From the Gallows

Its a peacfull November morning in the southeast. You wake up before dawn. You get ready, eat your breakfast, and [[head to the ranger's station]]; the place you work. The town is not far. Just a ways past the swamp. <img src="assets/Beginning1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

Going through the swamp on the old wooden path, you hear water splashing from your right. There is a man and he seems to be leaning over something in the water. You are a ranger, it is your job to [[investigate]] any potential wrong-doings. <img src="assets/Swamppath1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

From The Gallows [[Start->Wake up]]

As you get closer to the man, blood begins to flow in your direction and spread throughout the water. As you approach the man. He was leaning over a dead body. He quickly turns around in your direction. He is heavily breathing, his hands covered in blood. A bloody dagger is in his open satchel as if he had just placed it inside. [[He is frozen with fear.]] <img src="assets/SwampWaters1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You grab him by the shoulders and throw him away from the body and into the water. You beat him and [[take him to the town where the ranger's station lies.]]

The ''murderer'' is thrown in jail and rots inside. There is no trial. No matter how much he begs and pleads for one, [[you are certain that he has done wrong.]] <img src="assets/Prison.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

Its time. Several townsfolk meet at the town's square, waiting for the hanging to begin. There are men selling food to go along wih the entertainment. Two men walk up the stairs, one being the [[murderer]]. <img src="assets/Crowed1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

As he says this, he stares into you. The color of his eyes, at first glance, seemed to be a dark brown, but are now a distinct burnt ochre. [[He looks infuriated, but also saddened and broken.]]

An officer then puts a sack over their heads. Even as the ''murderer's'' face is being covererd, he does not move his head, as if he is staring at you through the mask. [[Then the floor opens.]]

[[...-> a week later]]

The sun is setting. [[It's time to go home.]] <img src="assets/Sun.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

While approaching the swamp, you notice that it smells worse than usual. It reeks of rot and decay. It seems that a storm is brewing so you better [[hurry along.]] <img src="assets/Swamppath1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You walk along a small wooden bridge above the water. As you walk down the path, the [[stench grows.]]

As you continue to stroll, you come apon a dagger sticking out from in-between the boards in the wooden path. The stench is resonating from the weapon. It is the same one the ''murderer'' was carrying. Maybe you should [[pull it out.]]

You pull on the dagger. It is difficult to pull out, but it is slowing loosening up. But wait. [[You hear something in the water.]]

Before you can turn around, something grabs you and pulls you into the water. The momentum allows you to successfully pull the dagger. With the dagger in hand, you attempt to [[attack]] whatever is attacking you with the weapon. <img src="assets/Under.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You stab into it's side. Everytime you do so, you get more and more dizzy, and your vision becomes more and more blurry, until you [[feint.]]

[[It hurts.]]

You wake up. It is raining. You are now in a completley different area of the swamp, one you are not familiar with. As you lift your body, you are ingulfed with pain. The dagger is now in your side, possibly from a tumble or whatever grabbed you may have stabbed you. [[You panic.]] <img src="assets/SwampWaters1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You begin to feel light headed agin. The trees begin to spin. Everything is blurry except for your wound. What is on your mind? [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Leave it in]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out]] [[Pull it out?]]

Despite how much it hurts and how terrifying it is, you have to leave it. You slowly get up and begin [[looking for the pathway home.]]

Quickly and with all of your strength, you pull out the dagger. But your vision does not clear up, it gets worse. The pain is unimaginable. You lie there in a pool of blood for a [[few minutes.]]

[[A few hours.]]

[[A few days.]]

A few months. [[Just lying there.]]

[[Long enough until you stop breathing and the pain stops.]]

[[End]]

Ending 1/7 [[Start at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->You panic.]]

After a few minutes you see something from behind the trees. Its a hut elevated ablove the water with a ramp leading up to the front door. With no one to help you with your wound, you have no choice but to [[ask for it from whoever lives in the hut.]]

You limp up the ramp. There are several exotic mushrooms and herbs growing on top of the railing. You bang on the door. Rustling is heard from inside. The door opens slightly with a chain lock visible. An old, wrinkly eye peers outward at you. In an old raspy woman's voice, "Are you with the rangers??" You attempt to speak through the pain. You: "[[Yes ma'am]]" "[[No ma'am]]" <img src="assets/SwampHut1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

The old eye squints. "Alright then." She closes the door, unlocks the lock, opens the door all the way, and lets you in. "Come over." She grabs your wrist and flings you over to an old, dusty bed. She grabs a bottle with a purple liquid from the shelf and hands it to you. "Drink this. It will ease the pain." [[Drink elixer.]] <img src="assets/InHut.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

She looks down at your obvious and bloody wound. "Hold on, child." She closes the door, unlocks the lock, opens it all the way and rushes you to a neatly put together bed. "This will hurt just a bit" She slowly pulls out the dagger. [[You black out again.]] <img src="assets/InHut.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

As you drink the elixer, you begin to see everything in diffrent colors as the hag stares at you. She walks over to the kitchen and pulls out a meat cleaver and walks back to you. [["You'll make a nice stew."]]

