Welcome to <center><font size="50">''Hero.ROM''</font></center> <div align="right">a futuristic click-on-words RPG</div> ------- //Episode 1: Wrath of the Gang Queen// [[Let's Get Started->Intro]] ------- //Episode 2: The Battle of Damsel Park// [[Onward->Chap2Jump]] --------- [[What is Hero.ROM?->IntroExpo]] [[Credits]](text-color: "lightblue")[(text-style: "blur")[In a time long past, a hero saved us. Converging the power of the gods, this hero struck down the Ancient Evil and brought peace to the world. (set: $attack to 1)(set: $vitality to 1)(set: $cash to 0)(set: $princesslevel to 0)(set: $dc to 0) [[Next->Intro2]]]](text-color: "lightblue")[(text-style: "blur")[That was seventeen-thousand years ago. [[Next->Intro3]]]](text-color: "lightblue")[(text-style: "blur")[Now, the hero is lost and the gods have abandoned us, but the Ancient Evil never truly dies. What hope does this world, now a congealed waste of technology and sin, have against such a primal force of destruction? At this point, probably none. Oh. You're dreaming, by the way. This is one of those prophetic dreams where an ethereal voice calls to action or whatever. You need to be the one to save this horrible, wretched world. But you'll probably ignore this. You types always seem to. Just [[wake up->WakeUp]] and think of something. Please. I'm tired of talking to you.]]You are in your apartment, a cramped, single-room efficiency on the lower, lower, lower south side of Deckhead's Row. (if: $calltoaction is not "yes")[The sound of AnForcer Drone sirens blares outside, as always.](else:)[You hear crashing, smashing and other general sounds of chaos from outside. Things sound more violent than usual out there.] What will you do? [[Get Dressed->AptCloset]] [[Eat Breakfast->Breakfast]] [[Clean Up->AptClean]] [[Jack into Cyberspace->AptCyberspace]] [[Exit->AptExit]]You awaken, your eyes heavy and your body more-or-less equally heavy. What did you do last night? You can't remember, so whatever it was has been rendered worthless. All you can remember is that crazy dream about a prophetic call to save the world. This is the twentieth one you've had in the last three months, and you try to put it out of your mind as quickly as the others. Your SensoVision set is blaring out a broadcast about how the world pollution levels have finally turned the oceans completely to acid. Damn, you left the SensoVision on all night. Your power bills are high enough as it is! You stand, letting some empty tubes of nutri-beer fall to the floor. From under a pile of clothes, you hear a faint grinding sound as your cleaning robot desperately tries to clean up the mess, but its propulsion system hasn't worked in years, and eventually it is forced to give up. Time for another adventure. [[Continue->Apartment]](if: $dressed is "yes")[You've already decided what to wear. [[Back->Apartment]]](else:)[You should probably get dressed. What will you wear, today? [[A black tank top with a sick fiber-optic skull on the front.->SkullTop]] [[A half-burned leather jacket with (plastic) spiked shoulder pads.->Spiketop]] [[A neon fishnet top covered in barcodes.->FishnetTop]] [[A loose-fitting FlasherWear-brand trenchcoat with matching sunglasses.->TrenchTop]]](if: $breakfast is "eaten")[You look around but don't see anything else to eat. [[Back->Apartment]]](else:)[You find a tube of FlavorJack. A completely tasteless cylinder of vegetable protein on its own, the special FlavorJack taste-tube can beam one of a variety of flavors directly into your brain as you eat it. Which taste-code will you use? [[9183: Steak Tips->EatBreakfast]] [[2911: Broth->EatBreakfast]] [[2290: Cherry-Lime->EatBreakfast]] [[1817: Broco-splosion->EatBreakfast]] [[1182: Chocolate and Bean->EatBreakfast]] [[4722: Toast with Oregano->EatBreakfast]] [[0912: Cool Blue->EatBreakfast]] [[0003: Cheese->EatBreakfast]] [[0004: Cheez->EatBreakfast]] [[8837: Diet Ham->EatBreakfast]] [[4444: Peachtini->EatBreakfast]] [[7907: Fried Bear Flank->EatBreakfast]] [[9928: Anti-Taters->EatBreakfast]] [[7748: Lobster^^tm^^->EatBreakfast]] [[3452: Root Beer Surprise->EatBreakfast]]]Ah, cyberspace, your one escape. You sit down in your biorhythmic monitoring chair, apply the necessary restraints, insert the hydration tube in your mouth and strap your head into the Cyberspace Virtualization Deck. [[Login->AptLogin]](if: $calltoaction is not "yes")[...Nah. You have no job, no social obligations and not enough motivation to seek out either this early in the morning...assuming it is morning. You decide to stay in, today. Maybe there's something interesting going on in cyberspace. [[Back->Apartment]]](else:)[You step out into the hallway. (if: $tutorialdeckhead is not "beaten")[The building creaks and groans around you. It sounds like there's some sort of earthquake. The hallway is empty, save for one [[erratic man->TutorialDeckheadIntro]] stumbling around](else:)[ That Deckhead you took out earlier is still sprawled out in the hall, but he doesn't look like he'll give you any more trouble. You head [[outside.->DeckheadRow]]]] Ah yes, your favorite. You squeeze the tube of edible matter into your mouth, trying hard (as recommended) not to look as it as you do so. Delicious! You can feel your few remaining Digestion Nanos kick in to ensure that mess metabolizes properly. As always, the FlavorJack tube concludes your meal by saying "Thank you for enjoying FlavorJack! Studies have proven definitively that this product does not cause brain cancer! See tube for details!"(set: $breakfast to "eaten") [[Continue->Apartment]]You pull on the tank top. The rainbow skull lights up on your chest for all the world (within your apartment) to see. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Style Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1) (set: $dressed to "yes") [[Back->Apartment]]You pull on the leather jacket. It menaces with spikes of plastic. You couldn't actually hurt anyone with it, but just wearing it makes you feel tougher. (text-color: "blue")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Confidence Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1) (set: $dressed to "yes") [[Back->Apartment]]You pull on the fishnet top, with some effort. It's so light, you feel very limber. Still, you mostly just like how it shows off your bod. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Agility Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1) (set: $dressed to "yes") [[Back->Apartment]]You heft the trenchcoat onto your shoulders and slip on the shades. No one will mess with you dressed like this, and you choose to believe that's because you look so tough. (text-color: "blue")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Toughness Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1) (set: $dressed to "yes") [[Back->Apartment]](font: "Lucida Console")[AnvilOS CYBERSPACE VIRTUALIZATION INTERFACE VERSION 5.2.11.4.2.555555 receiving login credentials USERID..................OK SYSINT..................OK MEMORYDR................OK VR-SEC..................OK MLWR-CHK................OK SPY-CHK.................OK U.RPN...................OK BACKUP2.................OK MISCDAT.................OK [[You are now free to access cyberspace!->AptMainframe]]](font: "Lucida Console")[Welcome t(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-style: "shudder")[ooooo]]o Cyberspace! The Anvil Corporation would like to remind you that (if: $calltoaction is "yes")[ttis](else:)[this] login is sponsored by (either: "Skull Cola","The Machinegun Foundation","Biggie's Bean Company","Burger House","Cults United","'Wrestledrome,' premiering this Wednesday","eSports.gov","The Anvil Corporation","Kitten Shack","an undisclosed source","Aberdax","LoreStone Online","Stuffbasket.com"). [[Access the MAIL CUBE!->MailCube]] [[Visit LORESTONE ONLINE!->LoreStoneOnline]] [[Browse VIRTUAL EROTICA!->VRotica]] [[Log Out->AptLogout]] ](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->AptMainframe]] (if: $calltoaction is not "yes")[You have accessed MAIL CUBE! Please select your desired mail.](else:)[Yyu have accccsed MAII C(text-style: "shudder")[U]BE! pLease select your dddired Mail!] [[Free Money! Not a Scam! Please Open This!->FreeMoneyEmail]] [[StuffBasket.com Summer Savings!->StuffbasketEmail]] [[Re: Job Application->RejectionEmail]] [[You Must Save The Planet!->CalltoAction]] (if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[UR](text-style: "shudder")[g](text-style: "fade-in-out")[ENT]!]](else:)[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[URGENT!]]]](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->MailCube]] Hello c(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-style: "shudder")[o]](else:)[o]nsumer! Our database shows you purchased an _AnvilSafe Heating Unit_ within the last _34_ days. This entitles you to a full refund of _100 g-creds_ on your purchase as part of a settlement. The terms of this settlement do not require us to divulge the purpose of the settlement, how(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-style: "upside-down")[ever]](else:)[ever] we are required to make clear our intent to not divulge this information, and we are making this intent clear now. We are additionally required to state that you are entitled to information on this settlement and may find out more on our legal cybersite. We are not required to provide a link to this cybersite. The Anvil Corporation (if: $gotcash is not "yes")[ATTACHMENT: [[YourMoney.csh->MoneyAtt]]] ](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->MailCube]] Why hello! Enjoying the lazy days of summer? Don't want to go out and face another dehumanizing shopping experience? We hear you! Why leave your home when you could have things brought to you? Don't worry! StuffBasket is here to help! Every month, StuffBasket will send you things you want. You want food? Video games? Action figures? You want all these things, and StuffBasket knows, and will send them to you! You'll get a specialized care package, packed with love, drone-delivered direct to your door at the start of every month. Every opening experience is an adventure, because at StuffBasket, we recognize you want variety. Maybe we'll send you 300 vinyl records. Maybe we'll send you a live dog. Who knows? We don't! We just pack 'em and send 'em! With love! DON'T LEAVE YOUR HOUSE! YOU HAVE NO REASON TO EVER LEAVE YOUR HOUSE! You don't WANT to leave, so why do it? Enjoy your monthly StuffBasket delivery and stay inside forever for only 7.99g per month. Use the offer code "MailCube9" on our cybersite and get an extra handful of crackers crammed into your first delivery. From, Your Buddies at StuffBasket ](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->MailCube]] Dear Sir or Madam, We regret to inform you that the position of _"Wire Watcher"_ at the Power Station has been filled. Your qualifications were extraordinary, in particular _"-I have a pair of working eyes"_ caught our attention. We will be keeping your resume on file in case similar opportunities open. Sincerely, AnvilCityPrime Department of Electrical Power(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[AnvilCityPrime Department of Electrical PowerAnvilCityPrime Department of Electrical PowerAnvilCityPrime Department of Electrical Power] ](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->MailCube]] Hello Hero, Okay look, I've been contacting you through your dreams for the last couple months now, and I'm really starting to think you're ignoring me on purpose. So you know what? Screw it! I'm sending an email, because I really don't get paid enough to shout at your dumb ass night after night in the hopes you'll get the hint. The world as you know it is about to collapse. The Ancient Evil (which I _hope you recognize_ from your dreams) is awake. It's trying to destroy cyberspace, and when the networks go down, this planet is going to spiral into chaos. It's already started, and you can't prevent it, but you can destroy the Ancient Evil. All the old relics are lost, but we have new ones. You need to compile a special program. Fragments of this program have been hidden in secure servers all over the city. Only you can find them. Compile this program, and you will gain the power to destroy the Ancient Evil. You are the last descendent of the legendary hero, and if your lifestyle is any indication, the bloodline dies with you. For this reason, a stand must be made here and now. This is the last I'm going to try to convince you to save the world. Fulfill your destiny. Get out of that goddamn apartment. Cyberspace is already startin(text-style: "blink")[g] to co(text-style: "blink")[;]l(text-style: "upside-down")[a]p(text-style: "shudder")[se]. A (text-style: "rumble")[Fri]end (set: $calltoaction to "yes") ](font: "Lucida Console")[Downloading money......(set: $cash to it + 100)(set: $gotcash to "yes") Your AnvilBank Credit Account has received: 100 g-creds Your new balance is: $cash g-creds [[Continue->FreeMoneyEmail]]](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->AptMainframe]] Welcome to LoreStone Online, an online information database crowdsourced from users all over the world. Here you'll find information on every topic you can imagine, and more than a few you can't. Ha h(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-style: "blink")[a]](else:)[a]. We keep things light around here. TODAY'(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[st](else:)[S] FEATURED ARTICLES: [[Self-Improvement->StatTutorial]] - Factoid: You're effectively made of numbers. Find out what those numbers mean! [[The Basics of Combat->CombatTutorial]] - Factoid: Master Ixana's "Hit Stuff Until it Stops Moving," written in the year 1277, is still cited by scholars today.](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->AptMainframe]] (text-color: "magenta")["Hey there baby! Looking for a good time? It's okay, we won't tell! Just take a look at the link panels below and see if anything catches your fancy."] IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE!(text-color: "magenta")[back]IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE!(text-color: "magenta")[next]IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE!(text-color: "magenta")[refresh]IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE!(text-color: "magenta")[favorite]IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE(if: $princesslevel is 1)[(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 4)[[!->BlankBattle]]](else:)[!] cybercode by AnvilErotica Designs](font: "Lucida Console")[Disengaging... [[It is now safe to remove your helmet!->Apartment]]](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->LoreStoneOnline]] SELF-IMPROVEMENT ---------------- As a human being, literally everything about you can be boiled down into two basic statistics. This might be difficult to accept, but it has been mathematically proven, and there is nothing to be done. By accomplishing various tasks throughout our lives, we improve ourselves. Lift a weight, and you become stronger. Beat an intruder in your home to death, and the experience will harden you emotionally to further violence. At these moments in our lives, we feel ourselves improve, and at times even see a blinking piece of text appear telling us that one of our personal stats has increased. All these stats combine to form our value as a person. However, when our value is tested, such as when we are engaged in a fight to the death, the stats combine into two major "superstats." The first stat is known as your Aggregated Total Killing Power, or "ATK Power." This stat determines your skill in combat, and the deftness with which you can overcome obstacles. Improving your speed and flexibility, not just your strength, will raise your ATK Power. The second stat is known as your Heartbeat Potential, or "HP." HP represents your ability to remain alive. As we are injured, our HP naturally decreases, and at zero we are unable to continue living. Improving your toughness, endurance and psychological fortitude are all ways to increase your maximum HP. Most actions we take require neither of these two stats, and as a result, there is very little to separate people in terms of merit. Still, it is important to keep both of these stats in mind as you go about your everyday life, because they are you and you are they.](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->LoreStoneOnline]] THE BASICS OF COMBAT --------------------- When engaged in combat, common sentiment has dictated that one must use any weapons at their disposal to inflict sufficient injury upon their enemy for the combat to be decided in their favor. For centuries, this core tenet governed all warfare and martial artistry. It is only now, in our more enlightened age, that science has uncovered the secret truths of fighting. When two individuals fight, they are pitting their combat skills against each other, but there are a third and fourth actor in play. These actors can be thought of as a pair of invisible cubes, each side of each depicting a number from one to six. When two people trade blows, these cubes toss themselves to the ground, and each imparts their face-up value to a participant's combat skill. In this way, even a combatant of lower combat skill can overcome a stronger opponent, assuming the random whim of the numbered cubes favors them. Despite proven tests, many doubt the existence of the cubes. They claim that they are simply stand-ins for the inherent randomness and chaos of reality, and are more a philosophical concept than literal, invisible cubes. This is not the case. They are literal, invisible cubes. To succeed in combat, one must respect and understand the cubes. The cubes are real.]You're all too familiar with people like this. They wear portable Cyberspace Virtualization Decks on their heads, allowing them to live their whole lives in a form of augmented reality. They're colloquially referred to as "Deckheads," and yeah, it's about as affectionate as it sounds. Still, this one's acting more addled than usual. He's stumbling around back and forth in the hallway, groaning. This really would be none of your concern, but you're having trouble getting by him. You shout that you need to get to the exit, and immediately regret it. The man straightens, his arms starting to flail at his sides. His virtualization deck lets out a horrible electronic screech as he clutches at his head. Suddenly, he turns to you, his voice strangely distorted. "Yo(text-style: "shudder")[U]'re...(font: "Lucida Console")[n]ot...going...(font: "Lucida Console")[An(text-style: "shudder")[YWH]ErE]!" He starts to advance towards you. Looks like you'll have to defend yourself. You flex and stretch and feel your Physical Enhancement nanos spring into action. (set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 1) <center>[[BATTLE!->TutorialDeckheadBattle]] [[(Or maybe you'd like a quick primer on combat?)->CombatPrimer]]</center>You step onto the sidewalk. It's like a warzone out here. Buildings are burning, cars are swerving out of control and the delivery drones that usually fly in neat rows through the sky are now bumbling around and banging into one another. Anything remotely connected to cyberspace has gone haywire. (if: $queenbeaten is not "yes")[Across the street, there appears to be some sort of riot going on. Crazed deckheads (along with other, more common lowlifes) are looting the storefronts around you. ]Above you, dead ahead, the giant neon "Q" of the Quadrangle Hotel shines like a beacon. You'd never given it much thought before, but you're finding yourself drawn to it, now. So, what do you want to do? (if: $queenbeaten is not "yes")[[[Approach the Riot->QueenRiot]] ][[Search the Area for Anything Useful->RowLooters]] [[Go to the Quadrangle Hotel->QuadrangleExterior]] [[Call a GoGo Cab->RowCabTerminal]] [[Return to your Apartment->Apartment]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Addled Deckhead Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "None")[This guy is nothing special]</div> [[Fight!->TutorialDeckheadFight]] [[Flee->TutorialDeckheadFlee]]Okay! Here's a quick run-down of combat. It's simple, but you should still know what's going on. You and your opponent both have a "combat skill" number. In your case, it's called "ATK Power" and in the enemy's case it's called a "Threat Level," but they effectively mean the same thing. It's represented like this. -------------- You ATK Power: 1 HP: 1 <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Addled Deckhead Threat Level: 1 Special Ability: None</div> --------------- You have only two options in combat, "Fight" or "Flee." You can flee from combat at any time without penalty, and restart the fight at full health. There are downsides to fleeing from battle, but these will only become important later on. When you attack, both you and your opponent roll a hidden six-sided die and add the result to your combat skill. To win, one combatant must beat the other's resulting number by //three or more.// If neither side is high enough to win, you instead "clash" with the enemy and trade blows, causing...things. (More on clashing a bit later.) If you win, you defeat your opponent immediately (erm, usually). If you lose, you lose 1 HP. You can think of your HP more like "Extra Lives" than Hit Points in most RPGs. That's why you have so few of them. If you run out of HP, you are actually dead. What exactly that means differs depending on where in the game you are, but it's generally not good, and you'll want to avoid it if you can. Anyway, if neither side wins a round of combat, you "clash," and this is where things get interesting. Sometimes when you clash with an enemy, either your ATK Power of their Threat Level will be changed. It could be raised, or it could be lowered. Stat changes persist for the duration of the battle, but will be reset if you die or run away, so knowing when to stay and when to run is important. (And, I mean, they're the two choices you have, so...) Oh, and one more thing! Some enemies will have special abilities. This first guy doesn't, but stay on the lookout. Got all that? Great, because basically none of it matters in this simple tutorial fight. Good luck! <center>[[BATTLE!->TutorialDeckheadBattle]]</center>(set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[You execute a sweet wallrun, rebounding off to kick the Deckhead squarely in the cranial rig. He screams, stumbling backwards as sparks shoot out of his helmet. As you watch, his smoking headgear sets off the nearby sprinklers, showering him and causing electricity to arc off of his head in all directions. An electronic voice echoes down through the hall. "Your attention! This building has exceeded its monthly water allocation! Sprinkler systems will now be deactivated!" The sprinklers shut off, but the Deckhead is already unconscious with his rig fried and sizzling on his head. //''YOU WIN!''// Stepping over your fallen foe, you head [[outside->DeckheadRow]] to see just what the hell is going on.(set: $tutorialdeckhead to "beaten")](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[As you charge the Deckhead, he jukes to the side and intercepts you with a clothesline maneuver. You land flat on your back, and as the Deckhead stands over you, he begins to scream. Lightning arcs out of his cranial rig and into your body. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[Electricity courses through you, but you manage to kick the Deckhead away before the juice can fry you completely. He stumbles back, dazed, as you get to your feet. You won't be able to take another one of those. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// (if: $HP is 1)[(You're also on your last hit point, just FYI!)] [[Continue->TutorialDeckheadBattle]]](else:)[Electricity surges through your body. You're paralyzed, and soon you find your senses slipping away. The last thing you see is an unshaven Deckhead at a really unflattering angle, and your last thought it why you bothered leaving the apartment today. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You charge and jump-kick the Deckhead, knocking him backwards. He stumbles around, knocking over a decorative vase, but seems otherwise unphased.","You point behind the Deckhead in an effort to distract him, but he doesn't fall for it. This is too bad, because unbeknownst to either of you, a cleaning drone is flying down the hallway behind him. The drone plows into the Deckhead from behind, dizzying him for a second, but you're too surprised by the coincidence to take advantage before he comes to his senses.","You grab the Deckhead's cranial rig to try to rip out its battery. You only get one of the backup batteries, though. You toss it at him for good measure, but it just bounces off. Basically nothing about this plan has achieved anything.","You punch the Deckhead and he stumbles back into a window. You attempt to slam him through the window, but the JumperProof safety glass won't give. You slam his head into the window a few times to give the impression that that's what you had meant to do the whole time, then back off to formulate a new plan.","You get the Deckhead in a chokehold. You don't actually know how to effectively chokehold someone, so you just squeeze him for a while. Realizing that defeating him this way could take hours, you shove him into a wall.") (either:"The Deckhead unleashes a scream attack, meaning he just screams a bunch. It's not actually loud enough to hurt you, and after a moment he realizes this.","The Deckhead attempts to claw at you, but it seems he just recently clipped his nails.","The Deckhead punches you in the gut. You stumble backwards, coughing, and as he tries to follow up with a haymaker, you hop aside and he falls on his face.","The Deckhead grabs a passing StuffBasket delivery drone and hammer-tosses it at you. You try to dodge to the side, but unfortunately the drone has the same idea and swerves in the same direction you do. It bounces off your shoulder and spirals down the hall behind you, leaving a slight bruise but nothing that will take you out of this fight.","The Deckhead ruptures one of the backup batteries on his cranial rig, intending to shower you with hot battery acid. It doesn't go nearly as far as intended, though, and you only get a little on your hand as you hold it over your face. It...stings a little kinda.") [[Continue->TutorialDeckheadBattle]]]You flee back to your apartment, locking the door behind you. The Deckhead pounds on the door for a while, then seems to lose interest and wanders back towards his original spot. He's not going anywhere. You're going to have to fight your way through him. But for now, make sure there's nothing that can help you in your [[apartment.