The family has been summoned once again to celebrate the birth of their beloved son, bringing with them a wide assortment of experimental casserole dishes and mayonnaise based salads to decorate the serving table.
When everyone has their fill of cupcakes and ice cream they gather around the living room to watch the birthday boy tear into his presents. Shreds of wrapping paper float through the air as he throws the open presents into a pile and reaches for a new one.
He pauses for a moment to investigate a curious book that is tucked inside of a gift bag. You see the words *Troll Patrol Handbook* on the cover above the picture of a troll wearing a scouting uniform. The commotion of restless children fueled by birthday cake draws his attention back to the task at hand. He places the handbook beside him and quickly opens the remainder of the presents.
After all the presents have been addressed the family begins to file back outside. The children crawl over each another en route to the playground while the adults slowly lumber towards the front porch.
You notice the curious book is still sitting in the middle of the room.
[[Join the adults on the front porch.|White Streak]]
[[Climb on the playground with the kids.|Playground Set]]
[[Read the Troll Patrol Handbook.|Read the Handbook]](if: $waterpump or $airpump)[Thoughts of reading or running are much too exhausting to consider on this day of celebration, so you decide claim a rocking chair on the back porch and soak in the afternoon sun. When you step outside you realize that other family members had the same idea, leaving you with no alternative but to rest your butt on the concrete.
Feeling somewhat defeated, you walk towards the driveway and find a nice bit of concrete to call your own. Your eyes rest on the rustic scenery, causing you to drift off for a moment until you notice all the white streaks shooting out from around the corner of the barn. (set: $streaks to true)
You resist the urge to investigate anything out of the ordinary and watch the white streaks grow more intense. Every now and then you see one of the streaks land in a nearby tree on the other side of the driveway.
Eventually your butt grows weary of the concrete and you decide to take a closer look at the white streaks.
[[Check out the nearby tree.|Perched Flitterbick]]
[[Walk over to the barn.|Locked Barn]] ](else:)[White streaks are swarming over your head in a rush towards the field. This is no time to be checking on your nice bit of concrete.
[[Check out the nearby tree.|Perched Flitterbick]] ](if: $waterpump or $airpump)[(if: $bubble)[You see the deflated dinosaur floatie in the above ground pool and recall the head of the creature which you saw peeking out of the water. The laughter and ridicule of the children guide your thoughts in the direction of the playground.
[[Walk over to the playground.|Playground Set]] ](else:)[You tightly grasp the *Troll Patrol Handbook* in one hand while standing to investigate the long-necked dinosaur that is peeping over the edge of the above ground pool.
As soon as you manage to stand the crypid looks you straight in the eyes then immediately ducks back down into the water.
The sudden move prompts you to dash towards the pool, gathering quite a bit of attention from the children on the playground. You look over the edge to find a deflated pool floatie in the shape of a dinosaur.
Your cheeks grow red as the children laugh at your heroic efforts to defeat the dreaded pool monster. When you turn to face them, you notice the sky is shimmering over their heads. This strange occurence brings to mind a passage from the handbook which you read a moment ago.
"Filter bubbles," according to the handbook, "are delicate bubbles that cover various sized areas ranging from personal spaces to whole towns. These bubbles reflect whatever the viewer expects to see."
You look back up at the shimmering skies to search for a reflection and decide that you would have a better view on top of the playground.
[[Climb to the top of the playground.|Playground Set]] ] ](else:)[You look over the edge of the above ground pool and see the deflated dinosaur floatie. White streaks reflect off the surface of the water as the albino flying squirrels swarm towards the field.
[[Walk over to the playground.|Playground Set]] ](if: $waterpump or $airpump)[(if: $bubble)[You return to the playground set where the children are still running around in every direction, swinging on swings, sliding down the slide, and climing over the climbing wall.
The filter bubble hangs over your head, and the horned rabbits continue grazing in the field.](else:)[You make your way over to the playground set which resembles a lookout tower with an assortment of playground equipment attached to each side. There are children running in every direction, swinging on swings, sliding down the slide, and climbing over the climbing wall.
As you wind through the playground you manage to spot your reflection moving on the surface of the filter bubble. Once your eyes are trained to see the translucent patterns in the sky it becomes evident that the bubble stretches from one end of the farm to the other.
When you reach the top of the tower you survey the surrounding land from on high. The adults rock peacefully in their chairs on the front porch while the children buzz around the lawn. They all seem blissfully unaware of the bubble that has enveloped the farm.
The remnants of a old fence stretches across the lawn to separate it from the open field in front of the house. Your eyes follow the fence to a small gap near the playground that might have been a gate at some point.
On the other side of the gap sits a small rabbit grazing in the field. Much to your surprise you see a tiny pair of antlers sprouting out the top of its head. The horned rabbit raises its head to sniff the air then darts off in the direction of the barn.]
[[Chase after the horned rabbit.|Darting Jackelopes]]
[[Get a closer look at the bubble.|Shimmering Bubble]] ](else:)[You walk around the playground and watch the children running in every direction, completely unaware of the horned rabbits scrambling under their feet, or the white streaks swarming towards the field.
[[Walk towards the field.|Darting Jackelopes]] ](if: $waterpump or $airpump)[(set: $bubble to true)You climb down the tower and walk to the edge of the property line where a gap in the fence makes it possible touch the surface of the filter bubble. As you get closer you can see your translucent reflection more clearly than you could from the top of the playground.
When you reach the bubble you see an oily substance swirling around on its surface. You instinctively poke the bubble only to find that it has no effect other than transferring the oily substance to your finger.
