Heathcliff

(set: $H_Brave to 1) (set: $H_Intel to 0) "Yes!" Heathcliff exclaims, pumping his fist in the air. He makes a face at Mary. She frowns at him before turning to reenter the crowd. "I'm the champion! Ha Hey!" Heathcliff shouts and cheers. The lord slaps Heathcliff hard on the back. "I knew it must be you to do it boy, do as your told. Don't disturb me with any silly questions, take em to the Wizard." With those words of encouragement the lord, turns and heads back towards the manor. Heathcliff stands before you. "Well Wizard, what's next?" [[You'll have to train hard to succeed|Choose HeathCliff 2]] [[We must rest today before we begin anything|ChooseHeathCliff 2.5]]

He smiles and nods up and down rapidly, "Yes! I can show you my sword. You won't regret this Wizard!!" He's showing no fear at all. No caution. Odd for a child [["Are you afraid?"]] [["I am glad you are prepared for the effort."]]

(set: $H_Intel to it + 1) "Breath?" Heathcliff looks surprised. He considers your suggestion before nodding his head slowly. He stands still for a second, breathing in and out, before taking another swing. This time the hit lands easily, striking dead center. "I did it that time" he says pleased. [[Applaud]] [["Well done!"]]

Heathcliff's shoulders straighten. "Right. I'm focused. I'm ready. You don't think...I'll die right?" Before you can answer, Heathcliff quickly turns toward the shadowy entrance and marches down towards the belly of the cave. [[Follow Heathcliff|Heathcliff Fight]]

You're vision starts to fade. The world slips away. Ending: Spirit of Rage The great evil was not defeated. Thank you for playing the demo! :) [[Play Again|Choose Heathcliff]]

(set: $HeathcliffGood to true) You're vision starts to fade. The world slips away. Ending: Spirit of Healing One key to the great evil has been collected, perhaps you can find the other some day. Thank you for playing the demo! :) [[Play Again|Choose Heathcliff]]

You're vision starts to fade. The world slips away. Ending: Spirit of the Knight The great evil was not defeated. Thank you for playing the demo! :) [[Play Again|Choose Heathcliff]]

At the bottom of the cave, you see a vast flat area, surronded by rock. It is too dark to make out anything until suddenly the room fills with a strange red light. A cloud of smoke collects in the middle of the room. A short dark figure was at the center of it, but you can't distinguish any features. "So you are the champion who is to defeat me?" The great evil is here. Heathcliff readies his sword and faces the creature. The smoke morphes into a different shape. The smoke melts away and in it's place is a female form resembling the lord's runaway wife, Heathcliff's mother. It stands completely still. (if: $H_Intel is 1 and $H_Brave is 2)[[Next|Spirit of the Knight]] (if: $H_Brave >= 3)[[Next|Spirit of Rage]] (if: $H_Intel is >= 2)[[Next|Spirit of Healing]]

"You're really going to fight a great evil?" one boy says in awe. Heathcliff nods. "That's right! I'm going to hit em so hard, he'll end up in the next country." Heathcliff flexes. The children giggle. Inbetween giggles a girl says "It's not possible for you to hit something //that// far. Don't you know that? You aren't //that// strong." "How do you know that?" Heathcliff frowns. "Well it's obvious. Look, your arms are so thin. See they're smaller than mine." The girl holds out an arm for comparison. Another round of giggles. Heathcliff flushes angrily. "W-Well my father says that girls aren't half as strong as boys and can't do anything without them." The girl flushs too, "Then maybe you're too dumb to fight the great evil." "Y-You're just a WENCH" Heathcliff yells out and runs away. [[Follow|HeathcliffParty1]]

You see him disappear through a curtain. You follow him through and into a dark hallway. A sniffling sound is coming from one of the empty rooms. You find Heathcliff holding his knees against his chest and crying quietly. He's still wearing an angry scowl but his sniffs and slightly watery eyes betray him. He doesn't look up at you. After some silence he asks tentativly, "What's a wench?" [["It's a very bad thing to call a woman or girl."]] [["It's not something you should be saying."]]

