text: [Themes: Fantasy]
  
  > Go downwards
  It was quite convenient not needing to leave the warmth of the dormitory and walk through the damp hall on the chilly spring night. You simply dragged your sleeping mat over next to Wave, who was still awake, waiting for you. "Tiuni, I was worried you were mad at me and were not coming tonight," she whispered. You thought how strange it would be that after tomorrow no one would ever call you Tiuni again. There was pride in the idea that you would finally have an adult's name and an adult's responsibilities.
  
  Earlier that day you had found Wave gambling with some of the other girls in one of the courtyards. You knew that her mother would not have approved of gambling, and worst of all, she had placed the small ceramic amulet of _Ssáni_ "The Lover," patroness of love between women, that you had given her in the pot! After the dice had been thrown and she had won, Wave had claimed she had only bet it because she had known it would bring her luck; but as Wave slipped the amulet back around her neck, and gathered up her winnings, you had stormed off with tears in your eyes. Though Wave was beautiful and clever, she could also be spoiled, sure that her winning personality could get her out of any situation.
  
  Now she was looking up at you with a vulnerable worry, different from the brash assurance of earlier in the day.
  
  A: "I could not stay angry with you."
  B: "You hurt my feelings, _tsámmeri_, when you do not value my gifts." C: "If you ever do something like that again, we're through!"
  
  > B.
  Wave looked crushed. "Mother gave me that money to purchase a new hair comb, and I couldn't lose it, and I knew the Goddess would not let me be parted from your amulet, that it would ensure my winning. . ." The two of you talked for a _kirén_ or more, starting with remonstrances, but ending in joint apologies followed by pledges of love, and eventually more physical affirmations of your mutual affection; until, physically and emotionally exhausted, you passed into sleep.
  
  The next thing you knew, cold water was startling you out of sleep. Sputtering you looked up to see your elder brother, Gayán, smiling down at you.
  
  "Sleep well, little sister? Or did you not sleep at all?" Here he leered at Wave, and waggled his eyebrows. Gayán fancied himself a comedian. "Well, I have come to break you two apart. Mother Halé is in a state of distraction over the fit of your formal dress, and has told me that if I do not bring you back immediately she will feed me to a dragon. Oh!" here he looked again at Wave, "and your parents wish your company as well."
  
  Without waiting for a response, Gayán grabbed you up by the arm and dragged you from the barracks.
  
  >Next
  You were barely through the door before Mama Halé was fastening a jeweled _chlén_-hide collar over your shoulders, and arranging a kilt around your waste. As she eyed and adjusted its drape she barraged you with unsolicited advice about the upcoming ceremony.
  
  "Tiúni, you must keep your posture during the parade, and during the feast. The headdress will be heavy, but you must look regal. And afterwards do not drink too heavily or overindulge in the powders. There will be ten of you getting your names today, and half of Jakálla has turned out to see, and you must be the most shining youth present. . ." on and on she chattered.
  
  Mama Halé was your birth-mother's sister and had raised you since you were an infant. Your other mother, Dzái, had declared herself _aridáni_ at her own naming ceremony, and so taken on rights and responsibilities normally reserved for men. She had joined a legion and marched to war while her sister elected to remain a "good clan girl" and accept the more traditional role for women. Halé was not considered legally a person in her own right, could not own property, and could not be sued or challenged to a duel; but she was still a formidable personality, actively involved in the work and social life of Clan Golden Sunburst.
  
  And now all of her will was bent on getting you through the day without a misstep that might provide fodder for gossips and lower your family's prestige within the clan-house. How did you feel about the celebration?
  
  A: I was excited to be an adult, but just wanted to survive the day without disgracing myself.
  B: I am always up for a good party and meant to enjoy myself.
  C: This was my chance to impress my clan elders and the rest of the city's notables.
  
  > B.
  As the priest accepted the orchid, your elder read out: "The ancient and exalted clan of Sea Blue is proud to welcome its newest member, Linátla hiMaródla. _Otuléngba!_" At his joyous shout, the crowd
  replied in a chorus: "_Otuléngba!_, All Hail!" Having been cued before the ceremony by Dzái, the clan-elder now waited for you to claim your _aridáni_ status. Since you were little your birth-mother had made it clear that she expected you to be the equal of all men before the law and follow her into the army. How did you feel about this?
  
