Deviation Actions
Literature Text
Cordelia awoke to the breeze rustling her whiskers. It easily lifted the delicate fur there and tossed it about, causing it to tickle her snout. She defiantly tried to keep her eyes shut, hoping nature would cut her a break and allow her to return to her nap, but she had no such luck. She opened her eyes with a loud dejected sigh. She slowly brought her front paws up so that she was sitting on her butt instead of the comfortable position she had been laying. She gave her head a shake to try and settle her wind-blown whiskers and keep them out of her nostrils. She cursed the wind, but quickly took it back, as her blue-green eyes set themselves on the sky. The wind was nothing compared to what could have woken her up - incoming rain! She was fond of water, but on her own terms, and the small tree she'd come to rest under would be no adequate shelter for what seemed to be brewing in the sky. It was no light drizzle on the horizon... It was going to pour.
She wasn't exactly close to anything in particular where she could seek shelter from the weather. Cordelia had simply set off to explore an area she'd never been previously. Every now and then her mind would begin to wonder about what else was out there and she would pack up from wherever she was staying and set out with no destination in mind. She was a wandering soul, driven by the allure of the unknown. She'd found herself caught in storms before, but there was always somewhere for her to go. She hoped now would be no different as she ascended a small rock formation to try and get a better view of her surroundings. Up here, she had a better vantage point of the mountainous terrain. As she scanned the sky she thought maybe she saw the faintest hint of smoke rising from further up the mountain. A village, perhaps? It was worth a try, she figured, as she gathered her small pack of belongings and headed that way up the mountain.
It was steep, and by no means an easy journey, but it was easily forgotten as she spotted the familiar sight of huts in the distance. It was a village! She found herself relieved, though it wouldn't seem to last. The village seemed all but deserted, and the only sound of noise seemed to come from its center. The voices were raised - some angry, some afraid. Cordelia felt a lump form in her throat. What could this be? She approached cautiously, seeing what appeared to be three elders, arguing over something to do with the storm. Her pensive approach would not go unnoticed, however, and soon she found herself tossed into the fray.
She was bombarded with requests as the villagers argued over each other. Cordelia was never one for confrontation, and she quickly found herself overwhelmed. She tried her best to listen to what each had to say, and as the request was extended to her to make the decision, she reluctantly agreed to settle the dispute. They gave her a few moments to gather her thoughts. Cordelia weighed the options. They could try to move the village's supplies, summon the village's guardian spirit, or ask a neighboring rival village for help. Each had their pros and cons... After a few minutes of silent deliberation, she spoke.
"Very well, let us try to move the Village's stores. I fear there is not time for me to reach the Village of the Cranes, and there is no guarantee they will help us." Tan Ping, the tortoise who made the suggestion, mumbled under his breath but reluctantly agreed.
"As for the Village's Guardian... I fear it may not hear our prayers in time. With our combined efforts, I think we can move the village's stores to higher ground." Cui Tai, the rabbit who had suggested divine intervention couldn't help but be disappointed. In the end, he too, agreed. They all had a common goal and that was to help their village. The hen, Qin Zan, marched triumphantly to Cordelia's side.
"You heard our guest, lets get to work!" The village's hopes were down, but everyone was ready to do their part. Cordelia nodded firmly as she gained confidence in her choice. They needed to save everything they could. She explained briefly how it was going to work - the villagers would form a line from the storehouse to higher ground, and they would pass the supplies from hand to hand. Everyone would have a role to play. Anything too heavy for the villagers she would carry herself. With the plan set into motion and everyone in their places, Cordelia prayed under her breath that it would be enough and that she had made the right decision. The rain was coming soon.
Scenario #1, Option #1
"Agree to help Qin Zan (the Hen elder) move the village stores out of the storage hut.
Qin Zan directs you to the storage hut. There are seed bags, grains, and farming tools inside. It's time to start moving the contents to higher ground before the rain washes everything away."
Together, with the help of the other villagers, your Kirindog manages to save half of the contents of the storage hut. Unfortunately, you cannot save anything more, as the strong tides of the floodwater make it impossible.
"Thank you, stranger," Zan says, embracing you gratefully. "We got about half of its contents out. Without you, our winter stores of food would have been washed away. And we may have lost some of our farming tools, but those can be replaced. I am afraid the rains have gotten worse and worse recently, and this hut was just the latest to be claimed by the waters." She looks depressed - almost defeated - upon saying this.
"Maybe it is the Mother Emperor cursing us," says one of the village elders who spoke earlier - Cui Tai, the Rabbit, who wanted to summon the protective spirit.
