Conquering Cathy Final

You're sitting in your Vampire Studies class on the ground floor of the Cathedral of Learning and suddenly feel an irresistible urge to reach the alluring top floor of Cathy. YOU MUST [[REACH->Exit]] THE TOP FLOOR!

You've exited the room in the middle of lecture. Your friends probably assume you're going to the bathroom. You must go through the hallway. You can either go [[left->preleft]] or [[straight->prestraight]] out of classroom G8.

You walk down the hallway past a [[rotating door->outside]]. You PAUSE. You wonder if you should continue walking down the hallway toward the [[elevator->elevator]].

You notice a [[locker door->locker ajar]] is ajar as you [[continue down the hallway->cafeteria?]].

You walk outside through the rotating door. A peregrine falcon perches on a window sill next to you. Are you [[scared->scared]], [[inquisitive->inquisitive]], or [[apathetic->apathetic]]?

You're curious. You take a moment to think to yourself. "Lockers in Cathy? Who uses these? Is this still high school?" Should you [[inspect further->lockerinspector]] or [[dismiss the thought->straight2]]?

You think about grabbing a bite to eat before your adventure. If you're not hungry, you can try the stairs or elevator. [[EAT->Cafeteria]] | [[STAIRS->Stairs]] | [[ELEVATOR->elevator]]

[[You feel a small gust of wind. It smells like the top floor. Cathy calls your name. ->Left]]

[[You feel a small gust of wind. It smells like the top floor. Cathy calls your name. ->Straight]]

You're frightened by the bird and run back through the [[rotating door->TRY ANOTHER APPROACH]] to try another approach.

You tell the peregrine falcon of your mission? "Ah, is it the Babcock Room you seek?" You respond... "[[Higher->higher]]" | [["Yes"->preBabcock Room]]

You pay the bird no mind and walk back through the [[rotating door->TRY ANOTHER APPROACH]] to try another approach.

The falcon hooks your shoulders with its talons and flies into the air. You feel your feet leave the ground and cannot help but look downward. Everything is getting smaller. "No one shall rise above the Babcock Room." The falcon hooks your shoulders with its talons and flies into the air. [["Amazing"->fall]]!

You are alone. It's just you in the room. Expansive room contains a long table lined with chairs. Something feels off. You (link: "remember.")[[[This is floor 40. The cathedral has 42 floors.]]]

You feel the talons release your shoulders, and suddenly, the wind picks up. Everything below you appears to grow. Do you keep your eyes [[open->death1]]? | Do you [[close->GallaGod]] your eyes?

Your vision is gone. [[You are DEAD->PreAwaken]]

[[Awaken]] or [[Pray]] to GallaGod.

(css: "font-size: 300%;")[Conquering Cathy] //A trial of fortitude & vitality at the University of Pittsburgh// (css: "font-size: 80%;")[created by Arie Kalcevic] (css: "font-size: 65%;")[Read carefully & click hyperlinks to progress.] Press (css: "font-size: 150%;")[[[PLAY->Conquering Cathy]]] to begin.

You awaken in the Babcock Room. A cloud surrounds the building and leaks into the room. Only white is visible from windows. A man sits at the end of a long table dressed in white robes. He moves closer, and you see it's Chancellor Gallagher. (text-style:"fade-in-out") [(text-style:"blurrier") [GallaGod]] (link: "He bellow's one simple question.")[ [["How much OCC credit do you have?"]]]

Cathy recently had work done on her elevator system. The system is supposed to be idiot proof, but somehow you always screw it up. Before you board, you must select the desired floor. [[1->1]] | [[2->2]] | [[3->3]] | [[4->4]] | Can't call an elevator? Me neither. Give Up & [[TRY ANOTHER APPROACH->TRY ANOTHER APPROACH]]

Fake-fil-A and other vendors are only serving peregrine falcon. Are you interested [[Yes->interested]] | [[No->uninterested]]

You're lost. You don't know how, but the stairs seem to go on forever with no exit. [[Go back the way you came->XStairs]]. | [[Keep climbing->Stairs.Cont]].

You turn around and reach the bottom after only a few steps. It appears you only climbed one flight of stairs. Again, you think about grabbing a bite to eat before continuing your adventure. If you're not hungry, you can try the elevator. [[EAT->Cafeteria]] | [[ELEVATOR->elevatoragain36]]

You feel that familiar gust of wind pass over you. It consumes you. Cathy calls you. You [[keep going]].

