#The Nefarious Hand
<p> Before you enter the game, fetch a pack of playing cards, no Jokers.
(live: 3s)[
[Shuffle the pack.] ]
(live: 6s)[
[Deal 5 cards in a row, face down.] ]
(live: 9s)[
[Grab some paper, you may wish to draw a map.] ]
(live: 12s)[
[[Once ready, click here.->Deet]]
(stop:)
]
<p>Enter details.
(Set: $Title to (Prompt: "Mx., Ms., Dr., Mrs. or Mr.","")) (set: $FN to (prompt: "First Name.", "")) (set: $SurN to (prompt: "Surname",""))
''Title'': $Title
''First Name'': $FN
''Surname'': $SurN
Are these correct?
[[Yes ->Opening]] - [[No ->redeet]]
#Prologue
<p>
Legend has it that there is a building that rises from the bayous of New Orleans just as dawn breaks. It takes all that have entered down beneath the swamp for a full day of high stakes games of chance.
It plays host to a style of poker, unlike any game played in the casinos of Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Nobody knows the rules until they play. The stake is not money, it is you. Win, you get your deepest desire. Lose – well, let’s just say, the punishment will fit the crime.
Many have come here to play the hand they are dealt. Many have lost more that their soul.
You know this is true $Title $SurN, because you are one.
[[Continue ->TheBeginning]](set:$Drawing to it+1)
#Drawing Room.
<p>There are two green leather couches with matching chairs. Logs are burning in the [[fireplace]].
There is a [[drinks cabinet]] in the right-hand alcove.
There are two exits from this room:
(if: $BackHall <1)[ [[East->BackHall]] ](else:)[ [[Back Hallway->BackHall]] ]
(if: $EntHall <1)[ [[South->EntHall]] ](else:)[ [[Entrance Hall->EntHall]] ](go-to: "Deet")
(set:$EntHall to it+1)
(if:$EntHall <=1)[
#The Entrance Hall
<p>Black and white tiles, laid in an alternating diamond pattern cover the floor. The space is dominated by a grandiose staircase. The black and white tiled pattern is repeated on the tread of each step while the [[risers]] are a dark red wood with scenes from the various levels of hell carved into them.
The rail, spindles and newels are beautifully carved out of a same wood. The newels are wonderfully detailed sculptures of demons.](else:)[
You are in the [[Entrance Hall->resetEH]] ]
<p>There are seven exits from this room:
[[Drawing Room->Drawing]]
(if: $Games <1)[ [[Northeast->Games]] ](else:)[ [[Games Room->Games]] ]
(if: $FamRoom <1)[ [[North West->FamRoom]] ](else:)[ [[Family Room->FamRoom]] ]
(if: $Lib <1)[ [[East->Lib]] ](else:)[ [[Library->Lib]] ]
(if: $Dinning <1)[ [[West->Dining]] ](else:)[ [[Dining Room->Dining]] ]
[[Front Door->ChkCld]]
[[Stairs ->Landing]](set:$Games to it+1)(if:$freeze is 1)[<p>You are cold and there isn't a fire in here to warm you up.
(set:$Games to 0)
[[Back Hallway->BackHall]] ](else-if:$Games <=1)[
#The Games Room.
<p>A large room. In the centre is a poker table laid with a fire red cloth.
A pain pierces your head with flashing images of a laughing demon. You remember its voice; deep, hissing, and full of joyful spite.
"Do you accept defeat $Title $SurN?"
You remember saying no.
You remember screaming.
[[Scream again->Games]]
](else:)[
#The Games Room
<p>In the center a billiard table looks sorry for itself.
There are three exits from this room:
(if: $BackHall <1)[ [[North->BackHall]] ](else:)[ [[Back Hallway->BackHall]] ]
(if: $EntHall <1)[ [[West->EntHall]] ](else:)[ [[Entrance Hall->EntHall]] ]
(if: $Lib <1)[ [[South->Lib]] ](else:)[ [[Library->Lib]] ]
](set:$BackHall to it+1)(if:$freeze is 1)[<p>You are cold and there isn't a fire in here to warm you up.
[[Drawing Room->Drawing]] ](else-if:$BackHall is 3 or $BackHall is 5)[
You hear a blood curdling scream coming from the upper floors.
