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Things have gotten a little heavy lately. That was the reason; it was all anyone should need to go for a hike. A hike is uncomplicated—uncomplicates—just movement and respiration, use of senses, of being in the world.
Thick as mud through these lean years and the bounty before, three friends, each very different but at once united, stand together before the brief dip and steady rise into the Rainlands.
“Nice day for it.”, one says to the other two, tipping fat droplets from their hat.
———
Welcome to A Hike Across the Rainlands!
This is a Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA) game about going on a hike. Rather than a roster of players that are expected to turn up on time, you are all participants, be it once only or often—that’s up to you. Every day or so I’ll post an update that ends with a few options. Together by voting and dropping fun ideas you decide what happens next. Think of it like being a voice or impulse inside the characters head.
It’s not my intention to go especially deep with this one, so any game mechanic I cook up will be explained in advance, but for now there is no rolling dice or moving parts. It’s just a story without a break peddle and a lot of hands on the wheel!
Let’s get to it!
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Who are our three friends?
Give me a name and a description of a character, as broad or as detailed as you please.
I will arbitrarily choose the finest three to become our protagonists.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6u7UZVOPKg
Posts
Entirely over prepared, or at least with a limitless supply of biscuits.
The town's communications expert is usually found writing long correspondence to officials far and wide. He promised his friends to take a break and enjoy nature, but carrier pigeons manage to find him wherever. They deliver instant distractions that just can't seem to wait for him to return. In his backpack: paper and quills and some letters to deliver.
Have a nice Sunday everyone!
Given to excited outbursts, but trying to be better. Perhaps a long walk away from the stresses of pixie society is just the thing to sooth her mind?
She was once the most important person around having developed a new method of manufacturing snibblets that revolutionized the industry. Lately though people don't like snibblets as much as they used to and she feels like she lost her way among the brahmins of high society.
So she set aside her power heels for a pair of good boots and just started walking. Every week it's a new place. Is she discovering something new? Or just running from her past?
A grey tailed fox. Always pushing themselves. Another mile, another night. Climbing Gear? Snowshoes? There's always a new challenge over the next hill and they intend to overcome it.
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
Thank you all for pitching in!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsJwQjWS48o
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Time to vote!
To vote, all you’ll need to do is post the corresponding letter—feel free to add any additional thoughts you’ve got on the story too. After a day I’ll count them up, and the option with the most votes will continue the narrative.
A. Go to Bonk Tor, famous rock formation just up the next hill, renowned for being the final resting place of a king, back when people had those for some reason.
B. Go look at a nearby stream that is forming in the rain; less famous, but still perfectly good.
C. Just, like, sit here a moment.
X. You tell me. Anyone can vote for your idea, but to do so they’ll have to quote it!
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
You don't start a perfectly good hike by stopping.
Got to burn off some energy first, and then maybe look at things.
Also, omg your depiction of Lily is even better than my imagination, bravo!
Maybe visiting a famous grave brings good luck.
with A Peaceful Time Endless Serpents got me hooked on Kiltro, looking forward to discovering some new musical favorites here
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY8V8gU5cnc
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First, before we vote; each of you tell me one fact about the ancient king. All will be true.
Next, throw me a vote!
A. Walk around the Tor three times.
B. Boggles should pee off it.
C. Look for clues about the king… like, shouldn’t their be writing on the rock or a grave shape in the earth?
D. Press on down the hill and have a chat about life.
X. Think of something else.
When given the opportunity to pee off something, take it.
Everyone has to go up
And then, biscuits
To see what happens.
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
--
X
Everyone has to go up
And then, biscuits
The King can not be seen directly, you can only see the king in your peripheral vision, or at great distance, or at night.
Just King things..
They say when he held council, he would wear a mask, and his most trusted advisor was responsible for discretely waking him when a matter actually required his attention.
Most matters being sorted by his various officials instead.
but!
is better
P.S.> Love the soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilw4v__YT-U&list=RDGMEMYH9CUrFO7CfLJpaD7UR85wVMilw4v__YT-U&start_radio=1
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Biscuits eaten on the hike so far:
Boggles — 2
Stamps — 1
Lily — 1
———
Where should the trio steer this rock towards?
A. The Pine Bundle: A sleek, zero calorie forest of just three evergreen trees.
B. The Way Shack. A tiny shack made of local wood, built for nobody in particular.
C. Lake Smudge. An embarrassed cartographer dug this lake after mistakingly following a map that said there was a lake there
X. You tell me!
Lets try to skip this stone!
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
Artist depiction:
Or barring that
A: Lone Pine
Despite our protagonists feeling of agency, the laws of gravity and velocity proof unbending. The rock slides straight down and comes to a halt in a muddy pool in a meadow further down hill.
Also, I realize I couldn't read and didn't see you requested a fact about the king. So in case the king come up again, here it is:
He was known for a moment in a great battle when he was demonstrating his great strength how far he could skip a stone. Legend has it that it skipped around the lake and back again promising a great victory in battle!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KpNEPwACYK4&list=RDEMdjrNPbEAfA2RxQCPmDVbHA&index=11
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc-pIH0CBxM
Chuft (the pixie), then goes on to say:
“The thing is, over by the ______, there is a big scary _____ guarding a _____, which I need because ______! So if you three could just ______?”
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Today’s vote is in two parts.
First, fill in the gaps in Chuft’s description.
Second:
A. Yeah, let’s do it!
B. Absolutely not. We’re hiking. (Say where; just make it up!)
The winning description will be decided by a dice roll using Geth, our impartial robot comrade, so don’t worry about impressing me, tailor it to your tastes.
B! Absolutely not. We're hiking to lake Toolatoe.
solitary pine
Avatar of the Lord of Snacking
slice of coronation cake
I'm on my way to the coronation of the New Lady of Winter
Distract the avatar, for just a minute...
Vote: A! Chuft is, as she said, notably trustworthy.
So if you three could just move out of the way?
B. Absolutely not. We’re hiking swimming here