Welcome to ''Hero.ROM'', a futuristic click-on-words RPG. //Episode 1: Wrath of the Gang Queen// [[Let's Get Started->Intro]] [[Wait, what is this?->IntroExpo]](text-color: "lightblue")[(text-style: "blur")[In a time long past, a hero saved us. Converging the power of the gods, this hero struck down the Ancient Evil and brought peace to the world. (set: $attack to 1)(set: $vitality to 1)(set: $cash to 0)(set: $princesslevel to 0)(set: $dc to 0) [[Next->Intro2]]]](text-color: "lightblue")[(text-style: "blur")[That was seventeen-thousand years ago. [[Next->Intro3]]]](text-color: "lightblue")[(text-style: "blur")[Now, the hero is lost and the gods have abandoned us, but the Ancient Evil never truly dies. What hope does this world, now a congealed waste of technology and sin, have against such a primal force of destruction? At this point, probably none. Oh. You're dreaming, by the way. This is one of those prophetic dreams where an ethereal voice calls to action or whatever. You need to be the one to save this horrible, wretched world. But you'll probably ignore this. You types always seem to. Just [[wake up->WakeUp]] and think of something. Please. I'm tired of talking to you.]]You are in your apartment, a cramped, single-room efficiency on the lower, lower, lower south side of Deckhead's Row. (if: $calltoaction is not "yes")[The sound of AnForcer Drone sirens blares outside, as always.](else:)[You hear crashing, smashing and other general sounds of chaos from outside. Things sound more violent than usual out there.] What will you do? [[Get Dressed->AptCloset]] [[Eat Breakfast->Breakfast]] [[Clean Up->AptClean]] [[Jack into Cyberspace->AptCyberspace]] [[Exit->AptExit]]You awaken, your eyes heavy and your body more-or-less equally heavy. What did you do last night? You can't remember, so whatever it was has been rendered worthless. All you can remember is that crazy dream about a prophetic call to save the world. This is the twentieth one you've had in the last three months, and you try to put it out of your mind as quickly as the others. Your SensoVision set is blaring out a broadcast about how the world pollution levels have finally turned the oceans completely to acid. Damn, you left the SensoVision on all night. Your power bills are high enough as it is! You stand, letting some empty tubes of nutri-beer fall to the floor. From under a pile of clothes, you hear a faint grinding sound as your cleaning robot desperately tries to clean up the mess, but its propulsion system hasn't worked in years, and eventually it is forced to give up. Time for another adventure. [[Continue->Apartment]](if: $dressed is "yes")[You've already decided what to wear. [[Back->Apartment]]](else:)[You should probably get dressed. What will you wear, today? [[A black tank top with a sick fiber-optic skull on the front.->SkullTop]] [[A half-burned leather jacket with (plastic) spiked shoulder pads.->Spiketop]] [[A neon fishnet top covered in barcodes.->FishnetTop]] [[A loose-fitting FlasherWear-brand trenchcoat with matching sunglasses.->TrenchTop]]](if: $breakfast is "eaten")[You look around but don't see anything else to eat. [[Back->Apartment]]](else:)[You find a tube of FlavorJack. A completely tasteless cylinder of vegetable protein on its own, the special FlavorJack taste-tube can beam one of a variety of flavors directly into your brain as you eat it. Which taste-code will you use? [[9183: Steak Tips->EatBreakfast]] [[2911: Broth->EatBreakfast]] [[2290: Cherry-Lime->EatBreakfast]] [[1817: Broco-splosion->EatBreakfast]] [[1182: Chocolate and Bean->EatBreakfast]] [[4722: Toast with Oregano->EatBreakfast]] [[0912: Cool Blue->EatBreakfast]] [[0003: Cheese->EatBreakfast]] [[0004: Cheez->EatBreakfast]] [[8837: Diet Ham->EatBreakfast]] [[4444: Peachtini->EatBreakfast]] [[7907: Fried Bear Flank->EatBreakfast]] [[9928: Anti-Taters->EatBreakfast]] [[7748: Lobster^^tm^^->EatBreakfast]] [[3452: Root Beer Surprise->EatBreakfast]]]Ah, cyberspace, your one escape. You sit down in your biorhythmic monitoring chair, apply the necessary restraints, insert the hydration tube in your mouth and strap your head into the Cyberspace Virtualization Deck. [[Login->AptLogin]](if: $calltoaction is not "yes")[...Nah. You have no job, no social obligations and not enough motivation to seek out either this early in the morning...assuming it is morning. You decide to stay in, today. Maybe there's something interesting going on in cyberspace. [[Back->Apartment]]](else:)[You step out into the hallway. (if: $tutorialdeckhead is not "beaten")[The building creaks and groans around you. It sounds like there's some sort of earthquake. The hallway is empty, save for one [[erratic man->TutorialDeckheadIntro]] stumbling around](else:)[ That Deckhead you took out earlier is still sprawled out in the hall, but he doesn't look like he'll give you any more trouble. You head [[outside.->DeckheadRow]]]] Ah yes, your favorite. You squeeze the tube of edible matter into your mouth, trying hard (as recommended) not to look as it as you do so. Delicious! You can feel your few remaining Digestion Nanos kick in to ensure that mess metabolizes properly. As always, the FlavorJack tube concludes your meal by saying "Thank you for enjoying FlavorJack! Studies have proven definitively that this product does not cause brain cancer! See tube for details!"(set: $breakfast to "eaten") [[Continue->Apartment]]You pull on the tank top. The rainbow skull lights up on your chest for all the world (within your apartment) to see. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Style Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1) (set: $dressed to "yes") [[Back->Apartment]]You pull on the leather jacket. It menaces with spikes of plastic. You couldn't actually hurt anyone with it, but just wearing it makes you feel tougher. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Confidence Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1) (set: $dressed to "yes") [[Back->Apartment]]You pull on the fishnet top, with some effort. It's so light, you feel very limber. Still, you mostly just like how it shows off your bod. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Agility Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1) (set: $dressed to "yes") [[Back->Apartment]]You heft the trenchcoat onto your shoulders and slip on the shades. No one will mess with you dressed like this, and you choose to believe that's because you look so tough. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Toughness Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1) (set: $dressed to "yes") [[Back->Apartment]](font: "Lucida Console")[AnvilOS CYBERSPACE VIRTUALIZATION INTERFACE VERSION 5.2.11.4.2.555555 receiving login credentials USERID..................OK SYSINT..................OK MEMORYDR................OK VR-SEC..................OK MLWR-CHK................OK SPY-CHK.................OK U.RPN...................OK BACKUP2.................OK MISCDAT.................OK [[You are now free to access cyberspace!->AptMainframe]]](font: "Lucida Console")[Welcome t(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-style: "shudder")[ooooo]]o Cyberspace! The Anvil Corporation would like to remind you that (if: $calltoaction is "yes")[ttis](else:)[this] login is sponsored by (either: "Skull Cola","The Machinegun Foundation","Biggie's Bean Company","Burger House","Cults United","'Wrestledrome,' premiering this Wednesday","eSports.gov","The Anvil Corporation","Kitten Shack","an undisclosed source","Aberdax","LoreStone Online","Stuffbasket.com"). [[Access the MAIL CUBE!->MailCube]] [[Visit LORESTONE ONLINE!->LoreStoneOnline]] [[Browse VIRTUAL EROTICA!->VRotica]] [[Log Out->AptLogout]] ](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->AptMainframe]] (if: $calltoaction is not "yes")[You have accessed MAIL CUBE! Please select your desired mail.](else:)[Yyu have accccsed MAII C(text-style: "shudder")[U]BE! pLease select your dddired Mail!] [[Free Money! Not a Scam! Please Open This!->FreeMoneyEmail]] [[StuffBasket.com Summer Savings!->StuffbasketEmail]] [[Re: Job Application->RejectionEmail]] [[You Must Save The Planet!->CalltoAction]] (if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[UR](text-style: "shudder")[g](text-style: "fade-in-out")[ENT]!]](else:)[(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blink")[URGENT!]]]](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->MailCube]] Hello c(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-style: "shudder")[o]](else:)[o]nsumer! Our database shows you purchased an _AnvilSafe Heating Unit_ within the last _34_ days. This entitles you to a full refund of _100 g-creds_ on your purchase as part of a settlement. The terms of this settlement do not require us to divulge the purpose of the settlement, how(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-style: "upside-down")[ever]](else:)[ever] we are required to make clear our intent to not divulge this information, and we are making this intent clear now. We are additionally required to state that you are entitled to information on this settlement and may find out more on our legal cybersite. We are not required to provide a link to this cybersite. The Anvil Corporation (if: $gotcash is not "yes")[ATTACHMENT: [[YourMoney.csh->MoneyAtt]]] ](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->MailCube]] Why hello! Enjoying the lazy days of summer? Don't want to go out and face another dehumanizing shopping experience? We hear you! Why leave your home when you could have things brought to you? Don't worry! StuffBasket is here to help! Every month, StuffBasket will send you things you want. You want food? Video games? Action figures? You want all these things, and StuffBasket knows, and will send them to you! You'll get a specialized care package, packed with love, drone-delivered direct to your door at the start of every month. Every opening experience is an adventure, because at StuffBasket, we recognize you want variety. Maybe we'll send you 300 vinyl records. Maybe we'll send you a live dog. Who knows? We don't! We just pack 'em and send 'em! With love! DON'T LEAVE YOUR HOUSE! YOU HAVE NO REASON TO EVER LEAVE YOUR HOUSE! You don't WANT to leave, so why do it? Enjoy your monthly StuffBasket delivery and stay inside forever for only 7.99g per month. Use the offer code "MailCube9" on our cybersite and get an extra handful of crackers crammed into your first delivery. From, Your Buddies at StuffBasket ](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->MailCube]] Dear Sir or Madam, We regret to inform you that the position of _"Wire Watcher"_ at the Power Station has been filled. Your qualifications were extraordinary, in particular _"-I have a pair of working eyes"_ caught our attention. We will be keeping your resume on file in case similar opportunities open. Sincerely, AnvilCityPrime Department of Electrical Power(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[AnvilCityPrime Department of Electrical PowerAnvilCityPrime Department of Electrical PowerAnvilCityPrime Department of Electrical Power] ](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->MailCube]] Hello Hero, Okay look, I've been contacting you through your dreams for the last couple months now, and I'm really starting to think you're ignoring me on purpose. So you know what? Screw it! I'm sending an email, because I really don't get paid enough to shout at your dumb ass night after night in the hopes you'll get the hint. The world as you know it is about to collapse. The Ancient Evil (which I _hope you recognize_ from your dreams) is awake. It's trying to destroy cyberspace, and when the networks go down, this planet is going to spiral into chaos. It's already started, and you can't prevent it, but you can destroy the Ancient Evil. All the old relics are lost, but we have new ones. You need to compile a special program. Fragments of this program have been hidden in secure servers all over the city. Only you can find them. Compile this program, and you will gain the power to destroy the Ancient Evil. You are the last descendent of the legendary hero, and if your lifestyle is any indication, the bloodline dies with you. For this reason, a stand must be made here and now. This is the last I'm going to try to convince you to save the world. Fulfill your destiny. Get out of that goddamn apartment. Cyberspace is already startin(text-style: "blink")[g] to co(text-style: "blink")[;]l(text-style: "upside-down")[a]p(text-style: "shudder")[se]. A (text-style: "rumble")[Fri]end (set: $calltoaction to "yes") ](font: "Lucida Console")[Downloading money......