Sisyphus's Salvation

Who are you? (force-input-box:"=XX=","Sisyphus") (after:5s)[(link:"Yeah")[(set: $history_rounds to 978000+$refusals+$rounds) You are Sisyphus, the one punished by the gods to push a boulder up the hill for eternity, only for it to roll down once you near the top, repeating for (link-reveal:"as long as they want.")[ Since the day you started, you have pushed the boulder up $history_rounds times. Today, your boulder (link-reveal:"speaks to you:")[ "Sisyphus, do you desire salvation? Or remain pushing the rock for eternity?" [["Y-Yes."->Rules]] You barely scraped out some words, voice quivering from disuse. [[Ignore it.->Endure]] If the gods think they can change your mind now, they're dead wrong. ]]]]

{(set:$debug to 0) (set: $d_encounter to 1) (set: $d_intervention to 0) (set:$hundred_steps to 0) (set: $start to 0) (set: $refusals to 0) (set: $boons to 1) (set: $rounds to 0) (set: $history_rounds to 978000+$refusals+$rounds) (set: $steps to 0) (set: $stride to 1) (set: $speed to 1) (set: $base_focus to (10-$refusals)*5) (set: $focus to $base_focus) (set: $potency to 1) (set: $encounter to (random: 0, 12)) (set: $intervention to (random: 0, $refusals+$boons)) (set: $glow to "") (set: $mad to 0) } { (track: 'thump', 'loop', true) (track: 'thump', 'playwhenpossible') }

It seems the punishment finally wisen you up. Now, to the good (link-reveal:"news.")[ After this last push, you will finally reach the top. And, since we are merciful, we'll occasionally give you some incentives, to keep you going, but beware of whom you (link-reveal:"trust.")[ Never doubt, you'll inevitably encounter failures anfter failures, and so you may try, try, and try again, until you can no longer stand (link-reveal:"it.")[ (t8n:"slide-down")+(link-reveal:"Now... ")[(size:2)[[[Entertain Us->Next]]]]]]]

(if:$refusals >= 10)[You have displayed an indominable spirit, enduring an eternity of labor, and will continue to do so forevermore. (set: $refusals to 0) [[RESTART->Intro]] (unless: (track: 'resolute', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'resolute', 'loop', true) (track: 'resolute', 'play') ] ] (else:)[You said nothing. The boulder goes up and down once [[again->Converse]]. (set: $refusals to $refusals+1) (set: $rounds to $rounds+1) ]

