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You are travelling across 19th century France, but who are you?
[[Mrs Marchen|Mrs Marchen]], daughter of a soldier and wife of a merchant. She speaks several languages and is famous around her home town of Nice for her extravagant fashions. Power comes in many forms, and she wields it with consummate skill.
[[Mr Marchen]], a wealthy merchant with a beautiful wife made all the more beautiful by the bright silks and jewels you shower upon her. Some say you treat her like a high-ranking servant, but that's not true. You don't hit your servants.
[[Mr Santiago]] is a Spanish national, formerly employed by the National Library and heading far, far away from what he learned there.
[[Mrs White]] has managed just fine since her husband's death, and travels with the overt security of an activated iron corset that gives her magical strength. She has grown bored of London yet again, and seeks adventure.
The merchant couple fell in with the two foreigners travelling across France, and four souls fell asleep by a convenient stream.
Too convenient.<<set $mrsm = 1>><<set $tin = 1>>Something grabs your foot, and you scream in terror more than pain, kicking out as your assailant.
It's nearly dawn, but still too dark to see more than the outlines of human shapes against the enclosing trees.
A female voice laughs delightedly, making you shiver. It's not Mrs White. It's not even human.
"Four delicious souls for the taking. What a beautiful day. Now, who shall I eat first?"
There is an instant of shocked silence, then chaos. Five bodies clash against one another in the small clearing, shouting in anger and pain as your small group of travellers attempts to fight off the attacker.
It's impossible to tell who is who.
[[Mrs M hide]]
[[Mrs M watch]]
[[Mrs M throw your pan at her]]
[[Mrs M knock her over]]<<set $mrm = 1>><<set $brass = 1>>You wake up before dawn, knowing instinctively that something is wrong.
There!
Your sight is close to nonexistent, but your senses of smell and hearing are so good that not even your wife knows of your shameful affliction.
Someone who stinks of old blood is creeping closer.
You reach for Sarah at once. She's all that matters. But you fumble in the darkness, and instead of drawing her close you startle her into screaming and shoving you away.
A female voice laughs delightedly, making you shiver. You know at once that this creeping, bloody thing is somehow not even human. It certainly isn't Sarah, or that British woman with the iron corset.
"Four delicious souls for the taking. What a beautiful day. Now, who shall I eat first?"
There is an instant of shocked silence, then chaos. Five bodies clash against one another in the small clearing, shouting in anger and pain as your small group of travellers attempts to fight off the attacker.
You can't tell who is who, but someone knocks you in the face.
[[Mr M hide]]
[[Mr M watch]]
[[Mr M bite it]]
[[Mr M knock her over]]<<set $mrs = 1>><<set $silver = 1>>A terrified scream shocks you awake, and you're crawling for the glowering shelter of the trees before you're fully awake.
Or is the scream coming from the trees?
A female voice laughs delightedly, making you shiver. You know at once that this creeping, bloody thing is somehow not even human. It certainly isn't either of the woman with whom you exchanged small talk last night.
"Four delicious souls for the taking. What a beautiful day. Now, who shall I eat first?"
There is an instant of shocked silence, then chaos. Five bodies clash against one another in the small clearing, shouting in anger and pain as your small group of travellers attempts to fight off the attacker.
It's impossible to tell who is who, or which human silhouette is the soulless one.
You thought you'd left them behind in Spain.
You were wrong.
[[Mr S hide]]
[[Mr S watch]]
[[Mr S throw your pan at her]]
[[Mr S knock her over]]<<set $mrsw = 1>><<set $iron = 1>>A terrified scream shocks you awake, and you're standing with clenched fists before you're fully awake.
It was Mrs Marchen!
That pompous pig she married probably punched her.
A female voice laughs delightedly, making you shiver. You know at once that this creeping, bloody thing is somehow not even human. It certainly isn't Mrs Marchen. Perhaps, this time, it wasn't her husband that hurt her.
"Four delicious souls for the taking. What a beautiful day. Now, who shall I eat first?"
There is an instant of shocked silence, then chaos. Five bodies clash against one another in the small clearing, shouting in anger and pain as your small group of travellers attempts to fight off the attacker.
It's impossible to tell who is who, or which human silhouette is the one trying to take your soul.
[[Mrs W hide]]
[[Mrs W watch]]
[[Mrs W throw your pan at her]]
[[Mrs W knock her over]]fisticuffs (iron)
melee weapons/creativity (tin...somehow)
observant (brass)
medical knowledge (silver)
tin-warning
brass-sensory perception
iron-strength
silver-healing
Personality stat:
-Spanish bites someone (choice). They both wonder if it's them.
-Mr is bitten and hiding it (choice).
British woman attracted to Mrs (and vice versa). Each can choose avoid/pursue (Mrs) and observe/pursue (Brit) - tracked as yes/no
Stats:
Spanish man chooses to bite someone or not. Gains creativity/melee fighting if yes, or medical knowledge if no.
Mr is bitten (or thinks he is; checks wound in part 2 and finds out yes or no depending on Spanish man's decision). Hiding it gains physical strength cos stoic; telling Mrs gains medical knowledge coz they learn together.
Mrs attracted to British. Avoid = creativity (coz it requires creativity to avoid 25% of the group) Pursue = observant (coz she likes her too).
Brit attracted to Mrs. Observe = observant (coz realises Mr is nearly blind). Pursue = physical strength coz literally fight Mr.You rush for the trees but someone—or something—grabs your wrist as you pass, and throws you to the ground. Trying not to make a sound, you crawl for the darker shadows of the trees, but someone else grabs you and doesn't let go.
Mr Santiago is yelling for help in Spanish, and eveyone else is yelling too.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mrs M Curl into a ball]]
[[Mrs M Look around carefully]]No one can see a thing, which means that if you don't move there's a good chance no one will hit you. All you can make out is chaos; bodies clashing against one another as your terrified group fights anything that touches them.
Mr Santiago is yelling for help in Spanish, and eveyone else is yelling too.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mrs M Curl into a ball]]
[[Mrs M Look around carefully]]You grab the saucepan from its place where you put it to dry after last night's dinner, and hurl it in the approximate direction of the monstrous voice. It hits someone with a satisfying clang.
Too bad you can't tell who it hit. All you can make out is chaos; bodies clashing against one another as your terrified group fights anything that touches them.
Everyone is yelling in their own native tongue.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mrs M Curl into a ball]]
[[Mrs M Look around carefully]]You're slender and short, so there's little point trying to overpower someone with force. But even a human-shaped monster has feet. You run into the fray and deliberately fall, dodging a punch and toppling your target at the same time—only to be stepped on.
Everyone is yelling in their own native tongue.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mrs M Curl into a ball]]
[[Mrs M Look around carefully]]You rush for the trees but someone—or something—grabs your leg as you pass, and throws you to the ground. Trying not to make a sound, you crawl for the darker shadows of the trees, but someone else grabs you and doesn't let go.
Everyone is yelling, and not everyone is speaking French or English.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mr M Curl into a ball]]
[[Mr M Look around carefully]]No one can see a thing, which means that if you don't move there's a good chance no one will hit you. All you can make out is chaos; bodies clashing against one another as your terrified group fights anything that touches them.
Everyone is yelling in their own native tongue.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mr M Curl into a ball]]
[[Mr M Look around carefully]]You bite down hard, and you know you've made a decent wound. Too bad you can't tell who it is. All you can make out is chaos; bodies clashing against one another as your terrified group fights anything that touches them.
Everyone is yelling in their own native tongue.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mr M Curl into a ball]]
[[Mr M Look around carefully]]You run into the fray, fists raised. As long as Mrs Marchen is safe, you'd happily kill all the others.