->Apartment]]In a second, the world around you fades. You feel your body bathed in light. (either: "It is as though a very exasperated force of pure goodness has imparted some of its power to you.","You hear a slightly annoyed voice calling you back to life.","Your flesh and bones are mended by an entity you can somehow tell would rather be doing something else.","With a heavy sigh, your soul is carried through the void.","You feel yourself being dragged by the leg through an ethereal expanse.","A soft, beautiful voice calls out that it isn't your time. It's rather accusatory in tone.","You feel healing waters being violently splashed onto your body.","There's a sound like someone muttering, then snapping their fingers. Immediately you feel your wounds heal.") You open your eyes. You're in your apartment again. It seems you were saved by...something. (set: $dc to it + 1) [[Let's hope this is the last time.->Apartment]]You approach the riot to see what's going on. It appears, on closer inspection, that this is a gang of roving looters pooling their ill-gotten gains. Old SensoVisions, off-brand clothes, nutri-beer kegs and illicit deck upgrades are being piled in the center of the mob. It just throws into relief how little there is to steal in a neighborhood like this. You grumble at the sight. It always distresses you to see crime punching down. This mass of..."treasure" has been sculpted in the shape of a (decidedly) crude throne, on which sits the woman you presume to be in charge of this operation. While there are a number of deckheads in the crowd, she's the only one with a rig that looks professionally-made. This, combined with the fact that she's berating and kicking those whose looting efforts displease her, makes clear that she's the one to talk to if you want your neighborhood returned to some semblance of safety. Still, if you walk into this, you're probably not walking away without a fight. Do you want to proceed, or do some grindi-...I mean, scavenging for...supplies? [[Approach the mob->GangQueen]] [[Leave them be, for now->DeckheadRow]]You hear crashing and banging as looters raid the various establishments. Looks like anyone who isn't out for a smash-and-grab has opted to stay indoors. Where to look? (if: $deckbruiser is not "beaten")[[[An old hangout->RowBruiser]]](else:)[[[Aberdax Old-Style Pizzeria->RowPizzeria]]] (if: $deckblader is not "beaten")[[[Local storefronts->RowBlader]]](else:)[[[AnvilFoods Fine Liquor->RowLiquorStore]]] [[Those drones overhead->RowDrones]] [[Back->DeckheadRow]]You approach the massive hotel. It's quite well-kept compared to the rest of Deckhead's Row. (if: $queenbeaten is not "yes")[You have to take the long way around to avoid the rioters, but thankfully they don't seem to notice you.] (if: $hotelbronze is not "have")[As you near the courtyard, a cyan forcefield crackles to life in front of you. You flail your arms to avoid colliding with it face-first, and stop yourself just in time to see a message materialize in front of your face. ----------------------------------------- <center>(text-colour: "cyan")[(font: "Lucida Console")[You're being blocked by... <font size="50">//''RabbleRouter^^TM^^''//</font> Due to the potential risk the outside world poses to our guests, a room key is required beyond this point. We apologize for any inconvenience.]]</center> ------------------------------------------ There's no getting past it, and the valets beyond seem to have orders not to help anyone though. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]](else:)[In front of you, a cyan forcefield flashes briefly and disappears. Looks like it responded to the room key in your pocket. [[Continue->QuadrangleLobby]]](if: $gogopass is not "have")[You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Thanks for choosing GoGo Cab! Do you need a ride? [[Yes->RowCabTerminal2]] [[No->RowCabTerminalExit]] [[What is GoGo Cab?->GoGoExplained]]]</center> ------------------------------------------ ](else:)[You approach the GoGo Cab terminal and tap your GoGoPass onto the magnetic reader. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Card Accepted! Welcome back! Do you need a ride? (if: $queenbeaten is not "yes")[[[Yes->GoGoSorry]]](else:)[[[Yes->GoGoCab]]] [[No->RowCabTerminalExit]] [[What is GoGo Cab?->GoGoExplained]]]</center> ------------------------------------------ ]You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Do you have a prepaid GoGoPass? [[Yes->RowCabTerminal2andahalf]] [[No->RowCabTerminal3]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You step away from the GoGo Cab terminal. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Great! Please tap your GoGoPass on the magnetic reader! [[I don't actually have one.->RowCabTerminal3]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Would you like to purchase a GoGoPass? [[Yes->RowCabTerminal4]] [[No->RowCabTerminalExit]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Please select the GoGoPass you wish to purchase. [[24 Hour Pass: 5g->RowCabTerminal5]] [[72 Hour Pass: 12g->RowCabTerminal5]] [[Week Pass: 20g->RowCabTerminal5]] (Link: "Lifetime Pass: 10,000g")[Yeah, don't even pretend.] [[Nevermind->RowCabTerminalExit]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Connecting to AnvilBank... Processing tr(text-color: "red")[an(text-style: "shudder")[s]a(text-style: "blink")[cti]o(text-style: "shudder")[n.].. 8908293898904328940283099084923849230849327878182767663676767892137821738782978978217389217382917382 (text-style: "fade-in-out")[NETWORK ERROR! CANNOT COMPLETE TRANSACTION!]]]</center> ------------------------------------------ [[Okay, then...->RowCabTerminalExit]]You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[What is GoGo Cab? GoGo Cab is the future! GoGo Cab is public transportation made personal! Our affordable, AI-controlled cabs will get you wherever you need to go, 24/7. Just sit back and ride in style, taking in the bright lights and red-streaked clouds of AnvilCityPrime. GoGo Cab is recognized by the Council of Safety as the single safest form of transportation in the city, with 20% fewer fatalities per month than human-driven vehicles and 85% fewer fatalities than pedestrian travel. As they always say, "You're significantly more likely to die waiting for your GoGo Cab than riding in one!" Buy a GoGoPass and your personalized ride will always be a mere tap away! Try today! [[Back->RowCabTerminal]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[We're sorry. According to our database, the crime rate in your area is 32% too high for a GoGo Cab to be safely dispatched. Please relocate to a less dangerous area and try again, or contact an AnForcer to assist you in reducing the crime rate.]</center> ------------------------------------------ [[Oh, come on...->RowCabTerminalExit]]Within seconds, a cute little driverless cab pulls up. You step inside. ----------------- (font: "Lucida Console")[Welcome! Where to? [[Deckhead Row->DeckheadRow]] [[The Abandoned Warehouse District->DemoEnd]] [[The Artisan Quarter->DemoEnd]] [[Anvil Heights->DemoEnd]] [[Damsel's Park->DemoEnd]] [[Gadget Town->DemoEnd]] [[Anvil Corporate Plaza->DemoEnd]] [[City Limits->DemoEnd]]] ------------------------To your horror, you see that even the Aberdax Old-Style Pizzaria in the base of your apartment building isn't safe from these rowdy looters. The doors and windows are broken, and some muscleheaded brute is making a horrible racket inside. You clench your fist. The 30g sausage-and-mushroom combo (with 5g extra for pineapple) was the closest thing you had to a friend in this neighborhood. You charge in, fighting back tears, and demand the intruder leave. The hulking bruiser laughs. It doesn't look like he'll leave until you make him.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 3) <center>[[VENGEANCE!->RowBruiserBattle]]</center>These rioters sure have been thorough. Pretty much every store that isn't actively on fire has been reduced to a smoldering ruin. And yet, even in the darkest hour there is a ray of hope. The liquor store is still standing. You start to head inside, enticed by the promise of free (if ethically-questionable) booze. However, before you can make it inside, a red blur erupts from within and nearly knocks you over. As you whirl around you find yourself staring down a Blader Deckhead. By "Blader," I mean she's on roller blades. However, she also has a blade in her hands. Rather, a knife. It's...it's sort of a play on words I guess. Look, some lady on roller blades is intent on stabbing you to death for interrupting her looting. Flex up your nanos and let's do this.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 2) <center>[[FIGHT!->RowBladerBattle]]</center>As always, dozens of delivery drones swarm through the sky above you. They're usually a bit more organized than this, though. The collapse of cyberspace seems to have corrupted whatever central computer keeps them from careening around and crashing into one another, which is what they're doing now. As you watch, though, one of the drones breaks off from the commotion. It seems to have spotted you...and is headed your way! Though it lacks a face, you get a distinct sense of malice from the way it's arranged its frontal sensory array.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 1) <center>[[FIGHT!->RowDroneBattle]]</center>What a shame. The pizzeria is completely torn apart. That has nothing to do with your elaborate scuffle with the gang member earlier, though. It was totally like this when you got here. You look around for anything of note... (if: $pizza is not "eaten")[[[Investigate the Kitchen->PizzeriaDrone]] ][[Talk to the Girl with the Guitar->PizzeriaMusic]] [[Head Outside->DeckheadRow]]The inside of the liquor store is a mess of broken glass, blood and sparking half-broken electronics, so it's basically the same as always. Looks like you intervened just in time to prevent any serious damage. But what now? [[Buy some booze->LiquorBooze]] [[Check out the Recycling Terminal->RecyclingMachine]] [[Leave->DeckheadRow]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Gang Bruiser Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Musclehead")[Not an actual special ability. He's just strong.]</div> [[Fight!->RowBruiserFight]] [[Flee->RowBruiserFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[The bruiser charges at you from across the room. Thinking quickly, you grab a pizza paddle and thrust it into his chest. You strain with all your might, your Physical Enhancement nanos burning under your skin. With a mighty yell you hoist the brute over your head and toss him head-first into the pizza oven behind you. He screams and flails desperately, trying to pull himself out but slowly succumbing to the agony of roasting alive. This is somewhat strange to watch given that the oven isn't actually //on.// Maybe this experience has dredged up some oven-entrapment-related trauma in the huge hulk's mind. Within a few seconds he falls unconscious, and it doesn't look like he'll be back on his feet any time soon. //''YOU WIN!''// With that out of the way, you look around to assess the damage. The place is trashed, but there might still be something here of use. [[Continue->RowPizzeria]](set: $deckbruiser to "beaten")](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[The brute grabs a folding chair and bashes you in the chest with a mighty swing. No dodging out of the way of that one. You fly backward, spiraling through the air. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[You manage to do a surprisingly stylish landing pose completely by accident, but you felt that hit deep in the core of your body. Probably best not to take this guy so lightly. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->RowBruiserBattle]]](else:)[With a smash, you go sailing through one of the few intact windows at the front of the store. You lose consciousness in the impact, and are dead seconds later. How you actually die is probably best not discussed at length. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You grab a ketchup tube and spray him in the face, hoping to blind him. He simply wipes it off, so you grab a mustard tube and try again. When even that doesn't seem to throw off his vision, you angrily snap up a shaker of red pepper flakes, jump on the guy and proceed to violently shake the pepper into his eyes. This at last has the blinding effect you were hoping for, however minor. At this point, you'll take it. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","With a mighty kick you knock the bruiser backwards into a wall. The force of the impact knocks one of your commemorative Customer of the Month photos off the wall. You cringe, but this loss has strengthened your resolve. (set: $ATK to it + 1)//ATK Power Up!//","You punch the bruiser square in the jaw. It doesn't actually do anything. In fact, his jaw looks to be the strongest part of him. You wonder why the jaw ever seemed like a good idea.","You break a chair over the brute's head. Unfortunately, it's one of those breakaway chairs used in movies. Some local film students were probably shooting a scene in here earlier today. The brute looks just as surprised as you, but largely unharmed.","You taunt the brute, luring him to charge into a buzzing neon sign on the wall. It works, but on impact the sign merely breaks. You were hoping something a bit cooler than that would happen, but whatever.") (either:"The brute tears up a section of floor and promptly falls on his back with it. You assume he intended to throw the chunk of floor at you, but he pulled up too much and now he's trapped underneath it. He struggles out quickly and gets to his feet, embarrassed but unharmed.","The brute tosses a chair at you. You dodge-roll to the side and the chair embeds itself in the wall behind you. You take a second to recover, because dodge-rolling can make a person //really// dizzy if they're not used to it.","The brute grabs you in a bear-hug and squeezes. Strong though he is, he's not strong enough to actually kill you or cut off your circulation with this. After several seconds it's just awkward. He releases you, himself more out of breath from the strain than you are from being squeezed.","The brute grabs you in a one-handed choke-hold and prepares to slam you through a table. However, he's either broken or knocked over all the tables. He starts awkwardly trying to stand a table back up with his other hand but he can't reach it and hold onto you at the same time. You manage to slip away as he bends down to pick one up, causing him to fall to the ground and break it anyway.","The brute throws crate at you. Fortunately, it's only a crate of napkins.") [[Continue->RowBruiserBattle]]]You duck just in time as the bruiser puts his fist through the wall behind you. Upon seeing this, you realize you might not be equipped to deal with this guy. As he struggles to get his hand back, you dash out the door and into the street. You catch your breath and make sure you still have all your organs. Revenge for the pizza place will have to wait...for now. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Collapsed on the floor of the kitchen, you find the badly battered body of a robotic chef. Poor thing. You know they can't feel pain, but seeing one mangled like this is still harrowing. Then, with a spark, the robot shudders to life again. It struggles to right itself on its bent limbs, and you hurry to help it up. (font: "Lucida Console")["Thank you, child. You are truly kind. I..."] He pauses to exaggeratedly cough. (font: "Lucida Console")["I am not long for this world, I'm afraid. My hard drive battery has been ruptured. Within minutes I...I will be..."] He winces with simulated pain. You urge him not to speak, but he shakes his head and grabs you by the shoulder. (font: "Lucida Console")["Please! Tell me your...favorite pizza toppings. I have enough strength left for one last creation. Tell me, child! Tell me what pizza you most desire!"] You start to protest, but the dying robot is adamant and there is little time. What will you order? Make it something extraordinary. [[Fisherman's Platter Pizza with Onions->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Double-Toppings Olive-Lover's Special with Olive Loaf Crust->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Thousand Island Anchovy->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Pickle Supreme with Barbeque Sauce->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Flatbread Synthetic Pastrami and Pineapple->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Spherical Calzone Surprise->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Deep Dish Coleslaw Supreme with Thai Peanut Wyngz->PizzeriaPizza]](if: $hotelbronze is "have")[Zori is busy practicing the song you...um..."workshopped" with her. //"So meet me at the pizza place! Meet me on the street! Punks running everywhere, But we won't let 'em get us down! Oh, no no! We're gonna run to my very next show! Thrill of the chase! Just meet me at the pizza place!"// That doesn't even match the ideas you gave her! You feel lucky she probably won't credit you as a co-writer. [[Continue->RowPizzeria]]](else:)[(if: $zolaintro is not "yes")[To your amazement, there's another seemingly-sane person in this pizza place. Though, as you look at her more closely, your initial assessment of sanity comes more and more into question. She's dressed head-to-toe in machine-distressed denim and nylon, with neither the denim nor the nylon being used for the articles of clothing you'd expect. She's holding a guitar, and looking at you quizzically through her soul-piercingly thick eyeliner. "Wow! Hell of a show you put on, baby! Kicked some serious deckhead boo-tay, am I right?" You ask if she's okay. "Don't worry about me. I grew up on these streets. I know all about how things like this go down. I'm just here to dig on the vibes of real people." You start to insist she get to safety, but stop short when you realize you recognize her. Is she...? "Three time AnvilArts Pop Music Award winner Zori Bex? Yes, that's me, baby! But don't get all weird just 'cause I'm super-famous or nothin'. I come out here to the Row to be with my people, y'know? Find where my heart is!" You note that it's a state of emergency right now and she should probably get to safety. "I know, right? The streets are //crazy!//" You clarify that no, this is a literal state of emergency and she needs to get inside or she's going to get hurt. "We're all suffering, baby, but I'm suffering for my art! You're telling me the Row is burning? Let's put it back together." You start to ask if she's-... "Let's write a song!" You sigh.(set: $zolaintro to "yes")](else:)[Zola looks up from her guitar, several flecks of face-glitter falling onto her chest. "Hey, baby! We gonna rock the world together, now?"] [[Okay, sure.->MusicQuestion1]] [[No, this is too stupid.->RowPizzeria]]](font: "Lucida Console")["Yes...it's...so clear now!"] The robot dashes to the pantry, pulling down all manner of ingredients. CHOP! SMASH! WHAM! With incredible precision he prepares each ingredient just so. The dough he measures out to an exact depth and circumference with his specially-installed leveling arms. The sauce he mixes from raw ingredients, taking care to reach the exact right consistency. He does all this faster than your eyes can even follow. You're watching a true master at work, and before you know it a single tear is running down your cheek. As he sets the timer on the oven, the robot suddenly collapses. You rush to his side and help him sit up. He no longer has the strength to stand. (font: "Lucida Console")["When the timer sounds...my masterpiece...will be complete. I will not be here to see it. Please...please enjoy it! Be the witness to this...my final act..."] You beg the robot to stay with you. (font: "Lucida Console")["No. It's better this way. My life will end with...my greatest act. Getting...weaker...now. Visual...data...corrupting. Speech...b-b-b-uffering...ove-e-e-rflow. Farewell. And...enjo-o-o-oy..."] With this, his hard drive battery explodes rather violently. Seconds later, the AnvilHome High-Heat Oven has quick-cooked the pizza to perfection. ...It's okay. (text-color: "blue")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Gourmand Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1)(set: $pizza to "eaten") [[Continue->RowPizzeria]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Dizzy Drone Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Hovering")[Never rolls below a 2.]</div> [[Fight!->RowDroneFight]] [[Flee->RowDroneFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 2,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[You run towards the drone. As it tries to grab at you, you slide underneath it and grab it by the delivery bag. In one swift motion, you stand and swing the drone around by its delivery bag, slamming it into a nearby lamppost. The bag is torn free and the damaged drone spirals off into the air. //''YOU WIN!''// Now let's see what (either:"[[loot->DronePrize1]]","[[loot->DronePrize2]]","[[loot->DronePrize3]]","[[loot->DronePrize1]]","[[loot->DronePrize4]]","[[loot->DronePrize5]]") that drone was carrying...](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[The drone fishes through its bag for something with which to kill you, but can only find a sweater and a tube of vodka. You charge while it's unarmed, but before your eyes its fashioned a molotov cocktail. With a smash, you are engulfed in flames. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[You stop, drop and roll, not so much intentionally but as an involuntary reaction to the intense pain your body is experiencing. The flames die down and you have only minor burn marks. Your regenerative nanos will take care of those, but you're still going to feel it tomorrow. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->RowDroneBattle]]](else:)[As fire overtakes your field of view, the last thing you see is the drone taunting you with a finger-gun motion. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You go to punch the drone, but it nimbly dodges your swing. It lets out a series of chirps resembling mocking laughter.","You kick the drone and it spirals back. You didn't do much damage, but you did knock loose a tube of Skull Cola from its delivery bag. You chug the soda and give a thumbs-up. (set: $ATK to it + 1)//ATK Power Up!//","You wait for the drone to charge, then try to vollyball-spike it into the ground as it comes in range. You miss and fall on your face, but on the plus side the drone misses you as well.","You try to taunt the drone into charging into a spraying fire hydrant on the sidewalk behind you. It doesn't, and looks insulted you would think it was that stupid.","You run in to kick the drone, but it pulls a small sack of marbles out of its delivery bag, emptying them onto the ground in front of you. You flail around and just barely avoid falling.") (either:"The drone pulls a handgun gun out of its delivery bag. When it tries to fire, it turns out the gun is simply a gun-shaped lighter. The drone lets out a grumbling warble and tosses the lighter aside.","The drone pulls a tube of pre-mixed mojito out of its delivery bag. It attempts to break the tube on a parked car to create a weapon, but the tube just shatters entirely.","The drone pulls a series of vinyl records of chiptune music out of its delivery bag and discus throw them at you. You do a massive dodge-flip to the side to avoid them, though you could have just as easily done a little hop over them.","The drone pulls a series of sharp razor blades out of its delivery bag, but can't get at them through the packaging. After a few seconds it gives up and tosses them aside.","The drone pulls out a box labeled 'Fire Crackers.' On closer inspection, though, it's just a box of spicy wheat crackers. You offer to eat them but the drone just tosses them aside.") [[Continue->RowDroneBattle]]]You stand perfectly still, believing that the drone uses a motion sensor to track your position. It doesn't, but your behavior confuses it so much that it comes to the conclusion that it must have somehow killed you. Convinced its mission is complete, it flies back into the swarm. You breathe a sigh of relief. Your plan..."worked." You walk away to a place where the drones aren't swarming so violently. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize1 is not "have")[A pair of brass knuckles. One of them has the word "SLAM" written across the knuckles. The other has the word "ZONE." Huh. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Punchiness Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1)(set: $droneprize1 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","A bunch of old Anvil Entertainment System cartridges. You toss them aside, not realizing one of them is worth thousands at resale.","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize2 is not "have")[Some rad sunglasses. It's too dark to wear them, but you feel cooler just knowing you could bust them out at any time. (text-color: "blue")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Smoothness Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1)(set: $droneprize2 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","A hastily-scribbed drawing of a girl with red hair and a white dress. You're not sure what you were expecting, but it sure wasn't that. You ball it up and toss it.(if: $princesslevel = 0)[(set: $princesslevel to it + 1)]","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize3 is not "have")[A tube of Skull Cola. Nice! You chug it down, and while you don't feel any stronger, you hang onto the tube. //''You got an empty tube!''//(set: $tubes to it + 1)(set: $droneprize3 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","Some star-patterned pantyhose. Cool to look at, but not really your style.","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize4 is not "have")[A tube of Skull Cola. Nice! You chug it down, and while you don't feel any stronger, you hang onto the tube. //''You got an empty tube!''//(set: $tubes to it + 1)(set: $bottles to it + 1)(set: $droneprize4 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","A remote-control drone kit. It's important to get kids acquainted with drones early in life. You don't have the time to play with it, though.","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize5 is not "have")[A tube of Skull Cola. Nice! You chug it down, and while you don't feel any stronger, you hang onto the tube. //''You got an empty tube!''//(set: $tubes to it + 1)(set: $droneprize5 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","Cards for some tabletop game about zombies. Doesn't look fun at all, even though the back of the box states it raised over 3,000,000 g-creds of crowdfunding.","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]"Okay, baby! What kind of tempo should it have?"(set: $musicgood to 0) [[Something fast.->FastTempo]] [[Something slow.->SlowTempo]] [[It should change up a lot.