Curiosity draws your slimy finger up to your nose. The scent of moldy pond water triggers your gag reflexes. You lunge towards the grass in order to wipe off the stink that is seeping into your skin. Any thoughts you had about leaving the filter bubble are immediately replaced by the horror of being coated in this terrible substance.
After regaining control over your senses you realize the slime is thicker around the places where people are most likely to pass through the bubble. This must help protect the bubble by coating the people in same slimy substance that is holding it together.
You look down the fence line and wonder if there might be a weak spot elsewhere on the surface of the bubble.
[[Follow the fence line.|Grazing Hugag]] ](else:)[You walk over to the gap in the fence that leads to the neighbor's property and verify that the filter bubble is no longer hanging over the farm.
The white swarm buzzing towards the field appears to be of greater importance at this time.
[[Head towards the field.|Darting Jackelopes]] ](if: $airpump)[(if: $mothman)[You walk cautiously through the woods in front of the house, keeping an eye on the tree tops for any sign of Mothman.](else:)[You follow the fence line back towards the house and into the wooded area at the front of the property in search of weak spots in the bubble.
As soon as you step off the side porch you notice one of the trees float into the air and silently reposition itself a few feet away. A faint crunching sound emanates from the tree tops. You point your eyes upward to locate the sound and find yourself frozen in fear at the sight.]
Before you stands a four legged creature that is tall as any nearby tree. Its legs are thick and furry like a bear though they seem to lack anything that resembles a knee. The humpbacked torso of the beast looks like a giant moose, though its head would best be described as duck-like with its absurdly long bill that nearly touches the ground.
(if: $feeder is "pole")[Near the head of the beast you notice a sturdy branch that could easily support an oversized squirrel feeder.
(link: "Hang the feeder on the branch.")[You hang the oversized squirrel feeder on the sturdy branch, making sure not to accidently disturb the grazing beast, then quickly retreat behind the nearest tree.(set: $feeder to "hugag")
The white streaks continue buzzing around the feeder. Their noises appear to have no effect on the giant moose until the acorns run dry and the squirrels begin scratching on the dispenser.
The giant moose grabs the squirrel feeder with its duck bill just as the Mothman decends from the tree tops. The frightened beast scurries off into the woods with the feeder in its bill and the Mothman close behind.
It occurs to you this might be a good opportunity to turn off the air pump.
[[Head towards the air pump.|Air Pump]] ] ](else-if: $bubble)[You notice a clearing near the front of the property that exposes another section of the filter bubble. In light of all the creatures you have spotted thus far you consider avoiding the clearing and crossing in front of the house to explore the other side of the woods.
(unless: $mothman)[
[[Investigate the clearing.|Shimmering Bubble Continues]] ]
[[Head towards the driveway.|Flitterbick Feeder]] ](else:)[ [[Head towards the driveway.|Flitterbick Feeder]] ] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You locate the place where the enormous duck-billed moose once grazed only to find it empty except for the white streaks that are buzzing about from limb to limb.
[[Head towards the driveway.|Flitterbick Feeder]]](else:)[You locate the place where the where the enormous duck-billed moose once grazed only to find it empty. No hairy legged trees, no buzzing streaks, just the nagging suspicion that you should be heading towards the driveway.
[[Head towards the driveway.|Flitterbick Feeder]] ](if: $airpump)[(set: $mothman to true)You shake off any concerns you have about being exposed in a small clearing surrounded by a forest full of curious beasts and approach the edge of the property where the bubble is close enough to reach.
As you expected from your previous encounter, the oily substance is much thinner in the place where people don't regularly pass through the bubble.
The thought enters your mind to find something other than your finger to poke the bubble, but the thought is interrupted by the creeping fear that someone, or something, is watching you from the trees.
You turn around casually so as not to cause any alarm and slowly scan the treetops. Once your eyes acclimate to the shadows you realize the source of your fears. A dark moth-like creature the shape and size of a man is perched in a tree on the other side of the clearing. This must be the dreaded Mothman who, as luck would have it, is much too distracted by something to notice your investigation.
In light of the clear and present danger you decide it best to find another weak spot in the bubble to continue your investigation.
[[Head back towards the house.|Grazing Hugag]] ](else:)[You locate an empty clearing that has nothing to do with the storyline. There was a time when this place was relevant but it's time has passed.
[[Head back towards the house.|Grazing Hugag]] ](if: $airpump)[(if: $feeder is "hugag" or $feeder is "gumberoo")[You look up at the perch where the Mothman stood guard over the air pump. It seems like whatever you did to distract the creature is working for the moment.
You wonder how long it will last as you eye the air pump in front of you.
[[Switch off the air pump.|Air Pump]] ](else:)[You nervously creep through the woods, making every attempt to avoid detection while scanning the tree tops for any sign of Mothman.
The sounds of metallic clanking stops you dead in your tracks. You identify the source of the sound and situate yourself behind a tree in order to get a closer look without being detected.
As far as you can tell, it seems the Mothman is dumping the liquid contents of the squirrel feeder into some sort of pumping device. When the feeder is empty, he fills up the other side with acorns then flies back up to his perch on a nearby branch.
Upon closer inspection, you realize this is the air pump that is keeping the filter bubble afloat. It would seem the primary goal of the Mothman is to ensure the air pump runs smoothly without interruption.
You wonder if there might be a way to distract the Mothman in order to permanently shut down the air pump?]
[[Back to the squirrel feeder.|Flitterbick Feeder]]
[[Back to the skinless bear.|Sleeping Gumberoo]] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You look up at the branch where the Mothman kept watch over the air pump and see no sign of the creature. Instead you see white streaks buzzing around wildly in search of their oversized acorn dispenser.
