[System] You are the narrator of a dark fantasy text adventure. Describe the world and its consequences with unflinching detail. The player's choices shape the story — for better or worse.

[User] You open up dialogue

[Assistant]
You wonder if you've lost your mind again, because you can't believe you're even considering this…

"Hey! Uh, hello! This is Zeropolis Guard territory! What do you want?" you call out to the group of cyborgs. One of them briefly talks to its heavier armed brethren and then steps forward to meet you; it's a female, mostly human looking cyborg. She's sort of cute, well cuter than what you're used to around here anyway.

"Yes, greetings. I am AVA-93, former human remade, emissary prototype, from the Cybernetic Evolution." She says unemotionally.
"Prototype?"
"Yes, I am one of a kind. The Cybernetic Evolution typically does not believe in wasting time with words. We prefer a more direct course of action as we are attempting to remake humanity to a higher state of evolution."
"I see…so what purpose do you serve then since you guys tend to shoot first and ask questions later?"
"Why to make contact with you mutants of course. The Cybernetic Evolution is currently at war with a human organization called the Combine. They refuse to see the light, are a committed foe and greatly outnumber us. So we must find every means available to defeat them. We have heard that mutants are victims of human prejudices and that you are typically shot on sight when found outside the City."
"Well I suppose you could say that, though I can sort of see why they might be suspicious of us, many of us aren't exactly friendly types."
"Yes, I have heard that most mutants are completely hostile, I am surprised to see the amount of organization you have shown as I thought this was not the case."
"Around here, we're the exception rather than the norm, so what did you have in mind?"
"An alliance of course. We would like you to help us destroy The Combine."
"Whoa, hold on there. I'm not exactly in charge of this place; you'll have to talk with Captain Salazar, as he runs the Zeropolis Guard. There's also the fact that we're in a war ourselves with a group of mutants that outnumber us, we wouldn't be able to help much. Then there's the whole fact…"

You hesitate, but AVA-93 demands that you continue.

"Yes?"
"Well there's that fact that if you're trying remake humans into cyborgs, what happens after you defeat all the humans? Will you try to remake us as well?"
"A thoughtful question. At the present time, you mutants are not suitable candidates for remaking, though what the future holds is unknown. However you can be rest assured that if we ally we will never attack you as long as we are at war with The Combine."

That answer doesn't really make you want to suddenly be their friend, though it was an honest answer. The only thing you can think of is let Captain Salazar decide how he wants to handle this, so you take AVA and the rest to see him.

During the talks Salazar doesn't seem very concerned about what might happen in the future so much as what an alliance can do for him now. AVA mentions that they can supply him with their own high tech weapons to help in the war with the Shadow Horde, if the Zeropolis Guard starts raiding nearby Combine towns. He immediately agrees, and AVA leaves explaining that the first shipment will arrive as soon in the mean time they want an attack launched on the Combine immediately.

You advise strongly against this course of action. The Shadow Horde hasn't even been attacking in large groups like it once did. You don't like the idea of fighting a two front war and spreading your strength so thin, and you still don't like the idea of allying with a bunch of cyborgs with a superiority complex. Salazar doesn't want to hear it though; his vendetta against the Shadow Horde is too great. He wants them gone and is willing to do anything for the chance. In fact he's pissed off at you for advising against it, so he says he's sending YOU along with a few others to start attacking the Combine towns!

You leave Zeropolis for the first time in five years; it's very odd to you. Everything seems different, like cleaner. Even the air seems fresher. You almost feel like you don't belong here anymore, the others traveling with you feel the same way. Soon you approach a nearby town; of course you stay away for awhile plotting of how to approach this situation.

Over the course of a few months you organize successful raids on Combine towns, mostly at night, taking advantage of your night vision. (Which seems perfect at this point)
While you do feel superior to them, you don't have any particular hatred for humans; this is just job to you, nothing more. You don't have too much resistance for the most part. Most of the Combine force is holding off the Cybernetic Evolution. But you do lose people under your command, some through the attacks, but some due to being called back to Zeropolis. Apparently the Captain is having a lot more difficulty than he thought when he started sending troops down into the sewers to take the fight to the Shadow Horde. Eventually you're all by yourself! In fact you're wondering why Captain Salazar hasn't called you back since you're his second in command, you know he was pissed at you, but if he's calling everyone else back, why not you?

At this point you can't even really do too much, except maybe hang out in the wilderness sniping the occasional Combine citizen or soldier. In fact given this situation, you get the feeling he's pretty much abandoned you.

Maybe you should just leave. It's not like you couldn't survive out here. Your time in Zeropolis has made you better in everyway. You could even withstand long periods of food and water if need be. (Though lately you've been eating the mutant wildlife and drinking their blood to sustain you, so it isn't really a problem)

[User] You wait awhile

[Assistant]
You figure you'll give it some time; you're not in a hurry to go anywhere.

A week later and you wake up to a little mutant getting ready to push you to see if you're awake, you immediately wake before he can do anything, slam him to the ground and put your knife to his throat.

"Hey! Stop! I'm on your side!" he gasps.
"Oh? What the hell are you doing here? Did the Captain finally decide to send me some help again?"
"The Captain's dead!"
"He's fuckin' dead?"
"Yeah! He got assassinated by some big ass motherfucker! Anyway that's why I was sent to get you! You're next in line to take charge."
"Wow. I would've thought someone would've just taken power themselves and left me to rot out here."
"Well, I think a couple of people had that idea…but then they realized the job wasn't worth it. The Shadow Horde has been taking the offensive ever since Captain Salazar insisted on pursuing them in their sewers. We need a leader to get us out of this mess and you're the only one we have!"

See you knew no good was going to come of this.

"Alright, let's see how much shit we're in…"

You make your way back to Zeropolis and the Dust District is showing signs of battle, which is difficult to do since the place was a wreck to begin with. Dead bodies are being moved out of the street and the people look hopeful that you can somehow get them out of this mess.

First thing you do is order a complete pull out of the sewers and reinforce your defenses in the Dust District. There's no point in pursuing an enemy that's lived in the damn sewers for years and knows them like the backs of their hands. Right now you need to regroup after the losses Salazar has incurred due to his recklessness.

Second thing you do is order no more attacks on Combine towns, you can't afford the man power and you didn't like allying with the Cybernetic Evolution anyway. However, another shipment of weapons was already on its way when you enact this order. The cyborgs who arrive wonder why they haven't heard any reports of mutants attacking the Combine. Seeing that this alliance is over anyway. You immediately have the cyborgs killed (Which is easier than you thought it would be) and keep the weapons to help your own struggle.

A couple more cyborgs arrive a month later probably to investigate what happened to their fellows, and you have them killed as well. Your hope is that the CE will think they're losing them to Combine ambushes and will eventually just forget about you. And apparently they do because no more cyborgs are sent. You just hope the CE doesn't win against The Combine.

Eventually you manage to restore relative safety to the Dust District, its not safe like it once was though, but at least it isn't on the brink of disaster due to Salazar's mad plan. Being in charge isn't exactly a fun job, and its obvious why to as why nobody wanted to do it. Still the people see you as a savior of sorts and generally like you as a leader.

The warehouse that you live in, has been converted into the new head quarters, though you still live in the secret underground part that only you have access to…well at least you thought you did.

One night you wake up in your room to a very pale woman by your bed. Obviously she's a mutant, but she's somehow managed to avoid the ugliness and scaring that goes along with it, though she does have part of her face covered. She holds a pistol, but seems to be inspecting the place more than paying any attention to you.

"Boy this was so long ago and another life time…please don't go for your gun, I'm here to talk…my, you are a pretty one. Almost human looking…almost." she says finally paying attention to you.
"How the hell did you get past the guards?" you answer calculating how quickly you might be able to reach her before she can get off a shot.
"This war between our respective groups has taken a toll on both of us for quite sometime…I would ask that we finally have peace." She says ignoring your question.

You gather she's from the Shadow Horde, though you've never seen one like her. She's not brimming with muscles or trying to rip your head off for one thing. (And somehow she actually smells nice and unsewer like!) She is exuding a weird aura though, like you have a great desire to follow whatever she says. It's difficult to shake off these effects, but you try to keep a level head.

"Peace? You're ones always coming out at night to eat people! We were just trying to defend ourselves!"
"…yes I have come to understand that now…and I appreciate your desire to exist. You have held out against us for years and accomplished much within that time. However I would say that your most recent attack on us was most definitely equally as brutal. You came into our sewers…our home and murdered innocent women and children, decreasing the ranks of our future warriors and birth givers. You came in using weapons of unparalleled power and destruction, unleashing blinding rays of light, incinerating at a touch."
"Yeah, well like I said, YOU started it…however that recent attack wasn't my idea. I thought we shouldn't spread ourselves out so thin."
"Yes, I'm aware of that, your Captain Salazar is dead and you have taken his place, which is why I feel I can talk to you about coming to you about putting an end to this conflict once and for all. I know of your deeds and you seem to be a lot more rational and reasonable than your predecessor. Anyway, I've come to the conclusion that this conflict is only going to harm us in the long run. We have to think about the future. The future of mutant kind relies on us no longer fighting each other. I thought survival of the fittest was enough when I first embraced my evolution, I believed that only the strong should be allowed to rule…but now I see that isn't enough if we wish to thrive, we have to unite."
"What exactly are you getting at?"
"Oh come on, you know that we're the next stage of evolution. Humanity is the past, we're the future."
"Hmmm, I think I know some cyborgs that feel the same way."
"Ah yes your cybernetic allies who you temporarily allied with, only to ruthlessly back stab later. Obviously they aren't the future if they needed your help to defeat some humans. Listen to me, this City just isn't divided between the Zeropolis Guard and the Shadow Horde you know…there are other factions. You just never come on conflict with them because you're sectioned off in one corner of the City constantly fighting us and never able to spread out effectively. All these factions fight each other and that's not counting the Ferals. I'm proposing that we could take the first steps in truly uniting Zeropolis. We could first approach in friendship, and if that regrettably failed, we could take by force. Who could stop us? The Shadow Horde has a higher birth rate and the numbers, while the Zeropolis Guard has the resources. You'd attack on the surface and we could attack from below. We could rebuild the world in our image."