(set: $H_Brave to it + 1) He clenches his fist. "Father said that too, about mama I mean. She hurt us so much." Heathcliff's voice grows quiet. "She hurt me." The sniffles start again. Disgusted, Heathcliff rubs his face roughly with his sleeve. "See! She made me cry just now." "I won't be weak." Heathcliff stated with absolute certainty. [["What was your mother like?"|Mother_Hurt]] [["What was your father like?"|Father_Hurt]]

(set: $H_Intel to it + 1) Heathcliff looks shocked than his face falls. "Oh...right." "I guess I did try to hurt her too." Heathcliff hugs his legs closer. "I guess...I did hurt her..." He's chewing on his lip now. He's pretty deep in thought. [["What was your mother like?"]] [["What was your father like?"]]

(set: $H_Brave to it + 1) Heathcliff leans agains the mouth of the cave for a moment, staring at the floor. Finally he stands up straight and nods. Anger sparkles in his eyes. "That's right." he hisses. He marches down towards the belly of the cave, where evil awaits. [[Follow Heathcliff|Heathcliff Fight]]

(set: $H_Intel to it + 1) Heathcliff smiles. "You think so? Maybe...maybe I could tell her about it. " He looks up with a new found determination. "I'll go find her after this okay?" Heathcliff marches down towards the belly of the cave, where evil awaits. [[Follow Heathcliff|Heathcliff Fight]]

Heathcliff stands for a moment unsure of what to do. He cautiously moves closer to the figure. "Are you going to hurt me?" The figure of his mother looks at him. It doesn't answer, but it doesn't move. There was a choke and a sob. Heathcliff runs forward and hugs the image of his mother. "I miss you Mama, I don't want to stay with father. Why didn't you take me with you?" The figure doesn't move, but you can see it's eyes widen in surprise. "I don't know why you didn't take me but I don't want to hate you." Heathcliff doesn't let go of the figure. "I don't want to hate you like father does." [[Look at the creature->DontLeaveHeath]]

Before you can do anything, you hear a scream of rage from Heathcliff. Heathcliff draws his sword and charges straight towards the figure. The figure doesn't move, doesn't dodge, doesn't run. Heathcliff's mother simply stands there as Heathcliff lands a blow directly through her heart. For a minute there is a horrific image of Heathcliff covered in blood, then the image meltes into smoke again, leaving the cave empty. [[Leave the Cave->LeaveHeath]]

Before you can react, you hear a malicious laugh from Heathcliff. "So you think that trick will save you? I don't care about my mother. My future is defeating you!" He prepares to attack and charges forward. As he's about to strike, he seems to freeze. The creature dodges to the left. Heathcliff's wrist jerks too late, swinging at nothing. Heathcliff stumbles. In the split second of Heathcliff having his back to the creature, it once again seperates into smoke. The smoke trails up to the mouth of the cave and escapes into daylight. [[Leave the Cave->LeaveHeathNeutral]]

(set: $H_Brave to it + 1) Heathcliff listens to your words. He nods, his eyes smouldering. He throws the sword wildly, chopping at the dummy until the strands of hay holding it together snap. The torso of the dummy slumps and falls to the ground. The cut wasn't accurate but it was strong. "There" Heathcliff's pants heavily, looking down at the dummy. His eyes stray to the door his father had left from. "There" he says again. [[Applaud|ApplaudStrike]] [[Do Nothing]]

Finally the day of Evil has come. You and Heathcliff are standing at the mouth of the cave, preparing to enter. He had been smiling as you marched through the village on the way here. People had tossed flowers out onto the road. His father sent an apology that he wasn't able to make it. Now Heathcliff was pale and quiet. [["Are you ready Heathcliff?"]] [["We must enter the cave soon."]]