[[Head towards the driveway.|Flitterbick Feeder]] ](else:)[The woods are strangely silent as all the white streaks have buzzed off in the direction of the fields.
[[Head towards the driveway.|Flitterbick Feeder]] ](if: $airpump)[(if: $feeder is "hugag" or $feeder is "gumberoo")[You locate the pump and find that it is simple enough to turn off with the flip of a switch. To ensure that nobody turns it back on you grab a nearby branch and beat the switch until it becomes inoperable.
The air pump winds down with your first strike. The filter bubble over your head begins to shrink but somehow remains strong enough to resist the branches that are skewering its edges.(set: $airpump to false)
The thought occurs to you there must be something strengthening the bubble that needs to be shut down as well.
[[Head back to the perch.|Perched Mothman]] ](else:)[You decide to throw caution to the wind and walk right up to the air pump that is currently being guarded by the horrific Mothman.
As one would expect, the Mothman flies down from his perch and blocks your path to the air pump. It lands on the ground with a terrible thud and wraps its wings around its body like a dark dark cloak.
Moments slip past as it stands motionless staring before it leaps towards you with a terrible bone-chilling scream.
You have no choice but to run back home and hope for the best.
[[Run back home.|Perched Mothman]] ] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You locate the air pump and verify that it is still very much inoperable.
[[Head back to the perch.|Perched Mothman]] ](else:)[The air pump sits alone after beind discarded like a cheap adventure prop.
[[Head back to the perch.|Perched Mothman]]](if: $airpump is true)[You stroll up the driveway over to the tree where the white streaks continue to land periodically.
At first you are unable to see anything out of the ordinary, but as you stand there staring up at the branches, you begin to hear a faint buzzing like a humming bird zipping over your head.
A moment later you see an impossible sight. A flying albino squirrel moving faster than the speed of sound lands on an overhead branch and adjusts the small water pouch attached to its belly.
As soon as your brain begins to process the absurdity, the albino squirrel streaks away to another tree further up the driveway.
[[Follow the albino squirrels.|Flitterbick Feeder]]
[[Go back to the barn.|Locked Barn]] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You approach the tree where the white streaks used to land periodically. The tree is now crawling with albino flying squirrels with nowhere to go. A few of them fly into the woods, but the majority appear to be headed back towards the barn.
[[Head towards the barn|Locked Barn]] ](else:)[The resting place for many of the albino flying squirrels you have met on your adventure has been totally abandoned. There are no signs of white streaks in the trees as they have all flown off in the direction of the field.
[[Head towards the barn|Locked Barn]] ](if: $airpump)[(if: $feeder is "pole")[You see the sturdy limb that originally held the oversized squirrel feeder that now swings at the end of your hooked pole.](else:)[(if: $streaks)[You walk further up the driveway towards the front entrance while keeping your eyes peeled for any white streaks in the treetops.
Hanging off a particularly sturdy branch you spot an oversized squirrel feeder. One half of the feeder is nearly full of liquid. The other half contains a handful of acorns that appear to be steadily disappearing.](else:)[You cross in front of the house to explore the other side of the woods, hoping to encounter less ferocious beasts than you have thus far on your adventure.
As luck would have it, you hear the gentle sounds of hummingbirds flying over your head. You look up and see an oversized squirrel feeder hanging on a sturdy branch. One half of the feeder is nearly full of liquid. The other half contains a handful of acorns that appear to be steadily disappearing.]
When the last acorn vanishes you hear the humming sounds become more agitated. A moment later, an albino flying squirrel is scratching furiously at the dispenser underneath the acorn container. The squirrel zips over to the nozzle below the liquid which interferes with the efforts of another squirrel that suddenly comes into view.
You watch the traffic jam grow larger as dozens of white streaks swarm around the squirrel feeder. They are attempting to exchange the liquids in their pouches for a fresh acorn, but as the acorn dispenser is empty, and the liquid container is full, they seem to have no alternative but to buzz around madly until something changes.
Just then you hear their buzzing grow softer as another set of wings approach. The sound belongs to a horrifying creature with the body of a man and the head and wings of a giant moth. He uses a hooked pole to grab the squirrel feeder and replaces it with one that is full of acorns. (set: $mothman to true)
The albino squirrel traffic jam begins to clear as soon as the Mothman replaces the feeder. He leans the [[hooked pole|Hooked Pole]] against a nearby tree and flies the feeder full of liquid back to his previous post.(set: $feeder to "tree") ]
[[Follow the Mothman.|Perched Mothman]]
[[Steer clear of the Mothman.|Sleeping Gumberoo]]
[[Go towards the house.|Grazing Hugag]]
[[Go towards the barn.|Perched Flitterbick]] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You see the sturdy branch that once held an oversized squirrel feeder which made all of the white streaks happy. Now that it is gone, their happiness has disappeared, turning them into an angry swarm buzzing about wildly in search of their next acorn.
[[Head towards the barn.|Perched Flitterbick]] ](else:)[You see the sturdy branch that once held an oversized squirrel feeder which made all of the white streaks happy. The swarm of disappointed white streaks has flown off in the direction of the field behind the house.
[[Head towards the barn.|Perched Flitterbick]] ](if: $airpump)[(if: $feeder is "pole")[You decide to find the skinless bear for reasons unknown. Perhaps it has something to do with the oversized squirrel feeder that you're currently carrying?
As you walk through the woods you hear the familiar sounds of the skinless bear snoring nearby. Eventually you locate the beast sleeping soundly below a sturdy branch which could easily support an oversized squirrel feeder.
