Putting the 'role' back in role-playing games since 2002.
Donate to Codex
Good Old Games
  • Welcome to rpgcodex.net, a site dedicated to discussing computer based role-playing games in a free and open fashion. We're less strict than other forums, but please refer to the rules.

    "This message is awaiting moderator approval": All new users must pass through our moderation queue before they will be able to post normally. Until your account has "passed" your posts will only be visible to yourself (and moderators) until they are approved. Give us a week to get around to approving / deleting / ignoring your mundane opinion on crap before hassling us about it. Once you have passed the moderation period (think of it as a test), you will be able to post normally, just like all the other retards.

Completed Let's become daemon cops in Unavowed (Finished)

MRY

Wormwood Studios
Developer
Joined
Aug 15, 2012
Messages
5,703
Location
California
I've heard good things about KRZ, but the preconditions for playing a game are hard for me to meet these days.
 

baud

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Dec 11, 2016
Messages
3,992
Location
Septentrion
RPG Wokedex Strap Yourselves In Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag. Pathfinder: Wrath I helped put crap in Monomyth
I've heard good things about KRZ, but the preconditions for playing a game are hard for me to meet these days.
Isn't KRZ supposed to be super short thought? It might be quicker to complet than any other game that's talked here, including unavowed.
 

Alpan

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Mar 4, 2018
Messages
1,340
Grab the Codex by the pussy Pathfinder: Wrath
It's longer than Unavowed. But my suggestion was just a suggestion, and preconditions for playing a game ought to be easier to meet than posting regularly on the Codex! :)
 

MRY

Wormwood Studios
Developer
Joined
Aug 15, 2012
Messages
5,703
Location
California
Nope. Gaming requires sustained time at home in front of a computer doing something other than work; posting doesn't.
 

Storyfag

Perfidious Pole
Patron
Joined
Feb 17, 2011
Messages
15,899
Location
Stealth Orbital Nuke Control Centre
Well, I'm pretty sure I've only played the first (unenhanced) Blackwell game and the unenhanced version of The Shivah, so I can't speak to his work from first-hand confidence. (I certainly liked the writing in both those games.) What is driving me is a basic tenet I try to stick to: if the market and commentariat says "X is amazing" and yet X seems absurd to me, I assume it's not because I know better than everyone else, but that I'm missing something. Here, the most well-regarded adventure game critics consistently describe the writing in this game as sublime, it has 96% positive ratings on Steam (with most players describing the writing as sublime), and for years Dave has been singled out as a phenomenal writer by almost every gaming site I can think of. He travels the world delivering lectures on adventure game story-telling to standing-room-only crowds. There has to be something to that. To give it no weight at all would be hubristic.

This is the RPG Codex. Hubris is our first nature, our bread and butter, it is the very air we breathe.

Truth is, 95% of people won't be bothered by things that stand out as *bad* to a discerning individual. That would be enough about the market. The commentariat, in my experience, would not recognise good writing if it jumped them from the bushes and kicked them in the arse. Regular journalists do not meet my standards, and the gaming press has always been a tier lower.
 

lightbane

Arcane
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
10,158
Gaming "journalism" recognized Oblivion as having won the "best writing award", and so did other Bethesduh titles, while New Vegas was ostracized. Game journos are idiots and should only be used as a bad example.
 

Egosphere

Arcane
Joined
Jan 25, 2018
Messages
1,909
Location
Hibernia
but on considering the nigh-universal praise the game's story-telling has gotten,

Games like The Last of Us, The Walking Dead and Life is Strange are vaunted and upheld as pinnacles of story-telling in games. Nigh universal praise should be taken with a shovelful of salt in this day and age.
 

Darth Roxor

Royal Dongsmith
Staff Member
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,878,406
Location
Djibouti
20181008123836_1.jpg


The vote for Chinatown was near unanimous. Codexia will go there in the company of Mandana and Logan.

20181008123841_1.jpg


Cozy. Although no fancy "Chinatown, X station, Y hour" :decline:

logan1.png
MmmMm something smells GOOD.

mandy1.png
I am envious. I smell trash. Rotting trash.

logan1.png
*Sigh* Yeah, I'll tell her. KayKay wants to remind us that she can't smell at all.

mandy1.png
Very true. I apologize, KayKay.

logan1.png
Don't. She's just messing with us. Yeah, you totally ARE. I can hear you trying not to laugh. How about we just get moving?

You can see an ornate restaurant in the distance.

A mouth-watering smell wafts in from up the street.


Mouth-watering steamed hams, here we go!

20181008124055_1.jpg


Inb4 visions.

20181008124101_1.jpg


Nothing, really? Disappointed.

Rows of whole, roasted ducks hang by their necks behind the window. A man in a long coat luxuriates over his plate of noodles. A "C" rating from the board of health is clearly visible, just as the law requires.

I still don't trust them noodles, probably served from chopped up dogs!

The menu is written in Chinese. You can't read any of it.

And also a frame that hangs in a place of honor.

20181008124123_1.jpg


Looks like someone got lucky.

20181008124145_1.jpg


Hello, I'll have Sum Ting Wong.

20181008124150_1.jpg


:codexisfor: Oh, we're not here to eat.

wing2.png
So... what? You want to waste my time instead? It's a free country, I guess.

:codexisfor: This food looks amazing.

wing1.png
You gonna look or are you gonna order something?

Rude service! Will not recommend.

:codexisfor: I notice you have a "C" rating from the board of health.

wing1.png
Pff. Those goys think they know everything. I've been here for twenty years. Nobody's died yet.

20181008124204_1.jpg


zing

wing2.png
This guy. Thinks he's so funny. If you die here, it'll be cuz I strangle you.

Noodle garrotte.

:codexisfor: What's that lottery ticket you have framed?

wing1.png
I won the lottery. No big deal.

durkin1.png
No big deal? It saved your ass.

wing2.png
I'll KICK your ass. Shut up.

