Choose Your Own Adventure: Secrets of the Sun Temple
Welcome to Machu Picchu, where ancient mysteries await…
Page 1: The Gateway of the Sun
You stand at the Sun Gate, the first glimpse of Machu Picchu sprawled below. Mist clings to the terraces, and the morning sun crowns the Temple of the Three Windows. A tour group gathers nearby, while a weathered path veers into the forest.
What do you do?
- Join the tour group. Turn to Page 2.
- Explore the hidden path. Turn to Page 3.
Page 2: The Guide’s Tale
The guide, Mateo, shares legends of Pachacuti, the Inca emperor who built this city. As you descend, you overhear two hikers whisper about a “key” hidden in the Temple of the Condor.
What do you do?
- Stay with the group. Turn to Page 4.
- Sneak off to the Temple of the Condor. Turn to Page 5.
Page 3: The Forgotten Staircase
The path leads to a crumbling staircase. At the bottom, a moss-covered stone door bears a carving of Inti, the sun god. A slot in the door fits a disc-shaped object.
What do you do?
- Search for the disc nearby. Turn to Page 6.
- Return to the main trail. Turn to Page 1.
Page 4: The Tourist’s Path
You enjoy panoramic views but feel unfulfilled. At sunset, the group departs. As you leave, a shadow darts across the ruins. Was it a llama… or something else?
The End. (Neutral: Curiosity Unsated)
Page 5: The Condor’s Secret
Inside the temple, a stone condor statue gazes upward. Its talon clutches a golden disc. Suddenly, footsteps echo—Mateo appears, warning, “That’s not meant to be taken!”
What do you do?
- Take the disc and run. Turn to Page 7.
- Ask Mateo for the truth. Turn to Page 8.
Page 6: The Disc of Inti
Digging under ferns, you unearth a bronze disc. Inserting it into the door, it creaks open, revealing a tunnel. Torches flicker to life, illuminating glyphs.
What do you do?
- Enter the tunnel. Turn to Page 9.
- Fetch Mateo for help. Turn to Page 8.
Page 7: The Curse Unleashed
As you grab the disc, the temple trembles. Mist swallows Machu Picchu, and spectral warriors surround you. The last thing you hear is Mateo’s voice: “The past demands respect…”
The End. (Bad: Guardian’s Wrath)
Page 8: The Keeper’s Wisdom
Mateo reveals his family has guarded these secrets for generations. He leads you to a chamber where sunlight strikes a crystal, projecting a map to Vilcabamba, the Inca’s last city.
The End. (Good: Historian’s Triumph)
Page 9: The Chamber of Echoes
The tunnel ends in a circular room. A shaft of light hits a pedestal at noon. Placing the disc there, walls shift to reveal gold tablets inscribed with lost Inca poetry.
What do you do?
- Take a tablet as proof. Turn to Page 7.
- Leave them undisturbed. Turn to Page 10.
Page 10: The Silent Oath
You vow to protect the secret. Exiting, the door seals forever. Years later, your anonymous donation funds preservation efforts, honoring Machu Picchu’s legacy.
The End. (Good: Guardian’s Blessing)
Epilogue
Your choices shaped the fate of Machu Picchu. Will you return to uncover more secrets, or let history sleep? The mountains whisper… Always.
The End.