There are three exits from the room:
(if: $Sal <1)[ [[North East->Solarium]] ](else:)[ [[Salerium->Solarium]] ]
[[Drawing Room->Drawing]]
(if: $Games <1)[ [[South->Games]] ](else:)[ [[Games Room->Games]] ]
](else:)[
You are in a corridor that leads to the back of the house.
There are three exits from the room:
(if: $Sal <1)[ [[North East->Solarium]] ](else:)[ [[Solarium->Solarium]] ]
[[Drawing Room->Drawing]]
(if: $Games <1)[ [[South->Games]] ](else:)[ [[Games Room->Games]] ]
](set:$Sal to it+1)
(If: $Sal <=1)[
#Solarium
<p>The darkness outside offends this room. It is cold. The glass walls and roof, once a portal for absorbing the heat of the sun, even on crisp winter days, are now covered in an organic matter that looks like it's moving.
](else:)[
#Solarium
<p>It is dark and cold.
]
<p>There are three exits from this room:
(if: $Office <1)[ [[East->Office]] ](else:)[ [[Office->Office]] ]
(if: $BackHall <1)[ [[South West->BackHall]] ](else:)[ [[Back Hallway->BackHall]] ]
(if: $Snugg <1)[ [[South->Snug]] ](else:)[ [[Snug->Snug]] ](set:$Lib to it+1)(if:$freeze is 1)[<p>You are cold and there isn't a fire in here to warm you up. (set:$Lib to 0)](else-if:$Lib <=1)[#Library
<p> There is an old, dusty smell to this room. The walls are lined with books.
You search the spines.
There are many works of fiction; [[Inferno (Dante Alighieri)]], [[Fallen Angel (William Hjortsberg)]], and [[The World's Wife (Carol Ann Duffy)]], alongside [[The King James Bible]].
](else:)[
<p>You search through the spines.
There are many works of fiction; [[Inferno (Dante Alighieri)]], [[Fallen Angel (William Hjortsberg)]], and [[The World's Wife (Carol Ann Duffy)]], alongside [[The King James Bible]].
]
<p>There are two exits from this room:
[[Entrance Hall->EntHall]]
(if: $Games <1)[ [[North->Games]] ](else:)[ [[Games Room->Games]] ]
(set:$Landing to it+1)(if:$freeze is 1)[<p>You are cold and there isn't a fire in here to warm you up.
[[Stairs going down->EntHall]] ](else-if:$Landing <=1)[
#Landing
<p>The ornate carvings on the staircase continue to the banister that borders the landing. Remnants of further stairs that would have allowed access to another floor, though now impassable, tease your curiosity.
There are six exits from this area:
[[Stairs going down->EntHall]]
(if: $MasterBed <1)[ [[North->MasterBed]] ](else:)[ [[Master Bedroom->MasterBed]] ]
(if: $Bathroom2 <1)[ [[North East->Bathroom2]] ](else:)[ [[Guest Bathroom->Bathroom2]] ]
(if: $Bed1<1)[ [[South West->Blue Bedroom]] ](else:)[ [[Blue Bedroom->Blue Bedroom]] ]
(if: $Bed2<1)[ [[South->Red Bedroom]] ](else:)[ [[Red Bedroom->Red Bedroom]] ]
(if: $Bed3<1)[ [[South East->Yellow Bedroom]] ](else:)[ [[Yellow Bedroom->Yellow Bedroom]] ]
](else:)[ You are back on the landing.
There are six exits from this area:
[[Stairs going down->EntHall]]
(if: $MasterBed <1)[ [[North->MasterBed]] ](else:)[ [[Master Bedroom->MasterBed]] ]
(if: $Bathroom2 <1)[ [[North East->Bathroom2]] ](else:)[ [[Guest Bathroom->Bathroom2]] ]
(if: $Bed1<1)[ [[South West->Blue Bedroom]] ](else:)[ [[Blue Bedroom->Blue Bedroom]] ]
(if: $Bed2<1)[ [[South->Red Bedroom]] ](else:)[ [[Red Bedroom->Red Bedroom]] ]
(if: $Bed3<1)[ [[South East->Yellow Bedroom]] ](else:)[ [[Yellow Bedroom->Yellow Bedroom]] ]
](If:$fear >=1)[(go-to: "cold")
](else:)[<p>The darkness is so dense that you think, if you reached out, you would touch it.
