*comment é

*image part2.png center PART TWO: JUDGE OR JURY

*image chap3.png center CHAPTER THREE: CREATE

*image chap3_quote.png center "But I don't think I'm the one you MemoryTraveled all this way to see, am I?" —Prince Everly Dines'ere

*page_break

You open your eyes—though not really, of course—to find soft lavender lights floating above you like fireflies. Taking in their glow, you have the feeling you could stare at them indefinitely if it weren't for Rosae ruffling her feathers beside you.

"How very peculiar," Rosae says, sporting a mirrored monocle that she nearly knocks off of her beak as she surveys your surroundings.

Looking around, you try to decide what Rosae might find peculiar and realize there is quite a long list to choose from. You're currently seated in a vaulted loft, lit only by the lavender lights floating through the air in malleable constellations. In one corner of the loft you spot a complex matrix of silver bars and copper tubes hooked up to a humming mainframe, while in the opposing corner, improbably, you see a grassy knoll set beside a blue crystal pond.

As you take in the rest of the space's seemingly endless lattices and foliage, a ball of gathered sunlight rolls to your feet, smiling with a cartoonish face and wagging a crescent moon tail.

What in all Fathers Below is this place?

*page_break
*set meeteverly true

"Don't mind Dusky, he's harmless," a voice as rich as velvet speaks, drawing your attention to what you can only describe as a plush throne made of roses and thorns.

"I'm Prince Everly Dines'ere, of the Wone Haus of Creation, Order of Works. But I don't think I'm the one you two MemoryTraveled all this way to see, am I?"

Hearing this, Rosae looks even more perplexed than before. "Wait, you can see me? And how could you possibly be aware that we are MemoryTraveling?" she chirps, positively exasperated.

"Divine consciousness, bluebird," Prince Everly says, tapping his bronzed forehead with a copper forefinger. That's when you notice that all of Prince Everly's skin vacillates between shades of bronze and copper, gleaming light and soft across his lean, long body…which is mostly exposed.

*page_break

Seeing you take note of his physique, Prince Everly blinks his soft grey eyes so that a strand of curly, coily black hair falls over his forehead. Suddenly the stems from the throne grow up and cross Prince Everly's body to form a taupe-rose jacket, which remains open to reveal a newly added blood-red amulet hanging from a silver chain across his bare bronzed chest. Prince Everly also now wears tight maroon pants and leather thong sandals to complete the look.

Prince Everly then takes his turn to study you and, just like with Lady Venuma, you can feel his gaze penetrating deep beneath your skin, probing to read your thoughts and emotions.

You'd already be well-equipped to handle this kind of intrusion as you see fit, given your natural Priscan abilities and your many interactions with Lady Venuma, but it would seem that absorbing Lady Venuma's goddess ambiance has also given you amplified expertise in such matters. You've just met this Prince Everly, so do you want to let him see through you so quickly?

*if extraworning
	Rosae turns to you, and you can hear her voice whispering inside your head: "Beware Priscy, whatever you choose, keep in mind your natural affinity for contemplation or exposure."
*comment endif

*choice
	#Allow Prince Everly to probe my mortal emotions. I have nothing to hide.
		*if (outspoken > 55)
			*set purity %-10
			*set calculating %-10
			*set rlshp_everly %+10

			*label accustbear
			Since you have become accustomed to baring yourself and remaining outspoken, Prince Everly accepts this intangible gesture with a smile.
			*goto rosinter
		*else
			*set purity %-5
			*set calculating %-5
			*set rlshp_everly %-10

			*label notaccustbear
			However, you aren't yet accustomed to baring yourself in such an outspoken manner, so your amplified openness seems to hit Prince Everly like an intangible punch in the brain.
			*goto rosinter
	#Offer only enough of myself for Prince Everly to think he has access, without allowing him to detect my ability to execute such a block.
		*if (outspoken < 45)
			*set purity %-10
			*set calculating %+10
			*set rlshp_everly %+10

			*label accustconceal
			Since you have become accustomed to concealing yourself and remaining contemplative, Prince Everly accepts this intangible gesture with a smile and seemingly without noticing your blocks.
			*goto rosinter
		*else
			*set purity %-5
			*set calculating %+5
			*set rlshp_everly %-10

			*label notaccustconceal
			However, you aren't yet accustomed to concealing yourself in such a contemplative manner, so you can see a frown form on Prince Everly's face as he detects your block.
			*goto rosinter
	#Block Prince Everly from ambiently reading my mortality to show him he is dealing with someone formidable.
		*if (outspoken < 45)
			*set purity %+10
			*set calculating %-10
			*set rlshp_everly %+10
			Since you have become accustomed to concealing yourself and remaining contemplative, Prince Everly accepts this intangible gesture with a smile.
			*goto rosinter
		*else
			*set purity %+5
			*set calculating %-5
			*set rlshp_everly %-10
			*goto notaccustconceal
	#Allow Prince Everly ambient access, but only in order to potentially disarm him and gain his trust in a proper Priscan gesture.
		*if (outspoken > 55)
			*set purity %+10
			*set calculating %+10
			*set rlshp_everly %+10
			*goto accustbear
		*else
			*set purity %+5
			*set calculating %+5
			*set rlshp_everly %-10
			*goto notaccustbear

*label rosinter

As you register this, you feel a new itch creeping into your senses—the itch to affect Prince Everly's emotional reaction. Unlike your now-heightened intuition, this coercive ability feels entirely foreign. You attempt to feel the edges of this new skill, but the moment you do, a splitting migraine shoots through your brain and the ability seems to snap away. Pulling back, you decide quickly that perhaps the unpracticed mortal mind isn't meant to possess Lady Venuma's coercive abilities.

"Pardon the interruption," Rosae then chirps at Prince Everly, causing you to refocus, too. "But it's also highly unusual to appear in MemoryTravel without our absorbee anchor. Is Lady Venuma here somewhere?"

"Divine minds, mysterious ways," Prince Everly sighs. "Reality rules differently on Wone, especially in the Creation werkhouse. I forget how this should go; it's been too long since anyone MemoryTraveled here. I wondered why, once upon a time…"

Prince Everly appears to be consumed with contemplation for a moment, especially as he inhales a plume of smoke from one of the stems of the roses jutting out of his throne. 

*page_break

"I haven't spent much time with Grecca, your Lady Venuma, at this point in my life," Prince Everly offers as he exhales a cloud of pink vapor. "I don't know why she'd hide herself from you, or why you'd appear at this moment in her past. Could it be because Madame Venome's Mansionweb isn't too far from here? Grecca studies there as an Apprentice, but Madame Venome doesn't usually welcome visitors, especially not mortals. Maybe that's why you were dropped here instead.

"Anyway, most Apprentices usually line up for a chance to attend one of my creashon parties. Grecca will probably be at the one I'm throwing tonight, if you want to crash as my guests." Prince Everly asks as if the answer could never possibly be no.

You're not quite sure what any of that really means, but those questions are superseded by the thought that Lady Venuma hasn't directly represented herself here in MemoryTravel like OtherBoard and ${deathone} did in your previous trips. It sounds like you've MemoryTraveled to a time when Lady Venuma was some kind of…demigoddess Apprentice? How long ago could that be? Is that why she hasn't revealed herself to you, because she doesn't want you to see her as anything other than a great lady? 

Or could Lady Venuma's lack of presence here be a sign she is the fabricated persona of Dhanthik who does not exist outside Versus? Oli said you'd be able to tell somehow, and that Rosae would be helpful in this….

Could it really be that you have discovered Dhanthik this quickly? 

*page_break

"I don't like to brag, but these events are a pretty big deal here," Prince Everly continues through your silence. "My creashon parties are similar to the Trial parties I throw back on Versus, except that this one is much more of a free-flowing platform for expression and sorting into…." 

Prince Everly then trails off, seeming to catch the expression of confusion on your face. "Oh, right. Linear time. Hold the line, let me reorient." Prince Everly blinks again and some of the lavender lights gather in a halo around his head. The lights circle for a moment, then disperse.

"Ah, much better. It looks like you and I haven't actually met on Versus yet, but we will tomorrow. Assuming all goes according to plan here," Prince Everly explains. It takes you a few moments to process the fact that Prince Everly claims to also be a current Constructive Versian, but thankfully this time he catches the equally confused look on Rosae's face. 

"And no, I can't see the future. In this MemoryTravel past form, I just know what I know retroactively up until the crux of the present moment, when I happen to have already read ${name}'s personal Trial File. This retroactive awareness only applies to forms of cognitive dissonance, much like our current…you know what, the specifics aren't really important."

"Yes, I'm afraid even my head hurts, and I'm rather an expert in these matters," Rosae chirps. "If you are on Versus too, however, it might explain why we were pulled to this particular MemoryTravel moment. On another note, I do believe your duskdog is relieving itself on me."

You look down to find that indeed, Dusky has squatted to release some sunbeams that are now shining on Rosae's bird feet.

*page_break

"Oh, that just means he likes you. Don't worry, it's totally sanitary. Plus, it's pretty warm and pleasant, right?" Prince Everly asks, standing from his throne and hovering down to the ground. As he does, he seems to sense something, and his lips suddenly curl down into a frown.

"Shoot. The Haus of Law has just opened a timevestigation channel; the shearing sound is really specific. And awful," Prince Everly says, unable to hide a grimace. "I guess it was only a matter of time, no pun intended. Wone's visitation laws are very strict, even chronologically speaking. One of the LawHaus's contracted agents will be on their way to purge you, from what I can tell."  

"Purge?" you gulp. "What does that mean?"

"I'm guessing you didn't obtain a passport to enter Wone, so whoever the authorities send will want to forcibly remove you from this timespace," Prince Everly says. "Though there's no telling what kind of agent they'll send. You'd expect the Order of Chronology to intervene in their own matters, but they never seem to have the time. Plus, they hate staying in one place for too long. That's why they have a partnership with the Order of Conflict to deal with timebreakers, which gives those brutes some skulls to crack every once in a while."

"Skull-cracking aside," Rosae stammers, "forced expulsion from MemoryTravel would most certainly prove fatal!"

*page_break

"True. Which is why we can't let their chronological conflict agent find you," Prince Everly says, rather calmly. "Most of the ones I know wouldn't be caught dead at my parties, anyway. You should be safe from the chroncon agent there, so should we get going?"

Despite the urgency of the situation, all you can think at the moment is: leave it to Lady Venuma to let you full absorb and MemoryTravel her, only to remain purposefully elusive in her own homeworld and not warn you of the dangers you could face in doing so. 
*if (lvfinalromance) or (rlshp_venuma > 60)
	Then you think, given your relationship with Lady Venuma, that it's more likely she didn't truly understand MemoryTravel—especially after her reaction to your full absorb. Still, that doesn't quite explain why she seems to be hiding from you in her own mindpast….
	*goto justst
*else
	Was this another way to test you? Or was this a clever way of trying to dispose of you without blood on her hands back on Versus? You suppose it could just be that Lady Venuma simply doesn't understand MemoryTravel, given her reaction to your full absorb. If that's the case, though, she shouldn't be able to hide from you in her own mindpast….
	*goto justst

*label justst

Once again, you find yourself asking: is Lady Venuma's absence here simply because she is truly Dhanthik? 

You suppose the only way to separate the potential deception from the truth is to seek out Lady Venuma at Prince Everly's party, though that's assuming this "Grecca" Apprentice truly is Lady Venuma. Which brings you to your next question: Is Prince Everly also on Versus back in the real future?

"Why are you helping us?" you ask, opening up your new intuitive sense as you do. "If you really are back on Versus too, you must be a member of The Elite Courte, right?"

*page_break

Prince Everly stares at you with his grey eyes, but he doesn't answer. Instead, you are able to intuit a surge of loyalty to Queen Ashe emanating from him, followed by a burst of disdain for Lady Venuma.
*if mamanaabolish
	You then sense a deep affinity for MamaNa beneath the surface as well, which is curious—and potentially confusing. Still,
*if (mamanaabolish = false) 
	Immediately,
these emotions reveal several things to you: 

Prince Everly must indeed be back on Versus in the future, as he claims. And it seems he is incredibly unlikely to be a part of Lady Venuma's VS Front, given his feelings. Which would also suggest that he would have no desire to find Grecca on his own. So what you cannot intuit is the answer to your initial question: why is Prince Everly helping you?

You sense Prince Everly resealing his emotions, feeling he has offered you enough. He holds out his hand for you to take, a curious smile wrapped around his face.

*page_break

Just then, you hear a horrific ripping sound as the air in the room sucks and twists into a sharp point that tears wide open into a purplish gash. You cover your ears from the terrible sound as two strong forearms begin to reach through the portal, both covered in dark, swirling shadows.

This must be the chroncon agent coming to purge you, so what will you do? 

You clearly only have seconds to decide, because time is evidently not on your side.

*choice
	#Take Prince Everly's hand because I trust him already.
		*set rlshp_everly %+20
		*set calculating %-10
		*set winjoinstatus +5
		*set doubleagentstatus +5
		*set coupspystatus +5
		*set abolishbothstatus +5

		You take Prince Everly's hand, and suddenly all of the lavender lights streak toward your grasp, lighting you up with warm, glowing energy.

		"Don't worry, the chroncon agent won't be able to follow us, at least not for a little while," Prince Everly says. "Thanks for your trust, ${name}. I—"

		If Prince Everly says anything after that, you don't hear it, as the lavender lights then explode all around you.
		*goto creashionparty
	#Take Prince Everly's hand because it's simply the best option I have in front of me at this particular moment.
		*set rlshp_everly %+15
		*set calculating %+10
		*set winjoinstatus +5
		*set doubleagentstatus +5
		*set coupbondstatus +5
		*set eliteinfostatus +5

		*label takeeverhand
		You take Prince Everly's hand, and suddenly all of the lavender lights streak towards your grasp, lighting you up with warm, glowing energy.

