*comment ñáéç…— *hide_reuse *advertisement *gosub_scene util check_flow *gosub_scene util lore_2_check *comment Memphis intro *if male *set mr "Mr." *if priest *set mr "Father" *else *set him "her" *set mr "Miss" *if presented_memphis *image memphis_intro.png center *text_image memphis_title.png center Choice of the Vampire: The Fall of Memphis *page_break *gosub_scene util timejump_defaults *comment modifying this file to force a re-update *set wealth +5000 *set wealth +(income*1000) *if chasing_wilson You settle into the rhythms of your new home. As you spend less and less time actively hunting ${wilson}, you find yourself with time to pursue your own interests. *elseif (memphis_haven = "empty") The next few years in Vicksburg pass quietly enough. During this time, you find yourself free to pursue your own interests. *else You settle into the rhythms of your new home. The city grows rapidly as the years pass and the long process of recovery gets underway. *label restore_checkpoint *temp calc_mb 0 *temp rand_heresy 0 *rand rand_heresy 1 3 *temp correspondant_num *rand correspondant_num 1 6 How do you spend this time? *choice *if (choice_randomtest = false) #First, I'd like to save my game at this checkpoint. *gosub_scene checkpoint create_save *set checkpoint "timejump3" 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 %-30 *if charm < 3 #I refine my poise and wit. *set charm +1 *set anachronism %-30 *if creation = 0 #I learn to play the piano. *set creation +1 *set anachronism %+20 *if (creation > 0) and (creation < 3) #I busy myself improving my art. *set creation +1 *set anachronism %+10 *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 < 3 #I travel within the circles of the intellectual elites, learning all I can of the world. *set intelligence +1 *set anachronism %+15 *if (lore < 3) *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 < 3 #I improve my powers of stealth, thereby allowing me to move among mortals without their notice. *set stealth +1 *set anachronism %-50 *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 = 0 #I practice paying better attention to my surroundings. *set perception +1 *set anachronism %+10 *if (perception > 0) and (perception < 3) #I practice extending my extrasensory perceptions. *set perception +1 *set anachronism %-10 @{(perception = 2) 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.} *page_break *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 %-50 *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.|} *elseif 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.|} *elseif 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 *set anachronism %-10 *if (status < 3) *selectable_if (charm > 2) #I endeavor to solicit the favor of the other vampires of the Society, and thereby increase my standing amongst them. *set status +1 *set anachronism %-40 *if presented_memphis *set carothers_rapport %+30 *set applethorp_rapport %+15 *set revolutionary_credentials %+10 *else *set withers_rapport %+25 *set overstreet_rapport %+10 *label correspondant *if correspondant_num = 1 *if lockridge_correspondence *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant *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. *if correspondant_num = 2 *if bailey_correspondence *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant *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. *if correspondant_num = 3 *if coffin_correspondence *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant *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. *if correspondant_num = 4 *if ashmore_correspondence *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant *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. *if correspondant_num = 5 *if bowater_correspondence *set correspondant_num +1 *goto correspondant *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. *if correspondant_num = 6 *if timmers_correspondence *set correspondant_num 1 *goto correspondant *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. *if streetwise < 3 #I deal in illicit things, and make friends in shadowy places. *set streetwise +1 *set anachronism %+15 *if strength < 3 #I improve the raw might of my undead form. *set strength +1 *set anachronism %-20 *if (anachronism > 60) and (technology < 2) *selectable_if (rationalism < 60) #I study the latest scientific inventions. *set anachronism %+40 *set technology +1 *set income +5 *if willpower < 3 #I focus my attentions on withstanding the terrors of the night. *set willpower +1 *set anachronism %-25 *if (heard_about_new_orleans_quaestor_change = false) and (sire_alive and ((sire_name != "Pieter van der Velde") and (sire_name != "West"))) *page_break *if presented_memphis *set applethorp_rapport %+5 During one of these early nights in Memphis, Applethorp pulls you aside to share some news with you from New Orleans. *if sire_name = "Padre Carlos" Apparently, your dominus has been named the first praetor of the Americas. A Dutch vampire, by the name of Pieter van der Velde, has replaced him as Quaestor. Withers congratulates you on the news. *else Apparently, your dominus has been replaced as Quaestor there by a Dutchman by the name of Pieter van der Velde. ${sire_name} has since left the city. *if (applethorp_rapport > 50) and (sire_rapport > 50) Applethorp offers you a few words of comfort at the news. *else One night, over cards, Withers shares some news out of New Orleans with you. *if sire_name = "Padre Carlos" Apparently, your dominus has been named the first praetor of the Americas. A Dutch vampire, by the name of Pieter van der Velde, has replaced him as Quaestor. Withers congratulates you on the news. *else Apparently, your dominus has been replaced as Quaestor of New Orleans. A Dutch vampire, by the name of Pieter van der Velde, arrived bearing a letter from Governor Overstreet. ${sire_name} has since left the city. *if (withers_rapport > 50) and (sire_rapport > 50) Withers offers you a few words of comfort at the news. *gosub_scene util