the Moonless

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<div id="container"> <div id="header"> <center><span id="header-text"></span></div></center> <div id="story"> <div id="passages">  </div> </div> <div id="footer"> <span id="footer-text"></span> <div class="menutoggle" onclick="toggle(this)"><span id="zero">menu </span> <span id="one" style="bottom:-180px;"> <div class="menu-flex"> </div> </span></div> </div> </div> <script>function toggle() { var x = document.getElementById("one"); if (!x.style.bottom ||x.style.bottom === '-180px') { x.style.bottom = '0px'; } else { x.style.bottom = '-180px'; } }</script> <div class="progress-container"><div class="progress-bar" id="myBar"><span class="progress-icon"></span></div></div>

<<replace ".menu-flex">><<include "menu-flex">><</replace>> <<replace "#header-text">><<include "header-text">><</replace>> <<replace "#footer-text">><<include "footer-text">><</replace>>

<script>var myDiv = document.getElementById('passages'); myDiv.scrollTop = 0;</script> <script>document.getElementById("myBar").style.height = 0 + "%";</script>

<<link '<div class="menu-item"><b>00</b> restart</div>'>><<run Engine.restart()>><</link>> <<link '<div class="menu-item"><b>01</b> go back</div>'>><<run Engine.backward()>><</link>> <<link '<div class="menu-item"><b>02</b> settings</div>'>><<script>>UI.settings()<</script>><</link>> <<link '<div class="menu-item"><b>03</b> saves</div>'>><<script>>UI.saves()<</script>><</link>> <<link '<div class="menu-item"><b>04</b> codex</div>' 'codexMain'>><</link>>

<<if (tags().includes('title-page'))>><<elseif (tags().includes('interlude'))>><<elseif (tags().includes('codex'))>>$gametitle / codex<<else>>$gametitle / $gamechapter<</if>>

<<include "codex-style" "div">> <p><div class="status-bar"> <b>Charismatic</b> <<= '<div class="sb-fill" style="width: ' + $charismatic + '%;"><i>($charismatic%)</i></div>' >> <<= '<div class="sb-fill2" style="width: calc(100% - ' + $charismatic + '%);"><i>(<<print 100 - $charismatic>>%)</i></div>' >><b>Aggressive</b> </div> <div class="status-bar"> <b>Sarcastic</b> <<= '<div class="sb-fill" style="width: ' + $sarcastic + '%;"><i>($sarcastic%)</i></div>' >> <<= '<div class="sb-fill2" style="width: calc(100% - ' + $sarcastic + '%);"><i>(<<print 100 - $sarcastic>>%)</i></div>' >><b>Genuine</b> </div> <div class="status-bar"> <b>Stoic</b> <<= '<div class="sb-fill" style="width: ' + $stoic + '%;"><i>($stoic%)</i></div>' >> <<= '<div class="sb-fill2" style="width: calc(100% - ' + $stoic + '%);"><i>(<<print 100 - $stoic>>%)</i></div>' >><b>Playful</b> </div></p>

<<set $gamechapter = "start">> <<set $gametitle = "the Moonless">> <<set $charismatic to 50>> <<set $stoic to 50>> <<set $sarcastic to 50>> <<set $reckless to 50>> <<set $ruthless to 50>> <<set $profilecodex to true>> <<set $sidecharcodex to false>> <<set $makanicodex to true>> <<set $religioncodex to true>> <<widget "are">><<if $plural is true>>are<<else>>is<</if>><</widget>> <<widget "dont">><<if $plural is true>>don't<<else>>doesn't<</if>><</widget>> <<widget "were">><<if $plural is true>>were<<else>>was<</if>><</widget>> <<widget "say">><<if $plural is true>>say<<else>>says<</if>><</widget>> <<widget "s">><<if $plural is true>><<else>>s<</if>><</widget>> <<widget "es">><<if $plural is true>><<else>>es<</if>><</widget>>

<<set $gamechapter to "the Moonless">> <<nobr>> <div style="float:left;width:30%; padding:1em;text-align:right;"> <<if Save.autosave.ok() and Save.autosave.has()>><<link 'resume game'>><<run Save.autosave.load()>><</link>><</if>><br> <<link 'new game'>><<goto 'age consent'>><</link>></div> [img[Game Art/00_start_screen.png]] <div style="float:right;width:30%; padding:1em;text-align:left;"> <<link 'load game'>><<run UI.saves();>><</link>><br> <<link 'settings'>><<run UI.settings();>><</link>></div> <</nobr>>