->CrazyTempo]]"Yeah! Let's get people pumped, right? It's the end of the world! You gotta...you gotta go for it!" She strums a quick, pulse-pounding beat. "Okay, now what about the melody?" [[Something catchy.->CatchyMelody]] [[Something haunting.->HauntingMelody]] [[Something intense.->IntenseMelody]]"Oh, I see. We're trying to bum people out a bit, make 'em realize this is serious. I feel you. That's a good instinct." She strums a slow and somber beat. "Okay, now what about the melody?" [[Something catchy.->CatchyMelody]] [[Something haunting.->HauntingMelody]] [[Something intense.->IntenseMelody]]"Yeah! Crazy like the //streets!// I like how you think! We gotta keep it changing just like the world is changing!" She strums out some basic rhythm transitions, working out how the song could go. (set: $musicgood to it + 1) "Okay, now what about the melody?" [[Something catchy.->CatchyMelody]] [[Something haunting.->HauntingMelody]] [[Something intense.->IntenseMelody]]"Song ain't gonna help anyone if it's not memorable. Trust me, if there's one thing I know, it's how to get something stuck in your head." She plinks out a few chords you are immediately unable to forget.(set: $musicgood to it + 1) "Okay, now what kind of instrumentation do we want?" [[Just you, a guitar, and the truth->GuitarAlone]] [[Guitar, bass, keyboard, drummer. The usual.->StandardBand]] [[Full orchestra! Also lots of synth!->FullOrchestra]]"Yeah. Gotta spook the hell out of 'em. There's no greater driver of progress than fear. I read that on a motivational calender." She strums out some minor chords. "Okay, now what kind of instrumentation do we want?" [[Just you, a guitar, and the truth->GuitarAlone]] [[Guitar, bass, keyboard, drummer. The usual.->StandardBand]] [[Full orchestra! Also lots of synth!->FullOrchestra]]"Ehehehe! I do like to keep things intense! No one will be able to ignore our message!" She wails on her guitar in ways you can't imagine are good for it. "Okay, now what kind of instrumentation do we want?" [[Just you, a guitar, and the truth->GuitarAlone]] [[Guitar, bass, keyboard, drummer. The usual.->StandardBand]] [[Full orchestra! Also lots of synth!->FullOrchestra]]"Oh, that's heavy. It's rad...but it's heavy! Never cut a single like that before. Hmmm...maybe there's a first time for everything." She thoughtfully strums out a tune. "Finally, we need lyrics. What're we saying?" [["Get off the streets immediately. You're in danger."->Dangerlyric]] [["The Anvil Corporation is behind this."->Anvillyrics]] [["Don't hide! Fight, fight, fight!"->FightLyrics]]"Gotta love the classics! I could make a few calls and have this cut together in a weekend." She thoughtfully strums out a few things, apparently assigning various musical roles in her head. (set: $musicgood to it + 1) "Finally, we need lyrics. What're we saying?" [["Get off the streets immediately. You're in danger."->Dangerlyric]] [["The Anvil Corporation is behind this."->Anvillyrics]] [["Don't hide! Fight, fight, fight!"->FightLyrics]]"Go big or go home, eh? You think crazy, and crazy is good! With all my industry cred I sure as //hell// should be able to find someone to put an orchestra together." She strums some classical chords. "Finally, we need lyrics. What're we saying?" [["Get off the streets immediately. You're in danger."->Dangerlyric]] [["The Anvil Corporation is behind this."->Anvillyrics]] [["Don't hide! Fight, fight, fight!"->FightLyrics]]"Hmm. Okay. It's got a clear message. I like that. Doesn't mess around." She starts doodling some lyrics on a napkin. //"Streets are burning! Stay inside! Think you're tough? Go run and hide From the fire Fire Fire FIRE! FIRE ON THE STREETS!"// [[Continue->Songresults]]"Like, a conspiracy? Whoa! I hadn't even thought about it that way. I don't owe the Anvil Corporation nothing...I don't think, anyway. I could totally write a song to take 'em on." She starts furiously scribbling lyrics on a napkin. //"Anvil signs! See 'em all day! Anvil logo on the bills we pay! Who's gonna pay? Who are they? They're the men coming to take your city away! Anvil Corporation! Anvil Corporation! This is a price we won't pay!"// [[Continue->Songresults]]"Now you're talking! We're going to fight, on the streets!" She gleefully scribbles some lyrics on a napkin. (set: $musicgood to it + 1) //"We gonna fight! 'Cause it's our city! And no one's gonna keep us away! The sunlight, Will be so pretty, When we can look at it and say, We fought! We won! The future is saved! None of this would be here If we'd all just behaved!"// [[Continue->Songresults]](set: $musicgood to it * 25)She slowly puts the song together in her head, considering every element. "I like about $musicgood percent of what you suggested." (if: $musicgood is 100)[She smiles. "Wow! You rock! You're like a muse for the streets or something!" You're somewhat flattered. "Here! Take this!" Zori flips a small bronze card to you. You turn it over. It has the logo of the Quadrangle Hotel on it.(set: $hotelbronze to "have") //''You got a Bronze Room Key!''// "Me and my crew are staying over at the Quad. Just fired my publicist, though, so her room's free. You should crash there, sometime. The place rules." You thank her and leave. "Thanks for all your help, baby!" She starts wildly playing away.](else:)[She shakes her head. "Not quite what I had in mind." You ask what part she didn't like. "Hard to say. All the pieces have to work together, you know? But hey, I can tell you have a gift. If you have any other ideas, come back to see me." You grumble and leave. This was a particularly stunning waste of your time.] [[Continue->RowPizzeria]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Blader Deckhead Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Speedy")[Rolls 1-8]</div> [[Fight!->RowBladerFight]] [[Flee->RowBladerFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,8))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[The Blader's lips curl into a devilish smile and she skates towards you at full speed, her knife at the ready. However, you stand your ground and stop her dead by planting your foot directly in her stomach. With a mighty kick you shove her backwards, causing her to roll away with such speed that it takes her a while to brake herself. When she comes to a stop, she looks to the side and realizes she's directly in the path of a runaway auto-freighter truck. Briefly forgetting about her wheels, she flails her feet frictionlessly against the ground before the massive vehicle slams into her and the two swerve away around the corner. Reconstructive nanos being what they are, you doubt that impact killed her. Still...ouch! //''YOU WIN!''// Now, let's see what that Blader was looting that was so important. [[Continue->RowLiquorStore]](set: $deckblader to "beaten")](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[Approaching slowly, the Blader corners you against the wall and slashes at you with her knife. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[You block with your arm...which isn't the smartest move. A sharp, very knife-like pain shoots through you and you clutch your bleeding limb. To your surprise, the Blader backs off a bit while your Reconstructive Nanos have a chance to heal you. Looks like she's put off by the sight of blood, which is a little odd for someone who goes around stabbing people. But anyway, //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->RowBladerBattle]]](else:)[Your throat is slit. Yes, it's incredibly brutal. So much so, in fact, that even the Blader looks horrified by what she just did. As you collapse to the ground, so does she, stricken with grief over her actions. As they say, it's all fun and games until someone loses a trachea. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You go to punch the Blader, but she ducks and blocks your attack with her heavy plastic cranial rig.","You grapple with the Blader and manage to wrestle one of her auxiliary knives away from her. (set: $ATK to it + 1)//ATK Power Up!//","You kick the Blader sending her spiraling away. It's quite graceful to watch, but it doesn't look like your attack actually hurt that much.","You grab an empty bottle and whip it at her, but she's too fast to hit. Fortunately, she's also too fast to avoid faceplanting into a nearby parked car as she dodges. She manages to right herself quickly, though.","You grapple the Blader into a headlock when she draws near, but you realize you're just holding her in knife's reach. You manage to let go before she can figure that out as well.") (either:"The Blader knees you in the stomach, but her massive kneepads soften the impact considerably.","The Blader brings down her knife and you dodge at the last second, causing her to lodge her blade in the roof of a parked car behind you. On her second swing, you dodge again and she lodges it into a news terminal, then a trash receptacle, then an abandoned fruit cart, and then in a passing delivery drone (which is surprised by manages to continue on its way). Frustrated, the Blader realizes a new tactic might be necessary.","The Blader goes to kick you in the face with her blade (the wheeled kind). Those things //hurt,// and you're sent reeling. However, the attack also threw the Blader completely off balance, and you have some seconds to recover as she struggles back to her feet.","The Blader throws her knife at you. You catch it and throw it back. She catches it. You're both disappointed, even though from an outside perspective that was kind of cool to watch.","She charges into you at full speed, tackling you to the ground. Fortunately, you fall backwards onto a discarded trampoline and bounce back up, sending her flying backwards. She steadies herself, dazed and frustrated she didn't see the gigantic trampoline directly behind you.") [[Continue->RowBladerBattle]]]Not liking your odds in the fight, you make a break down an alley and climb a nearby fire escape ladder. When you look down, the Blader is nowhere to be seen. Seems she didn't even want to attempt climbing a latter with that footwear. After a minute you climb back down. It looks like the Blader has gone back to her looting. You opt not to disturb her again...at least until you're ready for a fight. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Like all liquor stores, this one uses an automated (and completely bulletproof) vendor. He's still operational, though it looks like the looters made off with most of his stock. Remembering the situation you're in, you brace for a fight, but it doesn't look like the corruption of cyberspace has spread to him, and he just waves back at you. (font: "Lucida Console")["Howdy!"] he chirps, (font: "Lucida Console")["Looks like you got $cash g-creds on you at the moment. What'll you be having?"] [[Sweet Night Strawberry Shortcake-Flavored Vodka->ShortcakeVodka]] (40 g-creds) [[Black Ash Ancient Whiskey->AncientScotch]] (40 g-creds) [[Gold Medal Infinity Liqueur->InvinityLiqueur]] (100 g-creds) [[Nevermind->RowLiquorStore]]You always thought it was weird the way this liquor store chose to line one of its walls with high-capacity recycling terminals. You suppose customers are supposed to recycle their old canisters when they come back for a refill or something. Seems like a strange choice to you, but whatever. Most of the terminals are broken, but there's still one TRM (Tube Recycling Machine) Machine operational. [[Recycle a Tube->TubeRecycle]] (You have $tubes) [[Back->RowLiquorStore]](if: $tubes > 0)[You place one of your empty tubes into the machine. (either: "The machine whirrs, clunks and groans.","The machine emits a horrible grinding sound.","You hear smashing and crushing from within the machine.","There's a rumble from deep within the machine.","The machine makes terrible crushing noises. Apparently these are sound all prerecorded and the tubes are actually just collected by AnvilSanitation at the end of the day, but it helps to feel like something's happening.")(set: $cash to it + 10)(set: $tubes to it - 1) The screen on the front of the machine flickers on. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Thank you for supporting the environment! Your fingerprints on the tube have been identified! 10 g-creds have been added to your personal account! Your new balance is $cash g-creds. Have a wonderful day!]</center> ------------------------------------------](else:)[You don't have any tubes to recycle.] [[Recycle another->TubeRecycle]] (You have $tubes) [[Back->RowLiquorStore]](if: $aptcleaned is not "yes")[You pick up a few of the empty tubes of nutri-beer. Now there's a clear path to walk around. //''You got 5 empty tubes!''//(set: $tubes to it + 5)(set: $aptcleaned to "yes")](else:)[Ehh. You decide it's clean enough.] [[Back->Apartment]](if: $shortbooze is not "had")[(if: $cash >=40)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Mighty fine choice!"] the vendor says as he violently rips the last display canister of strawberry shortcake vodka off the back wall.(set: $cash to it - 40) You chug some where you stand. It tastes terrible, but the sheer ridiculousness of it fills you with a sense of reckless abandon. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Recklessness Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1)(set: $shortbooze to "had")](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, your personal account doesn't have the g-creds for it,"] the vendor sighs.]](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, kid. You took my last one. Should be getting a shipment in...in...in..."] You urge him to stop before he hurts himself.] [[Back->RowLiquorStore]](if: $ancientscotch is not "had")[(if: $cash >=40)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Tough drink for a tough customer! Got it!"] the vendor says as he violently rips the last display canister of scotch off the back wall.(set: $cash to it - 40) You chug some where you stand. The taste is horrifying, and a look at the back reveals why. This whiskey is from a batch recovered from an ancient mountain temple, and is estimated to be aged fifteen thousand years. You clutch your chest, but you're okay. You've survived. As you breathe deeply, you realize you're tougher than you thought. (text-color: "blue")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Survival Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1)(set: $ancientscotch to "had")](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, your personal account doesn't have the g-creds for it,"] the vendor sighs.]](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, kid. You took my last one. Should be getting a shipment in...in...in..."] You urge him to stop before he hurts himself.] [[Back->RowLiquorStore]](if: $infinitebooze is not "had")[(if: $cash >=100)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Our store's finest! You're gonna love it!"] the vendor says as he violently rips the last display canister of Infinity Liqueur off the back wall.(set: $cash to it - 100) You chug some where you stand. It's smooth and delicious, and to your delight it has flecks of gold floating in it. The gold itself adds nothing to the flavor or texture, but it makes for a memorable experience nonetheless. (text-style: "fade-in-out")[(text-color: "red")[You Gained 1 Shine Point!] (text-color: "blue")[You Gained 1 Metal Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1)(set: $vitality to it + 1)(set: $infinitebooze to "had")](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, that's a premium item,"] the vendor sighs. (font: "Lucida Console")["Your account doesn't have the g-creds, not that I can blame you."]]](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, kid. You took my last one. Should be getting a shipment in...in...in..."] You urge him to stop before he hurts himself.] [[Back->RowLiquorStore]]You take a deep breath and approach the crowd. You let out a mighty shout, and immediately the woman on the throne takes notice of you. She holds out her hand and the mob falls silent. You can tell she's glaring at you even though her eyes are concealed behind her heavy cranial rig. She rises, and though she's actually not that large, her confident stance makes her appear gigantic. (Also she's standing on like five feet of half-broken SensoVisions, so that adds to the effect.) (if: $gangqueenintro is not "yes")["Yes?" she asks, her voice dripping with smugness, "Can I help you?" You make clear you want her and her gang out of here, but she just sighs. "And here I was being polite for once. Boys," she calls to her minions, "What do we do to people who can't appreciate politeness?" This question is met with confused muttering from her compatriots. "We-...We beat 'em up," she continues, "Hurt 'em. Break their legs and stuff. You know?" "OH!" The gang erupts with understanding and nods of confirmation.(set: $gangqueenintro to "yes")](else:)["Ah, our friend has returned," she chuckles pointing you out to her minions. The gang mutters some confusion. "I...I was being sarcastic," she continues, "This is the person we just swarmed. Remember? It was a joke." It takes a second, but soon all her minions understand. "All right," the Gang Queen says giving a twisted grin, "Let's try this one more time, shall we?"](set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 5) She whistles, speakers on either side of her cranial rig amplifying the sound. (if: $deckblader is "beaten")[She looks around expectantly.](else:)[From down the street, a deckhead on rollerblades charges in to assist her.(set: $Threat to it + 2)] (if: $deckbruiser is "beaten")[When it's clear no one else is coming, the gang boss glares at you accusingly.](else:)[With a loud crash, a musclebound thug emerges from the nearby pizza place to join the battle.(set: $Threat to it + 3)] Looks like it's time to clean up the street. <center>[[BOSS FIGHT!->GangQueenBattle]]</center>You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Gang Queen Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Relentless")[Getting hit takes 2HP] (link: "Leader")[+Threat from nearby enemies]</div> [[Fight!->GangQueenFight]] [[Flee->GangQueenFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[You breathe heavily, focussing all your strength. The Gang Queen's henchmen close in on you from all sides. You're only going to get one shot at this. You dash forward quickly. Deckheads and other thugs stumble and slam into each other behind you, too slow to get the drop. You continue forward, aimed directly at the Gang Queen, and you see her smug sense of calm slowly start to fade. With a mighty leap, you fly through the air. The thugs that were pursuing you now briefly stop in amazement. Coming down, you deliver a powerful jump-kick squarely to the chest of the Gang Queen, sending her tumbling down her mountain of stolen goods onto the sidewalk below. You stand triumphant atop the pile of loot, and shout at the Queen and her gang to leave Deckhead Row and never return. //''YOU WIN!''// [[Continue->GangQueenForm2]]](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[You break past the wall of thugs and charge up the side of the pile of goods. As you reach her, you prepare to strike, but she's ready for you. Effortlessly, she plants a boot on your chest and kicks you back down into her crowd of waiting minions. (set: $HP to it - 2) (if: $HP > 0)[You land on your back, and a barrage of kicks and makeshift weapons descends upon you. You're battered and bruised, gasping for breath as the wind is kicked out of you. As soon as it begins, it stops, and the crowd parts. The Gang Queen looks at you and grins. "Have you made your point?" //''YOU'VE LOST 2 HP!''// [[Continue->GangQueenBattle]]](else:)[You land on your back, and the gang descends upon you. They batter your body with punches, kicks and various foreign objects, and they don't stop when you lose consciousness. Your injuries are so severe and so many it's unlikely a specific cause of death could be determined, but the big takeaway is that you are very dead. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You execute a solid roundhouse kick, taking out three of the Queen's minions in a single blow. Okay...three blows in a single attack, I guess. You knocked down three guys. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","You wrestle a machete away from one of the Queen's henchmen and use it to chop the top off a nearby fire hydrant. As a band of deckheads comes after you, a shower of water rains down on them and shorts out their cranial rigs. As they collapse, you're releaved to have thinned out the Queen's forces somewhat. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","You toss one of the Queen's henchmen through a nearby store window. Unfortunately, it's a mattress store and he manages to bounce back into the fray.","As the Queen's minions surround you, knives drawn, you duck and let them charge into one another. They don't actually stab each other, as you'd hoped they would, but they're still dazed from the impact.","You kick the Queen's pile of loot, hoping to destabilize it and send her tumbling down. It doesn't work. It just doesn't. Nothing much happens.") (either:"The Queen calls for aid! More deckheads appear! Okay, they don't actually //appear,// they just round a corner, but still you're facing down more enemies than you were a second ago. (set: $Threat to it + 1)//Enemy Threat Level Up!//","The Queen orders her minions to stop fooling around and catch you. A couple of them sigh and wipe off their clown makeup, joining the fight properly.","The Queen grumbles and begins to step down off her throne to fight you herself. She can't find any footing to climb down with her heavy boots, though. After a moment she opts to just stay where she is.","The Gang Queen pulls a pistol out of a holster in her jacket and unloads a full six-shot clip at you. All the bullets go into her minions. Every last one. Said minions seem quite surprised, but she passes it off as punishment for not fighting hard enough.","The Queen's minions grab you and start to drag you towards her. The Queen draws a long blade, so long that it actually slips out of her hand mid-draw and clatters to the ground. Her minions all dive to retrieve it first, releasing you. By the time you've made it back out to a safe distance, they've lost the blade under the pile of loot.") [[Continue->GangQueenBattle]]]You realize you don't like your odds. Probably best to get out of here while you can. As the Queen's minions try to rush you down, you duck to the side and send several of them careening into the street. A few more nimble jukes and you've made it back to the door of your apartment building. The lowlifes start to run after you, but are halted. Seems the Queen has called them off. Looks like she doesn't think you're worth it. For now, you consider that a blessing. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]The Gang Queen's minions run to her side, helping her to her feet. She's dazed at first, but shakes it off, looking up at you with a curious smile. "Impressive," she says, her old composure quickly returning. "I'd say you've earned a scrap of my favor. Very well! We will leave your neighborhood in peace. But remember, alw(font: "Lucida Console")[(text-style: "shudder")[ww](text-style: "blink")[@]-(text-style: "upside-down")[yyy]"] Something is wrong. The Queen's grabs at her cranial rig. It lets out a horrible electronic screech, and you hear the fans on it kick into high gear. It looks like it's overheating. Her underlings try to help but she shoves them all away. Her expression, previously pained, is twisting into one of extreme rage. (font: "Lucida Console")["H(text-style: "shudder")[E]RO...MU(text-style: "blink")[ST][email protected](text-style: "rumble")[APE!] YOU...WILL...(text-style: "fade-in-out")[DIE!]"] Her overheating cranial rig is starting to smoke. You see her skin ripple as her Physical Enhancement Nanos start operating way above their intended specifications. Suddenly, with the speed of a wild animal, she claws her way back up the pile of loot after you.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 4) <center>[[BOSS...FIGHT?->Queen2Battle]]</center>You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Gang Queen? Threat Level: ??? Special Ability: (link: "???")[(font: "Lucida Console")[N(text-style: "shudder")[O] ES(text-style: "blink")[ca]PE!]] </div> [[Fight!->Queen2Fight]] [[Flee->Queen2Flee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,10))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,10))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[The Queen swings her fists at you again and again. Though you barely dodge, each punch cuts through the air with a deafening boom, suggesting power on the order of a freight train. Her Physical Enhancement Nanos must be shredding her insides to achieve that kind of force. You realize you have to stop this, not just for your sake, but to save the Queen. Focusing all your remaining strength, you juke in close to the Queen and grab her in a mighty bear-hug. She struggles, but you clasp your hands and hold her tight. With a sudden leap backwards, the two of you plummet down the side of the pile of stolen goods, and you suplex her directly into the pavement below. There's a sharp cracking noise, and her cranial rig shatters. You let her go, and she falls to the ground, freed of whatever was controlling her and struggling to catch her breath. //''YOU WIN!''// [[Continue->QueenVictory]]](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= ($PlayerStrike + 3) and $HP >= 1)[The Queen pounces on you, pinning you to the ground. She rains blows down on you, each one backed by a thousand overclocked nanobots. (set: $HP to it - 1) Just as she rears back to deliver a fatal haymaker, you manage to kick her away. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->Queen2Battle]]](else:)[(either: "You grab a folding chair off the pile of loot to try and use as a weapon, but the moment you try to swing it the Queen kicks it out of your hands.","You punch the Queen square in the face and she doesn't even flinch.","You try to grab the Queen to toss her back off the pile of loot, but you only get a knee to the face for your trouble.","You call on the Queen's allies to do something, but they're scared of her even at the best of times. No way they're jumping in now.","You try to jump-kick the Queen again, but you don't have any space to run up on her. Your weak kick just bounces off.") (either: "The Queen clutches her head and screams.","The Queen grabs you by the throat with one hand. You struggle as she begins to choke the life out of you. Only by the grace of her unusually small hands are you able to wriggle free in time.","The Queen backhands you and you nearly stumble off the pile of loot. You put all your effort into holding your footing, not wanting to risk falling prone in a situation like this.","The Queen pulls out a gun from her jacket, but in her rage she ejects the clip and it bounces away. You're releaved, but the subsequent pistol-whip hurts nearly as much as a bullet would have.","The Queen screams and flails her fists at you. You can see rivers of sweat pouring from under her overheating cranial rig. Whatever she's going through looks like torture.") [[Continue->Queen2Battle]]]You turn to run, and in an instant you feel sharp nails raked across the back of your neck. You turn back to defend yourself, just barely deflecting a second strike. There's no running from this fight. You can't afford to turn your back for a second. Hope you can handle this. [[Continue->Queen2Battle]]The Queen is shaken, but with some help from her underlings, she slowly gets to her feet. "C'mon, boss," a deckhead mutters, "Let's get ya' home. We'll let ya' smack us around some. It'll make ya' feel better." The Queen looks up at you. She won't say it, but she's thankful you freed her from...that. The gang files away, some of them grabbing what they can off the loot pile as they go. By the time they've departed, there's not much left. You manage to scavange a NanoGrain Bar and a sweet baseball cap for yourself. (text-style: "fade-in-out")[(text-color: "red")[You Gained 1 Sports Point!](set: $attack to it + 1) (text-color: "blue")[You Gained 1 Health Point!(set: $vitality to it + 1)]] Looks like the area's calmed down a bit. Maybe now you can finally get out of here.(set: $queenbeaten to "yes") [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]The lobby of the Quadrangle Hotel is a sleek, hip expression of ultra-modern design sensibilities, meaning it's a nightmare jumble of oversaturated lines and polygons. From the randomly mirrored sections of wall to literally every light being recessed behind some kind of cube, this place screams "Too cool for opulance!" But what will you do? [[Look Around->QuadranglePoster]] [[Take the Elevator->QuadrangleNoRoom]] [[Speak to the Concierge->QuadConcierge]] [[Leave->DeckheadRow]]None of these chairs look comfortable. In fact it's hard to tell the chairs from the tables, what with everything being a brightly-colored block. You assume the plastic ones are the tables and the leather ones are the chairs, but opt to avoid both until you're certain. The only coherent thing worth looking at is a video display dominating a wall by the bar entrance. Intermittently, it displays this helpful message: ----------------------------------------- <center>(text-colour: "red")[(font: "Lucida Console")["MEET ME @ THE QUAD" Whether you're partying 'till dawn or just wanna crash after a hard MMA match, The Quadrangle Hotel has your 24/7 life #covered. We offer a number of packages for whatever #Quadsperience^^TM^^ you want to craft. (text-colour: "brown")[Bronze Level:] All guests receive a complimentary GoGoPass to see the sights of AnvilCityPrime during their stay. See the concierge for yours. (text-colour: "grey")[Silver Level:] Upgrade to Silver to gain access to our exclusive 24/7 gym and get that hot bod ready for action. (text-colour: "gold")[Gold Level:] Gold-Level guests get to rock the night away in Club 423, a virtual nightclub hosted on our own private cyberspace server.]]</center> ------------------------------------------ Hmm.(set: $quadsign to "seen") [[Continue->QuadrangleLobby]]You consider going up to the room, but realize you don't know what room it is. No number is printed on your room key. [[Continue->QuadrangleLobby]]The concierge desk appears to be vacant, but as you approach, an energetic robot with wild fiber-optic "hair" springs up. (font: "Lucida Console")["Hey there, rock star! Anything I can help you with?"] (if: $quadsign is not "seen")[You ask if she can tell you what room your key goes with. (font: "Lucida Console")["Slipped your mind? Sorry, rock star, but no-can-do. I'd run into some killer legal trouble if I told that to the wrong person. You got your reservation receipt?"] You don't, obviously. (font: "Lucida Console")["Man, sorry to hear it. Anything else I can help you with?"]](elseif: $gogopass is not "have")[You ask about the complimentary GoGoPass. (font: "Lucida Console")["Oh! You didn't get one? No problem! I can hook you up."] She prints a GoGoPass out her mouth-slot and flips it to you.(set: $gogopass to "have") //''You got a GoGoPass!''// (font: "Lucida Console")["Have fun out there! Anything else?"]](else:)[You ask if she knows any good restaurants in the area. (font: "Lucida Console")["Sure do! My favorite place to hang is ''REQUEST ERROR CANNOT CONNECT TO SERVER!'' 'Course, if you want somewhere a little more intimate, ''REQUEST ERROR CANNOT CONNECT TO SERVER!'' is a great way to slip away. Now, for a rock star dinner-..."] You urge her to stop. (font: "Lucida Console")["Oh, okay. Anything else I can help you with?"]] You assure her that'll be all. [[Continue->QuadrangleLobby]]Your cab drives off into what would presumably be a sunset were it not for the red-streaked clouds covering the skies. You've escaped Deckhead Row, but your adventure has only begun. ''//[[EPISODE 2: The Battle of Damsel Park->Chap2Intro]]//''You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right"> Threat Level: Special Ability:</div> [[Fight!->BlankFight]] [[Flee->VRotica]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[ //''YOU WIN!''// (set: $attack to it + 1)(set: $princesslevel to it + 1) [[...->VRotica]]](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[(set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[ //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->BlankBattle]]](else:)[ //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// (set: $princesslevel to it - 1) [[Continue->VRotica]]]](else:)[(either: "hello","why","all gone","taken","no") [[Continue->BlankBattle]]]Hero.ROM is the sequel to Hero Room, a beloved and heavily-trended Twine adventure released in 2012. Knowledge of the story of Hero Room is not required to follow Hero.ROM, but if you haven't played the original classic, it's highly recommended you check it out anyway <a href="http://www.philome.la/Rocketlex/hero-room">right here!</a> Hero.ROM greatly expands upon the rich lore and deep mechanics of the original. New to the game are a stat-based combat system, a focus on exploration and increased grammatical accuracy. The game is being released in an episodic format, with new episodes hopefully coming out every 1-3 months. We hope you enjoy this incredible click-on-words experience. [[Back->TitleScreen]]Will our hero be able to stop whatever ancient force of malevolence is destroying the city? What role does the mysterious Anvil Corporation play in all this? How will your stats carry over to a new episode? There's plenty more in store in the world of Hero.ROM, including! -Robot Dating -A Skeleton Army -Weird Future-Drugs -Themes -One of those RPG bosses where you have the head and two hands and you have to attack the hands first -Deus (Literally) Ex Machina -TV/VCR Repair -And so much more! But for now, you've earned a rest. Thoughts and feedback on this EPISODE are appreciated. If you like it, feel free to share the file with whomever you want. This episode's freeware. Where it goes from here...we'll see. Thanks for playing! <center>''//HERO.ROM WILL RETURN IN... EPISODE 2: THE HORROR OF MAIDEN'S PARK//''</center> Oh, and in case you're wondering. You died $dc times. Screenshot it for posterity if you like.<center>//''BE ADVISED!''//</center> Because you have opted to start from a midpoint, your stats have been adjusted to an "acceptable minimum" for this point in the game. (set: $attack to 4)(set: $vitality to 3) Play the game from the beginning and your stats by this point might be notably higher. It's not necessary to beat the game, but it makes for a much more satisfying power fantasy. [[I understand and agree to these conditions!->Chap2Intro]]As your automated cab glides along the city streets, you try to puzzle out just what the hell is going on. First all of cyberspace glitches out, then anything connected to it goes kill-crazy, and it all seems to be directed at...you? What did //you// do? You wonder if this some divine punishment for that time you lied to your landlord about your grandmother dying to get out of paying rent. In fairness, your grandmother //had// died, you just weren't as broken up about it as you were leading on. Shaking your head, you decide to concentrate on the facts. Everything connected to cyberspace wants you dead. Well, everything except this GoGo Cab, apparently. Oh wait, nevermind. This is not the way you told the cab to go. You did not tell it to drive itself off the side of an overpass at high speed. As the cab lands on a nearby apartment rooftop, you flail wildly at the control panel in front of you in an effort to gain some kind of manual control. The panel is only intended to display nearby shopping and restaurant options, but your hasty prodding at it helps you feel productive while the cab careens off the roof to the pavement below. [[Continue->Chap2Intro2]]With some difficulty, you pull yourself from the twisted wreckage of your GoGo Cab. You're really starting to tire of these attempts on your life, but at least your would-be assassin got the worst of this one. You stand, brushing the shards of safety glass out of your hair. You look up, and above you looms a wrought iron gate with an ornate sign. "Damsel Park" Huh. [[Go into the park.->Chap2Intro3]] [[Go anywhere else.->Chap2IntroAside]]You stroll under the massive archway into Damsel Park. The pale blue Vita-Sun streetlamps light the winding brick path in front of you, and you marvel that the bio-grass fields look even more convincingly grass-like than when you were a kid. Now let's talk about skeletons. Immediately in front of you, a mob of walking skeletons with swords and shields is pummeling an AnForcer law enforcement drone. As you watch, a skeleton in ornate armor stabs the drone in its main processing circuit, shutting it down. The mob rejoices at their victory. You...just kind of stand and stare at this. But you quickly regret standing around. The ornate skeleton spots you and begins to approach. As you flex up your nanos, you're not so much scared as just...confused, and yet somehow this isn't the weirdest thing to happen to you today.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 5) <center>[[Combat Start!->NikolasFight]]</center>You consider calling another GoGo Cab, but decide against it for two reasons: 1. The last GoGo Cab you called attempted to murder-suicide you into the pavement. 2. In doing the above, it landed on the GoGo Cab Terminal that was on this block. Running through dark streets is probably not the best option with everything in the city out to kill you. Probably best to take your chances with the park. [[Okay, fine.->Chap2Intro3]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">A Skeleton? Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Skeleton")[What is even...?]</div> [[Fight!->NikolasIntro]] [[Flee->NikolasIntro]]Before you can do anything, the skeleton sheaths his blade and holds out his palm. "Hold, Hero! I am not your enemy!" Okay, now the skeleton's talking. This doesn't make you any more relaxed, but you decide to let it speak. "You have done well to make it this far. We sent a detachment to assist you, but I fear they have likely fallen to these vile machines. Now, hurry! We must make haste!" The skeleton grabs at your arm but you're still too weirded out to move. Though it lacks eyes, it appears to see the confusion on your face. "My apologies. I see I have you at a disadvantage." The skeleton releases you and gives a humble bow. "I am Nikolas, Third Skeleton of the Vigil. My brothers and I have been called to assist you in fulfilling your ancestral destiny. My blade and indeed my life are yours, Hero. Now please, let us make haste to the cathedral!" [[...Sure, okay.->ParkIntroZone]]The plaza just within the park gates much more peaceful than the chaos of Deckhead's Row, but eerie sounds of battle echo from beyond the [[bio-grass hills->ParkLookHills]] and [[bioluminescent treeshrooms->ParkLookShrooms]] that surround you. (if: $skelequest is not "have")[The skeletons are still gathered around the fallen AnForcer Drone they took out. [[Talk to Nikolas->SkeletonQuest]]](else:)[An army of $skeletons skeletons stands ready for the final assault on the cathedral. [[Talk to Nikolas->CathedralFightPrep]] [[Head Deeper Into the Park->ParkHub1]] [[Try to Leave->NoParkExit]]]According to a sensocast you saw, the imitation grass used in this park is a type of reconstituted biomatter that is designed to be indistinguisable from grass to people who have never seen or touched grass. While technically artifical, an Anvil Corporation representative was adamant that this grass is legally considered to be alive. There was something else about this grass breaking down and digesting small vermin but you were too drunk to take in the whole thing. [[Back->ParkIntroZone]]While the Vita-Sun streetlights provide most of the light in the park, these glowing tree-sized mushrooms really make the place look magical at night. And they're good for the environment, too! These mushrooms leech hazardous chemicals out of the ground and safely atomize them in a process that produces a soft, pleasing glow. In fact, with all these amazing mushrooms around, you could argue there's no //safer// place to dump deadly and radioactive waste materials //than// this public park! Wow! The Anvil Corporation appreciates your understanding on this matter. Please don't touch the mushrooms. [[Back->ParkIntroZone]] "Hero, I'm afraid I have dire news." You attempt to look invested. "You see, it is our charge to escort you to the cathedral to the west." Nikolas points in a direction you take his word for being west. On a small hill half a kilometer away, an imposing cathedral of polished stone is being swarmed by half-crazed AnForcer drones. They appear to be trying to break into the place, but for some reason they're having difficulty breaking down the door. "It is there that the true nature of your quest will be made clear. However, these vile machines impede our progress. We will need to bolster our forces if we are to win the day." Already resigned that this is what you're going to be doing for the next half hour, you ask him what he needs. "The battle is raging all across these...oddly verdant hills. Now that you are safely in our company, we can regroup for the final assault." Nikolas raises his sword dramatically. "Go forth! Travel these lands and make your arrival known! Tell my men to return here so we can make our final push to the cathedral! Can you do this, Hero?" You nod. Nikolas and his men cheer. (set: $skelequest to "have") //''You gained 20 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 20) (Collect more for the final battle!) "Excellent! Now go, Hero! Time is fleeting! The cathedral will not hold forever!" [[Quest Start->ParkIntroZone]]Nikolas' soldiers are prepping themselves for a fight. There are $skeletons assembled at the moment. [[Prepare for Battle->CathedralBattlePrep]] [[Ask What You Should Be Doing->SkeletonQuestLog]] [[Ask About the Vigil->VigilExplained]] [[Leave->ParkIntroZone]]You're a short distance from the entry plaza and already the layout of this place is a nightmare. Using a decaying marble [[fountain->ParkCheckFountain]] as a landmark, you look around for any promising places to find allies. [[Check out the Information Kiosk->ParkKiosk]] [[Check out the GravBoard Park->ParkSkatePark]] [[Go Deeper into the Park->ParkHub2]] [[Head Back to the Plaza->ParkIntroZone]](if: $cabtire is "need")[You head back towards the crashed GoGo Cab in the hopes that you'll be able to salvage one of its tires. As you approach wreckage, however, you get the sense you're being watched. You wheel around to see GoGo Cab staring you down, likely hoping to avenge its fallen brother. As you hold up your hands, the cab revs and charges. Looks like there's no time for you to plead your case.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 6) <center>//''[[Car Fight!->CabBattle]]''//</center>](elseif: $cabtire is "have")[You already got a tire, and like it or not you're probably safer in the park than out.(set: $parkexittries to it + 1)(if: $parkexittries is 3)[ Look, I know this is a lot to handle, but you can't run away now. Just hang in there, okay?] [[Back->ParkIntroZone]]](else:)[It's still not safe out there, and you're not driving that smashed GoGo Cab anywhere any time soon. [[Back->ParkIntroZone]]]This fountain hasn't pumped water in years. Too expensive. You see signs of burning from a brief period when park officials tried pumping a water-like acid through the fountain instead, but that looks to have caused a whole other set of problems. (if: $fountainskeletons is not "have")[Lying face down at the bottom of the dry fountain are a small collection of bleached human skeletons. Much to your surprise, these skeletons bolt upright as you lean in. "Hero, you've arrived! Do not fear, for we have kept this fountain secure!" You point out that they were all just lying in it motionless. The lead skeleton leads close to you and speaks with intensity. "Stealth...tactics." You nod and thumb them in the direction of the plaza. "As you command! Men, to arms!" The skeletons cheer and grab the swords and armor they had cleverly hidden in the top bowl of the fountain. They run back towards Nikolas."(set: $skeletons to it + 5)(set: $fountainskeletons to "have") //''You gained 5 skeletons!''//] [[Back->ParkHub1]]Though this is ostensibly an information kiosk, the only part of it that appears to have received any maintenance lately is the cluster of vending machines on the left side. The rest is a rotting mess of peeling paint and wilted informational pamphlets. (if: $pistoldrone is not "beaten")[[[Use a Vending Machine->ParkKioskDrone]]](else:)[[[Use a Vending Machine->ParkKioskVending]]] [[Read a Pamphlet->ParkKioskPamphlets]](if: $grasslore is "have" and $kioskgrass is not "rescued")[ [[Investigate the Grass Behind the Kiosk->KioskGrass]]] [[Leave->ParkHub1]]The GravBoard Park is eerily still. As you pass the glowing Mag-Rails and bright green Repulsor Ramps, you consider all the reckless teens who should be risking serious bodily harm here right now. Truly, society is crumbling around you. (if: $gravboard is not "have")[You barely dodge a GravBoard as it is thrown past your head. At the far end of the sea of ramps and rails, you spy a strange silver being standing atop a concession stand. Despite the distance, its bizarre and droning voice echoes clearly. (font: "Lucida Console")["Leave us to our misery, human!"] [[Approach the Silver Being->PainGolemIntro]] [[Or just leave...->ParkHub1]]](else:)[[[Do Some Sweet Gravboard Tricks->SkateParkTricks]] [[Search the Area->SkateParkSearch]] [[Leave->ParkHub1]]](if: $plantquest is not "have")[You head deeper into the park towards the Lagoon of Light, one of the area's most famous attractions. However, as you go, the sound of a struggle grows louder. In a clearing a few yards away from the lake, you spot a large contingent of skeletal warriors encased in a green mass of some kind. There's other stuff to look at around here, but really, you should probably see what the green blob situation is first. [[Check It Out->PlantQuest]]](else:)[The path curves through the treeshrooms to a picnic area along the edge of Damsel Park's famous Lagoon of Light. It seems people left in a hurry, because their (if: $blanketpath is "need")[[[picnic blankets->BlanketPath]]](else:)[picnic blankets] are still here. (if: $lexandir is not "rescued")[Right now, however, the most visible feature is the mass of skeletons entangled in a mound of bio-grass.] There's an automated hot dog cart here, (if: $hotdogs is not "have")[looking rather sullen.](else:)[looking pretty stoked.] The cobblestone path on which you stand winds back towards the fountain and deeper into the forest.(if: $lexandir is not "rescued")[ [[Check the Skeletons->SkeletonGrassMass]]] [[Check the Hot Dog Cart->CircusofHotdogs]] [[Check the Lagoon->LagoonofLight]] [[Head Into the Forest->ParkHub3]] [[Head Towards the Fountain->ParkHub1]]]You decide this is probably something you're going to have to deal with sooner or later, so you stride across the uneven landscape. The being throws more GravBoards your way, but you nimbly dodge. With every miss, there is a scream of frustration. You stand at the foot of the concession stand. The silver figure stares coldly down at you. Though it lacks eyes, it seems to be staring into your very soul. (font: "Lucida Console")["Hero. Yes, we see now. Our apologies. But are you worthy of your title?"] You assure him you don't even know what's going on. He nods. (font: "Lucida Console")["Your deeds are known to us. You may yet free us from our torment."] You ask what he...or they...need(s). (font: "Lucida Console")["We are the blood of the fallen. We are the tears of despair. We are a thousand memories of pain, suffering and humiliation. Lost as many, we are now one. A terrible whole, suffering together. We-..."] You ask how much more of this there is. (font: "Lucida Console")["So much more."] Attempting to head things off, you point out that this being appears to be a humanoid mass of nanobots. (font: "Lucida Console")["Indeed. 'Reconstructive Nanos,' as you call them. With each wipeout, faceplant and bail, more of us were left on the unforgiving pavement, each imprinted with the memory of the terrible moment that left us there. We are the every failed grind...every botched kickflip...every broken bone and snapped tendon. You may call us...SKATERGEIST!"] ...You're just going with this. (font: "Lucida Console")["For our suffering to end, you must succeed where our hosts failed. You must show us victory, wonder and glory."] Skatergeist holds a GravBoard aloft. (font: "Lucida Console")["You, Hero...must show us your //RADDEST GRAVBOARD SKILLS!//"] Skatergeist tosses the board to you. You're not sure how to tell him you've never used one before. But hey, //''You got a GravBoard!''//(set: $gravboard to "have")(set: $gaphighscore to 10000)(set: $railhighscore to 10000) [[Back->ParkSkatePark]](set: $SkatePower to (random: 1,$attack)) (if: $SkatePower is 1)[(either: "You lose your balance trying to perform a tricky Inverse Rabbit Grind over the lower ramps. With arms flailing, you tumble to the ground.","You miss the upper rail and tumble in a ragdoll fashion over the back fence. You return alive, but covered in burning bio-grass stains.","As you attempt a 30-degree Ankle Grind, the board slips out from under you and becomes lodged in a nearby treeshroom. You manage to pull it out and wipe off the glowing ichor before it does any permanent damage to the board, or your skin for that matter.","You slip off the board and just barely avoid hitting yourself in the crotch on the rail. You avoid it by hitting the rail with your face, instead.")(if: $aric is not "rescued")[ Skatergeist shakes what you assume is its head. (font: "Lucida Console")["(either: "This is not what we asked for.","Such pain...","Mediocre!","Is this all you can muster?","We expected more.","You waste our time.")"]] //''TRICK FAILED!''// (Score lost!) [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]](else:)[(either: "You grind a full loop around the outside of the park.","You perform a risky Handstand Grind (which is exactly what it sounds like) over the storage crates.","With a series of complex wall-runs, you manage to reach and grind across a highwire mag-rail high above the park.","You execute a 60-40 Grind across the entryway of the GravBoard Park.","You 35-Axis Grind up the railing of the western stairway.","You grind the picnic tables near the concession stand, grabbing and taking a swig from an open tube of GravRush Soda as you go by.","You perform a successful Backbreaker Grind along a row of water fountains, which is just needlessly dangerous.","You perform an Inverted Noseslide, also known as a Tailslide, along the hoverbike racks.") (set: $trickscore to (random: 100,800))(set: $trickcombo to it + 1) ''$trickscore Points!'' (set: $fulltrickscore to it + $trickscore)Current Trick Score: $fulltrickscore x $trickcombo trick combo [[Keep Going!->SkateParkRails]] [[Land It!->SkateParkRailsLand]]](set: $SkatePower to (random: 1,$attack)) (if: $SkatePower is 1)[(either: "You try to execute a 360 Legend Air over the water fountain on the west side of the park, but fail to get the board all the way around your right shoulder in time. You also fail to clear the water fountain. Really, all manner of things went wrong here.","You fly off the largest repulsor ramp you see, hoping to catch some serious air. Unfortunately you overshoot and end up landing in a basketball hoop outside the GravBoard Park. While entertaining in its own way, it's not really what you intended, and you come back in feeling humiliated.","You attempt to do a Reverse Senso-Grab off a repulsor half-pipe, but hold the pose too long and botch the landing. As you tumble to the ground, you hope at least the first part of that looked impressive.")(if: $aric is not "rescued")[ Skatergeist shakes what you assume is its head. (font: "Lucida Console")["(either: "This is not what we asked for.","Such pain...","Mediocre!","Is this all you can muster?","We expected more.","You waste our time.")"]] //''TRICK FAILED!''// (Score lost!) [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]](else:)[(either: "You execute a Flipside 180 off the nearest repulsor ramp. A simple maneuver, but you level off perfectly coming down. You switch into a reverse manual as you land, ready for another trick.","You leap high off the repulsor half-pipes in the back and perform a beautiful Reverse SkullSpin. You remember that move because there was a whole controversy about Skull Cola trying to copyright it. You land perched on the half-pipe's edge, ready to head down and try another jump.","You fly off the nearest repulsor ramp and perform a tricky Mercury Air. You're dizzy afterwards, but manage to straighten yourself out as you're about to land. With all this adrenaline, you feel like you could pull off another trick.","You perform Wellspring Twist off the repulsor ramps by the entrance, grinding atop the GravBoard Park entry sign for good measure. You look out over the park and see a number of possible lines you could chain off of this.","You perform a Double Quartergrab over the picnic tables. A roaming skeleton waves as you as you fly by.","You execute a tricky Pathos Hop off the quarterpipes, even managing to bend your leg all the way back like the pros do.") (set: $trickscore to (random: 100,800))(set: $trickcombo to it + 1) ''$trickscore Points!'' (set: $fulltrickscore to it + $trickscore)Current Trick Score: $fulltrickscore x $trickcombo trick combo [[Keep Going!->SkateParkGap]] [[Land It!