  
ClubFloyd Transcript:
The idea behind ClubFloyd is that each
week at a pre-arranged time, a group of
people meet online to cooperatively play
a game of interactive fiction.
ANOTHER WARNING! A lot (most!) of the transcripts contained on this site are, shall we say, family-friendly. This is not one of those family-friendly transcripts. Just so we're clear. |
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ToyShop & Floyditorium
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#ClubFloyd Discussion
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| *** SESSION ONE *** | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So. Here we are. All dressed up with no game to play. (And no DW.)" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "The Weight of a Soul is really good so far but I'd guess some of y'all have played it? Also it'd feel bad to start a long game without David." | ||
| Roger says, "hmmm I don't think I have, but I can check" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I have not started it yet. I've heard good things." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We haven't started Weight. I had suggested it before for the Club." | ||
| Roger says, "I'll vote yes" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'll go get it. One sec." | ||
| DavidW says, "hi all. I'm only vaguely here." | ||
| Roger says, "fair enough, DavidW" | ||
| DavidW says, "I've been having sleepless nights for the last several days." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hrm. I may not be up for this one this week. I am fine with you all playing it, though." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Just loaded the site, looking at the content warnings." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And this past week has been filled with hospital ICU for one family member, multiple surgeries for another, and a death." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But I will upload it for you all." | ||
| DavidW says, "oh dear. Sorry to hear that." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Thanks. It's been rough." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh man, many bad news around." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Oh. That's tough." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "load sleepmask weightofasoul2021" | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Too fast. It all happened too fast. | Jacqueline says, "There you go. Someone press space, I guess." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Too fast. It all happened too fast. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He was healthy not a day before, or so he said when he stumbled into | ||
| CF | the clinic just minutes ago. You should have seen the signs -- the | ||
| CF | shivers, the black stains around his eyes -- but the shadows were long | ||
| CF | in the hour of night, and in the darkness you couldn't see, you | ||
| CF | couldn't see... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | couldn't see... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The vomiting came first, then the weakness of the knees -- you barely | ||
| CF | caught him as he keeled over you -- Doctor Cavala seized him before | ||
| CF | you were crushed by his weight. "The surgery room!" she shouted, and | ||
| CF | together you half-carried half-dragged the goblin to the gurney and | ||
| CF | strapped him down. You hid behind the protection of your surgical | ||
| CF | mask, adjusted the lights as you had been drilled. Thoughts flitted | ||
| CF | across your mind -- flitted -- flitting -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | across your mind -- flitted -- flitting -- | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I've never operated on a goblin before," you say, trying to conceal | ||
| CF | the panic in your voice. "I did, in a way, on the Collegiate cadavers, | ||
| CF | but --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | but --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Steady, girl." Doctor Cavala snaps on her gloves and squeezes your | ||
| CF | shoulder. "Remember your training. I need your help. Are you with me?" | ||
| Jacqueline disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | shoulder. "Remember your training. I need your help. Are you with me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take a deep breath. "I'm with you, Doctor." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You take a deep breath. "I'm with you, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good." She nods. "Try to keep up." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | T H E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | W E I G H T | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | O F | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | S O U L | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Weight of a Soul | ||
| CF | A study of the ars vitalis by Chin Kee Yong | ||
| CF | Release 44885 / Serial number 210411 / Inform 7 build 6M62 (I6/v6.33 | ||
| CF | lib 6/12N) SD | ||
| CF | Thank you for playing the Spring Thing 2021 release of The Weight | ||
| CF | of a Soul! | ||
| CF | For more information, visit | ||
| CF | [LINK] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Surgery Room | ||
| CF | You are in a cold cylindrical chamber, thrown into sharp focus by | ||
| CF | hovering surgical lamps. Shelves of vials and medical supplies crowd | ||
| CF | around you, leaving little room to misstep. A shimmering calomel | ||
| CF | curtain frames the exit to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The patient, Reden -- he shudders against his straps on the gurney, | ||
| CF | black blood streaming from his eyes and mouth, even as Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | fights to isolate the infection. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Eyes sharp, Marid," she says. "I'm going to need your help in a | ||
| CF | moment." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Got it," you reply. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (Type >c for a list of commands. For more information, type | ||
| CF | >help.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "c" | ||
| CF ] List of Commands | ||
| CF | A list of important commands | ||
| CF | (You can type >commands or >c to bring up this page at | ||
| CF | any time.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >look | ||
| CF | Look around and get a description of your surroundings. The command | ||
| CF | "look" can be shortened to "l" or simply a blank command. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >examine (something) | ||
| CF | Examine something for a more detailed description. You can examine | ||
| CF | practically anything, including yourself. The command "examine" can be | ||
| CF | shortened to "x" or simply typing the name of the object. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >inventory | ||
| CF | Check the items you're wearing or carrying. The command "inventory" | ||
| CF | can be shortened to "i". | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >talk to (someone) | ||
| CF | Begin a dialogue with someone. The command "talk to" can be shortened | ||
| CF | to "t". | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >go (direction) | ||
| CF | Travel to a new location in the world. The directions are each of the | ||
| CF | eight compass directions, plus up, down, in, and out. "North" can be | ||
| CF | abbreviated to "n", "northwest" can be abbreviated to "nw", and so on. | ||
| CF | You can also omit the command "go" and just type a direction to go in. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >enter (something) | ||
| CF | Enter something that you can fit into, such as a door, bed, or hiding | ||
| CF | place. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >cut (something) | ||
| CF | Cut something with your scalpel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >take/drop (something) | ||
| CF | >open/close (something) | ||
| CF | >push/pull/turn (something) | ||
| CF | >put (something) on/in (something else) | ||
| CF | These commands can be used to manipulate items and the world around | ||
| CF | you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >help | ||
| CF | >commands | ||
| CF | >journal | ||
| CF | >characters | ||
| CF | >map | ||
| CF | >places | ||
| CF | >hints | ||
| CF | Open the help menu, or quickly check one of its pages. "Commands" can | ||
| CF | be shortened to "c", "journal" can be shortened to "j", "characters" | ||
| CF | can be shortened to "ch", "map" can be shortened to "m", and "places" | ||
| CF | can be shortened to "p". | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >undo | ||
| CF | Take back your last command, rewinding the game to an earlier state. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >save | ||
| CF | >restore | ||
| CF | >quit | ||
| CF | Create or restore a saved game, or exit the game once you're done | ||
| CF | playing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The game recognizes a good deal of synonyms and miscellaneous commands | ||
| CF | not listed here. Feel free to experiment. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | Roger says, "okay then" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "We're thrown right into the surgery." | ||
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| lkcampbell says, "Don't see any unusual commands in there" | ||
| DavidW says, "We played an introcomp version of this before, I think." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, the journal commands are nonstandard." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "except places" | ||
| lkcampbell says, "oh yeah, all those at the end" | ||
| DavidW says, "Journal and map as well." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm not sure we did, but maybe." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "The map is cool but I'm confident CF won't be able to show it. It brings up a picture." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, a picture won't work here." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "communication is via talk to" | ||
| DavidW says, "I vaguely remember a bit where a woman will be poisoning birds." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Always the poisoning of birds." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, not always." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Surgery Room | ||
| CF | You are in a cold cylindrical chamber, thrown into sharp focus by | ||
| CF | hovering surgical lamps. Shelves of vials and medical supplies crowd | ||
| CF | around you, leaving little room to misstep. A shimmering calomel | ||
| CF | curtain frames the exit to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The patient shudders against his straps on the gurney, black blood | ||
| CF | streaming from his eyes and mouth, even as Doctor Cavala fights to | ||
| CF | isolate the infection. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Eyes sharp, Marid," she says. "I'm going to need your help in a | ||
| CF | moment." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Got it," you reply. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x cavala" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CAVALA | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You came to know Doctor Cavala when she served with Lumina's | ||
| CF | volunteers during the troubles. Her clinic was your first choice for | ||
| CF | apprenticeship when you graduated. Since then you've watched her drag | ||
| CF | more than a few souls kicking from the brink of death -- and they | ||
| CF | won't be the last, not if she has anything to say about it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala is a dark-skinned surgeon in her early forties, sharp | ||
| CF | and regal of bearing. She circles the gurney with increasing | ||
| CF | agitation, doing all she can to keep her patient alive. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A convulsion -- Doctor Cavala takes a step back as the gurney creaks. | ||
| CF | "We need to sedate the patient," she says, "or we'll never get | ||
| CF | anything done. Marid, get the soporific from the shelves. I'm going to | ||
| CF | take a look at his eyes..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You glance up at the shelves ringing the surgery room. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, ">get soporific ?" | |
| DavidW asks, "Or > x shelves ?" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x shelves" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHELVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Nestled among the medical supplies, you spy an inhaler labeled aer | ||
| CF | vivificans and an inhaler labeled aer soporifer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...massive internal bleeding..." she mutters. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "I was waiting to see if lkcampell wanted to drive." | |
| lkcampbell says, "doesn't matter to me" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Hm, I'm getting some lag." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Not constant, but on occasion." | ||
| lkcampbell asks, "you all think we need a driver?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "This feels time-critical here." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "gotcha, okay I can take the first emergency anyway :)" | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm not sure if this game is forgiving or not, but this is media res at the start of the game. It's probably forgiving *now*." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "take aer soporifer" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE AER SOPORIFER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You tiptoe -- grab the inhaler -- press the device into Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala's waiting palm. She shakes it experimentally and nods at you | ||
| CF | before raising the inhaler to Reden's lips with a hiss... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The goblin's pupils begin to dilate. "Easy now," Doctor Cavala mutters | ||
| CF | -- | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x goblin" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | --His head bucks violently. Doctor Cavala drops the inhaler and the | ||
| CF | bulb shatters all over the floor. "Primes!" she hisses. "Marid, can | ||
| CF | you get me another dose?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "take aer soporifer" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE AER SOPORIFER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (Type >look or a blank command to examine your surroundings.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "oops" | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x shelves" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHELVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You spy nothing useful on the shelves, well-stocked though they are. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "That was the last one," you yell back, trying not to breathe in any | ||
| CF | of the fumes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Fine!" Doctor Cavala says. "We'll do this without anaesthetic, one | ||
| CF | way or another." She squints at Reden's body. "Marid, get me the | ||
| CF | stethoscope." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Where is it?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's answer is drowned out by another round of coughing | ||
| CF | from the patient. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well-stocked, except for what we need. Inconvenient." | |
| DavidW says, "I think you need to >look" | ||
| DavidW says, "There'll be a supplies gurney or something." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "next I will have to get that head strappy thing with the reflective metal circle...whatever that is called" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "look" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Surgery Room | ||
| CF | You are in a cold cylindrical chamber, thrown into sharp focus by | ||
| CF | hovering surgical lamps. Shelves of vials and medical supplies crowd | ||
| CF | around you, leaving little room to misstep. A shimmering calomel | ||
| CF | curtain frames the exit to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The patient shudders against his straps on the gurney, black blood | ||
| CF | streaming from his eyes and mouth, even as Doctor Cavala fights to | ||
| CF | isolate the infection. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor, I don't know where the stethoscope is." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The gurney, the gurney!" she snaps. "There. Hanging from the side. I | ||
| CF | can't reach it from here." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "shinydiscoscope" | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x gurney" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GURNEY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You look behind the gurney and there it is -- a stethoscope reclining | ||
| CF | snakelike on its hook. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala looks up from her work, irritated. "Have you found it | ||
| CF | yet?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I found it," you reply. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good," she says, "give it to me." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "give stethoscope to cavala" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GIVE STETHOSCOPE TO CAVALA | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first taking the stethoscope) | ||
| CF | You carefully unwind the stethoscope and toss it to Doctor Cavala, who | ||
| CF | catches it with a practiced hand. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Took you long enough." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "But it was --" you protest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hush." Doctor Cavala pushes the device against Reden's chest and | ||
| CF | lowers her ear to the ausculting dish. "I'm trying to listen." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell exclaims, "any self respecting doctor carries their stethoscope around their necks, Missy!" | |
| Roger says, "Might be more like a pinard horn" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Wait?" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "z" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > Z | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Blood continues to run down the goblin's lips, and you hurry over to | ||
| CF | dab it away before it touches Doctor Cavala's face. At last she rises, | ||
| CF | her face grim. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What did you hear, Doctor?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Nothing good," she replies. "I fear we may be too late -- but there | ||
| CF | is one last thing we can try." | Knight_Otu says, "It is a magical world, but it sounds like a stethoscope we would have." | |
| MoyTravis asks, "Doctor's instruments are basically magic right?" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "z" | ||
| CF | is one last thing we can try."She pauses. "Have you ever heard of the | ||
| CF | breath of catholicon?" | Knight_Otu says, "If only." | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "no" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | breath of catholicon?"You frown. "I thought that was a myth." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Check the shelves again," Doctor Cavala commands, turning back to her | ||
| CF | ailing patient. "And be quick about it." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "it might just be mundane stuff with magical names" | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x shelves" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHELVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The breath of catholicon -- could it really be here, hidden among this | ||
| CF | detritus? You glance across the crowded supplies, but nothing catches | ||
| CF | your eye, not yet... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What would such a thing even look like?" you protest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala moves as if to speak -- but then there is another | ||
| CF | coughing fit from Reden, and she curses and adjusts the straps. You | ||
| CF | shake your head and turn back to the shelves. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "search shelves" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH SHELVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Curatives, laxatives, poisons, panaceas, blades of every shape and | ||
| CF | size... no. None of them... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's in an inhaler," she says finally. "Labeled in the old language. | ||
| CF | It cost me a great deal to acquire." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is no mirth in her voice, and for a moment you are at a loss for | ||
| CF | words. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "I mean the patient's a goblin." | |
| MoyTravis says, "Unless this narrator is just VERY judgy." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "they really like inhalers" | ||
| DavidW says, "maybe that aer vivi-whatever we first saw." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "hold a sec, scrolling to find the name" | ||
| DavidW says, "aer vivificans" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "take aer vivificans" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE AER VIVIFICANS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Unless things changed, my understanding is that this game is set in a world the author also used for two custom MtG sets." | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "search shelves" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH SHELVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Rows and rows of strange tools, tubes, vials, beakers, inhalers... | ||
| CF | inhalers? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is another convulsion from the patient, but with less vigor than | ||
| CF | before. Much less. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "He's falling apart," Doctor Cavala says in a low voice. "Don't | ||
| CF | hesitate, Marid. Get me the catholicon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "I guess you need to >x inhaler first?" | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x inhaler" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X INHALER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You blink. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Nestled among the medical supplies, you spy an inhaler labeled | ||
| CF | halitus catholiconis. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Distantly you hear Reden's ragged breathing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "oh. That's new." | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "take halitus catholiconis" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE HALITUS CATHOLICONIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The halitus whirls within its glass cage as you lower it from the | ||
| CF | shelves; it billows as Doctor Cavala bears the inhaler to Reden's | ||
| CF | bloodsoaked lips. She breaks the seal, and in the bulb it spirals | ||
| CF | round and round in the dance of exhalation -- | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "z" | ||
| CF | round and round in the dance of exhalation --And it is within him. | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "z" | ||
| CF | round and round in the dance of exhalation --And it is within him.His | ||
| CF | breath is stolen away. His irises flare with the light of catharsis. | ||
| CF | He flails against the gurney straps as though puppeted by invisible | ||
| CF | hands. | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "z" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | hands."Doctor Cavala?" you ask. You look to her, and her eyes are as | ||
| CF | wide as yours. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "I think it wants space, not Z?" | |
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| DavidW says, "But you can do a command now." | ||
| lkcampbell asks, "how do you do space?" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x goblin" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GOBLIN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hold-- | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a sudden quiet, a moment when the surgical lights flicker and | ||
| CF | time itself seems to slow. For an instant something brilliant swims at | ||
| CF | the edges of your vision. | says, "It's 'push space', but here in the room, not a command to CF." | |
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the edges of your vision.Reden's eyes close. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the edges of your vision.Reden's eyes close.The moment passes. Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala seizes him, shouting, but the goblin is unresponsive. She | ||
| CF | checks his pulse. She produces a needle, lines up an injection -- the | ||
| CF | needle withdraws empty, stained with foul black effluvium. But he does | ||
| CF | not awaken. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | not awaken.Seconds pass. A minute. Finally she stands, silent, her | ||
| CF | breathing level. She takes off her mask and sets it on the operating | ||
| CF | table with an air of grim finality. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | table with an air of grim finality.(To continue, choose a response | ||
| CF | from the list by typing the corresponding number.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Damn it." | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm sorry." | ||
| CF | 3) <Take off your surgical mask.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well, we lost our first patient." | |
| MoyTravis says, "The game's liberal usage of "press any key" doesn't seem to be playing very well with CF." | ||
| lkcampbell asks, "suggestions on conversation?" | ||
| Roger says, "It might calm down on that front eventually" | ||
| DavidW says (to Moy), "That sometimes happens, yes." | ||
| Roger says, "As a Canadian, I need to vote 2" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm sorry." Your voice is a whisper. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala shakes her head. "Don't apologize, Marid. We did all we | ||
| CF | could. But it's out of our hands now." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Take off your surgical mask.> | ||
| CF | 2) "If only..." | ||
| CF | 3) "The catholicon -- what was that?" | ||
| CF | 4) "At the moment he died, I had a strange vision..." | ||
| CF | 5) "What happens next?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says (to Roger), "yay" | |
| lkcampbell asks, "if we take off our mask, do we get the COVID?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm fine with three or four here." | ||
| DavidW says, "No, we're the hero of the story." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The catholicon --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You glance at Reden, half expecting to see white fire in his eyes, and | ||
| CF | suppress a shudder. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The catholicon, Doctor. What was that?" | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "The catholicon, Doctor. What was that?"Doctor Cavala takes | ||
| CF | the empty inhaler out of her pocket. She looks pensively into the | ||
| CF | glass, and holds it up to the light where it shines. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | glass, and holds it up to the light where it shines."The | ||
| CF | catharsis," she says quietly. "The purging of the soul. It is | ||
| CF | the most destructive of all remedies, and the most irreversible once | ||
| CF | administered. But remember this, Marid: sometimes a thing must be | ||
| CF | destroyed before it can be built anew." | Roger asks, "is Reden the patient?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Being the hero of one's own story doesn't make one invincible." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Yeah." | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | destroyed before it can be built anew."She turns to regard the body on | ||
| CF | the gurney, so frail and gentle in death, and sighs. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | the gurney, so frail and gentle in death, and sighs."It was his only | ||
| CF | chance," she says. "He was probably going to die either way. But... | ||
| CF | I'm sorry you had to see that, Marid. I really am." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Take off your surgical mask.> | ||
| CF | 2) "If only..." | ||
| CF | 3) "At the moment he died, I had a strange vision..." | ||
| CF | 4) "What happens next?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell asks, "3?" | |
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "At the moment he died, I had a strange vision. It was... it was..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You try to recall the strange sensation you experienced, but it | ||
| CF | fragments and swims away, and lingers at the edge of your | ||
| CF | consciousness where you can find no purchase. What words could | ||
| CF | describe that weightless moment? | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | describe that weightless moment?"It was..." you flounder, "it was..." | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | describe that weightless moment?"It was..." you flounder, "it | ||
| CF | was..."Doctor Cavala watches you intently. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | was..."Doctor Cavala watches you intently."Strange sights are not | ||
| CF | uncommon at the moment of death, Marid. Especially when the animus | ||
| CF | escapes untethered. You studied such reactions in the Physicians' | ||
| CF | College, did you not?" | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | College, did you not?""This was different," you insist. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | College, did you not?""This was different," you insist."It's been a | ||
| CF | long day," she replies. "Take a moment to collect your thoughts. Talk | ||
| CF | to me again tomorrow when you are certain." | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | to me again tomorrow when you are certain."You lower your eyes. "Yes, | ||
| CF | Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Take off your surgical mask.> | ||
| CF | 2) "If only..." | ||
| CF | 3) "What happens next?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "I'm guessing taking off the mask is the "exit dialog" choice" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "It might be." | ||
| lkcampbell asks, "2 or 3?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "3 I guess." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What happens next?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You can begin by taking off your mask," she reminds you. "We won't be | ||
| CF | operating on a cadaver any time soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You sigh and pull off your mask. "But what happens next?" | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You sigh and pull off your mask. "But what happens next?""It's a | ||
| CF | unique situation, to be sure." Doctor Cavala takes the mask from you | ||
| CF | and begins to pace around the gurney. "For any other disease, our | ||
| CF | course would be straightforward. Log the death. Inform the family. | ||
| CF | Check for symptoms. Do our best to contain the contagion. Easier said | ||
| CF | than done, but at least it would be straightforward. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | than done, but at least it would be straightforward."Now Reden has | ||
| CF | died of an illness I can't identify. And I've seen a lot of illnesses, | ||
| CF | Marid." She studies her gloved hands, stained black with blood. "In | ||
| CF | the morning I will reference the Alchemical Library of Fluids | ||
| CF | and contact my colleagues for help... but we must be prepared for the | ||
| CF | possibility that we are dealing with an unknown affliction. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | possibility that we are dealing with an unknown affliction."For now, | ||
| CF | we proceed with caution." She gives you a curt nod. "After you clean | ||
| CF | up the surgery room, Marid, you may retire for the night. You've been | ||
| CF | a good assistant. As for myself... I will begin on the paperwork, and | ||
| CF | on the task of moving the body to the mortuary." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Yes, Doctor." | ||
| CF | 2) "Can I help?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell asks, "2?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Can I help?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala smiles and shakes her head. "I appreciate the sentiment, | ||
| CF | Marid, but you've seen and done more than enough for one night. Take | ||
| CF | my advice and get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Yes, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yes, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "See that it's done." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala hands her tools to you and leaves to dispose of the | ||
| CF | soiled surgical masks. The next half hour is spent in simple work: the | ||
| CF | comforting tedium of cleaning, sterilizing, organizing. Soon the | ||
| CF | surgery room is pristine and unblemished. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You wash your hands, switch off the lamps, and look to the calomel | ||
| CF | curtain to the south. It's time to go home. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "okay, I was wrong, dialog is exited by eliminating all possibilities, at least in this conversation." | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Surgery Room | ||
| CF | You are in a cold cylindrical chamber, thick with quiet shadows. | ||
| CF | Shelves of vials and medical supplies crowd around you, leaving little | ||
| CF | room to misstep. A shimmering calomel curtain frames the exit to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden lies on the gurney, lifeless and still. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "We may now have time to take inventory and all that." | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are | ||
| CF | your practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic | ||
| CF | cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x jacket" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X JACKET | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A utilitarian white garment, lined and sealed with alchemical sigils | ||
| CF | against contamination. It effectively shields its wearer against most | ||
| CF | communicable diseases. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x clothes" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CLOTHES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Simple garb, but it keeps the wind and moisture out. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x animus" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ANIMUS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Images tumble unbidden from memory -- | Knight_Otu says, "Hey, game, we could use a few billion of those." | |
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Images tumble unbidden from memory ---- flames, licking at the | ||
| CF | beams, melting glass, engulfing the silhouette of your father. "Marid, | ||
| CF | go!" he screamed, hoarse from the fumes, and you ran, ran, cheeks | ||
| CF | stained with tears -- | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | stained with tears ---- turned to you, and her golden eyes | ||
| CF | were haunted. "I'm sorry, Marid," she said, her voice cracking. "I | ||
| CF | couldn't save him. I'm so sorry --" | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | couldn't save him. I'm so sorry --""-- no promises," the | ||
| CF | animologist said, his brow knitted. "If indeed your father died there, | ||
| CF | we can bind the residual energies to an animus stone, residual, you | ||
| CF | understand; there's no telling --" | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | understand; there's no telling --"-- flaring light, and you | ||
| CF | reached out and mouthed the word -- | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | reached out and mouthed the word --Father. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | reached out and mouthed the word --Father.You shake your head to | ||
| CF | clear your thoughts. The past belongs in the past. What matters is | ||
| CF | that he is with you now, in this pendant. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are | ||
| CF | your practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic | ||
| CF | cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x badge" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BADGE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | This burnished badge bears the symbol of a snake coiling around a | ||
| CF | staff, certifying you as a qualified apprentice of the ars | ||
| CF | vitalis. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x scapel" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SCAPEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "oops scalpel" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OOPS SCALPEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | This elegant blade was a graduation gift from the Physicians' College. | ||
| CF | It measures just over twenty centimeters long, and holds a finely | ||
| CF | graduated orichalcum edge. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "oo, orichalcum" | |
| Roger asks, "want to see what >JOURNAL does?" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "journal" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Third of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I'm tired. I'm so tired. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I'm sorry, Reden. I hope your animus rests in peace. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Go home and get some sleep | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - I'm in the mood for a drink... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Surgery Room | ||
| CF | You are in a cold cylindrical chamber, thick with quiet shadows. | ||
| CF | Shelves of vials and medical supplies crowd around you, leaving little | ||
| CF | room to misstep. A shimmering calomel curtain frames the exit to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden lies on the gurney, lifeless and still. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are | ||
| CF | your practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic | ||
| CF | cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x purse" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PURSE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You don't carry much money with you. Just enough to buy food and other | ||
| CF | necessities. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x money" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MONEY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You don't carry much money with you. Just enough to buy food and other | ||
| CF | necessities. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "Journal sounds helpful. Like a TODO list and diary that self-updates." | |
| lkcampbell says, "yup" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x cloth" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CLOTH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's for cleaning your scalpel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "clean scalpel" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CLEAN SCALPEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You polish your scalpel with the antiseptic cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x me" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ME | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You feel alert and well. Slightly on edge, perhaps, but that's nothing | ||
| CF | unusual considering the circumstances. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are | ||
| CF | your practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic | ||
| CF | cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "places" | ||
| CF ] Places | ||
| CF | You have not visited any notable locations in this game so far. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | As you explore the game world, notable locations will be added to this | ||
| CF | page. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Surgery Room | ||
| CF | You are in a cold cylindrical chamber, thick with quiet shadows. | ||
| CF | Shelves of vials and medical supplies crowd around you, leaving little | ||
| CF | room to misstep. A shimmering calomel curtain frames the exit to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden lies on the gurney, lifeless and still. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "what were the other unusual commands" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x curtain" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CURTAIN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It decontaminates objects that pass through it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (Type >go south to leave the surgery room.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "msp, but we won't see the graphics here." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Characters was the other one we could use." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "characters" | ||
| CF ] Characters | ||
| CF | You have encountered the following notable characters: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Servator Marid Orpheia (yourself) | ||
| CF | A seventeen-year-old graduate of the Physicians' College, currently | ||
| CF | apprenticed to Doctor Cavala. You have taken care of yourself ever | ||
| CF | since your parents died four years ago. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | Your mentor in the ars vitalis. A former army doctor and a | ||
| CF | surgeon of commanding skill. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden | ||
| CF | A goblin bum who died in Doctor Cavala's surgery room of an hitherto | ||
| CF | unknown affliction. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Surgery Room | ||
| CF | You are in a cold cylindrical chamber, thick with quiet shadows. | ||
| CF | Shelves of vials and medical supplies crowd around you, leaving little | ||
| CF | room to misstep. A shimmering calomel curtain frames the exit to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden lies on the gurney, lifeless and still. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell asks, "anything else you all want to do here?" | |
| DavidW says, "Not me. Go south." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A wave of warmth washes over you as you step through the calomel | ||
| CF | curtain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's clinic is a small, unostentatious affair, neatly | ||
| CF | organized with little in the way of decoration. A row of chairs faces | ||
| CF | the prescription counter, where the medication and patient records are | ||
| CF | sorted in gridlike pigeonholes; further on is the consulting study, | ||
| CF | home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala is at her desk, engrossed in paperwork. As you emerge | ||
| CF | from the surgery room, she glances up and gives you a nod. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "you still want a driver or do people want to jump in now...at least until another time sensitive part" | |
| Roger says, "I think people could jump in as they are moved to" | ||
| lkcampbell says, "ok" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x counter" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X COUNTER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The counter, with its latticework screen, divides the pharmacy from | ||
| CF | the waiting area. There is a drawer for money and a service handbell. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I vaguely remember a maze later on. We might need a driver then." | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x drawer" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DRAWER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | If you didn't work here, you would never have noticed the faint bevel | ||
| CF | that demarcates it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "open drawer" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OPEN DRAWER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are many things, Marid, but you are not a thief. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "But, but." | |
| lkcampbell asks, "why limit yourself?" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x handbell" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HANDBELL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A small brass handbell. You know its sound all too well. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "ring bell" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > RING BELL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have already heard it ring countless times, and you aren't | ||
| CF | inclined to listen to it again. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's clinic is a small, unostentatious affair, neatly | ||
| CF | organized with little in the way of decoration. A row of chairs faces | ||
| CF | the prescription counter, where the medication and patient records are | ||
| CF | sorted in gridlike pigeonholes; further on is the consulting study, | ||
| CF | home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala is at her desk, engrossed in paperwork. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x records" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X RECORDS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You could look up medication or patient records in the pigeonholes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Seventeen years old, just watched a goblin die, immediately starts shuffling around at her workplace and having mad urges to steal and fiddle with things." | |
| MoyTravis says, "Well, I mean, I guess different folks have different stress reactions." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "look up reden" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK UP REDEN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That object or command isn't available. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (Type >commands or >c for a list of commands.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x pigeonholes" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIGEONHOLES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You could look up medication or patient records in the pigeonholes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "x patient records?" | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x patient records" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PATIENT RECORDS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You could look up medication or patient records in the pigeonholes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "not sure what the syntax is here" | |
| DavidW says, "Reden might not be in the records if that's the paperwork Cavala is working on right now." | ||
| Roger says (to floyd), "read patient records" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > READ PATIENT RECORDS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You could look up medication or patient records in the pigeonholes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "look up halitus catholiconis" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK UP HALITUS CATHOLICONIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That object or command isn't available. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "maybe it works later on" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "c" | ||
| CF ] List of Commands | ||
| CF | A list of important commands | ||
| CF | (You can type >commands or >c to bring up this page at | ||
| CF | any time.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >look | ||
| CF | Look around and get a description of your surroundings. The command | ||
| CF | "look" can be shortened to "l" or simply a blank command. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >examine (something) | ||
| CF | Examine something for a more detailed description. You can examine | ||
| CF | practically anything, including yourself. The command "examine" can be | ||
| CF | shortened to "x" or simply typing the name of the object. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >inventory | ||
| CF | Check the items you're wearing or carrying. The command "inventory" | ||
| CF | can be shortened to "i". | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >talk to (someone) | ||
| CF | Begin a dialogue with someone. The command "talk to" can be shortened | ||
| CF | to "t". | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >go (direction) | ||
| CF | Travel to a new location in the world. The directions are each of the | ||
| CF | eight compass directions, plus up, down, in, and out. "North" can be | ||
| CF | abbreviated to "n", "northwest" can be abbreviated to "nw", and so on. | ||
| CF | You can also omit the command "go" and just type a direction to go in. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >enter (something) | ||
| CF | Enter something that you can fit into, such as a door, bed, or hiding | ||
| CF | place. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >cut (something) | ||
| CF | Cut something with your scalpel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >take/drop (something) | ||
| CF | >open/close (something) | ||
| CF | >push/pull/turn (something) | ||
| CF | >put (something) on/in (something else) | ||
| CF | These commands can be used to manipulate items and the world around | ||
| CF | you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >help | ||
| CF | >commands | ||
| CF | >journal | ||
| CF | >characters | ||
| CF | >map | ||
| CF | >places | ||
| CF | >hints | ||
| CF | Open the help menu, or quickly check one of its pages. "Commands" can | ||
| CF | be shortened to "c", "journal" can be shortened to "j", "characters" | ||
| CF | can be shortened to "ch", "map" can be shortened to "m", and "places" | ||
| CF | can be shortened to "p". | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >undo | ||
| CF | Take back your last command, rewinding the game to an earlier state. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | >save | ||
| CF | >restore | ||
| CF | >quit | ||
| CF | Create or restore a saved game, or exit the game once you're done | ||
| CF | playing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The game recognizes a good deal of synonyms and miscellaneous commands | ||
| CF | not listed here. Feel free to experiment. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's clinic is a small, unostentatious affair, neatly | ||
| CF | organized with little in the way of decoration. A row of chairs faces | ||
| CF | the prescription counter, where the medication and patient records are | ||
| CF | sorted in gridlike pigeonholes; further on is the consulting study, | ||
| CF | home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala is at her desk, engrossed in paperwork. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "consult patient records about reden" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CONSULT PATIENT RECORDS ABOUT REDEN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | On record are various minor illnesses typical for a goblin of his age: | ||
| CF | the homunculoid shingles, the common cold. There is no precedent for | ||
| CF | the sudden and dramatic affliction that took his life. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Ah ha!" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Nice." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "ah..." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "knowing the default Inform commands helps :)" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Do that medicine that we used. The expensive one, uuuh." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Cathalicon." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Breath of Catholicon" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "consult pigeonhole about halitus catholiconis" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CONSULT PIGEONHOLE ABOUT HALITUS CATHOLICONIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You doubt you will see another inhaler of the halitus | ||
| CF | catholiconis in your lifetime, let alone in these pigeonholes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "consult records about halitus catholiconis" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CONSULT RECORDS ABOUT HALITUS CATHOLICONIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You doubt you will see another inhaler of the halitus | ||
| CF | catholiconis in your lifetime, let alone in these pigeonholes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "that rare, eh?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "If it literally shatters souls, it probably is a controlled substance at least." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Impressed that the doctor is willing to use such a rare and presumably expensive thing on a rando who just stumbles in in the middle of the night." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Anyways, let's go?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, let's go." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "consult records about aer soporifer" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CONSULT RECORDS ABOUT AER SOPORIFER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The more powerful medications are reserved for the surgery room. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell asks, "is that what's in the records?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "consult records about me" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CONSULT RECORDS ABOUT ME | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your own medical record is little more than an informal account, as | ||
| CF | your only treatment here -- for a bout of Midaes fever last month -- | ||
| CF | was self-prescribed. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "take aer soporifer" | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "take aer soporifer" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE AER SOPORIFER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "I guess that's what's in the record for that med" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Seems so." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "consult records about cavala" | ||
| lkcampbell exclaims, "doh!" | ||
| DavidW says, "I suspect the records will be more useful later in the game." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "consult records about cavala" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CONSULT RECORDS ABOUT CAVALA | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala has meticulously recorded her medical history starting | ||
| CF | from the day she opened this clinic six years ago. It seems she has | ||
| CF | been mostly in health, except for a recurrent ache in her right | ||
| CF | shoulder from her soldiering days. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's clinic is a small, unostentatious affair, neatly | ||
| CF | organized with little in the way of decoration. A row of chairs faces | ||
| CF | the prescription counter, where the medication and patient records are | ||
| CF | sorted in gridlike pigeonholes; further on is the consulting study, | ||
| CF | home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala is at her desk, engrossed in paperwork. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell asks, "where next?" | |
| DavidW says, "You're supposed to go home, so east." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good night, Doctor Cavala," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good night, Marid. Don't stay up too late." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the front door of the clinic) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a cul-de-sac of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings aspiring to the heavens. Night has fallen, broken | ||
| CF | only by the ghostly glow of bound animii in street-lamps and shop | ||
| CF | windows. Beyond, you see the great spine of the Channelworks District, | ||
| CF | receding from the lamplight into the beginnings of rain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The white cross of Doctor Cavala's clinic is to the west, and the | ||
| CF | dormitory block where you live lies to the north. The rest of the | ||
| CF | district can wait until tomorrow. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (You may wish to save the game now by typing >save. You can do | ||
| CF | this at any time.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "It has exits listed. Which is nice." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I doubt we can go to the morgue at least." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf5" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x spine" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SPINE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It bears the burden of a thousand living souls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "This city uses 'animii' for night lights?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "So it seems." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "animii purgatory" | ||
| lkcampbell says, "or limbo maybe" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x lamps" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LAMPS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a living quality to the light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x windows" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WINDOWS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | All the shops are closed for the night. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "think about animii" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > THINK ABOUT ANIMII | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (Type >journal for a reminder of the information you've come | ||
| CF | across.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Worth a try." | |
| lkcampbell asks, "anything else, or should we go home?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Head home." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | You have walked the grounds of this three-storey estate long enough to | ||
| CF | know it by heart. Here is the faded arch, with its years of verdigris; | ||
| CF | here are the too-small atrium and the fountain at its center. All | ||
| CF | around above are the lights of innumerable domiciles, linked by | ||
| CF | crumbling stairs and divided by flimsy plaster walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | From here, you can go up to your dormitory room, visit the public | ||
| CF | house to the west, or exit the building to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An old woman sits at the base of the fountain, feeding pigeons that | ||
| CF | wing down from the sky above. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "I think we should go home unless we find something on the way." | |
| lkcampbell asks, "oh, is that the bird murderer?" | ||
| DavidW says, "If you talk to her, yeah." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to woman" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to the old woman | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO WOMAN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the old woman) | ||
| CF | As you approach, the old woman looks up and smiles. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Ah, hello, Marid," she says. "It is Marid, isn't it?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "It's nice to meet you too, ma'am." | ||
| CF | 2) "Have we met before?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Sorry, I don't know who you're talking about." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "odd she knows our name, unless the PC knows something we don't" | |
| MoyTravis says, "#2 seems relevant." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "I'm thinking 2" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to Saliunca | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Have we met before?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Oh, no, no," the old woman replies. "It's just that everyone knows | ||
| CF | your name, you see; you are the doctor's assistant, are you not? And I | ||
| CF | hear you live all by yourself in this dormitory, poor girl... but I'm | ||
| CF | sure you don't need my pity. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "As I know your name, it's only fair that you know mine. My name is | ||
| CF | Saliunca." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "It's nice to meet you, Saliunca." | ||
| CF | 2) "Living by myself isn't that bad..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Do you feed the pigeons often?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'm in a bit of a rush, actually..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "I mean, many people around here know my name and I don't know theirs, necessarily." | |
| lkcampbell says, "you are infamous" | ||
| lkcampbell says, "should we be Canadian again and pick 1" | ||
| DavidW says, "please" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to Saliunca | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's nice to meet you, Saliunca." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The pleasure is all mine." She bares her crooked teeth in a wry | ||
| CF | smile. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Living by myself isn't that bad..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you feed the pigeons often?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm in a bit of a rush, actually..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Living by myself isn't that bad," you say. "I've gotten used | ||
| CF | to it ever since I boarded out to the Physicians' College." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Oh, I don't doubt you can look after yourself, love," Saliunca | ||
| CF | quickly adds. "I'm -- We're only worried for you, is all; just a spot | ||
| CF | of neighborly worry. It isn't easy for an -- for a young lady to -- to | ||
| CF | live like you do." | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | live like you do."An awkward pause. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to Saliunca | ||
| CF | live like you do."An awkward pause."I appreciate the concern," you say | ||
| CF | eventually, "but you shouldn't worry. I get by, in my own way." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you feed the pigeons often?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'll be seeing you, then." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "What are you trying to say, Saliunca?" | |
| lkcampbell says, "pretty judgmental for a bird poisoner" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to Saliunca | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You gesture at the flock surrounding her. "Do you feed the pigeons | ||
| CF | often?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Saliunca cackles. "Feed them?" she says. "I suppose you could say | ||
| CF | that, in a way. Yes, I feed them; but if you think I harbor any love | ||
| CF | for the pigeons, you would be quite mistaken. I'm poisoning the | ||
| CF | pigeons, you see, love -- feeding them poison!" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Poison!?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Then you're killing them...!" | ||
| CF | 3) "But why would you do something like that?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "#3?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "But -- but why would you do something like that?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Saliunca shakes her head sadly. "Oh, Marid, don't you see? The pigeons | ||
| CF | are infesting the dormitory! All over the atrium they are, and even in | ||
| CF | some of the ground-floor domiciles. You never even noticed?" | lkcampbell says, "no, I'm too busy being a sinner" | |
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | some of the ground-floor domiciles. You never even noticed?""I -- I | ||
| CF | live on the third floor," you admit. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | live on the third floor," you admit."Then you haven't noticed." She | ||
| CF | sighs. "The pigeons are everywhere, love -- a great nuisance they are | ||
| CF | making. Stealing food. Leaving their droppings about. And that's why | ||
| CF | their numbers have to be culled. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to Saliunca | ||
| CF | their numbers have to be culled."For some peace, Marid, for some | ||
| CF | peace. You understand, don't you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I suppose you are right..." | ||
| CF | 2) "I don't believe that for a second..." | ||
| CF | 3) "But killing them...!" | ||
| CF | 4) "The corpses... the corpses will litter the ground." | ||
| CF | 5) "I'm sorry. I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "I think what Saliunca was dancing around was us being an orphan, rather than a sinner." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "4?" | ||
| lkcampbell says, "oh heh, yeah that makes more sense" | ||
| lkcampbell says, "sure 4 is dramatic" | ||
| DavidW says, "hm. I wonder if this is foreshadowing, that maybe Raden's illness is because of poisoning." | ||
| DavidW says, "Different poison, I mean." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "4" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to Saliunca | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 4 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The corpses..." You shake your head. "The corpses will litter the | ||
| CF | ground." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Saliunca grimaces. "Yes. Yes, they will. The atrium will be rather | ||
| CF | unpleasant for a while; that's the cost of it, Marid. But you must see | ||
| CF | -- you must see it's something that has to be done." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I suppose you are right..." | ||
| CF | 2) "I don't believe that for a second..." | ||
| CF | 3) "But killing them...!" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'm sorry. I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "rotting corpses are probably a health concern as well" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Definitely. Not everyone has fancy anti-contagion clothes after all." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "yeah this has to be some sort of foreshadowing because this conversation is very odd" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Look she could just be a Tom Lehrer fan." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "(American satirist/singer, he has a song where he sings about poisoning pidgeons in the park)" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Continue with 3?" | ||
| lkcampbell says, "ok by me" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Anyways I second anything that anybody picks in interest of moving faster." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to Saliunca | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "But killing them...!" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Saliunca frowns. "You say that as though I'm a murderess," she says, | ||
| CF | "when I'm nothing of the sort. Think, girl, think! | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you think about the food you eat, of how the butcher earns his | ||
| CF | keep? No, of course not -- they are animals, animals! We know they are | ||
| CF | lesser -- we have measured their animii. And the animus of a | ||
| CF | pigeon... why, it's little more than a candlelight. So why shouldn't I | ||
| CF | snuff them?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I suppose you are right..." | ||
| CF | 2) "I don't believe that for a second..." | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm sorry. I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "You're not killing these pigeons for food or resources. You're killing them for convenience." | |
| lkcampbell says, "yeah, it's a pretty weak analogy" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "2 then?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm gonna lie down for 15." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You glare at her. "I don't believe that for a second. The pigeons may | ||
| CF | be pests, but -- but poisoning them? That's much too cruel. | ||
| CF | There must be some other way." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Oh?" Saliunca raises an eyebrow. "And what would this other way be?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I... I don't..." | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "I... I don't..."You shake your head. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I don't know. But there must be a way. There must be..." | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "I don't know. But there must be a way. There must be...""And suppose | ||
| CF | I'm right, and there isn't?" She frowns. "You've got some nerve | ||
| CF | telling me off, young lady, when all I've heard out of you is talk. | ||
| CF | Get off your high horse. Don't tell me you're squeamish about killing | ||
| CF | a few birds -- or is that what the Physicians' College taught you?" | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to Saliunca | ||
| CF | a few birds -- or is that what the Physicians' College taught you?"You | ||
| CF | tense up. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What would a hag like you possibly know about the | ||
| CF | Art?..." | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm sorry. I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "1?" | |
| lkcampbell says, "I hope this character isn't someone we need on our side later" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "1 probably reveals her to be a grand-doctor or something?" | ||
| lkcampbell says, "I guess we can try 1 and undo if its bad" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We can try 1, sure." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | What would -- | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | What would --No. You start. You catch yourself. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Being emotional won't get you anywhere, Marid. It won't change | ||
| CF | anything. It won't bring him back. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Talking to Saliunca | ||
| CF | anything. It won't bring him back.You take a deep breath. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm sorry. I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm sorry," you mutter. "I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You turn and walk away. "Suit yourself, love," Saliunca calls after | ||
| CF | you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | When you don't respond, she shakes her head and goes back to feeding | ||
| CF | the pigeons. | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | the pigeons.## Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | You have walked the grounds of this three-storey estate long enough to | ||
| CF | know it by heart. Here is the faded arch, with its years of verdigris; | ||
| CF | here are the too-small atrium and the fountain at its center. All | ||
| CF | around above are the lights of innumerable domiciles, linked by | ||
| CF | crumbling stairs and divided by flimsy plaster walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | From here, you can go up to your dormitory room, visit the public | ||
| CF | house to the west, or exit the building to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Saliunca sits at the base of the fountain, feeding pigeons that wing | ||
| CF | down from the sky above. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x fountain" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X FOUNTAIN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A neoclassical sculpture of concentric basins. An image of Mercury | ||
| CF | takes pride of place, with sword aloft in one hand and water-spout | ||
| CF | chalice in the other. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Still, that poison can have all kinds of after-effects you haven't considered, Sal." | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x public house" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PUBLIC HOUSE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the public house) | ||
| CF | A refuge from the troubles of the world, at least for some. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell asks, "public house or home?" | |
| MoyTravis asks, "Just pick one?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "As I recall, Marid said she could use a drink." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Public House | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the door of the public house) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Public House | ||
| CF | Tucked away in the shadow of the domiciles, this cozy establishment | ||
| CF | offers a retreat from the melancholy of the night. Other patrons are | ||
| CF | scattered at the tables, engaged in drinking and conversation, while | ||
| CF | in the corner a solitary clockwork musician plays. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The door is to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A smartly-dressed mutant is behind the counter polishing a glass -- | ||
| CF | this must be the new bartender. He gives you a nod as you enter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Whether we can actually get one is a different question." | |
| MoyTravis says, "Okay public house. Which is a weirdly contemporary phrasing given that all the rest of the descriptions." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "'s a Britishism ain't it?" | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x mutant" | ||
| CF ] Public House | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MUTANT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the bartender) | ||
| CF | (It has been some years now since the mutants of the Dark Lands were | ||
| CF | integrated into society, and you have mostly gotten used to their | ||
| CF | haphazard anatomy, their alien perception of the world. Mostly.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He looks to be one of the older generation of mutants, with few | ||
| CF | features that mark him as having once been human. He wears a dignified | ||
| CF | wooden mask and a tailcoat that has been modified to accommodate | ||
| CF | additional limbs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "x mask" | ||
| CF ] Public House | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MASK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Its simple lines evoke a man's face. It has become fashionable for | ||
| CF | mutants with unsightly mutations to wear these. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The clockwork musician finishes playing Sutor's Lament and | ||
| CF | starts on Magis Quam Amor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to mutant" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO MUTANT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the bartender) | ||
| CF | You sit down at the serving counter. "Hello," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender stops polishing his glass and regards you thoughtfully. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I don't believe we've met. My name is Marid." | ||
| CF | 2) "You must be the new bartender." | ||
| CF | 3) <Order a drink.> | ||
| CF | 4) "Actually, never mind." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell asks, "want me to just pick my way through this conversation?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Please." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I don't believe we've met," you say. "My name is Marid." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender bows and pantomimes a welcome. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You can't speak?" | ||
| CF | 2) "It's nice to meet you." <Offer your hand.> | ||
| CF | 3) "You must be the new bartender." | ||
| CF | 4) <Order a drink.> | ||
| CF | 5) "See you soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You can't speak?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender nods mournfully. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm sorry," you say, feeling slightly guilty. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "It's nice to meet you." <Offer your hand.> | ||
| CF | 2) "You must be the new bartender." | ||
| CF | 3) <Order a drink.> | ||
| CF | 4) "See you soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's nice to meet you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You offer your hand; the bartender bends and touches the wooden mouth | ||
| CF | of his mask to it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You must be the new bartender." | ||
| CF | 2) <Order a drink.> | ||
| CF | 3) "See you soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You must be the new bartender." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender nods sagely. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How's business?" | ||
| CF | 2) <Order a drink.> | ||
| CF | 3) "See you soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How's business?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender pauses in thought, then makes a noncommittal gesture | ||
| CF | with his tentacle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Order a drink.> | ||
| CF | 2) "See you soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'd like a glass of spiced wine, please." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender measures out the wine, waters it down, and tosses it | ||
| CF | with a bag of spices before handing you the glass. You take your time | ||
| CF | to nurse the drink: it's sweet, with a pinch of nutmeg and other | ||
| CF | flavors you don't recognize. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Sweet and sad. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Get something off your mind.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Finish your drink in silence.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your mind wanders to the things you've seen; the things you've done. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I watched a man die tonight..." | ||
| CF | 2) <Finish your drink in silence.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I watched a man die tonight," you say quietly. "It was just around | ||
| CF | the corner. In Doctor Cavala's clinic." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender is silent as you take another sip. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | The bartender is silent as you take another sip."It all happened too | ||
| CF | fast. It was only when he collapsed on top of me that we knew, and -- | ||
| CF | and we rushed him to the surgery room. I was so scared. It was Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala who steadied me... who believed we could cure him together. But | ||
| CF | he died on the gurney. He died just like that." | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | he died on the gurney. He died just like that."You close your eyes. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | he died on the gurney. He died just like that."You close your eyes."We | ||
| CF | aren't even sure what he was suffering from... how he died. But now... | ||
| CF | what can we do?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I became a physician because I wanted to save lives..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Doctor Cavala tried so hard to stabilize him..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You gaze into your glass, watching the wine swirl around and around. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I became a physician because I wanted to save lives. I... I wanted to | ||
| CF | make a difference. But for every life I save -- every life we save -- | ||
| CF | it seems like a dozen more die out of our reach. How is that fair? How | ||
| CF | is it worth it? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "They teach you in the Physicians' College that you can't save | ||
| CF | everyone. It just isn't possible..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "...but I keep wondering if we could have saved that | ||
| CF | man..." | ||
| CF | 2) "...and now I'm beginning to understand what they | ||
| CF | meant..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...but I keep wondering if we could have saved that man, if maybe we | ||
| CF | had done something different. And it's killing me inside." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Finish your drink.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Oh that'll so be over all the social media." | |
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You down the last of your wine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Thanks for listening." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender takes the empty glass, and you feel a little better for | ||
| CF | having confided in him. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Tip the bartender.> | ||
| CF | 2) "See you soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Public House Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You tip the bartender and he bows. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "See you soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "See you soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You stand up. The bartender goes back to his business; you suppose you | ||
| CF | should as well. | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "journal" | ||
| CF ] Public House | ||
| CF | should as well.## Public House | ||
| CF | Tucked away in the shadow of the domiciles, this cozy establishment | ||
| CF | offers a retreat from the melancholy of the night. Other patrons are | ||
| CF | scattered at the tables, engaged in drinking and conversation, while | ||
| CF | in the corner a solitary clockwork musician plays. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The door is to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender is behind the counter polishing a glass. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "journal" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Third of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I'm tired. I'm so tired. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I'm sorry, Reden. I hope your animus rests in peace. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Go home and get some sleep | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Public House | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Public House | ||
| CF | Tucked away in the shadow of the domiciles, this cozy establishment | ||
| CF | offers a retreat from the melancholy of the night. Other patrons are | ||
| CF | scattered at the tables, engaged in drinking and conversation, while | ||
| CF | in the corner a solitary clockwork musician plays. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The door is to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender is behind the counter polishing a glass. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "was that where the drink objective was, in the journal/" | |
| lkcampbell says, "so we achieved it" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Public House | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Public House | ||
| CF | Tucked away in the shadow of the domiciles, this cozy establishment | ||
| CF | offers a retreat from the melancholy of the night. Other patrons are | ||
| CF | scattered at the tables, engaged in drinking and conversation, while | ||
| CF | in the corner a solitary clockwork musician plays. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The door is to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bartender is behind the counter polishing a glass. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the door of the public house) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | You have walked the grounds of this three-storey estate long enough to | ||
| CF | know it by heart. Here is the faded arch, with its years of verdigris; | ||
| CF | here are the too-small atrium and the fountain at its center. All | ||
| CF | around above are the lights of innumerable domiciles, linked by | ||
| CF | crumbling stairs and divided by flimsy plaster walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | From here, you can go up to your dormitory room, visit the public | ||
| CF | house to the west, or exit the building to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Saliunca sits at the base of the fountain, feeding pigeons that wing | ||
| CF | down from the sky above. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the door to your dormitory room) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's Room | ||
| CF | Though this space of yours is small, you have done your best to | ||
| CF | furnish it with the comforts of home. In one corner is a dressing | ||
| CF | table, piled with stationery and assorted toiletries, and in another | ||
| CF | is the kitchenette. The only door leads back downstairs to the atrium. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your bed is at the end of the room, beside the window. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You feel tired. Weary. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "sleep I guess" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, enter bed, then sleep." | ||
| lkcampbell says (to ClubFloyd), "enter bed" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > ENTER BED | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's been a long day. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You drape your jacket over the head of your bed and settle beneath the | ||
| CF | covers. Your room fades away as you will your eyes to close. But still | ||
| CF | your mind drifts, draws you back into the tides of memory, where you | ||
| CF | can only watch -- | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | can only watch ---- watch the shimmer of the surgery room; watch | ||
| CF | Reden's eyes close a thousand times; watch the lights all around | ||
| CF | -- | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ---- dancing like -- | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ---- dancing like ---- flames -- | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | D A Y O N E | ||
| lkcampbell pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You wake in a cold sweat. The bells of Miller's Gate are ringing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's Room | ||
| CF | Though this space of yours is small, you have done your best to | ||
| CF | furnish it with the comforts of home. In one corner is a dressing | ||
| CF | table, piled with stationery and assorted toiletries, and in another | ||
| CF | is the kitchenette. The only door leads back downstairs to the atrium. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Far off, the bells continue to ring: four, five, six, seven. Seven in | ||
| CF | the morning. You're lucky you haven't overslept. You quickly get | ||
| CF | dressed and run through your morning routine -- Doctor Cavala will be | ||
| CF | waiting for you at the clinic. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "okay, that's it for me today, gotta cruise" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Shall we stop for the day then?" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Thanks for driving." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "I think so, good place to stop" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Yeah, thanks for that!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "save" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| lkcampbell goes home. | MoyTravis says, "I mean, end of day 1 seems like a natural enough point." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cfwoasday1" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger exclaims, "nice work everyone!" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Good night, then, and hopefully things will go better for everyone." | ||
| *** SESSION TWO *** | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Hey - y'all still doing WoaS this week?" | ||
| DavidW asks, "I assume so?" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "We finished Day 1, of several, probably?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm hoping others continue to drive." | ||
| Knight_Otu has arrived. | Knight_Otu says, "Hey." | |
| lkcampbell has arrived. | Jacqueline says, "mmkay - y'all enjoy your continuing game." | |
| Jacqueline departs dramatically, saying, "Since I'm probably marked for death anyway, I'm going to have an oreo cookie and then a nap. See you all later, possibly on the #obits bb." | DavidW says (to Jacqueline), "Not exactly an 'enjoyable' game." | |
| DavidW says, "Also ugh #obits." | ||
| PerrySimm says (to David), "Yeah, that's why she left. She's had enough death lately." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It's definitely not for everyone." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Should we begin? Are we waiting for more arrivals?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I think we can begin. We probably aren't on a timer for this section I guess?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So we don't necessarily need a driver yet." | ||
| DavidW says, "I think we're exploring the town a bit, en route to a collague, if I remember correctly." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's Room | ||
| CF | Though this space of yours is small, you have done your best to | ||
| CF | furnish it with the comforts of home. In one corner is a dressing | ||
| CF | table, piled with stationery and assorted toiletries, and in another | ||
| CF | is the kitchenette. The only door leads back downstairs to the atrium. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your bed is at the end of the room, beside the window. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I don't have any of my old notes for this game easily available." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are | ||
| CF | your practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic | ||
| CF | cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I think I only did written notes, and they might not have been filed." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Oops, be back in a bit. Drive on." | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, I don't even see a scan copy." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "look through window" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK THROUGH WINDOW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can see little except the view of the rooftop. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x table" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TABLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have little need for vanity, and so use the dressing table as a | ||
| CF | writing desk. A mirror and some delicate drawers are the only | ||
| CF | concession to its original purpose. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | lkcampbell says, "did we sleep yet or did we stop before that" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "open drawers" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OPEN DRAWERS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You open the delicate drawers, revealing some folded clothing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "close drawers" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CLOSE DRAWERS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You close the delicate drawers. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I don't remember." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "get in bed" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET IN BED | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | No, you have to report for work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the door to your dormitory room) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | You have walked the grounds of this three-storey estate long enough to | ||
| CF | know it by heart. Here is the faded arch, with its years of verdigris; | ||
| CF | here are the too-small atrium and the fountain at its center. All | ||
| CF | around above are innumerable domiciles, linked by crumbling stairs and | ||
| CF | divided by flimsy plaster walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | From here, you can go up to your dormitory room or exit the building | ||
| CF | to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The ground is littered with what must be dozens of dead pigeons. A | ||
| CF | char-golem is busy sweeping the carcasses into a bag, while a | ||
| CF | gobliness slouches beside the fountain nearby. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x pigeons" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIGEONS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Each carcass is contorted strangely, as though frozen in an instant of | ||
| CF | convulsion. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x char-golem" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CHAR-GOLEM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An animated golem comprised of cast iron. The stamp on its forehead | ||
| CF | identifies it as property of the Council of Works. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gobliness" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GOBLINESS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She's dressed like an odd-job woman. The pockets of her apron are | ||
| CF | stuffed with work tools. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to gobliness" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO GOBLINESS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good morning." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Morning, miss." She tips her cap. "Take care you don't step on one of | ||
| CF | them pigeons. Nasty business." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You look at your feet. "Thanks for the warning." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to golem" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO GOLEM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Golems aren't sapient. You'd sooner get a response out of a lamp-post. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a cul-de-sac of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings aspiring to the heavens. From here the | ||
| CF | street-lamps and shop windows line the great spine of the Channelworks | ||
| CF | District until, shrouded in the mists of the canal, it curves out of | ||
| CF | sight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The white cross of Doctor Cavala's clinic is to the west; the | ||
| CF | dormitory block where you live lies to the north. The rest of the | ||
| CF | district will have to wait until after you report for work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the front door of the clinic) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's clinic is a small, unostentatious affair, neatly | ||
| CF | organized with little in the way of decoration. A row of chairs faces | ||
| CF | the prescription counter, where the medication and patient records are | ||
| CF | sorted in gridlike pigeonholes; further on is the consulting study, | ||
| CF | home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good morning, Doctor," you call. But she doesn't seem to be in the | ||
| CF | waiting area or the consulting study. Odd; where could she have gone? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A wave of warmth washes over you as you step through the calomel | ||
| CF | curtain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Surgery Room | ||
| CF | You are in a cold cylindrical chamber, thick with quiet shadows. | ||
| CF | Shelves of vials and medical supplies crowd around you, leaving little | ||
| CF | room to misstep. A shimmering calomel curtain frames the exit to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The gurney in the center of the room is empty. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A wave of warmth washes over you as you step through the calomel | ||
| CF | curtain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's clinic is a small, unostentatious affair, neatly | ||
| CF | organized with little in the way of decoration. A row of chairs faces | ||
| CF | the prescription counter, where the medication and patient records are | ||
| CF | sorted in gridlike pigeonholes; further on is the consulting study, | ||
| CF | home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend the steps into shadow... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Mortuary | ||
| CF | The odor of camphor is overwhelming in this gloomy subterranean | ||
| CF | chamber. Shelves along the walls house organs in jars of formaldehyde. | ||
| CF | Deeper in, cadavers are organized in labeled niches, embalmed and | ||
| CF | awaiting cremation. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A flight of stairs leads back up to the clinic. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala is here studying Reden's body with a loupe. His heart, | ||
| CF | lungs, and trachea are neatly laid out beside him on the slab. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x reden" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X REDEN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | His chest cavity has been dissected, revealing a spiderweb pattern of | ||
| CF | blackened blood vessels and tissues. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x heart" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HEART | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden's organs are black and withered. You might have suspected poor | ||
| CF | embalming technique if it hadn't been Doctor Cavala performing the | ||
| CF | dissection. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to doctor" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO DOCTOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You cough politely. "Good morning, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hmm? Oh." Doctor Cavala pushes up her loupe and acknowledges you with | ||
| CF | a nod. "Good morning, Marid. I trust you had a good night's sleep?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Um. Yes." | ||
| CF | 2) "I had a terrible nightmare..." | ||
| CF | 3) "I'd rather not talk about it." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "1?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Um. Yes." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She sighs. "You're a terrible liar, Marid." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You redden. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You redden.Doctor Cavala gets to her feet, wipes off her gloves, and | ||
| CF | places her hand on your shoulder. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Don't worry," she says, more gently. "It's not an easy thing to go | ||
| CF | through. I remember the first time I lost a patient. But I promise it | ||
| CF | will get better." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | will get better."You shake your head. "I'll... I'll be fine, Doctor. | ||
| CF | Don't worry about me." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Don't worry about me."After a pause, she nods and squeezes your | ||
| CF | shoulder. "Good girl." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | shoulder. "Good girl."Then Doctor Cavala steps back, and her | ||
| CF | businesslike demeanor returns. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | businesslike demeanor returns."The order of business today is | ||
| CF | twofold," she begins. "We aren't expecting many patients today, so I | ||
| CF | don't need you to be at the counter. Instead, I need you to run an | ||
| CF | errand for me." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | errand for me.""What sort of errand?" you ask. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | errand for me.""What sort of errand?" you ask.She purses her lips. | ||
| CF | "First, I need you to deliver the documentation of Reden's death to | ||
| CF | the basilica. Second, I need you to inform Reden's next of kin that he | ||
| CF | has passed away." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How should I go about delivering the documentation?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Where does Reden's next of kin live?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What will you be doing?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How should I go about delivering the documentation?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's quite straightforward." Doctor Cavala shows you a sheaf of | ||
| CF | papers. "I've already bundled the documents and sent word to the | ||
| CF | basilica by correspondence. All you have to do is pass the bundle to | ||
| CF | the censor's office." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You rack your memory. "The basilica is next to the forum, right? | ||
| CF | Across the Via Terminalis bridge?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "That's right." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Where does Reden's next of kin live?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What will you be doing?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Where does Reden's next of kin live?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala frowns. "According to my file, he has a brother in | ||
| CF | Riggertown by the name of Zoiro, but I don't have an address for you. | ||
| CF | Your best bet is to look up his name in the census records. Or you | ||
| CF | could ask around in Riggertown -- I understand the goblin community is | ||
| CF | quite tightly knit." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Is Riggertown that shanty town down the canal?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It is. Turn right at the bridge and you'll see it." She pauses. "And | ||
| CF | another thing -- check whether anyone in Riggertown is exhibiting | ||
| CF | similar symptoms. It could help in narrowing down the cause of the | ||
| CF | affliction." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What will you be doing?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What will you be doing?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala inclines her head at the slab. "When not receiving | ||
| CF | patients, you mean? I intend to spend the day studying Reden's | ||
| CF | affliction. I've already left correspondence for Doctor Arturus, who I | ||
| CF | expect shall join me in the afternoon. In the meantime, I am compiling | ||
| CF | observations and studying the mechanism by which Reden has died. If | ||
| CF | all goes well, we should be able to present our findings to the | ||
| CF | medical community by the end of the week." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sheaf" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHEAF | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please choose a response from the list by typing the corresponding | ||
| CF | number. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She nods and presses the bundle of documentation into your hands. | ||
| CF | "Remember: first, deliver the documents to the basilica; second, look | ||
| CF | for Zoiro in Riggertown. Report back to me when you're done." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x documentation" | ||
| CF | for Zoiro in Riggertown. Report back to me when you're done.""Okay." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'll be here if you need anything." She pauses. "Take your time. | ||
| CF | Consider today a break after yesterday night." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Consider today a break after yesterday night.""Yes, Doctor." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Consider today a break after yesterday night.""Yes, Doctor.""Run | ||
| CF | along." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | along."With that, she sits down at the slab. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Day One | ||
| CF | along."With that, she sits down at the slab.(Type >inventory or | ||