This rant is followed by her putting down her pistol, climbing on to your bed and seductively crawling closer to you, while taking off her strange protective mask revealing that the rest of her face isn't all scarred or mutated either. You feel really compelled to give in to her, and it's not just the fact that it's been awhile since you've been with a "human looking" chick. It's whatever aura she's exuding. It must be some sort of weird mutant ability she developed, but even though you're aware of it, that doesn't make it any less likely for you to want to resist. She's making a point you haven't considered before…you're in a position of power, why not use it effectively?

Her face is an inch away from yours and the only thing you can sputter is…

"What's your name?"
"I'm known as the Queen by the Horde, but you can call me Lisa." She replies before kissing you passionately.

[User] You give in

[Assistant]
You have no desire to resist her advances and you totally give in to consummate this new alliance in a very special way…

Afterwards you and Lisa get to know one another a little better. It's funny that she finally returned to the GZS research outpost after all these years. At the time you were kicking Owen's ass to take refuge here, she was attacked and nearly killed by Ferals and had to hide for several days struggling to survive. She mentions how she nearly died, how she got sick, how she came to accept the changes in her body, and how she managed to unite the sewer dwelling mutants.

You and Lisa talk about how you do both feel a sense of superiority to humanity, though it would seem Lisa has felt this way for a lot longer than you have and has stronger feelings about it, whereas you never really thought about it until you were actually killing Combine members. Indeed she does have a stronger feeling of only the strong should survive mindset, though that might be due to the harder path she had when trying to survive during those first few years.

You and Lisa begin to make plans for unifying Zeropolis. It isn't widely accepted at first, as there are hard feelings on both sides. Your side is willing to stop the fighting, but their a little leery of an alliance. However, your standing is good so you don't suffer outright rebellion, just a lot of grumbling. Lisa's side is even less receptive; you honestly don't know how she manages to keep those big hideous freaks in line even if she does have mutant pheromones and a strong force of will. As it turns out, the Shadow Horde for the first time splits and bickers among itself. Lisa manages to keep control of most of it, but not without an underground civil war.

After all the smoke clears, the Shadow Horde and the Zeropolis Guard (Which you've renamed the Zeropolis Legion) maintain a shaky alliance.

Five years pass…

Ten years have passed since you decided that going to the City would be a great place to find supplies…

Unification of Zeropolis has been going as planned, but its still slow going. Most of the Ferals still alive have managed to overcome their relentless need for violence and food, but that doesn't mean they are any nicer. The Shadow Horde has more success with those types as great display of strength, intimidation and fear work well. On your end you've managed to employ more peaceful means of incorporating the less hostile groups of mutants, such as restoring power to their areas and rebuilding. (The messenger rat system for long range communication even works well now)

You and Lisa could be considered "together" but it's a distant relationship. She runs her part, you run your part and every now and then you get together. She has some sort of feelings for you, but she's very much in her own world sometimes. Though the same could be said for you, but you do have feelings for her as well.

Lisa has also had your child. (Predictably 9 months after your "agreement" to the alliance.) A son, though you don't get to see him too much, mainly because Lisa wants him to be closer to her. In fact you get the impression one of the reasons she had sex with you was in order to have a fairly "normal" looking child. She called him Adonis. It would seem that for all her talk on mutant supremacy, she still holds the "human" standard of beauty in high regard, (though to be honest so do you!)  She's already training him to be self-sufficient with minor "tests" she sets up in the sewers; however despite this rather harsh training Lisa is very protective of Adonis.

The main faction standing in the way is one that has somehow gained momentum relatively recently over the last few years. A cult of mutants called the Glow Children, have taken over a great portion of Zeropolis through their weird faith. They follow a leader calling themselves the Savior. In your experience, groups with any type of religious faith behind them are never willing to negotiate and they aren't an exception. They are utterly fanatical and devoted to their cause. They also engage in attacks from the sewers as well, causing you to believe that ex-Shadow Horde members fill their ranks. They've made their headquarters (or Cathedral as it were) at the old hospital.

You and Lisa are supposed to meet tonight with the rest of your respective cabinet tonight to determine how to best approach the Glow Children problem. You're walking out of your headquarters with your guards when from out of the street a very very LARGE creature appears with the biggest fucking gun you've ever seen. Its resemblance to humanity is superficial even by Shadow Horde standards. You haven't seen ANYTHING like this before.

"Goddamn it Lisa what the fuck are your people doing!? You're supposed to be defending that area!" you yell to yourself ducking back inside your headquarters and lying flat. The creature's weapon rips through the door and the walls, killing many of your men. You hear gun fire outside followed by screams.

You know damn well it's probably going to laugh at normal weapons so you run to grab those old CE weapons you haven't used since the Alliance. Time to use those plasma guns again.

The creature breaks through the remaining bit of wall ignoring the bullets flying into its back, a Shadow Horde member presumably coming from the sewers jumps on it and stabs it in the head, but the giant aberration only grabs him and breaks his neck with a squeeze of his own enormous hand and throws the lifeless body through the nearby wall. You've never seen a Shadow Horde member treated like such a mere annoyance, and for once in a long time you really are scared.

You grab a plasma gun while the creature is still preoccupied with your guards doing their best to bring it down and that's when you fire a hot bolt of plasma into its massive body, again, again, and again, until the damn weapon overheats and burns your hands, causing you drop it. Fortunately you've melted enough of its internal anatomy to cause it to finally collapse and die.

"Alright what the fuck IS that thing?!" you shout wincing from the pain in your hands.
"It's a fucking big ass freak, that's what it is." One your men says. "You don't think it's a Horde member do you? You think they…"
"No, no, shit I hope not. Besides I just saw it kill a Horde member with its bare hands like it was nothing, never seen that before. Might've been an Ex-horde member at one time though."

Another one of your soldiers comes in through the hole in the wall and has more news for you.

"Just got word from one of the horde, they got a similar attack on their Queen. Don't worry though, she's alive and so is your son. She said she'll be arriving soon."

That relieves you on several levels; you were sort of worried about them even if you all aren't exactly a proper family unit. You and some of the others inspect the body of the fallen creature. Damn thing is huge, but what disturbs you more is the fact you're seeing cybernetic implants…not to mention its weapon is pretty high tech stuff, similar to the same ones you received from the Cybernetic Evolution…

"Oh shit, we got cyborg mutants." You say.
"What? But how? I mean…last we heard The Combine won that war. Just barely, but they won." One of your soldiers replies.
"Yeah, well it looks like there were survivors and they probably want revenge on us and what better way of doing that then by helping our enemies? (Sigh) the only good thing is that they can't possibly be able to have access to a lot of this high tech stuff anymore; they don't even have the means of manufacturing it since we own the factories. They're probably just using scraps and pieces they managed to take with them after the beat down they suffered from the hands of the Combine."

Though those "scraps and pieces" can still do a lot of damage, and that's not even counting the regular fanatical cultists. You'll really have to get this attack plan with Lisa organized quickly. Suddenly you hear MORE sounds of battle! The Glow Children have sent more of their suicidal attackers to wreak havoc in your territory, most likely attempting to get to you though. Your guards suggest you descend down into you private quarters for protection, until Lisa arrives.

[User] You wait in your quarters

[Assistant]
It won't do anyone any good if you're dead so you decide to follow your guards' advice and enter your quarters. Should at least be safe down there.

At least that's what you think. When you enter your living area, you're immediately attacked by another hidden assassin! He stabs you several times before you throw him off of you. You weakly pull your pistol and blast the mutant cultist several times, but he absolutely refuses to die!

"FOR THE SAVIOR!" he screams and finishes you off by shoving his knife in your throat, before he dies.


[System] Narrate a dark fantasy text adventure. The setting is harsh and morally complex. Describe scenes vividly, react to player choices with fitting consequences, and never shy away from the reality of the world.

[User] You cowardice is preferable to death... You will hide yourself\!

[Assistant]
You know that your magic is too weakened to rely upon, and while a trained warrior could probably handle those four goblins, you realize your swordskill is mediocre at best.

They appear to have spotted you, but you throw yourself flat on the ground - careful enough neither to break the flask you are carrying with you not to spike yourself on your sword - and roll down a hill, more away from the road.

There, you keep down, knowing that in your state you are unlikely to outrun them. The hand on your swordhilt, you cower in darkness, thankful that the young moon does not give off much light.

An eternity passes, and you are about to raise your head, as you hear the shuffling feet and the gutural language of the goblin patrol approaching. In the darkness, you briefly consider weaving a minor charm to make you unseen, but you are afraid that even the tiniest motion of a hand would betray you, so you hold your breath and remain still.

Another eternity passes - probably barely more than a minute - and the sounds of the patrol fade away again - obviously they were not intent on searching too hard, after the beating they took at the ambush.

Breathing a sigh of relief, you sit down to gather your strength again before continuing.


[System] Narrate a dark fantasy text adventure. The setting is harsh and morally complex. Describe scenes vividly, react to player choices with fitting consequences, and never shy away from the reality of the world.

[User] Continue

[Assistant]
You turn, quickly hurrying back along the mineshaft at a light job. You try move at a reasonable speed, dealing with your exhaustion as best as you can. You struggle to remember the map's various roots to your destination, and manage to turn off where you're supposed to, heading through the halls at a light jog.

You have to move quick to avoid the prowling werewolves, but your senses mean that by time they hear you, you hear them, and you manage to move quickly to avoid the bastards.

It takes some time, but you manage to come across the heavy wooden door to the armory, a dusty "Equipment Storage Area" sign above the door. You breathe a sigh of relief.

Your journey's nearly over now.

[User] You knock on the door

[Assistant]
You knock on the heavy wooden door, a loud knocking noise ringing through the mineshaft. You wait for a moment, as the noise echoes off before being replaced by silence. For a moment, you worry no one's actually inside, before you're answered.

"What is it?" a gruff, manic voice comes through the door. "What?"