But you're only one man, and everyone else appears to be fighting just as blindly as you are. Darkness blinds everyone.
Everyone is yelling in their own native tongue.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mr M Curl into a ball]]
[[Mr M Look around carefully]]You rush for the trees but someone—or something—tackles you as you pass, and throws you to the ground. Trying not to make a sound, you crawl for the darker shadows, but they don't let go.
"Help!" you scream in Spanish. "It's got me. Please, help me!"
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape. You shake off whoever has your leg in their hands and once again try to reach the trees.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mr S Curl into a ball]]
[[Mr S Look around carefully]]No one can see a thing, which means that if you don't move there's a good chance no one will hit you. All you can make out is chaos; bodies clashing against one another as your terrified group fights anything that touches them.
Something grabs you firmly, and you cry for help in Spanish.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mr S Curl into a ball]]
[[Mr S Look around carefully]]You grab the saucepan from its place where you put it to dry after last night's dinner, and hurl it in the approximate direction of the monstrous voice. It hits someone with a satisfying clang.
Too bad you can't tell who it hit. All you can make out is chaos; bodies clashing against one another as your terrified group fights anything that touches them.
Everyone is yelling in their own native tongue.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mr S Curl into a ball]]
[[Mr S Look around carefully]]You run into the fray, fists raised. There's no escaping the soulless. You have to fight, or die.
Everyone is yelling, and you hear yourself screaming for help in Spanish.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mr S Curl into a ball]]
[[Mr S Look around carefully]]You rush for the trees but someone—or something—grabs you as you pass, and throws you to the ground. Trying not to make a sound, you crawl for the darker shadows of the trees, but the laces of your iron corset catch on something, trapping you.
Everyone else is yelling, and you don't recognise all the languages.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mrs W Curl into a ball]]
[[Mrs W Look around carefully]]No one can see a thing, which means that if you don't move there's a good chance no one will hit you. All you can make out is chaos; bodies clashing against one another as your terrified group fights anything that touches them.
Everyone is yelling in their own native tongue.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mrs W Curl into a ball]]
[[Mrs W Look around carefully]]You grab the saucepan from its place where you put it to dry after last night's dinner, and hurl it in the approximate direction of the monstrous voice. It hits someone with a satisfying clang.
Too bad you can't tell who it hit. All you can make out is chaos; bodies clashing against one another as your terrified group fights anything that touches them.
Everyone is yelling in their own native tongue.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mrs W Curl into a ball]]
[[Mrs W Look around carefully]]You run into the fray, fists raised, glad you taught yourself to sleep in an iron corset. After killing Mr White, this soulless girl will be easy.
Everyone is yelling, and it's difficult to tell who is who. It doesn't matter. They're nothing to you.
There's activated tin around somewhere, and it's emitting its alam signal: PARP PARP PARP PARP PARP as if you don't all already know that your souls are under attack from some awful monster in a human shape.
That awful laugh cracks the darkness once again, but it's not so dark now. The sun is rising.
"One delicious soul for me, and a new friend to share the other three!" says the inhuman voice. "Until tonight, my lovelies! Three against two are better odds."
[[Mrs W Curl into a ball]]
[[Mrs W Look around carefully]]The sun was rising, finally, and for a long time all I could hear was the exhausted panting of my companions. Then Mr Marchen knelt beside me, checking I was all right as he'd done many times before.
He has hit me more than once, and I know the difference between a bruise and a break. "I'm all right. Are you?"
"Never mind me," he said.
"Wait," said Mrs White. "Stop. We all heard what that thing said. One of us has been compromised."
"That was a soulless one," Mr Santiago said wearily, facing the stream rather than any of the rest of us. "They are stronger and faster than humans, and they can take souls. When they do, their victim becomes like them—soulless. Evil. Incapable of kindness, love, or faith."
[["Has one of us become soulless?"]]
[["But it spoke. It wore a human shape."]]The sun was rising, finally, and for a long time all I could see was the outlines of my companions. Then Mr Marchen knelt beside me, checking I was all right as he'd done many times before.
He has hit me more than once, and I know the difference between a bruise and a break. "I'm all right. Are you?"
"Never mind me," he said.
"Wait," said Mrs White. "Stop. We all heard what that thing said. One of us has been compromised."
"That was a soulless one," Mr Santiago said wearily, facing the stream rather than any of the rest of us. "They are stronger and faster than humans, and they can take souls. When they do, their victim becomes like them—soulless. Evil. Incapable of kindness, love, or faith."
[["Has one of us become soulless?"]]
[["But it spoke. It wore a human shape."]]The sun was rising, finally, and for a long time all I could hear was the exhausted panting of my companions. I was safe.
I crept over to Mrs Marchen, being well acquainted with the sound of silk skirts brushing against one another. She assured me she was unhurt, and asked if I could say the same.
"Never mind me," I said.
"Wait," said Mrs White. "Stop. We all heard what that thing said. One of us has been compromised."
"That was a soulless one," Mr Santiago said wearily, facing the stream rather than any of the rest of us. "They are stronger and faster than humans, and they can take souls. When they do, their victim becomes like them—soulless. Evil. Incapable of kindness, love, or faith."
[["Has one of us become soulless?"]]
[["But it spoke. It wore a human shape."]]My weak eyes were worse than useless. I couldn't even see silhouettes of the others. I crept over to Mrs Marchen, being well acquainted with the sound of silk skirts brushing against one another. She assured me she was unhurt, and asked if I could say the same.
"Never mind me," I said.
"Wait," said Mrs White. "Stop. We all heard what that thing said. One of us has been compromised."
"That was a soulless one," Mr Santiago said wearily, facing the stream rather than any of the rest of us. "They are stronger and faster than humans, and they can take souls. When they do, their victim becomes like them—soulless. Evil. Incapable of kindness, love, or faith."
[["Has one of us become soulless?"]]
[["But it spoke. It wore a human shape."]]The sun was rising, finally, and for a long time all I could hear was the exhausted panting of my companions. I was safe. Somehow, I had survived. Or had I?
Mr and Mrs Marchen whispered to one another. I lifted my head, ashamed of my obvious cowardice.
"Wait," said Mrs White. "Stop. We all heard what that thing said. One of us has been compromised."
"That was a soulless one," I said wearily. "They are stronger and faster than humans, and they can take souls. When they do, their victim becomes like them—soulless. Evil. Incapable of kindness, love, or faith."
[["Worst of all, they retain all the skills and memories of the body they have taken."]]
[["Worst of all, whichever of us was taken may not be aware of the effects for some hours."]]Double-click this passage to edit it.The sun was rising, finally, and for a long time all I could hear was the exhausted panting of my companions.
Mr Marchen went to his wife at once, and I glared at him, knowing he could not see me. I was guiltily glad that Mrs Marchen was all right.
They exchanged a few words and then moved as if to stand.
"Wait," I said. "Stop. We all heard what that thing said. One of us has been compromised."
"That was a soulless one," Mr Santiago said wearily, facing the stream rather than any of the rest of us. "They are stronger and faster than humans, and they can take souls. When they do, their victim becomes like them—soulless. Evil. Incapable of kindness, love, or faith."
[["Has one of us become soulless?"]]
[["But it spoke. It wore a human shape."]]The sun was rising, finally, and for a long time all I could hear was the exhausted panting of my companions.
Mr Marchen went to his wife at once, and I glared at him, knowing he could not see me. I was guiltily glad that Mrs Marchen was all right.
They exchanged a few words and then moved as if to stand.
