To Rid the Iron Trade

An Interactive Story by Adcheryl

The year is 25 VE. While many ancient countries use swords and arrows, the Valonia Empire use guns and cannons. Officially known as the Crystal Projectile, it allows them to defeat every opponents with the only flicking fingers. This could not be possible without the purple magical crystals: Catastropium. As such it became the golden eggs that every country could only wish for.

One of them is the Irgia Republic, the closest alliance. The emperor Valus claimed that he found the large crystal vein far from the capital, but they believe otherwise. Since all the guns depend on high-quality irons in which the republic is the main expertor, they want evidences so they can bargin for such valuable secrets before the next alliance annual meeting.

Shortly after Valus' passing, the operation to infiltrate the palace begins.

---

You are hired by one of the high-ranking Irg officers. They need you to find a source of Catastropiums the emperor had claimed about. According to their early espionage, they surely believe it's at the Grand Palace of Valone.

They also skeptical about the Valonian military - with good weapons come good leaders. They discovered that their generals own copies of Conquest with Stability, the military guide for successful campaign. They suspects that the original book might be there as well. The said copy they received has a red cover.

Once you accept this mission you'll learn the palace's schemetic and everything to get started. If you refuse that's fine - they can hire other. Even though the normal citizen like you, the rewards are much enough to start up a whole family and business.

Will you accept?

- I'm in!

How To Play

1. Start your adventure by clicking the Reveal button. Every choice you make lead to scene.
2. You can replay at anytime by refresh the page or spamming back button.

Rules

• Do not return back if choice doesn't say so.
• Be honest with yourself. Do not cheat.
• You may have to write down the items you've got.
• There are several endings that have the aftermeth - check them out for extra ending!

Completion Date
25 VE

Parent Plot

The Crystal Empire

Related Locations

• Grand Palace of Valone

A Cluster of Catastropium

ONE FAITHFUL NIGHT

Observing

Reveal

You arrive at the palace midnight on new moon. The place is large and Valegions patrols everywhere. Just the exterior there's the great wall covering the entire place.

You've brought a dagger, a belt pocket, and your favorite leather bag containing a coil of rope, wax tablets, and set of burglary tools.

You have reduced the scope down just to a few entrances thanks to the amount of research beforehead. You are on the north side where not much people around, and it is the right time guards start the night shift. There's no better opportunity then this moment. It's a moment of your life! What do you do?

Go to the sewer

Forget it, I quit

The Underminer

Reveal

You enter the manhole near the palace, not far but not easy to spot. You walk down the stair that lead to the main sewer. You knew that there's a few way to enter the palace from here.

1

2

Tiny Manholes

Reveal

You find a room with several tiny holes on the ceiling, which is above a long ditch full of... dumps. Smelly and sticky floors as it seem, you've found a main latrines.

It seems that these holes appear on a long plank.

Climb up

Get back

Maintenance

Reveal

You discover a staircase to the maintenance room. The palace has its own sewer management that many might not know.

Go

I don't trust it

Security

Reveal

You see a Valegion stand in front of you! Velegion has been trained to be the best of the best. If you're not careful you can be crushed like a banana stem.

Only his back is visible. He haven't notice you... yet.

Fight!

You pick the dagger and sneak toward him. You try your best to not make sound.

Will you succeed? roll d6 to find out!

[1]

[2 - 3]

[4 - 5]

[6]

Return

Sleep Well

Reveal

You shut his mouth and strangle him using all your strengh for mere minutes. You make sure he passes out before lower him down.

You tie, gag, and drag him down the stair, placing him next to the sewer wall.

Go forward

Meet the Limm

Reveal

You cover his mouth before slice his throat in a single swing, before using all your force to carefully lower him down, trying not his clanky equipments hitting too loud.

You drag him down the stair and place him next to the sewer wall. You clothes filthed with bloods.

Go forward

This is too much...

SERACH

Main Hall

Arrival

Reveal

You make it to the palace's main hall. IIt has a marble staircase, passages to several buildings, and a giant statue in the middle.

Hiding in a shadow where no light from torches, you inspect any Valegions patrol, looking for the next place to go.

