*comment ñáéç…— *hide_reuse *advertisement *gosub_scene util check_flow *gosub_scene util lore_2_check *gosub_scene util lore_3_check *if maddox_num < 3 *if (maddox_status != "dead") and ((maddox_status != "freed") and ((maddox_status != "consumed") and (maddox_status != "withers"))) *if (maddox_status != "buried") ${maddox_status} *page_break *bug Anselm/Wilson edge case *if status < 0 *bug *comment St. Louis intro *gosub_scene util timejump_defaults *set wealth +(income*5000) *if male *set mr "Mr." *if priest *set mr "Father" *else *set mr "Miss" You arrive in Cairo, Illinois a few days later. *if (intelligence > 2) or (lore > 2) To your annoyance, the locals pronounce the name of the town KAY-ro. The town lays at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, a strange inversion of its namesake. Once ashore, you quickly set about finding temporary lodgings. *if (ethnicity = "african") or (ethnicity = "choctaw") A war widow offers you one of several rooms in her lodging house; it is situated in an older part of town, next to the appropriately named Ibis and Jackal funeral parlor. From here, you will be able to correspond with your lawyers and accountants in Memphis, and arrange the transfer of assets to your new home. *if status = 0 *goto zero_status *elseif (sire_name = "West") and rumors_of_west The only question is, where will that be? *page_break You hunt out every rumor that you can of your dominus; these stories of his madness trouble you greatly. You feel as though you should go where you have the best chance of finding him. @{(sire_rapport >= 50) Perhaps, if you can only find him, you can help him find peace.|After all, if he does anything truly unbecoming, it will reflect poorly on you.} After much laborious correspondence, you learn that West has been spotted most frequently north of here, in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. It is clear that St. Louis would be a better perch from which to locate him. *label write_to_memeskia Without hestitation, you write to @{heard_of_memeskia Memeskia,|a vampire by the name of Memeskia,} the Quaestor of St. Louis, asking for permission to take up residence in his city. *set bailey_contactable true A response comes promptly, but not from Memeskia. *if met_bailey Rather, Senator Bailey is the one to reply. *elseif heard_of_bailey Rather, Senator Bailey is the one to reply. He expresses regret that he did not make your acquaintance at the election in Memphis, but invites you to the court of St. Louis nonetheless. *else *set heard_of_bailey true Rather, the Senator of St. Louis, John Bailey, issues the response. He notes in his letter that Memeskia is not much of one for correspondence, but invites you to the court of St. Louis in his stead. *set invitation_to_st_louis "bailey" *if heard_of_memeskia = false *gosub reflect_on_memeskia *elseif rumors_of_west_dead There is no doubt in your mind that your next destination will be St. Louis. All the rumors that have reached your ears about your still-living maker point to his presence in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. How can there be sightings of him if you murdered him sixty years ago? You feel that you must solve this mystery. *goto write_to_memeskia *elseif (sire_name = "West") The only question is, where will that be? *page_break Interestingly, it is not long before you receive a letter from St. Louis. *if met_bailey It is from Senator Bailey, writing on behalf of Memeskia, Quaestor of St. Louis. *elseif heard_of_bailey It is from Senator Bailey, writing on behalf of Memeskia, Quaestor of St. Louis. *else It is from John Bailey, Senator of St. Louis. He writes on behalf of Memeskia, the Quaestor there. *if heard_of_memeskia = false *gosub reflect_on_memeskia It seems that Senator Bailey relayed some of the details of the débâcle to Memeskia and consequently he extends an invitation to you to relocate to his city. *set invitation_to_st_louis "bailey" *if discretion < 40 This is certainly the first time you've been invited to take up residence in a city. Have you truly grown that noteworthy? *if discretion > 60 This is certainly the first time you've been invited to take up residence in a city. You quite like it. *elseif heard_of_memeskia and ((ethnicity = "choctaw") and (compassion < 60)) The only question is, where will that be? *page_break It does not take much consideration to decide on your next destination: St. Louis. You have heard of the Native Quaestor, Memeskia. You doubt that he is a member of your tribe—his name belongs to some sort of Illiniwek—but you have to imagine that he would welcome your company. You have never met another Native vampire, and you find the idea greatly appealing. *elseif (revolutionary_credentials >= 60) and ((bailey_rapport >= 50) and (bailey_contactable)) The only question is, where will that be? *page_break *set invitation_to_st_louis "bailey" Without hesitation, you write to Senator Bailey. Within days, you receive a reply. In it, he *if (bailey_rapport >= 65) and (revolutionary_credentials >= 55) *set bailey_rapport %+5 nearly begs you to come to St. Louis. *else invites you to St. Louis. He promises that you will be warmly welcomed there, as many of the citizens of that city are supports of Consul Stone. How can you say no? *elseif (revolutionary_credentials <= 40) and ((lockridge_rapport >= 50) and (lockridge_contactable)) The only question is, where will that be? *page_break *set lockridge_rapport %+5 *set invitation_to_st_louis "lockridge" Without hesitation, you write to Senator Lockridge. As a leading light of those loyal to Consul Adonis, it seems like he might be able to suggest a place that would be safe for you to take up residence. His response, however, is not what you were expecting. In his reply, he urges you to take up residence in St. Louis. The city is nominally loyal to Stone—though that is more because its Quaestor, Memeskia, does not bow to anyone. If Memeskia were to pledge his allegiance to Adonis—or a Loyalist were to come to rule St. Louis by some other means—then that would surely be a great service to the Consul. How can you say no? *elseif heard_of_aichinger and ((whiskey_ring_status = "joined") or (whiskey_ring_status = "encouraged")) The only question is, where will that be? *page_break *set invitation_to_st_louis "aichinger" The thought occurs to you that you might find a kindred spirit in Lothar Aichinger, the vampire of St. Louis who so irritated Senator Bailey with his involvement in the Whiskey Ring conspiracy. You hope that he will feel similarly. *elseif coffin_contactable and ((lesczynski_out and knows_coffin_anti_semitic) and (offer_to_help_coffin_stop_ascher = false)) *set coffin_correspondence true The only question is, where will that be? *page_break *set invitation_to_st_louis "coffin" *set heard_of_powell true You do not agree with Senator Coffin's prejudices, but you did serve her goals by seeing Lesczynski removed from consideration during the caucus. In the hopes that she might invite you to Cincinnati, you write to her and drop several hints about your need for a new home. She replies to your letter promptly, pointing out that Quaestor Powell is not prepared to accept you in the city. However, she offers to write you a letter of introduction to St. Louis, where you are sure to be welcomed. You reply with a gracious acceptance. Several days later, another letter arrives, informing you when and where you should make your first appearance in the City of Mounds. *else *label zero_status Though Cairo has its charms, it is too small to safely support one of your kind. The queerness of your habits would raise too many eyebrows, and that would be considered a violation of the Rule of Reserve. @{(independence > 40) Moreover, you are a social creature, and the city certainly could not support more than one vampire.|} *if status = 0 This is complicated by the fact that you have been relegated to the fringes of the Society. You are not quite an outlaw—not yet, anyway—but you are also not welcomed to particpate in its glories. And so you ask yourself the most important question: where will your new home be? *page_break *set invitation_to_st_louis "self" The closest city of note is, undeniably, St. Louis. *if heard_of_memeskia You have heard of Memeskia, the Native Quaestor. *if ethnicity = "choctaw" You have never met another Native vampire, and you find the idea greatly appealing. Though his name marks him as one of the Illiniwek peoples, you hope that he will find the occasion equally attractive. *else Perhaps he will welcome you? *if met_bailey and (status > 0) You did meet Senator Bailey at the election. You send out several letters until you secure a method of contacting him. Finally, a letter of invitation arrives, welcoming you to St. Louis. *set invitation_to_st_louis "bailey" *set bailey_contactable true By this point, you have already grown quite weary of Cairo. You depart in haste. *else It is, of course, quite dangerous to venture into a new city without having contacted the Quaestor first. You, however, seem to be out of other options. *goto leave_for_st_louis *label reflect_on_memeskia *set heard_of_memeskia true *if ethnicity = "choctaw" Reflecting on his name, you wonder if Memeskia is a Native vampire; his name belongs to the Illiniwek peoples. *else You reflect a moment on the source of the name "Memeskia." It does not belong to a tongue with which you are familiar. *return *label leave_for_st_louis *page_break Your destination determined, you