Behind the door lies a mysterious sight. The locker servers as a door to a tunnel that gently slopes downward. You can see nothing apart from a lantern hanging from the ceiling a little ways in. A pool of (text-style:"emboss") [dried blood] and an unlit torch lay below it. You're tall enough to at least reach the flame. Scraped into the back of the locker door is cryptic text that reads, "(text-style:"emboss")[NO LIGHT]." This is overwhelming! What do you do? [[CONTINUE IN THE DARK->Dark]] | [[LIGHT THE TORCH->Light]] | [[TURN BACK->straight2]]

The [[locker door->locker ajar2]] is still ajar. Or You can proceed toward the [[cafeteria->cafeteria?]].

It's a normal locker. Nothing's in here. You walk toward the [[cafeteria->cafeteria?]].

You follow instruction and [[proceed]] in the dark.

As you're walking you hear footsteps quickly approaching behind you. A vampire latches onto you. You refer to the helpful University of Pittsburgh Vampire School curriculum. This is what you trained for. You [[poke it in the eyes->shark]].

[[Invalid floor->elevator1]]!

[[Invalid floor->elevator2]]!

You know floor one exists! *You get angry* [[TRY AGAIN->try again01]]

With confidence, you [[try again->try again001]].

You know floor two exists! *You get angry* [[TRY AGAIN->try again02]]

It doesn't work. You ask someone, and they point to a sign. Maybe this explains it. <img src="https://i.imgur.com/EPZtIID.jpg?3" height="420" width="300"> | [[Try another floor?->elevatorX]] | [[Try to find the stairs->TRY ANOTHER APPROACH]] | | [[Look up how do use the elevators on your phone->Youtube]] |

Cathy accepts floor 3! She directs you to elevator H. [[Get on->elevator3]]! | [[Express Skepticism->Skeptic]]

[[Invalid floor->elevator4]]!

Your options are... [[Cafeteria->cafeteria?]] | Retrace your steps back to class and go [[Left]] or [[Straight]]

You press random numbers and you're directed to elevator K. You're desperate. You don't care what floor you go to as long as it's [[closer to the top->unknown]].

With confidence, you [[try again->try again002]].

You glance at the wall? <img src="https://i.imgur.com/Rs5QvIU.jpg" height="300" width="420"> [[Ignore->elevatoragain36]] this nonsense.

You try [[02]] instead of single digits.

You try [[01]] instead of single digits.

It only accepts [[single digits->try again]].

You didn't want to go to floor 3 but don't care what floor you go to as long as it's [[closer]] to the top.

Why does this floor work and not the others? [[TRY ANOTHER ELEVATOR->elevatorX]] | [[TRY ANOTHER APPROACH]]

After watching this video... <iframe width="718" height="404" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0QjKSMnVH5Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> You are in [[disbelief]] at what you stumbled upon. A pure gem.

You can barely wait to [[try again->elevatoragain36]], so you can apply the tactics you learned in the video.

You must select the desired floor. [[1->1]] | [[2->2]] | [[3->3]] | [[4->4]] | [[36->36]] | [[Smash Buttons in Frustration->Frustration]] Can't call an elevator? Me neither. Give Up & [[TRY ANOTHER APPROACH->TRY ANOTHER APPROACH]]

You reached floor 36, the highest floor accessible to the public. You [[Explore->Explore36]].

The floor appears to be a library study lounge. Short hallways lead to windows to the left and right. It's dark now. Look out over the [[Left Side]] | Look out over the [[Right Side]]

With confidence, you [[try again->try again004]].

You know floor four exists! *You get angry* [[TRY AGAIN->try again04]]

You try [[04]] instead of single digits.

It only accepts [[single digits->try again]].

You look out a window overlooking Upper Campus and North Oakland. To the left, you see another staircase upward through a doorway. [[Try the door]] | [[Down the hall]]

You look out over Carnegie Mellon, Schenley Park, and South Oakland. You notice another miniature elevator a little further down the hall. You press the button and get on the [[elevator->to37]].

The door shuts behind you. Looks like you'll need a secure card before the elevator moves. You swipe your Panther ID. The censor indicates successful access with a green light. The elevator does not move. Do you [[leave the elevator]] or [[wait a little longer]]?

You walk off the elevator and back down the [[hall->Down the hall]].

The elevator begins to move. It opens on floor [[37]].

Looks like you'll need a secure card before the door unlocks. You swipe your Panther ID. The censor indicates successful access with a green light. The door does not open. Go back down the [[hall->Down the hall]].

You can either... Look out over the [[Left Side]] | Look out over the [[Right Side]] Try one of the [[office doors]].

You rotate the handle of a few doors The last one you try is unlocked. You [[enter]].

A peregrine falcon perches itself on the arm of Chancellor Gallagher. The man says nothing, the majestic falcon speaks for him. (link: "Who goes there?")[[["You say your name."->LinkConvo]]]

Two people are are waiting when the elevator reaches 37. They look confused. [["You're not supposed to..."]]