[[End->1]]

Ending 2/7 [[Start at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->ask for it from whoever lives in the hut.]]

[[...->what was that?]]

What was that? What pulled me into the water? [[I feel warm.]]

You wake up in a warm blanket. You look down and the dagger is gone and you have stiches on your wound. The dagger is lying on a china plate, covered in blood. The old hag is rocking back and forward in a rocking chair, drinking tea. "You're awake." You: [[Thank you for aiding me.]] [[Who are you?]] <img src="assets/InHut.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

"Of course. How did you get that dagger in yer self?" You: "[[I woke up with it. Someone threw me in the water and I woke up in a new area.]]"

"I'm the caretaker of this marshland." You: "[[Caretaker?]]"

"Really now? Did you notice anyone following you?" You: "[[Nobody.]]"

"Yes. When someone passes on, and they are full of wrath and unforgivness, they go here. And it is my duty to look after the souls contained here. With me here, they cannot leave." You: [["Like Hell?"]] [["Like Heaven?"]]

"Exactly." The hag leans forward and squints her eyes. You grow nervous. "You've got something on you mind. [[What is it?]]"

"Not at all." There is a silence. The hag leans forward and squints her eyes. You fear her. "You've got something on you mind. [[What is it?]]"

"Are you sure?" You: [["Yes."]]

"Tell me about this person." You: [["I hung him"]] [["I killed him"]] [["I arrested him"->"I arrested him."]]

You're thinking of him. You: [["Nothing."]] [["Him"]]

"You hung him?" You: [["I arrested him."]]

"I know of him." You: [["How?"]]

The hag drops her cup of tea. Her face is filled with anger. "You liar! You said you weren't working with the ranger! I'm not going to let you hang for my magic-doings!" The hag storms to you and grabs your mouth. She stares angrilly into your eyes. Something is emitting from her palm. You [[fall asleep.]]

Ending 2/7 [[Start over at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->What is it?]]

"Alright then. [[Get some rest]]."

[[...->you see him]]

You see him; his eyes. They are illuminating the deep yellow. The image is burning into your brain, where that is all you can see. [[You feel cold and uneasy.]]

You feel him. He is watching you. From outsude. From the window. From all around. He is here. He is wrathful. [[He seeks you.]]

He's coming in through the window. He's coming closer. He is near, [[right above you.]]

He grabs your neck. He [[tightens.]]

[[...->.0]]

Its morning. You need to get home. The hag walks in from her room. "How are you feeling?" You: [["Better"]] [["I don't know.]] <img src="assets/InHut.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

"Thats good. Then you better take off. Goodbye." [["Goodbye."]]

"What is it?" You: [["I could use some food."]] [["I could use some medacine."]] [["I don't know."]] [["Never mind."]]

"Alright then." You eat some food and [[take off.->"Goodbye."]]

"How about you take this." The hag walks across the room to the china platter and takes the dagger. She then cleans the blood off of the dagger and hands it to you. [[You take the dagger, say goodbye, and leave.]]

"Alright then. Goodbye." You: [["Goodbye."]]

You walk down the ramp and back into the mud. It is still raining. You turn around and the hut is gone. Should you [[look around]]?

You take some medication to ease the pain, then you [[take off.->"Goodbye."]]

You're walking through the [[muddy water->muddy2]]. <img src="assets/SwampWaters1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

[[End->2]]

Behind where the hut used to be, there is a grove in the wall of trees. [[You should look inside.]] <img src="assets/no.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

Inside the grove, is a single dying olive tree. From its branch is a dangling twig, calling out to you. [[You take the branch.]] <img src="assets/olive.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You're walking through the [[muddy water.]] <img src="assets/SwampWaters1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

[[...->What was that?]]

[[What was that?->WWT1]]

Something is coming. You can't see that much. You just see a silhouette behind the trees. It's head turns and it's eyes glow a burnt ochre. It is staring right at you. You feel your heart stop. Should you [[hide in the water]] or [[confront it?]]