decide to take a few nights to finish from here what business remained for you in Memphis. Cairo can support you that long, at least. *if lockridge_treatise = 3 To begin, you take several evenings to finally read Lockridge's treatise on Shepherds and Wolves. *gosub_scene util read_lockridge_treatise *gosub withers_check *if (debt_from_coffin = false) and (coffin_correspondence and (lesczynski_out and offer_to_help_coffin_stop_ascher)) *page_break *set coffin_rapport %+20 *set debt_from_coffin true Among the things forwarded to you by your attorney is a letter from Senator Coffin. In it, she thanks you both for warning Senator Lockridge about the resurgant plague, as well as praising you for seeing to it that Mr. Lesczynski will never be Senator of Memphis. You are not certain that she is correct in that conclusion, but her subsequent acknowledgement of a debt pushes those particular thoughts out of your head. A grin breaks out on your face. A debt from a senator! That is quite a prize indeed. *if independence < 35 You're actually a little disgusted by the thrill that courses through your body at the news. You have often sought to distance yourself from the machinations of the Society, and here you find yourself rejoicing in them. *page_break *if heard_about_bounty_on_hugh and (((gallagher_status = "dead") or (gallagher_status = "consumed")) or (gallagher_status = "quaestor")) *set debt_from_page true *set townsend_rapport %+10 *set page_rapport %+20 *set heard_of_page true *set page_correspondence true *if malloy_contactable You write to Siobhan Malloy and inquire further about the bounty on the head of Gallagher. She directs you to Harold Page, the Quaestor of New-York. *elseif (timmers_contactable) You write to Gerard Timmers and inquire further about the bounty on the head of Gallagher. He directs you to Harold Page, the Quaestor of New-York. *if gallagher_status = "quaestor" *set gallagher_status "dead" You convey the stake Gallagher to New-York. In rather formal prose, Page's response acknowledges the debt now owed you. *page_break Once all is concluded, you gather your things and set out for St. Louis. Perhaps that city will be more hospitable than Memphis was. From 1879 to 1893, the place formerly known as Memphis will be the private fief of Minor Meriwether and his allies, who do their utmost to return the city to its antebellum condition. *page_break Volume Four *goto timejump4 *label withers_check *if wilson_embraced_by_withers and (rejected_sam_wilson = false) Of course, one of those tasks is writing to Withers, to inform her of the developments regarding Wilson. *if (maddox_status = "withers") *set withers_rapport %+40 *set overstreet_rapport %+25 By now, she has no doubt received the traveling-coffin with him in it. When you @{literate write to inform |hire a scrivener to write a letter informing} her of your new condition, she writes a thank you in reply. Her letter is replete with praise, and she promises to make sure that her broodmate, Governor Overstreet, is aware of your service to the lineage. *if debt_offered_from_withers *set debt_from_withers true *set debt_offered_from_withers false Moreover, she acknowledges the debt that she now owes you, per your agreement@{exiled_from_vicksburg , and further rescinds your exile from her city|}. *if exiled_from_vicksburg *set exiled_from_vicksburg false *if flirting_with_withers Once the formalities are out of the way, a few choice words from her follow. It seems that your stay in Memphis has not been a total disaster after all. *page_break *elseif maddox_status = "staked" Her response is full of praise, as well as filled with promises to convey your deeds to her sister, Governor Overstreet. *if debt_offered_from_withers *set debt_from_withers true *set debt_offered_from_withers false Moreover, she acknowledged the debt that she now owes you, per your agreement. @{flirting_with_withers And, once the formalities are out of the way, a few choice words from her follow.|} Some part of you is worried that you have mislead her, implying that Wilson is dead. You can only hope that it will be several decades before that lie is exposed. *page_break *elseif (maddox_status = "shirked") or (maddox_status = "freed") *set withers_rapport %-40 *set overstreet_rapport %-20 Your excuses—that you have been sent away from Memphis—are of no comfort to her. You have failed in your mission, and Withers informs you, in no uncertain terms, that you will come to regret this abdication of your duty. As tempted as you are to point out to her that, had she kept better track of her offspring, neither of you would be facing this problem right now, you decide it best not to fan the flames of her anger. *page_break *else In your letter, you inform her of the