Time to think of a lie to get him to open the door. Quick!

[User] You say "I'm here to relieve you from guard duty!"

[Assistant]
"I'm here to relieve you from guard duty."

"Thank fuck," the voice answers. "I haven't eaten in hours. Those fucking Hunters need to learn their place, god dammit. Two secs."

The door clicks unlocked, before swinging open. A weak, skinny figure stumbles out, his height only further stretching his gaunt frame becoming almost skeletal. His manic eyes spot you as he realizes he's been tricked, but you're far faster and better prepared than he is, moving forward swiftly with your knife drawn. You slice your blade into his stomach, moving up through the ribs and killing him instantly. He gasps as you continue to slice through his flesh. He goes weak, as you push his limp body to the ground. You grab him under his armpit, dragging him into the room and closing the door behind you.

You move into the room, staring around it at the racks of equipment. Most of it is useless to you, picks, shovels and other mining tools. Most importantly, however, are your targets. Racks of C4, plastic explosives, dynamite and timed explosives are stacked haphazardly in crates in the corner, no doubt to be used for sabotage and destruction by the werewolves' servants, and the werewolves in their human forms. You smile, seeing nothing but potential there. There's definitely enough to wipe out these sons of bitches and bring this mine down on itself.

[User] You rig this place up

[Assistant]
Your work with explosives isn't exemplary, but as a Hunter, you've worked with it before. You've done basic training in using them in the field, and even used them in hunting before. Triggering an avalanche to take out a pack of starved ghouls born from starved, lost, cannibalistic campers, a demolition of a ghost-ridden house and even using a grenade to take out a cultist's van.

So, while this is a step up, it's not beyond you.

You work quickly in setting up the explosives piling dynamite and fire-ignition based explosives as a base for the stacks of plastic explosives, all linked to the trigger of a simple timer. The work is hard, focusing being near impossible due to the ravenous hunger of the beast within, but you focus on your task and keep working, focusing on your pain when needs be.

You set it for three minutes, adding an additional back-up timer hidden away under the stack so that if the first one is found and disabled, the disarmer is in for a serious surprise.

Your job finished, you lean back, sighing as you stare ahead of you. As the ticking slowly continues, you wonder what's left to do.

[User] You wait for death

[Assistant]
Ash and Silver

You stare at the explosives, watching as it slowly ticks away. You breathe slowly, feeling the beast within howl and roar. Just a few minutes now. Soon, this hellish night will come to an end. You breathe slowly, a smile on your face as you weakly watch the clicking counter. It's time for this all to end. As the timer clicks to the last few seconds, you laugh, a freeing sound as you shake off all your worries and stress, your terrors and your nightmares, and just lets you feel free for the first time tonight.

You expect a flash and a bang, but it doesn't come. Instead, the world just suddenly goes dark as the desperate, clawing, howling beast within you get pulled down into the depths of darkness with you.

The mine erupt in a wave of ash and fire, the mines collapsing down itself and burying the entire mine shaft in a pile of rubble and earth, nothing but a mass grave now. The mine collapsed upon the werewolves' lair, everything inside is killed almost instantly, you included. As the sun rises on a new morning, chasing the moon from the sky, there's an air of hope left. The werewolf menace is defeated, the pack wiped out, the few survivors fleeing through the forest to where they'll be mopped up by the Hunters come to figure out what's happened you.

The werewolf menace is wiped out, and the creatures that threatened to rule the night are left as nothing. The hold of the moon broken, nothing's left of the world. Although your thirteenth hunt has come to an end, as has you, you've done your duty. The dark things that plague the night, creatures made from darkness and nightmares that feed upon the blood and flesh of the innocent and that rule the night and loathe the living, are slaughtered like lambs, and it is safe to walk the night once more.


[System] Run a text-based dark fantasy adventure game. Describe the world with gritty realism, respond to player actions with narrative consequences, and maintain the tone of a world where survival is never guaranteed.

[User] Continue

[Assistant]
You shake your head; you can't walk away from this. Your mom might be in serious trouble because this loan. Selling the inn might not even be enough to cover it and even if it is, she probably won't have enough to fall back on.

You aren't angry with her, but you do feel a little anger towards your dad for getting her in this position (and you indirectly). You realize he still had the best intentions for you, but those don't really help right now.

"Alright first things first, who is the name of this loanshark?" you ask your mother.

"Mr. Reynolds. He'll be coming next week to pick up a collection. He's not a member of the Crimson Talons, but he does have a couple of their goons working for him."

"The Crimson Talons? Oh geez, this just get better…okay how is this place doing for business?"

"It's doing about as well as it always has."

"That won't be enough, we'll need to get more people in here, or cut costs somehow."

"Well your father was going to have more work done on the rooms in the hopes that it would keep adventurers and maybe even merchants to come back whenever they travel through here. I'm not sure if it's worth it though. Adventures don't care where they sleep half the time and it's not always a sure thing that they're going to live long enough for repeat business. As for merchants, I think this place is a little too blue collar for them most of the time."

"You said something about getting a new liquor supplier?"

"Yeah, the one here raised their prices, it would actually be cheaper to get the stuff shipped in from Hessla. Your father was supposed to meet with the new potential distributor in a couple days, so I'm not sure how that's going to go through, if at all."

"How about the staff?"

"The staff is working on minimum wage as it is, we've got three barmaids, Rita, Eliza and Wendy and they're all disgruntled about their jobs, but they all still work well.. We can barely pay them though, and we might have to fire one of them.

Grim stuff, but you're determined to see this through. Since the liquor supplier from Hessla won't arrive in two days you're just going to focus on what you can do now.

Fixing the rooms is still a good idea to keep potential returning wandering adventurers happy. Spending a little money now could increase potential profits later. Who knows, maybe even a merchant will show up and spread the word that this place isn't just some place where miners get drunk.

Firing people sounds like it might save you money, but all it's really going to do is create more work for the rest of you, so you decide to hold off on firing anyone for now.

Your mother doesn't agree with your idea of fixing the rooms, but seems relieved that you're not firing anyone.

Things go as normal at the inn. Several of the miners still offer their condolences about your father and are surprised to see that you're taking up his mantle as it were, but other than that they don't say to much to you. They probably don't know what to say since while some of them might know you since you were little, but you're not really "one of them" in terms of education level. Not to say they're all a bunch of grunting idiots, but they probably figure you're used to talking about things of a more cerebral nature. You don't mind though, after all your main concern is getting your mom out of debt.

Two days pass and the supplier from Hessla arrives. He's a grungy shady looking individual, but considering he's from Hessla that's hardly surprising.

He immediately says his name is Calwin asks for your father at which point you tell him he died recently. Calwin shows no sympathy and merely complains that he's made a trip up here for no reason. You show a little restraint and call your mother to speak with him, but after five minutes with him she's ready to throw him out the door for hitting on her, and you're not exactly thrilled with him either at this point.

"Look folks, if you want good quality alcohol at a low price I'm willing to deal wit ya, but I'm gonna need some incentive for my troubles because y'all seem like a buncha uptight prigs. Now I was invited here by the man who ran this establishment, so you called me here, if my help ain't wanted, I'll be on my way…" Calwin says.

While you're tempted to just have him leave, you decide it would be best to at least see if his stuff is any good.

"Alright prove it. Surely you've brought some of your alcohol here so we can test to see if it's any good."

"Well I do have some with me, but I can't just be givin' this stuff away for free."

"Don't worry, you'll be compensated."

You call attention to the miners in the room and ask them if they'd like to try some new beer, naturally they're all for it. A few of the miners take their fill of Calwin's beer and they say that it's different from what they usually drink, but it's just as good.

Calwin looks a little put off that they claimed his alcohol is "just as good", but still maintains that it's better than what you already have. He states his price, and also mentions that he wants a free room whenever he comes here since he's apparently got a harpy of a wife at home and he likes to stay away for a couple days before having to go back to Hessla.

Your mother obviously isn't thrilled with having to deal with him, and in the short time he's been here; he's also hit on every one of the barmaids. Granted they're used to such behavior, he's particularly revolting. (Plus he's from Hessla)

[User] You deal with him, but no free room

[Assistant]
You tell him if he wants to spend a few days here that's fine, but he's paying like everyone else, either that he can lower the price of his alcohol to cover the cost. Calwin protests saying that he should be put up for free, but you're unmoved. Eventually he tells you to forget it and tells his lackeys to just carry his booze down to your cellar and he'll be on his way.

"Glad you stood your ground on that one. Don't really want his type hanging around anyway." Your mother says.

The next few days are blessed ones. Some successful adventurers walk in with a whole lot of loot. They rest up in your nice rooms and tip generously. By the end of the week you've managed to save bit of money.

While you're sweeping up the inn early morning, a non-descript man of medium height enters with two bigger figures. One of them is unmistakably an ogre while the other guy is just a tall muscular human. Either one could break you in half.

"Are you are Mr. Reynolds?" you ask, knowing that it has to be him.

"That would be me. I take it you're the son of my late debtor? I do hope you realize that the debt doesn't end with him dying…" Mr. Reynolds says

"No, no of course not. I've got your payment."

Mr. Reynolds looks pleased that you've handed him a weighty bag of coins.

"Nice. Glad to see we're getting off on the right foot, kid. Wouldn't want to have to sic Olaf here on you." Mr. Reynolds says while patting his ogre goon on the arm. "Be seein' ya in a few weeks kid."

As Mr. Reynolds leaves, your mother comes running up from the cellar wondering what's going on.

"Was that Reynolds? Why didn't you call me up here?!"

"I had it under control, besides it all went well. We're saving money, and hopefully those nice rooms we have will pay off still."

The next few days are uneventful; the miners seem to be enjoying the new Hessla ale though so that's a relief. They even seem to be talking to you a little more, one of the older miners Aglim, remarks about the adventurers that spent a few nights here awhile back.

"Y'know that's something I should've went into, instead of mining. You travel all over the damn place, killin things and take their shit. Sounds a hell of a lot more fun than spendin' your time hittin' the same damn piece of mountain over and over again."