:codexisfor: Winning the lottery saved you?

wing1.png
I had some debts. Figured what the hell? So I bought a ticket.

mandy1.png
How much money did you win?

wing1.png
Fifty grand. It was... enough. You wanna eat something or what?

:codexisfor: [Scrutiny] You don't like talking about winning the lottery, do you?

wing1.png
What's there to say? It was almost a decade ago.

Way before the demon's time, so this is probably a red herring. Or is it?

:codexisfor: See you around.

wing1.png
You wanna eat something, I'm here.

Let's chat up the customer.

20181008124239_1.jpg


Looks suspiciously much like Detective Durkin from Blackwell/Shivah. It's gotta be him.

20181008124243_1.jpg


:happytrollboy: Hi, I'm Codexia!

durkin1.png
Uh-huh. Nice to meet you, I guess. Now do you mind? I'm trying to eat here.

:codexisfor: Nasty night to be eating outside.

durkin1.png
Yeah, but I can't smoke inside, so what am I gonna do?

:codexisfor: The food here any good?

durkin1.png
Eh, the food's okay. I mostly come for Wing.

The Chicken Wing Surprise?

:codexisfor: You come for Wing?

durkin1.png
The cook. She's good company.

wing2.png
Hmph.

A POX ON YOUR FIRSTBORN!

durkin1.png
See what I mean? She's kept this place going for thirty years. Figure she must be doing something right.

wing1.png
You're just saying that cuz I let you smoke.

durkin1.png
That too.

:codexisfor: The cook really won the lottery?

durkin1.png
Yeah. It was a while ago. Ten, maybe fifteen years? Lucky break. It got her out of a bind.

mandy1.png
What kind of bind?

durkin1.png
Ain't my place to say.

Triad blood gold I bet.

:codexisfor: Sorry to bother you.

durkin1.png
Eh, whatever.

Going west, the street gets a bit quieter in this direction.

20181008124327_1.jpg


Aaaaany moment now.

20181008124338_1.jpg


Still no demonic flashbacks? Preposterous!

What do we have around this shoppe. Apart from various groceries, several rows of lottery tickets, just waiting to be filled in. A photocopied piece of paper lists the recent winning lottery numbers.

20181008124357_1.jpg


thinking.png


The proprietor: A fresh-faced young man watches you closely.

20181008124415_1.jpg


Konichiwa.

20181008124420_1.jpg


:codexisfor: Just looking around.

wang1.png
Hey, looking's free. You wanna do anything else, I'm here.

:codexisfor: You run this place?

wang1.png
Kinda. It's my dad's store, technically. I fill in sometimes. Course he's pushing seventy these days, so it's more often than it used to be.

:codexisfor: You sell lottery tickets?

wang1.png
Like they say, "it could be you". If you wanna give it a try, let me know.

I think they say the same about AIDS.

logan1.png
I've met too many addicts who lost their life savings playing the lotto. Gotta be careful with that stuff.

wang2.png
Hey man, I hear you. If I see anyone with an obvious problem, I send them on their way.

logan1.png
That's... that's good of you. But it just means they'll go somewhere else.

wang1.png
Not every time.

logan1.png
No, you're right. Not every time.

20181008124449_1.jpg


But I don't want to introduce myself :negative:

:happytrollboy: I'm Codexia, by the way. This is Mandana and Logan.

wang1.png
Doug Wang. Nice to meet you guys.

:shredder:

:terminate: Zilla sends his regards, Doug Wang.

20181008124459_1.jpg


??? :lol:

Forced introduction leading to "byeeeee". Great dialogue structure.

:codexisfor: See you around.

wang1.png
Back atcha.

Let's continue exploring. A large, imposing building looms over Canal Street to the west.

20181008124512_1.jpg


Is my visions over here?

20181008124514_1.jpg


Guess not.

logan1.png
I, uh, might have had to bail my brother Jonah out of here once or twice. The guy fell asleep on park benches sometimes. And he never did like being woken up.

Overhead, the "bridge of sighs". It connects the prison to the nearby courthouse. A side street ducks under the bridge towards Mott Street.

To the left, the entrance to the Manhattan Detention Complex. Colloquially known as "The Tombs". Sounds fun! Let's go in!

20181008124617_1.jpg


Nois.

The shiny convex mirror reflects the entire lobby. A heavy-duty security door leads deeper into the prison.

Dungeon crawl awaits!

20181008124636_1.jpg


:negative:

20181008124637_1.jpg


Oi, warden, don't be such a spoilsport, will ya.

The on-duty cop behind the desk keeps at least one trained eye on you at all times.

hamul.png


20181008124649_1.jpg


20181008124653_1.jpg


:codexisfor: Has anything weird been happening in the area?

warden3.png
This is the Tombs, lady, "weird" is our bread and butter. You're gonna have to be a bit more specific.

:codexisfor: So nothing weird has happened in this area at all?

warden1.png
I didn't say THAT. I just said you'd need to be more specific.

So in other words, just wuxia kung-fu brawls all over the streets like any other day.

:codexisfor: I'll leave you alone.

warden1.png
Yeah, see you.

20181008124710_1.jpg


Onward!

20181008124714_1.jpg


What a dump.

20181008124715_1.jpg


Finally!

:evilcodex: We are filled with the power of Chaos!

20181008124716_1.jpg


20181008124718_1.jpg


20181008124719_1.jpg


:neveraskedforthis:

No third parties this time. Suspicious.

20181008124721_1.jpg


20181008124727_1.jpg


Huh?

:martini: Easy come, easy go.

20181008124729_1.jpg


The paper flies into the lantern above.

20181008124732_1.jpg


Exit Melkhiresa.

20181008124733_1.jpg


How... uncommon.

logan1.png
Huh. That was it?