update_new_orleans_quaestor *if priest *page_break 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 *selectable_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 %-15 *set anachronism %+10 *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 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. *page_break *if presented_memphis It is not long before you acquire the services of a new valet, a freedman by the name of Franklin. He is no @{pitchforks_in_saintcharles Anselm|Wilson}, but he serves well enough. *if municipal_debt > 0 *set calc_mb municipal_debt *set calc_mb (municipal_debt * 0.07) *set calc_mb (calc_mb * 6) *set calc_mb (calc_mb * 17) *set wealth + calc_mb In addition, you receive several interest payments on your municipal bonds during this time. *if observing_kkk The Ku Klux Klan's insurgency fizzles in the pan. In 1869, Nathan Bedford Forrest orders the Klan disbanded for failing to live up to its "original honorable and patriotic purposes." Unfortunately, the organization has since taken on a life of its own. Chapters of the organization perpetrate violence throughout the former Confederacy, resulting in two acts by President Grant authorizing Union soldiers to protect the former slaves from the brigands. *if met_nbf and (joined_kkk = false) Of course, this leaves General Forrest free to pursue those "patriotic purposes" without the burden of managing a national organiztion. *elseif joined_kkk Forrest does make it clear to you that he has not forsaken his objectives, merely that he has decided it best to change tactics. Arrests and prosecutions in Federal courts quickly decimate the Klan's numbers, and soon its remaining members splinter into a variety of local organizations. *if joined_kkk Thankfully, your affiliation with Klan does not fall under scrutiny. At Forrest's prompting, you sever ties with any of the more incendiary elements. *comment endif The failure of the Klan, however, does not stop the efforts of former Confederates to regain their power and influence. While the Klan itself is broken by President Grant and the Federal authorities, the damage has already been done; with blacks unwilling or unable to cast their ballots, Republicans are voted out of office throughout the legislatures of the South. *set learned_of_ppu true *else Memphis, as one of the first cities captured by the Union, serves as a crucible for competing interests during the Reconstruction years. Between various guerrilla groups, Northern missionaries and carpet-baggers, and competing factions within the black community, strife permeates every level of the city's culture. *if carothers_rapport > 30 On the rare occasions that you see Carothers during this period, you sense his dismay at the faltering advance of his former people. Though he comforts himself with small victories, the swelling tide of the old South—aided by the abandonment of the Reconstructionist cause by Congress—is inexorable. *page_break During one of those rare occasions when Carothers fraternizes with you during this period, he turns the conversation around to the subject of money. "Are you familiar with the Freedman's Savings Bank?" *if (ethnicity = "african") and (compassion < 50) Are you familiar with it! The Federal government established the bank in Baltimore once the war was over. Black celebrities all over the nation have personally invested monies in the bank. The Memphis branch opened recently, and has been instrumental in lending capital for the establishment of hospitals, churches, and other civic institutions for the former slaves. Blacks across the nation have invested heavily in the bank, thrilled to have a bank working on their behalf and in their communities. *elseif (memphis_haven = "beale") A branch of the bank opened recently in Memphis. Your neighbors have spoken excitedly about its presence in the community, as it is obligated to lend money for the establishment of black civic institutions. *elseif (memphis_haven = "yankees") A branch of the bank opened recently in Memphis. The Federal government established the bank with a mandate to lend capital for the establishment of civic institutions in black communities. *else You've vaguely heard something of a bank established by the Federal government to help the former slaves, but you know little more than that. "I have heard of it," you say cautiously. "I am sure you understand that this institution is dear to my heart. What remains of it, anyway," he notes with a wistful smile. "What I am saying is that I think you should purchase some of their bonds. I can arrange for my associate there to offer you some at a 6% interest rate. Should I arrange a meeting for you?" *choice #"That would be most generous of you, Quaestor." *set carothers_rapport %+15 *temp avail_wealth round(wealth/51) *set met_percival_little true "I am so very pleased to hear that, ${mr} ${surname}. Now, about the Meriwethers…" *gosub meriwether *page_break A few nights later, you arrive at the Freedman's Bank. In the interim, you've had a chance to do some rough calculations, and have concluded that you have approximately $${avail_wealth} available to invest. A young man greets you at the door, then locks it behind you. He introduces himself—"Percival Little, at your service"—and leads you to his office. He spends some time going over figures and projections with you, but you have a hard time concentrating on his words; instead, you find yourself fantasizing about feeding from this fellow. @{(feeding_style = "merchants") Considering your affection for bankers, you are amazed that you are able to maintain your composure.