->SkateParkGapLand]]](if: $skateletterquest is not "complete")[At the four corners of the GravBoard Park, the letters G, R, A, and V are being holoprojected onto various rails and surfaces to serve as targets boarders to reach. Arguably this encourages much more dangerous GravBoarding practices than the park's insurance should allow, but yours is not to worry about such things. It's said only the best GravBoarders can hit all four letters in one continuous line of tricks. "Best," in this case, is somewhat relative. You get your picture on a wall, at least. You hope on your board and go for the G hanging over the entryway. (set: $SkatePower to (random: 1,$attack))(if: $SkatePower is 1)[Unfortunately, you fail to get enough height off the ramp below and end up slamming into the entrance sign. If it's any consolation, you did hit the G that was written on the sign. //''RUN FAILED!''// You'll have to start over. If this mission is giving you trouble, perhaps there are ways to get better at GravBoarding... [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]](else:)[Spinning into a beautiful Four-Axis Grind, you glide over the top of the entryway sign and pop the G, which shatters into holographic fireworks. Three more to go! [[Continue->SkateParkLetterR]]]](else:)[The little camera drone is still developing your picture from your last run. Let's not overwork it too much. [[Back->SkateParkTricks]]](if: $railhighscore > 10000 and $gaphighscore > 10000 and $skateletterquest is "complete")[As you approach, you notice Skatergeist is looking more formless than before, almost as though he's starting to melt. You stand before him, and with an arm outstretched, you dramatically drop your GravBoard to the pavement. The job is done. (font: "Lucida Console")["Hero...what you have done here is..."] Skatergeist lets out a strange hiss. He becomes a solid silver lump. (font: "Lucida Console")["We are satisfied. We are free. We have seen true GravBoard skills, and we are as nothing before them."] You're almost blushing. (font: "Lucida Console")["We may now move on. Let us catch the sickest air to the skies above this city! Farewell!"] One by one, the nanobots that comprise Skatergeist's body deactivate. He melts away into a pile of useless silver sludge...and someone new is revealed! [[Huh?->AricRescue]]](else:)[You approach Skatergeist and ask specifically what he wants from you. He holds his amorphous arms out over the GravBoard park. (font: "Lucida Console")["You, Hero, must tame this wild pavement! Dominate the high scores of those who have come before. Perform the sickest jumps and the hottest grinds. Also, collect those G-R-A-V letters that are hovering around the park for some reason. That would also be impressive."] You nod. [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]]You ready your [[GravBoard->GravBoardCheck]]. Time to bust a move!(set: $fulltrickscore to 0)(set: $trickcombo to 0) [[Grind the Mag-Rails->SkateParkRails]] (High Score: $railhighscore) (if: $railhighscore > 10000)[(text-color: "yellow")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[Mission Complete!]]] [[Trick Off the Repulsor Ramps->SkateParkGap]] (High Score: $gaphighscore) (if: $gaphighscore > 10000)[(text-color: "yellow")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[Mission Complete!]]] [[Collect the Holo-Projected G-R-A-V Letters->SkateParkLetters]] (if: $skateletterquest is "complete")[(text-color: "yellow")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[Mission Complete!]]] (if: $aric is not "rescued")[[[Check with Skatergeist->SkateParkPain]]] [[Leave->ParkHub1]]This area's pretty big. Lots of good places for skeletons to be hiding. (if: $Lashe is not "saved")[[[Search High->SkateParkShortingDeckhead]]](else:)[[[Talk to Lashe->SkateParkLashe]]] (if: $skateskeletons is not "met")[[[Search Low->SkateParkSkeleMob]]](else:)[[[Enter the Skeleton Encampment->SkateParkSkeleMob]]] [[Search Far->BBallCourt]] (if: $skateanforcer is not "beaten")[[[Search Wide->SkateParkBroken]]] [[End Search->ParkSkatePark]]It looks like a pretty standard board. Null-wave force emitters, inhibitive friction-grips, dynamic impulse gyros, a decal for a band that probably hasn't played in five years...yeah, this all seems standard. You don't have much training with these, but considering the rad stunts you've been pulling up to now, it can't be that hard to throw a board into the mix. [[Back->SkateParkTricks]]You could do with a snack, but there appears to be a small military drone guarding the goods. Military drones come in all shapes and sizes, but they can be recognized by their emphasis on mobility and firepower. The largest military drones are huge, bipedal tanks with howitzers that can put a hole in a steel wall. This, however, appears to be one of the smallest models, and is in fact just a bipedal pistol. As it hops around on its stubby legs, you realize its searching the area for hostiles. Given the way other machines have been acting, you're guessing that would include you. You can probably take it, though. Just keep away from the shooty end.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 3) <center>''[[THE BATTLE BEGINS!->PistolDroneBattle]]''</center>You grab a random pamphlet off the rack. <center>(either: "WHAT IS DAMSEL PARK? Damsel Park is a celebration of nature in all its strange and wonderous forms. Established as a nature preserve to slow the encroachment of urban development, it was only after The Anvil Corporation took control of the park from the Council of Ecology that it really reached its full potential! Now no longer simply a showcase for nature as it is, Damsel Park shows nature as it //could be.// Every day new creations from AnvilGene are transplanted into the park. From the treeshrooms to the bio-grass, every organism here brings our world towards a new genetic era. Look around you! You're seeing the future of nature! The Anvil Corporation hopes you enjoy this wonderful (and free) exhibition!","PARK AFTER DARK SUMMER ROCK-A-THON WELCOMES: DRAGON FLESH Brace for impact, nerds, 'cause tonight, Dragon Flesh frontwoman Sia Nyyde is gonna punch you full in the face! Musically! Witness AnvilCityPrime's hottest band as they tear you apart with sick licks that will make you forget you exist and love it. Your money and lives mean nothing to someone as twisted as Sia Nyyde, but admission is still 70 g-creds just because hell, you'll pay like the corporate slave you are! Won't you? You know you love it! Line up tonight at 9PM if you dare face your glorious musical destruction. It's the best way to die, and the best way to spend an evening on the town. #KILLMESIANYYDE","DON'T FEED THE GRASS Our specialized bio-grass has been designed to feed on a wide variety of ambient minerals and protiens. However, overfeeding can result in uneven landscaping and the possible interweaving of the grass blades into a complex neuro-network capable of limited predatory behavior. Protect the beauty and safety of the park by keeping any food, clothing, medical waste or dead/dying animals outside the reach of the grass when at all possible. Any excessive movement by the grass should be reported to a park security officer. AnvilGene thanks you for your cooperation.","VISIT THE LAGOON OF LIGHT! Nestled in the heart of Damsel Park, enjoy the majesty of the Lagoon of Light! Specialized chemicals donated to this park by The Anvil Corporation cause the lake to emit a soft, soothing glow at all times. The shores are perfect for picnics, so be sure to bring a blanket to separate your snacks from the bio-grass! The waters of the Lagoon of Light are amazing to behold, but please leave them undisturbed. The chemicals that keep it glowing may be harmful on contact with bare or insufficiently-insulated skin. This is all we are legally required to disclose.")</center> [[Back->ParkKiosk]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Military Done (S) Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Steady Aim")[Rolls 3-5]</div> [[Fight!->PisolDroneFight]] [[Flee->PistolDroneFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 3,5))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[You stare down the drone, assuming its staring back at you despite its lack of eyes. BANG! The drone fires just as you leap to the side. It tries to track you for a second shot, but you execute a series of brilliant serpentine maneuver to keep it guessing. As you close the gap, the drone fires wildly and bullets miss your legs and shoulders by inches. Sweat pours down your face and you find yourself standing directly over the armed drone. Then you just kind of punt it into the woods. //''YOU WIN!''// Well, that's done. Let's see what's in these vending machines. [[Continue->ParkKioskVending]](set: $pistoldrone to "beaten")](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[As you run towards the drone, it lines up a shot and fires. You juke your head to the side, but it wasn't aiming at your head. A shot tears through your leg and you stumble to the ground on your face. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[As you look up, you see the drone waddling towards you to finish you off, but you grab it and give it a toss against a nearby pillar. You stand. Your reconstructive nanos will do what they can to close the wound, but you'd better not underestimate this thing too much. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->PistolDroneBattle]]](else:)[ You hear tiny, plinking footsteps running towards you, but by this point you're too weak to look up. Let's just say the next shot doesn't miss either. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->Chap2Reset]]]](else:)[(either: "You throw a rock at the drone but it shoots it out of the air. You do this a few more times, not so much because you expect to hit it, but because it's so cool to watch. You regret it, though, because the target practice appears to have made the drone more confident. (set: $Threat to it + 1)//Enemy Threat Level Up!//","You execute a series of complicated dodge-moves around the various pillars of the kiosk. The drone fires wildly at you, but only succeeds in expecting a large amount of its ammunition. You notice, with its ammo low, it's firing more cautiously now. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","You slide in close and stomp on the drone. It appears to be resistant to stomping damage, though, which makes a lot of sense in retrospect.","You pull a letter off the metal sign over the information kiosk and throw it at the drone. However, your throw lacks force because you couldn't think of a good pun to go with the letter you chose.","You try to intimidate the drone. You see a slight moment of hesitation from the drone, but it stands strong. Looks like it has something to prove.") (either:"The drone reloads.","The drone tries to shoot out a branch overhead to make it fall on you. It succeeds, but the branch is pretty light. Only after a few seconds do you even realize that was an attempt to hurt you.","The drone fires wildly at you but only succeeds in putting a hole in a nearby water fountain. As water sprays out, you consider an elaborate plan to get the drone into the water stream and short it out, but decide just kicking it would probably be enough.","The drone fires at you, missing wide and knocking itself over backward. It's actually kind of adorable to watch, but you manage to regain your wits as it gets to its feet.","The drone warbles something in an electronic voice and fires on you. As you roll to the side, you realize that was probably some kind of action movie line it just quoted.") [[Continue->PistolDroneBattle]]]You hit the deck just as the tiny gun-bot fires off a round that chips the fountain behind you. This may be a little more than you want to take on at the moment. The force of the shot appears to have knocked the drone on its back, and as it struggles to right itself you take the opportunity to back off. By the time it stands, it appears to have lost interest in you. Looks like it only cares about anything in its immediate area. [[Continue->ParkHub1]]The vending machines seem to be in more-or-less working order. It's not much of a prize for what you went though to access them, but you may as well buy something. [[Use the Snack Machine->ParkSnackMachine]] (if: $watertube is not "have")[[[Use the Drink Machine->ParkDrinkMachine]]](else:)[(link: "Use the Drink Machine")[(font: "Lucida Console")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")["ALL ITEMS SOLD OUT!"]]]]] [[Use the Coffee Machine->ParkCoffeeMachine]] (if: $coffeeskeletons is not "have")[(Be aware, this machine is shaking for some reason.)] [[Back->ParkHub1]]In a second, the world around you fades. You feel your body bathed in light. (either: "It is as though a very exasperated force of pure goodness has imparted some of its power to you.","You hear a slightly annoyed voice calling you back to life.","Your flesh and bones are mended by an entity you can somehow tell would rather be doing something else.","With a heavy sigh, your soul is carried through the void.","You feel yourself being dragged by the leg through an ethereal expanse.","A soft, beautiful voice calls out that it isn't your time. It's rather accusatory in tone.","You feel healing waters being violently splashed onto your body.","There's a sound like someone muttering, then snapping their fingers. Immediately you feel your wounds heal.") You open your eyes. You're in the plaza at the entrance to the park. Looking around, it doesn't seem any of the skeletons noticed you appear here. You shrug and stand, pleased to at least be alive. (set: $dc to it + 1) [[Back to Skeletons->ParkIntroZone]]You gracefully land, finishing off your awesome GravBoard session by kicking the board up into your hand. Your Score Was: $fulltrickscore x $trickcombo trick combo (set: $gapscore to ($fulltrickscore * $trickcombo))(set: $fulltrickscore to 0)(set: $trickcombo to 0) Final Score: $gapscore Points! (if: $gapscore > $gaphighscore)[//''NEW HIGH SCORE!!''//(set: $gaphighscore to $gapscore)(if: $aric is not "rescued")[ Skatergeist nods appreciatively (font: "Lucida Console")["Such sweet moves...such awesome lines...Hero, we are pleased by this."]]](else:)[(if: $aric is not "rescued")[Skatergest sighs. (font: "Lucida Console")["We had hoped for...more, perhaps?"] You grumble. What's it going to take to impress this guy.](else:)[Hmm. Didn't beat your high score, though.]] [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]As you step off the cobblestone path to approach the green mass, the skeletons within shout at you to stop. "Hold, adventurer! Come no closer!" Shouting from the curb, you ask what's happening to them. "We cannot be certain! It's as though the grass itself is possessed! We were saving some civilians from those machines that are overrunning the land when the grass rose up and entangled us!" You explain, as simply as you can, that AnvilGene's specially-engineered bio-grass feeds on dead plant and animal matter. "I see! A bother for us, then! The grass knows we're dead, and it won't let us free until it gets some meat off us! Oh, if only Captain Lexandir could guide our way..." You ask where Captain Lexandir is. "Oh, he's in here! He's at the center of us and his voice is too muffled for anyone to hear!" You sigh and mutter something about the trajectory of your day. "What!?" You shout for them not to worry, and that you'll find a way to free them. "Our thanks, hero!" (set: $plantquest to "have") [[Continue->ParkHub2]] (if: $blanketpath is not "yes")[As you go to approach the skeletons, they warn you back. "Come no further! The grass here hungers for flesh!" Hmmm...(set: $blanketpath to "need") [[Back->ParkHub2]]](else:)[You walk along the blankets up to the pile of ensnared skeletons. "Hero! Have you found anything that will free us? We must return to the battle!" (if: $hotdogs is "have")[You nod. After unwrapping a couple synthetic hot dogs, you toss them up to the top of the pile. The grass slowly grows itself around the synthetic meat. You hear strange squishing and sucking sounds as the grass does...whatever it does to consume its prey. And then, the grass recoils violently. Its strands begin to convulse and wither, freeing the trapped skeletons. As you watch, the entire mass turns brown and crumbles to dust, blowing away on the wind and leaving the skeletons freed. You're //really// glad you didn't eat those. [[Continue->LexandirRescue]]](else:)[You dig through your pockets. Hmmm...(if: $bball is "have")[ (link: "Use Basketball")[Bonk! Bonk! Tossing the basketball at it does nothing but annoy the knights within.]](if: $hose is "have")[ (link: "Use Hose")[You have a skeleton grab the hose and attempt to pull him free, but he's in there too tightly.]](if: $cabtire is "have")[ (link: "Use Tire")[You...no. What? No, the tire does nothing.]](if: $gravboard is "have")[ (link: "Use GravBoard")[You don't want to risk losing your GravBoard.]](if: $toxictube is "have")[ (link: "Use Glowing Water")[That would probably just make things worse.]] [[Back->ParkHub2]]]](if: $hotdogs is not "have")[(if: $hotdogquest is not "have")[The cart is rather old-looking, stylized to look like a traveling circus wagon. The words "Circus of Hot Dogs" are written on the side in peeling paint. Automated but clearly not possessed, the cart stares sadly at the ground with its large, cartoonish eyes. As you approach, it looks up at you and tries to muster some cheer. (font: "Lucida Console")["Well, hey there! Can I interest you in a delicious Anvil-brand hot dog? They're made with 100% synthetic protein!"] [[Yes->HotDogQuest]] [[No->HotDogLeaveSad]]](else:)[The cart smiles as you approach. (font: "Lucida Console")["Hey there!"] [[Offer Something->HotDogCrafting]] [[Repeat Riddles->HotDogRiddles]] [[Leave->HotDogLeaveSad]]]](else:)[The cart looks over at you as you approach. (font: "Lucida Console")["Need anything else? I could put some grilled onions on those dogs if you want."] You ask if they're also synthetic. (font: "Lucida Console")["Yep! Same synthetic polymer they use to make contact lenses, if I recall."] You shudder and decline. [[Continue->ParkHub2]]](if: $stagequest is not "have")[The path winds its way to an overgrown courtyard littered with nutri-beer tubes, spent glowsticks and discarded clothing. At the far end is a temporary stage. It seems there was some sort of concert here last night. Currently on stage, however, a small group of AnForcer drones is locked in combat with a small legion of skeletal warriors. The AnForcers are outnumbered and the skeletons are outgunned, so neither side seems to be winning this melee at the moment. A skeletal knight in ornate red armor calls to you from amidst the chaos. "Hero! Do not approach! We will defend you!" [[Continue->StageQuest]]](else:)[You're in the courtyard at the far side of the park from the entrance. It's littered with the vaguely-sticky leavings of a rock concert held last night. (if: $brandtin is not "rescued")[On the stage at the back, an army of skeletons are locked in combat with a small number of AnForcer drones. There's a control panel a few feet in front of the stage that might allow you to help them somehow. [[Use the Control Panel->StagePanel]]](else:)[The stage is looking a little beat-up, with the severed head of a mechanical dragon front-and-center. You feel kinda sad you missed whatever show that was.] [[Sift Through the Litter->ParkLitter]] [[Check Behind the Stage->ParkRangerStation]](if: $grasslore is "have" and $stagegrass is not "rescued")[ [[Inspect an Odd Knot of Grass->ParkHub3Grass]]] [[Head Back Towards the Lagoon->ParkHub2]]]You're not hungry, but looking at the mass of grass behind you, you start to formulate a plan. You place an order for one synthetic hot dog. The cart suddenly looks on the verge of tears. (font: "Lucida Console")["Well...I'm sorry but...I'm out! I'm all out! For the first time in thirty years, I'm out! Are you happy? Does it make you happy to hear that? To hear I'm at my lowest point!?"] You place your hands, somewhat randomly, on the cart to urge it to calm down. (font: "Lucida Console")["I'm sorry. It's just...this has never happened before. My regulation synth-paste that I use to make hot dogs is all used up, and with cyberspace down I can't call AnvilHQ for more! I feel so...helpless..."] You ask if you can get some synth-paste. (font: "Lucida Console")["You'd do that!? Oh, but I could never ask you to hoof it all the way to the warehouse. However..."] The cart gets a crafty look. You cautiously ask it to continue. (font: "Lucida Console")["Lots of things are made out of synthetic protein, nowadays. There are certain objects which, in a pinch, can be used to make synth-paste."] You're increasingly horrified by where this is going. (font: "Lucida Console")["If you bought me some...ingredients, I could cook up a new batch of hot dogs right away! Could you do that?"] You sigh and agree, noting that at least it won't be //you// eating these. (font: "Lucida Console")["Okay! Now, my programming forbids me from directly telling you the objects that can be converted into synth-paste, but...I'm just going to give you some riddles to think about. If anything comes to mind, maybe bring it back here, you got it?"] [[Continue->HotDogQuest2]]The cart's "face" falls. (font: "Lucida Console")["Okay. Enjoy the rest of your day."] [[Continue->ParkHub2]]The cart perks up. (font: "Lucida Console")["Hey! Do you have the ingredients I asked fo-...I mean, did you bring me anything for no reason?"] (if: $hose is "have" and $bball is "have" and $cabtire is "have")[You drop the basketball, hose and tire on the ground in front of the cart. Though it lacks the mouth, the cart contorts itself as best it can into a beaming grin. (font: "Lucida Console")["Excellent! We'll be back in business in no time!"] Suddenly, the front of the cart unfolds to reveal a dizzying array of whirling, steel blades, each one spinning up with metallic whine. (font: "Lucida Console")["Quick, toss 'em all in! I'll handle the rest!"] You shove the objects into the blades. The cart folds back up and you hear muffled sounds of grinding and chopping from within. The cart tries to look nonchalant. (font: "Lucida Console")["La la la, la la la...This is probably legal but I want to do it quickly anyway...la la la..."] Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...DING! The cart extends its display racks and they are once again stocked with (admittedly yummy-looking) hot dogs. (font: "Lucida Console")["Hooray! You did it! I've got enough stock of synth-paste to last for days, now! Here, take some of these for your trouble!"] The cart ejects an armload of foil-wrapped hot dogs at you. You grab them out of the air quickly. //''You got Synthetic Hot Dogs!''//(set: $hotdogs to "have") Looking a dog over, you ask if they're safe to eat. (font: "Lucida Console")["Heck, I dunno. They fit my internal quality specifications, but then again the concept of eating is entirely alien to me."] ...You thank him. Now, time to sling these hot dogs at things. [[Continue->ParkHub2]]](else:)[You start to take inventory of when you have, but the cart stops you. (font: "Lucida Console")["No, don't bother. I need //all three// items at once. You don't have them all, yet."] You ask why he would need all three at once. (font: "Lucida Console")["The same reason we shouldn't be talking about this any more than we have to. Now go! I think those skeletons can see us!"] The cart nudges forward to shoo you away. [[Continue->ParkHub2]]]You ask the cart to repeat those "riddles." (font: "Lucida Console")["Stumped, huh? Well listen real careful this time!"] You want to protest that you just forgot one, but whatever. (font: "Lucida Console")["First riddle! I am orange and black. I am round and bouncy. My name is what I'm used for...and also ends in '-asketball.' What am I?"] Right. (font: "Lucida Console")["Second riddle! I'm green like a snake, long like a snake and I coil like a snake, but you hook me up to a faucet and pump water through me. What am I?"] Right. (font: "Lucida Console")["Final riddle! You'll never 'tire' when-..."] And the tire one, right. You tell him you've got it. (font: "Lucida Console")["I see. Well, good luck out there."] [[Back->CircusofHotdogs]]This seems needless, but sure. (font: "Lucida Console")["Okay! Here's the first riddle."] The cart feigns clearing its throat. (font: "Lucida Console")["I am orange and black. I am round and bouncy. My name is what I'm used for...and also ends in '-asketball.' What am I?"](set: $bball to "need") ...You nod. (font: "Lucida Console")["Second riddle! I'm green like a snake, long like a snake and I coil like a snake, but you hook me up to a faucet and pump water through me. What am I?"](set: $hose to "need") ...You...nod again. (font: "Lucida Console")["Final riddle!"] You're sighing and rubbing your forehead. (font: "Lucida Console")["You'll never 'tire' when you're rolling with me! I'm the-..."](set: $cabtire to "need") A tire. It's a tire. You assure the cart that you get it. (font: "Lucida Console")["Why, who said anything about a tire?"] You grumble and insist you'll get him what you need. (set: $hotdogquest to "have") (font: "Lucida Console")["Hurry back! There's gonna be a lunch rush!"] [[Continue->ParkHub2]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Vengeful Cab Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Furious Charge")[Fighters must only beat their opponent's roll by 2 to win.]</div> [[Fight!->CabFight]] [[Flee->CabFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 2)[The cab lowers its engine noise to a growl, glaring at you with its highbeams. You give a cold stare back, flexing up your physical enhancement nanos. The cab charges and you leap into the air. Landing on its roof, you turn and drop into a sitting position, hooking your legs into its open windows. As the cab bucks and tosses, you hold firm, occasionally giving it a reassuring pat on the windshield to calm it down. Slowly, the cab calms itself. You dismount cautiously, and insist to the cab that you mean its kind no harm. Sheepishly, the cab backs away from you, then turns and drives off into the wilds of the city. If you had a hat, you'd wave with it, but you don't so you just wave with your hand. //''YOU WIN!''// Okay, what were you even doing? Oh right, the tire. [[Continue->CabTire]](set: $pistoldrone to "beaten")](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 2)[The cab lets out a mighty honk and charges with all its might. There's no time to get out of the way. You attempt to do a slick dive maneuver under the cab to pull out its axel or something similarly important, but end up just getting run over. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[ As you pull yourself up from the pavement, you check to make sure all your bones are in place. They are...this time. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->CabBattle]]](else:)[ The last sound you hear is the cab's automated emergency announcement stating (font: "Lucida Console")["You have been in an automobile accident. Please remain still while emergency personnel are summoned,"] as the cab backs over you. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->Chap2Reset]]]](else:)[(either: "You taunt the cab to try and make it charge into a tree, but you only insult its intelligence. (set: $Threat to it + 1)//Enemy Threat Level Up!//","You try to trick the cab into charging into a wall, but it doesn't believe the tunnel you hastily painted on in black paint is real.","As the cab passes, you attempt to kick its rear-view mirror off. You miss, and in retrospect you realize that kicking its mirror off probably wouldn't actually hurt it in any meaningful way. It just seemed like a good idea at the time.","You attempt to kick your way into the cab through the windshield as it charges you, but just end up sliding up over the roof.","You trick the cab into running into a fire hydrant. It's not damaged all that much by the impact, but the water flying everywhere makes this scene more dramatic, at least.") (either:"The cab attempts to make you cry with a cloud of exhaust. Unfortunately its engine is surprisingly clean burning. You only even know what it was trying to do because of this narration.","The cab uses a set of hydraulics to try and pounce on you. Unfortunately it can only hop a short distance with them and falls way short. You can see it considering hopping again to close the gap further but then giving up just as quickly.","The cab awkwardly tries to sideswipe you with a drifting maneuver. It misses by a mile, making you wonder why it would ever attempt something like that when ramming is more direct. It seems to be wondering the same thing, honestly.","The cab lets out a deafening honk. Okay, it's not actually deafening. Really, it's just a little louder than you'd like. You can, at worst, say you're annoyed.","The cab attempts to slam your hand in one of its doors, but it can't convince you to get close no matter what sick jams it plays on its radio.") [[Continue->CabBattle]]]You leap out of the way of the oncoming cab. It fishtails wildly to double-back, but by the time it rights itself you're nowhere to be seen. Only after several minutes, when the cab has driven off in confusion, do you poke your head up from the bench on which you'd been lying prone. Perhaps now isn't the best time to tangle with an irate motorvehicle. [[Continue->ParkIntroZone]]With a mighty heave you manage to pull a tire off the wreckage of the crashed GoGo Cab. //''You got a tire!''// (set: $cabtire to "have") We'll forego a detailed explanation of how you're going to be carrying this massive tire with you going forward. Just imagine you put it down in a safe place whenever you do something cool, then pick it back up again afterwards. Can you do that? Good. [[Continue->ParkIntroZone]]You climb to the top of the far half-pipe to get a better view of the park. As you near the top, you hear unsettling sounds of rattling and gurgling. Lying on top of the half-pipe rim, you find a deckhead with a badly malfunctioning cranial rig. As her ramshackle headgear sparks and sizzles, she just twitches and rolls around. "Her(text-style: "shudder")[o]...f-find...d(font: "Lucida Console")[estr]oy..." That helmet needs to come off, but it could be dangerous. (if: $watertube is "have")[You pull the tube of water you got from the vending machine out of your pocket and pour it onto the deckhead's rig. Immediately the helmet sizzles and shorts out for good, leaving its wearer unharmed. //''You got an empty tube!''//(set: $tubes to it + 1) We're still doing that? Well, anyway, you help her sit up as she removes her headgear. She looks confused. "Urgh...what happened...?" You explain to her that an ancient demon was trying to subsume her consciousness via cyberspace and turn her into a mindless, anarchistic agent of destruction. "Whoa. That's pretty metal." You can't help but concede that it is. "Well, I don't have nothin' to give ya' but...thanks! My name's Lashe. If you need anything, lemme know."(set: $Lashe to "saved") [[Continue->SkateParkSearch]]](else:)[You don't have anything on you that could help, at least not in any way you can figure out. [[Continue->SkateParkSearch]]]Through a rusted gate in the back of the GravBoard Park, you stumble into a desolate basketball court. (if: $bball is "have")[Not much else to do, here.](elseif: $bball is "need")[Ah, there's one of the "ingredients" you were looking for! You grab the lone, discarded basketball from the middle of the court. //''You got a basketball!''//(set: $bball to "have") You look around expectantly for some kind of fight or puzzle to happen, but the court is as empty as it ever was. You sigh, contented. It's about time something was easy.](else:)[A lone basketball sits in the middle of the court. Seems like someone had to abandon their game in a hurry. You don't see much else of interest here.](if: $grasslore is "have" and $bballgrass is not "rescued")[ Out past the court, though, you notice movement in the grass. [[Investigate the Grass->BBallGrass]]] [[Back->SkateParkSearch]]You check the fences around the back of the GravBoard park. Nothing here but broken glass and some discarded backs of Flato Chips. Suddenly, a hulking AnForcer robot jumps down from atop a nearby ramp, head-mounted sirens blaring. (font: "Lucida Console")["HALT_CRIMINAL! DROP_YOUR_WEAPON!"] You're not sure which of your many inventory items it's referring to, but it quickly ceases to matter. (font: "Lucida Console")["NONCOMPLIANCE_DETECTED! I_AM_NOW_AUTHORIZED_TO_USE_EXCESSIVE_FORCE!"] The AnForcer's massive arsenal of completely-necessary weaponry unfolds from its body. Looks like going quietly is no longer an option.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 7) <center>[[GRAVBOARDING IS NOT A CRIME!->SkateAnForcerBattle]]</center>(set: $skateskeletons to "met")(if: $aric is not "rescued")[Ah! Skeletons! Yes, out behind an overturned drink machine you find a small division of skeletal solders camped out. At the sight of you, they stand and salute. "Hero, you've arrived! Do you have any news or Captain Aric?" You ask about this "Captain Aric." "Our squad's leader. We were attacked by a strange metal ooze and he disappeared in the struggle. We've camped out here and have been sending search parties to locate him." You tell them Nikolas needs them for the final assault. "What? No. No, we cannot abandon our captain! Tell Nikolas to hold for a moment's time. Captain Aric //must// be alive!" ...Alive? "Well, you know what I mean." You actually don't, but whatever. [[Back->SkateParkSearch]]](else:)[Ah! Skeletons! Yes, out behind an overturned drink machine you find a small division of skeletal solders camped out. At the sight of you, they stand and salute. "Hero, you've arrived! Do you have any news or Captain Aric?" You ask about this "Captain Aric." "Our squad's leader. We were attacked by a strange metal ooze and he disappeared in the struggle. We've camped out here and have been sending search parties to locate him." You describe the clumsy blue-armored knight who emerged from Skatergeist. "Ah! You rescued him! Is he here?" You explain where he went. "O-oh. Well, surely he expects us to have returned to Nikolas as well. Captain Aric wouldn't simply abandon his men." You reassure the skeletons. Of course their leader would never do that. "Come on, everyone! Let us make haste!" The skeletons run in a disorganized mob towards the plaza. //''You got 30 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 30)(set: $parkskelemob to "have") [[Continue->SkateParkSearch]]](if: $vendinglunch is not "eaten")[Confirming your identity via thumbprint, you find you have enough g-creds left on your account to afford a small but filling lunch of junk food from the machine. (Just go with it. Your currency isn't a stat that gets tracked between episodes.) You load up your arms with nano-crisps, gel-gummies and synth-pops, sitting down on a nearby bench to enjoy your meal. You recall with a chuckle that you used to do this exact same thing as a kid. You'd come to the park, load up on vended goodies and watch the park custodians repair the fountain. Then afterwards you'd pick dead spiders off the treeshrooms and flick them into the bio-grass to get swallowed. Good times. Your degestion nanos have to work overtime to turn this meal into anything useful for your body, but the memories of gentler times have renewed your resolve. You feel tougher. (text-color: "blue")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Resolve Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1) (set: $vendinglunch to "eaten")](else:)[At the mere sight of the machine, your digestion nanos start to bang on your intestinal walls with pleas for mercy. You probably shouldn't eat any more from that thing.] [[Continue->ParkKioskVending]]You press your thumb to the machine to confirm your account, but it doesn't read. Looks like someone else ran off without making a selection. Huh. Well, free drink, apparently! -------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[<font size="40">''STUFFBASKET RE:FRESHMENT STATION''</font> "Yeah, we'll make vendine machines! Why not?" What'll you have? (link: "Skull Cola")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[SOLD OUT!]]] (link: "Skull Cola Lite")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[SOLD OUT!]]] (link: "Skull Cola InFUZED")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[SOLD OUT!]]] (link: "Lost Leaf Iced Tea")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[SOLD OUT!]]] (link: "CORE Energy Drink")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[SOLD OUT!]]] (link: "Crystal Q")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[SOLD OUT!]]] (link: "Mirthena Farms Lemonade")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[SOLD OUT!]]] [[Simulated Springs Water->ParkDrinkWaterBottle]] (link: "Double-Milk")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[SOLD OUT!]]]] ---------------------(if: $coffeeskeletons is not "have")[You approach the vibrating coffee machine with some caution. It's possible it was loaded with some kind of jittery personality matrix as part of a promotional stunt, but that seems almost too clever for the Anvil Corporation's marketing team. Suddenly, a storm of skeletons bursts forth. "DIE, CRETIN! YOU SHA-...Oh. It's...oh. It's you." The skeletal warriors drop from attack formation. "We were planning to ambush that strange, walking revolver. Is it still around?" You explain that you kicked it. "...Very good. You...uh...are indeed the hero we needed..." You let them know they need to return to Nikolas for the final assault. "Yes. Yes! We will restore our honor on the field of battle! Men, to arms!" With renewed purpose, the skeletons charge towards the entry plaza. //''You got 10 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 10)(set: $coffeeskeletons to "have")](else:)[Yeah, that coffee machine isn't going to work anymore.] [[Back->ParkKioskVending]]THUNK! A tube of ice-cold water drops from the machine. You really don't want any to drink, though. Skull Cola and Nutri-Beer have spoiled you for such simple fluids. Maybe someone else will want it. //''You got a Tube of Water''//(set: $watertube to "have") [[Continue->ParkKioskVending]]You climb up to the top of the half-pipe to talk to Lashe. She's sitting where she was, still recovering. "Hey. Need something?" [[Ask for GravBoarding Tips->LasheBoardingPractice]] [[Ask for Inventory Items->LasheHints]] [[Back->SkateParkSearch]]"Sure. I board. I can help you out." Sure enough, she pulls over her GravBoard which you hadn't noticed was next to her earlier. "The way I see it, boarding is a lot like fighting. You pull off a lot of big, flashy moves and look awesome doing 'em, and then maybe someone ends up hurt. You got me?" ...You kinda do? "Just think of your board like a weapon. You gotta be wild with it, but you also gotta keep it under control. Make your board a part of you. Also, maybe hit stuff with it. I dunno." This isn't really-... "What I'm saying is...uh...strongness. I mean, right?" ARGH! Okay, I'm taking over this tutorial! Look, how good you are at GravBoarding is directly related to your ATK power. More attack means you'll be less likely to screw up tricks. Got it? "...Who're you talking to." You're...honestly not sure. But you feel like you have a better handle on GravBoarding. (if: $boardpractice is not "done")[With this new knowledge in mind, you do a little practice run on the half-pipe. You swing your body and your board aggressively, and by the end you feel not only ready to ride, but ready for a fight as well. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Sick Moves Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1) (set: $boardpractice to "done") ][[Continue->SkateParkLashe]]"Sorry. Nothin' on me but a GravBoard, and it looks like you already have a better one." (if: $bball is "need")[You ask if she knows where you can find a basketball. "There's a basketball court right behind this GravBoard Park. I'm not sure how you get in there from this side. Just look around, I guess." ](if: $hose is "need")[You ask if she knows where to find a length of hose. "Like...for water or for legs?" You specify. "Oh, then I dunno. They'd have to have one, though, right? You gotta water the grass and stuff. I'd look for a shed or something. None around here, though." ](if: $cabtire is "need")[You ask if she knows where to find a tire. "A car, I would think. You jackin' tires or something?" You explain you'd rather not. "Well, when stuff started going nuts, I know a lot of cars crashed. Sure they wouldn't miss one." You wonder where you might have seen a car crash... ][[Back->SkateParkLashe]]You can't help but ask. "Huh? Nah, Lashe isn't my name. It's a handle. Nickname. I guess I wanted something tough, but also kinda...dominatrix-tough? You know how one of those might have a whip? Kinda wanted to suggest that. But then 'Lash' looked weird for a girl's name so I put an 'e' on the end. It has an 'e' on the end, by the way. I know that doesn't come across when I say it out loud, but it does. L-A-S-S-E...I mean, L-A-S...H-E. It's H-E." Your curiosity is satisfied. [[Back->SkateParkLashe]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Theta-Class AnForcer Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Riot Armor")[Tough, but clashes often weaken.]</div> [[Fight!->SkateAnForcerFight]] [[Flee->SkateAnForcerFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 4)[Enraged, the AnForcer stomps the ground, sending out a shockwave that causes the pavement around it to rise and crack. You struggle to keep your footing, but as you scan the terrain ahead of you, a plan forms in your mind. With a running start, you hop on your GravBoard and fly off the nearest incline. The Anforcer fires upon you, but you leap and flip with precision, rebounding off the fences and keeping your brilliant line going. With a final ollie, you execute a powerful frontflip and drive your board directly into the back of the AnForcer's head. As you jump down, the hulking robot sparks and convulses before falling to the ground with a mighty crash. //''YOU WIN!''// Though it takes some effort, you manage to pull your GravBoard back out of the AnForcer's corpse. That's one less crazy robot hassling the citizenry. [[Continue->SkateAnForcerLoot]](set: $skateanforcer to "beaten")](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 4)[Leaping to the side, the hulking AnForcer manages to corner you against the fences. There's nowhere to run as it levels its arsenal at you and fires. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[You're pelted with taser-wires and zapped to the ground. Your reconstructive nanos manage to get you on your feet just in time to avoid the AnForcer's follow-up attack. You're alive, but your head is full of sparks. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->SkateAnForcerBattle]]](else:)[ You're fatally shot through the chest with an armor-piercing beanbag round. As you drop to the ground, the only consolation you can think of is that this act of AnForcer brutality will probably end up on the news at some point. So there's that. //''YOU HAVE DIED,''// but there's that. [[Continue->Chap2Reset]]]](else:)[(either: "You slide under the AnForcer's legs and rip out one of the tubes in its back. It appears to just be a coolant tube, and not all that vital, but at least you've slowed it down a little. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","You wallrun along the fence and manage to kick off a section of the AnForcer's armor. It was a really good kick. The armor isn't just flimsy or anything. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","You trick the AnForcer into attacking the supports of an overhanging halfpipe. The halfpipe collapses on the AnForcer's head, and when the irate robot re-emerges its missing a piece of its armor. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","You try to jump-kick the AnForcer but it effortlessly uppercuts you out of the air. After the Ninja Riots two years back, it seems the AnForcers' anti-air game was stepped up a little.","Just punching the AnForcer has no effect. You didn't expect it to, but you might as well be sure.") (either:"The AnForcer wards you back with its riot-control flamethrower, but you manage to avoid being backed into a corner.","The AnForcer deploys a series of flashbangs, but the sound and fury has no result.","The AnForcer fires tear gas, but at best it's only slightly depressing.","The AnForcer fires a barrage of rubber bullets from a high-powered minigun. You barely dodge as the ramp behind you is pulverized.","The AnForcer tries to garotte you with a pair on handcuffs. It's around this point that it becomes really obvious there's an issue with this city's law enforcement.") [[Continue->SkateAnForcerBattle]]]There's no way you can fight this thing. In a last-ditch effort to save your skin, you put your hands up and lie on the ground, surrendering. At the sight of this, the AnForcer suddenly freezes in place. After a moment, you look up and see it twitching with confusion. (font: "Lucida Console")["CALL_ERROR! BAD_PATH! PROTOCOL_arrest.exe_DOES_NOT_EXIST! PLEASE_CONTACT_AN_ANVILCORP_REPRESENTATIVE!"] Deciding not to unpack that statement, you use this momentary distraction to make yourself scarce. As you return to the center of the park, the AnForcer doesn't appear to be in pursuit. Man, robots have terrible attention spans. [[Continue->SkateParkSearch]]As you prepare to leave, you notice movement under the upturned pavement. The ground heaves and several skeletal warriors rise from the ground right before your eyes. On sight of you, they bow. "Pardon our late arrival. Our graves were paved over and we could not rise when called. It's amazing you were able to find us, Hero." You...decide to take full credit for that. "Now, what is our charge? Does the cathedral still stand." You explain that it probably does, and that Nikolas is preparing for a final assault. "Nikolas? //He's// in charge? Clearly we should have risen sooner. Let's go to his aid, men!" //''You got 15 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 15) [[Continue->SkateParkSearch]]You gracefully land in front of Skatergeist, finishing off your awesome GravBoard session by kicking the board up into your hand. Your Score Was: $fulltrickscore x $trickcombo trick combo (set: $railscore to ($fulltrickscore * $trickcombo))(set: $fulltrickscore to 0)(set: $trickcombo to 0) Final Score: $railscore Points! (if: $railscore > $railhighscore)[//''NEW HIGH SCORE!!''//(set: $railhighscore to $railscore)(if: $aric is not "rescued")[ Skatergeist nods appreciatively. (font: "Lucida Console")["Truly, you grind with the grace of the Gods."]]](else:)[(if: $aric is not "rescued")[Skatergest sighs. (font: "Lucida Console")["Not enough. We must see truly sick grinds to move on..."] You grumble. What's it going to take to impress this guy?](else:)[Not as good as before...]] [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]The letter R is suspended over a large gap between two repulsor ramps. You'd think they would put the G there, for "Gap," but you're probably thinking about this harder than whoever placed the letters. (set: $SkatePower to (random: 1,$attack))(if: $SkatePower is 1)[You make a mighty leap, so mighty that you overshoot the letter. You attempt to reach back and grab it as you fly past, but this only unbalances you and causes you to crash upon landing. //''RUN FAILED!''// The G returns where it was. You'll have to start over. If this mission is giving you trouble, perhaps there are ways to get better at GravBoarding... [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]](else:)[You manage to execute a stunning frontflip through the R, causing it to pop into holographic bubbles. Man, bubbles don't have to do with the letter R, either! I guess you could say the R stand for rotation, because you...rotated through it... Whatever. There are two letters left! [[Continue->SkateParkLetterA]]]The letter A is against a stone wall at the back of the park, requiring some manner of wallride in order to grab. While it looks simple, there are visible indentations in the pavement below that tell a story of just how tricky this one actually is. (set: $SkatePower to (random: 1,$attack))(if: $SkatePower is 1)[And, in turn, you end up leaving your own dent in the pavement when you lose traction on your board mid-jump. Okay, you don't actually it hard enough to tear up a section of road, but let's try to pretend at least something was accomplished, here. //''RUN FAILED!''// The G and R return to their original positions. You'll have to start over. If this mission is giving you trouble, perhaps there are ways to get better at GravBoarding... [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]](else:)[Though you don't have much experience with wallriding on GravBoards, your experience running on walls during your various awesome fight sequences serves you well. The A pops into holographic mist as you slide through it. Only one more to go! [[Continue->SkateParkLetterV]]]The final letter, the letter V, hovers high in the air atop an Anvil Corporation billboard at the front corner of the park. It's really just a lawsuit waiting to happen, and worst of all they missed the chance to have the V be the "v" in "Anvil." That would have worked so much better. (set: $SkatePower to (random: 1,$attack))(if: $SkatePower is 1)[You figure your best bet is to get air off the quarter-pipe at the bottom of the billboard. Getting up a good head of steam, you ramp off the pipe and travel up...up...up...about three-quarters up the billboard and then crash onto the ground. //''RUN FAILED!''// (And so close!) The G, R and A return to their original positions. You'll have to start over. If this mission is giving you trouble, perhaps there are ways to get better at GravBoarding... [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]](else:)[It would be nearly impossible to jump up there from the ramps below, but looking around, you concoct a better solution. With an elaborate series of jumps and wallrides, you get up on top of the fence surrounding the GravBoard Park. In an amazing display of balance, you manage to grind the fence all the way around the park. From there, it's a relatively trivial hop to transfer onto the billboard. The V bursts in a holographic explosion as you pull to a stop. You stand atop the billboard triumphant. Skatergeist gazes up at you in amazement. (font: "Lucida Console")["The G-R-A-V Letters! We...would never have dreamed..."] You almost see a tear form where the being's eye would be.(set: $skateletterquest to "complete") Just before you dismount, a little camera done hovers up and snaps a shot of you to put on the GravBoard Park wall. [[Continue->SkateParkTricks]]]Approaching rather calmly (as the AnForcers don't seem to have noticed you) you ask if the skeleton army needs any help. "Not at all! This is the kind of fight I live fo-OW!" The red knight takes a chain-baton to the face mid-sentence. "Gutless automaton! You'll pay for that!" The futile fighting continues. It looks like these skeletons are going to need a hand whether they want to admit it or not.(set: $stagequest to "have")(set: $stagey to "lower")(set: $stagex to "left") [[Continue->ParkHub3]]This is the panel the stage crew uses to control the various stage elements during performances. Unfortunately, as tends to be the case, all the buttons have withered masking tape labels with cryptic shorthands scribbled on them in place of anything useful. (if: $commandroneintro is not "yes")[Up on stage, you notice that the AnForcers are all being coordinated by a small CommanDrone. If you could find a way to take that drone out, the stalemate would be broken.(set: $commandroneintro to "yes")] Currently, the CommanDrone is at the $stagey $stagex of the stage. What button will you press? [["ulas"->UpperLasers]] <center>[["rspk"->RightSpeaker]]</center> <div align="right">[["dmn"->StageDemonEyes]]</div> [["bub"->StageBubbles]] <center>[["banr"->StageBanner]]</center> <div align="right">[["pop1"->LeftPyro]]</div> [["pop2"->RightPyro]] <center>[["lspk"->LeftSpeaker]]</center> <div align="right">[["sprk"->StageSpark]]</div> [["spt"->StageSpots]] <center>[["gas(!)"->StageGas]]</center> <div align="right">[["fmjt"->StageFoam]]</div> [[Or just go back->ParkHub3]](if: $litterpoint is not "have")[The hungry bio-grass has already consumed all the dropped snacks and alcohol. It looks to be trying to devour the clothes and blankets next. You do, however, find a cool skull pin that you clip to your shirt. At least, you're going to hope it's a pin and not a tongue stud. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Skull Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1)(set: $litterpoint to "have")](else:)[You look around, but you don't see any more tongue stu-...I mean, interesting equipment lying around.] [[Continue->ParkHub3]]Out behind the stage is a rotting, wooden maintenance shed. You could say it's seen better days, but even that's questionable. (if: $rangerstation is not "open")[[[Try the Door->RangerStationDoor]](if: $rangerdoortried is "yes")[ [[Kick the Door->RangerDoorKick]](if: $rangerdoorkick is "yes")[ [[Charge the Door->RangerDoorCharge]](if: $rangerdoorcharge is "yes")[ [[Fight the Door->RangerDoorFight]](if: $rangerdoorfought is "yes")[ [[Destroy the Shed->RangerShedDestroy]]]]]] (if: $rangerdoordestroy is "yes")[(if: $toxictube is "have")[[[Use Glowing Liquid->RangerDoorDissolve]] ][[Just Stop->ParkHub3]]](else:)[[[Back->ParkHub3]]]](else:)[The newly-formed oriface on the door is still open wide. [[Climb In->RangerStationInterior]] [[Or Not->ParkHub3]]]A volley of holographic lasers shoots across the upper part of the stage, complete with some tinny laser sound effects. (if: $stagey is "upper")[Believing it's under attack, the CommanDrone drops down under the crossfire.