*comment ñáéç *temp combat *set combat 0 *set combat +strength *if shapeshifting > 3 *set combat +4 *set combat +agility *if shapeshifting = 3 *set combat +2 *set combat +(fighting*1.5) *label opening *if presented_chicago *goto opening_1 *else "What do you know of O'Donnell's nest? Clyde and Violet are already taken care of." *if met_nicky "Well, I've met Nicky Chomps." "He belongs in a looney bin, if you ask me. What about Herbert?" *goto what_about_herbert *else "I just got to town, I don't know anyone." "Well, there's this fella calls himself Nicky Chomps. He likes his tommy-gun, and he likes using it for O'Donnell's benefit. I'm sure we could find him over in the 19th somewhere. What about Herbert?" *goto what_about_herbert *label what_about_herbert "No, I haven't met him." "That's a tall drink of water, right there. The strong, silent type, if you get what I mean. He come up outta Mississippi a while back. I can't quite figure him out." "Can he fight?" "I never heard of no one gettin into a scuffle with him. I'm not sure if that means yes or no, though." "That sounds... ominous." *goto opening_1 *label opening_1 "I suppose the next question is, who do we pursue first? Nicky or Herb? I don't suppose you have a preference?" It's really six of one, half a dozen of the other, right? Current Blood: ${blood} *temp current_location *choice #"I think we should deal with Herbert first." *set current_location "herbert" *goto night_check #"Nicky seems like the place to start." *set current_location "nicky" *goto night_check #"I really need to hunt." *set current_location "opening_2" *goto hunt *label hunt *if (combat <= 6) and (charm < 3) *if willpower <= 3 You are not up to the task. Only by unleashing the animal within are you able to subdue your prey, but that also means killing him. *set exposure +1 *set blood +10 *set compassion %+10 *set discretion %+5 *set wealth +10 *goto blood_check *else After an hour of stalking you prey, you are on the verge of losing control of yourself. Only your iron will manages to suppress the beast inside you. Desperate, turn to a stray cat nearby to assuage the hunger. *set blood +2 *goto blood_check *else This is not a problem. *set blood +4 *goto blood_check *label opening_2 Now that that's taken care of. Current Blood: ${blood} *choice #"I think we should deal with Herbert first." *goto herbert #"Nicky seems like the place to start." *goto nicky *label nicky *if herbert_coopted Phineas turns to Herbert, "do you know where we can find Nicky, Herb?" Herbert stops. "My name is Herbert." "So, Herb, do you know where we can find Nicky?" Almost before Phineas can finish the question, Herbert's elbow is crushing Phineas' windpipe. "I am not your Mami and I am certainly not your Uncle Tom. I am a vampire. And while you may still be so ignorant as to hold on to those human misconceptions, I have long since moved past them. I spent my life being a slave. I will not spend my unlife the same way." Phineas sputters around his crushed throat. Luckily, vampires don't breathe. Or have to worry about circulating blood to their brains. But it does prevent him from speaking, and is moreover clearly painful. While you could easily kill the wounded Herbert right now, he doesn't seem to be posing an existential threat to Phineas, so you decide to let the two of them work it out. Besides, it doesn't hurt to see Phineas taken down a notch or two. "I have a name. Use it." Herbert lets Phineas drop to the floor, where he crumples, hacking. You raise an eyebrow at Herbert, as if to say, "And this is going to be Chicago's new Quaestor?" But you leave that unsaid, and instead ask, "So, Herbert, do you know where we can find Nicky?" "I do. Follow me." You start work on tracking down Nicky. *page_break Surpisingly, it's in Lincoln Park. Close to the Majestic, but not too close. The place is nothing special, but it's definitely not a pit, either. There are at least two mortals--servants of some sort or another--who live in the building as well. Getting Nicky alone is not going to be easy. That said, to the best of your knowledge, he's still unaware that he has anything to worry about. Through careful planning, you manage to corner Nicky... *page_break *goto nicky_cornered *if clyde_coopted