{ (set: $steps to $steps + $stride*$speed) (set: $focus to $focus-$speed) (set: $potency to 1) (if:$debug is 1)[(set: $focus to 42)] (if:$speed >1)[(set:$speed to $speed-1)] (if:$focus <= 0)[[[Your mind feels faint.->Ending]](set:$focus to 0)] (else:)[ (set: $encounter to (random: 0, 12)) (set: $intervention to (random: 0, $refusals+$boons)) (if:$debug is 1)[ (set: $encounter to $d_encounter) (set: $d_encounter to $d_encounter+$d_intervention) (if:$d_encounter >= 13)[(set: $d_encounter to 0)] (set: $intervention to $d_intervention) (set: $d_intervention to 1-$d_intervention) ] (if:$encounter is 0)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Homely Honey") (set:$glowColor to "goldenrod") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Dire Onyx") (set:$glowColor to "black") ] ] (else-if:$encounter is 1)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Beneficent Yellow") (set:$glowColor to "yellow") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Baleful Yellow") (set:$glowColor to "darkgoldenrod") ] ] (if:$encounter is 2)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Bountiful Blue") (set:$glowColor to "dodgerblue") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Tranquil Blue") (set:$glowColor to "navy") ] ] (if:$encounter is 3)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Honorable Purple") (set:$glowColor to "mediumpurple") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Haughty Purple") (set:$glowColor to "darkmagenta") ] ] (if:$encounter is 4)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Generous Green") (set:$glowColor to "limegreen") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Leafy Green") (set:$glowColor to "darkgreen") ] ] (if:$encounter is 5)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Cutesy Pink") (set:$glowColor to "pink") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Coquettish Pink") (set:$glowColor to "hotpink") ] ] (if:$encounter is 6)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Sagacious Silver") (set:$glowColor to "silver") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Scathing Silver") (set:$glowColor to "darkgray") ] ] (if:$encounter is 7)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Tranquil Teal") (set:$glowColor to "teal") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Tempestuous Teal") (set:$glowColor to "darkslategray") ] ] (if:$encounter is 8)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Auspicious Gold") (set:$glowColor to "gold") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Ailing Gold") (set:$glowColor to "goldenrod") ] ] (if:$encounter is 9)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Assertive Red") (set:$glowColor to "red") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Atrocious Red") (set:$glowColor to "darkred") ] ] (if:$encounter is 10)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Beneficent Bronze") (set:$glowColor to "sienna") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Blistering Bronze") (set:$glowColor to "saddlebrown") ] ] (if:$encounter is 11)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Celeritous Cyan") (set:$glowColor to "cyan") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Capricious Cyan") (set:$glowColor to "darkcyan") ] ] (if:$encounter is 12)[ (if:$intervention is 0)[ (set:$glow to "Intoxicating Indigo") (set:$glowColor to "indigo") ] (else:)[ (set:$glow to "Invidious Indigo") (set:$glowColor to "midnightblue") ] ] From behind the boulder, you can see a glow of: (text-colour:$glowColor)[ (if:$encounter is 0)[ [[$glow->Choice]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 1)[ [[$glow->Zeus]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 2)[ [[$glow->Poseidon]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 3)[ [[$glow->Hera]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 4)[ [[$glow->Demeter]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 5)[ [[$glow->Aphrodite]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 6)[ [[$glow->Athena]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 7)[ [[$glow->Artemis]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 8)[ [[$glow->Apollo]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 9)[ [[$glow->Ares]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 10)[ [[$glow->Hephaestus]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 11)[ [[$glow->Hermes]] ] (else-if:$encounter is 12)[ [[$glow->Dionysus]] ]] ] } (unless: (track: 'thump', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'thump', 'loop', true) (track: 'thump', 'play') ]

