Bear can be used to create interactive fiction in the style of choose-your-own narratives. To show by example, attached is a short text adventure to copy/paste into Bear. Tap links to make choices. Hint: gallery > grog > stern > machete.
Since Bear saves to .md files, one can easily exchange interactive fiction stories with others. Or model practical applications, such as an interactive tutorial for onboarding new employees. Or a medical disgnostic that drills down based on choices. Or a troubleshooting manual with a self-correcting quiz.
I have extended this use for interactive fiction and those interested are invited to have a look at Nib Notes on my site.
# To You I Give the Helm 🏴☠️
Port Eldoro, 1715. Aboard the Ocean Raider. The [[/Captain|captain]], being led away in leg irons, turns to you.
# Arrest
Arrest is what happens when one makes poor decisions in port. You resolve to focus on the task at hand next time, if ever there is a next time. For now, your fate is the dungeon of the Royal Navy. 🏴☠️
# Bosun’s Quarters
Ah, the bosun’s quarters. Paths lead to the [[/brig|brig]] or [[/galley|galley]] and either might be better than here. Do you have the skeleton key?
* Let’s say I do.
* The bosun’s quarter, messy even by pirate standards, has the same smell as the shoeless sailor. There is a [[/lime|lime]] on a pile of rags. While casting a critical eye over this dishevelment, a shiver of urgency moves you to move on.
* Not on me, anyway.
* Access is blocked by a solid, locked door and emanates the faint scent of fruit.
# Brig
The brig is dark, damp, and smells of grog. It has a [[/sailor|shoeless sailor]] inside, known to swim like a frog. The brig goes to the [[/galley|galley]] or [[/upper deck|upper deck]].
# Captain
⚓️ The captain, led away by the Royal Navy, has a message for you.
*Our galleon carries success, a treasure chest of gold. Alas, I give this last request, so do as you are told.*
*The Royal Navy slung a rope, dragging my ship in tow. Do not let them keep her in dock. Escape this curs’d foe.*
*Break loose the bond upon the bow. Set sail for pirate realm. They will give me to Davy Jones, but you I give **The Helm**.*
From here, the path leads to the [[/upper deck|upper]] or the [[/lower deck|lower deck]].
# Captain’s Quarters
The captain keeps quarters on the [[/stern|stern]]. Navy officers snatched the captain quickly, leaving the oak door ajar. The captain keeps a [[/chest|chest]] under much clutter.
# Chest
The chest is a long wooden case, not the shape you might expect. It has three items: a leather [[/pouch|pouch]], a [[/machete|machete]], and a [[/map|map]] rolled like a scroll.
# Cannonball
The stack shifts as you bump into it while chasing the ever-rolling lime.
Do you have the lime?
* If yes, The cannon balls thunder past as you safely exit to the [[/galley|galley]].
* If not, a cannonball makes contact and you black out, only to wake … on the [[/upper deck|upper deck]].
# Hold
The cargo hold is like a dungeon, except for the tortured inventory. It has a stack of [[/Cannonball|cannon balls]] arranged in a pyramid and a [[/lime|lime]] is rolling loosely about. The hold goes to the [[/upper deck|upper deck]] or to the [[/galley|galley]].
# Crow’s Nest
The crow’s nest, little more than a barrel around the top of the main mast, descends to the [[/upper deck|upper deck]] below.
Have you been to the crow’s nest before?
* If not, you notice the nest has room for only one person to stand and shout ‘land ahoy’ should that need shouting.
* If yes, there’s still nothing new, well maybe on the [[/Flag|tattered flag]] an arms-reach above.
# Flag
The flag is a classic jolly roger of skull and crossbones that was undoubtedly pirated online. It has the name of a beverage scrawled on it and goes to the main mast above the [[/crow’s nest|crow’s nest]].
# Galley
The galley, which leads to the [[/brig|brig]] or [[/upper deck|upper deck]], is blocked by a stout, sturdy cook.
“Hold it, mate. Whass’a [[/password|password]]?”
# Hunting
Hunting is a distraction you can ill afford so close to shore. It has you attracting attention. Playing with a sword, you could put out an eye. It’s not a bad look on a pirate, but it is difficult to judge distance. Like how far away those navy sailors are, come to [[/arrest|arrest]] you.