|} When he is finished, he presents you with some investment options. *choice *if (avail_wealth > 250) #In truth, I'm not interested in investing much at all. I give Little a hundred dollars or so and ask him to tell Carothers that I invested a small sum. *set amount_invested_freedmans 1700 *set wealth -1700 *set shepherd_credentials %-10 Percival promises to do as you have requested. You take your leave of him, knowing it best not to feed from any "associate" of the Quaestor's. *else #In truth, I have no money to invest. Percival is clearly surprised that Carothers would send you to him. He apologizes for the awkwardness of the situation, and hurries you to the door. You depart without protest, concluding it best not to feed from any "associate" of the Quaestor's. *selectable_if (avail_wealth > 500) #I will invest $500 in these bonds. *set amount_invested_freedmans 8500 *set wealth -8500 *set shepherd_credentials %+5 Percival thanks you for your investment, and you arrange with him to have the funds moved to his care. You take your leave of him, knowing it best not to feed from any "associate" of the Quaestor's. *selectable_if (avail_wealth > 1000) #I will invest $1000 in these bonds. *set amount_invested_freedmans 17000 *set wealth -17000 *set shepherd_credentials %+5 Percival thanks you for your investment, and you arrange with him to have the funds moved to his care. You take your leave of him, knowing it best not to feed from any "associate" of the Quaestor's. *selectable_if (avail_wealth > 5000) #I will invest $5000 in these bonds. *set amount_invested_freedmans 85000 *set wealth -85000 *set shepherd_credentials %+10 Percival thanks you for your investment, and you arrange with him to have the funds moved to his care. You take your leave of him, knowing it best not to feed from any "associate" of the Quaestor's. *selectable_if (avail_wealth > 10000) #I will invest $10,000 in these bonds. *set amount_invested_freedmans 170000 *set wealth -170000 *set shepherd_credentials %+15 Percival thanks you for your investment, and you arrange with him to have the funds moved to his care. You take your leave of him, knowing it best not to feed from any "associate" of the Quaestor's. *selectable_if (discretion < 75) #"I'm afraid I am in no position to invest any money at this time. The war devastated my holdings, you see…" *if memphis_haven = "greenlaw" *if status >= 2 *set independence %+10 *set carothers_rapport %-5 Carothers peers at you closely. He clearly knows that you are lying, since you recently purchased a home in the Greenlaw Additon. However, the conventions of the Society make him reticent to call someone of your standing out on a lie. At the same time, your lie is a polite one; it was certaily more politic than simply declining. He nods slowly, suddenly seeing you in a new light. *else *set independence %-10 *set carothers_rapport %-20 "You should not be so careless with your lies, ${mr} ${surname}." "Excuse me?" "Did you not just purchase a home in the Greenlaw Addition? It is unclear to me how you could afford that and yet be unable to invest in the community." @{(charm >= 3) "Quaestor, you must understand…" you begin.|"I…uhm…" you stutter.} "Enough. You've made your point, and I have made mine. Now, about the Meriwethers…" *if memphis_haven != "greenlaw" *set carothers_rapport %-5 "I am sorry to hear that, ${mr} ${surname}. Now, about the Meriwethers…" *gosub meriwether Carothers does not bring up the matter of investing at the Freedman's Bank again. *selectable_if (discretion > 35) #"Though I appreciate your concerns, Quaestor, I am really not very interested in financial advice from you. If we could return to the subject at hand…" *set carothers_rapport %-15 *set discretion %+10 *set shepherd_credentials %-5 He bristles at your rudeness. "Yes, about the Meriwethers…" *gosub meriwether Carothers does not bring up the matter again. *gosub gallatin_robbery *finish Next *else Some evenings, you take a stroll along the waterfront. The breezes off the river offer some comfort from the summer heat, as well as reminding you of New Orleans. Pausing for a moment, you watch as a boat full of Irishmen pulls up to the dock before you. They laugh and joke as they tie the vessel down and begin unloading. *if perception > 2 Surveying the crew, you are surprised to notice one among them who does not belong. When you catch his attention, you can see his terror at being discovered. Wiping away a bloody nose, he nears the edge of the boat and addresses you. *else One of the crew members nears the edge of the boat. Wiping away his watery eyes, he addresses you. *set met_hugh_in_vicksburg true *set met_hugh true *set heard_of_gallagher true *if speaks_english "I'm not comin' ashore. I nae broken no rules." "No worries, good sir. I am not the Quaestor, nor am I her representative." "Then why are you here?" "Purely by happenstance." The stranger looks at you suspiciously. "Happenstance." "My name is ${given_name} ${surname}. And yours?" "Hugh. Hugh Gallagher." "And do you intend on staying on that boat all night?" "I do," he replies, spitting into the water through the prominent gap in his front teeth. "Where are you headed, then?" "Ta' Memphis. I've heard that my people have settled there in some numbers. I hope ta' find a new home." *if compassion < 40 "Well, I suppose that as long as you do not come ashore, there is no reason to inform the quaestor of your presence. Do not make me regret this." "I will not, ${mr} ${surname}." "Safe travels, then, Hugh." "Thank you, ${sir}." *elseif (compassion >= 60) and (independence > 50) *set debt_from_gallagher true "Your people? No wonder you're on the run." "Wha' do ye mean?" "You are no longer human, and yet you still think of the mortals as 'your people.' You might give that some consideration." He looks at you silently, a pained look upon his face. "Aye, you may be right. But at least Ay'd be better 'idden there." "That you would, Mr. Gallagher. I wish you safe travels." "And to ye." *else *set debt_from_gallagher true "I suppose that, if you are not coming ashore, then I do not have to inform the quaestor of your presence. Of course, such silence always comes at a price, Mr. Gallagher." "Then I suppose I would be owin' you a debt, ${mr} ${surname}." "Yes, I suppose you would. Safe travels, Mr. Gallagher." "And you." *else Unfortunately, he does not share a tongue with you. He does make it clear, however, that he is