(link: "Hang the feeder on the branch.")[(set: $feeder to "gumberoo")You hang the oversized squirrel feeder on the sturdy branch, making sure not to accidently wake the sleeping beast, then quickly retreat behind the nearest tree.
The white streaks continue buzzing around the feeder. Their noises appear to have no effect on the skinless bear until the acorns run dry and the squirrels begin scratching on the dispenser.
You see the eyes of the beast open as the Mothman decends from the tree tops. The skinless bear rises to meet him with a loud roar and takes a swipe into the air that strikes the Mothman. The hit fills the area with a cloud of moth dust and sends the Mothman flying off into the woods.
It occurs to you this might be a good opportunity to turn off the air pump.
[[Head towards the air pump.|Air Pump]] ] ](else:)[As you walk further away from the driveway you notice the familiar buzzing sounds grow softer with each step. When the buzzing all but disappears, you release an unexpectedly loud sigh of relief.
A moment later, you hear another loud sigh echo through the trees, followed by another and another. You realize the sighs are actually the sounds of something snoring. Something large, judging by the volume, and quite unexpected, judging by your recent experiences.
Sure enough, you see something quite unexpected sleeping underneath an old oak tree. It would be scary enough to describe the beast as a massive hairless bear. More terrifying still is the fact that its skin is nearly transparent, making it appear like a giant skinless bear.
You decide this is something you would rather not disturb.
[[Check out the Mothman.|Perched Mothman]]
[[Back to the squirrel feeder.|Flitterbick Feeder]] ] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You find the spot where the skinless bear once slept but find no trace of the beast nor its familiar snore. Instead you hear the buzz of the white streaks darting about from limb to limb.
[[Walk up the driveway.|Flitterbick Feeder]]](else:)[You find the place where the skinless bear once slept and discover that it is just as empty as the surrounding woods. No bears, no buzz, just the nagging thought that you should head walk towards the driveway.
[[Walk towards the driveway.|Flitterbick Feeder]]](if: $waterpump or $airpump)[You scurry down the tower and dash over to the fence in time to see the horned rabbits running along the fence line towards the barn.
Before you manage to continue pursuit you find yourself frozen in fear of the shadow which is rising out of the burn pile. As your eyes focus on the dark form you see the outline of a man-sized dog walking on its hind legs. It appears to be hunched over the burn pile searching for the same strange creatures you're currently chasing after.
The dogman stops sniffing the burn pile and points its nose towards the sky in order to sense its surroundings. You fear the dogman will detect your presense unless you follow the fence line to avoid detection.
[[Follow the fence line.|Jackelope Den]]
[[Approach the Dogman.|Dogman on the Hunt]] ](else:)[You stand in the gap in the fence that leads into the field, searching for any signs of the Dogman. Sure enough you see the dark creature chasing after the horned rabbits that are attempting to cross through the field.
A moment later you see the opporunity to run across the field towards the pond without alerting the Dogman.
[[Run across the field|Dogman on the Hunt]] ](if: $airpump or $waterpump)[You decide to place yourself in the hands of fate and approach the dogman who is clearly hunting for something to eat.
The dogman rises to its hind two legs as it watches you approach. When fully upright the creature stands nearly 8 feet tall and sends shivers down your spine. Sensing your fear, the dark creature leaps towards you, causing you to fall onto your backside.
When you open your eyes you find the Dogman has somehow missed its attack. Your only chance to escape is to run towards the trees behind the barn.
[[Run towards the trees.|Rolling Hoop Snake]] ](else:)[You move swiftly through the field while keeping an eye out for the Dogman to ensure that it doesn't circle back around in your direction.
As you cross the field, a tiny herd of horned rabbits runs through your legs en route to the far edge of the field. Flashes of light periodically break through the trees along the property line.
[[Run towards the trees.|Tunnel Entrance]] ](if: $waterpump and $airpump)[(set: $trolls to true)You hurry along the fence line towards the barn, hoping to avoid the smelling radius of the Dogman.
As you approach you notice one of the rabbits using its horns to pry open a side door. You quicken your pace, half expecting to catch the rabbit with your bare hands, only to watch it squeeze through the crack in the door when you reach the corner of the barn.
You pull on the door only to find that its locked from the inside. When you poke your head around the corner you are frozen by the sight of the two gigantic trolls hunched over a large wooden tub.
The lady troll smiles in delight as she opens a bamboo spout that hangs over the tub. Water begins to trickle then comes rushing out of the spout, causing some the foul smelling slime at the bottom of the tub to spill out over the edge. The ponytailed troll flips a switch to start the rotating blades in the center of the tub. Bubbles begin to rise from the mixture, which causes the lady troll to cackle out loud at her success.
"The filter bubble machine is up and running," she cackles to the ponytailed troll. "Nobody will ever know what is happening inside the bubble so long as the two pumps are working."
"Good thing we've got Mothman and the Crosswick Monster to guard the pumps," he replies with a steady lack of confidence.
[[Go to the front of the barn.|Locked Barn]]
[[Approach the gigantic trolls.|Filter Bubble Machine]] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You walk around the corner of the barn and spot the Dogman in the field sniffing at the burn pile.
The complaints of the lady troll echo from behind the barn. When you peek your head around the corner you see the two trolls hard at work pumping a pair of portable bellows in order to keep the bubble afloat.
"This is not what you promised," the lady troll shouts. Her thick arms make an audible clap as she pumps on her bellows.
"The bubble machine is fine," the poneytailed troll replies. "It's the Mothman who failed us. So long as the water pump doesn't fail we should be able to keep the bubble afloat with these bellows."