20181008124742_1.jpg


:codexisfor: Must've been a good meal.

mandy1.png
The food here must have made quite an impression for your brain to remember it.

logan5.png
We know the demon was here. That's something. And hey, something's always better than nothing.

mandy1.png
Perhaps. It depends entirely what that "something" is.

:codexisfor: Now I'm hungry. Let's go.

mandy1.png
Yes. Onward.

20181008125148_1.jpg


As the "CLOSED" sign would suggest, the main door is locked.

Two dragons, white and green, spiral their way down the two pillars.

20181008124853_1.jpg


Huh. All the teeth are loose and can be pulled back a bit.

20181008124921_1.jpg


The same is true for the other dergon.

ZWOUNDS! A setup for a future PUZZLE?!

20181008124944_1.jpg


This lantern here that the paper flew into is of interest as well, but es too high. Maybe KayKay can shake it off?

logan1.png
Hey, KayKay, can you check out that lantern up there?

20181008124952_1.jpg


logan1.png
She says there's a piece of paper in there, but she can't read what it says.

Useless! Bandana, to action!

20181008125004_1.jpg


20181008125005_1.jpg


mandy1.png
[Perception] There... IS something in here. Some kind of paper.

20181008125013_1.jpg


mandy1.png
See for yourself.

20181008125019_1.jpg


O hey, the numbers check out with the recent table of winners.

20181008124357_1.jpg


GUYS, WE'RE RICH. THANK YOU, DEMON-SELF! :happytrollboy:

logan1.png
It's a... lottery ticket? Our demon's a gambler? Is that it?

mandy1.png
Perhaps, but this ticket was deliberately dropped.

Reminds me of that one X-Files ep where a guy would always win at the lottery but in turn bring down some terrible tragedy on someone else.

logan1.png
Yeah, no gambling addict I ever met would do that.

mandy1.png
We know more than we did before at any rate. Let us press on.

Nothing more to be had. East, Mott Street leads back to the subway station.

20181008125226_1.jpg


So we've come full circle.

logan1.png
So, um, KayKay and I went to the North Woods earlier...

mandy1.png
Whatever for?

logan1.png
Just to check. We wanted to see if your dad's spirit passed over. We didn't see anything, so I assume he's okay.

mandy1.png
*Sigh* Father is... was... a creature of spirit. That was destroyed. There is no spirit TO pass over.

logan1.png
Oh. So what happens to Jinns like you and him? You know. After?

mandy1.png
I do not know. Another mystery to be solved, perhaps. I am in no hurry to do so.

logan1.png
None of us are.


Das it for now. Next update, we'll redeem our lottery ticket, get filthy rich and run the fuck away to the Maldives. Stay tuned!
 

lightbane

Arcane
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
10,158
Nothing, really? Disappointed.

Yeah, when you expect it to happen every time you enter a new area, it is a sign that plot-element had overused.


Looks suspiciously much like Detective Durkin from Blackwell/Shivah. It's gotta be him.

Back when the writing was better.

Nasty night to be eating outside.

Speaking of: I'm no American but, is it supposed to be raining most of the time here? Or is this another supernatural effect that no-one bothers to comment? Is the entire game happening in the same night due time distortion? Why no-one of your party bothers with an umbrella or something?


Forced introduction leading to "byeeeee". Great dialogue structure.

I want to see MRY defend this one.


Useless! Bandana, to action!

Looks like the ghost conveniently loses capacity to interact with physical stuff in some whay, when previously it didn't have said limitations. Also, in before that's the entire reason for having Bandana around. :lol:
 

Darth Roxor

Royal Dongsmith
Staff Member
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,878,406
Location
Djibouti
20181008125226_1.jpg


Back to where we began, but this time... with a purpose!

20181009121616_1.jpg


Time to check if we're the lucky winners!

20181009121620_1.jpg


:happytrollboy:

logan3.png
Jesus. A winning lottery ticket.

mandy5.png
Indeed. For the fifty thousand dollar jackpot. A shame we cannot keep it.

Well, YOU can't keep it maybe :argh:

logan1.png
Thank God. This is how gambling addictions get started.

mandy1.png
There is that. And it would also attract... attention.

logan1.png
Yeahh, I get it.

20181009121659_1.jpg


:keepmymoney: Technically, *I* bought the ticket, so I won the jackpot.

mandy3.png
If we are being technical, you did not actually purchase the ticket. But we are making too many assumptions. We need to learn why this ticket was purchased in the first place.

20181009121710_1.jpg


Better start talking, Wang.

wang1.png
Hey, looks like you bought a lotto ticket from us. Is there a problem?

:codexisfor: Could you tell me who bought this ticket?

wang1.png
Sure, I can do that. The paper looks a bit weather-worn, but the barcode should work.

Holy shit why are you doing this for total strangers?! :lol:

He scans the ticket, it goes beep beep.

wang1.png
... huh? That's impossible. No... WAY. Here, take it back.

logan1.png
Is there a problem?

wang1.png
No, but... Kevin HUANG bought this ticket. You heard about him, right? And the stuff that happened at the Dragon Tree?

Huang, Wang, Wing. Very creative surnames the people here have. Can't wait for Ching, Chang and Chong.

20181009121749_1.jpg


:codexisfor: What happened at the Dragon Tree?

wang1.png
They said that Kevin Huang killed his parents. Shot them, I think? That's what they're saying, but I never believed it.

mandy1.png
And why is that?

wang3.png
Because I know Kevin. I know his whole family. He wouldn't do anything so... he just wouldn't do it, is all.

Just-a rike Hiroshima.

:codexisfor: You know Kevin's family?

wang2.png
Well, yeah, the Huangs run the Dragon Tree restaurant. Or, um, ran it, I mean. Our families did business together for like fifty years. Mr Huang bought all his raw ingredients from us. I don't wanna brag, but we're the reason that restaurant was so popular. But I practically grew up with Kevin. He wouldn't do this. I didn't believe it then, I don't believe it now.