You sprint past them. YOU MUST REACH THE TOP. You scour the floor to continue your ascent. You find a stairwell marked Babcock Room. You break through the door separating you from the stairwell. You [[run->Babcock Room]].

(link: "What is your purpose?")[You tell a magical tale of adventure and bravery, including that your travels only started by trying to reach the top of [[Cathy->Help]].]

"Ah, you are lucky," says the bird. "You caught me on a good day, and I may be able to assist you." You're [[excited]].

The falcon hooks your shoulders with its talons and flies you out the window. You've entered a cloud and get a hazy glance through a window of a long table lined with chairs. The bird tosses you through the window and you [[hit the floor hard->hit the floor]]

The (text-style:"rumble")[elevator shakes], and the (text-style:"blink")[light suddenly flickers.] You've come to a halt. The door opens quickly. [[STEP OUT]]

The floor is dark and sparks fly from the (text-style:"blink")[single elevator] and (text-style:"blink")[ceiling lights.] You can't tell what floor you're on because the elevator lost power, and there are no wall indicators. In front of you is nothing but a long hallway with glass walled offices on either side lit only by orange (text-style:"blink")[sparks] and the blue haze of computer screens. [[Find an exit.]]

There's a door at the end of the hallway. To the right of it is a door marked "staircase." You see lights through the cracks of the door. [[Check behind the door]] | [[Try the staircase->Stairs]]

You open the door, and you're greeted by a bunch of people startled by your entrance. You look up at a banner hanging from the ceiling. It reads "Welcome to the Cathy Club." You quickly [[back out]] after getting a brief peak at club activities.

Looks like you'll have to take the [[stairs->Stairs]].

You reached floor 36, the highest floor accessible to the public. You look out a window overlooking Upper Campus and North Oakland. To the left, you see another staircase upward through a doorway. You get a sudden burst of motivation as you approach the top. [[Try the door->Try the door1]] | [[Down the hall]]

You will do it for Cathy. You bust through the door and run right up the stairs to the [[Babcock Room]].

You lift your head. There's blood and glass everywhere. You've made it as far as you can. (link: "The bird say's one last thing")["See you on the top floor!" [[You rest your head.->GallaGod]]]

Doh! (link: "That's how you get rid of a shark.")[Nonetheless, the vampire jumps off. You turn around to catch a [[glimpse]].]

"Why'd you do that?" the falcon asks, covering its face. (link: "You tell it you thought you were being attacked by a vampire.")["[[Nonsense]], is that what this school's been teaching you?"]

It's not a vampire at all. It's a peregrine falcon! (link: "You step toward it.")[[[It speaks!->It speaks!]]]

[[You nod.->You nod bird asks]]

"Sounds like you're going to need some help then." You've gained the bird's trust. It offers to [[help->jelp]].

In disgust, the bird asks, "What is your [[purpose?]]"

You gladly accept the offer, and as you both walk further down the passageway, you wonder how this bird will help you reach the top floor. All the while, the bird expresses its grievances to you about the university's math department. Do you share similar grievances? [[Yes->share]] | [[No]]

You tell a magical tale of adventure and bravery, including that your travels only started by trying to reach the top of [[Cathy->FalconHelp]].

The falcon is pleased that you relate. A door in the distance emerges from the shadows. "Here we are." It waits for you to [[open]] the door.

Your torch goes out. You can't see or hear the bird. You must [[continue.]]

A bright light shines through as you [[step through]].

[[You're fed to the birds.->FedtoBirds]]

You leave the Cafeteria. Retrace your steps back to class and go [[Left]] or [[Straight]] or [[Ask to speak with the chef.]]

[[You see a light and the true meaning of life]].

It's to make it to the top of Cathy. Death is only a minor setback. You are encouraged to [[continue->Conquering Cathy]]. //Think.// What would Chancellor Gallagher do?

You're only a short through and run into a door. You [[open it]].

You need to go higher. All of the stairwells you find end at the floor you're on. [[EXCEPT ONE]]

You climb the stairs to floor 4 where this stairwell ends. There are hundreds of students walking the floor aimlessly. You [[search for another stairwell]].

(link: "Hours pass.") [You can't find a stairwell. -------------------------------------------------------------- SUDDENLY YOU UNDERSTAND -------------------------------------------------------------- All the students on this floor are in your same situation. If you dont [[escape]] now, you'll be stuck here for an eternity.]

You barge through the tightly packed hallways of zombie-like bodies. An opening appears you [[make a break]] for it.

No! It's the [[elevators->elevatoragain36-3]] again, and you're on the only floor they would go to.

You must select the desired floor. [[G->TRY ANOTHER APPROACH]] | [[36->36]] | [[Smash Buttons in Frustration->Frustration]]

A bright light shines through as you [[step out]].

