Ascension of Limbs
by AKheon (2020)
Genres: Horror

You are an antique store proprietor trying to make ends meet. Use your wits, manage your resources, play the hand you are dealt. This game features a story with multiple endings, achievements as well as an unique style of gameplay that is inspired by roguelite and card-based games.

action: You examine the self
response: ([self])
The paper itself is flat, nondescript. But as you focus on it, the written letters begin to remind you of something.

S-E-L-F.

Once, you remember having a purpose in life. Your day-to-day existence was filled with tasks and errands. You owned an antique store in the small town of F��rfeninnen...

The next thing you write will be the name of your store.
action: Floyditorium
response: The Floyditorium antique store... Is this okay? (Type 'yes' or
'no'.)
action: You examine the store
response: Once again, you focus, and the notes and their words evoke something new in you.

You remember reading about how the old train depot changed hands and was repurposed multiple times over the years until its drafty interior was put to its latest use: to house an untold number of weird, forgotten objects. It became an antique store. But even this was long before you.

picture. Did you...

(1) Inherit the business from an obscure relative?
(2) Buy the business on a whim?
action: You examine examine
response: The command EXAMINE. You can use it to gain more information about
any note on the table. Examining something twice in a row means you're staring, which is impolite.
action: You talk the number
response: You picked up the store's rotary dial telephone and called the number that was left for you. There was a moment's silence, after which a young female voice answered: 'Yes. I will be there'.

You opened the front door to a woman in her 20s who was wearing clothing somewhere between frilly and modern. The colors were subdued, which befit her calm character. After a moment of silence, she invited herself inside and began talking: 'I contacted you because this is not an ordinary shop. There are things here that could be dangerous, if mishandled. I will tell you more. Please accept my help...'

Whatever she said next drowned in a haze as she gingerly took you by the hand, leading you deeper into the building. Passing from room to room, she related to you her worries about the town and the old local faith. She had lived in F��rfeninnen her entire life, raised into a mode of thought that seemed so foreign to you. 'Our ways are dying. It has been this way since a long time ago. But... I believe your coming might mean that change is upon this town. You have felt it too, have you not? There is value in this place. F��rfeninnen used to be a crossroad, a center of activity and civilization. Even today it has a certain pull to it - obscure things just seem to find their way here. This store is full of history, and there are many things here worth unearthing. There is something you could do for us...'

You both stopped in front of one of the larger rooms that had a rather cathedralesque shape. It was unlit and half-full of crates, but for a moment you could see a glimpse of what she saw. Perhaps the store
could be full of light some day soon. Displays of local significance. Lore, artifacts. An entire community. It was a friendly vision, somehow. And as for your role in it, all it took was separating the wheat from the chaff - finding things of worth and showing them to the world.

After she left, you lay awake on your mattress, watching lights pass
by the ceiling. Somehow, the doubt that haunted you before was no longer there. You knew you were no longer alone, and there was a new motivation rising inside you. It was becoming clear enough to enunciate. You intended to...

(1) Do as she suggested, creating an esoteric museum of local importance.
(2) Simply make enough cash to retire.
(3) Find forbidden knowledge.
action: You talk the catalogue
response: The general store always had a weekly promotion for some item. You decided to call them to get more information. It turned out that the item for this week was...

'An axe! A hickory carpenter's axe is an useful tool for wood work!
And why not self-defense too!'

Since you have a voucher, you are able to get this item for free.
Will you purchase it? (Yes / No)
action: You talk seer
response: What would you like to talk about with the seer? The next thing
you write indicates the topic.
action: You talk the Ecame
response: You picked up the heavy tome and gave it another smell. There was a hint of divinity somewhere inside the musty manuscript. The written letters seemed irrelevant, as this was not a book one would read...

You can perform a trade with Ecame. This item will permanently disappear from the shop, but you will gain a random perk and forbidden knowledge. Do you agree? (Yes / No)
action: You talk seller
response: You took a look at the seller's wares. This week, he was selling 1 wares for 1 cash.

Purchase it for 1 cash? (Yes / No)
action: You search the shoe
response: You took the horseshoe into your hands. It immediately started pulling you somewhere deeper inside the store...

You can go dowsing with this item. This guarantees finding a
random unique item and you also gain forbidden knowledge. The drawback is that this activity will look strange to bystanders, and you will also lose 1 mind. Proceed? (Yes / No)
action: Promote verum
response: You placed the object in one of the large glass vitrines.

As you put finishing touches to the display, you were paid a surprise visit by the seer. She seemed happier than before, even giving a careful smile at your direction. 'This room... it's really starting to take shape. It will be wonderful when it's complete. It will be a cradle for the local spirit... A place in which to gather and to find your strength.'

She tentatively waited for you to say something before continuing. 'This is like a sanctum. An inner sanctum... a small oasis hiding inside your store. Don't you think it deserves a special name?'

Would you like to rename the cathedralesque room? (Yes / No)
action: Yes
response: room.
action: Clubhouse
response: Clubhouse... Is this okay? (Type 'yes' or 'no'.)
action: Search box
response: You were curious about the box. It seemed at least a hundred years
old, maybe more. While it wasn't heavier than two kilograms, its surface felt hard as stone. The seam of the box was mostly obfuscated, and you had to feel your way around the box to eventually find the points where both of its halves were connected. There was a small lock embedded into the wood, complete with a tiny keyhole. Trying to force the lock open with your tools was always an option.

Do you want to attempt opening the box? (Yes / No)
action: You talk the catalogue
response: The general store always had a weekly promotion for some item. You decided to call them to get more information. It turned out that the item for this week was...

'A small bell! It makes a loud noise that is sure to get anyone's attention!'

This item costs 1 cash. Will you purchase it? (Yes / No)
action: You talk seller
response: You took a look at the seller's wares. This week, he was selling an unique item called [Fasil].

Purchase it for 2 cash? (Yes / No)
action: Fasil
response: The seer looked at you. 'By now, you know what twisted power this item holds. I can take it away from here, if you wish. I will dispel and dismantle it, putting its pieces finally to rest.'

The seer will permanently remove this item from the game. This
will cost 1 [cash]. Do you wish to proceed? (Yes / No)
action: You talk directory
response: You folded the directory open on your desk. A few useful numbers
caught your eye almost immediately. You decided to...

(1) call a recruiting agency and hire an extra worker.
(2) call an insurance firm and get your store and items insured.
(3) get a loan.
(4) call the police.
(5) not call anyone.

Please type a number indicating your choice.
action: 3
response: The local loan businesses were not as strict as they were elsewhere. Even though you were new in town, financial security uncertain, they were willing to offer you a helping hand...

If you get a loan, you will immediately get 5 cash for yourself. However, you will have to pay the loan back over the next seven upkeeps, which means 1 cash per 7 turns until the loan is paid completely. Agree to these terms? (Yes / No)
action: You accept the defeat
response: Without the means to pay rent, you lost the store, and with it your last material possessions. You became destitute, shattered.
action: Achievements
response: Your achievements in Ascension of Limbs thus far ...

1: Local color --- You met the seer for the first time.
2: ???
3: Ending I - Impoverished --- You ran out of money.
4: ???
5: ???
6: ???
7: ???
8: ???
9: ???
10: ???
11: ???
12: ???

You have unlocked 2 achievements out of 12.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO the last command or list your ACHIEVEMENTS?