FML AR Game: Wild Moose
I took the XML file of the augmented reality “seed” game I created for my research at Flying Moose Lodge, and I put it into a more traditional narrative medium. It’s not the same as playing the four-day game, because in the game you actually have to hike the miles of trails between NPCs and Items, and in this format you only have to read through it.
Wild Moose
Editor v3.03.04
Notes: FML AR Game #1 created by John Martin, based on ideas and suggestions by the 2005 Trails trip group.
Game Intro: Welcome to the first Wildlands game! To be honest, this game is going to be pretty straightforward. The rules are this: 1) canoe and hike around this great wild country, 2) hit the major spots on the map to see how inaccurate they are, and then go to where they *should* be and get the GPS waypoints — enter those into the PocketPC. 3) at each spot come up with a character who might be there, and come up with their story. 4) here’s the hard one — make all their stories interrelate, and 5) the hardest part, come up with a puzzle at each one that a “True Mooser” could figure out that, once figured out shows the way to the next spot (we can make NPCs trigger other NPCs, so the second doesn’t show up until you reach the first.
NPC: Liam
Description: The sound of Lucy’s barking brings Liam’s shadow to the screen of the porch.
Interview: “Hey Dudes! Whaddya want? John Martin? I think I saw him swimming this morning off his dock. You might just check his cabin to see if he’s there. But make sure he knows your coming — maybe with a song or something. He’s pretty ornery if he’s surprised. Yeah, ask Theresa. She was walking around the lake once, and … oh, never mind. Just be careful.”
Triggers: John Martin
NPC: John Martin
Description: Busy raking the path in front of his cabin, John Martin stops and leans on his rake. He greets you with a cheery smile.
Interview: “Hey Guys! Wanna help me clean up the path? There are a lot of pine needles that need to be straightened — that wind last night really messed things up… Oh, you don’t? Oh, okay. Well then could you do me a little favor? Head down to Stevenson’s campsite. Here, take this blue tape. And somewhere up on the hill behind the campsite is an old horse trail going uphill towards the Green cabin. Could you mark it with the tape, and make some GPS waypoints (like “Horse trail 1″, “HT2″, etc.) until you find the remains of an old house — I hear there aren’t many remains of it left, just an old iron stove, or fireplace foundation or something; I’m not sure. But if you could find it, and mark it as waypoint, and maybe take a picture? That’d be cool. Thanks!”
Triggers: The Stevenson Campsite
Antitriggers: Liam
Item: Stevenson Campsite
Description: True, it doesn’t look like your average campsite, but then Stevenson doesn’t look like your average camper, does he? Still, you see the fire pit, and what looks like a platform for a tent, and the beginnings of another platform, maybe… ooh, and crumbled up on the ground under a log is a piece of paper…
Paper: Dear Amos,
I’m writing this to you because you’re my only friend. As my only friend,
I want to give you my most prized possession, but I am afraid you may not be worthy of it — yes, my friendship is conditional.
To prove your worth, and get the gift, you must document proof of the Flying Moose.
You’re a bright boy, you can figure out how to do this. And when you do, all my powers will be yours.
your friend,
maybe,
Mikey
Triggers: Flag Hill, Flying Moose Mountain
Antitriggers: John Martin
NPC: Larry the Logger
(triggered on path)
Description: Wielding a big chainsaw, a scary scarry gentleman stares at you with one eye and a horrible grimace — oh wait, that’s a slash across his face.
Interview: “You boys look lost. What are doing in these woods anyway? This is no place for soft pretty boys… Yeeooh!!! What’s that stench? One of you got a dead animal in your pocket? You should get into Mitchville and take yerselves a bath or two (or three).
Mitchville? Ya don’t know where Mitchville is? You really are lost, aren’t you? All ya gotta do is follow the ridge down toward Hart, then take it as it veers left along the flat spot. Just past the campsite — that’s by the big rock and the bend in the stream, oh, and the firepit, of course — is the bowling alley, and next door is the swimming pool — they’ve got outside showers there. No, they won’t let you into the Hilton smelling like that. Take care. Oh, and maybe make waypoints along the trail so you’ll know the way better next time.”