and (herbert_killed = false) "I think so too. We'll ask Clyde if he knows where Nicky's haven is." You head to Clyde's haven. *page_break Clyde is terrified to see 'Gabriel' again. Simple questions get simple answers, and the two of you are shortly on your way to Nicky's haven. Surpisingly, it's in Lincoln Park. Close to the Majestic, but not too close. The place is nothing special, but it's definitely not a pit, either. There are at least two mortals--servants of some sort or another--who live in the building as well. Getting Nicky alone is not going to be easy. That said, to the best of your knowledge, he's still unaware that he has anything to worry about. Through careful planning, you manage to corner Nicky... *page_break *goto nicky_cornered *else "I think so too. He's always at the Majestic Poolroom... we can wait for him there." The two of you head to the Majestic. On your way, you begin to formulate a plan to corner Nicky. Through careful planning, you manage to corner Nicky... *page_break *goto nicky_cornered *label nicky_cornered Nicky lowers the tommy-gun at you and Phineas. "Gimme one good reason why I oughtn't turn the two of yous to Swiss cheese right now, yous lily-livered basterds!" *if herbert_coopted He saves a special sneer for Herbert. "And yous. I never liked yous. I can' wait t' see O'Donnell pull out your fangs and make yous eat 'em." *goto nicky_cornered_2 *else *goto nicky_cornered_2 *label nicky_cornered_2 *choice #"Because then you'd get clobbered by Micky there behind you." Nevermind that there is no Micky, but a moment's distraction is all you need... Nicky turns ever so slightly, causing his gun to drift off-target. With that, you and Phineas pounce. *set blood -3 *if herbert_coopted = false *goto nicky_decision *else *goto herbert_kills_nicky #"Because O'Donnell is a threat to us all, and he needs to be taken down... and we need your help!" Nicky laughs slightly. "Yous'll get my help after you eat my lead!" *set blood -6 *goto nicky_decision *label night_check *if Blood > 15 *set blood 15 *goto night_check_2 *if Blood <= 15 *goto night_check_2 *label night_check_2 *set Blood -1 *if Blood <= 0 I'm out of blood. *page_break The hunger is too great... I cannot control it. *page_break I am covered with blood. There is a dead body before me... I don't recognize him. I am full, but now I must flee... *set Blood +10 *set Compassion %+10 *set Exposure +1 *set recent_misdeed 3 *set Wealth +10 *goto night_check *if Blood > 0 *set wealth +income *goto night_check_3 *label empty *goto opening_2 *label night_check_3 *if blood < 4 It should be noted that you are hungry... if you are forced to any sort of exertion, you could lose control of yourself. *gotoref current_location *else *gotoref current_location *label blood_check *if Blood > 15 *set blood 15 *gotoref current_location *if Blood <= 15 *gotoref current_location *label nicky_decision Blood covers the room. Phineas is crumpled in a corner, trying to heal himself. You have Nicky pinned to the ground, your knees on his right arm and chest, and are preparing to deliver the final blow, when you stop to reconsider. *choice #Offer him the chance to join you. "Nicky, this is your last chance. Join us, or die." "Yes! Yes! Jus' don' bump me off!" he screams. *page_break *set nicky_coopted true You stand, allowing Nicky to get up after you. You pick up his tommy gun, and then turn to check on Phineas. "I'll be alright, he didn't do any permanent damage." There's a loud snap and a short groan as Phineas sets a broken leg. "You sure about this, ${given_name}?" he says in the general direction of Nicky. "Sure I'm sure. Now that Nicky knows who's boss, he'll be on our side. Isn't that right, Nicky?" "Yeah, I gotcha," Nicky says, somewhat unconvincingly. *if herbert_killed *finish *if herbert_coopted *finish *else "I guess it's time to find Herbert," you note as you stand over Nicky's corpse. "I'd say you're right," replies Phineas. *goto herbert #He is too untrustworthy. Unfortunately, he must be put down. With a resigned sigh, you put an end to the unlife of Niccolo Ciampa. As his eyes turn dull, they look at you with disgust, as though saying, "at least you could have enjoyed killing me. Because I would have you." *set