		"Don't worry, the chroncon agent won't be able to follow us, at least not for a little while," Prince Everly says. "And ${name}, I hope to earn your trust yet. I—"

		If Prince Everly says anything after that, you don't hear it, as the lavender lights then explode all around you.
		*goto creashionparty
	*if ((lvfinalromance = false) and (thruple = false)) #Take Prince Everly's hand because I can already tell I want to be as close to him as possible.
		*comment Zach Internal Note: The high relationship level below is only possible if you indicate romantic interest. Option is the same as trusting Everly, just with a romantic incentive added.
		*set calculating %-10
		*set winjoinstatus +5
		*set doubleagentstatus +5
		*set coupspystatus +5
		*set abolishbothstatus +5

		"I'm definitely flattered, but have to tell you I gave up consorting with mortals ages ago," Prince Everly says. "But thank you for the sentiment, all the same." 

		You nod at Prince Everly, trying not to feel too mortified. You clearly let your feelings for Prince Everly slip out into the open, whether you meant to or not.

		*if genderneutral
			"I am only really attracted to those not restricted by gender conformity," Prince Everly adds, almost literally sniffing the air around you. "My own gender identity tends to shift, depending on my creative mood. I can see you feel much the same way."
		*if (genderneutral = false)
			"Besides, my own gender identity tends to change depending on my creative mood, so I doubt you'd be interested in following the shifts," Prince Everly adds, almost literally sniffing the air around you. Despite these words, you can immediately intuit that what Prince Everly really means is that he isn't interested in anyone with a more static gender identity, unfortunately.
		*comment endif

		You hear Prince Everly's words, but all you can think is:

		*choice
			#If Prince Everly isn't interested now, I will make sure he is in the future, somehow.
				*set rlshp_everly 72
				*goto takeeverhand
			#It's probably just as well Prince Everly isn't interested in me—I don't need any unnecessary complications.
				*set rlshp_everly %+20
				*goto takeeverhand
			#Fine. I'm not interested in anyone who isn't interested in me.
				*set rlshp_everly %+10
				*goto takeeverhand
	#Blast the chroncon agent back into the portal to buy more time to decide what to do. Because if I don't like the options before me, I simply create my own.
		*set outspoken %+10
		*set energy +10
		*set command +10

		You raise your hands and emit a blast of absorbed golden goddess glow. The energy streaks at the unrevealed agent, but it just ricochets off the portal and creates a hole in the wall of the loft. You see a black-booted foot step out of the portal, and Prince Everly taps you on the shoulder.
		*goto followupchoiceever
	#Try to escape on my own because I don't trust Prince Everly yet.
		*set outspoken %-10
		*set strength +10
		*set command +10

		You flip away in a graceful display, but that's when you realize the loft doesn't seem to have any windows or doors, despite its many wonders. Is it possible you can only enter and exit via teleportation?

		You see a black-booted foot step out of the portal, and Prince Everly taps you on the shoulder.

		*label followupchoiceever

		"I'm afraid it's now or never. Plus, I'd rather my entire workshop not be destroyed in a massacre."

		No matter what Prince Everly has planned for you, it has to be better than dying at the hands of a full-powered Wone enforcer, right?

		*choice
			#Go with Prince Everly because there's no other option—it's my only remaining move.
				*set rlshp_everly %-20
				*goto takeeverhand
			#Go with Prince Everly because I should have trusted him in the first place.
				*set rlshp_everly %+10
				*goto takeeverhand
			#Go with Prince Everly, but keep my guard way up.
				*set rlshp_everly %-10
				*goto takeeverhand

*label creashionparty
*page_break Lavender Later

Once the lavender light clears, you find yourself in a darkened woods, standing beside Prince Everly and Rosae. Without waiting for a reaction from you, Prince Everly glides forward, evidently following some unseen path. You do your best to keep up as Rosae flutters along beside you.

"Now I know how you must feel adjusting to all this MemoryTravel, ${name}," Rosae chirps in a whisper as you trail Prince Everly. "MemoryTraveling is as natural to me as flying, but this trip has been remarkably jarring. And I do hate feeling so disconcerted! Anyway, listen to me chatter on when I've been meaning to ask: How do you feel about Empress Vaccus being voted into the second Versus match?"

This afternoon was such a blur that you haven't had much time to process the fact that MamaNa actually delivered on her promise. It turns out that after the brunches, the remaining three Trial Entrants weren't actually allowed to go to the amphitheater for the voting ceremony, since as potential Elites, you were temporarily forbidden to mingle with the full Elite Courte or the other Ords. Instead, you were informed via a royally sealed envelope that you were invited to vote with The Elite Courte for Empress Vaccus in this second vote. Then when the holo-voting tablet appeared before you in your quarters, that's exactly what you did.

While Empress Vaccus being voted into the second Versus Match and facing potential death is definitely a positive, you highly doubt that whatever new Destructive Empress Vaccus is facing tomorrow will prevail. Unfortunately, it can't be the Bominate, since no surviving Versus Match participant can be voted into back-to-back Matches. While you'd love to see the slug-lord and the android-assassin rip each other to shreds in a battle royale, it won't be happening tomorrow.

*page_break

"Oh deary me," Rosae chirps before you can focus these thoughts enough to answer her question—which is just as well, since all other thoughts fly from your head as you emerge from the woods and into a clearing. 

Across a vast lawn stands a mansion, but this is distinctly unlike any mansion you've ever seen. Its walls are made of some clear plastic-fiberglass combination, and the different sections are filled with flowing elements: water, fire, wind, soil, and lightning. The mansion looks alive, like a raging storm bottled into one opulent package, nestled up on the face of a cliffside attached to an intricate network of caves.

The sight is so breathtaking that it takes you a few moments to realize that the elemansion grounds are also littered with Wone deities, all wearing elaborate and unique fashions over their taut and impossibly perfect bodies. Some hold conversations in the sky, some lounge inside a steaming poolspring, some dance and drink by a spiritree tapped with spigots. You almost blush as you see one particular gathering writhing in unison in a pocket of pink air—you suppose this is a "creation" party, after all.

Combined altogether, this is perhaps the most elaborate and lavish gathering you've ever seen.

*page_break

"Shoot, I forget how mortals can react to seeing a Wone party for the first time," Prince Everly says as he glides on. "But you have to keep up if we're going to stay ahead of the chroncon agent. Besides, this is just the waiting room for the real party."

You want to say something that makes you sound equally cool and aloof, but all you can muster is a hand to wipe away some of the errant drool gathered on your chin. [i]Just the waiting room? Sure. Right.[/i]

"The real parties happen within the lagoon caverns, but you have to ride the creashon wave to get to those," Prince Everly explains. "The waitlist is pretty long, and mortals aren't technically allowed to ride, but I think you'll be able to pass with your goddess absorb guise. Besides, I inherited the entire lagoon a long time ago, so we can screw the rules. Come to think of it, the only thing that would anger my father more than turning his precious lagoon into a party palace is letting a mortal enter, even if only in a MemoryTravel fabrication…."

As Prince Everly approaches the entrance to the elemansion, it becomes abundantly clear that this is indeed his house—all of the Wone attendees nearby turn to greet him, eagerly or lazily, as he passes through the front foyer. Surprisingly, they all seem to look at you with curious eyes, clearly questioning who you are to have earned such a seemingly coveted spot beside Prince Everly.

*if (rlshp_everly > 50)
	Admittedly, the attention sends a rush through your entire body.
*if (rlshp_everly <= 50)
	Which is a bit annoying, given that you're not sure you really want to occupy such a spot in the first place.

*page_break

"As you can probably tell from the different personal expressions here on Wone, we've had a system of Hauses and Orders for eons," Prince Everly explains as you pass through a fiery hallway, one filled with ever-blooming and ever-rotting plants. "In the past, we've always been able to come together despite these separations to fulfill our divine duties, but the Wone now stand at a dangerous ideological crossroads. This FourPath Splinter has threatened to tear the Wone apart for centuries, but the possibility of civil war has never felt more real, as these divisions become more entrenched."

You follow Prince Everly into a stony stairway leading down into the caverns below, round and round, with swirling water passing through clear channels embedded within the walls. The water makes a rather welcoming cooling agent, especially after your passage through that fiery hallway. Despite these amazing surroundings, you try to refocus and pay as close attention as Rosae, who is visibly riveted by Prince Everly's words.  

"Don't worry, I'm telling you this for an important reason," Prince Everly continues, winking at you. "By riding the creashon wave, you will remain hidden from the chroncon agent and find the Apprentice Ship afterparty where Grecca will probably be, as we discussed. But it's only fair you know that riding the wave will also reveal where you stand in the Wone landscape, sorting you ideologically into one of the Four Paths of the Splinter. To keep the process pure, though, I can't tell you much more than this….

"You'll feel disoriented when the wave simulation begins, so just trust your instincts—the test is designed to feel a bit abstract at first, to get you to make choices in an unreal vacuum. Also, the creashon wave decisions will feel…disconnected in the short term, but I promise you these choices will matter a great deal in the long term. I can't tell you exactly why yet, but you will see soon enough for yourself."

Hearing Prince Everly's warning, you wonder if your choices in this creashon wave will also affect or reveal anything about your intentions or affiliations on Versus, too. Before you can worry too much, though, you enter yet another unbelievable setting….

*page_break

You find yourself inside an open cave with a ceiling made entirely, and impossibly, of brightly lit stars. This pulsating star roof is set against a lolling and vast ocean, which is also filled with thousands of floating lights, rocking back and forth with the tides. 

Gathered in this bright cavernous clearing are dozens of other Wone deities, all of whom appear to be waiting to enter the creashon waters. Prince Everly simply strolls to the front of this line, gliding over the rainbow-colored sand made of crystallized beads. Everyone immediately clears a path for Prince Everly with looks of respect, while any looks of secretive disdain are reserved purely for you and Rosae. These looks only seem to multiply as two rafts made of latticed twine float toward the shore and Prince Everly ushers you and Rosae onto them.

"This is where I leave you," Prince Everly says. "I will come find you once you reach the Midpoint. That is, assuming your brains don't explode from the experience first."

You and Rosae both are about to protest when your rafts suddenly pull away, like a roller coaster roaring out of a track. Your rafts float out, breaking past the initial sets of lolling star-waves before rushing you both out into the creashon sea on concurrent courses.

*page_break

Soon all you see are the stars hanging above in the sky and floating below in the ocean. You can't be sure how much time passes before the stars all begin to streak around you, vibrating as your raft approaches a raging waterfall. 

You float toward this waterfall without fear or trepidation, somehow knowing it won't harm you. You feel only calm as you plunge down through the waterfall's streaking depths, marveling at the shooting stars that fall all around you. This shooting star waterfall seems less incredible, somehow, than the bundles of unborn planets that rise all around you like balloons. At that moment, you can't help but think: Where the blerg are you? The only thing you can compare this ride to is your favorite amusement park back on Prisca, which uses mirrors to create optical illusions that distort the perception of reality.

Once the exhilarating waterfall drop stops, that's when you finally realize that you've been separated from Rosae—and you have no idea how long ago this happened. Of course, this separation is yet another MemoryTravel anomaly you're sure Rosae must not be thrilled about, but wherever she is, you hope she's still able to enjoy this experience as much as you currently are.

*page_break

As your raft drifts along a narrow channel, you now find yourself floating up to five different potential inlets, each leading to an enormous gate blocked by a towering statue. You intuit immediately that you must discern which statuesque guardian will let you pass. 

Rosae may not be here to warn you, but if she could, you bet she'd probably say that these Haus guardians correspond to your core absorb areas, if you think long and hard about the qualities they inherently represent.

So, trusting your instincts and letting go of the rules of reality as Prince Everly suggested, you beckon to:

*choice
	#The Champion.
		*set agile +23
		*set hausbody true

		The Champion gazes down at you with unblinking eyes, until suddenly its bronzed limbs shift and the gate opens for you. The twine raft drifts into the channel and ebbs along, finally turning a blind corner.

		You then find yourself floating before a towering skyscraper in the shape of a cross, with two corridor wings extending impossibly from the center of the tower. The very top of the tower holds an orb-like observation deck, making the skyscraper look roughly like a stick figure made of stone and glass. Inside the tower you can see pods and elevators running through tubes like veins.

		This impossible and opulent tower suddenly makes a bit more sense as you see a sign indicating that you are about to enter the [b]HAUS OF BODY.[/b]

		*page_break
		*achieve thechampion

		You're so distracted by the awesome sight that you barely even notice as your twine raft taps gently against an inlet dock. Once it does, you are immediately met by an animated skeleton wearing a finely draped tunic.

		"Welcome to the BodyHaus," the skeleton creaks, holding out a handful of medallions between its bony fingers. "To be properly sorted upon entrance, please answer the following question: What does a body right?"

		You look over the medallions and find that each is adorned with an elaborately inscribed word. Which medallion do you choose to answer the skeleton's question?

		*choice
			#Athletics.
				*set agile +10
				*set ordersporting true

				You select the Athletics medallion, and the skeleton croaks: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in an expansive sporting stadium, which you quickly realize must be housed in the orb at the top of the tower, given the surrounding views beyond the bleachers. 