Garden

Second Floor

Library

Second Floor

Reveal

You walk upstair to the second floor. Here, there's several rooms to explore but you decide to go to the emperor's bedroom.

As you through a long corridor, you find two guards standing there.

Fight!

You pick the dagger and charge toward them.

Roll 2d6 to find out

[1 - 2]

[3 - 5]

[6 - 8]

[9 - 11]

[12]

Distract

To No Avail

Reveal

You barely fight both guards, and now they know you're here. They blow a signal whistle and the whole palace is on fire.

Screw it

Combo

Reveal

You beat them unconscious. You knock and tie them and drag them into the maintenance room.

Enter

Super Combo

Reveal

It's like a miracle to kill two people with a single dagger, but you did it. You drag them into one of the rooms nearby.

Enter

Trickery

Reveal

You take one of your tool made of metal, and aim for the otherside of them. You throw it with all your strength.

Roll d6 to find out.

[1 - 3]

BONG! The metal hit one of their head, and without remorse, they immediately move toward you!

Damn it!

[4 - 6]

The metal pass right far above both heads before it hits othe other side. Both guards decide to move away.

Enter

Grand Statue

Reveal

Being bored in the main hall, you look at the grand statue. It tells everything about the birth of a nation, and a line that could be... an storage?

Open it

Resume

Reveal

You return to the palace's main hall.

Hiding in a shadow where no light from torches, you inspect any Valegions patrol, looking for the next place to go.

Garden

Second Floor

Library

Nothing to do right now. Let's go back.

Precious

Reveal

You open it, revealing a wooden box. You open it again, it's a silver ring with a purple, glowing gem. You put it into your pocket.

Silver Ring Acquired

---

...

Bedroom

Royal Slumber

Reveal

You arrive at the bedroom - the wooden royal double bed, the polished floor, and furnitures are decorated with golds and purple. The room's so esquisite and that you won't be able to get in yout lifetime, but maybe if you succeed this mission.

The only thing that isn't match are the empress sleeping. You have to make it quick and quiet.

Under the Bed

Drawer

Little Secret

Reveal

You look around the drawer and find a mysterious box. Using your tools, you find... an old red book. It's dull and pretty clunky, but the sign on the cover told that it's written by the previous emporor.

Alright, time to go.

Open

Forbidden Knowledge

Reveal

You carefully turn on a few pages, looking for military tactics and stretegies. And you're correct, It's surely the Conquest with Stability.

You keep reading further, and you find a chapter "Mine of Authority" something that wasn't in the normal one. You read first few pages and you won't believe. It tells everything.

The empire doesn't extract Catastropiums, they farm it. By watering, the crystals can grow infinitely. Furthermore it has a recipe to sterilize it so no one can fabricate.

And the best of all, the entrance to the farm is only above the garden.

That's what I want! Go to the Garden.

This can be useful. Take it.

Maybe I should take only this chapter.

Copier

Reveal

You begins jotting the whole secret chapter onto your wax tablets. It take sometime to mark all nessecary details.

Mine Info Acquired

---

As soon as you put it back into a box, you hear the steps!

Hide

Run!

...

You pick the dagger, grab in both hands, and charge toward whoever that is.

Will you succeed? roll d6 to find out!

[1 - 2]

[3 - 6]

Book Keeper

Reveal

You put a book into your bag.

Old Red Book Acquired

---

Main Hall

That's enough

Luxury Rest

Reveal

You glance around there but find nothing.

Let's look at the drawer

Lover

Reveal

A person drop down on the floor, unresponsive. As you look at their face, you face turn pale.

It's Rondius, the son of Valus.

I'll be damned.

Go to garden

The Man Himself

Reveal

You quickly hide under the bed. The door open, revealing the Valus' son Rondius coming back from bathing.

you can feel the bed above dents as he lay down alongside his lover.

Wait

Run!

Sweet Dream

Reveal

As soon as your hear the snoring, you prone away from the bed.

Go to Garden

I've been here for too long. Let's go back.

Garden

Open Space

Reveal

You sneak to the main garden. It's vast and full of exotic trees and shrubs, with a constant light of the Tower. At the center there is a Mausoleum of Val, tomb of the first ruler. You realize there's a few people come and go fequently. This might be the place.