(set: $cash to it + 100)(set: $gotcash to "yes") Your AnvilBank Credit Account has received: 100 g-creds Your new balance is: $cash g-creds [[Continue->FreeMoneyEmail]]](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->AptMainframe]] Welcome to LoreStone Online, an online information database crowdsourced from users all over the world. Here you'll find information on every topic you can imagine, and more than a few you can't. Ha h(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[(text-style: "blink")[a]](else:)[a]. We keep things light around here. TODAY'(if: $calltoaction is "yes")[st](else:)[S] FEATURED ARTICLES: [[Self-Improvement->StatTutorial]] - Factoid: You're effectively made of numbers. Find out what those numbers mean! [[The Basics of Combat->CombatTutorial]] - Factoid: Master Ixana's "Hit Stuff Until it Stops Moving," written in the year 1277, is still cited by scholars today.](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->AptMainframe]] (text-color: "magenta")["Hey there baby! Looking for a good time? It's okay, we won't tell! Just take a look at the link panels below and see if anything catches your fancy."] IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE! IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE!(text-color: "magenta")[back]IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE!(text-color: "magenta")[next]IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE!(text-color: "magenta")[refresh]IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE!(text-color: "magenta")[favorite]IF THIS ELEMENT IS NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY, YOU MAY BE USING OUTDATED HARDWARE(if: $princesslevel is 1)[(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 4)[[!->BlankBattle]]](else:)[!] cybercode by AnvilErotica Designs](font: "Lucida Console")[Disengaging... [[It is now safe to remove your helmet!->Apartment]]](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->LoreStoneOnline]] SELF-IMPROVEMENT ---------------- As a human being, literally everything about you can be boiled down into two basic statistics. This might be difficult to accept, but it has been mathematically proven, and there is nothing to be done. By accomplishing various tasks throughout our lives, we improve ourselves. Lift a weight, and you become stronger. Beat an intruder in your home to death, and the experience will harden you emotionally to further violence. At these moments in our lives, we feel ourselves improve, and at times even see a blinking piece of text appear telling us that one of our personal stats has increased. All these stats combine to form our value as a person. However, when our value is tested, such as when we are engaged in a fight to the death, the stats combine into two major "superstats." The first stat is known as your Aggregated Total Killing Power, or "ATK Power." This stat determines your skill in combat, and the deftness with which you can overcome obstacles. Improving your speed and flexibility, not just your strength, will raise your ATK Power. The second stat is known as your Heartbeat Potential, or "HP." HP represents your ability to remain alive. As we are injured, our HP naturally decreases, and at zero we are unable to continue living. Improving your toughness, endurance and psychological fortitude are all ways to increase your maximum HP. Most actions we take require neither of these two stats, and as a result, there is very little to separate people in terms of merit. Still, it is important to keep both of these stats in mind as you go about your everyday life, because they are you and you are they.](font: "Lucida Console")[[[Back->LoreStoneOnline]] THE BASICS OF COMBAT --------------------- When engaged in combat, common sentiment has dictated that one must use any weapons at their disposal to inflict sufficient injury upon their enemy for the combat to be decided in their favor. For centuries, this core tenet governed all warfare and martial artistry. It is only now, in our more enlightened age, that science has uncovered the secret truths of fighting. When two individuals fight, they are pitting their combat skills against each other, but there are a third and fourth actor in play. These actors can be thought of as a pair of invisible cubes, each side of each depicting a number from one to six. When two people trade blows, these cubes toss themselves to the ground, and each imparts their face-up value to a participant's combat skill. In this way, even a combatant of lower combat skill can overcome a stronger opponent, assuming the random whim of the numbered cubes favors them. Despite proven tests, many doubt the existence of the cubes. They claim that they are simply stand-ins for the inherent randomness and chaos of reality, and are more a philosophical concept than literal, invisible cubes. This is not the case. They are literal, invisible cubes. To succeed in combat, one must respect and understand the cubes. The cubes are real.]You're all too familiar with people like this. They wear portable Cyberspace Virtualization Decks on their heads, allowing them to live their whole lives in a form of augmented reality. They're colloquially referred to as "Deckheads," and yeah, it's about as affectionate as it sounds. Still, this one's acting more addled than usual. He's stumbling around back and forth in the hallway, groaning. This really would be none of your concern, but you're having trouble getting by him. You shout that you need to get to the exit, and immediately regret it. The man straightens, his arms starting to flail at his sides. His virtualization deck lets out a horrible electronic screech as he clutches at his head. Suddenly, he turns to you, his voice strangely distorted. "Yo(text-style: "shudder")[U]'re...(font: "Lucida Console")[n]ot...going...(font: "Lucida Console")[An(text-style: "shudder")[YWH]ErE]!" He starts to advance towards you. Looks like you'll have to defend yourself. You flex and stretch and feel your Physical Enhancement nanos spring into action. (set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 1) <center>[[BATTLE!->TutorialDeckheadBattle]] [[(Or maybe you'd like a quick primer on combat?)->CombatPrimer]]</center>You step onto the sidewalk. It's like a warzone out here. Buildings are burning, cars are swerving out of control and the delivery drones that usually fly in neat rows through the sky are now bumbling around and banging into one another. Anything remotely connected to cyberspace has gone haywire. (if: $queenbeaten is not "yes")[Across the street, there appears to be some sort of riot going on. Crazed deckheads (along with other, more common lowlifes) are looting the storefronts around you. ]Above you, dead ahead, the giant neon "Q" of the Quadrangle Hotel shines like a beacon. You'd never given it much thought before, but you're finding yourself drawn to it, now. So, what do you want to do? (if: $queenbeaten is not "yes")[[[Approach the Riot->QueenRiot]] ][[Search the Area for Anything Useful->RowLooters]] [[Go to the Quadrangle Hotel->QuadrangleExterior]] [[Call a GoGo Cab->RowCabTerminal]] [[Return to your Apartment->Apartment]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Addled Deckhead Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "None")[This guy is nothing special]</div> [[Fight!->TutorialDeckheadFight]] [[Flee->TutorialDeckheadFlee]]Okay! Here's a quick run-down of combat. It's simple, but you should still know what's going on. You and your opponent both have a "combat skill" number. In your case, it's called "ATK Power" and in the enemy's case it's called a "Threat Level," but they effectively mean the same thing. It's represented like this. -------------- You ATK Power: 1 HP: 1 <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Addled Deckhead Threat Level: 1 Special Ability: None</div> --------------- You have only two options in combat, "Fight" or "Flee." You can flee from combat at any time without penalty, and restart the fight at full health. There are downsides to fleeing from battle, but these will only become important later on. When you attack, both you and your opponent roll a hidden six-sided die and add the result to your combat skill. To win, one combatant must beat the other's resulting number by //three or more.// If neither side is high enough to win, you instead "clash" with the enemy and trade blows, causing...things. (More on clashing a bit later.) If you win, you defeat your opponent immediately (erm, usually). If you lose, you lose 1 HP. You can think of your HP more like "Extra Lives" than Hit Points in most RPGs. That's why you have so few of them. If you run out of HP, you are actually dead. What exactly that means differs depending on where in the game you are, but it's generally not good, and you'll want to avoid it if you can. Anyway, if neither side wins a round of combat, you "clash," and this is where things get interesting. Sometimes when you clash with an enemy, either your ATK Power of their Threat Level will be changed. It could be raised, or it could be lowered. Stat changes persist for the duration of the battle, but will be reset if you die or run away, so knowing when to stay and when to run is important. (And, I mean, they're the two choices you have, so...) Oh, and one more thing! Some enemies will have special abilities. This first guy doesn't, but stay on the lookout. Got all that? Great, because basically none of it matters in this simple tutorial fight. Good luck! <center>[[BATTLE!->TutorialDeckheadBattle]]</center>(set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[You execute a sweet wallrun, rebounding off to kick the Deckhead squarely in the cranial rig. He screams, stumbling backwards as sparks shoot out of his helmet. As you watch, his smoking headgear sets off the nearby sprinklers, showering him and causing electricity to arc off of his head in all directions. An electronic voice echoes down through the hall. "Your attention! This building has exceeded its monthly water allocation! Sprinkler systems will now be deactivated!" The sprinklers shut off, but the Deckhead is already unconscious with his rig fried and sizzling on his head. //''YOU WIN!''