Fountellion in THE SPIRAL: Greenwise & the Nature of the Game

PLAYER FINDS 'SECRET' AREA IN 'FOUNTELLION'

'FOUNTELLION': Game of fantasy or something much, much more?

Reposted @spiralwritings

'NOW PART OF THE TRIBE' - FOUNTELLION PLAYER AND 'EMBERTIMER'

I've formed close bonds and ties not only with other players but with the A.I. NPC that 'live' in the game. The village is almost like a second home to me. Some of them have unique – and funny – character settings.

They are primarily gardeners and hunter-gatherers. There is no mass harvesting of the land. There is only the magic of new findings that are discovered and brought back to show and to share with others.

Their need to live in harmony with the resources that keep them alive is deeply ingrained, so any player would be wise to grasp this. They welcome players but especially for their knowledge of where animals have been sighted, or their nature and quantity – and usefulness. The villagers have no 'weapons'. They are simply 'hunting tools'. There may be 'emergent' village brawls but I've only seen one incidence of 'griefing' so far and that player was swiftly 'contained' by Greenwise. They calmed down however, and were not banished.

There is nothing with which to repel the attacks from the Stokermen. Fire can distract them or delay them but they cannot be harmed. No known material can withstand their lances. But they seek only players not villagers so it's possible to hide amongst them – if they care enough for you. Therefore, it can be a very safe place and perfect for learning skills to take out beyond the village, and for continuing the search for Insights. At the same time a Stokerman's lance can prize apart the safest-seeming hiding place, and will sweep aside any villager in the way, and thus they perform their job well – forcing us back out into the island, back into the wild...

...where they would steal our dreams and powers away to their far tower...

If ...they are not evaded. And, happily, just getting lost in the beautiful representation of nature is so easy. Not only is it 'alive'; ever-changing and detailed, but it is indeed a garden in which to apply village skills and 'experience' most of its inhabitants, influencing subtle changes in the fabric, like casting tiny stones that cause ripples. This is the true art of transformation. And ultimately, it is the player who is transformed, not he or she who transforms...

Walking one day near the estuary, the land of Greenwise and the beginning of all things, we encountered a small lake that glistened in the dawn. From focusing well and super-jumping perfectly across it in a special leap sequence I then saw a vision...

It was of a knife glinting with sunlight. I cannot describe it without spoiling it. But it made me think not only of my game-quest but of another personal quest... that if ever these shores are spoiled by players or griefers then that is a day when I shall leave Fountellion, if I am not taken first, or find the sixth insight.

But for now, I continue to play and to learn under the virtual light of this new, man-made world; a higher dimension, even. To adapt and to evolve there. Seek balance. Like the day I became a member of the village tribe and I felt such a deep and unexpected... fulfillment. Something to take away, beyond the shores.

Yes... together with other players I have learned much and the interface has brought to our senses bright super-memories to grow old with indeed. We have helped each other find the first and second insights. It is an ultimate game, you will see... And my hope is that my children will also see why it is important, as a game, and not be lost to it, or drowned by it...

- Reposted from Redz Gaming Channel 'Green Garden Game' thread: comment posting 24398 by Caitlin Turner