staying on the boat. Apparently, he is under the impression that there is no need to meet the quaestor if he does not set foot in her city. You do manage to make some sort of introduction, however, and glean that his name is Hugh Gallagher. He smiles at you with a gap-toothed grin. The rest is unintelligible. However, from another one of the crew, you learn that the boat is bound for Memphis. You do your best to make it clear that he is not to step foot on the dock. He nods, seemingly in agreement. The etiquette of vampires: at times so clear, at others so…malleable. *gosub gallatin_robbery *page_break *if (lore > 2) and (senators_representation = false) *set withers_rapport %-5 *gosub_scene vicksburg_siege withers_senators *page_break *set withers_rapport %+10 *comment meeting every week for six or so years improves the character's relationship with Withers a little. One Tuesday evening, late in July of 1873, you arrive at Withers's haven to find her opening the door for you herself—normally, her butler would have greeted you. "Come! There is much news!" "What has happened? *if discretion > 60 Has Consul Stone murdered another Praetor?" "No, nothing like that," she says with a laugh. "Cheeky, aren't you?" "Perhaps," you reply with a wry smile. *elseif (discretion > 40) and withers_embarrassed Has something happened to Jesse? Has he broken another woman's heart?" "No, nothing like that," she says with a scowl. *elseif (discretion > 40) Has something happened to Jesse? Has he embarrassed himself again?" "I only wish!" *else Has something happened to your broodmate? I hope she is well." "No, nothing like that," she says, a momentary flash of concern passing across her face. Hurrying into her salon, she gestures to a stack of letters. "The Senate is gathering in a month in Memphis to choose a new senator." "And…" "And? Don't you see? This will be the first new senator since Stone's revolt! The whole fate of the revolution could ride on this election!" *choice *selectable_if (discretion > 40) #"Perhaps I should go and make it known that I am fit to be Senator of Memphis." *set discretion %+5 *set independence %+10 Withers laughs. "Unfortunately, I think you have been in this backwater with me for too long. What friends do you have in the Senate?" *if bailey_correspondence "John Bailey, Senator of St. Louis, in fact." "Oh, John! What a lovely vampire." "You've met?" "Once or twice." "Do you think he would support me?" She winces. "Unlikely, ${given_name}. While you may have become acquainted with him, you are still not well-known enough in the Society to succeed in such a gambit." "Tell me, then, how these elections work?" *elseif lockridge_correspondence *set withers_rapport %+5 "Arthur Lockridge, Senator of Charleston, in fact." "Oh, Arthur!" she says. "He is such a gentleman!" "You are acquainted?" "But of course! He would come to Savannah regularly. Charleston is not so far." "Do you think he would suppose my election?" She snorts. "Alas, @{(withers_rapport > 60) dear |}${given_name}, I don't think so. Arthur votes for those whom he considers his peers, and I do not think he would see you as a peer." You nod. "Tell me then, how the election works?" *elseif coffin_correspondence "Abigail Coffin, Senator of Cincinnati, in fact." "That sack of wet tobacco?" "Wet tobacco?" "An expression of my youth," she says, rolling her eyes. "What did she have to say?" "Nothing in particular, but she was curious about my dominus and the happenings of the region." "I would suggest being careful with her, ${given_name}. Goody Coffin is no churchmouse." "I would expect nothing less from one of our kind. But tell me, how does the election work?" *elseif ashmore_correspondence "Rebecca Ashmore, Senator of Philadelphia, in fact." "My bloood-niece? She has not mentioned this to me!" "Oh? That's surprising," you reply innocently. Withers stews on this for a moment. "All the same, I suspect that you would find the task rather difficult. You would need more than the acquaintance of one senator." "Tell me, then, how the election works?" *elseif bowater_correspondence *set withers_rapport %-15 "Abel Bowater, Senator of Savannah, in fact." "The Quaker?" she exclaims. "Haven't we had enough of Quakers here?" "Senator Bowater was, in fact, quite interested hear about the adventures of Mr. Calkins." "You told him that the matter was handled, of course." "I did." She glares at you. "All the same, I suspect that you would find the task rather difficult. You would need more than the acquaintance of one senator." "Tell me, then, how the election works?" *elseif timmers_correspondence "Gerard Timmers, Senator of Buffalo, in fact." "Senator Timmers? That is…unexpected." "Are you acquainted with him?" "I met him once, yes, but I am not well-acquainted." "Do you think he would support me?" "I cannot say for certain, but I suspect not." "Tell me, then how the election works?" *else "None." *if withers_rapport > 40 "Then I might suggest attending, so that the next time a Senator is elected, you will have allies in place." "But, how are these things done?" *else "Then I imagine that you would find it rather difficult. The election of a Senator turns upon a candidate's influence with the existing Senate…an area in which you are clearly deficient." You do your best to ignore this barb. "And how does the election transpire?" *selectable_if (discretion < 60) #"But, what can I do about this?" *if withers_rapport > 40 "Senators from across the Americas will be in attendance. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the Society at large." *if exiled_from_new_orleans "Perhaps I have already made enough of a splash in the Society. After all, my expulsion from New Orleans…" "You cannot spend eternity in hiding. Eventually, you will have to make your way among the Society. And an opportunity such as this does not often present itself." *goto farewell_to_withers *else *if independence > 40 "And why are you so concerned with my introduction to the Society at large?" "Come, dear ${given_name}, you cannot hide here in Vicksburg forever. This is my cross to bear, not yours. Besides, we have strained at the seams of this town long enough; it is time for you to go before we are discovered." "And do you believe that it will work? That my introduction will be successful, I mean. Not that we will be discovered." *if withers_rapport > 65 "How could it not, dear ${given_name}? It worked on me." Is she…flirting with you? A strange thing to do when she is pushing you out the door. *else "You will make do." "Yes, well, I suppose that you are right. I cannot hide here forever. And this is an excellent opportunity." "Splendid. I shall arrange passage for you forthwith." "Thank you, Quaestor Withers. Until next we meet." "Until then," she replies. Returning to your haven, you set about packing your things. Memphis awaits. *else "But I have little interest in the Society. I am perfectly content existing at its fringes." "That may very well be the case, but you cannot hide here with me forever, dear ${given_name}. You must go and see what you can make of yourself, lest the Society comes here and makes you for itself." "If you insist…" "That I do." "Very well, then. I will pack my things tonight. Until next we meet, Quaestor Withers." "Until then, dear ${given_name}." Your goodbyes said, you take your leave of Samantha. Returning home, you pack your things, and arrange for passage to Memphis. A new world awaits. *else "Nothing. But perhaps there you can hear word of a city that might be more fitting for you." "As much as I have enjoyed your company, ${mr} ${surname}, I am afraid that your welcome here has long since expired." "Then I suppose I should go and pack my things." "Yes, please do." "Very well, Quaestor Withers. Good night to you." Her own farewell "And to you" reaches your ears only after you have already thrown open the door to her salon. If the time for courtsey has passed, so be it. No need to wait on her hollow goodbyes. Returning to your haven, you pack your things, and arrange for passage to Memphis. There, a new world awaits. *finish Next *selectable_if (independence > 40) #"This is my opportunity to make my mark upon the Society." *set independence %+10 *set withers_rapport %+10 "You could not be more right, ${mr} ${surname}!" exclaims Withers. "How will this election transpire?" *if withers_rapport < 70 *selectable_if (discretion > 40) #"Finally, a reason to leave Vicksburg behind." *set discretion %+10 *set withers_rapport %-20 "I'm surprised it took you this long to find a reason, ${mr} ${surname}." "Thank you for your hospitality, Quaestor, but it is past time to bid you adieu." Returning to your haven, you pack your things, and arrange for passage to Memphis. There, a new world awaits. *finish Next "It has been some time since I attended an election, but generally the senators gather for several days and socialize. Then, at some point, one of them will call the senators to order, and announce the identity of the new senator." *set voting_explained true "There is no voting?" "Not [i]per se[/i]. That would be far too crass. Rather, they all just sit and talk about other things, but if you know how to read the movement of individuals through the room, you can gain an understanding of how the different candidates are faring." *set voting_explained true *if discretion > 45 "And how would I become a candidate?" @{(status = 0) "You? You would never be considered as a candidate. Not until you have contributed more to the Society, anyway."|"You just have to be there. And then convince enough of the senators to support you."} *label farewell_to_withers "You have convinced me." "I am glad to hear it, *if withers_rapport > 50 dear ${given_name}. I hope you find your fortune there." *choice #"Thank you. Until next we meet." "Yes, until then." Your goodbyes said, you return to your haven to pack your things. Memphis awaits. #"I would very much like it if we could maintain our friendship. You will not take offense if I write to you?" *set withers_rapport %+10 *set flirting_with_withers true Did Samantha just blush? "No, most certainly not. I would, in fact, like that very much." "Well, then, I look forward to hearing from you." "And I you." After exchanging a final, meaningful glance, you depart. Returning to your haven, you set about packing your things. Memphis awaits. *else ${mr} ${surname}." "Farewell, then, Quaestor Withers." Your goodbyes said, you return to your haven to pack your things. Memphis awaits. *finish Next *label meriwether It seems that a man by the name of Minor Meriwether, an associate of Nathan Bedford Forrest, has organized a group of landowners, urging them to refuse to pay their taxes. Meriwether, his brother Niles, and Forrest have been working at this for years it seems, but recently their efforts have gained a critical mass. The finances of the city are spiraling out of control as the former Confederates hold it hostage, demanding to be granted the right to vote and run for office again. Carothers is greatly perturbed by these men, but seems uncertain as to how to handle the situation. @{(carothers_rapport > 50) You do your best to console him|You listen with some pretense of interest}, but your knowledge of local politics and taxation are rather limited. *return ======================= RECAP ======================= *label recap *temp quaestor_surname sire_surname *if sire_name = "West" *set quaestor_surname "Van der Velde" In life, you were a *if background <= 2 *if male enslaved man *if religious_tradition = "catholic" owned by French masters, *if religious_tradition = "reformed" owned by Anglo-American masters, *else enslaved woman *if religious_tradition = "catholic" owned by French masters, *if religious_tradition = "reformed" owned by Anglo-American masters, *if background = 3 *if male free man of color, *else free woman of color, *if ethnicity = "choctaw" Choctaw interpeter and guide, *if ethnicity = "french" *if priest priest of French extraction, *else French landowner, *if ethnicity = "german" *if male soldier of Hessian extraction, *else woman of German extraction, trained in the ways of war, *if ethnicity = "irish" Irish@{male man|woman}, *if ethnicity = "scotch" Scotch-Irish @{male laborer|laundress} from Appalachia, *if ethnicity = "southern" Georgian @{male attorney|belle}, *if ethnicity = "spanish" *if priest priest of Spanish extraction, *else @{male [i]Isleño[/i] craftsman|[i]Isleña[/i] craftswoman}, *if ethnicity = "yankee" Yankee entrepreneur, who had the rare opportunity of meeting a vampire by the name of ${sire_name}. @{embrace_of_affection It was love at first sight—or what passes for love amongst vampires.