Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
The rain storm came out of nowhere, catching you completely unprepared. What do you do?
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Instuctions:
Alright, so here's the low down on how this is gonna work. I'm going to give you a somewhat standard choose your own adventure type opening, and a handful of choices for what happens next. As part of a comment, tell me which choice you would like the character to take. The choice that gets the most votes is the one that will be taken! I'll set an arbitrary limit of only tallying votes until noon on the day after posting, so get your votes in quick! Each successive "page" will have its own choices for what you can do next, and the voting will start over, again, closing at noon the following day, though I might extend the time by as much as a day if less than ten total votes have come in. Also, this story is going to be MtF, at least to start with, a fact that I felt needed mentioning primarily because the entire thing will be written in the second person.
Sound interesting? Alright, let's do this!
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Pickles
Page 1
The rain storm came out of nowhere, catching you completely unprepared. What had started as a simple walk to the supermarket has now transformed into a miserable trudge through perilous streets that oddly seem completely unfamiliar to you.
A nearby building with a convenient awning provides you with a much needed respite from the storm. After about ten more minutes of torrential downpour, it finally lets up. Unfortunately, it's replaced by a thick haze.
There you stand: soaked, tired and far from home. What do you do?
---Examine the store front
---Sit against the wall, waiting for the haze to dissipate
---Head out into the haze
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The voting begins... NOW! ("page 1" posted on 1/17/2011, voting set to close at noon on 1/18/2011)
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 2
"You head out into the haze..."
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If anyone is new to this and doesn't know how it works, well, go back and read the first one! An Adventurer Is You!
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---Into The Haze
You hesitate, unsure if it is such a smart idea to walk into the fog when you are already lost. In the end, your damp clothes and soggy shoes decide for you, and you head down the street in the same direction you had been going, hoping to find a familiar landmark.
Unfortunately, it is not long before the fog closes in about you -- thicker and seemingly more sinister than before. Remembering the old adage, "a fog so thick you can't see your hand in front of your face," you raise your hand about a foot in front of you. You can see it, but only barely.
Suddenly, a booming voice echoes out, "Hail, adventurer!" and the fog before you begins to glow.
What do you do?
---Answer the voice
---Flee, back the way you came!
---Find something to hide behind
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The voting begins... NOW! ("page 2" posted on 1/18/2011, voting set to close at noon on 1/19/2011)
EDIT: It should be noted that this is noon central standard time. So if you don't live in Arkansas or the general area of the Louisiana Purchase, then this probably ain't the right time for you.
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 3
"You answer the voice..."
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Again, if you don't know how this works, check out the first entry and catch up from there!
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"Uh... hail?" you call out nervously.
As the haze before you starts to part, a tall figure appears, clad in a long coarse robe and carrying a lantern. A toothy grin appears on his scarred and bearded face. "Ho there, fellow-me-lad, are you ready?"
"For what?"
His grin grows wider. "Well, for the adventure of course!"
Not seeing much choice, you shrug your shoulders.
"Then follow me," the man says, turning to your left and heading down a path that has mysteriously appeared through the haze. After what could not be more than five minutes, he turns to you and hands you a bag. "Fare thee well!" he calls, then disappears, his lantern resting on the ground where he had once stood.
You heft the bag, and it jingles as you bounce it in your hand. Looking around yourself, you find that you are in a small cobbled plaza. There is an exit to what you will arbitrarily dub the north, and three doors leading into various shops.
What do you do?
---Enter the shop called "McGrue's Adventuring Paraphernalia"
---Enter the shop called "B&B Blacksmith's"
---Enter the shop called "Arwen's Magical Emporium"
---Head north looking for answers
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The voting begins... NOW! ("Page 3) posted on 1/19/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/20/2011)
NOTES: It was mentioned on my blog entry that some people would have liked to have known ahead of time that the first three or so choices would decide the overall "genre" of the story. I apologize for not making that clearer, and I will do my best to correct that in the future if there are any such major decisions to be made by letting you know ahead of time. The exception to this, of course, will be the method of your change. It is coming soon, but how? Though you'll decide, you'll never know when! HAHAHAHA, MINE IS AN EVIL LAUGH!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 4
"You enter McGrue's Adventuring Paraphernalia..."
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A quick rifle through the bag in your hands reveals a quantity of large, awkward coins. What could these be for? You briefly consider using the bag to brain the next person you meet on the off chance that this is all some horrid prank perpetrated by an unknown party, but instead decide to use the coinage in a much less creative way.
Looking at the shops around you, one in particular catches your eye. A large white house with a badly scrawled sign reading "McGrue's Adventuring Paraphernalia," there is something about it that calls to your pocketbook.
The door is boarded up, but it bears a sign as well: "Door broken -- use window," and a large red arrow pointing to the window directly next to it. You shrug, and climb through the window. Perhaps your pocketbook was wrong after all.