				You stand on a grassy field and discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF BODY, ORDER OF SPORTING.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities playing some elaborate game across the field. You see they are all dressed in grey uniforms with broad shoulder pads and chain-metal bodices over their perfectly proportioned bodies.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Medicine.
				*set command +10
				*set orderhealth true

				You select the Medicine medallion, and the skeleton croaks: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a hospital wing, located in one of the tower's floating arms. You stand before rows of empty beds and discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF BODY, ORDER OF HEALTH.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities gathered around a bed. You see they are all dressed in simple-but-elegant white tunics, structured with a cross at the chest, then free-flowing to the floor.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Reproduction.
				*set energy +10
				*set orderbirth true

				You select the Reproduction medallion, and the skeleton croaks: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a birthing pool, in the central crux of the tower. You stand before chamber after chamber of warmly lit, bubbling water where planetary cores float, unformed. 

				You then discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF BODY, ORDER OF BIRTH.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities gathered around a birthing pool. You see they are all dressed in tones of blush and rose and pink, almost indistinguishable from their perfectly proportioned bodies.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Training.
				*set strength +10
				*set orderconflict true

				You select the Training medallion, and the skeleton croaks: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a military training room, which you assume must be in the base of the tower, given its underground bunker feel. 

				You stand before training stations of every kind and discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF BODY, ORDER OF CONFLICT.[/b]

				*page_break

				Blerg, you think—don't you remember Prince Everly saying that the chroncon agent who is hunting you is from the Order of Conflict?

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities training together, sparring and shooting and smashing. You see they are all dressed in slip-cloth clothing, perfect for combat and baring their lean, muscled physiques. Thankfully none of them seems to want to attack you in particular, so you have to assume the chroncon agent hunting you is not among them.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Work.
				*set tech +10
				*set orderlabor true

				You select the Work medallion, and the skeleton croaks: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a swatch of farmland, in one of the tower's floating arms. You stand before rows of crops, all of which stretch for miles into a distant, bustling metropolis. You have to wonder how one building could possibly contain this much. 

				Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF BODY, ORDER OF LABOR.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities running across the fields, sowing the seeds of life as they go. They wear protective clothing, thick and sturdy, over their perfectly proportioned bodies.
				*goto clotheschoice
	#The Sovereign.
		*set command +23
		*set hausemotion true

		The Sovereign gazes down at you with unblinking eyes, until suddenly its bronzed limbs shift and the gate opens for you. The twine raft drifts into the channel and ebbs along, finally turning a blind corner.

		You then find yourself floating before a castle that makes the Elite Castle look like a children's playground house. This new castle is so massive and adorned that you can't take it all in with one look. Despite this, seeing the castle seems to make you feel every conceivable emotion at once. It all threatens to make your mind explode with its sheer enormity.

		This overwhelming and gargantuan castle suddenly makes a bit more sense as you see a sign indicating that you are about to enter the [b]HAUS OF EMOTION.[/b]

		*page_break
		*achieve thesovereign

		You're so distracted by the awesome sight that you barely even notice as your twine raft taps gently against an inlet dock. Once it does, you are immediately met by a ghost pulsating different colors. Angry red. Satisfactory blue. Grounded green. Bright, happy yellow. Dark, black despair.

		"Welcome to the Haus of Emotion," the ghost whispers, holding out a handful of medallions between its transparent fingers. "To be properly sorted upon entrance, please answer the following question: What is it most important to be?"

		You look over the medallions and find that each is adorned with an elaborately inscribed word. Which medallion do you choose to answer the ghost's question?

		*choice
			#Connected.
				*set agile +10
				*set orderlove true

				You select the Connected medallion, and the ghost whispers: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in the castle's chapel, one filling you only with the sanctity of love and union, the base unit of all life. You stand before pews filled with endless unfulfilled potential and discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF EMOTION, ORDER OF LOVE.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities crossing the altar, all wearing clothes bursting with color like a living rainbow. 
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Inspiring.
				*set command +10
				*set ordercoercion true

				You select the Inspiring medallion, and the ghost whispers: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in the castle's situation room, leading a gathered high council. You stand before a library of law books and maps and sovereign decrees and discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF EMOTION, ORDER OF COERCION.[/b]

				You are struck immediately, as you remember this to be Lady Venuma's Order. You wonder if you might find her here, finally….

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities in the corner of the room, but they all look far more like high-society members than generals. They all wear stately gowns and high-fashion frocks in elegant and revealing styles, practically dripping with influence…just the way Lady Venuma does. However, you don't seem to see Lady Venuma amidst this glamorous gathering of Wone deities as you might have hoped.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Empathetic.
				*set energy +10
				*set orderhumanity true

				You select the Empathetic medallion, and the ghost whispers: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in the castle's womb room, standing before a row of incubation tubes filled with unborn souls. As the peace and potential of the womb room settles over you, you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads:

				[b]HAUS OF EMOTION, ORDER OF HUMANITY.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities gathered beside one of the tubes, moving markers around on a large panel. They all wear impossibly different clothes, as if embodying the endless aspects of human nature themselves.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Formidable.
				*set strength +10
				*set orderhate true

				You select the Formidable medallion, and the ghost whispers: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself suspended on a platform above a red raging sea, behind the castle. Below you waits a motivated armada of warships, seething and churning in the sea of rage. You then discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant banner that reads:

				[b]HAUS OF EMOTION, ORDER OF HATE.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities gathered on the deck of the nearest warship, chanting and screaming together. They all wear layers of furs and feathers and leathers, paired with animal skull belts and antler crowns. You focus on one goddess in particular leading the charge. She wears a gown of black feathers, with frozen ravens in flight sewn along the tight bodice.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Intelligent.
				*set tech +10
				*set ordercuriosity true

				You select the Intelligent medallion, and the ghost whispers: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a vaulted lecture hall within the castle, standing before rows of seated students anxiously awaiting your oration. Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF EMOTION, ORDER OF CURIOSITY.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities gathered around a book in the corner of the hall. They all wear identically plain formal uniforms, as if they want to devote no extra thought to anything other than the pure pursuit of knowledge.
				*goto clotheschoice
	#The Alchemist.
		*set energy +23
		*set hauselement true

		The Alchemist gazes down at you with unblinking eyes, until suddenly its bronzed limbs shift and the gate opens for you. The twine raft drifts into the channel and ebbs along, finally turning a blind corner.

		You then find yourself floating before five miniature planets hanging in the deep purple sky, each a different color and burning with bright intensity. The liquid electric blue planet is tethered to the blazing orange planet by a chain-link walkway tunnel, which in turn connects to a swirling clear planet, to a churning brown planet, and finally to a humming and crackling white planet.

		The sight of these vibrant and vacillating connected planets suddenly makes a bit more sense as you see a sign indicating that you are about to enter the [b]HAUS OF ELEMENT.[/b]

		*page_break
		*achieve thealchemist

		You're so distracted by the awesome sight that you barely even notice as your twine raft taps gently against an inlet dock. Once it does, you are immediately met by a storm cloud with lightning bolts for limbs and carefully arranged raindrops for a face.

		"Welcome to the ElementalHaus," the storm cloud whispers in a gusty windvoice, holding out a handful of medallions between its electric fingers. "To be properly sorted upon entrance, please answer the following question: What is most essential to life?"

		You look over the medallions and find that each is adorned with an elaborately inscribed word. Which medallion do you choose to answer the storm cloud's question?

		*choice
			#Hydration.
				*set agile +10
				*set orderwater true

				You select the Hydration medallion, and the storm cloud gusts: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a deep ocean trench, floating in a breathable bubble and surrounded by elaborate wetworked structures. Clearly you have landed on the liquid blue planet. 

				Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF ELEMENT, ORDER OF WATER.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities floating nearby, all wearing garments made of cascading sequins, which appear to ripple and shimmer like water itself as the deities swim.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Storms.
				*set command +10
				*set orderwind true

				You select the Storm medallion, and the storm cloud gusts: "Well chosen."

				Within the same instant you suddenly find yourself in the eye of a hurricane, floating in an unbreakable bubble and surrounded by elaborate structures of blown glass. Clearly you have landed on the swirling clear planet. 

				Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF ELEMENT, ORDER OF WIND.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities standing on a nearby platform, all wearing elaborately structured plastic-resin outfits swirling around their perfectly proportioned bodies. The structured garments almost look like molds of wind made physical.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Heat.
				*set energy +10
				*set orderfire true

				You select the Heat medallion, and the storm cloud gusts: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a molten planetary core, floating in a fireproof bubble and surrounded by elaborate magma-made structures. Clearly you have landed on the blazing orange planet.

				Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF ELEMENT, ORDER OF FIRE.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities rising on a platform, all wearing plastic-resin molded clothing painted and proportioned to look like burning flames made flesh. As you watch them rise like living flames, you wonder if this might be the Order Queen Ashe belongs to, given her fiery namesake.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Soil.
				*set strength +10
				*set ordercore true

				You select the Soil medallion, and the storm cloud gusts: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in cavern made of solid bedrock, floating in a sodden bubble and surrounded by elaborate earthen structures. Clearly you have landed on the churning brown planet.

				Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF ELEMENT, ORDER OF CORE.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities gathered under a swooping cavern ceiling, all wearing clothes made of vines wrapped around their perfectly proportioned bodies, which seem to be chiseled from bedrock themselves.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Lightning.
				*set tech +10
				*set orderelectric true

				You select the Lightning medallion, and the storm cloud gusts: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a searing and continuous bolt of lightning, floating in a rubberized bubble and surrounded by elaborate electric structures. Clearly you have landed on the crackling white planet. 

				Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF ELEMENT, ORDER OF ELECTRIC.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities rising through the storm on a solid platform. You see they all wear clear white sheet-like garments lit underneath by intricate patterns of lights, almost like living lightning of a thousand colors strobing and pulsing across their perfectly proportioned physiques.
				*goto clotheschoice
	#The Protector.
		*set strength +23
		*set hauslaw true

		The Protector gazes down at you with unblinking eyes, until suddenly its bronzed limbs shift and the gate opens for you. The twine raft drifts into the channel and ebbs along, finally turning a blind corner.

		You then find yourself floating before a statuesque courthouse made entirely of glass. Its front steps stretch on for rows and rows leading up to solid columns, all of which appear to have some kind of alien block letters etched into their fronts.

		The sight of this austere and clear courthouse suddenly makes a bit more sense as you see a sign indicating that you are about to enter the [b]HAUS OF LAW.[/b]

		*page_break
		*achieve theprotector

		You're so distracted by the awesome sight that you barely even notice as your twine raft taps gently against an inlet dock. Once it does, you are immediately met by a bronzed lady with no arms, save for two tipping scales of justice.

		"Welcome to the LawHaus," the lady of justice whispers, holding out an assortment of medallions nestled in one of her tipped scales. "To be properly sorted upon entrance, please answer the following question: What rules are most essential to abide by?"

		You look over the medallions and find that each is adorned with an elaborately inscribed word. Which medallion do you choose to answer the lady justice's question?

		*label lawchoice
		*choice
			*disable_reuse #Time & Space.
				You select the Time & Space medallion, and the lady justice sings: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in the courthouse's clock tower, surrounded by ticking timepieces as big as buildings. Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF LAW, ORDER OF CHRONOLOGY.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, several Wone deities appear in the distance, approaching you from afar. As they grow closer, you see they are all dressed identically in heavy hooded robes, with massive clocks dangling from ropes across their chests.

				As they see you, you feel it immediately: they know you do not belong here.

				With one unison waving of their hands, suddenly you find yourself expelled back in time by the Chronologists, who are insulted to their cores by your act of time defiance. 

				Thankfully, all that seems to mean is returning you to the dock outside the courthouse to choose another medallion, and not something far more grim, like whatever their chroncon agent probably has planned for you.
				*goto lawchoice
			#Leadership Decrees.
				*set command +10
				*set ordergovernance true

				You select the Leadership Decrees medallion, and the lady justice sings: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in an oval-shaped office in the center of the courthouse, filled with oak furniture and bills and bound books of law. Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF LAW, ORDER OF GOVERNANCE.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities seated around a map, all wearing stately and regal clothes, both modest and elegant at the same time. Their understated style only enhances their air of quiet power and influence.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Life & Death.
				*set energy +10
				*set orderfaith true

				You select the Life & Death medallion, and the lady justice sings: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a meditative temple that seems to go on forever, impossibly, its vast empty halls resonating with peace and silence. Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF LAW, ORDER OF FAITH.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities approaching from a long open corridor. As they grow closer, you see they are all dressed in intricately folded origami dresses of amber and maroon and beige, soft folds cascading across structured edges.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Breaking Rules.
				*set strength +10
				*set orderexception true

				You select the Breaking Rules medallion, and the lady justice sings: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in an underground prison, standing in a corridor of empty cells with their supermax heavy doors left open. Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF LAW, ORDER OF EXCEPTION.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities ripping the doors from their hinges further down the long corridor. They all seem to wear their own personal declaration of independence, whether it's a flag jumpsuit or graphic message shirt or tattoos or piercings or any of the thousands of other symbols of rebellion. You suppose every rule is made to be broken at some point, and that's what these Wone deities stand for.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Natural Physics.
				*set tech +10
				*set orderscience true

				You select the Natural Physics medallion, and the lady justice sings: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself inside a bustling laboratory, laden with experiments so complicated and bizarre that you can feel your mind would snap in two if you even attempted to glimpse one up close.

				Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF LAW, ORDER OF SCIENCE.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities gathered around an experiment, all wearing cubic exoskeleton suits of stark white, like lab coats or biohazard suits, but gleaming with technology cubes with functionalities so advanced that you can tell you could never even begin to comprehend their abilities.
				*goto clotheschoice
	#The Artist.
		*set tech +23
		*set hauscreation true

		The Artist gazes down at you with unblinking eyes, until suddenly its bronzed limbs shift and the gate opens for you. The twine raft drifts into the channel and ebbs along, finally turning a blind corner.