:codexisfor: What makes you think Kevin didn't do it?

wang2.png
Because he adores his mom and dad. Practically worships them. Plus he's a colossal wimp. He's ten times smarter than me, but the kid wouldn't hurt a fly let alone his parents.

Brutal truths.

:codexisfor: This ticket you checked for me? It's a winning ticket.

wang2.png
For real?

mandy1.png
It is the truth.

wang2.png
But that's Kevin's ticket, right? I mean, I checked the system, he DEFINITELY bought it.

Speaking of which, I also find the notion of named lotto tickets unconvincing.

mandy1.png
That is also the truth.

wang3.png
Right. The ticket's registered to Kevin, not you. So don't even think about cashing it in.

Wow! This is robbery! I found the winning ticket fair and square!

logan1.png
Don't worry, man, as far as I'm concerned, that ticket's a loaded gun.

Shut up Logan :x

wang2.png
Hm. Okay then.

:codexisfor: So Kevin won the lottery and then killed his parents?

wang2.png
... yeah. YEAH. That doesn't make any sense, does it? I mean, who the hell does that? Win the lottery and then commit murder? That's crazy!

logan1.png
I've seen crazier. Believe me.

Logan has seen some shit, yo.

wang2.png
Doesn't matter, I KNEW it. Kevin's innocent. Whatever you guys are doing, keep doing it.

:codexisfor: See you around.

We need more clues.

20181009121932_1.jpg


Mayhap these folks here will provide them.

:codexisfor: Do you know what happened at the Dragon Tree around the corner?

durkin1.png
I don't know much, it wasn't my case.

mandy1.png
[Perception] Your case. So you are a police officer.

Bu-bu-bu-busteeeeeeeeeed

durkin1.png
Huh. Yeah, you got me. Detective Sam Durkin, Midtown South.

called it

mandy1.png
So you must know what happened there.

durkin1.png
Nothing I can tell you. It wasn't my case, so it wasn't my problem.

:codexisfor: Do you know anything about Kevin Huang?

durkin1.png
Not much. I know he's locked up in the Tombs for killing his parents. From what I hear, the case is open and shut.

:codexisfor: Sorry to bother you.

durkin1.png
Eh, whatever.

We'll probably need to talk to the perp, but since we're here already.

20181009122004_1.jpg


:codexisfor: Do you know anything about the Dragon Tree restaurant around the corner?

wing3.png
It was a nice place, nicer than here. They... didn't deserve what happened.

uh-oh

:codexisfor: What happened at the Dragon Tree?

wing2.png
Stuff I don't wanna talk about while people are eating.

"People" aka just the jaded detective. But no matter.

20181009122029_1.jpg


Time to work our mind trix.

20181009122038_1.jpg


:codexisfor: Do you know what happened at the Dragon Tree restaurant?

warden1.png
Who doesn't? It's not exactly a secret. The couple that runs the place was shot to death, by their kid. It's insane, right? The Dragon Tree has been around for sixty years, now this happens. Shame. Their peking duck was kind of amazing.

mandy1.png
Is there anything else you can tell us?

warden4.png
Uhm, just why are you asking?

mandy1.png
We are... investigating what occured.

FFS Bandana, stop talking :lol:

warden4.png
Under whose authority?

mandy1.png
Our own.

We're on a mission from the God Emperor. That's just our Mandy :thumbsup:

warden4.png
Sorry, the case is closed as far as the cops are concerned.

:codexisfor: Is Kevin Huang here?

warden4.png
Yeah, he's here.

mandy1.png
May we talk to him?

warden4.png
Are any of you on the approved visitor list?

mandy1.png
I do not believe so.

warden4.png
Kevin is... look, I don't know all the details, but his files say he's under special observation due to psychological problems. His visitors are closely monitored. You need to be on an approved list before you can see him. Sorry.

You know, for all the special observation and mysterious mystery and soopa high security, this cop sure is being helpful and open as hell. In the real world, Codexia & Co. would have probably already been bludgeoned and taken to an interrogation for "investigating under their own authority".

:codexisfor: How can we get approved?

warden4.png
Well, if you like, I can submit a request. It needs to be approved by a psych eval board.

logan1.png
How long does that take?

warden4.png
Three to four weeks, usually. The only way is to have a ranking officer vouch for you. Ranking meaning detective or higher. Otherwise I can't help you.

And thus, Codexia has been ground by the gears of bureaucracy.

:codexisfor: I'll leave you alone.

warden1.png
Yeah, see you.

Fortunately, we just happen to know a ranking officer.

20181009122151_1.jpg


BLABLABLABLA

:codexisfor: We'd like to speak to Kevin Huang.

durkin1.png
So? Go and speak to him.

mandy1.png
That is... not currently possible. We require special authorization.

durkin1.png
So? Go get it. The vetting process only takes a couple of weeks.

mandy1.png
The need is urgent. And our request could get rejected.

durkin1.png
Whaddaya want me to do? Just give you authorization right here and now? I barely know you guys. Unless you can give me a good reason why you need to see the kid, then I can't help you.

Correction: you don't know us at all :neveraskedforthis:

20181009122207_1.jpg


You have activated my trap card, Durrkin.

:codexisfor: Did you know Kevin Huang won the lottery?

durkin1.png
He did, huh?

mandy1.png
Yes. He won fifty thousand dollars.

durkin1.png
That's not chump change, I'll say that much.

mandy1.png
Indeed. He wins prize money and then commits murder. Why?

durkin1.png
I don't see what this has to do with me.

mandy1.png
This is new evidence. We need to question Kevin Huang about it.

durkin1.png
"We"? There's no "we" here. There's not even a "me". This isn't my case. The case is closed. Him winning the lottery doesn't have to do with anything. Sorry I can't help you.

Such unhelpful.

