Why it's here.</c1>
The old man looks at you curiously and gives a small nod.
<c4>It's as good a reason as I've heard, and I've heard plenty. It sounds like you have an explorers soul.</c4>
<c1>You got that right.</c1>
He looks up at the tree and you notice the odd expression on his face again.
There's definitely something up with the tree. You could ask about it.
[[What is that tree? It's very strange, with all those people in it.|what tree h e gi]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You suspect that maybe his expression isn't just about the tree but has something to do with one of the bodies hanging there. Could he be waiting for one of them?
[[So, Henry, who is it you're waiting for?|Betsy and Tree]]It's time for introductions.
<c1>This is kind of an odd place to set up camp. Who are you?</c1>
He nods, agreeing that it's strange.
<c4>This is certainly not where I expected to wind up at my age. But life takes you where it takes you. I'm Henry, Henry Walker. Pleasure to meet ya.</c4>
<c1>Likewise.</c1>
<c4>I'm here waiting for someone. What about you? Why have you come to a remote place like this?</c4>
You've asked yourself that same questions many times. Deep down, you really don't know why you're so driven to find the Enigmatheneum and discover whatever mysteries it holds. It's not a task to be undertaken lightly. But there's something, a strange compulsion, you've had ever since hearing about the place, that you just can't shake.
<c1>I just want to solve it. I need to know what it is. Why it's here.</c1>
The old man looks at you curiously and gives a small nod.
<c4>It's as good a reason as I've heard, and I've heard plenty. It sounds like you have an explorers soul.</c4>
<c1>You got that right.</c1>
You sit for a while in the glow of the campfire, listening to it cackle. You could keep the conversation rolling, and say something, but he's told you what you need to do to get into the Enigmatheneum. You'd like to end the conversation, say your goodbyes, and head right [[for the tree|goodbye to tree]] or go look around other parts of the [[courtyard|goodbye to courtyard]].
Henry takes in a deep sigh and looks up to the strange tree with the bodies.
<c4>My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there. She's been hangin' up there for over a month now. My sweet number twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures in the far up branches.
<c1>Wait, I don't understand. Why is she up there? What are those people doing?</c1>
<c4>That's the way in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself up, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree, like my Betsy.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
You sit for a while in the glow of the campfire, listening to it cackle. You could keep the conversation rolling, and say something, but he's told you what you need to do to get into the Enigmatheneum. You'd like to end the conversation, say your goodbyes, and head right [[for the tree|goodbye to tree]] or go look around other parts of the [[courtyard|goodbye to courtyard]].
He nods.
<c4>There are four big doors in the upper courtyards, but I've never seen anyone use them. As far as I know, they're locked tight and stay that way. As far as I know, nobody gets in directly. The only way I know is right there.</c4>
He points to the tree and the bodies hanging from it. You can't help but notice a look of sadness in his wrinkled face.
You could ask him to explain.
[[What do you mean? What is that tree?|what tree e]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You realize you havn't asked him who he is yet.
[[Who are you, anyway? Why've you set up camp in a place like this?|henry e g]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You suspect that maybe his expression has something to do with one of the bodies hanging there. Could he be waiting for one of them?
[[So, Henry, who is it you're waiting for?|betsy and tree no h]]He looks up at the tree and the dozens of bodies hanging from the lines, glowing in the small lights that wind through the branches.
<c4>That's the door in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself in, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
You wonder who this man is, sitting here beneath such a strange tree. You could ask.
[[Who are you? Why are you here?|intro t e]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b></font>
You can tell, as you look at him, that he's not been staring at the tree so much as a single person in the tree. Does he know someone in it?
[[Do you know someone up there? Is that why you're here?|Betsy e t no h]]
Henry takes in a deep sigh and looks up to the strange tree with the bodies.
<c4>My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there. She's been hangin' up there for over a month now. My sweet number twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures in the far up branches.
Why he's here makes more sense now. You wonder why she decided to do it, but not for long. You realize you have the same desire; to get into the Enigmatheneum. You'll be joining her soon enough.
The man has been full of answers in an otherwise mysterious place. You realize you haven't made a proper introduction.
