*set just_embraced true *temp brother "brother" *temp sire_address "empty" *temp suitor "suitor" *temp random_bump false *temp priest_mentor "priest" *temp slave false *temp son "son" On the morning of January 8th, 1815, you and your maker stood and observed a small portion of the Battle of New Orleans. Though the treaty concluding the War of 1812 had already been signed by both parties, news that the war was over had not yet reached Andrew Jackson, commander of the American forces, or Edward Pakenham, of the British. When a stray cannonball damaged the croft that sheltered you, the chimney and roof collapsed, pinning you beneath them. Fearing the loss of your services–and perhaps betraying a hint of affection—your maker gave you the gift of immortality. Carrying your limp form in to the cellar, the two of you waited out the day. *page_break The Battle of New Orleans *set vampire true Your maker was a vampire of some esteem in the Society—the body politic of vampirekind. His name was… *choice #Guillaume de Sainte-Chapelle, a French aristocrat seeking an end to his ennui here at the edge of the civilized world. *set intelligence +1 *set sire_name "Guillaume de Sainte-Chapelle" *set sire_address "M. de Sainte-Chapelle" *set sire_surname "Sainte-Chapelle" Brought up in a world with few consequences, he demonstrated little use for rules and laws. *goto gender #Padre Carlos, a Catalan missionary, here to convert the heathens and root out heresy. *set met_carlos true *set heard_of_carlos true *set perception +1 *set sire_name "Padre Carlos" *set sire_address "Padre Carlos" *set sire_surname "Padre Carlos" *set rationalism %+10 He spent many years as a mortal traveling the Caribbean, seeking to convert the heathens to Christianity through the power of his own faith. *goto gender #Fernando de Villanueva e Itamaraca, a Castilian pirate, well-known for his friendship with the notorious Jean Lafitte. *set fighting +1 *set heard_of_villanueva true *set sire_name "Fernando de Villanueva e Itamaraca" *set sire_address "Sr. de Villanueva" *set sire_surname "Villanueva" Leading a ship of pirates into infamy, he had made a name for himself throughout the region. Unfortunately for those in his way, he was not motivated by greed, but rather an unholy sort of bloodlust; he spent much of his life honing his skills with sword and musket. *goto gender #Wallace Winters, an English criminal who somehow managed to flee the Tower of London and make his way to the New World. *set sire_religious_tradition "reformed" *set streetwise +1 *set sire_name "Wallace Winters" *set sire_address "Mr. Winters" *set sire_surname "Winters" To describe the man as a vagabond would be to pay him too much of a compliment. An ignoble scoundrel might be a better way to describe one who perpetrated crimes such as his. *goto gender *label gender He was, however, unfailingly polite when first you met. After introducing himself, you… *choice #…bowed in greeting. *goto profession #…curtsied in greeting. *set brother "sister" *set male false *set he "she" *set him "her" *set his "her" *set es_suh "assum" *set sir "ma'am" *set massa "mam'selle" *set bow "curtsy" *set son "daughter" *goto profession *label profession *set sire_rapport %-5 *set wealth +40000 *set income +5 *set suitor "patron" Upon arriving in New Orleans, ${new_orleans_quaestor_surname} discovered that he was in need of some assistance. *if sire_name = "Padre Carlos" Accustomed as he was to the arduous task of torturing native peoples until they converted to the One True Church, he found himself discomfited by the den of vicious iniquity that was New Orleans. *goto why *if sire_name = "Guillaume de Sainte-Chapelle" The simple ability to move through the city of New Orleans unimpeded was of great importance to him. You found yourself running here and there, accomplishing things on his behalf, always one task away from being discharged from his service. *goto why *if sire_name = "Fernando de Villanueva e Itamaraca" This pirate found himself strangely at odds with the modern world. Having spent the past few decades in the bayous of Barataria and sailing the Spanish Main, he felt himself somewhat at a loss when navigating the modern markets of New Orleans. *goto why *else You were never certain why he needed you of all people to do those tasks which he asked of you. At first, they were only little things, favors for which you were well recompensed. In time, however, the favors became more inconvenient, yet you could never bring yourself to tell him no. *goto why *label why Of course, your life before this prepared you well for these duties. This was because you were… *choice #…a [i]gens de couleur libres[/i], one of those mixed-race freepersons of New Orleans, able to move between the American, French, Spanish, black, and slave populations with relative ease. *set willpower +1 *set literate true *set intelligence +1 *set charm +1 *set independence %-10 *set speaks_french true *set wealth +25000 *set ethnicity "african" And your name? *gosub african_given_name *if male *set mr "M." *goto sires_religion *else *set mr "Mlle." *goto sires_religion #…a warrior through and through, animated by your German soul to smash the enemies of your patron. *set fighting +1 *set strength +1 *set agility +1 *set willpower +1 *set speaks_german true *set rationalism %-5 *set discretion %+5 *set wealth +25000 *set ethnicity "german" And your name? *gosub german_given_name *if male Your father fought on behalf of the British during the American Revolution. He came over from Hesse, but decided to stay when the war ended. When the British and the Union came to blows in 1812, you signed up for glory, seeking to follow in your father's footsteps. Your Company was sent from your home state of Pennsylvania to New Orleans to bolster its defenses. *set mr "Herr" *goto sires_religion *else Of course. Your family settled on the German Coast of the Mississippi some years ago, a German settlement upriver of New Orleans. Your father, a warrior from the crown of his head to the tip of his toes, was sorely disappointed to have only girls. As you were the strongest of the lot, he decided to raise you as though you were a son. He taught you to march and to fight, and even how to disguise yourself as a man so that you could go on short campaigns against the Native Americans or the Spanish. *set mr "Fräulein" *goto sires_religion #Years of labor, during which my back was kissed by the sun and the foreman's whip, have hardened my body and spirit. As a slave, my world has been limited, but my imagination worked tirelessly to fill in the spaces. You spent your days working in the sugar-fields, and the nights singing the half-remembered songs of your ancestors. Your patron chose you for your strength, both physical and spiritual. *set charm +1 *set strength +1 *set willpower +1 *set creation +1 *set streetwise +1 *set sire_rapport %+10 *set speaks_french true *set slave true *set wealth +2500 *set ethnicity "african" And your name? *gosub african_given_name *if male *set mr "M." *goto sires_religion *else *set mr "Mlle." *goto sires_religion *if male #…a Southerner, raised to expect a life wherein you could leisurely practice the law. *set charm +1 *set intelligence +1 *set speaks_french true *set speaks_english true *set speaks_latin true *set literate true *set religious_tradition "reformed" *set priest_mentor "minister" *set wealth +2500 *set rationalism %-10 *set ethnicity "southern" And your name? *gosub southern_given_name *set mr "Mr." That world of leisure was not enough, and you decided to leave your Georgian bower and head for the frontier. Here, a man