"So long as the water pump doesn't fail," the lady troll says once more as if to foreshadow upcoming events in the story.
[[Go to the front of the barn.|Locked Barn]]
[[Approach the gigantic trolls.|Filter Bubble Machine]] ](else-if: $airpump)[You walk around the corner of the barn and spot the Dogman in the field sniffing at the burn pile.
The complaints of the lady troll echo from behind the barn. When you peek your head around the corner you see the two trolls using their emergency water tank to fill the wooden tub.
"This is not what you promised," the lady troll shouts. She whips the hose violently into the air in order to release a kink.
"The bubble machine is fine," the poneytailed troll replies. "It's the Crosswick Monster who failed us. So long as the air pump doesn't fail we should be able to keep the bubble afloat with this water tank."
"So long as the air pump doesn't fail," the lady troll says once more as if to foreshadow upcoming events in the story.
[[Go to the front of the barn.|Locked Barn]]
[[Approach the gigantic trolls.|Filter Bubble Machine]] ](else:)[You walk around the corner of the barn and spot the Dogman chasing after little horned rabbits that are running in every direction. Above your head you see a massive swarm of white streaks buzzing towards the line of trees that run behind the dry pond.
Behind the barn you see the blades are still turning in the bottom of the wooden tub, but the liquid has gone dry, and the bellows are no longer being manned by any manner of beast.
Nevertheless, you feel compelled to walk behind the barn, as if your choices have all been pre-determind. Thankfully the end of the adventure seems nigh. You will soon know if your efforts were worth the reward.
[[Walk behind the barn.|Filter Bubble Machine]] ](if: $airpump and $waterpump)[(if: $trolls)[You decide to avoid the trolls and head towards the front of the barn.
As soon as you round the corner you hear the faint sounds of hummingbirds buzzing off into the distance. The buzzing sound grows louder with each step you take towards the barn doors. You give a good tug on the handles to discover that the barn is locked.
When you turn back in the direction of the buzzing sound you notice faint white streaks flying out from behind the corner of the barn. Some of them buzz right past your ears but move too quickly to see.
The majority of the white streaks fly off into the woods, although every now and then you see one land on a nearby tree just up the driveway.](else:)[You indulge in a bit of curiousity and head towards the barn to get a closer look at the white streaks. A few of them buzz right past your ears but move too quickly to see.
As you step closer to the barn you can hear the sounds of hummingbirds grow increasingly louder. You give a good tug on the handles to see if the sound is coming from inside only to discover the barn is locked.
When you turn back towards the corner of the barn you see the majority of white streaks fly off into the woods. Every now and then one of them lands on a nearby tree before continuing its flight path.]
[[Follow the buzzing sound.|Bamboo Spout]]
[[Check out the tree.|Perched Flitterbick]] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You reach the barn and find it swarming with white streaks. Most of them are pouring out from behind the far corner and flying off into the woods.
[[Walk around the far corner.|Bamboo Spout]] ](else-if: $airpump)[You reach the barn and find it swarming with white streaks. Most of the streaks are pouring out from behind the far corner and flying off into the woods, although every now and then you see one them land on a nearby tree just up the driveway.
[[Check out the tree.|Perched Flitterbick]] ](else:)[You reach the barn and look out across the field at the consequences of your actions.
The Dogman is running about from one end of the field to the other, chasing after every type of cryptid from horned rabbits to hoop snakes. Above their heads flies a swarm of white streaks, all which appear to be rushing towards the tree line that runs behind the dry pond.
The thought occurs to you that the end of your quest is nigh.
[[Walk into the field.|Jackelope Den]] ](if: $airpump and $waterpump)[(if: $trolls)[You walk up to the bubble machine with no specific intent. Which is to say that you did not think about turning off the machine, nor did you consider leaving it on.
Neither option seems to concern the Dogman who comes running out of the field in your direction. Before you have a chance to react the massive beast leaps into the air, blocking out the sun directly above, causing you to fall onto your backside as you watch it soar over your head.
The beast narrowly misses you with its snapping jaws. It lands with a hard thud and goes rolling uncontrollably off into the tree line. Your only chance to escape is to run towards the pond.](else:)[In stark defiance of any logic or reasoning you step out from behind the corner and approach the two gigantic trolls.
"What is the meaning of all this?" you demand of the monsters as if to scold their bad behavior.
The lady troll grins widely as she approaches you with open arms. Although the trolls seemed gigantic from a short distance, the size and stature of the lady troll eclipses the sky when she leans down to address you.
"Such a sweet thing keeping the farm safe from intruders," she exhales directly into your face. "Don't you realize our bubble machine stops outsiders from peeping inside?"
"No matter," she concludes as she turns towards the line of trees behind the barn. "The machine doesn't need your understanding. It simply requires air and water to make it work..."
"..and the Dogman to make sure nobody turns it off," the poneytailed troll concludes as the two of them disappear into the trees.
Just then, the pattering sound of footprints turns your head around to see the Dogman rapidly approaching. Your only chance of escape is to run into the field towards the dried up pond.]
[[Run towards the pond.|Rolling Hoop Snake]] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You run behind the barn and discover two giantic trolls hard at work pumping on portable bellows to keep the bubble afloat.
The lady troll turns towards you with the look of disgust on her face. "This was your doing," she says without missing a pump. "Don't think we won't fix the air pump and come find you."
"Why wait?" the poneytailed troll asks rhetorically as the Dogman comes running from the fields in your direction.
Sensing the repetitive nature of the story you sit down on the ground and await the Dogman who soars over your head and lands with a thuds.
You stand without bothering to turn around and run towards the pond.