Turn back

Go in

Grave Loots

Reveal

You avoid the light of the tower, until you reach the building. As you enter, you realize it's a ramp toward down.

Finally, you find barrels of "processed" crystal waiting to be transport. It glow very bright and pretty solid. You decide to pick one of them into your pocket.

Catastropium Acquired

---

But then you see a passage, pitch black, making you curious.

Go

Nah I'll turn back

Branching

Reveal

You grab a crystal and go straight to the passage, and for a while you stump across the intersection. You have a sense that it could be a maze.

Let's keep going

I think I should tie myself a rope. I don't know where it lead to

Turn back

Just In Case

Reveal

You tie yourself around your hip before walking through the passage. Like you guessed it's a maze. Using a crystal you navigate thought countless walls and deadends, your head start to become dizzy.

Rope Used

---

Write a map along the way

Keep going

Pathfinder

Reveal

You pick up your wax tablet, using stylus to stroke down paths and maze shape. You mark everytime you find deadends.

Map Acquired!

---

Crystals in a Cave by Marek Simane

You arrive at a large cave full of purple light, and you stand over a high foundation. You glance around and realize everything:

There's a vast grid of purple pool with lids. You see disfigured figures carefully pick them, showing a small cluster of Catastropium. They carefully crack those into shards and toss over large piles, and you see some workers scoop them into cauldrons full of stink chemicals that even from the distance it still make you cough.

You don't want to end up this way for sure.

But when you see that every clusters are different in size, as if they act like plants, you realize a shard in your pocket isn't enough.

That's enough! I'm out of here.

Go forward

Purple Hell

Reveal

Crystals in a Cave by Marek Simane

You arrive at a large cave full of purple light, and you stand over a high foundation. You glance around and realize everything:

There's a vast grid of purple pool with lids. You see disfigured figures carefully pick them, showing a small cluster of Catastropium. They carefully crack those into shards and toss over large piles, and you see some workers scoop them into cauldrons full of stink chemicals that even from the distance it still make you cough.

You don't want to end up this way for sure.

But when you see that every clusters are different in size, as if they act like plants, you realize a shard in your pocket isn't enough.

That's enough! I'm out of here.

Go forward

Good Harvest

Reveal

You retie a rope to a nearby post and go down, sneaking. You try your best to not get caught from both guards and workers until you're getting closed to that pile, then you pick one shard. It's brighter, more purple, and a bit softer.

Raw Catastropium Acquired!

---

But before you can return, the workers find you. Shackled and weak, but have a tool on their hand, they seem to try to alert the guards.

Run!

Fight!

Roll d6 to find out

[1 - 6]

Sneaking

Reveal

You retie a rope to a nearby post and go down, sneaking. You try your best to not get caught from both guards and workers until you're getting closed to that pile, then you pick one shard. It's brighter, more purple, and a bit softer.

But before you can return, the workers find you. Shackled and weak, but have a tool on their hand, they seem to try to alert the guards.

Claim down, claim down! I've something to show.

Run!

Fight!

Roll d6 to find out

[1 - 6]

Beat It

Reveal

The worker scream in pain as you stab them numorous time. As you take him to rest, you don't realize you've alert the whole system, and Valegions are coming...

I'll be damned

Library

Knowledge

Reveal

All you see is vast arrays of shelves, each content more than dozen scrolls, all covers everything. You also find set of table and even a bed, all made of luxury materials. You stop wondering and focus on finding a book.

Search

It'd take until morning. Forget it.

Royal Asset

Reveal

You inspect every corner until you find a few book cases deeper in the room. After sometime, you find a bright red book. The book made of looks well bound and very exquisite. You don't know what it is, but with the Val's Emblem on its cover, you surely know it's important.

There you are! Let's go.

Maybe I should check it out...?

Revealed

Reveal

You open the first. You turn more pages and you find nothing but hero against the odd on the extrordinary epic of Bravestone.

It doesn't tell anything about military at all.

Put back

Well Bound

Reveal

You put the book into your bag, and get up.

Red Book Acquired!

---

Look for more

Leave

Shelved

Reveal

You return a book back to the shelf.