:codexisfor: So two people from the neighborhood won the lottery?

durkin1.png
You mean Wing and Kevin? Looks like it. Lucky.

logan2.png
Yeah, I don't trust that kind of "luck".

durkin1.png
They won ten years apart from each other. You're telling me they are related?

logan2.png
Look, I'm in the program. I've met tons of guys who throw thousands of dollars at lottery tickets. They all hope for the big payout, but it never comes. Not for a single one of 'em. And now I meet two from the same block? Come on.

durkin1.png
I don't see the problem here.

mandy2.png
You are lying, detective.

OOOOOOOOOO

SHOTS FIRED

durkin1.png
Excuse me?

mandy1.png
I spoke clearly enough. You are lying. You DO see the problem here, and I believe it concerns you greatly.

durkin1.png
What I believe is that you should quit while you're ahead.

logan1.png
Look, we don't want any trouble, we're here to HELP.

wing2.png
Help? Hah! I did nothing wrong.

mandy1.png
You... are telling the truth.

durkin1.png
*Sigh* Does anybody else know that Kevin bought that lottery ticket?

20181009122307_1.jpg


Picking any option other than 2 is probably going to make Mandana go apeshit.

:codexisfor: Lo Wang knows. He confirmed Kevin bought the ticket.

durkin1.png
Damn it. But I suppose it doesn't matter who knows. You came to this conclusion, somebody else will too.

mandy1.png
Without a doubt. It would be... best if we got to the bottom of the mystery before that happens.

durkin1.png
And you can do that by talking to Kevin?

mandy1.png
We can try.

durkin1.png
*Sigh* Nothing's ever straightforward, is it? Okay, I'll call the Tombs. Tell them you're cleared to talk to Kevin. But if you blab to the press or the lotto board or anyone...

mandy1.png
We will tell nobody. And that is the truth.

91VoYZMDoiL._SX425_.jpg


durkin1.png
Fine. Now get outta here.

20181009122347_1.jpg


O hey banter.

mandy1.png
This is true. We decided long ago that the Bestower's duty remained with the mundane world.

... every single - every single - blackwell game kind of contradicts that

the unavowed really are the best at their job

logan1.png
Mundane? You call what I do mundane?

mandy1.png
You deal with death. Death is a natural extension of the mundane world. But circumstances are... different now. We welcome your help, Logan.

It is natural to die.

logan1.png
You hear that, KayKay? We're welcome.

mandy1.png
No need for sarcasm.

lololo

20181009122433_1.jpg


:smug:

warden1.png
I don't know who you guys are, or how you pulled that off, but Kevin's yours if you wanna talk to him.

Friends in high places, lah.

:codexisfor: Can we speak to Kevin Huang?

warden1.png
You've got authorization, so I guess it's okay. I'll go fetch him.

Short fade.

20181009122445_1.jpg


We're looking for Tracer Tong. You know where we can find him?

20181009122446_1.jpg


huang2.png
No. NO!

huang3.png
NOT YOU!

:hmmm:

20181009122456_1.jpg


:codexisfor: We're from Russia and here to help.

huang3.png
Help? HELP?? You come here to gloat? Is that it? What do you want?

Well then.

:codexisfor: Do you know me?

huang2.png
You're KIDDING, right? I don't believe this. Officer Chan, it's her! IT'S HER!

"Officer Chan". Well, I was close.

warden4.png
Huh?

huang3.png
The one I told you about! The lady that killed my parents!

Predictable.

20181009122524_1.jpg


:neveraskedforthis: I... killed your parents?

huang3.png
It's your fault! This is all your fault! I can't put her back.

mandy1.png
Put her... back?

huang2.png
THE DRAGON.

warden2.png
Kevin! Calm down! You promised.

huang3.png
This is the one! Investigate HER! The dragon needs to be put back!

Oi, warden, Oi'm innocent 'ere, swear on me mum.

warden2.png
Right! That's enough.

huang2.png
You don't understand!

warden2.png
Move it, Kevin.

huang3.png
This isn't over!

20181009122544_1.jpg


Another short fade as Huang is dragged kicking and screaming back offscreen.

20181009122548_1.jpg


Lololo. Bet he's getting an enema as we speak.

warden1.png
You see what I was telling you? Dragons. Frig's sake.

20181009122600_1.jpg


:codexisfor: Can you tell me more about the murders?

warden1.png
Only what's in the report. It happened after hours. A neighbor heard gunshots, so they called the cops. They found Mr and Mrs Huang dead on the floor of the restaurant, shot at point blank range. Kevin was standing in the corner, holding the gun and muttering to himself. The bullets found in the body matched the gun. Kevin didn't even resist when they arrested him. If he was innocent, you think he would have said something at the time.

Truly, that's a smoking gun!

logan1.png
And that's all you've got?

warden1.png
And that's all I got. Aside from his personal effects.

20181009122618_1.jpg


:whiteknight: Kevin is innocent.

warden4.png
Really. Was Kevin right? Did you do it?

Awkward silence for a moment.

warden3.png
Jesus, the look on your face. I'm JOKING! Kevin's been saying all sorts of crazy stuff since he got here. Besides, it's pretty open and shut.

well the local cops seem as competent as the unavowed

:codexisfor: Can we see Kevin's personal effects?

warden1.png
Well, there wasn't much. According to his file, he just had his wallet on him. No money inside, just a credit card which we've got in lockup. Oh, and some papers were folded up in there too. Seemed like nothing, but we scanned them anyway. Procedure and all.

mandy1.png
May we see them?

warden1.png
I mean, I guess so? It's just a receipt and a bunch of gibberish, but... whatever. Takes like five seconds to print out. Here you go.

All too easy.

20181009122655_1.jpg


thinking.png


20181009122709_1.jpg


Half a pound of bananas? HE'S THE GUY!!

20181009122721_1.jpg


:codexisfor: What do you think this dragon story means?

warden1.png
Hell if I know. Looks like some kind of math problem? The original was folded up in his wallet. Whatever it means, Kevin won't tell us.