of your talents could draw the attention of mysterious patrons like ${sire_name}, and draw his attention you did: he soon hired you to represent his interests. Of course, having to learn the [i]Code Napoléon[/i] upon your arrival in the Territory of Orleans was not easy, but your facility with languages had made you a sought-after man in legal matters. Unfortunately, a recent gamble wiped out your savings, and your sudden destitution made your patron's offer of employment that much more palatable. *goto sires_religion *if male = false #…a Southerner, fluent in the customs of New Orleans's current and previous owners; you can interface on your patron's behalf with ease. *set charm +1 *set intelligence +1 *set speaks_french true *set speaks_english true *set religious_tradition "reformed" *set priest_mentor "minister" *set wealth +25000 *set literate true *set rationalism %-10 *set ethnicity "southern" And your name? *gosub southern_given_name *set mr "Mlle." You were bored with life on the plantation, and when the United States purchased Louisiana, you were inundated with stories of opportunity there, where the races and sexes mixed more or less equally. Repudiating your family, you stole away to this melting pot in the hope of something more than your familial circumstances offered. *goto sires_religion *if male #…a Yankee entrepreneur, driven to escape the land of your forebears by the strictures of their Puritanical society. You made the most of the opportunities the War offered your patron. *set charm +1 *set finance +1 *set intelligence +1 *set willpower +1 *set technology +1 *set speaks_english true *set religious_tradition "reformed" *set priest_mentor "minister" *set wealth +2500 *set independence %-15 *set discretion %+10 *set ethnicity "yankee" And your name? *gosub yankee_given_name Unfortunately, the locals have not taken kindly to your aggressive personality and uncultured ways. *set mr "Mr." *goto sires_religion *label sires_religion *if sire_name = "Guillaume de Sainte-Chapelle" When M. de Sainte-Chapelle revealed his atheism to you, you… *choice #…recoiled in horror. *set rationalism %+30 *goto trait #…were disappointed, but not overly so. *set rationalism %-10 *goto trait #…agreed with him whole-heartedly. *set rationalism %-50 *goto trait *elseif sire_name = "Padre Carlos" As you became further acquainted with Padre Carlos, you discovered the depths of his devotion to the Holy Mother Church. Confronted with this fact, you… *choice #…were grateful that such a paragon of piety had chosen you. *set rationalism %+30 *goto trait #…were a little disquieted at his fervor. *set rationalism %-10 *goto trait #…were repulsed by his superstitious mummery. *set rationalism %-50 *goto trait *elseif sire_name = "Fernando de Villanueva e Itamaraca" When Villanueva cursed God for abandoning him, he also made his ongoing belief in that same God clear. *choice #You were horrified by these blasphemies. *set rationalism %+30 *goto trait #You found the degree of his fury surprising. *set rationalism %-10 *goto trait #You were disappointed that he was still trapped by his belief. *set rationalism %-40 *goto trait *else As you familiarized yourself with Winters, you learned of his indifference to the Church and all its trappings. You… *choice #…were horrified by his indifference to the state of his immortal soul. *set rationalism %+30 *goto trait #…disagreed with his casual indifference to faith. *set rationalism %+10 *goto trait #…were more or less in agreement with his skepticism about religion. *set rationalism %-20 *goto trait *label trait *temp rand_trait *rand rand_trait 1 5 *temp rand_skill *rand rand_skill 1 10 In your youth, you were considered remarkable for an innate quality which you possessed. What was it? *choice *if agility < 3 #My unfailing sense of balance. *set agility +1 *goto skill *if charm < 3 #My winning personality. *set charm +1 *goto skill *if intelligence < 3 #My acute mind. *set intelligence +1 *goto skill *if strength < 3 #My great strength. *set strength +1 *goto skill *if willpower < 3 #My unfailing stubbornness. *set willpower +1 *goto skill *label skill *temp refinement *rand refinement 1 11 You also had some small amount of free time as an adolescent. How did you spend that time? *choice #Engaging in artistic or musical pursuits. *set creation +1 *set anachronism %+10 *goto random_trait #Training in the arts of war. *set fighting +1 *goto random_trait *if literate #Studying whatever books were available to me. *set lore +1 *set anachronism %-10 *goto random_trait *if literate = false #Learning to read and write. *set literate true *set anachronism %+10 *goto random_trait *if speaks_english = false #Learning the language of this nascent nation. *set speaks_english true *set anachronism %+10 *goto random_trait #Attempting to divine the intentions of others. *set perception +1 *goto random_trait #Stalking prey in the wilderness. *set stealth +1 *goto random_trait #Learning how to smuggle goods past the Customs House. *set streetwise +1 *set anachronism %+10 *set compassion %+10 *set discretion %-10 *goto random_trait *selectable_if (rationalism < 80) #Repairing watches. *set technology +1 *set rationalism %-10 *goto random_trait *label random_trait *if rand_trait = 1 *if agility > 2 *set rand_trait +1 *goto random_trait *else But that was not all. You were always a fan of climbing trees. And it showed. *set agility +1 *goto random_skill *elseif rand_trait = 2 *if charm > 2 *set rand_trait +1 *goto random_trait *else *set charm +1 But that was not all. You were well-trained by your mother, who insisted that you observe social formalities. Your bloodied knuckles reflected these lessons. *goto random_skill *elseif rand_trait = 3 *if intelligence > 2 *set rand_trait +1 *goto random_trait *else *set intelligence +1 But that was not all. You were fortunate enough to have a neighbor who enjoyed playing chess. He encouraged you to think clearly and logically about the problems before you. *goto random_skill *elseif rand_trait = 4 *if strength > 2 *set rand_trait +1 *goto random_trait *else *set strength +1 But that was not all. Your body responded particularly well to physical exertion, growing fit almost without effort on your part. *goto random_skill *else *if willpower > 2 *set rand_trait 1 *goto random_trait *else *set willpower +1 *set discretion %+20 But that was not all. You were famed throughout your community for your stubbornness. No one—no matter how hard they tried—could bend you to their will. *goto random_skill *label random_skill *if random_bump *goto depart_croft *if rand_skill = 1 *if creation > 1 *set rand_skill +1 *goto random_skill *else *set creation +1 *set random_bump true You were also fortunate enough to find some time to practice a musical instrument, on those rare occasions when you had some solitude. *goto depart_croft *elseif rand_skill = 2 *if fighting > 1 *set rand_skill +1 *set random_bump true You were also fortunate enough to have several brothers, who insisted that you learn to defend yourself. *goto random_skill *else *set fighting +1 *goto depart_croft *elseif rand_skill = 1 *if (lore > 1) or (literate = false) *set rand_skill +1 *set random_bump true *goto random_skill *else *set lore +1 You were also fortunate enough to have access to a small library, where you could read some of the works of the ancients. *goto depart_croft *elseif rand_skill = 4 *if literate *set rand_skill +1 *set random_bump true *goto random_skill *else *set literate true You were also fortunate enough to merit instruction in your letters by the local ${priest_mentor}. *goto depart_croft *elseif