```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<game>
  <title>Path to Freedom</title>
  <slug>path-to-freedom</slug>
  <short-desc>A gripping text RPG. Escape a Civil War plantation, manage stats, make choices, and fight for your freedom. Will you survive the perilous journey North?</short-desc>
  <categories>
    <category>RPG</category>
    <category>Adventure</category>
    <category>Historical</category>
  </categories>
  <keywords>text RPG, historical game, Civil War, freedom, adventure, interactive fiction, choice-based game, survival, narrative game, escape game</keywords>
  <content>
# About Path to Freedom

Path to Freedom is an immersive text-based role-playing game set during the tumultuous American Civil War. You take on the role of an enslaved individual determined to escape a cruel plantation and journey north towards freedom. The game is driven by a compelling narrative where your choices shape your destiny.

Every decision you make carries weight, influencing your core stats: "Resolve" (your willpower to continue), "Suspicion" (the likelihood of being detected), and "Days" (the time elapsed on your perilous journey). You'll navigate through challenging scenarios, gather scarce supplies, and face constant dangers, from patrols to the harsh wilderness itself.

The game aims to provide an atmospheric and thought-provoking experience, highlighting the bravery and resilience required to seek liberty against overwhelming odds. Your choices will lead to one of several possible endings, reflecting the success or failure of your escape attempt.

## How to Play

Playing Path to Freedom is straightforward:

1.  **Begin Your Journey**: Start the game by clicking the "Begin the Journey" button.
2.  **Read the Story**: The current situation and narrative will be displayed in the main story area. Read carefully to understand your circumstances.
3.  **Make Choices**: Below the story, you'll find buttons representing your available actions or dialogue options. Click the choice you wish to make.
4.  **Monitor Your Status**: Keep an eye on your "Resolve," "Suspicion," and "Days" displayed at the top. These stats change based on your choices and events.
    *   **Resolve**: Represents your mental fortitude. If it drops too low, you might lose hope.
    *   **Suspicion**: Indicates how much attention you've drawn. High suspicion increases the risk of capture.
    *   **Days**: Tracks the time you've spent on your escape.
5.  **Check Notifications**: Messages will occasionally appear in the notification area, providing feedback on the immediate consequences of your actions or alerting you to new developments.
6.  **Manage Supplies**: You may find or acquire items ("supplies") like food, water, or special tools. These can be crucial for survival or offer unique options in certain situations.
7.  **Reach Your Goal**: Your objective is to navigate the challenges and successfully reach freedom in the North. Be aware that some choices can lead to capture or despair, ending your journey prematurely.

## Features

- **Engaging Historical Narrative**: Immerse yourself in a poignant story of courage, escape, and the fight for freedom set during the American Civil War.
- **Choice-Driven Gameplay**: Your decisions directly shape the branching storyline, affect your character's vital statistics (Resolve, Suspicion, Days), and determine the ultimate outcome of your journey.
- **Dynamic Stat Management**: Strategically manage your Resolve to maintain hope and keep Suspicion low to evade capture, all while tracking the passing Days.
- **Resource Gathering & Inventory**: Find and utilize critical supplies such as food, a water skin, or unique items like Old Man Hemlock's root, each potentially offering a lifeline or a strategic advantage.
- **Multiple Endings**: The path to freedom is uncertain. Your choices and circumstances can lead to various conclusions, including reaching freedom, succumbing to despair, or being recaptured.
- **Atmospheric Interface**: A thematic design with period-appropriate styling enhances the immersive experience of this historical text adventure.

## Controls

The game is controlled entirely through mouse clicks or screen taps:

- **Start Game**: Click the "Begin the Journey" button on the initial screen.
- **Make Choices**: Click on one of the available action buttons presented below the story text to proceed.

## Tips & Strategies

- **Balance Resolve and Suspicion**: Maintaining high Resolve is crucial for persevering. However, some actions that boost Resolve might also increase Suspicion. Find a balance. Actions like resting or finding food can help Resolve.
- **Preparation vs. Speed**: Early choices about gathering supplies versus leaving immediately set a different tone for your journey. Supplies are helpful but gathering them can increase initial suspicion.
- **Utilize Special Items**: Don't forget about items you've collected, like "Old Man Hemlock's root." It can offer a unique way out of a dangerous situation, such as a patrol encounter.
- **Read Carefully**: The narrative text often contains subtle clues about potential dangers or the wisest course of action. Pay attention to descriptions of your surroundings and NPC interactions.
- **Learn from Failure**: If your journey ends in capture or despair, don't be discouraged. Use the "Try Again" option to restart, applying the lessons learned from your previous attempt to make different choices.
  </content>
  <faq>
    <question>How do I save my progress in the game?</question>
    <answer>This game is session-based. Progress is not saved if you close or refresh the browser tab. Each playthrough is a new journey from the beginning.</answer>
    
    <question>Can I play this game on mobile devices?</question>
    <answer>Yes, this game is designed with responsive web design and is fully compatible with most modern mobile browsers.</answer>
    
    <question>Is this game free to play?</question>
    <answer>Yes, Path to Freedom is completely free to play in your web browser.</answer>
  </faq>
  <specifications>
    <multiplayer>false</multiplayer>
  </specifications>
</game>
```

Can you make it to freedom? Understand what it took to become an American Freeman before the Emancipation Proclamation. Will you make it to freedom or die trying?