*comment ñáéç…— *hide_reuse *comment *gosub_scene util exposure_check *gosub_scene util lore_2_check *set original_name given_name *set original_surname surname *set wealth +(income * 20000) *set progression_in_time 0 *gosub_scene util timejump_defaults *set anachronism %-10 *if ethnicity = "choctaw" *if male *set mr "Mr." *else *set mr "Ms." Leaving the lower delta behind, the shrinking wilderness of the West stretches out before you. Over the next few decades, the West—the area between the Appalachians and the Mississippi—becomes an incubator for the troubles of the young nation. The Indian Removal Act authorizes the forced relocation of the Native Americans to Indian Territory; the status of slavery in the new territories is debated and fought over in newspapers and Senate chambers; and an individualistic, entrepreneurial, and violent spirit flourishes in the American soil. *if ethnicity = "choctaw" The worst of these crimes, though, is the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek: your former people signed away 11 million acres of land and agreed to move to Indian Territory, while those who remain must renounce their tribal affiliations and become citizens of the United States. *if compassion > 50 Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how many Union soldiers you kill…the Choctaw that become citizens and remain in Mississippi are subjected to intimidation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement. *else *set shepherd_credentials %+10 Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how many of your former people you save from harassment or murder. The Choctaw that become citizens and remain in Mississippi are subjected to systematic intimidation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement. You cannot be everywhere at once. *if avoided_new_orleans In February of 1835, news of the attempted assassination of President Jackson races through the young nation. It seems that a deranged house-painter drew not one but two pistols, aimed, and fired them at President Jackson. Luckily for Jackson, it is reported that both of the pistols misfired. Not to be outdone, the enraged Jackson dropped the assassin to the ground with a few quick strikes of his cane before David Crockett subdued him more systematically. *if (shepherd_credentials < 55) and (discretion < 60) When interrogated, the attacker, a man by the name of Richard Lawrence, claims that he is, in fact, Richard III, the long-deceased monarch of England, and that Jackson is his disobedient clerk. Unsurprisingly, Lawrence is deemed insane and institutionalized for the rest of his life. *if ethnicity = "irish" In 1845, the Great Potato Famine strikes Ireland. While estimates vary wildly, approximately a third of the population dies of starvation, while another third emigrates to other shores. Their English overlords debate the matter in Parliament, and conclude that helping the Irish would potentially obligate them to helping the other territories of the Empire. And since they are unwilling to set such a precedent, they stand idly by and let the situation unfold while hiding behind claims of "free markets" and "[i]laissez-faire[/i] economics." A vast majority of those emigrants arrive in the United States, and Irish ghettos multiply and divide throughout the cities of the young nation. *label restore_checkpoint *advertisement *temp correspondant_num *rand correspondant_num 1 6 While these things transpire around you, you have time to devote to improving yourself and your circumstances. How do you spend these nights? *choice *if (choice_randomtest = false) #First, I'd like to save my game at this checkpoint. *gosub_scene checkpoint create_save *set checkpoint "timejump1" Game Saved! *goto restore_checkpoint *if (literate = false) #I learn how to read and write. *set literate true *set anachronism %+20 *if (agility < 3) #I practice my balance. *set agility +1 *set anachronism %-10 *if (charm < 3) #I refine my poise and wit. *set charm +1 *set anachronism %-10 *if creation = 0 #I learn to play the piano. *set creation +1 *set anachronism %+10 *if (creation > 0) and (creation < 3) #I improve my art. *set creation +1 *set anachronism %+10 *if (fighting < 2) #I learn to defend myself. *set fighting +1 *set anachronism %-10 *if (fighting = 2) #I continue to develop my martial prowess. *set fighting +1 *set anachronism %-10 *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 +(finance * 50) *set wealth +20000 *set wealth +(finance * 10000) *if intelligence < 3 *selectable_if (literate) #I read as widely as possible about the events of the world and the discoveries of science, trying to educate myself as best as I can. *set intelligence +1 *set anachronism %+30 *if lore < 3 *selectable_if (literate) #I seek out the history of my kind. *set lore +1 *set anachronism %-10 *if lore = 1 *set taught_three_rules true 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. *page_break *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. *page_break *if (stealth < 3) #I improve my powers of stealth, allowing me to move among mortals without their notice. *set stealth +1 *set anachronism %-10 *label stealth_test *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 chose to, you can even disguise your ethnicity and gender. *if (perception < 3) #I practice extending my extrasensory perceptions. *set perception +1 *set anachronism %-10 @{perception Paying more attention to your surroundings is a useful talent; you spend time attempting to open your senses to your environment without becoming overwhelmed by it.