:codexisfor: Kevin shopped at Doug Wang's store?

warden1.png
Yeah, just a few days before the murders took place. He used his dad's credit card to buy some stuff. But everyone around here shops at that place, it's not like it means anything.

Not even his own card, lol poorfag.

:codexisfor: I'll leave you alone.

Let's see if Wang has anything to say about this receipt.

20181009122808_1.jpg


wang1.png
Well, before whatever happened happened.

Useless!

Seems our immediate leads are spent.

20181009122823_1.jpg


But mayhap we can try accessing the ristorante somehow.

... next time!

also all this fucking blablablablabla i swear
 

Darth Roxor

Royal Dongsmith
Staff Member
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,878,406
Location
Djibouti
I guess the mindlessness is conducive to finishing it, since all you do is just rezone and datamine every NPC until you can proceed. You don't even notice when you progress.
 

Reinhardt

Arcane
Joined
Sep 4, 2015
Messages
29,239
Speaking of: I'm no American but, is it supposed to be raining most of the time here? Or is this another supernatural effect that no-one bothers to comment? Is the entire game happening in the same night due time distortion? Why no-one of your party bothers with an umbrella or something?
It's NOIR, nigga!
 

Reinhardt

Arcane
Joined
Sep 4, 2015
Messages
29,239
Mandana is really her daddy's girl. USELESS. No wonder New York chapter of organization is shit.
 

lightbane

Arcane
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
10,158
Holy shit why are you doing this for total strangers?! :lol:

Chinese peopre are gullibru!

Huang, Wang, Wing. Very creative surnames the people here have. Can't wait for Ching, Chang and Chong.

Yep, you could say it's almost racist. Where were the SJW hordes when the game launched?

We'll probably need to talk to the perp, but since we're here already.

Back and forth, back and forth... Is that how the whole game goes?

Under whose authority?

Our own.

... I can't believe Mandana said that and it worked.

You know, for all the special observation and mysterious mystery and soopa high security, this cop sure is being helpful and open as hell. In the real world, Codexia & Co. would have probably already been bludgeoned and taken to an interrogation for "investigating under their own authority".

Yeah, the American branch of the organization must be the laughing stock of the supernatural world.

Help? Hah! I did nothing wrong.

You... are telling the truth.

WTF was that about?

Picking any option other than 2 is probably going to make Mandana go apeshit.

Surprised you didn't go for it.

This is true. We decided long ago that the Bestower's duty remained with the mundane world.

... every single - every single - blackwell game kind of contradicts that

Even disregarding the Blackwell games, it doesn't make sense. It's like a cop not bothering about investigating robberies because people can defend themselves. Also, I see that the literal emotional vampires were retconned so hard, that everyone forgot their existence.

ou deal with death. Death is a natural extension of the mundane world. But circumstances are... different now. We welcome your help, Logan.

Soo, what happens when someone supernatural dies then? Or a ghost goes berserk and attacks people? More like you couldn't bother with the dead because you guys were dumb enough to have TWO AGENTS WITH NO BACKUP!! for decades. Hell, the genie didn't even have a succession plan.


Wasn't there a Veil spell or something to avoid recognition? Have they forgotten about that? OR is the kid specia- I mean Void-touched?

Kevin didn't even resist when they arrested him. If he was innocent, you think he would have said something at the time.

That actually is the opposite or doesn't work, if at all.

well the local cops seem as competent as the unavowed

Considering one of their officers was engaging with black magic to increase her personal power and no-one noticed, they are. Otherwise, we wouldn't have a game.
 

Darth Roxor

Royal Dongsmith
Staff Member
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,878,406
Location
Djibouti
Back and forth, back and forth... Is that how the whole game goes?

well the lp would suggest so wouldnt it

Wasn't there a Veil spell or something to avoid recognition? Have they forgotten about that? OR is the kid specia- I mean Void-touched?

I think the idea is that everyone who comes into deeper contact with ZE DEEMON becomes void-touched. Like Vicki, whose only encounter with it was getting shot.
 

Darth Roxor

Royal Dongsmith
Staff Member
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,878,406
Location
Djibouti
20181009122823_1.jpg


I want to be a dragon.

20181009122847_1.jpg


Mayhap the descriptions of what dergons do from Huang's paper are significant. The jade dragon does five, six and two things, so let's push these teef.

20181009122908_1.jpg


Pearl dragon does eight, five and one thing. Pushing teef accordingly.

20181009122911_1.jpg


Ancient chinese secret. In we go!

20181009122923_1.jpg


What a dump.

mandy1.png
[Perception] It appears this was the scene of the murder.

logan1.png
We don't see any ghosts. That's something at least. Not getting any vibes either, if anyone's haunting this place, they're keeping nice and quiet.

Lessee what's over hier.

The tank is still functional, but the fish are long dead. F.

This teacup is dusty but otherwise clean. Loot!

20181009123050_1.jpg


I love adding items to my inventory for no apparent reason!

Moving on right through the swinging kitchen door.

20181009123108_1.jpg


mandy1.png
Pardon?

logan1.png
Nothing. KayKay just wants to know if you ever met a troll.

mandy1.png
A troll? Of course not.

logan1.png
See, KayKay? No such thing.

mandy1.png
On the contrary. Trolls only gather in Eastern Europe. They rarely make their way here.

PUTIN BOTS

logan1.png
... I see.

Many things around this kitchen.

A row of common kitchen implements, nothing you really need. A shiny metal pot, looks relatively new. A well-used tea kettle, full of cold water.

And...

20181009123207_1.jpg


Thanks for blocking the hotspot, Bandana :argh:

20181009123215_1.jpg


Also nothing happens when Codexia presses the oven controls. No delicious polonium tea for you.

logan1.png
Looks like the gas is shut off. No surprise there.

Hey, I am surprised.

20181009123233_1.jpg


Nothing in the trash bin in the corner too, so let's keep going right.