Inside you find a robed figure standing behind a large table and eating a sandwich. "G'day," he says, in a gravelly voice. "Welcome to McGrue's, what can I do you for?"
"Adventuring paraphernalia?" You ask.
"Right ho. Take a look around," he says, then goes back to his sandwich.
Looking around, you find a number of interesting items, from climbing gear to clothes, wooden crates, knapsacks, and numerous other goods too varied to mention. In the end, though, three items in particular interest you more than any others.
The figure seems to track the direction of your gaze, and begins to cackle. "Got a taste for the finer things in life, eh?"
"What are they?"
He gestures to a belt-like object made from an ornate silver material. "That's a girdle I bought off some daft fellow named Minsc. Wouldn't stop yabbering to his damn rodent, but he seemed a decent sort. Supposed to be magical, don't know what it does, though."
Next, he turns to a floppy looking green felt hat, sitting haphazardly atop a pile of books. "Dunno much about that. It's magical too, though. I nabbed it from Arwen's one day when she weren't looking, I did." He cackles. "Right off the top of some snot nosed brat's head, too!"
Finally, he turns to the last object that you seem drawn to, a crystal flask filled with a glowing white liquid. "And that's what we in the bis'nis call a 'Charm Potion.' Supposed to make you so attractive won't no one be able to resist." He nudges you in the ribs painfully, and you watch one of the milky orbs beneath his hood disappear briefly in what could only be a wink.
"So, what will it be?"
Feeling that by now it would be far more dangerous to buy nothing, you study the objects carefully.
What do you do?
---Buy the belt... err, girdle, that is.
---Buy the hat. What could go wrong with a hat?
---Buy the Charm Potion. Bring on the hotties!
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 4" posted on 1/20/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/21/2011)
NOTES: Alright, by this point anyone with an interest in RPGs, adventure games, or, well, any combination of the two, will see where this is going. And if you do, then please, don't spoil the surprise for everyone else!
It's pretty obvious that the choices taken have lead to an outcome of "Fantasy Adventure," no? So, I hope everyone's fine with that. I'm not planning these things out more than a handful of moves in advance, either, so like with my more normal stories, while I know the general plot of what's possible, a lot of this will be as much an adventure for me as for you!
Also, if anyone has suggestions on ways I can improve the "game," let me know. I'm getting a much better response than I had expected, and, well, if I'm getting user response anyhow, I might as well know what they want to begin with! So, if you feel up to it, in addition to your votes, let me know what you think of things so far, what works, what needs changed, and what you'd like in the future!
Melanie E.
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 5
"Buy the belt... err, girdle, that is."
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The decision is tough, but after mulling over what to do you finally decide on the belt. Girdle. Whatever.
"How much for the girdle-thingy?"
The vaguely humanoid figure in the tattered robe looks you up and down before raising what you desperately hope is a hand and pointing at the bag in your hand. "How much ya got?"
"Dunno."
"Half that."
You start to object, even in your vulnerable position knowing a scam when you see one, but before you can so much as mutter "fiddlesticks" the bag is snatched from your hands and emptied on the table. The figure cackles gleefully before shoveling what is quite obviously less than half of the coins back into the sack along with the remainder of his sandwich.
"Here's yer money, and yer girly belt," he says, handing you both, then spinning you around. "Now, off you go, much to do."
"Hey!" You call, but it is too late, as you tumble out the window to the grass below.
Picking up your much reduced bag of coins (and sandwich) as well as your newly acquired girly-belt -- sorry, girdle -- you make a bee line for the lamp that still rests in the center of the plaza. Both the blacksmith's shop and Arwen's now have "closed" signs hanging in their doors, leaving you little choice but to head arbitrary-north. You grab the lantern on your way, never knowing when the light could come in handy.
After about half an hour of walking, during which you run through every possible scenario and still find no logical conclusion to how a simple trip to pick up some jujubees could have morphed into a magical quest, you come across an intersection in the road, complete with an all too convenient signpost. You read the choices, and after adjusting your internal compass to compensate for learning you've actually been heading south, lean against a nearby tree as you think.
What do you do?
---Turn East, toward the Village Of Villagers
---Turn West, entering the Woods of Adventuresome Adventuring And Squirrels
---Continue South, into the Swamp of Icky But Actually Quite Harmless Things
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 4" posted on 1/21/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/22/2011)
NOTES: Yes, the adventure is taking a decided turn for the silly, but it's all in good fun, so hopefully no one minds.
What does the girdle do? What's going on? What kind of sandwich did the thing leave to mold among your coinage? Vote, and ye shall discover!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 6
"West, into the Forest of Adventuresome Adventuring! And Squirrels!"
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After much deliberation, followed by a quick round of "Eenie Meanie Miney Moe," the Forest is your choice. The sign reads "The Forest of Adventuresome Adventuring," but looking more closely you see the words "And Squirrels" carved into the wood in short gashes beneath the original legend.