|He required your services, and you found yourself incapable of denying him.} When word came that the British were sailing up the Mississippi towards New Orleans in January 1815, ${sire_surname} brought you to the edge of that ill-fated battle. Thinking yourselves safe, you were not prepared for a cannonball to destroy the croft in which you were hiding. *if sire_alive = false Taking the opportunity to free yourself from ${sire_surname}'s tyranny, you burned him to ash and fled into the swamps to wait out the day. *if avoided_new_orleans When you awoke, you headed upstream, bypassing New Orleans to settle in St. Charles parish. *goto stcharles *else When you awoke, you decided to return to New Orleans. Once there, you made the acquaintance of another vampire, *if sire_name = "Pieter van der Velde" *set quaestor_surname "Villanueva" Fernando Villanueva e Itamaraca, *else *set quaestor_surname "Van der Velde" Pieter van der Velde, who took you under his wing. *if sire_alive *if avoided_new_orleans and (sire_name != "West") You abandoned your comatose maker, and fled from the croft. The next evening, when you awoke, you continued north along the Mississippi, bypassing New Orleans to settle in St. Charles parish. *goto stcharles *elseif just_embraced ${sire_surname} rescued you from the timbers that pinned you. Sensing that death approached, he turned you into a vampire. The two of you slept the day away in the damp earth with the sounds of the battle above. *if sire_name = "West" *label with_west When you awoke, the two of you set out into the wilderness. The two of you spent several years roaming the wild places, before the desire for the company of others of your kind set in. *if avoided_new_orleans Eventually, you separated from West, and ended up in a small community—St. Charles parish—just upriver from New Orleans. *goto stcharles *if avoided_new_orleans = false Eventually, you separated from West and made your way to New Orleans, where you met another of your kind, Pieter van der Velde. *else When you awoke, the two of you returned to New Orleans. *goto new_orleans_arrivals *elseif fled_from_sire *if sire_name = "West" You abandoned your comatose maker there, and made your way to New Orleans. Once there, you met another vampire, Pieter van der Velde, who took you under his wing. *goto new_orleans_arrivals *else You abandoned your comatose maker there, only to reencounter him upon your return to New Orleans. The two of you reconciled, but things were never the same. *goto new_orleans_arrivals *elseif sire_name = "West" *goto with_west *else Thankfully, you saved your maker from the croft building, and the two of you made your way back to New Orleans. *goto new_orleans_arrivals *label new_orleans_arrivals Over the next few years, two other vampires arrived in New Orleans: Jesse Whitaker and Estefania Rios e Hidalgo. *if jesse_is_broodmate Jesse Whitaker is your elder broodmate. *if estefania_is_kin Estefania is the broodmate of your maker. *if love_clotho During this time, you fell in love with a mortal Voodoo priestess by the name of Clotho. Unfortunately, your love was not meant to be; she is no more. *if exiled_from_new_orleans Unfortunately, your conduct in the matter was so offensive that ${quaestor_surname} exiled you from the city. *goto stcharles *if new_orleans_enterprise != 0 Further, you took this time to *if new_orleans_enterprise = 1 assemble a small collection of texts with which to educate yourself. *if new_orleans_enterprise = 2 entertwine yourself with the criminal element of New Orleans. The brothels and gambling-halls of the city were like second homes to you. *if new_orleans_enterprise = 3 encourage the development of the city, inviting the display and implementation of inventions for the betterment of the city. *if new_orleans_enterprise = 4 establish a [i]turnverein[/i], a social and athletic club for Germanic immigrants. *if new_orleans_enterprise = 5 patronize the arts of the city. *comment endif One evening in 1829, $!{quaestor_surname} announced the impending visit of Governor Overstreet and her entourage. She arrived with her broodmate, Samantha Withers, and a companion, Walter Krupke, in tow. At the end of the week, Overstreet formally recognized ${quaestor_surname} as quaestor of New Orleans, much to his delight. Shortly thereafter, a bit of a row erupted between Whitaker and Withers, when *if jesse_embarrassed Samantha outmaneouverd Jesse with your help, causing him to embarrass himself before the gathered vampires. Jesse has still not forgiven you. *else Jesse set Samantha up to embarrass herself before the gathered vampires. She was mortified. *comment endif The next day, the governor and her entourage departed. Several more years passed, and you began to yearn for more independence. You packed your things and headed north up the Mississippi. *goto vicksburg_recap *label stcharles You spent several years in the parish of St. Charles. You established a home for yourself there, and became a prominent member of the community. Unfortunately, a priest by the name of Padre Segura was assigned to the parish, and your conflict with him eventually resulted in you being chased from the area. *goto vicksburg_recap *label vicksburg_recap *if met_overstreet To your surprise, you soon discovered that Samantha Withers was Quaestor of Vicksburg. *if jesse_embarrassed She welcomed