20181009123240_1.jpg


Yeah, fascinating, but first we gotta rezone.

20181009123255_1.jpg


And take this thingy here.

20181009123320_1.jpg


Now we can explore further. Starting with a BOOK OF HERETICAL WRITINGS.

mandy1.png
It seems to be a book of asian myths and legends. It appears quite... extensive.

logan1.png
That's one word for it. That's one of the biggest books I've ever seen.

mandy1.png
There is an index at the back, if you desire to look up something specific.

20181009123333_1.jpg


Nothing on that obviously.

mandy1.png
Ah well, such simple solutions are welcome but rarely offered.

Codexia has nothing to think of for the moment.

There's a financial statement pinned to the bulletin board in the middle. Nevermind that it kinda looks like a TV.

20181009123344_1.jpg


Hmm!

Let's check the door.

20181009123416_1.jpg


Cozy. A small set of drawers awaits plundering.

20181009123428_1.jpg


Ah, convenient note!

20181009123430_1.jpg


thinking.png


Nothing more to be had except for a door to the balcony.

20181009123511_1.jpg


Nice view, I guess. If you don't mind the graffiti. And the fugly urban jungle.

Yeah, not a nice view.

Off we go.

20181009123549_1.jpg


logan1.png
What is it?

mandy1.png
You are no warrior. And yet, you have the physique of one.

:shredder:

logan1.png
Oh, um. Thanks. I think?

mandy1.png
Did my question offend you?

logan1.png
No, I'm just trying to figure out how to answer. I guess... sometimes when the urge to drink gets too much? The gym... helps.

No pain, no gain!

mandy1.png
I understand. Training clears the mind, puts you at peace with yourself.

logan1.png
Dunno about peace, but something like that.

mandy1.png
Honestly said. I will speak no more of it.

It's been 0 minutes without Logan's mentioning his alcoholism.

Up we go!

20181009123644_1.jpg


logan1.png
Is that a... greenhouse?

mandy1.png
Yes. It appears the Huangs grew the food that they served. Quite practical.

Or they grew illegal drugs!

A breathtaking view of the Wall Street financial district to the north. Yeah, I don't wanna get back there.

On the greenhouse, a pair of windows. They are locked from the inside. And over the roof, it's a long way down.

20181009123721_1.jpg


a long way down... to the balcony!

Also the thingies on the right look like Aku from Samurai Jack.

Jumping down isn't exactly an option, so let's check the greenhouse.

20181009123821_1.jpg


This must be where they were growing their peking ducks!

mandy1.png
It is no small feat to keep a banana tree alive in New York's climate.

Anyone who played Tropico knows the horrors of banana cultivation.

This banana tree looks more vibrant and alive than any other plant in the room. Dozens of raw herbs, veggies and spices are flourishing in this small greenhouse.

20181009123842_1.jpg


These can be unlocked. So we unlock them. Duh. To the left, an old parchment hangs on the wall.

20181009123856_1.jpg


Sacre bleu!

Looks like the Huangs weren't running on restaurant profits only :M

mandy1.png
A list of names. Quite an extensive one.

logan1.png
Look, the dates go all the way back to the 20s.

mandy1.png
And the most recent name is Kevin. Preceded by... Wing?

logan1.png
The cook? She did seem like she was hiding something.

mandy1.png
I detected no falsehood from her, but it seems she has more to tell.

This is all we can do in the restaurant for now. Surprisingly long break in BLABLABLA.

20181009124011_1.jpg


lolz

mandy1.png
They were. They were hunted to extinction centuries ago.

logan1.png
Oh, that's a shame.

mandy1.png
No. It is not. Unicorns were violent, short-tempered, carnivorous monsters. They would gore anything, without provocation. Be glad the world is rid of them.

logan1.png
You just broke a little girl's heart.

I remember Wizardry 8 unicorns. I am, in fact, glad that the world is rid of them.

20181009124052_1.jpg


The investigashun continues.

:codexisfor: Did you sell Kevin some kind of herb?

wang2.png
What? No. Not that I know of.

mandy1.png
We found a note written by the elder Huang. It says Kevin purchased an herb from you.

wang2.png
Well... he's wrong.

mandy1.png
You are lying, dawg.

SHOTS

FIRED

wang3.png
What? No, I'm not.

mandy1.png
Yes, you are.

wang3.png
Now look...

logan1.png
Just be honest with us. It's best in the long run, believe me.

wang3.png
Whatever. If you think I'm lying, prove it.

We've come a long way since "wow you guys are gud, keep doing wot ur doing".

Wang will have to wait.

20181009124200_1.jpg


:codexisfor: We saw your name written down on the Dragon Tree roof.

wing1.png
... that's still there?

mandy1.png
The parchment is over a century old. Yes, it is still there.

wing1.png
Huh.

:bunkertime: So are you gonna tell us why?

wing1.png
Why what?

mandy1.png
You are deflecting. You know what we ask.

logan1.png
It's something to do with the lottery, isn't it?

wing3.png
Ha. That's crazy. You're crazy. You think I won the lottery by writing my name down on an old piece of paper?

Sure looks like it.

mandy1.png
That is what we are asking.

wing1.png
*Sigh* My husband... he died. He had debts. Debts I couldn't pay. Weimin Huang offered to help. I didn't ask for it. He OFFERED.

mandy1.png
He offered... what?

wing2.png
No. No, it's done. It's over. I don't want to talk about it. If you want to deal with the Ba Jiao Gui, that's up to you.

:codexisfor: The Ba Jiao Gui?

Sounds Portuguese!

wing1.png
I said I don't want to talk about it.

durkin1.png
These guys bothering you?

O SHIT, IT'S TEH FUZZ

wing1.png
Yes, they're bothering me. It's YOUR fault they're bothering me.

durkin1.png
Right, forget it.

wing2.png
Idiot.