Deciding there's no better time than now to get it over with, you walk determinedly down the path and soon find yourself surrounded by trees that gradually grow thicker around you. Within minutes the boughs above your head are so thick they block out almost the entire sky, and you are glad you thought to bring the lantern as you begin to hear chittering spreading through the trees.
The chittering grows louder as you hear a crashing sound coming through the forest. With a horrendous cacophony of bangs, grunts, and howls, a large grey creature with a deformed face leaps out of the trees and into your path, squirrels tumbling down with him.
"Me hungry!" The creature bellows, glaring at you with wicked green eyes. "Smell food, want food!" The squirrels around him jump about and chatter, almost as though they share his voice.
You freeze in place, stunned by the appearance of what could only be a troll staring you down.
What do you do?
---Bean him in the head with the bag of coins
---Flee in terror, back from whence ye came
---Carefully reach into your bag and offer him the sandwich
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 6" posted on 1/22/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/23/2011)
NOTES: Alright! *Fight theme from Final Fantasy starts to play*
This is officially the last safe page, folks. That's not to say that every page after this is going to have a choice that will result in the demise of your character, but it will be possible on occasion or if a specific set of no more than two or three actions are taken in a row. Will I let it be known what choices will lead to death? Absolutely not!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 7
"You reach into your bag and offer the troll the sandwich..."
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You squeeze your eyes tightly shut as the troll approaches you amid his cloud of squirrels, and in desperation reach for your bag of coins. Is it still there? Yes! You pull out the sandwich, all the mushier and grimy for being shoved among the coins, and offer it to what you hope is the general direction of the troll.
"Hrmm? Sand... wich? SANDWICH!" You feel the sandwich slip out of your hand, a greasy residue all that remains of its presence.
You hear a strange gurgling sound, then the troll's pounding footsteps approaching you again. This is it. The sandwich was nothing but an appetizer, and now you are to be the main course. You feel a large, rough hand rest on your shoulder...
"Here," you hear the troll say, then poke you with his free hand. Opening your eyes, you see a crimson felt robe clutched in his hand and being held out to you. "Sandwich for this. Go with girly belt."
"Uhh, thanks," you say, reaching out to take the robe. He drops it in your hands, then turns to head back into the woods.
"Squirrels like you. Trog like too. Trog help." With that, he pushes his way into the trees and disappears.
The robe is warm to the touch, and smells surprisingly fresh for something that came from the inventory of a smelly squirrel-infested troll. It is also dry, providing it with a distinct advantage over your soaked clothes. Judging that it is doubtful to make your situation any worse, you strip off the outer layer of your clothes and put on the robe instead.
The robe is comfortable, and fits well save for a complete lack of a way to close it. Remembering the troll's words, you pull out your girdle and with a nervous gulp latch it around your waist, pulling the robe closed.
At fist, nothing happens, leaving you to assume that McGrue must have been mistaken in assuming the girdle was magical.
Unfortunately, you assume wrong. With a gut wrenching twist, you feel yourself grow suddenly nauseous as your skin begins to crawl. You fall to your hands and knees, but they're not your hands any more.
As long, dark hair starts to fall before your eyes, you pass out.
What do you do?
---Awaken by the side of the path that night
---Awaken in the back of a cart.
---Awaken in shackles, thrown across a horse.
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 7" posted on 1/23/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/24/2011)
NOTES: This is a bit of a different type of choice from your normal everyday "What do you do?" in that instead of choosing your character's action directly, you get to choose what happens to them! I think we all know what the girdle did, so choose carefully which path our reluctant hero shall take!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 8
"You wake up late that night on the side of the road..."
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At first the feeling is little more than a tickle at the back of your mind, but as your consciousness returns you begin to open your eyes. The darkness surrounding you is shocking, and helps to pull you quickly out of your drowsy state, after which it takes you only a few moments to relocate the lantern. Your bag of coins, on the other hand, is completely gone.
Still stumbling slightly and unsure about what has happened to you, you begin your trek down the road, not knowing which direction you are heading and more than a little disoriented by your surroundings. The crimson robe you are wearing is a comfortable fit, at least, if it seems to hand strangely in some parts and rub you in odd ways in others.
After about an hour more walking, nature begins to call. With some difficulty you locate a stand of convenient bushes by the side of the road and make for them, trying to work out the robe as you go.
That's when you scream.
What do you do?
---Hastily examine yourself.
---sit down and think about what's happening.
---Scream some more.
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 8" posted on 1/25/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/26/2011)
NOTES: Thanks for putting up with the one day delay on this one, mah peeps. Yesterday was HEC-TIC, but at least I got some things done. On a related note, if you haven't seen The Green Hornet yet, I highly recommend it.
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 9
User Created Choice: All Of The Above
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You scream some more.
Wildly, you begin examining the rest of your body. Legs, arms, hands, feet. That's not supposed to be there.
You scream again.
And a little more, just for good measure.