(live: 3s)[
[Suddenly there is a scream, like an attacking Banshee. ] ]
(live: 6s)[
[Your heart starts racing.] ]
(live: 9s)[
[The sound gets so intense. You want run back inside. ] ]
(live: 12s)[
(set:$Front to it+1)
[[Run back inside and don't look back->EntHall]]
[[Wait to see what is coming->Outside Attack]] ]
]
(set:$Dinning to it+1)(if:$freeze is 1)[<p>You are cold and there isn't a fire in here to warm you up.](else-if:$Dinning <=1)[
#Dining Room
<p>There is a large wooden dining table in the centre of the room. Looking at the condition of the varnish, it has been some time since anyone sat down here for food.
It feels odd that there is a nicley stocked drinks cabinet in the drawing room, yet everywhere else is so... abandoned.
](else:)[#Dining Room
<p>There is a large wooden dining table in the centre of the room.]
There are two exits from this room:
(if: $Kitchen <1)[ [[North->Kitchen]] ](else:)[ [[Kitchen->Kitchen]] ]
[[Entrance Hall->EntHall]]
(set:$FamRoom to it+1)(if:$freeze is 1)[<p>You are cold and there isn't a fire in here to warm you up.](else:)[
#Family Room.
<p>A large space that feels somehow, lost.
]
There are two exits from the room.
(if: $EntHall <1)[ [[South East->EntHall]] ](else:)[ [[Entrance Hall->EntHall]] ]
(if: $Kitchen <1)[ [[South->Kitchen]] ](else:)[ [[Kitchen->Kitchen]] ]
(set:$Kitchen to it+1)(if:$freeze is 1)[<p>You are cold and there isn't a fire in here to warm you up.](else:)[
#Kitchen
<p>This kitchen looks like it hasn't been used in decades.
What is that smell?]
There are three exits from this room:
(if: $FamRoom<1)[ [[North->FamRoom]] ](else:)[ [[Family Room->FamRoom]] ]
(if: $Basement<1)[ [[West->Basement]] ](else:)[ [[Basement->Basement]] ]
(if: $Dinning<1)[ [[South->Dining]] ](else:)[ [[Dining Room->Dining]] ]
(set:$Basement to it+1)(if:$freeze is 1)[<p>You are cold and there isn't a fire in here to warm you up.](else:)[
#Basement
<p>There are five gravestones.
Four are marking [[four graves]]. The fifth grave is [[open]].
]
There is one exit from this room:
[[Kitchen]]
(set:$Office to it+1)
#Office
<p>An old wooden desk is littered with papers. (if:$plan is 1)[They look like early sketches of the plan found in the library. It's a demon trap.](else:)[They look like rough drawings of some machine.]
A standard lamp tries hard to throw light across the room from beside a [[BookCase]].
There are three exits from this room:
(if: $Safe <1)[ [[North->Safe]] ](else:)[ [[Safe->Safe]] ]
(if: $Sal <1)[ [[West->Solarium]] ](else:)[ [[Solarium->Solarium]] ]
(if: $Bathroom1 <1)[ [[South->Bathroom1]] ](else:)[ [[Bathroom->Bathroom1]] ]
(set:$Safe to it+1)
#Safe
<p>The big heavy metal door is open.
[[Examine door]]
[[Look inside]]
[[Search office->Office]]
(set:$Bathroom1 to it+1)
#Bathroom
<p>A small, white bathroom with toilet, walk-in-shower and a wash basin.
It looks and smells like something died in here.
There are two exits:
(if: $Office <1)[ [[North->Office]] ](else:)[ [[Office->Office]] ]
(if: $Snugg <1)[ [[West->Snug]] ](else:)[ [[Snug->Snug]] ]
(set:$Snugg to it+1)
#Snug
<p>At one time this would have been a nice, warm, cozy room.
Now it feels like only the dead would feel comfortable here.
There are two exits:
(if: $Sal <1)[ [[North->Solarium]] ](else:)[ [[Solarium->Solarium]] ]
(if: $Bathroom1 <1)[ [[East->Bathroom1]] ](else:)[ [[Bathroom->Bathroom1]] ] (set:$TopLanding to it+1)
#Top Landing
<p>You are standing on a small landing. There is a single door with a combination lock (if:$safe >= 1)[that looks just like the one on the safe door,](else:)[ that secures the room.]