compassion %+5 *set nicky_killed true *if herbert_killed *finish *if herbert_coopted *finish *else "I guess it's time to find Herbert," you note as you stand over Nicky's corpse. "I'd say you're right," replies Phineas. *goto herbert #Put an end to him. Exquisitely. Licking your lips, you deliver the death blow: pushing the machete's blade centimeter-by-centimeter through the tendons and bones in Nicky's neck. In fact, you do it so carefully that not a single drop of blood reaches the floor. Not that an onlooker would have been able to tell, given the state of the rest of the room. *set compassion %+20 *set nicky_killed true *if herbert_killed *finish *if herbert_coopted *finish *else "I guess it's time to find Herbert," you note as you stand over Nicky's corpse. "I'd say you're right," replies Phineas. *goto herbert *label herbert_kills_nicky Blood covers the room. You have Nicky pinned to the ground, your knees on his right arm and chest, and are preparing to deliver the final blow, when you stop to reconsider. "Nicky, this is your last chance... join us, or die." "Yes, yes! I'll help you!" screams Nicky. You eye him with distrust, and take your eyes off him to seek out Phineas, wounded in the corner. Opening your mouth to ask, you are surprised by a thump. Returning your gaze to Nicky... what was Nicky... "He couldn't be trusted," Herbert says simply. In one hand, he's holding the bloody machete he'd taken from the incapacitated Phineas. In the other, Nicky's severed head. In that way particular to vampires, the bloody stump refuses to drip. As full of blood as the body of a vampire is, it rarely allows any of that precious fluid to escape. Almost as though the vampirism penetrates all the way to the cells themselves. You nod, stand, and head over to check on Phineas. *finish *label herbert *if nicky_coopted "You know where we're going, Nicky?" "Yeah, sures I know. Over to the South Side... that's where he lives when he ain't kissin the boss's keister." *page_break *goto herbert_cornered *if clyde_coopted and (nicky_killed = false) "I think so too. We'll ask Clyde if he knows where Nicky's haven is." *page_break Clyde is terrified to see 'Gabriel' again, even without the wings. He quickly points you in the direction of Herbert's digs. It's a place on east 37th, on the South Side. "How are we going to do this..." Phineas muses aloud. *goto herbert_cornered *else Phineas shrugs, "I know he spends some time at the Drake, checking on things for O'Donnell. Besides that, I don't know where we could find him." "To the Drake, then." *page_break *if perception < 4 You and Phineas find it impossible to track Herbert, as his powers of stealth are too strong for either of you to overcome. You separate one morning, close to dawn, dispirited. Phineas lays a hand on your arm, "let's take a day off. Maybe rested we'll be able to track him better. Meet me the evening after tomorrow at our spot on the corner across from the Drake." You nod in assent. *page_break "We'll get him today," Phineas says confidently when you approach. The two of you take up your surveillance points, and wait for Herbert to show himself. About an hour or so later, you see Phineas starting to move. Herbert must have appeared from the back door, which you can't see from your vantage point. You set off after Phineas, who begins to move almost like a sleepwalker down the street. *if perception > 0 *if intelligence > 2 He even seems to be humming...Beethoven?... as he goes. *set phineas_humming true *goto following_phineas *else He's even humming something to himself as he goes. *set phineas_humming true *goto following_phineas *else *goto following_phineas *else Herbert's talents at stealth are formidable, but you are able to pierce the mental haze he projects around himself. With determination, you and Phineas are able to locate his haven and prepare your ambush. *goto herbert_cornered *label following_phineas You see no sign of Herbert, but are able to follow Phineas easily enough. It is nearly dawn when the he stops short at an intersection of East 37th. He looks around, in a gesture like shaking himself awake, and when he sees you he moves towards you quickly. "That building, in the middle of the block. That's it," he whispers while