A few weeks later you arrive at the promised party. You walk into the lord's manor where the party is being held. Refreshments are set up on a long mahogany table. The large ballroom is filled with people. Everyone from commoners to nobles is in attendance. You scan the room and see Heathcliff surrounded by a group of children who seem to be from another village. You can't hear what's going on. [[Go Over|HeathcliffParty0]] [[Listen In|HeathcliffParty0]]

You approach the door of manor. "You're here finally. I've been warming up for at least 20 minutes!" Heathcliff answers the door to the manor by himself. "I only did 10 million pushups this morning since I had such a big breakfast." he said nonchalently with his hands behind his back. He peeks back at you. [[Nod->TrainingHeathcliff1.5]] [["Big breakfasts can do that."->TrainingHeathcliff1.5]]

As you begin training, it becomes clear that Heathcliff didn't boast for nothing. He seemed to understand basic swings and parries with startling confidence. He swung at one of the makeshift hay dummies, getting a good hit in. He swipes sweat from his forehead but smirks up at you. "Well? Pretty good huh?" He stops and looks behind you. A door opened and Heathcliff's father, the lord, walks out. "W-Well, what next?" Heathcliff asks. [["Try it again, but this time try to aim for the center." ->HeathcliffFall]] [["Try it again, but this time try to hit harder."->HeathcliffFall]]

Heathcliff stares at the shut door but abruptly turns away. "I'm doing it again" he announces. He picks up the sword again. You see him clench his jaw as he swings at the dummy. It lands slightly off target, he swings again and again. Each hit becomes and more frezied until his blade seems to get trapped in the hay. He gives a small scream of rage and yanks it free. He is breathing quick. He looks at you defensivly and wipes his mouth with his sleeve. "What? Do you think I'm a coward?" he snaps. "What do you want to say?" [["Good work. Never hesitate before a strike. If you stop to think, someone else will strike faster." (+1 Bravery)|Strike first]] [["Before you strike like that, take a breath and evaluate a situation, raw emotion could get you into trouble." (+1 Intelligence)|Evaluate]]

He shrugs, "If you don't feel like starting today that's fine I suppose, I could do it now though." He's showing no fear at all. No caution. Odd for a child [["Are you afraid?"->Are you afraid?2]] [["I am glad you are prepared for the effort."->I am glad you are prepared for the effort2]]

He scoffs. "I don't get afraid, not like girls do. I'm tough like my father." he hits his chest with his fist. The normally intimidating gesture was comical on the 11 year old. His expressive eyes suddenly light up. "I have an idea! I'll ask the servants to make the courtyard into a training area! That would be perfect, right?" He turns as if to run but looks back at you. "Come in about an hour! I'll handle everything!" Training will begin apparently soon. [[Wait|TrainingHeath0]]

He nods, grinning. Heathcliff hits his chest with his fist. The normally intimidating gesture was comical on the 11 year old. "Of course! I won't let anything get in the way." His expressive eyes suddenly light up. "I have an idea! I'll ask the servants to make the courtyard into a training area! That would be perfect, right?" He turns as if to run but looks back at you. "Come in about an hour! I'll handle everything!" Training will begin apparently soon. [[Wait|TrainingHeath0]]

He scoffs. "I don't get afraid, not like girls do. I'm tough like my father." he hits his chest with his fist. The normally intimidating gesture was comical on the 11 year old. His expressive eyes suddenly light up. "I have an idea! I'll ask the servants to make the courtyard into a training area! That would be perfect, right?" Without waiting for an answer, Heathcliff scampers off. Training will begin tomorrow. [[Next Day|TrainingHeath0]]

He nods, grinning. Heathcliff hits his chest with his fist. The normally intimidating gesture was comical on the 11 year old. "Of course! I won't let anything get in the way." His expressive eyes suddenly light up. "I have an idea! I'll ask the servants to make the courtyard into a training area! That would be perfect, right?" Without waiting for an answer, Heathcliff scampers off. Training will begin tomorrow. [[Next Day|TrainingHeath0]]