Triggers: Mitchville
Antitriggers: Stevenson site
Item: The Crack
Description: A narrow crevice… Do you dare go in? Remember, this might not be accurate…
Detail: nothing
NPC: Great Pond Mountain
Description: Ah! What a view! There’s Craig Pond, and Hart Pond, and Mead Mountain, and Mason Mountain, and Alamoosook Lake, and way over there is Blue Hill, and is that… maybe, almost see Acadia’s mountains? And much nearer is, could it be? Flying Moose Mountain? And of course beer cans and candy wrappers from the ATVs…
Detail: Swedish Fish. They’re fishilicious, and really yummy too.
Item: Hothole Pond
Description: Legend has it that the fish here are big as piranhas. That’s what I heard anyway.
Item: There are fish here, I hear.
Item: Valley Road
Description: Down in the valley! Valley so low! There is a road there, hope they drive slow.
Item: (nothing)
NPC: The GPMC Guy
Description: Zipping up and down Valley Road in his red Geo Tracker, the Great Pond Mountain Conservation guy is a jovial fellow. Say hi, ask for directions to his favorite part of the Wildlands. Ask him about his bowling game.
Interview: “Bowling? Heck I don’t do that anymore. Not since they closed down the lanes in Mitchville to build condos. But back in my day, I was the best. I went on tour all over the place. Oh them were the days. 300 games every night. And the lovin’ gals and gamblin! But the world tour threw my shoulder back in Bowler. Damn that day!”
Triggers: Mitchville
Item: Flying Moose Mountain
Description: Legend has it that many years ago a hunter was tracking a moose up this hill in the snow. As he neared the peak though, the trail ended. Where’d the Moose go? Hmm… Sounds like a good name for a boys camp…
Detail: Fly Moose! Fly!
Item: Flag Hill
Description: I think it’s Flag Hill. I think it’s where Whites hid the flag for Capture the Flag.
Detail: Find any flags up here?
Item: Cascade Brook Trail
Description: It’s not really a trail yet. Just a bunch of marked trees where the trail will sometime be, but see if you can find “Butt-Crack Falls”, and farther up, “Stair Case Slide” — don’t worry about getting lost, the trail follows the right side of the stream, and up toward the top of the trail is a clearing that leads to Flag Hill Road.
Detail: It gets a bit sticky in some places …
Item: Mitchville?
Description: I dunno. I’m just guessing. You might know it when you see it.
Detail: Stay out of the saloon. We’ve been asked to never return …
Item: Echo Rock caves
Description: There’s a cave underwater under these rocks. Or so I’m told. And maybe, just maybe, there’s an old can in the cave. And perhaps, although it’s unlikely, there’s a note in the can…
Detail: [In a rusty old can]
Dear Amos,
If you’re reading this, you may have been successful at documenting the Flying Moose. Either that, or your a fool diving under Echo for a cave. Don’t you know that’s just a legend? Anyway, if you do have my powers, you can jam like me. And you smell nicer too because of your amazing ability to dip every morning. So, enjoy!
NPC: Patty the Pirate
Description: Legend has it that in the days of yore, ship captains docking in Bucksport would take their crews to Craig Pond to steal its water for their ocean-going trips. Patty the Pirate was one such captain. He stands before you now, a crooked and bent old man who must be, like, 150 years old.
Interview: “Who you looking at Sonny? Didn’t yer mom tell you it was impolite to stare? Are you wondering why I’m all crooked and bent? Well I’ll tell you! It’s the curse!!!!
You haven’t heard of the curse? Well, goldurn it, what are they teaching in schools these days, anyway? It’s the curse of Craig Pond! Oh sure, some say it’s a blessing. Folks like old John Martin, my nemesis, who used Craig Pond’s water for good. He’s a hunnert and sevnty-nine, he is. He just didn’t ever steal the water is all.
Meanwhile, I’m doing my penance here, trying to live out the rest of my eternal life on this mountain, forever reminded of the ill-fate of those who plunder and pillage this water. By watching over these waters, I’m able to revert from my old wretched state into the vibrant youngster you see before you (okay, so I’ve a few more years of penance to go…)
Anyway, you boys go swimming. Smells like you need it.”