rand_skill = 5 *if speaks_english *set rand_skill +1 *set random_bump true *goto random_skill *else *set speaks_english true You were also fortunate enough to have been exposed to English from a young age; though not your native language, you can now speak it fluently. *goto depart_croft *elseif rand_skill = 6 *if perception > 1 *set rand_skill +1 *goto random_skill *else *set perception +1 *set random_bump true Your mother spent many hours debating the motives of the local merchants with her friends; you listened and learned how to judge the deeds of others. *goto depart_croft *elseif rand_skill = 9 *if stealth > 1 *set rand_skill +1 *goto random_skill *else *set stealth +1 *set random_bump true You were also fortunate enough to be taken hunting on occasion, where you learned how to stalk prey without being seen. *goto depart_croft *else *if (streetwise > 1) or (charm < 2) *set rand_skill 1 *goto random_skill *elseif slave *set streetwise +1 *set random_bump true You also spent time with the plantation traders, those individuals who moved products between the slaves of the different plantations and the world outside. *goto depart_croft *else *set streetwise +1 *set random_bump true You also spent time with the seedier side of the community, learning about those parts of society your family pretended did not exist. *goto depart_croft *label depart_croft Such was your life before that moment, when your maker fed you his blood and welcomed you to eternity. When you had drunk your fill, he took you into a cellar beneath the croft, and instructed you to rest beside him for the day, away from the sunlight. Soon, your maker lay beside you in something akin to sleep, and you found yourself suffering through the death of your body. You felt your heartbeat still, your breathing become unnecessary, and your bowels shrivel. Thankfully, any screams you may or may not have issued were well-concealed by the conflict above. *page_break When night fell, you were hungry. Hungrier than you had ever been before. But it was not a hunger for food, from the stomach. It was a hunger in your soul. A hunger to consume life itself. It did not take much to find a deserting Redcoat, bleeding from his wounds and thinking that he had escaped the crushing defeat of the battle with his life. Little did he realize that there were worse deaths than the grinding of armies against one another. *choice #But I resisted! I did not want to kill the poor soldier! *set discretion %-30 *set compassion %-30 *set sire_rapport %-20 You were hesitant, fearful. ${sire_name} cornered the soldier and commanded you to bring him down. The already weakened soldier offered little in the way of resistance. You sipped at his blood, daintily, much to the annoyance of your maker. *goto washington_ball #At first I resisted, but once I tasted his blood, I gave in to the hunger. *set discretion %-10 *set compassion %-10 You were hesitant, fearful. ${sire_name} cornered the soldier and commanded you to bring him down. The already weakened soldier offered little in the way of resistance. When you tasted his blood, you knew with certainty what you now were. And though you drank deeply, when you realized what you had done, you recoiled in horror. It was left to your maker to finish the matter. *goto washington_ball #I was born for this; the moment my maker set me loose, I became a predator. *set discretion %+10 *set compassion %+10 You reveled in the taste of the soldier's blood, drinking until ${sire_surname} pulled you from the dying man. *goto washington_ball *label washington_ball *set random_bump false *page_break *set attended_marignys_party true Just a month after the defeat of the British, ${sire_surname} received an invitation to a ball being given on the birthday of George Washington, to honor Gen. Andrew Jackson and the other heroes of the Battle. Despite your youth, your maker decided to bring you along. Gen. Jackson was there, accompanied by his little dumpling of a wife. The two bounced up and down upon the dance floor, as best as the various bullets lodged in Jackson's flesh would allow. In addition to the General, ${sire_surname} pointed out several other luminaries of the battle: the host, Bernard de Marigny; the pirate Jean Lafitte; and the District Marshal of Louisiana, Peter Duplessis. Even Bishop Dubourg deigned to consort with the victors for the evening. *if sire_name = "Fernando de Villanueva e Itamaraca" Villanueva was soon drawn into conversation with his old friend Lafitte. *comment endif Later in the evening, you noticed Jackson retiring into the library of the house. The thought occurred to you that you could follow him inside…the thought of feeding upon the famous General excites some part of you. Yet, you might also take the opportunity to introduce yourself to the host of the party, M. de Marigny, a man known about town for his influence and financial dealings. *choice *selectable_if (discretion > 25) #I followed Jackson into the library to feed upon him. *set met_andrew_jackson true *set discretion %+10 He offered you a cigar, which you declined. Speaking in soft tones, you closed the distance between the two of you. Thinking your success assured, you discounted the pressure against your chest—surely just his cigar—until he called you out for what you are. Opening your eyes, you saw that the sharpened point of a wooden stake was pressed against your chest, and there was no confusion in his eyes. He berated your youth and inexperience, and you fled the room. Upon returning to the side of ${sire_name}, you looked for signs of exposure, but when no one came for your head, you decided it best to keep the whole thing to yourself. Your maker would no doubt have found your indiscretion beyond forgivable. *page_break *goto quaestor #I introduced myself to M. de Marigny. *set wealth /2 *set marigny_investment 40000 Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville is a self-made mixed-race millionaire. His home displays all the trappings of a man seeking to prove himself to all those who underestimated him throughout his meteoric climb. And only here, in New Orleans, could a man of his heritage have achieved this: celebrating the general who won such a resounding victory on the birthday of the nation's founding father. Though only peripherally acquainted with ${sire_surname}, M. de Marigny felt comfortable enough to offer you the chance to invest some money in a shipping endeavor. You thanked him for the opportunity, and promised to have the funds forwarded to him in the next week. *page_break *goto quaestor *label quaestor *if sire_name = "Guillaume de Sainte-Chapelle" *set new_orleans_quaestor_given_name "Guillaume" *set new_orleans_quaestor_surname "Sainte-Chapelle" *set new_orleans_quaestor_address "M. le Quaestor de Sainte-Chapelle" *set new_orleans_quaestor_rapport sire_rapport *goto lore *elseif sire_name = "Fernando de Villanueva e Itamaraca" *set new_orleans_quaestor_given_name "Fernando" *set new_orleans_quaestor_surname "Villanueva" *set new_orleans_quaestor_address "Don Villanueva e Itamaraca" *set new_orleans_quaestor_rapport sire_rapport *goto lore *elseif sire_name = "Padre Carlos" *set new_orleans_quaestor_given_name "Carlos" *set new_orleans_quaestor_surname "Padre Carlos" *set new_orleans_quaestor_address "Padre Carlos" *set new_orleans_quaestor_rapport sire_rapport *goto lore *else *set new_orleans_quaestor_given_name "Wallace" *set new_orleans_quaestor_surname "Winters" *set new_orleans_quaestor_address "Quaestor Winters" *set new_orleans_quaestor_rapport sire_rapport *goto lore *label lore You spent the next few years under the tutelage