A makeshift training field was set up in the manor's courtyard. You are escorted by Heathcliff through the house and to the courtyard. It was a desolute place. Stained satin curtains, torn ornate wallpaper, and dulled gold fixtures. A portrait lays at the top of the stairs. The lord sat next to a young woman with a baby in her arms. [[Look at the lord]] [[Look at the woman]]

Heathcliff nods, uncharactristically quiet. He runs towards the dummy and swings. But he pauses, seeming unsure of his move. His forward momentum trips him up and he falls to the ground. A harsh bark comes from the lord. "You damn brat, what were you doing in those lessons I paid for huh? Heathcliff stands up quickly. "Father I-" "Just kicking your feet like a pansy, that's what. Come on! Get it together!" With that the door slams shut again. The lord was gone. [[Next|TrainingHeath2]]

"Oh...that's what father always called mama. She would cry when he said it." He looks up at you almost pleading. "But that girl said...she said I was dumb!" He looks away. "It hurt...a lot" [["She was the one who called you weak first, fighting back is more important for yourself." (+1 Bravery)|Hurt]] [["Even if you feel hurt, you need to respond well. She was probably hurt too." (+1 Intelligence)|Learn]]

Heathcliff stares at nothing, still sniffing. "That's what father always called mama. Father will be mad I said it though." He looks up at you almost pleading. "But that girl said...she said I was dumb!" He looks away. "It hurt." [["She was the one who called you weak first, fighting back is more important for yourself." (+1 Bravery)|Hurt]] [["Even if you feel hurt, you need to respond well. She was probably hurt too." (+1 Intelligence)|Learn]]

"What? Oh..." He takes a breath. "Of course I'm ready. I-I've been ready. Are you ready?" His shoulders slump back down. "I...I guess I wish father could have been here." There was a silence, then as if the words forced themselves free, he added "and mama too." Heathcliff hesitates. "Wizard? Do you think-well...do you think my mother loved me?" [["She may have loved you but the past can be forgotten. Your future awaits." (+0)|Forget the Past]] [["She abandoned you, there is no love in that." (+1 Bravery)|No Love]] [["You are a young man doing great things, she should be very proud." (+1 Intelligence)|Proud]]

"What? Oh..." Heathcliff shoulders slump a bit. "I wish father could have been here." There was a silence, then as if the words forced themselves free, he added "and maybe mama too." Heathcliff hesitates. "Wizard? Do you think-well...do you think my mother loved me?" [["She may have loved you but the past can be forgotten. Your future awaits." (+0)|Forget the Past]] [["She abandoned you, there is no love in that." (+1 Bravery)|No Love]] [["You are a young man doing great things, she should be very proud." (+1 Intelligence)|Proud]]

The lord was notorious for his rather undesirable traits. He was pompous, vulgar, and disguisted by anyone who didn't display and act like a "true man." Ever since his wife had run away from him, the lord's appetite for drink had grown. It was not a good situation for a child. [[Follow Heathcliff|TrainingHeath1]]

You'd heard some stories about the previous lady of the manor. The lord's wife had run away when Heathcliff was still a small boy. The gossip said that she left because of the lord's behavior. They say she only stayed as long as she did because of his wealth. No one knew exactly why she left Heathcliff behind or where she went. You stare at the picture before passing by to the training center. [[Follow Heathcliff|TrainingHeath1]]

He smiles proudly and takes a bow. Heathcliff goes to grab a towel and sits down on the bench. He glances towards the door his father left from but quickly looks away. A man from the village pokes his head in. He informs you that a party is being planned to celebrate the prophecy's choosen one in a few weeks. He smiles at Heathcliff and leaves again. [[The Party|The Party Heath]]