[[Forgive my manners, who are you?|all but h]]He looks up at the tree and the dozens of bodies hanging from the lines, glowing in the small lights that wind through the branches.
<c4>That's the door in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself in, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
You can tell, as you look at him, that he's not been staring at the tree so much as a single person in the tree. Does he know someone in it?
[[Do you know someone up there? Is that why you're here?|all but betsy]]
It's time for introductions.
<c1>This is kind of an odd place to set up camp. Who are you?</c1>
He nods, agreeing that it's strange.
<c4>This is certainly not where I expected to wind up at my age. But life takes you where it takes you. I'm Henry, Henry Walker. Pleasure to meet ya.</c4>
<c1>Likewise. What brings you here?</c1>
<c4>Me? I'm waiting for someone. What about you? Why have you come to a remote place like this?</c4>
You've asked yourself that same questions many times. Deep down, you really don't know why you're so driven to find the Enigmatheneum and discover whatever mysteries it holds. It's not a task to be undertaken lightly. But there's something, a strange compulsion, you've had ever since hearing about the place, that you just can't shake.
<c1>I just want to solve it. I need to know what it is. Why it's here.</c1>
The old man looks at you curiously and gives a small nod.
<c4>It's as good a reason as I've heard, and I've heard plenty. It sounds like you have an explorers soul.</c4>
<c1>You got that right.</c1>
The conversation pauses. It feels like an okay time to ask him more questions.
He said something strange about that tree being the way in. What did he mean by that?
[[What's with that tree and all the people in it?|tree e h]]
<font color=green><b>OR...</b</font>
He mentioned he was waiting for someone and you've noticed that he's not so much looking at the tree, as he is staring at someone in it.
[[So, who are you waiting for?|Henry takes in a deep sigh and looks up to the strange tree with the bodies.
<c4>My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there. She's been hangin' up there for over a month now. My sweet number twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures in the far up branches.
<c1>Wait, I don't understand. Why is she up there? What are those people doing?</c1>
<c4>That's the way in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself up, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree, like my Betsy.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
You realize that, even though you know why he's here, you have no idea what his name is.
[[Sorry, I forgot to ask, who are you?|all but h]]Henry takes in a deep sigh and looks up to the strange tree with the bodies.
<c4>My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there. She's been hangin' up there for over a month now. My sweet number twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures in the far up branches.
<c1>Wait, I don't understand. Why is she up there? What are those people doing?</c1>
<c4>That's the way in. At least, that's what they say. You strap yourself up, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building. I've only seen a few people ever come down from the tree. But they all say the same thing; it puts you into a new body, inside.</c4>
He turns to look at you seriously.
<c4>There are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree, like my Betsy.</c4>
You stare at it in amazement. If what he's saying is true, you're going to have to join these people if you want to get inside. It's either that or giving up and going home. You didn't come all this way to quit.
<c1>How does it work?</c1>
He shrugs.
<c4>It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, it's a crap shoot.</c4>
You sit for a while in the glow of the campfire, listening to it cackle. You could keep the conversation rolling, and say something, but he's told you what you need to do to get into the Enigmatheneum. You'd like to end the conversation, say your goodbyes, and head right [[for the tree|goodbye to tree]] or go look around other parts of the [[courtyard|goodbye to courtyard]].He nods at your question.
<c4>It's like I told you; that's the door in. You strap yourself in, like they are, and it supposedly transports your mind inside the building.It's got a panel, built into the trunk, with buttons. You can call a harness, get in, and off you go. The tree is pretty full and the panel's prone to short circuiting. I'd be careful. I know that the palindrome numbers work, so you're good with doubles, but other than those, you'll probably wind up with no-vacanacy.</c4>
He rubs his coffee pot with a rag, cleaning it out.
<c4>And remember, there are no people inside the Enigmatheneum. They're all right here, in the tree. You need anything else?</c4>
If you've got more questions you could [[keep chatting|MeetHenryWalker]].
<font color=green><b>OR..</b></font>
Say goodbye again and head back to [[the courtyard|courtyard1]].