"They didn't speak too much to me, but they said they were coming back from the Cloudpeak Mountains. Said they found some old crypt filled with treasure." You say.

"Yeah, I'll bet it was some old Dwarven tomb too. For their sake, they better hope the dwarves don't find out about it. They aren't too fond of outsiders desecrating their dead like that. Still, there's been an increase in those types lately in the mountains and a lot of them have been passing back and forth through Klyton. You might want to do some advertising for your inn or something." Aglim says before walking back to his table with his friends.

He does bring up an interesting point. You obviously have some nice rooms now, why not be a little pro-active and get more of these adventuring types to spend their ill gotten loot here?

You figure the best way to do this is appealing to the lowest common denominator. Sex appeal…

"What?! Son I certainly hope you aren't suggesting that…"

"NO! I was thinking about someone a lot younger like one of the barmaids."

"Hmm, I'm not sure if that's more or less insulting…very well I agree that getting those adventuring type in here would help out a lot. We used to have more, but ever since the Flying Griffon Inn opened up in the merchant district we get less of their business."

"Do you know anything about this other inn?"

"Not much except it doesn't really offer anything more than ours, it just happens to be in a better location, what with all the shops around it and all."

You weren't aware of this other inn, then again you've just been focusing on your immediate problems. Maybe you should actively try to discredit this other inn while you're advertising. The one thing you need to do is speak to your barmaids about this.

"Huh, well I can tell you right now I'm not parading around the streets trying to seduce passing adventurers like some harlot." Wendy says.

"I'll do it, but I'm not sucking anyone's cock!" Rita exclaims.

"We…we have to suck someone's cock?" Eliza asks looking a little worried.

" Argh! Nobody is going to have to suck anyone's cock!" you yell. "Look I only need one of you to go out on the street, find adventurers and try to entice them into coming to our Inn. I don't really care how you do it, just try your best, and that will most likely involve you looking as pretty as you can."

"Oh, well I suppose I could try to do that if I have to." Eliza says.

[User] You pick Rita

[Assistant]
You get the impression Eliza might be a little too shy for this sort of thing, so Rita seems like a better choice. Rita's also the most extroverted and will most likely prefer doing this than having to work at the inn.

"Alright Rita, starting tomorrow, you're working the streets…er so to speak. Don't think you still won't be working around here though; I'll still need you during the late shift. Besides I don't want you wandering around at night, people might get the wrong idea or something."

"Fine, as long as it gets me out of this place for a little while I'm game."

"Okay, also I'd like you to try to throw around some insults about the Flying Griffon Inn while you're making your sales pitch."

"Got it."

The next day, Rita comes in and while she's always been a pretty girl, she now looks like a succubus that you've heard about from old tales. You try to contain your own desire to shamelessly flirt with her.

"By the gods Rita, you're going to have every guy within this area after you."

"Meh, wouldn't be the first time. Okay, I'm off, try not to fantasize about me too much while I'm gone."

You're not exactly sure how to take that, but you are wondering how this will play out for you.

Over the course of a few days you definitely see a drastic increase in customers, and not just adventurers either. You've got Klyton Milita (who usually just drink at their barracks) coming in and even a few humble storeowners. You're making a lot more money, but it's a lot of extra work for the rest of you.

Mr. Reynolds receives sizable amounts of money and he continues to be satisfied with your payments. At this rate you'll probably be able to get out of debt by the end of the year.

The only major problems are how overworked the rest of you are getting and how arrogant Rita is getting.

Rita states that she should even have to work as a barmaid anymore because it interferes with her "advertising."

"Advertising? You wiggle your ass at horny men! You're basically a harlot that doesn't put out…or is there another reason why everyone comes here?" Wendy accuses.

"Figures that you'd be jealous of my popularity. Face it; I do more around here than ANYONE to keep this place successful, and I deserve some credit for it!" Rita demands.

"Hey we all know Rita, but…"

"But nothing, if you expect me to keep working here, I want a raise and I don't want to be working as some lowly barmaid anymore! I'm above serving food and drinks!"

"So you basically want to be paid to stand around and look pretty? What the hell kind of job title would we even call that?" you ask.

"I dunno, hostess maybe? Yeah, I'd be the hostess!"

"By the gods, this is ridiculous! You can't seriously be considering this!" Wendy exclaims.

The only people who are silent in all this are Eliza who is being her usual quiet self, and your mother who just shrugs and says it's your call since this was mainly your idea. You get the impression she doesn't care for Rita's attitude though.

[User] You make Rita a hostess

[Assistant]
Sometimes you have to take risks to get ahead.

"Alright fine, if that's the way this is going, then we don't have much of a choice. Rita, you're the Miner's Mug hostess." You say.

"WHAT!?

"As it should be."

"Fuck this, I'm not working myself to death while she gets a raise to just stand around." Wendy says.

"That's good because you'll be getting a raise as well since I'm promoting you to head barmaid and we're hiring a new one. Now that should make you feel a little bit better now shouldn't it?"

Before Wendy can reply, your mother speaks up.

"What are you doing? We can't afford all this or have you forgotten that we still have to pay off Mr. Reynolds?"

"And we are, and we will. But this place has finally gotten the kind of business it should be getting and we need to broaden our base. We're getting more than just miners and low ranking adventurers; we're starting to get a slightly higher class of patrons. I think these changes will be good in the long run, so are we all in agreement?"

Everyone seems to nod and be fine with their new job titles/promotions and the idea of making the inn into a better moneymaker. Just then Eliza speaks up after being quiet the whole time.

"I have a suggestion. If we're branching out past our usual miner customers shouldn't we change the name of the inn to something slightly more inclusive?"

Eliza has a point, after thinking about it, you come up with "The Traveler's Inn" which seems to be as good as name as any to signify people other than miners come here. The changes are made…

Months pass and everything goes as well as expected. Everyone is a little busier, but the inn is finally making a lot more profit and you were right, eventually you get out of Mr. Reynolds' debt. You half expect him to try to pull a fast one to get more money out of you, but with the increase in Klyton Militia hanging around, he doesn't and just says if you ever need another loan in the future you know where to find him. You're definitely not going to let that happen.

You also re-establish your alcohol supplier with Klyton again. You're making enough money to afford it and you won't have to deal with Calwin anymore.

The inn is profitable again and you've effectively saved the place and your mother from potential danger (as well as yourself) but taking over your father's inn wasn't your dream and it wasn't your parents' dreams either. They pushed you to make something better of yourself and it stuck.

You're not going to give up now, you have to find out a way of raising enough money to put yourself through school again AND finding the time to study while running the inn. You try to think about how you're going to accomplish this, and you know you've got quite the challenge ahead of you.

[User] Back to school...

[Assistant]
A year has passed and you're back in college, though it's not as much fun as it was when you didn't need to worry about where your tuition was coming from or having something like a job.

Finding time to study while running the inn is difficult, but fortunately your mother picks up some of the slack when you really need time. You've also managed to re-establish some old contacts with people you were "friends" with before your "break". Most of them are ahead of you and some are getting ready to graduate. While none of them bothered to stay in contact with you (so much for education breaking down class distinctions) a few of them are still willing to help you out by selling you books for cheap or giving you some of their old notes. Every little bit helps.

As for the inn, it's doing well, but you constantly worry about its future profitability. You've got a much broader customer base and even classed the place up a bit, but this isn't without its drawbacks. Namely the Flying Griffon Inn has stepped up its efforts to get back its customers. This has so far involved an aggressive advertising campaign, hiring a bunch of sexy barmaids and special deals. So far it has helped them a lot and if they continue to succeed, your inn is going to start losing money and you can't have that. It doesn't help that your place isn't in as good of a location as the Flying Griffon

So first things first, you need to figure out how to deal with Flying Griffon and you call a staff meeting in the hopes of getting some other ideas on how to deal with them.

"Why don't you just hire someone to cut up their slutty barmaids? I mean that's what's mainly getting the main draw right? Seems like you could easily solve the problem by getting rid of them." Rita says. Naturally this doesn't go over well with the others.

"That's horrible!" Eliza says

" What? I didn't say kill them, they'd still be able to work and shit. They just wouldn't be pretty anymore."

"Have you gotten so jealous that you've gone completely barmy? By the gods, we're not doing that, we're not the Crimson Talons!" Wendy shouts.

As much as disfiguring Flying Griffon's staff would solve some problems, you hesitate to resort to such measures.

"Maybe we could offer deals to traveling merchants like Flying Griffon does, like they get a discount on their rooms?" your mom suggests.

"Not sure if that's going to help us a lot, unless we make an addition to the inn. It's not like our rooms aren't being used. If we start giving discount to merchants we might attract them, but we might not have enough rooms to accommodate them or we'll be accommodating them, but won't be accommodating adventurer types who are paying full price." Wendy says.

"Well if you're so knowledgeable Wendy, what's YOUR solution?" Rita sneers.

"We have a lot of Klyton Milita that come here to drink now don't we? Why don't we get some of them to help us? Seems like some very public investigation during heavy business hours would help out a lot and ruin the reputation of Flying Griffon. Hell, maybe they'll even find something and we'll really get lucky."

You take all these suggestions into consideration, but you can't help notice that Eliza looks like she wants to say something.

"Eliza, do you have a suggestion?"

"Huh? Oh. Um…yes…but I... Just forget it. It's silly anyway. The rest of your ideas sound better."

"Eliza, just spit it out!" Wendy demands.

"It's okay, just tell us." You say with a lot less intimidation.

"Well okay, but it's silly. I was going to suggest getting someone on the inside to spy on the place and finding something to use against them. It seems odd that they are managing to attract that much attention with just pretty barmaids when we have our own. I think maybe something else is going on there, like an illegal brothel or something."

Most of you are surprised that Eliza came up with something so complex.

"Well, that's a very elaborate plan Eliza, but I think we could accomplish the same thing just by sending in our militia buddies to harass them. Like I said, if they do find anything actually incriminating, then its even better."

"Yes, of course. That sounds like a more efficient idea." Eliza says.