of ${sire_surname}. First, and most importantly, he taught you about the Society—the hierarchy of vampires that spans the globe. The Society observes many laws, most of which are simplified as the Three Rules of Reserve, Respect, and Restraint: don't get caught (by the mortals), don't interfere with another vampire's territory, and don't kill another vampire. More crucial to your night-to-night existence, of course, was the knowledge that your spittle could heal the wounds caused by your fangs. Once he taught you how to feed without killing your prey, the next step was to further conceal your existence by erasing the evidence once you were satiated. A simple lick could remove all traces of your crimes. While these things were mostly wondrous, you suffered some dismay when you discovered that your genitals no longer functioned as they once did. Serving no purpose to your kind, they no longer respond to stimulation. *set taught_three_rules true *set knows_how_to_heal_bites true *set taught_about_governors true *set knows_parts_dont_work true *if lore < 2 *set lore +1 *comment endif *if sire_surname = "Padre Carlos" As the years passed, ${sire_surname} began to formalize his claim to the city, taking the titel of quaestor for himself. Unlike most other quaestors, however, he did not demand that you change the way that you addressed him; "Padre Carlos" was sufficient. *if sire_surname != "Padre Carlos" As the years passed, ${sire_surname} began demanding that you address him more formally. Having claimed the city of New Orleans as his, and taking the title of quaestor for himself, he thought it proper that you address him as ${new_orleans_quaestor_address}. Quaestors are normally appointed by governors to administer a city, but some intrepid vampires claim the title for themselves, in the hopes that a nearby governor sees fit to acknowledge their claim. Yet, ${new_orleans_quaestor_address} projected the utmost confidence in his decision to claim the title without sanction. *label refinement *if random_bump *goto jesses_arrival *set status +1 *set wealth +10000 *if refinement = 2 *if literate *set refinement +1 *goto refinement *else Moreover, you used that time to learned how to read and write. *set literate true *set random_bump true *goto jesses_arrival *if refinement = 3 *if speaks_english *set refinement +1 *goto jesses_arrival *else Moreover, during that time you learned how to speak the King's English. *set speaks_english true *set random_bump true *goto jesses_arrival *if refinement = 4 *if creation > 2 *set refinement +1 *goto refinement *else Moreover, during that time you found yourself regularly practicing at the pianoforte. *set creation +1 *set anachronism %+5 *set random_bump true *goto jesses_arrival *if refinement = 5 *if fighting > 2 *set refinement +1 *goto refinement *else Moreover, during that time you found yourself improving your ability to defend yourself. *set fighting +1 *set random_bump true *goto jesses_arrival *if refinement = 6 *if stealth > 2 *set refinement +1 *goto refinement *else Moreover, during that time you found yourself better learning to stalk your prey without being seen. *set stealth +1 *set random_bump true *goto jesses_arrival *if refinement = 7 *if perception > 2 *set refinement +1 *goto refinement *else Moreover, during that time you found yourself expanding your supernatural perceptions beyond their former bounds. *set perception +1 *set random_bump true *goto jesses_arrival *if refinement = 8 *if streetwise > 2 *set refinement +1 *goto refinement *else Moreover, during that time you found yourself dabbling in the more illicit side of the economy, thereby learning to tell the virtuous from the vicious. *set streetwise +1 *set random_bump true *goto jesses_arrival *if refinement = 9 *if technology > 2 *set refinement 1 *goto refinement *else Moreover, during that time you found yourself studying the mechanical advancements of the day. *set technology +1 *set anachronism %+10 *set rationalism %-10 *set random_bump true *goto jesses_arrival *else Moreover, during that time you made some clever bets on the movement of goods through the port of New Orleans, thereby expanding your personal allowance. *set income +10 *set wealth +1000 *set random_bump true *goto jesses_arrival *label jesses_arrival *page_break *set jesse_sire_name sire_name It was only a short time before your elder broodmate arrived in New Orleans, seeking to mend his rift with your maker. Of course, he did not volunteer this objective, but you quickly deduced the reason for his solicitous greetings. And so, ${sire_surname} welcomed Jesse Whitaker home, and for the first time in your immortal existence, you felt the pangs of jealousy. Deigning to be introduced to you at last, he greeted you with a bit of over-formality, clearly asserting his preeminence. Despite yourself, you could not deny his rugged charm. You found his cavalier attitude and easy swagger… *choice #…charming. *set jesse_rapport %+10 *goto temporary_haven #…infuriating. *set jesse_rapport %-10 *set discretion %+10 *set new_orleans_quaestor_rapport %+10 *goto temporary_haven #…obnoxious. *set jesse_rapport %-10 *goto temporary_haven *label temporary_haven "Dear ${brother}," he implored, "as you can imagine, I am somewhat out of sorts, having just arrived in New Orleans. I don't suppose you might offer me the hospitality of your home for a few nights, while I find more suitable accommodations?" *choice #I offered him a room in my haven. *set jesse_rapport %+15 *set independence %+10 He gratefully accepted your offer and had his things sent over. He stayed a little longer than you were anticipating, though, and you were grateful when he finally announced that he had found quarters elsewhere. *page_break *goto estefania_arrives *if (streetwise > 0) or (feeding_style = "prostitutes") #I recommended a brothel where he could let a room for a pittance. *set jesse_rapport %+20 *set compassion %+10 *set new_orleans_quaestor_rapport %-10 Jesse seemed pleasantly amused by your recommendation and invited you to guide him there yourself. The two of you enjoyed an evening of carousing together—and several more over the next few years. Sometimes, you even felt as though ${sire_surname} was a little jealous. *page_break *goto estefania_arrives #I outright denied his request. *set jesse_rapport %-20 *set discretion %+10 *set new_orleans_quaestor_rapport %+10 He seemed a little surprised by your rejection, but took it in stride. You assumed that he rented a hotel room later that night, as he showed no further signs of distress or need. *if perception > 1 Disquietingly, you were never able to dismiss the feeling that a faint smile creased ${sire_surname}'s face when you denied Jesse's request. *page_break *goto estefania_arrives *if wealth > 20000 #I offered to rent a room at a local hotel for him. *set wealth -1000 *set jesse_rapport %+10 *set discretion %-10 He thanked you graciously for your offer, and later that night you escorted him to his temporary quarters. *page_break *goto estefania_arrives *label estefania_arrives News of a Quaestor of New Orleans traveled far and fast; Jesse Whitaker was not the only vampire to come seeking succor. *page_break Her name was Estefania Rios e Hidalgo, lately of Panama. *if sire_surname = "Villanueva" *set estefania_is_kin true She was, in fact, the broodmate of your dominus, and he welcomed her to the city with open arms. *goto hunting *comment endif She formally asked ${sire_surname} for succor, which he granted almost immediately. New Orleans, with four vampires, was finally a proper city. And with it came all the intrigue that that