gesturing as 'loudly' as he can with small nods of his head. "But, I havent't seen Herbert this whole time!" you exclaim. "What are you talking about? I was following him the whole way down State street... how could you miss him?" "There was no one, Phineas." "No, he was there, I tell you! Just, look..." at which point, the two of you turn and see Herbert stepping out on his front porch in his skivvies to fetch the morning newspaper, before turning in for the day. You try to suppress a laugh at the sight of an immensely powerful vampire dressed in his long underwear, and only the threat of your imminent demise at his hands manages to keep the mirth down. "I don't know how you followed him, Phineas, but I guess you did." "See! Here, meet me at that diner we passed a block back tomorrow evening. Now that we know where he lives, we can start planning for the assault." "Gotcha." You and Phineas hatch a plan to isolate Herbert... *page_break *goto herbert_cornered *label herbert_cornered *if nicky_coopted It is with sadistic glee that Nicky cocks his tommy-gun, aimed as it is at Herbert's head. "Hold that just a moment, Nicky," you order. Nicky snarls at you, without taking his eyes off of Herbert. *goto herbert_cornered_2 *else Phineas quickly lifts his machete to Herbert's neck. "Hold that just a moment, Phineas," you order. *goto herbert_cornered_2 *label herbert_cornered_2 *choice #"Herbert, we are going to take O'Donnell down. You can be apart of this, or you can die. It is that simple." "I would never betray the Quaestor." *set discretion %+5 *page_break *goto kill_herbert #"Herbert, O'Donnell is a blight upon this city. You know as well as we do that he cannot continue his rule..." *if nicky_coopted = false *if charm > 2 *goto persuade_herbert *if nicky_coopted = false *if charm = 2 *if ethnicity = "african" *goto persuade_herbert *if nicky_coopted Herbert glares at Nicky while you make your plea. He doesn't even seem to pay attention; instead he seems to be fantasizing about breaking Nicky's fingers, one by one. "Thank you, but I don't reckon I'll get another chance to wring his neck," gesturing in the direction of Nicky. *page_break *goto kill_herbert *else Herbert listens to your plea, but seems unmoved. "I respect your concerns, but it is not your place to question the Quaestor in this way." With a certain resignation, you move in for the kill. *page_break *goto kill_herbert #"Herbert, this is your only chance. If you agree to leave town now, we will let you live..." "I would never abandon the Quaestor." *set compassion %-5 *page_break *goto kill_herbert *label persuade_herbert You wax eloquent about the danger O'Donnell and his corruption pose to Chicago and its inhabitants, both mortal and immortal. Herbert listens patiently, seemingly struggling with some inner dilemma. Finally, he opens his mouth to speak. "I swore an oath to O'Donnell as Quaestor of this city. I reckon, however, that he has betrayed his office, which means that I am released from my oath." *set herbert_coopted true *if nicky_killed *finish *else *goto nicky *label kill_herbert The fight is brutal and short. Preparing to deliver the killing blow, you pause for a moment: *choice #Kill him. *set compassion %+20 *set herbert_killed true *if nicky_killed *finish *if nicky_coopted *finish *else *page_break "Nicky's next." "I hear he hangs out at the Majestic." "Let's go." You take a moment to wipe the blood from your fangs before leaving. *page_break It takes a few days, but you are able to locate Nicky's haven in Lincoln Park. You and Phineas set down to start planning. *page_break *goto nicky_cornered #Offer him one last chance. *set compassion %+10 "Herbert, give up! You have lost!" "What do I have, if I do not have my word?" he asks. The only answer you have for him is the sound of Phineas' machete hacking at Herbert's neck. *set herbert_killed true *if nicky_killed *finish *if nicky_coopted *finish *else *page_break "Nicky's next." "I hear he hangs out at the Majestic." "Let's go." You take a moment to wipe the blood from your fangs before leaving. *page_break It takes a few days, but you are able to locate Nicky's haven in Lincoln Park. You and Phineas set down to start planning. *page_break *goto nicky_cornered