[[Examine locked door->LockedDoor]]
[[Go back to office->Ladder]] (set:$Bathroom2 to it+1)
(if: $Bathroom2 <=1)[
#Guest Bathroom.
<p>The sink on the wall is smashed, there is a trickle of water forcing its way out of the broken taps. The shower cubicle looks like a slaughterhouse. There is a [[piece of ripped paper]] floating on the dark brown liquid of the blocked toilet bowl.
](else:)[<p>The sink on the wall is smashed, there is a trickle of water forcing its way out of the broken taps. The shower cubicle looks like a slaughterhouse and that toilet looks like the bayou has tried to enter the house through the drains. There is a damp piece of paper on the floor.
]
[[Landing]]
(set:$MasterBed to it+1)
(if:$MasterBed <=1)[
#Master Bedroom.
<p>
A Queen sized bed dominates the centre of what would have once been a beautifully decorated room.
Now wallpaper peels with damp while paint flakes with neglect. Nature invades through cracks around the window. The huge dark blood stain on the rancid mattress looks like it was made by more than one body.
Looking at this level of decay makes you wonder who set the fire in the drawing room.
](else:)[
#Master Bedroom.
<p>
It is a crying shame to let a house get in to this state.
]
(if: $EnSuit <1)[ <p>There are two exits from this room:
[[En suite->EnSuit]]
[[Landing ->Landing]]
](else:)[<p>There is only one exit from this room now:
//You never want to go in that en suite bathroom again.//
[[Landing->Landing]]
]
(set:$EnSuit to it+1)
#En Suite
<p>The smell of death forces you back.
(live: 5s)[(go-to: "MasterBed")]
(set:$Bed1 to it+1)
#Blue Bedroom.
(if:$Bed1 <= 1)[
<p>The walls are a mix of navy blue and thick mould.
There is a double bed. The mattress looks like it would light up like a Christmas tree if someone waved a UV lamp at it.
](else:)[
A cold wind blows through the room.
]
[[Landing]](set:$Bed2 to it+1)
#Red Bedroom.
(if:$Bed2 <= 1)[
<p>There are only two single beds in this room. At first sight the walls appear to be painted with a deep red colour.
That's when it dawns on you. The walls are painted with blood.
](else:)[
You've seen these blood soaked walls before, but this time, you think you hear them scream.
]
[[Landing]](set:$Bed3 to it+1)
#Yellow Bedroom.
(if:$Bed3 <= 1)[
<p>A single bed frame with no mattress is situated in the centre of the room.
The walls are covered in a wallpaper, yellow with dark floral pattern. Your eye is taken by a movement that seems to be behind the pattern in the wallpaper.
The longer you watch the more you can see it is a woman, trapped behind the sprawling twists and curls. She reaches out and hands you a card.
Turn over a playing card. What is the suit?
[[Hearts]]
[[Clubs]]
[[Diamonds]]
[[Spades]]
](else:)[
<p>You are in a room with yellow patterned wallpaper.
[[Landing]]
]
(set:$Attic to it+1)
#Attic Room
<p>You hear a click and the door opens.
The room is dimly lit by a solitary lamp. There is a metal framed single bed with an old cabinet by its side.
[[There is a body lying face down on the bed->Body]]
[[There is a notebook on the cabinet->NoteBook]]
There is only one exit:
[[TopLanding]] (set:$SecretStairs to it+1)
<p>Half way up you find an old newspaper on a ledge.
HEADLINE:
#The Devil's Hand.
(if:$grave >= 1)[The police today named infamous cardsharp $FN $SurN as their prime suspect in the //Card Killer// case. Detective Macy said at the press conference, "$Title $SurN is a person of interest and somebody we would like to talk to." $FN's mother, Mrs $SurN said, in an exclusive interview for the paper, "That child always had the Devil in them.".](else:)[The story talks about the //Card Killer//. Something about it is bugging you.]
