Welcome!
This game will help you understand how French colonization impacted Native Americans in Florida.
Just a couple things to keep in your mind:
1. The Native tribe you are a part of is called the Timucua Tribe.
2. You are in Florida and your village is at the mouth of the St. Johns River
3. You and your tribe members have never made contact with foreigners. All you know is your tribe and some of the other local tribes, friend or foe.
4. Have fun!
5. [[Click here | The Setting]] to begin.
You are a Timucuan man named Chulufi at the age of 17 during 1562 in the village of Saturiwa. You are considered a man at your age. You live in a "round house" where bark is used as walls and branches from palmetto palm trees for the roof.
You have a wife, Ela, and 2 sons, Atofo and Caramaba. Taking care of your family is a must however you are also responsible for helping the rest of the tribe.
The main roles of Timucuan men were farmer, hunter, and fisher.
Before you go about your daily life, please choose your occupation:
[[Farmer]]
[[Hunter]]
[[Fisher]](set: $role to 'Farmer')
You have chosen the role of farmer!
You see the men and women also tasked with farming preparing their tools and heading towards the fields. You ready yourself to perform your tasks for the day. What will you do?
(if: $farm1 is 0)[
[[Replace Broken Tools]]]
(if: $farm2 is 0)[
[[Set Up Rotation Cropping]]]
(if: $farm3 is 0)[
[[Harvest Crops]]]
[[Bring Harvested Crops to Storage and Head Home -> Farmer Continued]] (set: $role to 'Hunter')
You have chosen the role of hunter!
As a hunter, your job is to hunt deer, alligators, lizards, bears, and wildcats.
These animals are used as clothing, food, and trade for the tribe.
Your main weapon of choice is a bow.
You are dressed in camouflage made from deer skin.
You see your fellow hunters prepare for today's hunt. What do you do?
(if: $hunt1 is 0)[
[[Hunt Deer]] ]
(if: $hunt2 is 0)[
[[Hunt Alligator]] ]
(if: $hunt3 is 0)[
[[Finish the Day by Skinning Prey -> Hunter Continued]] ](set: $role to 'Fisher')
You have chosen the role of fisher!
You, along with your fellow fishers, head towards the river where you generally carry out your duties. What will you do?
(if: $fish1 is 0)[
[[Collect Oysters]] ]
(if: $fish2 is 0)[
[[Catch Fish]]]
(if: $fish3 is 0)[
[[Weave and Check Fish Traps]]]
[[Go Home to Preserve Fish ->Fisher Continued]] (set: $endurance to $endurance + 2)
You decide to take the canoe and transport whatever crops have been harvested before heading straight home.
Your best friend, Acu is with you and is also transporting the crops of his plantation. You help each other often to ensure quality crops. He has been your loyal companion for many years. You used to play games together as kids before you became men of the tribe. He now has children of his own who get along well with Atofo and Caramaba. Your bond with him is one of the strongest relationships in the tribe. You trust each other, and would always help each other in times of need.
[[Continue -> Farmer Continued 2]] (set: $endurance to $endurance + 2)
You have chosen to hunt the deer.
(set: $hunt1 to 1)
As a Timucuan, you are familiar with a special technique to hunt and kill deers.
Once a deer is found, you silently stalk the deer to get in close range Once close enough, you use the bow to shoot at the deer.
You aim at the heart to avoid damaging parts of the deer that could be skinned for its pelt. You give the catch to the other hunters for them to bring back to the village.
(link-goto: "Continue", "Hunter")(set: $endurance to $endurance + 2)
You have chosen to hunt the alligator.
(set: $hunt2 to 1)
As a Timucuan, you used a special technique to hunt and kill alligators.
Once an alligator was found to hunt, you tease the alligator and lure it in for close contact. Once close enough, you prompt the alligator to open its mouth.
Once open wide enough, you impale a pole deep inside the mouth to kill the alligator.
You give the catch to the other hunters for them to bring back to the village.
(link-goto: "Continue", "Hunter")(set: $endurance to $endurance + 1)
You decide to take some of the caught fish back to the village to gut and preserve them.