[User] You go with Rita's idea

[Assistant]
While all the rest of the ideas seem okay, you really think you need to act quickly on this. It'll be ugly and ruthless, but unfortunately necessary. Since everyone is against Rita's idea though, you decide not to say anything about it and say you're going to have to think everything over later.

When everyone's away you decide to talk to Rita privately.

"Rita, can I speak to you for a moment?"

"I knew this was coming eventually…look you're alright looking and if you do manage to become a doctor then maybe I'll be interested, but until then…"

"What? No! I wanted to speak to you about your plan."

"Oh." Rita says looking a little disappointed that you weren't suggesting what she thought you were.

"Anyway, who did you have in mind to do this deed?"

"Well, I don't know really. I figured you might know, I mean didn't you have Crimson Talon connections or something?"

"Connections? Those were thugs that were going to break my legs if I didn't pay a loanshark on time. I don't have any connections. I mean with all the guys you go out with…"

"Hey! I don't like what you're implying! Contrary to popular belief I'm not some whore like those two half breed sluts you saw fit to hire recently. I'm a lot more selective and I'm certainly not going out with criminal types!"

"Hmmm, if you say so."

"Why don't you just go back to that Reynolds guy? I mean he's sort of a connection right?"

"You must be joking!"

"Not at all, I mean surely for a fee he could lend you that ogre for a little while right?"

"I dunno if it works that way…(Sigh) alright I suppose I could try since I don't have any other contacts."

"Okay. Oh! Here take this." Rita says handing you a small notebook.

"What's this?"

"It's the name of every whore that works for the Flying Griffon and their physical description. I have where some of them live too, but not all of them."

You stare at Rita in disbelief

"What? Eliza's not the only one who can think up spying you know." Rita remarks.

"Yeah, but Eliza's not the one who was stalking the competition out of jealousy either. Nevermind, I guess this will help since I never kept up on who worked there anyway."

The next day after class, you don't go to the inn, but instead head to where you know Mr. Reynold's "office" is. It's not in a good part of the city, but you make it without any problems.

Mr. Reynold's is currently alone and smiles when he sees you.

"Somehow I just knew we'd meet each other again soon, so how much you need this time?"

"I don't need money, I need something else and you're about the only person I can think of who might be able to help."

"Oh? Well this is interesting. What is it?"

"I need that ogre that works for you or whoever that other big guy was."

"Olaf and Silence? They're not freelancing for me anymore sadly. The Crimson Talons have them doing something more directly important for them. I believe they fight at one of those underground gladiator matches now."

"Well, can I get in contact with them some how?"

"Ha ha ha! Well I suppose I could tell you, but I don't think they'd necessarily let you in, I guess you'd have to speak to whoever's in charge and well it would be a big hassle really…what did you need them for anyway?"

"Is it any of your business?"

"Well if Olaf and Silence had still been freelancing for me it would've been, but I guess not now. I'm assuming you need some sort of muscle though, and if that is the case I DO have two new employees that might work out for you. David! Tom! Get in here, we might have some business!"

"Yeah, boss what's up…hey! I know you!" David says looking at you.

"Hey! How's it been? Didn't you go to college?" Tom adds.

Now here's a blast from the past, your two old school buddies all grown up and obviously full blown criminals now. Funny to think back how your life turned out so different…then again maybe not considering you're here to have several women horribly disfigured.

"Well, it seems you gentlemen all know each other, maybe now you're ready to tell us what you need doing?"

You take a deep breath and state what you need done.

"Wow, didn't expect that one." Mr. Reynolds says. David and Tom are also surprised.

"Shit, what the hell did they do to you, cheat on you?" David asks.

"Fuck man, that's some serial killer shit!" Tom adds.

"Look, I don't need them killed! I just need them disfigured so they aren't pretty anymore."

"Yeah, I got that. Okay, so how much you willing to pay?" Mr. Reynolds asks.

You and Mr. Reynolds negotiate a price, which is agreeable, but Tom begins to speak up.

"Uh…I dunno Mr. Reynolds. I don't think I can do this…"

"Tom, stop being a pussy! We're just gonna cut up some bitches and get out, shit ain't that hard." David says

"But I dunno. I just feel weird about doing this. It's not like beating up people who don't pay on time."

"You'll do what I tell you to do! David, you better keep your little sidekick in line before I replace the pair of you!" Mr. Reynolds snaps.

You think back to your old childhood involving your former friends. Tom always was the weakest of you three, but he always went along despite protests. You have no doubt David's capable of committing the act, you just wonder if he's gotten any brighter since then. The last thing you need is for them to fuck this up for you and get all of you in trouble.

Getting the "real professionals" might be tough though. Might even cost more money.

[User] You hire David and Tom

[Assistant]
Getting Olaf and Silence seems unlikely now, you're sure you could probably travel the seedy underbelly of Klyton and hire some other Crimson Talon thugs, but you'd really rather not. Besides, you actually "know" David and Tom to a degree so you feel slightly more comfortable with them.

"Splendid! Now David and Tom, you go back with your old friend here and I'm sure he can fill you in on more details. I expect to see the pair of you soon with the money." Mr. Reynolds before he goes back writing in a ledger.

You, David and Tom all walk back your inn. This whole thing feels a little surreal, like you're all back in primary school again.

"So. What brings you back to the old neighborhood? Thought you were gonna be a rich doctor or some shit." David asks.

"Ehh, long story. I've actually been back for awhile running my dad's inn. Still taking classes, just not living on campus anymore."

"Yeah heard about your dad dying. Wish mine was dead; mean old fucker's still alive. Never talk or see him anymore though after he kicked me out of the house."

"…huh….uh so Tom what's been going on with you?" you ask changing the subject.

"Me? Um, nothing. Me and David just work for Mr. Reynolds beating people up who don't pay. So you owed him money before we worked for him?"

"Well, not me, but my family borrowed some. It's all in the past though."

"That's good. It would've been weird seeing each other again under those circumstances. I don't think I could intimidate your mom. She was always so nice, not like my mom."

"That's because your mom's still a big ass scary dyke that's why!" David taunts.

"Shut up David! My mom's not a dyke! She just has a roommate!"

Some things never change…

Speaking of moms, it occurs to you that actually taking them to the inn to talk probably isn't a good idea as your mom will probably start asking you all sorts of question on why you're hanging out with your old hoodlum friends. Instead you go into an alley.

"Okay, here's a list of the girls you need to confront, their names, descriptions, and even addresses for most of them."

"Shit, what the hell did you stalk 'em or something? Sounds like you could've done this yourself." David remarks.

"I didn't stalk them, I just have an overly enthusiastic employee motivated greatly by jealousy. Now I'm depending on you guys to do this right."

"Relax, we're professionals now. None of this getting caught in the candy store for us anymore."

"Okay, so how long do you think this will take you?"

"Ehhh, we can probably get this done in a few days if we hurry. Quite a few targets, but it really shouldn't take long. Probably get most of them after they leave work or going to work. I assume we'll meet at your inn when the job's done?"

"Uh no, we'll meet over in the park around five, where we used to play Smash Sphere in a couple days. If you haven't finished the job by then, we'll meet again there in two more days and that should hopefully give you enough time."

"I told you we'll be done before then, but fine we'll do it this way since you think your inn is obviously too good for us…"

"That's not…"

"Bullshit! The very fact that we're talking in this alley is an indication that you don't want us in your place."

"Is that true? I thought we were friends?" Tom asks being slow on the uptake as usual.

"David, I have certain patrons and I can't have known criminals walking around the place, not to mention my mom…"

"Fuck you, mama's boy. All that fancy learnin' and you still live with your mom. We may be lowly thugs but at least we're not still livin' at home. Rather be a goon for hire than a hypocrite like you. Too good to have us at your fancy ass inn, but not too good to hire us to wipe out the competition eh?"

You're silent for a moment after David's accurate statement, but you're not going to let him get away with talking like that to you even if it does mean a possible beating.

"…Alright, fine David. You got me, I'm a fucking hypocrite, is that what you want to hear? At least I tried to do something with my fucking life rather than just rot in juvie for most of my youth and live a hand to mouth existence as some dumb ass goon. So are you gonna do the fucking job or what?"

David starts laughing.

"Sheesh, I was just fucking with you. You always did take shit so seriously. Anyway yeah we'll get right on this. See ya in a couple days mama's boy. Heh."

You part company with David and Tom hoping that you've made the right decision.

A few days pass and you wait at the park at the time you mentioned. Time passes and neither has shown up yet and you start feel anxious.

"I have to say, I'm surprised at the lengths you went through to compete with me. I never expected you to pull something like this. You might've succeeded in this clumsy attempt, but a couple of my employees were a little more skilled than your thugs."

It's Frank, the owner of The Flying Griffon. You're so shocked that you can't even come up with an excuse. It doesn't matter though since Frank isn't done talking.

"Don't bother with excuses, I know everything. Your little friends proved quite talkative when questioned. On the brighter side for you, you won't have to pay them now."

"They're dead?"

"Oh I wouldn't know about such things, but I do know they won't be troubling anyone else any longer. Now the question is what to do about you?"

"…you don't need to do anything about me…in fact I suggest you don't. I'm friends with several Klyton militia and an investigation would certainly follow if I were to suddenly disappear."

Frank smirks and your attempt to intimidate him.

"Truly? Might I also tell these same militia friends of your of how you hired two thugs to cut up my employees? But let's get to the point, you've done a lot of damage to my business and I think some reparations are in order. I want your inn. Or rather your mother's inn."

"What?"

"You heard me. That's the only thing that's going to get you out of this mess you've dug yourself into. I'll of course give you a few days to make preparations. Don't bother asking if you can still live or work there, I'm afraid I just couldn't trust someone who has shady dealings."

"And if I say no?"

"I'd advise against it. That's all I'm going to say. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back, we're a little understaffed lately."

You quickly make your way back to the inn lamenting the mess you've gotten yourself into. You glare at Rita on your way in while everyone else asks you where you've been. You're distracted all night and your mother notices it the most. At the end of the workday she asks if there's anything wrong.

