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(set:$time to "dawn") [[Awaken -> Plinth]]

(if:$time is "dawn")[It is dawn.] (set:$time to "morning") You find yourself standing by a [[stone plinth -> Plinth Detail]] in a forest clearing. A dirt path runs north to south. [[Follow the path north -> Path North]] [[Follow the path south -> Path South]] [[Look along the treeline]]

The plinth is worn. You can't tell what used to rest on it. Engraved near the base are the letters "MDCCCIV". [[Go back -> Plinth]]

You follow the path north. You hear no sign of insects or birds. The forest is quiet. [[Go back -> Plinth]] [[Continue -> Path Norther]]

While overgrown, the path seems to have a structure. It is lined evenly by a mixture of oak trees and sycamores. It is colder here. [[Go back -> Plinth]] [[Continue -> Path Souther]]

The undergrowth looks thick and impenetrable. There are ferns at waist height, and a tangle of tropical-looking carpet vines. [[Push through anyway -> Undergrowth]] [[Go back -> Plinth]]

You come upon a stagnant body of water. The lake looks greenish with algae. There is loud hum of flies coming from the surface. A [[bench -> Bench Detail]] is set up to look over the lake. The path continues around the edge of the water. [[Continue along the path -> Post-pond]] [[Go back -> Two paths back]]

Wood planks on a curved iron frame. The bench was painted at some point, but it has since peeled away. There is a faded dedication plaque. "Eisenhower", it reads. [[Go back -> Path Norther]]

The path curves along the waterline, turning west. [[Step into the water -> In the lake]] [[Continue along the path -> Path Northwest]]

You turn to head back along the path you came from. It looks somehow unfamiliar. You arrive at a crossing you don't remember. Do you go [[right -> Two paths right]] or [[left -> Two paths left]]?

This isn't the path you came along. You worry about getting lost, but remember that you don't really know where you began with. The forest is louder here. The wildlife is beginning to wake up. A bird-call from a [[nearby tree -> Tree inspect]] catches your attention.

This isn't the trail you came along. You push forward, sometimes having to brush pine-tree branches from your path. [[Look around -> Inspect conifers]] [[Continue on this trail -> Floral transition]]

Perched in a branch is a bluebird. The tree is in bloom: off-white flowers cover it. [[Smell the flowers -> Vanilla]] [[Continue along the path -> Path Souther]]

(set:$time to "dawn") [[Is this... vanilla? -> Plinth]]

The path goes steeply downhill from here. [[Collapsed wooden structures -> inspect structures]] lie before you. Beyond lies [[a gate -> Gate]], locked. You can hear running water coming from the west. [[Follow the sound of water -> stream]]

You wade into the water. The lakebed is hard and the depth of the water increases gradually. You push through the green mush and lillipads until you are at shoulder height. The water does not get deeper. [[Look beneath the surface -> Underwater]] [[Wade further -> Across the lake]]

There is another plinth here. This one is much bigger than the one you came across earlier. Cast bronze feet rise up from the plinth, but there is no body. [[Continue along the path -> Lake 3]]

The water feels slimy. You slip yourself in anyway. You open your eyes, but can't see anything. [[Feel around the lakebed -> lakebed]]

You emerge on the other side of the lake, soaked and uncomfortable. You itch, and the flies are following you. [[Continue to the path -> Lake 3]]

After pushing your way through the undergrowth, you find yourself at a [[wrought iron fence -> Fence]] which stretches far into the distance in both directions. You won't be able to find your way back from here.

The pine trees push back into the distance. One pine tree, much larger than the rest, looms above the forest. Its trunk is thick and bears the marks of a spiral. Plastic threads hang from the upper branches. The smell of sap is overpowering. [[Climb the tree -> Climb tree]]

The pine-trees fade to give way to ferns and tropical vines. You find yourself before a [[wrought iron fence -> Fence]]

Beyond the fence is a more open space. It is misty beyond. You peek through and find shattered stones on the other side. Grass and vines poke through the cracks. [[Climb over the fence -> over fence]]

You hoist yourself up onto the lower branches. You make your way up, hands slowly becoming sticky and crusted with sap. You sit to rest a while on a branch. You peer out into the distance. Despite the mist, you can make out a grid-like structure of clearings and passages in the distance. (set:$time to "dawn") [[Keep climbing -> Plinth]]

Your hands move along the lakebed. It is rough to the touch, and very level. Your fingers brush across a metal grating. [[Tug on the grating -> grating]]

You pull at the metal grating. You can't get it free, and you're running out of breath. (set:$time to "dawn") [[Surface -> Plinth]]

The mist is very cold. You can barely see the way forward. Your hands come up against smooth concrete and glass as you feel your way forward. (set:$time to "dawn") There is an opening, and you [[make your way inside -> Plinth]]

The path parts ways here. You can [[continue onward -> Plinth]], or [[loop around to the lake bench -> Path Norther]].

You move closer to the collapsed structures. Nails stick out at odd angles. Snapped plastic litters the floor. A large, flat panel shows faded paint. [[Go back -> Path Souther]]

The gate is ornate. It bears depictions of animals. A rusted padlock holds a chain in place, but the chain has long worn away. You could [[open the gate -> beyond]] if you wanted to. [[Go back -> Path Souther]]

You tear the chains from the gate and walk out. The dawn mist is lifting under the sun. You see signposts bearing street names, and think about setting off into the distance. [[Go home -> Plinth]]

You follow a stream, walking alongside it. It disappears underground at points, only to emerge further along. In the quiet, you can [[follow it easily -> Path Norther]].