"Wait," I said. "Stop. We all heard what that thing said. One of us has been compromised."
"That was a soulless one," Mr Santiago said wearily, facing the stream rather than any of the rest of us. "They are stronger and faster than humans, and they can take souls. When they do, their victim becomes like them—soulless. Evil. Incapable of kindness, love, or faith."
[["Has one of us become soulless?"]]
[["But it spoke. It wore a human shape."]]"Has one of us become soulless?" I asked.
"So it claimed," said Mr Santiago with a fatalistic air.
"Why did it leave us alone?"
"I don't know," said Mr Santiago. "Perhaps it dislikes the sun, as all evil does. Perhaps we wounded it."
"Are we safe then?" I asked sharply.
"Not at all," he said, close to hysterical laughter. "By now it is already healed. Losing one's soul is very good for the body, it seems."
"How do you know all this?"
He sighed, and scrubbed his face with his hands. "I studied the phenomenon, for a time. It frightened me, and I fled everything I knew: my work at the library. My city. My nation. It was not enough."
[["What do we do now?"]]
[["We need shelter, and arms, before it attacks us a second time."]]"But it spoke. It wore a human shape."
"All the soulless do," said Mr Santiago with a fatalistic air.
"Why did it leave us alone?"
"I don't know," said Mr Santiago. "Perhaps it dislikes the sun, as all evil does. Perhaps we wounded it."
"Are we safe then?" I asked sharply.
"Not at all," he said, close to hysterical laughter. "By now it is already healed. Losing one's soul is very good for the body, it seems."
"How do you know all this?"
He sighed, and scrubbed his face with his hands. "I studied the phenomenon, for a time. It frightened me, and I fled everything I knew: my work at the library. My city. My nation. It was not enough."
[["What do we do now?"]]
[["We need shelter, and arms, before it attacks us a second time."]]"But it spoke. It wore a human shape," said Mrs Marchen.
"All the soulless do," I told her, taking a grim pleasure in the position of expert.
"Why did it leave us alone?" she asked.
"I don't know," said Mr Santiago. "Perhaps it dislikes the sun, as all evil does. Perhaps we wounded it."
"Are we safe then?" Mr Marchen asked sharply, looking at her.
"Not at all," I said, close to hysterical laughter. "By now it is already healed. Losing one's soul is very good for the body, it seems."
"How do you know all this?" Mrs White asked.
I sighed, and scrubbed my face with my hands. "I studied the phenomenon, for a time. It frightened me, and I fled everything I knew: my work at the library. My city. My nation. It was not enough."
The others stared at me, appalled. I wished I had learned something useful from those awful days, when the library became a tomb.
[["What do we do now?"]]
[["We need shelter, and arms, before it attacks us a second time."]]"But it spoke. It wore a human shape," said Mrs Marchen.
"All the soulless do," I told her, taking a grim pleasure in the position of expert.
"Why did it leave us alone?" she asked.
"I don't know," said Mr Santiago. "Perhaps it dislikes the sun, as all evil does. Perhaps we wounded it."
"Are we safe then?" Mr Marchen asked sharply, looking at her.
"Not at all," I said, close to hysterical laughter. "By now it is already healed. Losing one's soul is very good for the body, it seems."
"How do you know all this?" Mrs White asked.
I sighed, and scrubbed my face with my hands. "I studied the phenomenon, for a time. It frightened me, and I fled everything I knew: my work at the library. My city. My nation. It was not enough."
The others stared at me, appalled. I wished I had learned something useful from those awful days, when the library became a tomb.
[["What do we do now?"]]
[["We need shelter, and arms, before it attacks us a second time."]]"I suggest we join a large band of travellers," I said. "Someone with an armed guard."
Mr Marchen shook his head. "We're miles from anywhere."
Mrs Marchen brushed out her skirts. "Nevertheless, we're better off spending our day walking closer to safety, are we not?"
We all gathered our things, eating a handful of stale bread or leftover dinner rather than staying in that clearing any longer.
Along the way, we discussed what we knew: One of us was soulless, and did not yet know it. We would be attacked again when night fall, and this time there would be two soulless and only three mortals.
<<if $mrs == 1>>
[[Steal Mrs White's iron corset—magical strength may save your life.]]
<<endif>>
[[Carefully observe the others for signs of dishonesty.]]
[[Forget the soulless and attemt to draw Mrs Marchen away from her husband. She deserves better. She deserves me.]]Mr Marchen shook his head. "We're miles from anywhere."
Mrs Marchen brushed out her skirts. "Nevertheless, we're better off spending our day walking closer to safety, are we not?"
We all gathered our things, eating a handful of stale bread or leftover dinner rather than staying in that clearing any longer.
Along the way, we discussed what we knew: One of us was soulless, and did not yet know it. We would be attacked again when night fall, and this time there would be two soulless and only three mortals.
<<if $mrs == 1>>
[[Steal Mrs White's iron corset—magical strength may save your life.]]
<<endif>>
[[Carefully observe the others for signs of dishonesty.]]
[[Forget the soulless and attemt to draw Mrs Marchen away from her husband. She deserves better. She deserves me.]][[multi player]]
[[single player]][[multi player]]
[[single player]][[multi player]]
[[single player]]Pass the device to the relevent players:
[[Mr M 1]]
[[Mrs M 1]]
[[Mr S 1]]
[[Mrs W 1]]<<set $mrmyes = 1>><<set $mrsmyes = 1>><<set $mrsyes = 1>><<set $mrswyes = 1>>
[[Act 2]]Scroll down to see the relevent question. . .
If you are selecting an option for another player, don't scroll down but simply record their answer here:
[[Mr M Yes]]
[[Mr M No]]
. . .
Did you bite someone during the fight?Scroll down to see the relevent question. . .
If you are selecting an option for another player, don't scroll down but simply record their answer here:
[[Mrs M Yes]]
[[Mrs M No]]
. . .
Are you satisfied with your marriage?Scroll down to see the relevent question. . .
If you are selecting an option for another player, don't scroll down but simply record their answer here:
[[Mr S Yes]]
[[Mr S No]]
. . .
Do you intend to steal Mrs White's magical iron corset?Scroll down to see the relevent question. . .
If you are selecting an option for another player, don't scroll down but simply record their answer here:
[[Mrs W Yes]]
[[Mrs W No]]
. . .
Do you want to romance Mrs Marchen?<<set $mrmyes = 1>>
Do other players need to enter their stats?
[[multi player]]
Otherwise, go on to [[Act 2]].<<set $mrmno = 1>>
Do other players need to enter their stats?
[[multi player]]
Otherwise, go on to [[Act 2]].<<set $mrsmyes = 1>>
Do other players need to enter their stats?
[[multi player]]
Otherwise, go on to [[Act 2]].<<set $mrsmno = 1>>
Do other players need to enter their stats?
[[multi player]]
Otherwise, go on to [[Act 2]].<<set $mrsyes = 1>>
Do other players need to enter their stats?
[[multi player]]
Otherwise, go on to [[Act 2]].<<set $mrsno = 1>>
Do other players need to enter their stats?
[[multi player]]
Otherwise, go on to [[Act 2]].<<set $mrswyes = 1>>
Do other players need to enter their stats?
[[multi player]]
Otherwise, go on to [[Act 2]].<<set $mrswno = 1>>
Do other players need to enter their stats?
[[multi player]]
Otherwise, go on to [[Act 2]].<<if $mrsmyes + $mrswyes == 2>>
<<set $mrsevil = 1>>
<<elseif $mrmyes + $mrsyes == 2>>
<<set $mrswevil = 1>>
<<elseif $mrsmno == 1>>
<<set $mrsmevil = 1>>
<<else>>
<<set $mrmevil == 1>>
<<endif>>
We walk on, sneaking sly glances at one another and then burning with shame. Whoever was soulless likely didn't know they were already dead.