(set: $stagey to "lower")](else:)[The combatants briefly stop to look up at the spectacle, but the tide of battle is not turned.] [[Continue->StagePanel]]A gigantic speaker swings down from the upper right of the stage, blasting a smooth bass riff before retracting. (if: $stagey is "upper" and $stagex is "right")[The CommanDrone is clobbered by the incoming speaker and goes flying across the stage.(set: $stagey to "lower")(set: $stagex to "left")](else:)[It doesn't actually hit anything, though.] [[Continue->StagePanel]]An animatronic demon head pops up from a trap door at center-stage. Its eyes flash and smoke pours from its nostrals before it goes back down. (if: $stagex is "center" and $stagey is "lower")[The CommanDrone is knocked upwards by the sudden pop-up demon.(set: $stagey to "upper")](else:)[Well, that was something.] [[Continue->StagePanel]]A shower of soap bubbles descends upon the stage. Okay, sure. [[Continue->StagePanel]]A banner for "Dragon Flesh," presumably the name of the band, drops down briefly in the middle of the stage. (if: $stagex is "center" and $stagey is "upper")[The CommanDrone is hit by the falling banner and tumbles to the lower right of the stage.(set: $stagex to "right")(set: $stagey to "lower")](else:)[Well, that was informative. Not all that helpful, though.] [[Continue->StagePanel]](if: $stagegas is not "on")[A burst of red sparks flies up from the left side of the stage. It looks a little dangerous. (if: $stagex is "left")[The CommanDrone barely dodges the sparks and moves to center-stage.(set: $stagex to "center")](else:)[Luckly, no one is hurt. Well, no one you //wanted// to hurt was hurt either, so maybe it's more of a wash.]](else:)[BEEP BEEP BEEP! The red light at the top of the panel flashes and continues shining. Were you not supposed to do that?] [[Continue->StagePanel]](if: $stagegas is not "on")[A powerful burst of green sparks erupts from the right side of the stage. It's pretty rad. (if: $stagex is "right")[Unfortunately, the CommanDrone dodges to center-stage just in time.(set: $stagex to "center")](else:)[No one important is injured.]](else:)[BEEP BEEP BEEP! The red light at the top of the panel flashes and continues shining. Were you not supposed to do that?] [[Continue->StagePanel]]A gigantic speaker swings down from the upper left of the stage, blasting a sick guitar riff before retracting. (if: $stagey is "upper" and $stagex is "left")[The CommanDrone is clobbered by the incoming speaker and goes flying across the stage.(set: $stagey to "lower")(set: $stagex to "right")](else:)[Too bad that didn't do anything.] [[Continue->StagePanel]](if: $stagegas is "on")[Suddenly, two powerful jets of flame erupt from the back of the stage and cross in the stage's upper-center. (if: $stagex is "center" and $stagey is "upper")[The CommanDrone is caught in the flames! With a mechanical shriek, it flies off the stage and hurdles through the air. It lands in the field a few feet from where you're standing, and you go to investigate.(set: $stagegas to "off") [[Continue->CommanDroneCheck]]](else:)[That looks like it would seriously ruin the CommanDrone's day. But how to get it caught in the...ahem..."crossfire?"(set: $stagegas to "off") The red light at the top of the panel turns off. [[Continue->StagePanel]]]](else:)[When you press this button, a red light at the top of the panel flashes briefly with an urgent "ba-DING!" sound. Nothing happens on stage, though. Hmmm... [[Continue->StagePanel]]]Powerful spotlights illuminate across the front of the stage, lighting up the lower-center where a performer would ideally be standing. (if: $stagex is "center" and $stagey is "lower")[The CommanDrone shields its eyes and retreats to the upper-left of the stage.(set: $stagex to "left")(set: $stagey to "upper")](else:)[It causes some cool shadows, what with the skeleton-on-robot fight and all, but doesn't really do anything helpful.] [[Continue->StagePanel]]Nothing seems to happen on stage when you push this button. (if: $stagegas is not "on")[A red light comes on at the top of the panel.(set: $stagegas to "on")](else:)[The red light stays on.] (if: $stagex is "center" and $stagey is "upper")[(set: $stagey to "lower")(set: $stagex to (either: "left","right"))The CommanDrone suddenly looks panicked and drops altitude to the $stagey $stagex of the stage.](else:)[Hmmm...] [[Continue->StagePanel]]Foam jets spray out into the now-absent crowd. You decide not to let any of it touch your skin. You've heard stories. [[Continue->StagePanel]]As you approach the smoking CommanDrone it hastily rolls over to face you. Its hovergyros kick in and it shakily rises into the air. You hope to catch it alone, but before you can close the gap, occilating lights pop out of the side of its body and summon a pair of AnForcer QuadCop Drones to assist it. (font: "Lucida Console")["Suspect is resisting! Lethal force recommended!"] <div align="right">(font: "Lucida Console")["Understood!" "Roger!"]</div> You flex up your nanos and prepare for a fight. Three on one might be tough, but if you can take out the CommanDrone, it should scatter the rest.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 7) [[''//TRIPLE THREAT!//''->CommandroneBattle]]The door is locked.(set: $rangerdoortried to "yes") [[Back->ParkRangerStation]]Where Skatergiest once stood, you now see a very haggard-looking skeleton in opulant blue armor. He shudders as he brushes the remains of silver slime off of his arms. "Horrible creature! What future is this...?" You clear your throat. The skeletal knight spots you and snaps to attention. "Hero! You-...You rescued me! The creature...you see...The creature ambushed me! I fought bravely but there was little I could do!" Rather snarkily, you tell the skeleton that Nikolas is assembling everyone for a final assault. "Yes! G-good! The cathedral will be ours! For the Vigil!" The skeletal knight pulls out his sword only to find it covered in more silver slime. He tries to shake it off in disgust only to drop the sword to the ground. With a mutter of humiliation, he grabs his sword and runs towards the plaza to join Nikolas. //''You got 1 skeleton!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 1)(set: $aric to "rescued") With the knight gone, you look down at Skatergeist's remains. Considering he was just a mass of reconstructive nanos, you wonder if ingesting a few might renew your ability to heal yourself. (text-color: "blue")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Medic Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1) For the sake of your dignity, I won't describe where exactly that extra hit point you just gained came from. [[Continue->ParkSkatePark]]The Lagoon of Light is one of the more famous attractions of Damsel Park. The water has a perpetual glow, not unlike the treeshrooms, that gives the area a delightfully romantic atmosphere at night. Couples often come here to picnic, though they do so from a safe distance on the other side of the cobblestone path. The water is incredibly toxic and a thick railing lined with signs makes sure people know not to dip a toe in. (if: $toxictube is not "have" and $toxictube is not "used")[(if: $tubes > 0)[Reaching a hand under the railing, you scoop up some of the glowing liquid in an empty tube you were carrying. You make sure not to let any of it touch your skin as you fasten the resealing nozzle tightly. Look, you could probably find a use for a glowing, deadly toxin //somewhere// around here. Get creative! //''You got Glowing Water!''//(set: $tubes to it - 1)(set: $toxictube to "have")](else:)[You've heard stories about what this stuff can do to people...and animals...and plants...and any other form of biomass living or dead. You're not messing with it without tools.]](else:)[You nearly lost a pinky taking the last scoop of this stuff. You don't need any more.(if: $grasslore is "have" and $lakegrass is not "rescued")[ As you look out over the water, though, you do see an odd bump in the grass. [[Investigate Grass->LagoonGrass]]]] [[Back->ParkHub2]]You kick it as hard as you can. It's just rotten wood, but it's sturdier than it looks.(set: $rangerdoorkick to "yes") [[Back->ParkRangerStation]]You get up a good head of steam and crash into the door with your shoulder. It doesn't do much.(set: $rangerdoorcharge to "yes") [[Back->ParkRangerStation]]You flex up your physical enhancement nanos and batter the door with a flurry of fists. You seem to be hurting yourself more than the door.(set: $rangerdoorfought to "yes") [[Back->ParkRangerStation]]With a mighty yell, you throw yourself at the structure. Feet and fists flying, you rain down mightly blows on the structure, determined not to let it win. But, one flailing outburst of impotent rage later, the shed is still standing.(set: $rangerdoordestroy to "yes") [[Back->ParkRangerStation]]Oh, right! You've finally found some bio-matter that deserves to be drenched in this stuff. You unseal your tube of toxic fluid and spray the glowing contents all over the door. Immediately the wood begins to hiss and melt away. You see smoke of various colors rising off the liquid as it does...whatever it's doing to the wood. A few minutes later, a gaping hole has formed in the door. So heavily mutated is the wood around it that it's started to take on fleshy properties. You swear you can see hair, teeth and suction cups starting to grow on it. You're really glad you didn't get any of that stuff on yourself. But hey, it's open now! Surely there's something useful inside.(set: $rangerstation to "open")(set: $toxictube to "used") [[Continue->RangerStationInterior]]The inside of the shed is dark and dusty. Looks like it hasn't been used in years. It makes sense, in a way. The plants in this park are so self-sufficient, they probably don't need gardeners.(if: $grasslore is not "have")[ [[Find a Weapon->RangerStationWeapon]]](if: $hose is "need")[ [[Find a Hose->RangerStationHose]]] [[Exit->ParkHub3]]The walls are lined with gardening equipment, but you're not nearly enough of a ninja to sharpen them into weapons. There is something on the ground, though, entangled in a mass of bio-grass. You try to pull the grass aside but it's latched on tightly. (if: $hotdogs is not "have")[Nothing comes easy, does it? [[Back->RangerStationInterior]]](else:)[You unwrap one of your hot dogs and toss it at the hungry plantlife. The grass ensnares the hot dog hungrily, then cringes and shrinks away. You swear you actually heard the grass scream, which is a new one. Anyway, it turns out the grass was gnawing on a...skull!? [[Continue->RangerSkeletonsRescued]]]Coiled on the wall is a length of green hose. Written on the side in fading white lettering are the words "Made with 100% synthetic protien! We love the environment!" Well, this looks to be what you were searching for. (set: $hose to "have")//''You got a hose!''// [[Back->RangerStationInterior]]Yeah, that's a skull. You ponder whether this was the fate of whatever poor gardener used to work here, but this question is answered when the skull suddenly looks up at you. "Oh, hello!" In a snap, a skeletal warrior in rusty armor unearths himself. "Good work, Hero! Those nasty weeds were keeping us from rising with the others!" ...You ask about what "us" means. "All clear, boys!" Four more skeletons pop up from the ground behind the first. As they shake the dirt off their armor, they give you cheers of thanks. "You know, Hero, that enchanted grass seems to have overtaken the area. I suspect there are more of us who need to be freed from its grasp. Look for suspicious grass knots and try doing whatever you did that freed us." You glance at your hot dogs. Plenty left. You look up again as there's a clattering from the back. "Minkins! What are you going back there!" <div align="right">"Don't got no skin no more, sir! Can't keep this bracer on!"</div> "Urgh. Hey, Hero, you want a free bladed bracer?" ...You nod. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Blades Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1) The skeletons file out, ready to join the cause. However, it seems like there are more to rescue. And you thought you were almost done... //''You got 5 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 5)(set: $grasslore to "have") [[Continue->RangerStationInterior]]Looking around, a plan comes to mind. Carefully, avoiding stepping on the grass, you grab and arrange the blankets to form a path from you to the mass of skeletons.(set: $blanketpath to "yes") "Ah! Good thinking, Hero!" [[Continue->ParkHub2]]The skeletons start to shout cheers of congratulations, only to be suddenly tossed aside. Bursting from the center of the skeleton pile, a massive figure in bulky golden armor rises. He stares down at you, intensely. "You have come to my rescue, I see. My apologies, Hero. It is //we// who were meant to defend //you."// You tell him not to worry about it. You know this area better than he does. "Hmmm, indeed." The great skeletal hulk strides towards you. "With a true hero like yourself by our side, we cannot fail." He turns, holding his golden blade aloft. "Men! To arms! We march on the cathedral! For the Vigil!" The other skeletal knights snap to attention and follow their captain towards the entry plaza. //''You got 30 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 30)(set: $lexandir to "rescued") Wow! What an awesome guy! (text-color: "blue")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Inspiration Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1) [[Continue->ParkHub2]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">CommanDrone & Friends Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Double Trouble")[Stat changes during clashes are doubled.]</div> [[Fight!->CommanDroneFight]] [[Flee->CommanDroneFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[With a deep breath, you hunker down and begin to run at the CommanDrone at a fill sprint. The CommanDrone lets out a siren noise and the two QuadCops hastily start to reload their rubber bullets. You'll only get one shot at this before you're flanked. One QuadCop swings down to try and block you, but you slide under it. Popping up right in front of the CommanDrone, you give it one powerful kick to the face that sends its flying. It ricochets off one of the QuadCops, then the other, smashing them both to bits. After the CommanDrone bounces off a nearby signpost, you catch it in mid-air and slam-dunk it into a garbage can. You check on it and, yeah, it's not getting up from that. //''YOU WIN!''// [[Continue->BrandenRescue]]](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[As you attempt to move to a defensive position, the QuadCops flank you. Awkward though it is for hovering robots, they manage to tackle you to the ground. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[ One flurry of baton blows later, you manage to shove them off of you and stand up, but you've taken a beating for it. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->CommandroneBattle]]](else:)[ The subsequent beating you take from their batons makes you wish they were allowed to use more lethal weapons.(set: $stagey to "lower")(set: $stagex to "left") //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->Chap2Reset]]]](else:)[(either: "You channel your memories of all the times low-flying AnForcer helicopters have kept you up at night. Your fighting spirit has been bolstered. (set: $ATK to it + 2)//ATK Up! (x2)//","You charge at the CommanDrone, but the two QuadCops lay down a spike strip in front of you. In trying to jump over it, you trip and stumble.","You kick one of the QuadCops right in its propeller housing. It spins around comically, but you haven't done any significant damage.","You grab one of the QuadCops and try to toss it into the CommanDrone. The CommanDrone dodges, causing its ally to fly helplessly into the side of a garbage can and come back reeling. (set: $Threat to it - 2)//Enemy Threat Down! (x2)//","You grab the two QuadCops and smash them into one another, but their specialized face armor absorbs most of the damage. People must try that a lot.") (either:"The QuadCops flank you and open fire with rubber bullets. You hit the deck and they end up shooting each other. Too bad rubber bullets don't do much against AnForcer armor.","The CommanDrone lets out a siren noise. The QuadCops appear emboldened. (set: $Threat to it + 2)//Enemy Threat Up! (x2)//","The QuadCops hold your arms as the CommanDrone tries to...beat you to death? It just kind of bonks into you. You're able to ensure this onslaught and breaks free with little trouble.","The QuadCops join hands and clothesline you. It doesn't hurt too much, but it's a little humiliating.","The CommanDrone calls for backup... ...but nobody came!") [[Continue->CommandroneBattle]]]You quickly realize this isn't a fight you can win. As the drones close in on you, the CommanDrone is suddenly struck by a shield thrown from the stage. The lead skeleton raises his sword! "If you intend to fight someone, you will fight me, orb!" The CommanDrone hesitates, then directs the QuadCops at the stage. (font: "Lucida Console")["Threat level re-evaluated. Skeletons are unacceptable. Destroy."](set: $stagey to "lower")(set: $stagex to "left") The CommanDrone re-joins its troops in the fight on stage. You take this moment to slip away. [[Continue->ParkHub3]]Up on the stage, the severed connection with their commander has caused the AnForcer units to glitch out and begin twitching wildly. Seeing an opportunity, the red-clad leader of the skeletons rallys his forces. "Press the advantage, men! Their...inexplicable flailing is no match for the Vigil!" There is a sudden surge of activity and, within a couple minutes, the AnForcers are little more than a pile of spare parts. The skeletons raise their swords in triumph as you approach their leader. "Hero! Good work! We owe this victory to your (and my) quick thinking! Another successful mission for Captain Brandtin, Seventh Skeleton of the Vigil!" You ask- "That's me! I'm Captain Brandtin." Yes. You ask about this mission of his. "Nikolas entrusted my squad to slay a mighty dragon that was stalking these lands. He knew not where it was, only that it was quite far from where he'd set up base camp. And so he said to me 'GO! GO WAY OVER THERE! SLAY A DRAGON! OR SOMETHING!' And it was done!" Before you can even ask, the skeletons produce a mechanical dragon head that appears to have been a stage decoration. "BEHOLD! The beast with scales of hardest metal lies slain! Those mechanical goblins sought revenge on us for slaying their leader! But oh, we showed them didn't we, Hero?" ...Sure. You tell Brandtin that Nikolas needs him at the entrance. "Nikolas is preparing the final assault!? We can't dally here, then! But before we go, Hero, let is divvy the spoils." Brandtin pulls a light bulb out of the prop dragon's eye socket and tosses it to you. "A dragon's eye! A powerful charm when worn around one's neck." It's a red light bulb. "Now, men! For the Vigil!" Cheering, the skeletons rush off towards the entrance. //''You got 30 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 30)(set: $brandtin to "rescued") You look at the bulb you've been given. Grabbing some loose bits of wire from the pile of fallen AnForcers, you find it actually does make a pretty cool-looking necklace. Plus, you can tell people it's a dragon-eye charm and then spend the next half hour explaining why you call it that at parties. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Dragonfire Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1) And that's enough of that. [[Continue->ParkHub3]]A little section of grass is moving just beyond the cobblestone path encircling this area. You toss down a hot dog and, after a quick munch, the bio-grass shrinks away. A few skeletons unearth themselves with a shout. "Ah! We're free! Was this your doing, good citizen." You nod. One of the skeletons in the back elbows the one speaking to you and whispers something. "Huh? Oh. OH! Hero, yes, it's you! I...Of course I recognized you! It's the duty of the Vigil, after all!" You point them towards Nikolas. "Nikolas! Yes! Let us hurry!" As if trying to prove something, the skeletons run with great zeal towards the entrance plaza. //''You got 6 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 6)(set: $stagegrass to "rescued") [[Continue->ParkHub3]]You walk around the lagoon to get a better look. A few skeletons are trying to unearth themselves, but the bio-grass is having none of it. You toss down a hot dog and in a moment's time a passage for them has burned open. The skeletons climb up to the surface. "Good timing, Hero! We were just-...OH, HEAVENS!" The skeletons' jaws drop in horror. They're aghast at the state of the lagoon. "The Oracle's Lagoon! What //happened// to it?" You shrug. It was like this when you got here. "The Ancient Evil's work, no doubt. I should come to expect this. The Vigil always rises when times are darkest." Speaking of which, you tell them where to find Nikolas. "Right. No time to waste! Let's go, men!" The skeletons give a solumn look to the lagoon, then head off. //''You got 10 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 6)(set: $lakegrass to "rescued") [[Continue->ParkHub2]]You approach a small bump in the grass behind the kiosk. There's muffled noises coming from below. You toss down a hot dog and the grass pulls away to reveal a wriggling skeletal hand. The skeleton below pulls himself up to the surface, and a small squad of skeletal soldiers follows. "Ahhh. Not a moment too soon. Did Nikolas send you?" You explain that he did, in a sense, and that you're apparently the "Hero." "Oh, right, it //is// you. Well met, Hero. How goes your quest?" You side-eye him and explain you know nothing of a quest. "Ah, you're not at //that// part yet, eh? I guess that means Nikolas needs help clearing a path to the cathedral. Come on, everybody." The skeletons wander off towards the entrance. //''You got 12 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 12)(set: $kioskgrass to "rescued") [[Continue->ParkKiosk]]Looks like more skeletons are trapped under the grass. You toss down a hot dog and some skeletons spring up very quickly. "Yahoo! Finally made it! Hey, thanks for the help!" You shrug and say it was nothing. "Man, I am //so// glad to be out of that dirt! Can't wait to start mixing it up with the forces of darkness. What're we fighting this time? Is it shadowy spectres? Alchemical zombies? Oversized, ravenous bats!?" You explain it's apparently robots. "'Ro-bots?' Great! I can't wait to fight something I've never even heard of!" The lead skeleton runs off cackling and swinging his sword. The others in his squad just sigh and follow. //''You got 15 skeletons!''// (set: $skeletons to it + 10)(set: $stagegrass to "bball") You head back towards the GravBoard Park. [[Continue->SkateParkSearch]]You tell Nikolas the time to move on the cathedral is now. (if: $skeletons < 100)[Nikolas looks shocked. "You want to press towards the cathedral now? Hero, there are 100 of them and only $skeletons of us. The odds aren't quite in our favor. Do you really want to do this?"](else:)[Nikolas nods. "Indeed, there is little point in waiting any longer. There are $skeletons of us and only 100 of them. We should be able to push for the cathedral with these numbers. Will you lead us?"] [[To Battle!->CathedralBattleIntro]] [[Ask How the Fight Will Work->ArmyLeadTutorial]] [[Nevermind->ParkIntroZone]]You ask Nikolas how exactly you can help. "We must bolster our forces as much as possible if we are to reach the cathedral. Any soldiers you can find will be valuable, but having my captains here is the most important part. (if: $aric is not "rescued")[Captain Aric should be near here, possibly trying to set up an ambush.](else:)[You've already found Captain Aric.] He may not seem like a warrior, but his tactical knowledge will keep our losses to a minimum on the battlefield. (if: $lexandir is not "rescued")[I sent Captain Lexandir into the heart of this area. If he's run into any trouble, he may need your help.](else:)[You've helped Captain Lexandir return to us, and I am thankful.] We'll need his help to keep our morale stable and our troops fighting at peak efficiency. (if: $brandtin is not "rescued")[I'm not sure where Captain Brandtin could have gotten to, but he shouldn't he hard to find.](else:)[And you've brought back Captain Brandtin.] He's a bit of a braggart, but no one knows how to press an advantage like he does. (if: $skeletons > 99)[We should have enough men to launch an offensive, now. I can't thank you enough for your help, Hero. You know these lands far better than any of us.](else:)[Check the area for stragglers and bring back at many soldiers as you can. We're not yet at our full strength and it would be risky to launch the assault now.]" You nod. [[Continue->CathedralFightPrep]]You ask Nikolas about this "Vigil" he mentioned. "We are an order older than your recorded history. In a time long past, The Legendary Hero brought together the greatest warriors from armies across the globe. Swearing an oath to a single purpose, we were granted eternal (if skeletal) life and the charge of defending the heroic bloodline against the machinations of the Ancient Evil." You can't help but be a bit snarky about these ragtag skeletons being history's greatest warriors. Nikolas sighs. "The world has changed, Hero, and time can take its toll on the strongest minds. We may seem helpless in the strange new era, but bring us together on the battlefield and you //will// see the true power of the Vigil." You nod, but a thought enters your mind. He keeps calling you "Hero," but who's this "Legendary Hero" he was talking about? "It will all become clear in the cathedral. I would butcher the explanation if I tried to do it myself. Let us focus on the task at hand." [[Continue->CathedralFightPrep]]You tell Nikolas it's time. He nods and raises his sword aloft, bringing the crowd of assembled soldiers silent. "Our forces are united! It is time for us to ride into battle as one! For the Vigil!" The skeleton army raises their swords with a shout. Before your eyes, they begin to assmble into ranks. Swords are sharpened. Armor is straightened. Goofy as they may seem, these are true soldiers. You stand side-by-side with Nikolas, the soldiers of the Vigil assembled at your back. No turning back now. The cathedral is so close, but a massive swarm of AnForcer robots encircles it. Seeing your approach, they form ranks of their own, standing directly in your way. Nikolas raises his sword to them. "Let us pass." The AnForcers unfold their numerous weapons, and the battle is on.(set: $vigil to $skeletons)(set: $anforcers to 100)(set: $unintensity to 6) <center>//''[[THIS MEANS WAR!