Exhausted from screaming you collapse to the ground, only to find that at some point your bladder let loose without letting the rest of you know. Just great. You're stuck in the middle of an unfamiliar land with no idea what's going on. You've lost your clothes, you have no money, and you're a girl.
And you've peed yourself, though that seems of little consequence at this point.
Just when you think things can't get any worse, you hear the sound of squeaky wheels rolling their way down the road.
What do you do?
---Hide, and watch who's coming down the road.
---Try to catch their attention and ask for a ride.
---Detour into the woods.
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 9" posted on 1/26/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/27/2011)
NOTES: You asked, and you shall receive. Even though doing all three choices had not occurred to me (silly me) it was, in fact, the most logical action, or at least the most realistic. Here you are.
So, what does everyone think so far? Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Let me know!
Melanie E.
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 10
"You hide, and watch to see who's coming..."
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You stand up as carefully as possible, not wanting to make any bigger a mess than necessary, and are surprised to find your body and robe completely dry despite your recent accident. Deciding that is an issue that can be resolved later, you scuttle behind the bushes and crouch down, watching the road to see who -- or what -- is heading your way.
It is almost fifteen minutes before a cart finally rolls into view, dragged behind two ancient mares. Sitting atop it is a young woman with raven black hair and a bow across her back, while drifting from the inside of the cart you can smell the tantalizing aroma of apples. It is then you realize that you have not eaten in many hours, your jujubees long forgotten, and your stomach starts to rumble in protest.
Starting at the sound of your mutinous digestive track, the woman draws the bow from her back and aims it into the bushes where you stand.
"Out, thief! Show yourself!" The woman says in a voice with a strange accent.
Not wanting to get shot, you do as you have been ordered and step out, holding your hands up for good measure. Seeing you are unarmed, the woman lowers her bow and instead shoots you with a disgusted look. "What kind of lady hides in the bushes at night? And so poorly at that?"
"Uh, well..." Not knowing what to say, you shrug your shoulders. Then a thought comes to you. "How did you know where I was? Was it my stomach?"
She shakes her head. "No, it was the lantern you left burning casting your shadow upon the road."
You look behind you, and see the lantern burning brightly behind the bush. "Oh," you say, embarrassed.
When you turn back to her, she is now looking at you in pity. "Do you need a ride, friend?" She asks, holding out her hand to you.
What do you do?
---Accept the ride
---Decline the ride
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 10" posted on 1/27/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/28/2011)
NOTES: Sorry I was late getting pages posted both today and yesterday. Yesterday the internet was out from noon to two thirty in the afternoon, a scary occurrence since it died right when I was trying to post the previous page. Luckily everything was okay. Today I was just T-Y-A-R-D Tired and had to take a nap. But, it's over now, so here's the new page!
Melanie E.
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 12
"You tell the cart-woman your tale..."
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You're not sure why you trust this woman, but it is only a few moments before you find yourself spilling your entire tale for her in rapid spurts of speech punctuated by tears, surprising even yourself. At first she seems reluctant to believe you, but as your story goes on her eyes grow wider and wider, until when you mention putting on the girly-belt girdle thing, and waking up a woman.
"What!" She yells, pulling her horses to a stop. "The girdle did that?"
"I dunno, the girdle, the robe, one of them did I'm sure of it! Why?"
A smile starts to cross her face. "Oh, yes, we must get you to the castle as soon as possible."
"What? Why?" You ask nervously.
"Because if what you're saying is true, then the prophecy's fulfillment has begun!"
Now you are really getting worried. "What prophecy? I'm not sure I like this."
"Don't worry, Mage Fortran and Lady Perl can tell you more. Ow, what a grand day it is!"
What do you do?
---Ride with her to the castle to see what's happening
---Claim a need for the necessity and make a break for it
---Pretend you made it all up
---Bean her in the head and take her cart
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 12" posted on 1/29/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/30/2011)
NOTES: Not much to say right now. It's getting interesting, no? CHOOSE WISELY.
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 13
"You go with her to the castle..."
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After many more horrible computer language and OS puns, you finally manage to uncover the basics of what the prophecy entails.
1. There's an evil mage (isn't there always?) who wants to take over the kingdom.
2. He controls lots of baddies.
3. For some strange reason unbeknownst to you but apparently knownst to everyone else around you, you are the only person who is capable of stopping him, of course.
3. If you can beat him, the royal family will show you how to break the spell that has turned you to into a woman, and show you your way home. Blackmailing bastards.
With little fanfare, you are summarily marched to the armory, where a grizzled old soldier with one good eye and a beard that could hide a small pony grins at you lecherously.
"Aye, you is a pretty little one, ain'cha pet? I's been told to outfit ya fer fightin', but I reckon I'd like ye's better wifout the outfit," he says, cackling crudely. "What'll it be?"
Somehow, you feel like you've been in this situation before as you look at the rack of weapons before you while trying to ignore the feeling of his eye crawling over your backside.