What an awful thought.
<<if $mrm == 1>>
[[Mr M It's not me, though. I'd know.]]
[[Mr M It isn't me. . . is it?|Mr M It's not me, though. I'd know.]]
<<if $mrsm ==1>>
[[Mrs M It's not me, though. I'd know.]]
[[Mrs M It isn't me. . . is it?|Mrs M It's not me, though. I'd know.]]
<<if $mrs == 1>>
[[Mr S It's not me, though. I'd know.]]
[[Mr S It isn't me. . . is it?|Mr S It's not me, though. I'd know.]]
<<if $mrsw == 1>>
[[Mrs W It's not me, though. I'd know.]]
[[Mrs W It isn't me. . . is it?|Mrs W It's not me, though. I'd know.]]
<<endif>>As we walk, I keep a careful eye on Mrs Marchen, not trusting the others to leave her alone. She just smiles at me with that particular disdain that is hers alone. She suffers along with the rest of us, but she seems to thrive on it.
I think back to the fight, trying desperately to recall details of what happened. There is plenty to remember: Mrs Marchen's scream. The glint of river water like animal eyes watching our fight. My terror. But I haven't the faintest idea who is the most likely victim of the attack.
XXXXX if Yes...
Oh.
Oh no.
I remember biting someone in the heat of the moment. Why would I do such a thing? What if I caught the soulless disease as my teeth broke that awful woman's skin? What if I was already lost, and bit one of my companions like the animal that I am?
XXXX else
[[Mr M Organize the others into a fighting unit.]]
[[Mr M Find the tin you heard in the fight, and enlist its help.]]
[[Mr M Focus on observing the others.]]
[[Mr M Focus on healing any wound sustains by your travelling companions.]]<<if $mrsmevil = 1>>
As you walk, you hear an odd creaking noise in your bag.
Eventually you open the bag, painfully aware of the sudden attention from everyone else. Inside, amongst the best and most expensive travelling supplies, is one small reminder of your past: a battered tin mug that was once all you owned in the world.
"Parp!" it says.
Tin is famous for being able to communicate... a little. "Parp" could mean no, danger, sorrow, or any other negative word. "Bing" is positive. And that's the entire vocabulary of tin. Your mug must have magically activated due to the stress of the fight.
<<elseif>>
As you walk, you hear an odd chiming noise in your bag.
Eventually you open the bag, painfully aware of the sudden attention from everyone else. Inside, amongst the best and most expensive travelling supplies, is one small reminder of your past: a battered tin mug that was once all you owned in the world.
"Bing!" it says.
Tin is famous for being able to communicate... a little. "Bing" could mean yes, happy, safety, or any other positive word. "Parp" is negative. And that's the entire vocabulary of tin. Your mug must have magically activated due to the stress of the fight.
<<else>>
You think back to the fight, trying desperately to recall details of what happened. There is plenty to remember: that vice-like grip on my leg. The glint of river water like animal eyes watching our fight. My terror. But I haven't the faintest idea who is the most likely victim of the attack.
[[Mrs M Organize the others into a fighting unit.]]
[[Enlist the tin's help for the coming fight.]]
[[Mrs M Focus on observing the others.]]
[[Mrs M Focus on healing any wound sustains by your travelling companions.]]As we walk I hang back, unable to bear the thought of having anyone's eyes on my back.
If Yes....
It's also the simplest way to steal Mrs White's corset. She has a walking steam-cart carrying all her possessions, and her corset is visibly dented. As last she switches to a different corset, and puts the iron into her cart. Less than an hour later, it's in the back on your bag.
It's heavy, but once you figure out to pierce holes into your bag and shirt so that the magical iron touches your skin, you feel the strengthening benefit at once.
<<else>>
You think back to the fight, trying desperately to recall details of what happened. There is plenty to remember: Mrs Marchen's scream. The glint of river water like animal eyes watching your fight. Your terror. But you haven't the faintest idea who is the most likely victim of the attack.
XXXXX if Mr M Yes...
Someone bit me in the heat of the moment. What if I caught the soulless disease through that bite? What if I'm already lost?
XXXX else
[[Mr S Organize the others into a fighting unit.]]
[[Mr S Find the tin you heard in the fight, and enlist its help.]]
[[Mr S Focus on observing the others.]]
[[Mr S Focus on healing any wound sustains by your travelling companions.]]Your iron corset was badly dented during the fight, and you know all too well how disabling a single metal lump can be during a day of travel. It's not a good day to wear anything less potent, but you're more likely to survive the coming fight without injuring yourself further during the day.
You switch corsets, leaving the heavier iron corset in your walking steam-cart while you were a more comfortable corset of brass. Sadly, it's not activated so it's of little strategic use.
If Mr S Yes....
It's late afternoon before you realize your iron corset is gone. Hypothetically it could have fallen from the cart, but you're sure one of your companions has stolen it. Mrs Marchen is the obvious suspect, since it will be wearable for her. But the others know it's magical, so it could be helpful to either of the men too.
<<else>>
You think back to the fight, trying desperately to recall details of what happened. There is plenty to remember: Mrs Marchen's scream. The glint of river water like animal eyes watching your fight. Your terror. But you haven't the faintest idea who is the most likely victim of the attack.
[[Mrs W Organize the others into a fighting unit.]]
[[Mrs W Find the tin you heard in the fight, and enlist its help.]]
[[Mrs W Focus on observing the others.]]
[[Mrs W Focus on healing any wound sustains by your travelling companions.]]You suggest to the others that you pool weapons, but Mrs White immediately points out that she has no intention of giving her weapons to a soulless one.
Mr Santiago immediately points out that she might be soulless herself.
After that, there's no hope of true alliance.
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]The tin is in Mrs Marchen's bag. You take it out and hold it in your hand, talking quietly to it, and teaching it to signal you when there is a significant obstacle ahead.
It may yet save your life.
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]You can hear newly-activated tin making annoying noises from inside Mrs Marchen's bag. Unlike women, tin is impossible to shut up.
if Mr S yes.....
You do not comment when Mrs White puts her iron corset in her steam-cart, and Mr Santiago takes his chance to steal it.
<<else>>
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]Double-click this passage to edit it.You suggest to the others that you pool weapons, but Mrs White immediately points out that she has no intention of giving her weapons to a soulless one.
Mr Santiago immediately points out that she might be soulless herself.
After that, there's no hope of true alliance.
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]Mr Marchen is afraid. He's always better that way, so that's one good thing. Last time he felt fear, you manipulated him into this cross-country journey. Assuming you both survive, you can get anything you want from him after this.
if Mr S yes.....
You do not comment when Mrs White puts her iron corset in her steam-cart, and Mr Santiago takes his chance to steal it.
<<else>>
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]Double-click this passage to edit it.You suggest to the others that you pool weapons, but Mrs White immediately points out that she has no intention of giving her weapons to a soulless one.
You retort that she might be soulless herself.
After that, there's no hope of true alliance.
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]The tin is in Mrs Marchen's bag. You point it out to her, and she thanks you. So much for enlisting its help.
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]You can hear newly-activated tin making annoying noises from inside Mrs Marchen's bag. Stealth certainly won't be an option for you.
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]Double-click this passage to edit it.You suggest to the others that you pool weapons, but Mr Santiago immediately points out that the soulless one could potentially benefit.
After that, there's no hope of true alliance.