entailed. *page_break *goto hunting *label hunting In time, you learned that Estefania considered herself a connoisseur of blood; she was happy to expound upon the [i]terroir[/i]—or qualities—of different individuals at length. Her incessant questions encouraged you to think about what sort of prey you prefer to hunt. *if perception >= 2 Though your knowledge of such things was clearly limited, you had to admit that every individual has a distinct flavor, and soon you were intrigued by the variety of flavors available to you. *if perception < 2 Unfortunately, you could not tell any notable difference between the blood of your victims, but all the same, there were plenty of other reasons why you might prefer one sort of individual over another. Though you managed to put her off with vague nonsense, the question was worth answering: whose blood did you prefer to consume? *choice *if creation > 0 #I like to feed from craftsmen, musicians, and actors; their blood imparts a taste of their creative soul. *set feeding_style "artists" *goto governors_visit #I like to feed from children; their innocence is intoxicating. *set feeding_style "children" *goto governors_visit *if (discretion >= 40) and (compassion >= 40) #I like to feed from members of the clergy; there is a special irony in showing them the futility of their faith. *set feeding_style "clergy" *goto governors_visit #I like to feed from the intoxicated. They do not resist, and further a portion of the intoxicant is passed along with the blood.… *set feeding_style "drunks" *goto governors_visit *if (streetwise > 0) and (perception > 0) #I like to feed from gamblers; the rush of the winning and the losing communicates itself through the blood. *set feeding_style "gamblers" *goto governors_visit #I like to feed from the itinerant; the better to disguise my presence. *set feeding_style "itinerants" *goto governors_visit #I like to feed from workmen; an honest day's labor provides a musk that is unmistakable. *set feeding_style "laborers" *goto governors_visit *if streetwise > 0 #I like to feed from whores; if one goes missing, no one cares. *set feeding_style "prostitutes" *goto governors_visit #I like to feed from among the wealthy and high-born; their refinement carries into the quality of their blood. *set feeding_style "socialites" *goto governors_visit #I like to feed from soldiers and other military types; their blood sustains my warrior's soul. *set feeding_style "soldiers" *goto governors_visit *if (knows_about_vegetarianism) and (compassion < 40) *selectable_if (willpower > 2) #I strive to only feed from animals; I cannot bear the suffering I cause to humans. *set feeding_style "vegetarian" *goto governors_visit *label governors_visit *temp encouraged false *set met_overstreet true *set met_samantha true *set met_krupke true After several years, the city of New Orleans proved itself sufficiently stable to warrant a visit from the Governor, Theresa Overstreet. She arrived with her broodmate, Samantha Withers, and another by the name of Walter Krupke. The three were greeted in style by ${sire_surname}, who insisted that all formalities be observed. He planned a reception for the night of their arrival, and another a week later—at which he anticipated having his quaestorship confirmed by the governor. As the first reception drew to a close, Jesse approached you. He informed you that he intended to make his mark upon the Society the following week, and not to ruin things for him. When you inquired further, he seemed surprised at your ignorance, and then simply advised you to not dissuade Samantha from her plans. When you inquired after the nature of her plans, Jesse simply smiled and left you to your bewilderment. At the urging of ${sire_surname}, you took Samantha on a tour of the city during the intervening week. During the tour, Samantha prattled on about the charming, the dashing, the gallant Jesse Whitaker. You soon learned that he spent some time at the court of Governor Overstreet before returning to New Orleans. It was not hard to divine that she intended to make some sort of public show of her affection at the upcoming soirée. Confronted with this realization, you… *choice #…kept silent. Her mistakes were her own. *set withers_rapport %-20 *set discretion %-10 *goto poem_sam #…encouraged her delusions. I intended to enjoy Jesse's machinations. *set compassion %+15 *set discretion %+15 *set encouraged true *set withers_rapport %-50 *goto poem_sam #…urged her to reconsider her plans. She was young and foolish. *set compassion %-10 *set discretion %-5 *set jesse_embarrassed true *goto poem_jesse #…urged her to reconsider her plans. Love is not for vampires. *set compassion %+10 *set discretion %+10 *set jesse_embarrassed true *goto poem_jesse *label poem_sam The night of the governor's ratification of ${new_orleans_quaestor_address} arrived, and there were no surprises there. Afterwards, ${sire_surname} was brimming with pride. Meanwhile, Samantha announced that she had a performance for the gathered attendees, but would need a few moments to prepare. While she was gone, Jesse rose and gave his own performance, a jaunty little number ridiculing the affections of the young and naïve. Shortly thereafter, Samantha appeared and recited a poem about unrequited love, all but proclaiming her affection for Jesse. The gathered vampires howled with laughter until she ran from the stage, her face streaked with tears of blood. *goto leaving_new_orleans *label poem_jesse *set jesse_rapport %-30 The night of the governor's ratification of ${new_orleans_quaestor_address} arrived, and there were no surprises there. Afterwards, ${sire_surname} was brimming with pride. Meanwhile, Samantha announced that she had a performance for the gathered attendees, but would need a few moments to prepare. While she was gone, Jesse rose and gave his own performance, a jaunty little number ridiculing the affections of the young and naïve. Unfortunately for Jesse, thanks to your warning, when Samantha was prepared when she reappeared. She recited a poem about a peacock overstuffed with pride, and soon had the audience guffawing over Jesse's arrogance. Glaring at you, he made a quick exit soon after she was finished. *page_break Jesse never really forgave you for your betrayal, despite your efforts to remedy the situation. The question is, how earnest were your efforts? *choice #I truly sought to remedy the rift. I cared about him and had not realized the broader consequences of my actions. *set jesse_rapport %+15 *set compassion %-5 *goto leaving_new_orleans #I was mostly pretending. I thought it best not to leave such a dangerous creature my enemy. *set jesse_rapport %+10 *set discretion %-10 *goto leaving_new_orleans #I didn't really try all that hard. He made his own coffin; let him lie in it! *set jesse_rapport %-5 *goto leaving_new_orleans *label leaving_new_orleans As the years flew by, you eventually realized that New Orleans was no longer such a welcoming place. The competitions for ${sire_surname}'s affections were fierce, and you found yourself more often than not on the losing side of those struggles. Seeking more hospitable company, you booked passage north, away from the bower of your youth. *if marigny_investment > 0 *set marigny_investment 0 *set wealth +40000 *set income +5 Thankfully, though, M. de Marigny's venture came to fruition before you departed, and you were well rewarded for your contribution. *page_break The Siege of Vicksburg Some years later, you arrived in Vicksburg, a bustling city situated on imposing bluffs above the Mississippi. It took you a few weeks, but soon