  A: I would have preferred to remain a simple woman of my clan, and live a life surrounded by my aunts and sisters.
  B: I was eager to assume the role of _aridáni_ and soldier, and to make my mark upon the world.
  C: I was glad to become _aridáni_ and escape the stifling life of the good clan girl, but was not so sure about the soldier part.
  
  > B.
  The Clan of the Striding Incantation had a stage set up in one of the larger rooms, and had gathered a crowd. On this stage, in front of backdrops of painted cloth, moved magically animated puppets, each the size of your forearm. Directed by the spells of the puppeteers -- the secrets of which are protected by law and assassination -- the wooden figures were acting out the tale of Pendárte of Khéiris who had traveled throughout the many planes of reality to rescue the soul of Princess Ssíneleth from the horrific demon Rü'ütlánesh.
  
  The puppet playing Pendárte moved from Plane to Plane (each with its own backdrop, showing fantastical landscapes) and in each one faced a new foe crafted of paper or bone or gems. Sometimes they would battle, while in other scenes Pendárte would humorously trick the demon. In the climactic battle, the small hero was pitted against a monstrous and ill-formed puppet made of reeds and paper. Pendárte's wooden sword clattered against Rü'ütlánesh's many limbs, occasionally breaking a reed with a loud snap that would cause the audience to gasp. Rü'ütlánesh appeared to use magic to cause wounds to spontaneously open upon Pendárte and pour forth blood (or rather, red ink).
  
  The battle was waged back and forth across the stage, until finally Pendárte leaped upon the great demon's back, and stabbed down with his sword into the fragile paper. Then, from this husk rose the Princes Ssíneleth. The crowd all snapped approval. The evening was yet young; where did you go next?
  
  A: I looked for Wave, I mean Sáyi
  B: I went to see the dancers
  C: I went to go listen to the poetry reading
  
  > B.
  In a tiled courtyard, young men and women adorned in transparent green (very little of it) danced to the music of drums and a stringed _tenturén_. The silver bells upon their anklets created their own tune as they swayed and stamped in unison. There are many stories in Jakálla of men who have risked their wealth, social standing, and even lives for the favor of a skilled dancing girl, and those hired by clan Golden Sunburst are very skilled indeed.
  
  The dancers continued their display, at times languorous, at others frantic. The dancers continued their display, at times languorous, at others frantic. Watching them sway rhythmically to and fro, you fell into a gentle sleep. It had been a long day. Someone must have collected you when the party ended, for you have a vague memory of being groggily undressed, and then more unconsciousness.
  
  >Next Chapter
  . . . What happens the next morning and in the years to come is a story not yet written.
  
  I hope you enjoyed playing my game. If you did, keep an eye out on www.choiceofgames.com for the full story when I have written it.
  
  I want to thank M.A.R. Barker for giving me permission to spin a tale in his fabulously detailed world of Tekumel, more information about which can be found at www.tekumel.com.
  
  I also want to thank Dan and Adam for letting me write in choicescript and teaching me how to do so.
  
  >Play again
  
  > F.
  The hiVriyén lineage of the White Stone clan revels in the patronage of Lady Dlamélish. The Green Eyed Lady is a mystical goddess of pleasure who encourages her followers to live in the moment and seek out new experiences. As a soldier you do her honor whenever you feel the rush of battle or gaze triumphantly upon a new vista. The statue of a beautiful and sensuous woman before you is her thirty-fourth aspect: Mrikáya, "She Who Takes Pleasure in Battle". On the altar you pleasingly arrange three large green blossoms and several silver coins. And what brings you to Dlamélish's Temple?
  
  A: I hope to lead my men well in the coming siege.
  B: I want to find glory and promotion
  C: I wish to return safely to my home and family when this is over
  
  > B.
  The military is one of the few methods of social advancement within the Tsolyáni Imperium; and a soldier who is good at his trade, respectful of his superiors, and liberal with bribes can rise far, especially with a little luck. Hopefully this offering has brought you that luck.
  