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]The tin is in Mrs Marchen's bag. You point it out to her, and she thanks you. So much for enlisting its help.
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]You can hear newly-activated tin making annoying noises from inside Mrs Marchen's bag. You certainly won't be able to do anything stealthy with tin around.
if Mr S yes.....
Mr Santiago steals your corset right from your steam-cart, and manages to carry it in such a way that the iron is touching his skin, giving him magically enhanced strength. Rather than confronting him, you continue to bide your time.
<<else>>
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]Double-click this passage to edit it.[[Mr M Act 3]]
[[Mrs M Act 3]]
[[Mr S Act 3]]
[[Mrs W Act 3]][[Mr M Act 3]]
[[Mrs M Act 3]]
[[Mr S Act 3]]
[[Mrs W Act 3]]You take it out and hold it in your hand, talking quietly to it, and teaching it to signal you when any of the others draw closer to you.
It may yet save your life.
[[More than 1 player]]
[[1 player]]The sun is well past its zenith, and you all know you won't reach safety before dark.
<<if $mrmevil = 1>>
It slowly dawns on you that you can distinguish one cloud from another. You glance across at Mrs Marchen, and for the first time ever you can clearly distinguish every feature of her beautiful face.
You're soulless. And it's the best thing that's ever happened to you.
[[Draw her aside and offer her eternity with you.]]
[[Mr Santiago is your greatest threat. Kill him.]]
<<elseif $mrsmevil = 1>>
You feel your heart beating faster, knowing that there is a second battle coming, and there will not be a third.
Thanks to your magical brass, you can hear Mr Santiago's heart also speeding up, although Mrs White remains calm.
You listen for Mrs Marchen's heart and. . . nothing. She is soulless.
[[Draw her aside and ask her to take your soul, so you can be together forever.]]
[[Kill her.]]
<<elseif $sevil = 1>>
You feel your heart beating faster, knowing that there is a second battle coming, and there will not be a third.
Thanks to your magical brass, you can hear Mrs Marchen's heart also speeding up, although Mrs White remains calm.
You listen for Mr Santiago's heart and. . . nothing. He is soulless.
[["Mr Santiago is soulless! Kill him!"]]
[[Kill him.]]
<<elseif $wevil = 1>>
You feel your heart beating faster, knowing that there is a second battle coming, and there will not be a third.
Thanks to your magical brass, you can hear Mrs Marchen's heart also speeding up, and the increasing heartbeat of Mr Santiago.
You listen for Mrs White's heart and. . . nothing. She is soulless.
[["Mrs White is soulless! Kill her!"]]
[[Kill the monster.]]The sun is well past its zenith, and you all know you won't reach safety before dark.
<<if $mrmevil = 1>>
Mr Marchen tugs on your hand, drawing you off the path.
[[Go with him.]]
[[Refuse.]]
<<elseif $mrsmevil = 1>>
Despite the long day, your feet are getting more comfortable and your legs and back no longer hurt. It really is quite lovely.
Oh. You're soulless.
It feels amazing!
[[Kill Mr Marchen first. You'd make a lovely widow.]]
[[Kill Mrs White first. With her iron, she's the greatest threat.]]
<<elseif $sevil = 1>>
Mr Marchen suddenly attacks Mr Santiago! Your tin emits a loud <i>Bing!<i> of approval.
[[Help him kill Mr Santiago.]]
[[Let Mr Santiago kill him.]]
<<elseif $wevil = 1>>
Mr Marchen suddenly attacks Mrs White! Your tin emits a loud <i>Bing!<i> of approval.
[[Help him kill Mrs White.]]
[[Let Mrs White kill him.]]The sun is well past its zenith, and you all know you won't reach safety before dark.
<<if $mrmevil = 1>>
Mr Marchen takes his wife aside. Could he be the soulless one? If he is, he should know by now.
[["Stop! Don't leave the group.]]
[[Draw back to whisper your suspicions to Mrs White.]]
<<elseif $mrsmevil = 1>>
Suddenly Mrs Marchen launches herself at her husband, knocking him to the ground and reaching for his neck. She must be the soulless one!
[[Kill Mrs Marchen.]]
[[Wait. What if she has figured out that Mr Marchen is the killer?]]
<<elseif $sevil = 1>>
You take a deep breath, trying to steady your nerves. It feels. . . different. Good different.
It's you. You're the soulless one. You never need to be afraid again.
[[Kill Mr Marchen. He's the greatest threat.]]
[[Kill Mrs White. She's the greatest threat.]]
<<elseif $wevil = 1>>
Mr Marchen suddenly turns and attacks Mrs White without a word. One of them is soulless. . . but which one?
[[Kill Mr Marchen.]]
[[Wait until you're sure.]]The sun is well past its zenith, and you all know you won't reach safety before dark.
<<if $mrmevil = 1>>
Mr Marchen takes his wife aside. Could he be the soulless one? If he is, he should know by now.
[["Mr Marchen! Don't leave the group.]]
[[Draw back to whisper your suspicions to Mr Santiago.]]
<<elseif $mrsmevil = 1>>
Suddenly Mrs Marchen launches herself at her husband, knocking him to the ground and reaching for his neck. She must be the soulless one!
[[Grab your iron vest.]]
[[Watch them to figure out which is soulless.]]
<<elseif $sevil = 1>>
Mr Santiago smiles at you. Mr Marchen suddenly attacks him!
[[Help Mr Santiago.]]
[[Watch the two men to figure out which is soulless.]]
<<elseif $wevil = 1>>
Mr Marchen suddenly attacks you, and you instinctively block his first punch. Your arm is strong. Stronger than it's ever been. You're the soulless one!
[[Kill the mortal man.]]
[[Grab your iron vest, then kill him.]]"My dear Mrs Marchen, I am healed of all my afflictions, and I want to heal you too. Take my hand."
"You're the soulless one," she said blankly, "and you want me to join you."
"Take my hand, and live forever!"
<<if $mrsmyes == 1>>
"Ah," she said. "Now that's power."
She took my hand, and I took her soul.
"And now there are two," she smiled at me. "May I kill Mrs White? I imagine her soul will be simply delicious."
[["Of course my dear."|"No! She's mine."]]
[["No! She's mine."]]
<<if $mrsmyes == 0>>
She turned and ran back to the others, screaming for help.
They all attack you at once, beating you until your spine finally snapped and you died. The other soullesss one wisely stayed away.
Mrs Marchen returned to Nice as the third-richest woman in France, with Mrs White as her constant companion. She got everything she wanted.
[[THE END]]You charge for Mr Santiago, teeth bared in a violent grin. Mrs Marchen shrieks and runs into the forest, only to shriek louder when the other soulless one catches and kills her.
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing.
"Er, sorry," says Mr Santiago to Mrs White—just as you try to kill him. He has the iron, and throws you to the ground.
Before you can get up, Mrs White stabs you through the neck, snapping your spine and killing you.
It's almost as if she already didn't like you.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at your face, hitting you so hard your neck snaps, killing you forever.
It's almost as if she already didn't like you.
[[THE END]]Mrs Marchen follows you into the trees willingly.
<<if $mrsmyes == 1>>
"I'm going to take your soul now," she says. "Hold still."
"Of course, my love."
She whispers a few words in a language you don't recognize, and then sighs in ecstacy. "You really loved me, didn't you?"
"As much as I knew how," you say.
"Is it possible to love without a soul?"
"No," you say. "But we can hunt together."
"Indeed," she smiles. "I believe I'll kill Mrs White next. I imagine her soul will be simply delicious."
[["Of course my dear."|"No! She's mine."]]
[["No! She's mine."]]