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[(set:$potency to 2) (seq-link:"A motherly voice","Hestia","Bestia") softly whispered: (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "I convinced some of them to help you out. Pick one, and take care: they are stronger than normal.": =|= (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Authority->Unburdened]]](else:)[Authority] (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Tides->Swift]]](else:)[Tides] (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Grace->Hera]]](else:)[Grace] (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Abundance->Demeter]]](else:)[Abundance] =|= (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Allure->Aphrodite]]](else:)[Allure] (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Insight->Athena]]](else:)[Insight] (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Tranquility->Artemis]]](else:)[Tranquility] (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Inspiration->Apollo]]](else:)[Inspiration] =|= (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Spirit->Ares]]](else:)[Spirit] [[Forge->Hephaestus]] (if:(random:0,1) is 0)[[[Wit->Hermes]]](else:)[Wit] [[Revelry->Dionysus]] |==| ] (unless: (track: 'hestia', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'hestia', 'loop', true) (track: 'hestia', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)["YOU SHALL NOT (t8n:"shudder")+(t8n-time:1s)+(link-reveal:"LEAVE")[ HADES!]"] (set:$steps to ($steps-$steps%$boons)/$boons) [[You refuse!!->Next]] (unless: (track: 'hades', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'hades', 'loop', true) (track: 'hades', 'play') ] ] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ A regal, echoing voice enters your ears: (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "You have atoned for some of you sin, keep it up." ] [[Stays Silent->Unburdened]] (unless: (track: 'zeus', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'zeus', 'loop', true) (track: 'zeus', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ Thunder rumbled by you ears. (text-colour:$glowColor)["I Bless You With a Chance to Save Youself. Treasure It!" ] Your fingers clench their familiar spots on the [[boulder->Push]]. (set:$boons to $boons+1) ] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ You hear (link:"waves")[(text-colour:$glowColor)[Poseidon]] crashing by your ears: (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "The tides can either bring you home, or drown you within its depths." ] Accept the Tidal Blessing? [[`Yes`->Swift]] [[`No`->Push]] (unless: (track: 'poseidon', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'poseidon', 'loop', true) (track: 'poseidon', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ Endless ocean waves crashed, offering naught but empty silence.] Your boulder parts the shallow shores, you dig your toes into the golden sands, stabilizing your [[walk->Push]]. ] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ The clanging sound of (link:"metal being pounded")[Hephaestus] drowns out everything. ] Accept the Refinement Blessing? [[`Yes`->Refinement]] [[`No`->Push]] (unless: (track: 'hephaestus', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'hephaestus', 'loop', true) (track: 'hephaestus', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ The clanging sound of (link:"metal being pounded")[Hephaestus] drowns out everything.] [[Why is he here?->Push]] ] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ (link:"A booming voice")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[Ares]] (t8n:"rumble")+(t8n-time:1s)+(link-reveal:"bellows out:")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "WHERE'S YOUR FIGHTING SPIRIT!? GET UP AND MOVE IT!"] Accept the Vigor Blessing? [[`Yes`->Vigor]] [[`No`->Push]]] (unless: (track: 'ares', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'ares', 'loop', true) (track: 'ares', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (link:"Clashing weapons")[(text-colour:$glowColor)[Ares]] reverberate next to (t8n:"rumble")+(t8n-time:1s)+(link-reveal:"you:")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "GET YOUR SORRY BUTT INTO GEAR!"] [[You clench your butt to leverage more force->Push]] ]] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ (link:"A gentle warmth")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[Apollo]] caresses your face: (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "Keep a (cycling-link:"tune ","jingle","note","melody","lullaby","sonnet") in your heart, and everything will become (link:"easy")[intransient]."] Accept the Melody Blessing? [[`Yes`->Melody]] [[`No`->Push]] (unless: (track: 'apollo', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'apollo', 'loop', true) (track: 'apollo', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ Your eyes are suddenly flooded with (cycling-link: "piercing", "blinding" ,"sudden", "searing") (link:"light")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[Apollo]], causing you to waste time blinking them out.] [[Press On->Push]] ] }

{ (set:_reveal to 0) (if: $intervention is 0)[ You didn't hear anything, yet in your heart, (link:"a message")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[Artemis]] (t8n:"dissolve")+(link-reveal:"emerged:")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "Dedicate yourself to a goal, and there will be results."] Accept the Hunt Blessing? [[`Yes`->Hunt]] [[`No`->Push]]] (unless: (track: 'artemis', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'artemis', 'loop', true) (track: 'artemis', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ You hear (cycling-link:"howling wolves ","bubbling goldfishes","roaring tigers","hollering monkeys","hissing snakes") and (cycling-link:"screeching birds ","zapping eels","charging rhinos","dancing parrots","rolling armadillos") behind you.] [[Push with all your might!->Push]] ] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ (link:"A cold voice")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[Athena]] resounds: (after:1.5)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "Give Up. You won't succeed."] (after:1)[[[No!->Continue]]] ] (unless: (track: 'athena', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'athena', 'loop', true) (track: 'athena', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (link:"A cold voice")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[Athena]] resounds: (after:1.5)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "Insane Fool."] (after:1)[[[Ignore them->Continue]]] ] ] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[(seq-link:"Murmur","A soft moan","Shifting clothes","Sweet whispers","Aphrodite's Voice")] echoes from thin air, rousing your spirit.] Accept the Sensation Blessing? [[`Yes`->Sensation]] [[`No`->Push]] (unless: (track: 'aphrodite', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'aphrodite', 'loop', true) (track: 'aphrodite', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ You recall how lonely it is down here.] [[Hug the boulder->Push]] ] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ (link:"Leaves")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[Demeter]] rustle by your ears: (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "Soon, you'll enjoy the fruit of your labor." ] Accept the Harvest Blessing? [[`Yes`->Harvest]] [[`No`->Push]] (unless: (track: 'demeter', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'demeter', 'loop', true) (track: 'demeter', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ You can only hear your own heavy breathing.] The (cycling-link:"deep","moist","fresh","musty","invigorating") scent of the forest awaken [[you->Push]] ] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ (link:"A regal voice, hardened by experience,")[(text-colour:$glowColor)[Hera]] whispers to you: (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "We suppose you are better than some random harlots."] Accept the Empathy Blessing? [[`Yes`->Empathy]] [[`No`->Push]] (unless: (track: 'hera', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'hera', 'loop', true) (track: 'hera', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ You hear a soft scoff.] How can (link:"they")[(link:"the Divine")[those who live up high]] understand the trouble of [[mortals->Push]]? ] }

