Welcome to The Reader's Will

The Reader's Will is a unique interactive WebNovel where the protagonist, Ren Ashford, is influenced by the collective choices of the readers. In this story, your decisions do more than just guide Ren's actions—they shape his personality, his relationships, and the world around him. This Auxiliary Volume explains how the WebNovel functions, including the release schedule, the voting process, and how your choices impact the story.

How It Works:

Release Schedule:

Every day, two chapters will be released at 12:00 PM (local time).

- Chapter 1: The first chapter of the day will reveal the outcome of the choice made by the readers in the previous day's voting. This chapter will show how Ren's decision unfolds, including the immediate consequences and any longer-term effects that begin to take shape.

- Chapter 2: The second chapter will continue the story, leading to a point where a new choice must be made. At the end of this chapter, readers will be presented with a new decision for Ren.

Voting Process:

After the second chapter is released, readers will have until the following day (just before the next 12:00 PM) to vote for their preferred choice in the comments section. The most popular choice will determine the outcome for the next day's first chapter.Readers can vote by simply commenting with the option number (e.g., "Choice 1") or by providing a more detailed response explaining why they chose a particular option.

Impact of Choices:

Every decision Ren makes has consequences that affect the story in various ways. These choices can be categorized into three main types:

- Immediate Outcomes:

These are the direct and immediate results of a choice. For example, if Ren decides to attack a bandit, the outcome might involve a fight where he gains a new weapon or suffers an injury. These consequences unfold in the following chapter.

- Character Development:

Ren's personality will evolve based on the types of choices made throughout the story. For example, making compassionate choices will increase his empathy, while ruthless decisions will make him more cynical. These changes will affect how Ren interacts with other characters, how they perceive him, and may unlock unique dialogue options or actions in future chapters.

- Long-Term Effects and Story Paths:

Some choices may have repercussions that do not become evident until several chapters later. These may include alliances formed, enmities created, or plotlines unlocked that only occur if certain conditions are met (e.g., possessing a particular artifact or having a high enough morality score).The story is designed to branch in various ways, depending on the accumulated choices. Readers will experience different events, plotlines, and even alternate endings based on the choices made throughout the novel.

Voting Mechanics:

At the end of the second chapter of each day, the story will present readers with a decision point. These choices usually range from two to four options. Each choice represents a different direction Ren can take, influencing not only the immediate events but also his character traits and the unfolding of the larger plot. Below is an overview of the types of choices and how they shape the narrative:

- Morality Choices:These choices affect Ren's sense of right and wrong. For example, choosing to help someone in need versus exploiting them for personal gain will shift his morality. The cumulative effect of these choices will determine whether Ren is seen as a hero, a villain, or a morally ambiguous figure by other characters.

- Personality and Trait Choices:Ren's personality traits, such as honor, curiosity, or empathy, are influenced by reader choices. These traits affect Ren's behavior and may change how the world reacts to him. For example, if Ren consistently chooses options that display curiosity, he may gain a reputation as a seeker of knowledge, opening up new paths in the story involving ancient magic or hidden lore.

- Plot and Story Path Choices:Some choices will lead to branching paths that can drastically alter the course of the story. For instance, deciding to join a powerful faction or opposing them could unlock unique quests, characters, and even entire regions to explore.

The Mechanics of Ren's Evolution

As readers make choices for Ren, his character will evolve based on the decisions made. These changes are tracked using a system of hidden "trait points" that accumulate in various categories. Here's how these categories work:

- Morality (Good vs. Ruthless):

Good: Ren gains points toward a "Good" alignment by acting with kindness, showing mercy, and helping others. This will make him more empathetic and may earn him allies among certain groups, like the Verdant Guardians.

Ruthless: Ruthless actions, such as sacrificing others for personal gain or showing little regard for human life, will push Ren toward a darker alignment. This could grant him access to forbidden magic or favor with dark factions like the Dusk Covenant.

- Honor (Noble vs. Pragmatic):

Noble: Upholding values like honor and integrity will make Ren a more principled character. This might give him an advantage when dealing with honorable warriors or lead him to reject certain dubious quests.

Pragmatic: A pragmatic Ren will do whatever it takes to survive and achieve his goals, even if it means bending or breaking the rules. This path might unlock unconventional tactics or secretive alliances.

- Curiosity (Knowledge-Seeking vs. Cautious):

Knowledge-Seeking: If Ren is frequently driven by curiosity, he may unlock unique knowledge-based abilities or gain access to hidden lore and ancient secrets. However, some forbidden knowledge comes with a price.

Cautious: A more cautious approach will keep Ren from delving into risky situations, potentially avoiding harmful consequences. However, this may also limit his exposure to powerful knowledge and artifacts.

- Empathy (Compassionate vs. Detached):

Compassionate: Showing empathy towards others will strengthen Ren's relationships and open up opportunities for deeper bonds with key characters. This may also grant him benefits in social interactions.

Detached: Detachment from others might make Ren more focused on his own goals, providing bonuses in combat or magic but leading to fewer emotional connections.

Example of Choice Impact:

Scenario:

Ren encounters a wounded traveler on the road. The choice options might be:

1. Help the traveler and tend to their wounds.

Impact: Increases Ren's empathy and morality, potentially leading to a new ally or information from the grateful traveler.

2.Steal the traveler's belongings while they are vulnerable.

Impact: Increases Ren's ruthless traits, potentially providing a valuable item or gold, but lowering his reputation in certain areas.

3. Ignore the traveler and continue on his path.

Impact: No immediate gain or loss, but Ren remains neutral. This choice could lead to an encounter with the traveler later, depending on his past choices.

The decision readers make will not only affect the immediate chapter following it but may also echo throughout the story, influencing future events and character interactions.

Endings and the Readers' Influence

The Reader's Will is designed to have multiple endings that depend on the accumulated choices made throughout the story. These endings will reflect Ren's final state as a character—whether he ends as a celebrated hero, a feared dark mage, a cunning rogue, or even something entirely different. The paths taken and the personality traits developed will lead to one of several unique conclusions.

Special Events and Hidden Choices

Occasionally, special events or hidden choices will be triggered based on prior decisions or certain character traits. For example, if Ren has developed a high level of curiosity, a mysterious figure might approach him with an opportunity that is not available in other playthroughs. Similarly, past decisions may come back to haunt (or help) Ren, adding layers of depth and replayability to the story.

Interactivity Guidelines:

- Comment Etiquette: While voting for choices, readers are encouraged to discuss their reasoning in the comments and share their perspectives. This can make for a lively community and help guide other readers.

- Spoilers: Try to avoid posting spoilers for those who may be behind on chapters. Use spoiler tags or give warnings if discussing recent events.

- Suggestions: Occasionally, reader suggestions for future choices or story elements may be considered by the author for upcoming chapters.

Conclusion

The Reader's Will is an ongoing story where your voice shapes the fate of Ren Ashford. Each day brings new chapters, new choices, and new consequences. Your decisions will not only determine the course of the story but will mold Ren into the character you, the readers, collectively create. Thank you for joining this journey and being a part of Ren's evolving tale. Let your will be done.