  As you finish praying the silence of the temple is disturbed by the faint scuffing of sandals upon stone. You turn in time to see a woman, wearing the badge of an assassin's clan, raise a blowgun to her lips. As you duck, a poisoned dart whistles by your ear to thunk into the altar. You are alone in the small shrine and unarmored, though your _chlén_ hide sword leans against the altar. (Metal is too rare on Tekumel to be of common use, and so soldiers fight with weapons cut from a tough hide which has been chemically treated to resemble soft bronze.)
  
  A: I grab my _chlén_ hide sword and lunge for the woman in expert form. B: I cast the spell 'Hands of Kra the Mighty', and crush her, as one does a fly.
  C: I focus my psychic energies and time slows around me. Picking up my chlén hide sword I advance.
  D: I whistle for two of my soldiers who are stationed outside.
  
  > B.
  Though you are not as talented as the mages of your legion's sorcerer corps, you studied the casting of spells in Temple School, attaining a low priestly rank. You strike the ritual poses needed to bring forth a spell and the assassin's eyes widen in fear.
  
  >Next
  A great force cracks the stone flagging as she leaps aside and throws a small bronze  dagger which lodges in your thigh. It is suicide to cast spells while touching metal, and she charges you like a wild zrné beast, pressing the attack before you can remove the knife.
  
  A: Though an accomplished spell caster and leader of men, I am no match for an assassin in close combat, so I fight defensively and whistle for two of my soldiers who are stationed outside.
  B: I am as deadly with a sword as I am with my spells, and leap to meet her attack with a ferocious counter attack.
  
  > B.
  The look of victory in the assassin's eyes turn to surprise as you grab your chlén hide sword and leap forward. After a few exchanges, you boldly duck down and remove the bronze dagger. Fearing your spells the assassin backs away.
  
  A: She is too tired now to dodge my spell which crushes her with terrifying force. Her death is a fair price for an attempt upon my life, but I make it quick.
  B: With careful finesse I use my spell to pin her gently to the stone floor. I'm curious to know whether it's true that Assassins cannot be tortured into betraying their clients.
  C: I once more strike the poses needed to cast spells and summon forth a ball of flame. "Do you yield?"
  
  > B.
  Most officers would jump at the chance to ride in comfort and socialize with their superiors, but not you. Why?
  
  A: I want my legionaries to know I lead from the front and share their tribulations.
  B: This way I will stand out in the eyes of my superiors.
  C: I want to use the opportunity to see how things stand with my legionaries with my own two eyes.
  D: I enjoy marching.
  
  > B.
  It was quite convenient not needing to leave the warmth of the dormitory and walk through the damp hall on the chilly spring night. You simply dragged your sleeping mat over next to Wave, who was still awake, waiting for you. "Tiuni, I was worried you were mad at me and were not coming tonight," he whispered. You thought how strange it would be that after tomorrow no one would ever call you Tiuni again. There was pride in the idea that you would finally have an adult's name and an adult's responsibilities.
  
  Earlier that day you had found Wave gambling with some of the other boys in one of the courtyards. You knew that his mother would not have approved of gambling, and worst of all, he had placed the small ceramic amulet of _Dletára_ "The Goddess of Reflective Pleasures," patroness of love between members of the same sex, that you had given him in the pot! After the dice had been thrown and he had won, Wave had claimed he had only bet it because he had known it would bring him luck; but as Wave slipped the amulet back around his neck, and gathered up his winnings, you had stormed off with tears in your eyes. Though Wave was beautiful and clever, he could also be spoiled, sure that his winning personality could get him out of any situation.
  
  Now he was looking up at you with a vulnerable worry, different from the brash assurance of earlier in the day.
  
  A: "I could not stay angry with you."
  B: "You hurt my feelings, _tsámmeri_, when you do not value my gifts." C: "If you ever do something like that again, we're through!"
  
  > keep going
  Really? What is your name then?
  
  >Type Something
  
  > Snuggles
  An excellent and noble name! And what offering did you present?
  
  A: A large pile of coins of pure silver
  B: A green glass vial filled with sweet perfume
  C: An emerald colored snake
  
  > B.
  Your tale of a young man who tried to rescue his beloved from the Garden of the Weeping Snows--only to end frozen as a statue a hair's breadth from her touch for all eternity--reinforced the mood of sentimental despair. A certain despondency hung in the room as you left. The evening was yet young; where did you go next?
  
  A: I went to watch the puppet show
  B: I went to see the dancers