You see your best friend, Acu, already gutting the fish that he had gathered and decide to join him. He has been your loyal companion for many years. You used to play games together as kids before you became men of the tribe. He now has children of his own who get along well with Atofo and Caramaba. Your bond with him is one of the strongest relationships in the tribe. You trust each other, and would always help each other in times of need.
[[Continue ->Fisher Continued 2]] After storing away the gutted fish, you return home where you're greeted by Atofo and Caramaba. You can see that they've been play-fighting each other with sticks, probably in hopes of becoming a warrior someday.
As a warrior, you would have to fight every threat that chances upon the village, but you would also command great respect.
Ela has been pressuring you into becoming a warrior. She is conviced you are capable of such a task and knows it will bring the family great honor.
You love her, so you don't dare deny her request.
You will compete in a game to see if you are worthy.
[[Continue -> Sports]] After transporting the crops to storage, you head home where you're greeted by Atofo and Caramaba. You can see that they've been play-fighting each other with sticks, probably in hopes of becoming a warrior someday.
As a warrior, you would have to fight every threat that chances upon the village, but you would also command great respect.
Ela has been pressuring you into becoming a warrior. She is conviced you are capable of such a task and knows it will bring the family great honor.
You love her, so you don't dare deny her request.
You will compete in a game to see if you are worthy.
[[Continue -> Sports]]The day of the games has finally come!
You look around to see many men looking to prove their worth as a fighter of the village
You have 2 options for games to play:
Option 1:
-hit a target on distant pole with a bow and arrow
Option 2:
-compete against others to see who can run the farthest distance given only a single breath
Which game would you like to play?
[[Pole Game -> Pole Game]]
[[Sprint Game -> Sprint Game]](set: $game to 'Pole')"Welcome to the Arena!"
You choose to try and shoot the target on the pole using a bow. Where should you be aiming at?
(set: $wind to (random: 2))
(if: $wind is 2)[(set: $draft to "the wind is blowing upwards")(set: $trajectory to "directly at the target.")]
(if: $wind is 1)[(set: $draft to "there aren't any strong winds")(set: $trajectory to "slightly above the target.")]
(if: $wind is 0)[(set: $draft to "the wind is blowing downwards")(set: $trajectory to "really high above the target.")]
You notice that $draft at the moment.
(if: $role is 'Hunter')[Your experience with the bow lets you immediately ascertain the trajectory of the shot. You will definitely hit the target if you aim $trajectory]
(if: $wind is 2)[
[[Really high above the target -> Loser]]
[[Slightly above the target -> Loser]]
[[Directly at the target -> Winner]] ]
(if: $wind is 1)[
[[Really high above the target -> Loser]]
[[Slightly above the target -> Winner]]
[[Directly at the target -> Loser]] ]
(if: $wind is 0)[
[[Really high above the target -> Winner]]
[[Slightly above the target -> Loser]]
[[Directly at the target -> Loser]] ](set: $game to 'Sprint')"Welcome to the Arena!"
"You will try to run the farthest distance using only a single breath.
If you prove to be a champion, you will become a warrior and get the opportunity to protect our village, and bring great honor to your family."
When the announcer counts down, you will take a deep breath, then run as far as you can without taking another.
" HAPU....YUCHA...YAHU !!!" (Man counts 3...2....1...)
You take your breath and sprint.
You are sustaining well after 10 seconds... 15....20...25...
There is only 1 other competitor left!! All you can think about is Ela, Atofo, Caramaba... Cheering you on. They have faith in you.
(if: $endurance is 5)[
[[Continue -> Winner]] ]
(else:)[
[[Continue -> Loser]] ](if: $game is 'Pole')[Your arrow unfortunately doesn't meet the target.
(if: $role is 'Hunter')[Everyone is baffled at how you miss the shot, despite your many years with the bow. You feel like a complete buffoon, cowering in shame at your total uselessness.]]
(if: $game is 'Sprint')[Unfortunately, you endurance was lacking and unable to pass the final opponent. Perhaps if you performed more tasks in your duties, you could have passed him.]