{ (if: $intervention is 0)[ (link:"Soft winds")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[Hermes]] appears right next to you, along with a subtle (seq-link:"tug","nudge","shove","punch","kick"): (text-colour:$glowColor)[ "Come, this way is easier."] Accept the Guidance Blessing? [[`Yes`->Guidance]] [[`No`->Push]] (unless: (track: 'hermes', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'hermes', 'loop', true) (track: 'hermes', 'play') ] ] (else:)[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[ You feel like (link:"the road")[ (text-colour:$glowColor)[Hermes]] is even more familiar than usual.] [[Turns out you just backtracked.->Push]] (set:$steps to $steps-(random: 1, $boons)) (if:$steps<0)[(set:$steps to 0)] ] }

{ (text-colour:$glowColor)[You can hear a mad, drunken laughter from all around you.] (after:2s)[ (text-style:"italic","double-underline","buoy")[Accept] (text-style:"smear","blink")[the] (text-style:"upside-down","rumble")[(text-rotate-x:37)+(text-rotate-y:13)+(text-rotate-z:2)[Madness]] (text-style:"wavy-strike","outline")[Blessing] (text-style:"bold","mirror","fidget")[(?)] [[`->Yes<-`->Madness]] (text-style:"blurrier")[No]] (unless: (track: 'dionysus', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'dionysus', 'loop', true) (track: 'dionysus', 'play') ] }

{(if: (passage:)'s name is not "Splashscreen" and (passage:)'s name is not "Intro" and (passage:)'s name is not "Rules" and (passage:)'s name is not "Endure" and (passage:)'s name is not "Converse")[ (set:$hundred_steps to ($steps - $steps % 100 ) / 100) Steps Taken: (for: each _i, ...(range: 0, $hundred_steps))[@](for: each _i, ...(range: $hundred_steps*100,$steps))[.]🪨 (for: each _i, ...(range: 1,$stride))[-](for: each _i, ...(range: 1,$boons))[+](print:$focus)(for: each _i, ...(range: 1,$speed))[>](if:$debug is 1)[DEBUGGING] ]}

Your feel your hands slip from the boulder, sending it tumbling down. You have climbed (print:$steps) steps to your salvation, yet the peak seems farther than ever before. You climb down, feeling the gods' influence (text-style:"blur")[fade away], and get ready to push the boulder [[one more time->Next]]. (set: $hundred_steps to 0) (set: $rounds to $rounds+1) (set: $countdown to $initial_countdown) (set: $steps to 0) (set: $stride to 1) (set: $speed to 1) (set: $focus to $base_focus) (set: $boons to 1) (set: $mad to 0) (unless: (track: 'fail', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'fail', 'loop', true) (track: 'fail', 'play') ]