|With practice, you are able to focus and direct your senses to an inhuman degree of detail. You can hear a pin drop from the far side of the house, and pick out faces in a crowd from a great distance.|With practice, you discover that you are able to sense the motivations of others, and even whether or not they are being deceptive.} *if shapeshifting < 3 *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.} *label shapeshifting_test *set shapeshifting +1 *set anachronism %-15 *if shapeshifting = 4 You have now learned to fully change your physical form, turning into a bat or wolf as the need arises. *if shapeshifting = 3 *set compassion %+5 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 = 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 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 amongst them. *set status +1 *set anachronism %-20 *label correspondant1 *if correspondant_num = 1 *if lockridge_correspondence *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant1 *else *set heard_of_lockridge true *set lockridge_correspondence true *set lockridge_contactable true *set lockridge_rapport %+20 In fact, you manage to engage Arthur Lockridge, Senator of Charleston, in a brief back-and-forth. *elseif correspondant_num = 2 *if bailey_correspondence *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant1 *else *set heard_of_bailey true *set bailey_correspondence true *set bailey_contactable true *set bailey_rapport %+20 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 *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 Cincinnati, in a brief back-and-forth. *elseif correspondant_num = 4 *if ashmore_correspondence *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 *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 *set correspondant_num 1 *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. *else *bug *if streetwise < 3 #I deal in illicit things and make friends in shadowy places. *set streetwise +1 *set anachronism %+15 *if strength < 3 #I seek to improve the raw might of my undead form. *set strength +1 *set anachronism %-10 *if (anachronism > 60) and (technology < 2) *selectable_if (rationalism < 60) #I spend some time studying steamboats and their means of locomotion. *set anachronism %+25 *set technology +1 *set income +5 *if (willpower < 3) #I focus my attentions on withstanding the terrors of the night. *set willpower +1 *set discretion %+5 *label priest_test *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? *fake_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 %-10 *selectable_if (rationalism >= 40) #As God has abandoned me, so too do I abandon God. *set mr "Mr." *set priest false *set rationalism %+10 *set anachronism %+10 *selectable_if (rationalism < 60) #God? There is no God. Enough with this charade. *set mr "Mr." *set priest false *set rationalism %-20 *set anachronism %+20 *if overstreet_rapport >= 75 *set status +1 *set overstreet_rapport %-40 *if governorfavor = false *set governorfavor true *achieve governorfavor *set overstreet_contactable true Word of your deeds 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 vicksburg_intro *page_break Volume Two *text_image vicksburg_title.png center Choice of the Vampire: The Siege of Vicksburg Eventually you alight upon the beautiful city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. *if wealth > 3000000 *restart Overlooking a graceful bend in the Mississippi, this very defensible city seems like a good place to wait out this messy squabble brewing between the "Free" States and the "Slave" States. *if ethnicity = "choctaw" The Choctaw relocation used Vicksburg as a gathering point for the journey west. Escorted here by Federal soldiers, your former people embarked on boats to cross the river towards Fort Towson in Indian Territory. The exodus of the tribe was mostly completed in 1833, but further emigrations are encouraged and facilitated until 1903. Every day that you live in this city, you imagine your people being forced onto those boats and led away to places unknown. *fake_choice #If I could tear down the colonists' government, I would. *set shepherd_credentials %+10 These considerations stoke your anger towards the Federal Government into a seething rage. Perhaps someday you will wreak your vengeance upon it. #The travails of the Choctaw people are no longer mine. *set shepherd_credentials %-10 *set compassion %+15 You are now a vampire. You have set aside concerns for those who were once your brethren. #This is a better use of the land; it will make it easier to feed if there are more people. *set shepherd_credentials %-20 *set compassion %+10 You are now a vampire. You have set aside concerns for those who were once your brethren. Now you must look out for your own interests. *finish Next *label wealth_test *if wealth < 0 Less than $0!! *return *elseif wealth = 0 $0!! *return *elseif wealth < 5000 Less than $5000 *return *elseif wealth < 25000 Less than $25000 *return *elseif wealth < 50000 Less than $50000 *return *elseif wealth < 100000 Less than $100,000 *return *elseif wealth < 150000 Less than $150,000 *return *elseif wealth < 250000 Less than $250,000 *return *elseif wealth < 500000 Less than $500,000 *return *elseif wealth < 750000 Less than $750,000! *return *elseif wealth < 1000000 Less than $1,000,000 *return *elseif wealth < 1250000 Less than $1,250,000 *return *elseif wealth < 1500000 Less than $1,500,000 *return *elseif wealth < 2000000 Less than $2,000,000 *return *else Wealth: ${wealth} *page_break *bug *return