June 1862
The summer sun shines brightly and harshly down upon a horse-drawn wagon led by a man on another horse, as they travel a rough trail west across the Dakota Territory. The man riding the horse is {b("THE MERCENARY")}. He spits a large wad of tobacco from his mouth and adjusts the brim of his hat. Driving the wagon is {b("THE PROSPECTOR")}. Rather hardy despite his age, he wipes his wrinkled, weathered brow and takes a swig from a canteen. Sitting shotgun but unarmed next to him is {b("THE CURATOR")}. He seems perpetually calm, with a thin smile seemingly always locked in place. {b("THE PROFESSOR")} is inside the wagon—along with the party's supplies—studying and cross-referencing several large tomes, oblivious to the bumpy ride. THE MERCENARY spurs his steed and they forge ahead down the trail. * [Continue] -> knothole_0_intro === knothole_0_intro === The party approaches a small, sparse settlement, which a poorly-made wooden sign proclaims to be {b("KNOTHOLE")}. The air cools a bit as the sun approaches the horizon, not quite yet setting. While THE PROSPECTOR parks the wagon off the main road, THE MERCENARY rides his horse up to a building marked {b("SALOON")}, hitches the steed to the post outside, and decides what to do next. * [Continue] -> knothole_0_pre === knothole_0_pre ===

THE MERCENARY

You stand in the center of {!the small settler town of} KNOTHOLE. -> knothole_0_main === knothole_0_main === Before you is a row of buildings: a {{b("SALOON")}|SALOON}, a {{b("GENERAL STORE")}|GENERAL STORE}, and {!what could only be} a {{b("CHAPEL")}|CHAPEL}. Behind you is a couple of {!rickety} houses {!that look like they weren't intended to be permanent when they were constructed,} and your party's {{b("WAGON")}|WAGON}. {!As you take in your surroundings, THE CURATOR says something about supplies and heads into the GENERAL STORE, while THE PROSPECTOR mumbles something about a drink and moseys into the SALOON.} + [Approach the SALOON] You approach the SALOON. {!It's hardly an impressive-looking establishment, but few watering holes west of St. Louis are. This one at least doesn't look too rowdy, which is good—you're not exactly looking to make a scene here.} -> knothole_0_saloon_outside + [Enter the GENERAL STORE] You step into the GENERAL STORE. -> knothole_0_generalstore + [Approach the CHAPEL] You approach the {!building at the end of the street. The pointed roof and crucifix over the double front doors indicates that this is a} CHAPEL. -> knothole_0_chapel_outside + [Check on the WAGON] You approach your party's WAGON. -> knothole_0_wagon === knothole_0_saloon_outside === Your horse is hitched out front. -> choices = choices + [Enter the SALOON] You swing the double doors aside and step into the SALOON. -> knothole_0_saloon + [Check on horse] -> horse + [Leave] You walk back toward the center of town. -> knothole_0_main = horse Your horse is doing fine{—she's had a long day but you know she's good for it.|.} -> choices === knothole_0_saloon === \[TODO\] You step back outside. -> knothole_0_main === knothole_0_generalstore === The shop is full of various supplies that would be useful for anyone on their way westward. THE CURATOR is speaking with the {{b("SHOPKEEKER")}|SHOPKEEPER} behind the counter about supplies. You step back outside. -> knothole_0_main === knothole_0_chapel_outside === {However, t|T}he doors are closed, and nobody seems to be around or inside. -> choices = choices + [Knock] -> knock + [Leave] You turn away from the CHAPEL. -> knothole_0_main = knock You knock on the door. {After waiting awhile for a response, you conclude that none is coming.|There is no response.} -> choices === knothole_0_wagon === Everything seems to be in order. The back of the WAGON is open, and THE PROFESSOR can be seen inside. -> choices = choices * [Check the supplies] You check the WAGON's supplies. -> supplies * [Check on the horses] You check on the horses. -> horses + [Speak to THE PROFESSOR] You go round the back of the WAGON and approach THE PROFESSOR. -> knothole_0_wagon_professor + [Leave] You turn away from the WAGON and walk back toward the center of town. -> knothole_0_main = supplies You have enough food and water to last a few more days without rationing or foraging. THE CURATOR must be securing more at the GENERAL STORE. Most of the equipment for the expedition has been untouched. -> choices = horses Drinking from a trough, these horses look somewhat more exhausted and bedraggled than your own steed—unsurprising after yet another day of hauling the WAGON west across the continent. -> choices === knothole_0_wagon_professor === He is {|still} busying himself with reorganizing his tomes and notes. {"The settlement... should be further north according to the Humphrey journals... but further south according to the landmarks... hmm..."|"Hmm... must factor this into tomorrow's plans... hmm..."|"Hmm... inconclusive, more research needed... hmm..."} + {more < 2} [Continue] -> more + {more > 1} [Continue] -> done = more {"Hmm... seasonal discrepencies might be at play... hmm..."|"Unforeseen... except, wait, wasn't there something in the Karkoff report about this... hmm..."} + [Continue] -> done = done He does not seem to have noticed your presence. You leave him be. + [Continue] You return to the front of the WAGON. -> knothole_0_wagon -> END === function b(x) === ~ return "" + x + ""