// Stepping over your fallen foe, you head [[outside->DeckheadRow]] to see just what the hell is going on.(set: $tutorialdeckhead to "beaten")](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[As you charge the Deckhead, he jukes to the side and intercepts you with a clothesline maneuver. You land flat on your back, and as the Deckhead stands over you, he begins to scream. Lightning arcs out of his cranial rig and into your body. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[Electricity courses through you, but you manage to kick the Deckhead away before the juice can fry you completely. He stumbles back, dazed, as you get to your feet. You won't be able to take another one of those. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// (if: $HP is 1)[(You're also on your last hit point, just FYI!)] [[Continue->TutorialDeckheadBattle]]](else:)[Electricity surges through your body. You're paralyzed, and soon you find your senses slipping away. The last thing you see is an unshaven Deckhead at a really unflattering angle, and your last thought it why you bothered leaving the apartment today. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You charge and jump-kick the Deckhead, knocking him backwards. He stumbles around, knocking over a decorative vase, but seems otherwise unphased.","You point behind the Deckhead in an effort to distract him, but he doesn't fall for it. This is too bad, because unbeknownst to either of you, a cleaning drone is flying down the hallway behind him. The drone plows into the Deckhead from behind, dizzying him for a second, but you're too surprised by the coincidence to take advantage before he comes to his senses.","You grab the Deckhead's cranial rig to try to rip out its battery. You only get one of the backup batteries, though. You toss it at him for good measure, but it just bounces off. Basically nothing about this plan has achieved anything.","You punch the Deckhead and he stumbles back into a window. You attempt to slam him through the window, but the JumperProof safety glass won't give. You slam his head into the window a few times to give the impression that that's what you had meant to do the whole time, then back off to formulate a new plan.","You get the Deckhead in a chokehold. You don't actually know how to effectively chokehold someone, so you just squeeze him for a while. Realizing that defeating him this way could take hours, you shove him into a wall.") (either:"The Deckhead unleashes a scream attack, meaning he just screams a bunch. It's not actually loud enough to hurt you, and after a moment he realizes this.","The Deckhead attempts to claw at you, but it seems he just recently clipped his nails.","The Deckhead punches you in the gut. You stumble backwards, coughing, and as he tries to follow up with a haymaker, you hop aside and he falls on his face.","The Deckhead grabs a passing StuffBasket delivery drone and hammer-tosses it at you. You try to dodge to the side, but unfortunately the drone has the same idea and swerves in the same direction you do. It bounces off your shoulder and spirals down the hall behind you, leaving a slight bruise but nothing that will take you out of this fight.","The Deckhead ruptures one of the backup batteries on his cranial rig, intending to shower you with hot battery acid. It doesn't go nearly as far as intended, though, and you only get a little on your hand as you hold it over your face. It...stings a little kinda.") [[Continue->TutorialDeckheadBattle]]]You flee back to your apartment, locking the door behind you. The Deckhead pounds on the door for a while, then seems to lose interest and wanders back towards his original spot. He's not going anywhere. You're going to have to fight your way through him. But for now, make sure there's nothing that can help you in your [[apartment.->Apartment]]In a second, the world around you fades. You feel your body bathed in light. (either: "It is as though a very exasperated force of pure goodness has imparted some of its power to you.","You hear a slightly annoyed voice calling you back to life.","Your flesh and bones are mended by an entity you can somehow tell would rather be doing something else.","With a heavy sigh, your soul is carried through the void.","You feel yourself being dragged by the leg through an ethereal expanse.","A soft, beautiful voice calls out that it isn't your time. It's rather accusatory in tone.","You feel healing waters being violently splashed onto your body.","There's a sound like someone muttering, then snapping their fingers. Immediately you feel your wounds heal.") You open your eyes. You're in your apartment again. It seems you were saved by...something. (set: $dc to it + 1) [[Let's hope this is the last time.->Apartment]]You approach the riot to see what's going on. It appears, on closer inspection, that this is a gang of roving looters pooling their ill-gotten gains. Old SensoVisions, off-brand clothes, nutri-beer kegs and illicit deck upgrades are being piled in the center of the mob. It just throws into relief how little there is to steal in a neighborhood like this. You grumble at the sight. It always distresses you to see crime punching down. This mass of..."treasure" has been sculpted in the shape of a (decidedly) crude throne, on which sits the woman you presume to be in charge of this operation. While there are a number of deckheads in the crowd, she's the only one with a rig that looks professionally-made. This, combined with the fact that she's berating and kicking those whose looting efforts displease her, makes clear that she's the one to talk to if you want your neighborhood returned to some semblance of safety. Still, if you walk into this, you're probably not walking away without a fight. Do you want to proceed, or do some grindi-...I mean, scavenging for...supplies? [[Approach the mob->GangQueen]] [[Leave them be, for now->DeckheadRow]]You hear crashing and banging as looters raid the various establishments. Looks like anyone who isn't out for a smash-and-grab has opted to stay indoors. Where to look? (if: $deckbruiser is not "beaten")[[[An old hangout->RowBruiser]]](else:)[[[Aberdax Old-Style Pizzeria->RowPizzeria]]] (if: $deckblader is not "beaten")[[[Local storefronts->RowBlader]]](else:)[[[AnvilFoods Fine Liquor->RowLiquorStore]]] [[Those drones overhead->RowDrones]] [[Back->DeckheadRow]]You approach the massive hotel. It's quite well-kept compared to the rest of Deckhead's Row. (if: $queenbeaten is not "yes")[You have to take the long way around to avoid the rioters, but thankfully they don't seem to notice you.] (if: $hotelbronze is not "have")[As you near the courtyard, a cyan forcefield crackles to life in front of you. You flail your arms to avoid colliding with it face-first, and stop yourself just in time to see a message materialize in front of your face. ----------------------------------------- <center>(text-colour: "cyan")[(font: "Lucida Console")[You're being blocked by... <font size="50">//''RabbleRouter^^TM^^''//</font> Due to the potential risk the outside world poses to our guests, a room key is required beyond this point. We apologize for any inconvenience.]]</center> ------------------------------------------ There's no getting past it, and the valets beyond seem to have orders not to help anyone though. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]](else:)[In front of you, a cyan forcefield flashes briefly and disappears. Looks like it responded to the room key in your pocket. [[Continue->QuadrangleLobby]]](if: $gogopass is not "have")[You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Thanks for choosing GoGo Cab! Do you need a ride? [[Yes->RowCabTerminal2]] [[No->RowCabTerminalExit]] [[What is GoGo Cab?->GoGoExplained]]]</center> ------------------------------------------ ](else:)[You approach the GoGo Cab terminal and tap your GoGoPass onto the magnetic reader. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Card Accepted! Welcome back! Do you need a ride? (if: $queenbeaten is not "yes")[[[Yes->GoGoSorry]]](else:)[[[Yes->GoGoCab]]] [[No->RowCabTerminalExit]] [[What is GoGo Cab?->GoGoExplained]]]</center> ------------------------------------------ ]You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Do you have a prepaid GoGoPass? [[Yes->RowCabTerminal2andahalf]] [[No->RowCabTerminal3]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You step away from the GoGo Cab terminal. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Great! Please tap your GoGoPass on the magnetic reader! [[I don't actually have one.->RowCabTerminal3]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Would you like to purchase a GoGoPass? [[Yes->RowCabTerminal4]] [[No->RowCabTerminalExit]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Please select the GoGoPass you wish to purchase. [[24 Hour Pass: 5g->RowCabTerminal5]] [[72 Hour Pass: 12g->RowCabTerminal5]] [[Week Pass: 20g->RowCabTerminal5]] (Link: "Lifetime Pass: 10,000g")[Yeah, don't even pretend.] [[Nevermind->RowCabTerminalExit]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Connecting to AnvilBank... Processing tr(text-color: "red")[an(text-style: "shudder")[s]a(text-style: "blink")[cti]o(text-style: "shudder")[n.].. 8908293898904328940283099084923849230849327878182767663676767892137821738782978978217389217382917382 (text-style: "fade-in-out")[NETWORK ERROR! CANNOT COMPLETE TRANSACTION!]]]</center> ------------------------------------------ [[Okay, then...->RowCabTerminalExit]]You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[What is GoGo Cab? GoGo Cab is the future! GoGo Cab is public transportation made personal! Our affordable, AI-controlled cabs will get you wherever you need to go, 24/7. Just sit back and ride in style, taking in the bright lights and red-streaked clouds of AnvilCityPrime. GoGo Cab is recognized by the Council of Safety as the single safest form of transportation in the city, with 20% fewer fatalities per month than human-driven vehicles and 85% fewer fatalities than pedestrian travel. As they always say, "You're significantly more likely to die waiting for your GoGo Cab than riding in one!" Buy a GoGoPass and your personalized ride will always be a mere tap away! Try today! [[Back->RowCabTerminal]]]</center> ------------------------------------------You approach the nearby GoGo Cab terminal, still functional amidst all the chaos, hoping to catch a ride out of here. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[We're sorry. According to our database, the crime rate in your area is 32% too high for a GoGo Cab to be safely dispatched. Please relocate to a less dangerous area and try again, or contact an AnForcer to assist you in reducing the crime rate.]</center> ------------------------------------------ [[Oh, come on...