		You then find yourself floating before an impossibly sculpted museum spiraling up into the sky. It somehow looks like a solid tornado rising out of the ground, made of precious reflective metals broken up by clear-glass galleries. Surrounding the tornado tower are globs of brick molded into circular factions, interspersed with treelike observation decks.

		The sight of this surrealist and superimposed museum suddenly makes a bit more sense as you see a sign indicating that you are about to enter the [b]HAUS OF CREATION.[/b]

		*page_break
		*achieve theartist

		You're so distracted by the awesome sight that you barely even notice as your twine raft taps gently against an inlet dock. Once it does, you are immediately met by a crawling baby, painted in every color ever imagined all at once.

		"Welcome to the Haus of Creation," the painted baby coos, holding out a handful of medallions between its colorful fingers. "To be properly sorted upon entrance, please answer the following question: What is it most important to create?"

		You look over the medallions and find that each is adorned with an elaborately inscribed word. Which medallion do you choose to answer the painted baby's question?

		*choice
			#Art.
				*set agile +10
				*set orderworks true

				You select the Art medallion, and the painted baby cries: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in loft, one that immediately strikes you as familiar…because it is indeed Prince Everly's werkshop loft. Does that mean you came here to the Creation museum first, or is this all some kind of simulation within the creashon wave?

				Whichever is true, you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF CREATION, ORDER OF WORKS.[/b]

				*page_break
				*achieve echelonfour
				*if ethree
					*set efour true

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities working on a project in an empty portion of the loft, all wearing clothes that make them look like rock stars or cultural icons. You don't see Prince Everly, but you know he'd fit right in with this creatively expressed group.

				Watching them work, you can somehow feel the duality of the existence as vividly as you've ever felt anything: Inspiration, Creation, Confidence, Purpose, Connection, Clarity, and Praise all standing in stark contrast to the potential for Insecurity, Isolation, Blockage, Emptiness, Confusion, Loss, Criticism…it's enough to move you to tears.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Structures.
				*set command +10
				*set orderarchitecture true

				You select the Structures medallion, and the painted baby cries: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in three-dimensional blueprint, standing in a white room crisscrossed with blue lines. Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF CREATION, ORDER OF ARCHITECTURE.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities examining a portion of the blueprint, all of them wearing clean-lined bodysuits adorned with elaborately and impossibly structured collars, each in a unique shape expression.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Natural Gardens.
				*set energy +10
				*set orderecology true

				You select the Natural Gardens medallion, and the painted baby cries: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in a sprawling greenhouse behind the museum, though this one is much different than Cadet Gadget's shinevine greenhouse back on Versus. This greenhouse is so lush and humid that you can practically feel the exotic and alien fauna growing inch by inch all around you.

				Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF CREATION, ORDER OF ECOLOGY.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities tending to a plot of the greenhouse, all of them wearing clothes woven together from flowers and leaves, some even adorned with enamel palettes made to look like plants.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Life.
				*set strength +10
				*set ordersexuality true

				You select the Life medallion, and the painted baby cries: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in the highest peak of the museum tower amidst a writhing sea of bodies touching and sweating and moaning. Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF CREATION, ORDER OF SEXUALITY.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities presiding over the sensual affair, all of them wearing leather and lace and draped fabric over their perfectly proportioned physiques. 

				Watching them preside, you can suddenly somehow feel the duality present here as vividly as you've ever felt anything: Sex, Creation, Love, and Beauty all standing in stark contrast to the potential for Possession, Explicitness, Pornography, Exploitation…it's enough to move you to climax.
				*goto clotheschoice
			#Inventions.
				*set tech +10
				*set orderprogress true

				You select the Inventions medallion, and the painted baby cries: "Well chosen."

				Within the blink of an eye you suddenly find yourself in the museum's central crux, standing before rows of white hallways hallowed with exhibits of life's finest acts of progress. Then you discover that this must be the Wone branch you have been sorted into, since you now see a giant sign that reads: 

				[b]HAUS OF CREATION, ORDER OF PROGRESS.[/b]

				*page_break

				Just then, you notice a group of Wone deities curating an exhibit. You see they are all dressed in various robotic garments, smart-tech clothes with mechanical seams and built-in rolling platforms and personalized cooling systems.
				*goto clotheschoice

*label clotheschoice

You then realize that you, in contrast, stand there entirely naked. Miraculously, beside you a rack of clothing appears, with garments that match the assembled Wone deities of your sorted Order—though you can also feel the ability to manifest your own clothes within your fingertips.

Now that you've witnessed the customs of your kind, you decide to wear:

*choice
	#Something from the racks provided that expresses my individuality.
		*set security %+10
		*set enlighten %-10
		*set outspoken %+10
		*goto selfexp
	#Something of my own creation that is totally against the trends here.
		*set security %-10
		*set enlighten %-10
		*set outspoken %+10
		*goto selfexp
	#Something from the racks provided that helps me blend in best, given that I'm being hunted.
		*set security %+10
		*set enlighten %+10
		*set outspoken %-10
		*goto selfexp
	#Something of my own creation that expands upon the existing style and seems fresh yet respectful.
		*set security %-10
		*set enlighten %+10
		*set outspoken %-10
		*goto selfexp

*label selfexp

"This self-expression is more meaningful than you think," the present Wone deities all suddenly say in unison. "For it represents where you stand and for whom you stand. 

"Wone is an ancient planet of powerful beings, the very first surviving race, and the only race to develop advanced creation abilities," the Wone deities now begin to chant, forming a circle around you. "To be deemed a worthy Wone, you must create a world of your very own. And now, you will.

"You would do well to remember us, your sorted Order, on your journey of creation. And when the time comes, remember to represent us in 
*if hausbody
	*if ordersporting
		all matters recreational."
	*if orderhealth
		sickness and in health."
	*if orderbirth
		representing reproductive rights."
	*if orderconflict
		times of war and peace."
	*if orderlabor
		times of work."
*if hausemotion
	*if orderlove
		marriage and family."
	*if ordercoercion
		all matters of state."
	*if orderhumanity
		the very nature of humanity."
	*if orderhate
		fostering hate, to motivate and protect."
	*if ordercuriosity
		all matters educational."
*if hauselement
	all matters planetary, the most important matters there could ever be."
*if hauslaw
	*if ordergovernance
		all things political."
	*if orderfaith
		all matters of faith."
	*if orderexception
		the creation and the breaking of all laws."
	*if orderscience
		all matters scientific."
*if hauscreation
	*if orderworks
		all artful matters." 
	*if orderarchitecture
		the structure of all things."
	*if orderecology
		the care of your chosen planet."
	*if ordersexuality
		all things sexual."
	*if orderprogress
		all matters technological and beautiful."

*page_break

"Now go forth and make your world," the Wone deities conclude, suddenly snapping your surroundings to complete blackness: 

The dark, starless void of creative space.

You are not alone for long in this void, however, as slowly this space becomes studded with stars. These bright points soon begin to streak, but only because you suddenly rocket forward while securely strapped to a comet, evidently entering the next simulation of the creashon wave. The comet propels you toward a birthed planet—your planet, the planet you will populate with a world of the newly living.

It becomes clear to you then: you are going to make a whole world in this simulation. This must be the crux of the creashon wave, the portion that will no doubt reveal your innermost values. No wonder Prince Everly said this would be important….

*page_break

This new planet may be small and it may be light years away from another planet capable of bearing life, but it is your world, and it will be a good world. 

You can tell upon initial inspection that this planet is plentiful with resources,
*if orderwater
	and given your Order, water is the primary resource that gives life.
	*goto humanitas
*elseif orderwind
	and given your Order, wind is the primary resource that gives life.
	*goto humanitas
*elseif orderfire
	and given your Order, fire is the primary resource that gives life.
	*goto humanitas
*elseif ordercore
	and given your Order, the planetary core of soil and rock is the primary resource that gives life.
	*goto humanitas
*elseif orderelectric
	and given your Order, electricity and lightning are the primary resources that give life.
	*goto humanitas
*elseif orderecology
	and given your Order, plants and animals are the primary resources that give life.
	*goto humanitas
*else
	and that plants and animals are the primary resources that give life.
	*goto humanitas

*label humanitas
*if (hauselement) or (orderecology)
	*if (agile > 64)
		*set agile 70
	*if (agile <= 64)
		*set agile +5
	*if (tech > 52)
		*set tech 58
	*if (tech <= 52)
		*set tech +5
	*if (energy > 79)
		*set energy 85
	*if (energy <= 79)
		*set energy +5
	*if (strength > 79)
		*set strength 85
	*if (strength <= 79)
		*set strength +5
	*if (command > 79)
		*set command 85
	*if (command <= 79)
		*set command +5
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as this planetary profile is set in motion, for it represents the interests of your sorted Order. 
*comment endif

Upon this life-giving planet, a new variation of humanoid being will soon evolve. They will be mortal and they will be unaware of the nature of their creation—of your own mortal hand shaping and guiding them as you ride the creashon wave to its completion.

Rocketing down to the surface of the world on this comet, you watch from above as your humanoids take shape. They are more unique and beautiful than you could have imagined—or rather, perhaps they are exactly as you imagined an ideal race to be, as they spring forth from the depths of your own mind.

It is here that you are presented with your very first choice, a foundational decision that will have ripple effects in your world for generations and centuries to come.
*if orderhumanity
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Humanity. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.

*choice
	#I will ensure that my humanoid population is genetically diverse, possessing many skin tones, body shapes, and talents, because I think that's objectively best.
		*if orderhumanity
			*set security %-30
		*if (orderhumanity = false)
			*set security %-15

		*label timefordiv
		*set xdiverse true

		As you make your choice and set your diverse population in motion, you can already see the first major effect: this population will be self-sufficient, given their ability to diversify, so they will not require much future trade outside their own planet.

		They will, however, be much more easily divided because of their many differences.
		*goto lovetohate
	#I will ensure that my humanoid population is genetically homogeneous, possessing uniform appearances and talents, because I think that's objectively best.
		*if orderhumanity
			*set security %+30
		*if (orderhumanity = false)
			*set security %+15

		*label timeforhom
		*set xhomogenous true

		As you make your choice and set your homogeneous population in motion, you can already see the first major effect: this population will be united by cause and purpose and passion. They will not be easily divided and they will remain rather peaceful. 

		However, it will not be easy for them to build a diversified and self-sufficient society, given their lack of diversity, so eventually they will require trade with outside planets to thrive.
		*goto lovetohate
	#I will ensure that my humanoid population is genetically diverse, purely because this is the opposite of the binding uniformity I experienced on Prisca.
		*if orderhumanity
			*set purity %-30
		*if (orderhumanity = false)
			*set purity %-15
		*goto timefordiv
	#I will ensure that my humanoid population is genetically homogeneous, purely because this is what I know to work best on Prisca.
		*if orderhumanity
			*set purity %+30
		*if (orderhumanity = false)
			*set purity %+15
		*goto timeforhom
		
*label lovetohate

As a result, the next question posed to you will be of the utmost importance: How will your humanoids respond to the unknown and the unfamiliar? With an isolated and still-evolving population, there will be much more your people don't know about the galaxy than what they do know, at first.

Fear can be a powerful yet suffocating tool for maintaining order, while the ability to embrace change can be a potent yet chaotic tool for championing progress.

*if orderhate
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Hate. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
*comment endif

*choice
	#I will make my people fearful of the unknown and wary of change, in the form of a primarily protective instinct.
		*if orderhate
			*set purity %+30
		*if (orderhate = false)
			*set purity %+15

		*label timeforfears
		*set xfearful true

		Once again, you see the impact of your decision as the years fly by on the shores of your planet: 

		This natural instinct to respond fearfully creates many internal divisions among your population, as they continually seek to identify the unknown enemies to their particular societies—to continually blame a population designated as "the other" for their problems. However, this instinct also ensures that your people are quite politically adept and accustomed to conflict.
		*goto reprocus
	#I will make my people embrace the unknown and remain open to change, in the form of an evolutionary instinct.
		*if orderhate
			*set purity %-30
		*if (orderhate = false)
			*set purity %-50

		*label timeforembraces
		*set xembrace true

		Once again, you see the impact of your decision as the years fly by on the shores of your planet: 

		This natural instinct creates a united society unconcerned with their potential differences—or with constantly creating a population of "the other" to rail against. However, this instinct also ensures that your people remain potentially vulnerable, without experience in politics or conflict.
		*goto reprocus
	#I will make my people fearful of the unknown and wary of change so that they are more inclined to listen to my seemingly divine rule and remain obedient.
		*if orderhate
			*set enlighten %+30
		*if (orderhate = false)
			*set enlighten %+15
		*goto timeforfears
	#I will make my people embrace the unknown and remain open to change so that they are more inclined to think for themselves, even if it makes them difficult to control.
		*if orderhate
			*set enlighten %-30
		*if (orderhate = false)
			*set enlighten %-15
		*goto timeforembraces

*label reprocus

As time spins on beneath you, and the first generation of your population ages, you sense the final foundational decision approaching as your people are faced with birthing their next generation.

How will your people be able to reproduce?