<<if $mrsmyes == 0>>
"I'm going to take your soul," she says. "But first I'm going to kill you."
"What?" you say. "Why?"
She rolls her eyes. "You're no longer any use to me."
"How can you say that?!"
She doesn't even answer, but reaches up as if to caress your cheek—and snaps your neck instead.
[[THE END]]You've hit her plenty of times before, but you always warned her first. It's hard to quash the urge, and when she turns toward you and smiles, you suddenly realize she's not afraid of you.
You swing a punch and she dodges it as if you'd practised it in advance. Then, for the first time, she hits you.
Before you know what's happening you're on the ground, and a violent throbbing is spreading from your jaw to the rest of your body. What little vision you have is twisting and swirling.
You can barely hear the shout as Mr Santiago realizes what's happening and rushing to your aid. Before he can take the few steps over to you, your sweet little wife snaps your neck.
[[THE END]]"My Santiago is soulless! Kill him!"
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing.
"Oops," says Mr Santiago. "Wherever can it be?"
Mrs White reaches deeper into her belongings and pulls out a pistol, stepping back to give herself the few seconds she needs to load it.
You leap forward to attack the soulless one, but he's much stronger than you. He beats you around the face and chest, laughing delightedly—until Mrs White shoots him in the head.
His blood goes everywhere, but he doesn't even fall down. "Do you really think you can kill me?" he laughs, pausing only to spit blood. "I know how it can be done, but I won't be telling any of you!"
Suddenly Mrs Marchen is behind him, with a dagger. She stabs him in the back of the neck. He twists to grab her, but then he topples forward instead—dead!
"How did you know how to kill it?" you ask her.
"Head and heart," she says. "Living things need both, so I thought separating them might do the trick."
She stumbles, and you catch her.
"Yet another reminder of why I'm the luckiest man on earth," you say, knowing the three of you will be ready when the female soulless one attempts another attack.
She doesn't stand a chance.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at Mr Santiago's face, hitting him so hard his neck snaps and he's killed instantly.
"Right then," she says calmly. "Let's stick together—but I don't think the other soulless one will dare take us on now she's seen what we can do."
[[THE END]]You charge for Mr Santiago, intending to kill him as quickly as possible.
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing.
Mr Santiago twists as you grab for him, and uses the strengthening magic of the iron he stole to kill you with a single punch.
If only you could have saved Mrs Marchen!
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at your face, hitting you so hard you're killed before you even reach Mr Santiago.
The last thing you see is a vile grin of triumph spreading across the soulless one's face.
[[THE END]]"Mrs White is soulless! Kill her!"
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing.
"Oops," says Mr Santiago. "Wherever can it be?"
Mrs White reaches deeper into her belongings and pulls out a pistol, stepping back to give herself the few seconds she needs to load it.
Mr Santiago doesn't let her. He hits her so hard her neck snaps and she falls to the ground—dead.
"How did you know how to kill it?" you ask him.
"Library," he says. "The pen really is mightier than the sword. I don't think the other soulless one will dare take us on now she's seen what we can do."
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at you, hitting you so hard your neck snaps and you're killed instantly.
The others don't stand a chance.
[[THE END]]You charge for Mrs White, intending to kill her as quickly as possible.
She shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing.
Mr Santiago backs away, muttering an insincere apology.
You knock her to the ground and wrap your fingers around her neck, squeezing with all your strength. It doesn't help. The soulless don't die to easily.
After what seems like forever, Mr Santiago is convinced she in not human, and used the strengthening iron magic of her own corset to snap her neck.
The two of you stand, panting hard.
"It's all right," you tell Mrs Marchen. "The three of us can stop the other soulless one. We're going to live."
Ignoring Mr Santiago, she kisses you. "I knew you'd keep me safe. Thank you."
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at your face, hitting you so hard you're killed instantly.
If only you could have saved Mrs Marchen!
[[THE END]]"My dear Mrs Marchen, I am healed of all my afflictions, and I want to heal you too. Take my hand."
"You're the soulless one," you say blankly, "and you want me to join you."
"Take my hand, and live forever!"
<<if $mrsmyes == 1>>
"Ah," you say. "Now that's power."
You took his hand, and he takes your soul. It only hurts for a moment. Then you can feel a new strength bubbling beneath your skin.
"And now there are two," you smile at him. Then you turn back to the others together, killing them and eating their souls.
It's the first day of the rest of eternity.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsmyes == 0>>
You turn and run back to the others, screaming for help.
They all attack Mr Marchen at once, beating him until his spine finally snaps and he dies. The other soullesss one wisely stays away.
You return to Nice as the third-richest woman in France, with Mrs White as your constant companion. You got everything you ever wanted.
[[THE END]]You turn and run to the others, screaming for help.
They all attack Mr Marchen at once, beating him until his spine finally snaps and he dies. The other soullesss one wisely stays away.
You return to Nice as the third-richest woman in France, with Mrs White as your constant companion. You got everything you ever wanted.
[[THE END]]You draw Mr Marchen aside and rather enjoy watching his eyes as your hands squeeze tighter and tighter around his neck, and he suddenly realizes exactly what you are and what you're doing.
You're the strong one now.
His soul is delicious.
You wait in the trees until the other soulless woman joins you, then the two of you kill Mr Santiago and Mrs White.
She's more animal than human, so you kill her too. Presumably it was living in the woods that did it.
You return to Nice as the third-richest woman in France. You got everything you ever wanted.
[[THE END]]You charge for Mrs White, intending to kill her as quickly as possible.
She shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing.
Mr Santiago backs away, muttering an insincere apology.
You knock her to the ground and wrap your fingers around her neck, squeezing hard until she is dead. The men watch, frozen in shock.
The next to die is your poor husband. That's satisfying. Mr Santiago has run off into the woods, dropping his bag along the way—including the magical iron he stole.
Without it, he's no match for you.
You return to Nice the third-richest widow in France. No one knows what you are, so it's a simple matter to kill as many people as you like, one by one.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at your face, hitting you so hard you're killed instantly.
It occurs to you far too late to wonder exactly how she became a widow.
[[THE END]]"Mr Santiago is soulless!" you cry. "Kill him!"
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing.
"Oops," says Mr Santiago. "Wherever can it be?"
Mrs White reaches deeper into her belongings and pulls out a pistol, stepping back to give herself the few seconds she needs to load it.
Mr Marchen leaps forward to attack the soulless one, but he's much stronger than your mortal husband. He beats him around the face and chest, laughing delightedly—until Mrs White shoots him in the head.
His blood goes everywhere, but he doesn't even fall down. "Do you really think you can kill me?" he laughs, pausing only to spit blood. "I know how it can be done, but I won't be telling any of you!"
You creep around behind him, with a dagger, and stab him in the back of the neck. He twists to grab you, but then he topples forward instead—dead!
"How did you know how to kill it?" Mr Marchen asks you.
"Head and heart," you say. "Living things need both, so I thought separating them might do the trick."
You swoon as the shock grips me, and Mr Marchen catches you.
"Yet another reminder of why I'm the luckiest man on earth," he says.
The three of you will be ready when the female soulless one attempts another attack.
She doesn't stand a chance.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at Mr Santiago's face, hitting him so hard his neck snaps and he's killed instantly.
"Right then," she says calmly. "Let's stick together—but I don't think the other soulless one will dare take us on now she's seen what we can do."
[[THE END]]Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing.
Mr Santiago backs away, muttering an insincere apology.
Mr Marchen kills the soulless one quickly, with the help of you and Mr Santiago. The monster in the forest doesn't dare approach you again.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at his face, narrowly missing him.