(set: $warrior to 'No')
Ela is quite bummed, however she loves you and encourages you to train and then try again at the next opportunity.
[[Continue -> First Contact News]] (if: $game is 'Pole')[Your arrow is able to hit the target, demonstrating your great use of the bow.]
(if: $game is 'Sprint')[Your dedication to perform all of your duties allowed you to gain the endurance necessary to pass your final opponent.]
Congrats! You're a warrior!
(set: $warrior to 'Yes')
[[Continue -> First Contact News]]Approximately a year has passed...
As you were eating dinner, you receive news of a foreign group of people arriving at the mouth of the river. They seemed like some sort of advanced crew of tribals, appearing on oversized canoes and wielding exploding metal sticks. Their skin was told to be ghostly pale, overpowering even the shine of the moon. Their tongues rattled grunts and gibberish, completely incomprehensible to the common ear.
With no intial sign of aggravation, scouts were sent to negotiate with them through sign and body language. Chief Saturiwa figured with their dominating military might, a great opportunity for increasing the village's influence had come. You, along with a few others, were asked to gather the best crops and gifts around the village to be given as offerings to these new visitors.
Over time, the village was able to establish friendly relations with the foreigners, along with an agreement that they would be allied with the Saturiwa as they prepared for battle with the neighboring tribes.
[[Continue -> War With Neighbors]]Being that the village is militarily equipped, there is more opportunity to gain more land for crop rotation and trade routes.
The warriors are ordered to declare battle by placing arrows with hair at the tip around the rival village.
The rest of the village gathers food for the warriors and get ready for the battle ritual.
(if: $warrior is 'Yes')[
[[Continue -> War (Fight)]]]
(if: $warrior is 'No')[
[[Continue -> War (Stay)]]]Since you were promoted to the status of warrior, you are given the opportunity to participate alongside the foreigners in the upcoming fight against the enemy village!
[[Contine -> War Ritual (Fight)]]Unfortunately, because you were unable to become a warrior, you are not given the opportunity to participate in the upcoming fight. Instead, you continue your daily duties with your family at the comfort of home.
[[Continue -> War Ritual (Stay)]]The whole village is gathered to watch the pre-battle ritual.
You see two containers of water brought out before the warriors. One is splashed over the backs of the warriors, while the other is splashed over the fire at the center. Perhaps if you were a warrior, you could understand the meaning behind these actions.
[[Continue -> War Aftermath (Stay)]](set: $hero to 2)
After the battle, the men are ordered to go and carry the dead with respect.They have to carry them with support under their heads and with fur wrapped around their chest, thigh and shin.
You help treat the sick and wounded that return from the battle.
[[Continue -> Ceremony After Battle (Watch)]] You stand at the sides as you watch warriors from the battle present proof and trophies of their deeds during the battle, bringing them great honor and respect amongst the rest of the village.
(if: $warrior is 'No')[Perhaps if you had become a warrior, this could have been your fate as well.](if: $warrior is 'Yes')[Perhaps if you had done something more heroic, this could have been your fate as well.]
[[Continue -> Pre-Fort Caroline]]As a warrior, you participate in the Pre-Battle Rituals. Two containers of water are brought out. One is splashed over the backs of the warriors to represent the blood of their enemies being splashed over them. The other is splashed over the bonfire to mimic the enemy being extinguished.
Afterwards, you tread towards the enemy village with your fellow warriors.
[[Continue -> War (Battle)]]The group of warriors arrive near the perimeter of the enemy village. Fire arrows are rained down onto their houses, setting the entire village ablaze. Scragglers from the village frantically grab their weapons and charge at the foreigners stationed at the front of the forces. The enemy is quickly mowed down by the exploding metal sticks, tumbling down one by one. The enemy's overwhelming numbers gain its footing, and some of them reach the frontlines.
One of the enemy prepares to charge a spear into one of the foreigners. You are close enough to take action and potentially save his life. What do you do?