->RowCabTerminalExit]]Within seconds, a cute little driverless cab pulls up. You step inside. ----------------- (font: "Lucida Console")[Welcome! Where to? [[Deckhead Row->DeckheadRow]] [[The Abandoned Warehouse District->DemoEnd]] [[The Artisan Quarter->DemoEnd]] [[Anvil Heights->DemoEnd]] [[Maiden's Park->DemoEnd]] [[Gadget Town->DemoEnd]] [[Anvil Corporate Plaza->DemoEnd]] [[City Limits->DemoEnd]]] ------------------------To your horror, you see that even the Aberdax Old-Style Pizzaria in the base of your apartment building isn't safe from these rowdy looters. The doors and windows are broken, and some muscleheaded brute is making a horrible racket inside. You clench your fist. The 30g sausage-and-mushroom combo (with 5g extra for pineapple) was the closest thing you had to a friend in this neighborhood. You charge in, fighting back tears, and demand the intruder leave. The hulking bruiser laughs. It doesn't look like he'll leave until you make him.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 3) <center>[[VENGEANCE!->RowBruiserBattle]]</center>These rioters sure have been thorough. Pretty much every store that isn't actively on fire has been reduced to a smoldering ruin. And yet, even in the darkest hour there is a ray of hope. The liquor store is still standing. You start to head inside, enticed by the promise of free (if ethically-questionable) booze. However, before you can make it inside, a red blur erupts from within and nearly knocks you over. As you whirl around you find yourself staring down a Blader Deckhead. By "Blader," I mean she's on roller blades. However, she also has a blade in her hands. Rather, a knife. It's...it's sort of a play on words I guess. Look, some lady on roller blades is intent on stabbing you to death for interrupting her looting. Flex up your nanos and let's do this.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 2) <center>[[FIGHT!->RowBladerBattle]]</center>As always, dozens of delivery drones swarm through the sky above you. They're usually a bit more organized than this, though. The collapse of cyberspace seems to have corrupted whatever central computer keeps them from careening around and crashing into one another, which is what they're doing now. As you watch, though, one of the drones breaks off from the commotion. It seems to have spotted you...and is headed your way! Though it lacks a face, you get a distinct sense of malice from the way it's arranged its frontal sensory array.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 1) <center>[[FIGHT!->RowDroneBattle]]</center>What a shame. The pizzeria is completely torn apart. That has nothing to do with your elaborate scuffle with the gang member earlier, though. It was totally like this when you got here. You look around for anything of note... (if: $pizza is not "eaten")[[[Investigate the Kitchen->PizzeriaDrone]] ][[Talk to the Girl with the Guitar->PizzeriaMusic]] [[Head Outside->DeckheadRow]]The inside of the liquor store is a mess of broken glass, blood and sparking half-broken electronics, so it's basically the same as always. Looks like you intervened just in time to prevent any serious damage. But what now? [[Buy some booze->LiquorBooze]] [[Check out the Recycling Terminal->RecyclingMachine]] [[Leave->DeckheadRow]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Gang Bruiser Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Musclehead")[Not an actual special ability. He's just strong.]</div> [[Fight!->RowBruiserFight]] [[Flee->RowBruiserFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[The bruiser charges at you from across the room. Thinking quickly, you grab a pizza paddle and thrust it into his chest. You strain with all your might, your Physical Enhancement nanos burning under your skin. With a mighty yell you hoist the brute over your head and toss him head-first into the pizza oven behind you. He screams and flails desperately, trying to pull himself out but slowly succumbing to the agony of roasting alive. This is somewhat strange to watch given that the oven isn't actually //on.// Maybe this experience has dredged up some oven-entrapment-related trauma in the huge hulk's mind. Within a few seconds he falls unconscious, and it doesn't look like he'll be back on his feet any time soon. //''YOU WIN!''// With that out of the way, you look around to assess the damage. The place is trashed, but there might still be something here of use. [[Continue->RowPizzeria]](set: $deckbruiser to "beaten")](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[The brute grabs a folding chair and bashes you in the chest with a mighty swing. No dodging out of the way of that one. You fly backward, spiraling through the air. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[You manage to do a surprisingly stylish landing pose completely by accident, but you felt that hit deep in the core of your body. Probably best not to take this guy so lightly. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->RowBruiserBattle]]](else:)[With a smash, you go sailing through one of the few intact windows at the front of the store. You lose consciousness in the impact, and are dead seconds later. How you actually die is probably best not discussed at length. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You grab a ketchup tube and spray him in the face, hoping to blind him. He simply wipes it off, so you grab a mustard tube and try again. When even that doesn't seem to throw off his vision, you angrily snap up a shaker of red pepper flakes, jump on the guy and proceed to violently shake the pepper into his eyes. This at last has the blinding effect you were hoping for, however minor. At this point, you'll take it. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","With a mighty kick you knock the bruiser backwards into a wall. The force of the impact knocks one of your commemorative Customer of the Month photos off the wall. You cringe, but this loss has strengthened your resolve. (set: $ATK to it + 1)//ATK Power Up!//","You punch the bruiser square in the jaw. It doesn't actually do anything. In fact, his jaw looks to be the strongest part of him. You wonder why the jaw ever seemed like a good idea.","You break a chair over the brute's head. Unfortunately, it's one of those breakaway chairs used in movies. Some local film students were probably shooting a scene in here earlier today. The brute looks just as surprised as you, but largely unharmed.","You taunt the brute, luring him to charge into a buzzing neon sign on the wall. It works, but on impact the sign merely breaks. You were hoping something a bit cooler than that would happen, but whatever.") (either:"The brute tears up a section of floor and promptly falls on his back with it. You assume he intended to throw the chunk of floor at you, but he pulled up too much and now he's trapped underneath it. He struggles out quickly and gets to his feet, embarrassed but unharmed.","The brute tosses a chair at you. You dodge-roll to the side and the chair embeds itself in the wall behind you. You take a second to recover, because dodge-rolling can make a person //really// dizzy if they're not used to it.","The brute grabs you in a bear-hug and squeezes. Strong though he is, he's not strong enough to actually kill you or cut off your circulation with this. After several seconds it's just awkward. He releases you, himself more out of breath from the strain than you are from being squeezed.","The brute grabs you in a one-handed choke-hold and prepares to slam you through a table. However, he's either broken or knocked over all the tables. He starts awkwardly trying to stand a table back up with his other hand but he can't reach it and hold onto you at the same time. You manage to slip away as he bends down to pick one up, causing him to fall to the ground and break it anyway.","The brute throws crate at you. Fortunately, it's only a crate of napkins.") [[Continue->RowBruiserBattle]]]You duck just in time as the bruiser puts his fist through the wall behind you. Upon seeing this, you realize you might not be equipped to deal with this guy. As he struggles to get his hand back, you dash out the door and into the street. You catch your breath and make sure you still have all your organs. Revenge for the pizza place will have to wait...for now. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Collapsed on the floor of the kitchen, you find the badly battered body of a robotic chef. Poor thing. You know they can't feel pain, but seeing one mangled like this is still harrowing. Then, with a spark, the robot shudders to life again. It struggles to right itself on its bent limbs, and you hurry to help it up. (font: "Lucida Console")["Thank you, child. You are truly kind. I..."] He pauses to exaggeratedly cough. (font: "Lucida Console")["I am not long for this world, I'm afraid. My hard drive battery has been ruptured. Within minutes I...I will be..."] He winces with simulated pain. You urge him not to speak, but he shakes his head and grabs you by the shoulder. (font: "Lucida Console")["Please! Tell me your...favorite pizza toppings. I have enough strength left for one last creation. Tell me, child! Tell me what pizza you most desire!"] You start to protest, but the dying robot is adamant and there is little time. What will you order? Make it something extraordinary. [[Fisherman's Platter Pizza with Onions->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Double-Toppings Olive-Lover's Special with Olive Loaf Crust->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Thousand Island Anchovy->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Pickle Supreme with Barbeque Sauce->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Flatbread Synthetic Pastrami and Pineapple->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Spherical Calzone Surprise->PizzeriaPizza]] [[Deep Dish Coleslaw Supreme with Thai Peanut Wyngz->PizzeriaPizza]](if: $hotelbronze is "have")[Zori is busy practicing the song you...um..."workshopped" with her. //"So meet me at the pizza place! Meet me on the street! Punks running everywhere, But we won't let 'em get us down! Oh, no no! We're gonna run to my very next show! Thrill of the chase! Just meet me at the pizza place!"// That doesn't even match the ideas you gave her! You feel lucky she probably won't credit you as a co-writer. [[Continue->RowPizzeria]]](else:)[(if: $zolaintro is not "yes")[To your amazement, there's another seemingly-sane person in this pizza place. Though, as you look at her more closely, your initial assessment of sanity comes more and more into question. She's dressed head-to-toe in machine-distressed denim and nylon, with neither the denim nor the nylon being used for the articles of clothing you'd expect. She's holding a guitar, and looking at you quizzically through her soul-piercingly thick eyeliner. "Wow! Hell of a show you put on, baby! Kicked some serious deckhead boo-tay, am I right?" You ask if she's okay. "Don't worry about me. I grew up on these streets. I know all about how things like this go down. I'm just here to dig on the vibes of real people." You start to insist she get to safety, but stop short when you realize you recognize her. Is she...? "Three time AnvilArts Pop Music Award winner Zori Bex? Yes, that's me, baby! But don't get all weird just 'cause I'm super-famous or nothin'. I come out here to the Row to be with my people, y'know? Find where my heart is!" You note that it's a state of emergency right now and she should probably get to safety. "I know, right? The streets are //crazy!