<c4>This place? Nobody knows for sure. Like I told you, I know it's old. Much older than people give it credit for. I met a man once, who came here, who said his family had been searching for it for generations. The stories of its existence go back hundreds of years. But it couldn't have been. Those domes, around the castle, have buildings on them that look modern. Futuristic even. It doesn't make sense! This place is old, but maybe not because it's been here for a long time, but because time doesn't work the same for it.</c4>
He picks up his coffee cup and wipes it clean with a rag.
<c4>They say it holds secrets, and people come here, looking for answers, but most don't find any.</c4>
If you've got more questions you could [[keep chatting|MeetHenryWalker]].
<font color=green><b>OR..</b></font>
Say goodbye again and head back to [[the courtyard|courtyard1]].
He smiles with an expression of understanding.
<c4>I'm not great with names either. I've forgotten yours too! Anway, I'm Henry Walker. My granddaughter, Betsy, is up there in rig twenty-five. I'm waiting for her to come down.</c4>
He reaches out and squints, pointing at one of the figures in the far up branches.
<c4>She's that one, right there. Now, I know you're not good with names, but you promised that when you get in there, you'd tell her that I'm still out here and Auntie Cal is lookin' after Troy. Don't forget that.</c4>
You nod, again commiting it to memory.
If you've got more questions you could [[keep chatting|MeetHenryWalker]].
<font color=green><b>OR..</b></font>
Say goodbye again and head back to [[the courtyard|courtyard1]].
You met an old man at the base of the tree named Henry Walker. He's waiting for his granddaughter, Betsy, to return.
He asked that, if you see her, you deliver a message. He wants you to tell her that he's still out there waiting and Auntie Cal is looking after Troy.
<<back>>You put on the harnesss body firsrt. It's got buckles to adjust the size and you take your time making sure it's comfortable. After all, you have no idea how long you're going to be in this thing!
After that you put on the hand and feet bits, making sure they're snug. You can feel the needles up against your wrists and the backs of your heels, but they're not penetrating your skin.
There are three buttons to push.
[[UP|up right]]
[[DOWN|down wrong]]
[[ENGAGE|engage wrong]]The great metal tree squeals and you hear the turning of gears and groaning metal as you are lifted off your feet and swung up into the air.
You corkscrew up through the tree branches, only narrowly misssing hitting any of the other people in the tree and the ropes that hold them. The arm that's carrying you telescopes in and out as necessary to navigate you up to your position. It's like a carnival ride and your heart pounds as you rise up into the night.
Higher and higher you ascend until you're near the top tiers of the tree. The ground is far below your dangling feet. From this vantage you can see all four of the upper courtyards below. One is glowing with strange multi-colored crystals. Another has flickering blue holograms. The one in front of is lousy with hills and covered in signposts. Behind you, if you crane your neck, you see another dark court filled with strange, ebony, animal skeletons.
Way down beneath you it's possible to make out the figure of an old man watching you as he sits by his fading campfire. He waves.
It's time to go. You clench your jaw, set your resolve, and...
[[ENGAGE]]You press the <font color=red><b>DOWN</b></font> button.
The tree squeals and there is a metallic clang as the branch your harness is hanging from shudders. The mechanism tries to lower you further, but it's already in the lowest position.
Try another.
[[UP|up right]]
[[ENGAGE|engage wrong]]You press the <font color=orange><b>ENGAGE</b></font> button on your chest.
You're surprised by a loud, negative sounding, beep emerging from a speaker in the haness near your shoulder.
Clearly, it's not the right time to press this one.
[[UP|up right]]
[[DOWN|down wrong]]The speakers make a soft bell sound, three times, and, as you expected, all four needles plunge into your veins simultaneously.
The fluid that enters your system is ice cold and painful. You can't help but gasp and convulse as the freezing sensation extends up your legs and down your arms. You can feel it in your chest as it reaches your pounding heart.
You stop breathing when it does, holding your breath as the frigid wave rises up your neck to engulf your head. It feels like you've fallen into an arctic lake and sunk to the bottom.
But once the sensation has filled your whole body, the pain of it recedes. You shiver and your teeth chatter, but slowly, you feel yourself sinking. This cold that's embraced you is turning to ice, thick and heavy.
It feels like your body is turning into a stone, sinking in a dark ocean. The further you fall, the darker it gets. Your body relaxes. Your head drops. Your vision goes dim.
You decend into the darkness.
[[Chapter One]]