---Take the shiny sword, perfect for slicing and dicing.
---Take the magician's staff and book. Might as well, you've got the robes.
---Take the mighty axe. Chop chop!
---Take the bow and quiver of arrows. Don't put an eye out.
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 13" posted on 2/1/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 2/2/2011)
NOTES: Yes, I know, I'm two days late posting. I didn't feel like writing on Sunday, and Monday I couldn't get my brain in gear for any more of the computer puns that I had trapped myself into needing. I still didn't feel like them today, hence the cop-out in the first few lines.
Things will pick up, I promise.
Melanie E.
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 14
"You take the staff and book of spells..."
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You don't know how to use a sword, and the last time you used an axe you nearly lost a toe. You spend some time considering the bow, but a glance down at your chest causes you to cringe. Not large, maybe, but still in the way.
All that's left is wooden staff carved with an intricate scrolling design and a book. You always thought magic would be cool to try, so you take the staff and book.
Turning around, the gnarled old man leers at you again. "Ye's think a slip of a gel like ye can handle 'at?"
You give the staff an experimental swing through the air, and unexpectedly an arc of rainbow light appears and throws the lecherous old man into the air, where with a 'pop' he transforms into a box turtle.
You hear clapping from your left, and spin to see the girl who gave you your ride standing there with a smile on her face. "He's been needing that for a while now. A little time as a turtle will do him some good."
"Uhm, okay?" You say, looking down at her chainmail armor, a sword and shield hung across her back. She had not been wearing them when she had delivered the apples.
Glancing down and catching on to what you are looking at, she laughs. "I'm Lisa, and I'll be joining you, if you'll let me."
"Why would I need an apple delivery girl?" You ask, confused.
"Because I'm not just a delivery girl, I'm a Knight. With the Mage's forces about, leaving deliveries to untrained merchants and drivers often results in those deliveries not being made. Nevertheless, we try to keep our presence hidden when possible."
You nod your understanding.
What do you do?
---Accept Lisa's offer to join you.
---Decline her offer, and go on your own.
---Decline her offer, and seek another partner.
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 1" posted on 2/2/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 2/3/2011)
NOTES: Sorry, I just had to sneak a couple more (quite obscure) computer puns into the mix. Anyone catch them? (Hints: one is a very obscure reference to a programming language, the other is a much more obvious reference to a computer from the early '80s...)
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 15
"You and Lisa set out together..."
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There is really no question in your mind, and you readily agree to her joining you. After all, she is far more likely to know where to go than you are anyhow.
"Right, then. We have horses waiting for us, come on!"
You follow her down to the stables, where there are two fully loaded riding horses already prepared. It has been years since you last rode a horse, and never as a girl to be sure, but you do your best to keep that from being too obvious as you awkwardly mount your ride and adjust your robe about you.
"So, where to?" You ask, leaving the directions up to your new partner in adventure.
"The other knights told me that there had been reports of the mage's forces raiding villages out past the Swamp of Icky But Actually Quite Harmless Things, so I thought we should check that out. On the other hand, the king and queen have asked me to seek help from the gnome tribes -- that's in a different direction."
"And you need to practice your chosen profession," the good wizard Fortran says, stepping out from around the stable doors. "The best place to do that is to the north, in the Dark Keep."
"Whatever you decide is best," Lisa says, with a smile.
What do you do?
---South, to the villages on the other side of the swamps
---West, to the gnome tribes
---North, to the Dark Keep
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Voting begins... NOW!
NOTES: Sorry this one is up so late! I know, I know, I suck... anyhow, I'll leave this one up until 6pm CST before closing voting to make up for it, so you've got time!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 16
"You head north, to the Dark Keep..."
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"I really do need to learn how to use this thing," you say, waving the staff. Everyone around you dives for cover just as a bolt of lightning surges forward, lighting a bale of hay on fire. "Oops."
Fortran stands up, eyeing you cautiously as he dusts off his robes. "I agree. You are far more dangerous to your companions right now than you would be to any foe."
Lisa stands as well, patting out a small fire in the hay around her. "So north it is then. I hope you know what you are telling us to do, old man." She says, glaring at Fortran.
"I'm certain it will be alright. None of my apprentices have died while studying there in well over a hundred years."
"What about Mac?"
"Oh, he didn't die... really. He's still about somewhere. I think."
"Yeah, sure." Lisa rubs her temples for a moment, obviously upset by the conversation. "Maybe north is best. It will give us a chance to look for him."
Fortran nods, and leaves the two of you to prepare to leave. Soon you are ready to go, and set out on your adventure. It is a long, hard road to the Dark Keep, and there is little time to waste, though something to occupy your time on the ride might be good.
What do you do?
---Study your book of magic.
---Ask Lisa about who "Mac" is.
---Start singing to yourself. (SPECIAL: If you choose this, pick a song as well. I'll either pick my favorite of the ones recommended, or if there is one that has multiple votes I'll use the one with the most votes.)