# Lower Deck
The lower deck, even less pleasant than expected, has a variety of un-takable objects, so why bother with their description (it would only raise false hopes). The [[/lower decl|lower deck]] goes to the [[/bosun’s quarters|bosun’s quarters]], the [[/brig|brig]], or the [[/galley|galley]].
# Lime
From here, what little light there is leads you to the [[/bosun’s quarters|bosun’s quarters]].
🍋🟩The lime, *Citrus aurantifolia*, puckers the lips and protects the bones from scurvy.
Are you wearing a tricorn?
* If yes, you pocket the fruit and immediately smell better.
* If not, the image of a barrel comes to mind as you toss the lime back into the abyss.
# Machete
🗡️ Cutlery to cut the rope and free the ship. Racing to the main deck, you swing an arm’s-length of razor sharp steel and sever the tow rope.
Shout “aargh” and [[/proclaim|proclaim]] yourself as captain, or hold on to that thought and go [[/hunting|hunting]] the pesky parrot.
# Map
The map, hmm, if only the ship were free on the sea, you could cruise for spices. Alas, it is not, and this crude map of the spice islands is little use for now. The delay is costly and leads to your [[/arrest|arrest]].
# Mug
The mug is filled with a spiced wine from the cook. It has upset the cockatoo, who squawks louder.
Give the parrot the [[/nuts|pistachio nuts]] or a quick [[/swipe|swipe]] while trying to grab the key.
# Nuts
Pistachios from the cook. They have a calming effect on the hungry bird, who soon falls asleep, allowing you to take the skeleton key.
The path goes to either the [[/captain’s quarters|captain’s quarters]] or to the [[/bosun’s quarters|bosun’s quarters]].
# Parrot
The parrot is perched on a stern rail. It has a skeleton key on a lanyard around its neck.
Give it either the [[/nuts|pistachio nuts]] or the [[/mug|mug]].
# Password
The password is your reply to the cook. Say “[[/slog|slog of grog]]” or improvise a [[/gesture|rude gesture]].
# Barrel
The pickle barrel is made of oak staves held by iron hoops.
Are you wearing a tricorn?
* If yes, the barrel has a petunia where the tricorn used to be.
* If not, a [[/tricorn|tricorn]] is on top of the pickle barrel.
In either case, the barrel is beside a rope ladder leading to the [[/crow’s nest|crow’s nest]].
# Proclaim
That loud proclamation is you — brandishing the machete. It has the crew guiding the Ocean Raider out of the dock. The Raider goes to the open seas with you as captain 🏴☠️
# Pouch
The pouch contains a wealth of doubloons. With fists full of coins, you will be wealthy. You will also be under [[/arrest|arrest]] since the ship remains secured by the Royal Navy and your run is out of time.
# Gesture
The rude gesture is your password guess.
Are you wearing a tricorn?
* If yes, the cook mutters, “Why, if it weren’t for the tricorn …” and then stands in bulky silence. The path goes to the [[/galley|galley]].
* If not, he flicks a meaty finger against your forehead. The lights dim. You wake up [[/upper deck|on the …]].
# Sailor
The sailor, snoring softly in the [[/brig|brig]], then awakes with a startle and stares at you.
Are you wearing a tricorn?
* If yes, the sailor pleads: “Please, sir, stop that squawk. The parrot sounds powerful hungry.”
* If not, the sailor barks: “You there, swabby, fetch me food.”
# Slog
“Slog of grog” is your password guess. The cook hands you a mug of spiced wine and, as if an afterthought, a handful of pistachio [[/nuts|nuts]].
The path goes to the [[/brig|brig]] or to the [[/upper deck|upper deck]].
# Stern
The stern, for you land-lubbers, is the back of the ship. It has a squawking parrot at the moment. The path goes to the [[/upper deck|upper deck]].
# Swipe
Swipe is your last thought before passing out in pain. It has left you possibly needing a pirate’s eyepatch and waking on the [[/upper deck|upper deck]].
# Tricorn
The tricorn is a hat pinned up on the back and sides, making three corners. It has a skull and crossbones patch (matching the flag) and the word ‘captain’ etched inside.
The hat goes on the [[/barrel|pickle barrel]] to start and, now, on your head. You wear it well.
# Upper Deck
The upper deck, littered with ropes, sails, and other riggings, has a [[/barrel|pickle barrel]] beside the rope ladder up the [[/crow’s nest|crow’s nest]]. A bird squawks in the distance.
The path goes to the [[/lower deck|lower deck]] or the [[/hold|cargo hold]].