:thumbsup:

20181009124315_1.jpg


We have a new lead.

20181009124319_1.jpg


20181009124321_1.jpg


Wicked heathen spirits, not even once.

Free money, not even once.

Heh, heh, free money.

20181009124417_1.jpg


There is indeed a ribbon of red around this banana tree. Suspicious!

20181009124428_1.jpg


Better replace it with ours and throw it out the window before anyone gets hurt.

20181009124441_1.jpg


And then throw it down to the balcony.

20181009124443_1.jpg


20181009124501_1.jpg


And tie it down to this bed!

All in the name of science, of course. No wishes to obtain ludicrous wealth are involved.

However, we still need the special tea.

20181009125000_1.jpg


And to get it, we need some dirt on Wang.

20181009125003_1.jpg


1424215977375.gif


logan1.png
Yeah, I see it too, KayKay, the numbers don't match.

20181009125033_1.jpg


:bunkertime: Take a look at this receipt and credit card statement...

wang2.png
Yeah, Kevin bought some stuff and used his dad's credit card. What am I looking at here?

mandy1.png
Both documents list two different amounts of money.

wang2.png
Oh. Must be some kind of error. Mr Huang'll have to call the credit card company and get them to sort it out. Jesus, what am I saying? Sorry, was there a point to this?

20181009125047_1.jpg


:bunkertime: Tell the truth. You sold Kevin an herb, but didn't mark it on his receipt.

mandy1.png
Tell us the truth this time. Your skill at falsehood is... lacking.

logan1.png
Seriously. Being honest is... cleaner. And quicker.

wang2.png
None of you are cops, are you?

Well, technically...

wang1.png
You gotta say if you are, that's the rule, right?

logan1.png
No, none of us are cops.

wang3.png
Ok, fine, YES, you got me. Kevin bought some Hibiscus Rue from me.

mandy1.png
Hibiscus Rue. I am... familiar with it. Where is it?

Mandana the druglord.

wing2.png
It's not on any of the shelves. It's not exactly... legal.

mandy1.png
Ah, you run a black market.

wang3.png
No! Jesus, no, it's harmless. Really. It just puts you to sleep.

Better than acupuncture.

logan2.png
Yeah, like nobody ever got addicted to sleeping pills before.

wang3.png
Hey, you wanted honesty, you got it.

wang1.png
Do you... want some? Twenty bucks for two doses.

I always thought the first one was supposed to be free!

Oh right, two doses. Guess that checks out.

:codexisfor: I'll buy some of that Hibiscus Rue.

wang1.png
Sure, that'll be twenty bucks. Just dissolve half of it in hot water. It'll knock you straight out.

20181009125130_1.jpg


Mission accomplished!

But we still need hot water.

20181009125159_1.jpg


20181009125221_1.jpg


Cuz ur dum, Logan!

The oven here obviously refuses to cooperate, so we need alternative heat measures.

20181009125254_1.jpg


Garcon! Boil this water please!

20181009125257_1.jpg


:happytrollboy: Could we have some hot water?

wing2.png
What for?

Everything in Chinatown is a crime.

mandy1.png
Our reasons are... complicated.

wing2.png
Don't think I don't know what you're doing. I saw you buy something from Mr Wang. Do I tell Detective Durkin what you've got stashed in your pocket? Hm?

Eagle eyes right there.

wing1.png
*Sigh* Forget it. You have a cup? Give it to me. Whatever you're doing, just... be careful.

20181009125315_1.jpg


:codexisfor: Maybe you could tell us what we're up against?

wing1.png
No. NO! FUREH! I'm DONE with that. I just want to... live my life.

:codexisfor: See you around.

We have everything we need.

20181009125351_1.jpg


Good thing indeed. Is it also secured from spilling all over your pockets, Codexia?

20181009125401_1.jpg


mandy1.png
I believe we have performed all of the instructions. Are you ready?

20181009125429_1.jpg


:despair: Down the hatch.

20181009125430_1.jpg


glug glug glug

mandy1.png
We will remain on guard. If you need us, shout.

20181009125435_1.jpg


20181009125436_1.jpg


But in that sleep of drugs what dreams may come?
 

lightbane

Arcane
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
10,158
It seems that getting Void-touched is quite easy. Why hasn't anyone broken the Masquerade by summoning a werewolf in a parade or something?

On the contrary. Trolls only gather in Eastern Europe. They rarely make their way here.

PUTIN BOTS

Subtle. At least it was not a jab against DRUMPF!

It's been 0 minutes without Logan's mentioning his alcoholism.

It's like it was his sole character feature. That and being of color I guess.

Looks like the Huangs weren't running on restaurant profits only :M

More stereotypes!

No. It is not. Unicorns were violent, short-tempered, carnivorous monsters. They would gore anything, without provocation. Be glad the world is rid of them.

I guess the Might and Magic games had some truth in them.


What? No, I'm not.

Yes, you are.

Lol nope! Writing here.

The Ba Jiao Gui?

Actually not made up for once.

No, none of us are cops.

Isn't that technically a truth? Why isn't Womyndanna screeching?

Ah, you run a black market.
[...] Do you... want some? Twenty bucks for two doses.

I like how he quickly tries to sell you drugs the moment you bust him.

Cuz ur dum, Logan!

Don't question videogame logic when you apply it straight, dammit!

Don't think I don't know what you're doing. I saw you buy something from Mr Wang. Do I tell Detective Durkin what you've got stashed in your pocket? Hm?
Sigh* Forget it. You have a cup? Give it to me. Whatever you're doing, just... be careful.

For a moment I thought there would be real challenge, but then she gave up. Good, it would have forced the player to think instead of running back and forth all the time.

But in that sleep of drugs what dreams may come?

Soo, what's the plan here if the spirit is hostile?
 
Last edited:

As an Amazon Associate, rpgcodex.net earns from qualifying purchases.
Back
Top Bottom