you to her city. *if jesse_embarrassed = false It took some convincing for her to allow you to take up residence in her city. You established a haven for yourself and took on a valet, a freedman by the name of ${wilson} ${maddox}. Unfortunately, war was brewing. States started seceding from the Union, and war was declard. *if fled_from_vicksburg Deciding that marching armies were not for you, you fled Vicksburg. *goto memphis_recap *elseif slept_through_vicksburg Deciding that marching armies were not for you, you decided to bury yourself for the duration of the war. Thankfully, you were awoken by a team of diggers soon after the war. *if presented_memphis and knows_wilson_embraced Unsure of what had transpired during your slumber, you struck out north, hoping for better a warmer reception in a new city. *goto memphis_recap *else You soon made contact with Withers, only to discover that she had turned your valet, ${wilson} ${maddox}, into her a vampire. *if presented_memphis Having had enough of her company, you decided to leave Vicksburg. You packed your things and set out for Memphis. *goto memphis_recap *else Resigning yourself to the situation, you decided to try and make the best of things. You have remained in Vicksburg since. Recently, word reached the city that Isaiah Stone, the Senator of Baltimore, slew Gianluca Miele, a praetor, and proclaimed himself Consul of the Americas. This has thrown the whole Society into a paroxysm. After nearly two millenia, is the unchallenged reign of Consul Adonis at an end? *return *else @{love_hope Amid this, you fell in love with a young soldier-poet, Silas Hope. Unfortunately, the love was not meant to be; he is now dead.|} When the Union armies began to march on Vicksburg, you decided it best to shelter in place. At least here you knew where you could sleep during the day. During the siege, a Quaker vampire by the name of Andrew Calkins snuck into the city. Withers granted him succor, but soon he turned on his hosts, seeking to destroy a Confederate munitions depot. *if depot_burned The depot was destroyed, *if exiled_from_vicksburg and you were exiled from the city. You gathered your things and fled. *goto memphis_recap *elseif calkins_status > 3 but Calkins did not live to see another moonrise. *goto vicksburg_denoument *else and the matter was smoothed over with Withers. *goto vicksburg_denoument *else Thankfully, you stopped him from executing his designs. *if calkins_status <= 3 He was allowed to leave the city unmolested. *goto vicksburg_denoument *else He did not live to see another moonrise. *goto vicksburg_denoument *label vicksburg_denoument Since the war's conclusion, you have continued to reside in Vicksburg. *if wilson_embraced During this time, you took the opportunity to turn the aging ${wilson} ${maddox} into a vampire. He remains by your side. *if wilson_embraced_by_withers During this time, you released the aging ${wilson} ${maddox} from your service. Unfortunately, Samantha Withers took the opportunity to turn him into a vampire, and his service to her rankles you. *if maddox_status = "dead" Deciding that he was too old to still be of use and concerned about how much he knew about vampirekind, you slew your valet, ${wilson} ${maddox}. *if presented_memphis Finished with Withers and Vicksburg, you packed your things and headed north. *goto memphis_recap *else Recently, word reached the city that Isaiah Stone, the Senator of Baltimore, slew Gianluca Miele, a praetor, and proclaimed himself Consul of the Americas. This has thrown the whole Society into a paroxysm. After nearly two millenia, is the unchallenged reign of Consul Adonis at an end? *return *label memphis_recap Arriving in Memphis, you met the Quaestor, Apollo Carothers, and his offspring, Dido Applethorp. You established a haven for yourself and look forward to the opportunities your new home presents to you. Of course, the murder of Gianluca Miele must be mentioned: Isaiah Stone, Senator of Baltimore, slew the praetor and proclaimed himself Consul of the Americas. This has thrown the whole Society into a paroxysm. After nearly two millenia, is the unchallenged reign of Consul Adonis at an end? *if chasing_wilson *if wilson_embraced To make matters worse, Wilson has fled your tutelage. You are obligated to bring him to heel before he commits some crime that cannot be undone. *if wilson_embraced_by_withers To make matters worse, ${wilson} ${maddox} has fled the tutelage of Quaestor Withers. She has entreated you to find your former valet and bring him to heel on her behalf, before he commits some crime which cannot be undone. There has been some evidence of him in Memphis; you can only hope that the trail has not gone entirely cold. *if rejected_sam_wilson Of course, there is the little matter of ${wilson}: he fled the tutelage of Withers, and is said to be hiding out in Memphis. You rejected her please for aide, but that does not entirely resolve the matter. *return ======================= SUBROUTINES ======================= *label gallatin_robbery *temp tick false *page_break *set year 1868 In December, 1868, the lame-duck President Johnson grants pardons to all enlisted soldiers of the Confederacy, thereby restoring their right to vote. This is a final affront to the legacy of Lincoln—and the first real chink in the armor of Reconstruction. And so the post-war period goes: a [i]laissez-faire[/i] ethic takes hold of the American consciousness. This is exemplified by Jay Gould, a young entrepreneur who works his way up from being the bookkeeper for a blacksmith to become one of the richest men in the United States. In 1869, Gould and two associates—through insider information gained through access to the Secretary of the Treasury and President Grant himself—attempt to corner the market for gold. While the details are @{(finance > 0) unimportant|hard for you to grasp}, September 24th sees a sudden crash in the price of gold. @{(finance > 0) This was not, in fact, Gould's preferred outcome, but he managed to hedge at the last minute, and thereby profit from the crash despite the bulk of the trade going against him.