| CF | >i to see what items you're carrying. Type >journal or | ||
| CF | >j to review your current objectives.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are a | ||
| CF | bundle of documents, your practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your | ||
| CF | purse, and an antiseptic cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x documents" | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DOCUMENTS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Comprehensive documentation of Reden's death. It's filled out in neat | ||
| CF | longhand and bound with Doctor Cavala's signature. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Fourth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I've been given an opportunity to get out of the clinic and see the | ||
| CF | sights of the Channelworks District... but I still feel a hollowness | ||
| CF | inside. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Deliver the bundle of documents to the censor in the basilica | ||
| CF | - Find Zoiro, Reden's brother, in Riggertown | ||
| CF | ...by asking the censor for his address | ||
| CF | ...by asking around Riggertown | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - I remember that the basilica is across the Via Terminalis bridge, | ||
| CF | next to the grand forum. | ||
| CF | - I remember that Riggertown is down the canal from the Via | ||
| CF | Terminalis. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Mortuary Day One | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Mortuary | ||
| CF | The odor of camphor is overwhelming in this gloomy subterranean | ||
| CF | chamber. Shelves along the walls house organs in jars of formaldehyde. | ||
| CF | Deeper in, cadavers are organized in labeled niches, embalmed and | ||
| CF | awaiting cremation. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A flight of stairs leads back up to the clinic. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala is here studying Reden's body with a loupe. His heart, | ||
| CF | lungs, and trachea are neatly laid out beside him on the slab. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You emerge from the darkness of the mortuary... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's clinic is a small, unostentatious affair, neatly | ||
| CF | organized with little in the way of decoration. A row of chairs faces | ||
| CF | the prescription counter, where the medication and patient records are | ||
| CF | sorted in gridlike pigeonholes; further on is the consulting study, | ||
| CF | home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the front door of the clinic) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a cul-de-sac of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings aspiring to the heavens. From here the | ||
| CF | street-lamps and shop windows line the great spine of the Channelworks | ||
| CF | District until, shrouded in the mists of the canal, it curves out of | ||
| CF | sight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The white cross of Doctor Cavala's clinic is to the west, the | ||
| CF | dormitory block where you live lies to the north, and a gap between | ||
| CF | buildings hides an alley entrance to the south. The great Via | ||
| CF | Terminalis continues to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (Type >map to view a map of the Channelworks District.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "cf6" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day One | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "map" | ||
| CF ] Map | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | [Picture number 3 here.] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day One | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a cul-de-sac of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings aspiring to the heavens. From here the | ||
| CF | street-lamps and shop windows line the great spine of the Channelworks | ||
| CF | District until, shrouded in the mists of the canal, it curves out of | ||
| CF | sight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The white cross of Doctor Cavala's clinic is to the west, the | ||
| CF | dormitory block where you live lies to the north, and a gap between | ||
| CF | buildings hides an alley entrance to the south. The great Via | ||
| CF | Terminalis continues to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West Street | ||
| CF | You are adrift in the bustle of crowds and carriages, a raucous river | ||
| CF | that runs through the blood-vessel streets. Signage advertises a | ||
| CF | profusion of shops and services amid the sounds of leather rollers and | ||
| CF | stitching machines. In the distant mist, the Bilious Canal spills from | ||
| CF | the Channelworks into the heart of the city. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the Via to the west, or to the southeast where it | ||
| CF | bridges the canal. A condemned block is visible to the north. A | ||
| CF | hanging banner obscures an alley to the southwest, while a footpath | ||
| CF | follows the canal to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Some civil guards are keeping vigil on the thoroughfare. Among them | ||
| CF | you see your friend, Horatio. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Back, and I should be caught up." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x Horatio" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HORATIO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Vigile Horatio is a childhood friend of yours. He's always been a bit | ||
| CF | dense, but you're glad to have him around. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x banner" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BANNER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The banner is an advertisement for a night market, now three weeks out | ||
| CF | of date. You can't see much behind it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A carriage with drawn blinds trundles past. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Talk to Horatio?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to Horatio" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO HORATIO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You smile at him. "Good morning, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He grins. "Hey, Marid. Out and about early?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I should be asking you the same thing..." | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm on an errand for Doctor Cavala..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm on an errand for Doctor Cavala," you explain. "I'm on my way to | ||
| CF | deliver some documents to the basilica." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "No wonder you looked like you were in a hurry," Horatio muses. "Well, | ||
| CF | I shan't hold you up. You do know the way, don't you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Even if I didn't, I'd know better than to ask you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He hangs his head. "Fair enough." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How is life in the Vigiles?" | ||
| CF | 2) "See you soon, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How is life in the Vigiles?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Horatio folds his arms. "I've hardly done anything. It's been nothing | ||
| CF | but closet-scrubbing and guard duty. I thought I'd had enough of that | ||
| CF | after boot camp." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | after boot camp.""I know the feeling." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | after boot camp.""I know the feeling.""I'm getting antsy, you know?" | ||
| CF | He drums his fingers on the hilt of his saber. "I want to be out there | ||
| CF | catching criminals and stopping burglaries, not standing around. I | ||
| CF | want to see some action once in a while." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "See you soon, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "See you soon, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You too, Marid." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You hug each other goodbye, and he returns to his post. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "se" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Bridge Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Bridge | ||
| CF | Here the voices and bustle wash over the arches and cobblestones. Mist | ||
| CF | rises from the Bilious Canal below, tarnishing the wayside statues | ||
| CF | green and gray, and fading into the fog and the overcast sky. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Via Terminalis stretches away to the northwest and southeast, | ||
| CF | while a clandestine stairway descends to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Oh, Horatio, I have a feeling you'll regret saying that." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x canal" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Bridge Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CANAL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Bilious Canal is furious and vitriolic, as befits its name. Mist | ||
| CF | curls from the surface of the water. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bridge" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Bridge Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BRIDGE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The stones have been smoothed by decades of traffic. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "se" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Junction | ||
| CF | Traffic revolves every which way around this old-fashioned rotunda, | ||
| CF | tracing the ancient alchemical lines inscribed on the stonework. An | ||
| CF | armillary sphere rotates in the center of the junction and guides | ||
| CF | carriages according to its lights. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Via Terminalis runs northwest to the bridge and southeast to | ||
| CF | Miller's Gate. A colonnade to the north marks the entrance of the | ||
| CF | Channelworks. To the east lies the Turris Infinita, and to the south | ||
| CF | can be seen the grand forum. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Fourth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It feels good to be out and about making myself useful. Has it really | ||
| CF | been a week since the last time I went out on the town? Not that I | ||
| CF | should be going shopping at a time like this... but walking through | ||
| CF | the streets, seeing everyone going about their daily lives, it's | ||
| CF | almost enough to make me feel as though everything is going to be | ||
| CF | well. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Deliver the bundle of documents to the censor in the basilica | ||
| CF | - Find Zoiro, Reden's brother, in Riggertown | ||
| CF | ...by asking the censor for his address | ||
| CF | ...by asking around Riggertown | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - I remember that the basilica is across the Via Terminalis bridge, | ||
| CF | next to the grand forum. | ||
| CF | - I remember that Riggertown is down the canal from the Via | ||
| CF | Terminalis. | ||
| CF | - Perhaps I could go to the Turris Infinita and pay Justinian a | ||
| CF | surprise visit... | ||
| CF | - Doctor Cavala told me to think about what I saw last night... | ||
| CF | - This district is so much larger than the Lake District... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | DavidW says, "I suppose S if we want to get our errands done." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Day One | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Junction | ||
| CF | Traffic revolves every which way around this old-fashioned rotunda, | ||
| CF | tracing the ancient alchemical lines inscribed on the stonework. An | ||
| CF | armillary sphere rotates in the center of the junction and guides | ||
| CF | carriages according to its lights. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Via Terminalis runs northwest to the bridge and southeast to | ||
| CF | Miller's Gate. A colonnade to the north marks the entrance of the | ||
| CF | Channelworks. To the east lies the Turris Infinita, and to the south | ||
| CF | can be seen the grand forum. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Grand Forum | ||
| CF | This immense paved square is alive with people of all kinds: couples, | ||
| CF | merchants, buskers. There are children flying their paper kites and | ||
| CF | old men watching the clouds drift by. A brilliant mural of Furopolis | ||
| CF | and Solphos hovers at the heart of it all. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The arch of Miller's Gate rules the east, and the curving canal | ||
| CF | cradles the basilica to the west. From the northern Via Terminalis | ||
| CF | junction, the Via Mercurii splits off and travels south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A newsboy is handing out copies of the Libri Liberi to | ||
| CF | passers-by. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take libri" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE LIBRI | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good morning," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Morning, miss." He thrusts a newspaper into your hands. "Compliments | ||
| CF | of the press." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Um, thanks." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x it" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Bilious Canal is furious and vitriolic, as befits its name. Mist | ||
| CF | curls from the surface of the water. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A prison carriage rolls past. You glimpse what looks like a squid | ||
| CF | through the bars before it turns a corner and is gone. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x libri" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LIBRI | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | FEATURE: IS ANIMUS POWER ETHICAL? Cathode-bound animii produce the | ||
| CF | energy that sustains our civilization, yet these souls are acquired | ||
| CF | through the coercion of society's most deprived... | ||
| CF | MUTANT CULTISTS AMONG US? Witnesses have reported individuals in | ||
| CF | the Lower City performing rituals in contravention of the Declaration | ||
| CF | of Religion Act... | ||
| CF | SIX AUTUMN FASHION TIPS. Look your best in the coming season with | ||
| CF | these products and recommendations from our featured experts... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x mural" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MURAL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The mural is a three-dimensional work of art magically inscribed upon | ||
| CF | the aether. Walking through it you see the world exquisitely captured, | ||
| CF | so finely detailed that you can make out the pinprick-lights of the | ||
| CF | constellations. There are the continents Terra Munda and Terra Nova, | ||
| CF | the great black sea of the Pelagus, and the four domed periochs -- | ||
| CF | Kardiapolis, Kreopolis, Furopolis, and Neopolis. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x neopolis" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X NEOPOLIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Neopolis is still sparse in comparison to the other periochs, but | ||
| CF | there is a haunting wonder to its symmetry. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A couple walks past, arm in arm. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x pelagus" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PELAGUS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A vast dark expanse that seems to undulate as you move around the | ||
| CF | mural. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x furopolis" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X FUROPOLIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The artist has magnified the image of the city so that the forty-nine | ||
| CF | districts are reproduced. There is the Upper Perioch with its | ||
| CF | breathtaking spires, and the gold-stained rows of the Lower Perioch; | ||
| CF | and on the boundary, caught between worlds, you see the tiny | ||
| CF | Channelworks District and the even tinier forum nestled within. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x kreopolis" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X KREOPOLIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Massive with its multiple domes, and ensconced amid the mountains. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x kardiapolis" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X KARDIAPOLIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | At this scale, the capital city looks like a fairy-tale palace on the | ||
| CF | ocean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Some young men walk past, pointing and laughing at something out of | ||
| CF | sight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x basilica" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BASILICA | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An imposing gothic hall. Petitioners trickle in and out. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Basilica | ||
| CF | Footsteps and whispers echo through these high-vaulted halls. The | ||
| CF | aisles on either side are lined with the doorways of countless | ||
| CF | clerical offices, and surrounding the raised chancel are the seats of | ||
| CF | the Magistrates' Court. The exit is to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Nearby is the censor -- but he appears to have fallen asleep at his | ||
| CF | desk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "wake censor" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > WAKE CENSOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Yes, but how? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x censor" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CENSOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A middle-aged man with a receding hairline. He's slumped over his | ||
| CF | desk, fast asleep. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "touch censor" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TOUCH CENSOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You tickle the censor's forehead and nose. He shifts and groans a | ||
| CF | little, and furrows his brow in his sleep. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to censor" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO CENSOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Excuse me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The censor snores by way of response. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "shake censor" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SHAKE CENSOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You grab the censor's shoulders and give him a firm couple of shakes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He sniffs. He sighs. And then he keels over and resumes snoring. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "yell" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "yell" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Talking to the censor | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > YELL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take a deep breath and yell, "Censor, in the name of Earth, Water, | ||
| CF | Fire, Air, Natron, Mercury, and Sulfur, would you kindly. Wake. | ||
| CF | Up!" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a very long silence. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The censor is wide awake now. He scrambles to a seated position, | ||
| CF | staring at you all the while. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Er," he says. "Um." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Clear your throat.> | ||
| CF | 2) "Sorry..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "What a sound sleeper." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Talking to the censor | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Sorry," you say, a little sheepishly. "It's just that you were asleep | ||
| CF | at your desk, and..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The censor turns red. "Of course, of course. Let's not speak of that. | ||
| CF | Entirely understandable. On to business." He adjusts his collar and | ||
| CF | puffs out his chest. "Censor Provis at your service, miss. What can I | ||
| CF | do for you today?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I have documents from Doctor Cavala's clinic..." | ||
| CF | 2) "I need the address of a Channelworks District citizen..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "lol that did it" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I have documents from Doctor Cavala's clinic regarding the death of a | ||
| CF | Channelworks District citizen," you say. "A middle-aged goblin man by | ||
| CF | the name of Reden." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You hand the bundle of documents to the censor, who regards it with an | ||
| CF | appraising eye. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Let me see." He breaks the seal and quickly scans the contents. "Yes. | ||
| CF | Hmm. Unfortunate, this. Not to worry. All shall be in order..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Hmm. Unfortunate, this. Not to worry. All shall be in order..."The | ||
| CF | censor's gaze pauses on one section of the report. He reads it -- | ||
| CF | rereads it. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rereads it."Hmm!" he says. "Well excuse me! An unknown | ||
| CF | disease? Hmm! Now this is highly irregular. Highly irregular. I will | ||
| CF | have to contact my superiors." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | have to contact my superiors."He puts a big red stamp on the bundle | ||
| CF | and files it away in a clattering of drawers, muttering to himself all | ||
| CF | the while. At last he pats the desk and nods with an air of | ||
| CF | self-importance. | MoyTravis asks, "Is Natron, like, an actual ancient Thing or just a word in this universe?" | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Basilica Talking to the censor | ||
| CF | self-importance."Very good, miss," he says. "Thank you for bringing | ||
| CF | this to our attention. Now was there anything else you needed?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I need the address of a Channelworks District citizen..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Nothing, thank you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "It is apparently a natural mineral salt." | |
| DavidW says, "I don't know what a natron is, but I think it's real, yes." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I need the address of a Channelworks District citizen. His name is | ||
| CF | Zoiro." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The censor furrows his brow. "Right then," he says. "Just a moment. | ||
| CF | Wait here, if you please." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He gets up and vanishes into one of the side doorways of the basilica, | ||
| CF | muttering a stream of incomprehensible jargon involving coordinates | ||
| CF | and street names. You hear the sounds of wooden scroll cases being | ||
| CF | rifled through, and furtive frantic consultations among the clerks. | Knight_Otu says, "It is a very alchemical world in any case." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rifled through, and furtive frantic consultations among the | ||
| CF | clerks.After an appreciable wait, he emerges from the doorway | ||
| CF | flush-faced and triumphant. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | flush-faced and triumphant."Seventh on Layabout Row," he proclaims, | ||
| CF | "Upper Riggertown. Property under the name of Zoiro and Koriph. And | ||
| CF | his place of employment, which I've taken the liberty to look up, is | ||
| CF | the Riggertown Mechanistry. Here, let me write it down for you --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Basilica Talking to the censor | ||
| CF | the Riggertown Mechanistry. Here, let me write it down for you --"He | ||
| CF | scribbles on a scrap of paper, hands it to you, and sits back down at | ||
| CF | his desk looking eminently satisfied. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "There we go," he says. "Now was there anything else you needed?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Nothing, thank you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Nothing, thank you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The censor beams. "Have a good day, miss. Per radium sophia." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You step away from the censor's desk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are a | ||
| CF | note with Zoiro's address, today's copy of the Libri Liberi, | ||
| CF | your practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic | ||
| CF | cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x note" | ||
| CF ] Basilica Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X NOTE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's the scrap of paper the censor gave you. It reads: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Home address: VII Layabout Row, Upper Riggertown | ||
| CF | Employment address: Riggertown Mechanistry, Upper Riggertown | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Grand Forum | ||
| CF | This immense paved square is alive with people of all kinds: couples, | ||
| CF | merchants, buskers. There are children flying their paper kites and | ||
| CF | old men watching the clouds drift by. A brilliant mural of Furopolis | ||
| CF | and Solphos hovers at the heart of it all. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The arch of Miller's Gate rules the east, and the curving canal | ||
| CF | cradles the basilica to the west. From the northern Via Terminalis | ||
| CF | junction, the Via Mercurii splits off and travels south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A newsboy is handing out copies of the Libri Liberi to | ||
| CF | passers-by. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Mercurii | ||
| CF | The Road of Change is a snaking, secretive thing. It curls in the side | ||
| CF | streets and in the dark places. Here along the canal, the opulence of | ||
| CF | the Upper Perioch peels away to reveal midnight hues and scarlet | ||
| CF | lamps, cabarets and pawnbrokers and establishments of ill repute -- | ||
| CF | but for now, at least, they slumber in the daylight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the north is the grand forum, vibrant and lively, while to the | ||
| CF | south the Shanty Quarter begins. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A fortune-teller is plying his trade by the road. As you pass him, he | ||
| CF | meets your gaze and beckons you with a smile. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to teller" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO TELLER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You approach the fortune-teller's table. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hello," you offer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good afternoon, young one." His accent is disarming. "Have you come | ||
| CF | in search of answers?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I have." | ||
| CF | 2) "I came because you beckoned me." | ||
| CF | 3) "I was curious." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I was curious." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Ah, curiosity. I can hardly fault you. It's only natural to be | ||
| CF | curious about a tradition such as mine." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The fortune-teller spreads his hands, and the deck of cards seems to | ||
| CF | fly apart and flow into itself. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I am a reader of messages, of portents. We often ask -- What should I | ||
| CF | do? Where will I go? The cards can show us all these things and more." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I've never seen cards like these before." | ||
| CF | 2) "How does it work?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Do you get many patrons?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'd like a reading." | ||
| CF | 5) "Perhaps another time." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I've never seen cards like this before." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The fortune-teller nods enigmatically, and slowly riffles the deck for | ||
| CF | you to see. The card backs are baroque, inlaid with gold, brilliant | ||
| CF | with light as they collapse inward. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The Aubedore," he murmurs. "The lost art. Here, you may not have | ||
| CF | heard of it. But the tradition exists, and I assure you that it is | ||
| CF | real." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What did you mean by 'the lost art?'" | ||
| CF | 2) "How does it work?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Do you get many patrons?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'd like a reading." | ||
| CF | 5) "Perhaps another time." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What did you mean by 'the lost art?'" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He only smiles. "Perhaps I've said too much. A magician can only | ||
| CF | reveal so many secrets." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How does it work?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you get many patrons?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'd like a reading." | ||
| CF | 4) "Perhaps another time." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How does it work?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The fortune-teller holds the cards close to his chest. "The strings of | ||
| CF | fate -- but perhaps you know them better as the chains of causality. | ||
| CF | They are intimately connected to all things in ways you can't imagine. | ||
| CF | By shuffling the cards, I am attuning them to your past, present, and | ||
| CF | future, to the parallels and possibilities." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I don't believe in fate." | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you get many patrons?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'd like a reading." | ||
| CF | 4) "Perhaps another time." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you get many patrons?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Many," the fortune-teller replies. "I've told the fortunes of the | ||
| CF | rich and poor, young and old. They all sought answers in their | ||
| CF | lifetime, and the cards helped them discover the way." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I don't believe in fate." | ||
| CF | 2) "I'd like a reading." | ||
| CF | 3) "Perhaps another time." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Do we want a reading?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I have a feeling this could be a hint mechanic, but sure." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'd like a reading," you say cautiously. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Very well," he replies. "Please, sit down. What question do you wish | ||
| CF | to ask the Fates?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take your seat at the table, facing the fortune-teller. After a | ||
| CF | long moment, you give your answer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "There's a boy I like..." | ||
| CF | 2) "A man died in the clinic where I work..." | ||
| CF | 3) "I've been having nightmares..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "A man died in the clinic where I work. I want to know what happened | ||
| CF | to him." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The fortune-teller's smile fades, and he nods more seriously. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You pose me a sober question, my friend," he says. "I will endeavor | ||
| CF | to ask the cards on your behalf. Let's see what the River pattern has | ||
| CF | to tell us about your patient." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He upturns his hand. Cards slide off the deck and onto the table in a | ||
| CF | flowing line. With his other hand, he turns the path of the cascade | ||
| CF | until a curving tangent has been formed. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | until a curving tangent has been formed."The River flows from the | ||
| CF | source," he says, "through the upper course and the bend, into the | ||
| CF | lower course and the delta. Here, the tributary is fed by the lake." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | lower course and the delta. Here, the tributary is fed by the lake."He | ||
| CF | gestures to each of the face-down cards in sequence. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | gestures to each of the face-down cards in sequence."Now we will | ||
| CF | reveal the cards, one by one, and see what they reveal about the flow | ||
| CF | of causality." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | of causality."His gold-gloved hand hovers over the source. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | of causality."His gold-gloved hand hovers over the source."Shall we | ||
| CF | begin?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Watch him reveal the upper river.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please choose a response from the list by typing the corresponding | ||
| CF | number. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Watch him reveal the upper river.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You nod. The fortune-teller touches the source, and brings it to | ||
| CF | light. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | light.The illustration is of an ancient forge, immaculately detailed | ||
| CF | and filled with artifacts of esoteric design. You see swords and cups, | ||
| CF | cloaks and crowns. But in front and center, set above the rest, is a | ||
| CF | band of purest, most exalted gold. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | band of purest, most exalted gold."The Ring," says the fortune-teller. | ||
| CF | "The most brilliant of the Fixtures. The source was a device, or | ||
| CF | perhaps a discovery, that possessed vast potential." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | perhaps a discovery, that possessed vast potential."The next card is | ||
| CF | upside down, and all you can make out is a crowded and colorful | ||
| CF | vignette. But in the center, almost unnoticeable, is one stooped | ||
| CF | figure devoid of color. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | figure devoid of color."The Servant. The lowliest in the realm of the | ||
| CF | court, so humble as to go unnoticed. But it is inverted; I dare say | ||
| CF | your patient drew unexpected attention, for good or for ill." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your patient drew unexpected attention, for good or for ill."The third | ||
| CF | card bears a young woman's face in stark definition, with blue eyes | ||
| CF | eerily like your own, but with only pale skin where her mouth should | ||
| CF | have been. You involuntarily touch your lips. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | have been. You involuntarily touch your lips.The fortune-teller shakes | ||
| CF | his head. "The bend is the Mute. The event, then, the death, had to do | ||
| CF | with silence. But did your patient die because he did not speak out... | ||
| CF | or was he killed to ensure he never did?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | or was he killed to ensure he never did?"He purses his lips. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Let us take a step back, and see if the tributary sheds light on the | ||
| CF | mystery." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Watch him reveal the tributary.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He reveals the card, and it turns out to be an idyllic scene of the | ||
| CF | land before the Darkening, a picture of a forest with green trees and | ||
| CF | blue skies. In its center is a body of still and silvery water. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | blue skies. In its center is a body of still and silvery water."The | ||
| CF | Pond," says the fortune-teller. "It represents a place far from | ||
| CF | civilization where one can reflect and find reflection. It is the | ||
| CF | indirect cause -- could the discovery have been made in such a place? | ||
| CF | The place your patient drew attention? Or did he not speak out because | ||
| CF | civilization would not have heard him?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | civilization would not have heard him?"You frown. "I came here for | ||
| CF | answers, not more questions." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | answers, not more questions.""I am sorry you feel that way, my | ||
| CF | friend," he replies. "I can only convey what I can see with my own | ||
| CF | eyes, and what the cards see fit to provide. The Fates can be | ||
| CF | temperamental even at the best of times. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | temperamental even at the best of times."But look! There are still | ||
| CF | three cards we have not revealed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Watch him reveal the rest of the river.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "We have seen what has come to pass," he says, reaching for the lake. | ||
| CF | "Now we see what could have been..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Now we see what could have been..."The card bears the image of an old | ||
| CF | woman in a dungeon. She is strung up by iron manacles and horribly | ||
| CF | withered, with her emaciation illustrated in exacting detail. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | withered, with her emaciation illustrated in exacting detail."The | ||
| CF | Manacles." A grimace. "If not for your patient's death, someone would | ||
| CF | have been imprisoned. Yes, an unpleasant picture is beginning to | ||
| CF | emerge..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | emerge..."The fortune-teller turns over the lower course, revealing it | ||
| CF | to be another dark and disturbing illustration; but upside-down, so | ||
| CF | that you can only see a bone-white figure. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | that you can only see a bone-white figure."Ah!" he declares. "The | ||
| CF | Ghost appears, but inverted. The dire message it brings is not heard, | ||
| CF | and the course of fate is not changed. And that brings us to our final | ||
| CF | card, the delta --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | card, the delta --"The delta is a storm at sea, heaving with | ||
| CF | rain-lashed ships and alive with forked lightning. Above all in the | ||
| CF | pitch-black sky is a terrible sphere that can only be the | ||
| CF | Luna. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Luna.The fortune-teller sets the card down. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | Luna.The fortune-teller sets the card down."The Tempest," he | ||
| CF | whispers. "The future will be filled with change and turmoil. It could | ||
| CF | be in many years, or it could be tomorrow. And all because of a humble | ||
| CF | man who drew the wrong attention -- and was silenced." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A long pause. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "...I see." | ||
| CF | 2) "Are you sure?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I hope you aren't expecting me to believe this drivel." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Are you sure?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He nods. "It is what the Fates have shown me." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "...I see." | ||
| CF | 2) "I don't believe in fate." | ||
| CF | 3) "I hope you aren't expecting me to believe this drivel." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...I see," you say at last. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He is still and pensive. The wind grasps his hood, making its edges | ||
| CF | billow. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | billow.At length, he places a hand on his deck. His eyes flicker to | ||
| CF | it; his lips twitch. Then he picks up his cards, one by one, and | ||
| CF | shuffles them away and out of sight. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Talking to the fortune-teller | ||
| CF | shuffles them away and out of sight."I should go," he murmurs. "I have | ||
| CF | other places to be." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Goodbye." | ||
| CF | 2) "Wait..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Wait..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He gets to his feet. You rise, your mind buzzing with questions. | ||
| CF | "Wait!" you cry. "Wait..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Wait!" you cry. "Wait...""Goodbye," he says. "Live on, my friend. | ||
| CF | Live well." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Live well."And he vanishes with a whirl of his cloak, leaving only a | ||
| CF | whiff of incense on the wind. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Day One | ||
| CF | whiff of incense on the wind.It's a while before you notice the sounds | ||
| CF | of the city around you again. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Mercurii | ||
| CF | The Road of Change is a snaking, secretive thing. It curls in the side | ||
| CF | streets and in the dark places. Here along the canal, the opulence of | ||
| CF | the Upper Perioch peels away to reveal midnight hues and scarlet | ||
| CF | lamps, cabarets and pawnbrokers and establishments of ill repute -- | ||
| CF | but for now, at least, they slumber in the daylight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the north is the grand forum, vibrant and lively, while to the | ||
| CF | south the Shanty Quarter begins. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The divining table sits vacant by the road. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A dozen goblins meander down the street, chatting loudly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x table" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TABLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A simple tin-framed table with two matching chairs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Gee, thanks, wizard." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The cobblestones grow crooked and broken underfoot. The buildings | ||
| CF | crowd inward until they blot out the darkening sky. You hesitate. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Is there really no other way? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The grand forum is to the north, and the Shanty Quarter is to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | With a deep breath, you press onward. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Shanty Quarter | ||
| CF | No words can describe this place. It is claustrophobic, oppressive, a | ||
| CF | place where light does not reach. The air is heavy with the stench of | ||
| CF | offal and waste, and other things better left unimagined -- and you | ||
| CF | are hemmed in by ropes, walled off by concrete, entombed with the | ||
| CF | walking dead. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day One | ||
| CF | walking dead.You instinctively take a step back, only to bump into a | ||
| CF | wall. You turn around and see a labyrinth of crawlspaces and ladders | ||
| CF | and rag curtains. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are lost. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Uh oh." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You wander blindly... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Deeper, Darker | ||
| CF | And you cannot find your way. All is awash in the spectral light of | ||
| CF | broken cathode lamps, and in the shadows phantasmagoria creeps. | ||
| CF | Frightened children eye you from the rooftops. Rats are strung up like | ||
| CF | hanged men. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | hanged men.You walk through a broken arch and someone grabs your arm. | ||
| CF | The point of a knife touches your back. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Talking to a stranger | ||
| CF | The point of a knife touches your back."Don't scream," says a cracked | ||
| CF | and leathery voice. "I'll kill you if you scream." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Scream.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Remain silent.> | ||
| CF | 3) "What do you want?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Talking to a stranger | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What do you want?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The knife blade pushes deeper into your jacket. You're forced up | ||
| CF | against a wall. The bricks are hard and cold. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I want your money. All of it. Now." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Scream.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Try to grab the knife.> | ||
| CF | 3) "Okay..." <Take out your purse.> | ||
| CF | 4) "Okay..." <Take out your scalpel.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "4" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 4 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Okay," you say. "I'm -- I'm getting my purse. Please don't hurt me." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You reach into your jacket. The knife point trembles -- his hands are | ||
| CF | shaking. You feel for the familiar weight... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | shaking. You feel for the familiar weight..."Hey," a different voice | ||
| CF | says. "The girl... doesn't she, doesn't she look familiar?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | says. "The girl... doesn't she, doesn't she look familiar?""I don't | ||
| CF | know what you're talking about," your assailant growls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "No. Look. I swear she's the girl from the clinic. The Doc's | ||
| CF | clinic. She's got the tattoos and everything --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | clinic. She's got the tattoos and everything --"The knife recedes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Oh Primes." The voice sounds panicked. "Oh Primes. I'm sorry. We | ||
| CF | didn't know. Please don't --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Please don't tell anyone. We just --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Don't tell the Doc --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day One | ||
| CF | "Don't tell the Doc --"They take off at a run. Their footsteps vanish | ||
| CF | into the crowd, into the din of the underworld. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are alone once more. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are a | ||
| CF | note with Zoiro's address, today's copy of the Libri Liberi, | ||
| CF | your practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic | ||
| CF | cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Deeper, Darker | ||
| CF | And you cannot find your way. All is awash in the spectral light of | ||
| CF | broken cathode lamps, and in the shadows phantasmagoria creeps. | ||
| CF | Frightened children eye you from the rooftops. Rats are strung up like | ||
| CF | hanged men. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Among the Lost | ||
| CF | There are so many people here. Mothers. Daughters. You see goblin boys | ||
| CF | fighting over scraps, and mutant children with two mouths and nothing | ||
| CF | to eat. You push through the crowd and they barely even notice your | ||
| CF | presence, so lost are they in their own suffering. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You find yourself suddenly set upon by a legion of beggars, grabbing | ||
| CF | at your trousers, thrusting empty hats into your face, baying like | ||
| CF | starving dogs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well. Doc has a reputation here." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to beggars" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Talking to the beggars | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO BEGGARS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Leave me alone!" | ||
| CF | 2) <Give them some money.> | ||
| CF | 3) <Never mind.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Leave me alone!" you cry. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | But they don't hear you. All they see is a rich stranger. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You flee from them... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You flee from them...## Into the Fire | ||
| CF | A rubbish fire, roaring and acrid and unmistakably fecal. The flames | ||
| CF | are green and blue from alchemical decomposition, and dead bodies feed | ||
| CF | the fire and stoke its insatiable hunger with their animii. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day One | ||
| CF | the fire and stoke its insatiable hunger with their animii.You sink to | ||
| CF | your knees. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "look" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Into the Fire | ||
| CF | A rubbish fire. The green and blue flames lick at your jacket and | ||
| CF | sting your eyes raw with tears. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | But somewhere far to the west, you think you see sunlight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You get to your feet. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You get to your feet.Unsteadily, you walk. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You get to your feet.Unsteadily, you walk.You close your eyes. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You get to your feet.Unsteadily, you walk.You close your eyes.You keep | ||
| CF | walking. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | walking.You don't stop until you feel the sun on your face once more. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Cadaver Walk Day One | ||
| CF | walking.You don't stop until you feel the sun on your face once | ||
| CF | more.## Cadaver Walk | ||
| CF | You've emerged out onto a bridge, if it can be called that: a | ||
| CF | haphazard assortment of ropes, planks, chains, warning signs, layers | ||
| CF | upon layers bound up in incomprehensible knots. Below the lines trail | ||
| CF | where they have snapped and never been repaired, and the Bilious Canal | ||
| CF | gobbles them up as they descend. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown is to the west, while the Shanty Quarter is to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Roger has arrived. | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Lower Level | ||
| CF | This peculiarly goblin neighborhood bristles with mechanical-chymical | ||
| CF | detritus. There are twisty catwalks made for childlike feet, and | ||
| CF | sheet-metal shacks you must stoop to enter. Here and there in the | ||
| CF | shadow of the upper landing, neon lamps glow and windchimes tinkle | ||
| CF | like laughter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can climb a ladder up to the next level, wander among the shacks | ||
| CF | to the west, or cross the canal east by way of Cadaver Walk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A scruffy old goblin sits on a post, chewing on a golden stick and | ||
| CF | watching the midday crowd. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to goblin" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Talking to the scruffy old goblin | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO GOBLIN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the scruffy old goblin) | ||
| CF | The old goblin raises an eyebrow as you approach. He pops the | ||
| CF | half-chewed stick out of his mouth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Something on your mind, girlie?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Good afternoon, sir." | ||
| CF | 2) "What's that you're chewing on?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Has anyone in Riggertown come down with a mysterious illness | ||
| CF | recently?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Nothing, sorry." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Talking to the scruffy old goblin | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What's that you're chewing on?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "This?" He holds up the half-chewed stick. "It's a stick of gold. I'm | ||
| CF | sucking on it, see? Brings out the flavor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Oh." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yeah." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm curious. What does gold taste like?" | ||
| CF | 2) "By the way, I never caught your name." | ||
| CF | 3) "Has anyone in Riggertown come down with a mysterious illness | ||
| CF | recently?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'll be back soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Talking to the scruffy old goblin | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm curious," you remark. "What does gold taste like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Ah," he says. "Now there's a fine question. Metals, see, all of them | ||
| CF | have got different flavors. You're a doctor, ain't you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Um, yes." | ||
| CF | 2) "Um, no." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Talking to the scruffy old goblin | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Um, no." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "No?" His ears droop. "I thought I had you figured from your jacket. | ||
| CF | Anyway -- you've surely heard of the metal correspondences, yes? Lead | ||
| CF | to yellow bile, tin to blood, iron to black bile? It tastes just like | ||
| CF | that. You can taste them like a bouquet on your tongue -- the | ||
| CF | correspondences, the extremes." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "That doesn't sound very palatable." | ||
| CF | 2) "So what does gold taste like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Talking to the scruffy old goblin | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "So what does gold taste like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Gold, you ask?" The goblin leans forward with shining eyes. "Gold is | ||
| CF | different from all of them. Gold corresponds to the heart. | ||
| CF | Tasting it is like tasting the sun, the soul. Biting | ||
| CF | down on a freshly transmuted nugget -- ah! Now that, I dare say, is a | ||
| CF | feast fit for a king." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "That's... very interesting." | ||
| CF | 2) "Is it healthy to be snacking on gold like this?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Talking to the scruffy old goblin | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Is it healthy to be snacking on gold like this?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He shrugs. "You tell me, Doc." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I -- I already told you, I'm not a doctor..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "So it is, so it is. Healthful, not healthful -- who's counting? Not | ||
| CF | me, that's for certain." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He takes another bite out of his stick, and grins a toothy grin. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "By the way, I never caught your name." | ||
| CF | 2) "Has anyone in Riggertown come down with a mysterious illness | ||
| CF | recently?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'll be back soon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Talking to Donti | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "By the way, I never caught your name." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | His lips curl wryly. "Never caught yours either." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Um... I'm Marid," you say. "Marid Orpheia." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Well, I'm Donti," he says. "Just Donti. Good afternoon to you, Marid | ||
| CF | Orpheia." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Has anyone in Riggertown come down with a mysterious illness | ||
| CF | recently?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Talk to you later, Donti." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Has anyone in Riggertown come down with a mysterious illness | ||
| CF | recently?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Eh?" Donti frowns. "What kind of illness?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You briefly elucidate the symptoms, and a black look comes over his | ||
| CF | face. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | face."Talk about a nasty business," he remarks. "No, I can't say I've | ||
| CF | ever come across something like that before, and I don't know anyone | ||
| CF | who has. But I'll keep an eye out, and I'll spread the word for you. | ||
| CF | You'll know if someone so much as sneezes in this town, so it is." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You'll know if someone so much as sneezes in this town, so it | ||
| CF | is.""That would be a great help," you say. "Thank you." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Talking to Donti | ||
| CF | is.""That would be a great help," you say. "Thank you.""Don't mention | ||
| CF | it. Just doing what I can." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Talk to you later, Donti." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Talk to you later, Donti." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good health to you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He waves you off and goes back to chewing on his stick. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Fourth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The poorest parts of the district have been an ordeal to walk through, | ||
| CF | but the worst has finally passed. After everything that I've seen | ||
| CF | today, having to break the news of Reden's death... somehow doesn't | ||
| CF | seem as bad. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Find Zoiro, Reden's brother, in Riggertown | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - I learned that Zoiro lives on Layabout Row, in Upper Riggertown, and | ||
| CF | works at the Riggertown Mechanistry. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Day One | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Lower Level | ||
| CF | This peculiarly goblin neighborhood bristles with mechanical-chymical | ||
| CF | detritus. There are twisty catwalks made for childlike feet, and | ||
| CF | sheet-metal shacks you must stoop to enter. Here and there in the | ||
| CF | shadow of the upper landing, neon lamps glow and windchimes tinkle | ||
| CF | like laughter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can climb a ladder up to the next level, wander among the shacks | ||
| CF | to the west, or cross the canal east by way of Cadaver Walk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Donti is sitting on his usual post, chewing on his golden stick and | ||
| CF | watching the midday crowd. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Upper Level Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Upper Level | ||
| CF | This is the more industrial part of Riggertown. The buildings here are | ||
| CF | scrap-heap spires that twist and turn around each other, with | ||
| CF | cubby-carts trundling along cables strung between them. Amidst horns | ||
| CF | honking advertisements, there is a great mess of little people | ||
| CF | shuffling about, and roads winding in ways wholly inexplicable to your | ||
| CF | human sensibilities. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the south looms an enormously noisy factory, which signage | ||
| CF | identifies as the Riggertown Mechanistry. A quieter road leads | ||
| CF | southwest to the suburbs. You could also descend a series of ladders | ||
| CF | to Lower Riggertown, or take a footpath north along the Bilious Canal. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "I'm no doctor, but have you seen any mysterious illnesses lately?" | |
| Roger says, "More of a disease enthusiast" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown Mechanistry | ||
| CF | This building is just as haphazard inside as it is on the outside. | ||
| CF | Assembly lines run up and down and all around the many levels of this | ||
| CF | building, weighed down by unfinished, not-quite-manufactured things. | ||
| CF | At stations along the lines, factory workers are hunched over | ||
| CF | workbenches, welding disparate parts together within acceptable | ||
| CF | margins of regularity. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the north, through a series of raised metal shutters, is the exit. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A large gobliness is walking among the workers, pausing now and then | ||
| CF | to dish out a tongue-lashing. This must be the forewoman of the shift. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to gobliness" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to the forewoman | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO GOBLINESS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | As the forewoman finishes lecturing one of her workers, you take the | ||
| CF | opportunity to approach her. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Excuse me," you say. "Are you the forewoman here?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She turns and grimaces. "What do you want? Make it quick. I'm busy." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you greet everyone like that?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm looking for a man named Zoiro..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Never mind. Forget I asked." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to the forewoman | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm looking for a man named Zoiro. I have it on good authority that | ||
| CF | he's employed here." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yeah, he is." The forewoman narrows her eyes. "What's this about? He | ||
| CF | miss a payment for something?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Something like that." | ||
| CF | 2) "I have a message for him. From Doctor Cavala." | ||
| CF | 3) "There's been a death in the family. I'm here to break the bad | ||
| CF | news." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "There's been a death in the family. I'm here to break the bad news." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She covers her mouth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Oh," she says. "Oh dear. I didn't think..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She shakes her head and trails off. With a wave of her hand she | ||
| CF | beckons you to follow, and the two of you make your way across the | ||
| CF | factory floor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Damned unlucky business," she mutters. "Was it violence or disease | ||
| CF | that -- oh, it doesn't matter. I suppose I'll have to give him | ||
| CF | compassionate leave either way..." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "push space" | ||
| CF | compassionate leave either way..."She leads you to one of the side | ||
| CF | stations, where a pair of men are hard at work assembling animus | ||
| CF | lanterns. They look up with trepidation as you approach. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to two goblins | ||
| CF | lanterns. They look up with trepidation as you approach."Zoiro!" she | ||
| CF | says. "This here lady's got a message for you. Listen up, because | ||
| CF | she's only going to say it once." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | she's only going to say it once."You glance at her. She inclines her | ||
| CF | head, as if to say you're on your own now, before turning and | ||
| CF | disappearing into the forest of assembly lines. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to two goblins | ||
| CF | disappearing into the forest of assembly lines.You're left with the | ||
| CF | two goblins, who are more than a little nonplussed. They look at you. | ||
| CF | You look at them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Um." | ||
| CF | 2) "Hello..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Which one of you is Zoiro?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hello," you say. "My name is Marid. Marid Orpheia." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The goblins look at each other and shrug. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | The goblins look at each other and shrug."I'm Koriph," says the goblin | ||
| CF | on the right. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to Zoiro and Koriph | ||
| CF | on the right."I'm Zoiro," says the goblin on the left. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Um." | ||
| CF | 2) "I have some bad news." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take a deep breath. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I have some bad news." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The goblins look at each other. The atmosphere has grown abruptly | ||
| CF | heavier. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | heavier."Shit," Zoiro says, after a pause. "What kind of bad news?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | heavier."Shit," Zoiro says, after a pause. "What kind of bad | ||
| CF | news?""This isn't the best place," you tell him. "Is there a smoking | ||
| CF | room around here? Somewhere we'll have peace and quiet?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | room around here? Somewhere we'll have peace and quiet?"Zoiro licks | ||
| CF | his lips nervously. "The... the smoking room, yeah. Come on. I'll show | ||
| CF | you. Come on, Koriph -- you too. Let's get this over with." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you. Come on, Koriph -- you too. Let's get this over with."You are | ||
| CF | brought into a little cubbyhole of a room, past a curtain you have to | ||
| CF | stoop to go through. The odor of smoke lingers uncomfortably in the | ||
| CF | air, just on the edge of your nostrils. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to Zoiro and Koriph | ||
| CF | air, just on the edge of your nostrils.Zoiro sits in an armchair. | ||
| CF | Koriph sits next to him. You take a seat opposite, going over your | ||
| CF | words in your mind. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Be direct.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Be gentle.> | ||
| CF | 3) <Be professional.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "3?" | |
| DavidW says, "okay." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's about your brother, Reden." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro leans forward. "Why? What happened to him?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Last night, during the last shift at Doctor Cavala's clinic, he | ||
| CF | staggered through the door seriously ill. His symptoms were unlike | ||
| CF | anything Doctor Cavala had ever seen." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "push space" | ||
| CF | anything Doctor Cavala had ever seen."Zoiro's eyes widen. "He -- he | ||
| CF | wasn't sick at all when I saw him last." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | wasn't sick at all when I saw him last."You take a breath, keep your | ||
| CF | eyes fixed on him. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | eyes fixed on him."His heart and lungs had failed. He was hemorrhaging | ||
| CF | badly. We rushed him to the surgery room, but -- but --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | badly. We rushed him to the surgery room, but -- but --""-- Oh Primes | ||
| CF | --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | --"You look away. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | --"You look away."I'm sorry," you whisper. "He died on the gurney. We | ||
| CF | couldn't save him." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | couldn't save him."Zoiro falls silent. He nods, bites his lip, buries | ||
| CF | his head in his hands. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | his head in his hands.Koriph puts a hand on his shoulder. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | his head in his hands.Koriph puts a hand on his shoulder."Well," says | ||
| CF | Zoiro at last. "I... I shouldn't be surprised. It was bound to happen | ||
| CF | sooner or later. He was a bum. A fucking disgrace. He was going to | ||
| CF | catch something, living the way he did..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | catch something, living the way he did..."He hangs his head. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to Zoiro and Koriph | ||
| CF | catch something, living the way he did..."He hangs his head."But it | ||
| CF | hurts," he says. "Knowing that he's gone." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm sorry..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you need a moment?" | ||
| CF | 3) "You can ask me anything..." | ||
| CF | 4) <Say nothing.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to Zoiro and Koriph | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You blink back tears. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro shakes his head. "Don't beat yourself up, kid. It was... it was | ||
| CF | his time. Like I said... it was bound to happen." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Will you be okay?" | ||
| CF | 2) <Say nothing.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Will you be okay?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro looks down, and is quiet. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Zoiro looks down, and is quiet."There's something I want to know," he | ||
| CF | says. "About Reden." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | says. "About Reden."A pause, uncertain. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to Zoiro and Koriph | ||
| CF | says. "About Reden."A pause, uncertain."Where is his body now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "We're dissecting his body..." | ||
| CF | 2) "We couldn't recover his body..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "We're... we're dissecting his body," you tell him. "Doctor Cavala has | ||
| CF | invoked the ius medici --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The what?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The right of the doctor," you explain. "The illness that took Reden's | ||
| CF | life... it's unlike anything we've encountered before. We don't know | ||
| CF | how contagious it is, or who else might be at risk. We need to study | ||
| CF | the cadaver so we can make sure it doesn't kill anyone else." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the cadaver so we can make sure it doesn't kill anyone else."Zoiro | ||
| CF | nods slowly. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | nods slowly."I... I guess that makes sense," he says. "Do what you | ||
| CF | need to do. Just... promise me you'll cremate him, when this is all | ||
| CF | over." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | over."He clenches his fists. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Talking to Zoiro and Koriph | ||
| CF | over."He clenches his fists."And make sure you find out what you're | ||
| CF | looking for. Promise it." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I promise..." | ||
| CF | 2) "I can't make that promise..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "hmmm." | |
| DavidW says, "I want to say 2 here." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "I'd say #2 but we're the protaganist so we'll definitely find it." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Either's fine." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I... I can't make that promise." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your voice trembles. You look into his eyes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I don't make promises I don't know if I can keep. I don't know if I'm | ||
| CF | strong enough. I don't know if Doctor Cavala can do it. | Knight_Otu says, "I mean, we'll sure try to do it, but we can't know that we'll find it, in-world." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | strong enough. I don't know if Doctor Cavala can do it."But I promise | ||
| CF | that we will try." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | that we will try."Zoiro nods, even as tears well up and glitter on his | ||
| CF | cheeks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He stands up and offers his hand. You shake on it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good luck." He squeezes your hand. "I believe in you." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Good luck." He squeezes your hand. "I believe in you."He takes | ||
| CF | Koriph's hand and nods at you in lieu of farewell. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Koriph's hand and nods at you in lieu of farewell."Come on, Koriph. | ||
| CF | Let's talk to the forewoman about compassionate leave..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Day One | ||
| CF | Let's talk to the forewoman about compassionate leave..."You get up | ||
| CF | and make your way back to the Mechanistry floor. Your work here is | ||
| CF | done. It's time to go. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown Mechanistry Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown Mechanistry | ||
| CF | This building is just as haphazard inside as it is on the outside. | ||
| CF | Assembly lines run up and down and all around the many levels of this | ||
| CF | building, weighed down by unfinished, not-quite-manufactured things. | ||
| CF | At stations along the lines, factory workers are hunched over | ||
| CF | workbenches, welding disparate parts together within acceptable | ||
| CF | margins of regularity. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the north, through a series of raised metal shutters, is the exit. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Upper Level Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Upper Level | ||
| CF | This is the more industrial part of Riggertown. The buildings here are | ||
| CF | scrap-heap spires that twist and turn around each other, with | ||
| CF | cubby-carts trundling along cables strung between them. Amidst horns | ||
| CF | honking advertisements, there is a great mess of little people | ||
| CF | shuffling about, and roads winding in ways wholly inexplicable to your | ||
| CF | human sensibilities. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the south looms the Riggertown Mechanistry, while a quieter road | ||
| CF | leads southwest to the suburbs. You could also descend a series of | ||
| CF | ladders to Lower Riggertown, or take a footpath north along the | ||
| CF | Bilious Canal. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's getting dark out. The spires and factories are closing for the | ||
| CF | day. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "cf7" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Upper Level Day One | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Lower Level | ||
| CF | This peculiarly goblin neighborhood bristles with mechanical-chymical | ||
| CF | detritus. There are twisty catwalks made for childlike feet, and | ||
| CF | sheet-metal shacks you must stoop to enter. Here and there in the | ||
| CF | shadow of the upper landing, neon lamps glow and windchimes tinkle | ||
| CF | like laughter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can climb a ladder up to the next level, wander among the shacks | ||
| CF | to the west, or cross the canal east by way of Cadaver Walk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A boy walks past doing a handstand. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I'm not sure how to get back to the clinic from here. I don't want to go through that maze again." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You wander among the shacks for a bit, but it's getting dark out. You | ||
| CF | return to the main level before you get lost. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Upper Level Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Upper Level | ||
| CF | This is the more industrial part of Riggertown. The buildings here are | ||
| CF | scrap-heap spires that twist and turn around each other, with | ||
| CF | cubby-carts trundling along cables strung between them. Amidst horns | ||
| CF | honking advertisements, there is a great mess of little people | ||
| CF | shuffling about, and roads winding in ways wholly inexplicable to your | ||
| CF | human sensibilities. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the south looms the Riggertown Mechanistry, while a quieter road | ||
| CF | leads southwest to the suburbs. You could also descend a series of | ||
| CF | ladders to Lower Riggertown, or take a footpath north along the | ||
| CF | Bilious Canal. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Following the Canal Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Following the Canal | ||
| CF | Glittering waters roar alongside the footpath, running from north to | ||
| CF | south in an ever-restless torrent. North lies the Via Terminalis, and | ||
| CF | beyond it the mouth of the Channelworks; to the south, the path | ||
| CF | descends by steps and turns, ending in the algae and grime of Upper | ||
| CF | Riggertown. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A closed manhole is recessed into the footpath. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West Street | ||
| CF | You are adrift in the bustle of crowds and carriages, a raucous river | ||
| CF | that runs through the blood-vessel streets. Signage advertises a | ||
| CF | profusion of shops and services amid the sounds of leather rollers and | ||
| CF | stitching machines. In the distant mist, the Bilious Canal spills from | ||
| CF | the Channelworks into the heart of the city. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the Via to the west, or to the southeast where it | ||
| CF | bridges the canal. A condemned block is visible to the north. A | ||
| CF | hanging banner obscures an alley to the southwest, while a footpath | ||
| CF | follows the canal to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A harried-looking alchemist runs past. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a cul-de-sac of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings aspiring to the heavens. From here the | ||
| CF | street-lamps and shop windows line the great spine of the Channelworks | ||
| CF | District until, shrouded in the mists of the canal, it curves out of | ||
| CF | sight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The white cross of Doctor Cavala's clinic is to the west, the | ||
| CF | dormitory block where you live lies to the north, and a gap between | ||
| CF | buildings hides an alley entrance to the south. The great Via | ||
| CF | Terminalis continues to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Wait a moment. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day One | ||
| CF | Wait a moment.Someone on the street has just drawn her sword and | ||
| CF | stalked into Doctor Cavala's clinic. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "That sounds bad." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "It sure does." | ||
| DavidW says, "Where's Horatio when we need him." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Do we go in?" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Save but yes?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We probably are supposed to." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "cf8" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day One | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You rush through the door of the | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | A row of chairs faces the prescription counter, where the medication | ||
| CF | and patient records are sorted in gridlike pigeonholes. Further on is | ||
| CF | the consulting study, home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | And she is there, walking slowly toward the mortuary stairs. Her sword | ||
| CF | glints in the final rays of sunlight. | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF | glints in the final rays of sunlight."Coming!" Doctor Cavala calls. | ||
| CF | You hear the doctor's chair shift, her footfalls climbing the steps. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | You hear the doctor's chair shift, her footfalls climbing the | ||
| CF | steps.The hooded stranger raises her sword. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "yell" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > YELL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Get away!" you scream. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The assassin turns her head and looks directly at you. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | The assassin turns her head and looks directly at you.Her face catches | ||
| CF | the light and she has so | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the light and she has somany | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the light and she has somanyteeth | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the light and she has somanyteethand Doctor Cavala comes up the stairs | ||
| CF | with a flying tackle that sends the assassin staggering into the | ||
| CF | waiting chairs. In three steps she is reaching under the counter -- | ||
| CF | but the assassin is quicker -- her blade faster -- blood spatters the | ||
| CF | floor -- Doctor Cavala cries out -- a blur of motion -- and there is a | ||
| CF | flash and thunder from the walls. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | flash and thunder from the walls.The assassin clutches at her face. | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala raises the cutter and pulls the trigger again -- | ||
| CF | lightning arcs, misses by inches. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | lightning arcs, misses by inches."Get the fuck out of my clinic," she | ||
| CF | growls. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | growls.A rush of wind. The assassin is gone. You whirl around and see | ||
| CF | a dark shape disappearing into the night. | MoyTravis says, "I feel this effect would work a lot better if you were playing normally and the interpreter? wasn't smashing the lines together when you pressed space." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | a dark shape disappearing into the night.Doctor Cavala takes a deep | ||
| CF | breath. Stifles a cry. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | breath. Stifles a cry."Marid," she says. "My leg." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | breath. Stifles a cry."Marid," she says. "My leg."You find her slumped | ||
| CF | on the floor, her chest rising and falling. A gash has been torn above | ||
| CF | her left knee. Her entire trouser leg is stained red. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Doctor...!" | ||
| CF | 2) "Oh Primes..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Probably, yes." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Oh Primes..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You rush to Doctor Cavala's side. Even from a cursory examination, | ||
| CF | it's obvious that she needs help, and quickly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hurry," she says through gritted teeth. "There's a first aid bag | ||
| CF | behind the counter..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | behind the counter..."(This scene has lethal consequences. You may | ||
| CF | wish to save the game by typing >save.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "cf9" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take bag" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE BAG | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You grab the bag and wrest it open. Inside are a bellows, an | ||
| CF | aspirator, a stethoscope, a blood pressure gauge, a pair of scissors, | ||
| CF | a pair of tweezers, a bar of soap, a roll of tape, five vials | ||
| CF | (containing saline, laudanum, smelling salts, aqua vitae, and | ||
| CF | tincture-of-resins) -- | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There. An antiseptic dressing and an elastic bandage. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "> put dressing on leg. put bandage on leg?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Seems what is indicated." | ||
| lkcampbell says, "or give them to the doctor" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put dressing on leg" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT DRESSING ON LEG | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first taking the dressing and the bandage) | ||
| CF | "There's no debris." Doctor Cavala's voice is shaking. "Remember. | ||
| CF | Apply pressure --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She cries out as the dressing touches her wound. You force yourself to | ||
| CF | ignore her gasps, press down hard, loop the bandage tight. And natron | ||
| CF | sigils flare on the fabric: the wound is sealed. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Not... not bad," she croaks, when she has the voice to speak. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Not... not bad," she croaks, when she has the voice to speak."Can you | ||
| CF | move?" you ask. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | move?" you ask.Her face twitches. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Primes, it hurts. I... I think my tendon's gone." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | "Primes, it hurts. I... I think my tendon's gone.""You're still | ||
| CF | bleeding," you tell her. "I need to --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "-- raise my leg above chest level," she finishes. "I understand. Do | ||
| CF | it, Marid. Prop it up on the chair." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "prop leg on chair" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PROP LEG ON CHAIR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first putting down the first aid bag) | ||
| CF | Taken -- | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala grits her teeth and screws her eyes shut. Her | ||
| CF | bloodstained trousers stick to your gloves. Her leg feels heavy and | ||
| CF | fragile in your hands, like a porcelain model that will shatter if you | ||
| CF | slip. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Seconds pass before her leg finds its place, before you dare loosen | ||
| CF | your grip and let go -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your grip and let go --You let go. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your grip and let go --You let go.Doctor Cavala breathes a sigh of | ||
| CF | relief. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | relief.You exhale. Something in your expression makes Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | chuckle, and her laughter is infectious. The two of you, master and | ||
| CF | apprentice -- you can't help but start laughing at the terror, the | ||
| CF | absurdity of the situation. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | absurdity of the situation."The bleeding's stopped," you say, wiping | ||
| CF | your gloves on your apron. "I... I think." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your gloves on your apron. "I... I think.""Then we've done the best we | ||
| CF | could," Doctor Cavala replies. "You've done well, Marid. Very well. | ||
| CF | I'm afraid this evening would have gone rather worse without you --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | I'm afraid this evening would have gone rather worse without you | ||
| CF | --"She smirks at her own gallows humor, and looks morbidly satisfied. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Smile.> | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm just glad you're all right, Doctor." | ||
| CF | 3) "I was so worried for you..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I was so worried for you," you say. "I thought..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I know." Doctor Cavala's voice is soft. "I know." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Smile.> | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm just glad you're all right, Doctor." | ||
| CF | 3) "Will you be safe here?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You glance at the clinic door. The Luna is ascending, | ||
| CF | painting the Via Terminalis in the colors of moonlight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Will you be safe here?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I don't think she'll be coming back, if that's what you mean." She | ||
| CF | holds up her cutter. "You may rest assured that I'm a very good shot." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "But what about your injury?" you ask. "Are you going to sleep on the | ||
| CF | floor? What if you need to relieve yourself? I -- I don't know if I'm | ||
| CF | comfortable leaving you here. Perhaps I should --" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "push space" | ||
| CF | comfortable leaving you here. Perhaps I should --"Boots clatter on | ||
| CF | cobble. Lanterns approach. The clinic door swings open, admitting a | ||
| CF | bustle of hard-eyed civil guards. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | bustle of hard-eyed civil guards."Hullo!" the point man says. "Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala. The neighbors reported a scream, and we responded as soon as | ||
| CF | we... what happened here?" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "push space" | ||
| CF | we... what happened here?"There's something oddly familiar about | ||
| CF | him... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | him..."...Horatio?" you say. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | him..."...Horatio?" you say."Marid?" He turns -- it is him, | ||
| CF | the buffoon. "What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the buffoon. "What are you doing here? Is everything alright?""You've | ||
| CF | arrived with commendable timing," remarks Doctor Cavala. "I've just | ||
| CF | chased a violent hoodlum out of my clinic, and Servator Marid here has | ||
| CF | seen to my injuries. We were just on the topic of informing the | ||
| CF | authorities, but it seems that won't be necessary..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | authorities, but it seems that won't be necessary..." | ||
| CF | * * * | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to the interviewer | ||
| CF | * * *It takes the better part of an | ||
| CF | hour to sort everything out with the Vigiles. You're interviewed by a | ||
| CF | bored-looking patrolwoman, and given a steaming mug of tea to wash | ||
| CF | away the foul taste of the evening's events. An agreement is made: | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala will remain under Vigiles protection for the time being, | ||
| CF | with Horatio assigned as a personal assistant and bodyguard. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with Horatio assigned as a personal assistant and bodyguard."...and | ||
| CF | you're saying you have no idea who the assailant was?" the interviewer | ||
| CF | is asking. "Surely you must have made an enemy of someone." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | is asking. "Surely you must have made an enemy of | ||
| CF | someone.""I'm telling you, I know this district." | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala takes another sip from her drinking straw. "No one is | ||
| CF | fool enough to antagonize the only pro bono doctor in the | ||
| CF | city. Just ask Marid." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to the interviewer | ||
| CF | city. Just ask Marid."The interviewer shoots you an inquiring look. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "It's true. I was almost robbed in the Shanty Quarter..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Aren't there other doctors operating in the area?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Something definitely smells about this incident..." | ||
| CF | 4) <Remain silent.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "1 or 3?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to the interviewer | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's true. I was almost robbed in the Shanty Quarter..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You describe how you were accosted; how the robbers were terrified | ||
| CF | once they realized your identity. The interviewer writes furiously in | ||
| CF | her little black notebook, pursing her lips all the while. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You see?" Doctor Cavala says. "Even if I stepped on someone's toes, | ||
| CF | they wouldn't have the stones to touch me." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "But clearly," the interviewer counters, "someone does." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Aren't there other doctors operating in the area?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Something definitely smells about this incident..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Something definitely smells about this incident. I can't imagine why | ||
| CF | someone would have it out for Doctor Cavala -- and why now, | ||
| CF | of all times?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The doctor falls silent. The interviewer's eyes dart between you. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | The doctor falls silent. The interviewer's eyes dart between you.It is | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala who breaks the silence, with words that prick like pins. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you think it's connected to Reden?" she asks. "To what happened | ||
| CF | last night?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to the interviewer | ||
| CF | last night?"You hesitate. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Yes..." | ||
| CF | 2) "No..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Maybe..." | ||
| CF | 4) "I don't know." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...Maybe," you say. "It's uncomfortably close. I can't imagine it | ||
| CF | being a coincidence. But if it isn't -- how could the surgery possibly | ||
| CF | be connected? Why would anyone want you dead for such a thing?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala furrows her brow. "I certainly hope it's a coincidence," | ||
| CF | she says. "If the alternative is true..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She doesn't finish her sentence. She takes another sip of tea, looking | ||
| CF | greatly perturbed. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | greatly perturbed."Well," the interviewer finally says. "This has all | ||
| CF | been very fascinating -- but the hour is growing late, and we are no | ||
| CF | closer to discovering any answers. I shall recommend a better equipped | ||
| CF | team to join you tomorrow, Doctor. Until then --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | team to join you tomorrow, Doctor. Until then --"The guards leave the | ||
| CF | clinic following a perfunctory sending-off. You are left in the | ||
| CF | company of Doctor Cavala and Horatio, who have settled down in the | ||
| CF | waiting area for the long haul. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | waiting area for the long haul.## Clinic | ||
| CF | A row of chairs faces the prescription counter, where the medication | ||
| CF | and patient records are sorted in gridlike pigeonholes. Further on is | ||
| CF | the consulting study, home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala is recuperating in a makeshift bed, with Horatio keeping | ||
| CF | watch nearby. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You catch yourself yawning; you didn't realize how tired you were. | ||
| CF | Perhaps you should get back home before it's too dark out. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to horatio" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala and Horatio | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO HORATIO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You approach the makeshift bed, and Doctor Cavala and Horatio turn to | ||
| CF | you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Speak to Doctor Cavala...> | ||
| CF | 2) <Speak to Horatio...> | ||
| CF | 3) "I should be going..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I should be going," you say. "I'll see you tomorrow." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good night, Marid." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "G'night, Marid." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Good night, Doctor, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the front door of the clinic) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a cul-de-sac of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings aspiring to the heavens. Night has fallen, broken | ||
| CF | only by the ghostly glow of bound animii in street-lamps and shop | ||
| CF | windows. Beyond, you see the great spine of the Channelworks District, | ||
| CF | receding from the lamplight into the beginnings of rain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The white cross of Doctor Cavala's clinic is to the west, and the | ||
| CF | dormitory block where you live lies to the north. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | Here is the faded arch, with its years of verdigris; here are the | ||
| CF | too-small atrium and the fountain at its center. All around above are | ||
| CF | the lights of innumerable domiciles, linked by crumbling stairs and | ||
| CF | divided by flimsy plaster walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | From here, you can go up to your dormitory room, visit the public | ||
| CF | house to the west, or exit the building to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You notice a single pigeon half-hidden under the stairs. The gobliness | ||
| CF | and her golem must have missed it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x pigeon" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIGEON | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take a step closer -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You take a step closer --The pigeon twitches. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You take a step closer --The pigeon twitches.Before your eyes, the | ||
| CF | pigeon begins to move, like a delicate clockwork replica that has been | ||
| CF | wound up again. It rights itself in a flutter of feathers, and coos, | ||
| CF | unmistakably alive. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | unmistakably alive.It looks around. It cocks its head in your | ||
| CF | direction. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | direction.And with no more than a thought, it leaps awing, and | ||
| CF | disappears into the glittering night sky. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day One | ||
| CF | disappears into the glittering night sky.You touch your pendant. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "weird" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Hm." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Okay then." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day One | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the door to your dormitory room) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's Room | ||
| CF | Though this space of yours is small, you have done your best to | ||
| CF | furnish it with the comforts of home. In one corner is a dressing | ||
| CF | table, piled with stationery and assorted toiletries, and in another | ||
| CF | is the kitchenette. The only door leads back downstairs to the atrium. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your bed is at the end of the room, beside the window. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "get in bed" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET IN BED | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You change out of your clothes and curl up beneath the sheets. But | ||
| CF | sleep does not come easily. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You close your eyes and drift in that listless limbo between | ||
| CF | wakefulness and slumber. A clockwork clicking echoes in your mind, | ||
| CF | behind your eyelids, like a promise you've forgotten and cannot | ||
| CF | remember. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | remember.You barely notice when the world melts away -- when it | ||
| CF | dissolves, fades, becomes a haze of images and memories. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | dissolves, fades, becomes a haze of images and memories.Your last | ||
| CF | thought before you fall asleep is a quiet realization -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | thought before you fall asleep is a quiet realization --the clicking | ||
| CF | in your mind is the sound of teeth. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | D A Y T W O | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A knocking at the door jolts you awake. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid?" comes Horatio's voice. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Ignore the knocking.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Answer the door.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You clamber out of bed, throw on your jacket, and shuffle up to the | ||
| CF | door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Look through the peephole.> | ||
| CF | 2) "Horatio?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What is it?" | ||
| CF | 4) <Open the door.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A peep reveals a Horatio who looks as tired and disheveled as you are. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Horatio?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What is it?" | ||
| CF | 3) <Open the door.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Horatio?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid! So you do live here." He sounds relieved. "Marid, | ||
| CF | listen. There's been trouble. Doctor Cavala wants you to come down to | ||
| CF | the clinic as soon as you can." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What's going on?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Trouble? What kind of trouble?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'll be there." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You're wide awake now. "Trouble? What kind of trouble?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Big trouble. We've gotten wind of more deaths in the Channelworks | ||
| CF | District, and Doctor Cavala thinks they all died of the same disease | ||
| CF | as Reden. People are saying it's an epidemic --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | as Reden. People are saying it's an epidemic --""Oh Primes --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I know. Come down as soon as you can. The doctor will fill you in." | Knight_Otu exclaims, "More trouble?!" | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day Two | ||
| CF | "I know. Come down as soon as you can. The doctor will fill you | ||
| CF | in."Horatio's footsteps disappear down the stairs. You hurry through | ||
| CF | your morning routine and slip your boots on. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the door to your dormitory room) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | Here is the faded arch, with its years of verdigris; here are the | ||
| CF | too-small atrium and the fountain at its center. All around above are | ||
| CF | innumerable domiciles, linked by crumbling stairs and divided by | ||
| CF | flimsy plaster walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | From here, you can go up to your dormitory room or exit the building | ||
| CF | to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a cul-de-sac of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings aspiring to the heavens. From here the | ||
| CF | street-lamps and shop windows line the great spine of the Channelworks | ||
| CF | District until, shrouded in the mists of the canal, it curves out of | ||
| CF | sight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The white cross of Doctor Cavala's clinic is to the west, and the | ||