enough you found evidence of the Society in the city. Shortly thereafter, an invitation was delivered to you, inviting you to a game of bridge the following Tuesday evening. The invitation was signed: [i]Samantha Withers, Quaestor of Vicksburg[/i] *page_break *if jesse_embarrassed Withers welcomed you to her city with something akin to open arms. She acknowledged that she harbored some resentment towards you for a time, but recognized finally that you saved her from a great embarrassment. Moreover, you were the first vampire to come seeking succor, and she was eager to have a citizen in her otherwise empty domain. You soon learned that, a short while after that incident, her broodmate Governor Overstreet had appointed her Quaestor of Vicksburg, and she had held the post since. *goto welcome_to_vicksburg *elseif encouraged Withers did not hesitate to excoriate you for your role in her embarrassment. You listened patiently until she finished expressing her anger and betrayal. Unfortunately, she was justified in her anger towards you, and yet there you were pleading for succor. Thankfully, she enjoyed watching you humble yourself. Moreover, it seems as though you were the first vampire to wash up on her shores seeking refuge, and this worked in your favor. Eventually, she relented, granting you her permission to take up residence in the city. It seems that, soon after the incident in New Orleans, her broodmate Governor Overstreet named her Quaestor of Vicksburg, and she had held the post since. *goto welcome_to_vicksburg *else Withers did not hesitate to excoriate you for your imagined role in her embarrassment. You assured her that there had been no malice in your heart, and eventually she relented and offered you succor in her city; the fact that you were the first vampire to wash up on her shores surely contributed to her feelings of generosity. You soon learned that, a short while after that incident, her broodmate Governor Overstreet appointed her Quaestor of Vicksburg, and she had held the post since. *goto welcome_to_vicksburg *label welcome_to_vicksburg *set wealth +(income*5000) She recommended establishing a haven and acquiring a valet with all due haste; the increasingly violent rhetoric between the Northern and Southern states worried her, and she—like many throughout the nation—feared the imminent oubreak of war. *page_break *set met_calkins true Withers was not wrong; war did come to these United States. To make matters worse, the war arrived at your doorstep, in the form of General Grant laying siege to the city. Vicksburg united the eastern portion of the Confederate States with the western portion, allowing food and other necessities from across the Mississippi to fuel the conflict in the east. If Vicksburg fell, it would only be matter of time before the Confederacy followed suit. Amidst the siege, however, a refugee appeared, seeking succor from Withers. He identified himself as Andrew Calkins, a Quaker vampire from Pennsylvania, set adrift by the unexpected developments of the war. Though Withers seemed intent upon welcoming him to the city, she did offer you the opportunity to submit your opinion on the matter. *choice #I welcomed him with all my heart. *set calkins_rapport %+25 *set compassion %-10 *set discretion %-10 Withers welcomed Andrew into the city, acknowledging the danger of attempting to sneak back across the lines of battle. *goto depot #I deferred to the wisdom of Quaestor Withers. *set withers_rapport %+20 *set independence %+10 *set calkins_rapport %+10 Withers welcomed Andrew into the city, acknowledging the danger of attempting to sneak back across the lines of battle. *goto depot #I did my utmost to recommend against his acceptance. *set compassion %+10 *set discretion %+10 *set calkins_rapport %-30 Withers thought your council wise, but also recognized the danger posed by any attempt to cross the lines of battle. She granted him temporary succor–to be reconsidered once the siege was lifted. *goto depot *label depot And so there were three. *page_break It was only a few nights later that you happened upon Andrew skulking about in the center of the city. Curious as to his purpose, you followed him while he made his way to one of the larger munitions depots. Once there, he subdued the guards and entered. Creeping up to the window, you peered inside, and saw him preparing to detonate the stores. Though unlikely to cause much physical damage beyond the destruction of the building itself, the loss of the gunpowder stores would cripple the defenders—not to mention the concomitant drop in morale. *choice #I sealed the door behind him, so that he blew himself up as well. *set calkins_alive false *set compassion %+15 *set discretion %-10 *set independence %+10 Several nights later, you made your way to the haven of Withers. She was distraught, convinced that Union spies had infiltrated the city and destroyed the depot. She asked after Calkins, and you pled ignorance. Soon, her suspicion changed focus, falling upon the missing Calkins. After some deliberation, she began writing letters to Quaestors throughout the Confederacy, warning them about the perfidy of the Quaker vampire. Little did she realize that his victory had been a Pyrrhic one. *goto war_end #I stopped him from destroying the depot. *set discretion %+10 *set compassion %-10 *set shepherd_credentials %-10 *set calkins_rapport %-20 Calkins did not resist when you confronted him. You brought him before Withers, and he confessed to his crimes. She banished him from the city and ordered you to see him out. You brought him to the cliffs that overlooked the Mississippi, and ordered him to jump. Though you knew that he would suffer no permanent injury from the fall, you figured that the indignity of his ejection would stay with him for many years afterwards. *goto war_end #I helped him destroy the depot. *set discretion %+10 *set shepherd_credentials %-10 *set calkins_rapport %+30 Calkins was surprised to find you at his side, lending a helping hand. Once the building was leveled, the two of you had to decide what to do about Withers. She would surely seek out the culprit. After some negotiation, the two of you decided to allow Calkins to shoulder the blame for the deed; it was his idea anyway. He fled the city with some help from you, and when next you encountered Withers, you intimated his involvment. Soon, she was writing letters to Quaestors throughout the Confederacy, warning them of the perfidy of the Quaker vampire. *goto war_end *label war_end *page_break Not long after the incident at the depot, Gen. Pemberton surrendered the city to Gen. Grant. The Union army garrisoned the city, freed the slaves, and set about securing the river. Paired with the defeat of Gen. Lee at Gettysburg a few weeks later, the fall of the Confederacy was all but assured. *label wilson *page_break While living in Vicksburg, you had retained the services of a freedman by the name of ${wilson} ${maddox}. With the war over, you realized that ${wilson} was no longer as youthful as he once was. You contemplated how you should handle his retirement. *choice #I killed him. It was the simplest solution. *set compassion %+20 *set discretion %+15 *set maddox_status "dead" *set wilson "Hugh" *set maddox "Gallagher" *set maddox_num 3 *goto revolution #I released him from service. He could live out his days in peace. *set discretion %+10 *set compassion %-10 *goto revolution *selectable_if (wealth > 50000) #I purchased forty acres for him. He would prosper for his service to me. *set wealth -25000 *set compassion %-10 *set discretion %-10 *goto revolution *selectable_if (charm > 3) #I worked him to death. *set compassion %+20 *set discretion %+15 *set maddox_status "dead" *set wilson "Hugh" *set maddox "Gallagher" *set maddox_num 3 *goto revolution *label revolution *set consul_praetor_explained true Around this time, word reached Withers of a great change in the Society: Isaiah Stone, the former Senator of Baltimore, had slain Praetor Gianluca Miele, and declared himself Consul of the Americas. When Withers had calmed down enough to speak, she explained that Consul Adonis had ruled the Society for millennia from his seat in Rome. Praetors were his traveling investigators, charged with uncovering heresies and maintaining order throughout the Society. When he slew Miele, Stone declared the independence of the Americas from the rule of Rome. The whole vampiric world was waiting to see if he could maintain his claim. One of the first changes in this new order had to do with your maker. *set sire_rapport new_orleans_quaestor_rapport *set sire_formerly_quaestor true *if new_orleans_quaestor_surname = "Padre Carlos" *set jesses_revolutionary_credentials %+20 *set revolutionary_credentials %+10 Stone named Padre Carlos his new Praetor, and a Dutch vampire by the name of Pieter van der Ahe was installed in his place. *if new_orleans_quaestor_surname = "Winters" *set jesses_revolutionary_credentials %+10 *set revolutionary_credentials %+10 Governor Overstreet had replaced Winters with a Dutch vampire by the name of Pieter van der Ahe. *if new_orleans_quaestor_surname = "Villanueva e Itamaraca" *set jesses_revolutionary_credentials %+15 *set revolutionary_credentials %+25 Governor Overstreet had replaced Villanueva with a Dutch vampire by the name of Pieter van der Ahe. *if new_orleans_quaestor_surname = "Sainte-Chapelle" *set jesses_revolutionary_credentials %-20 *set revolutionary_credentials %-10 Governor Overstreet had replaced Sainte-Chapelle with a Dutch vampire by the name of Pieter van der Ahe. *set new_orleans_quaestor_given_name "Pieter" *set new_orleans_quaestor_surname "van der Ahe" *set new_orleans_quaestor_address "Heer van der Ahe" *set new_orleans_quaestor_rapport 50 *set heard_about_new_orleans_quaestor_change true There was no further word of your dominus. Within a few weeks, she also learned that there had been some discussion of electing a senator for Memphis. Sometime in the next few years, senators from across the region would gather to choose a Senator for the burgeoning city. Without question, any vampire seeking to make a name for themselves in the Society should do their best to attend. When you inquire as to how a senator is chosen, Withers laughs, and points out that the Senate does not elect a senator to represent the city to the Senate, but rather the Senate to the city. *set senators_explained true After some reflection, you decided that it was time to move on from Vicksburg. *choice #Yes, now that the war was over, I wanted to get as far away from Withers as possible. *set discretion %-10 *goto depart_vicksburg #I went to Memphis in the hopes of making the most of the upcoming election there. *set independence %+20 *goto depart_vicksburg #Of course I left for Memphis; I intended to stand for senator myself! *set discretion %+20 *set independence %+10 *goto depart_vicksburg *label depart_vicksburg *if withers_rapport > 50 *set introduction_made_to_carothers_by_withers true When you announced your intention to leave, Withers offered to write a letter introducing you to Apollo Carothers, the Quaestor of Memphis. You thanked her for this consideration. *goto leave_vicksburg *else *label leave_vicksburg You packed your things, arranged for what immovable property you had to be sold, and set out north on a steamboat. You could only hope that your fortune awaited in Memphis. *page_break *goto_scene memphis_arrival *label african_given_name *choice *if male #Barnabe. *set given_name "Barnabe" *set archaic_name true *goto african_surname *if male #Dembigh. *set given_name "Dembigh" *goto african_surname *if male #Jean. *set given_name "Jean" *goto african_surname *if male #Lazare. *set given_name "Lazare" *set archaic_name true *goto african_surname *if male #Louis. *set given_name "Louis" *goto african_surname *if male #Theophile. *set given_name "Theophile" *set archaic_name true *goto african_surname *if male = false #Catiche. *set given_name "Catiche" *set archaic_name true *goto african_surname *if male = false #Coquet. *set given_name "Coquet" *set archaic_name true *goto african_surname *if male = false #Hélaine. *set given_name "Hélaine" *set archaic_name true *goto african_surname *if male = false #Lise. *set given_name "Lise" *goto african_surname *if male = false #Marie. *set given_name "Marie" *goto african_surname *if male = false #Salomé. *set given_name "Salomé" *set archaic_name true *goto african_surname *if male = false #Thérèze. *set given_name "Thérèze" *set archaic_name true *goto african_surname #I don't like any of these. *goto given_name *label african_surname And your family name. It is… *choice #Beauchamp. *set surname "Beauchamp" *return #Bertrand. *set surname "Bertrand" *return #Blanque. *set surname "Blanque" *return #Claiborne. *set surname "Claiborne" *return #Guillory. *set surname "Guillory" *return #Landry. *set surname "Landry" *return #Richard. (pronounced REE-chard) *set surname "Richard" *return #I don't like any of these. *goto surname *label german_given_name *choice *if male #Andreas. *set given_name "Andreas" *goto german_surname *if male #Hans. *set given_name "Hans" *goto german_surname *if male #Jakob. *set given_name "Jakob" *set archaic_name true *goto german_surname *if male #Jost. *set given_name "Jost" *set archaic_name true *goto german_surname *if male #Konrad. *set given_name "Konrad" *set archaic_name true *goto german_surname *if male #Matthias. *set given_name "Matthias" *goto german_surname *if male #Peter. *set given_name "Peter" *goto german_surname *if male = false #Elsa. *set given_name "Elsa" *goto german_surname *if male = false #Eva. *set given_name "Eva" *goto german_surname *if male = false #Katherina. *set given_name "Katherina" *set archaic_name true *goto german_surname *if male = false #Margaret. *set given_name "Margaret" *goto german_surname *if male = false #Ursula. *set given_name "Ursula" *goto german_surname #I don't like any of these. *goto given_name *label german_surname And your family name? *choice #Dietrich. *set surname "Dietrich" *return #Engels. *set surname "Engels" *return #Kistenmacher. *set surname "Kistenmacher" *return #Noth. *set surname "Noth" *return #Ritter. *set surname "Ritter" *return #Zeigler. *set surname "Zeigler" *return #I don't like any of these. *goto surname *label southern_given_name *choice *if male #Calvin. *set given_name "Calvin" *goto southern_surname *if male #James. *set given_name "James" *goto southern_surname *if male #John. *set given_name "John" *goto southern_surname *if male #Obediah. *set given_name "Obediah" *set archaic_name true *goto southern_surname *if male #Other. (pronounced OH-ther) *set given_name "Other" *set archaic_name true *goto southern_surname *if male #Wilbur. *set given_name "Wilbur" *set archaic_name true *goto southern_surname *if male = false #Cora. *set given_name "Cora" *goto southern_surname *if male = false #Emma. *set given_name "Emma" *goto southern_surname *if male = false #Lucille. *set given_name "Lucille" *goto southern_surname *if male = false #Myrtle. *set given_name "Myrtle" *set archaic_name true *goto southern_surname *if male = false #Olive. *set given_name "Olive" *goto southern_surname *if male = false #Sarah Belle. *set