[[Climb up->TopLanding]]
[[Climb down->Office]]
(set:$LockedDoor to it+1)
(set:$cards to $hearts+$spades+$diamonds+$clubs)
<p>
(If:$LockedDoor >=3)[Look at the cards](else:)[Enter the combination]
(set: _amount to (str: $chhearts))(set: _amount1 to (str: $chdiamonds))(set: _amount2 to (str: $chclubs))(set: _amount3 to (str: $chspades))
Hearts <drop>(dropdown: bind _amount, "0","1", "2", "3", "4","5")<p>Diamonds <drop>(dropdown: bind _amount1, "0","1", "2", "3", "4","5")<p>Clubs <drop>(dropdown: bind _amount2, "0","1", "2", "3", "4","5")<p>Spades <drop>(dropdown: bind _amount3, "0","1", "2", "3", "4","5")<p>
(link: "Check")[
(set: _amount to (num: _amount))
(set: $chhearts to _amount)
(set: _amount1 to (num: _amount1))
(set: $chdiamonds to _amount1)
(set: _amount2 to (num: _amount2))
(set: $chclubs to _amount2)
(set: _amount3 to (num: _amount3))
(set: $chspades to _amount3)
(go-to: "CheckCombo")
]
(If: $cards is 5)[
(if: $chhearts is $hearts and $chdiamonds is $diamonds and $chclubs is $clubs and $chspades is $spades)[
(go-to:"Attic")
](else:)[
(go-to:"Wrong")
]](else:)[
(go-to:"Wrong")
]
(set:$Bookcase to it+1)
#Office Bookcase
<p>(if:$Lib >=1) [Unlike the library these shelves](else:)[These shelves] are full of books on philosophy and theories; [[The Doors of Perception (Albous Huxley)]] and [[The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Walter Evans-Wentz)]], alongside [[I Am Right, You Are Wrong (Edward De Bono)]] and [[The Problems of Philosophy (Bertrand Russell)]].
[[Turn back towards the office->Office]]
(set: $hearts to($hearts+1))
(set:$loop to($loop+1))
(go-to: (history:)'s last))
(set: $spades to($spades+1))
(set:$loop to($loop+1))
(go-to: (history:)'s last))
(set: $diamonds to($diamonds+1))
(set:$loop to($loop+1))
(go-to: (history:)'s last))
(set: $clubs to($clubs+1))
(set:$loop to($loop+1))
(go-to: (history:)'s last))
# The Doors of Perception
<p>Exploring the ever-expansive affect hallucinogens have on interdimensional exploration.
His idea about creating mind prisons to trap personal demons is very interesting.
[[Continue browsing books->BookCase]] (if: $IamRight >= 1)[
#I Am Right, You Are Wrong
<p>Edward De Bono's book about how to win an argument by sometimes admitting you have lost.
[[Continue browsing books->BookCase]]
](else:)[
(Set:$IamRight to it+1)
#I Am Right, You Are Wrong
Edward De Bono's book about how to win an argument by sometimes admitting you have lost.
You open the book. A playing card drops to the floor.
Turn over a playing card. What is the suit?
[[Hearts]]
[[Clubs]]
[[Diamonds]]
[[Spades]]
]
You hear a click.
The bookcase is a door.
You pull it open and find a ladder.
[[Climb ladder->Ladder]]
[[Back to the office->Office]] #The Tibetan Book of the Dead
<p>It is often said that if you focus on listening to the wind as you die, your life's purpose will be revealed.
[[Continue browsing books->BookCase]] #The Nefarious Hand
<p>This is a psychological horror game.
//''-*Trigger warning*-''//
Contains reference to:
Alcohol, gambling, murder, suicide, and demons.