At your Kirindog's perplexed look, he explains, "Long ago, when our grandparents' grandparents were young, they built a shrine to honor the Mother Emperor in these mountains. But it has fallen into disrepair. Our parents did not care for it, and did not teach us to care for it. No one from this village has visited the shrine to clean it or leave offerings in many years. Perhaps She is angry."
"Oh, the stranger doesn't want to hear your old stories, Tai," says Zan. She turns to you, and says, "We'll pack you a meal so that you can be on your way. Thank you again for helping us."
Your Kirindog nods appreciatively. When it's time to leave, your Kirindog bids goodbye to the village and makes their way up the mountain to continue their travels.
Your Kirindog travels for a few hours up the misted, forested slopes. Eventually, your Kirindog comes to a crossroads. At the split of the paths, there is a signpost with different directions, and an aged, mossy statue of a Zhilong dragon guardian. At the foot of the statue - between its feet - there is a disc-like structure, somewhat flat but curved inwards. The face of the dragon is turned down towards the stone plate expectantly. After studying this cracked statue for a minute, your Kirindog decides it cannot recognize what Zhilong deity this was meant to represent, and makes a move to continue on their way.
Then, out of the silence, a shaky voice calls, “H-Hello? Is anyone there?”
Your Kirindog stops, and the voice continues, “C-Can I get a little help?” Your Kirindog obediently follows the source of the voice to a small cliff overhang behind the statue and signpost.
There is a Tanuki (raccoon dog) sitting there, sniffling. Their leg is stuck out at an awkward angle, and they look like they’ve been crying.
“I’ve been here for hours to see if someone would come up the mountain,” the Tanuki says between sniffs. “I fell and hurt my leg, and because of all the rain it’s not safe for me to try and go down the mountain.” This Tanuki is small to be on her own, probably an inexperienced teenager.
Concerned, your Kirindog gets closer and looks curiously over at their leg, then back at the Tanuki. Of course, you decide to help. Your Kirindog sets down any belongings they might have been carrying and pokes the Tanuki’s leg experimentally, as the Tanuki traveller says,
“M-My name’s Lingxin. What’s your name?” Your Kirindog introduces themselves as they bandage her leg, and Lingxin continues,
“I know I shouldn’t have been running around in the rain, you don’t have to say it. I was bein’ stupid. I shouldn’t have run away in the first place.” She sniffs. “Thank you for stopping and helping me out. My brother Wei lives down the other side of the mountain not too far from here.”
Upon asking if she would like to be taken back to Wei, Lingxin jumps and says, “No!”
Your Kirindog is a little surprised at the outburst, but Lingxin looks guilty. “I woulda gone back to Wei right when I fell if I could. But, I-I mighta stole something from him, and that’s why I was running in the first place.” Lingxin uses her paws to wipe at her eyes. Her guilty conscience begins pouring all her feelings out.
“Wei’s a good brother! I don’t know why I stole it. He’s just so much more successful than I am! He’s discovered hundreds of forgotten shrines and stuff, and he’s built a hut on this mountain, ‘cause he’s been researchin’ a shrine to Fengdi. Something about how it might be causing all this weather, I don’t know. He’s never done me wrong, but I stole something from him, and he caught me, and I ran away.” Sniff, sniff, sob. “I’d go back and return it if I could. But my leg’s broke, and the rain’s comin’ down harder, so I can’t. I can’t face him. I’d take it back if I could, but he’ll never forgive me.”
As Lingxin finishes her rant, your Kirindog picks its head up and realizes that yes - the rain is coming down much harder now. The raindrops are massive, and hammer through the canopy of the forest, slicking the path with mud. The Zhilong statue is running with rivulets of water... Your Kirindog sighs. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to come up this mountain in the first place… but if you hadn’t, then you wouldn’t have found Lingxin…
Your Kirindog looks back at the little Tanuki, who looks miserable.
What will your Kirindog do?
OPTION 1
Shelter in the overhang with Lingxin overnight, and tell her about the village down the mountain.
Your Kirindog makes a splint for Lingxin’s leg and shares their food with her. In the morning, your Kirindog will take Lingxin down the mountain back to the village for care.
OPTION 2
Leave an offering of food at the statue of the Zhilong dragon.
Your Kirindog chooses
to leave an offering at the foot of the signpost statue of the unknown Zhilong dragon. This is not the shrine of Fengdi mentioned by Cui Tai, but your Kirindog hopes for guidance anyway - for themselves or for Lingxin.
OPTION 3
Return what Lingxin stole from Wei.
Lingxin regrets her actions, but cannot return the goods in her current state. Your Kirindog takes up the mantle of responsibility, and goes to Wei’s hut to make amends on Lingxin’s behalf. Maybe Wei will come back with you to take care of Lingxin, once he hears that she’s injured.