[[Human Body Block! -> War Aftermath (Heroic)]]
[[My life's too precious... -> War Aftermath (Non-Heroic)]](set: $hero to 1)
You try to block the blow in an attempt to save the foreigner. Unfortunately, you don't come out unscathed, and you take a look to see that your shoulder is punctured. The few seconds you give the foreigner lets him take aim at the enemy and shoot him.
With the foreigner supporting your side, you both fall back to have your wound tended to.
[[Continue -> Special Interaction]](set: $hero to 0)
As you hesitate to save the foreigner, the spear is plunged into his eye socket, passing through his skull and taking his life. You watch as his arms that were held up for mercy fall lifeless to the ground. You take this opportunity to bash the enemy's skull, at the very least avenging the poor soul.
[[Continue -> Ceremony After Battle (Watch)]] You stand alongside your fellow warriors as you are each honored for the deeds you performed during the recent battle. You maintain a confidant and prideful stance in front of your family, gaining incredible respect from not just them, but the entirety of the village.
[[Continue -> Pre-Fort Caroline]] (if: $hero is 0 or 2)[You plant your feet and give Acu a stern look, which tells him that you've made the decision to stay and fight. Acu puts his head down, clenching his fist. That's when you notice he's kept one hand behind his back the entire time. Suddenly, Acu charges at you, and you feel a sharp pain near your stomach. You look down to see Acu holding a shiv to your stomach. You have no time to react as the shiv is pulled out and your blood spills on the ground. You can see tears rolling from Acu's eyes as he walks away from your body as it slowly turns into a corpse. The last thing you hear is the sound of an explosion, followed by a symphony of screams.]
(if: $hero is 1)[You clench your fists and give An-Too-On a determined look. You give him the sign that you've decided to stay and fight alongside him. An-Too-On looks worried, but he finds comfort in the loyalty you've shown him towards your friendship with him. You both grab your weapons and walk side by side as the raging tide of war rushes towards you.]
[[Continue ->Fighter Ending]](if: $hero is 0 or 2)[Your desire to see your family again keeps you in fear of what might happen if you stay at the fort. You gather your belongings and head for the fort's exit, shoving the traitor with your shoulder as you pass him. After exiting the fort, you give its inhabitants one last look of pity and guilt as you head back to the village.]
(if: $hero is 1)[Tears begin rolling down your face. You can't bear the idea of leaving your family behind. An-Too-On notices your guilt, places his hand on your shoulder, and nods. Acknowledging your instincts as a husband and a father, An-Too-On readies his bow and charges into battle to make an opening for your escape. As soon as a path is clear, you rush to hop over the back of the fort, not looking back as you yearn to see your family once more.]
[[Continue -> Family Ending]](set: $fish1 to 1)
You have decided to collect some of the numerous oysters lying around on the shore. One of the main delicacies of the village happens to be oysters due to the sheer number that is gathered on a daily basis. You always see oyster shells lying around every part of the village, and wonder if an addiction to oyster is possible...
(set: $endurance to $endurance + 1)
(link-goto: "Continue", "Fisher")(set: $fish2 to 1)
You have decided to catch some fish using the many methods developed by the village. You use spears fashioned by attaching shell tips to sticks to catch individual fish that swim by. You also lay fishing nets across the river, catching a great number of fish that flow through the river.
(set: $endurance to $endurance + 2)
(link-goto: "Continue", "Fisher")(set: $fish3 to 1)
You have decided to weave new fish traps and check on the currently deployed ones. You weave the fish traps called "weirs" using reeds in a labyrinth pattern involving many crooks and turns. Afterwards, you check the traps already placed, harvesting any fish caught to be brought back to the village.
(set: $endurance to $endurance + 1)
(link-goto: "Continue", "Fisher")Coming back from the battle, the foreigner carries you into the village and one of the warriors tells the chief that you saved the foreigner's life. The foreigner confirms this, and you are now considered a hero. He thanks you, points to himself and says "An-Too-On". You point back to yourself saying "Chulufi".