*if orderbirth
	*if (growth > 44)
		*set growth 50
	*if (growth <= 44)
		*set growth +5
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Birth. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
*comment endif

*choice
	#Reproduction will be achieved by the sexual mating rituals of binary genitalia, most typically identified as male and female.
		*set xbinary true

		As time flies further, and the new generation of your people is born, a trend becomes immediately clear: this reproductive system will very effectively regulate population growth, but it will create very strictly adhered-to gender roles and thus all of the potential politics and inequalities that accompany such roles.
		*goto centspin
	#Reproduction will occur via the individual, asexual reproduction of an agendered population.
		*set xasexual true

		As time flies further, and the new generation of your people is born, a trend becomes immediately clear: this reproductive system will eliminate potential gender politics and inequalities, but regulating population control will eventually become a massive problem, as there will be no impediment to rampant self-reproduction.
		*goto centspin
	#Reproduction will be possible in any combination, on a spectrum of gender expressions.
		*set xspectrum true

		As time flies further, and the new generation of your people is born, a trend becomes immediately clear: this reproductive system will create potential for great diversity and progress, but it will also create potentially politicized gender roles at first—for no matter how open-minded a population is, the creation of identity is always accompanied by politics. Also, sometime in the distant future, population levels will eventually become a problem.
		*goto centspin

*label centspin

With these three foundational choices set in motion, your creashon comet rockets back up into space, allowing your planet to spin impossibly fast beneath you, setting generations of evolution in progress in the blink of an eye. 

Watching your world turn beneath you, its colors swirling as years melt away, you feel an unexpected and overwhelming burst of emotion pour over you. You experience a love so pure and protective that it nearly moves you to tears.

As your planet soon spins slower, your creashon comet descends back through the clouds of your planet with urgent speed. As you ride down to review your people's progress with an anxious flutter, you somehow intuit that remembering this matrix of unique foundational strengths and weaknesses you have just learned will remain key in ensuring that your world continues to thrive.

*page_break

Your comet once again hangs above the shimmering shores of your world, and you return to find that your people have now spread across the small planet. Given the planetary makeup, they are primarily
*if orderwater
	water-based beings who worship imagined gods of hydration: heightened and all-powerful versions of themselves that they believe live in the ocean and govern their fates. 
	*goto knowtruth
*elseif orderwind
	wind-based beings who worship imagined gods of the gale: heightened and all-powerful versions of themselves that they believe live in the storm and govern their fates.
	*goto knowtruth 
*elseif orderfire
	fire-based beings who worship imagined gods of the flame: heightened and all-powerful versions of themselves that they believe live in the sun and govern their fates. 
	*goto knowtruth
*elseif ordercore
	soil-based beings who worship imagined gods of the core: heightened and all-powerful versions of themselves that they believe live in the ground below and govern their fates. 
	*goto knowtruth
*elseif orderelectric
	lightning-based beings who worship imagined gods of the electric: heightened and all-powerful versions of themselves that they believe live in the storm-bolts and govern their fates.
	*goto knowtruth
*elseif orderecology
	nature-based beings who worship imagined gods of the plant: heightened and all-powerful versions of themselves that they believe live in the trees and govern their fates.
	*goto knowtruth
*else
	animal-fed beings who worship imagined gods of the hunt: heightened and all-powerful versions of themselves that they believe live in the animals and govern their fates.
	*goto knowtruth

*label knowtruth

Of course, you know the truth of your people's creation and the reality of who truly governs their fate, but you are forbidden from interacting directly with your people according to the laws of the Wone creashon.

As you look upon the people you molded, all these centuries later, you find that
*if (xfearful)
	*if (xdiverse)
		your fearful and diverse population has splintered into several nations, divided by skin color. These nations are focused primarily on warring with one other for dominance and the glorious favor of their elemental gods. This warring isn't suitable for the progress of an enlightened and advanced society, but it has made your people strong, resilient, and in possession of weapons far beyond their other advancements. 
	*if (xhomogenous)
		without superficial differences to separate them, your fearful and homogeneous population has created a rigid class system to impose order. This does wonders for the development of advancement and production in your society, as labor is specialized by class. However, this class system also creates many accepted inequalities and severe human-rights violations.
*if (xembrace)
	your people, ever ready to embrace one another, have remained united in one global nation.
	*if (xdiverse)
		Thanks to their embedded genetic diversity, a great diversification of labor has developed. Additionally, a proliferation of the arts and sciences has flourished in this progressive nation. 

		However, because your people's society has thrived and developed without conflict, they have developed no weapons or capabilities for self-defense.
	*if (xhomogenous)
		Thanks to their genetic homogeneity and general acceptance, a strong unified national thinking has emerged: every aspect of society revolves around the worship of The Element. Your society is at peace, but they have not achieved much diversification of labor and therefore remain relatively primitive.

*page_break

As you might have anticipated, your people have many questions about the meaning of their lives and their creation that they cannot answer. And while Wone rule dictates that you cannot directly communicate these answers to your people, you can instead set the tone for progress by ushering in societal changes.

And what better way to reach your people, albeit indirectly, than through the creation of organized religion? After all, religion is simply the often-profound process of providing answers to the questions a society doesn't yet have the ability to answer. And apparently the Wone have used religion to indirectly communicate with their creations since the beginning of time.

*if orderfaith
	The words of your Wone peers now ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Faith. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
*comment endif

So how will you send your potentially divine word down from on high?

*temp parentlisten false
*temp cultsovereign false
*choice
	#Send word of myself as my people's creator through a prophet, who will then create the Order of Thomil to provide rules for morality and behavior.
		*if orderfaith
			*set enlighten %+30
		*if (orderfaith = false)
			*set enlighten %+15

		*if (xfearful) and (xdiverse)
			The chosen prophet embraces your message of truth and, as time speeds by underneath you, this prophet becomes a champion of their nation—and uses your righteous truth to conquer the other nations of your world. 

			As time speeds by underneath you once again, you watch as one conquered and unified nation rises, one purely governed under the direction of the Order of Thomil and this championed warlord.

			Thankfully, your prophetic message also included instructions on a code of leadership, one your people are also inclined to listen to.

			*label conquerchoosing

			*if ordergovernance
				The words of your Wone peers now ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Governance. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
			*comment endif

			*choice
				#I decreed there must be popular elections for a governing body.
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %-30
						*goto conqueredelections
					*else
						*set security %-15
						*goto conqueredelections
				#I decreed there must be rule through royal dynasties, under a sole sovereign.
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %+30
						*goto conqueredsovereign
					*else
						*set security %+15
						*goto conqueredsovereign
				#I decreed there must be an elite competition held to appoint the strongest leaders.
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %+30
						*goto conqueredcompetition
					*else
						*set security %+15
						*goto conqueredcompetition
		*elseif (xfearful) and (xhomogenous)
			The chosen prophet embraces your message of truth, and as time speeds by underneath you, this ever fearful prophet uses your message primarily to reinforce the class system. 

			Now backed by the power of a fully fledged faith, the Order of Thomil, this rigid class system becomes deeply ingrained in your people's society. 

			Thankfully, your prophetic message also included instructions on a code of leadership.

			*label classchoosing

			*if ordergovernance
				The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Governance. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
			*comment endif

			*choice
				#I decreed there must be popular elections for a governing body.
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %-30
						*goto classelections
					*else
						*set security %-15
						*goto classelections
				#I decreed there must be rule through royal dynasties, under a sole sovereign.
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %+30
						*goto classsovereign
					*else
						*set security %+15
						*goto classsovereign
				#I decreed there must be an elite competition held to appoint the strongest leaders.
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %+30
						*goto classcompetition
					*else
						*set security %+15
						*goto classcompetition
				#I decreed there must be no formal leadership at all. 
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %-30
						*goto classnoleaders
					*else
						*set security %-15
						*goto classnoleaders
		*elseif (xembrace) and (xdiverse)
			*set parentlisten true
			While your chosen prophet embraces your message of truth, this prophet is completely ignored by your people, as they have become sophisticated thinkers who believe they already have uncovered the scientific answers of creation. It seems you can try to guide your people, but they do have free will, after all—a free will based on principles you instilled in them. Whether you like it or not, these are the creations you made. You suppose this must be how a parent eventually feels about the child they raise.

			As time speeds by underneath you once again, you watch as your people develop two simple religious laws: to always respect the truth of another, and to never let one individual's truth impede upon the freedom of another's.

			Despite their rejection of your prophet, one of their most influential thinkers does find wisdom in your instructions for a code of leadership and works to implement it within their society.

			*label utopiachoosing

			*if ordergovernance
				The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Governance. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
			*comment endif

			*choice
				#I decreed there must be popular elections for a governing body.
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %-30
						*goto utopiaelections
					*else
						*set security %-15
						*goto utopiaelections
				#I decreed there must be an elite competition held to appoint the strongest leaders.
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %+30
						*goto utopiacompetition
					*else
						*set security %+15
						*goto utopiacompetition
				#I decreed there must be no formal leadership at all.
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %-30
						*goto utopianoleaders
					*else
						*set security %-15
						*goto utopianoleaders
		*else
			Your chosen prophet internalizes your message of truth and, as time speeds by underneath you, this prophet is resoundingly embraced as a messiah by your people's already uniform society. 

			The entire population clings to this delivered truth without question, and your prophet thus becomes leader of this nation unified under the Order of Thomil.

			Thankfully, your prophetic message also included instructions on a code of leadership that your people are fully inclined to obey.

			*label cultchoosing

			*if ordergovernance
				The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Governance. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
			*comment endif

			*choice
				#I decreed there must be popular elections for a governing body.
					Unsurprisingly, the prophet was elected leader by a landslide vote.
					
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %-30
						*goto cultleader
					*else
						*set security %-15
						*goto cultleader
				#I decreed there must be rule through royal dynasties, under a sole sovereign.
					*set cultsovereign true
					Unsurprisingly, the prophet becomes the royal sovereign without contest.
					
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %+30
						*goto cultleader
					*else
						*set security %+15
						*goto cultleader
				#I decreed there must be an elite competition held to appoint the strongest leaders.
					Not surprisingly, the prophet easily wins the competition, as everyone wants this messiah to become their leader.
					
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %+30
						*goto cultleader
					*else
						*set security %+15
						*goto cultleader
				#I decreed there must be no formal leadership.
					However, the society you set in motion is very clearly only interested in having the prophet become leader. Despite protesting, there is nothing the prophet can do to overcome the resounding call of the people. 

					It seems you can try to guide your people, but they do have free will, after all—a free will based on principles you instilled in them. Whether you like it or not, these are the creations you made. You suppose this must be how a parent eventually feels about the child they raise.

					*set parentlisten true
					*if ordergovernance
						*set security %-30
						*goto cultleader
					*else
						*set security %-15
						*goto cultleader
	#Leave a sacred text of morality and behavioral codes told in parables, encouraging religious freedom for all and calling for my people to interpret this truth for themselves individually.
		*if orderfaith
			*set enlighten %-30
		*if (orderfaith = false)
			*set enlighten %-15
		*comment endif

		*if (xfearful) and (xdiverse)
			*set parentlisten true
			The person who finds this sacred text rises to prominence as their nation embraces your message of truth. As time speeds by underneath you, this messenger becomes a champion of their nation—and uses your righteous truth to eventually conquer the other nations of your world. 

			You watch as one unified nation rises, one purely governed under the direction of the Order of Thomil and this now-championed warlord. Despite your decree of tolerance and freedom, this is how your people have chosen to interpret your message. It seems you can try to guide your people, but they do have free will, after all—free will based on principles you instilled in them. Whether you like it or not, these are the creations you made. You suppose this must be how a parent eventually feels about the child they raise.

			Thankfully, your sacred text also included instructions on a code of leadership, one your people seem more inclined to listen to.
			*goto conquerchoosing
		*elseif (xfearful) and (xhomogenous)
			*set parentlisten true
			The person who finds this sacred text spreads it far and wide. As time speeds by underneath you, this textual prophet, ever fearful, uses your message primarily to reinforce the class system, against your expectations. Now backed by the power of a fully fledged faith, the Order of Thomil, this rigid class system becomes deeply ingrained in your people's society.

			Despite your decree of tolerance, this is how your people have chosen to interpret your message. It seems you can try to guide your people, but they do have free will, after all—free will based on principles you instilled in them. Whether you like it or not, these are the creations you made. You suppose this must be how a parent eventually feels about the child they raise.

			Thankfully, your sacred text also included instructions on a code of leadership, one that your people interpreted far more literally.
			*goto classchoosing
		*elseif (xembrace) and (xdiverse)
			This sacred text is embraced wholeheartedly by your people as the foundation of a society that encourages and embraces unique thought and individual truth.

			As time speeds by underneath you once again, you watch as your people develop two simple religious laws: to always respect the truth of another, and to never let one individual's truth impede upon the freedom of another's.

			Thankfully, your sacred text included instructions on a code of leadership, one that your people also found wisdom in.
			*goto utopiachoosing
		*else
			The person who finds this sacred text rises to prominence as an equally sacred prophet. As time speeds by underneath you, your sacred text is resoundingly embraced as gospel by the uniform society, and this prophet is in turn embraced as a messiah by your people's already unified society. Unfortunately, your people don't interpret your text individually—or rather, their individual interpretations are all exactly the same at first, given their homogeneity.

			The entire population clings to this delivered truth without question, and your prophet thus becomes leader of this nation unified under the Order of Thomil.

			Thankfully, your sacred text also included instructions on a code of leadership.
			*goto cultchoosing
	#Don't interfere at all, except by leaving advice on building societal structure. I'm just an advanced mortal creator, after all—true divinity is a force even I don't understand.
		*if orderfaith
			*set enlighten %-30
		*if (orderfaith = false)
			*set enlighten %-15

		*if (xfearful) and (xdiverse)
			With an absence of decreed truth from on high, your people leave the discovery of truth up to themselves. As a result, one of the many warring nations claims to have received word from the Elemental Creator, who told them to conquer the other nations of the world under one united Elemental rule. So they do.  

			As time speeds by underneath you, you watch as one unified nation rises, one purely governed under the direction of the Elemental Order and its championed warlord leader.