(set:$hearts to 0)(set:$diamonds to 0)(set:$clubs to 0)(set:$spades to 0)(set:$EntHall to 0)(set:$Dinning to 0)(set:$Lib to 0)(set:$Games to 0)(set:$Kitchen to 0)(set:$FamRoom to 0)(set:$Drawing to 0)(set:$Sal to 0)(set:$Office to 0)(set:$Safe to 0)(set:$Bathroom1 to 0)(set:$Snugg to 0)(set:$BackHall to 0)(set:$Bed1 to 0)(set:$Bed2 to 0)(set:$Bed3 to 0)(set:$EnSuit to 0)(set:$MasterBed to 0)(set:$Landing to 0)(set:$Bathroom2 to 0)(set:$Attic to 0)(set:$Basement to 0)(set:$Front to 0)(set:$BookCase to 0)(set:$SecretStaris to 0)(Set:$LockedDoor to 0)(set:$TopLanding to 0)(set:$Graves to 0)(set:$IamRight to 0)(set:$Uncanny to 0)(set:$ProblemPhil to 0)(set:$Inferno to 0)(set:$Bible to 0)(set:$FallenAngel to 0)(set:$CardeGames to 0)(Set:$DC to 0)(set:$enfing to 0)(set:$risier to 0)(set:$grave to 0)(set:$FP to 0)(set:$freeze to 0)(set:$fear to 0)(set:$body to 0)(set:$copyright to "The Nefarious hand. Written by Colin Davies 2023")
[[Start Game->BYB]](set:$Drink to 0)
<p> Everthing is dark.
You become aware of a voice, whispering in your ear.
(live: 3s)[
[//$Title $SurN//] ]
(live: 6s)[
[//Wake up $Title $SurN//] ]
(live: 9s)[
[//$FN ... Open your eyes//.] ]
(live: 12s)[
(go-to: "Drawing")
(stop:)
]
<p>You open the door of the drinks cabinet.
A bottle of expensive bourbon. The kind of tipple you would have in your dream house.
[[Have a drink]]
[[Close cabinet->Drawing]](If:$freeze is 1)[
(set:$freeze to 0)
The flames dance and weave their magic. You feel your blood warm.
They don't look like logs. More like... //bones?//]
(else-if:$FP <1)[
(set:$FP to it +1)
<p>You find a singed piece of paper by the fire.
//''''"''October 12th''''
''I found it. The Nefarious Hand.''''''
''I'm going to play. All I want to do is get Donny back. It was my fault. I told them about the game. So, it's on me to get them back, from wherever this evil son of bitch has them."//
You lose your grip on the paper. It falls onto the flames.
](else:)[<p>They don't look like logs. More like... //bones?//]
[[Continue to search the house->Drawing]]<p>You pour yourself a good measure.
(if:$DC >= 1)[
You replace the bottle.
[[Close the cabinit->Drink]]
](else:)[
(Set:$DC to it+1)
As you replace the bottle you notice a playing card at the back of the cabinet.
Turn over a playing card. What is the suit?
[[Hearts]]
[[Clubs]]
[[Diamonds]]
[[Spades]]
](if: $Bible >= 1)[
#The Bible
<p>I wonder if William Shakespeare had a hand in writing this version.
There is dust on the floor that used to be a set of plans.
[[Put the book back on the shelf->Lib]]
](else:)[
(Set:$Bible to it+1)(Set:$plan to 1)
#The Bible
<p>As you open the cover a piece of folded paper falls to the floor.
It looks like a plan. There are pullies and ropes, a big cage with symbols engraved on the bars, and a button.
Written on the bottom, it reads, "Once trapped, say the incantation. Per eos, quos in nomine meo occidisti, adiuro te."
The paper crumbles in your hand.
[[Put the book back on the shelf->Lib]]
](set:$EntHall to 0)
(Go-to:"EntHall")(if:$riser >= 1)[
<p>The riser is pulled foward and won't go back in easily. Becareful not to trip over it.
[[Carry on searching the house->EntHall]]
](else:)[
(Set:$riser to it+1)
<p>The riser on the front of the step is loose. You pull it open.
Inside you find a card.
Turn over a playing card. What is the suit?
[[Hearts]]
[[Clubs]]
[[Diamonds]]
[[Spades]]
]
(set:$Drink to it +1)
(if:$Drink >2)[
(set:$ending to 1)
<p>The amber fluid warms your throat as you knock it back.
That bourbon is hitting the spot. You feel dizzy.
](live: 5s)[
(go-to:"TheBeginning")
](else:)[
(go-to: "Drawing")
](set:$body to 1)
<p>You approach the body, grab hold of its shoulder, and pull it up to have a look.
(live: 3s)[
[You recognise the face, but it's impossible....] ]
(live: 6s)[
[Looking back at you with glazed eyes. Mouth, slightly opened by a swollen tongue. A face that is completely void of life. Yet a face you know so well...] ]
(live: 9s)[
[It is you.] ]
(live: 12s)[
[[Read the notebook->NoteBook]]
]
(If:$body is 0)[Do you want to check the body first?