Look for more

ESCAPE

Follow the Leash

Reveal

You quicky go back to the maze, following the rope you drop on the floor. After couple minutes, you finally make it out to the garden.

You got the real crystal as they wanted, but you're not sure if you should looking for more.

I get what I want. Let's return...

Second Floor

Library

A Way Out

Reveal

You carefully pick a map you drew earlier, claiming that it can let you escape this hell. They thank you and walk away.

Map Lost

---

You go back to the maze, following the rope you drop on the floor. After couple minutes, you finally make it out to the garden. You got the real crystal as they wanted, but you're not sure if you should looking for more.

That's it, I'm leaving

Second Floor

Library

Intruder!

Reveal

You have been compromised. Valegions are coming to get you. It's a tight and life-threating situation. You have to think quick

Forget it, I quit.

I remember the sewer

Drop the bag

...

With your instinct, you dedide to fight all of them, with the only best weapon you have - the dagger.

Will you overcome the impossible? Roll 5d6 to find out!

[1 - 13]

[14 - 26]

[27 - 30]

Left Behind

Reveal

You drop the bag and run away. You try your best to not getting lost, and within only a tough time, you make it out the palace.

Leather Bag Lost

---

*Panting* Let's get some rest.

Deliveryman

Reveal

You decide to keep everything you've got so far. Running with stuffs make you slower. Nevertheless, you maange to escape the palace.

*Panting* Alright, time to get some bonus.

Superhuman

Reveal

Only god can do such miraculous tactics. All the Valegions knocked down on the ground - some are dying. You cannot believe what you've just done.

"This is unreal" The son of Valus Rondius approach you with awe and fear "You better be my soldier."

It's been honored, and I have something to tell you too.

It's just luck. Sorry.

ONE MEETING DAY

Disclaimer: This section requires calculation. Add up items you have and select the matching number.

Honest Work

Reveal

You meet the hireman the following days. They gather on the table in your living room. All the items lies inside your bag, and your reward containing couple boxes of coins and expensive jewelries lie beside the hireman - it's more than they initiated.

"Well. Let's see what you've got."

Found Catastropium	1
Found Raw Catastropium	2
Found Old Red Book	5
Found Red Book	8
Found Mine's Info	18
Found Map	18

[0 - 1]

[2]

[3]

[5 - 8]

[9 - 11]

[18]

[21]

Follow Up

Reveal

After they leave, you still sit on your chair, realizing something.

(You've left a map to worker)

(You killed a man entering the bedroom)

(You found something inside the statue)

RESOLUTION

Given Up

Reveal

You rethink your choice again, and it was... not good. No more wasting, you return to your home, pretending that nothing happen. You even wave the guards before you turn around.

You spent days preparing for nothing except a few coins and... the republic scheme!

You guess you would get a better rewards this way.

Defeat

Reveal

You've tried your best fighting for your life, but to no avail, they left no scratch. With numerous set of swing and slash, you faint onto the floor. Dizzy. Weaken.

Your fate is unknown, and all you can do is scream...

Total Defeat

Reveal

The swiftness and perception of Valegion(s) lead their gradius stabbing right through your chest, causing you to collapse on the floor.

The last thing you see before the vision turns pitch black is more guards run toward you.

Closer and closer.

All For Nothing

Reveal

"I don't think this is not what we're looking for, but thank you for service anyway." They only pay you a box, looking disappointed.

Follow Up

Honest Pay

Reveal

You give them the raw crystal, described what it can do and where it came from.

"Well. We'll send this to our academy for further development. You did a pretty good job." The hireman pay you with a few boxes they promised early on.

Follow Up

Imperial Seeds

Reveal

You give them both crystals you've found, comparing them and even demonstrate them. You also tell the location of the mine right down the entrance.

"That's incredible! This will make our job way more easier. It's been pleasured!" Satisfying with the result, the hireman give you double rewards. You're so excited what you're going to do with it, but at least no one can chase you afterward.

Follow Up

Old Red Book

Reveal

You show an old red book. They read it and confirmed it's the original Conquest with Stability, written by Valus.

Smirking, they thank you and pay you as promised.