Steps increases by Stride*Speed per turn and is the score. Focus lowers by Speed each round Speed decrement each round. Run ends when Focus drops to 0 Credits: * Splash art: https://x.com/besiana_kadare/status/1306056764509618177?lang=ar-x-fm&mx=2 * Music: https://labs.google/fx/tools/music-fx * Myth info: Wikipedia

"Have you reconsidered your answer? Or remain pushing the rock for eternity?" [["Y-Yes." You barely scraped out some words, voice quivering from disuse.->Rules]] [[Ignore it. You know that you will push the rock up the hill.->Endure]]

(either: "Time to get back to work.", "You can't stop, never stop.", "The day this boulder stays at the top is today!", "They want to break you? Keep dreaming.", "Today’s the day you rewrite your fate.", "The gods can laugh all they want. you're still standing.", ) [[Continue Pushing->Next]] (unless: (track: 'thump', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'thump', 'loop', true) (track: 'thump', 'play') ]

You feel as if a large weight has been lifted off your [[soul->Push]]. (if:$boons>1)[(set:$boons to $boons-$potency)]

You feel your legs are being assisted by (either:"a chilly", "a clear") current, allowing you to [[push->Push]] faster. (set:$speed to $speed+(random: 1, $boons)*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

If she's who you think she is... better to refocus on the [[boulder->Push]]. (set:$focus to $focus+(random: 1, $boons)*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

A burst of energy fills you, allowing you to take a big step [[forward->Push]]. (set:$steps to $steps+(random: 1, $boons)*$boons*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

You feel a pleasant tingle all over your body, increasing the stride of your [[steps->Push]]. (set:$stride to $stride+(random: 1, $boons)*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

You will, no, you MUST [[succeed->Push]]! (set:$focus to $focus+(random: 1, $boons)*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

You feel your mind gaining a newfound level of clarity, ready to chase down that [[peak->Push]]. (set:$speed to $speed+(random: 1, $boons)*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

It is like your body lost control, and with a few swishes, turns, and tangos with the boulder, you find yourself farther along the trail, and your steps light as a feather. Only one thing to [[do->Push]]. (set:$steps to $steps+(random: 1, $boons)*$boons*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

The continuous barrage of 'encouragements' makes you can't help but start [[pushing->Push]] faster. (set:$stride to $stride+(random: 1, $boons)*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

Your dear boulder shudders and becomes smoother to handle, greatly improving your efficiency in [[pushing->Push]]. (set:$stride to $stride+(random: 1, $boons)*$potency) (set:$speed to $speed+(random: 1, $boons)*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

The dips and turns that normally took you effort to bypass are now leveraged to let you swiftly [[progress->Push]]. (set:$steps to $steps+(random: 1, $boons)*$boons*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

(if:$mad is 1)[The scenery spins once again, but you're used to it by now.] (else:)[The mountain is spinning, the bloulder is rolling upward? Downward? In place? Oh no! You did your best to stand on the same spot and hold the boulder close. The spinning eventually stopped. (set:$mad to 1)] You need to [[refocus->Push]]. (set: $focus to $focus+(random: -$boons, $boons)*$potency) (set:$boons to $boons+1)

thump: ./audio/thump.wav resolute: ./audio/resolute.wav fail: ./audio/fail.wav hestia: ./audio/hestia.wav hades: ./audio/hades.wav zeus: ./audio/zeus.wav poseidon: ./audio/poseidon.wav hera: ./audio/hera.wav demeter: ./audio/demeter.wav aphrodite: ./audio/aphrodite.wav athena: ./audio/athena.wav artemis: ./audio/artemis.wav apollo: ./audio/apollo.wav ares: ./audio/ares.wav hephaestus: ./audio/hephaestus.wav hermes: ./audio/hermes.wav dionysus: ./audio/dionysus.wav

(align:"=><=")[ # Sisyphus's Salvation <img src="splashart.jpg"> [[Start->Intro]] ]