(set:$body to 1)
[[Check the body->Body]]
[[Read notebook->NoteBook]]
](else:)[
<p>Handwritten on the front cover:
#The Diary of $FN $SurN
<p>
Most of the pages have been ripped out. One remains.
//"''October 27th''
This is my last entry. I have everything in place. The sacrifices have been made, please send my condolences to their families. There is only one life left to take now, the ultimate sacrifice. But that will put me on the other side. Then I must remember. You must remember. Only then can we action the plan, do what needs to be done.
You see $FN, if you are reading this, our plan is working. It is now up to you to finish this. I left our physical form so we could cross over, take the demon on in its own backyard. Now go and save Donny's soul from the hell we deserve to be in."//
(live: 3s)[There is a whisper on the wind]
(live: 6s)[//$FN...// ]
(live:9s)[ [[Open your eyes->Open your eyes]] ]
]
<p>
Something is wrong.
[[Try Again->LockedDoor]]
[[Back to the Stairs->TopLanding]]<p>You look at the four graves. Each stone has an inscription.
1. Here lies //Betty Russell// - Murdered - //May she climb to Heaven.//
2. In loving memory of //Bellinda Mechina// - Murdered - //Free at last.//
3. //Arnold Umant//, never forgotten - Murdered - //May death give you the win you never had in life.//
4. //George von Itsa //- Murdered - //They never saw you coming.//
You remeber these names. They are all victims for the '//Card Killer//.'
[[Continue to search the basement->Basement]] (if:$grave >= 1)[
<p>The inscription on the head stone reads:
The final resting place of //$FN $SurN //- the '//Card Killer'// - Death by suicide - //It was the only way to win.//
[[Carry on searching the house->Basement]]
](else:)[
(Set:$grave to it+1)
<p>You look in the hole. There is a playing card in the dirt. You pick it up.
Turn over a playing card. What is the suit?
[[Hearts]]
[[Clubs]]
[[Diamonds]]
[[Spades]]
]
#Inferno
<p>It seems that every writer who imagines Hell draws some //level// of influence from here.
[[Put the book back on the shelf->Lib]] #Fallen Angel
<p>A book about doing deals with demons set in New York. The film version 'Angel Heart' was directed by Alan Parker.
[[Put the book back on the shelf->Lib]]
#The World's Wife
<p>A book of poems giving the female perspective to famous stories. The one about Mrs Faust is very interesting.
[[Put the book back on the shelf->Lib]] (set:$SafeDoor to 1)
<p>The combination has already been set.
Hearts 2 - Diamonds 1- Clubs 2 - Spades - 0
[[Look inside]]
[[Search office->Office]](set:$cards to $hearts+$spades+$diamonds+$clubs)
<p>The safe has been emptied of all money and valuables.
You find a pack of playing cards. You count them quickly. (If: $cards >=1)[There are only 47 and have the same design on the back as the ones you have found.](else:)[There are only 47.]
There is also a newspaper.
HEADLING:
#Card Killer deals fifth victim.
(if:$grave >= 1)[The body of $FN $SurN was found in their appartment last night. In their hand they held (if:$cards >=2)[$cards playing cards](else:)[a playing card], the MO of the //Card Killer//. Speculation at the scene is that $Title $SurN may have been the natorious serial killer and took their own life rather than face justice.](else:)[The story talks about the //Card Killer//. You remember something about this happening, but never paid it too much attention.]
[[Examine door]]
[[Search office->Office]] <p>
//"''October 15th''
Dam this fucking demon. I played, I played and I thought I won. I thought I understood. But it turns out that the cards are nothing, and yet everything. DAMN IT!
I have a plan, but you are not going to like it."//
Though you can read the words, the paper is covered in shit.
[[Wash paper]]
<p>The fecal matter that tarnishes the note starts to clear.
(live: 3s)[
[But so doees the ink.] ]
(live: 6s)[
[Before you can stop, the diary entry is completly washed away. You drop the blank piece of damp paper on the floor.] ]
(live: 9s)[
[[Search bathroom->Bathroom2]]
]
<p>You are sitting at a poker table covered in a fire red cloth.