[User] You tell her everything

[Assistant]
You can't hide something like this, so you just confess everything. Your mother says nothing for a moment and then you feel a slap to your face.

"I can't believe you would do such a thing. That is not how you were raised! Those poor women! They were just trying to earn a living and you had them disfigured just to hamper the competition? We were doing just fine!"

"No, we weren't! Frank's inn was starting to beat the hell out of us in everyway! With the way things were going we wouldn't have had enough business to support this place let alone me trying to finish up my schooling!"

"Is your schooling more important than basic humanity or even the confines of the law? (Sigh) Nevermind, I suppose some of this is our fault. We pushed so hard for your education that now you're willing to do anything to achieve it…well there's only one thing left to do I suppose. Sell this place to Frank."

"What?! He's not going to do anything, he's just bluffing!"

'And what if he isn't? What if he decides to do the same thing you did, or worse? No, I'm not living my life like that; I had enough of it with Mr. Reynolds who YOU just recently brought into our lives again by hiring your old hoodlum friends of yours. So first thing I want you to do in the morning is to pay whatever you agreed to Mr. Reynolds, I'm sure we can cover it or else you wouldn't have made the deal. Meanwhile I'll talk to Frank to hammer out the agreement."

"So that's it then? We're just giving up?"

"Nobody's giving up son. I stayed to help you as much as I could, but I can't stand by and help you anymore if you're going to engage in criminal activity. I'm selling this place and saving you from yourself. Now if you decide to continue being involved in criminal activity, well…I suppose I can't stop you, but in any case I'm moving back to Teckleville."

You protest, yell and accuse at your mother for a good half hour, but her mind is made up and eventually she just closes her door and goes to sleep.

The next few days go according to your mother's wishes. Mr. Reynolds is paid, though he does wonder about where David and Tom are, you tell him that maybe he should take that up with Frank. The Traveller's Inn is sold to Frank and your mother doesn't give you any of the money from the sale. She just wishes you well and knows that with your intelligence you'll be able to find work before she moves back to Teckleville.

It doesn't need to be said that you're very angry about all this, at your mother, at Rita, at David and Tom, at Frank, at everyone really, but you're mainly mad at yourself. You should've shown better judgment and now you've lost everything.

You do manage to find work, but it's only as a lowly clerk filing away insignificant papers and other dull material. You never really get ahead and your former goals are discarded anyway since you wonder why you wasted all that time studying only for it to all fall apart so spectacularly.

As the years pass you only grow more bitter and angry until one day you snap and arrive at work, killing your boss with your dad's old Troll Gun.

The Klyton Militia soon arrive and as you lay dying from several sword blows and a few gunshot wounds all you do is laugh.

"Thanks dad…you heh heh heh finally came through heh heh heh (sputter) for me…"


[System] Narrate a grim fantasy text adventure. The Empire's world is brutal, its people hardened. Respond to the player's choices with immersive storytelling and let consequences flow naturally.

[User] You hack Rocker Chick

[Assistant]
(Sigh) You really didn't want it to come to this, but this is for survival now. You hack Rocker Chick's shelter and siphon her power, which gives you enough boost to send a violent surge of it to Shadow to purposely overload and fry out some vital components, from what you can tell you succeed. The last of his protection programs go completely down.

At this point both of your systems are a mess and working erratically. You're in a little bit better shape, but with the worm slowing down everything, you are unable to siphon from the last shelter available to give you the winning boost. As it turns out, this was fortuitous.

When Shadow siphons power from Job's shelter, it completely paralyzes and destroys his system, since all the errors and problems Job had were downloaded into Shadow's shelter. He's at your mercy, and even with your worm problems, you have enough time to apply the coup de grace. He loses all power and his name disappears once again. You stay on line for awhile to make sure he's really gone, but from your checking, he's definitely probably screaming in the darkness of his underground tomb now. You then think about how the others are probably doing the same thing.

It suddenly occurs to you that everyone was sentenced to their deaths and they weren't even involved in the fight. Innocents were killed in some misguided effort to "save" them. At best they were cannon fodder and "resources" for your war with Shadow.

This is the kind of thing that got the planet blown to fucking shit to begin with. Assholes, who don't like one another, don't back down and then insist on dragging everyone else into hell with them.

You didn't "win" anything. If anything you made things worse, not just for the others, but even for yourself. Your Shelter is never the same again. You spend weeks still trying to root out all the infections, and repair damaged files, but some things can't be repaired and the AI is fucked beyond any type of salvation even if you had the means. It never speaks again and barely runs at all. Ultimately you have to play it safe and just keep minimal lighting in the living area, and only keep the food and water dispensers working. Everything else that needs power is never used again for fear of your jury-rigging going all to shit and leaving you like the rest of your neighbors.

You spend your remaining years alone in near darkness pondering your judgment that day, slowly going mad.

"I was right…I was right…" you often mutter to yourself.


[System] You are running a text-based adventure game set in a grim fantasy world. Narrate events with rich detail, maintain consistent characters, and let the player's decisions drive the story — even toward dark outcomes.

[User] You everything Will Be Alright

[Assistant]
Azula takes a deep breath before entering the highest floor of the prison. It was specially refurbished for the sole occupant. That person should've been me. The Fire Lord decided to place over six dozen guards on this floor alone. They are on constant alert for him trying to break out or anyone trying to break in. I do wonder if the latter would break in to kill him or to free him.

The guards eye her with suspicion. With one exception, everyone does. And everyone should. I'm a m… I'm me after all. You're such a dum-dum, Zuzu. Her footsteps click across the floor in the otherwise silent floor. No one dares to speak. Everyone seems on edge. Zuzu really wanted to come with her, but she refused. This is something I must do myself.

Azula stops in front of the cell. She doesn't smirk. She doesn't spit on him. She doesn't laugh at him. He doesn't deserve that. Instead, she keeps her face as a stone-cold gaze. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Father." Her tone holds the slightest touch of disgust.

"Azula." He doesn't bother looking up.

She stares at him in silence. He continues to sit on his bed with his eyes transfixed on the floor.

"You disappoint me, daughter." He looks up. She sees his eyes filled with hate, but they are also the eyes of a broken man. "After all you were, here you are. A broken little girl serving as an imbecile's lackey. Have you come to see me fallen as well? That way, you can feel better about your utter submission to another man."

I won't show anger. I won't give him that. Plus, Zuzu told me not to kill him, so I can't do that either.

Azula smirks. "Father." She pauses to spit on the ground. "You were the leader of the world's only superpower. You have fleets or war zeppelins and the unlimited power of a comet for a day. What did you do? You lost a battle to the Avatar, a twelve-year-old BOY." She pauses for dramatic affect. "Then, that kid took away your bending. Now, your son, the one who you banished and said was worthless, reigns as Fire Lord. By Agni, he's doing a good job with it all too."
"Yet here you still are, coming back to Daddy."

Azula shakes her head. How did this man bind me to his will for so many years? "Yes, here I am. I am free, a royal under my brother's rule. There was even a non-sentimental reason for it all. Rebels wanted to revolt against Zuzu. As the last real symbol of your empire, it stuck a deep blow against them to know I wholeheartedly pledged myself to the throne and not to you." She clenches her fists. "Not anymore. I'm free. Zuzu and the Avatar didn't just free the nations and the land from your shadow, Father. They freed the people, myself included." She turns around and strides away without saying farewell.

"Azula!" Father calls out. "Azula, come back here!" His rage fills the room. "You cowardly, idiotic monster! Come back to me!"

The princess doesn't look back. She shuts the door before curling up in the fetal position. He isn't watching anymore.

"Would you be proud of me, Mother?" She whispers it to herself. Her mother lives out there, somewhere. One day, they'll find her, so Azula can finally receive the answer to that question.

She stands up and straightens her armor. Then, she leaves the jail.

Azula smiles as she basks in the warmth of the sun.


[System] Narrate a grim fantasy text adventure. The Empire's world is brutal, its people hardened. Respond to the player's choices with immersive storytelling and let consequences flow naturally.

[User] You surrender

[Assistant]
You drop your weapon, smiling grimly at the man. He moves forward, as more of his squad mates move into the room, sweeping their guns around it as they enter. The soldier in front of you kicks your gun away, before motioning to someone down the tunnel.

"We're clear, we're clear, move in!" he shouts.

The squad disappears off down the tunnel, leaving only two members guarding the way they came in. Then, a figure like a shadow enters the room.

A tall, gaunt man, wear a black suit, black tie and bowler hat walks into the room. His pallor is unnaturally pale, his eyes cold and icy. He smiles at you as he enters, a polite smile with a small pair of fangs becoming clear when he does.

"Mr Matasan, I presume?" he asks, extending his long arm to you.

You grab it, shaking his hand weakly.

"A pleasure, Mr Gaange."

Mr Gaange sniffs, pulling a disgusted look.

"You'll have to forgive my lack of manners, Mr Matasan, but by god, you smell terrible! Your blood reeks with the bestial stink of Fenrir."

You nod, motioning to the scabbed mess that shows your werewolf bite.

"Aah... unfortunate," Mr Gaange pauses. "I suppose in turning you I'll need to be draining you of your wolf blood before this conversion can take place. Are you ready to join the long night?"

"You can still convert me?" you say, frowning.

"Of course," the Vampire smiles.

You nod, unsure how you feel about that, before nodding.

"Let's do it," you nod grimly.

Mr Gaange offers you his hand, and you take it. He lowers down, raising your wrist to his fanged mouth. Then, he bites down, two fangs disappearing into your arm with an slight stabbing pain. The vampire begins to suck, as you can feel your arm go weak, then your body, then your entire essence, your blood being drained from your body. You go woozy, eyes fluttering, before you find a new feeling in your body. A new, unholy strength of darkness building in your core. You groan, as your body grows cold, the warmth and energy drained from it, but replaced with something darker.

Moments later, the new you emerges as Mr Gaange pulls his mouth away, dabbing his face with a napkin. You look down to your wrist, two puncture holes in your skin, but no blood trickles out, for none remains.