			As planned, however, you do send advice on building a societal structure to the new conquering warlord of the Elemental nation. You communicate this code of leadership to the war general in a dream, one that they interpret as a message from the Elemental Creator.

			*goto conquerchoosing
		*elseif (xfearful) and (xhomogenous)
			With an absence of decreed truth from on high, your people leave the discovery of truth up to themselves. Ever fearful, the nation creates their own religious system based on The Element, which they use to further reinforce the class system.

			Now backed by the power of a fully fledged faith, the Order of The Element, this rigid class system becomes deeply ingrained in your people's society. 

			As planned, however, you do send advice on building a societal structure to an influential member of the Order. You communicate this code of leadership to this newly realized prophet in a dream, one that they take seriously as a message from the Elemental Creator.

			*goto classchoosing
		*elseif (xembrace) and (xdiverse)
			With an absence of decreed truth from on high, your people leave the discovery of truth up to themselves. Which is probably for the best, because your people have become sophisticated thinkers who believe they already have discovered scientific answers of creation. This builds the foundation of a society that encourages and embraces individual thought and truth.

			As time speeds by underneath you, you watch as your people develop two simple religious laws: to always respect the truth of another, and to never let one individual's truth impede upon the freedom of another's.

			As planned, however, you do send advice on building a societal structure to one of the society's most influential thinkers. You communicate this code of leadership to this thinker in a dream, one which they find wise and then work to implement within their society.

			*goto utopiachoosing
		*else
			With an absence of decreed truth from on high, your people leave the discovery of truth up to themselves. The nation thus creates its own religious system, one based on The Element as a source of all truth and life.

			As planned, however, you do send advice on building a societal structure to an influential member of the Order. You communicate this code of leadership this member in a dream, one that they take seriously. This member delivers your leadership system as a message from the Elemental Creator, becoming a revered and sacred prophet in the process.

			*goto cultchoosing
	#Create a sovereign dynasty combining church and state, one directly connected to me as Creator and whose lineage can receive the sporadic and cryptic messages the Wone will allow me to deliver.
		*if orderfaith
			*set enlighten %+30
		*if (orderfaith = false)
			*set enlighten %+15

		*if (xfearful) and (xdiverse)
			*set security %+15
			The chosen sovereign embraces your message of truth, and as time speeds by underneath you, this sovereign becomes a champion of their nation—and uses your righteous truth to conquer the other nations of your world. 

			As time speeds by underneath you, you watch as one unified nation rises, one purely ruled by your sovereign, this championed warlord, as a member of the royal class, under the direction of the Order of Thomil.

			*if ordergovernance
				*set security %+15
				The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face the establishment of leadership, for it represents the interests of the Order of Governance.
			Obviously, however, your preferred style of leadership is a royal dynasty—so where others might have to make a choice here, yours is already made.

			*page_break
			*goto conqueredsovereign
		*elseif (xfearful) and (xhomogenous)
			*set security %+15
			The chosen sovereign embraces your message of truth, and as time speeds by underneath you, this sovereign, ever fearful, uses your message to reinforce the existing class system. 

			Now backed by the power of a fully fledged faith, the Order of Thomil, and ruled by your prophetic sovereign, a member of the royal class, this rigid caste system becomes deeply ingrained in your people's society. 

			*if ordergovernance
				*set security %+15
				The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face the establishment of leadership, for it represents the interests of the Order of Governance.
			Obviously, however, your preferred style of leadership is a royal dynasty—so where others might have to make a choice here, yours is already made.

			*page_break
			*goto classsovereign
		*elseif (xembrace) and (xdiverse)
			*set parentlisten true
			While the chosen sovereign embraces your message of truth, this sovereign is completely ignored by your people, sophisticated thinkers who believe they already have discovered the scientific answers to creation. It turns out you can try to guide your people, but they do have free will, after all—free will based on principles you instilled in them. Whether you like it or not, these are the creations you made. You suppose this must be how a parent eventually feels about the child they raise.

			As time speeds by underneath you, you watch as your people develop two simple religious laws instead of your dynasty: to always respect the truth of another, and to never let one individual's truth impede upon the freedom of another's.

			Despite their rejection of your sovereign system, you decide to send additional advice on building a different societal structure to one of the society's most influential thinkers. You communicate this code of leadership to this thinker in a dream, one which they find wise and then work to implement within their society.

			*goto utopiachoosing
		*else
			*set security %+15
			The chosen sovereign internalizes your message of truth, and as time speeds by underneath you, this sovereign is resoundingly embraced as a prophetic messiah by your people's already uniform society.

			The entire population clings to this delivered truth without question, and your sovereign thus becomes the undisputed leader of this nation unified under the Order of Thomil. 

			This royal dynasty is loved and trusted above all else and given absolute power, given their access to your delivered wisdom.

			*if ordergovernance
				*set security %+15
				The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face the establishment of leadership, for it represents the interests of the Order of Governance.
			Obviously, however, your preferred style of leadership is a royal dynasty—so where others might have to make a choice here, yours is already made.

			*set cultsovereign true
			*page_break
			*goto cultleader

*comment CONQUERED SECTION
*label conqueredelections
At least, your people listen at first. 

While a popular election is indeed held, it is rigged by the ruling warlord. This warlord then becomes the elected leader and 
*label deliversprompt
promptly delivers their next "prophetic" message: that the Great Creator decreed they remain the sole sovereign of the nation, now that they have been rightfully elected by the people. And just like that, a monarchic dynasty is built, without much rebellion or opposition from the people.

*if parentlisten
	Once again, your children have expressed a will beyond the decrees you have laid out for them. It is not the first time, and you suspect it will not be the last—but that won't stop you from continuing to attempt to shape them for the best.
	*page_break
	*goto conqueredsovereign
*else
	Despite your call for elections, this is how your people have chosen to interpret your message. It seems you can try to guide your people, but they do have free will, after all—free will based on principles you instilled in them. Whether you like it or not, these are the creations you made. You suppose this must be how a parent eventually feels about the child they raise.
	*page_break
	*goto conqueredsovereign

*label conqueredcompetition
At least, your people listen at first.

A competition is indeed established, one that grants leadership to the strongest competitor—who unsurprisingly turns out to be the championed warlord. Recrowned as leader, the warlord
*goto deliversprompt

*label conqueredsovereign

Now under the leadership of a true warlord sovereign, an empowered and proactive ruling court is established. 

The sovereign in turn establishes a rigid class system across society, one with the conquered residents of other nations shoved to the bottom of the system as slaves upon whose backs the pillars of progress are built.

*label classroutecombined
Given the form of leadership that has emerged, you have little influence in guiding the larger social structure of your society further. However, you can certainly nudge your people in the right direction by inspiring the sovereign to build their new kingdom in a certain way.

*if orderarchitecture
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Architecture. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
*comment endif

*choice
	#Build a feudal system that supports this sovereign structure and will logistically incline my people toward desiring peace.
		*if orderarchitecture
			*set security %+10
		*if (orderarchitecture = false)
			*set security %+5

		*label timeforrures
		A rural and feudal society erects itself beneath your dangling feet, one that lends itself perfectly to the sovereign's class system. Your people are forced to live in groups and units in order to survive in this agrarian-based society, so they cannot establish the unique individuality that comes from a more urban, independent life. As such, your people do not have the capability or the energy to dream of lives other than the ones they lead.
		*goto conquerlabor 
	#Build a more advanced and urban system that fosters independence and will logistically incline my people toward rebellion.
		*if orderarchitecture
			*set security %-10
		*if (orderarchitecture = false)
			*set security %-5

		*label timeforcities
		*set xrebellion +1
		An urban and progressive society erects itself beneath your dangling feet, one that causes your people to inch toward individual independence and chafe against the sovereign's class system. Since your people are not forced to live in the groups and units they would need to survive in a more agrarian-based society, they are able to establish the unique individuality that comes from a more urban, independent life. As such, your people develop the capability and the freedom to dream of lives beyond what the restrictive social system allows.
		*goto conquerlabor 
	#Build a feudal system that supports this sovereign structure and will logistically incline my people toward obeying rule as dependents.
		*if orderarchitecture
			*set enlighten %+10
		*if (orderarchitecture = false)
			*set enlighten %+5
		*goto timeforrures
	#Build a more advanced and urban system that fosters independence and will logistically incline my people toward disobeying rule as free thinkers.
		*if orderarchitecture
			*set enlighten %-10
		*if (orderarchitecture = false)
			*set enlighten %-5
		*goto timeforcities

*label conquerlabor 

In addition, you also nudge the sovereign to dictate the division of labor, 
*if xdiverse
	to which your diverse population brings a rich breadth of talent and ability.
*if xhomogenous
	which your homogeneous population is strained to fulfill, given its similar pool of talents and abilities.
*comment endif

*if orderlabor
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Labor. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
*comment endif
 
*choice
	#Enforce strictly assigned labor divisions to create the most productive society, even if it makes the citizens potentially unhappy and more inclined to rebel.
		*set xrebellion +1
		*if orderlabor
			*set enlighten %+10
			*set security %-10
			*goto conquersex 
		*else
			*set enlighten %-5
			*set security %-5
			*goto conquersex 
	#Allow some flexibility and mobility in labor assignments to keep my citizens happy, even if this kind of society is potentially not as productive.
		*if orderlabor
			*set enlighten %-10
			*set security %+10
			*goto conquersex 
		*else
			*set enlighten %-5
			*set security %+5
			*goto conquersex 
	#Allow some flexibility and mobility in labor assignments to keep my citizens happy, because I believe this is actually what will make them most productive.
		*if orderlabor
			*set enlighten %-10
			*set security %-10
			*goto conquersex 
		*else
			*set enlighten %-5
			*set security %-5
			*goto conquersex 

*label conquersex

More time passes still, and you gaze down to find
*if (xrebellion = 2)
	you have fostered the most rapidly advanced society possible, but that it now stands on the brink of full civil war thanks to an ever-increasing call for organized rebellion.
*if (xrebellion = 1)
	you have fostered a moderately advanced society, one that remains threatened by the possibility of rebellion, albeit generally vague and disorganized.
*if (xrebellion = 0)
	you have fostered a very primitive and pastoral society, but it remains at peace without the threat of civil war or rebellion.
*comment endif

*if xbinary
	Your society has also created inequalities between the binary genders: the gender that gives birth is subjugated as second-class citizens, given their physical composition suited to childbirth. While this gender is by far the stronger and more enduring of the binary split, the childbearing gender is perceived as somehow weaker and in need of protective care. Despite this inequality, population control is not at all an issue on your planet.
*if xasexual
	Thankfully, your society is devoid entirely of gender politics and inequalities, but they do face a massive population control issue that will overcrowd the planet within generations if not addressed.
*if xspectrum
	Thankfully, your society is devoid entirely of gender inequalities, as your people are focused on finding their perfect romantic mates across the identity spectrum. However, this peaceful love has led to population growth issues—everyone has so many choices and is so concerned with finding their perfect match that they are less likely to settle down and commit for long periods of time. Since everyone is always waiting for the next best thing, they are less focused on raising families. As a result, your people will die out if they don't feel the need to reproduce more urgently and frequently.
*comment endif 

Given this combination of factors, you are able to send one final influential nudge to hopefully set your society down the right path.

*if (ordersexuality) or (orderlove)
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of 
	*if ordersexuality
		Sexuality. 
	*if orderlove
		Love.
	For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
*comment endif

*choice
	#To avoid rebellion, I need a system that will keep my people dependent on family units, one that also makes them ashamed of their reproductive instincts so as to curb population growth.
		*if (ordersexuality) or (orderlove)
			*set outspoken %-30
		*if (ordersexuality = false) or (orderlove = false)
			*set outspoken %-15

		*if xasexual
			You use the power and authority of the Order to decree as immoral any act of individual reproduction unless it occurs under the specific confines of a sacred, mandated blessing that is actually controlled by the sovereign state. As a result, reproduction becomes highly ritualized and associated with great guilt and shame. 

			As it turns out, for your particular society and your people's asexual reproductive nature, this is an ideal solution to the growing overpopulation problem.

			*set conqueredstatusquo true
			*if (xrebellion > 0)
				This restrictive and pervasive belief system also helps to curb any existing predilection toward rebellion in your society, as everyone is too busy codifying their lives in the pursuit of spiritual and sovereign approval to be able to think about much of anything else.
				*goto waitandsee
			*else
				This restrictive and pervasive belief system also helps to maintain the existing societal status quo.
				*goto waitandsee
		*else
			You use the power and authority of the Order to decree as immoral any act of sex unless it occurs under the specific confines of a sacred, mandated union that is actually controlled by the sovereign state. As a result, sexuality become highly ritualized and associated with great guilt and shame. 

			The nuclear family becomes the basic unit of society as a result of this emphasis on official unions.

			*if xbinary 
				As it turns out, for your particular society and your people's binary gender system, this is a rather fine solution.	
				*label conqthestatquoone
				*set conqueredstatusquo true
				*if (xrebellion > 0)
					This restrictive and pervasive belief system also helps to curb any existing predilection toward rebellion in your society, as everyone is too busy looking for mates to quench their thirst for sexual connection and start families to think about much of anything else.
					*goto waitandsee
				*else
					This restrictive and pervasive belief system also helps to maintain the existing societal status quo.
					*goto waitandsee
			*else
				*set conqueredapocalypse true
				However, for your particular society and your people's gender-spectrum nature, this doesn't do well to solve their waning population problems.
				*goto waitandsee
	#I need a system that will allow my people to live independent lives, in order to inspire them to rebel against inequality, and to remain unashamed of their reproductive instincts, in order to increase population growth.
		*set xrebellion +1
		
		*label sexfreerouted
		*if (ordersexuality) or (orderlove)
			*set outspoken %+30
		*if (ordersexuality = false) or (orderlove = false)
			*set outspoken %+15

		*if xasexual
			*set conqueredapocalypse true

			Not bound by any limitations or shame associated with their reproductive natures, your people need help raising all of their solo-born children. 