"Sever her spine!" Mr Santiago yells, backing away.
No matter. Knowing how to kill her, you and Mr Marchen work together, perfectly synchronised in your grisly task.
The monster in the forest doesn't dare approach your party again.
[[THE END]]Mr Santiago hits your husband so hard he's killed instantly.
<<if $mrs == yes>>
"My corset!" cries Mrs White. "He took it!"
"I certainly did," says Mr Santiago. "Now, who's next?"
<<endif>>
Mrs White reaches deeper into her belongings and pulls out a pistol, stepping back to give herself the few seconds she needs to load it.
He stalks after her, forgetting sweet little Mrs Marchen.
You creep around behind him, with a dagger, and stab him in the back of the neck. He twists to grab you, but then he topples forward instead—dead!
"How did you know how to kill it?" Mrs White asks you.
"Head and heart," you say. "Living things need both, so I thought separating them might do the trick."
You swoon as the shock grips you, and Mrs White catches you.
"Let's get my magical iron back," she says. "The pair of us can kill any monster we like."
"Agreed."
[[THE END]]Mrs White hits your husband so hard he's killed instantly.
<<if $mrs == yes>>
"My corset!" cries Mrs White. "He took it—but I didn't even need it."
"I certainly did," says Mr Santiago. "And a good thing too."
<<endif>>
Mrs White reaches deeper into her belongings and pulls out a pistol, stepping back to give herself the few seconds she needs to load it.
Mr Santiago doesn't give her a moment. He grabs her chin and snaps her neck at once. She falls to the ground—dead.
"How did you know how to kill it?" you ask.
"Librarian," he says. "I might have shirked my duties once, but I found my courage today."
The pair of you continue on together, confident the other soulless one will leave you alone.
[[THE END]]"We are married," Mr Marchen says with dignity—but Mrs Marchen subtley shifts away from him.
"You're soulless, aren't you?" you breathe in horror.
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing, of course.
You back away, muttering an insincere apology.
She calmly draws a pistol from deeper inside her cart, and shoots Mr Marchen in the head.
It won't kill him, of course—but it slows him down.
"Sever the spine!" you shout, tossing her the iron from a safe distance.
She catches it and bashes Mr Marchen in the face so hard his neck snaps.
"Like that?" she says.
"Er. . . yes."
Mrs Marchen blinks, and moves away from her husband's mangled body.
The three of you can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
"How were you so sure?" you ask her.
She smiles. "Better safe than sorry, don't you think?"
The three of you can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]"I suspect Mr Marchen is soulless," you whisper to Mrs White.
"Righto," she says.
She shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing, of course.
You back away, muttering an insincere apology.
She calmly draws a pistol from deeper inside her cart, and shoots Mr Marchen in the head.
It won't kill him, of course—but it slows him down.
"Sever the spine!" you shout, tossing her the iron from a safe distance.
She catches it and bashes Mr Marchen in the face so hard his neck snaps.
"Like that?" she says.
"Er. . . yes."
Mrs Marchen reaches for her, but Mrs White is quicker. She isn't quite so enthusiastic, but she knows it's already too late. She kills Mrs Marchen too.
The two of you can take on the other soulless one together. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
"How were you so sure?" you ask her.
She smiles. "Better safe than sorry, don't you think?"
She isn't quite so enthusiastic, but she knows it's already too late for Mrs Marchen. She kills her too.
The two of you can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]You hang back, not knowing what to do.
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing, of course.
You back away, muttering an insincere apology.
She calmly draws a pistol from deeper inside her cart, and shoots Mr Marchen in the head.
He dies instantly. Which means he's human. Which means Mrs Marchen isn't.
"It's her!" you scream in terror. "Sever the spine, quick!"
But it's too late. Mrs Marchen kills her in an instant, and then comes for you.
You drop your back in utter panic, losing the strengthening magic as you do so. Mrs Marchen laughs as she kills you.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
"How were you so sure?" you ask her.
She smiles. "Better safe than sorry, don't you think?"
Mrs Marchen is smiling.
She's the soulless one!
"It's her!" you scream in terror. "Sever the spine, quick!"
But it's too late. Mrs Marchen kills her in an instant, and then comes for you.
You drop your bag in utter panic, losing the strengthening magic as you do so. Mrs Marchen laughs as she kills you.
[[THE END]]You're an excellent liar.
"It's him!" you cry. "Mr Marchen is soulless!"
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing, of course.
You back away, muttering an insincere apology.
She calmly draws a pistol from deeper inside her cart, and shoots Mr Marchen in the head.
He dies instantly.
All you have to do now is wait until night falls and the other soulless one joins you. Mrs Marchen and Mrs White will be dead before dawn.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
"How were you so sure?" you ask her.
She smiles. "Better safe than sorry, don't you think?"
"Absolutely," you smile back at her.
All you have to do now is wait until night falls and the other soulless one joins you. Mrs Marchen and Mrs White will be dead before dawn.
[[THE END]]You're an excellent liar.
"It's her!" you cry. "Mrs White is soulless!"
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing, of course.
With your magically-enhances strength, you snap her neck like a twig.
All you have to do now is wait until night falls and the other soulless one joins you. Mr and Mrs Marchen will be dead before dawn.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at your face, snapping your neck and killing you at once.
So much for eternal life.
[[THE END]]"It's him!" you cry. "Mr Marchen is soulless!"
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing, of course.
You back away, muttering an insincere apology.
She calmly draws a pistol from deeper inside her cart, and shoots Mr Marchen in the head.
He dies instantly. Oh no! It's Mrs Marchen.
"Not him!" you cry. "Her!"
Mrs White spins around but she's too late. Mrs Marchen kills her, and then comes to kill you.
You drop your bag in utter panic, losing the strengthening magic as you do so. Mrs Marchen laughs as she kills you.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
"How were you so sure?" you ask her.
She smiles. "Better safe than sorry, don't you think?"
"Absolutely," you smile back at her.
But then Mrs Marchen snaps Mrs White's neck.
You were wrong about her. You were so, so wrong.
You're dead three seconds later.
[[THE END]]Mr Marchen dies instantly. Oh no! Mrs Marchen is soulless.
"It's her!" you cry. "She's soulless! Sever the spine!"
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing, of course.
You back away, muttering an insincere apology.
She calmly draws a pistol from deeper inside her cart, and shoots Mrs Marchen in the neck.
She's a perfect shot, and Mrs Marchen dies instantly.
With her help, the soulless one hiding in the forest won't dare to attack. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at Mrs Marchen's face, hitting her so hard her neck snaps and she's killed instantly.
With her help, the soulless one hiding in the forest won't dare to attack. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]You charge for the tiny woman, knowing all too well that the soulless have enhanced strength.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
Thank goodness you stole Mrs White's magical iron! The strength aids you as you break Mrs Marchen's neck.
Mr Marchen stares up at you in shock. "She attacked me!"
"She was soulless."
He gets up slowly, already beginning to weep for his dead wife. But he's alive, and you're alive, and Mrs White is alive.
You saved them all.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
It's no use! Mrs Marchen laughs as she kills you with her newfound strength, then turns to kill the others.
[[THE END]]"Mr Marchen! Don't leave the group!"
"We are married," Mr Marchen says with dignity—but Mrs Marchen subtley shifts away from him.
"You're soulless, aren't you?" you breathe in horror.
You shove back the cover of your steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of your magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
Your corset is missing. Mr Santiago backs away, muttering an insincere apology.
Fine. You draw a pistol from deeper inside your cart, and shoot Mr Marchen in the head.
