Story Challenge: Moat Maiden

I would like to introduce an exercise (story challenge) in which PRO and CON incrementally develop what, in the end, becomes an interactive short story. This is probably best explained through an example. After the example are a few parameters, to which compliance is implicit in accepting this "debate". Following that, I present the Round 1 opening to Moat Maiden. Note that the rounds can be brief. Think Groo meets MacGyver. -- Noel Leon /-------------------- Worked Example: PRO Round 1 -------------------- This is not quite a safari, in not quite a canoe. For my budget river rafting, a kayak has to do. From origin to terminus, I'd paddle fast and free. That was until around the bend, got stuck in this eddy. The vortex spins my river craft, yet grips it fast in place. To sink for lack of towing force, to vanish without trace. 1 The kayak is spinning. The compass is spinning. My head is spinning. And all the counter-paddling to put an end to this spinning is very tiring. What is the best first step? Swim to rocks and climb > Swim into the cave at the river bend Paddle more furiously Reason: Already tired from fighting the current, the cave seems to be the closest refuge for rest. Result: Swimming through the eddy, I enter the cave and clamber onto a rock. /-------------------- Worked Example: CON Round 1 -------------------- 2 Development: There, while panting for breath, I give the cavern a cursory glance and see evidence of inhabitation. > Eat the charred food in fire-pit Wrap myself in the bearskin beside the fire Venture further into the cave Reason: No doubt the protein will provide needed energy. Result: Anyway, whatever it was, it tasted like chicken. Instinctively licking my fingers, I extend them to the fire-pit. /-------------------- Worked Example: PRO Round 2 -------------------- 3 Development: Flame flickers between the stacked logs, providing a modicum of radiant heat. Run up and down a nearby rock outcrop to warm up Return to kayak for a change of clothes > Shift the front log with the stick Reason: Removing the front log exposes the hottest glowing region. Result: This increased infrared radiation soon dries my clothing. /-------------------- Worked Example: CON Round 2 -------------------- 4 Development: The firelight also reveals a stack of rocks like stairs at a far end of the cavern and shifting shadows on the near side of the cave. Go toward the light > Listen for footfalls Run to the kayak Reason: Shadows suggest a possible intruder. Result: Actually, I would be the intruder to the cave dweller who ambles in, apparently without detecting me. /-------------------- Worked Example: PRO Round 3 -------------------- 5 Development: The cave dweller falls asleep in the bearskin at mouth of cave. Run to the kayak Talk with the cave dweller > Tip-toe to the outcropping Reason: With the front entrance blocked, the only other exit may be up the stack of rocks. Result: At the top of the sedimentary staircase is a thatch mat. Tossing back the covering of straw and sticks, I catch a glimpse of the dweller catching a glimpse of me. /-------------------- Worked Example: CON Round 3 -------------------- 6 Development: With renewed energy, I heave myself up and onto an embankment. On the other side of the river is a tree hut. Beat chest and shout like Tarzan Leap into the Ruddy River > Swing on the dangling vine Reason: Vine travel worked for Tarzan and might work for me. Result: Kicking off the rock holding the inclined vine, I grab on and swing over the river. /-------------------- Worked Example: PRO Round 4 -------------------- 7 Development: To prevent the dweller doing likewise, I have presence of mind to keep hold of the vine, which now dangles down to the forest floor. My presence at the hut upsets some chimps, however. They throw coconuts and, yikes, feces. Throw some (coconuts) back Pretend to eat a banana > Slide down the vine Reason: The vine dangling to the ground offers rapid escape, much like a fire fighter sliding down a station-house pole. Result: I land beside the river, just out of reach of the eddy-entrapped kayak. Some simians projectiles, mostly vine and coconuts, have preceded me. /-------------------- Worked Example: CON Round 4 -------------------- 8 Development: Simian screeches are getting louder as they reposition. I don't want to grapple with an excrement attack. Make a coconut slingshot with vine Jump into river and swim to kayak > Grapple with a coconut and vine instead Reason: A broken coconut tied to a vine makes an adequate grappling hook. Result: Like a cowpoke with a restless lasso, I swing it around and drop the coconut in the kayak. Development: Pulling the craft out of the eddy and to shore, I am soon safely bearing down-current. \------------------------------ End of Example ------------------------------/ Here are the parameters mentioned. PRO Round 1 introduces the verse and first situation. The verse sets the role and goal (e.g., jungle river rafter / free kayak from eddy). Each situation develops the story in first-person perspective to the point of three choices, identifies the best choice and reason why it is best based on clues in the story, and then gives the result of selecting that option. PRO and CON collaborate in creating credible predicaments paced so that the solution comes naturally (without a great leap of plot) as the development in CON Round 4. PRO and CON compete (try to win the "debate") by composing situations that are more interesting, evenly paced, and intriguing than those composed by his or her adversary. The aim is not to trip up the other author (e.g., with abrupt or inconsistent transitions), but to contribute more compelling content through cohesive narrative and clever puzzle-making. OK, on to PRO Round 1 of the story that we will develop. This is the first of three story challenges. All take place with a vaguely medieval level of technology. 1: Moat Maiden. In a clearing in an otherwise dense forest. Here, a square moat surrounds a cottage. 2: Cottage Cart. Crossing the moat, in the cottage the maiden sits beside a stack of woven cloth. 3: Snow Stopper (might be called Court Yarn). In the village courtyard, the Reeve seeks aid in preventing an avalanche. ~~~ MOAT MAIDEN ~~~ Help me, cries the angry maiden, across the murky moat. Vandals destroyed the old footbridge, and even stole my boat. Don't try to jump or even vault, its far too wide to leap. Ten paces wide on every side, and icy water deep. Perhaps there is a strong ladder, to use as if a bridge. Careful of the alligators, below the slimy ridge. 1 The maiden pleas but is otherwise unhelpful and here I've nothing but an empty sack. A nearby wooden shed is a weathered shell of its former self. What is the best first step? Climb the apple tree for a better vantage Follow the flickering light from copse to the north > Peek inside nearby shed, weathered shell of its former self Reason: Whatever raw materials are around, that shed might contain tools for crafting them. Result: A cursory survey, however, reveals only a rusted long-handled shovel, a hefty plank about 1 pace by 8 paces, and an old boot recently the home of a rodent family.