He smiles proudly. "I told you I was good!" Heathcliff goes to grab a towel and sits down on the bench. He glances towards the door his father left from but quickly looks away. A man from the village pokes his head in. He informs you that a party is being planned to celebrate the prophecy's choosen one in a few weeks. He smiles at Heathcliff and leaves again. [[The Party|The Party Heath]]

"She wasn't like father at all. She never yelled except when he yelled first. She said that was fair. I think she liked to bake. Oh and I think she named me after a book but I'm not sure." He scrunched up his nose. "I don't like reading much.' Heathcliff small sniffles continue through out but he begins to remember things about his mother. You stay with Heathcliff for the rest of the party. You can see the moon through the window panes. There was only a few more days left. [[The Day of Evil|The Cave Heath]]

When you reenter the village and tell the story of what happened. Everyone assumes the evil has been slain. They congratulate Heathcliff but they keep a distance. The story of him stabbing the image of his own mother spread quickly. Everyone eyes Heathcliff differently now, everyone except his father. When he hears the story he hugs Heathcliff, congratulating him on becoming a man. Heathcliff hasn't said a word since the cave. His eyes look far off and unfocued. He has become a champion. [[Next|HeathBadEnding]]

As you reenter the village, the villagers are concerned to hear that the great evil escaped. Quickly you help arrange for a pursuit of the great evil but the villagers aren't sure how to treat Heathcliff. He wasn't a failure nor was he a success. When his father hears the story, he condemns Heathcliff as a weakling. You have no idea which way the great evil went. It is going to be awhile before Heathcliff has another chance. [[Next|HeathNeutralEnding]]

You are the only one that can see the face of the great evil now. Frozen. The figure of Heathcliff's mother returns the hug for a brief second before collapsing into smoke. You rush forward. Heathcliff is now staring at something on the ground. It's a drawing. A drawing of Heathcliff hugging an older version of his mother in front of a house. It's a house that sits in a nearby village. [[Next|HeathGoodEnding]]

"He wasn't like mama at all. Father liked to have parties. Those were fun. The food is always better when he throws a party." Heathcliff considers this. "Though it always gets grosser right after a party." He makes a face. Heathcliff small sniffles continue through out but he begins to ruminate about his usual meals. You stay with Heathcliff for the rest of the party. You can see the moon through the window panes. There was only a few more days left [[The Day of Evil|The Cave Heath]]

He scowls. "Mama? ...I don't remember a lot anymore. She left when I was little. Father says she was selfish and shallow." Heathcliff's scowl deepends. He doesn't seem to be in the mood to talk anymore. You can see the moon through the window panes. There was only a few more days left [[The Day of Evil|The Cave Heath]]

"Father? Well he's a very strong leader as the lord of the village." Heathcliff's chest expands with pride. "I'm going to be the lord one day. Father promised he'd teach me all about it." Heathcliff begins to ruminate about his future duties as the lord. You stay with Heathcliff for the rest of the party. You can see the moon through the window panes. There was only a few more days left [[The Day of Evil|The Cave Heath]]

There's an awkward silence. Heathcliff finally drops the sword and turns away. A man from the village pokes his head in. He informs you that a party is being planned to celebrate the prophecy's choosen one in a few weeks. He smiles at Heathcliff and leaves again. [[The Party|The Party Heath]]

Heathcliff's eyes snap away from the door and to you. He looks down at the sword he's holding and drops it to the ground. "I'll take a break if that's alright." Heathcliff sits down on the bench with a heavy thud. A man from the village pokes his head in. He informs you that a party is being planned to celebrate the prophecy's choosen one in a few weeks. He smiles at Heathcliff and leaves again. [[The Party|The Party Heath]]

Welcome to the Demo! The player character is a wizard tasked with choosing a hero after a prophecy declares that 1 child will defeat a "great evil." There are 3 childern who could be the hero. You'll start right after the player would have chosen Heathcliff as the hero. Heathcliff starts with 1 Bravary and 0 Intelligence. Enjoy! [[Begin!|Choose Heathcliff]]