[[Run towards the pond.|Rolling Hoop Snake]] ](else-if: $airpump)[You run behind the barn and discover two gigantic trolls using their emergency water tank to fill the bubble machine.
The lady troll turns towards you with the look of disgust on her face. "This was your doing," she says without missing a drop. "Don't think we won't fix the water pump and come find you."
"Why wait?" the poneytailed troll asks rhetorically as the Dogman comes running from the fields in your direction.
Sensing the repetitive nature of the story you sit down on the ground and await the Dogman who soars over your head and lands with a thuds.
You stand without bothering to turn around and run towards the pond.
[[Run towards the pond.|Rolling Hoop Snake]] ](else:)[The bubble machine sits empty with the blades still spinning. A pair of portable bellows sit on the ground a few feet away from the machine. The skies above are completely void of any white streaks except a few stragglers who buzz past your ear as they fly into the field.
A moment passes and you realize the Dogman isn't headed your way. In fact, it seems to be preoccupied with chasing all the horned rabbits who are running towards the pond.
[[Head towards the pond.|Rolling Hoop Snake]] ](if: $waterpump or $airpump)[You head towards the dried up pond hoping to escape the Dogman.
A handful of rolling hoops suddenly emerge from the tree line. As they get closer you realize the hoops are snakes holding on to the tips of their tails, and they appear to be rolling in your general direction.
With the Dogman hot on your heels, and the pond no longer an option, you run towards the tree line on the far side of the fields, still hoping to escape your growing number of pursuers.
[[Run across the field.|Whistling Teakettlers]] ](else:)[You make your way across the field, doing your best to avoid the tiny herd of horned rabbits scurrying under your feet. To make matters worse, a troop of rolling hoop snakes have joined your little parade as it marches towards the trees along the edge of the property.
[[Head towards the trees.|Whistling Teakettlers]]](if: $airpump and $waterpump)[You follow the buzzing sound around the corner of the barn and find yourself staring at the edge of a swarm of white streaks.
As you creep closer, swatting away the streaks that buzz past your ears, you see a bamboo spout attached to a long pipe that disappears into a row of trees behind the barn. Water is quickly pouring out of the spout into a large wooden tub. Just below the surface of the water you see a pair of motorized blades mixing the liquid with an oily substance. The blades produce a constant stream of bubbles that rise from the surface of the mixture and move about wildly in the swarm.
Below the hum of the mixing machine you hear rapid splashing sound coming from the wooden tub. It looks like the white streaks are skimming the surface of the liquid before disappearing around the barn, creating something like a traffic jam as each of the white streaks interrupts the flight paths of the others.
You see no sign of the two gigantic trolls who started the machine.
[[Follow the long pipe.|Bamboo Pipe]]
[[Switch off the mixing machine.|Filter Bubble Machine]]
[[Return to the front of the barn.|Locked Barn]] ](else-if: $airpump)[You follow the buzzing sound around the corner of the barn and find yourself staring at the edge of swarm of white streaks.
As you creep closer, swatting away the streaks that buzz past your ears, you see a bamboo spout attached to a long pipe that disappears into a row a trees behind the barn. The spout appears to have run dry.
A pair of enormous trolls are busy filling the bubble machine with their emergency water tank. Neither of them seem to have noticed you.
[[Follow the long pipe.|Bamboo Pipe]]
[[Switch off the mixing machine.|Filter Bubble Machine]]
[[Return to the front of the barn.|Locked Barn]] ](else-if: $waterpump)[You follow the buzzing sound around the corner of the barn and find yourself staring at the edge of swarm of white streaks.
As you creep closer, swatting away the streaks that buzz past your ears, you see a bamboo spout attached to a long pipe that disappears into a row a trees behind the barn. Water is quickly pouring out of the spout into a large wooden tub. A large pair of motorized blades mix the water with an oily solution that produce a constant stream of bubbles.
A pair of enormous trolls are hard at work pumping some portable bellows in order to keep the bubble afloat. They don't seem to notice you.
[[Follow the long pipe.|Bamboo Pipe]]
[[Switch off the mixing machine.|Filter Bubble Machine]]
[[Return to the front of the barn.|Locked Barn]] ](else:)[You run behind the corner of the barn to find the swarm of white streaks has left the area. The pump has run dry and the wooden tub seems to have run dry.
It appears to be safe to run behind the barn without worrying about trolls or any such nonsense.
[[Run behind the barn.|Filter Bubble Machine]]](if: $waterpump)[You follow the bamboo pipe as it snakes through the underbrush. While the pipe is barely held together by strips of cloth, it still manages to escape your sight as you follow its path along the tree line.
Quite by accident you stumble over the pipe, causing one of the connections to come undone. Water begins spraying out of the disconnected pipe, which in turn summons something from deeper in the woods.
Past experience has taught you to stay out sight and remain silent before rushing into action. Without thinking, you find yourself behind a tree, staring at a man-sized lizard as it rushes towards the broken connection. The creature stands on its hind legs and uses it front claws and mouth to reconnect the pipe and secure the cloth.
After finishing its task, the lizard creature runs back into the woods.
[[Follow the lizard creature.|Goofus Bird]]
[[Head towards the barn.|Bamboo Spout]] ](else-if: $airpump)[The water has stopped flowing through the bamboo pipe, presumably because you smashed the power switch with a large branch.
[[Head back towards the barn.|Bamboo Spout]] ](else:)[You check the bamboo pipe and verify that the water is no longer flowing, thus signifying your conquest of technology has gone down in history.
[[Head back towards the barn.|Bamboo Spout]] ](if: $waterpump)[You bravely pursue the man-sized lizard as you follow the path of the bamboo pipe that snakes through the underbrush of the tree line.