justice meted in her name. *if (maddox_status = "consumed") Of course, you do not mention the exact means by which you dispatched your quarry. Her response is full of praise, as well as filled with promises to convey your deeds to her sister, Governor Overstreet. *if debt_offered_from_withers *set debt_from_withers true *set debt_offered_from_withers false Moreover, she acknowledged the debt that she now owes you, per your agreement. *if flirting_with_withers Once the formalities are out of the way, a few choice words from her follow. Were you still breathing, you suspect your face would be flushed. *page_break *elseif wilson_embraced *if maddox_status = "staked" *set withers_rapport %+10 One of these tasks is writing to Withers to inform her that the stain on your name has been removed, that ${wilson} will be a threat to no one again. Her response is full of praise. Apparently, you have done your dominus and your lineage a great service, or some such. @{flirting_with_withers Once the formalities are out of the way, a few choice words from her follow.|} Some part of you is worried that you have mislead her, implying that ${wilson} is dead. You can only hope that it will be several decades before that lie is exposed. *page_break *elseif (maddox_status = "shirked") or (maddox_status = "freed") *set withers_rapport %-40 *set overstreet_rapport %-15 *else *set withers_rapport %+10 One of these tasks is writing to Withers to inform her that the stain on your name has been removed, that ${wilson} will be a threat to no one again. @{(maddox_status = "consumed") Of course, you do not mention that exact means by which you dispatched your quarry.|} Her response is full of praise. Apparently, you have done your dominus and your lineage a great service, or some such. @{flirting_with_withers Once the formalities are out of the way, a few choice words from her follow.|} *page_break *return *label timejump4 *label restore_checkpoint *if checksum != 1 Unfortunately, something has gone wrong with the restore function. You'll need to restart your game. *page_break *restart *temp rand_heresy *rand rand_heresy 1 3 You comfort yourself with the thought that you've gained something from these nights of strife and conflict. What is it? *choice *if (choice_randomtest = false) #First, I'd like to save my game at this checkpoint. *gosub_scene checkpoint create_save *set checkpoint "timejump4" Game Saved! *goto restore_checkpoint *if literate = false #I learn how to read and write. *set literate true *set anachronism %+20 *if agility < 4 #I practice my balance. *set agility +1 *set anachronism %-30 *selectable_if (discretion < 75) #I spend my time keeping up with current events, trying to keep abreast of the ever-changing world around me. *set anachronism %+60 *set compassion %-20 *set discretion %-20 *set income +5 *if (charm < 4) #I refine my poise and wit. *set charm +1 *set anachronism %-20 *if ((charm > 1) and (oblivio = false)) #I learn the [i]verba oblivionis.[/i] *set oblivio true *set anachronism %-20 *if (creation < 4) #I busy myself improving my art. *set creation +1 *set anachronism %-20 *if (fighting < 4) #I learn to defend myself. *set fighting +1 *set anachronism %-30 *if finance = 0 *selectable_if (intelligence > 1) #I study the basics of accounting and bookkeeping. *set finance +1 *set anachronism %+10 *set wealth +5000 *if (finance > 0) and (finance < 3) #I continue to improve my command of finance. *set finance +1 *set anachronism %+10 *set wealth +5000 *if (finance > 0) #I carefully nurse my investments. *set income +250 *set income +(finance * 100) *set wealth +20000 *set wealth +(finance * 10000) *set anachronism %+10 *if (intelligence < 4) #I circulate within the intellectual élites, learning all I can of the world. *set intelligence +1 *set anachronism %+15 *if lore < 4 *selectable_if (literate) #I seek out the history of my kind. *set lore +1 *set anachronism %-15 *if lore = 1 One of the most important lessons you learn during these investigations are 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. *if knows_about_territories = false *set knows_about_territories true In particular, it behooves you to make sure you do not try to take up residence in the territory of another without their permission. *elseif lore = 2 *set senators_representation true With some investigation, you discover that in addition to the hierarchy of governors and quaestors, there is a political body known as the Senate. Any city that has an quaestor can also have a Senator, and the Senators—gathered both for their Province and for the structure as a whole—have a slew of advisory powers. This includes the ability to displace quaestors when they feel called upon to do so. They also are charged with maintaining decorum