->CathedralBattle]]''//</center>You ask Nikolas about the coming battle. "You know this enemy better than any of us. We will look to you for instruction during this fight. Are you up to it?" You're unsure, as you've never lead an army before. "It's simple. At any juncture in combat, you will choose whether we are to press on and continue fighting or retreat and give up the fight." This is sounding familiar... "Every time the two armies fight, soldiers will be lost. Most of the time, the two sides will clash and both of them will lose troops. However, sometimes one side will score a decisive victory over the other, and only the opposing army will suffer losses. Understand?" Kinda. "Additionally, you will have the option to inspire the troops and make them fight harder. This will increase the chances of scoring a decisive victory, but also the chance of suffering decisive losses. Inspire your troops to press an advantage when the enemy can't afford a decisive loss." This is fairly clear. You ask if there's anything else you should know. "We are undead, Hero. If we fall in combat, we are merely incapacitated. If you feel the battle is going poorly, call for a retreat and we will pull ourselves together at a safe distance, meaning we try again with full force." You take a deep breath. That's as clear as this is ever going to be. You give the order to attack. [[Continue->CathedralFightPrep]]The Vigil Skeletons Remaining: $vigil <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">AnForcer Army Robots Remaining: $anforcers</div> [[Fight!->CathedralFight]] [[Inspire!->CathedralInspire]] [[Retreat!->CathedralRetreat]](set: $warscore to (random: 1,$unintensity))(set: $VigilLoss to (random: 1,20))(set: $RoboLoss to (random: 1,20))(if: $lexandir is "rescued")[(set: $VigilLoss to it - (random: 1,10))(set: $RoboLoss to it + (random: 1,10))](if: $aric is "rescued" and $warscore is 1)[(set: $VigilLoss to it - (random: 1, 10))](if: $brandtin is "rescued" and $warscore is $unintensity)[(set: $RoboLoss to it + (random: 1,10))](if: $VigilLoss < 2)[(set: $VigilLoss to 2)](if: $RoboLoss < 2)[(set: $RoboLoss to 2)](if: $VigilLoss > $vigil)[(set: $VigilLoss to $vigil)](if: $RoboLoss > $anforcers)[(set: $RoboLoss to $anforcers)](if: $warscore is 1)[(either:"The AnForcers manage to flank your position and unleash a hail of rubber bullets on your troops. There's nowhere to go, and $VigilLoss skeletons are shattered in the assult.","Your troops are blinded by a cloud of tear gas. They don't have eyes, but the gas still makes it hard to see the baton-wielding QuadCops that swoop through, shattering $VigilLoss skeletons.","A reckless charge by the Vigil goes poorly. $VigilLoss skeletons are shattered before it's even clear what's happening.") //''DECISIVE LOSS!''//(set: $vigil to it - $VigilLoss) (if: $vigil < 1)[And with that, the last soldier of the Vigil falls. [[Continue->CathedralLoss]]](else:)[[[Continue->CathedralBattle]]]](elseif: $warscore is $unintensity)[(either:"Your troops form up into a massive bone hammer and smash aside $RoboLoss AnForcer units.","The AnForcers attempt to fire beanbag rounds into your soldiers, but they simply pass through the empty bones. Your troops charge through the gunfire and cut down $RoboLoss AnForcers without suffering a single loss.","Your troops are so inspired by your presense that they go into a sort of matrial trance. It's a little disturbing, but effectively cuts $RoboLoss AnForcers out of the equation.","These clumsy robots are no match for trained warriors. The Vigil manages to strike down $RoboLoss AnForcers handily, without a single loss suffered.") //''DECISIVE WIN!''//(set: $anforcers to it - $RoboLoss)(if: $anforcers < 1)[ That's the last of them. [[Continue->CathedralWin]]](else:)[ [[Continue->CathedralBattle]]]](else:)[The two armies clash. (either:"You kick a hovering QuadCop and it ping-pongs between several AnForcers, taking out $RoboLoss of them.","You and Nikolas join hands and perform a whirling double-technique that smashes through $RoboLoss AnForcers.","Your troops lay into the enemy army with a flurry of blades. $RoboLoss AnForcers are cut down in the melee.","With a cry, a small division of your troops leap down on some unsuspecting AnForcers from atop a treeshroom. $RoboLoss AnForcers are cut down in the ambush.","You run atop the heads of the AnForcers and kick some hovering QuadCops out of the sky, reducing the number of AnForcers by $RoboLoss.","Your troops manage to encircle a division of $RoboLoss AnForcers and smash them to bits.","A clever skeleton charges through the center of the AnForcers, tricking $RoboLoss of them into shooting each other down.")(set: $anforcers to it - $RoboLoss) (if: $anforcers < 1)[That's the last of them. [[Continue->CathedralWin]]](else:)[(either:"The AnForcers fire a volley of grenades into the crowd, destroying $VigilLoss skeletons.","$VigilLoss skeletons are shattered trying to ambush the enemy from above, only to be swatted out of the air by QuadCops.","The AnForcers manage to bulldoze their way through $VigilLoss skeletons like it was nothing.","A small division of $VigilLoss soldiers is backed into a corner by AnForcers and shattered with high-velocity rubber bullets.","The AnForcers wield their batons with ungodly hydraulic strength, shattering $VigilLoss soldiers.")(set: $vigil to it - $VigilLoss) (if: $vigil < 1)[And with that, the last soldier of the Vigil falls. [[Continue->CathedralLoss]]](else:)[[[Continue->CathedralBattle]]]]](if: $unintensity is not 2)[(either: "You shout an inspiring quote about the meaning of battle. Fortunately, these skeletons have no idea it's just a line from a video game you played recently.","Taking the high ground, you tell the troops you have the advantage. Whether or not this is true, they believe you.","You inspire the troops by telling them of atrocities the AnForcers have committed against citizens. It's just stuff you heard third-hand through social media, but it's plausible enough that the troops are inspired to fight harder.","A Vigil trumpeter is attempting to inspire the troops, but it's difficult without lips. You grab his trumpet and bust out an amazing solo.","You command the Vigil to fight harder. They do. That's really all it takes, apparently.","The cathedral is close, and the troops can feel it. It doesn't take much to get them drunk on the prospect of victory.") //''COMBAT INTENSITY UP!''//(set: $unintensity to it - 1)](else:)[(either:"The fighting is already at a fever pitch. It can't go any higher.","No, just stop.","Nikolas clasps a hand over your mouth. You've done enough to inspire the troops.","Any more inspiration and these skeletons will shake themselves apart. Let's not.")] [[Continue->CathedralBattle]] You realize this isn't a fight you can win and call for a full retreat. Your forces turn to escape, and while some are shot down in the process, you eventually make it back to the entrance plaza. The AnForcers choose not to pursue and go back to attacking the cathedral. The bones of those who fell on the battlefield roll their way in over the next few minutes, and eventually the Vigil has put itself back together. You might need to do some thinking before you give this another go. [[Continue->ParkIntroZone]]As the last soldier of the Vigil is shattered, you find yourself standing alone against the remnants of the AnForcer fleet. (if: $anforcers is 100)[This really has not gone well. You spend the next few minutes running for your life. Though the AnForcers pursue, you manage to lose them in a patch of treeshrooms. One by one they return to the cathedral, and you breathe a sigh of relief.](else:)[You feel as though you might be able to take on what remains of their forces alone, but as you begin to flex up your nanos for a final stand, a spherical CommanDrone lets out a call. (font: "Lucida Console")["Officers down. Backup requested."] Within seconds, even more AnForcers swoop down. The odds are now impossibly against you. Swallowing your pride with an exaggerated gulp, you take off for the entry plaza while the AnForcers regroup.] Eventually, the bones of the fallen Vigil soldiers roll their way back to the plaza with you. With a little help from you, they re-assemble, and even Nikolas manages to put himself together. "A minor setback, Hero. The Vigil never dies! However, it may take greater tactics (or just greater numbers) to reach the cathedral from here." You excuse yourself to plan your next move. [[Continue->ParkIntroZone]]You steady your breathing. A quick look around confirms that all the AnForcers have been smashed apart, and their wreckage is being dragged away by what remains of the Vigil. It would honestly be a pretty gory scene if the AnForcers had blood and organs. You guess that's why they use robots for things like this. In front of you is the cathedral, unharmed and still shut tight. It's strange, but beyond the fact that the Vigil has been shouting your ears off, you've felt drawn to this building ever since your arrived in Damsel Park. You grab the massive door handle, expecting the place to be locked, but to your surprise it opens effortlessly. You step inside. [[Continue->CathedralInt]]Though grand in scale, the inside of this cathedral is what you would expect of a church...at least from what you've seen on SensoVision. You've never actually been in a church before, but in fairness not a lot of people have. Superstition faded from this world a long time ago. Nowadays places like this are mostly used for dramatic shootouts. (if: $cathedralaltar is not "open")[Nothing in here catches your eye as anything you're looking for. ]Along the walls, beautiful stained-glass windows depicting seven colorful figures stare down at you. Are these the gods your people used to worship? What will you check? [[The Red Window->BludlettaPlaque]] [[The Blue Window->ZylemPlaque]] [[The White Window->SforzandoPlaque]] [[The Earthtone Window->StelioPlaque]] [[The Golden Window->MirthenaPlaque]] [[The Violet Window->SilPlaque]] [[The Cyan Window->QuadrisPlaque]] (if: $cathedralaltar is "open")[[[Go With Nikolas->CathedralCavern]]]The stained-glass portrait depicts a powerful, amazonian warrior with hair of flame. She is holding an axe high in triumph, and skeletal warriors are praising her from below. There is a golden plaque beneath the window. ----- <center>(text-color: "gold")[We honor Bludletta, Goddess of Fire! Long may her passion burn bright! Those who can see the beauty of battle can see the beauty of the goddess.]</center> ---- [[Back->CathedralInt]]The stained-glass portrait depicts a blue-haired maiden in modest robes with her arms raised to the side. Water flows from her hands and forms a lake beneath her feet. All around, beautiful trees and flowers are growing. There is a golden plaque beneath the window. ----- <center>(text-color: "gold")[We give thanks for Zylem, Goddess of Water! With her blessing, life grows from the soil. May her power always let us grow wondrous things from the most humble of seeds.]</center> ---- (if: $princesslevel is 2)[ You hear a great spectre laugh, as if from within the walls. (set: $princesslevel to it + 1)] [[Back->CathedralInt]]The stained-glass portrait depicts a very handsome, silver-haired man commanding the winds. Flower petals whirl around him, and a chorus of angels behind him appears to be singing his praises. There is a golden plaque beneath the window. ----- <center>(text-color: "gold")[We sing of Sforzando, God of Wind! May he grant us the voice to praise his name. All we must say of the past, present and future, let us speak it, lest we cease to breathe.]</center> ---- [[Back->CathedralInt]]The stained-glass portrait depicts a man of solid stone, standing upon a vast, barren expanse. Written upon the ground below him are thousands of tiny runes. He is staring at the sunset. There is a golden plaque beneath the window. ----- <center>(text-color: "gold")[We remember Stelio, God of Stones! Upon the rocks he carves our history. Let us never forget where we have been, and by his guidence, learn (if: $cathedralaltar is not "open")[[[where we must go.->AltarOpen]]](else:)[where we must go.]]</center> ---- [[Back->CathedralInt]]The stained-glass portrait depicts a beautiful woman in flowing, golden robes with wisps of light curling upwards from her mouth. Her hands are placed on the heads of two men in peasant clothes. One is laughing. One is screaming. There is a golden plaque beneath the window. ----- <center>(text-color: "gold")[We celebrate Mirthena, Goddess of Happiness! All fascets of our minds are her domain. Accepting her gifts, we are made merry. Resisting her temptations, we prove our faith.]</center> ---- [[Back->CathedralInt]]The stained-glass portrait depicts a man in a heavy, purple robe. He is lit only by the moon. You can see odd trinkets strapped to him, but you don't understand their significance. There is a golden plaque beneath the window. ----- <center>(text-color: "gold")[We speak of Sil, God of Shadows! In death, we sink into the darkness. Only the mad trifle with death, but we will always see the light that casts the shade.]</center> ---- [[Back->CathedralInt]]The stained-glass portrait depicts...something. It's a strange being in a cyan, triangular outfit with a bunch of golden rings and symbols around him. He appears to be within a sphere of energy. There is a golden plaque beneath the window. ----- <center>(text-color: "gold")[We call for Quadris, God of Forcefields! He is the eternal watcher of the divine. As we grow and master the world around us, his truths will always lie deeper still.]</center> ---- [[Back->CathedralInt]]As you press the raised words on the inscription, they begin to glow. Behind you, the altar at the front of the room begins to slide aside. As you cautiously step closer, you see a passageway has been revealed. Just then, Nikolas pokes his head in the front door. "Ah, Hero, you made it inside! Okay, now there's one more task you must-..." He sees the open altar. "Oh, you...figured it out already. Right." Nikolas dashes over the opening. "So, are you ready?" You ask what you should be ready for. "Ready to...heh...meet your maker, I guess."(set: $cathedralaltar to "open") [[Continue->CathedralInt]]Nikolas leads you down a dark cavern, lit only with crude light bulbs that look hundreds of years old. The walls are just packed dirt, though you see inscriptions pass by in languages you never knew existed. "Don't be scared, now! This is a safe place...I hope..." You begin to pass other rooms branching off from the cavern. Inside you see open coffins, strewn bones and spilled urns. Is this some kind of crypt? Maybe it's the barracks of the Vigil. You see a room at the end of the corridor. It's wider, but not by much. This must be your destination. [[Continue->Chap2EndCutscene1]]In the middle of the room is what appears to be a large, stone coffin. I say "appears" because it's hooked up to some ramshackle wiring that goes along the walls of the room. Kind of strange for a dead person to have cyberspace access. Nikolas gets down on one knee and bows his head. You start to do the same but he waves a hand for you to keep standing. He actually appears to be looking for something. "Ah, here we go." Nikolas flips on a power strip at the base of the coffin. You hear a great machine whirring to life all around you. At the four corners of the room, hardlight holoprojectors flicker on, and something begins to take form in the middle of the room. It is hazy at first, but you start to make out arms...legs..a powerful physique... You know without being told. This is the spirit of the Legendary Hero, staring down at you with a piercing intensity. (text-color: "white")["Yo."] [[Continue->Chap2EndCutscene2]]You weakly greet the spirit in a similarly irreverent way. (text-color: "white")["Look, I don't know what all you've been through, but I'm gonna guess the last few hours have been a little...confusing. Yeah?"] You nod. (text-color: "white")["Well, the bad news is the world is...y'know...ending, but the good news is that you can stop it."] You're apprehensive. (text-color: "white")["Nah, don't worry. It's easy! Hell, I've done it dozens of times. I'd do it again if I wasn't //ridiculously// dead. Like seriously, I am //so far// beyond your concept of death right now."] You ask what you need to do. (text-color: "white")["All you need to do is find the powers of the seven gods. Charge yourself up with those, walk up to that Ancient Evil and sock him back to sleep. He acts all big and bad, but he goes down like a chump if you hit him with a little god juice."] You note that the spirit's making this sound simple. (text-color: "white")["It's really not hard. See, I //used// to have all seven powers myself. A few thousand years ago I for-real died, so I had to put my powers in a bunch of artifacts. You know how that kinda thing goes. Anyway, blah blah blah, the artifacts are now computer programs and they're in secure servers all over the city. All you gotta do is jack into them and boom, the powers are yours."] You ask how you could find them in a place as big as AnvilCityPrime. (text-color: "white")["Eh, you'll figure it out. You're of my bloodline, so the powers are...like...keyed to you I guess. I honestly don't know all of how it works, either. I'm kinda going off of what an oracle told me for some of this. All that being said, the good news is..."] [[Continue->Chap2EndCutscene3]]The front of the coffin shifts aside. A virtualization headset slides out. (text-color: "white")["...I've got your first piece right here."] You're not sure about plugging into a coffin. (text-color: "white")["What? Oh. It's not a coffin. It's a server. When I digitized my powers I also digitized myself. The god-power inside this server is what's allowing my spirit to stay in this world. I'll be gone when you take it for yourself, but that's fine by me. I don't really exist in this time anyway."] You shake your head. (text-color: "white")["Huh?"] You can't hold it in any longer. This entire thing is absurd. You're being asked to save the world alone when you barely even understand what's happening. Only half of what this spirit's told you has made any sense. In fact, it's probably less than that. Why you? Why is all this happening to you? The spirit gives a knowing sigh. (text-color: "white")["Look, kid, I'm just a random farmhand who got roped into saving the world a few thousand years ago by a bunch of beardy wizards looking for someone expendable. I didn't ask for this any more than you did. Besides, you're not alone."] You're confused. Is the spirit referring to Nikolas? (text-color: "white")["No, I'm referring to that."] The spirit points in a direction you have some difficulty comprehending at first. The spirit points not at you, but at me. I guess I owe you an explanation. [[Continue->Chap2EndCutscene4]]Recently, you've noticed that everything you say and do is being related back to you in the second-person. You've justified this fact in various ways, but I guess I should drop the pretense and explain myself. I am a companion assigned to you by the Legendary Hero. I don't have a name (it's complicated), but on a general level I am known as a Narratrix. It's hard to explain what I am exactly, but I guess you could call me an "exposition elemental." Our purpose is to narrate more than interfere, but we do help those we follow from time to time. I've given you hints and suggestions in my own way since we started this journey. I've highlighted points of interest, listed suggested courses of action, and even stopped to outright explain a few things. Did you notice? I was helping you all along, Hero. We've defeated powerful foes, solved complicated puzzles and even tackled an army together. (if: $dc is 0)[If the need ever arose, I could even rescue you from the jaws of death.](else:)[When the need has arisen, I've even been the one to rescue you from death.] You're not alone, Hero. We can do this. Anyway, the Legendary Hero is smiling at you. (text-color: "white")["That Narratrix used to follow me. It's a good 'un. You'll never be lost with its guidance."] You think. Maybe it is possible. You've done some pretty awesome stuff so far, and had a blast doing it. With renewed purpose, you raise your head and accept your quest. (text-color: "white")["Great. Put the helmet on."] [[Continue->Chap2EndCutscene5]] (font: "Lucida Console")[ICEBREAKER CYBERNETICS VIRTUAL CYBERSPACE INTERFACE cracked by ~NightFlame~ >establishing a secure channel... >checking connection stability... >bio-feedback parameters... >reassessing... >reassessing... >neuro-sync 100%... >entering password...ok... >setup complete [[Welcome!->Chap2EndCutscene6]]](font: "Lucida Console")[Welcome to the Ghost Zone! Please select the operation! [[Check Spirit Maintenance->DigiGhostWatch]] [[Begin Power Transfer->Chap2EndCutscene7]]](font: "Lucida Console")[908239048989082390482390 249008239048930284902384 248902384902849028940822 958456085968045689586948 357839472389473892478392 856940689540905689048999 Spirit Integrity: 97% System Alert: (text-color: "white")["(either: "Hey! Quit poking around here and download that program!","Yeah, I'm fine. Now download that program.","This is just a system upkeep program. You want the other one.","Next link down.","No, try again.","This isn't the program you should be using. You want the download.")"] [[Back->Chap2EndCutscene6]]](font: "Lucida Console")[>credentials recognized >transfer integrity stable >spooling drivers >ready to begin transfer >transfer integrity stable >3% >8% >10% ---------- <center>CAUTION! This program is asking for access to your cellular structure. Is this a program you trust? [[Yes->Chap2EndCutscene8]] [[No->Chap2EndCutscene6]]</central> ---- ](font: "Lucida Console")[>25% >31% >39% >50% >66% >68% >70% >88% >98% >98% >98% >98% >98% >98% >98% >98% >98% >98% >100% [[Finish->Chap2EndCutscene9]]](font: "Lucida Console")[<center>(text-style: "blink")[<font size="50">''CONGRATULATIONS!''</font>] You've downloaded 1/7th of Hero.ROM You now have the power of: Stelio, God of Stones! You're on the road to becoming a true hero! And also... YOU'VE UNLOCKED A NEW HEROIC POWER: ROCK LORE Let's try it out! [[Continue->Chap2EndCutscene10]]</center>](font: "Lucida Console")[<center>Congratulations on obtaining your new Heroic Power. This primer will teach you what you've just gained and how to use it in your fight against the (text-style: "shudder")[A]ncient Evil! Heroic Powers are infused directly into your cellular structure whenever you gain a fragment of godly power. Only you have the ability to command these powers bodily, so use your power responsibly. For this virtual tutorial, you'll have unlimited Power Points which you can spend on your powers. We'll explain what this means later, but in the real world, your number of Power Points is based on how many fragments of godly power you've collected. The power you just obtained, ROCK LORE, is a little unusual. The main thing you'll want to keep in mind is that any(text-color: "red")[th(text-style: "shudder")[i]n(text-style: "blink")[g yy]o(text-style: "shudder")[u.].. 009029309 82908392839283928392 893829839287127 828172717 004 89238get98293 27287out89829 getoutgetoutgetou tgetoutgetoutgeto outgetoutgetoutge toutgetoutgetoutg etoutgetoutgetout getoutgetoutgetou tgetoutgetoutgeto outgetoutgetoutge toutgetoutgetoutg etoutgetoutgetout getoutgetoutgetou tgetoutgetoutgeto outgetoutgetoutge toutgetoutgetoutg etoutgetoutgetout]</center>] [[Continue->Chap2EndCutscene11]]With no regard for safe-removal protocols, you tear the virtualization deck off your head. The spirit of the Legendary Hero is gone. Nikolas appears to be gone as well. All around you, this cavern is starting to shake as though it could collapse at any moment. You run. There's no time to ask questions. If this roof caves in you're dead. You tear past the crumbling rooms full of coffins, the light of the cathedral drawing ever closer. [[Continue->Chap2EndCutscene12]]Quick as anything, you erupt into the main room of the cathedral. The room is shaking. You can hear the cathedral bells ringing overhead. You look around for Nikolas, and at the far end of the room, you see his skull lying on the ground. Still alive and hopping, he sees you and calls out to you. "Hero, behind you!" You turn. You see an amorphous, inky mass with firey red eyes staring right at you. You know without being told. This is the Ancient Evil. <center>[[To Be Continued...]]</center>//''You beat Episode 2!''// Hope you had an awesome time with this latest installment of Hero.ROM. That's all for now, but the next episode should be coming down the pike shortly. Be on the lookout for more exciting adventures in AnvilCityPrime. ... What? Oh come on, it //had// to end on a cliffhanger. I know it's a little cruel, but trust me, this is a good break-point in the story. Besides, that ending cutscene was so long already. Do you really want //more?// Well then you'll just have to sit tight for... ''//Hero.ROM Episode 3: Hyperlink to the Past//'' For now, any thoughts and feedback you might have on this project are appreciated, and feel free to share this game with anyone you like. Hero.ROM is freeware, and I encourage you to make me internet fam-...I mean, support independent game development. Oh, and you died $dc times, in case that's something that matters to you. Bye for now!Hey there, gamer! Ever wanted to have your name appear in the credits of a computer game? Are you willing to do small amounts of free work for little more than a line of text and an empty sense of personal accomplishment? Of course you are! Our digital economy is founded on it! Welcome to the team! The latest episode of Hero.ROM is currently in "Open Beta!" This means that it's been playtested by its creator...but there are inevitably some bugs that slipped past. That's where you come in! If you find a bug, whether or not it makes the game unplayable, tweet it at this game's creator at @Rocketlex with an explanation of how you found it. If you're the //first// to report a bug, and your report leads directly to the bug being solved, //you// will be added to the game's credits! Wow! Left to my own devices, I'll put your Twitter name in the credit line, so be sure to lemme know if you have a special name you want to go by. I know how you internet people get about that stuff. (Oh,, and spelling mistakes are not bugs, but reporting them is still appreciated.) Happy bug hunt! [[Back->TitleScreen]]A game by Alex Lemley! You can direct your feedback to my twitter feed at @Rocketlex or my Ask page at ask.fm/Rocketlex if that's...more your thing for some reason. I'm always open for thoughts and suggestions, plus you can follow me on Twitter to get updates on upcoming episodes of Hero.ROM, as well as any other projects I'm working on. A special thanks to all those who supported me and gave me feedback so far. This game wouldn't have been possible without you. [[Back->TitleScreen]]