//" You clarify that no, this is a literal state of emergency and she needs to get inside or she's going to get hurt. "We're all suffering, baby, but I'm suffering for my art! You're telling me the Row is burning? Let's put it back together." You start to ask if she's-... "Let's write a song!" You sigh.(set: $zolaintro to "yes")](else:)[Zola looks up from her guitar, several flecks of face-glitter falling onto her chest. "Hey, baby! We gonna rock the world together, now?"] [[Okay, sure.->MusicQuestion1]] [[No, this is too stupid.->RowPizzeria]]](font: "Lucida Console")["Yes...it's...so clear now!"] The robot dashes to the pantry, pulling down all manner of ingredients. CHOP! SMASH! WHAM! With incredible precision he prepares each ingredient just so. The dough he measures out to an exact depth and circumference with his specially-installed leveling arms. The sauce he mixes from raw ingredients, taking care to reach the exact right consistency. He does all this faster than your eyes can even follow. You're watching a true master at work, and before you know it a single tear is running down your cheek. As he sets the timer on the oven, the robot suddenly collapses. You rush to his side and help him sit up. He no longer has the strength to stand. (font: "Lucida Console")["When the timer sounds...my masterpiece...will be complete. I will not be here to see it. Please...please enjoy it! Be the witness to this...my final act..."] You beg the robot to stay with you. (font: "Lucida Console")["No. It's better this way. My life will end with...my greatest act. Getting...weaker...now. Visual...data...corrupting. Speech...b-b-b-uffering...ove-e-e-rflow. Farewell. And...enjo-o-o-oy..."] With this, his hard drive battery explodes rather violently. Seconds later, the AnvilHome High-Heat Oven has quick-cooked the pizza to perfection. ...It's okay. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Gourmand Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1)(set: $pizza to "eaten") [[Continue->RowPizzeria]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Dizzy Drone Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Hovering")[Never rolls below a 2.]</div> [[Fight!->RowDroneFight]] [[Flee->RowDroneFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 2,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[You run towards the drone. As it tries to grab at you, you slide underneath it and grab it by the delivery bag. In one swift motion, you stand and swing the drone around by its delivery bag, slamming it into a nearby lamppost. The bag is torn free and the damaged drone spirals off into the air. //''YOU WIN!''// Now let's see what (either:"[[loot->DronePrize1]]","[[loot->DronePrize2]]","[[loot->DronePrize3]]","[[loot->DronePrize1]]","[[loot->DronePrize4]]","[[loot->DronePrize5]]") that drone was carrying...](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[The drone fishes through its bag for something with which to kill you, but can only find a sweater and a tube of vodka. You charge while it's unarmed, but before your eyes its fashioned a molotov cocktail. With a smash, you are engulfed in flames. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[You stop, drop and roll, not so much intentionally but as an involuntary reaction to the intense pain your body is experiencing. The flames die down and you have only minor burn marks. Your regenerative nanos will take care of those, but you're still going to feel it tomorrow. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->RowDroneBattle]]](else:)[As fire overtakes your field of view, the last thing you see is the drone taunting you with a finger-gun motion. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You go to punch the drone, but it nimbly dodges your swing. It lets out a series of chirps resembling mocking laughter.","You kick the drone and it spirals back. You didn't do much damage, but you did knock loose a tube of Skull Cola from its delivery bag. You chug the soda and give a thumbs-up. (set: $ATK to it + 1)//ATK Power Up!//","You wait for the drone to charge, then try to vollyball-spike it into the ground as it comes in range. You miss and fall on your face, but on the plus side the drone misses you as well.","You try to taunt the drone into charging into a spraying fire hydrant on the sidewalk behind you. It doesn't, and looks insulted you would think it was that stupid.","You run in to kick the drone, but it pulls a small sack of marbles out of its delivery bag, emptying them onto the ground in front of you. You flail around and just barely avoid falling.") (either:"The drone pulls a handgun gun out of its delivery bag. When it tries to fire, it turns out the gun is simply a gun-shaped lighter. The drone lets out a grumbling warble and tosses the lighter aside.","The drone pulls a tube of pre-mixed mojito out of its delivery bag. It attempts to break the tube on a parked car to create a weapon, but the tube just shatters entirely.","The drone pulls a series of vinyl records of chiptune music out of its delivery bag and discus throw them at you. You do a massive dodge-flip to the side to avoid them, though you could have just as easily done a little hop over them.","The drone pulls a series of sharp razor blades out of its delivery bag, but can't get at them through the packaging. After a few seconds it gives up and tosses them aside.","The drone pulls out a box labeled 'Fire Crackers.' On closer inspection, though, it's just a box of spicy wheat crackers. You offer to eat them but the drone just tosses them aside.") [[Continue->RowDroneBattle]]]You stand perfectly still, believing that the drone uses a motion sensor to track your position. It doesn't, but your behavior confuses it so much that it comes to the conclusion that it must have somehow killed you. Convinced its mission is complete, it flies back into the swarm. You breathe a sigh of relief. Your plan..."worked." You walk away to a place where the drones aren't swarming so violently. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize1 is not "have")[A pair of brass knuckles. One of them has the word "SLAM" written across the knuckles. The other has the word "ZONE." Huh. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Punchiness Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1)(set: $droneprize1 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","A bunch of old Anvil Entertainment System cartridges. You toss them aside, not realizing one of them is worth thousands at resale.","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize2 is not "have")[Some rad sunglasses. It's too dark to wear them, but you feel cooler just knowing you could bust them out at any time. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Smoothness Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1)(set: $droneprize2 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","A hastily-scribbed drawing of a girl with red hair and a white dress. You're not sure what you were expecting, but it sure wasn't that. You ball it up and toss it.(if: $princesslevel = 0)[(set: $princesslevel to it + 1)]","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize3 is not "have")[A tube of Skull Cola. Nice! You chug it down, and while you don't feel any stronger, you hang onto the tube. //''You got an empty tube!''//(set: $tubes to it + 1)(set: $droneprize3 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","Some star-patterned pantyhose. Cool to look at, but not really your style.","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize4 is not "have")[A tube of Skull Cola. Nice! You chug it down, and while you don't feel any stronger, you hang onto the tube. //''You got an empty tube!''//(set: $tubes to it + 1)(set: $bottles to it + 1)(set: $droneprize4 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","A remote-control drone kit. It's important to get kids acquainted with drones early in life. You don't have the time to play with it, though.","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Searching through the drone's delivery bag you find... (if: $droneprize5 is not "have")[A tube of Skull Cola. Nice! You chug it down, and while you don't feel any stronger, you hang onto the tube. //''You got an empty tube!''//(set: $tubes to it + 1)(set: $droneprize5 to "have")](else:)[(either: "Some pewter figurines of busty wizards. Not useful to your current quest.","A book on safe self-immolation as a party trick. Could be helpful, but you don't have time to read it, so you toss it aside.","A box of Seasoned Seaweed Snack-Em-Ups. You've had these before. They're not all that great.","A teddy bear. Kinda cute. You leave it be in the hopes another drone will recover it and get it to its destination.","An AnvilLive points card. Too bad AnvilLive was taken down years ago to make room for the AnvilLive2 servers.","Some anti-acne face wipes. You don't have acne, fortunately.","A black fedora. You're not one of those people who looks good in one. I'm talking to you the player, but it also applies to your character.","A strategy guide to a game called Exosomnia. The title rings a bell. Did that game even come out? Well, you certainly don't need it.","Cards for some tabletop game about zombies. Doesn't look fun at all, even though the back of the box states it raised over 3,000,000 g-creds of crowdfunding.","Poppy-seed crackers. You know they're healthy because the box is green and uses a light font. Not your kind of snack, unfortunately. You leave it for any passing birds.")] [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]"Okay, baby! What kind of tempo should it have?"(set: $musicgood to 0) [[Something fast.->FastTempo]] [[Something slow.->SlowTempo]] [[It should change up a lot.->CrazyTempo]]"Yeah! Let's get people pumped, right? It's the end of the world! You gotta...you gotta go for it!" She strums a quick, pulse-pounding beat. "Okay, now what about the melody?" [[Something catchy.->CatchyMelody]] [[Something haunting.->HauntingMelody]] [[Something intense.->IntenseMelody]]"Oh, I see. We're trying to bum people out a bit, make 'em realize this is serious. I feel you. That's a good instinct." She strums a slow and somber beat. "Okay, now what about the melody?" [[Something catchy.->CatchyMelody]] [[Something haunting.->HauntingMelody]] [[Something intense.->IntenseMelody]]"Yeah! Crazy like the //streets!// I like how you think! We gotta keep it changing just like the world is changing!" She strums out some basic rhythm transitions, working out how the song could go. (set: $musicgood to it + 1) "Okay, now what about the melody?" [[Something catchy.->CatchyMelody]] [[Something haunting.->HauntingMelody]] [[Something intense.->IntenseMelody]]"Song ain't gonna help anyone if it's not memorable. Trust me, if there's one thing I know, it's how to get something stuck in your head." She plinks out a few chords you are immediately unable to forget.(set: $musicgood to it + 1) "Okay, now what kind of instrumentation do we want?" [[Just you, a guitar, and the truth->GuitarAlone]] [[Guitar, bass, keyboard, drummer. The usual.->StandardBand]] [[Full orchestra! Also lots of synth!