			So your people begin to live independent lives in more open, communal village systems where everyone is equally responsible for raising all children together. For your people, it quite literally takes a village to raise a child.

			However, for your particular society and your people's asexual reproductive nature, this doesn't do well to solve their growing overpopulation problems.
			*goto waitandsee
		*else		
			Not bound by limitations on lifelong mates or any shame associated with their sexual natures, your people begin to move out of nuclear family units. 

			Instead, your people begin to live independent lives in more open, communal village systems where everyone is equally responsible for raising all children together. So for your people, it quite literally takes a village to raise a child.

			*if xbinary
				As it turns out, for your particular society and your people's binary gender system, this is a rather fine solution.

				*label conqthestatusquotwo
				*if (xrebellion > 1)
					*set conqueredcivilwar true
					Also, for better or worse, this freeing system only stokes the flames of rebellion, which now seem to be rising to a boiling point.
					*goto waitandsee
				*else
					*set conqueredstatusquo true
					Also, for better or worse, this freeing system actually gives the people enough mobility and autonomy to quash any desire for rebellion against inequality, if there ever was any to begin with.
					*goto waitandsee
			*else
				As it turns out, for your particular society and your people's gender-spectrum nature, this is an ideal solution to boost the population and address the low-density problem.

				*goto conqthestatusquotwo
	#I actually don't feel it's my place to intervene in such matters, for love and reproduction shouldn't be controlled or regulated.
		*goto sexfreerouted

*comment CLASS SECTION
*label classelections
At least, your people listen at first. 

While an election is indeed held, the popularized prophet wins the vote by a landslide. This prophet becomes the elected leader and 
*label deliversprompttwo
promptly delivers their next "prophetic" message: that the Great Creator decreed they remain the sole sovereign of the nation, now that they have been rightfully appointed. And just like that, a monarchic dynasty is built, without any opposition from the people.

*if parentlisten
	Once again, your children have expressed a will beyond the decrees you have laid out for them. It is not the first time, and you suspect it will not be the last—but that won't stop you from shaping them for the best.
	*page_break
	*goto classsovereign
*else
	Despite your call for elections, this is how your people have chosen to interpret your message. It seems you can try to guide your people, but they do have free will, after all—free will based on principles you instilled in them. Whether you like it or not, these are the creations you made. You suppose this must be how a parent eventually feels about the child they raise…
	*page_break
	*goto classsovereign

*label classcompetition
At least, your people listen at first.

A competition is indeed established, one that grants leadership to the strongest competitor—who unsurprisingly turns out to be the championed prophet. Crowned as leader, the prophet
*goto deliversprompttwo

*label classnoleaders
At least, your people listen at first. 

However, your people are incredibly fearful and feel they must maintain control of their class system. Left in a power vacuum, your people soon call for their popularized prophet to become their sovereign leader.

This prophet becomes the chosen leader and 
*goto deliversprompttwo

*label classsovereign

Now under the leadership of a true sovereign, an empowered and proactive ruling court is established. 

The sovereign further reinforces the rigid class system already in place and declares that the lowest class must now become slaves, upon whose backs the pillars of progress are built.

*goto classroutecombined


*comment UTOPIA SECTION
*label utopianoleaders
This progressive nation feels they are already fully at peace pursuing intellectualism and advancement, so they indeed do not need leaders to regulate them. 

As a result, there are no formal labor laws or imposed social structures. This requires each and every citizen to become fully self-sufficient. Since all citizens must provide their own means for food and shelter, they can choose to pursue whatever profession will provide or supplement this self-sufficiency. An agrarian society is established, one that also relies on a barter system of goods and services from those with other specialized skills.

*if orderarchitecture
	*set enlighten %-10
	*set security %-10
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face the interests of the Order of Architecture, but it seems you've already made your decision by choosing a lack of leadership: there can be no regulation on social structure or its subsequent societal architecture as a result—which means these are choices you will have to skip.
	
	*page_break
	*goto utopianoregulation
*else
	*set enlighten %-5
	*set security %-5
	
	In turn, a lack of leadership means there can be no regulation on social structure or its subsequent societal architecture—which means these are choices you will have to skip.

	*page_break
	*goto utopianoregulation

*label utopianoregulation

Your people create a generally rural society to support this system of self-sufficiency, but this society is also highly self-motivated and progressive at the same time. It is a utopia of sorts, built and guided by your very own hand.

*if orderlabor
	*set enlighten %-10
	*set security %-10
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face the interests of the Order of Labor, but it seems you've already made your decision by choosing a lack of leadership: there can be no formal regulation of labor as a result.
	*goto utopiasex
*else
	*set enlighten %-5
	*set security %-5
	*goto utopiasex

*label utopiaelections
A system of popular elections is established, so that all citizens can vote for representatives to serve publicly in a newly established governing body. 
*goto utopiasocial

*label utopiacompetition
An intellectual tournament is established to choose the wisest leaders, one that is open to all citizens every four years. While many famed leaders experience prized winning streaks, this also allows bold newcomers to rise when worthy. 
*goto utopiasocial

*label utopiasocial

Once again under your indirect guidance, this new leading body ultimately must decide the soundest societal structure for this budding nation. 

Facing this choice, you also come to understand somehow that usually this kind of decision-making comes later in the evolution of a society—but since your nation is already so advanced, you must address these issues earlier than expected.

*if orderarchitecture
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face this decision, for it represents the interests of the Order of Architecture. For you, this decision may be more important than any other.
*comment endif

*choice
	#There should be clear social classes, but also the opportunity for mobility between these classes.
		*achieve echelonfive
		*if efour
			*set efive true

		Thus a meritocracy is established, one where those who achieve the most are rewarded with the most. As a result, a small government is created to regulate this meritocracy and keep it from running off the rails from wildly diverging wealth gaps. This government is highly empowered to act when necessary, but it rarely needs to in its early years.
	
		*if orderarchitecture
			*set enlighten %-10
			*set security %+10
			*goto utopialabor
		*else
			*set enlighten %-5
			*set security %+5
			*goto utopialabor
	#There should be completely equal distribution of wealth between all citizens.
		Thus a purely financial version of communism is established: a system where no citizen can amass any personal wealth but all basic needs are taken care of for every citizen. In order to regulate and impose this system, a large government is created, one that is greatly empowered to be proactive.
		
		*if orderarchitecture
			*set enlighten %+10
			*set security %+10
			*goto utopialabor
		*else
			*set enlighten %+5
			*set security %+5
			*goto utopialabor
	#There should be no regulation on personal income whatsoever.
		Your people thus create the smallest government possible with very few restrictions, one that is highly transparent and accountable for its actions. This government is also highly reactive, only intervening when necessary and leaving the people to lead their lives free of any restrictions—but also free of any protective safety nets or public services.

		As a result, there are no formal labor laws or social structure, which requires each and every citizen to become fully self-sufficient. All citizens must provide their own means for food and shelter and can choose to pursue whatever profession will provide or supplement this self-sufficiency.
		
		*if orderarchitecture
			*set enlighten %-10
			*set security %-10
			*goto utopianoregulation
		*else
			*set enlighten %-5
			*set security %-5
			*goto utopianoregulation

*label utopialabor

*if orderlabor
	*set enlighten %-10
	*set security %+10
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you face the interests of the Order of Labor, but it seems you've already made your decision by choosing the social structure you have.
*if (orderlabor = false)
	*set enlighten %-5
	*set security %+5
*comment endif

Your government is also responsible for formally sorting citizens into jobs in order to keep society thriving and productive. A formal education system is born to help train and sort citizens based as much as possible on their natural talents.

A bustling and diverse utopia thus rises on the shores of your planet, one that finds all kinds of walks of life living side by side peacefully and productively.
*goto utopiasex

*label utopiasex
*page_break
*set outspoken %+15

*if (ordersexuality) or (orderlove)
	The words of your Wone peers ring in your ears as you then face the interests of the Order of 
	*if ordersexuality
		Sexuality, 
	*if orderlove
		Love,
	but it seems you've already made your decisions, which play out before you:
*comment endif

*if xbinary
	Your society has also created inequalities between the binary genders: the gender that gives birth is subjugated as second-class citizens, given their physical composition suited to childbirth. While this gender is by far the stronger and more enduring of the binary split, the childbearing gender is perceived as somehow weaker and in need of protective care. 

	Despite this inequality, population control is not at all an issue on your planet.
*if xasexual
	Thankfully, your society is devoid entirely of gender politics and inequalities, but they do face a massive population control issue that will overcrowd the planet within generations if not addressed.
*if xspectrum
	Thankfully, your society is devoid entirely of gender inequalities, as your people are focused on finding their perfect romantic mates across the identity spectrum. However, this peaceful love has lead to population growth issues—everyone has so many choices and is so concerned with finding their perfect match that they are less likely to settle down and commit for long periods of time. Since everyone is always waiting for the next best thing, they are less focused on raising families. 

	As a result, your people will die out if they don't feel the need to reproduce more urgently and frequently.
*comment endif

You look upon the beautiful planet you have created, with its thriving society, and know that this last issue is the primary one you will have to face in the generations to come.

*set conqueredcivilwar true
*goto waitandsee


*comment CULT SECTION
*label cultleader

*if cultsovereign
	*goto cultishsovereign
*else
	This leader, once officially in power, promptly delivers their next "prophetic" message: that the Great Creator decreed that the leader remain the sole sovereign of the nation, now that they have been rightfully selected. And just like that, a monarchic dynasty is built, without any rebellion or opposition from the people.

	*if parentlisten
		Once again, your children have expressed a will beyond the decrees you have laid out for them. It is not the first time, and you suspect it will not be the last—but that won't stop you from still trying to shape them for the best.
		*goto cultishsovereign
	*else
		Despite your call for elections, this is how your people have chosen to interpret your message. It seems you can try to guide your people, but they do have free will, after all—free will based on principles you instilled in them. Whether you like it or not, these are the creations you made. You suppose this must be how a parent eventually feels about the child they raise.
		*goto cultishsovereign

*label cultishsovereign

Now under the leadership of a true sovereign, an empowered and proactive ruling court is established. The sovereign then establishes a rigid class system, one that decrees the lowest class a population of slaves, upon whose backs the pillars of progress are built.

*page_break
*goto classroutecombined


*label waitandsee
*page_break

As your comet once again begins to rise out of the atmosphere, you realize you are coming to another pause in the creashon wave. You can already tell this pause must be different from the others as your comet unexpectedly breaks through a thin, invisible film in space and you suddenly find yourself floating above a rose-petal island in the middle of a shimmering body of endless water. A violet sun sets in the distance, shining through mauve clouds.

Reorienting to your new surroundings with surprising calm, you drop onto the petal-island as the creashon comet docks itself on the rosy shore. And it's there that you find Prince Everly sitting alone, looking into the distance as his feet dip in the water. He turns to you with a smile as you walk to sit beside him.

"${name}, welcome to the Midpoint Isle," Prince Everly says, his voice still sounding warm and buttery. "Rosae hasn't arrived here yet, but it takes everyone different amounts of time to get through the wave. There's no need to worry about her…at least, I don't think there is. Anyway, you'll both be able to finish the simulation soon, after a short but very necessary break. What did you think of the first 
*if hauscreation
	*if orderworks
		half? I see you've also chosen the Haus of Creation, Order of Works. How does it feel to be one of us?"
	*if (orderworks = false)
		half, my fellow Haus of Creation member?"
*if (hauscreation = false)
	half?"
*comment endif

You try to think of words to describe the experience, but find that nothing adequate seems to rise to the surface.

"Yep, that about sums it up," Prince Everly laughs. "You may not be able to form words for a bit, so while we wait, I can fill you in on some details about the wave. Especially since, while the Wone developed this creashon simulation tech eons ago, it has recently undergone a bit of an overhaul…." 

*page_break

"To make a long story short, for centuries upon centuries, the Wone have spread our divine influence to other planets," Prince Everly begins. "This is an ancient process we call Enlightenment, based on a sacred text written by our first generation of creashonists. This sacred text of Enlightenment has been followed, sometimes blindly, for as long as the Wone can remember. However, recently a new way of thinking has emerged. 

"This new school of thought belongs to the NuGuard Wone, who believe that instead of following the old ways of imposing or willing our wisdom on the masses, it might be better to Educate them. There's much more to explain about this split, but for now, it's just important for you to know that this version of the creashon wave now allows for multiple perspectives beyond just Enlightenment—and this new wave is actually meant to sort the rider into one of the four ideological corners of the FourPath Splinter. 

"I was the one to implement this change in the creashon wave once I inherited it, a decision I thought would help to change Wone culture for the better," Prince Everly says, his voice suddenly echoing with somber tones. "But all it seems to have done is divide us further, including my own family—my father hasn't spoken to me since I made the change."

"What do you believe about Enlightenment?" you ask in return, finding it hard to call on any other words for the time being, as Prince Everly predicted. Suddenly you feel exhausted, like you've just run a marathon while taking a comprehensive logic exam at the same time. You want to ask Prince Everly about his father and the creashon wave and his sadness, but these are the only words you can vocalize at the moment.

*page_break

"Once you finish riding the wave, you'll learn where everyone stands in the FourPath Splinter, yourself included," Prince Everly says, still sounding and looking deeply somber. "I have to say, I worry for the Wone. We're so divided, more than ever, that I don't see how we'll ever be able to come back together. And to think, if we truly do splinter, of the galactic wars that would start as entire worlds rally around their chosen Wone deities…."

