Lore of the Midnight Lake Pride

The lore of my pride is going to be presented in a choose-your-own-adventure sort of format. As such, we'll need to know the name of your character & what they go by- apologies for the lack of more diverse options. (full transparency, pronoun selection is a pain to code and rather clunky to write.) If you haven't played a game on this software before, know that blue text acts similarly to a dialogue option in a video game. Selecting one will allow you to progress the story or make a decision. ''AS OF 6/6/2024: I have just begun writing and the story is incomplete. If you arrive at a dead end, I have not yet written that part. Updates will be done periodically when I have the motivation/'' (set: $name to (prompt: "Hello, stranger. What are you called?", "")) ... Thank you, $name. And would you prefer that others call you [[he]], [[she]], or [[they]]?

(set: $gender to "male lion") (set: $himher to "him") (set: $heshe to "he") (set: $capsheshe to "He") (set: $capshimher to "Him") (set: $hishers to "his") (set: $capshishers to "His") (set: $boygirl to "lion") (set: $havehas to "has") (set: $isare to "is") (set: $looklooks to "looks") (set: $brosis to "brother") (set: $capsbrosis to "Brother") [[Thank you.]]

(set: $gender to "lioness") (set: $himher to "her") (set: $heshe to "she") (set: $capsheshe to "She") (set: $capshimher to "Her") (set: $hishers to "hers") (set: $capshishers to "Hers") (set: $boygirl to "lioness") (set: $havehas to "has") (set: $isare to "is") (set: $looklooks to "looks") (set: $brosis to "sister") (set: $capsbrosis to "Sister") [[Thank you.]]

(set: $gender to "non-binary lion") (set: $himher to "them") (set: $heshe to "they") (set: $capsheshe to "They") (set: $capshimher to "Them") (set: $hishers to "theirs") (set: $capshishers to "Theirs") (set: $boygirl to "lion") (set: $havehas to "have") (set: $isare to "are") (set: $looklooks to "look") (set: $brosis to "kin") (set: $capsbrosis to "Kin") [[Thank you.]]

So, if I got that right, you are a $gender who uses $heshe/$himher- or at least, given the options presented here, that's what you'd prefer. You can go [[back]] if you're having second thoughts about that identity. Or you can forge ahead... After all, [[someone's waiting on you.]]

Sol tilts his head at you, noticing you've gone quiet. "What is it, $name? You looked deep in thought for a moment there," he says. You shake your head. [[ >"It's nothing. This is a lovely territory you've got here."]] -- [[ >"Have you not heard the rumors of the lake?"]] --

He smiles widely and nods. "It is, isn't it? Once I gather a pride for myself, you should visit us. This area is so vibrant, we'll have prey to spare and clear water all year round." You hide your concern for him. Talk about trouble in paradise. If the rumors are true, he's in for a shock... assuming he doesn't already know, and just brashly ignores the warnings. [[ >It's no use telling him about the rumors now; he's made up his mind. I'll inquire about his future pride.]] -- [[ >I could still tell him about the rumors, but maybe it's more fun to just stick around and watch what happens to him.]] -- [[ >I should tell him what I know about the stories. ]] --

Sol scoffs. "Oh, what, the ghost stories? As if a lake could be haunted. The scariest thing in that water is nasty-tasting fish." [[ > He's right. Those stories couldn't possibly be true, and even if they are, you'd be a coward to let a rumor scare you away from settling in such a beautiful place.]] -- [[ >This feels like an act of hubris. He's taunting whatever dark forces dwell here, and he'll have to learn firsthand what becomes of a lion after doing such a thing.]] --

You admit that he's probably right about the rumors and he smiles. "I knew you'd come around. No use being so scared over a few spirits anyways." You look up and realize the sun is starting to set. Maybe it's time to head home to your own pride... but Sol is looking at you so expectantly. What could he want? [[ >"Are you looking to add a member to your pride right now? I'd be more than happy to join you.]] -- [[ >"How would you like to be allied with me and my pride? I'm sure we could prosper if we worked together."]] -- [[ >"Is it alright if I visit from time to time? Just to... check up on you."]] --

[[ >I want to bear witness to what happens to him. This could be interesting.]] -- [[ >He isn't safe here, and I want to look out for him. I'll say as much.]] --