You run and dive into the water. [[You wait.]] <img src="assets/Under.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You hold your ground and wait for the figure. As it comes closer, his face looks familiar. He is the ''murderer'' that you hung. A noose is dangling around his neck. You attempt to attack him but he swiftly takes you down to the ground, where he pushes your head underwater and [[holds you against the floor of the water.]] You struggle to escape for your life. <img src="assets/SwampWaters1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

Is it gone? [[Yes]] [[No]] <img src="assets/Under.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You peek your head above water, and there is it. It pushes your head back into the water, slamming your face on the swamp's floor. You need air. [[But you can't get it.]] <img src="assets/SwampWaters1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

Is it gone? [[Yes->yes1]] [[No->no1]] <img src="assets/Under.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

Is it gone? [[Yes->yes2]] [[No->no2]]

You peak your head above water and the figure is gone. [[You continue your way.]] <img src="assets/SwampWaters1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

Is it gone? [[Yes->yes3]] [[No->no3]]

You can't hold your breath any longer. You lift your head above water, and there is it. It pushes your head back into the water, slamming your face on the swamp's floor. You need air. [[But you can't get it.]] <img src="assets/SwampWaters1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

[[End->end3]]

Ending 3/6 [[Start over at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->You wait.]]

[[You hear something]]

Its crying. [[You follow the noise.]]

There is a man weeping, curled up in the fedal posotion. He sees you and gets on his knees. He has a noose around his neck that has the other end going into the water. He is the man who was hung a week prior. His skin is pale and his eyes a light, blinding blue. "Please sir, please. I ask for your help. All is ask for is you to please get rid of the burdent that is this noose. Please sir, free me so that I may be with the lord." Should you [[help him]] or [[not]]? <img src="assets/Swermp.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You kneel down and lift the noose from around his head. "Oh thank you sir. Bless you, bless you. You must run befire you end up like me." The man runs away. The noose whips backward and [[dissapears into the swamp water.]]

"Please sir please. Release me from this prison. You slowly begin to back away. Out of the water emerges the figure from before. The pale man is pulled by the figure into the water. You begin to run. You run for what it seems like forever. Everytime you look back you see those glowing eyes right behind you. Until, you see the path from earlier. You hop on the path and run down until you see the exit arch of the swamp in the distance. You finally made it out of the swamp and run into your home. [[You grab a weapon and wait.]]

[["''I wan't you to die.''"]] [[...->:0]]

The noose then swings overhead, lands and tightens around your neck. You are pulled by something you can't see. As you are dragged more and more do you see the illuminating eyes. The figure stops and throws the other end of the rope over a tree branch. He yanks on your neck until you are [[almost standing.]]

[[''"Look at me."'']] [["Please...stop."]]

[[''"You have done this to me and to yourself. You are to blame."'']] [[Try to fight back.]] [[Or...]]

You struggle to get out of the noose. The revenant continues to beat you, hitting you with rocks and clubs of bark. [[Your feet lift from the ground.]]

The olive branch. Whats so special? [[nothing]] [[nothing]] [[nothing]] [[nothing]] [[nothing]] [[nothing]] [[nothing]] [[nothing]] [[nothing]] [[Give it to him]] [[nothing]] <img src="assets/olive.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

[[''"..."'']] The figure eases his grip on the rope, allowing you to [[breath.]]

[['"...Why did you have yo do this? Why? I didn't do anything wrong."'']]

Ending 3/6 [[Start over at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->"Please...stop."]]

''"What are you doing?"'' He stares at you and then at the olive branch. ''"What are you saying?"'' You: [["I'm sorry"]] He releases the rope.

As you catch your breath, he leans down and takes the olive branch in his hand. He strokes the leaves and holds the olives in his palm. ''"I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Out of all of the outcomes that were runnung through my head, I did not expect this. My heart is sorrow."'' [[You pull yourself up, staying cautious.]]

He begins to cry. ''"I tell you, I tell you; I did not kill that man. Please believe me. It was foolish of me to put the dagger in my bag. But even if I didn't kill that man, I still tried to kill you, and that is [[just as terrible]]. I am sorry"''

''"I don't know what i've done."'' [[You feel pity.]]

[[''"I've turned myself into a demon"'']] You: [["You are no demon."]]

[["''Thank you. I am sorry.''"]] The figure takes the noose off of his neck. He looks up to the sky, closes his eyes, and [[turns into dust.]]

"I know every soul that enters this swamp. Most people just come as a normal ghost, but this man has arrived instead as a revenant. I can feel his hate and wrathfulness. [[You must have done something very bad to him.]]"

"Get some [[rest->Get some rest]]."

[["''Thank you.''"]] Those were his [[last words.]]

[[End->end5]]

Ending 6/6(True ending.) [[Start over at beginning->Start]]

Soon, you [[stop struggling.]] <img src="assets/SwampWaters1.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

[[End->end4]]

Ending 3/6 [[Start over at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->WWT1]]

You peek outside of your window and see the pair of eyes glowing from inside the swamp. It for some reason won't step foot outside of the marsh. [[But then you remember what the hag told you.]]