| CF | dormitory block where you live lies to the north. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Some pigeons fly overhead. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x pigeons" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIGEONS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the front door of the clinic) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala and Horatio have been busy this morning. You spy fresh | ||
| CF | cups of tea beside the makeshift bed, and plates with crumbs that | ||
| CF | Horatio is in the process of tidying. Doctor Cavala, for her part, | ||
| CF | looks up from a newspaper as you enter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid. Has Horatio told you what's happened?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Marid. Has Horatio told you what's happened?""More deaths?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She passes the newspaper to you. "Take a look at this." | ||
| lkcampbell goes home. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | She passes the newspaper to you. "Take a look at this."DOCTOR | ||
| CF | FOUND DEAD IN HIS OWN HOME. Doctor Arturus, the renowned pathologist | ||
| CF | of the Channelworks District, was found dead this morning. Black blood | ||
| CF | was observed running from his eyes and mouth, a symptom shared by | ||
| CF | several patients he had recently received. Doctor Justinian, who | ||
| CF | discovered the body, expressed fears that his colleague's death could | ||
| CF | mark the beginning of a dangerous epidemic -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | mark the beginning of a dangerous epidemic --A chill grips your | ||
| CF | spine. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | spine.Doctor Cavala nods grimly. "Our suspicions have proven true. | ||
| CF | Reden is the first of many. More than that -- Doctor Arturus himself | ||
| CF | is among the casualties." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Oh Primes." | ||
| CF | 2) "How could this have happened?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Too topical." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How could this have happened?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She shakes her head. "Very easily. It is unlikely for a medical | ||
| CF | practitioner to contract a patient's disease -- not with the proper | ||
| CF | safeguards in place -- but not inconceivable. And Doctor Arturus... | ||
| CF | oh, the bloody fool. He should have known better..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Oh Primes." | ||
| CF | 2) "What do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "That, Marid, is a very good question." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala folds her arms. Her expression seethes with disquiet, | ||
| CF | with the agitation of an invalid accustomed to physical activity. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Recent events have backed us into a corner," she says. "I can't do | ||
| CF | much of anything, on account of my injury. Horatio's hands are full | ||
| CF | with matters around the clinic. That leaves only one person to look | ||
| CF | into the situation --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into the situation --""Myself," you say. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into the situation --""Myself," you say."Exactly." She snaps her | ||
| CF | fingers. "Before we can combat the disease, we need data -- data that | ||
| CF | can only be gathered through firsthand observation. You've proven | ||
| CF | yourself to be dependable and resourceful. You have enough medical | ||
| CF | expertise to make informed judgments. It will have to be you who | ||
| CF | investigates this series of deaths." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | investigates this series of deaths."You consider her words carefully. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Does it have to be me?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Where should I begin?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What should I look out for?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Can you tell me anything about Doctor Arturus?" | ||
| CF | 5) "Do you think Doctor Justinian can help?" | ||
| CF | 6) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Where should I begin?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You could begin by examining the bodies," Doctor Cavala says. "He'll | ||
| CF | be in his clinic -- I suppose it's Doctor Justinian's clinic now. Talk | ||
| CF | to Doctor Justinian about it, and check his patient records for | ||
| CF | possible contagion vectors between the deceased. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It might also be worth asking Zoiro about his brother's associations. | ||
| CF | See if you can find any correlation between the patients so far. With | ||
| CF | any luck, we'll uncover the source of the outbreak." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What should I look out for?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Can you tell me anything about Doctor Arturus?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Do you think Doctor Justinian can help?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What should I look out for?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Our goal is to combat the disease," Doctor Cavala replies. "We need | ||
| CF | to determine the means by which it is transmitted -- whether it is | ||
| CF | endemic to a particular area, or spread by contact, or something else | ||
| CF | entirely. Once the transmission method is determined, we can take | ||
| CF | measures to isolate the disease and find a cure." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Can you tell me anything about Doctor Arturus?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you think Doctor Justinian can help?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Can you tell me anything about Doctor Arturus?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She sighs. "Not much, I'm afraid. Doctor Arturus was from before my | ||
| CF | time. I'm familiar with his corpus of work, of course -- even met him | ||
| CF | once or twice, in a professional capacity -- but he was a reclusive | ||
| CF | man, and rarely involved in everyday affairs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Try asking Doctor Justinian instead. He's had more contact with the | ||
| CF | man than anyone else." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you think Doctor Justinian can help?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you think Doctor Justinian can help?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala nods. "He likely can. At minimum, he can give you a | ||
| CF | better picture of the events that led to Doctor Arturus's death. | ||
| CF | Beyond that, he's now the only other qualified doctor in the district. | ||
| CF | He'll be a useful ally if we are to contain the disease." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm on it, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She nods. "Remember: talk to Doctor Justinian in the Turris Infinita. | ||
| CF | Investigate all the deaths that have occurred so far. If you find a | ||
| CF | connection, we can isolate the transmission vector and quarantine the | ||
| CF | disease." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | disease.""Got it." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She holds up a hand. "Before you go, I have a couple of things to give | ||
| CF | you. First -- Horatio, would you fetch me a pen?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you. First -- Horatio, would you fetch me a pen?"The pen is delivered. | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala signs a small piece of paper, then seals it with a | ||
| CF | sigil-brand and hands it to you. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | sigil-brand and hands it to you."This is my signum," she says. "It's | ||
| CF | proof that you're acting on my behalf, for anyone who asks. And | ||
| CF | another thing --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | another thing --"She has Horatio retrieve a sleek instrument from her | ||
| CF | desk. It is orichalcum, threaded with tiny magnification lenses, and | ||
| CF | your eyes widen as he places it in your palm. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your eyes widen as he places it in your palm."Yes, Marid." She smiles | ||
| CF | wryly. "Since you'll be dealing with a lot of dead bodies, you can | ||
| CF | borrow my endoscope for this investigation. Just promise me you'll | ||
| CF | return it in one piece -- I'd hate to take the cost out of your next | ||
| CF | paycheck." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | paycheck.""I -- I understand, Doctor." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She squeezes your hand. "Good luck, Marid. I'm counting on you." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | She squeezes your hand. "Good luck, Marid. I'm counting on you."You | ||
| CF | step back and put the endoscope in your pocket. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (The endoscope can be used to look inside narrow pathways. To use the | ||
| CF | endoscope, >put it in the object you wish to inspect.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "We're so going to break that priceless instrument, aren't we?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x endoscope" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ENDOSCOPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An intricate assembly of lenses mounted on adjustable orichalcum rods. | ||
| CF | It can be inserted into cadavers to examine their internal pathways, | ||
| CF | and may be useful for inspecting other crevices of a similar nature. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "'other crevices'" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x signum" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SIGNUM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A piece of paper signed and sealed by Doctor Cavala. It declares that | ||
| CF | Servator Marid Orpheia is formally authorized to act in the | ||
| CF | signatory's stead, and that anyone who disagrees is welcome to take it | ||
| CF | up with the signatory. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Horatio yawns. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to horatio" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO HORATIO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You approach Horatio, and he grins a little bashfully. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hey, Marid," he says. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You don't look too good. Did you sleep well last night?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What do you think of the situation so far?" | ||
| CF | 3) "See you around, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You don't look too good," you say. "Did you sleep well last night?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Well... no." He rubs his eyes. "I couldn't get any shut-eye in the | ||
| CF | clinic -- too much calomel in the air. Doctor Cavala slept like a | ||
| CF | baby, though. I don't know how she does it..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He sighs and looks you over. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "To be honest," he says, "you don't look too good yourself. Your | ||
| CF | tattoos are all in a jumble. I know the doctor has you running errands | ||
| CF | for her, but -- just watch yourself out there, all right?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I will," you say. "I promise." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What do you think of the situation so far?" | ||
| CF | 2) "See you around, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What do you think of the situation so far?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Horatio's jaw hardens, and he looks contemplative. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I... I don't really know what to think," he says. "You and Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala have been at this for a lot longer than I have. All I know that | ||
| CF | people seem to be dropping like flies all of a sudden. Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | is dead -- even Doctor Cavala's got a ruined leg. How can we fix the | ||
| CF | problem when we don't even know what's going on?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "See you around, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "See you around, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You too, Marid." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You step back, and Horatio returns to his duties. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tattoos" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TATTOOS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your father gave you these tattoos when you were a young child, as is | ||
| CF | tradition in some alchemical families. Even now, the flowing, | ||
| CF | circuitous lines remind you of him. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I expect we shall be waiting awhile," Doctor Cavala observes. "How | ||
| CF | about a game of crucible, Horatio?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Sure, I guess." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Horatio produces a pack of cards and sits opposite Doctor Cavala. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the front door of the clinic) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a cul-de-sac of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings aspiring to the heavens. From here the | ||
| CF | street-lamps and shop windows line the great spine of the Channelworks | ||
| CF | District until, shrouded in the mists of the canal, it curves out of | ||
| CF | sight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The white cross of Doctor Cavala's clinic is to the west, the | ||
| CF | dormitory block where you live lies to the north, and a gap between | ||
| CF | buildings hides an alley entrance to the south. The great Via | ||
| CF | Terminalis continues to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West Street | ||
| CF | You are adrift in the bustle of crowds and carriages, a raucous river | ||
| CF | that runs through the blood-vessel streets. Signage advertises a | ||
| CF | profusion of shops and services amid the sounds of leather rollers and | ||
| CF | stitching machines. In the distant mist, the Bilious Canal spills from | ||
| CF | the Channelworks into the heart of the city. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the Via to the west, or to the southeast where it | ||
| CF | bridges the canal. A condemned block is visible to the north. A | ||
| CF | hanging banner obscures an alley to the southwest, while a footpath | ||
| CF | follows the canal to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "That poor doctor!" you overhear someone in the crowd say. "What is | ||
| CF | the world coming to?..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "se" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Bridge Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Bridge | ||
| CF | Here the voices and bustle wash over the arches and cobblestones. Mist | ||
| CF | rises from the Bilious Canal below, tarnishing the wayside statues | ||
| CF | green and gray, and fading into the fog and the overcast sky. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Via Terminalis stretches away to the northwest and southeast, | ||
| CF | while a clandestine stairway descends to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "se" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Junction | ||
| CF | Traffic revolves every which way around this old-fashioned rotunda, | ||
| CF | tracing the ancient alchemical lines inscribed on the stonework. An | ||
| CF | armillary sphere rotates in the center of the junction and guides | ||
| CF | carriages according to its lights. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Via Terminalis runs northwest to the bridge and southeast to | ||
| CF | Miller's Gate. A colonnade to the north marks the entrance of the | ||
| CF | Channelworks. To the east lies the Turris Infinita, and to the south | ||
| CF | can be seen the grand forum. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Above the Turris Infinita, a black banner casts its trailing shadow | ||
| CF | across the sky. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x black banner" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BLACK BANNER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A black banner is traditionally put up when the head of the house has | ||
| CF | died. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A mutant in work clothes tromps past. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the ornate double doors) | ||
| CF | (closing the doors behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Turris Infinita | ||
| CF | The atmosphere within the tower is utterly still. The lights that | ||
| CF | normally circle the mirrors have been dimmed, and the chandeliers | ||
| CF | overhead brood like thunderclouds. You find yourself treading softly, | ||
| CF | lightly -- as though if you took a wrong step, the whole glass tower | ||
| CF | would come crashing down. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | As you enter the foyer, two gargoyles land to your left and right. | ||
| CF | They move to seize your arms. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | They move to seize your arms."I am sorry to inform you that the Turris | ||
| CF | Infinita is now closed." The porter regards you humorlessly. | ||
| CF | "There is to be no trespassing -- no idle journalism --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Turris Infinita Talking to the porter | ||
| CF | "There is to be no trespassing -- no idle journalism --"Her lower lip | ||
| CF | curls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "No gawking." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm charmed." | ||
| CF | 2) "Why is the Turris Infinita closed?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm here on business." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Turris Infinita Talking to the porter | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm here on business," you say pointedly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She rolls her eyes. "You and every dullard that comes through these | ||
| CF | doors. Do I look as though I give a whit about your business? Which | ||
| CF | part of 'no trespassing' do you not comprehend?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You're being completely unreasonable!" | ||
| CF | 2) "Doctor Cavala has authorized me..." <Present the signum.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You hold up the signum. "Doctor Cavala has authorized me to | ||
| CF | investigate the death of Doctor Arturus in her stead. If you have a | ||
| CF | problem with that, you can take it up with Doctor Cavala." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The porter's gaze falls on the slip of paper in your hand. The corner | ||
| CF | of her mouth twitches. | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "push space" | ||
| CF | of her mouth twitches."Is that so?" she says. "I believe I | ||
| CF | shall take the matter up with her. Thank you for the kind | ||
| CF | offer, and do inform the good doctor to arrange a meeting at | ||
| CF | her earliest convenience. Until then... the gargoyles will escort you | ||
| CF | to the door." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to the door."Your face flushes. "You --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to the door."Your face flushes. "You --"A curtain rattles open. | ||
| CF | Surgical boots click on glass. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Surgical boots click on glass."What's going on here?" a smoky voice | ||
| CF | demands. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | demands.You turn, and a young man with auburn hair is striding | ||
| CF | purposefully from the arch of Doctor Arturus's clinic. His coat | ||
| CF | ripples with natron filigree. There is an intensity in his expression, | ||
| CF | his visage. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | his visage.Your heart skips a beat. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "D -- Doctor Justinian," you say. | DavidW asks, "Is this the love interest?" | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "D -- Doctor Justinian," you say."Marid?" He furrows his brow. | ||
| CF | "Excubitores! Unhand this woman. She is a guest." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The gargoyles release you and vanish into the rafters. The porter | ||
| CF | looks accusingly at him. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | looks accusingly at him."Doctor Justinian," she says. "This is | ||
| CF | exceedingly irregular --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | exceedingly irregular --""Regulations be damned," he replies. | ||
| CF | "This is my friend, porter. I don't care what she's done. | ||
| CF | We'll have words about this later." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | We'll have words about this later.""But --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He holds up a hand, and the porter falls silent. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | He holds up a hand, and the porter falls silent."Good," he says. | Knight_Otu says, "Maybe." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | He holds up a hand, and the porter falls silent."Good," he says.He | ||
| CF | turns to you, and his voice loses its edge, grows gentle. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Turris Infinita Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | turns to you, and his voice loses its edge, grows gentle."Marid," he | ||
| CF | says. "I thought you might be coming." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Thanks for that." | ||
| CF | 2) "It's good to see you, Doctor Justinian." | ||
| CF | 3) "I wouldn't miss a chance to see you, Doctor Justinian." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Thanks... thanks for that," you say lamely. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's the least I can do." He nods. "Come with me. We can speak more | ||
| CF | freely in the clinic proper..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | freely in the clinic proper..." | ||
| CF | * * * | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | * * *## Arturus's Clinic | ||
| CF | This upscale clinic exudes a muted elegance. Chrome fixtures are lit | ||
| CF | by surgically placed spotlights and underscored by dizzyingly | ||
| CF | intricate sigil-work. But you can't bring yourself to focus on your | ||
| CF | surroundings -- not when Justinian's hand feels so warm around yours, | ||
| CF | and demands so much of your attention. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You know, intellectually, that it is normal for girls to develop | ||
| CF | crushes. That doesn't stop you from wanting to bury yourself in a hole | ||
| CF | right now. Why do you have to be so awkward? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | right now. Why do you have to be so awkward?Justinian leads | ||
| CF | you to a coffee table and gestures to one of the armchairs. "Please," | ||
| CF | he says. "Take a seat." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | he says. "Take a seat."You sit down, and he sits opposite you. His | ||
| CF | eyes -- those eyes! -- they study you. Troubled. Concerned. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | eyes -- those eyes! -- they study you. Troubled. Concerned."This is | ||
| CF | about Doctor Arturus's death, I take it?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm so sorry you have to go through this, Justinian." | ||
| CF | 2) "I can't believe something like this is happening." | ||
| CF | 3) "Doctor Cavala sent me. We're investigating the disease that | ||
| CF | killed Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I -- I'm so sorry you have to go through this, Justinian." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He lowers his eyes. "I appreciate it, Marid. Doctor Arturus -- I | ||
| CF | haven't always been on the best of terms with him. But he was like a | ||
| CF | father to me." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I can't believe something like this is happening." | ||
| CF | 2) "Doctor Cavala sent me. We're investigating the disease that | ||
| CF | killed Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor Cavala sent me," you say. "We're -- we're investigating the | ||
| CF | disease that killed Doctor Arturus. Now that we three are the only | ||
| CF | medical professionals in the district, we -- we have to work together. | ||
| CF | If we're going to get through this." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Why are you blushing at a time like this? What is wrong with | ||
| CF | you? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you?Justinian leans forward and clasps his hands. "Marid," he says. "I | ||
| CF | wish I could be of more help, but I'm afraid last night took... a toll | ||
| CF | on me. I don't know what I can provide that you don't already know..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | on me. I don't know what I can provide that you don't already | ||
| CF | know..."You try to compose your thoughts. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I believe in you, Justinian." | ||
| CF | 2) "Can you tell me about how you discovered the body?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Can you tell me anything about Doctor Arturus's | ||
| CF | patients?" | ||
| CF | 4) "What are your thoughts on the disease?" | ||
| CF | 5) "There was an attempt on Doctor Cavala's life. Do you have any | ||
| CF | idea why?" | ||
| CF | 6) "I'll look around the clinic. Perhaps I'll find something the | ||
| CF | Vigiles have missed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I -- | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can already feel the blood rising in your cheeks. Justinian -- you | ||
| CF | -- no. No! | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can't say it. You just can't. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Can you tell me about how you discovered the body?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Can you tell me anything about Doctor Arturus's | ||
| CF | patients?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What are your thoughts on the disease?" | ||
| CF | 4) "There was an attempt on Doctor Cavala's life. Do you have any | ||
| CF | idea why?" | ||
| CF | 5) "I'll look around the clinic. Perhaps I'll find something the | ||
| CF | Vigiles have missed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Can you... can you tell me about how you discovered the body?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He shakes his head. "It's all a blur. Doctor Arturus had cloistered | ||
| CF | himself in the back of the clinic. I was instructed not to disturb him | ||
| CF | -- he seemed fine when I left in the evening. It was only when he | ||
| CF | didn't turn up for work this morning that I thought..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...You thought something might have happened?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Exactly." Justinian looks at his hands. "When I called on him in his | ||
| CF | domicile -- the disease had taken him." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Can you tell me anything about Doctor Arturus's | ||
| CF | patients?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What are your thoughts on the disease?" | ||
| CF | 3) "There was an attempt on Doctor Cavala's life. Do you have any | ||
| CF | idea why?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'll look around the clinic. Perhaps I'll find something the | ||
| CF | Vigiles have missed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Can you tell me anything about Doctor Arturus's patients?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian's jaw hardens. "I know very little," he says. "Doctor | ||
| CF | Arturus... even in this clinic, with his aide, he was circumspect | ||
| CF | about his clients. He never told me anything. Never let me handle any | ||
| CF | of the administration. It's almost as if he didn't trust me -- but he | ||
| CF | was always a private man. I'm afraid I can't help you more." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know where the patient records are kept?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What are your thoughts on the disease?" | ||
| CF | 3) "There was an attempt on Doctor Cavala's life. Do you have any | ||
| CF | idea why?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'll look around the clinic. Perhaps I'll find something the | ||
| CF | Vigiles have missed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You squirm in your seat. "Do you know where the patient records are | ||
| CF | kept?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Try Doctor Arturus's domicile," he says. "He was obsessed with | ||
| CF | control. It would be like him to have every record on hand." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What are your thoughts on the disease?" | ||
| CF | 2) "There was an attempt on Doctor Cavala's life. Do you have any | ||
| CF | idea why?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'll look around the clinic. Perhaps I'll find something the | ||
| CF | Vigiles have missed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What are your thoughts on... on the disease?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A serious cast comes over Justinian's features, and he pauses before | ||
| CF | speaking. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I know that it is dangerous, Marid. It has killed so many in mere | ||
| CF | days -- not even Doctor Arturus was safe, and he was the most cautious | ||
| CF | man I ever knew. If you plan to investigate this -- you must be | ||
| CF | careful, Marid. Very careful." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Was Doctor Arturus a cautious man? Doctor Cavala didn't give | ||
| CF | me that impression." | ||
| CF | 2) "There was an attempt on Doctor Cavala's life. Do you have any | ||
| CF | idea why?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'll look around the clinic. Perhaps I'll find something the | ||
| CF | Vigiles have missed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Was Doctor Arturus a cautious man?" you ask. "Doctor Cavala... didn't | ||
| CF | give me that impression." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian looks almost disappointed for a moment, and the look in his | ||
| CF | eyes breaks your heart. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor Cavala didn't know him like I did," he says, quietly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "There was an attempt on Doctor Cavala's life. Do you have any | ||
| CF | idea why?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'll look around the clinic. Perhaps I'll find something the | ||
| CF | Vigiles have missed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "There was... there was an attempt on Doctor Cavala's life. Do you | ||
| CF | have any idea why?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hmm?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You relate your recollection of last night's events, and Justinian | ||
| CF | purses his lips. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I don't know what that's all about," he says. "It sounds like Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala is the one you should ask." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'll look around the clinic. Perhaps I'll find something the | ||
| CF | Vigiles have missed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'll... I'll look around the clinic. Perhaps I'll find something the | ||
| CF | Vigiles have missed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You stand up a little too anxiously -- no, Marid, you're blowing | ||
| CF | it -- and then Justinian grabs your wrist and you react in an | ||
| CF | entirely unladylike fashion but his attention is focused completely on | ||
| CF | you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid," he says. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Marid," he says."J-- Justinian?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Marid," he says."J-- Justinian?""Be careful." His voice is trembling. | ||
| CF | "I don't want anything to happen to you. If -- if it's too dangerous | ||
| CF | -- you can just go back to Doctor Cavala. No one will begrudge you for | ||
| CF | it." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | it."His words wrench at your heartstrings. For a moment you have the | ||
| CF | urge to hug him and forget about everything -- forget about blood, | ||
| CF | forget about tears, forget about the dying and the dead. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | forget about tears, forget about the dying and the dead.But when you | ||
| CF | close your eyes, you know you'd never forgive yourself. Not for the | ||
| CF | rest of your life. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rest of your life."I'll be careful," you tell him. "I promise." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rest of your life."I'll be careful," you tell him. "I promise."He | ||
| CF | reluctantly lets go. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | reluctantly lets go.You turn and make your way into the frigid light. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | reluctantly lets go.You turn and make your way into the frigid | ||
| CF | light.## Arturus's Clinic | ||
| CF | This upscale clinic exudes a muted elegance. Chrome fixtures are lit | ||
| CF | by surgically placed spotlights and underscored by dizzyingly | ||
| CF | intricate sigil-work. Yet for all its technical mastery, the space | ||
| CF | seems somehow empty, somehow melancholy. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An arch to the west leads back to the Turris Infinita foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A Vigiles examiner and his investigators are huddled around a group of | ||
| CF | tarpaulin-covered bodies. Beside them, Justinian sits at a coffee | ||
| CF | table, brooding. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x examiner" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X EXAMINER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Vigiles examiner appears to be the one in charge of the team. He | ||
| CF | looks surprisingly human, if you discount his quivering mustache. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bodies" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BODIES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can't see much of the bodies beneath the tarpaulins. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to examiner" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO EXAMINER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You approach the team of Vigiles, signum in hand. The examiner's cilia | ||
| CF | twitch as he looks you over. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Examiner Velox," he says. "Channelworks Division. And who might you | ||
| CF | be?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | be?""My name is Servator Marid Orpheia," you reply. "I'm here on | ||
| CF | behalf of Doctor Cavala. I need to study the bodies so we can develop | ||
| CF | a cure for the affliction." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | a cure for the affliction.""The ius medici?" He nods. "Very | ||
| CF | well, Servator. You may inspect these bodies at your own risk. Do not | ||
| CF | damage them, however -- we are considering the possibility of | ||
| CF | quarantine, and they may be used as evidence in the tribunal." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Quarantine?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Tribunal?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'll do my best to avoid damaging the bodies." | ||
| CF | 4) "I can't promise that I won't damage the bodies..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Quarantine?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Indeed." His mustache bristles vigorously. "If there is even a | ||
| CF | possibility that Doctor Justinian's fears ring true, it is imperative | ||
| CF | that the spread of the disease be contained -- if not within the | ||
| CF | Turris, then within the Channelworks District." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "The disease isn't confined to the Turris." | ||
| CF | 2) "You mentioned a tribunal?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'll do my best to avoid damaging the bodies." | ||
| CF | 4) "I can't promise that I won't damage the bodies..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The disease isn't confined to the Turris." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He frowns. "Then the situation is worse than I had imagined. We | ||
| CF | must quarantine the district in the name of the public good." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You mentioned a tribunal?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'll do my best to avoid damaging the bodies." | ||
| CF | 3) "I can't promise that I won't damage the bodies..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You mentioned a tribunal?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox flashes his badge. "We are here on behalf of the | ||
| CF | district councils. At this very moment, a hearing is under way | ||
| CF | regarding measures to be taken against the disease." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'll do my best to avoid damaging the bodies." | ||
| CF | 2) "I can't promise that I won't damage the bodies..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'll do my best to avoid damaging the bodies." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He nods. "Excellent. To business, then. If you'll follow me..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | He nods. "Excellent. To business, then. If you'll follow me..."You | ||
| CF | follow him to the slab, where he draws back the tarpaulin. You | ||
| CF | recognize Doctor Arturus, but there are three others: a man dressed in | ||
| CF | finery, a man built like a fighter, and a reedy young woman. All have | ||
| CF | black stains around their mouths and eyes. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | black stains around their mouths and eyes."Here are the four victims | ||
| CF | of the disease," Examiner Velox says. "We've made some preliminary | ||
| CF | investigations into their identities. Looking for identification on | ||
| CF | the bodies, cross-referencing against our records, et | ||
| CF | cetera..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | cetera...""What can you tell me?" you ask. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | cetera...""What can you tell me?" you ask."The man on the left is | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus -- I see you're already familiar with him. Very good. | ||
| CF | The one beside him, the well-dressed man, is Creditor Nacarat of the | ||
| CF | Furopolis Securities Exchange. He's rather well-known in certain | ||
| CF | circles of society -- has been implicated in some fraud allegations, | ||
| CF | but nothing concrete." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | but nothing concrete.""What about the other two?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | but nothing concrete.""What about the other two?""Ah." Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | furrows his mustache. "They are more of an enigma. They carry no | ||
| CF | identification; they are not in our records. We believe they were | ||
| CF | unregistered criminals hiding in the Shanty Quarter. According to our | ||
| CF | contacts, they match the description of Sal and Piper, a villainous | ||
| CF | duo of some notoriety. They were underworld enforcers, and not | ||
| CF | particularly well liked." | DavidW says, "Sal and Piper =!= Salt and Pepper" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh, yeah." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | particularly well liked."You consider the facts laid before you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "The victims all died of the same disease?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 5) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The victims all died of the same disease?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox shrugs. "Like you, we cannot damage the bodies, making | ||
| CF | any detailed examination impossible. It seems clear, however, that | ||
| CF | these deaths were all caused by the same affliction of the blood." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 4) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Oh! Hah. Nice catch." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You're certain about his identity?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What was the state his body was found in?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What was the time of death?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 6) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 7) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You're certain about his identity?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox's mustache wriggles. "You and Doctor Justinian have | ||
| CF | both identified the body. We have detected no illusions, if that is | ||
| CF | what you are asking. The body on the slab is, without a doubt, that of | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What was the state his body was found in?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What was the time of death?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 6) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What was the state his body was found in?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor Justinian notified the Vigiles at five in the morning," | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox replies. "When we arrived at quarter-past five, we | ||
| CF | found Doctor Arturus's body already laid out here on the slab. Doctor | ||
| CF | Justinian testified that he had found Doctor Arturus motionless in his | ||
| CF | domicile, and moved him here in an attempt to revive him." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What was the time of death?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 5) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What was the time of death?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | His mustache squirms. "The varying temperatures in the Turris Infinita | ||
| CF | make the precise time difficult to ascertain. Complicating matters is | ||
| CF | the fact that Doctor Justinian moved the body, interfering with the | ||
| CF | natural processes of rigor mortis and livor mortis. | ||
| CF | All we can gather is that he died last night -- sometime between eight | ||
| CF | and twelve hours ago." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What was the state his body was found in, again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 5) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "We believe that he was infected through his gloves," Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | replies. "They are stained with black effluvium both within and | ||
| CF | without. If you are concerned with the method of transmission, you | ||
| CF | might examine them further." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Through his gloves? That shouldn't be possible... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What was the state his body was found in, again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What was the time of death, again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 5) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who was he again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What was the time of death?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What do you know about the circumstances of his death?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 6) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 7) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well that's troubling." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What was the time of death?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "By my estimation," he replies, "and assuming his body has remained in | ||
| CF | the clinic the whole time -- he died a little over thirty hours ago, | ||
| CF | on the night of the Third." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The night Reden died, you mentally append. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who was he again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What do you know about the circumstances of his death?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 6) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What do you know about the circumstances of his death?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He shrugs. "Creditor Nacarat was a patient here before he died. All | ||
| CF | the signs suggest he died here, together with Sal and Piper." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who was he again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What was the time of death, again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 6) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A twitch of the mustache. "There is a glyph of recording in the inner | ||
| CF | lining of his jacket. It holds an intriguing, if fragmented, | ||
| CF | phonographic transcription. We did not find it particularly useful, | ||
| CF | but it may be worth listening to regardless." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who was he again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What was the time of death, again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What do you know about the circumstances of his death, | ||
| CF | again?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 6) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "5" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 5 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who were they again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What were the times of death?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What do you know about the circumstances of their | ||
| CF | deaths?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 6) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 7) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What were the times of death?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Both of them died around the same time," Examiner Velox replies, | ||
| CF | "though the precise time is uncertain. I am given to believe that they | ||
| CF | died around the same time as Creditor Nacarat -- around thirty hours | ||
| CF | ago, on the night of the Third." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who were they again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What do you know about the circumstances of their | ||
| CF | deaths?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 6) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What do you know about the circumstances of their deaths?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "As they were patients in the clinic," he replies, "they likely died | ||
| CF | here, together with Creditor Nacarat. The signs they exhibit | ||
| CF | corroborate that." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who were they again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What were the times of death, again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 6) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Is there anything I should be aware of?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "We found some things in their pockets," the examiner says. "You may | ||
| CF | wish to look at their possessions... although I am uncertain, | ||
| CF | personally, how relevant they are to this series of deaths." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who were they again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What were the times of death, again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What do you know about the circumstances of their deaths, | ||
| CF | again?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 6) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "6" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 6 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Very well. I will be here if you have any further questions." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You step back, and Examiner Velox returns to his work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gloves" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GLOVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Which do you mean, Doctor Arturus's gloves, Creditor Nacarat's gloves, | ||
| CF | or the clothes? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "doctor" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > DOCTOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You get a loupe and a pair of tweezers, and carefully -- very | ||
| CF | carefully -- you inspect Doctor Arturus's bloodstained gloves. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your heart hammers in your ears. Your breath condenses on the | ||
| CF | tarpaulins. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | tarpaulins.There! Is that -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | tarpaulins.There! Is that --Nothing. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | tarpaulins.There! Is that --Nothing.There's nothing at all. | ||
| CF | The gloves are perfectly sealed. Brand new, in fact -- if you brush | ||
| CF | away the blood, you can see the sigils glowing softly on the rubber. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | away the blood, you can see the sigils glowing softly on the | ||
| CF | rubber.That means there are two possibilities. Either this disease can | ||
| CF | somehow be transmitted through an alchemically-sealed | ||
| CF | waterproof barrier -- which is in defiance of everything you learned | ||
| CF | in school, and besides you and Doctor Cavala are still alive, so that | ||
| CF | can't be right -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | can't be right --Or there's something else at work here. Something | ||
| CF | more insidious. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | more insidious.You carefully decontaminate the equipment you borrowed | ||
| CF | and return it to the clinic. You're going to have to keep | ||
| CF | investigating. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x doctor" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DOCTOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You approach the body. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The first time you saw Doctor Arturus's face was in De historia | ||
| CF | medica, your first-year medical textbook. You still remember it | ||
| CF | -- sharp, black and white, with a jaw like a the edge of a knife. You | ||
| CF | were nervous, when you moved to the Channelworks District, to meet the | ||
| CF | famed pathologist in the flesh. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | famed pathologist in the flesh.But the man who you met that day was | ||
| CF | smaller, somehow. His features, so arresting in his youth, had | ||
| CF | crinkled under the burden of years. He did not look you in the eye | ||
| CF | when he shook your hand. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | when he shook your hand."His time is past," Doctor Cavala had said, | ||
| CF | afterwards. "He hardly practices these days..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | afterwards. "He hardly practices these days..."The body laid before | ||
| CF | you is gaunt, almost pitiful. The sleeves of his natron coat are | ||
| CF | completely soaked in eerie black stains. His glasses are stained | ||
| CF | opaque, and his mouth is frozen open in horror. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | opaque, and his mouth is frozen open in horror.You could examine | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus's head, his torso, his arms, or his legs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x doctor head" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DOCTOR HEAD | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Death has not been kind to Doctor Arturus. The black blood from his | ||
| CF | eyes and mouth has seeped into his wrinkles, crisscrossing his face | ||
| CF | with a spiderweb of decay. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | His mouth is wide open. It occurs to you that you could put your | ||
| CF | endoscope in and look around inside. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put endoscope in doctor mouth" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT ENDOSCOPE IN DOCTOR MOUTH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You insert the endoscope into Doctor Arturus's mouth... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Mouth | ||
| CF | A cavern ringed with tombstones. The cavity glistens black -- the | ||
| CF | capillaries are visible behind the membranes, diseased and withered | ||
| CF | and creeping. It is almost impossible to distinguish blood from | ||
| CF | shadow. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Light streams in from outside. The pharynx lies further in. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "moderately clever" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh, I didn't expect that." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x cavity" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CAVITY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The walls are streaked ebon where the diseased blood has set. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x teeth" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TEETH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | At this scale, Doctor Arturus's teeth are colossal bone plinths. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tongue" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TONGUE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "in" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > IN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Pharynx | ||
| CF | A tunnel splitting, twisting darkly. Fleshy folds press inward, tight | ||
| CF | bundles of muscle and cartilage frozen in black ivy. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The esophagus is blocked by the epiglottis. You can only descend | ||
| CF | through the larynx. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x ivy" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X IVY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The scutiform cartilage. The smuggler's fossa. The ventricular folds. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x epiglottis" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X EPIGLOTTIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The epiglottis is frozen in rigor mortis, and will not move. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Trachea | ||
| CF | It is almost completely dark, save the small ring of light from your | ||
| CF | lens. Your world is a hollow pit with no beginning and no end. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Below are the lungs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x lungs" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LUNGS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Somewhere beneath are the bronchi, the bronchioles. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bronchi" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BRONCHI | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Somewhere beneath are the bronchi, the bronchioles. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Lungs | ||
| CF | The terminus of the respiratory system. A thousand dead ends, holes, | ||
| CF | alveoli -- they greet you like blood-choked eye sockets. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | alveoli -- they greet you like blood-choked eye sockets.Something is | ||
| CF | wrong here. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | wrong here.The pattern of decay isn't consistent with an airborne | ||
| CF | pathogen. If the disease were transmitted by air or aether, it would | ||
| CF | attack from the alveoli inward. Here, it looks like the infection | ||
| CF | spread outward, from the blood vessels into the lungs. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | spread outward, from the blood vessels into the lungs.Further | ||
| CF | on, you see the cast-off tethers of Doctor Arturus's animus still | ||
| CF | lingering in the aetheric weave. But the skeins are fragmented, | ||
| CF | somehow. Different from the textbooks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x animus" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ANIMUS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The animus, colloquially known as the soul, is bound to a person's | ||
| CF | body by aetheric skeins. When the body dies, the skeins are loosened, | ||
| CF | and the animus drifts apart from the corpus. Every first-year medical | ||
| CF | student knows that. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Here, the animic skeins were not loosened. They were ripped apart. | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x infection" | ||
| CF | Here, the animic skeins were not loosened. They were ripped apart.You | ||
| CF | can see auroral fragments flickering in the halo of your lens-light. | ||
| CF | They shine weakly, painfully, unable to fade away. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | They shine weakly, painfully, unable to fade away.What are you looking | ||
| CF | at here? What kind of disease attacks the soul? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (Type >out to end the endoscopy.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (You think you've learned all you can from Doctor Arturus's body. You | ||
| CF | should look for more clues elsewhere.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "out" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OUT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You withdraw upward... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You clean the endoscope and put it in your pocket. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Clinic | ||
| CF | This upscale clinic exudes a muted elegance. Chrome fixtures are lit | ||
| CF | by surgically placed spotlights and underscored by dizzyingly | ||
| CF | intricate sigil-work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An arch to the west leads back to the Turris Infinita foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox and his investigators are huddled around the bodies of | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus, Creditor Nacarat, Sal, and Piper. Beside them, | ||
| CF | Justinian sits at a coffee table, brooding. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x doctor legs" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DOCTOR LEGS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus is wearing formal trousers and rubber boots -- | ||
| CF | relatively dignified, in comparison with the rest of his body. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x boots" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BOOTS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus is wearing formal trousers and rubber boots -- | ||
| CF | relatively dignified, in comparison with the rest of his body. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x doctor torso" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DOCTOR TORSO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The doctor is a thin man, shrunken with age. His natron coat is of | ||
| CF | that old-fashioned button-up sort you see in laterna magica | ||
| CF | pictures. Your eyes are drawn to his ruined sleeves, which cling to | ||
| CF | his skin like grotesque pelagic rays. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sleeves" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SLEEVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus's sleeves are streaked with black blood. Like a living | ||
| CF | thing, it seems to have oozed up from his hands, twisting and | ||
| CF | squirming and crawling up his forearms. His gloves are almost | ||
| CF | completely black. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x arms" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ARMS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus's sleeves are streaked with black blood. Like a living | ||
| CF | thing, it seems to have oozed up from his hands, twisting and | ||
| CF | squirming and crawling up his forearms. His gloves are almost | ||
| CF | completely black. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "everyone's favourite, Doctor Torso" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gloves" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GLOVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Although the gloves are coated in blood, they're brand new. You can | ||
| CF | still see the sigils glowing on the rubber. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x nacarat" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X NACARAT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a certain poise surrounding this man, even in death. His | ||
| CF | facial hair is immaculately trimmed; his features are not diminished | ||
| CF | by the black trails that stain them. But something in his bearing | ||
| CF | sends a shiver up your spine, something that is cold and callous and | ||
| CF | utterly without sympathy. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You could examine Creditor Nacarat's head, his torso, his arms, or his | ||
| CF | legs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x head" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HEAD | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Like you, he bears tattoos on his face, but his are in the mode of the | ||
| CF | Austri rather than the alchemical. Alongside, his pearl earrings catch | ||
| CF | the light -- his face is framed in pale off-white. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Blood runs from his open mouth. It occurs to you that you could put | ||
| CF | your endoscope in and look around inside. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x earrings" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X EARRINGS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | They strike you as slightly ostentatious. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put endoscope in mouth" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT ENDOSCOPE IN MOUTH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You insert the endoscope into Creditor Nacarat's mouth... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Mouth | ||
| CF | The tongue is a diseased behemoth. It wallows in a pool of dark dried | ||
| CF | blood, broken by stained folds and bleached teeth. On the tip a | ||
| CF | piercing has become infected, revealing the ragged holes at either | ||
| CF | side. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Light streams in from outside. The pharynx lies further in. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x piercing" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIERCING | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Blood leaks beneath the engraved orichalcum. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "I guess of all the places an endoscope could go, I'm happy we're going in through the mouth" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x teeth" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TEETH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Markers in a sunless sea. There are white trails where his | ||
| CF | tooth-powder has melted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x trails" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TRAILS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Markers in a sunless sea. There are white trails where his | ||
| CF | tooth-powder has melted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x pool" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X POOL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The shadows are opaque. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tongue" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TONGUE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Withered within and without. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "in" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > IN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Pharynx | ||
| CF | This grotto is barely recognizable. Flesh has corroded, sloughed from | ||
| CF | cartilage. The throat weeps with the ruins of ruptured blood vessels. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The epiglottis blocks the larynx. You can only descend into the | ||
| CF | esophagus. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Esophagus | ||
| CF | You hang between sphincters, slashed apart and seized with rigor | ||
| CF | mortis. The walls, flickering in your unsteady lens-light, run | ||
| CF | with black streaks into the yawning darkness. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The stomach lies beneath. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "maybe we can pull the tongue out of the way, from without" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x streaks" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STREAKS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Death flows through this place. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Stomach | ||
| CF | The stain of disease is everywhere. The humidity is almost palpable. | ||
| CF | The pylorus is stopped -- a glistening black expanse rises in the | ||
| CF | light, residual bile and vitriolic secretions unable to drain into the | ||
| CF | small intestine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There are things drifting lazily in the body-of-stomach. You | ||
| CF | can see festering tumors that have crawled up the stomach lining, | ||
| CF | embedded themselves in the mucosa, insinuated themselves into the | ||
| CF | circulatory system. And from them, sickly veins crawl outward, each a | ||
| CF | deadly trail that points back to the heart. | Knight_Otu says, "I rather doubt it." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x things" | ||
| CF | deadly trail that points back to the heart.There is no doubt. This | ||
| CF | stomach -- this spawning pit -- this must have been the | ||
| CF | origin of Creditor Nacarat's infection. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | origin of Creditor Nacarat's infection.But what does that imply? Was | ||
| CF | the disease in something the man ingested? Was it something | ||
| CF | he ate, something he drank? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | he ate, something he drank?There's too little evidence. You have to | ||
| CF | keep investigating. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x things" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X THINGS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You'll have to specify which one. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tumors" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TUMORS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have the urge to throw up just looking at them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Stomach | ||
| CF | The stain of disease is everywhere. The humidity is almost palpable. | ||
| CF | The pylorus is stopped -- a glistening black expanse rises in the | ||
| CF | light, residual bile and vitriolic secretions unable to drain into the | ||
| CF | small intestine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There are things drifting lazily in the body-of-stomach. You | ||
| CF | can see festering tumors that have crawled up the stomach lining, | ||
| CF | embedded themselves in the mucosa, insinuated themselves into the | ||
| CF | circulatory system. And from them, sickly veins crawl outward, each a | ||
| CF | deadly trail that points back to the heart. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x veins" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X VEINS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have the urge to throw up just looking at them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bile" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BILE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Unidentifiable boli drift across the pool's surface. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x heart" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HEART | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x mucosa" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MUCOSA | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have the urge to throw up just looking at them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x thing" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X THING | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Black. Bloody. Spherical. They elude description. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You cannot go any further. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "out" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OUT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You withdraw upward... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You clean the endoscope and put it in your pocket. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Clinic | ||
| CF | This upscale clinic exudes a muted elegance. Chrome fixtures are lit | ||
| CF | by surgically placed spotlights and underscored by dizzyingly | ||
| CF | intricate sigil-work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An arch to the west leads back to the Turris Infinita foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox and his investigators are huddled around the bodies of | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus, Creditor Nacarat, Sal, and Piper. Beside them, | ||
| CF | Justinian sits at a coffee table, brooding. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x torso" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TORSO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The creditor's jacket is dark, embellished with buttons of brass and | ||
| CF | mother-of-pearl. There are black stains here and there, where blood | ||
| CF | has run down from his chin and seeped into the fabric. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The jacket has been partially undone, revealing a quicksilver glyph | ||
| CF | embroidered in the lining. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x glyph" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GLYPH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It appears to be a glyph of recording. Although it has suffered | ||
| CF | partial bloodstain damage, it still appears to be functional. You | ||
| CF | could listen to it if you wanted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "listen to it" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LISTEN TO IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Sonate," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The glyph flickers aglow, coursing with stained quicksilver, and the | ||
| CF | inscription begins to revolve around the index. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | inscription begins to revolve around the index."--for your | ||
| CF | hospitality, Doctor," a bass voice crackles. "I hope you will consider | ||
| CF | what I have said." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | what I have said."There is noise for a few seconds -- a clink that | ||
| CF | sounds like porcelain or glass. An inhalation. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | sounds like porcelain or glass. An inhalation.The crash of shards | ||
| CF | shattering. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | shattering."Creditor?" you hear Doctor Arturus's voice echo. "Are you | ||
| CF | feeling quite all right? Perhaps we should --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | feeling quite all right? Perhaps we should --"The words are drowned | ||
| CF | out by coughing. You hear the sound of friction on fabric, growing | ||
| CF | louder and louder. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | louder and louder.The recording cuts out. The glyph returns to its | ||
| CF | resting state. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | resting state.It sounds like Creditor Nacarat was taking tea with | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus when his symptoms emerged. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x stains" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STAINS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the dried black blood) | ||
| CF | You know these symptoms all too well, now. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x arms" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ARMS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He wears the smooth black gloves of a businessman. Decorative gilding | ||
| CF | plays across the back of each hand, surrounding the faint molded | ||
| CF | silhouette of a raven. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gloves" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GLOVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He wears the smooth black gloves of a businessman. Decorative gilding | ||
| CF | plays across the back of each hand, surrounding the faint molded | ||
| CF | silhouette of a raven. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x legs" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LEGS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Elegant pin-striped trousers. There appear to be some items in his | ||
| CF | pockets. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x items" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ITEMS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Most of the things in Creditor Nacarat's pockets are detritus, but | ||
| CF | that black pocketbook looks interesting. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x pocketbook" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X POCKETBOOK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It appears to be a coded record of business transactions. Of | ||
| CF | particular interest is the last chronological entry, which records a | ||
| CF | significant sum made out to "S&P". | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Strange. You don't know any company in the Channelworks District with | ||
| CF | those initials. Unless... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | those initials. Unless...The fact that Sal and Piper have those | ||
| CF | initials can't be a coincidence. Can it? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (You think you've learned all you can from Creditor Nacarat's body. | ||
| CF | You should look for more clues elsewhere.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sal" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SAL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The man on the slab is muscle-bound -- built like a gray longhorn, | ||
| CF | with a countenance to match. His coat has the whiff of sweat and | ||
| CF | blood. It does not quite conceal the scars that split his knuckles, | ||
| CF | nor the black lines that crisscross his chest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You could examine Sal's head, his torso, his arms, or his legs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x head" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HEAD | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | His skull is monstrous and chiseled. His eyes bleed, glisten, like | ||
| CF | orbs of bloodshot onyx. But beneath the brutishness so prominent in | ||
| CF | his features, there is an indescribable and all-too-familiar sadness. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | His mouth is closed. An endoscopy will not be possible here. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x eyes" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X EYES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Small and sunken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x ears" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X EARS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x torso" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TORSO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | If Sal wasn't a canal-man, he had the dress sense of one. His work | ||
| CF | coat is an intimidating leather mass that could stop knife blades, and | ||
| CF | looks like it has. Beneath is an unbuttoned shirt, revealing a mass of | ||
| CF | savage black scars. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You notice a bit of metal glinting in his coat pocket. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x scars" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SCARS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Once, these would have been red. Now they are black and diseased. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x metal" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X METAL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You draw back the leather, revealing a pair of knuckle-dusters. | ||
| CF | Wicked-looking implements, with holes for the fingers, and grim stains | ||
| CF | surrounding the pointed nubs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Weapons like these aren't uncommon in the Channelworks District. Even | ||
| CF | Horatio used to own a set. One can't be too careful living and working | ||
| CF | in the less-frequented parts of the city. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | in the less-frequented parts of the city.But you don't often see a | ||
| CF | knuckle-duster with a raven engraved in place of the manufacturer's | ||
| CF | logo. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That's the second time you've seen that raven symbol today. Is it | ||
| CF | connected to these deaths somehow? Perhaps someone will know something | ||
| CF | about the symbol's significance. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "A raven again? It's probably nothing." | |
| DavidW asks, "Where was the 1st time?" | ||
| Roger says, "on dude's gloves" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "The Creditor's... right." | ||
| DavidW says, "ah" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x coat" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X COAT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's a crinkly brown, with unprepossessing stains splashed here and | ||
| CF | there. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a set of knuckle-dusters in his coat pocket. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x stains" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STAINS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's a crinkly brown, with unprepossessing stains splashed here and | ||
| CF | there. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a set of knuckle-dusters in his coat pocket. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x shirt" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHIRT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Some unbutton their shirts to look fashionable. Others do so because | ||
| CF | they sweat a great deal in their line of work. You suspect Sal falls | ||
| CF | into the latter category. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x legs" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LEGS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Tough trousers and work boots. There are clumps of grime encrusted in | ||
| CF | his soles, and other things that you don't really want to dwell on. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hanging from Sal's belt is a battered keyring. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x keyring" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X KEYRING | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A loop of steel wire. It holds a pair of crudely fashioned keys, the | ||
| CF | sort used in old buildings and cheap locks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You wonder if Examiner Velox will allow you to borrow it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Keys keys keys!" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "ask velox about keys" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > ASK VELOX ABOUT KEYS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (Use the command >talk to or >t to converse with other | ||
| CF | characters.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take keys" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE KEYS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You glance at Examiner Velox. "There's a keyring on Sal's body. Do you | ||
| CF | mind if I borrow it for a while?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Well --" His mustache wriggles. "You are not officially | ||
| CF | permitted, Servator, but if you believe it will further your | ||
| CF | investigation... let us agree that my attention is divided, focused | ||
| CF | elsewhere. Just be sure to return it to the basilica when you are | ||
| CF | finished." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | finished.""I will," you reply. "Thank you." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | finished.""I will," you reply. "Thank you."You pocket the keyring. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (You think you've learned all you can from Sal's body. You should look | ||
| CF | for more clues elsewhere.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x belt" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BELT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rugged leather belt. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x boots" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BOOTS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Tough trousers and work boots. There are clumps of grime encrusted in | ||
| CF | his soles, and other things that you don't really want to dwell on. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x piper" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIPER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A tall, thin specimen of a woman with arms and legs like sea-stilts. | ||
| CF | Of all the patients, her posture is the most contorted, as though her | ||
| CF | body had convulsed in the hour of death: she is a broken marionette, | ||
| CF | loosed from its strings and cast aside. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You could examine Piper's head, her torso, her arms, or her legs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x head" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HEAD | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A dark thin face with dark thin hair. Her lips are colorless, foul | ||
| CF | with trails of long-dried ichor; her eyes, glassy and expressionless, | ||
| CF | are buried in black rings of decay. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Her mouth is slightly parted. It occurs to you that you could put your | ||
| CF | endoscope in and look around inside. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x eyes" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X EYES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Her eyes are empty. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put endoscope in mouth" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT ENDOSCOPE IN MOUTH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You insert the endoscope into Piper's mouth... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Mouth | ||
| CF | It is dark. What little light filters through the lips is absorbed by | ||
| CF | countless black ulcers, each an eruption of effluvium and contagion. | ||
| CF | Between them run stains on a stained tongue, and capillaries that have | ||
| CF | shriveled and died. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The light leads out. The pharynx leads in. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tongue" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TONGUE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's utterly black. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x ulcers" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ULCERS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are acutely aware of your own mouth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x lips" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LIPS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | At this magnification they are monstrous, engorged. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "in" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > IN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Pharynx | ||
| CF | Dead flesh constricts you. Muscles seized by rigor mortis | ||
| CF | impede your entry, distended as though in a perpetual scream. The | ||
| CF | walls stain the endoscope lenses. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The epiglottis blocks the larynx. You can only descend into the | ||
| CF | esophagus. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x walls" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WALLS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Masses like black bezoars. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x epiglottis" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X EPIGLOTTIS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The epiglottis, too, is frozen in rigor mortis, and will not | ||
| CF | move. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend... | Knight_Otu says, "I think we can all agree to be glad that this isn't a graphic adventure." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Esophagus | ||
| CF | A well without an end. You stare into a palpable darkness that goes on | ||
| CF | and on, a purgatory of black branches and devouring rings. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The stomach is beneath. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x branches" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BRANCHES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arteries, veins, twisting and spiraling into the dark. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You descend... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Stomach | ||
| CF | A flooded cavern. You hang terrifyingly over a pitch-dark expanse of | ||
| CF | undigested bile. The stomach walls are ruptured and lacerated and | ||
| CF | pockmarked with ulcers that leer evilly in your lens-light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | And in the center of it all there is a mass, an island in the | ||
| CF | body-of-stomach. Sickening boli that have clumped together and | ||
| CF | extended their tendrils into the surrounding vitriol and flesh -- | ||
| CF | infected the bloodstream. | Roger says, "quite graphic enough as it is, yes" | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | infected the bloodstream.These are the things that killed Piper. These | ||
| CF | -- these things -- they must have grown inside her stomach. | ||
| CF | They must have destroyed her from the inside. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | They must have destroyed her from the inside.Not a comforting thought. | ||
| CF | It raises more questions than it answers. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x mass" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MASS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You hope it's your hands that are trembling, and not the mass. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x stomach" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STOMACH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Layers of flesh have been flayed away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x ulcers" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ULCERS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Layers of flesh have been flayed away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bile" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BILE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Acid. Mucus. Chyme. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Inspecting Piper | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You cannot go any further. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "out" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OUT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You withdraw upward... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You clean the endoscope and put it in your pocket. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Clinic | ||
| CF | This upscale clinic exudes a muted elegance. Chrome fixtures are lit | ||
| CF | by surgically placed spotlights and underscored by dizzyingly | ||
| CF | intricate sigil-work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An arch to the west leads back to the Turris Infinita foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox and his investigators are huddled around the bodies of | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus, Creditor Nacarat, Sal, and Piper. Beside them, | ||
| CF | Justinian sits at a coffee table, brooding. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x torso" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TORSO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Piper's clothes are muted and loosely fitted. She wears a cut-off | ||
| CF | frock, and above it a watchwoman's jacket with unidentifiable stains | ||
| CF | along the flaps. She would have been difficult to pick out in a | ||
| CF | working crowd -- or in a dark alley. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You notice a square, flat outline in one of her jacket pockets. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x pocket" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X POCKET | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A folded scrap of paper. Further investigation reveals it to be a list | ||
| CF | of names followed by -- numbers? Prices? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | of names followed by -- numbers? Prices?Sums of money. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | of names followed by -- numbers? Prices?Sums of money.You recognize | ||
| CF | some of the names on here, too -- you've bought your groceries, or | ||
| CF | your clothes, from these people in the past. All of the names have | ||
| CF | check marks beside them. Some of them are crossed out. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | check marks beside them. Some of them are crossed out.Has Piper been | ||
| CF | collecting debts? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | collecting debts?You reach the end of the page, and turn it over only | ||
| CF | to find the reverse side blank. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to find the reverse side blank.Only... hold on a second. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to find the reverse side blank.Only... hold on a second.The front of | ||
| CF | the paper was slightly yellowed, but this side is completely white. It | ||
| CF | looks almost -- almost bleached. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | looks almost -- almost bleached.Yes. It's not just your | ||
| CF | imagination. The texture is different. The stains have been removed. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | imagination. The texture is different. The stains have been | ||
| CF | removed.The reverse side of the paper wasn't blank. Someone | ||
| CF | blanked it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take paper" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE PAPER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The name list is evidence. You should leave it for the Vigiles | ||
| CF | investigators. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well darn it. Hope we have some de-bleaching alchemists around." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x torso" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TORSO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Piper's clothes are muted and loosely fitted. She wears a cut-off | ||
| CF | frock, and above it a watchwoman's jacket with unidentifiable stains | ||
| CF | along the flaps. She would have been difficult to pick out in a | ||
| CF | working crowd -- or in a dark alley. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The list of names you found is in one of her jacket pockets. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x stains" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STAINS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | This jacket was either stolen or poorly tailored. Possibly both. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The list of names you found is in one of the jacket pockets. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x arms" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ARMS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Her arms are surprisingly toned, beneath the concealing folds of her | ||
| CF | jacket. There are calluses on her hands, clumps of dirt under her | ||
| CF | fingernails. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x legs" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LEGS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Piper wears jackboots and a tattered half slip, leaving her thighs | ||
| CF | mostly exposed. Close to the pelvis, you can see ink-black blood | ||
| CF | vessels running perversely beneath the skin. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You notice an inconspicuous leather strap around her right thigh. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "Or she had a sudden change in body weight" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x vessels" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X VESSELS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The color has drained from her skin. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x strap" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STRAP | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The strap looks like it can be opened. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "open it" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OPEN IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You draw back the false lining, revealing a set of throwing knives. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x knives" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X KNIVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | On the hilt of each knife is embossed the symbol of a raven. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (You think you've learned all you can from Piper's body. You should | ||
| CF | look for more clues elsewhere.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are a | ||
| CF | battered keyring, an endoscope, Doctor Cavala's signum, today's copy | ||
| CF | of the Libri Liberi, a note with Zoiro's address, yesterday's | ||
| CF | copy of the Libri Liberi, your practitioner's badge, your | ||
| CF | scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Fifth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I've made my choice. I have a job to do -- and I'm going to finish it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Investigate the victims of the disease and identify the transmission | ||
| CF | vector | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden | ||
| CF | - Go to Riggertown and ask Zoiro about his brother's activities | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | - Look around Doctor Arturus's domicile, in the Turris Infinita | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | - Look up the patient records in Doctor Arturus's domicile | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Sal and Piper | ||
| CF | - Look up the patient records in Doctor Arturus's domicile | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Miscellaneous | ||
| CF | - Ask around about the meaning of the raven | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The disease | ||
| CF | - I learned that the disease is unlikely to be airborne. | ||
| CF | - I learned that the disease can be transmitted by ingestion. | ||
| CF | - I learned that the disease is bloodborne and attacks the animus, or | ||
| CF | the soul. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden | ||
| CF | - I remember that Reden died on the night of the Third, two days ago. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | - I found that the gloves on Doctor Arturus's body were brand new. He | ||
| CF | couldn't have been infected through his hands if he had been wearing | ||
| CF | them. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Doctor Arturus died sometime between last night, on | ||
| CF | the Fourth, and this morning, on the Fifth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was killed by something he ingested. | ||
| CF | - I found a raven symbol on Creditor Nacarat's gloves. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat could have hired Sal and Piper | ||
| CF | recently. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was taking tea with Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | when his symptoms emerged, and he broke a piece of tableware as a | ||
| CF | result. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat died on the night of the Third, two | ||
| CF | days ago. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Sal and Piper | ||
| CF | - I found a raven symbol on Sal's knuckle-dusters. | ||
| CF | - I found a raven symbol on Piper's throwing knives. | ||
| CF | - I found a list of names that suggested Piper had been collecting | ||
| CF | debts. The reverse side of the paper had been intentionally blanked | ||
| CF | out. | ||
| CF | - I found a battered keyring on Sal's belt. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Piper was killed by something she ingested. | ||
| CF | - I learned that both Sal and Piper died on the night of the Third, | ||
| CF | two days ago. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Miscellaneous | ||
| CF | - I'm in the mood for a drink... | ||
| CF | - I hope Doctor Cavala and Horatio will be all right at the clinic... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | Knight_Otu asks, "Well, that's all the bodies. I guess we can talk to the examiner and the doctor again for some more info?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to examiner" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to examiner" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Clinic | ||
| CF | This upscale clinic exudes a muted elegance. Chrome fixtures are lit | ||
| CF | by surgically placed spotlights and underscored by dizzyingly | ||
| CF | intricate sigil-work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An arch to the west leads back to the Turris Infinita foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox and his investigators are huddled around the bodies of | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus, Creditor Nacarat, Sal, and Piper. Beside them, | ||
| CF | Justinian sits at a coffee table, brooding. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to examiner" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO EXAMINER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You approach the team of Vigiles, and Examiner Velox looks up from the | ||
| CF | bodies. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Servator," he says. "What can I do for you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Does a raven mean anything to you?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 4) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 5) "Nothing, never mind." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Does a raven mean anything to you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The examiner raises an eyebrow. "It does, now that you mention it. The | ||
| CF | raven is one of the symbols of the Greater Corindia Trading Company -- | ||
| CF | it's a criminal syndicate, one of the biggest in Furopolis. If some of | ||
| CF | these people had been involved..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That can't be good. You make a mental note of the connection. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | 4) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Examiner Velox | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Regarding Sal and Piper..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who were they again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What were the times of death, again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What do you know about the circumstances of their deaths, | ||
| CF | again?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Is there anything I should be aware of, again?" | ||
| CF | 5) "Regarding Doctor Arturus..." | ||
| CF | 6) "Regarding Creditor Nacarat..." | ||
| CF | 7) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "7" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 7 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Very well. I will be here if you have any further questions." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You step back, and Examiner Velox returns to his work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Are we done? I don't think we got an all-done re Piper, did we?" | |
| DavidW says, "oh, we did" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We did. We may be able to get some more info from Justinian, now that we examined the bodies, though." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to justinian" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO JUSTINIAN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian brightens up as you approach him. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid," he says. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Where are the patient records, again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Can you tell me again about how you discovered the body?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What are your thoughts on the disease again?" | ||
| CF | 4) "The Vigiles told me that you moved Doctor Arturus's | ||
| CF | body." | ||
| CF | 5) "Nothing, never mind!" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "4" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 4 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The -- The Vigiles told me that you moved Doctor Arturus's body." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian looks down. "I thought -- I believed he was unconscious at | ||
| CF | first. I thought he could have been revived..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Where are the patient records, again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Can you tell me again about how you discovered the body?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What are your thoughts on the disease again?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Can you tell me again about... about how you discovered the body?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He closes his eyes. "Doctor Arturus had cloistered himself in the back | ||
| CF | -- he had instructed me not to disturb him. When I left him in the | ||
| CF | evening, he seemed his usual self... but when I called on him this | ||
| CF | morning, he was already dead in his domicile." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Where are the patient records, again?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What are your thoughts on the disease again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Hm, doesn't look like it." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He nods. "Be careful, Marid." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You scurry away before you start blushing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "So, do we try to find and enter Dr A's home?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Probably. I guess it's elsewhere in this structure?" | ||
| DavidW | Look around Doctor Arturus's domicile, in the Turris Infinita | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Clinic | ||
| CF | This upscale clinic exudes a muted elegance. Chrome fixtures are lit | ||
| CF | by surgically placed spotlights and underscored by dizzyingly | ||