->FullOrchestra]]"Yeah. Gotta spook the hell out of 'em. There's no greater driver of progress than fear. I read that on a motivational calender." She strums out some minor chords. "Okay, now what kind of instrumentation do we want?" [[Just you, a guitar, and the truth->GuitarAlone]] [[Guitar, bass, keyboard, drummer. The usual.->StandardBand]] [[Full orchestra! Also lots of synth!->FullOrchestra]]"Ehehehe! I do like to keep things intense! No one will be able to ignore our message!" She wails on her guitar in ways you can't imagine are good for it. "Okay, now what kind of instrumentation do we want?" [[Just you, a guitar, and the truth->GuitarAlone]] [[Guitar, bass, keyboard, drummer. The usual.->StandardBand]] [[Full orchestra! Also lots of synth!->FullOrchestra]]"Oh, that's heavy. It's rad...but it's heavy! Never cut a single like that before. Hmmm...maybe there's a first time for everything." She thoughtfully strums out a tune. "Finally, we need lyrics. What're we saying?" [["Get off the streets immediately. You're in danger."->Dangerlyric]] [["The Anvil Corporation is behind this."->Anvillyrics]] [["Don't hide! Fight, fight, fight!"->FightLyrics]]"Gotta love the classics! I could make a few calls and have this cut together in a weekend." She thoughtfully strums out a few things, apparently assigning various musical roles in her head. (set: $musicgood to it + 1) "Finally, we need lyrics. What're we saying?" [["Get off the streets immediately. You're in danger."->Dangerlyric]] [["The Anvil Corporation is behind this."->Anvillyrics]] [["Don't hide! Fight, fight, fight!"->FightLyrics]]"Go big or go home, eh? You think crazy, and crazy is good! With all my industry cred I sure as //hell// should be able to find someone to put an orchestra together." She strums some classical chords. "Finally, we need lyrics. What're we saying?" [["Get off the streets immediately. You're in danger."->Dangerlyric]] [["The Anvil Corporation is behind this."->Anvillyrics]] [["Don't hide! Fight, fight, fight!"->FightLyrics]]"Hmm. Okay. It's got a clear message. I like that. Doesn't mess around." She starts doodling some lyrics on a napkin. //"Streets are burning! Stay inside! Think you're tough? Go run and hide From the fire Fire Fire FIRE! FIRE ON THE STREETS!"// [[Continue->Songresults]]"Like, a conspiracy? Whoa! I hadn't even thought about it that way. I don't owe the Anvil Corporation nothing...I don't think, anyway. I could totally write a song to take 'em on." She starts furiously scribbling lyrics on a napkin. //"Anvil signs! See 'em all day! Anvil logo on the bills we pay! Who's gonna pay? Who are they? They're the men coming to take your city away! Anvil Corporation! Anvil Corporation! This is a price we won't pay!"// [[Continue->Songresults]]"Now you're talking! We're going to fight, on the streets!" She gleefully scribbles some lyrics on a napkin. (set: $musicgood to it + 1) //"We gonna fight! 'Cause it's our city! And no one's gonna keep us away! The sunlight, Will be so pretty, When we can look at it and say, We fought! We won! The future is saved! None of this would be here If we'd all just behaved!"// [[Continue->Songresults]](set: $musicgood to it * 25)She slowly puts the song together in her head, considering every element. "I like about $musicgood percent of what you suggested." (if: $musicgood is 100)[She smiles. "Wow! You rock! You're like a muse for the streets or something!" You're somewhat flattered. "Here! Take this!" Zori flips a small bronze card to you. You turn it over. It has the logo of the Quadrangle Hotel on it.(set: $hotelbronze to "have") //''You got a Bronze Room Key!''// "Me and my crew are staying over at the Quad. Just fired my publicist, though, so her room's free. You should crash there, sometime. The place rules." You thank her and leave. "Thanks for all your help, baby!" She starts wildly playing away.](else:)[She shakes her head. "Not quite what I had in mind." You ask what part she didn't like. "Hard to say. All the pieces have to work together, you know? But hey, I can tell you have a gift. If you have any other ideas, come back to see me." You grumble and leave. This was a particularly stunning waste of your time.] [[Continue->RowPizzeria]]You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Blader Deckhead Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Speedy")[Rolls 1-8]</div> [[Fight!->RowBladerFight]] [[Flee->RowBladerFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,8))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[The Blader's lips curl into a devilish smile and she skates towards you at full speed, her knife at the ready. However, you stand your ground and stop her dead by planting your foot directly in her stomach. With a mighty kick you shove her backwards, causing her to roll away with such speed that it takes her a while to brake herself. When she comes to a stop, she looks to the side and realizes she's directly in the path of a runaway auto-freighter truck. Briefly forgetting about her wheels, she flails her feet frictionlessly against the ground before the massive vehicle slams into her and the two swerve away around the corner. Reconstructive nanos being what they are, you doubt that impact killed her. Still...ouch! //''YOU WIN!''// Now, let's see what that Blader was looting that was so important. [[Continue->RowLiquorStore]](set: $deckblader to "beaten")](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[Approaching slowly, the Blader corners you against the wall and slashes at you with her knife. (set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[You block with your arm...which isn't the smartest move. A sharp, very knife-like pain shoots through you and you clutch your bleeding limb. To your surprise, the Blader backs off a bit while your Reconstructive Nanos have a chance to heal you. Looks like she's put off by the sight of blood, which is a little odd for someone who goes around stabbing people. But anyway, //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->RowBladerBattle]]](else:)[Your throat is slit. Yes, it's incredibly brutal. So much so, in fact, that even the Blader looks horrified by what she just did. As you collapse to the ground, so does she, stricken with grief over her actions. As they say, it's all fun and games until someone loses a trachea. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You go to punch the Blader, but she ducks and blocks your attack with her heavy plastic cranial rig.","You grapple with the Blader and manage to wrestle one of her auxiliary knives away from her. (set: $ATK to it + 1)//ATK Power Up!//","You kick the Blader sending her spiraling away. It's quite graceful to watch, but it doesn't look like your attack actually hurt that much.","You grab an empty bottle and whip it at her, but she's too fast to hit. Fortunately, she's also too fast to avoid faceplanting into a nearby parked car as she dodges. She manages to right herself quickly, though.","You grapple the Blader into a headlock when she draws near, but you realize you're just holding her in knife's reach. You manage to let go before she can figure that out as well.") (either:"The Blader knees you in the stomach, but her massive kneepads soften the impact considerably.","The Blader brings down her knife and you dodge at the last second, causing her to lodge her blade in the roof of a parked car behind you. On her second swing, you dodge again and she lodges it into a news terminal, then a trash receptacle, then an abandoned fruit cart, and then in a passing delivery drone (which is surprised by manages to continue on its way). Frustrated, the Blader realizes a new tactic might be necessary.","The Blader goes to kick you in the face with her blade (the wheeled kind). Those things //hurt,// and you're sent reeling. However, the attack also threw the Blader completely off balance, and you have some seconds to recover as she struggles back to her feet.","The Blader throws her knife at you. You catch it and throw it back. She catches it. You're both disappointed, even though from an outside perspective that was kind of cool to watch.","She charges into you at full speed, tackling you to the ground. Fortunately, you fall backwards onto a discarded trampoline and bounce back up, sending her flying backwards. She steadies herself, dazed and frustrated she didn't see the gigantic trampoline directly behind you.") [[Continue->RowBladerBattle]]]Not liking your odds in the fight, you make a break down an alley and climb a nearby fire escape ladder. When you look down, the Blader is nowhere to be seen. Seems she didn't even want to attempt climbing a latter with that footwear. After a minute you climb back down. It looks like the Blader has gone back to her looting. You opt not to disturb her again...at least until you're ready for a fight. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]Like all liquor stores, this one uses an automated (and completely bulletproof) vendor. He's still operational, though it looks like the looters made off with most of his stock. Remembering the situation you're in, you brace for a fight, but it doesn't look like the corruption of cyberspace has spread to him, and he just waves back at you. (font: "Lucida Console")["Howdy!"] he chirps, (font: "Lucida Console")["Looks like you got $cash g-creds on you at the moment. What'll you be having?"] [[Sweet Night Strawberry Shortcake-Flavored Vodka->ShortcakeVodka]] (40 g-creds) [[Black Ash Ancient Whiskey->AncientScotch]] (40 g-creds) [[Gold Medal Infinity Liqueur->InvinityLiqueur]] (100 g-creds) [[Nevermind->RowLiquorStore]]You always thought it was weird the way this liquor store chose to line one of its walls with high-capacity recycling terminals. You suppose customers are supposed to recycle their old canisters when they come back for a refill or something. Seems like a strange choice to you, but whatever. Most of the terminals are broken, but there's still one TRM (Tube Recycling Machine) Machine operational. [[Recycle a Tube->TubeRecycle]] (You have $tubes) [[Back->RowLiquorStore]](if: $tubes > 0)[You place one of your empty tubes into the machine. (either: "The machine whirrs, clunks and groans.","The machine emits a horrible grinding sound.","You hear smashing and crushing from within the machine.","There's a rumble from deep within the machine.","The machine makes terrible crushing noises. Apparently these are sound all prerecorded and the tubes are actually just collected by AnvilSanitation at the end of the day, but it helps to feel like something's happening.")(set: $cash to it + 10)(set: $tubes to it - 1) The screen on the front of the machine flickers on. ----------------------------------------- <center>(font: "Lucida Console")[Thank you for supporting the environment! Your fingerprints on the tube have been identified! 10 g-creds have been added to your personal account! Your new balance is $cash g-creds. Have a wonderful day!]</center> ------------------------------------------](else:)[You don't have any tubes to recycle.] [[Recycle another->TubeRecycle]] (You have $tubes) [[Back->RowLiquorStore]](if: $aptcleaned is not "yes")[You pick up a few of the empty tubes of nano-beer. Now there's a clear path to walk around. //''You got 5 empty tubes!''