when and where necessary. Notably, they represent the Senate to a city, rather than a city to the Senate. *elseif (lore = 3) and (consul_praetor_explained = false) *set consul_praetor_explained true During your investigations of vampire society, you discover several of the positions that modern vampires have adopted. Quaestors, as you already knew, manage cities. They are appointed by Governors who oversee Provinces (generally, several mortal States in the US). Above the Governors is the Consul, to whom the vampires of North America more or less owe their fealty—in theory. This body of vampire is collectively known as "the Society." *if senators_representation = false *set senators_representation true In addition to the Society's hierarchical structure, however, is the Senate. Any city that has an quaestor can also have a Senator, and the Senators—gathered both for their Province and for the structure as a whole—have a slew of advisory powers. This includes the ability to displace quaestors when they feel called upon to do so. They can also be called upon to hear cases of heresy or treason by titled individuals, should a Praetor bring such a case before them. Praetors are traveling judges and executioners, individuals who see to it that the citizens of the Society toe the line. *else In addition, you learn that it is the Senate that judges matters of heresy, should a Praetor bring an acccusation before them. *elseif (lore = 4) and (joined_kkk) During your studies, you see sketches of the writings of the Ancient Egyptians. Upon reflection, you realize that the images on the walls of the underground chamber where the member of the Klan initiated you were decorated with these symbols. You wonder how a chamber decorated with the letters of the Egyptians ended up beneath the city of Memphis. And how did the Klan discover such a room? *elseif lore = 4 *if consul_praetor_explained = false *set praetors_explained true *label rand_heresy *if rand_heresy = 1 *if (heresy_of_abraham > 0) or (heard_of_heresy_of_abraham) *set rand_heresy +1 *goto rand_heresy *else *set heard_of_heresy_of_abraham true As you delve deeper into the culture and history of your kind, you learn something of the heresies the praetors are tasked with extirpating. For that is their true purpose: the pursuit of the heresies. In particular, you learn of the Children of Abraham, a cult that posits Isaac as the first vampire, created when God saved him from the blade of his father. These vampires see the history of their kind written in the holy texts of the Jews and Christians. *if rand_heresy = 2 *if (heresy_of_osiris > 0) or (heard_of_heresy_of_osiris) *set rand_heresy +1 *goto rand_heresy *else *set heard_of_heresy_of_osiris true As you delve deeper into the culture and history of your kind, you learn something of the heresies the praetors are tasked with extirpating. In particular, you learn of the Disciples of Osiris, a cult that holds Osiris as the first vampire, raised by his wife Isis from the dead to something resembling life. It is said that they wish to raise that first vampire from his slumber, so that he may rule the world as he once ruled Egypt. *if rand_heresy = 3 *if (heresy_of_masons > 0) or (heard_of_heresy_of_masons) *set rand_heresy 1 *goto rand_heresy *else *set heard_of_heresy_of_masons true As you delve deeper into the culture and history of your kind, you learn something of the heresies the praetors are tasked with extirpating. In particular, you learn of the Masonic Brothers. These vampires seem to have infiltrated the fraternal order of the Freemasons, but came away with certain democratic and spiritual notions of their own. Stone's revolution is often accused—in very hushed whispers—of being riddled with Masonic Brothers. *page_break *if (stealth < 4) #I improve my powers of stealth, allowing me to move among mortals without their notice. *set stealth +1 *set anachronism %-30 *if stealth = 2 Your powers of deception have reached supernatural levels. While you remain still, mortals are incapable of seeing you. *if stealth = 3 You can move among the mortals without their sensing your presence, unless you wish for them to. *if stealth = 4 You have learned to make people see and remember someone else when they interact with you. When you choose to, you can even disguise your ethnicity and gender. *if (perception < 4) #I practice extending my extrasensory perceptions. *set perception +1 *set anachronism %-30 *if shapeshifting <= 2 *selectable_if (shapeshifting > 0) #@{(shapeshifting < 2) I further develop my ability to command animals.|I learn how to change parts of my body to mimic the abilities of animals.