| CF | intricate sigil-work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An arch to the west leads back to the Turris Infinita foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox and his investigators are huddled around the bodies of | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus, Creditor Nacarat, Sal, and Piper. Beside them, | ||
| CF | Justinian sits at a coffee table, brooding. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Turris Infinita Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A chill washes over you as you step through the arch. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Turris Infinita | ||
| CF | The atmosphere within the tower is utterly still. The lights that | ||
| CF | normally circle the mirrors have been dimmed, and the chandeliers | ||
| CF | overhead brood like thunderclouds. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A hydraulic lift provides access to Doctor Arturus's upstairs | ||
| CF | domicile. Doctor Arturus's clinic is east, and the exit is to the | ||
| CF | west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The porter is silent at her desk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The lift bears you upward. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Domicile | ||
| CF | This suspended mansion echoes with a grandiose hollowness. There is no | ||
| CF | comfort to be found in these faux hearths and chaises longues, these | ||
| CF | mantelpieces burdened by decades of history. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A study lies to the north. The hydraulic lift leads back down to the | ||
| CF | foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | By the frosted-glass windows, a coffee table has been set for three. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Oh hey an elevator." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x hearths" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HEARTHS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Empty stone fixtures. They're more for decoration than anything. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "It's an advanced alchemical fantasy setting." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x table" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TABLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A dark wooden table set with linen and porcelain. There is a serving | ||
| CF | platter of crackers and cheese, barely touched; surrounding it, there | ||
| CF | are three smaller plates, two of which are accompanied by wineglasses. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The third wineglass is nowhere to be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Hydraulic and not magic! You'd think that these fantasy settings would go mad with magic, but no, it's just engineering for the lift." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x wineglasses" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WINEGLASSES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The wineglasses still contain traces of red wine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x wine" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WINE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An expensive claret, if you had to guess. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "smell it" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SMELL IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The table smells of red wine and sharp cheese. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Study | ||
| CF | A chamber decked with aging bookcases and dusty plaques. The frieze | ||
| CF | that circles the walls is engraved with scenes from antiquity, lines | ||
| CF | in the lingua libria; by the exit to the south, a clock ticks | ||
| CF | the minutes and seconds away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rosewood desk stands in the heart of the room. Beside it, there is a | ||
| CF | storage cabinet. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x clock" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CLOCK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pendulum clock. Its arm sways to and fro, never quite finding rest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x frieze" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X FRIEZE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The wood has been painstakingly carved and sigiled. You could examine | ||
| CF | the scenes or lines further if you wished. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x scenes" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SCENES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | One scene depicts Pharmacos discovering the humors. Another shows | ||
| CF | Merula and Collis treating refugees during the Corindian Civil War. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x lines" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LINES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the lines in the lingua libria) | ||
| CF | Nascentes morimur finisque ab origine pendet. "When we are | ||
| CF | born we die; our end is but the pendant of our beginning." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x desk" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DESK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The desk is drenched with tobacco, stained with ink, and weathered by | ||
| CF | decades of use. It curves around a high-backed armchair, piled with | ||
| CF | stationery and never-finished drafts. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | At the end of the table sits a correspondence machine, accompanied by | ||
| CF | its box of ticker-tape reels. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x machine" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MACHINE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A complex alchemical-mechanical device. It purports to receive and | ||
| CF | transmit messages through the aether without the need for magical | ||
| CF | training. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The machine consists of a dial, a keyboard, a feed wheel, and a | ||
| CF | letterpress. Next to the dial, there are three indicator lamps, of | ||
| CF | which the first and second are lit. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is also a box of ticker-tape reels beside the machine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tape" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TAPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You could take a reel if you wanted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take reel" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE REEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You fish out a reel of ticker tape. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x letterpress" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LETTERPRESS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A grid of metal punches, each cast in the shape of a letter or number. | ||
| CF | They are mounted on a crankshaft that allows them to rapidly piston up | ||
| CF | and down. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Let's read all of Arturus'...stock trades? That's what a ticker is for, right?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x stationery" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STATIONERY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pen and inkpot have been set out, as though Doctor Arturus had been | ||
| CF | midway through writing something. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Something, something, stocks. That's my main association with tickers." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x drawer" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DRAWER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x cabinet" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CABINET | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Silver-inlaid casework. The cabinet is currently closed. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "open it" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OPEN IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You open the storage cabinet, revealing a stack of leatherbound files. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Or telegrams - *STOP* Developed neat disease *STOP* Want to try? *STOP*" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "look up sal in files" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK UP SAL IN FILES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Upon closer examination, they appear to be patient records. The three | ||
| CF | most recently updated files are labeled 'Nacarat,' 'Salio,' and | ||
| CF | 'Piper.' | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x nacarat" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X NACARAT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The patient record for Creditor Nacarat. It states that he developed | ||
| CF | nausea and vomiting during an afternoon visit on the Third of Aquaria, | ||
| CF | and was immediately admitted -- but the handwriting is rushed, and the | ||
| CF | rest of the file is blank. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x salio" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SALIO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The patient record for Sal. It states that he was admitted together | ||
| CF | with Piper on the morning of the Third of Aquaria, complaining of | ||
| CF | migraines, nausea, and vomiting. Doctor Arturus initially diagnosed | ||
| CF | food poisoning, but the diagnosis has been scratched out. The rest of | ||
| CF | the file is blank. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x piper" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIPER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The patient record for Piper. It states that she was admitted together | ||
| CF | with Sal on the morning of the Third of Aquaria, exhibiting the same | ||
| CF | symptoms as him. The rest of the file is blank apart from a cryptic | ||
| CF | note that reads "cellar in f.h. shanty quarter." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's frustrating. All of these files look like they were written in a | ||
| CF | hurry and left unfinished. Why didn't Doctor Arturus leave more | ||
| CF | information for you to work with? | MoyTravis says, "Well he died Marid." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "It's true, Marid." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | information for you to work with?You suppose you'll have to follow up | ||
| CF | on that cryptic note in the 'Piper' file. It's the only lead you've | ||
| CF | found here. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Fifth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I've made my choice. I have a job to do -- and I'm going to finish it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Investigate the victims of the disease and identify the transmission | ||
| CF | vector | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden | ||
| CF | - Go to Riggertown and ask Zoiro about his brother's activities | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | - Continue investigating Doctor Arturus's domicile, in the Turris | ||
| CF | Infinita | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Sal and Piper | ||
| CF | - Investigate the note in the 'Piper' file about the Shanty Quarter | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The disease | ||
| CF | - I learned that the disease is unlikely to be airborne. | ||
| CF | - I learned that the disease can be transmitted by ingestion. | ||
| CF | - I learned that the disease is bloodborne and attacks the animus, or | ||
| CF | the soul. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden | ||
| CF | - I remember that Reden died on the night of the Third, two days ago. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | - I found a coffee table set for three in Doctor Arturus's home. The | ||
| CF | table had not been tidied up, but the third wineglass was missing. | ||
| CF | - I found that Doctor Arturus rushed through his patient record files | ||
| CF | for some reason, leaving them unfinished. | ||
| CF | - I found that the gloves on Doctor Arturus's body were brand new. He | ||
| CF | couldn't have been infected through his hands if he had been wearing | ||
| CF | them. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Doctor Arturus died sometime between last night, on | ||
| CF | the Fourth, and this morning, on the Fifth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was killed by something he ingested. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was connected to the Trading | ||
| CF | Company. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat could have hired Sal and Piper | ||
| CF | recently. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was taking tea with Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | when his symptoms emerged, and he broke a piece of tableware as a | ||
| CF | result. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was admitted to the clinic on the | ||
| CF | afternoon of the Third, two days ago. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat died on the night of that day. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Sal and Piper | ||
| CF | - I learned that Sal and Piper were connected to the Trading Company. | ||
| CF | - I found a list of names that suggested Piper had been collecting | ||
| CF | debts. The reverse side of the paper had been intentionally blanked | ||
| CF | out. | ||
| CF | - I found a battered keyring on Sal's belt. | ||
| CF | - I found a note in Piper's patient record that read "cellar in f.h. | ||
| CF | shanty quarter." | ||
| CF | - I learned that Piper was killed by something she ingested. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Sal and Piper were admitted to the clinic on the | ||
| CF | morning of the Third, two days ago. | ||
| CF | - I learned that both Sal and Piper died on the night of that day. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Miscellaneous | ||
| CF | - I learned that the raven is the symbol of the Greater Corindia | ||
| CF | Trading Company, a criminal syndicate. | ||
| CF | - I'm in the mood for a drink... | ||
| CF | - I hope Doctor Cavala and Horatio will be all right at the clinic... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | MoyTravis says, "Every game should have a journal. Though I bet it's a lot of extra work for the author." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Study | ||
| CF | A chamber decked with aging bookcases and dusty plaques. The frieze | ||
| CF | that circles the walls is engraved with scenes from antiquity, lines | ||
| CF | in the lingua libria; by the exit to the south, a clock ticks | ||
| CF | the minutes and seconds away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rosewood desk stands in the heart of the room. Beside it, there is a | ||
| CF | storage cabinet. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu nods. | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "look under desk" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK UNDER DESK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Nothing is under the desk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bookcases" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BOOKCASES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus has a small collection of antique medical texts. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x texts" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TEXTS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Mostly outdated, but they have historical value. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first closing the storage cabinet) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Domicile | ||
| CF | This suspended mansion echoes with a grandiose hollowness. There is no | ||
| CF | comfort to be found in these faux hearths and chaises longues, these | ||
| CF | mantelpieces burdened by decades of history. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A study lies to the north. The hydraulic lift leads back down to the | ||
| CF | foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | By the frosted-glass windows, a coffee table has been set for three. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I'm not sure what to do next." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Turris Infinita Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The lift bears you downward. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Turris Infinita | ||
| CF | The atmosphere within the tower is utterly still. The lights that | ||
| CF | normally circle the mirrors have been dimmed, and the chandeliers | ||
| CF | overhead brood like thunderclouds. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A hydraulic lift provides access to Doctor Arturus's upstairs | ||
| CF | domicile. Doctor Arturus's clinic is east, and the exit is to the | ||
| CF | west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The porter is silent at her desk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to porter" | ||
| CF ] Turris Infinita Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO PORTER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Excuse me --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She doesn't acknowledge your presence. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Read the ticker?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A chill washes over you as you step through the arch. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Clinic | ||
| CF | This upscale clinic exudes a muted elegance. Chrome fixtures are lit | ||
| CF | by surgically placed spotlights and underscored by dizzyingly | ||
| CF | intricate sigil-work. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An arch to the west leads back to the Turris Infinita foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Examiner Velox and his investigators are huddled around the bodies of | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus, Creditor Nacarat, Sal, and Piper. Beside them, | ||
| CF | Justinian sits at a coffee table, brooding. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x ticker" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TICKER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A thin paper strip. You took it from the box beside the correspondence | ||
| CF | machine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Or...like...what even is a ticker." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "read it" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > READ IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A thin paper strip. You took it from the box beside the correspondence | ||
| CF | machine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to justinian" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO JUSTINIAN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian brightens up as you approach him. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid," he says. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Can you tell me again about how you discovered the body?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What are your thoughts on the disease again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "A wineglass was missing from Doctor Arturus's | ||
| CF | domicile..." | ||
| CF | 4) "Nothing, never mind!" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Wait, what machine? Did I miss that?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "A wineglass was missing from Doctor Arturus's domicile. Do you have | ||
| CF | any idea why?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian regards you curiously. "I believe a guest broke one of the | ||
| CF | glasses. Do you... do you think it was relevant to Doctor Arturus's | ||
| CF | death?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can already feel yourself reddening. "Never mind," you say. | ||
| CF | "Forget I asked." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Can you tell me again about how you discovered the body?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What are your thoughts on the disease again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Oh it has a dial, I don't think we, like...used it." | |
| DavidW asks, "We didn't use the machine. Unless we have a message to send or receive,... ?" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please choose a response from the list by typing the corresponding | ||
| CF | number. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Can you tell me again about how you discovered the body?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What are your thoughts on the disease again?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "I mean, he might have had one." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Clinic Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'll keep investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He nods. "Be careful, Marid." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You scurry away before you start blushing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Turris Infinita Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A chill washes over you as you step through the arch. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Turris Infinita | ||
| CF | The atmosphere within the tower is utterly still. The lights that | ||
| CF | normally circle the mirrors have been dimmed, and the chandeliers | ||
| CF | overhead brood like thunderclouds. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A hydraulic lift provides access to Doctor Arturus's upstairs | ||
| CF | domicile. Doctor Arturus's clinic is east, and the exit is to the | ||
| CF | west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The porter is silent at her desk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The lift bears you upward. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Domicile | ||
| CF | This suspended mansion echoes with a grandiose hollowness. There is no | ||
| CF | comfort to be found in these faux hearths and chaises longues, these | ||
| CF | mantelpieces burdened by decades of history. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A study lies to the north. The hydraulic lift leads back down to the | ||
| CF | foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | By the frosted-glass windows, a coffee table has been set for three. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Study | ||
| CF | A chamber decked with aging bookcases and dusty plaques. The frieze | ||
| CF | that circles the walls is engraved with scenes from antiquity, lines | ||
| CF | in the lingua libria; by the exit to the south, a clock ticks | ||
| CF | the minutes and seconds away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rosewood desk stands in the heart of the room. Beside it, there is a | ||
| CF | storage cabinet. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Like "EY YOU DOCTOR YOUR LATE FOR YOUR RAVENS MEETING IN <specific location>"" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x machine" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MACHINE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A complex alchemical-mechanical device. It purports to receive and | ||
| CF | transmit messages through the aether without the need for magical | ||
| CF | training. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The machine consists of a dial, a keyboard, a feed wheel, and a | ||
| CF | letterpress. Next to the dial, there are three indicator lamps, of | ||
| CF | which the first and second are lit. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is also a box of ticker-tape reels beside the machine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "I mean, we can try to see whether the good old doc had something on his answering machine." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x lamps" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LAMPS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Each of the lamps seems to be associated with one of the channels on | ||
| CF | the dial. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Currently, the first and second indicator lamps are lit. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x dial" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DIAL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It looks as though this machine operates on one of three predefined | ||
| CF | frequencies. You could set the dial to channel 1, 2, or 3. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The dial is currently set to channel 3. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put tape in machine" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT TAPE IN MACHINE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the ticker-tape reel in the correspondence machine) | ||
| CF | You'll have to specify which part of the correspondence machine you | ||
| CF | mean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put tape in feed wheel" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT TAPE IN FEED WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the ticker-tape reel in the feed wheel) | ||
| CF | You thread the ticker tape into the feed wheel, which it fits | ||
| CF | perfectly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "turn dial to 1" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN DIAL TO 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You set the dial to channel 1. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x letterpress" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LETTERPRESS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A grid of metal punches, each cast in the shape of a letter or number. | ||
| CF | They are mounted on a crankshaft that allows them to rapidly piston up | ||
| CF | and down. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "turn crankshaft" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN CRANKSHAFT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You'd better not. You might break the mechanism. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "x keyboard?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x keyboard" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X KEYBOARD | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It looks like a grand piano with letters and numbers printed on the | ||
| CF | keys. Unfortunately, only the playback key at the end of the keyboard | ||
| CF | appears to be functional. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Well that's very convenient." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "push playback key" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PLAYBACK KEY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The first lamp starts blinking and the feed wheel begins to spin. The | ||
| CF | ticker tape is rapidly run through the letterpress, which punches out | ||
| CF | the following message: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | RAVEN REMINDS TO SETTLE DEBT SOON | Knight_Otu says, "RAVEN ALSO NOT SUBTLE." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | RAVEN REMINDS TO SETTLE DEBT SOONDebt? Was Doctor Arturus in debt? And | ||
| CF | the raven -- does that mean the Greater Corindia Trading Company was | ||
| CF | involved, too? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "turn dial to 2" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN DIAL TO 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You set the dial to channel 2. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Only thing is missing is a place and time haha." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "push playback" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PLAYBACK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The second lamp starts blinking and the feed wheel begins to spin. The | ||
| CF | ticker tape is rapidly run through the letterpress, which punches out | ||
| CF | the following message: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ENCOUNTERED FATAL UNKNOWN DISEASE SYMPTOMS BLACK BLOOD RESPIRATORY | ||
| CF | ATTACKS COME DOWN ASAP RGDS CAVALA | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "The message our boss sent." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tape" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TAPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the ticker-tape reel) | ||
| CF | A thin paper strip. You took it from the box beside the correspondence | ||
| CF | machine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take tape" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE TAPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the ticker-tape reel) | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Mrmyep. How about 3?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "undo" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > UNDO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Study | ||
| CF | [Previous turn undone.] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "turn dial to 3" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN DIAL TO 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You set the dial to channel 3. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "push playback" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PLAYBACK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The third lamp starts blinking and the feed wheel begins to spin. The | ||
| CF | ticker tape is rapidly run through the letterpress. But it emerges | ||
| CF | blank on the other side, and the machine eventually stops and spins | ||
| CF | back the unpunched ticker tape. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "Since there was no light on 3, I guess there's no message?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Oh. Yeah seems so." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Only three messages! Ain't many." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "His inbox probably gets full real fast. Or got." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Depends on how many people have this fancy device and his number." | ||
| DavidW asks, "I suppose we should try to find Zoiro next?" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first ) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Domicile | ||
| CF | This suspended mansion echoes with a grandiose hollowness. There is no | ||
| CF | comfort to be found in these faux hearths and chaises longues, these | ||
| CF | mantelpieces burdened by decades of history. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A study lies to the north. The hydraulic lift leads back down to the | ||
| CF | foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | By the frosted-glass windows, a coffee table has been set for three. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Study | ||
| CF | A chamber decked with aging bookcases and dusty plaques. The frieze | ||
| CF | that circles the walls is engraved with scenes from antiquity, lines | ||
| CF | in the lingua libria; by the exit to the south, a clock ticks | ||
| CF | the minutes and seconds away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rosewood desk stands in the heart of the room. Beside it, there is a | ||
| CF | storage cabinet. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take tape" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE TAPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the ticker-tape reel) | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Study Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The exit is to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Arturus's Domicile Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first ) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Arturus's Domicile | ||
| CF | This suspended mansion echoes with a grandiose hollowness. There is no | ||
| CF | comfort to be found in these faux hearths and chaises longues, these | ||
| CF | mantelpieces burdened by decades of history. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A study lies to the north. The hydraulic lift leads back down to the | ||
| CF | foyer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | By the frosted-glass windows, a coffee table has been set for three. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Turris Infinita Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The lift bears you downward. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Turris Infinita | ||
| CF | The atmosphere within the tower is utterly still. The lights that | ||
| CF | normally circle the mirrors have been dimmed, and the chandeliers | ||
| CF | overhead brood like thunderclouds. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A hydraulic lift provides access to Doctor Arturus's upstairs | ||
| CF | domicile. Doctor Arturus's clinic is east, and the exit is to the | ||
| CF | west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The porter is silent at her desk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the ornate double doors) | ||
| CF | (closing the doors behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Junction | ||
| CF | Traffic revolves every which way around this old-fashioned rotunda, | ||
| CF | tracing the ancient alchemical lines inscribed on the stonework. An | ||
| CF | armillary sphere rotates in the center of the junction and guides | ||
| CF | carriages according to its lights. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Via Terminalis runs northwest to the bridge and southeast to | ||
| CF | Miller's Gate. A colonnade to the north marks the entrance of the | ||
| CF | Channelworks. To the east lies the Turris Infinita, and to the south | ||
| CF | can be seen the grand forum. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Above the Turris Infinita, a black banner casts its trailing shadow | ||
| CF | across the sky. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "nw" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Bridge Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > NW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Bridge | ||
| CF | Here the voices and bustle wash over the arches and cobblestones. Mist | ||
| CF | rises from the Bilious Canal below, tarnishing the wayside statues | ||
| CF | green and gray, and fading into the fog and the overcast sky. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Via Terminalis stretches away to the northwest and southeast, | ||
| CF | while a clandestine stairway descends to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Unless Justinian or the examiner have more to say. I kind of doubt it at this point though." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "nw" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > NW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West Street | ||
| CF | You are adrift in the bustle of crowds and carriages, a raucous river | ||
| CF | that runs through the blood-vessel streets. Signage advertises a | ||
| CF | profusion of shops and services amid the sounds of leather rollers and | ||
| CF | stitching machines. In the distant mist, the Bilious Canal spills from | ||
| CF | the Channelworks into the heart of the city. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the Via to the west, or to the southeast where it | ||
| CF | bridges the canal. A condemned block is visible to the north. A | ||
| CF | hanging banner obscures an alley to the southwest, while a footpath | ||
| CF | follows the canal to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Following the Canal Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Following the Canal | ||
| CF | Glittering waters roar alongside the footpath, running from north to | ||
| CF | south in an ever-restless torrent. North lies the Via Terminalis, and | ||
| CF | beyond it the mouth of the Channelworks; to the south, the path | ||
| CF | descends by steps and turns, ending in the algae and grime of Upper | ||
| CF | Riggertown. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A closed manhole is recessed into the footpath. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "hmm. Manhole in our future." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Upper Level Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Upper Level | ||
| CF | This is the more industrial part of Riggertown. The buildings here are | ||
| CF | scrap-heap spires that twist and turn around each other, with | ||
| CF | cubby-carts trundling along cables strung between them. Amidst horns | ||
| CF | honking advertisements, there is a great mess of little people | ||
| CF | shuffling about, and roads winding in ways wholly inexplicable to your | ||
| CF | human sensibilities. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the south looms the Riggertown Mechanistry, while a quieter road | ||
| CF | leads southwest to the suburbs. You could also descend a series of | ||
| CF | ladders to Lower Riggertown, or take a footpath north along the | ||
| CF | Bilious Canal. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You hear a mourning chant from some distant cathedral. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Upper Level Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can go south to the Riggertown Mechanistry, southwest to Layabout | ||
| CF | Row, down to Lower Riggertown, or north following the canal. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "I hope we don't have to find fish fat to grease it." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "sw" | ||
| CF ] VII Layabout Row Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | VII Layabout Row | ||
| CF | This rustic little house is one of many that squat here and there | ||
| CF | along the lane. A pair of scrap-metal sculptures flank the steps to | ||
| CF | the front door. Beside it is a tarnished old pull-bell, dangling from | ||
| CF | a rope that has seen better days. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can enter the front door of the house to the west, or return along | ||
| CF | the walkway to the northeast. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sculptures" | ||
| CF ] VII Layabout Row Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SCULPTURES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Twin dragons. One is painted blue, the other green. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "pull rope" | ||
| CF ] VII Layabout Row Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL ROPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bell clatters noisily. "Come in!" you hear Zoiro call. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the front door) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro's House | ||
| CF | The shutters have been drawn in this tiny cottage, cloaking its | ||
| CF | confines in somber shades. In the shadows glimmer vases, knick-knacks, | ||
| CF | and wishing-eyes; the furniture is small and faintly unreal. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The front door squats to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro is here, looking quite unlike the last time you saw him at the | ||
| CF | Riggertown Mechanistry. He is dressed in a deep black cassock and | ||
| CF | lighting beeswax candles around the sitting room. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x zoiro" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ZOIRO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An air of solemnity surrounds him. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x candles" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CANDLES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | They glow with eerie light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x knick-knacks" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X KNICK-KNACKS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Bric-a-brac, whim-whams, folderol... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to zoiro" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO ZOIRO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Zoiro," you say. "Hello." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The goblin pauses mid-motion. He inclines his head respectfully. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hello," he says. "Marid." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Hello," he says. "Marid."He turns around, shuffling his feet on the | ||
| CF | floor. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | floor."Sorry about the mess. I wasn't expecting a visit so early." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "It's okay." | ||
| CF | 2) "I didn't mean to interrupt." | ||
| CF | 3) "What are you doing?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I wanted to ask you some things about Reden..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I didn't mean to interrupt." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Don't worry about it," he replies. "It's nothing all that urgent. | ||
| CF | What's on your mind?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What are you doing?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I wanted to ask you some things about Reden..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I wanted to ask you some things about Reden," you say. "We're looking | ||
| CF | into the transmission vector of the disease, trying to find out how he | ||
| CF | could have contracted it. If you could tell us about the places he'd | ||
| CF | been, or the things he'd been doing..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro's shoulders slump. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yeah," he says. "Reden." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Yeah," he says. "Reden."He shuffles over to an armchair and sits with | ||
| CF | a sigh. He fidgets with the tinderbox in his hands. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | a sigh. He fidgets with the tinderbox in his hands."I suppose I can | ||
| CF | help. I don't know how much use I'll be, though... practically cut off | ||
| CF | contact with him before he died." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You weren't close to him?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you know anything about the places he frequented?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You weren't close to him?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "No." Zoiro closes his eyes. "Primes, no. He was a dead weight, always | ||
| CF | cadging, borrowing money." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He turns over the box in his hands. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I hated him. When he walked out the door and never came back, well... | ||
| CF | I can't say I was sorry to see him go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know anything about the places he frequented?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Reden was unemployed?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Reden left and didn't come back?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Reden was unemployed?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro nods. "He was a janitor at the Channelworks, let go for | ||
| CF | drunkenness and unprofessional conduct. He was unrepentant -- no | ||
| CF | company would have him." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know anything about the places he frequented?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Reden left and didn't come back?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Could you tell me more about what he did at the | ||
| CF | Channelworks?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Reden left and didn't come back?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro gazes at the door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yeah," he says. "He just... left. He did it so quietly, I almost | ||
| CF | didn't realize he was gone. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I guess he realized this place wasn't his home any more." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know anything about the places he frequented?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Could you tell me more about what he did at the | ||
| CF | Channelworks?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Do you know where he could have gone after he left?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Could you tell me more about what he did at the Channelworks?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro shrugs. "I've never been there myself," he says. "Reden wasn't | ||
| CF | one for talking about his work. It wasn't anything important... he was | ||
| CF | just a janitor, some kind of canal scrubber or something. I remember | ||
| CF | he always came back smelling like a wet rag..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It occurs to you that there was a dampness about Reden on the night he | ||
| CF | died. It didn't register to you at the time, but... it wasn't raining | ||
| CF | that day, was it? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know anything about the places he frequented?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Do you know where he could have gone after he left?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you know where he could have gone after he left?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro rubs his chin. "Actually... I did see him once or twice after he | ||
| CF | left. Or someone who looked a great deal like him. It was around the | ||
| CF | shacks in Lower Riggertown..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you think he might have found someplace to stay?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro shrugs. "It couldn't hurt to take a look." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know anything about the places he frequented?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you know anything about the places he frequented?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro shakes his head. "No... not really, no. He was hardly around the | ||
| CF | house... he'd go out in the morning and come back late, smelling of | ||
| CF | shitty booze. Some days he was like someone I didn't know. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I never asked him where he was going. Don't think I cared. When he | ||
| CF | left... I don't know what happened to him afterward." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Reden was a compulsive drinker?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Reden was a compulsive drinker?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The biggest dipsomaniac I ever saw." Zoiro smiles grimly. "He'd go | ||
| CF | through cheap wine by the bottle. He didn't care what was in the | ||
| CF | stuff, or who sold it to him, as long as it got him buzzed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Could there have been a public house he especially | ||
| CF | frequented?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Could there have been a public house he especially frequented?" you | ||
| CF | ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro frowns, and his ears stiffen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "There could have," he says, "now that you mention it. Something about | ||
| CF | a bird's nest... they sell the cheapest booze in the district, or so | ||
| CF | Reden used to say. I can't quite remember the name, though." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | 2) "That's all the questions I have regarding Reden..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Talking to Zoiro | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you know anyone else that Reden associated with?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A shake of the head. "The only thing he associated with was alcohol. | ||
| CF | He never talked about his friends... never talked about his work. When | ||
| CF | he got fired, I wouldn't be surprised if no one even batted an eye. He | ||
| CF | was that kind of person." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "That's all the questions I have regarding Reden..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "That's all the questions I have regarding Reden," you say. "You've | ||
| CF | been a great help." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro nods. "If I can help you with anything else, let me know." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I will." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "I will."As Zoiro returns to his work, you step back and mull over | ||
| CF | what he's told you. Reden's connection to the Channelworks... a public | ||
| CF | house involving a 'bird's nest'... Reden's shack in Lower Riggertown. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | house involving a 'bird's nest'... Reden's shack in Lower | ||
| CF | Riggertown.Does it mean anything? How much of it is relevant? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Riggertown.Does it mean anything? How much of it is relevant?You | ||
| CF | suppose you'll just have to keep investigating. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Zoiro's House Day Two | ||
| CF | suppose you'll just have to keep investigating.## Zoiro's House | ||
| CF | The shutters have been drawn in this tiny cottage, cloaking its | ||
| CF | confines in somber shades. In the shadows glimmer vases, knick-knacks, | ||
| CF | and wishing-eyes; the furniture is small and faintly unreal. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The front door squats to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Zoiro is here, lighting beeswax candles and arranging obsidian beads. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Leave and investigate Lower Riggertown?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] VII Layabout Row Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the front door) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | VII Layabout Row | ||
| CF | This rustic little house is one of many that squat here and there | ||
| CF | along the lane. A pair of scrap-metal sculptures flank the steps to | ||
| CF | the front door. Beside it is a tarnished old pull-bell, dangling from | ||
| CF | a rope that has seen better days. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can enter the front door of the house to the west, or return along | ||
| CF | the walkway to the northeast. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | For a moment, you smell smoke on the wind. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "ne" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Upper Level Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > NE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Upper Level | ||
| CF | This is the more industrial part of Riggertown. The buildings here are | ||
| CF | scrap-heap spires that twist and turn around each other, with | ||
| CF | cubby-carts trundling along cables strung between them. Amidst horns | ||
| CF | honking advertisements, there is a great mess of little people | ||
| CF | shuffling about, and roads winding in ways wholly inexplicable to your | ||
| CF | human sensibilities. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the south looms the Riggertown Mechanistry, while a quieter road | ||
| CF | leads southwest to the suburbs. You could also descend a series of | ||
| CF | ladders to Lower Riggertown, or take a footpath north along the | ||
| CF | Bilious Canal. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Lower Level | ||
| CF | This peculiarly goblin neighborhood bristles with mechanical-chymical | ||
| CF | detritus. There are twisty catwalks made for childlike feet, and | ||
| CF | sheet-metal shacks you must stoop to enter. Here and there in the | ||
| CF | shadow of the upper landing, neon lamps glow and windchimes tinkle | ||
| CF | like laughter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can climb a ladder up to the next level, wander among the shacks | ||
| CF | to the west, or cross the canal east by way of Cadaver Walk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | One shack among the others catches your attention. You enter | ||
| CF | cautiously... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden's Shack | ||
| CF | This tiny hovel is visibly shabbier than the rest. The roof is | ||
| CF | uncomfortably low, and the space just a little too cramped to stand | ||
| CF | in. A pile of bedding dominates the only room, draped in dirty | ||
| CF | clothing and empty wine bottles. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The only exit is to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You notice some paper tickets scattered among the wine bottles. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bottles" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BOTTLES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The labels denote shoddy liquor, third-pressed or fourth-pressed. It's | ||
| CF | charitable to call it wine at all. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tickets" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TICKETS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Upon closer examination, they appear to be coupons from an | ||
| CF | establishment called the "Crow's Nest," located in the rooftops of the | ||
| CF | Shanty Quarter. Five coupons entitle the holder to a free drink and a | ||
| CF | spin of the "Daemon's Wheel." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take tickets" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE TICKETS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bedding" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BEDDING | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's messy and unmade. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "search it" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You poke through the bedding, but find nothing except more bedding. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x clothing" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CLOTHING | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The clothing is crumpled and dirty, but otherwise unmarked. They smell | ||
| CF | like their owner has been wading around in canal-water. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "search it" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You find nothing in the clothing, or the bedding. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Fifth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I've made my choice. I have a job to do -- and I'm going to finish it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Investigate the victims of the disease and identify the transmission | ||
| CF | vector | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden | ||
| CF | - Go to the Shanty Quarter and investigate the Crow's Nest pub | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Sal and Piper | ||
| CF | - Investigate the note in the 'Piper' file about the Shanty Quarter | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Miscellaneous | ||
| CF | - Find a way to convince the bouncer to let you into the Crow's Nest | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The disease | ||
| CF | - I learned that the disease is unlikely to be airborne. | ||
| CF | - I learned that the disease can be transmitted by ingestion. | ||
| CF | - I learned that the disease is bloodborne and attacks the animus, or | ||
| CF | the soul. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden | ||
| CF | - I learned that Reden was once a Channelworks worker, and it reminded | ||
| CF | me that his clothes were unusually wet when he stumbled into Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala's clinic. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Reden frequented a rooftop pub in the Shanty Quarter | ||
| CF | called the Crow's Nest. | ||
| CF | - I remember that Reden died on the night of the Third, two days ago. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | - I learned that Doctor Arturus was in debt, and the Trading Company | ||
| CF | was involved. | ||
| CF | - I found a coffee table set for three in Doctor Arturus's home. | ||
| CF | According to Justinian, one of the wineglasses had been broken by a | ||
| CF | guest. | ||
| CF | - I found that Doctor Arturus rushed through his patient record files | ||
| CF | for some reason, leaving them unfinished. | ||
| CF | - I found that the gloves on Doctor Arturus's body were brand new. He | ||
| CF | couldn't have been infected through his hands if he had been wearing | ||
| CF | them. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Doctor Arturus died sometime between last night, on | ||
| CF | the Fourth, and this morning, on the Fifth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was killed by something he ingested. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was connected to the Trading | ||
| CF | Company. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat could have hired Sal and Piper | ||
| CF | recently. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was taking tea with Doctor Arturus | ||
| CF | when his symptoms emerged, and he broke a piece of tableware as a | ||
| CF | result. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat was admitted to the clinic on the | ||
| CF | afternoon of the Third, two days ago. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Creditor Nacarat died on the night of that day. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Sal and Piper | ||
| CF | - I learned that Sal and Piper were connected to the Trading Company. | ||
| CF | - I found a list of names that suggested Piper had been collecting | ||
| CF | debts. The reverse side of the paper had been intentionally blanked | ||
| CF | out. | ||
| CF | - I found a battered keyring on Sal's belt. | ||
| CF | - I found a note in Piper's patient record that read "cellar in f.h. | ||
| CF | shanty quarter." | ||
| CF | - I learned that Piper was killed by something she ingested. | ||
| CF | - I learned that Sal and Piper were admitted to the clinic on the | ||
| CF | morning of the Third, two days ago. | ||
| CF | - I learned that both Sal and Piper died on the night of that day. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Miscellaneous | ||
| CF | - I learned that the raven is the symbol of the Greater Corindia | ||
| CF | Trading Company, a criminal syndicate. | ||
| CF | - I'm in the mood for a drink... | ||
| CF | - I hope Doctor Cavala and Horatio will be all right at the clinic... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden's Shack | ||
| CF | This tiny hovel is visibly shabbier than the rest. The roof is | ||
| CF | uncomfortably low, and the space just a little too cramped to stand | ||
| CF | in. A pile of bedding dominates the only room, draped in dirty | ||
| CF | clothing and empty wine bottles. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The only exit is to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x roof" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Shack Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ROOF | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You don't think whoever lived here got many human visitors. Or many | ||
| CF | visitors, for that matter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Riggertown, Lower Level Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You emerge from the shack... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown, Lower Level | ||
| CF | This peculiarly goblin neighborhood bristles with mechanical-chymical | ||
| CF | detritus. There are twisty catwalks made for childlike feet, and | ||
| CF | sheet-metal shacks you must stoop to enter. Here and there in the | ||
| CF | shadow of the upper landing, neon lamps glow and windchimes tinkle | ||
| CF | like laughter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can climb a ladder up to the next level, visit Reden's shack to | ||
| CF | the west, or cross the canal east by way of Cadaver Walk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "East to Shantytown?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure. Let's hope it goes better than last time." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Cadaver Walk Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Cadaver Walk | ||
| CF | You are on a bridge, if it can be called that: a haphazard assortment | ||
| CF | of ropes, planks, chains, warning signs, layers upon layers bound up | ||
| CF | in incomprehensible knots. Below the lines trail where they have | ||
| CF | snapped and never been repaired, and the Bilious Canal gobbles them up | ||
| CF | as they descend. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Riggertown is to the west, while the Shanty Quarter is to the east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take a deep breath. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day Two | ||
| CF | You take a deep breath.## Shanty Quarter | ||
| CF | A labyrinthine morass of concrete and claustrophobia. You know this | ||
| CF | place better now that you've seen the worst of it -- you know which | ||
| CF | paths to take, which alleys to avoid -- but there is a horror here | ||
| CF | that sinks its teeth into you, and does not let go. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Tangled rope ladders lead up and down. A crumbling flophouse lies to | ||
| CF | the east. Somewhere to the north is the Via Mercurii, and to the west, | ||
| CF | Cadaver Walk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Pfft last time went fiiine. They didn't actually stab us." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Flophouse | ||
| CF | This place was once a beautiful townhouse; now it is a ruin. The walls | ||
| CF | have been stripped of their furnishings, leaving bone-white plaster | ||
| CF | and rotting wood. Vagrants sleep on the stairs or in the corridors, | ||
| CF | curled up in makeshift bedding and soused with laudanum or alcohol. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west is the exit. To the south, a passageway leads to the | ||
| CF | rooms. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | In the reception office, a nightmarish many-armed creature crouches, | ||
| CF | and pores obsessively over an assortment of keys. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x creature" | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CREATURE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There's something deeply unnatural about the way it moves. You have to | ||
| CF | look away before you get a headache. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to creature" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO CREATURE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "E-Excuse me?" you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The creature freezes. It rears up, bringing undulating folds of flesh | ||
| CF | to bear, and it fixes you with seven unblinking eyes. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to bear, and it fixes you with seven unblinking eyes."I am," | ||
| CF | it says. "Landlord." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | it says. "Landlord."A clatter. It has dropped its keys -- it | ||
| CF | rushes forth like an engulfing wave. Its eyes surround you, press | ||
| CF | inward. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Talking to the creature | ||
| CF | inward."You are," it breathes. "You are?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Panic.> | ||
| CF | 2) "Please get away from me." | ||
| CF | 3) "My name is Marid. Servator Marid Orpheia." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "M-My name is Marid," you stutter. "Serva... Servator Marid Orpheia." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hmmmmmm." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The creature lowers itself close. It inspects your neck. A wriggling | ||
| CF | presence touches your hair, your ear. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Talking to the creature | ||
| CF | presence touches your hair, your ear.Then it withdraws, and collects | ||
| CF | its keys from the floor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You are not resident," it says, in a tone that sounds almost | ||
| CF | disappointed. "You are not key-bearer." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "No. I'm not." | ||
| CF | 2) "Who are the residents?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What's a key-bearer?" | ||
| CF | 4) "You operate this establishment?" | ||
| CF | 5) "Actually, I have some keys right here." <Present the battered | ||
| CF | keyring.> | ||
| CF | 6) "Okay... I'll be going now." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Talking to the creature | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What's a key-bearer?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The landlord licks its beak. "Key. Key important. Bearer of key? | ||
| CF | Key-bearer. Owner of room." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who are the residents?" | ||
| CF | 2) "You operate this establishment?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Are you sure I'm not a key-bearer?" <Present the battered | ||
| CF | keyring.> | ||
| CF | 4) "I'll come back later." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Are you sure I'm not a key-bearer?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You hold up the keyring. The landlord rushes up to you, quivering, | ||
| CF | scrutinizing the keys from all directions. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | scrutinizing the keys from all directions.There is an uncomfortably | ||
| CF | long pause. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Talking to the creature | ||
| CF | long pause."Strange," it says at last. "Right key. Wrong | ||
| CF | person." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "The owner of the keyring is dead. I'm investigating his | ||
| CF | death." | ||
| CF | 2) "The keyring was given to me by the previous owner." | ||
| CF | 3) "I have the keyring now. Does it matter who it used to belong | ||
| CF | to?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The owner of the keyring is dead. I'm investigating his death." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The landlord's tentacles coil around your arm, cradling the keyring, | ||
| CF | and you suppress the urge to shudder. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Maybe," it says. "Maybe you lie. Maybe you thief." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Maybe," it says. "Maybe you lie. Maybe you | ||
| CF | thief."It exhales wetly, and recedes. Saliva runs from its beak | ||
| CF | and strikes the floor with a hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Conundrum. Compromise. You have key? Tell which room. Correct, | ||
| CF | you enter. Wrong, you leave. Yes?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Talking to the creature | ||
| CF | you enter. Wrong, you leave. Yes?""Um..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "The key unlocks the first room." | ||
| CF | 2) "The key unlocks the second room." | ||
| CF | 3) "The key unlocks the third room." | ||
| CF | 4) "The key unlocks the fourth room -- the cellar." | ||
| CF | 5) "That seems like an overly arbitrary way to decide." | ||
| CF | 6) "I don't know which room this unlocks." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "4" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 4 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The key unlocks the fourth room -- the cellar." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The landlord regards you wordlessly, and your lips feel suddenly dry. | ||
| CF | You're no longer quite so sure about your guess -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You're no longer quite so sure about your guess --"You see." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You're no longer quite so sure about your guess --"You see."A | ||
| CF | crescent opens up in the landlord's body, a ring of grinning white | ||
| CF | teeth. "You see. You know." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | teeth. "You see. You know."Then it says a word that doesn't | ||
| CF | -- doesn't quite register in your mind. Your head feels fuzzy | ||
| CF | for a second, and you -- you blink -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | for a second, and you -- you blink ---- Where did that | ||
| CF | trapdoor come from? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | trapdoor come from?There's a trapdoor to the south where there was | ||
| CF | carpet just moments ago. It's cut into the floor, with a half-eaten | ||
| CF | ladder descending into darkness. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ladder descending into darkness.And the landlord... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Day Two | ||
| CF | ladder descending into darkness.And the landlord...The landlord is | ||
| CF | gone. There's no one there. The office is empty. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Brrr." | |
| DavidW says, "yeah, that was very unsettling." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Look if I were living in dangerous slums having an eldrich horror as a landlord seems really quite sensible." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Nobody will ever rob you." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the trapdoor to the cellar) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Cellar | ||
| CF | A dimly lit mouse-hole of a hollow that has been bricked off from | ||
| CF | prying eyes. A pair of mattresses lie near the entrance, where Sal and | ||
| CF | Piper must have slept. Further in, a guttering candle on the only | ||
| CF | table illuminates bladed weapons, counterfeit bills, and other | ||
| CF | contraband. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A trapdoor ascends out of the cellar. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You notice a wine bottle on the table that seems particularly out of | ||
| CF | place. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bottle" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BOTTLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bottle is still half-full; the label suggests an expensive claret. | ||
| CF | But the odor surrounding the mouth of the bottle is not quite the odor | ||
| CF | of wine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Next to the wine bottle, you spy a stained ribbon and a handwritten | ||
| CF | note. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x ribbon" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X RIBBON | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A sigiled natron ribbon of the kind used in gift-wrapping. It is | ||
| CF | stained black on blood-red. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x stain" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STAIN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have a feeling that they aren't inkstains. And they definitely | ||
| CF | aren't wine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x note" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X NOTE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the gift note) | ||
| CF | A gift note written on plain stationery. It reads: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Congratulations to both of you on a job well done. Here is a gift | ||
| CF | to our continued partnership. Let's keep it a secret between us, shall | ||
| CF | we? | ||
| CF | A. Z. B. N. Creditor Nacarat | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | A. Z. B. N. Creditor Nacarat'A. Z. B. N.'? That's an | ||
| CF | old-fashioned way to end a letter. You thought the instructors at the | ||
| CF | Physicians' College were the only ones who still wrote that. | Knight_Otu says, "New plan - never drink any wine ever again." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Physicians' College were the only ones who still wrote that.More | ||
| CF | importantly, this is proof that Creditor Nacarat had been working with | ||
| CF | Sal and Piper. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Sal and Piper.Or is it? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | Sal and Piper.Or is it?There's something off here that you can't quite | ||
| CF | put your finger on. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x candle" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CANDLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A slow-burning phlogiston candle. It looks as though it was lit some | ||
| CF | days ago, then forgotten. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take it" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You don't want to. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Cellar | ||
| CF | A dimly lit mouse-hole of a hollow that has been bricked off from | ||
| CF | prying eyes. A pair of mattresses lie near the entrance, where Sal and | ||
| CF | Piper must have slept. Further in, a guttering candle on the only | ||
| CF | table illuminates bladed weapons, counterfeit bills, and other | ||
| CF | contraband. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A trapdoor ascends out of the cellar. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | On the table is a wine bottle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x table" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TABLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There are many shapes that glisten in the candlelight, but that wine | ||
| CF | bottle seems the strangest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x mattresses" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MATTRESSES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | One is big; the other, small. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "search them" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH THEM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You find nothing of interest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "search mattresses" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH MATTRESSES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You find nothing of interest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x weapons" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WEAPONS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Knives, mostly, of various sizes and shapes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x money" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MONEY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You don't carry much money with you. Just enough to buy food and other | ||
| CF | necessities. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bottle" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BOTTLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bottle is still half-full; the label suggests an expensive claret. | ||
| CF | But the odor surrounding the mouth of the bottle is not quite the odor | ||
| CF | of wine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Next to the wine bottle, you spy a stained ribbon and a handwritten | ||
| CF | note. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "smell bottle" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SMELL BOTTLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | At first it smells like red wine, light and fruity. But there is the | ||
| CF | barest coppery undertone to it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x note" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X NOTE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the gift note) | ||
| CF | A gift note written on plain stationery. It reads: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Congratulations to both of you on a job well done. Here is a gift | ||
| CF | to our continued partnership. Let's keep it a secret between us, shall | ||
| CF | we? | ||
| CF | A. Z. B. N. Creditor Nacarat | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "Are we missing something here? This seems a dead end." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take bottle" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE BOTTLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's uncorked, and you might spill it while moving around. Best to | ||
| CF | just leave it where it is. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Uuuuh. Let's see. We learned that they are related to the creditor." | |
| DavidW says, "I'm wondering if someone pretending to be Nacarat sent the wine bottle." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess we found what we needed to find here. We probably should investigate the Crow's Nest next." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "x contraband?" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x contraband" | ||
| CF ] Cellar Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CONTRABAND | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Knives, mostly, of various sizes and shapes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says (to David), "Yeah, that seems the implication." | |
| DavidW asks, "Any chance it's auburn-haired Justinian is the big bad?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "50-50 at this point?" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Flophouse | ||
| CF | This place was once a beautiful townhouse; now it is a ruin. The walls | ||
| CF | have been stripped of their furnishings, leaving bone-white plaster | ||
| CF | and rotting wood. Vagrants sleep on the stairs or in the corridors, | ||
| CF | curled up in makeshift bedding and soused with laudanum or alcohol. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west is the exit. To the south, a trapdoor descends to the | ||
| CF | cellar. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "close trapdoor" | ||
| CF ] Flophouse Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CLOSE TRAPDOOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You close the trapdoor to the cellar. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Oh, 'cuz of the AZBN?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "...huuuuh I missed that. But yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't know what the AZBN means. But that business with the missing wineglass is odd." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Like, who would be drinking with Dr A and Nacarat but Dr J?" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Marid says "'A. Z. B. N.'? That's an old-fashioned way to end a letter. You thought the instructors at the Physicians' College were the only ones who still wrote that."" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Oh yeah that seems pretty telegraphed, all together." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Shanty Quarter | ||
| CF | A labyrinthine morass of concrete and claustrophobia. You know this | ||
| CF | place better now that you've seen the worst of it -- you know which | ||
| CF | paths to take, which alleys to avoid -- but there is a horror here | ||
| CF | that sinks its teeth into you, and does not let go. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Tangled rope ladders lead up and down. A crumbling flophouse lies to | ||
| CF | the east. Somewhere to the north is the Via Mercurii, and to the west, | ||
| CF | Cadaver Walk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Gangway | ||
| CF | Rotting beams spiral from the Shanty Quarter like a stairway grasping | ||
| CF | for the stars. At their head is a jutting structure like a watchtower, | ||
| CF | and it shadows all that is beneath it, shielding grimy brick and | ||
| CF | concrete from desolate sky. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Shanty Quarter yawns below. Above you is the public house called | ||
| CF | the Crow's Nest -- but a fearsome eight-legged bouncer blocks the way. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bouncer" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BOUNCER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He is human, though you wouldn't have guessed from his silhouette. He | ||
| CF | wears cracked welding goggles and the greasy leathers of a mechanist. | ||
| CF | Below the waist, his legs have been entirely replaced with a roaring | ||
| CF | pistoning walking-chassis. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to bouncer" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO BOUNCER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hello," you say, rather meekly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bouncer peers down at you and frowns. He wipes soot from his | ||
| CF | goggles; he blows on his bandaged fingers. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You don't look like you're from around here," he finally remarks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What do you mean?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Neither do you." | ||
| CF | 3) "I work at Doctor Cavala's clinic." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I work at Doctor Cavala's clinic." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He appraises you with a raised eyebrow. "Thought you looked the sort. | ||
| CF | White jacket. Gloves like a surgeon. You don't ever take those gloves | ||
| CF | off, do you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You look at your gloves, and he shakes his head. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I don't know why you'd come down here," he mutters. "People like you | ||
| CF | don't ever come down here. Not unless there's something you're looking | ||
| CF | for." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm just looking for a drink." | ||
| CF | 2) "I need to get inside." | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm investigating a series of deaths..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm investigating a series of deaths," you say. "Some bodies have | ||
| CF | turned up in the Turris Infinita, all dead of the same affliction. | ||
| CF | I've been looking around the district for clues, and... and I | ||
| CF | thought..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bouncer shakes his head and looks away. He gazes across the spires | ||
| CF | of the city, rising from the smoke and the water. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | of the city, rising from the smoke and the water."Sounds like a bunch | ||
| CF | of important people died," he says. "I'm sorry to hear that. But this | ||
| CF | is the Shanty Quarter. People die like flies here, each and every day, | ||
| CF | and no one gives a damn. Am I supposed to step aside for everyone | ||
| CF | who's lost someone? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | who's lost someone?"Your heart is in the right place, sweetheart. I | ||
| CF | don't begrudge you or nothing. But if you're looking to learn | ||
| CF | something about people that matter... you should look elsewhere." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Doctor Cavala sent me." <Present the signum.> | ||
| CF | 2) "Sal and Piper lived in the Shanty Quarter..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Reden came here often, didn't he?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'll be back. I'll find something that matters to you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Reden came here often, didn't he?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a shift in the air. The bouncer starts, and looks at you with | ||
| CF | something approaching incredulity in his eyes. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | something approaching incredulity in his eyes."Reden," he says. "Where | ||
| CF | did you hear that name?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "He's one of the victims I'm investigating." | ||
| CF | 2) "I watched him die in Doctor Cavala's clinic." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "He's one of the victims I'm investigating." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Primes," the bouncer whispers. "He's dead, then. I... I never | ||
| CF | imagined --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | imagined --"He shakes his head and falls silent. His hands ball into | ||
| CF | fists, exposing knuckles covered with angry scars. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm sorry you had to find out this way." | ||
| CF | 2) "You were close to Reden?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm sorry you had to find out this way." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He just shakes his head, his mouth a thin line. He does not reply. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You were close to Reden?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You were close to Reden?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bouncer looks at his mechanical legs; he leans heavily on the | ||
| CF | struts. The cracks in his goggles glint in the cold light. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | struts. The cracks in his goggles glint in the cold light."We were | ||
| CF | co-workers," he says. "Way back when in the Channelworks. Back before | ||
| CF | I lost my legs, before everything came tumbling down..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | I lost my legs, before everything came tumbling down..."He looks off | ||
| CF | into the distance. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into the distance."We were drinking buddies. Him and me and Crow. We | ||
| CF | all knew each other back in the day -- told jokes, comforted each | ||
| CF | other when we had a bad run. I don't think he had anyone other than | ||
| CF | the two of us. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | the two of us."And now he's gone. It's just the two of us left." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who's Crow?" | ||
| CF | 2) "There's no one else?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm here because I don't want anyone else to die..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Who's Crow?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Used to be the most cheerful girl on the night shift," he says. | ||
| CF | "Now... well. People change. Some more than others." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "There's no one else?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm here because I don't want anyone else to die..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "There's no one else?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Not anymore. Not since..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He trails off, and looks up at the clouds. He does not continue. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm here because I don't want anyone else to die..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm here because I don't want anyone else to die," you say. "I... I | ||
| CF | need to find out everything I can about the victims. Please." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bouncer looks at you, and the eyes behind his goggles are dark and | ||
| CF | tormented. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I don't know," he says. "I don't know anymore." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "I don't know," he says. "I don't know anymore."He turns around with a | ||
| CF | hiss of steam. For the first time, you notice the assembly woven into | ||
| CF | his spine -- a sprawl of alchemical glyphs and gears, messily sewn | ||
| CF | together. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Gangway Talking to the bouncer | ||
| CF | together."You want to get into the Crow's Nest?" he whispers. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Please." | ||
| CF | 2) "For all our sakes." | ||
| CF | 3) <Remain silent.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Please." Your voice cracks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He takes a deep breath. The gears in his spine turn. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | He takes a deep breath. The gears in his spine turn."Go," he says. | ||
| CF | "Just go. I'm putting my head on the block for you -- for Reden. Don't | ||
| CF | make me regret this. Go and find out whatever you can find." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | make me regret this. Go and find out whatever you can find.""Thank | ||
| CF | you," you breathe. "I..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you," you breathe. "I...""Don't thank me." He shakes his head. "This | ||
| CF | is for Reden's sake. If I die tomorrow... I can tell him I died making | ||
| CF | a difference in the end." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | a difference in the end.""I --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Just go. Please." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Just go. Please."You don't have to be told twice. With a final | ||
| CF | lingering look at the bouncer on his perch, you push past him, and | ||
| CF | onward, upward, into the tavern at the edge of the sky. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Day Two | ||
| CF | onward, upward, into the tavern at the edge of the sky.## Crow's Nest | ||
| CF | There is a strange crooked serenity here, amidst the rags that catch | ||
| CF | the wind. From discarded blocks and beams have been built tables, | ||
| CF | landings; odd patrons mingle all around you, engrossed in the | ||
| CF | late-afternoon murmur. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The exit lies below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A disaffected young woman lounges behind the bar, chewing on a stick | ||
| CF | of gum and idly spinning a rota fortunae with her finger. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "cf10" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Day Two | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x woman" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WOMAN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the bartender) | ||
| CF | She's dressed in a disheveled shirt, wearing a hairpin of feathers and | ||
| CF | bones. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x rota" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ROTA | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "THE DAEMON'S WHEEL. Step up and spin for your fate!" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to woman" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to the bartender | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO WOMAN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the bartender) | ||
| CF | You approach the bartender. She doesn't bother looking up from the | ||
| CF | countertop. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "So," she says. "You got past Webster. Makes me wonder why I hire him | ||
| CF | at all." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you greet all your customers like that?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Nice to meet you too, Miss..." | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm here about Reden." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Nice to meet you too, Miss..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Crow. Just Crow." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She leans back, and spreads her arms in an all-encompassing gesture. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "This is my nest." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm Marid." | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm here about Reden." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm Marid." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She shrugs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you greet all your customers like that?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm here about Reden." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm here about Reden." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Crow spits her gum into the bin beside her. She gets up and paces back | ||
| CF | and forth, hooking her thumbs in the loops of her trousers. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yeah," she says. "I heard." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Yeah," she says. "I heard."Her eyes flicker to the device behind the | ||
| CF | bar, flared like a foghorn. She brushes the sigiled feathers in its | ||
| CF | bell, sending them fluttering, whispering. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | bell, sending them fluttering, whispering."You hear all kinds of | ||
| CF | things on the wind." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You heard everything?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Then you know why I'm here." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You heard everything?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I heard enough." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She uncorks a bottle and mixes a drink, a rich dark rum you can smell | ||
| CF | from across the bar. She pours out a glass for herself -- then she | ||
| CF | retrieves another, raises it with a sidelong arch of her brow. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | retrieves another, raises it with a sidelong arch of her brow."Drink?" | ||
| CF | she asks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Please." | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm fine." | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm more of a spiced wine person, actually." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "1?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "I guess?" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Please." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She fills another glass and pushes it across the countertop. You take | ||
| CF | a sip -- it's powerful stuff, warm in your throat all the way down. | MoyTravis says, "It's not wine, at least." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | a sip -- it's powerful stuff, warm in your throat all the way | ||
| CF | down."I'm impressed," she says. "Not a lot of people around here with | ||
| CF | the stomach for that." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She takes a long swig from her own glass. For a long while she is | ||
| CF | silent, absorbed in her own thoughts. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | silent, absorbed in her own thoughts."Reden," she finally says. "You | ||
| CF | wanted to know more about him." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I understand he frequented this place." | ||
| CF | 2) "Were you on good terms with him?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Could you tell me what he was like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I understand he frequented this place." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Frequented?" She chuckles. "More like he lived here. Between you and | ||
| CF | me, I don't think he had anywhere else to go. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "His heart, though, was always elsewhere. You could see it in his | ||
| CF | eyes. He was always thinking back on old history... stuck in the | ||
| CF | past." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "He was stuck in the past?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Were you on good terms with him?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Could you tell me what he was like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "He was stuck in the past?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She gazes at you intently. "He was. He didn't tell anyone -- wasn't | ||
| CF | the kind to go on drunken tirades, unlike me --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She looks down and chuckles softly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "But I always saw, when he was a few bottles in, that look in his | ||
| CF | eyes. He was always thinking, thinking of going back. And then he'd | ||
| CF | say he was done for the night, and he'd lope off and down the | ||
| CF | gangway... but I don't think he was ever going home. Not really." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Where do you think he went when he was drunk?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Were you on good terms with him?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Could you tell me what he was like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Where do you think he went when he was drunk?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "There's only one place he could have gone," she says quietly. "Back | ||
| CF | to the past. Back to where it all started. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Back to the Channelworks." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a silence that settles. You make a mental note of this | ||
| CF | information. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Were you on good terms with him? Reden, I mean." | ||
| CF | 2) "Could you tell me what Reden was like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Were you on good terms with him? Reden, I mean." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She shrugs. "I suppose I was. Webster -- he made it sound like we were | ||
| CF | chums, didn't he? We were, in a way. The three of us, just raging | ||
| CF | against the unfairness of the world..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She takes another swig. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "It sounds like the three of you have history." | ||
| CF | 2) "Could you tell me what Reden was like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It sounds like the three of you have history." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "That's a mild way to put it." She looks at her painted nails. "The | ||
| CF | three of us... we built each other. We shaped each other. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "On the night shift it was just the three of us in the whole of the | ||
| CF | Channelworks... we were the whole world to each other back then. Can | ||
| CF | you imagine? The three of us, kings and queen of the Channelworks? And | ||
| CF | now... now we're nobody." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What happened with the Channelworks?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Could you tell me what Reden was like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What happened with the Channelworks?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She shakes her head. "Everything. It all started there. I... I don't | ||
| CF | know how I can tell you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It was late. Webster asked for a whiskey, to keep his bones warm, and | ||
| CF | I... I just gave it to him. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | I... I just gave it to him."Next day I heard he'd slipped and walked | ||
| CF | into the rubbish grinder." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into the rubbish grinder.""Oh Primes..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She looks into your eyes. "I got found out after that," she says. "The | ||
| CF | whiskey, I mean. And then Reden took the heat, too, for supplying me. | ||
| CF | All three of us got handed our letters on that day." | Knight_Otu says, "Eeesh." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | All three of us got handed our letters on that day."It's a while | ||
| CF | before you can compose your thoughts. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | before you can compose your thoughts."Sorry," Crow says. "That got | ||
| CF | dark fast." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Could you tell me what Reden was like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Could you tell me... what Reden was like?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Crow looks into her glass, and her reflection stares up at her. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Of all of us," she says, "he was the most... detached from the world. | ||
| CF | I always had the Crow's Nest to keep me busy, even after everything | ||
| CF | happened. Webster had me to stay in touch. Reden... | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | happened. Webster had me to stay in touch. Reden..."I offered him a | ||
| CF | job, but he never took up the offer. He just stayed here, going | ||
| CF | through bottles and bottles of cheap wine. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | through bottles and bottles of cheap wine."I never had the heart to | ||
| CF | charge him." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Could you tell me more about the Crow's Nest?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Could you tell me more about the Crow's Nest?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Oh, it's nothing special." She waves her hand dismissively. "Time | ||
| CF | was, there was an employee refectory I ran in the Channelworks... I | ||
| CF | ran the after-dark shift, together with the reception. I served drinks | ||
| CF | when the commissary wasn't looking. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Now... the surroundings have changed, and my employer's a little less | ||
| CF | strict. But otherwise it's just like old times." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You have a new employer?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You have a new employer?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Crow's expression darkens. She takes a swig from her glass. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yeah," she says. "It wasn't like I had a choice. Place like the | ||
| CF | Channelworks District, there's only two avenues of employment you have | ||
| CF | as a bartender. You either work for the Council of Works -- and for | ||
| CF | people like me, that's off the table -- or you pay your dues to the | ||
| CF | big fat raven." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | big fat raven.""The Company," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Her lips are thin. "I didn't have a choice. You take what employment | ||
| CF | you can get, even if it means kissing someone's hobnailed boots." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "That's all the questions I have..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "That's all the questions I have," you say. "Thank you, Crow. You've | ||
| CF | been very helpful." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She drains the last of her glass, and runs a hand through her hair. | ||
| CF | For the first time since you've met her, she does not quite meet your | ||
| CF | eye. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | eye."You know," she whispers, "I still feel numb inside. Maybe it's | ||
| CF | the rum -- I keep thinking Reden's going to climb up the gangway any | ||
| CF | moment, asking for a bottle of the Bilious Canal's finest..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She stares at the bottom of her glass. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | She stares at the bottom of her glass."But we both know that's not | ||
| CF | going to happen. Isn't it?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "...I know what you mean." | ||
| CF | 2) "Doctor Cavala and I will get to the bottom of this. I | ||
| CF | promise." | ||
| CF | 3) <Remain silent.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "2, I guess?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor Cavala and I will get to the bottom of this. I promise." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She looks into your eyes. Her gaze is intense at first, like a sky | ||
| CF | split by thunder -- then it mists, quivers, and she turns her gaze | ||
| CF | downward before you can see it falter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yeah," she says. "All right." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She closes her eyes and a tear runs down her cheek, staining it dark | ||
| CF | in the light. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Talking to Crow | ||
| CF | in the light."I should get back to bartending," she says, very softly. | ||
| CF | "It... it was nice talking to you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Goodbye." | ||
| CF | 2) "I'll leave you to it." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Goodbye." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You get up from the bar, conscious of yourself, of the quiet. You | ||
| CF | wonder if you perhaps shouldn't have asked so many questions -- | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | But it's too late now. Sometimes you must hurt someone before they can | ||
| CF | truly be healed. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Day Two | ||
| CF | truly be healed.## Crow's Nest | ||
| CF | There is a strange crooked serenity here, amidst the rags that catch | ||
| CF | the wind. From discarded blocks and beams have been built tables, | ||
| CF | landings; odd patrons mingle all around you, engrossed in the | ||
| CF | late-afternoon murmur. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The exit lies below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Crow sits quietly behind the bar. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x patrons" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PATRONS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There are the shabby homeless you'd expect from a public house in the | ||