Opposite you is a demon. The same demon you have played before. Red, leathered skin covering tortured flesh. Jet black eyes, less windows to the soul, more a balcony overlooking the soulless.
The five cards you have found are laid out in front you. When the foul creature speaks, it is as if someone has just sucked all the joy from the air.
"//You have returned. A foolish thing to do.//"
He gestures to your cards. Then to his own, which are face down on the table.
//"As you can see, you have lost. Do you accpet defeat $Title $SurN?//"
You smile.
[["No, I have clearly won..."->Endgame]]
[["Maybe, after you show me your cards..."->Endgame]]
[["I lost before I came in here..."->Endgame]]<p>"...but it doesn't matter anyway."
"You see, //Papa Dyab//, this is my house."
(If:$plan is 1)[You wave you hand over the table. A red button appears.
You look Papa Dyab in the eyes.
[[Press the button]] ](else:)[Papa Dyab stands, "You think your babyish dream house can match my power. You foolish human."
Papa Dyab claps his hands.
The floor falls away before the flames of Hell reach up and grab your feet.
You scream with such fear that the Angels turn away, squeamish of your suffering.
[[Scream ->Go to hell]] ]
You have been dragged to the fiery pit.
[[Play again?->Variables]](if:$ending is 1)[You press button. A cage falls from the ceiling.
You grit your teeth as you speek.
"I got you. I had to kill innocent people, I had to kill myself to get here, to construct this trap. And now I will cast you down..."
But before you can finish your sentence Papa Dyab lifts the cage. He has a calmness that strikes fear through every cell in your body.
//"The thing about getting drunk, is you always end up saying more than you ever meant to. I knew about your plan because you enjoyed the bourbon a little too much and told me everything before you passed out. Now, it is time to collect my winnings."//
Papa Dyab claps his hands.
The floor falls away before the flames of Hell reach up and grab your feet.
You scream with such fear that the Angels turn away, squeamish of your suffering.
[[Scream ->Go to hell]]
](else:)[You press the button. A cage falls from the ceiling.
You control your hatred to deliver the fatal blow.
"I got you. I had to kill innocent people, I had to kill myself to get here, to construct this trap. And now I will cast you down, banish you to the deepest levels of Hell, a prisoner for eternity."
You say the words...
[["Per eos, quos in nomine meo occidisti, adiuro te"]]
[["Klaatu Barada Nikto"]]
[["Smile, you son of a bitch"]]
]
<p>Papa Dyab screams as the bars on the cage glow golden.
Through biblical pain Dyab spits a curse at you.
//"You have won nothing. You are still dead. There is no bringing you back."//
You walk over to the cage and glory in Dyab's suffering.
"We'll call it a draw."
The floor falls away before the cage, including its prisoner, is dragged into the fiery pit.
You look up and see your lost friend.
Donny smiles at you before fading into the flames that now crawl on every surface, desperate to devour the house.
#The End//"That is so typical of you. You do all the hard work, and right at the end, you try to blag it with a quote from The Evil Dead III: Army of Darkness."//
Papa Dyab claps his hands.
The floor falls away before the flames of Hell reach up and grab your feet.
The demon smiles, //"Groovy."//
You scream with such fear that the Angels turn away, squeamish of your suffering.
[[Scream ->Go to hell]]"That is so typical of you. You do all the hard work, and right at the end, you try to blag it with a quote from Jaws."
Papa Dyab claps his hands.
The floor falls away before the flames of Hell reach up and grab your feet.
The demon sings.
"Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies.
Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain.
For we've received orders for to sail back to Boston.
And so never more shall we see you again."
You scream with such fear that the Angels turn away, squeamish of your suffering.
[[Scream->Go to hell]](Set:$freeze to it +1)(set:$fear to it+1)
<p> A creature, as pale as ice, its face contorted with vengeance, rushes out of the darkness.
(live: 3s)[
It screams "$SurN!" before cold ravages your senses and your blood freezes.]
(live: 6s)[
You need to get warm.]
(live: 9s)[
[[Go back inside->EntHall]] ]
(If:$freeze is 1)[(go-to:"cold")](else:)[(go-to:"Outside")(if: $freeze >=1)[
You are cold and it is hard to breath.
You must get warm.
](else:)[
The last time your were out here, you were attacked. ]
[[Got back inside->EntHall]]