} *set shapeshifting +1 *set anachronism %-20 *if shapeshifting = 2 Your ability to communicate with animals has now evolved to the point where you can give them simple commands that they will rush to obey. You can even summon small groups of animals to you. @{knows_about_vegetarianism When absolutely desperate, you imagine that perhaps you could use this to feed.|} *if shapeshifting = 3 *set compassion %+10 Your communion with animals has begun to take new forms, specifically your ability to morph portions of your body in animalistic ways... make your eyes glow with the fury of the beast, turn your ears into those of a bat to better hear, your fingers into claws to tear your enemies to shreds. @{(rationalism > 60) Sometimes, however, you wonder what this trafficking with the beast in your heart is doing to your soul.|} *if shapeshifting = 4 You have now learned to fully change your physical form, turning into a bat or wolf as the need arises. *if speaks_english = false #I learn to speak English. *set speaks_english true *set anachronism %+20 *if literate and (speaks_latin = false) *selectable_if (intelligence > 2) #I learn the father of languages and the sign of true erudition, Latin. *set speaks_latin true *if status < 3 *selectable_if (charm > 2) #I solicit the favor of the other vampires of the Society, and thereby increase my standing among them. *set status +1 *set anachronism %-20 *temp correspondant_num *rand correspondant_num 1 7 *label correspondant1 *if correspondant_num = 1 *if lockridge_correspondence or met_lockridge *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant1 *else *set heard_of_lockridge true *set lockridge_correspondence true *set lockridge_contactable true *set lockridge_rapport %+20 *set revolutionary_credentials %-5 In fact, you manage to engage Arthur Lockridge, Senator of Charleston, in a brief back-and-forth. *elseif correspondant_num = 2 *if bailey_correspondence or met_bailey *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant1 *else *set heard_of_bailey true *set bailey_correspondence true *set bailey_contactable true *set bailey_rapport %+20 *set revolutionary_credentials %+5 In fact, you manage to engage John Bailey, the newly-elected Senator of St. Louis, in a brief back-and-forth. *elseif correspondant_num = 3 *if coffin_correspondence or met_coffin *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant1 *else *set heard_of_coffin true *set coffin_correspondence true *set coffin_contactable true *set coffin_rapport %+20 In fact, you manage to engage Abigail Coffin, the Quaestor of Cincinnnati, in a brief back-and-forth. *elseif correspondant_num = 4 *if ashmore_correspondence or met_ashmore *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant1 *else *set heard_of_ashmore true *set ashmore_correspondence true *set ashmore_contactable true *set ashmore_rapport %+20 In fact, you manage to engage Rebecca Ashmore, the Senator of Philadelphia, in a brief back-and-forth. You learn that she is the offspring of Governor Overstreet, and the "niece" of Samantha Withers. *elseif correspondant_num = 5 *if bowater_correspondence or met_bowater *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant1 *else *set heard_of_bowater true *set bowater_correspondence true *set bowater_contactable true *set heard_of_townsend true *set bowaters_sire true *set bowater_rapport %+20 In fact, you manage to engage Abel Bowater, the Senator of Savannah, in a brief back-and-forth. You also learn that he is the offspring of Henry Townsend, the Governor of Philadelphia. *elseif correspondant_num = 6 *if timmers_correspondence or met_timmers *set correspondant_num 7 *goto correspondant1 *else *set heard_of_timmers true *set timmers_correspondence true *set timmers_contactable true *set timmers_rapport %+20 In fact, you manage to engage Gerard Timmers, the newly-elected Senator of Buffalo, in a brief back-and-forth. *elseif correspondant_num = 7 *if davison_correspondence or met_davison *set correspondant_num 1 *goto correspondant1 *else *set heard_of_davison true *set davison_correspondence true *set davison_contactable true *set davison_rapport %+20 In fact, you manage to engage Anne Davison, the Senator of Montréal, in a brief back-and-forth. *else *bug *if (streetwise < 4) #I deal in illicit things, and make friends in shadowy places. *set streetwise +1 *set anachronism %+10 *if (strength < 4) #I seek to improve the raw might of my undead form. *set strength +1 *set anachronism %-30 *if (anachronism > 60) and (technology < 3) *selectable_if (rationalism < 60) #I study the latest scientific inventions. *set anachronism %+40 *set technology +1 *set income +5 *if (willpower < 4) #I focus my attentions on withstanding the terrors of the night. *set willpower +1 *set anachronism %-30 *if thief *if (income >= 8) and (wealth > 50000) You have continued to steal from