You drop the pearls

You drop the chest. Pearls scatter across the beach. Light shines from them, brighter than anything you've ever seen. The pirates cry out as if in pain and cringe back.

"No! You've released the magic! What have you done?" Surf wails. "Quick, get away from it. It's too strong. It will devour you!"

Blinded by the light, you flail out in all directions, trying to find your way to safety. However, it is too late. The magic sparks against your skin like a thousand sparklers. Your being expands until your particles are lost among the sand.

The End.

Go Back and Try Again? 

You continue you with the pearls

You remember how important these pearls are to Surf, and in spite of the pirates yelping at your heels, you press on. With every step the chest grows heavier and the pirates closer. Surf is no where to be seen.

"Help me!" you shout, but your voice is drowned by the waves.

"You'll feel the bite of my cutlass, you scurvy dog!" a pirate bellows.

"Hold on!" Surf shouts. A massive wave like a hand reaches out and sweeps the pirates away. You stumble to a stop in front of Surf. "Sorry that took so long. Water magic is unpredictable. For your help I will now transport you anywhere your heart desires. I can even use my time magic to allow you to experience a previous adventure with new choices. What would you like to do?"

Click here for your options. 

Does Surf have magic?

Surf's brow furrows. "What makes you  think I have  magic? Is it because I'm blue? Do you think all blue people have magic?"

You  gape and start to stammer a response, but she laughs.

"No, I'm just kidding you. I'm a Nereid. Of course I have magic!" She scratches her head. "Look, I'll do my thing, but it will take a lot of concentration, so you're going to need to get the pearls for me, as soon as the pirates are distracted."

Surf raises her arms and the waves tower up like walls. The pirates turn and gawk. The water twists up in great columns. A shrill sound of angry dolphins echoes through the night.

"The waters have turned against us! Run!" Redfeather shouts. The pirates bolt for the trees. You run in and claim the chest of pearls. It's a lot heavier than it looks.

As you stumble away, the magic suddenly stops, the sea returns to its placid state, and a straggling pirate glances back over his shoulder.

"Hey, they're making off with our booty!" he roars.

You try to run. It's tempting to drop the pearls. They're so heavy. They're only slowing you down and Surf is no where to be seen. If you drop them perhaps you can run and hide in the woods.

Do you drop the pearls?

or

Do you continue on with Surf's treasure and hope she'll intervene?

Let's talk to the pirates!

Surf listens to your suggestions, raises her eyebrows, then sinks her face into her hands.

"Why am I surrounded by idiots? Of course they meant to take them! They're pirates!"

You laugh uncomfortably. You inform her that you were just kidding.


You  suggest that you wait until they fall asleep then sneak in and grab the chest.

or

Surf must have some magic. Let's try a direct attack.

Surf's quest

Surf  makes room for you on top of her turtle which is large enough, if wet. With the spray  splashing in your face, you follow  the coastline. Surf does not seem to guide the turtle. It swims quickly. The beach landscape doesn't change, but after a bit you see a flickering light in the distance. You motion to it. Surf nods. The turtle turns ashore, and you both dismount. Surf kisses the top of the turtle's head and it slides back into the ocean.

You walk towards the tree line so you can approach the fire from the cover of the forest. Finally close enough to see, you peer through the trees. A group of five men sit around a large bonfire. The largest has a black, braided beard and a three cornered hat covered in red plumes. All the men around him seem to be missing body parts, be it legs or eyes or hands. Beside the man in the hat sits a small wooden chest.

Surf snarls. "They are the ones! That's the  pirate Redfeather. My precious pearls must be in that chest. What should we do?"

You  suggest that you wait until they fall asleep then sneak in and grab the chest.

or

Surf must have some magic. Let's try a direct attack.

or

Perhaps the pirates took the pearls by mistake. Let's ask them nicely  to give them back.

You must return to the woods

Surf takes a shell from her pocket.

"If you ever change your mind, this shell will magically transport you  back to the time of our meeting and allow  you to make the choice again. Keep it with you. Perhaps you will one day desire to participate in my treasure hunt, and I sense I will not be able to find my Pearls without you."

You thank Surf for her gift and start your long walk. After walking all night you  finally find yourself back at a crossroads where you have multiple magical options. Where do you  wish to go next?

Explore the Cavern in the Mountain

Visit the Witches Cottage

Quest for the Bear

You left a Wizard in a box. Let's go get him!

You decide to visit the realm of the Merfolk for the Wizard.

You help the Bear plant his Magical Orb.

Help the Lovers

The Halls of the Goblin King

To the Cloud Castle

Going Fishing in Fairy Land

Start from the Beginning 

Help Surf on her quest to find the Mystic Pearls 

Swim for the beach

With all your might you pull for shore. Just when your arms are about to give out, your feet touch bottom. You stumble ashore and collapse onto the warm sand.

It is several hours before you are able to stand. You are now far from the cottage where you entered this world. You have no idea how to get home. When you manage to rise, the sun is setting over the sea. You shuffle along the beach, hoping to find the river and follow it back to more familiar locales.

Soon, however, it is dark. The only sound is the lapping of the waves upon the shore.

The moon rises and hovers over the water, casting a glistening trail. You stop to observe this and as you stare out over the water, you see something traveling down the path of moonlight, as if following a road. When it draws closer, you see that it is a young girl riding upon the back of a sea turtle. In the moonlight her skin, hair, and clothing all appear to be the same shade of blue, just a shade lighter than the dark water.  She waves. The turtle glides onto the sand, and the girl hops off.

She looks at you. "I am Surf, keeper of the Mystic Pearls. I seek a band of brutal pirates who have stolen my treasure. Have you seen any pirates?"

You have to admit that you haven't.

"Would you be willing to assist me on my quest?" Surf asks. "I can reward you handsomely when the pearls are recovered."

You have nothing better to do at the moment so you  agree.

Or

You are sorry for her loss, but you really  need to find the river and get back to your previous quest.