| CF | Shanty Quarter -- but there are also well-dressed patrons, unfamiliar | ||
| CF | workmen and work-women. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "We're at the three-hour mark, by the way." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x wheel" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "THE DAEMON'S WHEEL. Step up and spin for your fate!" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "spin wheel" | ||
| CF ] Crow's Nest Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SPIN WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You give the wheel a spin. It lands on a space marked "Free Drink." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Gangway | ||
| CF | Rotting beams spiral from the Shanty Quarter like a stairway grasping | ||
| CF | for the stars. At their head is a jutting structure like a watchtower, | ||
| CF | and it shadows all that is beneath it, shielding grimy brick and | ||
| CF | concrete from desolate sky. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Shanty Quarter yawns below. Above you is the public house called | ||
| CF | the Crow's Nest, watched by the bouncer Webster from his perch. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's getting dark out. You should return and tell Doctor Cavala what | ||
| CF | you've learned. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (You can >go to a place you've visited before to quickly travel | ||
| CF | there. For instance, >go to clinic.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "oh, a go to command" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Nice to have." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "go to clinic" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GO TO CLINIC | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (Doctor Cavala's clinic) | ||
| CF | You go down to the Shanty Quarter, north to the Via Mercurii, north | ||
| CF | again to the grand forum, north again to the Via Terminalis junction, | ||
| CF | northwest to the Via Terminalis bridge, northwest again to the West | ||
| CF | Street, west to the West End, and west again to Doctor Cavala's | ||
| CF | clinic. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | A row of chairs faces the prescription counter, where the medication | ||
| CF | and patient records are sorted in gridlike pigeonholes. Further on is | ||
| CF | the consulting study, home to a desk strewn with notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala is curled up in her makeshift bed, staring at an | ||
| CF | intricately engraved pocketwatch. As you enter, she snaps the watch | ||
| CF | shut and gives you a nod. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | shut and gives you a nod."Marid," she says. "I was wondering when | ||
| CF | you'd be back." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How are you holding up, Doctor?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Where's Horatio?" | ||
| CF | 3) "That's a nice watch." | ||
| CF | 4) "About the things you told me to investigate..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How are you holding up, Doctor?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm fine," she says. "It's a bit dull here, especially since | ||
| CF | Horatio's refused to play any more crucible with me, but it's nothing | ||
| CF | I haven't endured before." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "He's refusing to play crucible?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Where's Horatio?" | ||
| CF | 3) "That's a nice watch." | ||
| CF | 4) "About the things you told me to investigate..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "He's refusing to play crucible?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She smirks. "Something about running out of cash on hand." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Where's Horatio?" | ||
| CF | 2) "That's a nice watch." | ||
| CF | 3) "About the things you told me to investigate..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Where's Horatio?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "He's popped back home for a shower," she replies. "Don't worry -- I | ||
| CF | told him to go home and freshen up. He'll be back soon enough." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "That's a nice watch." | ||
| CF | 2) "About the things you told me to investigate..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "That's a nice watch," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala looks at the little brass case in her palm. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It is," she replies. "Someone gave it to me, long ago... I was just | ||
| CF | thinking about it. Had Horatio dig it up." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Thinking about someone, Doctor?" | ||
| CF | 2) "About the things you told me to investigate..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Thinking about someone, Doctor?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | After a pause, she puts the watch away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It doesn't matter," she says. "It's all in the past now. You had | ||
| CF | something for me, Marid?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "About the things you told me to investigate..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "oh, it matters, I bet." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "About the things you told me to investigate..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's expression hardens. You settle down beside her, and | ||
| CF | she listens raptly to your account of the day's events. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You tell her about your run-in with the Turris Infinita security. The | ||
| CF | chill of Doctor Arturus's clinic, the silent stare of the departed -- | ||
| CF | the macabre sights reflected in endoscopic lenses. You tell her of the | ||
| CF | doctor's correspondence; the web of intrigue and not-quite-coincidence | ||
| CF | that bound him; the lives that labored in the shadow of black wings. | ||
| CF | And through it all, like a pervasive pathogen, the darkness seeps and | ||
| CF | drips coppery from your words. | Knight_Otu says, "Quite likely." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | drips coppery from your words.Doctor Cavala is silent as she takes in | ||
| CF | everything you've told her. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | everything you've told her."Marid." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | everything you've told her."Marid."She takes a deep breath. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | everything you've told her."Marid."She takes a deep breath."This is | ||
| CF | everything I'd asked for and more. You've taken great pains to acquire | ||
| CF | this information -- you've done the Channelworks District a great | ||
| CF | service. If I'd known the investigation would take you into the Shanty | ||
| CF | Quarter..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Quarter..."She trails off, shaking her head. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | Quarter..."She trails off, shaking her head."Regardless. You've | ||
| CF | uncovered a wealth of information pertaining to the affliction. We are | ||
| CF | now able to draw several conclusions. The transmission vector, for | ||
| CF | starters --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "It has to be airborne." | ||
| CF | 2) "It's contracted internally, through ingestion." | ||
| CF | 3) "It's spread through skin contact." | ||
| CF | 4) "It's transmitted by both ingestion and skin contact." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "2?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "2 only, I guess." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's contracted internally, through ingestion." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "A strong hypothesis," Doctor Cavala replies. "Your endoscopies | ||
| CF | certainly seem to corroborate it. But consider Doctor Arturus -- did | ||
| CF | he really ingest something that was contaminated? He was a magister of | ||
| CF | the ars vitalis, after all, and would have taken precautions | ||
| CF | to avoid such a careless mistake. From what you described, it sounds | ||
| CF | more like he was infected through his hands --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "He couldn't have been infected through his gloves," you say. | ||
| CF | "Otherwise both of us would be dead." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She raises her eyebrows. "But he could have been infected through his | ||
| CF | hands." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "It has to be airborne." | ||
| CF | 2) "It's transmitted by both ingestion and skin contact." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "I think 2." | |
| MoyTravis says, "Wait what? I don't follow Cavala." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Unless he was diagnosing people ungloved?" | ||
| DavidW says, "My thinking was that J switched gloves." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's transmitted by both ingestion and skin contact." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yes." She nods. "I believe that to be the only explanation for the | ||
| CF | evidence you've gathered. Nacarat and the thugs were killed by | ||
| CF | something they ingested -- and Doctor Arturus was almost certainly | ||
| CF | infected through his hands, though I can't fathom why he would have | ||
| CF | been handling a patient without his gloves. Perhaps if he was present | ||
| CF | at the outset of symptoms..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She glances at the curtain of the surgery room, and runs a gloved hand | ||
| CF | through her hair. | Knight_Otu says, "I was sure Arturus would have gotten contaminated wine as well, but, well." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | through her hair."In any case," she continues, "the transmission | ||
| CF | vector seems to be clear. It requires proximity to an infected | ||
| CF | individual, and that implies close ties between the victims. From what | ||
| CF | you've learned --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "All of them were patients of Doctor Arturus." | ||
| CF | 2) "All of them were linked to the Greater Corindia Trading | ||
| CF | Company." | ||
| CF | 3) "All of them drank wine." | ||
| CF | 4) "All of them had been to the Shanty Quarter." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "My assumption was he drunk the same wine as the Creditor." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "That too." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Though actually that doesn't line up, because he'd have presented symptons at the *same time*." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Instead he had enough time to write up notes and try and treat him." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "So...yeah, wouldn't have been the wine, therefore hands...? or the Creditor coughed/vomited on him read bad." | ||
| DavidW asks, "What do we pick here? 3?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "2 here, certainly." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "All of them were linked to the Greater Corindia Trading Company." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala grimaces. "That's not saying much in this district," she | ||
| CF | replies. "Even I've had to deal with them in the past. But you're | ||
| CF | right. The raven symbols you found on Doctor Arturus's patients all | ||
| CF | but confirm their connection to the Company... and if the message you | ||
| CF | found on Doctor Arturus's correspondence is genuine, he must have had | ||
| CF | dealings with the underworld as well." | MoyTravis says, "#2 though #3 is also true." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | dealings with the underworld as well.""Even Reden frequented the | ||
| CF | Crow's Nest," you point out. "That's a front for the Trading Company, | ||
| CF | too." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | too."She rubs her chin thoughtfully. "It's possible," she says. "It's | ||
| CF | possible that the Company had something to do with the outbreak of the | ||
| CF | disease. But there are aspects of this theory that don't quite gel. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | disease. But there are aspects of this theory that don't quite | ||
| CF | gel."The Company is a business first and foremost -- so why would an | ||
| CF | affliction like this come into the picture? They deal in protection | ||
| CF | rackets, not plagues and poisons; even Nacarat and the thugs were | ||
| CF | among the victims. I can see how their ties might have caused the | ||
| CF | affliction to spread... but which one of them was patient | ||
| CF | zero? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | zero?"It's not the full picture, Marid. I have the feeling there was | ||
| CF | something else they had in common." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "All of them were patients of Doctor Arturus." | ||
| CF | 2) "All of them drank wine." | ||
| CF | 3) "All of them had been to the Shanty Quarter." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "All of them drank wine," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala opens her mouth -- then she pauses, closes it again. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Now that you mention it," she says. "That is odd. Reden was | ||
| CF | a heavy drinker. Doctor Arturus had been hosting Creditor Nacarat. And | ||
| CF | there was that bottle you found beneath the flophouse. The affliction | ||
| CF | can be transmitted through ingestion --" | Knight_Otu says, "I suppose it is the wine then." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | can be transmitted through ingestion --""Do you think it's the | ||
| CF | wine that's killing them?" you ask. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | wine that's killing them?" you ask.She furrows her brow. | ||
| CF | "It's certainly possible. A contaminant could be hidden in a dark wine | ||
| CF | and remain undetected, masked by the color and aroma. It would | ||
| CF | certainly explain why there have been so few victims. It wouldn't be | ||
| CF | an epidemic -- it would be a poisoning. If only certain | ||
| CF | bottles of wine were contaminated... Marid, did you notice anything in | ||
| CF | common about the bottles?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | common about the bottles?"You shake your head. "They were all | ||
| CF | different labels. Different manufacturers. Reden didn't even drink red | ||
| CF | wine." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | wine.""That's deeply troubling." She looks at her injured leg. "If | ||
| CF | there doesn't appear to be any correlation between these poisonings, | ||
| CF | but the victims are all connected by the same symptoms..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | but the victims are all connected by the same symptoms..."She falls | ||
| CF | silent, engrossed in thought. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You think the cause is undetectable?" | ||
| CF | 2) "You think it could surface anywhere?" | ||
| CF | 3) "You think foul play is involved?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You think foul play is involved?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala crosses her arms. Her eyes trace the bandages around her | ||
| CF | destroyed tendon. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Suppose we assume that this is deliberate," she says. "That this is | ||
| CF | part of someone's larger agenda. Many things fall into place -- the | ||
| CF | attack on my clinic, the connection to the Trading Company, the | ||
| CF | fast-acting and improbably lethal affliction. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Until now, we've been operating under the assumption that this is a | ||
| CF | simple infection, one that obeys statistical models and adheres to the | ||
| CF | precepts of medicine... but what if that isn't the case? What if this | ||
| CF | is, in reality, a series of murders?" | MoyTravis says, "100% foul play obviously." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | is, in reality, a series of murders?"You regard her with growing | ||
| CF | unease. "Then... then that would be beyond us. It would be a matter | ||
| CF | for the Vigiles." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | for the Vigiles."She nods grimly. "Correct. And if this is true, | ||
| CF | Marid... whoever is behind this has it out for me. The culprit might | ||
| CF | be looking to bury the evidence, silence the doctors in the district | ||
| CF | who have a chance of stopping them --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | who have a chance of stopping them --""That means Doctor Justinian is | ||
| CF | in danger." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | in danger.""And you as well." Doctor Cavala shakes her head. "I'm | ||
| CF | sorry, Marid. If I had known earlier, I would never have sent you out | ||
| CF | on your own..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | on your own..."She shifts in her makeshift bed, wincing as the | ||
| CF | dressing on her leg chafes. Her shoulders are tense as she checks | ||
| CF | items off her fingers. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | items off her fingers."If our conclusion is correct, time is of the | ||
| CF | essence. I will correspond with Doctor Justinian as soon as possible, | ||
| CF | and warn the Vigiles by way of Horatio. The quarantine will buy us | ||
| CF | some time to track down the culprit. As for you, Marid --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | some time to track down the culprit. As for you, Marid --"She looks at | ||
| CF | you, and something causes her to falter. She closes her eyes. Her | ||
| CF | words catch in her throat. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | words catch in her throat."Go home and rest," she says. "You've done | ||
| CF | your part. I'll handle things from here on." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Yes, Doctor." | ||
| CF | 2) "Can I still help somehow?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Can I still help somehow?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A long, tense silence -- and Doctor Cavala shakes her head. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | A long, tense silence -- and Doctor Cavala shakes her head."I | ||
| CF | appreciate all that you've done, Marid. But this is bigger than we'd | ||
| CF | imagined. It's bigger than any of us. Upon my conscience, I will not | ||
| CF | allow you to put yourself in danger. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | allow you to put yourself in danger."Get some sleep. Take a | ||
| CF | sabbatical. Let me and the Vigiles handle this." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Yes, Doctor." | ||
| CF | 2) "Surely you can let me do something!" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Surely you can let me do something --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid." | Knight_Otu says, "I suspect we aren't done doing our part." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Marid."You realize that in all the months you've worked | ||
| CF | here, you've never heard Doctor Cavala raise her voice. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | here, you've never heard Doctor Cavala raise her voice.She takes a | ||
| CF | deep breath. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | deep breath."Marid," she says. "This is not a friendly request. This | ||
| CF | is a command from Doctor to Servator. I will not allow you to | ||
| CF | wager your life on this. Do you understand me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Yes, Doctor." | ||
| CF | 2) "No! I don't care what you think!" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You look at your feet. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yes, Doctor," you say, softly, quietly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Her eyes linger on you -- on the tattoos that run like tears down your | ||
| CF | neck and fade into your pendant. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | neck and fade into your pendant.She exhales. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | neck and fade into your pendant.She exhales."Go," she says. "Go home, | ||
| CF | Marid. Take care of yourself." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Marid. Take care of yourself."You rise from the waiting chairs. There | ||
| CF | is a dull ache in your shoulders. You give Doctor Cavala one last look | ||
| CF | as you prepare to depart for the night. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | as you prepare to depart for the night."Good night," you tell her. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | as you prepare to depart for the night."Good night," you tell her.You | ||
| CF | can't bring yourself to meet her gaze. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day Two | ||
| CF | can't bring yourself to meet her gaze.## Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a cul-de-sac of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings aspiring to the heavens. Night has fallen, broken | ||
| CF | only by the ghostly glow of bound animii in street-lamps and shop | ||
| CF | windows. Beyond, you see the great spine of the Channelworks District, | ||
| CF | receding from the lamplight into the beginnings of rain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The white cross of Doctor Cavala's clinic is to the west, and the | ||
| CF | dormitory block where you live lies to the north. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | Here is the faded arch, with its years of verdigris; here are the | ||
| CF | too-small atrium and the fountain at its center. All around above are | ||
| CF | the lights of innumerable domiciles, linked by crumbling stairs and | ||
| CF | divided by flimsy plaster walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The public house is closed tonight. You can only go up to your | ||
| CF | dormitory room or exit the building to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room Day Two | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (first opening the door to your dormitory room) | ||
| CF | (closing the door behind you) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's Room | ||
| CF | In one corner is a dressing table, piled with stationery and assorted | ||
| CF | toiletries, and in another is the kitchenette. The only door leads | ||
| CF | back downstairs to the atrium. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your bed is at the end of the room, beside the window. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "enter bed" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > ENTER BED | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You sit down on the edge of your bed. The sweat and stress of the day | ||
| CF | cling to you, pool in the shadows behind your eyes. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | cling to you, pool in the shadows behind your eyes.Doctor Cavala is | ||
| CF | right. This is no longer a medical investigation -- it's a murder | ||
| CF | investigation. You should take a break. Leave matters to those | ||
| CF | qualified to handle them. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | qualified to handle them.But you can't get the thoughts out of your | ||
| CF | head. The images. Everything that you've seen and done... it | ||
| CF | clings to you. Creeps within you. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | clings to you. Creeps within you.So do you drift | ||
| CF | down and down into darkness, thinking of corpses | ||
| CF | staring, pigeons twitching -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | staring, pigeons twitching ---- burnt-out lamps in broken | ||
| CF | housing -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | housing ---- burning burning burning burni -- | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | M I D N I G H T | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You open your eyes. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room | ||
| CF | You open your eyes.You're covered in sweat and your breathing is | ||
| CF | ragged. A nightmare? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You'll have time to ponder that later. Someone is knocking on your | ||
| CF | door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Ignore the knocking.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Answer the door.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You clamber out of bed, pull your jacket close, and shuffle up to the | ||
| CF | door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Look through the peephole.> | ||
| CF | 2) "Who's there?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Horatio?" | ||
| CF | 4) <Open the door.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You look through the peephole. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That's odd. You can't make out anything. All you can see is a misty | ||
| CF | gray. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who's there?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Horatio?" | ||
| CF | 3) <Open the door.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Who's there?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is no response. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Hello?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Horatio?" | ||
| CF | 3) <Open the door.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hello?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is no response and | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | There is no response andyour door handle explodes outward | ||
| CF | sending sawdust flying and a claw reaches up and rips the | ||
| CF | wood out of its housing like | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | wood out of its housing likeso | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | wood out of its housing likesomany | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | wood out of its housing likesomanyteeth. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | wood out of its housing likesomanyteeth."Hello," the assassin | ||
| CF | whispers. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | whispers.She draws her sword and kicks in the remaining pieces of your | ||
| CF | door. Beneath her hood she's smiling, grinning a rictus grin. Or maybe | ||
| CF | her mouth is fixed that way. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | her mouth is fixed that way."You've been a lot of trouble, you know. | ||
| CF | Asking dangerous questions. Getting dangerous answers." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room | ||
| CF | Asking dangerous questions. Getting dangerous answers."You back away | ||
| CF | slowly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "cf11" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to assassin" | ||
| CF ] Marid's Room | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO ASSASSIN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "W-What do you want?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The assassin walks towards you. Calmly. Unhurriedly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well, this could be a perfect cliffhanger to end the day." | |
| DavidW asks, "You think we should stop here?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We are past the three-hour mark." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Well it has been ~3 1/3 hours." | ||
| DavidW says, "Yes we are, but it would be better to have Marid in a safer position." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "I mean. The save'll keep." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I mean, time won't pass for her." | ||
| DavidW says, "hmm." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "I have time but if anybody'd like to end now that's also good." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "go through window" | ||
| CF ] Rooftop | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GO THROUGH WINDOW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Rooftop | ||
| CF | You roll, twist, force yourself into a run. Your knees are aching. The | ||
| CF | air is freezing, stinging your cheeks. Your boots dislodge old and | ||
| CF | broken tiles, sending them hurtling off the roof into the mist below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A balcony lies to the east. Behind you is a clattering, a shrieking | ||
| CF | that is not human. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "I guess it is cruel to leave her staring at the assassin like that, but it is also approaching midnight here." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Railing | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You scramble over the | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Railing | ||
| CF | and tumble panting across the rotting woodwork. The balustrade | ||
| CF | shudders with your footfalls, tears away as you frantically grasp for | ||
| CF | purchase. Behind you, a terrible bulk splinters the flooring and | ||
| CF | catches up to you with dreadful certainty. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | South you glimpse a doorway. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Black Gallery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Black Gallery | ||
| CF | The hall is thick with ash. Moonlight lances through shattered walls. | ||
| CF | You run blindly through unlit passages, fumbling, your lungs burning | ||
| CF | as claws rip through the timber and plaster behind you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is no escape except to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Smoldering Gallery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Smoldering Gallery | ||
| CF | The hall is thick with smoke. Moonlight lances through | ||
| CF | scorched walls. You run blindly through burning | ||
| CF | passages, fumbling, your lungs melting as flames rip | ||
| CF | through the timber and plaster behind you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is no escape except to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Burning Gallery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Burning Gallery | ||
| CF | The hall is on fire and the beams are crashing down pinning you | ||
| CF | choking your lungs and you know it's not real but you're screaming and | ||
| CF | your jacket is burning | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | and there is no escape no escape no escape except to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You reach out and | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You reach out andwatch | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You reach out andwatchhim | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You reach out andwatchhimburn | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You reach out | ||
| CF | andwatchhimburnscreaming your name as | ||
| CF | she writhes and claws and smashes through the fallen beams. You blink | ||
| CF | back tears -- you inhale ash -- and tumble through the only exit you | ||
| CF | see, tread empty air, fall screaming down a broken down chute into | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Darkness | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Everything hurts. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Everything hurts.Sounds are echoing in the dark. The assassin's voice, | ||
| CF | calling out for you. Other things. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | calling out for you. Other things.Did you get away? Where... what is | ||
| CF | this place? | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | this place?You grit your teeth and force yourself to get up. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Darkness | ||
| CF | this place?You grit your teeth and force yourself to get up.You need | ||
| CF | help. You need to get out of here. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "Okay, we'll stop here." | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "save" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "cfweightindarkness" | ||
| CF ] Darkness | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "Thanks all." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Weight, in Darkness, with a Hunter." | ||
| MoyTravis exclaims, "Thanks for driving!" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Thanks for driving!" | ||
| DavidW says, "honestly, someone on 'push space' duty would be nice." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "That's true. Probably works better in Gargoyle or something." | ||
| Roger disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. | ||
| MoyTravis disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. | DavidW says, "Thanks again all. See you next week." | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Good night, and stay safe, everyone!" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Night." | ||
| *** SESSION THREE *** | ||
| DavidW says, "hi Moy" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Afternoon." | ||
| DavidW says, "Jacqueline won't be joining us again but I expect a few others to." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Hey." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Evenin'." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm not sure where my notes from last week ended up. I've been packing everything up into boxes and it's nothing is in its usual place anymore." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Do you take physical notes when you play?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Yes, sometimes, particularly if I have to map." | ||
| says, "During normal play outside of CF, I don't bother with physical notes any more." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Fair enough. I hate mapping and was raised on games where you, like, have minimaps, so I set up an automapper and then if I have to take notes use digital notes." | ||
| DavidW says, "I rather enjoy mapping." | ||
| DavidW says, "When I make a walkthrough, I love to just look at a final map." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "about" | ||
| CF ] Help | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF ] N = Next Q = Quit Menu | ||
| CF ] P = Previous ENTER = Select | ||
| CF | > List of Commands | ||
| CF | About This Game | ||
| CF | How to Play | ||
| CF | Journal | ||
| CF | Characters | ||
| CF | Map | ||
| CF | Places | ||
| CF | Hints | ||
| CF | Send Me Feedback! | ||
| CF | Acknowledgements | ||
| CF | Back | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "q" | ||
| CF ] Darkness | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Darkness | ||
| CF | It is pitch dark, and you can't see a thing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | All you can make out is some kind of metal shape at your feet. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "oh, right, we were running away from an assassin, weren't we?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We were, and I was wondering about the about. Of course, it's a menu." | ||
| DavidW says, "btw, here's a sneak peak of a walkthrough I intend to release next week: [LINK]" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Impos20 - The impossible bottle?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Nice. Great game, too." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm starting to make Open Graph images for my walkthrough pages." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "That was a cool game but that one thing seemed a little mean." | ||
| DavidW asks, "I don't remember a particularly mean thing...?" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Huh well are we spoiler-free on a completely different game or, like." | ||
| DavidW says, "oh, whisper it, I guess." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Eh, let's get'r done and we can talk after or summin'." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I remember having problems with the dinosaur portion, but not quite mean things." | ||
| DavidW says, "alright" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x me" | ||
| CF ] Darkness | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ME | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You hurt all over. At least nothing seems to be broken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your natron jacket, your clothes, and an animus | ||
| CF | pendant (containing the spirit of your father). On your person are | ||
| CF | some drink coupons, a ticker-tape reel, an endoscope, Doctor Cavala's | ||
| CF | signum, today's copy of the Libri Liberi, a note with Zoiro's | ||
| CF | address, yesterday's copy of the Libri Liberi, your | ||
| CF | practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic | ||
| CF | cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I suspect we want to investigate the metal shape. See if it's a key or the ring to a trapdoor or what." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I don't remember that we grabbed all this when we ran." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, I just wanted to check what we all have. Didn't expect we'd have everything." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x shape" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHAPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A trick of the light? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | A trick of the light?You grope in the dark and your fingers close | ||
| CF | around cold iron. A handle -- a bulb -- a fuse? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | around cold iron. A handle -- a bulb -- a fuse?An animus lantern. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | around cold iron. A handle -- a bulb -- a fuse?An animus lantern.You | ||
| CF | pick it up and strike the fuse. The bound aurora flickers to | ||
| CF | attention, chilling the fingertips of your gloves, tracing the area in | ||
| CF | otherworldly dancing light. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | otherworldly dancing light.## Calefactory | ||
| CF | You've landed in some kind of underground heating room, long | ||
| CF | abandoned. The floor is seared with scorch marks. The corpses of pipes | ||
| CF | and machinery litter the area, claimed by rust and layers of fine | ||
| CF | black soot. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Above dangles a destroyed chute. To the west there is a closed blast | ||
| CF | door, with a wheel-shaped handle fitted nearby. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "That's a convenient find." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x lantern" | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LANTERN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A phylactery cathode in a glass-and-iron housing. It glitters with the | ||
| CF | cold light of the bound aurora within. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x pipes" | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIPES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Gnarled, unrecognizable shapes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "search them" | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH THEM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You find nothing of interest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I assume we entered via the chute and we're not leaving that way." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Likely." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x chute" | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CHUTE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It doesn't look like climbing back up is an option. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x door" | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DOOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A forbidding slab of metal. It looks like the wheel nearby will open | ||
| CF | it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x wheel" | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rusted hydraulic wheel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Can we take the lantern?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "take lantern" | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE LANTERN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You already have that. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "okay, then." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, I thought we had it." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x marks" | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MARKS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Darkness billows from the walls and scars the ground. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I assume darkness ahead." | |
| DavidW asks, "So, I guess, turn the wheel?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, probably." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "turn wheel" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You grip the wheel and turn with all your might. There is a groaning, | ||
| CF | a painful screeching sound, as rust cracks and crumbles from the base | ||
| CF | of the handle. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Calefactory | ||
| CF | of the handle.The blast door grinds open. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Hallway | ||
| CF | Something is off about this creaking hall, this bending passage that | ||
| CF | seems to fold inward. The pipes pass in and out of shadow, traced by | ||
| CF | your lantern-light, writ large in the cold gray darkness. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the east is the blast door you emerged from. To the north, the hall | ||
| CF | widens and distends. | DavidW says, "yeah, enjoy pushing space a lot" | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | widens and distends.And there is something -- something | ||
| CF | moving there -- | Knight_Otu says, "Yeah. That'll be a lot of space for a fantasy world." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Service Hallway | ||
| CF | moving there --No. Gone. It's gone. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x pipes" | ||
| CF ] Service Hallway | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIPES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The pipes are parallel. The pipes intersect. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "Wizards... In ... Spaaaaaaaace!" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x hall" | ||
| CF ] Service Hallway | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HALL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You feel a little sick, as though whatever is affecting the hallway is | ||
| CF | also affecting you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Alchemists, but yeah." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Belowstairs | ||
| CF | The floor falls away here. The path is shredded and broken. In another | ||
| CF | time this might have been the servants' quarters: the remains of | ||
| CF | furniture and domestic objects are strewn across this distorted space. | ||
| CF | But the seams of reality are showing, and an otherworldly pulsing | ||
| CF | darkness seeps forth that makes your eyes throb. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | darkness seeps forth that makes your eyes throb.You've seen places | ||
| CF | like this before. When the magical foundations of a building are | ||
| CF | damaged, it tears the fabric of the world, exposing the irrational | ||
| CF | dimensions that lie beyond. And things crawl through the | ||
| CF | cracks that are not quite alive. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | cracks that are not quite alive.You'd best not linger here. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | cracks that are not quite alive.You'd best not linger here.The service | ||
| CF | hallway lies south. East you see the door to a service lift, and | ||
| CF | beside it, a hydraulic wheel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well now I'm tempted to z a little." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x furniture" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X FURNITURE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The laws of nature are tattered here. Abused. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You hear things stirring in the darkness. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x life" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LIFE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x lift" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LIFT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The lights are still flickering. It might be your way out of here. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The noises are growing louder. Claws and legs are creeping into the | ||
| CF | light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "enter it" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > ENTER IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The door is closed. The nearby wheel seems to be the only way to open | ||
| CF | it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Limbs scratch at reality's seams. Eyes push through the stonework. | ||
| CF | Teeth float through the air, gnashing, approaching. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "turn wheel" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You grip the wheel, and with incredible effort, turn it a couple of | ||
| CF | degrees. But the door is barely budging -- you suspect you will have | ||
| CF | to give the wheel a few more good heaves. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | They're very near now. They're all around you. They're brushing your | ||
| CF | neck, raking your back, pulling your hair, closing in, closing and you | ||
| CF | need to run or you will die -- | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I don't want to be eaten by mutant cockroaches today." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "enter lift" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > ENTER LIFT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | -- and before you can do anything else, anything, there is a thrust | ||
| CF | and an impact and a sudden, sudden coldness. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and an impact and a sudden, sudden coldness.Teeth are ripping into | ||
| CF | your skin. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your skin.It hurts. It hurts so much. Your eyes are tearing up. You | ||
| CF | can't think. You feel sick. You need to throw up -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | can't think. You feel sick. You need to throw up -- | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | *** Relief never comes *** | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Would you like to >restart, >restore a saved story, | ||
| CF | >quit, >undo the last command, or view the >help | ||
| CF | menu? | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Hmm." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "undo" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > UNDO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Belowstairs | ||
| CF | [Previous turn undone.] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "undo" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > UNDO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Belowstairs | ||
| CF | [Previous turn undone.] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "undo" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > UNDO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Belowstairs | ||
| CF | [Previous turn undone.] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "undo" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > UNDO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Belowstairs | ||
| CF | [Previous turn undone.] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "undo" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > UNDO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Belowstairs | ||
| CF | [Previous turn undone.] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "undo" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > UNDO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Belowstairs | ||
| CF | [Previous turn undone.] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "undo" | ||
| CF ] Service Hallway | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > UNDO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Hallway | ||
| CF | [Previous turn undone.] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I think we'll need to move quicker, without dawdling." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "New plan - speedrun this room." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Belowstairs | ||
| CF | The floor falls away here. The path is shredded and broken. In another | ||
| CF | time this might have been the servants' quarters: the remains of | ||
| CF | furniture and domestic objects are strewn across this distorted space. | ||
| CF | But the seams of reality are showing, and an otherworldly pulsing | ||
| CF | darkness seeps forth that makes your eyes throb. | MoyTravis says, "Turn wheel as soon as you - right." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | darkness seeps forth that makes your eyes throb.You've seen places | ||
| CF | like this before. When the magical foundations of a building are | ||
| CF | damaged, it tears the fabric of the world, exposing the irrational | ||
| CF | dimensions that lie beyond. And things crawl through the | ||
| CF | cracks that are not quite alive. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | cracks that are not quite alive.You'd best not linger here. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | cracks that are not quite alive.You'd best not linger here.The service | ||
| CF | hallway lies south. East you see the door to a service lift, and | ||
| CF | beside it, a hydraulic wheel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "turn wheel" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You grip the wheel, and with incredible effort, turn it a couple of | ||
| CF | degrees. But the door is barely budging -- you suspect you will have | ||
| CF | to give the wheel a few more good heaves. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You hear things stirring in the darkness. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "turn wheel" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You grit your teeth and shift the wheel another couple of degrees... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The noises are growing louder. Claws and legs are creeping into the | ||
| CF | light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "turn wheel" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You squeeze your eyes shut and throw your weight into it. You can feel | ||
| CF | the wheel shifting, moving faster... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Limbs scratch at reality's seams. Eyes push through the stonework. | ||
| CF | Teeth float through the air, gnashing, approaching. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "turn wheel" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your muscles are aching. Your palms are sweating. The door is opening. | ||
| CF | Just... a bit more... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | They're very near now. They're all around you. They're brushing your | ||
| CF | neck, raking your back, pulling your hair, closing in, closing and you | ||
| CF | need to run or you will die -- | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Service Hallway | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You break and run for your life. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Hallway | ||
| CF | Something is off about this creaking hall, this bending passage that | ||
| CF | seems to fold inward. The pipes pass in and out of shadow, traced by | ||
| CF | your lantern-light, writ large in the cold gray darkness. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the east is the blast door you emerged from. To the north, the hall | ||
| CF | widens and distends. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take a moment to catch your breath and collect your thoughts. It | ||
| CF | seems those creatures will attack if you stay in the next room for too | ||
| CF | long. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Hm." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Belowstairs | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Belowstairs | ||
| CF | The floor falls away here. The path is shredded and broken. In another | ||
| CF | time this might have been the servants' quarters: the remains of | ||
| CF | furniture and domestic objects are strewn across this distorted space. | ||
| CF | But the seams of reality are showing, and an otherworldly pulsing | ||
| CF | darkness seeps forth that makes your eyes throb. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The service hallway lies south. East you see the door to a service | ||
| CF | lift, and beside it, a hydraulic wheel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Just keep turning?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "turn wheel" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN WHEEL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You scream as the wheel shifts suddenly. The service lift door opens. | DavidW says, "yes" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Ooooooh." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You scream as the wheel shifts suddenly. The service lift door | ||
| CF | opens.You stumble into it, pushing past mandibles and slithering | ||
| CF | things, searching frantically for the control panel, hammering the | ||
| CF | rusted buttons as the aether-daemons close -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rusted buttons as the aether-daemons close --The lift lurches. The | ||
| CF | door slams shut. There is a crack as a creature's limb is severed, and | ||
| CF | slides wetly to the floor. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | slides wetly to the floor.You take a deep breath. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | slides wetly to the floor.You take a deep breath.You stomp on the limb | ||
| CF | with your boot. You keep stomping until you can't distinguish the limb | ||
| CF | from the other smears on the metal. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | from the other smears on the metal.And at last you dare to rest. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | from the other smears on the metal.And at last you dare to rest. | ||
| CF | * * * | DavidW says, "Meanwhile, in Canada ..." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Not sure if we could have kept turning the wheel and be safe, but maybe." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | * * *## Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "It reads like you were supposed to." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Maybe, yes." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x lift" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LIFT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Thank the Primes that this thing worked when it did. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "out" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OUT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Do you mean going west (to the kitchen) or going east (to the | ||
| CF | scullery)? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "Right. West, east?" | |
| Roger has arrived. | Knight_Otu says, "Hey Roger." | |
| DavidW says, "Try east first." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Scullery | ||
| CF | Your footsteps squelch in this stale, cramped space. The cobwebs here | ||
| CF | glitter with moisture and silk-wrapped things. Flies flit through your | ||
| CF | lamp-light, disturbed by your movements, gathering on moldy plates and | ||
| CF | slime-encrusted piping. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pitch-black shaft gapes above you. The lights of the service lift | ||
| CF | glow to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rickety ladder leans against the wall, providing access to the | ||
| CF | pitch-black shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x shaft" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHAFT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It appears to be the maintenance access for the service lift. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x flies" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X FLIES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | They nest here, feeding, multiplying. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x cobwebs" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X COBWEBS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Spiderwebs crisscross this place. They are caught in the light of your | ||
| CF | animus lantern; they insinuate themselves among your clothes and hair. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "hm. Maybe west should've been our choice." | |
| DavidW says, "If this is our escape route, then the kitchen will have the tools we need to succeed." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I suppose we'll need both directions anyway." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x ladder" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A long wooden ladder, worn from repeated use. Right now, it leans | ||
| CF | against the wall and provides access to the maintenance shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Climb it? or just "up"?" | |
| DavidW asks, "uh, 'right now'?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "look in shaft" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK IN SHAFT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That's too far away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "take ladder" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TAKE LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Is this ladder portable?" | |
| DavidW says, "I see." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "It is!" | ||
| DavidW says, "well, well, well." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "drop ladder" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > DROP LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You prop the ladder up so that it leads to the pitch-black shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "If we find a chasm, that's our bridge." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You squeeze into the shaft... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | It is cramped and dark and hard to move. You are prone on your elbows, | ||
| CF | wedged between unfeeling bricks, and your eyes hurt from the too-close | ||
| CF | lantern-light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The scullery is below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Engraved before you are the glyphs that conduct the galvanism of the | ||
| CF | service lift, and barely -- just barely -- keep it from plummeting | ||
| CF | away into the abyss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x glyphs" | ||
| CF ] Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GLYPHS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The glyphs are worn and decrepit. A few scratches from your scalpel, | ||
| CF | and the lift would become a deathtrap for the unwary. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Hm." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Is this a hint hint?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| DavidW says, "it must be" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "scrape glyphs" | ||
| CF ] Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SCRAPE GLYPHS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That object or command isn't available. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "scratch glyphs" | ||
| CF ] Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SCRATCH GLYPHS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That would untether the service lift and turn it into a deathtrap. | ||
| CF | You're not sure that's quite warranted at the moment. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "'at the moment'" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I mean, the assassin may come through the same way as us." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You drop down from the shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Scullery | ||
| CF | Your footsteps squelch in this stale, cramped space. The cobwebs here | ||
| CF | glitter with moisture and silk-wrapped things. Flies flit through your | ||
| CF | lamp-light, disturbed by your movements, gathering on moldy plates and | ||
| CF | slime-encrusted piping. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pitch-black shaft gapes above you. The lights of the service lift | ||
| CF | glow to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rickety ladder leans against the wall, providing access to the | ||
| CF | pitch-black shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You catch a glimpse of a spider in the corner of your vision. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x spider" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SPIDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You don't know where the spider went. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), " e" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can go up to the hoistway access or west to the service lift. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x platform" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PLATFORM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Thank the Primes that this thing worked when it did. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | Light streams thinly here, between dirt-choked basins and dust-coated | ||
| CF | countertops. Your steps raise plumes of snowlike ash, which slither | ||
| CF | among your battered boots and cling to them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the east is the service lift; to the south is a collapsed corridor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Nearby is a forlorn kitchen stool. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x basins" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BASINS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You aren't keen on testing the plumbing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x countertops" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X COUNTERTOPS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Covered in ash, perhaps. Or the castoffs of vermin. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x ash" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ASH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Cold white specks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x corridor" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CORRIDOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The shapes of the walls crumble, there. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "That stool must be important somehow." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x stool" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STOOL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A fragile thing, riddled with the marks of absent woodlice. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get it" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You approach to get a better look and -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You approach to get a better look and --She's there. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You approach to get a better look and --She's there.The | ||
| CF | assassin is there. She stalks the collapsed corridor, humming | ||
| CF | tunelessly, playing with the edge of her sword. She doesn't seem to | ||
| CF | have noticed you. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | have noticed you.You step back for now. If you get her attention, | ||
| CF | you'd best have a plan to survive it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well, that I didn't expect." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "I guess now we scratch the glyphs?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You slip away as silently as you can manage. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Scullery | ||
| CF | Your footsteps squelch in this stale, cramped space. The cobwebs here | ||
| CF | glitter with moisture and silk-wrapped things. Flies flit through your | ||
| CF | lamp-light, disturbed by your movements, gathering on moldy plates and | ||
| CF | slime-encrusted piping. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pitch-black shaft gapes above you. The lights of the service lift | ||
| CF | glow to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rickety ladder leans against the wall, providing access to the | ||
| CF | pitch-black shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "well, I don't think quite yet?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Hm, true." | ||
| DavidW says, "I think it's a timing thing, where we collapse the lift while the assassin is ON it." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Hmm." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf12" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "Which means letting her know we're here." | |
| MoyTravis says, "So, we yell, run through the lift, climb up the ladder (?) and scratch it? that seems...fraught." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Doesn't that trap us on this side afterwards?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get ladder" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It occurs to you that if you were to put down the rickety ladder here, | ||
| CF | it would bridge the width of the service lift. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "drop ladder" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > DROP LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You place the ladder across the lift so that it bridges the gap | ||
| CF | between the doorways. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "I think that's our escape route, isn't it?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess that's for later, yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "We can't reach the glyphs without the ladder." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get ladder" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Scullery | ||
| CF | Your footsteps squelch in this stale, cramped space. The cobwebs here | ||
| CF | glitter with moisture and silk-wrapped things. Flies flit through your | ||
| CF | lamp-light, disturbed by your movements, gathering on moldy plates and | ||
| CF | slime-encrusted piping. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pitch-black shaft gapes above you. The lights of the service lift | ||
| CF | glow to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "drop ladder" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > DROP LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You prop the ladder up so that it leads to the pitch-black shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x shaft" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHAFT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It appears to be the maintenance access for the service lift. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get ladder" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | Light streams thinly here, between dirt-choked basins and dust-coated | ||
| CF | countertops. Your steps raise plumes of snowlike ash, which slither | ||
| CF | among your battered boots and cling to them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the east is the service lift; to the south is a collapsed corridor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | In the corridor, the assassin paces back and forth with languor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "drop ladder" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > DROP LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Dropped. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "what?" | |
| DavidW asks, "Do you think the stool is enough to reach the glyphs?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Whops." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "No, I was confused." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get ladder" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "I mean maybe though?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You slip away as silently as you can manage. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Scullery | ||
| CF | Your footsteps squelch in this stale, cramped space. The cobwebs here | ||
| CF | glitter with moisture and silk-wrapped things. Flies flit through your | ||
| CF | lamp-light, disturbed by your movements, gathering on moldy plates and | ||
| CF | slime-encrusted piping. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pitch-black shaft gapes above you. The lights of the service lift | ||
| CF | glow to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "drop stool" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > DROP STOOL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You place the kitchen stool underneath the pitch-black shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There's no way you could fit in there carrying this ladder. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "drop ladder" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > DROP LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You prop the ladder up so that it leads to the pitch-black shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You squeeze into the shaft... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | It is cramped and dark and hard to move. You are prone on your elbows, | ||
| CF | wedged between unfeeling bricks, and your eyes hurt from the too-close | ||
| CF | lantern-light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The scullery is below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Engraved before you are the glyphs that conduct the galvanism of the | ||
| CF | service lift, and barely -- just barely -- keep it from plummeting | ||
| CF | away into the abyss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You drop down from the shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Scullery | ||
| CF | Your footsteps squelch in this stale, cramped space. The cobwebs here | ||
| CF | glitter with moisture and silk-wrapped things. Flies flit through your | ||
| CF | lamp-light, disturbed by your movements, gathering on moldy plates and | ||
| CF | slime-encrusted piping. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pitch-black shaft gapes above you. The lights of the service lift | ||
| CF | glow to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rickety ladder and a kitchen stool provide access to the pitch-black | ||
| CF | shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Hm." | |
| MoyTravis says, "Stool is enough." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | Light streams thinly here, between dirt-choked basins and dust-coated | ||
| CF | countertops. Your steps raise plumes of snowlike ash, which slither | ||
| CF | among your battered boots and cling to them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the east is the service lift; to the south is a collapsed corridor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | In the corridor, the assassin paces back and forth with languor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I'm unsure." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "So, now we yell, run to the glyphs, and hope for the best?" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Well it said on the last line - "A rickety ladder and a kitchen stool provide access..."" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Save prolly." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf13" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "We gotta try it sometime. We can refine our plan if it goes wrong." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "yell" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > YELL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Are you sure you want to get the assassin's attention? | ||
| CF | Please answer yes or no.> | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "yes" | ||
| CF | Please answer yes or no.> | ||
| CF | > YES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You cry out. The assassin turns her head -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You cry out. The assassin turns her head ---- her lips peel from a | ||
| CF | carnival of teeth -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | carnival of teeth --You break and run. The kitchen is a blur. You | ||
| CF | crash through the service lift -- send it lurching with your footfalls | ||
| CF | -- tear through the viscous cobwebs. All the while she gains, gains | ||
| CF | with impossible speed upon you, until -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with impossible speed upon you, until --A dead end. A stone wall. | ||
| CF | There is nothing further this way; nowhere else you can hide. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | There is nothing further this way; nowhere else you can hide.You don't | ||
| CF | know why you thought there would be. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | know why you thought there would be. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | *** The end comes swiftly *** | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Would you like to >restart, >restore a saved story, | ||
| CF | >quit, >undo the last command, or view the >help | ||
| CF | menu? | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Hmm. Well. Okay, game." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "RESTORE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf13" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > RESTORE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to read: | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | Ok. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can go east to the service lift or south to the collapsed | ||
| CF | corridor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "It didn't recognize our somewhat inept trap plan." | |
| DavidW asks, "Yell from the glyphs?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You slip away as silently as you can manage. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "yell" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > YELL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | No. You have to keep your cool. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Scullery | ||
| CF | Your footsteps squelch in this stale, cramped space. The cobwebs here | ||
| CF | glitter with moisture and silk-wrapped things. Flies flit through your | ||
| CF | lamp-light, disturbed by your movements, gathering on moldy plates and | ||
| CF | slime-encrusted piping. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pitch-black shaft gapes above you. The lights of the service lift | ||
| CF | glow to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rickety ladder and a kitchen stool provide access to the pitch-black | ||
| CF | shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Hm." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get ladder" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "drop ladder" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > DROP LADDER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You place the ladder across the lift so that it bridges the gap | ||
| CF | between the doorways. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | Light streams thinly here, between dirt-choked basins and dust-coated | ||
| CF | countertops. Your steps raise plumes of snowlike ash, which slither | ||
| CF | among your battered boots and cling to them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the east is the service lift; to the south is a collapsed corridor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | In the corridor, the assassin paces back and forth with languor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf14" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "yell" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > YELL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Are you sure you want to get the assassin's attention? | ||
| CF | Please answer yes or no.> | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "yes" | ||
| CF | Please answer yes or no.> | ||
| CF | > YES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You cry out. The assassin turns her head -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You cry out. The assassin turns her head ---- her lips peel from a | ||
| CF | carnival of teeth -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | carnival of teeth --You break and run. The kitchen is a blur. You | ||
| CF | crash through the service lift -- send it lurching with your footfalls | ||
| CF | -- tear through the viscous cobwebs. All the while she gains, gains | ||
| CF | with impossible speed upon you, until -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with impossible speed upon you, until --A dead end. A stone wall. | ||
| CF | There is nothing further this way; nowhere else you can hide. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | There is nothing further this way; nowhere else you can hide.You don't | ||
| CF | know why you thought there would be. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | know why you thought there would be. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | *** The end comes swiftly *** | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Would you like to >restart, >restore a saved story, | ||
| CF | >quit, >undo the last command, or view the >help | ||
| CF | menu? | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "RESTORE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf14" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > RESTORE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to read: | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | Ok. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger asks, "could we attract her attention from farther away?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Not it either." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to Roger), "Didn't seem so, but we can trry." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Service Lift | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You slip away as silently as you can manage. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Service Lift | ||
| CF | The lift has ground to a halt here, suspended between doorways. You | ||
| CF | are acutely aware of the creaking of the ancient mechanisms; the | ||
| CF | gentle cant of the platform within its cradle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, the doorway opens up into a large kitchen, while to the | ||
| CF | east a cobwebbed scullery can be seen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rickety ladder has been laid across the lift, neatly bridging the | ||
| CF | gap between the doorways. | ||
| CF | | DavidW asks, "Cut the glyphs first then go to kitchen and yell?" | |
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Scullery | ||
| CF | Your footsteps squelch in this stale, cramped space. The cobwebs here | ||
| CF | glitter with moisture and silk-wrapped things. Flies flit through your | ||
| CF | lamp-light, disturbed by your movements, gathering on moldy plates and | ||
| CF | slime-encrusted piping. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pitch-black shaft gapes above you. The lights of the service lift | ||
| CF | glow to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A kitchen stool has been placed under the pitch-black shaft, providing | ||
| CF | access. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Possibly" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You squeeze into the shaft... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | It is cramped and dark and hard to move. You are prone on your elbows, | ||
| CF | wedged between unfeeling bricks, and your eyes hurt from the too-close | ||
| CF | lantern-light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The scullery is below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Engraved before you are the glyphs that conduct the galvanism of the | ||
| CF | service lift, and barely -- just barely -- keep it from plummeting | ||
| CF | away into the abyss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "yell" | ||
| CF ] Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > YELL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | No. You have to keep your cool. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "scratch glyphs" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SCRATCH GLYPHS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You draw your scalpel from your pocket. You steel yourself, and with | ||
| CF | as much force as you can manage in these cramped quarters, gouge a | ||
| CF | scratch right through the center line -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | scratch right through the center line --A shock. You can feel | ||
| CF | enchantments disintegrating, unraveling around your fingers. You sense | ||
| CF | the lift grow heavy as its binding forces wither and fail. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Hoistway Access | ||
| CF | the lift grow heavy as its binding forces wither and fail.You scratch | ||
| CF | the glyphs a few more times. When you're finished, your scalpel is | ||
| CF | noticeably hotter. You clean the edge and let it cool before stowing | ||
| CF | it. You try not to think about the fact that you're plotting to murder | ||
| CF | someone. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Scullery | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You drop down from the shaft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Scullery | ||
| CF | Your footsteps squelch in this stale, cramped space. The cobwebs here | ||
| CF | glitter with moisture and silk-wrapped things. Flies flit through your | ||
| CF | lamp-light, disturbed by your movements, gathering on moldy plates and | ||
| CF | slime-encrusted piping. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A pitch-black shaft gapes above you. Through the sabotaged lift to the | ||
| CF | west, you see the abandoned kitchen. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A kitchen stool has been placed under the pitch-black shaft, providing | ||
| CF | access. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF ] Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The ladder creaks as you crawl across it... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Abandoned Kitchen | ||
| CF | Light streams thinly here, between dirt-choked basins and dust-coated | ||
| CF | countertops. Your steps raise plumes of snowlike ash, which slither | ||
| CF | among your battered boots and cling to them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the east is the scullery, across the rickety ladder; to the south | ||
| CF | is a collapsed corridor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | In the corridor, the assassin paces back and forth with languor. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "yell" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > YELL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You cry out. The assassin turns her head -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You cry out. The assassin turns her head ---- her lips peel from a | ||
| CF | carnival of teeth -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | carnival of teeth --You break and run. The kitchen is a blur. You | ||
| CF | crash through the service lift -- send it lurching with your footfalls | ||
| CF | -- tear through the viscous cobwebs. All the while she gains, gains | ||
| CF | with impossible speed upon you, until -- | DavidW says, "no 'are you sure' this time" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Marid this assassin is definitely trying to murder you you should not feel bad about countermurder." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with impossible speed upon you, until ---- wood splinters -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with impossible speed upon you, until ---- wood splinters ---- metal | ||
| CF | fails and reality turns. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | fails and reality turns.The lift has been dislodged from its | ||
| CF | unnatural suspension. Its arcane skeins have entangled the assassin in | ||
| CF | their coils. Now, shackled again to the chains of gravitation, that | ||
| CF | whole unwieldy apparatus has begun to collapse, and the assassin has | ||
| CF | been caught up in its descent. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | been caught up in its descent.Her smile falters. She tenses. Stops. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | been caught up in its descent.Her smile falters. She tenses. Stops."I | ||
| CF | -- you -- what --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | -- you -- what --"She scrabbles desperately for purchase. | ||
| CF | Impossibly, her claws gouge into the stone. She grasps at your feet -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Impossibly, her claws gouge into the stone. She grasps at your feet | ||
| CF | ---- digs into the flesh of your ankles -- you scream in pain | ||
| CF | -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ---- and she slips. She slips. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ---- and she slips. She slips.It is enough. The machine has been set | ||
| CF | in motion. The cacophony, the wailing gnashing whirlwind, it takes her | ||
| CF | and bears her down -- bears her shrieking into the abyss where reality | ||
| CF | ends, where all things end and are consumed. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ends, where all things end and are consumed.And she is gone. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ends, where all things end and are consumed.And she is gone.You | ||
| CF | collapse there on the edge of the shaft, inches from empty space. You | ||
| CF | start to cry. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Collapsed Corridor | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Collapsed Corridor | ||
| CF | Your footsteps feel strangely heavy as you walk down this final hall. | ||
| CF | The dust -- your footfalls -- your heartbeat -- they throb in time | ||
| CF | with every breath. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can see the light just up ahead. Just a little further. To the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "cf15" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Collapsed Corridor | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "That's one assassin less." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You --You stumble a little. You pick yourself up, blink the fog out of | ||
| CF | your eyes. You don't feel quite so well at the moment. | DavidW says, "So, now we just need to escape." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your eyes. You don't feel quite so well at the moment.Is that blood? | ||
| CF | Is it yours? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Collapsed Corridor | ||
| CF | Is it yours?It doesn't matter. You can't stop now. You have to keep | ||
| CF | going. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take a wobbly step. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You take a wobbly step.And another. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You take a wobbly step.And another.Step by step, with agonizing | ||
| CF | certainty, you push onward. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | certainty, you push onward.## Condemned Block | ||
| CF | You emerge into a sea of lights, of sweeping rain and hazy twinkling | ||
| CF | stars. The city of Furopolis rises all around you, and it has never | ||
| CF | been more beautiful nor a more welcome sight: you realize the light of | ||
| CF | the stars is rippling and wavering through your tears. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the stars is rippling and wavering through your tears.Why, then, are | ||
| CF | your feet so leaden, when the city is so close? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your feet so leaden, when the city is so close?Drenched, shivering, | ||
| CF | you make your way towards the gate that divides you from the world. | ||
| CF | Freedom is so close that you can taste it. There is a workman's access | ||
| CF | sealed by a thin padlock -- with trembling scalpel you press, and cut, | ||
| CF | and slowly separate the lock from its bonds... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and slowly separate the lock from its bonds...But the work will take | ||
| CF | an eternity, with this iron padlock, and this tiny blade. And your | ||
| CF | consciousness wavers and you are so, so tired. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | consciousness wavers and you are so, so tired.No. You -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | consciousness wavers and you are so, so tired.No. You ---- you slump | ||
| CF | to your knees, the scalpel slipping from your fingers. It's growing | ||
| CF | cold, now. Harder to see. The pavement about you is flecked with | ||
| CF | something like blood or rainwater. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | something like blood or rainwater.Perhaps you should take a rest. Just | ||
| CF | a short one. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | a short one.You clasp your pendant to your heart and close your eyes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Father's Laboratory | ||
| CF | There is a familiarity about this place, although you are rarely | ||
| CF | allowed inside. The aroma of your father's favorite tea mingles with | ||
| CF | that of ink-blotted corkboards and bubbling athanors; the alchemical | ||
| CF | lines, alight with power, swoop and soar above you into the rafters. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Father is decanting a spirit at his workstation. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Flashback time, it seems." | |
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x me" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ME | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You're thirteen years old. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your clothes. On your person is nothing of importance. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x corkboards" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CORKBOARDS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The markings writhe and change, never quite coalescing into formulae. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x athanors" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ATHANORS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A foreboding heat emanates from the furnaces. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x lines" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LINES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the soaring laboratory rafters) | ||
| CF | They're too bright. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "talk to father?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x father" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X FATHER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He's still alive. Lively. Warm. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to father" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory Talking to Father | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO FATHER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How are you alive?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I love you." | ||
| CF | 3) "Please come back." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "2? 3?" | |
| DavidW says, "any" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Either?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory Talking to Father | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Tears well up in your eyes. You blink them back, but they keep coming. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I love you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He turns around and smiles. He's so young. You'd almost forgotten his | ||
| CF | face. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I missed you so much." | ||
| CF | 2) "Don't do this to me." | ||
| CF | 3) "Don't leave me again." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory Talking to Father | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Don't -- don't --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can't do this. You choke. Your hands are trembling. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Father's eyes soften. "Is something wrong?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Father, you have to listen to me." | ||
| CF | 2) "Please listen to me." | ||
| CF | 3) "You have to run while you still can." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory Talking to Father | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "F-Father. You have to listen to me. Please..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He's not listening. The power lines have surged. A thump rocks the | ||
| CF | laboratory -- flames are licking at the lids of the athanors, and | ||
| CF | smoke is starting to fill the room. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid..." he breathes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Please..." | ||
| CF | 2) <Grab his hand.> | ||
| CF | 3) <Cry.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You reach out, but it is already too late. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You've had this dream a thousand times. Each time, it ends the same | ||
| CF | way. Each time, you are powerless to prevent it. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | way. Each time, you are powerless to prevent it.The athanor closest to | ||
| CF | your father explodes. Glass shatters. A plume of fire erupts, and both | ||
| CF | of you are thrown back from the blast -- you are dimly aware of | ||
| CF | porcelain pieces, scattered across the desk, shimmering in the intense | ||
| CF | heat. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | heat.Your father is calling your name. You see him then: bleeding out, | ||
| CF | barely recognizable. Another beaker falls to the floor and shatters. | ||
| CF | You can't breathe -- you force yourself up, unsteady, tottering | ||
| CF | towards your father, toward the flames... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | towards your father, toward the flames..."Marid, go!" he screams. | ||
| CF | "Just go! Run! Get help... get help... g..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Father's Laboratory | ||
| CF | "Just go! Run! Get help... get help... g..."His words are stolen away. | ||
| CF | They vanish with him in the smoke and the fire. You feel yourself | ||
| CF | slipping away -- feel the world buckling and crashing around you, as | ||
| CF | you stumble amidst the twisted metal and the ash -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you stumble amidst the twisted metal and the ash ---- excruciating | ||
| CF | pain -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | pain ---- and then a long | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | pain ---- and then a long dark | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | pain ---- and then a long dark silence. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your senses return in fragments and echoes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Your senses return in fragments and echoes.Something cold and numbing | ||
| CF | is pressed to your lips. You awaken -- you cough up dust, your parched | ||
| CF | throat cracking from the exertion. Standing over you, in the darkness, | ||
| CF | is a woman all in white. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Talking to the woman in white | ||
| CF | is a woman all in white. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Where is my father?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Talking to the woman in white | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Where... where is my father?" you ask weakly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The woman looks away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hush," she replies. "Don't exert yourself." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Are you going to take me to see him?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Are you going to take me to see him?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She doesn't respond. Not for a while. Instead she kneels and places a | ||
| CF | hand upon your cheek, inspecting you like a broken sculpture. Her face | ||
| CF | is a mask, tattooed and impossible to read -- and you find that you | ||
| CF | know it well. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | know it well.After all, the face is your own. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Talking to yourself | ||
| CF | know it well.After all, the face is your own."It's time," the other | ||
| CF | you says. "It's time to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Where are we going?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Who are you?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm not ready." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "The woman in white is Our Death." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm... I'm not ready..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She stands up -- and so do you. The ruins of your father's laboratory | ||
| CF | flicker, fade, and collapse into ash; it piles among your feet with | ||
| CF | the skeletons of your past. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You're free now, Marid," your other self says. "You've suffered | ||
| CF | enough. It's time to move on." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | enough. It's time to move on."And she points up -- up into the great | ||
| CF | aether, where the sparks of countless souls twinkle like stars. | MoyTravis says, "Oh, I haven't thought about that book series in...ages." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Talking to yourself | ||
| CF | aether, where the sparks of countless souls twinkle like stars.You | ||
| CF | imagine that your father is among them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Gaze at the stars.> | ||
| CF | 2) "You're taking me away." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Talking to yourself | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You watch the stars. In this time outside of time, you watch. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a beauty to the movement of the world; to the movement of the | ||
| CF | souls that orbit it. You remember where you've seen it before: an | ||
| CF | eternity ago, in Doctor Cavala's surgery room, you caught a glimpse of | ||
| CF | that animic light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | But here, now, the light washes over you, and you feel yourself being | ||
| CF | drawn to it like a river to the sea. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You're taking me away." | ||
| CF | 2) "I want to go..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Talking to yourself | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You're taking me away," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She nods. You feel a chill run down your spine. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I want to go..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I want to go," you admit. "I want to leave it all behind..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You lower your gaze. Your other self is silent. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You lower your gaze. Your other self is silent."...But I can't. I | ||
| CF | can't go. Not like this." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | can't go. Not like this."The animic light bears down upon you, harsh, | ||
| CF | questioning. It is difficult to stand beneath its weight -- to stand | ||
| CF | tall before the jury of numberless eyes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Talking to yourself | ||
| CF | tall before the jury of numberless eyes.Your other self cocks her | ||
| CF | head. "Why?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "It's not just about me..." | ||
| CF | 2) "I need to know..." | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm not done yet..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | |
| DavidW says, "any" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Any." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...It's not just about me." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You remember those moments, frozen in time and etched in memory. | ||
| CF | Laughing with Horatio on the Via Terminalis. Consoling Zoiro about his | ||
| CF | brother's death. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | brother's death."I'm caught up in something. I -- I don't know what. | ||
| CF | But I know that it's big. Bigger than all of us. And it's going to | ||
| CF | touch the lives of a hundred more, or a thousand more, before it ends. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | touch the lives of a hundred more, or a thousand more, before it | ||
| CF | ends."And... and maybe for the first time in my life... I can do | ||
| CF | something. To save them. To make a difference. And... and I..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | something. To save them. To make a difference. And... and I..."You | ||
| CF | look at your other self, trying desperately not to cry. And she looks | ||
| CF | at you. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | at you.And her eyes are alight with white fire. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | at you.And her eyes are alight with white fire."Vive," she | ||
| CF | commands. "Vide." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | commands. "Vide."And you feel yourself rising up, up into the | ||
| CF | lights, and you gasp for air, and you breathe, and you see -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | D A Y T H R E E | Knight_Otu says, "Live, and See, I believe." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | -- you jolt awake, shuddering, blinking, coughing. Everything feels | ||
| CF | heavy. A pair of hands grips your shoulders, steadies you. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | heavy. A pair of hands grips your shoulders, steadies you."Is she | ||
| CF | awake?" a voice breathes. Doctor Cavala's voice. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | awake?" a voice breathes. Doctor Cavala's voice."Yes," comes the | ||
| CF | reply. Then again, closer: "Marid? Can you hear me?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | reply. Then again, closer: "Marid? Can you hear me?"You close and open | ||
| CF | your eyes. There are strange patterns, echoes, swirling in your | ||
| CF | vision, infinitely long, and it hurts to see. It hurts to | ||
| CF | see... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | see...You slip back into unconsciousness. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...stabilizing..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | DavidW says, "'Once I'm sure you're okay, I'm gonna yell at you.'" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Lights. You see lights. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Lights. You see lights.You force your heavy eyelids to open. You're | ||
| CF | staring at the ceiling of Doctor Cavala's clinic. From the shadows it | ||
| CF | must be afternoon, around the time of your usual lunch break. But | ||
| CF | there's something off about the color of the light. Something strange. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Hey now, what did I do?!" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | there's something off about the color of the light. Something | ||
| CF | strange."Doctor?" you croak through parched lips. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | strange."Doctor?" you croak through parched lips."Marid!" a voice | ||
| CF | exclaims. "Thank the Primes..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A shadow falls across you; a hand grips your wrist close. You turn | ||