Along the way you notice one of the connections has sprung a leak. The leak isn't severe enough to summon the lizard creature, but it does appeal to goofy bird who has built its nest on the bottom side of the branch. As if on cue, the bird flies backwards into view and lands upside down, clinging to the nest while enjoying the stream of water.
|pipe>[You find the goofy turkey bird to look quite tasty and wonder why the giant lizard hasn't snatched it off the branch.
[[Keep following the lizard creature.|Bamboo Pipe Continues]]
(link: "Kick the bamboo pipe.")[(replace: ?pipe)[(set: $goofus to true)You kick the bamboo pipe and cause the loose connection to come undone. Water begin spraying everywhere and drenches the goofy bird who flaps wildly in protest.
The man-sized lizard approaches the connection in order to mend it but becomes distracted by the tasty creature on the overhead branch. It leaps for a bite but somehow misses, allowing the goofy bird the moment it needs to fly away in the direction of the barn.
As luck would have it, the lizard creature is unable to resist temptation and continues pursuit of the tasty treat. It occurs to you this might be a good time to shut down the water pump.
[[Head towards the pump.|Bamboo Pipe Continues]] ] ]
[[Head back toward the barn.|Bamboo Pipe]] ] ](else-if: $airpump)[The water has stopped flowing through this part of the bamboo pipe as well, presumably because you smashed the power switch on the pump.
While the water stream is no longer shooting out of the pipe, the upside down bird nest still hangs over the connection, thought there isn't any sign of the owner nor the man-sized lizard that chased it away.
[[Head towards the barn.|Bamboo Pipe]] ](else:)[As the end of your adventure draws near, you find yourself wandering through the trees, thinking about the moment when you first saw a bird fly backwards and land on an upside down nest.
You wonder if you should head towards the barn and finish the adventure?
[[Head towards the barn.|Bamboo Pipe]]](if: $waterpump)[(if: $goofus)[You see the pump just ahead of you. The man-sized lizard doesn't appear to be returning any time soon.
[[Switch off the pump.|Water Pump]]](else:)[You continue following bamboo pipe along the tree line behind the barn in search of the man-sized lizard creature.
Up ahead you hear the motorized sounds of pumping water. While the lizard creature is not immediately visible, you assume that it must be nearby watching over some sort of water pump.
You spot the pump a few steps later, but you fail to find the lizard.
Walking up to the machine would be a good way to get it's attention, but you question the logic of using yourself as bait.
[[Return to the goofy bird.|Goofus Bird]]
[[Walk up to the machine.|Water Pump]] ] ](else-if: $airpump)[You verify that each of the connected sections of the bamboo pipe no longer have water flowing through them after you smashed the pump with a large branch. In fact, you can see the disabled pump just a few feet away.
These facts set your mind at ease and point your curiousity in the direction of the woods in front of the house.
[[Head towards the barn.|Goofus Bird]] ](else:)[You verify that each of the connected sections of the bamboo pipe no longer have water flowing through them after you smashed the pump with a large branch. In fact, you can see the disabled pump just a few feet away.
These facts set your mind at ease and point your curiousity in the direction of the field beside the barn.
[[Head towards the barn.|Goofus Bird]] ](if: $waterpump)[(if: $goofus)[(set: $waterpump to false)You walk up to the water pump and select a thick branch from the ground which you use to crush its power switch. The pump sparks and whirs before shutting down permanently.
The filter bubble still hangs over the farm. You wonder if there might be another pump that requires your delicate touch?
[[Head back towards the barn.|Bamboo Pipe Continues]]](else:)[Without hesitation you place yourself in the direct path of harm.
As one would expect, the man-sized lizard leaps out of hiding and blocks your path to the water pump. With reflexes as fast as a snake, the creature begins winding its way towards you.
The only way to escape this terrible decision is to follow the bamboo pipe back towards the barn and hope for the best.
[[Run back towards the barn.|Bamboo Pipe Continues]] ] ](else-if: $airpump)[You locate the disabled water pump at the end of the bamboo pipe and recall your moment of triumph over technology.
There doesn't appear to be much else to do other than head back towards the barn and investigate the woods in front of the house.
[[Head back towards the barn.|Bamboo Pipe Continues]] ](else:)[You locate the disabled water pump at the end of the bamboo pipe.
After verifying the pump is still inoperable, you wonder if you should be investigating the cryptids which are gathering in the fields instead of admiring your ability to smash power switches with branches.
[[Head back towards the barn.|Bamboo Pipe Continues]] ](if: $waterpump or $airpump)[By the time you reach the middle of the field the Dogman is snapping at your heels while the hoop snakes are darting over your shoulders attempting to spear you with their venomous tails.
In all the commotion you barely avoid stepping on the herd of stubby-legged creatures with steam coming out of their mouths. Your sudden appearance sends them all running backwards while emitting a high-pitched squeal that sounds a whistling teakettle.
The teakettlers startle the hoop snakes and distract the Dogman who goes running off in circles around the field. A moment later the small field is full of whistles and steam and barks and spears and other pointy things you would rather avoid.
With the field no longer an option, your only choice is to head towards the dry pond.
[[Head towards the dry pond.|Frogman Sighting]] ](else:)[You lead the parade of cryptids through the field towards the tree line at the edge of the property. Along the way you gather more monsters, such as the stubby-legged whistling creatures with steam coming out of their mouths. Not to mention the storm of white streaks gathering over your head.
As you approach the tree line you see the entrance to a tree tunnel. While it appears to be ordinary enough, you see strange lights periodically breaking through the trees that defy explanation.