your victims, but now your financial situation has improved. Do you wish to stop your thieving? *choice #Yes. *set compassion %-5 *set thief false *set income -3 #No, not until I am on better financial footing. *set discretion %-5 #Why should I not take what I need? *set shepherd_credentials %-5 *set discretion %+5 *set compassion %+5 *if priest As the years have worn on, the matter of your faith has increasingly vexed you. What do you think of the fact that you continue to conduct yourself in the manner of a Catholic priest? *choice #My faith in God remains steadfast. *set rationalism %+10 *set anachronism %-10 #I could care less about God, but being a priest has its perks. *set rationalism %-20 *if (rationalism >= 50) #As God has abandoned me, so too do I abandon God. *set mr "Mr." *set priest false *set rationalism %+10 *set anachronism %+10 *if (rationalism < 50) #God? There is no God. Enough with this charade. *set mr "Mr." *set priest false *set rationalism %-20 *set anachronism %+20 *elseif (religious_tradition = "pagan") and (rationalism <= 60) As the years have worn on, the matter of your continued dedication to Hushtahli has been subjected to scrutiny more than once. What do you think of your continued dedication to him? *choice #My faith in Hushtahli remains steadfast. *set rationalism %+10 *set anachronism %-10 *if rationalism > 40 #My people have been abandoned by Hushtahli. Perhaps the Christians are right, and their God is supreme? *set religious_tradition "reformed" *set rationalism %+10 *set anachronism %+5 #Hushtahli? There is no such being. Enough with this charade. *set religious_tradition "reformed" *set rationalism %-10 *set anachronism %+10 *if (overstreet_rapport >= 75) and (governorfavor = false) *set status +1 *set overstreet_rapport %-40 *set governorfavor true *achieve governorfavor *set overstreet_contactable true Word of your actions has apparently reached the ears of Governor Overstreet, and she has spoken favorably of you in public. This favor translates to an improvement in your standing within the Society. *label stlouis_intro *page_break *set year 1878 *image stlouis_intro.png center *text_image stlouis_title.png center Choice of the Vampire: St. Louis, Unreal City. Or, Death by Water *page_break You brace yourself as the train rumbles across the Eads Bridge. Erected only a few years ago, the bridge is a wonder of engineering, finally connecting the rail traffic of the two sides of the Mississippi. @{(anachronism < 80) You are not entirely comfortable with such advances and refuse to look out the window at the water below. Instead, you|You} take in the immensity of the sky over both sides of the river. The stars twinkle far above, promising nothing. It is October 1st, 1878 when you first put foot to earth in St. Louis. *if (intelligence > 2) or ((ethnicity = "german") or (feeding_style = "drunks")) The city itself is built on network of natural caves. These naturally cool storage facilities encouraged the early development of breweries in the city. *if technology > 0 Now that Pasteuriztion and refrigerated train cars are becoming less rare, the location of the city has allowed the Lemp and Anheuser-Busch breweries to begin distributing their products to saloons throughout the country. You shake these thoughts away. From your fellow travelers on the train, you learn that the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Fair is next week; the Fair draws attendees from throughout the region, coming to gawk at the latest inventions and farming techniques. Disembarking from your train car, you take in your first view of your new home. Even if you hadn't learned about the Fair, it would have been clear that something was afoot: the city is abuzz with activity, even at this late hour. *if wealth > 10000 *set wealth -500 You arrange for temporary accommodations at the Planter's House Hotel, until you can find more permanent quarters. *elseif wealth > 1000 *set wealth -100 You rent a room in a boarding house until you can find more permanent quarters. *elseif charm > 3 Using your supernatural powers of persuasion, you are able to convince a local boardinghouse to offer you a room on credit, until you can find more fitting quarters. *else *set compassion %+20 Considering your destitute situation, you are forced to threaten and cajole your way into a home, effectively holding the family hostage until you are able to find more fitting quarters. *temp tick franklin_dead *if stlouis_valet_num > 3 *set tick true From here, you @{literate write|dictate} a letter to a lawyer about the sale of your former haven. *else From here, you @{literate write to|dictate a letter to} @{franklin_dead a lawyer|Franklin} about the sale of your former haven. @{memphis_haven_torched It may be a ruin, but the land is still worth something.