| CF | your head to see the smiling face of Doctor Justinian. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your head to see the smiling face of Doctor Justinian.Wha -- what -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | your head to see the smiling face of Doctor Justinian.Wha -- what -- | ||
| CF | 1) <Panic.> | ||
| CF | 2) "Doctor Justinian?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "D-Doctor Justinian?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Thank the Primes." He's checking your pulse now, leaning in to | ||
| CF | examine your eyes. Your gazes meet for a second, and his irises are | ||
| CF | fiery and alive and close. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | fiery and alive and close.You take a few deep breaths, trying | ||
| CF | to compose yourself. Neither of you speaks for a moment. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to compose yourself. Neither of you speaks for a moment."I thought | ||
| CF | we'd lost you," he says at last. "The Vigiles found you bleeding out | ||
| CF | in the condemned block... I heard your door was broken down. | ||
| CF | It boggles my mind that anyone could do a thing like this -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | It boggles my mind that anyone could do a thing like this --"But what | ||
| CF | matters is that you're here now. You're safe." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | matters is that you're here now. You're safe."There is a sound from | ||
| CF | the waiting chairs. You turn and see Doctor Cavala watching from her | ||
| CF | cot. Her throat is choked. Her eyes are red from crying. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | cot. Her throat is choked. Her eyes are red from crying."You're safe," | ||
| CF | she breathes. "Marid, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Doctor Cavala?" | ||
| CF | 2) "...Thank you, Doctor Justinian. For saving me." | ||
| CF | 3) "How long was I out?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I was attacked by a mutant woman with a sword..." | ||
| CF | 5) "What's wrong with the color of the light?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor Cavala?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She shakes her head. "I... I should have asked for a guard. A warding | ||
| CF | glyph. Something. I should have... I almost lost you, Marid. | ||
| CF | I... I let you down. I failed you." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | I... I let you down. I failed you."You've never seen her like this | ||
| CF | before. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | before."She's been like this since they brought you in," Doctor | ||
| CF | Justinian says quietly. "We'd best give her some time to herself." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "...Thank you, Doctor Justinian. For saving me." | ||
| CF | 2) "How long was I out?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I was attacked by a mutant woman with a sword..." | ||
| CF | 4) "What's wrong with the color of the light?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...Thank you, Doctor Justinian," you tell him. "For... for saving | ||
| CF | me." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He smiles. "You would have done the same for me." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How long was I out?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I was attacked by a mutant woman with a sword..." | ||
| CF | 3) "What's wrong with the color of the light?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How long was I out?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Justinian checks his pocket watch. "The guards found you lying | ||
| CF | in the rain... seven hours ago? You've been fading in and out ever | ||
| CF | since. You were deathly pale then, even paler than you normally are... | ||
| CF | it's a good thing I got to you in time." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I was attacked by a mutant woman with a sword..." | ||
| CF | 2) "What's wrong with the color of the light?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I was attacked by a mutant woman with a sword. The same person who | ||
| CF | broke in here the other night..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He nods grimly. "The Vigiles told me everything. Her name is Carnicer | ||
| CF | -- she's a hired assassin. The Greater Corindia Trading Company pays | ||
| CF | her to do its dirty work. But don't worry -- we've called in all the | ||
| CF | guards we can muster to protect you and Doctor Cavala." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Carnicer is dead. I killed her in self-defense." | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you think the Trading Company is behind this?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What's wrong with the color of the light?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...Carnicer is dead," you say. "I killed her in self-defense." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...Oh." Doctor Justinian blinks. "Well. I'm sure the captain will be | ||
| CF | glad to hear it. Still, you should remain here in case your enemies | ||
| CF | send someone else." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you think the Trading Company is behind this?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What's wrong with the color of the light?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you think the Trading Company is behind this?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He sighs. "Perhaps. Perhaps someone within the Company... but it's not | ||
| CF | my job to speculate. And you definitely shouldn't be doing any | ||
| CF | investigating in your current state." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What's wrong with the color of the light?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You try to focus on the light. It's out of place somehow, both here | ||
| CF | and not here -- shimmering and scintillating in a way that makes your | ||
| CF | head spin. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What's wrong?" you mumble. "What's wrong with the color of the... | ||
| CF | the..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the..."Your breath catches in your throat. Your brain refuses to | ||
| CF | comprehend what you are seeing. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | comprehend what you are seeing."Marid?" Justinian asks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Wrench your eyes shut.> | ||
| CF | 2) "I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Did we gain a superpower?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Maybe?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You close your eyes, but the image does not fade. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It lingers. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I -- I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hold on --" | DavidW says, "The 'Vide' might mean we're Seeing more than normal." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, it seems that way." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Hold on --"You get up despite your body's aches and protests. The | ||
| CF | world swirls around you, feels unreal. Justinian raises a hand but | ||
| CF | does not stop you. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | does not stop you.And you see. You still see. In | ||
| CF | life as in death. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | life as in death.## Clinic | ||
| CF | The light you see is not quite of this world. It does not originate | ||
| CF | from the fluorescent lamps. Yet it radiates still, engulfing this | ||
| CF | place, leaving its imprints in chair and counter and tile. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A long shadow falls from the north, from the surgery room. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala and Justinian are staring at you in concern. Neither of | ||
| CF | them appears to have noticed anything. A calomel curtain leads north | ||
| CF | to the surgery room, stairs lead down to the mortuary, and the front | ||
| CF | door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x chair" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CHAIR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | They're for waiting patients to sit on. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x imprints" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X IMPRINTS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It has no shape, and yet you see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I need to take a quick bathroom break. Continue playing and try not to die again." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "We see dead people. (Maybe.)" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, I can't promise the not dying. Just ask the protagonist of Cragne Manor." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Well we did just have a near-death experience." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "planeswalk" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PLANESWALK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That object or command isn't available. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "(Had to try it.)" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x shadow" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHADOW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It has no shape, and yet you see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x justinian" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X JUSTINIAN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He returns your gaze uneasily. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x cavala" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CAVALA | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Her eyes are red from crying. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The curtain parts. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Surgery Room | ||
| CF | You are in a cold cylindrical chamber, pulsing in a thousand | ||
| CF | dimensions illuminated from within. Dozens or hundreds of afterimages | ||
| CF | creep like specters at the edge of your vision. To the south, the exit | ||
| CF | is wreathed in calomel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A shimmering and fractured Reden sits upon the gurney. He looks at you | ||
| CF | with eyes that run black. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x reden" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X REDEN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He is cracked but somehow whole. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to reden" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO REDEN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "H -- Hello?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden twitches, as though animated by a jolt of galvanism. Again. His | ||
| CF | empty eyes pivot in their sockets. He opens his mouth, but you can't | ||
| CF | quite make out the words... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | quite make out the words...You feel a curling in your spine -- a | ||
| CF | beckoning to listen closer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Hesitate.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Listen closer.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), " 2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You close your eyes and focus. The light of the real world vanishes -- | ||
| CF | but the other light, that light that permeates the boundary, | ||
| CF | remains. You hold on to that light and follow it like a thread... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | remains. You hold on to that light and follow it like a thread...And | ||
| CF | the world shifts. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ...broken... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ...hurts... everywhere... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | ...hurts... everywhere... | ||
| CF | 1) "Hello?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Reden?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Reden?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ...yes... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How is it that I can speak with you?" | ||
| CF | 2) "You're breaking up..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Are you in pain?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Ow." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How is it that I can speak with you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ...must... be dead... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ...didn't peg... for a chatty one... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm not dead. At least, I don't think so." | ||
| CF | 2) "You're breaking up..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Are you in pain?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm not dead. At least, I don't think so." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You're breaking up..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Are you in pain?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Are you in pain?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ...hurts... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You're breaking up..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Is there any way I could help?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Is there any way I could help?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You're breaking up..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Doctor Cavala and I have been investigating your | ||
| CF | affliction..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor Cavala and I have been investigating your affliction..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You do your best to explain what you've uncovered. You sense a | ||
| CF | presence following your train of thought, in bits and pieces, in | ||
| CF | half-remembered parts. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | half-remembered parts....maybe... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | half-remembered parts....maybe......find... where... | ||
| CF | caught... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | caught......Chan... works... find... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | caught......Chan... works... find... | ||
| CF | 1) "The Channelworks?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "back" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "We may be semi-dead." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The Channelworks?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...A vision assaults you. A canal splits and runs off. A | ||
| CF | sewer heaves with misery and regret. You sit and drink, waiting, | ||
| CF | waiting for an answer that will never come -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | waiting for an answer that will never come --It's gone as quickly as | ||
| CF | it arrived. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I understand." | ||
| CF | 2) "I don't understand." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "Well, I understand that we should go to the sewer. Is that enough understanding?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Yeah prolly." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I understand." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'll find the place in the vision. I'll find out what happened | ||
| CF | to you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Additional info would be nice, though. Did he catch a fish or what?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I -- I'll find the place in the vision. I'll find out what happened | ||
| CF | to you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I promise." | ||
| CF | 2) "Goodbye, Reden." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "It's probably the wine again." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I promise." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ......thank you... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Talking to Reden's animus | ||
| CF | ......thank you... | ||
| CF | 1) "Goodbye, Reden." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Goodbye, Reden." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...The current buoys you upward. The world shifts. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You return gradually to your senses. The cold glare of the surgery | ||
| CF | room envelops you. The shelves, the gurney, the curtain: these things | ||
| CF | fall into their rightful place, and your body of flesh and blood among | ||
| CF | them. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | them.As your sense of self returns, you look instinctively to the | ||
| CF | center of the room -- but the ghostly Reden is nowhere to be seen. The | ||
| CF | gurney is empty. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | gurney is empty.And yet... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | gurney is empty.And yet...And yet you sense his presence. The pull of | ||
| CF | that other world still remains, inviting you to look beyond | ||
| CF | the curtain. Perhaps that other world was always here, and you only | ||
| CF | lacked the eyes to see it. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | lacked the eyes to see it."Marid? Are you all right?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | lacked the eyes to see it."Marid? Are you all right?"You turn. Doctor | ||
| CF | Justinian's brow is furrowed with worry. His eyes flicker between you | ||
| CF | and the empty gurney. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm fine." | ||
| CF | 2) "I think I just had one of my hallucinations." | ||
| CF | 3) "I think I just saw a ghost." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "Shall we tell?" | |
| DavidW says, "I don't fully trust J." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "I wanna see if he believes us." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Or he'll just be like "yah that's what a lotta folks who have near death experiences say" which, honestly, you know, not terribly unreasonable." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I think I just saw a ghost." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian looks at you. "A ghost? Surely -- but you don't mean..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Justinian looks at you. "A ghost? Surely -- but you don't mean...""I | ||
| CF | know what I said," you tell him. "I think... I think I spoke to a dead | ||
| CF | man. It felt too real to be a vision -- it wasn't like any | ||
| CF | hallucination I've ever experienced." | MoyTravis says, "...wait or maybe people know about ghosts in Alchemical Rome." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | hallucination I've ever experienced."Justinian falls silent. He opens | ||
| CF | and closes his mouth, unable to muster a reply. | DavidW says, "I'm not so sure." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and closes his mouth, unable to muster a reply.As the two of you exit | ||
| CF | the surgery room, Doctor Cavala's eyes are on you. She reaches for | ||
| CF | your hand as you walk past. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your hand as you walk past."Marid," she murmurs. "If... If you're --" | Roger says, "might be heretical" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your hand as you walk past."Marid," she murmurs. "If... If you're | ||
| CF | --"She's interrupted by footsteps approaching the doorway. You barely | ||
| CF | have time to look before the door swings open and a man in a gray coat | ||
| CF | barges in. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | barges in."Justinian!" he rasps. "There you are. Just what have you | ||
| CF | been doing all morning? Do you know how much time you've cost the | ||
| CF | Court?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Court?"Doctor Justinian stiffens. "Yes, of course, Doctor Serpens," he | ||
| CF | replies. "I wasn't aware that meetings took precedence over saving the | ||
| CF | life of a friend." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | life of a friend."The man called Serpens narrows his eyes. "Don't get | ||
| CF | lippy with me, Justinian. This is not a 'meeting.' It's an emergency | ||
| CF | inquest from the Philosophers themselves. And mark my words, you'll | ||
| CF | have your hide strung up if you don't move your damn fool behind." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | have your hide strung up if you don't move your damn fool | ||
| CF | behind."Doctor Justinian sighs and looks to you. "I'm sorry, Marid. | ||
| CF | We'll see each other again." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | We'll see each other again."They depart. A small group of Vigiles | ||
| CF | salutes the doctors as they exit, and escorts them down the street and | ||
| CF | out of sight. | DavidW asks, "Who is Dr Serpens?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | out of sight.Beside you, Doctor Cavala shakes her head. "Doctor | ||
| CF | Serpens," she mumbles. "Twenty years on and still a curmudgeon." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who is Doctor Serpens?" | ||
| CF | 2) "You knew him, Doctor?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What was that he said about an emergency inquest?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "lol the author predicted that." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, turns out we can ask," | ||
| DavidW says, "hooray" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Who is Doctor Serpens?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm surprised you haven't heard of him," she says. "He was... is... | ||
| CF | one of the foremost experts on physiology. A close rival of Doctor | ||
| CF | Arturus, back when they were both still practicing." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You knew him, Doctor?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What was that he said about an emergency inquest?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You knew him, Doctor?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Before your time," she says. "I apprenticed under him at the | ||
| CF | Valetudinarium. That was... twenty years ago? Before I | ||
| CF | enlisted..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What was that he said about an emergency inquest?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What was that he said about an emergency inquest?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala stiffens. "Right. We... we haven't told you. Much has | ||
| CF | changed in the district while you were out. Take a look outside." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | changed in the district while you were out. Take a look outside."She | ||
| CF | tilts her head at the door. You follow her gaze, and the shadows of | ||
| CF | soldiers can be seen through the glass. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | soldiers can be seen through the glass."The death toll of the | ||
| CF | affliction has climbed into the hundreds," she says. "The entire | ||
| CF | district is in a -- a panic. Word has reached the higher-ups and | ||
| CF | martial law has been declared. There are Vigiles patrols, checkpoints | ||
| CF | in the streets... and the quarantine. | Roger says, "dang, that was a load-bearing assasin" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Darnit, you affliction." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | in the streets... and the quarantine."No one can leave the district | ||
| CF | until a cure has been produced by the inquest, or until everyone up | ||
| CF | and down the canal is dead." | DavidW says, "So we can't freely travel." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | and down the canal is dead." | ||
| CF | 1) "Oh, Primes." | ||
| CF | 2) "What did you mean by checkpoints?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What about food and water? Or correspondence?" | ||
| CF | 4) "So this inquest is to find a cure for the affliction?" | ||
| CF | 5) "Didn't we establish that the deaths were murders, not a result | ||
| CF | of infection?" | ||
| CF | 6) "So what do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Oh, Primes." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala nods grimly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What did you mean by checkpoints?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What about food and water? Or correspondence?" | ||
| CF | 3) "So this inquest is to find a cure for the affliction?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Didn't we establish that the deaths were murders, not a result | ||
| CF | of infection?" | ||
| CF | 5) "So what do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What did you mean by checkpoints?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "The -- The Vigiles have divided the district into cells," she | ||
| CF | replies. "Do you remember the Golden Reckoning?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You rack your memory. "Now that you mention it, I remember something | ||
| CF | like that. Lots of walls and calomel curtains?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's the same system. Each section of the district has been | ||
| CF | partitioned off and quarantined. It's a way to forestall the spread of | ||
| CF | the disease until a cure is found." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the disease until a cure is found.""And no one is allowed to move | ||
| CF | between these cells?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | between these cells?""Very few can." Doctor Cavala sighs. "Doctor | ||
| CF | Justinian wasn't even supposed to be here. He's needed for the | ||
| CF | inquest, which is why Doctor Serpens made an exception for him. | ||
| CF | Magisterial fiat aside, not even I can pass through the checkpoints... | ||
| CF | and neither can you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What about food and water? Or correspondence?" | ||
| CF | 2) "So this inquest is to find a cure for the affliction?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Didn't we establish that the deaths were murders, not a result | ||
| CF | of infection?" | ||
| CF | 4) "So what do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What about food and water? Or correspondence?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "We can still receive packages from the rest of the city," Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala says. "There's a crew of physickers at the tram station -- | ||
| CF | they're teleporting rations to each section of the district, to be | ||
| CF | distributed by the Vigiles. We can also pass along messages through | ||
| CF | the Vigiles network, though obviously nothing material can be sent | ||
| CF | out." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | out."She pauses. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | out."She pauses."I... I've already asked Horatio to pass along my | ||
| CF | messages. If there's anyone outside the Channelwork District you want | ||
| CF | to contact, you should do so." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "So this inquest is to find a cure for the affliction?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Didn't we establish that the deaths were murders, not a result | ||
| CF | of infection?" | ||
| CF | 3) "So what do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "wait we have teleporters?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Magical alchemical world." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "So this inquest is to find a cure for the affliction?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It is," Doctor Cavala replies. "A research station has been set up in | ||
| CF | Doctor Arturus's clinic. Doctor Serpens is the head of operations. I'd | ||
| CF | have recommended you, but after what happened..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Didn't we establish that the deaths were murders, not a result | ||
| CF | of infection?" | ||
| CF | 2) "So what do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Didn't we establish that the deaths were murders, not a result of | ||
| CF | infection?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She fixes you with a hard look. "Hypotheses can change, Marid. | ||
| CF | Hundreds have turned up dead. Whether this is an epidemic or a | ||
| CF | slaughter, measures have to be taken." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "So what do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "Probably only some people have the skill to teleport anything." | |
| MoyTravis says, "The mixture of magic and, like, incredibly normal engineering is pretty eclectic." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "So what do we do now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala leans her head back. She closes her eyes, and for a | ||
| CF | terrible moment she looks like a corpse bereft of life. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | terrible moment she looks like a corpse bereft of life."I don't know," | ||
| CF | she says. "I don't know." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | she says. "I don't know."Her fingers twitch. Her voice cracks. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | she says. "I don't know."Her fingers twitch. Her voice | ||
| CF | cracks."Honestly, Marid, there's nothing we can do. There's nothing | ||
| CF | either of us can do. All we can do is wait." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | either of us can do. All we can do is wait."You feel a cold pit in | ||
| CF | your stomach. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Doctor? Are you all right?" | ||
| CF | 2) "You don't have any ideas?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I could go out there on your behalf, like last time." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis exclaims, "We can see dead people, that's more'n enough to get this all sorted!" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor? Are you --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid," she says quietly. "I know what you're thinking. You want to | ||
| CF | go out there. Make a difference. Marid, you just recovered from a case | ||
| CF | of severe hypoxia. You shouldn't even be standing right now." | DavidW says, "Maybe we can use the sewer system to get around. Maybe we can fly on a pigeon." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | of severe hypoxia. You shouldn't even be standing right now."She | ||
| CF | chuckles bitterly, and sinks into her makeshift cot like a wretched | ||
| CF | leaden thing. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | leaden thing."You were dead, Marid," she says, very quietly. "Just | ||
| CF | moments ago, you were clinically dead on the tarp." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What?" | ||
| CF | 2) "This isn't the time for jokes, Doctor." | ||
| CF | 3) <Say nothing.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You feel a chill down the back of your neck. "What?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I told Justinian you were still in there." she says. "I was so scared | ||
| CF | -- I was so scared I'd watch your animus leave your body -- and I'd | ||
| CF | lose you again --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | lose you again --"Doctor Cavala chokes up, and begins to sob. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | lose you again --"Doctor Cavala chokes up, and begins to sob."Is it | ||
| CF | worth it?" she asks. "Is it worth it to risk your life like this? To | ||
| CF | gaze into death?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm not afraid of death..." | ||
| CF | 2) <Hesitate.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "#1?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm not afraid of death, I have the power of UNDO and RESTORE." | ||
| DavidW says, "either" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A fire rises up in you, a bile white and furious. The words come to | ||
| CF | mind like armaments of Truth. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | mind like armaments of Truth."I'm not afraid of death," you tell her. | ||
| CF | "I've seen beyond the curtain." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "I've seen beyond the curtain."You look Doctor Cavala in the eye, and | ||
| CF | she returns your gaze with bated breath, with fearful wonder. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | she returns your gaze with bated breath, with fearful wonder."I've | ||
| CF | gone to the other side," you say. "I clawed my way back. And I fought | ||
| CF | every bit of the way -- I fought my way back to the land of | ||
| CF | the living, Doctor -- because I realized something. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the living, Doctor -- because I realized something."I can't run any | ||
| CF | more. There's no running from this... this madness. That's why we have | ||
| CF | to face it. That's why we have to heal it. It's what we do. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to face it. That's why we have to heal it. It's what we | ||
| CF | do."Maybe you've forgotten what the point of everything is. Maybe the | ||
| CF | stress of it all has broken you. But I haven't broken. Not yet. And | ||
| CF | I'm going to get out there, and save lives, and find the truth. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | I'm going to get out there, and save lives, and find the truth."It's | ||
| CF | what Father would have wanted." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | what Father would have wanted."You take a deep breath. You feel blood | ||
| CF | seething and pounding in your temples. | MoyTravis says, "I mean it seemed pretty okay, our death was a friendly lady. Which, apparently, the internet tells me that the deaths from the Golden Compass are all male? which uuuh. huh." | |
| DavidW says, "I've never read the Golden Compass." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "...huh." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Huuuuuuuuuuuuuh." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic Talking to Doctor Cavala | ||
| CF | seething and pounding in your temples.Doctor Cavala has fallen silent, | ||
| CF | and there are tears at the corners of her eyes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Hesitate.> | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm sorry..." <Leave her.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I've heard of it." | |
| MoyTravis asks, "Okay was "our death" a reference to something or just, like, convergant evolution, but death concepts?" | ||
| DavidW says, "It was obvious." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm good at recognizing tropes, or something." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Fair 'nuff. We gonna go now or...?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | In all your life, you have never come across a more terrible decision | ||
| CF | to make. Yet the more you have thought on it, the more the choice has | ||
| CF | become clear. It is the same choice you made when you applied to | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's clinic a lifetime ago. | DavidW says, "I suppose it was partial the woman having our face, and partly me having read The Graveyard Book recently." | |
| DavidW says, "I also know Death from the Sandman series." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Something similar happened in Photopia." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala's clinic a lifetime ago."I'm sorry," you tell her. "This | ||
| CF | is what I have to do." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | is what I have to do.""Marid --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | is what I have to do.""Marid --""I'll take care of myself. It'll all | ||
| CF | be fine. I promise." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | be fine. I promise.""Marid --" | DavidW says, "Okay, now Dr C should give us a new toy to use." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Marid, my endoscope..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | be fine. I promise.""Marid --"Doctor Cavala reaches madly for | ||
| CF | you as you pull away. She tries to stand and almost falls out of her | ||
| CF | cot. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | cot.Like a nurse subduing a patient, you push her back into her cot | ||
| CF | and draw a white blanket over her body. She stares at you with eyes | ||
| CF | like a terrified deer. You blink back tears. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | like a terrified deer. You blink back tears."I'll be fine," you say, | ||
| CF | "I promise. And I promise you this: no one else has to die." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "I promise. And I promise you this: no one else has to die."Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala has no words for you. She is quiet, whimpering, sobbing to | ||
| CF | herself like a child. It is almost too much for you to see her in this | ||
| CF | state. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | state.So you do the only thing you can do. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | state.So you do the only thing you can do.You turn around and place | ||
| CF | your hand on the door handle. With a final forlorn step, you leave | ||
| CF | everything behind. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a dead end of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings grasping fruitlessly at the sky. In the ceaseless | ||
| CF | rain, smears of animus-light weakly glow, winking in and out of | ||
| CF | existence like so many wandering souls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The dormitory block where you live lies to the north, and a gap | ||
| CF | between buildings hides an alley entrance to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The way east to the Via Terminalis has been barricaded by a Vigiles | ||
| CF | checkpoint. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "I suppose check out our home first?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Shall we see if we can talk to dead pigeons?" | ||
| DavidW asks, "Maybe?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Dormitory Block Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Dormitory Block | ||
| CF | Here is the faded arch, with its years of verdigris; here are the | ||
| CF | too-small atrium and the fountain at its center. All around above are | ||
| CF | innumerable domiciles, linked by crumbling stairs and divided by | ||
| CF | flimsy plaster walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The public house is closed tonight, and your room appears to have been | ||
| CF | cordoned off with warning tape. You can only exit the building to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Seems like neither." | |
| DavidW says, "well, drat" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West End Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West End | ||
| CF | You stand in the terminus of the Via Terminalis, a dead end of steel | ||
| CF | spires and buildings grasping fruitlessly at the sky. In the ceaseless | ||
| CF | rain, smears of animus-light weakly glow, winking in and out of | ||
| CF | existence like so many wandering souls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The dormitory block where you live lies to the north, and a gap | ||
| CF | between buildings hides an alley entrance to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The way east to the Via Terminalis has been barricaded by a Vigiles | ||
| CF | checkpoint. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Some schoolgirls walk past, not meeting your eye. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "That leaves the alleyway?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Crooked Alley Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You shuffle through the gap... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Crooked Alley | ||
| CF | A thin, twisting thread that winds between buildings. Rubbish | ||
| CF | accumulates around pipes and corners, not quite blocking the smoking | ||
| CF | vents of underground distilleries. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can escape by a gap between buildings to the north or a hanging | ||
| CF | banner to the northeast. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x vents" | ||
| CF ] Crooked Alley Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X VENTS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The south wall of the alley is lined with fume-spewing vents. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "ne?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x banner" | ||
| CF ] Crooked Alley Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BANNER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The banner is an advertisement for a night market, now three weeks out | ||
| CF | of date. You can't see much behind it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "ne" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > NE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You duck under the banner... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West Street | ||
| CF | You drift through empty blood-vessel streets, a speck of white | ||
| CF | mingling with cobblestones ashen and black. In place of carriages and | ||
| CF | people, there are quarantine signs and body bags. The air rings with | ||
| CF | silence, and in it there is the foul creeping odor of something | ||
| CF | terrible afoot. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are trying to make out the end of the bridge in the rain, when -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You are trying to make out the end of the bridge in the rain, when | ||
| CF | --"Marid?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | --"Marid?"-- you freeze. A voice echoes through the mist, anxious, | ||
| CF | painfully familiar in its concern. | DavidW says, "Horatio" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | painfully familiar in its concern.You look away. A young Vigile in a | ||
| CF | gas mask is pushing through the billowing rain. He's wiping raindrops | ||
| CF | from his lenses, struggling to make you out. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | from his lenses, struggling to make you out."Marid, is that you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Horatio." | ||
| CF | 2) <Say nothing.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well, we shouldn't be here..." | |
| MoyTravis says, "He's already spotted us, game's up, may as well just talk to him." | ||
| DavidW says, "He might bend to our PC aura." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid? Oh, Primes, what's happened to you?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Marid? Oh, Primes, what's happened to you?"Horatio's uniform is faded | ||
| CF | and a little ragged, and his natron-inlaid overcoat is ill-fitting. | ||
| CF | Rain pools in the crevices of his leather gloves as he takes your | ||
| CF | hand. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | hand."I thought you were with Doctor Cavala," he says. "I... She | ||
| CF | didn't..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Where were you?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm not with Doctor Cavala any more..." | ||
| CF | 3) "She's just sent me on an errand..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "I vote for anything but lying about what we're doin'." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "2? It#s the truth." | ||
| DavidW says, "mmhm" | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't want to lie to Horatio either." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm not with Doctor Cavala any more," you tell Horatio. "Things have | ||
| CF | changed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | His eyes widen. "What?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | His eyes widen. "What?""I'm investigating the epidemic, Horatio." You | ||
| CF | push his hand away. "People are dying. I can't just sit and wait in | ||
| CF | the clinic. I can't just give up on everything we've done." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the clinic. I can't just give up on everything we've done.""Marid..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the clinic. I can't just give up on everything we've | ||
| CF | done.""Marid..."Horatio moves as though to embrace you, but you stop | ||
| CF | him with your hand. He dares not come closer. His dark eyes beseech | ||
| CF | you from behind gas-mask glass, as if to say: why? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you from behind gas-mask glass, as if to say: why?"Marid, | ||
| CF | don't do this," he whispers. "You don't..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | don't do this," he whispers. "You don't...""I don't what?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | don't do this," he whispers. "You don't...""I don't | ||
| CF | what?"Horatio shakes his head. "...Marid, I was there when | ||
| CF | they brought you in. You were dying." Do you know --" His | ||
| CF | voice cracks. "Do you know how I felt, seeing you like that? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | voice cracks. "Do you know how I felt, seeing you like that?You think | ||
| CF | of your father's face wreathed in flame. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | of your father's face wreathed in flame."I know," you tell Horatio. "I | ||
| CF | know. I'm sorry. Take care of Doctor Cavala for me." | MoyTravis says, "good god so much spacebar" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | know. I'm sorry. Take care of Doctor Cavala for me."You turn away from | ||
| CF | your old friend and start walking. You don't look back, for fear that | ||
| CF | you won't have the willpower to break his heart again. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day Three | ||
| CF | you won't have the willpower to break his heart again.## Via | ||
| CF | Terminalis, West Street | ||
| CF | You drift through empty blood-vessel streets, a speck of white | ||
| CF | mingling with cobblestones ashen and black. In place of carriages and | ||
| CF | people, there are quarantine signs and body bags. The air rings with | ||
| CF | silence, and in it there is the foul creeping odor of something | ||
| CF | terrible afoot. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the southeast, the Via Terminalis bridges the canal. A condemned | ||
| CF | block is visible to the north, and a footpath follows the canal to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "And not even a drink at the space bar." | |
| DavidW asks, "Do we have our scalpel or not?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing an animus pendant (containing the spirit of your | ||
| CF | father), your natron jacket, and your clothes. On your person are your | ||
| CF | practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, an antiseptic cloth, | ||
| CF | an endoscope, Doctor Cavala's signum, an animus lantern (providing | ||
| CF | light), yesterday's copy of the Libri Liberi, a Fourth of | ||
| CF | Aquaria copy of the Libri Liberi, a note with Zoiro's | ||
| CF | address, some drink coupons, and a ticker-tape reel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "The game said we dropped it, I think." | |
| DavidW says, "oh, we have it." | ||
| DavidW says, "I think we want to go se to the bridge, then go down." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "We're carrying around that ticker-tape too? Are we...are we a hoarder?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We got it. Someone probably brought it along when they found us." | ||
| MoyTravis exclaims, "And that three-days-old newspaper!" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Or two-days-old? it's out of date in any case." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Sixth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There's nothing left to say. I've burned my bridges. I'm sorry. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now it's time to do what I set out to do. Reden, Doctor Arturus, all | ||
| CF | of them -- I'm going to make sure they didn't die in vain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Find the place from Reden's vision | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Reden's vision showed me a canal or sewer somewhere in the | ||
| CF | Channelworks, where he was drinking. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West Street | ||
| CF | You drift through empty blood-vessel streets, a speck of white | ||
| CF | mingling with cobblestones ashen and black. In place of carriages and | ||
| CF | people, there are quarantine signs and body bags. The air rings with | ||
| CF | silence, and in it there is the foul creeping odor of something | ||
| CF | terrible afoot. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the southeast, the Via Terminalis bridges the canal. A condemned | ||
| CF | block is visible to the north, and a footpath follows the canal to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says (to Moy), "We're an adventure game protagonist. We're not a hoarder, we're a kleptomaniac." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I thought the manhole cover was south, but we can go se." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "se" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Bridge | ||
| CF | Here your footsteps echo like a crowd among the arches and | ||
| CF | cobblestones. Endlessly does the rain dash itself against the bridge, | ||
| CF | making the Bilious Canal churn with forbidding mist and the eyes of | ||
| CF | the wayside statues run with tears. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A Vigiles checkpoint blocks the path to the southeast. You can only | ||
| CF | retrace your steps northwest, or failing that, descend a clandestine | ||
| CF | stairway to the south. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | stairway to the south.As you take a moment to catch your bearings, a | ||
| CF | mysterious hooded woman climbs up the steps from the south. She takes | ||
| CF | a fleeting glance at you -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Bridge Day Three | ||
| CF | a fleeting glance at you --She withdraws as if stung, and walks away | ||
| CF | quickly across the bridge to the northwest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well." | |
| DavidW says, "ominous" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Follow her?" | ||
| DavidW says, "uh, I doubt we can" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Yes?" | ||
| DavidW says, "It won't hurt to try." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Just go NW? also be prepared for stabbings maybe?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Let's try." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "nw" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > NW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West Street | ||
| CF | You drift through empty blood-vessel streets, a speck of white | ||
| CF | mingling with cobblestones ashen and black. In place of carriages and | ||
| CF | people, there are quarantine signs and body bags. The air rings with | ||
| CF | silence, and in it there is the foul creeping odor of something | ||
| CF | terrible afoot. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the southeast, the Via Terminalis bridges the canal. A condemned | ||
| CF | block is visible to the north, and a footpath follows the canal to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day Three | ||
| CF | south.You spy the hooded woman on the side of the street. As you catch | ||
| CF | up with her, she notices you and flees south along the canal. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Following the Canal | ||
| CF | Glittering waters roar alongside the footpath, running from north to | ||
| CF | south in an ever-restless torrent. North lies the Via Terminalis, and | ||
| CF | beyond it the mouth of the Channelworks; to the south, the path | ||
| CF | descends by steps and turns, ending in the algae and grime of Upper | ||
| CF | Riggertown. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The entrance to Riggertown appears to be blocked by a Vigiles | ||
| CF | checkpoint. There will be no going south from here. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | checkpoint. There will be no going south from here.The hooded woman is | ||
| CF | climbing down through the manhole, having opened it by unknown means. | ||
| CF | As you approach, she lifts her head. Only darkness is visible beneath | ||
| CF | her hood. | DavidW says, "oh, I was mistaken. You CAN follow her." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | her hood.She regards you like that -- the rain and the wind tugging at | ||
| CF | the hem of her cloak -- before she disappears into the manhole and | ||
| CF | slams it firmly shut behind her. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | slams it firmly shut behind her.You rush over and pull at the manhole | ||
| CF | cover, but it's useless. However she did it, the manhole seems to be | ||
| CF | locked from the inside. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Following the Canal Day Three | ||
| CF | locked from the inside.But the chase may not have been in vain after | ||
| CF | all. In her haste, the woman seems to have left an odd-looking stone | ||
| CF | behind. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x stone" | ||
| CF ] Following the Canal Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STONE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the stonework key) | ||
| CF | An artificially carved stone fragment that reminds you of a puzzle | ||
| CF | piece or key. One of its faces is crescent-shaped and covered in moss | ||
| CF | and graffiti paint. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get it" | ||
| CF ] Following the Canal Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Taken. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "I guess now we take the clandestine stairs." | |
| DavidW says, "I suppose return to the bridge and where she came from." | ||
| DavidW says, "yes. please." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis, West Street Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis, West Street | ||
| CF | You drift through empty blood-vessel streets, a speck of white | ||
| CF | mingling with cobblestones ashen and black. In place of carriages and | ||
| CF | people, there are quarantine signs and body bags. The air rings with | ||
| CF | silence, and in it there is the foul creeping odor of something | ||
| CF | terrible afoot. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the southeast, the Via Terminalis bridges the canal. A condemned | ||
| CF | block is visible to the north, and a footpath follows the canal to the | ||
| CF | south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "se" | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Bridge Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Bridge | ||
| CF | Here your footsteps echo like a crowd among the arches and | ||
| CF | cobblestones. Endlessly does the rain dash itself against the bridge, | ||
| CF | making the Bilious Canal churn with forbidding mist and the eyes of | ||
| CF | the wayside statues run with tears. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A Vigiles checkpoint blocks the path to the southeast. You can only | ||
| CF | retrace your steps northwest, or failing that, descend a clandestine | ||
| CF | stairway to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Some guards lead a prisoner down the street in chains. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Canalside Steps Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Canalside Steps | ||
| CF | The mist of the Bilious Canal slicks this cramped and winding | ||
| CF | stairway, and the rusted railings are battered with white spray. The | ||
| CF | bustle of the bridge reverberates cascading down the steps until it | ||
| CF | sinks beneath the dark rushing water. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Among the moss and graffiti of the east embankment, a mysterious iron | ||
| CF | door is set into the stone. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "Moss and graffiti, eh?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x moss" | ||
| CF ] Canalside Steps Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MOSS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the moss on the east embankment) | ||
| CF | Grim tufts of pelagic moss; a Dark Lands weed notoriously difficult to | ||
| CF | eradicate. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x graffiti" | ||
| CF ] Canalside Steps Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GRAFFITI | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the graffiti on the east embankment) | ||
| CF | Various vandalisms in aspirated paint. There are the usual signatures | ||
| CF | and faux-alchemical designs, as well as more esoteric images of the | ||
| CF | celestial and fantastical. Here, a three-headed sphinx; there, a | ||
| CF | crescent inscribed among stars. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x crescent" | ||
| CF ] Canalside Steps Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CRESCENT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the crescent in the graffiti) | ||
| CF | Running your fingers over the graffiti, you are startled to discover | ||
| CF | that the crescent in the graffiti conceals some kind of keyhole. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Is there a west embankment in view, then?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x door" | ||
| CF ] Canalside Steps Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DOOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An iron door flush with the embankment. It is dirty, but without rust, | ||
| CF | and unmarked except for a crescent-shaped window. There is no handle. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x west embankment" | ||
| CF ] Canalside Steps Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WEST EMBANKMENT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That object or command isn't available. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Put strange rock in keyhole?" | |
| DavidW says, "yes." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put key in keyhole" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT KEY IN KEYHOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The stonework key fits into the mural with a tingle, as though an | ||
| CF | alchemical glyph has been completed. The world blurs into the rain, | ||
| CF | and the rain into the world, and you see it -- a change in | ||
| CF | the order of the skeins that are woven before you. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Canalside Steps Day Three | ||
| CF | the order of the skeins that are woven before you.The iron door swings | ||
| CF | open. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "in" | ||
| CF ] Passage of Tears Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > IN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Passage of Tears | ||
| CF | In this lightless passage, the air is still and the sounds of the | ||
| CF | world seem to die. Yet the tunnel is alive nonetheless: it teems with | ||
| CF | raindrops, seeping from unseen cracks, sparkling with mirth as they | ||
| CF | reflect the dancing eye of your animus-light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west, you hear the echoing roar of the Bilious Canal. In the | ||
| CF | east, there is murmuring, and a candlelit glow. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x glow" | ||
| CF ] Passage of Tears Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GLOW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The east flickers. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Church of One Thousand Faces | ||
| CF | You are in a massive subterranean chamber, dark but for glittering | ||
| CF | glyphs and candlelight. There are countless pipes and galvanic lines | ||
| CF | running from the city's workings into the heart of this chamber; and | ||
| CF | there a great sculpture rises, many-headed and many-armed, like a | ||
| CF | monstrous irradiated god. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A crowd of worshippers, all mutants, is kneeling before the sculpture | ||
| CF | in prayer. A green-robed patriarch stands among them, overseeing the | ||
| CF | ceremony; and he looks at you. | DavidW asks, "You didn't close the door?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess I didn't." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ceremony; and he looks at you."Hello, child." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to the green-robed patriarch | ||
| CF | ceremony; and he looks at you."Hello, child."His is a voice that | ||
| CF | throbs, as though it were bubbles of vocalization escaping from broth. | ||
| CF | He regards you with a face full of holes and crinkles his jaw in a way | ||
| CF | approximating a smile. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Recoil instinctively.> | ||
| CF | 2) "Hello." <Try to stay calm.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "H -- Hello," you muster. Your voice is trembling. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "H -- Hello," you muster. Your voice is trembling."Oh... Oh!" the | ||
| CF | mutant exclaims. "You are not of our kind. My sincerest apologies." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | mutant exclaims. "You are not of our kind. My sincerest apologies."He | ||
| CF | -- at least you think it is a he -- he reaches behind himself with a | ||
| CF | gaunt arm and pulls his hood up. Colorful streamers dangle in front of | ||
| CF | his face, veiling its ragged angles from sight. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to the green-robed patriarch | ||
| CF | his face, veiling its ragged angles from sight."I am so very sorry for | ||
| CF | the shock." He steps closer. "We receive so few visitors. Especially | ||
| CF | from the world above." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "My name is Marid." | ||
| CF | 2) "Who are you?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What is this place?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I hope I'm not trespassing..." | ||
| CF | 5) "Are you aware that the Channelworks District is under | ||
| CF | quarantine?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "4" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 4 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I hope I'm not trespassing," you say. "I... There was a woman who | ||
| CF | dropped a key in a hurry, and..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The patriarch tilts his head. "You are a friend of ours, are you not?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | The patriarch tilts his head. "You are a friend of ours, are you | ||
| CF | not?""Um..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | not?""Um...""If you are not, I am afraid this conversation will take a | ||
| CF | rather unpleasant turn." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rather unpleasant turn.""...Yes," you say. "Yes, I'm a friend." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rather unpleasant turn.""...Yes," you say. "Yes, I'm a friend.""Then | ||
| CF | you have nothing to worry about." He chuckles, his chest heaving | ||
| CF | wetly. "As long as you pledge to leave us in peace, we shall afford | ||
| CF | you the same respect. I trust we are clear on this." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you the same respect. I trust we are clear on this.""Yes, sir." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to the green-robed patriarch | ||
| CF | you the same respect. I trust we are clear on this.""Yes, sir.""Very | ||
| CF | good." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "My name is Marid." | ||
| CF | 2) "Who are you?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What is this place?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Are you aware that the Channelworks District is under | ||
| CF | quarantine?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to the green-robed patriarch | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "My name is Marid," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Greetings, Marid." The mutant inclines his head. "Marid Orpheia, is | ||
| CF | it not? You are a brave woman to venture so far from home." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who are you?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What is this place?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Are you aware that the Channelworks District is under | ||
| CF | quarantine?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to Patriarch Natos | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Who are you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Ah! I have forgotten my manners." He clasps his hands together. | ||
| CF | "Forgive me. I am Natos, Natos Web-eye; but most here call me | ||
| CF | Patriarch Natos. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Here I am..." He sweeps a robed arm around the chamber. "Here is my | ||
| CF | congregation." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What is this place?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Are you aware that the Channelworks District is under | ||
| CF | quarantine?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What is this place?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You gaze at the terrible hydra in steel, and the dozens of mutants | ||
| CF | prostrating themselves before it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You are not from the basilica, then. Thank the stars." The patriarch | ||
| CF | laughs wetly and shakes his head. "And here I was, preparing to offer | ||
| CF | you a bribe." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you a bribe.""A bribe?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you a bribe.""A bribe?""We are outcasts, my child. Cast out from the | ||
| CF | temple of your people to walk the dark places. Tell me --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to Patriarch Natos | ||
| CF | temple of your people to walk the dark places. Tell me --"He fixes you | ||
| CF | with an eyeless gaze. "What do you know of Reason, and of mutantkind?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Reason is the law that governs all things, just as the | ||
| CF | Philosophers govern society." | ||
| CF | 2) "Mutants -- your people -- you were exiled to the Dark Lands, | ||
| CF | and mutated by the irradiata." | ||
| CF | 3) "...I've come to realize that I know a lot less about the world | ||
| CF | than I thought I did." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "3?" | |
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "...I've come to realize that I know a lot less about the world than I | ||
| CF | thought I did." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The patriarch regards you quietly for a while, a little eerily, though | ||
| CF | not without fondness. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | not without fondness."You are wiser than I was at your age," he says. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | not without fondness."You are wiser than I was at your age," he | ||
| CF | says."There are many things I don't know," you say. "And I've seen | ||
| CF | some things that made me question myself." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | some things that made me question myself.""Very well... very well..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | some things that made me question myself.""Very well... very | ||
| CF | well..."He nods, and for a moment you wonder if he is not smiling | ||
| CF | beneath his hood. Then, with a gnarled hand, he gestures at the statue | ||
| CF | of the hydra. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | of the hydra."Now it is my turn to answer," he says. "You asked me, my | ||
| CF | child: what is this place? It is a church, if you would like to call | ||
| CF | it that. Here we worship, and we pray, and we venerate the old | ||
| CF | traditions from the Dark Lands. Our rites have been handed down | ||
| CF | through generation after generation of mutants; and so they have | ||
| CF | passed into my care. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | passed into my care."Before you is a likeness of Anu Va, the Hydra | ||
| CF | God. It is one of the powers in the world, although the Philosophers | ||
| CF | would have you believe that it is not so. Trust me, for I have seen | ||
| CF | the Hydra with my own eyes. We worship and give offerings so that its | ||
| CF | terrible chaos does not consume us." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | terrible chaos does not consume us.""And you do this in secret," you | ||
| CF | say. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | say."Indeed," Patriarch Natos says. "The Philosophers do not take | ||
| CF | kindly to those who challenge their sacred idols: Reason, or | ||
| CF | Knowledge, or the Scientific Method. They call us 'cultists,' or else | ||
| CF | 'subversives,' and persecute us as they persecuted our ancestors. They | ||
| CF | will not admit that there are answers that cannot be found in | ||
| CF | textbooks, or that there are things Reason cannot explain. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to Patriarch Natos | ||
| CF | textbooks, or that there are things Reason cannot explain."That is why | ||
| CF | we hold our services in this abandoned cistern... and why we have to | ||
| CF | bribe Council officials from time to time." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know a mutant woman with a distinctive smile? One with | ||
| CF | lots of teeth?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Are you aware that the Channelworks District is under | ||
| CF | quarantine?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "Do we ask about the assassin who should be dead?" | |
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Why not?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to Patriarch Natos | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you know a mutant woman with a distinctive smile? One with lots of | ||
| CF | teeth?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The patriarch nods grimly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I knew the one of whom you speak," he says. "Carnicer was her name. | ||
| CF | We had not seen her here in some time... I had my misgivings about the | ||
| CF | paths in life she had chosen. It is a tragedy that her choices led her | ||
| CF | to such a terrible end." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Are you aware that the Channelworks District is under | ||
| CF | quarantine?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Huh. Some news travel very fast." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Are you aware that the Channelworks District is under quarantine?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Ah. Is that what this is about?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Patriarch Natos exhales softly. The streamers covering his face | ||
| CF | flutter. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | flutter."We know of the quarantine," he says. "We knew before the | ||
| CF | Council announced it. It is difficult to miss the movement of the | ||
| CF | Vigiles, the roadblocks appearing along the carriageways, if you have | ||
| CF | eyes and ears." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | eyes and ears.""I'm investigating the disease," you tell him. "I need | ||
| CF | to get to the Channelworks. I have reason to believe it may be the | ||
| CF | source of the outbreak." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | source of the outbreak.""Is that so?" He pauses. "Are you certain | ||
| CF | about this, child?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | about this, child?""I'm certain enough to stake my life on it." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | about this, child?""I'm certain enough to stake my life on | ||
| CF | it."Patriarch Natos eyes you gravely, his robes billowing in the | ||
| CF | candlelight. Finally, he turns and beckons for you to follow. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | candlelight. Finally, he turns and beckons for you to follow.He leads | ||
| CF | you to an abandoned aqueduct, cracked and tunnel-like, running north | ||
| CF | and south through the center of the dome. To the north, through a | ||
| CF | grate, you see a curtain with a black cross crudely painted on it. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | grate, you see a curtain with a black cross crudely painted on it."We | ||
| CF | are beneath the alchemical junction along the Via Terminalis," he | ||
| CF | says. "This is an ancient maintenance tunnel. If you go straight along | ||
| CF | the aqueduct, it will take you directly to the Channelworks pumping | ||
| CF | station; and if you wish to stay beneath the notice of the quarantine | ||
| CF | enforcers, it may be the only way to reach the Channelworks. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to Patriarch Natos | ||
| CF | enforcers, it may be the only way to reach the Channelworks."But I am | ||
| CF | loath to see you go, my child. You see, my congregation has avoided | ||
| CF | this tunnel for as long as I have ever known. It is said to be | ||
| CF | cursed." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What do you mean, 'cursed'?" | ||
| CF | 2) "You can't believe that." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to Patriarch Natos | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What do you mean, 'cursed'?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I mean what I say." He lowers his head solemnly. "Ever since we began | ||
| CF | our worship here, all who have chanced to go into the passage have | ||
| CF | died." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How did the deaths happen?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Can I see the bodies?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Does anyone else know about this curse?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Thank you for the warning. I'll be careful." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to Patriarch Natos | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How did the deaths happen?" you ask. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It is different every time," Patriarch Natos says. "Now and again, | ||
| CF | one of us is foolhardy enough to brave the passage. They will go, and | ||
| CF | they will return, seemingly none the worse for wear. They always say | ||
| CF | the same thing: that it is only an old, disused aqueduct, and there is | ||
| CF | nothing for us to fear. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "And yet, within the week, it will transpire that some terrible malady | ||
| CF | has befallen the explorer. They will bleed from within, or they will | ||
| CF | go insane, or their flesh will melt off their bones. And then they | ||
| CF | will die." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Can I see the bodies?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Does anyone else know about this curse?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Thank you for the warning. I'll be careful." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to Patriarch Natos | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Can I see the bodies?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I am afraid not," Patriarch Natos says. "There was a time when we | ||
| CF | buried those who had succumbed to the curse, but we soon found that | ||
| CF | the curse could linger in the graves. These days, we incinerate the | ||
| CF | bodies. We do not take chances." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Does anyone else know about this curse?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Thank you for the warning. I'll be careful." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Talking to Patriarch Natos | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Does anyone else know about this curse?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He shrugs. "In the beginning, we tried to get help. Discreetly, of | ||
| CF | course. There is an appeal, somewhere in the basilica, that a | ||
| CF | magistrate sympathetic to us has filed. But no one has come. I can | ||
| CF | only assume that it has fallen through the cracks of your | ||
| CF | bureaucracy." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Thank you for the warning. I'll be careful." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Thank you for the warning," you say. "I'll be careful." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You do not seem to be dissuaded," Patriarch Natos observes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "You do not seem to be dissuaded," Patriarch Natos observes.You think | ||
| CF | of Reden's black eyes, full of forlorn hope. You feel the weight of | ||
| CF | your pendant on your skin. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your pendant on your skin."...I see," the patriarch says. "You are | ||
| CF | determined. Very well. I hope you know what you are doing." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | determined. Very well. I hope you know what you are doing."He unlocks | ||
| CF | the grate, and with a tumultous creaking, pulls it open on its hinges. | ||
| CF | The ink-stained curtain billows like a flag. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | The ink-stained curtain billows like a flag."Thank you," you say. "For | ||
| CF | showing me the way." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | showing me the way."He nods. "Good luck on your journey, Marid | ||
| CF | Orpheia. May the Hydra have mercy upon you." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Day Three | ||
| CF | Orpheia. May the Hydra have mercy upon you."## Church of One Thousand | ||
| CF | Faces | ||
| CF | You are in a massive subterranean chamber, dark but for glittering | ||
| CF | glyphs and candlelight. There are countless pipes and galvanic lines | ||
| CF | running from the city's workings into the heart of this chamber; and | ||
| CF | there a great sculpture rises, many-headed and many-armed, like a | ||
| CF | monstrous irradiated god. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west is the passage back to the surface. To the north, an | ||
| CF | abandoned aqueduct leads to a Channelworks maintenance tunnel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A crowd of worshippers, all mutants, is kneeling before the sculpture | ||
| CF | in prayer. Patriarch Natos stands before them, overseeing the | ||
| CF | ceremony. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x sculpture" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SCULPTURE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It is a strange and terrible mutant built of optical illusions and | ||
| CF | alien angles. Many times larger than a man, it looks down on the | ||
| CF | worshipping congregation with one thousand fearsome heads, each one an | ||
| CF | impressionistic smear blending into the next. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf16" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Day Three | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Terminal Vein | ||
| CF | The candlelight dies here, where the aqueduct narrows. The ragged | ||
| CF | curtain hides a dark and dismal tunnel which bristles with rusted | ||
| CF | wires and broken pressure valves. And all around you, pale and | ||
| CF | half-formed, lurking in the crevices of your consciousness, are the | ||
| CF | spirits of the dead. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the aqueduct south to the underground church, or | ||
| CF | northwest where it opens out onto the pouring rain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis exclaims, "Talk to the ghosts!" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x spirits" | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SPIRITS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | They are the apparitions of unfamiliar mutants, somehow damaged and | ||
| CF | tied to this place. Some are skeletal, missing flesh. Others are | ||
| CF | without faces or limbs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to them" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO THEM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You fix the wandering spirits in your mind's eye. The tunnel melts | ||
| CF | into the rain and catches fire and shifts. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | This is a dead place. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | This is a dead place.You should not be here. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Talking to the spirits of the dead | ||
| CF | This is a dead place.You should not be here.1) | ||
| CF | "I come in peace." | ||
| CF | 2) "Who are you?" | ||
| CF | 3) "What happened to you?" | ||
| CF | 4) "I'm here on an important mission..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Talking to the spirits of the dead | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I come in peace." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Then why do you disturb us? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Who are you?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What happened to you?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm here on an important mission..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Who are you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...It has been so long since anyone asked our names. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...It has been so long since anyone asked our | ||
| CF | names.We do not remember. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | names.We do not remember.That part of us is | ||
| CF | gone. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Talking to the spirits of the dead | ||
| CF | gone. | ||
| CF | 1) "What happened to you?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm here on an important mission..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "geez" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What happened to you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ...We died. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...We died.There is something here that kills. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...We died.There is something here that kills.We | ||
| CF | did not heed the warnings. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | did not heed the warnings.We were young and foolhardy. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | did not heed the warnings.We were young and | ||
| CF | foolhardy.Too bad it took death to humble us. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Talking to the spirits of the dead | ||
| CF | foolhardy.Too bad it took death to humble us. | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm here on an important mission..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm here on an important mission," you say. "Hundreds of people are | ||
| CF | dead in the district. I think it may have something to do with the | ||
| CF | Channelworks. It might even be related to how you died." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...So the curse has found the upper city at last. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...So the curse has found the upper city at | ||
| CF | last.So that is what it took for them to send someone. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | last.So that is what it took for them to send | ||
| CF | someone.What do you want? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Talking to the spirits of the dead | ||
| CF | someone.What do you want? | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you know what exactly killed you?" | ||
| CF | 2) "What do you remember of your time in this passage?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Do you have any advice for me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you know what exactly killed you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | No. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | No.Death came for us without a sound. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | No.Death came for us without a sound.If we knew, | ||
| CF | we would have told the others. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Talking to the spirits of the dead | ||
| CF | we would have told the others. | ||
| CF | 1) "What do you remember of your time in this passage?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you have any advice for me?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Thank you for your help." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What do you remember of your time in this passage?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | This passage is our grave. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | This passage is our grave.We remember it clearly... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | This passage is our grave.We remember it | ||
| CF | clearly...Or do we? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | clearly...Or do we?We do not remember the end. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | clearly...Or do we?We do not remember the | ||
| CF | end.None of us do. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | end.None of us do.Strange. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | end.None of us do.Strange.It never seemed | ||
| CF | relevant. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Talking to the spirits of the dead | ||
| CF | relevant. | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you think your memories were manipulated?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Do you have any advice for me?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Thank you for your help." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The way none of the spirits remember the end of the passage is | ||
| CF | suspicious. It reminds you of an old rumor you once heard at college. | ||
| CF | You never really believed it, but now... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You never really believed it, but now..."Do you think your memories | ||
| CF | were manipulated?" you ask. "Like what they say the Philosophers once | ||
| CF | did to dissidents?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | did to dissidents?"... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | did to dissidents?"...What you speak of is only a | ||
| CF | rumor. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rumor.We do not know what to believe. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rumor.We do not know what to believe.It may be as | ||
| CF | you say, but... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you say, but...We would rather not speculate on ghost | ||
| CF | stories. | Knight_Otu says, "You literally are ghost stories, you." | |
| MoyTravis says, "The ghosts don't want to speculate on ghost stories." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Talking to the spirits of the dead | ||
| CF | stories. | ||
| CF | 1) "Do you have any advice for me?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Thank you for your help." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Ha." | |
| DavidW asks, "Should we get a tin foil hat?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Do you have any advice for me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ......Don't die. | Knight_Otu says, "THANKS." | |
| DavidW says, "These spirits are so not helpful." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Talking to the spirits of the dead | ||
| CF | ......Don't die. | ||
| CF | 1) "Thank you for your help." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Thank you for your help." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | ... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...Good luck... girl who talks to spirits. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ...Good luck... girl who talks to spirits.You close | ||
| CF | your mind's eye. The fire consumes you and the world shifts. | DavidW says, "The only thing they could tell us was that they couldn't remember." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Terminal Vein | ||
| CF | The candlelight dies here, where the aqueduct narrows. The ragged | ||
| CF | curtain hides a dark and dismal tunnel which bristles with rusted | ||
| CF | wires and broken pressure valves. And all around you, pale and | ||
| CF | half-formed, lurking in the crevices of your consciousness, are the | ||
| CF | spirits of the dead. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the aqueduct south to the underground church, or | ||
| CF | northwest where it opens out onto the pouring rain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "nw" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > NW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden's Haunt | ||
| CF | In the shadow of the Channelworks is this little crumbling ledge, | ||
| CF | where the roof has caved in and rain batters stone. Here is a manhole, | ||
| CF | and a waterway heaving with the Hydra Aquifera's runoff; | ||
| CF | beside it is a broken old chair surrounded by dozens of wine bottles. | ||
| CF | In their glass, you see distorted the face of the Channelworks above | ||
| CF | and the fury of the Bilious Canal below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the southeast, the aqueduct leads back to the mutant church. To the | ||
| CF | north, you can enter the bowels of the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A tiny string of glistering black runs along the ground and disappears | ||
| CF | into the north pipe. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x manhole" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MANHOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A rusted manhole with a dented grille. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | On closer examination, it's too small for you to fit into. But a | ||
| CF | goblin-sized person might be able to climb in. It looks like a shaft | ||
| CF | runs all the way from this manhole to Riggertown. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | runs all the way from this manhole to Riggertown.Your guess is that a | ||
| CF | certain goblin has been using this manhole to sneak onto this ledge | ||
| CF | beneath the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x waterway" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WATERWAY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A solution of horrible-smelling alchemical detritus. It runs from the | ||
| CF | wastewater channels leading out of the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "That black string is probably very dangerous." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x chair" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CHAIR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A tiny, rickety folding steel chair. You see the stamp of the Council | ||
| CF | of Works on its backrest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Probably." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x stamp" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STAMP | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The chair has probably been stolen from the Channelworks and left out | ||
| CF | here. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "bottles" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > BOTTLES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's the same brand you saw in Reden's shack. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x string" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STRING | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's a trail of some kind of liquid, shadowy in its consistency. You | ||
| CF | would have missed it if not for the way it caught your lantern's | ||
| CF | animus-light. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | animus-light.Something about it feels wrong. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf17" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "touch it" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TOUCH IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Something in the back of your mind -- in that newly opened chamber of | ||
| CF | your perception -- is screaming at you not to touch the string. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "good lord. Don't touch the deadly thing." | |
| MoyTravis says, "It's fine we have a biohazard suit. I think." | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x north pipe" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X NORTH PIPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That object or command isn't available. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x channelworks" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CHANNELWORKS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hydra Aquifera, pride of the district, cathedral to Knowledge | ||
| CF | and Power. Stunning bas-relief adorns its architecture, and the | ||
| CF | Bilious Canal flows from its mouth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x bas-reliefs" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BAS-RELIEFS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's too far away to make out. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x canal" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CANAL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | From this close, the Bilious Canal is enormous and spiteful and | ||
| CF | roaring. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Transfusion Pipe Scorpio | ||
| CF | You are in the belly of the beast now, in one of the many pipes that | ||
| CF | radiate from the Channelworks' pumping heart. Here the walls are | ||
| CF | sloped and plated in ancient sigiled brass, leaving you only a | ||
| CF | precarious steel catwalk to tread upon. Below and alongside you, | ||
| CF | rushing water flows, filling the pipe with a roaring echo like a | ||
| CF | tempestuous ocean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the pipe north or south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A black ribbon winds through a hairline crack in the brass plating, | ||
| CF | flowing in a steady drip from the north. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x ribbon" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X RIBBON | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Its shadowy length is a throbbing scar on your retina. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x crack" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CRACK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Its shadowy length is a throbbing scar on your retina. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x catwalk" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CATWALK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It leans a little when you shift your weight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "I suppose the ribbon is industrial waste from somewhere?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Likely." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hydromotive Control | ||
| CF | From this observation deck, you can see the grand scale of the | ||
| CF | operation of the Channelworks. A solid mass of machinery extends | ||
| CF | everywhere within this ancient building, filling its domed chambers | ||
| CF | and its high stone arches. Everywhere you look, pipes converge in a | ||
| CF | dizzying cacophony of hissing steam and flowing water, of whirling | ||
| CF | turbines and rolling metal drums. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A foul-smelling tunnel leads out of the Channelworks to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a console here, and a hydraulic door to the east which stands | ||
| CF | out from all the others. The black trail flows from one of the leaking | ||
| CF | pipes near this door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x console" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CONSOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A grand table finished in rosewood and orichalcum. There are a myriad | ||
| CF | different needles and indicator bulbs, labeled with arcane symbols and | ||
| CF | organized with geometric precision. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An inkstained memo has been left on one wing of the console. Beside | ||
| CF | it, there is a row of pistons with handles that can be pushed or | ||
| CF | pulled. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Currently, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is extended, the | ||
| CF | IV piston is retracted, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston | ||
| CF | is extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x memo" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MEMO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I've shut the laboratory until the crisis blows over. No seal yet, | ||
| CF | but the pressure safety lock should be enough to keep muties out. | ||
| CF | -S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get it" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET IT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You shouldn't. If you tampered with the memo, the Channelworks | ||
| CF | operators might realize you've been trespassing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x machinery" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MACHINERY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | These are the workings that underpin a society, which so few are able | ||
| CF | to glimpse. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x door" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DOOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A steel-and-brass door that looks like it pistons open and shut. It's | ||
| CF | currently shut, with a protesting pressure gauge in place of a lock. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BELOW SAFETY LIMITS," the rotary disc informs you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x trail" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X TRAIL | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The leak is thin and insidious, so difficult to see that you might not | ||
| CF | have noticed it under any other circumstance. It seems to be coming | ||
| CF | from the other side of the hydraulic door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x disc" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DISC | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BELOW SAFETY LIMITS," the rotary disc informs you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x gauge" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GAUGE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BELOW SAFETY LIMITS," the rotary disc informs you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf18" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hydromotive Control | ||
| CF | From this observation deck, you can see the grand scale of the | ||
| CF | operation of the Channelworks. A solid mass of machinery extends | ||
| CF | everywhere within this ancient building, filling its domed chambers | ||
| CF | and its high stone arches. Everywhere you look, pipes converge in a | ||
| CF | dizzying cacophony of hissing steam and flowing water, of whirling | ||
| CF | turbines and rolling metal drums. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A foul-smelling tunnel leads out of the Channelworks to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a console here, and a hydraulic door to the east which stands | ||
| CF | out from all the others. The black trail flows from one of the leaking | ||
| CF | pipes near this door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x console" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CONSOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A grand table finished in rosewood and orichalcum. There are a myriad | ||
| CF | different needles and indicator bulbs, labeled with arcane symbols and | ||
| CF | organized with geometric precision. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An inkstained memo has been left on one wing of the console. Beside | ||
| CF | it, there is a row of pistons with handles that can be pushed or | ||
| CF | pulled. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Currently, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is extended, the | ||
| CF | IV piston is retracted, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston | ||
| CF | is extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x piston i" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PISTON I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A brass piston labeled with the number 1. It can be pushed or pulled | ||
| CF | using the handle on its end. At the moment, it is retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Is there a piston III?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x piston iii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PISTON III | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Which do you mean, the I piston, the II piston, the IV piston, the VII | ||
| CF | piston, or the X piston? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Apparently not." | |
| MoyTravis asks, "1, 2, 4, 7, 10?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x symbols" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SYMBOLS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have no idea what any of these readings mean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Is there a gauge that shows total pressure?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "OH" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x gauge" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GAUGE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BELOW SAFETY LIMITS," the rotary disc informs you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "12! 10 + 2 = 7 + 4 + 1" | |
| MoyTravis asks, "So we need to equalize it?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Maybe?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Sounds as good as anything." | ||
| DavidW says, "I endorse this strategy." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull vii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL VII | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The VII piston is already extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push vii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH VII | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The VII piston retracts into the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is retracted, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The pressure lock on the door makes a pinging sound. Now it says | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE ABOVE SAFETY LIMITS." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Hm." | |
| MoyTravis says, "I guess that wasn't it." | ||
| DavidW says, "Possibly the pressure values don't match the piston numbers." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Maybe." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push i" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The I piston is already retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull i" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The I piston extends out of the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is extended, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is retracted, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull iv" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the Fourth of Aquaria copy of the Libri Liberi) | ||
| CF | Nothing obvious happens. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull piston iv" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL PISTON IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The IV piston extends out of the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is extended, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The pressure lock on the door makes a grating sound. Now it says | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BELOW SAFETY LIMITS." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push piston x" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PISTON X | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The X piston retracts into the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is extended, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The pressure lock on the door makes a pinging sound. Now it says | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE ABOVE SAFETY LIMITS." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull piston vii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL PISTON VII | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The VII piston extends out of the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is extended, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I think we need more info to solve this." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "It seems so, but..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hydromotive Control | ||