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Voting begins... NOW!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 17
"You study the book of magic..."
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At first reading while riding a horse is quite difficult, the bouncing and jarring making the text dance before your eyes. Luckily, one of the earliest spells in the book allows you to set the tome afloat before you, greatly reducing the strain.
"You seem to be picking up the magic arts quite quickly," a smiling Lisa says from her horse beside you. "You have a natural talent."
"Well, it's not like where I come from I'd have much chance to find out."
"Why not?"
"We don't have magic where I come from."
Lisa laughs, a ringing sound. "Of course you do! How do you think you managed to come here?"
You ponder this as the Dark Keep rises into view, a cancerous mass growing upon the perfect rolling hills of...
"Where are we?"
Lisa sweeps her arms around her. "A belated welcome to the land... of Highwind."
A cavern lies between you and the Keep, a place you are no longer so sure you wish to access.
What do you do?
---Take the decrepit bridge.
---Travel down, into the cavern, and hope to climb out the other side.
---Use your magic to find a way.
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Voting begins... NOW!
NOTES: Okay, as ya'll can probably tell, I'm more concerned with making this a fun, interactive adventure than an absolutely true to form Choose Your Own Adventure. I hope that's okay with everyone?
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 18
"You use your magic to find a way..."
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"No time like the present," you mumble to yourself, eying the staff and book. You riffle through the pages until you come across a likely looking spell, and begin to chant the words as you wave your magic staff toward the paths ahead of you.
"Agadoo, agadoo, canadian bacon, find the path that must be taken!"
Your staff begins to glow as it shoots from your hand.
"Those weren't the right words," Lisa says as she pull up next to you.
"They seem to have done the trick, though," yo say as your staff starts tapping all the timbers in the bridge, sending many tumbling down into the canyon, and then follows them down, disappearing for a few seconds before returning to you. When you grab it, it begins to pull you along the edge of the canyon.
After many minutes you come across a downed log spanning the two precipices, considerably sturdier looking than the bridge. Again your staff flies away and begins tapping on the wood. Giving what you can only call a satisfied shake, it returns to you and stops glowing.
"Good staff," you tell it, then begin to blush after realizing what you just did.
The log is treacherous, but you and Lisa both make it across intact. Once on the other side, however, the roots that had held the log in place for so long give out shortly after you step off, sending your only means back into the inky blackness below.
"Welp, looks like its nothing but forward from here," Lisa says with a grimace.
You groan as you look ahead. Suddenly realize there is more to testing your magic abilities than what you will face in the Keep -- reaching the keep is a test in itself.
Before you lie three roads, each clearly labeled with a sign leading into the trees. What do you do?
---Take "The Path Of The Scholar"
---Take "The Path Of The Wanderer"
---Take "The Path Of The Innovator"
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Voting begins... NOW!
NOTES: Apologies for it being so late in the day, and a day late. I slept pretty much from the time I got off work to the time I went to work again yesterday, and I had check cashing/shopping/etc. to do today as well. Enjoy!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 19
"You take the Path of the Innovator..."
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"What the hell," you say to yourself as you start down the Path of the Innovator.
The path through the trees is largely clear, the grass growing in the trail and an occasional downed limb the only signs of the path's long disuse. After some minutes, you come upon a clearing. In the center sits a large dragon, its scales the color of melted butter with long, beautiful orange wings wrapped about itself. It appears to be sleeping, its snores occasionally sending small dust devils capering across the ground.
"Let's go around it. Quietly," Lisa says, dismounting and stepping around the edge of the clearing.
"It won't be quietly enough," the dragon says, opening one large eyelid to reveal the glowing golden orb beneath. You watch in awe as the dragon unfolds itself, seeming to grow larger before your eyes as it stretches up and out. "Who do you be?" it asks, in a matronly voice that reverberates off the trees around you.
Lisa steps forward, between you and the dragon. "I am Lisa, a knight of the kingdom, and this is my charge. Who are you?"
The dragon snorts, nearly blowing you out of your saddle, but Lisa stands firm. "I am the great dragon Aribeth, guardian of the Keep of Knowledge. Are you the one who has chosen the Path of the Innovator? Or was it this 'charge' you speak of?"
Knowing what to do, you climb awkwardly down from your horse and step around Lisa to face the dragon yourself. "I am the one who takes the path."
Aribeth gives you what you can only describe as a reptilian smile. "Ah, so it speaks after all. Welcome, then, to the first challenge of the Innovator." She settles back on her haunches and looks at you eagerly. "Tell me a joke."
You shrug. "Two guys walk into a bar..."
"No no no!" Aribeth says, whipping her tail through the air over your heads. "I've already heard that one."
"But I didn't even get to the actual joke!"
"Well, I've heard them all. And I won't let you pass until you have told me a joke I have never heard before."