[[Continue -> Ceremony After Battle (Heroic)]] (set: $farm1 to 1)
You decide to replace some of the tools that have broken down over the past few weeks. The hoes are made from fishbones scavenged from the remains of the fish gutted by the fishers. You see your friend Acu currently fashioning some hoes, and decide to join him.
(set: $endurance to $endurance + 1)
(link-goto: "Continue", "Farmer")(set: $farm2 to 1)
You take a look at the overview of the crop rotation system in the village. Different plots of land have crops in sequential order regarding its growth. This way, there is always a group that is harvesting crops as well as another group who plants new ones in their place on a daily basis. As a result, there will always be crops to harvest. After a season is finished, the land us burned so that crops for the next season may be planted. You participate by planting seeds in the lands that were recently harvested.
(set: $endurance to $endurance + 1)
(link-goto: "Continue", "Farmer")(set: $farm3 to 1)
You decide to harvest some of the crops that are fully grown. The fields hold a variety of foods, such as maize, beans, squash, and melons. You can see the women gathering nuts and berries nearby.
(set: $endurance to $endurance + 1)
(link-goto: "Continue", "Farmer")(set: $endurance to $endurance + 1)
You decide to return to the village to skin some of the animals that were caught today.
You skinned the deer for its pelt to be later crafted into clothes and the alligator skin for leather and trading.
The meat was harvested and later preserved by smoking it over an open fire on a smoking rack.
You happen to meet up with your best friend, Acu, who had just returned to the village after his own hunt. He has been your loyal companion for many years. You used to play games together as kids before you became men of the tribe. He now has children of his own who get along well with Atofo and Caramaba. Your bond with him is one of the strongest relationships in the tribe. You trust each other, and would always help each other in times of need.
[[Continue -> Hunter Continued 2]]After storing the preserved meat, you return home where you're greeted by Atofo and Caramaba. You can see that they've been play-fighting each other with sticks, probably in hopes of becoming a warrior someday.
As a warrior, you would have to fight every threat that chances upon the village, but you would also command great respect.
Ela has been pressuring you into becoming a warrior. She is conviced you are capable of such a task and knows it will bring the family great honor.
You love her, so you don't dare deny her request.
You will compete in a game to see if you are worthy.
[[Continue -> Sports]] One day, one of the foreigners arrives at the village and speaks with Chief Saturiwa. It appears the foreigners have taken residence on the banks of the river, establishing a base made of wood and stone. They require people who are familiar with the territory and surrounding resources, and so they’ve offered the chance for some of the people in the village to take up residence there as well. You and Acu are amongst the people selected to be stationed at the fort. You say goodbye to Ela and the children, and spend the next year at Fort Caroline, fighting off hunger, native attacks, and mutiny.
(if: $hero is 1)[
[[Continue -> Fort Caroline Begins (Hero)]] ]
(if: $hero is 0 or 2)[
[[Continue -> Fort Caroline Begins (Traitor)]] ]You are woken to the sound of explosions and shouting. An-Too-On shakes you to your senses. It seems there has been another attack on the fort, except this time the attackers were armed with similar weaponry as the foreigners. Was the enemy from another distant land? You prepare to take up your weapon to join the fight before An-Too-On stops you. He furiously shakes his head, giving you signs not to fight. He appears to be telling you to abandon the fort and save your own life. He does not believe his people will be able to repel this attack. You don’t wish for your friend to fight alone, but you also think about your wife and children. What will you do?
[[Fight alongside An-Too-On -> Fort Caroline (Fight)]]
[[Save yourself -> Fort Caroline (Run)]] You are woken in the middle of the night.
“Chulufi!”
It appears Acu is trying to shake you awake. As you come to your senses, you ask what is wrong. Acu solemnly looks at you.
“This fort will soon be taken over.”
You give him a puzzled look.
“I have been in contact with another group of foreigners. They are from a land called ‘Espanya’. I have seen how they fight, how they conquer lands. They show their enemies no mercy, bringing swift death and an abundance of land. Surely their way of life is the right one!”
You point out how the village has been working with foreigners this whole time at the fort, though.