given_name "Sarah" *goto southern_surname #I don't like any of these. *goto given_name *label southern_surname What is your surname? *choice #Bilbo. *set surname "Bilbo" *return #Browne. *set surname "Browne" *return #Foster. *set surname "Foster" *return #Jopes. *set surname "Jopes" *return #Laird. *set surname "Laird" *return #Pearson. *set surname "Pearson" *return #I don't like any of these. *goto surname *label yankee_given_name What's your given name? *choice *if male #Aaron. *set given_name "Aaron" *goto yankee_surname *if male #Benjamin. *set given_name "Benjamin" *goto yankee_surname *if male #Cotton. *set given_name "Cotton" *set archaic_name true *goto yankee_surname *if male #John. *set given_name "John" *goto yankee_surname *if male #Joseph. *set given_name "Joseph" *goto yankee_surname *if male #Robert. *set given_name "Robert" *goto yankee_surname *if male #Thomas. *set given_name "Thomas" *goto yankee_surname *if male = false #Abigail. *set given_name "Abigail" *goto yankee_surname *if male = false #Anne. *set given_name "Anne" *goto yankee_surname *if male = false #Caroline. *set given_name "Caroline" *goto yankee_surname *if male = false #Dolores. *set given_name "Dolores" *set archaic_name true *goto yankee_surname *if male = false #Josephine. *set given_name "Josephine" *goto yankee_surname *if male = false #Martha. *set given_name "Martha" *goto yankee_surname *if male = false #Sarah. *set given_name "Sarah" *goto yankee_surname #I don't like any of these. *goto given_name *label yankee_surname And your family name? *choice #Adams. *set surname "Adams" *return #Franklin. *set surname "Franklin" *return #Good. *set surname "Good" *return #Hawthorne. *set surname "Hawthorne" *return #Mather. *set surname "Mather" *return #Smith. *set surname "Smith" *return #Sullivan. *set surname "Sullivan" *return #Washington. *set surname "Washington" *return #I don't like any of these. *goto surname *label given_name Well then, what is your given name? *goto given_name_1 *label given_name_1 *input_text given_name *if given_name = "Alucard" You are not the son of Dracula. Please try again. *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Alzbeta" There are no Slovaks in New Orleans in 1814. And even if you are, you're not one of them. *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Angel" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Angelus" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Buffy" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Carmilla" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Dracula" There are no Transylvanians in New Orleans in 1814. And even if you are, you're not one of them. *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Erzsebet" There are no Hungarians in New Orleans in 1814. And even if you are, you're not one of them. *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Grigori" There are no Russians in New Orleans in 1814. And even if you are, you're not one of them. *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Lestat" Stop your whinging, Louis! No, really. *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Nadja" You're rather well-versed in vampire arcana! But no, try again. *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Selene" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Sookie" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Spike" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Viktor" Your incompetence is becoming most…taxing. *goto given_name_1 *if given_name = "Vlad" There are no Wallachians in New Orleans in 1814. And even if you are, you're not one of them. *goto given_name_1 *if ethnicity = "african" *goto african_surname *if ethnicity = "german" *goto german_surname *if ethnicity = "southern" *goto southern_surname *if ethnicity = "yankee" *goto yankee_surname *else *goto surname *label surname What's your surname? *goto surname_1 *label surname_1 *input_text surname *if surname = "Bathory" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto surname_1 *if surname = "the Bloody" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto surname_1 *if (surname = "Compton") and ((given_name = "Bill") or (given_name = "William")) What, you want to chase Sookie around like a wounded puppy? Grow a pair…of fangs. *goto given_name *if surname = "Cullen" *if given_name = "Edward" What, you want to twinkle in the sun and chase Bella around like a wounded puppy? Grow a pair…of fangs. *goto given_name *if given_name = "Carlisle" What, you want to twinkle in the sun? Grow a pair…of fangs. *goto given_name *if given_name = "Alice" What, you want to twinkle in the sun and tell the future? *goto given_name *else Really? I'm not sure this is the right game for you. This is a no-twinkle zone. *goto surname_1 *if (given_name = "Pam") and ((surname = "de Beaufort") or (surname = "De Beaufort")) I have to give you points for taste; she really is one of the two best characters in that show. All the same, try again. *goto given_name *if surname = "de Lioncourt" Stop your whinging, Louis! No, really. *goto surname_1 *if surname = "de Pointe du Lac" Stop your whinging, Louis! No, really. *goto surname_1 *if surname = "Dracul" There are no Transylvanians in New Orleans in 1814. And even if you are, you're not one of them. *goto surname_1 *if surname = "Dracula" There are no Transylvanians in New Orleans in 1814. And even if you are, you're not one of them. *goto surname_1 *if (surname = "Edgington") and (given_name = "Russell") Obscure and majestic. Unfortunately, you are not the 3000 year old King of Mississippi. *goto given_name *if (surname = "Malloy") and (given_name = "Daniel") Maybe you should go interview a vampire. *goto given_name *if surname = "Northman" *if (given_name = "Eric") or (given_name = "Erik") What, you want to chase Sookie around like a wounded puppy? Grow a pair…of fangs. *goto given_name *else You are not an ancient Viking warrior. Try again. *goto surname_1 *if surname = "Orlock" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? I mean, that is pretty original for this crowd, but still. *goto surname_1 *if (surname = "Patrova") and (given_name = "Katerina") Go exorcise your teenage angst elsewhere. *goto given_name *if (surname = "Pierce") and (given_name = "Katherine") Go exorcise your teenage angst elsewhere. *goto given_name *if surname = "Rasputin" There are no Russians in New Orleans in 1814. And even if you are, you're not one of them. *goto surname_1 *if surname = "Renfield" He wasn't even a vampire. *goto surname_1 *if surname = "Ruthven" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto surname_1 *if surname = "Salvatore" *if given_name = "Stefan" You probably think you can survive just by drinking from animals. Good luck with that. And, in the meantime, try again. *goto given_name *elseif given_name = "Damon" So, you want to play the badboy? Go exorcise your teenage angst somewhere else. *goto given_name *else Go exorcise your teenage angst elsewhere. *goto given_name *if surname = "Stackhouse" *if given_name = "Jason" You must be as dumb as you look. *goto given_name *else Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto surname_1 *if surname = "Summers" Really? You couldn't come up with something more original than that? *goto surname_1 *if (surname = "Swan") and (given_name = "Bella") What, you want to chase Edward around like a lost puppy? *goto given_name *if surname = "Tepes" There are no Wallachians in New Orleans in 1814. And even if you are, you're not one of them. *goto surname_1 *if surname = "Van Helsing" He wasn't even a vampire! Try again. *goto surname_1 *else *return