[[Head towards the tunnel entrance.|Tunnel Entrance]] ](if: $waterpump or $airpump)[You have found the entrace to a tree tunnel. Numerous footprints lead away from the tunnel but you doing see any walking through it to reach the other side.
The thought occurs to you to investigate the dry pond and wait until the storyteller has the chance to finish this part of the story.
[[Head towards the dry pond.|Frogman Sighting]] ](else:)[You lead the parade of cryptids through the field towards the tree line at the edge of the property. Along the way you gather more monsters, such as the stubby-legged whistling creatures with steam coming out of their mouths. Not to mention the storm of white streaks gathering over your head.
As you approach the tree line you see the entrance to a tree tunnel that leads behind the dry swamp. The cryptids all flock into the tunnel and spill out both ends. Their efforts appear to be fruitless until the light breaks through the trees.
A moment later, your eyes adjust to the light. Inside the tunnel you see open subway doors running up and down both sides. The animals are squeezing inside the doors waiting for them to close.
The ground begins to shake under your feet as the trolls march through the fields. You scramble off to one side in time enough to miss their massive footsteps, along with their entourage of additional cryptids including the Mothman, the Dogman, the Loveland Frogmen, and the Crosswick Monster. Not to mention the Hugag and the Gumberoo! They all squeeze into the subway car just as the doors close, leaving the tree tunnel dark and the farm void of any crypids.
**Congratulations!**
You have taken down the filter bubble and run the trolls and of all their weird and wonderful cryptids off the farm...
..or so you think.][[Camp Site]]You make your way out of the field and head towards the dry pond.
When you peek through the plants and trees around the rim of the pond you see a pair of frogmen pumping slime out of the ground. One of the frogmen is manning the bellows which draws the slime up through a hose. The other frogman is aiming the hose at some pails to gather the slime.
After filling two of the pails, the frogmen each grab one and balance it on the top of their heads. They force their way through the foliage around the pond and curve around the edge of the field towards the barn.
[[Follow the slime carriers|Slime Carriers]]You make your way around edge of the field where the grass grows tall enough to hide any curious creatures that may be scurrying about.
Sure enough you see two slimy heads pop out of the grass. They belong to a pair of frogmen who are clearly more frog than man. The hunchbacked creatures struggle to balance the pots on top of their heads while making every attempt to remain out of sight.
As far as you can tell, the frogmen seem to be carrying the pots of slime to the bubble machine. However, seeing as their path takes you past the hoop snakes, you figure it best to cut through the line of trees behind the barn in order to avoid any further complications.
[[Cut through the trees.|Bamboo Pipe]] [[Another Frogman Sighting]]
[[Grassman at Work]][[Slime Carriers]][[Spotted by Dogman]]
[[Camp Site]] [[Dogman Attacks]]
[[Saved by Grassman]][[Dogman Misses]][[Another Frogman Sighting]]
[[Slime Carriers]][[Escape from Dogman]][[Slime Carriers]](if: $waterpump or $airpump)[(set: $handbook to true)You sit in the shadow of an old maple tree and flip through the pages of the *Troll Patrol Handbook*.
The first few chapters describe the history and importance of the Troll Patrol. You gather they were created in the early 80's to monitor and record the increase of troll activity around the world. Subsequent chapters describe how to form a local Troll Patrol, earn badges, and increase your rank in the organization.
The bulk of the handbook describes a wide variety of curious creatures they refer to as *cryptids*. Some of the cryptids look like variations of familiar animals, like rabbits with antlers or dogs standing upright, while others, such as the Mothman and Bigfoot, are practically household names.
The back of the book contains a large appendix which references the cryptids, artifacts, and other events you might experience in the wild. You curiously follow the phrase "shimmering sky" to find the definition of a *filter bubble* that trolls use to change our perception of reality.
As if on cue, a shimmer of light catches your attention. You look up at the above ground pool in front of you and see the head of long-necked dinosaur peeping out of the water.
[[Carefully approach the pool.|Peeping Dino]] ](else:)[The thought occurs to you the *Troll Patrol Handbook* might contain some valuable information about the collapse of the filter bubble, but as the end of the bubble is nigh, it seems much to late to consider the consequences of your actions.
[[Check out the pool.|Peeping Dino]] ](if: $pole)[The hooked pole in your hands appears to be strong and ready for any squirrel feeders that might require relocation.](else:)[(set: $pole to true)You wait until the Mothman is no longer in sight before grabbing the hooked pole that he leaned against a nearby tree.
The pole itself is large enough to use as a good walking stick, but it doesn't appear to serve any purpose other than moving the oversized squirrel feeders from one sturdy branch to another.]
(link: "Hook the squirrel feeder.")[(set: $feeder to "pole")You use the hooked pole to grab the oversized squirrel feeder. The weight of the sways back and forth heavily on the end of the pole.
]
[[Find the skinless bear.|Sleeping Gumberoo]]
[[Hunt down the Mothman.|Perched Mothman]]
[[Find the duck-billed moose.|Grazing Hugag]]<img width="100%" src="https://trollpatrol.neocities.org/cover.png">
The Cryptid Farm is the first Troll Patrol Adventure written by Christopher Ritter.
As the reader, you will decide which direction the story will unfold. Will you tread wisely and learn about the troll's dastardly plans to for the farm, or will you tackle the monsters head on? The choice is yours!
[[Begin the adventure.|Birthday Party]](set: $handbook to false, $mothman to false, $goofus to false, $trolls to false, $bubble to false, $streaks to false, $pole to false, $airpump to true, $waterpump to true)