|} In the wake of this scandal, the newspapers begin to promote the idea of Gould as an all-powerful figure, capable of moving markets on a whim. *choice #I wonder which vampire was behind this plot. *set independence %+5 *set shepherd_credentials %-5 #I admire someone so ambitious. *set discretion %+5 #I mourn for the people whose lives were ruined by these callous and reckless gambles. *set shepherd_credentials %+10 *set compassion %-5 A Congressional inquiry is launched. However, between hiring the very best lawyers and being connected with the New-York political machine, Gould and his associates are cleared of wrongdoing. This visible display of corruption only adds to Gould's reputation in the press. *if (shepherd_credentials >= 40) or (finance > 0) *page_break *set tick true *if amount_invested_freedmans > 0 It seems that Carothers is not the only one interested in the matter of banks. December 9th, 1869 sees the robbery of a bank in Gallatin, MO by Jesse James and his brother Frank. The former members of Quantrill's Raiders—a Confederate paramilitary regiment famed for their brutal tactics—get away with only a few hundred dollars and murder the cashier, mistaking him for a former adversary. Though soon surrounded by a sheriff and his posse, the two make a daring escape. *if presented_memphis = false Withers breathlessly relates the tale to you, thrusting the newspaper into your hands so you can read it yourself. *if literate = false You push it back to her, annoyed. She is constantly forgetting that you cannot read. In the weeks that follow, James engages in a dialogue in the pages of the Kansas City Times with its editor, John Newman Edwards. Edwards celebrates the James' brothers' war against the Republicans that are dominating state and national politics, while Jesse portrays himself as being unfairly persecuted by the same. *choice #@{presented_memphis Outlaws and robberies! How romantic! It's almost like a novel.|I agree with Withers! How dashing!} *set watching_james true *set shepherd_credentials %+5 *set compassion %-10 You keep abreast of Jesse James's exploits, ordering newspapers from across the region to track any mention of the outlaw and his gang. He does cut a dashing figure, arguing against the injustices visited upon the former Confederates by the tyrannical Republicans. #These expressions of discontent must be quelled; they are a threat to the Union's peace. I will keep an eye on this man's exploits. *set watching_james true *set shepherd_credentials %+10 *set anachronism %+10 You keep abreast of the outlaw's crimes as his spree continues across the region. And while the former Confederates enjoy his exploits, they do not seem moved to emulate them. At best, they are willing to shelter him from the prying eyes of outsiders. #This bank robber poses no threat to me. *set shepherd_credentials %-10 *set compassion %+5 *if presented_memphis = false *set withers_rapport %-10 Another example of Withers' small-mindedness. It is a wonder she has lasted as long as she has. *if presented_memphis This gang may pass through Memphis, but you are neither a bank nor a railroad. *page_break @{tick While the exploits of the James-Younger Gang may be a romantic David-and-Goliath yarn, the real|The} fight to undermine and overturn the victories of the war continues unabated. In 1870, following several lynchings of prominent Republicans, the Governor of North Carolina declares two counties to be in a state of insurrection, suspending [i]habeas corpus[/i] and ordering a state militia to arrest members of the Ku Klux Klan on sight. Several dozen people are killed in the fighting and hundreds of Klan members are arrested. However, with the restoration of Confederate soldiers' right to vote, the 1870 election sees super-majorities in both houses of the North Carolina legislature. By March, Governor Holden has been impeached and removed from office for daring to defend the freedmen of his state from Klan violence. *if presented_memphis = false *page_break *set ashmore_banks 2 *set heard_of_ashmore true Towards the end of 1871, Withers becomes agitated over the news that the German Empire will stop minting silver [i]thalers[/i]. "How does this affect us?" "It may not affect us now, but much of the silver in the world comes from mines in Colorado, Nevada, and other places in the West. It bodes ill for the health of our banks…and certainly for the miners." "I did not realize you were so concerned with financial institutions, quaestor." "I am not, but my niece, Rebecca Ashmore, is deeply involved in the flow of capital and the workings of the banks. I have learned some things from her." *page_break *set year 1872 1872 begins with an—at best misguided—attempt at national reconciliation: the Amnesty Act, restoring the right to vote and hold office to all but five hundred former Confederates, thereby reversing some aspects of the Fourteenth Amendment. At least 150,000 former leaders of the rebellion are hence free to engage in the political process; the consequences are felt immediately. In Louisiana, for example, the lead-up to the election of 1872 is rife with lynchings and other voter intimidation. On the day of the election, two gubernatorial candidates declare victory. Eventually, President Grant and the Federal government are forced to intervene and declare the Republican candidate the winner. The former Confederates of Louisiana vow to not let this "undemocratic" declaration go un-challenged. Former Confederates and Democrats of Louisiana begin organizing a shadow legislature at the Odd Fellows Hall in New Orleans, complete with a shadow governor and lieutenant governor. This culminates a few months later in an attempted coup against the Republican governor that is quickly defeated. The attackers return to their homes and continue plotting. *return *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 *else More than $500,000! *return