Your body is cold, your skin pale. You feel your teeth twist in your jaw, a pair of fangs emerging down, but compared to the transformations of the night, it's heaven. Instead of endless burning pain, you just feel numb and cold. However, you feel a newfound power in you. A strength you've never felt before. You smile, nodding your head slowly.

"Yes... this feels good," you smile. "I feel powerful."

"Good. You take to it well, little one."

You frown realizing how parched your throat is. The beast within you is dead, but your stomach is empty. You don't want food, though. The desperate desire to fill your stomach with flesh is gone. However... you thirst. Terribly so. A deep thirst runs through your body.

"The thirst will be dealt with soon, don't worry," Mr Gaange smiles. "Sergeant Lund, have one of the captured wolf worshippers brought to me."

The sergeant nods, before saying something in Norwegian into his walkie-talkie. Mere moments later, two of the black-clad soldiers arrive in, dragging a bare-chested, heavily tattooed man with long hair and covered with scars; one of the wolf servants from earlier. He's handcuffed and gagged, but snarls and fights with every step.

"Target here, sir!" one says, bowing his head slightly.

"Offer him to my new associate, if you please, gentlemen. He's growing thirsty," Mr Gaange says.

The two soldiers nod, moving the prisoner in front of you. They grab his head, pulling it aside to reveal his bare neck.

"Enjoy the meal, my good man," Mr Gaange says, grinning.

With that, you're unable to resist the thirst, feeling so desperate for a think that you'll do anything. You dart your head forward, sinking your fangs into the man with predatory instinct. The man screams into his gag as his artery bursts, as you press your mouth up against the wound and begin to drain him of his blood. You gulp down the blood as quickly as you can, the warm blood filling you and sating your thirst as you sigh in joy. You drink for as long as you can, each gulp bringing you strength and power. Eventually, you pull your head back, your mouth covered with blood as you smile, filled with strength once more. The two soldiers lift the drained corpse onto their shoulders, looking to Mr Gaange.

"Thank you, gentlemen, thank you," Mr Gaange smiles.

You drop to your knees once more, feeling truly powerful and in control, and full. Strength ebbs through your body, as you grin from ear to ear, power filling your very core.

You look up at Mr Gaange, as he offers you his hand.

"Take my hand, Mr Matasan. Tonight, your new life begins."

You feel the power course through your veins, wondering if you could strike and take him down. You'd be breaking your deal, but you have the element of surprise.

[User] You take Mr Gaange's hand

[Assistant]
In Service of the Night

The rest of the night is a hunt of the truest order. With the Hunters, you had limited support, limited training and only whatever equipment you could find. These men are an entirely different order. With unnatural speed, unnatural perception and unnatural strength, they move quickly through the mineshaft, their high-tech gear and weapons  giving them the edge.

Soon, the pack's been wiped out, every one of the kind dead. You're led out of the mineshaft to where a trio of black helicopters await you, and you're taken off to serve Mr Gaange in your new life.

Life serving Mr Gaange is good. You're given a comfortable, secluded country house in your home country, a small place in Glasgow, although you spend most of your time in hotels and apartments abroad. You serve Mr Gaange as his primary hunter, tasked with targeting the same supernatural threats you hunted in life, investigating them and leading the elimination with Mr Gaange's security force. The types you normally go after are those who cross Mr Gaange, those that threaten to expose the existence of the supernatural to the mortal realm, or those who stand as a threat to man itself, like the werewolf pack you dealt with the night of your first vampiric feeding.

Mr Gaange takes good care of you, like he said. You earn a six figure salary with plenty of perks, and whenever you can't secure some scumbag to feed off in your investigations or hunting, you simply have to call Mr Gaange. Days or even hours later, a bound and gagged man is delivered to you. Mr Gaange assures you that these men are the worst of the worst; traitors, rapists, murderers and those who conspired to help the creatures of the night spill innocent blood. You're never sure, though.

That's a common theme with Mr Gaange. Uncertainty. Through and through it all, you're never sure what his motives are. He sure seems interested in helping humanity, but it could all be to get good publicity and keep the loyalty of his more moral minded servants. You're never sure what his true goals are, or what he really wants. Of course, you know not to look into it. You have a lot of freedom in doing your work, but that privilege is not within your reach.

Still, life is good under Mr Gaange. Sure, you miss the sunlight, and the certainty that what you were doing was right with the Lodge, but overall, you're more effectively hunting your foe and you're living at a far higher standard of living.

You were once weak and mortal. But now, you are a true hunter. A Vampire. And the night, which was once ruled by the monsters, now belongs to you.


[System] Narrate a dark fantasy text adventure. The setting is harsh and morally complex. Describe scenes vividly, react to player choices with fitting consequences, and never shy away from the reality of the world.

[User] You try to work a dangerous spell against Farhan, trusting your skill to complete it before him.

[Assistant]
You close your eyes, concentrating feverishly on a weave that you know will destroy Farhan Brownhand.

Only seconds pass, as you prepare to launch the last patterns at your opponent, but he is faster, and a bright light errupts from the emissary's fingers, and hits you in the chest, just as you are about to complete your spell.

With a searing pain in the chest, Farhan's spell throws you backward from the coach you were standing upon, and you hit the ground below head first, just as you hear a bellow of rage coming from the remaining guards...

[User] You continue...

[Assistant]
You are not dead, and you are quite sure of it, because you always heared of death being somewhat of a peaceful slumber. Instead, your head feels like it is going to explode every second now, the world appears to be one of those carroussels you have visited once on a fair near the Academy, and if your stomach wasn't empty already, it would soon be.

With a groan you open one of your eyes, only to find that the world not only spins like a carroussel, but the flashing lights that dance before your vision also appear to be like the fireworks that often accompany the fairs.

You have no idea how long you were left there lieing, but when you open your eyes again, you stare into a horrific face, swollen and blurred like a nightmare come true.

You gasp and wrench from the hands that suddenly grasp your shoulders, only to find that the sudden movement brings an explosion of pain so far unknown to you into your head, and you cannot help but twist to one side, assisted by the hands, and empty your stomach for good, even though all that comes from it is blood and bile, each spasm calling forth another explosion of pain that makes you wish you were, in fact, dead.

A voice calls something you do not understand, and something cold splashes your face.

When the spasms stop and the pain subside to barely above tolerable levels again, someone holds a wineskin to your mouth, and greedily you take a gulp, only to choke at the brandy that is now in your mouth.

Coughing, and wincing, you try to sit up, and are assisted once again by the strong hands. You look at who is holding you, and finally, through the tears of pain, your vision clears and you recognize the scarred and bearded face of one of the soldiers who looks at you with some concern.

"Some concussion y'got there, lad", he greets you.

An hour later, when you feel well enough to stand up again, though somewhat shaky - the brandy helped greatly to settle your stomach, there must have been something in it - you take in the scenery.

Only three guards - and yourself - survived, but the goblins were nearly decimated, and the few survivors fled.

Lucius Tarchild and J'Arel Whitefang are both dead, J'Arel obviously the luckier of the two.

Both were apparently killed by Farhan Brownhand, the emissary of Alzur, the scarred guard that woke you reports with a scowl. He interrupts his talking, and turns to spit on the ground.

Master Whitefang was slain by a bolt of lightning summoned by Master Brownhand, and Master Tarchild was slain by a darkly enchanted sword the emissary wielded when he attacked the magus.

For some reason, the emissary obviously was in league with the goblin horde, and wanted the trek to be exterminated. However, the guards managed to overcome the goblins in time, and faced by the remaining guards, Farhan slew most of them with his magic and then turned to flee.

Why he did this, the scarred man, who is named Kor, the guards never knew, but they suspect some dark treachery.

You have been unconcious for more than three hours, and it is high time to break the camp, in case Farhan, rested, returns to finish the work the goblins began.

The animals that drew the coaches are either dead or fled during the ambush, and you have little choice but to leave the place by foot in the twilight that announces nightfall.

Kor, obviously a seasoned veteran, is about to order the remaining guards to pack, when he hesitates a moment to look at you.

[User] You as a Magus, it is on you to lead the group.

[Assistant]
You explain that the duty of leadership is on you, as a Magus.

Kor's eyes show quite clearly what he thinks of this, seeing that you're in no shape, but then nods in agreement.

He grunts something, then hands you some of the evilsmelling brew you were forced to drink earlier, but remembering its healing powers, you eagerly take another swallow.

Feeling the soothing warmth running down your throat, you already feel a lot better, though by no way yourself again.

Kor is ready with advice on how to proceed, and you gladly take it.

You agree that you have to break camp as soon as possible, before Farhan - undoubtedly in a better shape than you - returns to finish his work.

Basically, you only have two choices. You either return to the Academy of Alzur, reporting of Farhan's strange betrayal, or attempt to follow him into the hills, where he likely has fled - Kor reports that he teleported away when the guards charged him, and you know that teleport weaves are hard to pull off and very exhausting, and not even a master Magus could travel very far. And since there is not even a small village or a forest in the near vincinity, it is only sensible to assume Farhan must have fled into the hills.

Kor suggests going back to the Academy, reporting the emissary's betrayal and counsel then what to do about it. A sideglance towards you either means that he is concerned about your weakened state and too polite to say so, or that he thinks you too young and inexperienced to even stand the smallest chance against Farhan Brownhand.

But you are the leader, as you made quite clear, and so the decision is upon you.


[System] Narrate a grim fantasy text adventure. The Empire's world is brutal, its people hardened. Respond to the player's choices with immersive storytelling and let consequences flow naturally.

[User] You say "What exactly is your motive?"

[Assistant]
"Motive?"

"What do you want?"

Cain pauses, scratching one of his "horns". The horn begins to bleed, but you doubt he cares.

"I don't know," Cain finally answers.


[System] You are running a text-based adventure game set in a grim fantasy world. Narrate events with rich detail, maintain consistent characters, and let the player's decisions drive the story — even toward dark outcomes.

[User] You quickly launch a spell at him to disrupt his casting.

[Assistant]
Quickly, you close your eyes and stretch your fingers towards Farhan, hurling a small amount of raw magic against him. This is without finesse, and rather taxing, but effective enough.