| CF | From this observation deck, you can see the grand scale of the | ||
| CF | operation of the Channelworks. A solid mass of machinery extends | ||
| CF | everywhere within this ancient building, filling its domed chambers | ||
| CF | and its high stone arches. Everywhere you look, pipes converge in a | ||
| CF | dizzying cacophony of hissing steam and flowing water, of whirling | ||
| CF | turbines and rolling metal drums. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A foul-smelling tunnel leads out of the Channelworks to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a console here, and a hydraulic door to the east which stands | ||
| CF | out from all the others. The black trail flows from one of the leaking | ||
| CF | pipes near this door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x steam" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STEAM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's the processed lifeblood of the district. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x console" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CONSOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A grand table finished in rosewood and orichalcum. There are a myriad | ||
| CF | different needles and indicator bulbs, labeled with arcane symbols and | ||
| CF | organized with geometric precision. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An inkstained memo has been left on one wing of the console. Beside | ||
| CF | it, there is a row of pistons with handles that can be pushed or | ||
| CF | pulled. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Currently, the I piston is extended, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push all pistons" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH ALL PISTONS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You'll have to specify which one. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Maaaaybe go back and ask the Patriarch?" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x memo" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MEMO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I've shut the laboratory until the crisis blows over. No seal yet, | ||
| CF | but the pressure safety lock should be enough to keep muties out. | ||
| CF | -S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "Maybe, but would he know?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Nothing jumps out about where we could find more info." | ||
| DavidW says, "'S' seems to know about the 'muties'." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Probably not but I don't have any better ideas?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Transfusion Pipe Scorpio | ||
| CF | You are in the belly of the beast now, in one of the many pipes that | ||
| CF | radiate from the Channelworks' pumping heart. Here the walls are | ||
| CF | sloped and plated in ancient sigiled brass, leaving you only a | ||
| CF | precarious steel catwalk to tread upon. Below and alongside you, | ||
| CF | rushing water flows, filling the pipe with a roaring echo like a | ||
| CF | tempestuous ocean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the pipe north or south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A black ribbon winds through a hairline crack in the brass plating, | ||
| CF | flowing in a steady drip from the north. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "look under console" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK UNDER CONSOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Sorry." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hydromotive Control | ||
| CF | From this observation deck, you can see the grand scale of the | ||
| CF | operation of the Channelworks. A solid mass of machinery extends | ||
| CF | everywhere within this ancient building, filling its domed chambers | ||
| CF | and its high stone arches. Everywhere you look, pipes converge in a | ||
| CF | dizzying cacophony of hissing steam and flowing water, of whirling | ||
| CF | turbines and rolling metal drums. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A foul-smelling tunnel leads out of the Channelworks to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a console here, and a hydraulic door to the east which stands | ||
| CF | out from all the others. The black trail flows from one of the leaking | ||
| CF | pipes near this door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "look under console" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK UNDER CONSOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You find nothing of interest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "flip memo" | |
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "flip memo" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > FLIP MEMO | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That object or command isn't available. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "turn memo over" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN MEMO OVER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That object or command isn't available. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x inkstain" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X INKSTAIN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x pipe" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PIPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (the leaking black trail) | ||
| CF | The leak is thin and insidious, so difficult to see that you might not | ||
| CF | have noticed it under any other circumstance. It seems to be coming | ||
| CF | from the other side of the hydraulic door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x needles" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X NEEDLES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have no idea what any of these readings mean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x machinery" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MACHINERY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | These are the workings that underpin a society, which so few are able | ||
| CF | to glimpse. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "ok, go ask Natos." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Transfusion Pipe Scorpio | ||
| CF | You are in the belly of the beast now, in one of the many pipes that | ||
| CF | radiate from the Channelworks' pumping heart. Here the walls are | ||
| CF | sloped and plated in ancient sigiled brass, leaving you only a | ||
| CF | precarious steel catwalk to tread upon. Below and alongside you, | ||
| CF | rushing water flows, filling the pipe with a roaring echo like a | ||
| CF | tempestuous ocean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the pipe north or south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A black ribbon winds through a hairline crack in the brass plating, | ||
| CF | flowing in a steady drip from the north. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden's Haunt | ||
| CF | In the shadow of the Channelworks is this little crumbling ledge, | ||
| CF | where the roof has caved in and rain batters stone. Here is a manhole, | ||
| CF | and a waterway heaving with the Hydra Aquifera's runoff; | ||
| CF | beside it is a broken old chair surrounded by dozens of wine bottles. | ||
| CF | In their glass, you see distorted the face of the Channelworks above | ||
| CF | and the fury of the Bilious Canal below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the southeast, the aqueduct leads back to the mutant church. To the | ||
| CF | north, you can enter the bowels of the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A tiny string of glistering black runs along the ground and disappears | ||
| CF | into the north pipe. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "se" | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Terminal Vein | ||
| CF | The candlelight dies here, where the aqueduct narrows. The ragged | ||
| CF | curtain hides a dark and dismal tunnel which bristles with rusted | ||
| CF | wires and broken pressure valves. And all around you, pale and | ||
| CF | half-formed, lurking in the crevices of your consciousness, are the | ||
| CF | spirits of the dead. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the aqueduct south to the underground church, or | ||
| CF | northwest where it opens out onto the pouring rain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "or the spirits, even" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to spirits" | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO SPIRITS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have learned all they have to offer. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Church of One Thousand Faces | ||
| CF | You are in a massive subterranean chamber, dark but for glittering | ||
| CF | glyphs and candlelight. There are countless pipes and galvanic lines | ||
| CF | running from the city's workings into the heart of this chamber; and | ||
| CF | there a great sculpture rises, many-headed and many-armed, like a | ||
| CF | monstrous irradiated god. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west is the passage back to the surface. To the north, an | ||
| CF | abandoned aqueduct leads to a Channelworks maintenance tunnel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A crowd of worshippers, all mutants, is kneeling before the sculpture | ||
| CF | in prayer. Patriarch Natos stands before them, overseeing the | ||
| CF | ceremony. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to natos" | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO NATOS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He's already told you everything that you need to know. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Sixth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | So this is the Channelworks. I've always dreamed of visiting, but I | ||
| CF | never imagined it would be like this. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | What killed you, Reden? What curse lurks in the bowels of this place? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Explore the Channelworks | ||
| CF | ...and figure out how to open the hydraulic door | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - It looks like the hydraulic door is automatically locked because the | ||
| CF | water pressure is currently unsafe. | ||
| CF | - I think the pistons on that console control the water pressure | ||
| CF | somehow. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Church of One Thousand Faces Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Church of One Thousand Faces | ||
| CF | You are in a massive subterranean chamber, dark but for glittering | ||
| CF | glyphs and candlelight. There are countless pipes and galvanic lines | ||
| CF | running from the city's workings into the heart of this chamber; and | ||
| CF | there a great sculpture rises, many-headed and many-armed, like a | ||
| CF | monstrous irradiated god. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the west is the passage back to the surface. To the north, an | ||
| CF | abandoned aqueduct leads to a Channelworks maintenance tunnel. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A crowd of worshippers, all mutants, is kneeling before the sculpture | ||
| CF | in prayer. Patriarch Natos stands before them, overseeing the | ||
| CF | ceremony. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Terminal Vein | ||
| CF | The candlelight dies here, where the aqueduct narrows. The ragged | ||
| CF | curtain hides a dark and dismal tunnel which bristles with rusted | ||
| CF | wires and broken pressure valves. And all around you, pale and | ||
| CF | half-formed, lurking in the crevices of your consciousness, are the | ||
| CF | spirits of the dead. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the aqueduct south to the underground church, or | ||
| CF | northwest where it opens out onto the pouring rain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden's Haunt | ||
| CF | In the shadow of the Channelworks is this little crumbling ledge, | ||
| CF | where the roof has caved in and rain batters stone. Here is a manhole, | ||
| CF | and a waterway heaving with the Hydra Aquifera's runoff; | ||
| CF | beside it is a broken old chair surrounded by dozens of wine bottles. | ||
| CF | In their glass, you see distorted the face of the Channelworks above | ||
| CF | and the fury of the Bilious Canal below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the southeast, the aqueduct leads back to the mutant church. To the | ||
| CF | north, you can enter the bowels of the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A tiny string of glistering black runs along the ground and disappears | ||
| CF | into the north pipe. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x valves" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X VALVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Terminal Vein | ||
| CF | The candlelight dies here, where the aqueduct narrows. The ragged | ||
| CF | curtain hides a dark and dismal tunnel which bristles with rusted | ||
| CF | wires and broken pressure valves. And all around you, pale and | ||
| CF | half-formed, lurking in the crevices of your consciousness, are the | ||
| CF | spirits of the dead. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the aqueduct south to the underground church, or | ||
| CF | northwest where it opens out onto the pouring rain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x valves" | ||
| CF ] Terminal Vein Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X VALVES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Old fixtures ruptured by the weight of years, and never mended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden's Haunt | ||
| CF | In the shadow of the Channelworks is this little crumbling ledge, | ||
| CF | where the roof has caved in and rain batters stone. Here is a manhole, | ||
| CF | and a waterway heaving with the Hydra Aquifera's runoff; | ||
| CF | beside it is a broken old chair surrounded by dozens of wine bottles. | ||
| CF | In their glass, you see distorted the face of the Channelworks above | ||
| CF | and the fury of the Bilious Canal below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the southeast, the aqueduct leads back to the mutant church. To the | ||
| CF | north, you can enter the bowels of the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A tiny string of glistering black runs along the ground and disappears | ||
| CF | into the north pipe. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Transfusion Pipe Scorpio | ||
| CF | You are in the belly of the beast now, in one of the many pipes that | ||
| CF | radiate from the Channelworks' pumping heart. Here the walls are | ||
| CF | sloped and plated in ancient sigiled brass, leaving you only a | ||
| CF | precarious steel catwalk to tread upon. Below and alongside you, | ||
| CF | rushing water flows, filling the pipe with a roaring echo like a | ||
| CF | tempestuous ocean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the pipe north or south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A black ribbon winds through a hairline crack in the brass plating, | ||
| CF | flowing in a steady drip from the north. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hydromotive Control | ||
| CF | From this observation deck, you can see the grand scale of the | ||
| CF | operation of the Channelworks. A solid mass of machinery extends | ||
| CF | everywhere within this ancient building, filling its domed chambers | ||
| CF | and its high stone arches. Everywhere you look, pipes converge in a | ||
| CF | dizzying cacophony of hissing steam and flowing water, of whirling | ||
| CF | turbines and rolling metal drums. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A foul-smelling tunnel leads out of the Channelworks to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a console here, and a hydraulic door to the east which stands | ||
| CF | out from all the others. The black trail flows from one of the leaking | ||
| CF | pipes near this door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x console" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CONSOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A grand table finished in rosewood and orichalcum. There are a myriad | ||
| CF | different needles and indicator bulbs, labeled with arcane symbols and | ||
| CF | organized with geometric precision. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An inkstained memo has been left on one wing of the console. Beside | ||
| CF | it, there is a row of pistons with handles that can be pushed or | ||
| CF | pulled. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Currently, the I piston is extended, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "What if you use the endoscope on the manhole?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh, right, that thing." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Transfusion Pipe Scorpio | ||
| CF | You are in the belly of the beast now, in one of the many pipes that | ||
| CF | radiate from the Channelworks' pumping heart. Here the walls are | ||
| CF | sloped and plated in ancient sigiled brass, leaving you only a | ||
| CF | precarious steel catwalk to tread upon. Below and alongside you, | ||
| CF | rushing water flows, filling the pipe with a roaring echo like a | ||
| CF | tempestuous ocean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the pipe north or south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A black ribbon winds through a hairline crack in the brass plating, | ||
| CF | flowing in a steady drip from the north. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Reden's Haunt | ||
| CF | In the shadow of the Channelworks is this little crumbling ledge, | ||
| CF | where the roof has caved in and rain batters stone. Here is a manhole, | ||
| CF | and a waterway heaving with the Hydra Aquifera's runoff; | ||
| CF | beside it is a broken old chair surrounded by dozens of wine bottles. | ||
| CF | In their glass, you see distorted the face of the Channelworks above | ||
| CF | and the fury of the Bilious Canal below. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the southeast, the aqueduct leads back to the mutant church. To the | ||
| CF | north, you can enter the bowels of the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A tiny string of glistering black runs along the ground and disappears | ||
| CF | into the north pipe. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "maybe Reden wrote something down there." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put endoscope in manhole" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT ENDOSCOPE IN MANHOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take a peek with the endoscope, but it's too dark to make anything | ||
| CF | out from the outside. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x hole" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X HOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "There was light inside the dead bodies?" | |
| DavidW asks, "Put lantern in manhole?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I think the endoscope provided its own light?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put lantern in manhole" | ||
| CF ] Reden's Haunt Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT LANTERN IN MANHOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | If you dropped it in the manhole, you'd never be able to get it back. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Transfusion Pipe Scorpio | ||
| CF | You are in the belly of the beast now, in one of the many pipes that | ||
| CF | radiate from the Channelworks' pumping heart. Here the walls are | ||
| CF | sloped and plated in ancient sigiled brass, leaving you only a | ||
| CF | precarious steel catwalk to tread upon. Below and alongside you, | ||
| CF | rushing water flows, filling the pipe with a roaring echo like a | ||
| CF | tempestuous ocean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can follow the pipe north or south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A black ribbon winds through a hairline crack in the brass plating, | ||
| CF | flowing in a steady drip from the north. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put endoscope in crack" | ||
| CF ] Transfusion Pipe Scorpio Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT ENDOSCOPE IN CRACK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The winding black ribbon isn't something you can thread the endoscope | ||
| CF | into. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hydromotive Control | ||
| CF | From this observation deck, you can see the grand scale of the | ||
| CF | operation of the Channelworks. A solid mass of machinery extends | ||
| CF | everywhere within this ancient building, filling its domed chambers | ||
| CF | and its high stone arches. Everywhere you look, pipes converge in a | ||
| CF | dizzying cacophony of hissing steam and flowing water, of whirling | ||
| CF | turbines and rolling metal drums. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A foul-smelling tunnel leads out of the Channelworks to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a console here, and a hydraulic door to the east which stands | ||
| CF | out from all the others. The black trail flows from one of the leaking | ||
| CF | pipes near this door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put endoscope in pipe" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT ENDOSCOPE IN PIPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Which do you mean, the cacophonous pipes or the leaking black trail? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "leaking" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LEAKING | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The leaking black trail isn't something you can thread the endoscope | ||
| CF | into. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x console" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CONSOLE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A grand table finished in rosewood and orichalcum. There are a myriad | ||
| CF | different needles and indicator bulbs, labeled with arcane symbols and | ||
| CF | organized with geometric precision. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An inkstained memo has been left on one wing of the console. Beside | ||
| CF | it, there is a row of pistons with handles that can be pushed or | ||
| CF | pulled. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Currently, the I piston is extended, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push piston i" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PISTON I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The I piston retracts into the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push piston ii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PISTON II | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The II piston retracts into the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is retracted, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push piston iv" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PISTON IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The IV piston retracts into the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is retracted, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is retracted, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push piston vii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PISTON VII | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The VII piston retracts into the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is retracted, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is retracted, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | retracted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull piston x" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL PISTON X | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The X piston extends out of the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is retracted, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is retracted, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull piston vii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL PISTON VII | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The VII piston extends out of the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is retracted, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is retracted, the VII piston is extended, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The pressure lock on the door makes a grating sound. Now it says | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BELOW SAFETY LIMITS." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push piston vii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PISTON VII | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The VII piston retracts into the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is retracted, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is retracted, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The pressure lock on the door makes a pinging sound. Now it says | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE ABOVE SAFETY LIMITS." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull piston iv" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL PISTON IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The IV piston extends out of the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is retracted, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull piston ii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL PISTON II | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The II piston extends out of the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is extended, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The pressure lock on the door makes a grating sound. Now it says | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BELOW SAFETY LIMITS." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push piston ii" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH PISTON II | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The II piston retracts into the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is retracted, the II piston is retracted, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The pressure lock on the door makes a pinging sound. Now it says | ||
| CF | "HYDRAULIC PRESSURE ABOVE SAFETY LIMITS." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "pull piston i" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL PISTON I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The I piston extends out of the console with a weighty hiss. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Now, the I piston is extended, the II piston is retracted, the IV | ||
| CF | piston is extended, the VII piston is retracted, and the X piston is | ||
| CF | extended. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | With a satisfying metallic click-click-clicking, the hydraulic door | ||
| CF | unlocks and telescopes open. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "hmph. We shouldn't have to blindly guess this." | |
| DavidW says, "oh. Congrats." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Wait so right now it's 1 & 4 & 10 v. 2 & 7...what even." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess it's a game of high-low of some sorts." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Well ok fair 'nuff. I guess we're just supposed to twiddle them and hone in on the answer." | ||
| Roger says, "Dealer stands on 17" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hydromotive Control | ||
| CF | From this observation deck, you can see the grand scale of the | ||
| CF | operation of the Channelworks. A solid mass of machinery extends | ||
| CF | everywhere within this ancient building, filling its domed chambers | ||
| CF | and its high stone arches. Everywhere you look, pipes converge in a | ||
| CF | dizzying cacophony of hissing steam and flowing water, of whirling | ||
| CF | turbines and rolling metal drums. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A foul-smelling tunnel leads out of the Channelworks to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a console here, and a hydraulic door to the east which stands | ||
| CF | open. The black trail flows from one of the leaking pipes near this | ||
| CF | door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf19" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Hydromotive Control Day Three | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clandestine Laboratory | ||
| CF | It is dusky here, and cold. The walls are austere bunker-brass. | ||
| CF | Looming about are locked cabinets and metal crates stamped with | ||
| CF | esoteric ciphers; there is a laboratory counter that bristles with | ||
| CF | papers, alembics, syphons, the skeletons of mice, the detritus of | ||
| CF | knowledge. The floor is dirty and scuffed. The counter has been used | ||
| CF | recently. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x cabinets" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CABINETS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | These look like filing cabinets for highly restricted treatises, the | ||
| CF | sort you would find in the Philosophers' animological research | ||
| CF | libraries. Each is labeled according to what you assume is a secret | ||
| CF | cataloguing system. All are physically locked and sealed by dozens of | ||
| CF | warding glyphs. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is one odd cabinet, though, that seems newer than the rest. The | ||
| CF | wards are the same, but the metal is a little less tarnished. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x odd cabinet" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ODD CABINET | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | This cabinet is a little less tarnished than the others. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x wards" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WARDS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Harsh red triangles are inscribed in a lattice all over the cabinets. | ||
| CF | You're no sigiler, but you know a deadly defensive spell when you see | ||
| CF | one. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "No scratching those out, I'm sure." | |
| DavidW says, "no." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x crates" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CRATES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You recognize them as the type of crate used to transport dangerous | ||
| CF | substances. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x ciphers" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CIPHERS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You have no idea what the symbols mean. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x counter" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X COUNTER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A cold desk light illuminates dated scientific theses and yellowed | ||
| CF | medical reports. By the looming shadows of old alembics and syphons, | ||
| CF | there is a glass containment cage filled with skeletal corpses of | ||
| CF | mice. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You feel like you need to investigate the items more closely. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x reports" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X REPORTS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There are human, goblin, and mutant anatomical diagrams; skeletons, | ||
| CF | musculatures, and circulatory systems. And there are other diagrams: | ||
| CF | ones with concentric circles, amorphous cross-hatched zones, rays of | ||
| CF | differing magnitude. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | differing magnitude.Slowly you realize what the diagrams are | ||
| CF | depicting. They are charts of the other light, the unseen light. They | ||
| CF | are meticulously measured and recorded diagrams of souls. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | are meticulously measured and recorded diagrams of souls.Some are | ||
| CF | fulgurant and whole, looking much as the spirits in the aqueduct did. | ||
| CF | Others are fractured, like Reden's animus, and torn apart. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Others are fractured, like Reden's animus, and torn apart.The | ||
| CF | fractured souls are labeled "NOCTIS TEST RESULTS." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | fractured souls are labeled "NOCTIS TEST RESULTS."There is some | ||
| CF | writing on the back of one of the reports. It reads: "I cannot do this | ||
| CF | anymore. My conscience weighs too heavily. Philosopher Scepter is no | ||
| CF | more and it is for the best that her atrocities are forgotten." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | more and it is for the best that her atrocities are forgotten."A line | ||
| CF | below it, in a newer hand: "You always were too cautious, Arturus, my | ||
| CF | friend." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Darnit." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x line" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LINE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your father gave you these tattoos when you were a young child, as is | ||
| CF | tradition in some alchemical families. Even now, the flowing, | ||
| CF | circuitous lines remind you of him. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x cage" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CAGE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A box for the observation of small creatures. The insides are dirty | ||
| CF | and coated with fungus. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x mice" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X MICE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Parts of the ribcages are black and corroded, as if eaten from within. | ||
| CF | There are no animii that you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "endoscope?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put endoscope in cage" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT ENDOSCOPE IN CAGE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The glass containment cage is empty. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "1. eww 2. seems unnecessary 3. ok sure why not" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put endoscope in mice" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT ENDOSCOPE IN MICE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The glass containment cage isn't open. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x alembics" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X ALEMBICS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Opaque liquids in warped glass. They look like solutions of bile left | ||
| CF | to stand, or perhaps what is left after oxygen is purged from blood. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x siphons" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SIPHONS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x syphons" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SYPHONS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Droppers, needles, and syringes, glistening and ruddy from recent use. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You notice a protruding shape hidden behind the syphons, cleverly | ||
| CF | concealed in the clutter of the laboratory counter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "where is the ribbon on this side of the door?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x shape" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SHAPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's a small push-button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x ribbon" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X RIBBON | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "I guess there's no leak visible here." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf20" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "Button probably opens the door out of here." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push button" | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUSH BUTTON | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | One of the cabinets swings open, revealing a secret passage to the | ||
| CF | east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I didn't see a second exit." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "There it is." | ||
| DavidW says, "aha" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "journal" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Sixth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I wish I never knew. I wish I'd never come here. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Investigate the laboratory and confirm your findings | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | MoyTravis says, "Whee button." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clandestine Laboratory Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clandestine Laboratory | ||
| CF | It is dusky here, and cold. The walls are austere bunker-brass. | ||
| CF | Looming about are locked cabinets and metal crates stamped with | ||
| CF | esoteric ciphers; there is a laboratory counter that bristles with | ||
| CF | papers, alembics, syphons, the skeletons of mice, the detritus of | ||
| CF | knowledge. The floor is dirty and scuffed. The counter has been used | ||
| CF | recently | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can go west to the hydromotive control room, or east through the | ||
| CF | open door of a false cabinet. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "I don't really understand why this game is still going" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e" | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > E | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Noctis Storage | ||
| CF | A freezing cold storage chamber not meant for the living. Desolate | ||
| CF | mist fills the aisles between banks of opaque black vats, which cast | ||
| CF | long and looming shadows in the flickering light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | In the faint glow of floor-to-ceiling sigilwork, the silhouettes of | ||
| CF | isolation chambers are outlined along the walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The exit is to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "...? Like why it's so long?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x chambers" | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CHAMBERS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Person-sized capsules with a single door and a small crystal window. | ||
| CF | You recognize them from the College laboratories for the study of | ||
| CF | infectious diseases. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "It just feels like the story has already concluded" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x sigilwork" | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SIGILWORK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It is a massive cooling system inscribed in mercury. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x vats" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X VATS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Huge alchemical storage vats. They are merciless pillars with empty | ||
| CF | visages. At first you think they are painted black. Then you look | ||
| CF | closer. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | closer.The vats are filled with darkness. It is the ineffable | ||
| CF | blackness that you saw leaking from the pipes. It is the night that | ||
| CF | descends when you go to sleep or die. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | descends when you go to sleep or die.It is broiling and it is seething | ||
| CF | and it hurts your eyes -- it hurts to see -- like looking | ||
| CF | into a hole in the fabric of the universe. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Day Three | ||
| CF | into a hole in the fabric of the universe.This is what you are looking | ||
| CF | at, in these massive, chilled storage vats. This is a laboratory for | ||
| CF | making more. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "So, not anima, but antima?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Noctis Storage | ||
| CF | A freezing cold storage chamber not meant for the living. Desolate | ||
| CF | mist fills the aisles between banks of opaque black vats, which cast | ||
| CF | long and looming shadows in the flickering light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | In the faint glow of floor-to-ceiling sigilwork, the silhouettes of | ||
| CF | isolation chambers are outlined along the walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The exit is to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x chambers" | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Day Three | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CHAMBERS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Person-sized capsules with a single door and a small crystal window. | ||
| CF | You recognize them from the College laboratories for the study of | ||
| CF | infectious diseases. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Sixth of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I wish I never knew. I wish I'd never come here. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Find someone to report your findings to | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Day Three | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Noctis Storage | ||
| CF | A freezing cold storage chamber not meant for the living. Desolate | ||
| CF | mist fills the aisles between banks of opaque black vats, which cast | ||
| CF | long and looming shadows in the flickering light. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | In the faint glow of floor-to-ceiling sigilwork, the silhouettes of | ||
| CF | isolation chambers are outlined along the walls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The exit is to the west. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > W | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You stumble back, away from the cold, away from the terrible | ||
| CF | nothingness that in those pillars broils. You are fumbling, | ||
| CF | looking for the exit, when -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | looking for the exit, when --"...someone there?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | looking for the exit, when --"...someone there?"You draw back, your | ||
| CF | heart racing. A voice rings through the Channelworks, and it is a | ||
| CF | familiar one. | Knight_Otu asks, "Justinian?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | familiar one."Damned mutants," Doctor Serpens's murmuring echoes. | ||
| CF | "Who's there? Identify yourself!" | DavidW says, "uh-oh." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Who's there? Identify yourself!"There is a loud hiss from the | ||
| CF | hydromotive control room. For a moment you hear nothing. Then it is | ||
| CF | there: the cold, atonal clanging of footfalls on metal, drawing closer | ||
| CF | and closer to where you are. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Day Three | ||
| CF | and closer to where you are.You need to hide. Now. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "Hide where?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "enter chamber" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > ENTER CHAMBER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | They're small, they're hidden, they're difficult to see into... they | ||
| CF | will have to be enough. | DavidW asks, "In the vats of DARKNESS?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | will have to be enough.You pick one of the isolation chambers at | ||
| CF | random, opening the pressurized door with a hiss before sealing | ||
| CF | yourself inside. The door closes on you. The room warps and bends | ||
| CF | through the prism of its tiny window. The sarcophagus shuts. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | through the prism of its tiny window. The sarcophagus shuts.You snuff | ||
| CF | your animus lantern and crouch down as low as you can, huddled in the | ||
| CF | horrible, sinking darkness. The seconds stretch on as you listen to | ||
| CF | that muffled thumping, thumping, thumping, drawing ever closer and | ||
| CF | closer in the outside world. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | closer in the outside world.Here he comes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | closer in the outside world.Here he comes.The floor reverberates dully | ||
| CF | with the impact of his passing. A second passes, and there is another | ||
| CF | footstep; and then another second, with an almost interminable held | ||
| CF | breath between. The darkness closes in on you, and the cold seems to | ||
| CF | worm its way into your fingers, and you bite down on the scream-sob | ||
| CF | that threatens to escape your lungs as a shadow flits momentarily | ||
| CF | across the glass. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | across the glass.It is torturous. And it does not end -- it will not | ||
| CF | end. You dare not come out, because you can see nothing, feel nothing. | ||
| CF | You hear nothing but those plodding footfalls, which will not | ||
| CF | leave. You taste nothing but the stifling dampness of your own | ||
| CF | exhalation. | DavidW says, "This won't be good." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | exhalation.You are beginning to wonder if you will die here. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | exhalation.You are beginning to wonder if you will die here.And then | ||
| CF | you hear him. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you hear him."...what... doing here..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you hear him."...what... doing here...""...Justinian, boy! What... | ||
| CF | permission from the inquest..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | permission from the inquest...""I don't need your damned permission, | ||
| CF | Doctor. What in the name of Reason..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Doctor. What in the name of Reason..."He's outside. Oh, Primes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Doctor. What in the name of Reason..."He's outside. Oh, Primes.You | ||
| CF | stand up in the chamber, very, very slowly, making sure that you are | ||
| CF | out of the thin light streaming through the crystal window. Then you | ||
| CF | brace yourself against the door and put one eye to the scene in the | ||
| CF | warped glass. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | warped glass.You see the receding shape of Doctor Serpens's coat. He | ||
| CF | steps out of the room, arguing with an adversary just out of earshot. | ||
| CF | The argument dies down, and you hear the distant echo of footfalls | ||
| CF | fading into noise. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | fading into noise.Then Justinian comes into the room, his coat | ||
| CF | billowing, his eyes flashing. It is almost as though you can see | ||
| CF | firelight following him. He stops in the room and looks around, | ||
| CF | clearly distraught. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | clearly distraught."Marid?" he yells. "Are you there? Marid?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | clearly distraught."Marid?" he yells. "Are you there? Marid?"1) | ||
| CF | "Justinian?" | ||
| CF | 2) <Remain hidden.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Well..." | |
| DavidW asks, "Why is Justinian there at all?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "That's a good question." | ||
| DavidW asks, "How does he know we're here? Does he have a tracer on us?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It *sounds* like he's here on official business against Serpens, but..." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Or he's the bad guy, like you expected." | ||
| Roger says, "He's been yelling that for the last 10 hours" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Anyways let's be quiet?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You stare out of the window with bated breath, not quite able to | ||
| CF | believe your eyes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian's face is twisted with the specter of anguish. He looks | ||
| CF | around, but he does not see you. He paces through the freezing aisles, | ||
| CF | clutching his coat close to his shivering shoulders as he scans the | ||
| CF | corners and the shadows. | DavidW says, "I dunno. Quiet might mean dying in this coffin." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | corners and the shadows."Marid, Marid, Marid," he says, in a voice | ||
| CF | that is almost cracked from grief. "Please... Marid... tell me you're | ||
| CF | here." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | here." | ||
| CF | 1) "Justinian?" | ||
| CF | 2) <Remain hidden.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "I'm voting just hide until he leaves." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You dare not emerge, but you feel tears welling up in your eyes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You watch as Justinian painstakingly searches the room, sometimes | ||
| CF | sobbing, sometimes begging for a sign. His hands are shaking as he | ||
| CF | struggles with the glyphs on the isolation chambers. He opens one only | ||
| CF | to find it empty, and slams the door shut with a scream of | ||
| CF | frustration. | DavidW asks, "And if he doesn't leave?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | frustration."Please, Marid, please," he repeats hoarsely. "Please be | ||
| CF | okay. I can't lose you. I can't lose you..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | okay. I can't lose you. I can't lose you..."You are beginning to feel | ||
| CF | horrible. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Justinian?" | ||
| CF | 2) <Remain hidden.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "I mean. He'll have a fun time searching all the chambers then." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Another go at driving him mad?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't know how he could possibly know we're here." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He goes around the room, opening and closing each isolation chamber in | ||
| CF | turn, calling your name over and over with such despair that you can't | ||
| CF | take it any longer. You just can't. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There are some things that you have to do. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Justinian?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Okay, okay." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Justinian?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your voice is a thin thread, a whisper that must be almost inaudible | ||
| CF | from outside the walls of your prison. But if it is a whisper, it is | ||
| CF | one with the power of a lightning bolt. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | one with the power of a lightning bolt.Justinian stands bolt upright, | ||
| CF | and his eyes widen and he looks around madly. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and his eyes widen and he looks around madly."Marid!" he says. "Marid? | ||
| CF | Marid, is that you?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Marid, is that you?""Justinian. I'm here." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Marid, is that you?""Justinian. I'm here."You tap the safety release | ||
| CF | glyph and the door opens. With a hiss the cool air rushes in, and the | ||
| CF | light, and a feeling of relief like a held breath finally letting go. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | light, and a feeling of relief like a held breath finally letting | ||
| CF | go.Justinian takes a couple of steps forward and embraces you. His | ||
| CF | dirty cheeks are stained with tears. | DavidW says, "hoo-boy" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | dirty cheeks are stained with tears.You feel weightless with | ||
| CF | Justinian's arms wrapped around you. He is close, and he is warm, and | ||
| CF | his heart is filled with fire. A part of you notifies your conscious | ||
| CF | mind that your cheeks are burning. But the embarrassment is less, | ||
| CF | somehow, after you have already died once. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | somehow, after you have already died once."Marid," he murmurs, almost | ||
| CF | under his breath. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Do you know | ||
| CF | how insane this is? You could have died." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | how insane this is? You could have died.""I know," you say. "I know. | ||
| CF | Listen --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Listen --""Marid, it's not safe here. You need to --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Listen --""Marid, it's not safe here. You need to --""Justinian, | ||
| CF | listen to me," you say. "I've found the source of the contagion. It's | ||
| CF | being produced right here in this laboratory. There's a stack of | ||
| CF | research notes on that desk. You need to tell the inquest to get a | ||
| CF | team down here so that... so that..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | team down here so that... so that..."Something is wrong. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | team down here so that... so that..."Something is wrong.Justinian's | ||
| CF | demeanor has not changed. He has shown no surprise, no reaction apart | ||
| CF | from his concern. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | from his concern.You try to pull away, but you cannot. His embrace has | ||
| CF | turned rigid. | DavidW says, "He already knows." | |
| Roger says, "awww nuts" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | turned rigid.You look up, and his eyes sear into yours like dark | ||
| CF | sunsets. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | sunsets. | ||
| CF | 1) "Justinian?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Justinian?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Yes, Marid?" His voice is soft. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "What's going on?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Why are you here?" | ||
| CF | 3) "You already know, don't you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You already know, don't you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Those unreadable eyes of his flicker across your face. Slowly, very | ||
| CF | slowly, he inclines his head in a nod. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | slowly, he inclines his head in a nod."I do." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | slowly, he inclines his head in a nod."I do."You begin to feel | ||
| CF | something creeping in your heart. It is a kind of pain. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How long have you known?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Why didn't you tell me?" | ||
| CF | 3) "...What else have you not told me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Noctis Storage Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How long have you known?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian's lips tighten with sadness, with unspoken regret. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "A long time," he says, very quietly. "I had hoped to be the one to | ||
| CF | tell you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Why didn't you tell me?" | ||
| CF | 2) "...What else have you not told me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "Bad boy." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There is a sense of a voice in the back of your mind that has been | ||
| CF | silenced, for a long time, and which you are only now able to hear. | ||
| CF | Now it is telling you something you had never wished to believe could | ||
| CF | be true. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | be true.For perhaps the first time you look at Doctor Justinian, and | ||
| CF | in the other-light that follows him, you see it. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | in the other-light that follows him, you see it."...What else | ||
| CF | have you not told me?" you say. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | have you not told me?" you say."You still aren't ready," Justinian | ||
| CF | whispers. "There's so much I wanted to tell you, Marid. If only --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | whispers. "There's so much I wanted to tell you, Marid. If only --""If | ||
| CF | only what?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | only what?"There is no more warmth in his embrace -- only a | ||
| CF | kind of sickening smoldering hurt that makes you want to throw up. You | ||
| CF | shove him with such force that he lets you go, and you stumble into | ||
| CF | the cold brass of the isolation chamber at your back. He looks away. | ||
| CF | His brow is furrowed with pain. Sorrow. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | His brow is furrowed with pain. Sorrow."I wish I didn't have to do | ||
| CF | this," he says. "I promise, Marid. I promise that one day you will | ||
| CF | forgive me." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | forgive me.""Justinian, what have you done?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | forgive me.""Justinian, what have you done?""One day you will | ||
| CF | forgive me," he repeats, and then he lunges at you with a cloth in his | ||
| CF | hand, and | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | hand, andyou can't breathe, and your vision swims and | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | hand, andyou can't breathe, and your vision swims andthe world ceases | ||
| CF | to be but for | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to be but forshadows cast in | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to be but forshadows cast inflame. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | D A Y F O U R | DavidW says, "oh, you bastard" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The weather is cool outside, and Father is gardening. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | The weather is cool outside, and Father is gardening.The towers of the | ||
| CF | Lake District are silvery bronze against the sky. The streamers on the | ||
| CF | balcony sway with a late-afternoon wind. You watch as Father reaches | ||
| CF | into the bucket and pulls out a fully grown pigeon, which struggles | ||
| CF | and twitches in his grip. | DavidW asks, "Back to daddy-vision, eh?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and twitches in his grip."Why do we have to bury the pigeons?" you | ||
| CF | ask. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ask.Father turns to you and smiles warmly as he holds the scalpel in | ||
| CF | his hand. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | his hand."So they will make the flowers grow," he says. He slits the | ||
| CF | pigeon's throat with a quick and brutal motion, and black blood pours | ||
| CF | from the wound, staining the soil in the pot with the dark, viscous | ||
| CF | consistency of ink. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | consistency of ink.Father buries the pigeon in the pot, and as he | ||
| CF | covers its body with cold black soil, you feel a fog coming over | ||
| CF | your mind and something wet and clammy pressing into you, and | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your head hurts. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Your head hurts.It's hard to think. Your body is numb and prickly all | ||
| CF | over. You're hungry and thirsty, and the back of your throat tastes | ||
| CF | like bitter wine. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | like bitter wine.You try to move your arms and legs, only to realize | ||
| CF | they have been bound. You rock experimentally and find yourself tied | ||
| CF | to a chair. Rope bindings chafe and dig into your skin. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to a chair. Rope bindings chafe and dig into your skin.It is dark; | ||
| CF | very dark. But then you remember, and you force yourself to wake up so | ||
| CF | you can see the other light. It works for you, after a | ||
| CF | fashion. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | fashion.You see your breath, swirling around in the | ||
| CF | nothingness, catching the emanations of your weakly glimmering animus. | ||
| CF | There are motes and sparks trailing from above, probably the | ||
| CF | afterimage of some ceiling light seared into the fabric of the veil. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | afterimage of some ceiling light seared into the fabric of the | ||
| CF | veil.And you see him. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | veil.And you see him.He switches on the light. It's blinding; | ||
| CF | you reflexively squeeze your eyes shut. You feel the rhythm of his | ||
| CF | heart, the unevenness of his exhalation, as he draws closer. He kneels | ||
| CF | down right next to you and presses a bowl of warm porridge to your | ||
| CF | lips. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | lips."Go on," comes the soft voice of Doctor Justinian. "Drink up." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | lips."Go on," comes the soft voice of Doctor Justinian. "Drink | ||
| CF | up."1) <Drink.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Don't drink.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "I suspect we#ll have to, but 2?" | |
| MoyTravis asks, "We may as well he's not gonna poison us?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, we weren't allowed to hide forever." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You gaze into the bowl. It's millet porridge that smells like it's | ||
| CF | fresh from the stove. There are almonds in it, and an egg, and a bit | ||
| CF | of honey. It smells exactly like the fare you used to have at the | ||
| CF | Physicians' College. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Like the fare that your father used to make. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Like the fare that your father used to make.Tears run down your cheeks | ||
| CF | as you lap up the porridge. Justinian holds the bowl to your mouth as | ||
| CF | you finish your meal. Then he takes a handkerchief out of his pocket | ||
| CF | and delicately dabs around your lips. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and delicately dabs around your lips.You cannot bear to look at your | ||
| CF | captor any longer. You turn away, shoving his hand aside with the | ||
| CF | motion. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | motion."What's wrong?" he asks. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "You really need to ask?!" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | motion."What's wrong?" he asks.Everything is wrong. But in a way that | ||
| CF | you cannot describe. Your heart sinks as it hits you -- the full | ||
| CF | ramifications of what has happened, and what is now happening. You | ||
| CF | feel as though your head is spinning and the world is slipping away. | DavidW asks, "uh, seriously, Justinian?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | feel as though your head is spinning and the world is slipping | ||
| CF | away."Justinian," you whisper. "Please. Don't... don't do this." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | away."Justinian," you whisper. "Please. Don't... don't do | ||
| CF | this.""Marid..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | this.""Marid..."There is warmth in his voice still, like a fireplace | ||
| CF | in the evening. But there is also pain, and anger. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | in the evening. But there is also pain, and anger.Justinian walks up | ||
| CF | to you and grabs your chin. He forces you to look at him. His jaw is | ||
| CF | set; his brow is furrowed with sorrow. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | set; his brow is furrowed with sorrow."Marid." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | set; his brow is furrowed with sorrow."Marid.""Please," you beg. | ||
| CF | "Please..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Please..."Slowly, he releases his grip. He turns around, clenching | ||
| CF | and unclenching his fists. There is silence for a long moment before | ||
| CF | he speaks again. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | he speaks again."I don't understand." His voice is low. "I'm just | ||
| CF | trying to help you. Why do you keep struggling, Marid? Why do | ||
| CF | you force yourself to suffer?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | you force yourself to suffer?" | ||
| CF | 1) "Where have you taken me?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Why have you tied me to a chair?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Did you do it, Justinian? Did you kill all those people?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "for someone who was all "haha I've survived Death so I'm not afraid of nothing" we've suddenly become pretty whiny about things" | |
| DavidW says, "well, we're still half in love with the rotter." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "I mean "being afraid of death" and "being distraught that your crush is a mass-murderer" are kinda different." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It's true." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Where have you taken me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian sighs. You watch the particles of his breath swirl | ||
| CF | dispassionately in the air. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | dispassionately in the air."You're safe, Marid," he says. "If you must | ||
| CF | know, we are still in the Channelworks. Not far from where I knocked | ||
| CF | you out. But this time, Doctor Serpens will not find you. The | ||
| CF | quarantine enforcers will not find you. Here we are in a safe space, | ||
| CF | where no one will break down your door, or hurt you, or threaten you | ||
| CF | again." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | again.""I would feel safer if you let me go," you say. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | again.""I would feel safer if you let me go," you say.Justinian shakes | ||
| CF | his head. "Marid... when will you learn to trust me? I will not hurt | ||
| CF | you, Marid. I could never hurt you." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Why have you tied me to a chair?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Did you do it, Justinian? Did you kill all those people?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "You already have, J." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Why have you tied me to a chair?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid." He pauses. "You must understand that I take no pleasure in | ||
| CF | doing this. I wish that I did not have to treat you like... like a | ||
| CF | common asylum patient. But you are not ready. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | common asylum patient. But you are not ready."I know that you | ||
| CF | hate me, Marid. You must hate me, after what I have done. But if I | ||
| CF | were to let you go free, you would run at the first opportunity. You | ||
| CF | would undermine everything that I have worked to accomplish." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | would undermine everything that I have worked to accomplish."He looks | ||
| CF | at you with a fire in his eyes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | at you with a fire in his eyes."I can't let that happen." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Did you do it, Justinian? Did you kill all those people?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The air is heavy in the chamber, the rope bindings like leaden weights | ||
| CF | upon your skin. You can hear Justinian's quiet breathing; feel the | ||
| CF | labored pulse of your own heartbeat, and how the contractions and | ||
| CF | releases mark the passage of the hours. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | releases mark the passage of the hours."Did you do it, Justinian?" you | ||
| CF | ask, very softly. "Did you kill all those people?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ask, very softly. "Did you kill all those people?"Justinian turns away | ||
| CF | from you and begins to pace. His eyes are dark; his hands are | ||
| CF | trembling. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | trembling.He is searching for the right words, like a lyrist trying to | ||
| CF | grasp the pain in his heart. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | grasp the pain in his heart."Do you remember the Physicians' College?" | ||
| CF | he murmurs. "Not so long ago, when we were young and foolhardy, and | ||
| CF | thought we could learn the origins of life. When we believed we could | ||
| CF | change the world." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | change the world."He turns around and gazes into the distance. He | ||
| CF | sighs. He begins again. His voice is quieter now, drawn tightly like a | ||
| CF | bowstring. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | bowstring."The Physicians' College lied to us, Marid. We were fools. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | bowstring."The Physicians' College lied to us, Marid. We were | ||
| CF | fools."Think, Marid. Humor me for a moment. We are both the | ||
| CF | apprentices of doctors. We have seen death aplenty. How many times has | ||
| CF | Doctor Cavala succeeded? And how many times has she failed? How many | ||
| CF | patients of yours have slipped away, no matter how much you tried to | ||
| CF | save them?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | save them?"His gloved hands ball into fists. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | save them?"His gloved hands ball into fists."Do you want to know the | ||
| CF | truth, Marid?" he says. "Let me tell you the truth. The truth is that | ||
| CF | death will happen with or without us. By illness, by injury, by old | ||
| CF | age, it hardly matters. The truth is that all our reason, all our | ||
| CF | years of learning -- they are nothing in the face of Death. | MoyTravis says, "We've been on the job, like, four days? Only one, actually." | |
| Roger says, "they called me MAD! ME! MAD!! for some reason" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | years of learning -- they are nothing in the face of | ||
| CF | Death."We cannot change the world. We cannot even save lives. All we | ||
| CF | do, Marid, is lie to ourselves. All we do is prolong the suffering, | ||
| CF | the uncertainty, before the fire and light of existence turn to ash." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the uncertainty, before the fire and light of existence turn to | ||
| CF | ash."There are tears glistening in Justinian's eyes, but his gaze does | ||
| CF | not waver as he speaks to you. You find that you cannot look away. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | not waver as he speaks to you. You find that you cannot look | ||
| CF | away."Listen to me, Marid," he says. "For four years we have known | ||
| CF | each other. You know me. You know that I am a principled man, and | ||
| CF | educated in the ars vitalis. I have sworn to do no harm. I | ||
| CF | have always upheld Reason. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | have always upheld Reason."And I know you, Marid. I know that you see | ||
| CF | what others do not. I know that you have experienced more loss than | ||
| CF | anyone. Marid, you are the one person who could possibly | ||
| CF | understand what I relate to you now. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | understand what I relate to you now."I tell you this because I trust | ||
| CF | you, and I know you, and... and I... I love you. I love you, | ||
| CF | Marid. I always have. | Knight_Otu says, "If you love me, set me free. Then see if I return to you." | |
| DavidW says, "We're still dancing around the point of this exercise." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Marid. I always have."So listen to me. Listen to me, Marid. | ||
| CF | Listen to me when I say that there is no use going in circles, trying | ||
| CF | and trying only to fail and fail again. Listen to me when I say that | ||
| CF | something has to change. That is why we have to do away with | ||
| CF | the old, and we have to tear out the rot, and we have to act. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the old, and we have to tear out the rot, and we have to | ||
| CF | act."You asked me, Marid, if I killed those people. I didn't | ||
| CF | answer your question because you weren't ready. I never told you | ||
| CF | because... because perhaps deep down, I always knew that it would come | ||
| CF | to this, with one of us tied to a chair. | MoyTravis says, "Man what even is your plan dude." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to this, with one of us tied to a chair."But now, Marid... now you | ||
| CF | know. Now I have told you the truth. And perhaps now you will | ||
| CF | understand when I tell you the answer to your question. | DavidW asks, "Is he trying to kill Death?" | |
| Roger says, "1. Kill lotsa people. 3. PROFIT" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | understand when I tell you the answer to your question."I killed those | ||
| CF | people, Marid. I found Doctor Arturus's weapon, and I brought it back | ||
| CF | from the grave, and now it is my scalpel to wield. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | from the grave, and now it is my scalpel to wield."No one can fight | ||
| CF | Death, Marid. That is why it is the only thing with the power to | ||
| CF | change the world." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | change the world."Justinian grips your shoulders and gazes at you, and | ||
| CF | you feel like you are about to cry. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | you feel like you are about to cry. | ||
| CF | 1) "Why did you kill Reden?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Why did you kill Creditor Nacarat and the thugs?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Why did you kill Doctor Arturus?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Why did you start the epidemic?" | ||
| CF | 5) "Why did Carnicer try to kill me and Doctor Cavala?" | ||
| CF | 6) "How much does Doctor Serpens know?" | ||
| CF | 7) <Change the subject.> "What will you do with me now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Top to bottom?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Why did you kill Reden?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Reden? You must mean the drunkard." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian places his hands on his hips and starts to pace. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Justinian places his hands on his hips and starts to pace."He was..." | ||
| CF | he begins. "He was an unfortunate casualty. He kept coming to the | ||
| CF | outflow of the Channelworks. He tripped our alarm sigils. At first I | ||
| CF | believed he had discovered something. | DavidW says, "sure." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | believed he had discovered something."In the end, we decided to let | ||
| CF | him drink in peace. But we were careless. One of our Noctis tanks... | ||
| CF | sprung a leak." | Roger asks, "I hope the answer to every single one is "What? Have you even been paying attention?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | sprung a leak."You recall the thin black strand that led you from | ||
| CF | Reden's haunt to the storage room. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Reden's haunt to the storage room.Justinian lowers his eyes. "It was a | ||
| CF | hairline fracture. I didn't notice until it was too late. By then, he | ||
| CF | had already been exposed." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | had already been exposed.""Then Reden's death... was an accident?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | had already been exposed.""Then Reden's death... was an | ||
| CF | accident?"Justinian folds his arms. "I would have taken more | ||
| CF | precautions in hindsight. I don't... Perhaps he didn't deserve to die. | ||
| CF | But I knew the risks when I set out to do this. If a few accidents are | ||
| CF | the cost of changing the world... so be it." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Why did you kill Creditor Nacarat and the thugs?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Why did you kill Doctor Arturus?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Why did you start the epidemic?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Why did Carnicer try to kill me and Doctor Cavala?" | ||
| CF | 5) "How much does Doctor Serpens know?" | ||
| CF | 6) <Change the subject.> "What will you do with me now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Why did you kill Creditor Nacarat and the thugs?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Why?" Justinian looks almost surprised. "Marid, you've been all over | ||
| CF | the Channelworks District. You know the Greater Corindia Trading | ||
| CF | Company, don't you? They are criminals, Marid. They are parasites. | ||
| CF | They are the worst aspects of society congealed into a tumor." | MoyTravis says, "No it's going to be a series of "I was FORCED by them to REGRETFULLY take their lives by them being such TERRIBLE PEOPLE"" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | They are the worst aspects of society congealed into a tumor.""They | ||
| CF | don't kill people with biological weapons." | Roger says, "You're right again" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Other than Reden, who I guess was just "our QC sux"" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, ""STOP MAKING ME KILL YOU!"" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | don't kill people with biological weapons.""Marid, Doctor Arturus was | ||
| CF | in debt to them." Justinian's eyes flash. "You weren't there, Marid. | ||
| CF | You don't know what they did. What they were capable of. Scum like | ||
| CF | that doesn't deserve to... to even breathe the same air as us. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | that doesn't deserve to... to even breathe the same air as us."When I | ||
| CF | needed test subjects for Noctis, I didn't have to think twice. Nacarat | ||
| CF | and his goons were the first ones to die because I knew the | ||
| CF | Channelworks District would be a better place without them." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Why did you kill Doctor Arturus?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Why did you start the epidemic?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Why did Carnicer try to kill me and Doctor Cavala?" | ||
| CF | 4) "How much does Doctor Serpens know?" | ||
| CF | 5) <Change the subject.> "What will you do with me now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Why... why did you kill Doctor Arturus?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian's face darkens, and he turns away. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Arturus..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Arturus..."He gazes contemplatively at his hands. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Arturus..."He gazes contemplatively at his hands."I held him in high | ||
| CF | regard. I believed in his ideals. He was the best pathologist in | ||
| CF | Furopolis, I'm certain. Perhaps the best in the world." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Furopolis, I'm certain. Perhaps the best in the world."His jaw | ||
| CF | tightens. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | tightens."I wish..." he says. "I wish he had understood. What he had | ||
| CF | on his hands... a weapon that could topple nations. A power that could | ||
| CF | change things for the better. But he didn't see it that way. All he | ||
| CF | saw, when he looked at Noctis, was a tool of destruction." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | saw, when he looked at Noctis, was a tool of destruction.""Maybe he | ||
| CF | was right," you say. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | was right," you say."He was wrong." Justinian clenches his fists. "He | ||
| CF | was wrong, and he was deluded. Trapped in the past. Death is not an | ||
| CF | end, Marid. It is a means, a tilling of the soil for a new beginning. | ||
| CF | We could have done so much..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | We could have done so much..."He exhales. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | We could have done so much..."He exhales."I tried to reason with him," | ||
| CF | he finishes. "But he was too set in his ways." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | he finishes. "But he was too set in his ways.""And you killed him for | ||
| CF | that?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | that?""There was no other way." His voice is quiet. "There was... | ||
| CF | there was nothing else I could have done. He would have ended the plan | ||
| CF | before it started. Destroyed his own creation, after I had spent so | ||
| CF | long following in his footsteps. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | long following in his footsteps."I couldn't let that happen. I had to | ||
| CF | make him look like another victim." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | make him look like another victim."You gaze at Justinian. "If I don't | ||
| CF | agree with you, will you kill me too?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | agree with you, will you kill me too?"He looks away and does not | ||
| CF | reply. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Why did you start the epidemic?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Why did Carnicer try to kill me and Doctor Cavala?" | ||
| CF | 3) "How much does Doctor Serpens know?" | ||
| CF | 4) <Change the subject.> "What will you do with me now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Why did you start the epidemic?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian puts his hands in his pockets and looks into the distance. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I thought you might ask that question," he says. "Let me ask you a | ||
| CF | question in return. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | question in return."Marid, have you ever wondered why the people of | ||
| CF | the Shanty Quarter suffer? They are good people. Hardworking people. | ||
| CF | Their hands are just as able as yours or mine. So why do they still | ||
| CF | starve? Why do they languish without homes? Without jobs? Without even | ||
| CF | the pity of the Council of Works to protect them? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the pity of the Council of Works to protect them?"The truth is that | ||
| CF | there is no place for them here. The Channelworks District has no room | ||
| CF | for them. Furopolis has no room for them. There is an upper limit to | ||
| CF | the number of people that can be made to live in one space." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the number of people that can be made to live in one space."You glare | ||
| CF | at Justinian. "And the epidemic is your way of... of culling | ||
| CF | them?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | them?"Justinian's face hardens, and his voice becomes humorless. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | them?"Justinian's face hardens, and his voice becomes humorless."Don't | ||
| CF | get me wrong, Marid. I don't enjoy killing. I never have. But do you | ||
| CF | remember what I said? Death will happen with or without us. The people | ||
| CF | in the Shanty Quarter will die with or without me. | Roger says, "no no no I've developed a way to make people smaller and smaller" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | in the Shanty Quarter will die with or without me.The only question is | ||
| CF | -- should they be made to bear a lifetime of suffering first? | ||
| CF | Scrounging for scraps and inflicting the same burden on generations of | ||
| CF | children? Should their descendants be forced to suffer because we | ||
| CF | couldn't imagine an alternative? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | couldn't imagine an alternative?"With Noctis, we have a choice. They | ||
| CF | have a way out. And it pains me to say this, but killing them may be | ||
| CF | the only moral choice. Even an atrocity such as this may be | ||
| CF | justified if it averts countless lifetimes of suffering. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | justified if it averts countless lifetimes of suffering."That is why I | ||
| CF | am doing this, Marid. I am killing them, yes -- but I am | ||
| CF | euthanizing them. I am setting them free." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Why did Carnicer try to kill me and Doctor Cavala?" | ||
| CF | 2) "How much does Doctor Serpens know?" | ||
| CF | 3) <Change the subject.> "What will you do with me now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "What a fucking asshole." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Excuse my language." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Why did Carnicer try to kill me and Doctor Cavala?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Carnicer." Justinian clenches his fists. "I didn't... She was out of | ||
| CF | line. I told her specifically that you were not to be harmed. But she | ||
| CF | took matters into her own hands." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | took matters into her own hands.""Why?" you whisper. "Why send her?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | took matters into her own hands.""Why?" you whisper. "Why send | ||
| CF | her?"Justinian shakes his head. "I never had a choice. If I could have | ||
| CF | resolved this any other way... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | resolved this any other way..."After Doctor Arturus, I realized you | ||
| CF | and Doctor Cavala were the only remaining obstacles to my plan. Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala is too paranoid... too set in her ways, like Arturus was. Given | ||
| CF | time she would realize what was happening and formulate a cure. And | ||
| CF | all of this --" He sweeps his hand across the room. "All my plans | ||
| CF | would have been for nothing." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | would have been for nothing.""So you... you sent an assassin | ||
| CF | after her?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | after her?""There was no other option." His voice is strained. | ||
| CF | "Negotiating with her was too risky. A bomb or poison would have put | ||
| CF | you in danger. I believed -- I thought that hiring a hitman was the | ||
| CF | best solution. | DavidW says, "Death is the only tool in his toolbox." | |
| MoyTravis says, "Look he has a bioweapon and he wishes to use it." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "When all you have is nihilism." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | best solution."I didn't account for Carnicer's unprofessionalism. Her | ||
| CF | cruelty. Had I known that she would go after you... I would have | ||
| CF | killed her myself." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "How much does Doctor Serpens know?" | ||
| CF | 2) <Change the subject.> "What will you do with me now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Who among us, when placed in the posession of an immensely powerful magical bioweapon, would not immediately set about murdering everybody in our local surroundings?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Also how is he going to be sure it doesn't escape the distrct and start hitting the parts he, presumably, likes? It seems real risky." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Unless he also has a vaccine sitting around somewhere." | ||
| DavidW asks, "I assume Serpens is a dick but of a lesser order, maybe?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd hope I'd think twice before going "Eh, what's a little genocide between friends."" | ||
| Roger says, "He's pulling a Thanos" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "How much does Doctor Serpens know?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor Serpens is my accomplice," Justinian says. "He has helped to | ||
| CF | misdirect the authorities, to manage the logistics of transmission. He | ||
| CF | is the kind of person you need on your side when performing an | ||
| CF | operation on this scale. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | operation on this scale."How should I say this..." He exhales. "I wish | ||
| CF | I didn't have to work with him. Doctor Serpens is an evil man -- he | ||
| CF | sees this as a cruel game, an opportunity to perfect his masterpiece | ||
| CF | in spite of the cancellation of his project. | DavidW says, "oh, Serpens is a full partner in this madness." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | in spite of the cancellation of his project."I can only hope that I | ||
| CF | have turned his cruel impulses towards a more productive cause." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Change the subject.> "What will you do with me now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Productive cause, he says." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Hope we have better arguments for him than we had for the pigeon lady." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "What will you do with me now?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian takes a long moment to reply. The light flickers a little. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Justinian takes a long moment to reply. The light flickers a little."I | ||
| CF | don't know," he says. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | don't know," he says.He takes a couple of steps forward, placing his | ||
| CF | hand on the backrest of your chair. He gazes at the wall behind you. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | hand on the backrest of your chair. He gazes at the wall behind | ||
| CF | you."I..." he begins. "I have told you everything, now. I have laid | ||
| CF | myself bare to you. Now you see... the full magnitude of what I have | ||
| CF | been fighting for. What I have sacrificed everything to accomplish. | MoyTravis says, "Uh I don't think reasoned arguments are on the table here, really." | |
| DavidW says, "yeah, the pigeon lady was a foreshadowing, for sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | been fighting for. What I have sacrificed everything to | ||
| CF | accomplish."The other doctors could never understand. They could not | ||
| CF | know... what a terrible thing it is, that has to be done. But you, | ||
| CF | Marid, you are different. I know you are. I know you can see things | ||
| CF | differently, and perhaps you too will know, and understand the truth. | Knight_Otu says (to Moy), "I guess, yeah." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | differently, and perhaps you too will know, and understand the | ||
| CF | truth."One day... one day, we may even..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | truth."One day... one day, we may even..."He trails off, and shakes | ||
| CF | his head. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | his head."It doesn't matter. I... I don't expect you to understand me | ||
| CF | now, Marid. But I hope -- I know that you will understand, too, in the | ||
| CF | end. That this is the best way. The only way." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | end. That this is the best way. The only way."The man you once knew | ||
| CF | walks back around to the front of your chair, and he gazes quietly | ||
| CF | into your eyes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into your eyes."You understand why I'm doing this, Marid. Don't you?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into your eyes."You understand why I'm doing this, Marid. Don't | ||
| CF | you?""I..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you?""I..."It is too much. It is all too much. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you?""I..."It is too much. It is all too much.You are hungry, and you | ||
| CF | are exhausted, and you feel like a hollow and broken and dead thing | ||
| CF | inside. The weight that is now pressing upon you -- that Justinian has | ||
| CF | forced upon you -- is too much to bear. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | forced upon you -- is too much to bear.You try to imagine the hundreds | ||
| CF | of lives -- the thousands of lives that Justinian has snuffed. You | ||
| CF | look at him and you see, in his animic wake, ten thousand skulls | ||
| CF | weeping black tears. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | weeping black tears.You feel light-headed. You feel like you cannot | ||
| CF | move, you cannot breathe. Your pendant weighs on your heart like a | ||
| CF | stake, and you can feel your blood rushing in your ears, thumping, | ||
| CF | congealing like a tumor. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | congealing like a tumor.You close your eyes. You block out the image | ||
| CF | of Justinian, and you try to breathe. It helps, a little. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | of Justinian, and you try to breathe. It helps, a little."Justinian," | ||
| CF | you say. "Stop. Please." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you say. "Stop. Please."He is very quiet. He does not make a move as | ||
| CF | you take deep breaths, as you tremble in your seat and try to regain | ||
| CF | your composure. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your composure."I'm sorry, Marid," he says, his voice low. "You | ||
| CF | weren't ready. I should have... I should have waited..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | weren't ready. I should have... I should have waited..."You open your | ||
| CF | eyes, and he is walking away, his head bowed. He does not look at you, | ||
| CF | as though he cannot bear to see you in such pain. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | as though he cannot bear to see you in such pain."You need time to | ||
| CF | think," he says. "I understand. I won't rush you. Take as long as you | ||
| CF | need." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | need.""Justinian..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | need.""Justinian...""I'll be back for you." He places his hand on the | ||
| CF | light switch. "I have things to do now, but I will come back for you. | ||
| CF | I'll be back, Marid. I promise." | DavidW asks, "And now Serpens will kill us?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | I'll be back, Marid. I promise."You gaze at him mutely, your heart | ||
| CF | pounding, your thoughts a disastrous jumble. You open your mouth but | ||
| CF | find that you have nothing to say. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | find that you have nothing to say.Justinian looks at you one last | ||
| CF | time, sadly, silently, and then switches off the light. Your world | ||
| CF | collapses into darkness. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | collapses into darkness.At last you find your voice. "Justinian --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | collapses into darkness.At last you find your voice. "Justinian --"But | ||
| CF | he is already gone. Further and further his footsteps echo, until they | ||
| CF | too melt and vanish into the pitiless silence. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette | ||
| CF | too melt and vanish into the pitiless silence.And you are alone. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Cry.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Try to compose yourself.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You close your eyes and take a ragged breath. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You close your eyes and take a ragged breath.The thrum of the | ||
| CF | Channelworks envelops you. You can hear the machinery of the Hydra | ||
| CF | Aquifera -- of the sanitation of the entire district -- churning | ||
| CF | ceaselessly. You hear the displacement of hundreds of tons of water, | ||
| CF | and the grinding of mechanical turbines, and distant hisses of steam | ||
| CF | like a great creature's exhalation. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | like a great creature's exhalation.It is the lifeblood of the district | ||
| CF | that you are hearing. It is that which bears the lives of the | ||
| CF | thousands that live here. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | thousands that live here.You think of Horatio in the rain, his face | ||
| CF | dirty after a long shift. You think of Doctor Cavala and her | ||
| CF | self-assured smile. There is the bartender with his mask, and the | ||
| CF | ice-cream salesman, and the boy with the cap who hands out the | ||
| CF | newspapers every morning. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | newspapers every morning.You take another breath. You try to hold it | ||
| CF | steady. Your heart isn't pounding as hard any more. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | steady. Your heart isn't pounding as hard any more.You aren't okay. | ||
| CF | Not really. But you're a little better. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette | ||
| CF | Not really. But you're a little better.It will have to be enough. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Try to loosen your bonds.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You will your sore muscles to move. You test the limits of the ropes | ||
| CF | Justinian has tied you with. They're tight -- but not so tight that | ||
| CF | you can't wiggle a little. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you can't wiggle a little.One of the ropes binding your hands is | ||
| CF | perhaps a little looser than it should be. You can feel it give when | ||
| CF | you twist your wrist just so -- feel the knot shifting, letting your | ||
| CF | wrist move an infinitesimal distance further than before. | DavidW asks, "Do we have our scalpel?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess we'll find out once we can take inventory." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | wrist move an infinitesimal distance further than before.Was Justinian | ||
| CF | in a hurry? Or is this just another mercy he chose to grant you? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | in a hurry? Or is this just another mercy he chose to grant you?It | ||
| CF | doesn't matter. What matters is that you have a way out of this chair. | ||
| CF | It will take a long time. It will take hours. But it's not as if you | ||
| CF | have anything else to do. | DavidW says, "We need to be free and get our ticker tape and drink tickets back!" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | have anything else to do.Now, at least, you have something to work at, | ||
| CF | to take your mind off things. Perhaps without the ropes constricting | ||
| CF | your blood flow, you will be able to think clearly -- to think of | ||
| CF | something that will make Justinian return to his old self. | MoyTravis says, "Maybe he just sucks at tying people up securely." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | something that will make Justinian return to his old self.It must be | ||
| CF | possible. It must -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | possible. It must ---- because you don't know what you're going to do | ||
| CF | otherwise. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | otherwise. | ||
| CF | * * * | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | * * *You think an hour has passed. You | ||
| CF | have a stinging rope burn and a terrible cramp in your wrist. But it's | ||
| CF | done, and your right hand is free. You reach over and painstakingly | ||
| CF | loosen the bonds around your left wrist and your left elbow, and then | ||
| CF | with your left hand reach into your coat pocket and pray. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with your left hand reach into your coat pocket and pray.There it is | ||
| CF | -- your scalpel. | DavidW says, "gosh" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yup, he's not just a fucking asshole, but also an idiot." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Again, excuse my language." | ||
| DavidW says, "no prob" | ||
| DavidW says, "Might have to ask Jacqueline to edit it out, maybe." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Maybe." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | -- your scalpel.You have to pause for a moment, take deep breaths to | ||
| CF | steady yourself. Your heart is racing. You draw out your scalpel and | ||
| CF | use your free hand to remove the safety cover. Fumbling in the | ||
| CF | darkness, you press the blade into the rope binding your right elbow | ||
| CF | -- and it parts. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | -- and it parts.You work slowly, carefully, but not without a tremor | ||
| CF | of excitement. The circulation returns to your limbs as you free | ||
| CF | yourself from rope after rope. Each cut makes the next one easier. At | ||
| CF | last you reach down and slice through the ropes binding your ankles in | ||
| CF | a single stroke. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | a single stroke.You are free. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | a single stroke.You are free.Now you need to figure out how to get out | ||
| CF | of here. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Day Four | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Oubliette | ||
| CF | You are somewhere dingy and humid and shut off from the outside world. | ||
| CF | There is no light here, and even your second sight is not enough to | ||
| CF | pierce the suffocating gloom. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | At the foot of the chair, a faint glimmer of other-light outlines the | ||
| CF | shape of your animus lantern. But the lantern is dark, and its | ||
| CF | phylactery cathode no longer shines. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get lantern" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET LANTERN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You pick up the animus lantern, finding its rough angles, its weight. | ||
| CF | You trace the alchemical lines to its fuse glyph, and strike the fuse | ||
| CF | to light it. But nothing happens. | DavidW says, "Take it anyway." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to light it. But nothing happens.You peer into the lantern, and you | ||
| CF | see that the animus that once danced within its cage is still. The | ||
| CF | life in the lantern has gone out. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Day Four | ||
| CF | life in the lantern has gone out.Without an animus to replace the one | ||
| CF | in the phylactery cathode, the animus lantern will be of no use to you | ||
| CF | in the dark. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Sorry, dad." | |
| DavidW says, "Daddy lantern!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing an animus pendant (containing the spirit of your | ||
| CF | father), your natron jacket, and your clothes. On your person are an | ||
| CF | animus lantern, your practitioner's badge, your scalpel, your purse, | ||
| CF | and an antiseptic cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put pendant into lantern" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT PENDANT INTO LANTERN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your pendant... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You run your fingers along your collarbone and find the weight of the | ||