Prince Everly trails off into thought once again, and you realize how important this FourPath Splinter must be as you reflect upon his words. You then realize, in turn, how important your own creashon wave simulation must have been—you thought being sorted into a Wone Haus and Order was going to be important, but it seems your ultimate place, this FourPath Splinter supersedes that. You can't help but wonder where your ride will sort you or what that will signify, not just for your time MemoryTraveling here on Wone and for the politics back on Versus, but also for the people of your newly created world.

Thinking of your world, you feel a pang of emotion to be separated from it now, even for this brief waiting period. You can only hope that your people are faring well in your absence.

But you are pulled from this thought as another portal suddenly opens beside the petal-island. You and Prince Everly both turn calmly, expecting Rosae to join you at the Midpoint Isle. Except you immediately recognize this portal as being different, yet familiar…

*page_break

Especially as those shadowy hands reach through once again, now attached to chiseled, sand-colored arms. Before you or Prince Everly can react, the chroncon agent steps fully through the portal, a solid block of oiled muscles topped with slick black hair streaked with grey. He wears a sleeveless black tunic and a grey belt that matches his hair, along with the salt-and-pepper scruff that lines his sleek jaw. 

You know you should probably be afraid of this chroncon agent, but he looks far more dignified and regal than deadly—you can even make out an intricate paisley pattern sewn into the silk underside of his tunic. However, you do note that shadows continue to swirl across his forearms and fingertips menacingly as his deep amethyst-colored eyes scan the isle, finally settling on you with a look of amusement and intensity.

"Ah, there," he says in a voice as deep and dark as night itself. "Don't do anything rash. Unless you want to cease breathing."

You turn to Prince Everly, and your stomach drops as you see the look of fear that freezes on his face. 

"You have to run," Prince Everly then says to you, keeping his eyes fixed on the agent. "You have to run now."

*page_break

"I wouldn't advise that," the agent answers, pointing a shadowy finger in your direction but keeping his eyes fixed on Prince Everly. "Dines'ere. It's been a long while since we met. Though not long enough."

"The feeling is mutual, scorpion," Prince Everly practically spits, his fear suddenly souring into anger. "The LawHaus must be pretty desperate if they're sending the likes of you."

"My presence only speaks to the severity of the charges levied against your guest," the chroncon agent says with a smile. "They don't send Lord Grahl Vindhel of the Haus of Body, Order of Conflict for nothing. They only call for the duskbringer when light must be extinguished.

"And your light offends me greatly," Lord Grahl says, turning to face you with a look of disgust. "I will enjoy snuffing it out."

*page_break
 
"Other agents wouldn't dare violate the sanctity of this place," Prince Everly says, trying to occupy Lord Grahl's attention after shooting you another desperate glance. "Your presence here is sacrilege."

"Losing interest," Lord Grahl sighs, cracking his neck to the side. "${name} Thomil, you are under arrest for crimes against time. And Prince Everly…well, you're just welcome collateral."

Within the span of a nanosecond, Lord Grahl unleashes a startling burst of shadowforce that bashes Prince Everly with what sounds like the force of a thousand mooncores shattering. You watch in horror as Prince Everly's body is sent reeling across the sky like a shooting star, streaking into the distance in a smear of black that stains the sunset.

When you turn back to Lord Grahl, you find he is now looking directly at you, shadows crackling across his curled fists. Seeing what he is capable of, you realize that if you want to survive, you must decide what to do. Immediately.

*if extraworning
	You wish Rosae were here to guide you, but clearly she can't while she is otherwise occupied with her own creashon wave experience.

*choice
	*if (orderconflict) #Ignore Prince Everly's warning and try to talk to Lord Grahl using my Command ability. After all, I'm now a member of the Haus of Body, Order of Conflict alongside Lord Grahl—maybe I can use that to my advantage.
		*goto ignorethepri
	*if (orderconflict = false) #Ignore Prince Everly's warning and try to talk to Lord Grahl using my Command ability. After all, if Lord Grahl truly wanted to arrest or expel me, he surely would have done so already.
		*label ignorethepri
		*set outspoken %+15
		*set rlshp_everly %-10

		Unless Lord Grahl was just waiting to remove Prince Everly before doing something truly awful to you…whatever the case, you figure you had better speak up quickly. And eloquently.

		"Why are you coming after me?" you ask.
		*if orderconflict
			"I am one of you, a fully fledged member of the Haus of Body, Order of Conflict. Don't you have to show me some respect as your peer?"
		*if (orderconflict = false) 
			"And don't you have to read my charges before arresting me?"
		*comment endif

		"I don't have to do anything, mortal," Lord Grahl answers. "I am the changing of the seasons. I am the setting of the sun. I simply am. I do not require justification to act."

		"Then why do what you've been ordered?" you ask, still trying to find your way in. The fact that you haven't been blasted into oblivion already is a fairly good sign you may be on the right track. "Are you a function of someone else, or are you truly autonomous?"

		*page_break

		"You are ridiculous, little thing," Lord Grahl laughs. "Ridiculous, but entertaining. I don't expect you to understand my divinity, but perhaps you can digest this: there can be no growth without conflict. Does this turn of phrase make plain my work?"

		"All that's clear is the fact that you seem starved for action," you say, forcing your voice to keep from trembling. "I can see it in your eyes. Blerg, I can practically feel it pulsing off of you. You've been living with your stinger half-raised, always ready to strike, but finding nothing to hit. Why stop me right now when the sweet chase can continue? If what you say is true, that my downfall is truly inevitable, why not wait until you absolutely have to act?"

		Lord Grahl eyes you with a ravenous and delirious look, as if the words you speak are somehow intoxicating. You just hope now that you've said them with enough Command to convince Lord Grahl to let the thrill of the chase last a bit longer—at least long enough to give you a chance to wake up from MemoryTravel. 

		*page_break

		*if (command > 30)
			*comment Zach Internal Note: Grahl Rlshp not shown in Stats Screen, but rather used for Chapter Five outcomes.
			*set rlshp_grahl 74
			*set mastery +6
			*set life -2

			"You make a good point," Lord Grahl says, his voice now dripping with shadow and malice. "The hunt will continue. But for that to happen…"

			Suddenly Lord Grahl raises his shadowy fists and lets loose a torrent of shadowforce, which slams into your body before you have a moment to react.

			Your first thought is that you've failed, that Lord Grahl has decided to claim your life after all. The shadowforce consumes your body, and you wait for your mind to be snuffed out too, as it is purged from MemoryTravel…
			*goto troublup
		*else
			*set rlshp_grahl 44
			*set mastery +2
			*set life -4

			"Interest lost," Lord Grahl says, his voice now dripping with shadow and malice. 

			*label dodgeblastno

			As you hear this, your stomach drops uncomfortably and your entire body tenses, awaiting Lord Grahl's next move.
			
			Which comes with a fury as Lord Grahl raises his shadowy fists and lets loose a torrent of shadowforce in your direction.

			Screaming, you leap to avoid the brunt of the blast, but find its depths are too wide for you to dodge. The shadowforce consumes your body, and you wait for your mind to be snuffed out too, as it is purged from MemoryTravel…
			*goto troublup
	#Ignore Prince Everly's warning and use my Strength to attack Lord Grahl, because there's no way he expects me to be as formidable as I am from my Lady Venuma full absorb.
		*set outspoken %+15
		*set rlshp_everly %-10

		Not wasting a nanosecond, you leap forward in a silent fury, flexing muscles that feel as tightly coiled as springs. You can feel Lady Venuma's absorbed strength coursing through your body, pulsing and pumping as you ready yourself to strike.
		*if strengthapprentice
			Paired with your Strength Apprentice skill, you hope this combination is enough to temporarily stun Lord Grahl into submission.
		*comment endif

		You manage to land just one sucker punch across Lord Grahl's chin, connecting with the force of a sonic boom crackling through the air. 

		You follow your punch through flawlessly and land back in the sand, crouching and panting from the exertion of your blow.

		And when you look up to see the results of your attack…

		*page_break

		*if (strength > 30) or (strengthapprentice)
			*set rlshp_grahl 54
			*set mastery +6
			*set life -2

			You find that Lord Grahl still stands upright, rubbing his bruised jaw with a shadowy hand.

			"I actually felt that," Lord Grahl says, his voice filled with surprise and excitement. "Do you know how long it has been since I felt pain?"

			You can only keep panting in response to Lord Grahl's question, watching as his face lights up with delirious intoxication.

			*label toogoodshort

			"This hunt is too good to be cut short," Lord Grahl says, his voice now dripping with shadow and malice. "You've been granted a temporary stay of execution."

			*page_break

			Suddenly Lord Grahl raises his shadowy fists and lets loose a torrent of shadowforce, which slams into your body before you have a moment to react. 

			Your first and only thought, comically, is that Lord Grahl's idea of a pardon must be different than yours. 

			The shadowforce then consumes your body, and you wait for your mind to be snuffed out too, as it is purged from MemoryTravel…
			*goto troublup
		*else
			*set rlshp_grahl 28
			*set mastery +2
			*set life -4

			Lord Grahl still stands upright, looking completely unfazed by your supposed show of strength.

			"Is that all?" Lord Grahl asks, his voice dripping with malice and impatience.
			*goto dodgeblastno
	#Heed Prince Everly's warning and use my Energy ability to escape as quickly as possible.
		*set outspoken %-15
		*set rlshp_everly %+10

		Not wasting a nanosecond, you turn and leap forward in a silent fury, blasting golden goddess energy from your palms with all the force you can muster. You flex your muscles, which feel as tightly coiled as springs, and you can feel Lady Venuma's absorbed energy coursing through your body, pulsing and pumping as you burst away from Lord Grahl like a human rocket.
		*if strengthapprentice
			Paired with your Energy Apprentice skill, you hope this combination is enough to temporarily shake Lord Grahl.
		*comment endif

		Admittedly, you have no idea where you're headed in this bizarre creashon wave Midpoint Isle. The water streaks by underneath you and you don't dare look back, instead pouring on the energized speed as fast as you can.

		You then think that perhaps you can fly fast and far enough to find Prince Everly in the distance, so he can help you decide what to do next.

		That is, until you hear Lord Grahl's voice suddenly speaking beside you.

		*page_break

		*if (energy > 30) or energyapprentice
			*set rlshp_grahl 48
			*set mastery +6
			*set life -2

			"I'm impressed," Lord Grahl says, his voice filled with surprise and excitement. "Do you know how long it has been since I felt the thrill of the chase?"

			You can only keep panting in response to Lord Grahl's question, trying your best to outfly him. However, Lord Grahl keeps pace effortlessly, and you can only watch as his face lights up with delirious intoxication.
			*goto toogoodshort
		*else
			*set rlshp_grahl 16
			*set mastery +2
			*set life -4

			"Is that all?" Lord Grahl asks, his voice dripping with malice and impatience as he keeps pace beside you effortlessly.

			As you hear this, your stomach drops uncomfortably and your entire body tenses, awaiting Lord Grahl's next move.
			
			Which comes with a fury as Lord Grahl raises his shadowy fists and lets loose a torrent of shadowforce in your direction, mid-flight.

			Screaming, you swerve to avoid the brunt of the blast, but find its depths are too wide for you to dodge. The shadowforce consumes your body, and you wait for your mind to be snuffed out too, as it is purged from MemoryTravel…
			*goto troublup
			
*label troublup
*page_break

But instead your eyes fling open and you nearly toss yourself out of your bed. Looking around while you gasp for air, you find yourself back in your grand suite in The Elite Castle.

Blerg, thank the Mirrored Matron.

You then feel a wave of déjà vu sweep through you, reminding you of your experience waking up from the near-death Bominate attacks just in the nick of time. While you're thankful to have survived both experiences, you'd also like to find a way to avoid such gripping near-death encounters in the future.

Unlike last time with the Bominate, though, you can currently feel your body aching from the force of Lord Grahl's attack. Assessing your Life Meter in the Stats Screen, you see that 
*if (life < 6)
	your Life health has dropped to a troubling low.
*if (life >= 6)
	while your Life health has taken a small hit, it is thankfully still in suitable condition.
*comment endif

*page_break

You also are able to watch as your Life Meter recovers its value for today, inching back up toward your ideally full Max Life level. You recover 
*if masterythirtybonus
	*set life +2
	two points per day, twice as much as usual thanks to your enhanced Mastery experience.
	*goto mastech
*else
	*set life +1
	one point per day, so you still have some time before you get back to full—which means you had better be extra careful in the days to come.
	*goto mastech

*label mastech

Closing your Stats Screen, you know you should feel fear or relief after your encounter with Lord Grahl, but all you can seem to feel is sadness at being forced to leave your created simulation world behind. Assuming you're even able to MemoryTravel back to the same point in Wone history tomorrow night, it will be hours and hours before you'll be able to check back on your beloved planet. Which means that countless generations and centuries may pass in your absence—though somehow, you can just feel it in your gut: you will see your planet's shores once again. You have to.

You try to push this thought aside for the moment. It's just one more concern to add to your MemoryTravel list, alongside evading Lord Grahl and finding Lady Venuma. And you quickly remind yourself that before returning to MemoryTravel tonight, you still have the second Elite Trial to survive, along with the second Versus Match to witness.

So you take a deep breath and try to center yourself, a task which should prove a bit easier as Ayeleen enters your quarters carrying a tray of morning biscuits and freshly brewed coffee.

*if masteryfortybonus
	*goto endofthree
*elseif (mastery >= 40)
	*set lifemax +1
	*set masteryfortybonus true
	*achieve masteryfortybonusac
	*goto endofthree
*else
	*goto endofthree

*label endofthree
*finish Chapter Four: Alias