//(set: $tubes to it + 5)(set: $aptcleaned to "yes")](else:)[Ehh. You decide it's clean enough.] [[Back->Apartment]](if: $shortbooze is not "had")[(if: $cash >=40)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Mighty fine choice!"] the vendor says as he violently rips the last display canister of strawberry shortcake vodka off the back wall.(set: $cash to it - 40) You chug some where you stand. It tastes terrible, but the sheer ridiculousness of it fills you with a sense of reckless abandon. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Recklessness Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1)(set: $shortbooze to "had")](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, your personal account doesn't have the g-creds for it,"] the vendor sighs.]](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, kid. You took my last one. Should be getting a shipment in...in...in..."] You urge him to stop before he hurts himself.] [[Back->RowLiquorStore]](if: $ancientscotch is not "had")[(if: $cash >=40)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Tough drink for a tough customer! Got it!"] the vendor says as he violently rips the last display canister of scotch off the back wall.(set: $cash to it - 40) You chug some where you stand. The taste is horrifying, and a look at the back reveals why. This whiskey is from a batch recovered from an ancient mountain temple, and is estimated to be aged fifteen thousand years. You clutch your chest, but you're okay. You've survived. As you breathe deeply, you realize you're tougher than you thought. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Survival Point!]](set: $vitality to it + 1)(set: $ancientscotch to "had")](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, your personal account doesn't have the g-creds for it,"] the vendor sighs.]](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, kid. You took my last one. Should be getting a shipment in...in...in..."] You urge him to stop before he hurts himself.] [[Back->RowLiquorStore]](if: $infinitebooze is not "had")[(if: $cash >=100)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Our store's finest! You're gonna love it!"] the vendor says as he violently rips the last display canister of Infinity Liqueur off the back wall.(set: $cash to it - 100) You chug some where you stand. It's smooth and delicious, and to your delight it has flecks of gold floating in it. The gold itself adds nothing to the flavor or texture, but it makes for a memorable experience nonetheless. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Shine Point! You Gained 1 Metal Point!]](set: $attack to it + 1)(set: $vitality to it + 1)(set: $infinitebooze to "had")](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, that's a premium item,"] the vendor sighs. (font: "Lucida Console")["Your account doesn't have the g-creds, not that I can blame you."]]](else:)[(font: "Lucida Console")["Sorry, kid. You took my last one. Should be getting a shipment in...in...in..."] You urge him to stop before he hurts himself.] [[Back->RowLiquorStore]]You take a deep breath and approach the crowd. You let out a mighty shout, and immediately the woman on the throne takes notice of you. She holds out her hand and the mob falls silent. You can tell she's glaring at you even though her eyes are concealed behind her heavy cranial rig. She rises, and though she's actually not that large, her confident stance makes her appear gigantic. (Also she's standing on like five feet of half-broken SensoVisions, so that adds to the effect.) (if: $gangqueenintro is not "yes")["Yes?" she asks, her voice dripping with smugness, "Can I help you?" You make clear you want her and her gang out of here, but she just sighs. "And here I was being polite for once. Boys," she calls to her minions, "What do we do to people who can't appreciate politeness?" This question is met with confused muttering from her compatriots. "We-...We beat 'em up," she continues, "Hurt 'em. Break their legs and stuff. You know?" "OH!" The gang erupts with understanding and nods of confirmation.(set: $gangqueenintro to "yes")](else:)["Ah, our friend has returned," she chuckles pointing you out to her minions. The gang mutters some confusion. "I...I was being sarcastic," she continues, "This is the person we just swarmed. Remember? It was a joke." It takes a second, but soon all her minions understand. "All right," the Gang Queen says giving a twisted grin, "Let's try this one more time, shall we?"](set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 5) She whistles, speakers on either side of her cranial rig amplifying the sound. (if: $deckblader is "beaten")[She looks around expectantly.](else:)[From down the street, a deckhead on rollerblades charges in to assist her.(set: $Threat to it + 2)] (if: $deckbruiser is "beaten")[When it's clear no one else is coming, the gang boss glares at you accusingly.](else:)[With a loud crash, a musclebound thug emerges from the nearby pizza place to join the battle.(set: $Threat to it + 3)] Looks like it's time to clean up the street. <center>[[BOSS FIGHT!->GangQueenBattle]]</center>You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Gang Queen Threat Level: $Threat Special Ability: (link: "Relentless")[Getting hit takes 2HP] (link: "Leader")[+Threat from nearby enemies]</div> [[Fight!->GangQueenFight]] [[Flee->GangQueenFlee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[You breathe heavily, focussing all your strength. The Gang Queen's henchmen close in on you from all sides. You're only going to get one shot at this. You dash forward quickly. Deckheads and other thugs stumble and slam into each other behind you, too slow to get the drop. You continue forward, aimed directly at the Gang Queen, and you see her smug sense of calm slowly start to fade. With a mighty leap, you fly through the air. The thugs that were pursuing you now briefly stop in amazement. Coming down, you deliver a powerful jump-kick squarely to the chest of the Gang Queen, sending her tumbling down her mountain of stolen goods onto the sidewalk below. You stand triumphant atop the pile of loot, and shout at the Queen and her gang to leave Deckhead Row and never return. //''YOU WIN!''// [[Continue->GangQueenForm2]]](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[You break past the wall of thugs and charge up the side of the pile of goods. As you reach her, you prepare to strike, but she's ready for you. Effortlessly, she plants a boot on your chest and kicks you back down into her crowd of waiting minions. (set: $HP to it - 2) (if: $HP > 0)[You land on your back, and a barrage of kicks and makeshift weapons descends upon you. You're battered and bruised, gasping for breath as the wind is kicked out of you. As soon as it begins, it stops, and the crowd parts. The Gang Queen looks at you and grins. "Have you made your point?" //''YOU'VE LOST 2 HP!''// [[Continue->GangQueenBattle]]](else:)[You land on your back, and the gang descends upon you. They batter your body with punches, kicks and various foreign objects, and they don't stop when you lose consciousness. Your injuries are so severe and so many it's unlikely a specific cause of death could be determined, but the big takeaway is that you are very dead. //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// [[Continue->TutorialReset]]]](else:)[(either: "You execute a solid roundhouse kick, taking out three of the Queen's minions in a single blow. Okay...three blows in a single attack, I guess. You knocked down three guys. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","You wrestle a machete away from one of the Queen's henchmen and use it to chop the top off a nearby fire hydrant. As a band of deckheads comes after you, a shower of water rains down on them and shorts out their cranial rigs. As they collapse, you're releaved to have thinned out the Queen's forces somewhat. (set: $Threat to it - 1)//Enemy Threat Level Down!//","You toss one of the Queen's henchmen through a nearby store window. Unfortunately, it's a mattress store and he manages to bounce back into the fray.","As the Queen's minions surround you, knives drawn, you duck and let them charge into one another. They don't actually stab each other, as you'd hoped they would, but they're still dazed from the impact.","You kick the Queen's pile of loot, hoping to destabilize it and send her tumbling down. It doesn't work. It just doesn't. Nothing much happens.") (either:"The Queen calls for aid! More deckheads appear! Okay, they don't actually //appear,// they just round a corner, but still you're facing down more enemies than you were a second ago. (set: $Threat to it + 1)//Enemy Threat Level Up!//","The Queen orders her minions to stop fooling around and catch you. A couple of them sigh and wipe off their clown makeup, joining the fight properly.","The Queen grumbles and begins to step down off her throne to fight you herself. She can't find any footing to climb down with her heavy boots, though. After a moment she opts to just stay where she is.","The Gang Queen pulls a pistol out of a holster in her jacket and unloads a full six-shot clip at you. All the bullets go into her minions. Every last one. Said minions seem quite surprised, but she passes it off as punishment for not fighting hard enough.","The Queen's minions grab you and start to drag you towards her. The Queen draws a long blade, so long that it actually slips out of her hand mid-draw and clatters to the ground. Her minions all dive to retrieve it first, releasing you. By the time you've made it back out to a safe distance, they've lost the blade under the pile of loot.") [[Continue->GangQueenBattle]]]You realize you don't like your odds. Probably best to get out of here while you can. As the Queen's minions try to rush you down, you duck to the side and send several of them careening into the street. A few more nimble jukes and you've made it back to the door of your apartment building. The lowlifes start to run after you, but are halted. Seems the Queen has called them off. Looks like she doesn't think you're worth it. For now, you consider that a blessing. [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]The Gang Queen's minions run to her side, helping her to her feet. She's dazed at first, but shakes it off, looking up at you with a curious smile. "Impressive," she says, her old composure quickly returning. "I'd say you've earned a scrap of my favor. Very well! We will leave your neighborhood in peace. But remember, alw(font: "Lucida Console")[(text-style: "shudder")[ww](text-style: "blink")[@]-(text-style: "upside-down")[yyy]"] Something is wrong. The Queen's grabs at her cranial rig. It lets out a horrible electronic screech, and you hear the fans on it kick into high gear. It looks like it's overheating. Her underlings try to help but she shoves them all away. Her expression, previously pained, is twisting into one of extreme rage. (font: "Lucida Console")["H(text-style: "shudder")[E]RO...MU(text-style: "blink")[ST][email protected](text-style: "rumble")[APE!] YOU...WILL...(text-style: "fade-in-out")[DIE!]"] Her overheating cranial rig is starting to smoke. You see her skin ripple as her Physical Enhancement Nanos start operating way above their intended specifications. Suddenly, with the speed of a wild animal, she claws her way back up the pile of loot after you.