|} Of course, this is not the best time to try and sell property in Memphis; the city is still reeling from the effects of the plague, and few are anxious to move to a city that no longer technically exists. @{(stlouis_valet_num = 4) Franklin promises to handle the details from here.|} *if tick *set haven_value * 0.70 *else *comment A still-living and loyal Franklin in Memphis can get a better deal on the sale of the property than a lawyer will. *set haven_value * 0.85 *if invitation_to_st_louis = "self" While you are waiting for a response, you set about trying to locate the court of St. Louis. The premier venue of the city is a hotel called the Planter's House. As a place for the wealthy to rub elbows with the beautiful and the intoxicated, you decide to pay it a visit in the hopes of finding one of your kind. *page_break Arriving at the Planter's House Hotel on the night of the 3rd, *if heard_of_bailey you immediately spy John Bailey, Senator of St. Louis. He has a table in the barroom, and numerous individuals cycle through the room paying fealty to him over the course of the night. You wait your turn before approaching. He is surprised to see you, but he does an admirable job of disguising it. "@{(status + 1) ${mr} ${surname}. Really? You've chosen to show your face here?|${mr} ${surname}. Whatever are you doing here?|${mr} ${surname}, I presume? You've come to St. Louis?|${mr} ${surname}! Welcome to St. Louis!|Stop my heart and clap my ears! What are you doing here ${mr} ${surname}?}" "Senator Bailey, as you likely know, Memphis is no more…" "Yes, yes, an unfortunate outcome. Necessary, but unfortunate." "Necessary?" "Yes. What with all those Republicans running the city into the ground. But now you're here! You'll have to meet Memeskia, of course. We'll be gathering at Schnaider's [i]biergarten[/i] tomorrow night. I will inform him that you will be attending." *set heard_of_memeskia true "Thank you, Senator." "@{(status + 1) Don't thank me yet. Let's see if Memeskia puts an end to you, first.|Don't thank me yet.|Don't thank me yet.|I'm sure Memeskia will welcome you to the city.|I'm certain Memeskia will welcome you to the city.}" "Until then," you reply. You return to your temporary abode. *else *set heard_of_bailey true it is not hard to ascertain the identity of the most powerful person in the room. He's clean-shaven and fashionably dressed, and throughout the evening, anyone that has an entourage of their own goes up to offer homage to him. You wait your turn before approaching. He peers at you carefully when you stand before him. He rules the room from a corner table. Behind him, two walls of windows look out east over several blocks to the river, and thence to Illinois. At the table with him are several young men and women, likely the wealthiest twenty-somethings of the city. "And who are you?" he asks. @{speaks_english |This is, of course, after several attempts to find a common tongue.} "${mr} ${surname}," you reply. "Recently of Memphis." "John Bailey," he begins, "Senator of St. Louis." You nod as a small courtesy. "What is most curious," he continues, "is that I've been to Memphis several times recently, and yet I don't recall meeting you." "I believe I saw you this summer. But everyone was so upset, there was no time for introductions." "That is true. Everyone was most upset." He purses his lips. "As you might suspect, I'm in need of a home now." "And you hope for St. Louis to be that home?" "Yes." He considers. "You will need to come to Schnaider's [i]biergarten[/i] tomorrow night. The necessary introductions can be made then." "Thank you, Senator." "Don't thank me yet," he replies with a wry grin. You bid him good evening and return to your temporary abode. *set met_bailey true Arriving there, you find a telegram from Memphis. It seems a buyer has been found for your old home. A bank draft will be conveyed to you promptly. One less thing for you to worry about, you suppose. *else However, a willing buyer is eventually found and a bank draft is conveyed to you at your new domicile. *set wealth +haven_value *set haven_value 0 *finish Next *label wealth_test *if wealth < 0 Less than $0!! *goto_scene scoring *elseif wealth = 0 $0!! *goto_scene scoring *elseif wealth < 5000 Less than $5000 *goto_scene scoring *elseif wealth < 25000 Less than $25000 *goto_scene scoring *elseif wealth < 50000 Less than $50000 *goto_scene scoring *elseif wealth < 100000 Less than $100,000 *goto_scene scoring *elseif wealth < 150000 Less than $150,000 *goto_scene scoring *elseif wealth < 250000 Less than $250,000 *goto_scene scoring *elseif wealth < 500000 Less than $500,000 *goto_scene scoring *else More than $500,000! *goto_scene scoring