"And it is my duty to look after the souls contained here. With me here, they cannot leave." He cannot leave. The swamp is his hell. [[You are safe for now.]]

But some day, [[you're going to have to go through the swamp again.]]

[[End->end6]]

Ending 4/6 [[Start over at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->You follow the noise.]]

[[...->wuuuh?]]

[[What was that->WWT2]]

Something is coming. You can't see that much. You just see a shadow behind the trees. It's head turns and it eyes glow a burnt ochre. It is staring right at you. You feel cold and weak. Should you [[hide in the water->hide2]] or [[confront it?->con2]]

You run and dive into the water. [[You wait.->YW1]] <img src="assets/Under.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You hold your ground and wait for the figure. As the figure comes closer, his face looks familiar. He is the ''murderer'' you hung. A noose is dangling from his neck. With the dagger in hand, you lunge at him and begin trying to swipe at him With every swipe, he seems to be unaffected. It is only when you aim for his heart when he begins to gain caution. He grabs your arms and sends you hurling across the waters and onto land near some bushes. [[Try hiding]]

You burrow deep into the bushes. He walks up to you. [[Hold your breath]] or [[close your eyes.]]

He knows you're there. He grabs your collar and throws you back into the water where he holds you head angainst the floor. [[You struggle to escape for your life.]]

Soon, [[you stop struggling.]]

[[End->end8]]

Ending 3/6 [[Start over at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->Hold your breath]]

He leans over you and begins to scan the brush. He stands up straignt and [[marches away.]]

You now know something very important. The figure can be killed and his weakness is his heart. [[You continue your way->cont2]]

Is it gone? [[Yes]] [[No->noq]]

Is it gone? [[Yes]] [[No->now]]

Is it gone? [[Yes->ys]] [[No->no2]]

You peak your head above water and the figure is gone. [[You continue your way.->cont2]]

[[You hear something->hear2]]

There is a man weeping, curled up in the fedal posotion. He sees you and gets on his knees. He has a noose around his neck that has the other end going into the water. He is the man who was hung a week prior. His skin is pale and his eyes a light, blinding blue. "Please sir, please. I ask for your help. All is ask for is you to please get rid of the burdent that is this noose. Please sir, free me so that I may be with God." Should you [[help him->help2]] or [[not->not2]]? <img src="assets/Swermp.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

You kneel down and lift the noose from around his head. "Oh thank you sir. Bless you, bless you. You must run before you end up like me." The man runs away. The noose whips backward and [[dissapears into the swamp water.->dis1]]

"Please sir please. Release me from this prisoon. You slowly begin to back away. Out of the water is the figure from before. [[You feel like running]], but you also feel the [[need to fight.]]

You run for waht it seems like forever. Everytime you look back you see those glowing eyes right behind you. Until, you see the path from earlier. You hop on the path and run down until you see the exit arch of the swamp in the distance. You finally made it out of the swamp and run into your home. [[You ready your weapon and wait.]]

You begin to fight. It seems like you've been fighting for hours, [[until...]]

You peek outside of your window and see the pair of eyes glowing from inside the swamp. It forr some reason wont step foot outside of the marsh. [[But then you remember what the hag told you.->hag1]]

"And it is my duty to look after the souls contained here. With me here, they cannot leave." He cannot leave. The swamp is his hell. [[You are safe for now.->SFN1]]

But some day, [[you're going to have to go through the swamp again.->YGTHTGTTSASD]]

[[End->end9000]]

Ending 4/6 [[Start over at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->hear2]]

[[You stab him in the heart.]]

The figure falls to his knees, holding the blade in his chest. He bleeds. He then collpses to the ground where all that is left of him turns into dust and [[blows away in the wind.]]

[[You just killed an innocent man.]]

[[End->endiiing]]

The noose then swings overhead and lands and tightens around your neck. You are pulled by something you can't see. As you are dragged more and more do you see the illuminating eyes. [[Cut the rope]]

You cut the rope with your dagger, freeing you from his grip. [[You get ready to fight.]]

You begin to fight. Things seem hopeless [[until...]]

Ending 5/6 [[Start over at beginning->Start]] [[Try again at checkpoint->hear2]]

1-die of bloodloss 2-hag kills you 3-revenant kills you 4-make it home, revenant waits for you 5-you kill revenant 6-forgivnessz

Tomorrow, its off to [[the gallows.]]

When asked if he has any last words, he says [["No. These wont be my last."]] <img src="assets/Hangy.jpg" alt="image not loaded!" title="Hover tooltip">

[[A week later]].

"Well, if no one were following you, it could have been a [[spirit]]."

You: "[[How could you know that?->Who are you?]]"

You: "[[I don't want to talk about this anymore->rest]]"

"Is there anything I can help you with?" You: [["Yes"]].