(set: $ATK to $attack)(set: $HP to $vitality)(set: $Threat to 4) <center>[[BOSS...FIGHT?->Queen2Battle]]</center>You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right">Gang Queen? Threat Level: ??? Special Ability: (link: "???")[(font: "Lucida Console")[N(text-style: "shudder")[O] ES(text-style: "blink")[ca]PE!]] </div> [[Fight!->Queen2Fight]] [[Flee->Queen2Flee]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,10))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,10))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[The Queen swings her fists at you again and again. Though you barely dodge, each punch cuts through the air with a deafening boom, suggesting power on the order of a freight train. Her Physical Enhancement Nanos must be shredding her insides to achieve that kind of force. You realize you have to stop this, not just for your sake, but to save the Queen. Focusing all your remaining strength, you juke in close to the Queen and grab her in a mighty bear-hug. She struggles, but you clasp your hands and hold her tight. With a sudden leap backwards, the two of you plummet down the side of the pile of stolen goods, and you suplex her directly into the pavement below. There's a sharp cracking noise, and her cranial rig shatters. You let her go, and she falls to the ground, freed of whatever was controlling her and struggling to catch her breath. //''YOU WIN!''// [[Continue->QueenVictory]]](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3 and $HP >= 1)[The Queen pounces on you, pinning you to the ground. She rains blows down on you, each one backed by a thousand overclocked nanobots. (set: $HP to it - 1) Just as she rears back to deliver a fatal haymaker, you manage to kick her away. //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->Queen2Battle]]](else:)[(either: "You grab a folding chair off the pile of loot to try and use as a weapon, but the moment you try to swing it the Queen kicks it out of your hands.","You punch the Queen square in the face and she doesn't even flinch.","You try to grab the Queen to toss her back off the pile of loot, but you only get a knee to the face for your trouble.","You call on the Queen's allies to do something, but they're scared of her even at the best of times. No way they're jumping in now.","You try to jump-kick the Queen again, but you don't have any space to run up on her. Your weak kick just bounces off.") (either: "The Queen clutches her head and screams.","The Queen grabs you by the throat with one hand. You struggle as she begins to choke the life out of you. Only by the grace of her unusually small hands are you able to wriggle free in time.","The Queen backhands you and you nearly stumble off the pile of loot. You put all your effort into holding your footing, not wanting to risk falling prone in a situation like this.","The Queen pulls out a gun from her jacket, but in her rage she ejects the clip and it bounces away. You're releaved, but the subsequent pistol-whip hurts nearly as much as a bullet would have.","The Queen screams and flails her fists at you. You can see rivers of sweat pouring from under her overheating cranial rig. Whatever she's going through looks like torture.") [[Continue->Queen2Battle]]]You turn to run, and in an instant you feel sharp nails raked across the back of your neck. You turn back to defend yourself, just barely deflecting a second strike. There's no running from this fight. You can't afford to turn your back for a second. Hope you can handle this. [[Continue->Queen2Battle]]The Queen is shaken, but with some help from her underlings, she slowly gets to her feet. "C'mon, boss," a deckhead mutters, "Let's get ya' home. We'll let ya' smack us around some. It'll make ya' feel better." The Queen looks up at you. She won't say it, but she's thankful you freed her from...that. The gang files away, some of them grabbing what they can off the loot pile as they go. By the time they've departed, there's not much left. You manage to scavange a NanoGrain Bar and a sweet baseball cap for yourself. (text-color: "red")[(text-style: "fade-in-out")[You Gained 1 Sports Point!(set: $attack to it + 1) You Gained 1 Health Point!(set: $vitality to it + 1)]] Looks like the area's calmed down a bit. Maybe now you can finally get out of here.(set: $queenbeaten to "yes") [[Continue->DeckheadRow]]The lobby of the Quadrangle Hotel is a sleek, hip expression of ultra-modern design sensibilities, meaning it's a nightmare jumble of oversaturated lines and polygons. From the randomly mirrored sections of wall to literally every light being recessed behind some kind of cube, this place screams "Too cool for opulance!" But what will you do? [[Look Around->QuadranglePoster]] [[Take the Elevator->QuadrangleNoRoom]] [[Speak to the Concierge->QuadConcierge]] [[Leave->DeckheadRow]]None of these chairs look comfortable. In fact it's hard to tell the chairs from the tables, what with everything being a brightly-colored block. You assume the plastic ones are the tables and the leather ones are the chairs, but opt to avoid both until you're certain. The only coherent thing worth looking at is a video display dominating a wall by the bar entrance. Intermittently, it displays this helpful message: ----------------------------------------- <center>(text-colour: "red")[(font: "Lucida Console")["MEET ME @ THE QUAD" Whether you're partying 'till dawn or just wanna crash after a hard MMA match, The Quadrangle Hotel has your 24/7 life #covered. We offer a number of packages for whatever #Quadsperience^^TM^^ you want to craft. (text-colour: "brown")[Bronze Level:] All guests receive a complimentary GoGoPass to see the sights of AnvilCityPrime during their stay. See the concierge for yours. (text-colour: "grey")[Silver Level:] Upgrade to Silver to gain access to our exclusive 24/7 gym and get that hot bod ready for action. (text-colour: "gold")[Gold Level:] Gold-Level guests get to rock the night away in Club 423, a virtual nightclub hosted on our own private cyberspace server.]]</center> ------------------------------------------ Hmm.(set: $quadsign to "seen") [[Continue->QuadrangleLobby]]You consider going up to the room, but realize you don't know what room it is. No number is printed on your room key. [[Continue->QuadrangleLobby]]The concierge desk appears to be vacant, but as you approach, an energetic robot with wild fiber-optic "hair" springs up. (font: "Lucida Console")["Hey there, rock star! Anything I can help you with?"] (if: $quadsign is not "seen")[You ask if she can tell you what room your key goes with. (font: "Lucida Console")["Slipped your mind? Sorry, rock star, but no-can-do. I'd run into some killer legal trouble if I told that to the wrong person. You got your reservation receipt?"] You don't, obviously. (font: "Lucida Console")["Man, sorry to hear it. Anything else I can help you with?"]](elseif: $gogopass is not "have")[You ask about the complimentary GoGoPass. (font: "Lucida Console")["Oh! You didn't get one? No problem! I can hook you up."] She prints a GoGoPass out her mouth-slot and flips it to you.(set: $gogopass to "have") //''You got a GoGoPass!''// (font: "Lucida Console")["Have fun out there! Anything else?"]](else:)[You ask if she knows any good restaurants in the area. (font: "Lucida Console")["Sure do! My favorite place to hang is ''REQUEST ERROR CANNOT CONNECT TO SERVER!'' 'Course, if you want somewhere a little more intimate, ''REQUEST ERROR CANNOT CONNECT TO SERVER!'' is a great way to slip away. Now, for a rock star dinner-..."] You urge her to stop. (font: "Lucida Console")["Oh, okay. Anything else I can help you with?"]] You assure her that'll be all. [[Continue->QuadrangleLobby]]Your cab drives off into what would presumably be a sunset were it not for the red-streaked clouds covering the skies. You've escaped Deckhead Row, but your adventure has only begun. ''//[[EPISODE 1 COMPLETE!->Ep1Credits]]//''You ATK Power: $ATK HP: $HP <center>//''VS.''//</center> <div align="right"> Threat Level: Special Ability:</div> [[Fight!->BlankFight]] [[Flee->VRotica]](set: $PlayerStrike to $ATK + (random: 1,6))(set: $EnemyStrike to $Threat + (random: 1,6))(if: $PlayerStrike >= $EnemyStrike + 3)[ //''YOU WIN!''// (set: $attack to it + 1)(set: $princesslevel to it + 1) [[...->VRotica]]](elseif: $EnemyStrike >= $PlayerStrike + 3)[(set: $HP to it - 1)(if: $HP >= 1)[ //''YOU'VE LOST 1 HP!''// [[Continue->BlankBattle]]](else:)[ //''YOU HAVE DIED!''// (set: $princesslevel to it - 1) [[Continue->VRotica]]]](else:)[(either: "hello","why","all gone","taken","no") [[Continue->BlankBattle]]]The Abandoned Warehouse District is always eerily quiet, standing as something of a graveyard to all the shipping and manufacturing industries The Anvil Corporation has crushed underfoot over the years. However, the fact that the goddamn apocalypse is happening literally everywhere else makes the stillness of this area all the more unsettling. Monolithic warehouse buildings with rusted metal doors tower above you on all sides. You could probably take a peek inside without anyone noticing, but could there be anything left worth finding. The only sound echoing through the area is some laughter and chatter from the alley to your left, just beyond the rusted husk of a Kitten Shack transport truck. Good thing the GoGo Cab terminal still works. [[Search the Warehouses->WarehouseSearch]] [[Investigate the Laughter->MirthGuard]] [[Call a GoGo Cab->GoGoCab]]Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.Hero.ROM is the sequel to Hero Room, a beloved and heavily-trended Twine adventure released in 2012. Knowledge of the story of Hero Room is not required to follow Hero.ROM, but if you haven't played the original classic, it's highly recommended you check it out anyway <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/m4sc9rd4ft5r1ys/Hero%20Room.html?dl=0">right here!</a> Hero.ROM greatly expands upon the rich lore and deep mechanics of the original. New to the game are a stat-based combat system, a focus on exploration and increased grammatical accuracy. Originally conceived as a massive, open-world experience, Hero.ROM has shifted to an episodic format in the interest of development being physically possible. Please understand. We hope you enjoy this incredible click-on-words experience. [[Back->TitleScreen]]Will our hero be able to stop whatever ancient force of malevolence is destroying the city? What role does the mysterious Anvil Corporation play in all this? How will your stats carry over to a new episode? There's plenty more in store in the world of Hero.ROM, including! -Robot Dating -A Skeleton Army -Weird Future-Drugs -Themes -One of those RPG bosses where you have the head and two hands and you have to attack the hands first -Deus (Literally) Ex Machina -TV/VCR Repair -And so much more! But for now, you've earned a rest. Thoughts and feedback on this EPISODE are appreciated. If you like it, feel free to share the file with whomever you want. This episode's freeware. Where it goes from here...we'll see. Thanks for playing! <center>''//HERO.ROM WILL RETURN IN... EPISODE 2: THE HORROR OF MAIDEN'S PARK//''</center> Oh, and in case you're wondering. You died $dc times. Screenshot it for posterity if you like.