You lose your balance as you step and stammer to regain control but cannot. You hear and feel wind pushing on you. Your eyes [[adjust]].

You realize you're falling. Everything below you appears to grow. Do you keep your eyes [[open->death1]]? | Do you [[close->GallaGod]] your eyes?

You run into a door. You [[open it]].

(link: "You step onto the roof of the Cathedral of Learning.")["Well, this is home," says the peregrine falcon. [["Make yourself cozy."]]] <img src=https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1000246_10151604566558182_944036819_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_oc=AWMlyKAt3mVaz3znaPITwyiDHRglrgYVOvtzz9YK6KXuVWy-_975KQ5lwyatr4ysdeuSsuypjrHDhA&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=cc7248b66f3ad1a1146ee4068c2a4d56&oe=5C7E19A0 height="300" width="420">

You look out over all of Oakland. The view is breathtaking. You've never seen anything like it in your life. You feel tired. You [[curl up in the nest]].

You've never felt more content in your life. Warmness overwhelms you. [[You Dream->Win (Dream)]].

You must respond with what you feel might be the most important question of your life... -"How much OCC credit do you have?"- [[What's OCC credit?]] | [[More than anyone in all the land]] | [[Not Nearly Enough Master]]

"Ignorance is of no value on the University of Pittsburgh campus." [[GallaGod casts a lightning bolt from the sky and fires it directly at you.->death1]]

"Hmm...not humble enough. I like to see more nobility from my students." [[You are not granted a second chance at life.->prepreAwaken]]

"A humble answer, and one that I can respect." [[He grants you a second chance at life.->preAwaken]]

Do not waste this opportunity. Try again with more respect for GallaGod. You may choose a different path or relive the same experience. [[Just Remember GallaGod is always watching.->PreAwaken]]

[[But you must continue anyhow...to reach the top.->preAwaken]]

CONGRATULATIONS You actually won. [[Sometimes traveling aggressively into the unknown will generate the most successful results in life.->PreAwaken]] Explore other paths for different outcomes.

The falcon responds. "A humble selection. Always remember that." He drops you gently in the [[Babcock Room]].

But you are tired. You lie on the table and fall asleep knowing you gave it your all. You [[imagine]] what it's like on the very top floor.

You've never felt more content in your life. Warmness overwhelms you. [[You Dream->ImagineWin (Dream)]].

CONGRATULATIONS You actually didn't win, but you're dreaming that you did which is pretty close. Be content with all you've done and have no regrets. Just know, when you wake up, you'll be able to try again, and if you really do win...you're actually able to see the top floor. [[So, go ahead and try again.->Hint]] (It's worth it.)

Here's a hint - Vampires usually lurk close to your vampire class. Try to encounter one.- [[CONTINUE->PreAwaken]]

You are led to the kitchen, and the chef appears. It's a peregrine falcon! [[You explain that you're hungry.]]

"Peregrine falcon is on the menu. What's wrong with that?" You reply... [[Chancellor Gallagher would not approve.->chef]] | - [[It feels disrespectful.->chef]]|

"Ah you've spoken wisely." The peregrine falcon is pleased. "I may be able to assist you on your journey." It pulls a (text-style:"emboss") [blood] transfusion bag out of a refrigerator with it's beak and drags it to your feet. The bird boastfully asks, "Ever try O negative?" You can... Humbly [[accept]] the falcon's gift of vitality. | - Vehemently [[decline->interested]] and continue on your adventure. |

While you appease your appetite, you tell a magical tale of adventure and bravery, including that your travels only started by trying to reach the top of [[Cathy->nextHelp]].

"Sounds like you're going to need some help then." You've gained the bird's trust. It offers to [[help->help]].

You gladly accept the offer, and the falcon opens the refrigerator door once more. It enters and waits for you to follow. The refrigerator acts as a door to a passageway. As you walk, you wonder how this bird will help you reach the top floor. All the while, the bird expresses its grievances to you about the university's math department. Do you share similar grievances? [[Yes->share]] | [[No]]

[[You wake up.->Conquering Cathy]]

"You seek advice from the almighty GallaGod?" "The peregrine falcon is regarded as the highest power here at the University of Pittsburgh." [[Contact->Make contact]] the falcon through prayer.

You make contact. "Look at what we do to each other in the cafeteria." "(text-style:"smear")[Exactly why we survive and can look back with furrowed brow is beyond me] (Rankine, Claudia. //Citizen//)." [[YOU REALIZE...]]

...Peregrine falcon meat is used in the inauthentic always deficient Chick-fil-A in the cafeteria! (text-style:"rumble") [(text-style:"shudder") [[[Fake-fil-A]]!]] An imposter.

GallaGod is forcing the birds to feed themselves to students. Is he really an enemy? [[Try befriending a falcon->Awaken]].