| CF | pendant resting against your heart. You pull it out and look at it. In | ||
| CF | your mind's eye it seems to glow against the animic veil. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your mind's eye it seems to glow against the animic veil.How long have | ||
| CF | you worn this reminder of your father around your neck? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you worn this reminder of your father around your neck?"Father," you | ||
| CF | say -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | say --But even before you open your mouth, you know there will be no | ||
| CF | reply. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | reply."We can make no promises," the animologist said, his brow | ||
| CF | knitted. "If indeed your father died there, we can bind the residual | ||
| CF | energies to an animus stone, residual, you understand; there's no | ||
| CF | telling how much of his energy remains, or indeed if any of his energy | ||
| CF | has remained. Consider the pendant a memorial to your father, rather | ||
| CF | than a way to bring him back. The sooner you accept that, the sooner | ||
| CF | both of you will find peace." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | both of you will find peace."You will never speak with your | ||
| CF | father again. There was a time when you dared not admit that to | ||
| CF | yourself. But now it seems impossible to imagine that things could | ||
| CF | have happened any other way. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | have happened any other way.Perhaps there is a better way to remember | ||
| CF | your father, after all, which does not bind him to a stone. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your father, after all, which does not bind him to a stone.You use | ||
| CF | your scalpel to make a chip in the stone of the pendant, and the | ||
| CF | other-light streams from it like sunlight rippling in the ocean. You | ||
| CF | touch it to the fuse glyph of the animus lantern, and brilliance fills | ||
| CF | the animic lines and the metal grows warm beneath your hand. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the animic lines and the metal grows warm beneath your hand.The | ||
| CF | pendant is empty now. It is the lantern that glows, and is alive. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Day Four | ||
| CF | pendant is empty now. It is the lantern that glows, and is alive.## | ||
| CF | Oubliette | ||
| CF | The light of your lantern reveals what looks to be an industrial | ||
| CF | cistern, now emptied and repurposed as a holding cell. A metal chair | ||
| CF | has been placed among dingy grates and concentric water-purification | ||
| CF | rings. There is only one door leading out of this prison, and it | ||
| CF | appears to be locked. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | But beside the disconcerting stains and discarded pieces of rope, | ||
| CF | there is a drain cover that looks like it can be opened. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "take the rope?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get rope" | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > GET ROPE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The leftover bits of rope are too short to be of any use. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x chair" | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CHAIR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You're glad to be free of it. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x drain" | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DRAIN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | On the other side of the drain, there is the sound of rushing water. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x door" | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DOOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It doesn't seem to be openable from the inside. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "open drain" | ||
| CF ] Oubliette Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OPEN DRAIN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You open the drain cover, revealing an opening that is just about wide | ||
| CF | enough for you to squeeze through. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You push the drain cover out of the way and carefully lower yourself | ||
| CF | into the opening. The cold and clammy walls of the pipe swallow you | ||
| CF | whole, and the shadows from your lantern turn the nooks and crannies | ||
| CF | into long billowing black stains. Into them you descend. | DavidW says, "A chance to drown now, I guess." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into long billowing black stains. Into them you descend.The walls are | ||
| CF | close enough that you can keep yourself propped up with your elbows | ||
| CF | and the soles of your shoes. But then your left foot slips on | ||
| CF | something and you find yourself losing purchase. You grab your lantern | ||
| CF | close and tuck in your head as you find yourself accelerating, | ||
| CF | rapidly, sliding out of control into a drainage system not built for | ||
| CF | human traversal -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | human traversal ---- and the Bilious Canal opens up before you, vast | ||
| CF | and writhing and pungent, the carrier of all the district's fury and | ||
| CF | decay, and you plummet from the drain pipe into cold noxious water | ||
| CF | twenty meters deep -- flailing, squeezing your eyes shut, holding your | ||
| CF | breath -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | breath ---- a gasp, as your head bobs above water, and the sun burns | ||
| CF | your face, wind, klaxons -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | your face, wind, klaxons ---- and then you crash into the Canal | ||
| CF | proper, and it buffets you without mercy. You cling on to the lantern | ||
| CF | for dear life as you are thrown across stretches and around bends, as | ||
| CF | arches and bridges fly past, as the lights of the city stretch out | ||
| CF | into streams of aquamarine other-light. You swim for dear life. You | ||
| CF | breathe, and breathe again -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | breathe, and breathe again ---- and then you see a dangling rope, and | ||
| CF | on bare instinct reach out and grab it like a lifeline. You slip a | ||
| CF | couple of inches -- your grip holds. And there you are, swaying from a | ||
| CF | rope as the rest of the Canal washes away before you. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rope as the rest of the Canal washes away before you.You take a couple | ||
| CF | of deep breaths, and then you climb up. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Flooded Row Day Four | ||
| CF | of deep breaths, and then you climb up.## Flooded Row | ||
| CF | Between towering foundations, the rain lashes rusting hulks and | ||
| CF | flapping canvas shelters; it eats away at corpses piled in ankle-deep | ||
| CF | water. Where once there were buildings, posters, lamplights, the | ||
| CF | Bilious Canal has burst through the polder and swept them all away, | ||
| CF | carrying off the detritus of innumerable unknown lives. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Through an open sewage pipe, you see lights to the south. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s" | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > S | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Rats' Run | ||
| CF | The Bilious Canal's runoff rises. It swallows these buildings and | ||
| CF | alleys in dark writhing water. Unsteady plank bridges run between the | ||
| CF | few islands of dry stone; hollow-eyed residents crowd around what | ||
| CF | lanterns pierce the gloom. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A sewage pipe spews outflow from the north. Above, rope ladders climb | ||
| CF | to the rest of the Shanty Quarter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bouncer from the Crow's Nest sits quietly by the shore, cradling | ||
| CF | Crow's body in his arms. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "oh shit" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Damnit, Justinian." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "That trio have had a rough life, yeesh." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x crow" | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CROW | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She isn't moving. A thin stream of black liquid runs from the edge of | ||
| CF | her mouth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "...and he'll probably be dead soon, too, if he's touching her." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x webster" | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X WEBSTER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Webster stares into the water, transfixed. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to him" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO HIM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You step gingerly between the rivers of bile as you approach him. The | ||
| CF | rain is merciless, and it has not stopped since you left the | ||
| CF | Channelworks. It stings your cheeks where it lands; it runs in the | ||
| CF | joints of Webster's walking-chassis, pooling in his shadow. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | joints of Webster's walking-chassis, pooling in his shadow.As your | ||
| CF | reflection appears in the water, he starts. He turns to face you with | ||
| CF | disbelieving eyes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | disbelieving eyes."You?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | disbelieving eyes."You?"He looks you up and down. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Talking to Webster | ||
| CF | disbelieving eyes."You?"He looks you up and down."What on earth | ||
| CF | happened to you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I fell into the canal." | ||
| CF | 2) "It's a long story." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "It's... a long story." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Water drips from your disheveled hair. His eyes flicker across your | ||
| CF | tattered clothes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | tattered clothes."You don't say," he replies. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Talking to Webster | ||
| CF | tattered clothes."You don't say," he replies.The tide of decay rises | ||
| CF | and falls around you. The rain plays on the face of the girl in his | ||
| CF | arms, and her eyelids run black like ink. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Are you all right?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Is she..." | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm sorry." | ||
| CF | 4) "Aren't you worried her body will be contagious?" | ||
| CF | 5) "Listen. I've found out the truth about the disease..." <Tell | ||
| CF | him about Justinian's plot.> | ||
| CF | 6) "I need to get into the Channelworks. Can you help me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "Marid, we barely got *out*." | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Is she..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Webster's shoulders stiffen. He looks down at Crow -- at her unmoving | ||
| CF | form. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | form.She has been dead for a while. You can see the black blood | ||
| CF | settling in her body. You can see the skeins trailing from | ||
| CF | what remains of her animus. | DavidW asks, "But if Webster and others help...?" | |
| MoyTravis asks, "Vote for any of 1-4, 5 seems useless, 6 ends convo?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | what remains of her animus."I should have listened." Webster murmurs. | ||
| CF | "When you talked about the disease... I thought it was just another | ||
| CF | run of bad luck. Another bug. The kind that happens in the Shanty | ||
| CF | Quarter all the time." | DavidW says, "5 isn't useless at all." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Quarter all the time."He touches Crow's cheek and his shoulders shake | ||
| CF | silently. He does not meet your eye. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Talking to Webster | ||
| CF | silently. He does not meet your eye."She didn't deserve this. No one | ||
| CF | deserves this." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Are you all right?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm sorry." | ||
| CF | 3) "Aren't you worried her body will be contagious?" | ||
| CF | 4) "Listen. I've found out the truth about the disease..." <Tell | ||
| CF | him about Justinian's plot.> | ||
| CF | 5) "I need to get into the Channelworks. Can you help me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Aren't you worried her body will be contagious?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He laughs. "What does it matter? She's dead. The Crow's Nest is dead. | ||
| CF | I'm living on borrowed time anyhow. It's only a matter of... of when." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | I'm living on borrowed time anyhow. It's only a matter of... of | ||
| CF | when."He strokes her hair. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Talking to Webster | ||
| CF | when."He strokes her hair."Maybe a pair like us wasn't ever meant to | ||
| CF | last. Maybe we just weren't meant to be part of this world." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "You don't know that." | ||
| CF | 2) "Are you all right?" | ||
| CF | 3) "I'm sorry." | ||
| CF | 4) "Listen. I've found out the truth about the disease..." <Tell | ||
| CF | him about Justinian's plot.> | ||
| CF | 5) "I need to get into the Channelworks. Can you help me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Talking to Webster | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You don't know that," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He gazes at Crow's face for a long while, and does not reply. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Are you all right?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm sorry." | ||
| CF | 3) "Listen. I've found out the truth about the disease..." <Tell | ||
| CF | him about Justinian's plot.> | ||
| CF | 4) "I need to get into the Channelworks. Can you help me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "3" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 3 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Listen," you begin. "I... I've found out the truth about the disease. | ||
| CF | It isn't an epidemic. It's a genefactured weapon, and someone is using | ||
| CF | it to kill people." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Webster stares at you. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Uh huh," he says. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Uh huh," he says.You feel yourself growing flustered. "I'm serious. | ||
| CF | I've seen the laboratory where it was produced. I... I read the | ||
| CF | research papers." Your voice cracks. "Webster, I nearly drowned trying | ||
| CF | to escape --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | to escape --""Calm down." He shakes his head. "I... You're serious, | ||
| CF | aren't you? You aren't joking." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | aren't you? You aren't joking."He stares at the sky for a moment. He | ||
| CF | takes a couple of deep breaths. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | takes a couple of deep breaths."It... it really is. Primes. It's just | ||
| CF | another fucking alchemist's joke..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | another fucking alchemist's joke..."He chokes, a little. His gaze | ||
| CF | falls to the earth, to the filthy water lapping at his mechanical | ||
| CF | legs. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Talking to Webster | ||
| CF | legs."I'm so fucking tired," he says. "I'm tired of feeling like a | ||
| CF | pawn in someone else's game." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Are you all right?" | ||
| CF | 2) "I need to get into the Channelworks. Can you help me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Are you all right?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A moment passes. Webster stares mutely at you. Then he looks down at | ||
| CF | himself, as though he has forgotten his tired arms and creaking joints | ||
| CF | for some time. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | for some time."I'm... I'm fine," he says. "Don't worry yourself about | ||
| CF | me." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Talking to Webster | ||
| CF | me."The silence returns. The rain traces the world in stinging white. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm sorry." | ||
| CF | 2) "I need to get into the Channelworks. Can you help me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm sorry." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You feel numb as the rain falls around you. You don't know what to | ||
| CF | say. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | say.Webster just gazes at the body of his friend, before reaching up | ||
| CF | and wiping his goggles with the back of his hand. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Talking to Webster | ||
| CF | and wiping his goggles with the back of his hand."It's none of your | ||
| CF | fault, sweetheart," he says. "You've got nothing to be sorry about. | ||
| CF | Don't go around feeling sorry for other people, you understand?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I need to get into the Channelworks. Can you help me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I... I need to get into the Channelworks," you say. "Can you help | ||
| CF | me?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Webster gives you a long, probing look. After a moment, he reaches | ||
| CF | into his jacket pocket. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into his jacket pocket."You'll need this," he says. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into his jacket pocket."You'll need this," he says.He tosses something | ||
| CF | small and oblong in your direction, and you catch it with a fumble. | ||
| CF | It's slick from the rain, glowing with faint sigil-work and warm with | ||
| CF | alchemical energy. The insignia of the Council of Works is etched into | ||
| CF | its face. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | its face.You look back up at Webster, who simply regards you quietly. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | its face.You look back up at Webster, who simply regards you | ||
| CF | quietly."It's the disease, isn't it?" he says. "That's what you're | ||
| CF | heading back to the Channelworks for. You have unfinished business." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | heading back to the Channelworks for. You have unfinished | ||
| CF | business.""I... Yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | business.""I... Yeah."He smiles grimly. "Crow won't need her passkey | ||
| CF | any more. You, on the other hand... Go spit in the guy's face, you | ||
| CF | hear? It's what she would have wanted." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Talking to Webster | ||
| CF | hear? It's what she would have wanted."You turn over the passkey in | ||
| CF | your hands. It is only a small weight in your hands, but it feels | ||
| CF | heavy all the same. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I have to go." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The canal-water heaves around you, and the mist curls around the | ||
| CF | passkey in your hand. You grip it tightly. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Webster gazes at the body he is carrying in his arms. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Webster gazes at the body he is carrying in his arms."You do that, | ||
| CF | sweetheart," he replies. "You do whatever you have to do. I... I think | ||
| CF | I'm going to stay here for a while." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Day Four | ||
| CF | I'm going to stay here for a while."## Rats' Run | ||
| CF | The Bilious Canal's runoff rises. It swallows these buildings and | ||
| CF | alleys in dark writhing water. Unsteady plank bridges run between the | ||
| CF | few islands of dry stone; hollow-eyed residents crowd around what | ||
| CF | lanterns pierce the gloom. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A sewage pipe spews outflow from the north. Above, rope ladders climb | ||
| CF | to the rest of the Shanty Quarter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bouncer from the Crow's Nest sits quietly by the shore, cradling | ||
| CF | Crow's body in his arms. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Seventh of Aquaria, Auritum IV | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | My heart is pounding. I can feel white fire in my blood. There's | ||
| CF | nothing to do now but go -- go and finish what Justinian began. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Find Justinian in the Channelworks | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | DavidW asks, "so... up?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Rats' Run Day Four | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Rats' Run | ||
| CF | The Bilious Canal's runoff rises. It swallows these buildings and | ||
| CF | alleys in dark writhing water. Unsteady plank bridges run between the | ||
| CF | few islands of dry stone; hollow-eyed residents crowd around what | ||
| CF | lanterns pierce the gloom. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A sewage pipe spews outflow from the north. Above, rope ladders climb | ||
| CF | to the rest of the Shanty Quarter. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bouncer from the Crow's Nest sits quietly by the shore, cradling | ||
| CF | Crow's body in his arms. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Shanty Quarter | ||
| CF | A labyrinthine morass of concrete and claustrophobia. You can feel | ||
| CF | death about you, like a fog that clings to every corpse and every | ||
| CF | brick. In the edges of your perception there are dozens or hundreds of | ||
| CF | spirits, broken and fractured and too incoherent to utter a whisper -- | ||
| CF | but you can feel their misery and longing all the same. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Tangled rope ladders lead up and down. Somewhere to the north is the | ||
| CF | Via Mercurii, and to the west, Cadaver Walk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Gangway | ||
| CF | Rotting beams spiral from the Shanty Quarter like a stairway grasping | ||
| CF | for the stars. At their head is a jutting structure like a watchtower, | ||
| CF | and it shadows all that is beneath it, shielding grimy brick and | ||
| CF | concrete from desolate sky. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The Shanty Quarter yawns below. Above you is the public house called | ||
| CF | the Crow's Nest -- closed, locked, and empty. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x structure" | ||
| CF ] Gangway Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STRUCTURE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | At first glance it is haphazardly built. Only on closer inspection do | ||
| CF | you see the buttresses, the care that has gone into its construction. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), " d" | ||
| CF ] Shanty Quarter Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Shanty Quarter | ||
| CF | A labyrinthine morass of concrete and claustrophobia. You can feel | ||
| CF | death about you, like a fog that clings to every corpse and every | ||
| CF | brick. In the edges of your perception there are dozens or hundreds of | ||
| CF | spirits, broken and fractured and too incoherent to utter a whisper -- | ||
| CF | but you can feel their misery and longing all the same. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Tangled rope ladders lead up and down. Somewhere to the north is the | ||
| CF | Via Mercurii, and to the west, Cadaver Walk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "north?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "We ... right." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Via Mercurii Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Mercurii | ||
| CF | The Road of Change is a snaking, secretive thing. It curls in the side | ||
| CF | streets and in the dark places. Here along the canal, the opulence of | ||
| CF | the Upper Perioch peels away to reveal midnight hues and scarlet | ||
| CF | lamps, and rivers of black blood like festering scars in the city's | ||
| CF | skin. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the north is the grand forum, bleak and empty, while to the south | ||
| CF | the Shanty Quarter begins. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Grand Forum | ||
| CF | A mural of Solphos hangs over a desolate paved square, against the | ||
| CF | spires of the Channelworks District and the pungent smell of the dead. | ||
| CF | All around you are crowds of formless spirits and empty-eyed | ||
| CF | apparitions, which writhe and weep and claw at the mist like an | ||
| CF | unquiet sea. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | To the north, framed in illuminated mist, the Via Terminalis glimmers. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "n?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to spirits" | ||
| CF ] Grand Forum Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO SPIRITS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There are so many, and their spirits are so fragmented -- it hurts | ||
| CF | just to see them, let alone speak with them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The sounds of a distant pipe organ echo in the street. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Via Terminalis Junction | ||
| CF | The armillary sphere that marks this place is dormant, and the | ||
| CF | traffic-guiding glyphs have been replaced by hazard signs and | ||
| CF | quarantine barricades. You must flatten yourself against the walls to | ||
| CF | avoid the watchful eyes of the Vigiles patrols, which stalk the | ||
| CF | crossroads like masked interlopers in the mist. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The checkpoints are a stark reminder that you aren't supposed to be | ||
| CF | traveling around the city at this hour. You doubt you will be able to | ||
| CF | convince the Vigiles of your innocence if they are on Doctor Serpens's | ||
| CF | payroll. And Justinian... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | payroll. And Justinian...Even if the authorities were to recognize his | ||
| CF | guilt, the idea of his execution makes your skin crawl. The thought of | ||
| CF | him being brought to trial on your account -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | him being brought to trial on your account ---- beheaded for | ||
| CF | treason, remembered as a mass murderer -- | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | treason, remembered as a mass murderer --The thought sends a cold | ||
| CF | stabbing pain through your heart. It is almost too horrible to | ||
| CF | envision. He... he isn't a mass murderer. He never has been. Surely if | ||
| CF | you just talked to him... | Knight_Otu says, "Marid, he is." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you just talked to him...There has to be another way. You can still | ||
| CF | make things right. Can't you? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | make things right. Can't you?You watch the patrolling Vigiles for some | ||
| CF | time, but you cannot see an angle of approach. They are too observant, | ||
| CF | and the searchlights too numerous. You would be spotted instantly no | ||
| CF | matter which path you took, and you are beginning to lose hope in | ||
| CF | finding a way across, when -- | MoyTravis says, "Marid is far too forgiving. I mean. She's very young, and also has a huge crush on him, but still." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | finding a way across, when --Is that...? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | finding a way across, when --Is that...?It's him. You'd recognize that | ||
| CF | mop of hair anywhere. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | mop of hair anywhere.Horatio is posted at one of the crossings not too | ||
| CF | far from where you are, rubbing his mask and staring into the mist. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Approach him.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Don't.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Definitely talk to Horatio?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess we have to to make progress." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You pass between shadows, being careful to avoid the notice of the | ||
| CF | other enforcers. As you approach Horatio, he freezes. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | other enforcers. As you approach Horatio, he freezes.Slowly he lowers | ||
| CF | his hand from his face, and reaches out as though to touch you. He | ||
| CF | stops short halfway, and takes an awkward step back. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | stops short halfway, and takes an awkward step back."Marid," he | ||
| CF | whispers. "I... I thought you left." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I did." | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm sorry. About yesterday." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | |
| DavidW says, "mm-hm" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I did," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Horatio averts his eyes. "I... er... yeah. Yeah. You did." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Horatio averts his eyes. "I... er... yeah. Yeah. You did."A | ||
| CF | searchlight passes perilously close to you, and you instinctively take | ||
| CF | a step back. Horatio realizes that you are both in the open, and he | ||
| CF | leads you behind a nearby concrete pillar, just out of sight. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | leads you behind a nearby concrete pillar, just out of sight."Listen," | ||
| CF | he says. He glances back at the scanning searchlight. "You shouldn't | ||
| CF | be here." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I can't turn back now..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Doctor Justinian tried to silence me..." | ||
| CF | 3) "Horatio, I need to get to the Channelworks..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "2? 3?" | |
| DavidW says, "yes. 2 first" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take a deep breath. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Doctor Justinian tried to silence me," you say. "He... he's behind it | ||
| CF | all, somehow. He's using this affliction as a weapon -- a tool to kill | ||
| CF | people. He wants to change the world." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Horatio stares at you, and his eyes widen. For a moment time stops. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Horatio stares at you, and his eyes widen. For a moment time | ||
| CF | stops."Primes," he says. "Oh Primes. What are you saying? What did he | ||
| CF | do to you?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | do to you?""He locked me in a room. He... he talked to me, and it was | ||
| CF | like... it was like he was a completely different person. He was | ||
| CF | totally different from the Justinian I knew. But it was -- that was a | ||
| CF | lie, wasn't it? He had always been that way. I just never realized | ||
| CF | it." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | it."You realize you are shivering again, and you cross your arms, | ||
| CF | pulling your jacket tighter to try to block out the cold. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | pulling your jacket tighter to try to block out the cold.Horatio puts | ||
| CF | a hand on your shoulder. "I can't believe it," he says softly. "Doctor | ||
| CF | Justinian..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Justinian...""I... Horatio, I can't believe it myself. I still keep | ||
| CF | thinking that -- perhaps it was a dream, a hallucination. But it was | ||
| CF | real. The cistern he locked me in was real. I had to swim my way out | ||
| CF | -- I had to cut myself free and wash down the Bilious Canal. And I | ||
| CF | can't stop thinking about it, Horatio, I just can't..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | can't stop thinking about it, Horatio, I just can't...""I..." Horatio | ||
| CF | takes your hands. "It's okay, Marid, it's okay. You're here now, | ||
| CF | aren't you? You're going to be fine." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | aren't you? You're going to be fine.""Horatio, I..." You close your | ||
| CF | eyes. "Horatio, I'm scared. Because Justinian... the Justinian I | ||
| CF | knew... he always knew what he was doing. Horatio, what if Justinian | ||
| CF | knows what he's doing? What if he's right?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | knows what he's doing? What if he's right?"Horatio just watches you, | ||
| CF | stunned, and you can tell he has no idea how to respond. The wind | ||
| CF | rises and tugs and whips at the two of you. The rain falls. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I can't turn back now..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Horatio, I need to get to the Channelworks..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Horatio, I... I need to get to the Channelworks," you say. "It's the | ||
| CF | only way. If I get there I can fix everything... I can make things | ||
| CF | right." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You reach out and squeeze Horatio's hands, and he gazes at you with a | ||
| CF | look approaching awe. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | look approaching awe."I..." he says. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | look approaching awe."I..." he says.He looks you up and down and takes | ||
| CF | a deep breath. You see yourself doubled in his lenses, staring back | ||
| CF | with eyes wide. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with eyes wide.Then he nods. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with eyes wide.Then he nods."Okay, Marid," he says, very simply. "What | ||
| CF | do you need?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | do you need?""Can you get me there?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | do you need?""Can you get me there?"Horatio looks out across the | ||
| CF | junction, at the patrolling enforcers and the swiveling lights. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Via Terminalis Junction Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | junction, at the patrolling enforcers and the swiveling lights."I... | ||
| CF | Let me see." He scratches his head. "If I make it look like you're a | ||
| CF | lost civilian, I can walk you to the concourse out front. I don't | ||
| CF | think anyone will bother us if we look like we're supposed to be | ||
| CF | there. But I... I don't know how to get you across the bridge. The | ||
| CF | Channelworks is closed, and the bridge only comes down for workers | ||
| CF | with passes." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I have a pass." <Show him Crow's passkey.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I have a pass." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You reach into your jacket and take out the little oblong device that | ||
| CF | Webster gave you. The rain sparkles around it, its sigils reflected | ||
| CF | over and over in droplets. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | over and over in droplets."That..." Horatio rubs the lenses on his | ||
| CF | mask. "Huh. Where did you get that?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | mask. "Huh. Where did you get that?""A friend said it would get me | ||
| CF | into the Channelworks," you say. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | into the Channelworks," you say.He studies the glowing lines. | ||
| CF | "You've... really thought this through. All right. Since you already | ||
| CF | have what you need..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | have what you need..."He walks over to the pillar and peers around the | ||
| CF | side. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | side."Nobody's looking. If you want to get to the Channelworks, now's | ||
| CF | the time." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the time."You nod. He takes your hand and leads you into the billowing | ||
| CF | rain. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | rain.It is nerve-wracking at first: being out in the open, in full | ||
| CF | view of the sentries and the searchlights. Your heart skips each time | ||
| CF | one of the patrolling enforcers looks in your direction. Each time, | ||
| CF | you tense in anticipation of a shout and raised alarm -- but that | ||
| CF | moment never comes. Somehow, the looks cast in your direction slide | ||
| CF | off you like drops of oil, like you are the tiniest speck beneath the | ||
| CF | scrutiny of the Vigiles machine. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | scrutiny of the Vigiles machine.So the rings of the armillary sphere | ||
| CF | loom like thunderclouds; and the black banner of the Turris Infinita | ||
| CF | billows like a specter in the sky; and Horatio leads you, steady in | ||
| CF | the grip of his hand, beyond the spotlights and the covered bodies and | ||
| CF | the battered barricade walls. By the light of your lantern, the two of | ||
| CF | you walk the ancient paths in the stonework, through the oppressive | ||
| CF | drizzling rain, until you have left the sight of the other enforcers | ||
| CF | and followed the northernmost crossing to its end. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and followed the northernmost crossing to its end.And there the | ||
| CF | Hydra Aquifera awaits you. The concourse stretches out before | ||
| CF | your eyes, and the Channelworks rises at the end of the district -- or | ||
| CF | perhaps the beginning. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | perhaps the beginning.Horatio lets go of your hand and turns to you. | ||
| CF | "This is your stop," he says. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "This is your stop," he says."I..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "This is your stop," he says."I..."You find that you cannot look | ||
| CF | Horatio in the eye. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Horatio in the eye."Thanks, Horatio," you say. "You've been a good | ||
| CF | friend. I won't forget this." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | friend. I won't forget this."Horatio nods, and he grows solemn. He | ||
| CF | looks at the Channelworks, at that golden-white fortress that almost | ||
| CF | seems to glow in the rain. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | seems to glow in the rain."Don't worry about it," he says. "I | ||
| CF | suppose... I suppose this is where we part ways again. Isn't it?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | suppose... I suppose this is where we part ways again. Isn't it?"He | ||
| CF | gazes at you. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | gazes at you."Marid... will I see you again?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Talking to Horatio | ||
| CF | gazes at you."Marid... will I see you again?" | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm counting on it." | ||
| CF | 2) "I'm glad I met you, Horatio." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "1 please. 2 sounds like a suicide mission." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I mean, it might be." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm counting on it." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Horatio smiles. He steps forward and hugs you one last time, and you | ||
| CF | give him a peck on the cheek like you used to when you were children. | ||
| CF | When death and disease were things that only happened in stories and | ||
| CF | history books. | DavidW says, "it might, yes" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | history books."Good luck," he says. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | history books."Good luck," he says."Yeah." You bump his chest. "You | ||
| CF | should go. You'll get caught for deserting your post again." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | should go. You'll get caught for deserting your post again."He nods | ||
| CF | and squeezes your arm, before turning around with a whirl of his coat. | ||
| CF | He trots back toward the junction, looking over his shoulder, waving | ||
| CF | like only a dunce like him could manage. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | like only a dunce like him could manage.You watch him until he has | ||
| CF | vanished out of sight. Then you turn back to the Channelworks | ||
| CF | concourse with a new sense of resolve in your heart. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | concourse with a new sense of resolve in your heart.Now there is only | ||
| CF | one thing left to do, and fate has placed the responsibility upon you | ||
| CF | to see it done. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | to see it done.## Channelworks Concourse | ||
| CF | You stand before the fortress through which all waterways flow. | ||
| CF | Enormous colonnades line the concourse, flanked by selenite sentinels; | ||
| CF | hydra-like channels snake in patterns and merge into bas-reliefs of | ||
| CF | dizzying scale. Before the fosse, the statue of Reason bears aloft the | ||
| CF | Azoth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bridge to the Channelworks floats disconnected above the fosse, | ||
| CF | like the suspended pieces of a puzzle. Yet you see dozens of | ||
| CF | wandering ghosts here, shimmering animii treading paths around the | ||
| CF | Channelworks concourse in cycles; and they cross the empty air to the | ||
| CF | Channelworks in a spectral procession. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "So we are nearing the four hour mark, but then again, this might be endgame." | |
| DavidW asks, "talk to spirits?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to spirits" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO SPIRITS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There are so many, and their spirits are so fragmented -- it hurts | ||
| CF | just to see them, let alone speak with them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "which way do we go?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x passkey" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PASSKEY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A small oblong piece of ceramic that glows with sigil-work. According | ||
| CF | to Webster, you need it to get into the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x bridge" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BRIDGE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Curving plates of orichalcum hover in midair over the fosse. You only | ||
| CF | know them to be parts of a bridge from watching workers cross back and | ||
| CF | forth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "I'm good to continue or end. But it seems like there's only a little more." | |
| DavidW asks, "> enter bridge ?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "enter bridge" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > ENTER BRIDGE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You need to figure out a way to lower the bridge first. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "What is a "fosse"" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "wave passkey" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > WAVE PASSKEY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Nothing happens. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x fosse" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X FOSSE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | An immense water-filled moat bars access to the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "I don't know." | |
| MoyTravis says, "Apparently a moat, huh! Ok then." | ||
| DavidW says, "There must be something to put the passkey into." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x statue" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X STATUE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | She is sculpted in the image of the Trismegistus. A cloak billows | ||
| CF | around her, and a blindfold hides her eyes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x cloak+" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CLOAK+ | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x cloak" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X CLOAK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A cloak, because Reason is only revealed to the devoted. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "move blindfold" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > MOVE BLINDFOLD | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Nothing obvious happens. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x blindfold" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BLINDFOLD | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A blindfold, because Reason gazes beyond worldly things. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Channelworks Concourse | ||
| CF | You stand before the fortress through which all waterways flow. | ||
| CF | Enormous colonnades line the concourse, flanked by selenite sentinels; | ||
| CF | hydra-like channels snake in patterns and merge into bas-reliefs of | ||
| CF | dizzying scale. Before the fosse, the statue of Reason bears aloft the | ||
| CF | Azoth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bridge to the Channelworks floats disconnected above the fosse, | ||
| CF | like the suspended pieces of a puzzle. Yet you see dozens of | ||
| CF | wandering ghosts here, shimmering animii treading paths around the | ||
| CF | Channelworks concourse in cycles; and they cross the empty air to the | ||
| CF | Channelworks in a spectral procession. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "search statue" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH STATUE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You find nothing of interest. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "show passkey to statue" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SHOW PASSKEY TO STATUE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can only do that to something animate. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x colonnades" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X COLONNADES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The pillars are taller than some buildings. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sentinels" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SENTINELS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Golems of war. Not even Death fazes them. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bas-reliefs" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X BAS-RELIEFS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Carved upon the Channelworks are dozens upon dozens of vignettes from | ||
| CF | history and myth. All of them pertain to water and life. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "x reliefs?" | |
| MoyTravis asks, "x cycles?" | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "search reliefs" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH RELIEFS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "search bas-reliefs" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SEARCH BAS-RELIEFS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The detail is breathtaking. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x put passkey in fosse" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PUT PASSKEY IN FOSSE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That is either not important or not something you can see. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put passkey in fosse" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT PASSKEY IN FOSSE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | If you did that, you'd never get it back. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put passkey in statue" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT PASSKEY IN STATUE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That can't contain things. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x azoth" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X AZOTH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A representation of the Staff of the Philosophers that stands for the | ||
| CF | Ineffable Truth. Or so you were taught in school. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x passkey" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PASSKEY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A small oblong piece of ceramic that glows with sigil-work. According | ||
| CF | to Webster, you need it to get into the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "pull azoth" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PULL AZOTH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It is fixed in place. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put passkey on azoth" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT PASSKEY ON AZOTH | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Putting things on the replica of the Azoth would achieve nothing. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put passkey in statue" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT PASSKEY IN STATUE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That can't contain things. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put passkey in bas-reliefs" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > PUT PASSKEY IN BAS-RELIEFS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bas-reliefs are high out of reach. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Channelworks Concourse | ||
| CF | You stand before the fortress through which all waterways flow. | ||
| CF | Enormous colonnades line the concourse, flanked by selenite sentinels; | ||
| CF | hydra-like channels snake in patterns and merge into bas-reliefs of | ||
| CF | dizzying scale. Before the fosse, the statue of Reason bears aloft the | ||
| CF | Azoth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The bridge to the Channelworks floats disconnected above the fosse, | ||
| CF | like the suspended pieces of a puzzle. Yet you see dozens of | ||
| CF | wandering ghosts here, shimmering animii treading paths around the | ||
| CF | Channelworks concourse in cycles; and they cross the empty air to the | ||
| CF | Channelworks in a spectral procession. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x fortress" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X FORTRESS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian awaits. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "show passkey to sentinels" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SHOW PASSKEY TO SENTINELS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can only do that to something animate. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "follow ghosts" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > FOLLOW GHOSTS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | (You'll have to specify which cardinal direction you want to go in. | ||
| CF | For example, >go west.) | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You need to figure out a way to lower the bridge first. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis asks, "Did we x ghosts?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x ghosts" | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X GHOSTS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The ghosts move as though following the steps of a dance. They pour in | ||
| CF | from the streets and the side roads, congregating on the concourse; | ||
| CF | they take something out of their coats or their handbags and make a | ||
| CF | motion with it like turning a crank. And then, as though guided by | ||
| CF | some invisible signal, they walk across air over the fosse and | ||
| CF | disappear into the mouth of the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "oh" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "turn passkey" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TURN PASSKEY | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The passkey grows warm in your hand, and there is a sensation like | ||
| CF | pulling on invisible strings in the air. You feel as though something | ||
| CF | tremendous is happening which you cannot directly observe. | Knight_Otu says, "Apparently not." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Concourse Day Four | ||
| CF | tremendous is happening which you cannot directly observe.After a | ||
| CF | second, the parts of the bridge lower into place with a | ||
| CF | thunk. Orichalcum fuses to orichalcum, forming an unbroken | ||
| CF | crossing over the fosse. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Hydra Aquifera Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Hydra Aquifera | ||
| CF | Past the swooping gates and the gilded halls, there is a weight: the | ||
| CF | weight of ten thousand tons of brass and machinery and art, of | ||
| CF | hundred-year-old frescoes and pumping mechanisms, all bearing the | ||
| CF | weight of the district which upon this building rests. This, then, is | ||
| CF | the Channelworks, in all its grandeur, its might, its immensity, its | ||
| CF | capacity to change lives. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There are dozens of halls here and hundreds of stations, but you know | ||
| CF | almost on instinct where Justinian will be. You have known him for too | ||
| CF | long -- his penchant for drama, his desire for control -- and it only | ||
| CF | seems clearer now that you have seen his true self. There could only | ||
| CF | be one place where everything would end. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The stairs spiral from the heart of the Channelworks, and they lead | ||
| CF | upward. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "wild" | |
| Roger says, "nice work" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Tarnished Landing | ||
| CF | Here the mechanisms fall away, replaced by a vast emptiness. Motes of | ||
| CF | dust are suspended in the skylights, as though frozen in time; the | ||
| CF | stairs pause and morph into a mezzanine from which you can see over | ||
| CF | all the vaulted arches of the Channelworks. Yet the plants and statues | ||
| CF | here do not overlook their domain, but gaze skyward, into the rarified | ||
| CF | tower above. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | tower above.As you emerge upon the landing, you hear voices and | ||
| CF | footsteps, and you instinctively look about for somewhere to hide. You | ||
| CF | crouch behind a nearby sculpture and turn your eyes to the end of the | ||
| CF | landing with bated breath. | Roger says, "them feels when you're trying to kill off most of the world'" | |
| Roger says, "world's population but then you get thwarted by your sometimes-girlfriend" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | landing with bated breath.A door opens. Doctor Justinian steps out | ||
| CF | into the walkway, followed by the spittle-flecked protests of Doctor | ||
| CF | Serpens -- "This was not in the agreement," he barks, gesturing and | ||
| CF | yelling as though he could skewer his junior with words. "We had a | ||
| CF | plan, and you have overturned it. You have ruined everything -- ruined | ||
| CF | the most basic integrity of our project!" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the most basic integrity of our project!""Your 'project,' Doctor?" | ||
| CF | Justinian whirls around to face him. "You would claim ownership of | ||
| CF | this too? Is there nothing that you will not twist to serve your | ||
| CF | perverted interests?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | perverted interests?"Doctor Serpens's expression darkens yet further. | ||
| CF | "You? You accuse me of twisting Noctis's purpose? You little | ||
| CF | -- you petulant child. You know nothing about what | ||
| CF | Arturus and I sacrificed for this. You could not stomach the plans we | ||
| CF | had, the power we crafted. Now you use our work to live out your | ||
| CF | little fantasy and you threaten me -- you threaten me --" | DavidW asks, "oh, is J going to kill S now?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | little fantasy and you threaten me -- you threaten me | ||
| CF | --"Doctor Justinian chuckles lowly. | Knight_Otu says, "Possibly. One ass less to deal with." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | --"Doctor Justinian chuckles lowly."What I said was not a threat," he | ||
| CF | says. "It was a declaration. I have no need to threaten something that | ||
| CF | has already been done." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | has already been done."The older man's eyes widen. Justinian closes | ||
| CF | his hand into a fist in a sudden motion, and it hits you -- you | ||
| CF | see an emptiness and a sun and an ocean and a beginning. For | ||
| CF | an instant something brilliant swims at the edges of your vision. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | an instant something brilliant swims at the edges of your | ||
| CF | vision.Doctor Serpens wails as the fingers of Noctis burrow into his | ||
| CF | animus and begin to rip it apart. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | animus and begin to rip it apart.He collapses to his knees, convulsing | ||
| CF | like a man possessed, ichor spilling from his slack-jawed mouth and | ||
| CF | bloodshot eyes. It reminds you of the way that Reden died in Doctor | ||
| CF | Cavala's clinic -- only this time you see what is truly | ||
| CF | happening. You see every gory, unpleasant detail of what is | ||
| CF | happening to Doctor Serpens's soul. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | happening to Doctor Serpens's soul.He screams, incoherently at first, | ||
| CF | then desperately, deliriously. "You -- bastard -- the wine --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | then desperately, deliriously. "You -- bastard -- the wine | ||
| CF | --"Justinian shakes his head. "You are no longer useful to me, Doctor. | ||
| CF | You should have thought about that before making demands." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You should have thought about that before making demands."He spits on | ||
| CF | the ground beside the flailing Serpens, before walking down the | ||
| CF | landing and through the double doors of a waiting lift. Doctor Serpens | ||
| CF | crawls pitifully after him, in fits and starts, leaving a trail of | ||
| CF | dripping black blood. | DavidW says, "I wonder how we and our scalpel will fight that." | |
| MoyTravis says, "Just go "Yes I understand everything, come gimme a hug" and then gut him when he's like "YES I KNEW YOU WOULD"" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "ezpz" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Maybe that'll work." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | dripping black blood.Justinian turns and looks directly in your | ||
| CF | direction. He gazes at you for a while, his lower lip stiff, his hands | ||
| CF | shaking ever so slightly. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | shaking ever so slightly.Then he presses an unseen button and the | ||
| CF | doors close. Doctor Serpens whimpers and cries, and slams his fist on | ||
| CF | the panel and vomits a puddle of blood at their feet. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x serpens" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X SERPENS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | He's moaning, spasming, coughing his own guts up. He will not see | ||
| CF | another sunrise. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "oh, talk to Serpens?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "talk to him" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Talking to Doctor Serpens | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > TALK TO HIM | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Serpens chokes and gasps for air as you approach him. He clutches his | ||
| CF | hands to his eyes, trying to staunch the flow of blood that trickles | ||
| CF | forth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You," he manages to utter. "Come... agh... come to gloat, did you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I'm so sorry." | ||
| CF | 2) <Watch him struggle.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Though I'm not sure Marid is ruthless/composed enough to buff in quite that brutal a way." | |
| MoyTravis says, "bluff" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Talking to Doctor Serpens | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm... I'm so sorry," you say. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Serpens scowls. He raises a quivering, accusatory finger. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I... don't need... your pity," he breathes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Why did Doctor Justinian turn on you?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Is it true? What he said about you?" | ||
| CF | 3) "Is there anything I can do?" | ||
| CF | 4) <Leave.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Talking to Doctor Serpens | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Why did Doctor Justinian turn on you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Serpens gazes at you with bloodshot eyes. "He is a fool," he | ||
| CF | croaks. "A naive... reckless... fool. He thinks... he can change the | ||
| CF | world... alone." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Is it true? What he said about you?" | ||
| CF | 2) "Is there anything I can do?" | ||
| CF | 3) <Leave.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Talking to Doctor Serpens | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Is it true? What he said about you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The doctor retches and spits a glob of blood onto the floor. He takes | ||
| CF | a ragged breath. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Hypocrite," he says. "The boy... is out for himself. Like everyone | ||
| CF | else..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Is there anything I can do?" | ||
| CF | 2) <Leave.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Talking to Doctor Serpens | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your hands tremble. "Is there anything I can do?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Doctor Serpens cranes his head up with some effort. His mouth opens in | ||
| CF | a gape -- he closes his bleeding eyes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Nothing," he whispers. "Nothing. Our weapon... designed too well. | ||
| CF | Leave me be." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Leave.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You step back from the quivering wreck of a man. He is moving less, | ||
| CF | now. Waiting to die. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You can feel the weight of your scalpel in your coat pocket. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "huh." | |
| Roger says, "okay talk to you later when you're dead byee" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > L | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Tarnished Landing | ||
| CF | Here the mechanisms fall away, replaced by a vast emptiness. Motes of | ||
| CF | dust are suspended in the skylights, as though frozen in time; the | ||
| CF | stairs pause and morph into a mezzanine from which you can see over | ||
| CF | all the vaulted arches of the Channelworks. Yet the plants and statues | ||
| CF | here do not overlook their domain, but gaze skyward, into the rarified | ||
| CF | tower above. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Justinian has sealed the doors of the control room lift, leaving | ||
| CF | Doctor Serpens to die on the landing. To reach him, you will have to | ||
| CF | ascend the rest of the stairway to the top of the Channelworks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "I guess a mercy-killing is an option." | |
| DavidW asks, "Is the game suggesting that we kill Serpens to die quicker?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x lift" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LIFT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A red lamp glows over the doors, indicating that the lift is occupied. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf21" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "kill serpens" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > KILL SERPENS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | As Doctor Serpens writhes in pain on the floor, he does not notice you | ||
| CF | standing over him. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Put him out of his misery with your scalpel.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Walk away.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "The game is asking us if we're sure, ha." | |
| DavidW says, "yeesh" | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't like this choice." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "It is not a good situation." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I don't think Marid would kill in cold blood, but also I don't think she would let Serpens suffer." | ||
| Roger says, "3) Put him into much more misery with your scalpel." | ||
| DavidW asks, "If we kill Serpens, won't that put a chink in our armour, sorta?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You step back. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > I | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You are wearing your animus pendant, your natron jacket, and your | ||
| CF | clothes. On your person are Crow's passkey, an animus lantern | ||
| CF | (containing the spirit of your father), your practitioner's badge, | ||
| CF | your scalpel, your purse, and an antiseptic cloth. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x purse" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PURSE | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You don't carry much money with you. Just enough to buy food and other | ||
| CF | necessities. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "hm. We lost some of our inventory." | |
| MoyTravis says, "Well I don't really think there's a good way to deal with Justinian that *doesn't* end up with him alive." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "With Justinian, I don't think it would be in cold blood." | ||
| DavidW says, "I think J will have to die, but hopefully we won't have to kill him direct and personal-like." | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Either we murder him, we...leave? and tell the authorities, and he gets executed, or we leave and let him keep genociding everybody?" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "Anyways, okay, if we ain't mercy-killing S, so I guess we gotta find a way up?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "And yeah, some of ourr inventory is gone. I was thinking maybe we have something to ... what's the word?" | ||
| DavidW says, "well, it probably would be best if J went to trial and everyone learned what happened more first-hand." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x lift" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LIFT | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A red lamp glows over the doors, indicating that the lift is occupied. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW asks, "I think we have to use the stairs?" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "u" | ||
| CF ] Tarnished Landing Day Four | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > U | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Climb the stairs and confront Doctor Justinian? | ||
| CF | Please answer yes or no.> | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "y" | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf22" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The stories of the Channelworks control tower are almost as old as the | ||
| CF | Channelworks itself. You heard many of these stories as a girl, even | ||
| CF | growing up in a different part of the city: how the first Philosophers | ||
| CF | used it to control the weather and turn back the hours of the day. In | ||
| CF | a world of wonders such as Solphos, such stories did not seem | ||
| CF | impossible. | ||
| CF | impossible.It was a disappointment when you arrived in the | ||
| CF | Channelworks District and you were told that it was a glorified water | ||
| CF | distributor. That for all the Philosophers' power and learning, they | ||
| CF | could not build a tower that defied the laws of nature or brought back | ||
| CF | that which was lost. | MoyTravis says, "There are stairs? Oh. Yeah. It says." | |
| DavidW says, "save didn't happen" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | that which was lost.Even so, as you climb the steps, you understand | ||
| CF | why so many stories arose around this place. There is something | ||
| CF | special here. Here, where the evening sun pierces the stained glass | ||
| CF | and the power of the alchemical lines prickles the skin, it is easy to | ||
| CF | believe that a solitary magus might rewrite history. | Knight_Otu says, "Was meant to be space anyway." | |
| MoyTravis exclaims, "Marid sanitation is important!" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | believe that a solitary magus might rewrite history.You climb the last | ||
| CF | step, and the animus-light beckons you. You step forth. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Control Tower Day Four | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Channelworks Control Tower | ||
| CF | You are in a bubble suspended above the city wrought of glass and gold | ||
| CF | and dreams. The air hums with aetheric screens and controls, like the | ||
| CF | workstation of a divine puppeteer. Outside, a tempest batters the | ||
| CF | skylights and casts the shadows of transient wriggling raindrops. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Before you he stands, gazing into the turning clouds, bending the | ||
| CF | animic skeins of the world with his fingertips. He pauses as he sees | ||
| CF | you enter in the reflection of the glass. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf23" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > SAVE | ||
| CF | %% Enter a save filename to write: | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Control Tower Day Four | ||
| CF | > SAVEOk. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "kill justinian" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > KILL JUSTINIAN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You draw your scalpel and take a step towards Justinian. Your heart is | ||
| CF | pounding. Your lips are dry. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | His face is haggard in the storm-light. You can see the crevices in | ||
| CF | his cheeks, the cracks in his skin. He lowers his hands and looks at | ||
| CF | you with those smoldering eyes of his, like coals that might burn | ||
| CF | through your breast and make a blackened husk of your heart. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | through your breast and make a blackened husk of your heart."You | ||
| CF | shouldn't have come here," he replies. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | shouldn't have come here," he replies.He turns his eyes to the raging | ||
| CF | tempest outside. The rain runs down the glass in dark droplets. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Control Tower Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | tempest outside. The rain runs down the glass in dark droplets."You | ||
| CF | could have stayed in the cistern," he says. "You were safe there. Dry. | ||
| CF | Why did you leave?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "I had to find you..." | ||
| CF | 2) "I don't appreciate your idea of safety..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I don't appreciate your idea of safety," you say. "You locked me up, | ||
| CF | Justinian. Did you think you were doing me a favor?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Marid..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You take another step forward. You can feel the air of the | ||
| CF | Channelworks parting around you, heavy and buzzing with enchantment. | ||
| CF | You can feel all the threads of power that touch this place. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I'm tired, Justinian," you say. "I'm tired of this nightmare. I'm | ||
| CF | tired of all this -- this insanity." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Control Tower Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | tired of all this -- this insanity."Justinian closes his eyes and | ||
| CF | purses his lips. "Marid, I told you -- you still do not understand --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "No, Justinian. I've finally seen the light..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Shut up, Justinian..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu asks, "Which one do we go with?" | |
| MoyTravis asks, "Or I guess we can be like "yea actually mass death is cool and good"?" | ||
| MoyTravis asks, "#2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), " 2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Shut up, Justinian." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You ball your hands into fists. Tight enough for your fingernails to | ||
| CF | jab into your skin. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "I've been all over the district," you say. "I've seen things that no | ||
| CF | one should have to see. I've seen through the curtain between life and | ||
| CF | death. You keep talking down to me about your great plan, about your | ||
| CF | vision. Haven't you ever wondered what I've seen? What I think?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | vision. Haven't you ever wondered what I've seen? What I think?""I..." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | vision. Haven't you ever wondered what I've seen? What I | ||
| CF | think?""I...""I've seen a lot of things, Justinian. I've done things | ||
| CF | that no one should have to do. And all for what? I've been thinking, | ||
| CF | Justinian, thinking about what I did and whether -- whether any of it | ||
| CF | was worth it." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Control Tower Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | was worth it."You close your eyes. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Because until today, I haven't saved a single life..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Because you're right, Justinian. No one can outrun | ||
| CF | Death..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "Uh. Unsure on what, exactly, those mean." | |
| DavidW says, "The same thing. She's gonna stab him." | ||
| DavidW says, "Either way." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "2" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 2 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Because you're right, Justinian. No one can outrun Death. I've been | ||
| CF | chasing you for so long... chasing something that I didn't have a name | ||
| CF | for... and I'm starting to realize that perhaps it was a dream that | ||
| CF | never existed. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | never existed."For the longest time, I held on to the memory of my | ||
| CF | father. I kept clinging to that day when I was fourteen years old and | ||
| CF | my life went up in flames... as if I could have gone back in time and | ||
| CF | done something to bring him back. I kept thinking -- could I have | ||
| CF | stopped Reden's death? Could I have fought the Trading Company? Could | ||
| CF | I have solved the Shanty Quarter's problems, if I had only looked | ||
| CF | close enough to find the answer?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | close enough to find the answer?"You touch your pendant. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | close enough to find the answer?"You touch your pendant."I was | ||
| CF | mistaken," you say. "I never had a choice. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | mistaken," you say. "I never had a choice."I grew up thinking | ||
| CF | Furopolis was beautiful. The gleaming statues, the towers and the | ||
| CF | lights. But it's all a lie, isn't it? It's a mask over a city that has | ||
| CF | been falling apart from the beginning. Looking down from above, we | ||
| CF | only see the glittering machine, not the blood and mud and tears that | ||
| CF | keep it going." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | keep it going."A flash of lightning. It scores the Channelworks | ||
| CF | District in white, every skylight and spire rendered in a twisted | ||
| CF | tapestry. A peal of thunder rolls over the city, making the windows of | ||
| CF | the tower shudder; yet you wonder if the people of the Shanty Quarter, | ||
| CF | buried in concrete and neglect, will know its passing. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | buried in concrete and neglect, will know its passing."So you do | ||
| CF | understand," Justinian murmurs. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | understand," Justinian murmurs."I'm tired of chasing after a dream," | ||
| CF | you say. "It's about time I owned up to the truth. And the truth is | ||
| CF | that Death has always been here, in our city, in our world. We just | ||
| CF | chose not to see it." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | chose not to see it."He nods, steps forward, takes your hand. He is | ||
| CF | alive now, eyes aglow, and there is an electric current in his fingers | ||
| CF | that touches yours. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | that touches yours."You see it," he says. "The Channelworks District I | ||
| CF | see. Finally you understand. Then you see --" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | see. Finally you understand. Then you see --"He turns and | ||
| CF | sweeps his arm across the whole panorama of glass, encompassing the | ||
| CF | skyline of the city. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | skyline of the city."You see why this has to be done," he says. "We | ||
| CF | cannot change the city alone. We cannot change it with our clinics, | ||
| CF | our medicines, our surgeries. But with Noctis... With Noctis, we have | ||
| CF | a choice. We can make a difference. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Control Tower Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | a choice. We can make a difference."You see the purpose in all of | ||
| CF | this. The potential that this has to change the world for the better. | ||
| CF | Don't you?" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "Noctis isn't the answer, Justinian..." | ||
| CF | 2) "Noctis is a means to an end. I see that now..." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "Noctis isn't the answer, Justinian." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Lightning flashes once more, illuminating the two of you. The clouds | ||
| CF | beyond the glass broil and rage and whimper. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | beyond the glass broil and rage and whimper."I wish it was so easy," | ||
| CF | you say. "If only it were so easy -- that we could stand in this | ||
| CF | tower, and snap our fingers, and it would fix everything. But life | ||
| CF | isn't like that. Death isn't like that. Death is like a fire, taking | ||
| CF | and taking and taking, until there's nothing left to take. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and taking and taking, until there's nothing left to take."You've seen | ||
| CF | it, haven't you? You've seen how death tears people apart. It leaves | ||
| CF | scars that our eyes can't see -- in our city, in our souls, in the | ||
| CF | world. It never creates something without taking something away. | MoyTravis asks, "It feels weirdly out of character for Marid to just jump on the murder train but I guess that's an option?" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | world. It never creates something without taking something away."I | ||
| CF | gave up everything to stop you, Justinian. What did you give up? What | ||
| CF | did you sacrifice to get to where you are now?" | Knight_Otu says, "It might be." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | did you sacrifice to get to where you are now?"He looks out the | ||
| CF | window. His eyes are hard, his jaw set. Doctor Serpens's blood oozes | ||
| CF | down the front of his coat, slowly, in long dark fingers. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | down the front of his coat, slowly, in long dark fingers."It will all | ||
| CF | be worth it," he says. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | be worth it," he says."Will it, Justinian? Will it?" You circle around | ||
| CF | and grab his shoulders, making him face you. "How many lives have you | ||
| CF | destroyed? How many people have you put in the ground? Justinian, you | ||
| CF | took everyone who I cared about away from me. I died and came | ||
| CF | back because you couldn't stop your own people from killing. Do you | ||
| CF | really want to bet on a biological weapon? Are you willing to stake | ||
| CF | the Channelworks District on that bet?" | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the Channelworks District on that bet?"Justinian pushes you away with | ||
| CF | sudden force. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | sudden force."You think I don't know that?" he says. "You think I | ||
| CF | don't regret what I've done? | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Control Tower Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | don't regret what I've done?"Everything has a cost, Marid, and the | ||
| CF | cost is highest when we are trying to change the world. But it will be | ||
| CF | worth it. Pharmacos knew this. The Philosophers knew this. I can | ||
| CF | create a better world -- I know I can -- and I have weighed | ||
| CF | the consequences --" | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) "No, Justinian. No one can measure the weight of a soul." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "No, Justinian. No one can measure the weight of a soul." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You stare down Justinian as the storm rages around the two of you, | ||
| CF | setting your confrontation to a chorus of wind and rain. Your heart | ||
| CF | hammers in your chest and the world spins, and you close your eyes and | ||
| CF | let the bitter tears fall. | Knight_Otu says, "Title drop." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | let the bitter tears fall."I understand," you say. "Believe me. I | ||
| CF | understand. I've seen just how little anyone matters in the grand | ||
| CF | scale of things... like pigeons that are born to fight for breadcrumbs | ||
| CF | and die. So why do we keep going? Why do we fight Death in a war that | ||
| CF | we can never win?" | DavidW says, "We must be near the crux." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | we can never win?"You turn to the windows and place a hand on the cold | ||
| CF | glass. It mists around your fingertips, tinging the city lights in | ||
| CF | somber white. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | somber white."Because we have to," you whisper. "Because without us, | ||
| CF | there's no one else. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | there's no one else."It's a thankless profession we chose, Justinian, | ||
| CF | to be the keepers of life and death. We keep the oath, and we hold the | ||
| CF | line, knowing that our faith may never be rewarded. We gather all the | ||
| CF | knowledge and the wisdom and the strength we can harness in ourselves, | ||
| CF | hoping that we can mend a broken world one patient at a time... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | hoping that we can mend a broken world one patient at a | ||
| CF | time..."Perhaps one day, our strength will run out. We'll lose our | ||
| CF | knowledge, and our wisdom, and our hope. Perhaps one day the sea will | ||
| CF | claim us. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | claim us."Until that day comes... I'm going to fight." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | claim us."Until that day comes... I'm going to fight."Justinian shakes | ||
| CF | his head. He averts his gaze, whirls around, clenches and unclenches | ||
| CF | his fists -- he wails at the sky, a long and loud and inhuman cry of | ||
| CF | rage and terror and anguish. His eyes are wild and his cheeks are wet | ||
| CF | with tears. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with tears."I don't believe it," he whispers. "I don't understand. | ||
| CF | Why? Why? Why? I loved you, Marid, I loved you! So | ||
| CF | why must you be the same as all the others? Why... after all you've | ||
| CF | gone through... why do you still cling to that stupid -- fucking -- | ||
| CF | delusion?" | Knight_Otu says, "Well, J dropped the f-bomb as well." | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | delusion?"His head falls. He grips the railing around the | ||
| CF | chamber, the life gone from his body, a shuddering wreck of the man | ||
| CF | you once knew. With your second sight, you see all the power | ||
| CF | of the Channelworks control tower wound up and clenched tightly in his | ||
| CF | hands. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | hands."It's over, Justinian," you say. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | hands."It's over, Justinian," you say.He shakes his head slowly, his | ||
| CF | shoulders trembling, his knuckles bone-white. Slowly, he draws himself | ||
| CF | up, inch by inch. He struggles to compose himself, twitching and | ||
| CF | shivering, as though your words have carved open one of his arteries | ||
| CF | and drained dry his beating heart. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and drained dry his beating heart."No," he breathes. "No. You will not | ||
| CF | stop me, Marid. You... cannot... stop me. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | stop me, Marid. You... cannot... stop me."I see now. You could never | ||
| CF | understand. You are as deluded as everyone else is. No matter -- I | ||
| CF | won't allow you to hold me back any longer. I will keep my promise, | ||
| CF | Marid, and not lay a finger on you -- but from now on, we part ways, | ||
| CF | and all ties are severed between us. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and all ties are severed between us."If you still wish to end my | ||
| CF | life's work, you can do it over my cold, dead body." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Channelworks Control Tower Talking to Justinian | ||
| CF | life's work, you can do it over my cold, dead body."He gazes at you. | ||
| CF | His eyes are alight; his chest rises and falls in ragged breaths. His | ||
| CF | is the countenance of a man prepared to die. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | 1) <Kill Justinian.> | ||
| CF | 2) <Walk away.> | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "dooooo it" | |
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "1" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > 1 | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You close your eyes and walk forward. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | You close your eyes and walk forward.It is all so easy. You have | ||
| CF | imagined this many times; first morbidly, then purposefully, with | ||
| CF | deliberation, as you realized the nature of the power entrusted in | ||
| CF | your hands. You practiced with your peers at the Physicians' College | ||
| CF | until it became second nature to you, and you learned to wield your | ||
| CF | scalpel as easily as an extension of yourself. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | scalpel as easily as an extension of yourself.For to save a life is | ||
| CF | difficult, and exhausting, and never guaranteed; but to take a life | ||
| CF | with the flick of your wrist is the simplest thing in the world. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | with the flick of your wrist is the simplest thing in the world.You | ||
| CF | stab Justinian in the neck with your scalpel. He collapses on the | ||
| CF | floor, blood spurting from his wound; and you see the world | ||
| CF | swim as his soul is shorn from his body in the same fluid motion. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | swim as his soul is shorn from his body in the same fluid motion.His | ||
| CF | animus stares at you, eyes bulging in shock, a dark river running from | ||
| CF | its neck. Then the other souls in his wake, ten thousand strong, grasp | ||
| CF | his hair and clothes and phantom limbs, and his mouth distends in a | ||
| CF | wordless scream. Together they are pulled into a windless vortex, and | ||
| CF | they are borne away, into the reaches of the veil beyond your second | ||
| CF | sight. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | sight.You take deep breaths. Your knees are weak. You close your eyes | ||
| CF | and rest on the railing for a moment, trying to steady your hammering | ||
| CF | heart, and to ignore the sight and scent of pooling blood. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | heart, and to ignore the sight and scent of pooling blood.In death | ||
| CF | Justinian looks almost content. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Justinian looks almost content.Perhaps you have failed him. Perhaps | ||
| CF | you have failed the Philosophers, by dishonoring your oath. Certainly, | ||
| CF | by the standards of the Physicians' College, you are no longer worthy | ||
| CF | of bearing a scalpel. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | of bearing a scalpel.But you have not failed the Channelworks | ||
| CF | District. Justinian will kill no one else. You have made sure of that. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | District. Justinian will kill no one else. You have made sure of | ||
| CF | that.You step over Justinian's body and gaze upon the city and its | ||
| CF | lights, and all its meandering souls. The storm has passed, leaving a | ||
| CF | myriad glimmering raindrops to flow into each other on the other side | ||
| CF | of the glass. There is a feeling in the air that you have almost | ||
| CF | forgotten: a feeling of weightlessness, of a time without fear. And | ||
| CF | there -- on the horizon, on the clouds, on the flashing lenses of your | ||
| CF | animus lantern -- the first rays of dawn. | Roger says, "unforuntately his body was full of lethal pathogens. Whoops" | |
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | E P I L O G U E | MoyTravis asks, "Okay but isn't there still an uncontrolled plague going on?" | |
| MoyTravis says, "Maybe the epilogue will address that." | ||
| Roger says, "PROBLEM SOLVED" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I gather that the plague was very much controlled by that ass." | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The sunlight hits the counter, and you blink the dust of sleep out of | ||
| CF | your eyes. You sit up, stretching your sore arms and rubbing the old | ||
| CF | ache in your neck. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | ache in your neck.Those old dreams -- have you fallen asleep on the | ||
| CF | job again? What Doctor Cavala would think if she saw you now... | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | job again? What Doctor Cavala would think if she saw you now...You | ||
| CF | straighten your jacket and brush your hair into some semblance of | ||
| CF | presentability. Your mentor will back from the hearing soon, and you | ||
| CF | need to be ready for whatever tidings she brings. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | need to be ready for whatever tidings she brings.## Clinic | ||
| CF | The waiting area is bathed in late-afternoon sunlight, illuminating | ||
| CF | plaques, memorabilia, the odd passing ghost. A row of chairs faces the | ||
| CF | prescription counter, where a battered animus lantern casts a | ||
| CF | comforting glow. Further on is the consulting study, home to a desk | ||
| CF | strewn with unfinished notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | DavidW says, "uhhhhh" | |
| MoyTravis asks, "Welp do we wanna end or try and wrap it up?" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "'cuz 's been a long session" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x plaques" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X PLAQUES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE AND FAITHFUL SERVICE DURING THE NOCTIS | ||
| CF | CRISIS OF AURITIUM IV. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | Roger says, "Surely it must almost be over" | |
| DavidW says, "okay, it wasn't all a dream" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x counter" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X COUNTER | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You've worked here for so long now that you know all the patterns in | ||
| CF | the latticework screen by heart. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "look up reden" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > LOOK UP REDEN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | That object or command isn't available. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x diagrams" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DIAGRAMS | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The beginnings of a research paper on the Noctis vaccine. It's still a | ||
| CF | work in progress, but you have some promising results. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | MoyTravis says, "consult" | |
| DavidW asks, "Do we need to clean up something?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "consult pigeonholes about reden" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > CONSULT PIGEONHOLES ABOUT REDEN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | There's no point dredging up old memories. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "j" | ||
| CF ] Journal | ||
| CF | Seventh of Libra, Auritum V | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's been a long time since I thought about Justinian. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I thought I was over him -- I'd been for a long time -- but his memory | ||
| CF | still fills me with a kind of painful longing. I know how silly it is | ||
| CF | to pine for something that could never have been... but I still feel | ||
| CF | as though something precious was lost on that day. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Looking back, my experiences seem almost too incredible to be true; | ||
| CF | and yet I cannot deny that what happened to me was real. It's left its | ||
| CF | mark on the world around me, and it haunts me wherever I go, in the | ||
| CF | corner of my second sight. When I go to bed at night, sometimes I | ||
| CF | still see him beneath my eyelids, calling out to me with | ||
| CF | those fiery eyes... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Perhaps you were right, Justinian. In the end, I took the easy way | ||
| CF | out, just as you did. I couldn't escape the circle of life and death. | ||
| CF | But I told you, on that day, that until I lost every ounce of hope I | ||
| CF | would continue to fight. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | I'm still fighting, Justinian. I owe you that much. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Current objectives: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Wait for Doctor Cavala to return | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Marid's notes: | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | - Now that I think about it, the clinic has changed quite a bit since | ||
| CF | then... | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Please press SPACE to continue. | ||
| Knight_Otu pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Clinic | ||
| CF | The waiting area is bathed in late-afternoon sunlight, illuminating | ||
| CF | plaques, memorabilia, the odd passing ghost. A row of chairs faces the | ||
| CF | prescription counter, where a battered animus lantern casts a | ||
| CF | comforting glow. Further on is the consulting study, home to a desk | ||
| CF | strewn with unfinished notes and diagrams. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A calomel curtain leads north to the surgery room, stairs lead down to | ||
| CF | the mortuary, and the front door lies east. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > N | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's best to stay in earshot of the front door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x desk" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X DESK | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Your notes are laid out in neat stacks. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x notes" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X NOTES | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | The beginnings of a research paper on the Noctis vaccine. It's still a | ||
| CF | work in progress, but you have some promising results. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "d" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > D | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It's best to stay in earshot of the front door. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x lantern" | ||
| CF ] Clinic | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > X LANTERN | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | It glitters with the warm light of your father's animus. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | A chime issues from the front door. Is she back? | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | > | ||
| DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "open front door" | ||
| CF | > | ||
| CF | > OPEN FRONT DOOR | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You open the door and Doctor Cavala barges through, her greatcoat | ||
| CF | flapping and her mechanical leg hissing and clicking. She has a boy on | ||
| CF | her back with his arms wrapped over her shoulders. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | "You took your sweet time, Marid," your mentor quips. "Get over here | ||
| CF | and help me --" | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "push space" | ||
| CF | and help me --"Damn it. "I'll handle him," you say. "You prep the | ||
| CF | gurney --" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | gurney --"Cavala lifts the boy's forearms, and you shoulder his weight | ||
| CF | with quick, practiced motions. He's coughing and gasping, and his | ||
| CF | breath is cold -- probably inhaled some kind of halitus or wraith | ||
| CF | disturbed by the Shanty Quarter remodeling. You steal a glance at | ||
| CF | Cavala, and your assumption is confirmed when she retrieves an emetic | ||
| CF | and an air pump from under the counter. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | and an air pump from under the counter."Breathe slowly," you tell the | ||
| CF | boy as you carry him to the surgery room. "You're going to be fine. | ||
| CF | Just take deep breaths -- in and out -- in and out, okay?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | Just take deep breaths -- in and out -- in and out, okay?""I'm | ||
| CF | scared," he cries. "I can't breathe... Am I... Am I going to die?" | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | scared," he cries. "I can't breathe... Am I... Am I going to die?""No, | ||
| CF | you're not," you say firmly. "Just keep breathing deeply. As long as | ||
| CF | you keep it steady, you'll be fine." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you keep it steady, you'll be fine.""I -- I want to live..." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | you keep it steady, you'll be fine.""I -- I want to live...""You'll | ||
| CF | live," you tell him. "You'll live. We'll make sure of that." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | live," you tell him. "You'll live. We'll make sure of that."The two of | ||
| CF | you pass through the calomel curtain into the cold light of the | ||
| CF | surgery room. Cavala nods at you, a hint of a smile on her lips. You | ||
| CF | sit the boy down on the gurney, head back, arms apart. You kiss your | ||
| CF | pendant for luck before pulling your gloves on. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | pendant for luck before pulling your gloves on.The boy might live, or | ||
| CF | he might not. Ever since the Council demolished the Shanty Quarter | ||
| CF | without consulting its residents, you've seen dozens of cases like | ||
| CF | his. And if you save him, the chances are that he'll die a week later | ||
| CF | of a knife wound or a throat infection. There's nothing you can do to | ||
| CF | change that. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | change that.But here and now, you can do something. You can make sure | ||
| CF | the kid gets the chance to live one more day. | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | the kid gets the chance to live one more day.Your mentor looks at you. | ||
| CF | "Ready, Doctor Marid?" | DavidW says, "oo, Doctor Marid." | |
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF | "Ready, Doctor Marid?""Always." | ||
| DavidW pushes the green 'space' button. | ||
| CF ] Surgery Room | ||
| CF | "Ready, Doctor Marid?""Always." | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | *** The End *** | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | You achieved Ending 3 of 7. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Thank you for completing the Spring Thing 2021 release of The | ||
| CF | Weight of a Soul. | ||
| CF | You can send me feedback at the following link: | ||
| CF | [LINK] | ||
| CF | Alternatively, you can contact me directly at | ||
| CF | chinkeeyong@gmail.com. | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Thanks again for playing The Weight of a Soul! | ||
| CF | | ||
| CF | Would you like to >restart, >restore a saved story, | ||
| CF | >quit, >undo the last command, or view the >help | ||
| CF | menu? | ||
| CF | > | Knight_Otu says, "So still worthy to wield a scalpel." | |
| Roger says, "Reckon so" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Seven endings." | ||
| DavidW says, "Gosh." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "I wonder if they're all reachable in the last scene, or if any of them require pre-last-scene actions." | ||
| DavidW says, "It's pretty late. I don't want to chase after alternate endings today." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I may be able to get the transcript to the author early. Would anyone mind that?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't mind." | ||
| DavidW says, "Thank you all for getting us through this." | ||
| DavidW says, "That was a long game." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "It's definitely longer than new games tend to be." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It was. Glad to have played it though." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "I think IFComp encourages ~2 hour limits" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "but this was, uh, longer." | ||
| DavidW says, "yes, I think this was a Spring Thing game, though." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Good though! Really good." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "The subject matter was a bit too topical, but that's hardly the author's fault. He started writing it much earlier." | ||
| Roger says, "There's a lot to it" | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Yeah it apparently was started 2017? by IFDB demo dating." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sounds right." | ||
| MoyTravis says, "Anyways, thanks all! 'specially Otu and David for driving." | ||
| MoyTravis disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Good night, and stay safe!" | |
| Roger disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. | ||
| Knight_Otu goes home. | DavidW says, "good night all" | |
| DavidW disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. | ||
