03 | what will you do?

[elevelvetor]

good morning, Retrospec.
today, i'm hosting a choose-your-own-adventure... adventure!
if you would like to play, simply read the rest of my post and reply with your action; i shall supplement all details.
if you don't wish to, then simply keep scrolling.
thank you.
now, without further ado...

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Night has fallen on the sleepy seaside town of Willin' Wisp. The full moon casts her ethereal light on the cobblestone pavement and rough, shanty houses of the area you're in. Once famed for being a rich fishing town, Willin' Wisp has largely fallen into disrepair in the last fifteen years. Those that could fix it do not, enjoying their time eating rare, tropical fish imported from the capital of Helena instead. The town is staying afloat, but only just by the skin of its teeth, thanks to its oil business.

You are standing outside of the town's most famous tavern, though "most famous" makes it sound a little more glorious than simply "the only tavern in town." Inside the tavern, people shout and cheer and are generally incredibly loud, contrasting with the dead quiet that litters the streets.

There are exits to the south, east, and west of you. To the south is the tavern. To the east is one half of Mulberry Lane, which leads to the cemetery, the church, and the docks, where the oil businesses run their businesses. To the west is the rest of Mulberry Lane, which leads to the market, an area that is genuinely booming during the day.

What will you do?

Comments

[parodeity]

> go to docks

[elevelvetor]

You turn east and head down one half of Mulberry Lane. You soon come to the floating church, made of light and wire, and its spooky cemetery. The docks are on the other side of the gently sloping hill to the right, however, and you start your ascent. When you reach the top, you take a moment to right yourself and admire the view.

The moon cascades its light across the sea fanned out in front of it. Ships dot the docks, and from here, you can see the light of lamp-posts being lit, one by one. A little late for the lampkeeper to be doing it at this hour, and strange for then to start at the docks rather than take care of the town proper... but perhaps that's something you can ask them if you meet them down there.

Before you reach the docks, however, something catches your eye -- it's a chest, half-hidden in an alley. There's gold chains spilling out of it, glinting in the moonlight.

What will you do now?

[parodeity]

> cautiously examine the chest from afar
> assuming i don't spy any traps around it approach to examine it from not afar