It doesn't kill him, not now he's soulless, but it slows him down.
"Sever the spine!" shouts Mr Santiago, tossing you the iron from a safe distance.
You catch it and bash Mr Marchen in the face so hard his neck snaps.
"Like that?" you says.
"Er. . . yes."
Mrs Marchen blinks, and moves away from her husband's mangled body.
The three of you can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She don't have time to put it on, so you swings the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
"How were you so sure?" Mr Santiago asks you.
You give him a vicious smile. "Better safe than sorry, don't you think?"
The three of you can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]"I think he's soulless," you whisper to Mr Santiago.
"Agreed," he says. "They're hard to kill. You need to sever the spine."
"Can do."
You shove back the cover of your steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of your magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
Your corset is missing. Mr Santiago backs away, muttering an insincere apology.
Fine. You draw a pistol from deeper inside your cart, and shoot Mr Marchen in the head.
It doesn't kill him, not now he's soulless, but it slows him down.
"Sever the spine!" shouts Mr Santiago, tossing you the iron from a safe distance.
You catch it and bash Mr Marchen in the face so hard his neck snaps.
"Like that?" you says.
"Er. . . yes."
You spin and hit Mrs Marchen too, even though it's far less enjoyable.
If Mr Santiago doesn't break and run, the two of you are going to survive.
"Give me back my corset," you say calmly.
He obeys at once.
You're going to be fine.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
You don't have time to put it on, so you swing the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
"How were you so sure?" Mr Santiago asks you.
You don't bother answering. Mrs Marchen is lost now too. You spin and hit her just as hard, even though it's far less enjoyable.
On the up side, you and Mr Santiago are going to survive.
[[THE END]]You shove back the cover of your steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of your magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
Your corset is missing. Mr Santiago backs away, muttering an insincere apology.
Fine. You draw a pistol from deeper inside your cart, and shoot Mr Marchen in the head.
It kills him instantly. Mrs Marchen laughs in delight.
Oops.
"Sever the spine!" shouts Mr Santiago, tossing you the iron from a safe distance.
You catch it and bash Mrs Marchen in the face so hard her neck snaps.
"Like that?" you say.
"Er. . . yes."
You and Mr Santiago can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
You don't have time to put it on, so you swing the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
"How were you so sure?" Mr Santiago asks you.
You give him a vicious smile. "Better safe than sorry, don't you think?"
Mrs Marchen laughs in delight.
Oops.
"Sever the spine!" shouts Mr Santiago.
You bash Mrs Marchen in the face so hard her neck snaps.
"Like that?" you say.
"Er. . . yes."
You and Mr Santiago can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]Mrs Marchen snaps her husband's neck, laughing in delight.
Well. That's a shame.
You shove back the cover of your steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of your magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
Your corset is missing. Mr Santiago backs away, muttering an insincere apology.
Fine. You draw a pistol from deeper inside your cart, and shoot Mrs Marchen in the head.
It slows her down, but doesn't stop her.
"Sever the spine!" shouts Mr Santiago, tossing you the iron from a safe distance.
You catch it and bash Mrs Marchen in the face so hard her neck snaps.
"Like that?" you say.
"Er. . . yes."
You and Mr Santiago can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
You don't have time to put it on, so you swing the heavy metal right at Mrs Marchen's face, hitting her so hard she's killed instantly.
You and Mr Santiago can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]You shove back the cover of your steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of your magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
Your corset is missing. Fine. You draw a pistol from deeper inside your cart, and shoot Mr Marchen in the head.
It kills him instantly. Mr Santiago laughs in delight.
Oops.
He's soulless, and he stole your iron corset. You and Mrs Marchen are dead within seconds.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
You don't have time to put it on, so you swing the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
Mr Santiago laughs in delight.
Oops.
You bash Mr Santiago in the face so hard his neck snaps.
All the men of your party lie dead at your feet.
"Uh. . . sorry about your husband," you say.
"Don't worry," says Mrs Marchen. "He was <i>very</i> rich. Now I am."
You and Mrs Marchen can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]You shove back the cover of your steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of your magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
Your corset is missing. Fine. You draw a pistol from deeper inside your cart, and wait until Mr Santiago kills Mr Marchen, showing the benefits of combining soulless strength with magical iron.
He's the new monster, and he stole your iron corset. Luckily Mr Marchen has him distracted, and you're able to shoot him in the head.
It slows him down, but doesn't kill him. Luckily Mrs Marchen is both clever and resourceful, and she stabs him in the lower back, severing his spine and finally killing him.
"How did you know how to kill it?" you ask her.
"Head and heart," she says. "Living things need both, so I thought separating them might do the trick."
She swoon as the shock grips her, and you catch her.
"Uh. . . sorry about your husband," you say.
"Don't worry," says Mrs Marchen. "He was <i>very</i> rich. Now I am."
You and Mrs Marchen can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
You don't have time to put it on, so you hold it at the ready until Mr Santiago kills Mr Marchen, displaying clearly supernatural strength.
You bash the newly-made monster in the face so hard his neck snaps.
All the men of your party lie dead at your feet.
"Uh. . . sorry about your husband," you say.
"Don't worry," says Mrs Marchen. "He was <i>very</i> rich. Now I am."
You and Mrs Marchen can take on the other soulless one easily enough. You're going to live.
[[THE END]]You shove back the cover of your steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of your magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
It's missing.
Mr Santiago backs away, muttering an insincere apology. Thank goodness he's a coward as well as a thief.
You knock Mr Marchen to the ground and wrap your fingers around his neck, squeezing with all your strength until he dies in your hands.
Then you kill Mrs Marchen, then Santiago.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
You don't put it on, but swing the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
Then you kill Mrs Marchen, then Santiago.
[[THE END]]You shove back the cover of your steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of your magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
It's missing.
Mr Santiago backs away, muttering an insincere apology. Thank goodness he's a coward as well as a thief.
You knock Mr Marchen to the ground and wrap your fingers around his neck, squeezing with all your strength until he dies in your hands.
Then you kill Mrs Marchen, then Santiago.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
You don't put it on, but swing the heavy metal right at Mr Marchen's face, hitting him so hard he's killed instantly.
Then you kill Mrs Marchen, then Santiago.
[[THE END]]Together, you turn to face the others—but it's clear Mrs White and Mr Santiago have realized that you are both soulless now.
It's two humans versus two soulless ones.
Mrs White shoves back the cover of her steamcart, grabbing for the strengthening iron of her magical corset.
<<if $mrsyes = 1>>
She stares in dismay. Her corset is missing.
"Er, sorry," says Mr Santiago—just as Mrs Marchen rips his bag and the stolen iron from his back.
Then she rips out his throat.
You kill the discombobulated Mrs White just as quickly, and then offer to swap souls with Mrs Marchen.
"I like you better like this," she says, and tosses you Mr Santiago's bloody corpse.
His soul is delicious.
Judging by Mrs Marchen's delighted sigh, Mrs White tasted just as good.
You smile at one another, take hands, and set off down the road to eat more souls. Forever.
[[THE END]]
<<if $mrsyes = 0>>
She doesn't put it on, but swings the heavy metal right at Mrs Marchen's face, hitting her so hard you hear her neck snap. She slumps to the ground.
In the space of five minutes, you have gained eternity, given it to your wife, and then lost her. You fall to your knees, wondering why you cannot grieve.
That's right. You don't have a soul.
Before you get up, Mr Santiago stabs you through the back of the neck, severing your spine—and you fall in the dead leaves beside the dead body of your wife.
[[THE END]][[Play again?|Intro]]