Lisa gives you an exasperated look. "Do we really have to do this?"
"I think so," you say, as you look down the path you came in on and watch the trees crowd inward, obliterating the trail.
What do you do?
---Alright, this time things are going to work a little bit differently. I want everyone to post the most original joke they can think of. Tomorrow, I will sort through the responses and choose the one I think is best, and that will be your answer to the dragon's challenge!
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Voting, err, joking, begins... NOW!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 20
"You tell Aribeth a joke..."
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You think. And think. What type of joke should you tell the dragon? A lot of jokes from your own home might not work, since they don't have the same technology here. What do dragons find funny? There's only one way to tell.
"Lisa?"
"Yes?" She asks, turning to you.
"Knock knock."
Both Lisa and Aribeth roll their eyes. "Who's there," they ask in unison.
"Pie."
"Pie who?" Lisa asks, now curious.
"Pie you!" You say as you manifest a cream pie and go to push it into her face. Unfortunately for you, her knightly training kicks in and you soon find yourself flat on your back and blinded by surprisingly tasty lemon cream.
"Oops," you hear Lisa say.
There is no other sound for a few tense seconds. Then, you hear a reptilian snort, followed by a chuckle. Soon, the entire ground is shaking as Aribeth rolls about laughing.
The cream is surprisingly easy to clean off, leaving no trace, and you and Lisa watch as Aribeth continues to laugh uncontrollably. Eventually she calms down, and looks at you with a new respect.
"That was quite entertaining. I shall let you pass. Do stop by again if you make it out of the keep, my dears."
She steps aside, revealing another path through the trees behind her. Not long after, you finally reach the keep.
The tall, weathered stone walls before you seem to whisper in hushed tones to one another of the secrets within. A gigantic set of double doors made of fossilized wood sit before you, with a horrendous carving of a gargoyle to one side and a manticore on the other.
"Who goes there?" asks the gargoyle as you approach.
"Yes, who disturbs us?" the manticore asks as well. Both turn to stare at you as you approach.
What do you do?
---Make up a name. (If you choose this option, pick a name for the character as well. The one most recommended I'll use.)
---Skip your name, but tell them your goal to defeat the evil Mage.
---Ignore them and try the door.
---Look around for another way in.
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Voting begins... NOW!
NOTES: Sorry this is a few days late. I know, I know, I suck. I've been busy, alright? :P I'm probably going to try and give you players a few more customizable options from here on out since, this being an ONLINE interactive story, I don't exactly have to worry about predicting what you choose, now do I? I think it's going to be fun.
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 21
"You tell the creatures of your goal to defeat the evil mage..."
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"Who I am doesn't matter. I'm here so that I can defeat the evil mage and go home."
"Go home? Ah, so you are a traveler of the planes then," the gargoyle says, looking at your belt with a stony expression. "And a changeling to boot."
The manticore glances at him askance. "Don't be so igneous, of course she's a changeling. She would have to be if she is the one chosen to defeat him."
The gargoyle nods. "But of course. You may pass, and enter the keep." The two creatures step to each side, allowing you free access to the iron doors behind them.
"But be warned," the manticore says, nudging you as you pass. "The keep is a dangeous place. Training here is no small matter."
You nod, and enter the doors.
Once inside, your eyes quickly adjust to the muted glow of the magical torches around you. The bluish light reveals three exits: a stairwell leading down, into what you assume is either a dungeon or a cellar; a stairwell up, leading to the second floor of the keep; and a brass door leading into a room with a label near the door reading "stores."
What do you do?
---Go upstairs.
---Go downstairs.
---Check out the store room.
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Voting begins... NOW!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 22
"You enter the store room..."
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Deciding that it might be wise to make sure you are well prepared for whatever might happen ahead, you cautiously enter the store room. Inside you find a small, semi-circular room filled with crates and chests, each clearly labeled and illuminated by a glowing orb of magic light dangling from the ceiling. Many of the boxes have been pried open already and are devoid of contents, but the few that are still sealed all seem in good repair. Checking over yourself, you are dismayed to realize you have very little room in your pack for additional items, and decide that, combined with the fact that the evil wizard is probably committing more evil deeds even as you train to defeat him, you only have time to look through three of the available boxes before moving on.
What do you do?
Pick three:
--Open the box marked "magic potions"
--Open the box marked "Powerful but possibly cursed potions"
--Open the box marked "small furry woodland creatures"
--Open the box marked "miscellaneous armor and clothing"
--Open the box marked "Half-charged magic wands"
--Open the box marked "talking skulls and other familiars"
--Open the box marked "Rare spellcasting components"
--Open the box marked "weaponry for minions"
--Open the box marked "Magic reversal charms"
--Open the box marked "Holy artifacts and books"
--Open the box marked "Gold, lots and lots of gold"
--Open the box marked "Transgrandular Conflubulators"
Then, pick one:
--Take the stairs down (entrance)
--Take the stairs up (entrance)
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Voting begins... NOW!
