Editing Riven (section)

==Plot==
''Riven''{{'}}s story continues where ''[[Myst]]'' and its companion novel, ''[[Myst: The Book of Atrus]]'', left off. The player assumes the role of the [[Characters of Myst#The Stranger|Stranger]], the protagonist of the first game and friend of [[Characters of Myst#Atrus|Atrus]]. Atrus is the creator of "linking books" that serve as [[Portals in fiction|portals]] to other worlds, known as "Ages"; the ability to write these books is known as the "Art".<ref name="washingtonpost-plot">{{cite news|author=Streitfeld, David|date=1997-11-01|title=Another Myst Opportunity; With Riven, Fans Can Click On, and On, and On|publisher=[[The Washington Post]]|page=C1}}</ref> Atrus needs the Stranger's help to free his wife, [[Characters of Myst#Catherine|Catherine]], who is held hostage on the slowly collapsing Age of Riven. Her captor is [[Characters of Myst#Gehn|Gehn]], Atrus' manipulative father and self-appointed ruler of Riven. Gehn is himself trapped on Riven, as Atrus and Catherine had previously removed all linking books from the Age; the very last book to be removed, linking to the [[Ages of Myst#Myst Island|Age of Myst]], was the one they held to escape Riven. In the misbelief that it would be destroyed, they let the book fall into the Star Fissure, a rift leading out of the damaged Age of Riven into a mysterious, [[Wormholes in fiction|spacelike void]]. Catherine was later tricked into returning to Riven by her sons, whereupon she was taken hostage by Gehn. Eventually, the Stranger discovered the unharmed Myst book, sparking the events of ''Myst'' and, some time later, ''Riven''.<ref name="washingtonpost-plot"/>

At the beginning of ''Riven'', Atrus equips the Stranger with a trap book—a snare that functions as a one-man prison, yet looks identical to a linking book—and his personal diary. This diary summarizes the history of events leading to the Stranger's present situation; Atrus cannot explain in depth, as he is engaged in rewriting the descriptive book of Riven, in an attempt to slow its deterioration. The Stranger must enter the Age with no way of leaving, as they cannot risk sending a real linking book to Riven until Gehn is safely imprisoned, in case he should seize the book and use it to escape his confinement.<ref name="gamespot preview">{{cite web|author=Muldoon, Moira|date=1997-10-31|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/riven/|title=Featured Preview: Riven|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=2008-05-25}}</ref> Instructing the Stranger to capture Gehn in the trap book, find Catherine, and then signal him, Atrus holds out the link book that will transport the Stranger to Riven.

Once there, the Stranger explores the islands of Riven, eventually finding Catherine's prison. The Stranger also travels to the Age of the Moiety, rebellious inhabitants of Riven who, under the leadership of Catherine, are attempting to overthrow Gehn's rule. Because of the decay of Riven's structure, the only way to clearly signal Atrus is to bring about a massive disturbance in the Age's stability—accomplished by reopening the Star Fissure, which Gehn had closed. When it opens, Atrus immediately links to Riven to investigate, and meets the Stranger at the brink of the Fissure. Depending on the player's actions, the ending to ''Riven'' [[alternate ending|varies]]. In the [[canon (fiction)|canon]] ending, the Stranger tricks Gehn into the prison book and releases Catherine. Atrus and Catherine thank the Stranger, before linking back to the Age of Myst. The Stranger then falls into the Star Fissure, to be taken on the path back to his world. Different player actions can result in the Stranger's entrapment in the prison book, or even his [[Game over|death]].