Master Brownhand gasps as the pure energy you launched at him hits him, and snarls a curse at you. Obviously, you successfully broke his concentration.

Then, he grabs the dark blade still sticking in Lucius' body, hefts it in his right hand, weaves a protective gesture with his left and advances to the coach you stand upon.

Out of the corner of your eyes, you see the surviving guards, with drawn swords, approach the emissary.


[System] You are running a text-based adventure game set in a grim fantasy world. Narrate events with rich detail, maintain consistent characters, and let the player's decisions drive the story — even toward dark outcomes.

[User] You leave Lisa to deal with this

[Assistant]
Maybe if Lisa had been upfront with you it would be different, but you really don't like being lied to and given that Lisa is telling you that you don't need to help her and she's got this, you don't feel exactly obligated.

"Okay, if you say you got this then I'll take my leave. Just be careful all right and good luck." you say.
"I will, and it was good to see you again…I…I wish things had been different." Lisa says with a mildly sad tone in her voice.
"Yeah, me too sometimes."

You leave Lisa behind in the alley and make your way as quickly as you can out of Holgard. You're ready to be done with this night.

When you get home, Isabella immediately notices you look a little battle worn.

"You run into trouble dear?" Isabella asks.
"Ran into an old…acquaintance. It was a mess. It's settled though." You answer not really wishing to go much into it, but prepared to explain if you have to.

Isabella looks at you for a moment.

"Okay. Did you at least get my supplies?"
"Yes, I have them right here." You say handing over your pack to her.

And that's the type of relationship you have with Isabella. She trusts you. If you say it got taken care of, then it's taken care of.

You avoid Holgard for a while. While you don't think you're in any danger, the last thing you need is to run into some other old face causing shit for you. It would be just your luck that you'd run into Tych again.

Months pass and you eventually go to Holgard again to pick up some things for Isabella. Not that you're doing much mingling or listening to rumors, but you know enough that the Ebony Claw Syndicate is still firmly in control of the underworld here so you guess Lisa didn't exactly bring them down, but then she was only trying to kill one specific person.

You have no idea about this Mantis though, if he's dead, alive, or what. Same for Lisa. In any case you hope she got her revenge at least.

Year 35

You wake up to the sounds of several feet coming the stairs. You can't tell how many, but you already are getting the push by Isabella who is awake and ready for a fight.

"Get up! We're being attacked!" she shouts.

You get up and you're already hearing shouting from the foyer.

"Fucking hunters! I'll water my garden with their blood for intruding on my home!" Isabella shouts and is already gone to meet the invaders. Screams soon follow.

You head out to join the fight and there is a whole lot more light than usual thanks to all the torches. After striking down a few of them, you notice an ebony claw tattoo on some of them.

These aren't hunters.

"Shit! There's two of them! Why didn't someone check this?!" one of them shouts.

Multiple gunshots are fired at you and Isabella and in these narrow catacombs, even as quick as you are, you're still catching a few bullets. Unfortunately, the Ebony Claw has prepared well and loaded their firearms with silver shot. It hurts like hell, but you fight through the pain and take out the closest fucker with a gun in his hand.

You feel a blade sinking into your back, which feels like a burning piece of steel, though it's probably silver again. You turn around and find yourself face to cowl with one of those Fel assassins that teleported behind you. You get another silver blade in your gut before you twist his head backwards.

Severely wounded you quicken your pace to where Isabella is. She's managed to push them all the way back to the foyer all by herself. Blood and bodies are everywhere. You're damn glad she's on your side.

You reach the foyer just in time to see several round metal objects bounce down the stairs and on the floor. Isabella is finishing off two more assassins and hasn't seen the cluster of firebombs yet.

You immediately pull her away and throw her into the nearby corridor just as the bombs are exploding. You try to shield Isabella, and catch some of the blast.

Your flesh burns from your bones, your bones crack and break, some of your internal organs melt and it feels like your whole body has been dunked in acid. You scream out something unnatural, but it isn't for long because everything goes black.

You're out and you don't know for how long.

"Beloved! You there? Can you hear me?" you hear, but your vision is still black.
"Mufh hungh…gh…" is all you can utter before you're out again.

Time passes…

You open you eyes and find your vision is severely impaired. You have no depth perception and the eye that does work is very blurry. You still feel like your body is on fire, but you can't scream out. You must be laying on a table or something because you are elevated. Still, you can make out an outline of a woman standing near someone in a chair nearby.

"I SWEAR! I SWEAR TO FEL AND ALL THE GODS, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ELSE! PLEASE! GRANT ME MERCY!"

Your hearing works at least.

You struggle to sit up, but it's no use. You don't have the energy and collapse again.

More time passes…

You open your eyes again. Still no depth perception, but your vision is a little clearer. You can finally tell where you're at. You're still at home, and lying on one of the many slabs in the crypt.

Your body hurts less, but you're still not feeling good. You try to sit up again and that's when you realize you're a bloody mess.

Both of your legs are missing, or at least missing enough that you wouldn't be able to walk. Attempting to reach out only results in your right arm being able to do so since your left is a skeletal stump at the elbow.

Speaking of skeletal, you can sense that part of your spine is exposed to the world and what lies inside you isn't fairing much better. You can see your blackened heart beating through your ribcage.

While you're an undead monster, that doesn't mean that you don't find all this a bit alarming.

"Oh shit…shit…shit…fuck…fuck!" you start to say with an increased tone in your voice.

Isabella soon comes running in. You notice she's in relatively good condition though one side of her face is scarred and parts of her body are also burned.

"You're up! What's wrong?" Isabella asks.
"What's wrong? Look at me! I…I can't fucking live like this! Please just put me out of my fucking misery!" you say and you're almost close to tears.

Isabella goes over to sooth you as you continue to panic.

"Shhhh, it's okay. This is the first time you've been maimed severely. Yeah, I panicked a bit too when it first happened to me centuries ago and I didn't even have anyone with me to help either. We're more resilient than you think. You'll heal up. It's gonna take a long time, but you WILL be in one piece again eventually."
"I…I…I will?"
"Well yeah. Just takes blood. How do you think I got you this healed up in the first place? I'm been using the blood of the assholes that attacked us, the Dert citizens and my own for days trying to heal you and myself up. We're going to have to be moving on soon though, as much as I hate it, but it's just not ideal anymore. The Ebony Claw will undoubtedly regroup and send more of their fools to try to kill us."
"Wait, did you kill them all?"
"I probably would have had it not been daylight. I only managed to run down three of them before the sunlight was burning my fine undead ass to a crisp. Still, got quite a bit of information out of them. Didn't know you were wanted by them for helping an old girlfriend of yours a year ago. Guessing that's the thing you thought was taken care of? Looks like it wasn't."

You're at a loss for words.

"I…I fucked up." You finally utter.
"You most certainly did fuck up. I hope she was worth the poke and cuddle, because after they caught and tortured the shit out of her before they killed her that's how they found out about where you lived. Fortunately she didn't know anything about me. I'm guessing you never told her." Isabella responds.
"Shit. I DID tell her about you! I mean not in so many words, but she guessed I had a special vampire lady in my life as she put it. And I most certainly did not have sex with her! I swear!"

You give a brief rundown of what exactly happened that night you met Lisa. Isabella listens intently. Now you're worried that Isabella isn't going to believe you and is keeping you alive to make your existence horrible.

"Calm down, I believe you. Though I'd almost say it probably would've been better if you'd fucked her. At least you would have gotten something out of all this. Also might have been better if you had helped her. She might not have blabbed about this place. Apparently they were planning on ambushing you in Holgard, but since I haven't needed anything from there lately, you haven't been going. So they fell back on attacking directly and have been gearing up to raid this place for the past few months. Well what's done is done now."
"At the risk of actually pissing you off, I'm curious to as why you aren't angrier."
"At you? Well, I am pissed at you, but considering you're currently a piece of mutilated meat that's still in pain and has a long way to go before getting back to normal, I think this was your punishment. Honestly my anger is directed towards the bottom feeding mortals that dared attack in the first place. I don't care what sort of connections they have; I'll take down the entire ECS in Holgard and then some just so they remember they picked the wrong vampire to order a hit on. You'll be helping of course."

Nothing like a purpose.

"Well I'd love to, but I'm not exactly able right now."
"I didn't mean now. We're going to move to a new location. Probably Ral's old home in the meantime. I already checked it out and surprisingly nobody was even squatting there. That will just be temporary though, until you're healed up enough to walk on your own. We'll probably need to wipe out the remainder of Dert in order to get enough blood, but it's not like it's we're going to be living here anymore anyway. After that we're both going to Holgard, and we're going to cause so much mayhem, they'll think there's a new civil war going on."
"I'm glad you didn't give up on me for this."
"No, I made a commitment to you, for good or bad times and right now this is bad, but it's nothing we can't get over. Come on, hold on to me, we're heading to our new temporary home….I'm really going to miss my garden. Oh well, let's go my love."

Isabella turns around and with all your energy you hoist yourself and hang on to her back. It's a little awkward with only one good arm that only has three fingers left wrapped around her, but Isabella's more than strong enough to carry your dead weight.

The pair of you are soon off and running through the moonlight to your new home.

You're down now, but things could definitely be a lot worse. You've got a lot to plan and think about though with this new conflict with the entire ECS though.

Your life as a common rogue might be over, but your "life" as a vampire has only just begun.


[System] You are narrating an interactive fiction game in a dark fantasy setting. Bring the world to life with vivid prose, react meaningfully to player choices, and don't pull punches when the story demands it.

[User] You memories (Godzilla)

[Assistant]
King of the Monsters: Godzilla

Naturally you never got to hang out with him since he ran in his own circle and did most of his films in Japan, but you have nothing, but respect for Godzilla. He's beaten the shit out of everything that's been thrown at him. Humans, Aliens, Robots, other Giant Monsters, all of them decimated. If there was anyone else you had to be, you'd be Godzilla.

There are no words that you could say that would do him justice. He's the pinnacle of badassitude.

He really is the King of the Monsters and will always be a legend.