*comment ñáéç *set wealth +(income*1000) *set progression_in_time 0 *set train_charm false *set train_stealth false *set shopping_spree false The years pass by quickly. You have time to devote to improve yourself and your circumstances. *if speaks_english = false Watching the world change around you, you decide that it is finally time to learn the tongue of this nation. You apply yourself to the study of English, and become adept in its ways. *set speaks_english true *set anachronism %+10 *goto boston_intro *else *choice *if literate = false #I learnt how to read and write. *set literate true *set anachronism %+20 *goto priest_test *if agility < 4 #I was practicing my balance. *set agility +1 *set anachronism %-30 *goto priest_test *if charm < 4 #I refined my poise and wit. *set charm +1 *set anachronism %-30 *goto priest_test *if creation < 4 #I was busy improving my art. *set creation +1 *set anachronism %-15 *goto priest_test *if fighting < 4 #I learnt to defend myself. *set fighting +1 *set anachronism %-30 *goto priest_test #I carefully nursed my investments. *set income +(finance * 50) *set wealth +50000 *set anachronism %+5 *goto priest_test *if intelligence < 4 #I travelled within the circles of the intelligensia, learning all I could of the world. *set intelligence +1 *set anachronism %+15 *goto priest_test *if lore < 4 *selectable_if (literate) #I sought out the history of my kind. *set lore +1 *set anachronism %-30 *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. *page_break *goto priest_test *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, administer 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." 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. *page_break *goto priest_test *else *goto priest_test *if stealth < 4 #I improved my powers of stealth, allowing me to move among mortals without their notice. *set stealth +1 *set anachronism %-30 *goto stealth_test *if perception < 4 #I extended my extrasensory perceptions. *set perception +1 *set anachronism %-20 *goto priest_test *if shapeshifting < 2 *selectable_if (shapeshifting > 0) #I further develop my ability to command animals. *set shapeshifting +1 *set anachronism %-40 *goto shapeshifting_test *if shapeshifting = 2 #I learned how to change parts of my body to mimic the abilities of animals. *set shapeshifting +1 *set anachronism %-40 *goto shapeshifting_test *if shapeshifting = 3 #I learned how to take the form of the wolf and bat. *set shapeshifting +1 *set anachronism %-40 *goto shapeshifting_test *if literate and (speaks_latin = false) *selectable_if (intelligence > 2) #I learned the father of languages and the sign of true erudition, Latin. *set speaks_latin true *goto priest_test *if Status < 3 *selectable_if (Charm > 2) #I made my mark upon my brethren. *set status +1 *set anachronism %-30 *goto priest_test *if Streetwise < 4 #I dealt in illicit things, and made friends in shadowy places. *set streetwise +1 *set anachronism %+15 *goto priest_test *if Strength < 4 #I sought to improve the raw might of my undead form. *set strength +1 *set anachronism %-30 *goto priest_test *if (anachronism > 40) and (technology < 3) *selectable_if (rationalism < 60) #I studied the latest scientific inventions. *set anachronism %+10 *set technology +1 *goto priest_test *if Willpower < 4 #I focused my attentions on withstanding the terrors of the night. *set willpower +1 *set anachronism %-30 *goto priest_test *label stealth_test *if stealth = 2 Your powers of deception have reached supernatural levels. While you remain still, mortals are incapable of seeing you. *goto priest_test *if stealth = 3 You can move among the mortals without their sensing your presence, unless you wish for them to. *goto priest_test *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. *goto priest_test *else *goto priest_test *label shapeshifting_test *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. *if knows_about_vegetarianism When absolutely desperate, you imagine that perhaps you could use this to feed. *goto priest_test *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. *if rationalism > 60 Sometimes, however, you wonder what this trafficking with the beast in your heart is doing to your soul. *goto priest_test *if shapeshifting = 4 You have now learned to fully change your physical form, turning into a bat or wolf as the need arises. *goto priest_test *else *goto priest_test *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? *choice #My faith in God remains steadfast. *set rationalism %+10 *set anachronism %-10 *goto boston_intro #I could care less about God, but being a priest has its perks. *set rationalism %-20 *goto boston_intro *if rationalism >= 50 #As God has abandoned me, so to do I abandon God. *set mr "Mr." *set priest false *set rationalism %+10 *set anachronism %+10 *goto boston_intro *if rationalism < 50 #God? There is no God. Enough with this charade. *set mr "Mr." *set priest false *set rationalism %-20 *set anachronism %+20 *goto boston_intro *else *goto pagan_test *label pagan_test *if (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 *goto boston_intro *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 *goto boston_intro #Hushtahli? There is no such being. Enough with this charade. *set religious_tradition "reformed" *set rationalism %-10 *set anachronism %+10 *goto boston_intro *else *goto boston_intro *label boston_intro *set exposure 0 Boston is a city whose importance has waxed and waned with the centuries. You have come here, looking for a new beginning. *choice #Begin your rise to power. *set Discretion %+5 *set Wealth +1000 *finish Next #Or are you here for something else? *set compassion %-5 *set discretion %-5 *finish Next