“They barely fight off attacks on their home base and need us to take care of their food and water for them. Even with all of their power, they are still weak! An alliance isn’t what’s needed for our village, it’s change! A change that will better our people!”
You ask what he believes is so wrong with our current traditions and culture.
(if: $hero is 0)[“I saw you leave that foreigner to die.”
You remember the foreigner you hesitated to save on the battlefield.
“Seeing how powerless you were to save him, it made me think about my own strength. Would it be enough to save someone if I was in that position? If my own wife and children were the ones being attacked?”](if: $hero is 2)["On the battlefield, I saw our people slaughtered by our enemies, while the foreigners simply mowed them down like ants. Seeing how powerless I was to save my comrades, it made me think about my current strength. Would it be enough to save my own wife and children if they were in that position?"]
You can barely look him in the eye. Acu calms himself before continuing. “You are my friend. That is why I’m warning you now. Leave this place. Everyone in this fort will surely die. Be with your family for as long as you can.”
It appears Acu is serious. You will most likely take part in the battle to come if you stay. There’s no guarantee you’ll make it out alive to see your family again. You would also have to possibly fight Acu, your best friend. What will you do?
[[Stay and fight with the French -> Fort Caroline (Fight)]]
[[Save yourself -> Fort Caroline (Run)]] (if: $hero is 0 or 2)[Fort Caroline is eventually overrun by the Spanish, bearing a mountain of corpses with yours amongst the pile.
After the battle, Acu joins the Spanish following his betrayal, only to be double-crossed himself. The glory that he was promised to village instead resulted in the eradication of his people's independence as the Spanish practice their brutal methods of expansion upon them. When he tried to fight in resistance, Acu was killed, left with only regret and despair for killing his best friend.
Your family is left to fend for themselves as the Spanish conquest eventually reaches Saturiwa village and assimilates your entire people into their culture. The identity of the Saturiwa no longer held any power to it, and they would end up serving the Spanish, building their missions for them.
This is where your story ends, and history passes your time as it continues to unfold itself...](if: $hero is 1)[You fight alongside An-Too-On for as long as you're left standing, but eventually the two of you fall as well as everyone else stationed at Fort Caroline.
Acu had fought to his last breathe at the fort, but he had also been killed. He regretted the fact that he would never see his family again, but he took pride in knowing that he took his stand alongside his best friend.
Your family is left to fend for themselves as the Spanish conquest eventually reaches Saturiwa village and assimilates your entire people into their culture. The identity of the Saturiwa no longer held any power to it, and they would end up serving the Spanish, building their missions for them.
This is where your story ends, and history passes your time as it continues to unfold itself...](if: $hero is 0 or 2)[You run back to the village as fast as your legs can carry you, notifying the chief of the events that transpired at Fort Caroline. The fort is eventually overrun, the only things left behind being the corpses of your friends, and the guilt of not fighting alongside them.
After the battle, Acu joins the Spanish following his betrayal, only to be double-crossed himself. The glory that he was promised to village instead resulted in the eradication of his people's independence as the Spanish practice their brutal methods of expansion upon them. When he tried to fight in resistance, Acu was killed, left with only regret and despair for betraying his people and his best friend.
You are able to remain with your family as the Spanish conquest eventually reaches Saturiwa village and assimilates your entire people into their culture. The identity of the Saturiwa no longer held any power to it, and they would end up serving the Spanish, building their missions for them.
This is where your story ends, and history passes your time as it continues to unfold itself...](if: $hero is 1)[You run back to the village as fast as your legs can carry you, notifying the chief of the events that transpired at Fort Caroline. The fort is eventually overrun, the only things left behind being the corpses of your friends, and the guilt of not fighting alongside them.
Acu had fought to his last breathe at the fort, but he had also been killed. He regretted the fact that he would never see his family again, but he took pride in knowing that he took his stand alongside his people.
You are able to remain with your family as the Spanish conquest eventually reaches Saturiwa village and assimilates your entire people into their culture. The identity of the Saturiwa no longer held any power to it, and they would end up serving the Spanish, building their missions for them.
This is where your story ends, and history passes your time as it continues to unfold itself...]