[[ >"Are you looking to add a member to your pride right now? I'd be more than happy to join you.]] -- [[ >"How would you like to be allied with me and my pride? I'm sure we could prosper if we worked together."]] -- [[ >"Is it alright if I visit from time to time? Just to... check up on you."]] --

[[ >"So you want to have a pride. Are you good at picking up lionesses?"]] -- [[ >"It's safe to assume you've never led a pride before. What do you expect from it?"]] --

[[ >"Have you not heard the rumors of the lake?"]] --

He turns away from you shyly. "Not particularly. Lionesses don't really seem to like me... But that's alright. I'm, uh, not very interested in them either. I'll still need cubs to grow the pride, but I can adopt them, right?" [[ >He'll want to hear a seasoned pride leader's opinion on this: no, you cannot just adopt cubs.]] -- [[ >I should encourage him to do what makes him most comfortable. Of course you can just adopt cubs if you don't want to mate with lionesses.]] -- [[ >If I let him think adopting cubs will sustain his pride, it will end up a weak pride indeed... meaning they won't be a threat, and I can walk all over their hunting grounds.]] --

He tilts his head and considers for a moment. "Well... I expect it to be stressful. But also fun! I'm going to be leading all the hunts and chasing enemies off my land with a kingdom of my own at my back. They'll all respect me. I'll be a great king," he says. [[ >I should let him know about the more grisly duties of being a pride leader. What's he to do if someone questions his authority? It's not all sunshine, and traitors must be dealt with.]] -- [[ >Does he know that it's usually lionesses and subordinates doing the hunting and patrolling? I should really tell him that.]] -- [[ >He sounds so excited. Maybe that kind of zeal is just what the pride leaders in the surrounding area need more of. I won't crush his dreams of hunting with his lionesses and defending his territory.]] --

Solanine looks up and flashes you a toothy grin. "If you're not messing with me, that would be lovely. I've actually figured out a few spots that would make for great dens. We could go have a look at them now, if you like." (set: $status to "pride member") (set: $pridestatus to "member") [[ >I'd like to go look at the dens.]] -- [[ >I'd like to explore on my own.]] --

(set: $status to "allied pride leader") (set: $pridestatus to "non-member ally") He considers it for a moment, then nods. "I promise I won't leech off your prey or bum around on your territory. If you want to talk terms of our alliance now, we can. Or, I can show you around my land!" He seems very excited to get a proper pride leader's input on dens and hunting and all of those sorts of things. this passage is incomplete... for now. check in later!

(set: $status to "visitor") (set: $pridestatus to "non-member")

You tell him you want to keep an eye on him in case the spirits of the lake start to get aggressive. He rolls his eyes, but seems to be considering something. "If you're so keen on keeping me and my future pride safe, why don't you join us?" [[ >"Are you looking to add a member to your pride right now? I'd be more than happy to join you.]] -- [[ >"How would you like to be allied with me and my pride? I'm sure we could prosper if we worked together."]] -- [[ >"Is it alright if I visit from time to time? Just to... check up on you."]] --

You tell him you're keen on seeing your future living spaces, and he flicks his tail. "Walk with me, then." this passage is incomplete... for now. check in later!

He shrugs. "Return to me when you're done, and I can show you the den sites. One rule as you're wandering- don't mark over any of my scent markers. I'll know. If you think you're going to pull a fast one on me and start taking over my lake, you're sorely mistaken." this passage is incomplete... for now. check in later!

He looks dejected. "So do I really have to have a bunch of wives like most lions do?" You nod your head sagely and ensure him it's best for his pride. He slumps. "I guess... if it'll keep my pride strong." this passage is incomplete... for now. check in later!

He looks relieved. "Thank goodness. I know most pride leaders have many wives but that really just isn't my thing." You smile at him and tell him that keeping a pride doesn't have to be uncomfortable. It's stressful, yes, but there's no need to force yourself to do things you don't want to. this passage is incomplete... for now. check in later!

He looks relieved. "Thank goodness. I know most pride leaders have many wives but that really just isn't my thing." You flash him a toothy grin. Sounds like his pride will be small. You can only hope that means you'll have no trouble bullying him into letting you take his prey and lounge around his lake. this passage is incomplete... for now. check in later!

this passage is incomplete... for now. check in later!