NOTES: As I've said before, I'm gonna take advantage of the fact that I'm not reliant on the limitations of a book format to give you choices you wouldn't have in a normal CYOA. If this is too much, though, let me know, and we can limit back down.
Sorry I've been taking a day off between chapters, I've been trying to give the story time to garner more possible votes for choices. Unfortunately, it hasn't really been working, so I'll just say -- if you read this, comment with choices!! This is one story where EVERY COMMENT potentially changes the entire direction for the story. The hits tell me that at least twice as many people read the story as comment on it, so there should be at least half again as many comments as it gets. Come on, people, it's an interactive adventure! Be interactive!
Melanie E.
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 23
"You search the boxes in the storehouse..."
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After as much deliberation as you feel you can spare, you start out by opening the box of magic potions. Most of the slots within are empty, filled with nothing but shards of broken vials, or their contents have long since evaporated. However, a single, gleaming potion remains in perfect condition, conveniently smack dab in the middle of the box. Its label has long since faded away, but the ruby liquid within glows softly as you lift the vial from its straw bedding and carefully secure it in a pocket of your pack.
"Be careful with strange potions," Lisa says from behind you before returning to her own examination of boxes. It seems she is still somewhat upset over the whole pie ordeal.
Next, you decide to open the box of spell components. As with the potions, most of the contents is either missing or battered beyond the point of usability, but inside you find a handful of crushed flowers, a flask filled with a pungent salt, and three large, serrated teeth. You take them with you, assuming that as you continue to read through your spellbook you can find what they are used for.
Finally, you open the box of reversal charms, figuring something like that MUST be useful. Only two remain. Thinking, you take one of the gaudy amulets and drape it around your own neck, then pick the other one up and take it to Lisa.
"Hey."
"What?"
"Here," you say, offering her the amulet. She looks at it for a moment, then smiles and takes it.
"Thank you. Oh, yeah, take this," she says, handing you a dagger with an ivory handle. "It might come in handy."
"Alright." You secure the dagger in the band of your girdle, then head for the door. Once back in the entrance to the keep, you weigh your options before heading for the stairs upward, Lisa in tow.
At the top, you find yourself standing at the beginning of a long corridor. At the far end is another set of stairs leading up, while on each side of the hallway lie four doors, two to your left and two to your right. All of them bear labels again, leading you to wonder whether the owner of the keep had been obsessive compulsive, or just an idiot.
What do you do?
---Enter the door marked "The Room Of Borderline Incomprehensibleness"
---Enter the door marked "The Room Of Obscenities"
---Enter the door marked "The Room Of Excessive Body Odors"
---Enter the door marked "Magical Library -- abandon all hope ye who enter here"
---Take the stairs up.
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Voting begins... NOW!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 24
"You go up the stairs..."
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It is hard for you to fight the urge to open the doors as you pass, but feeling there must be something better ahead, you continue past the doors and up the stairs at the far end, Lisa following behind.
"Something doesn't feel right about this place," she says, as you pass a skeleton leaning against one wall with a rusty sword clutched tightly in his hand.
"No, it doesn't."
You reach the top of the stairs to find yourself in a small room with another hallway leading out from the far end. You begin to make your way toward the hallway, when a crash from your left causes you to jump. Lisa is crouched down, a wicked-looking sword drawn, and staring at a pile of books and shelving in the corner where once a shelf had stood.
What do you do?
---Cast a spell to destroy the pile just in case.
---Investigate the sound.
---Ignore it and continue down the hallway.
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Voting begins... NOW!
Pickles: A TG Choose Your Own Adventure
By Melanie E.
Page 11
"You accept the ride..."
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Without a lot of choices available to you, you nod and take her hand after collecting the traitorous lantern. She lifts you easily into the cart beside her, leaving you wondering if you have underwent more changes than just your gender. As your proximity to the apples increases, so does your hunger, and your stomach growls again beneath the folds of your robe and the constraints of the girdle.
Your ride gives you an odd look for a moment, then begins to laugh. "Hungry, friend?"
"A little," you agree, your stomach chiming in again to put the lie to your words.
"Have an apple or two. I'm on my way to the castle with the delivery, but I doubt they will miss them."
Gratefully you dig into the nearest bag, and pull out two of the most beautiful mottled apples you have ever seen. Biting into the first, the flavor is the perfect blend of tart and sweet, and you greedily devour both as quickly as possible, leaving your stomach satisfied.
"So, what brings you out to this neck of the woods? You don't see many ladies dressed as fine as yerself skulking around in the shadows waiting to surprise unsuspecting apple carts." She smiles at you again.
What do you do?
--Tell your tale
--Claim to have amnesia
--Lie your face off
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The voting begins...NOW!("Page 11" posted on 1/28/2011, voting to close at noon CST on 1/29/2011)
NOTES: Nothing to see here, move along, move along...