Follow Up

Masterwork

Reveal

You give the hireman a cutting-edge red book from the library. They turn the page and instantly stop, questioning you.

"How did you mess up so badly? Because it's beautifully made, doesn't mean it's alway important." Furiously, they leave the house and go find the new spy better than you. They don't even leave you any boxes.

Congratulations, you just found the best copy of Bravestone in the world.

Follow Up

Top Secret

Reveal

"There is a book, sir, but this is better." You show them your written wax tablet(s) "He will never know the truth." They seem to surprise by either your brilliant decision, or this sacred information.

"Blackmailing is going to be fun" said hireman who leave you with a reward.

Follow Up

Lucky Soldier

Reveal

Unable to resist the imperial offer, you accept it with ease. Your luck give you better opportunity than anything you will be rewarded. Without hesitate, you exposes them.

Hail to the Valonia!

Imperial Beehive

Reveal

You open the door to find the big disgrace. Not only you find one of the country's best soldier, but a whole company of them - not including those living their spare time.

You have found a whole barrack. That's right, the room housing the only best soldiers in the entire country. You can absolutely do nothing but get down on the ground as they confusingly grab you hard and confess.

Ring Bearer

Reveal

You look at the ring you stolen, it turns out to be the Ring of Val, the imperial accessory that for the past 400 years of the empire's existence, only the rulers can wears. The coronation will be held soon, and now you've made a huge mistake.

"What have I done?" You start to panic.

Morally Honest Work

Reveal

A few months later, you heard the news about a "mysterious riot" inside the palace. You are shocked but not surprises.

Cogs in the System

Reveal

It's the end of your normal life as you are sent to the mine. You're going to see the "true" secret of the crystal guns by yourself, except it's only thing you're ever going to see for the rest of your life.

You will forget the light of the sun - only the constant glow of the crystals. There's nothing you can do. Embrace it now and things will become easier.

Trust me

Lost

Reveal

You continue to walk in, deeper, and deeper. The more you go the more stuck inside the maze. The claustrophobic feeling from dull walls start to deteriorate your mind.

You may or may not give up until you accept that your fate is sealed.

Fall Back

Reveal

You run back where you started as fast as you can, trying hard not to slip. You've escaped the palace in time, but it's not over. As you hide somewhere, You starts regretting your life choice just for a few coins and a bounty.

Missed

Reveal

The man dodge your charge like a butterfly, looking back at you falling out of balcony like a sleigh slides off a cliff. You've only few seconds in your life to disgrace yourself while your neck still rigid.

International Conflict

Reveal

The news of the assassination become widespread. You have to collect all your belongings before any possible city lockdown and become the public enemy. Even though you can come out clean, the new emperor may enlist you to fight against the republic anyway.

Run as fast as you can, but you can't hide forever.

Perfect Score

Reveal

You give them both crystals you got, and a wax tablets containing the secret from the. These three items can let anyone to become as powerful as the Valonia Empire. It might take something though, but it's great start.

"Our country earn you now. You'll be greatkly honored with you visit me." They shake your hand and stay a little longer. As they leave, they pretend to forget all the boxes. They would have a meeting again, as a friendly neighbor.

Without trace and nothing was stolen, you made it to the perfection, even though someone lost their life, you don't have to worry about anything legally ever again.

Now, what you're going to do with this grand prizes?

by Adcheryl

by Adcheryl

by Adcheryl

Great Thief Arrested

Reveal

In 14th of May, the Royal Enforcement announced the wanted for the thief with very high reward, who managed to steal royal estates which believed to belong to our recently passed Valus. The case must be done as quick as possible, the chief said, since it turned out the order came from his successor, Rondius V, himself.

Today, the wanted man had been arrested while onboarding at Port Dirwen. With such critical crime against our savior he was sentenced to death without parole, and the execution is going to take place in a couple days. Everyone had no idea why they tried so hard to take it back. The only evidences came from witnesses during the arresting scene. Although it was barely seen, they were sure that it neither gold nor any shiny stuff. It seem to be a single book.

- Hiden Gilmis on DLOV, 16/5/25

Congratulations! You've found the canon ending. To learn more about the next story in the chronological order, follow the recent chapter of the world's story below.

Aftermath