<<set $gamechapter = "prologue">> <<fadein 3s>><<fadeout 6s 3s>> [img[Game Art/01_prologue.png]] <</fadeout>><</fadein>> <<timed 9s>><<goto 'prologue1'>><</timed>> /*[[prologue|prologue1]]*/

<<if (tags().includes('title-page'))>><<elseif (tags().includes('interlude'))>><<else>><<nobr>> <div class="left-float" style="text-align: left;"> <<link '<i class="fa fa-long-arrow-left" aria-hidden="true"></i>'>><<run Engine.backward()>><</link>> </div> <</nobr>><</if>>

You've reached the end of the demo! <p>This game is a work in progress, and currently, only scene one of the prologue is available. If you enjoyed it, please leave a comment and/or rating for my game as it helps other players find it! <p>If you ran into any errors or typos, feel free to contact me and send feedback to the <a href="http://moonless-if.tumblr.com">dev blog</a>. For coding bugs and errors especially, feel free to reach me instead at spacedfoxesstudio@gmail.com! Please be sure to include the error message in your report. <p>Thanks for playing!</p>

<<set $gamechapter = "prologue">> <<fadein 7s>><<fadeout 5s 15s>> <i>Take heed, of the Deity of Plenty, breaker of oaths<br> a Creator of dissent, Their betrayal brought ruin<br> to the Divine lands They sought to usurp<br><br> Cast out by the Moon, Queen of the Nine,<br> the Deity of Penty lies forgotten, erased for Their deeds<br> in the shadows They wrought<br> waiting, to be set Free”</i><</fadeout>><</fadein>> <<timed 20s>><<goto "prologue-title page">><</timed>> /*[[cont.|prologue-title page]]*/

<<nobr>><b>CONTENT WARNINGS:</b> <p>This game contains harsh language, violence and blood. <p>The content warnings list will be updated as the story progresses.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>return to previous page.</p></div>'>><<run Engine.backward()>><</link>> </div><</nobr>><</nobr>>

<<nobr>><<set $gamechapter to "prologue">>This game contains mature themes and is intended for an adult audience. <p>Please confirm that you are 18+.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>I am 18+ years old.</p></div>' 'gameSummary'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>I am not 18+ years old.</p></div>' 'minor ending'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>><</nobr>>

<<nobr>><p>Thank you for your interest in <b><i>The Moonless</i></b>! Unfortunately, this game is intended for a mature audience and I would prefer that minors do not interact with it. <p>Feel free to return when you're 18!</p> <div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>return to main menu.</p></div>'>><<run Engine.restart()>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

<div class="splash">30th of Calix, 203rd year of the Era of Aurelius</div> <div class="splashblur">On the last day of Calix, it rained. The storm had swept in over the Bay of Amelare a week ago. Rain poured from the sky in what had seemed like an endless downfall, washing away all the color from the last month of summer. <p>Everything which traditionally marked the end of summer in Spala was abandoned and forgotten for the sake of safety and survival. Shops closed up, people stayed off the streets. The Games and the associated festivities held in honor of the Goddess Calix were postponed indefinitely. <p>One could only guess the cost of that decision, but with the state the city was in, there was no other choice to be had. <p>Only the Alabaster District, home to the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Nine, high up on the hill at the center of the city, had been truly spared. The wealthy and powerful had been spared - mostly - while the rest had been ruined. <p>Homes had been flooded and belongings destroyed, leaving nearly a quarter of the citizens displaced, or worse. Anyone fortunate enough to be spared by the storm's wrath had still been forced to wade through ankle-deep water to get anywhere outside their homes.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>It ended as suddenly as it had begun.</p></div>' 'prologue2'>><</link>> /*[[prologue|prologue2]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

No more than a few hours ago, just before the sun had begun to set against the horizon, the clouds had begun to part. The rain had slowly abated, going from torrential to a light drizzle, and the water had started to clear off the streets. <p>Now it had cleared up just enough for the Spalans residing within the Enameled City to catch the last summer sun setting over the city. The very air seemed to glimmer as its rays caught on the few drops of rain still falling, coloring everything in a gentle golden sheen. <p>It is one of those rare occasions during the Amelarean summers when the wind carries an almost pleasant scent, a scent of wet earth and the sea. An occasion when you don't suffer in the overbearing heat that this time of the year usually brings. <p>And between the passing storm and the day reaching its end, the capital city of Spala is tranquil - only the rare wanderer braving the mud-covered streets as they pass underneath your window.</p> <div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Your window located in the Blue Quarters.</p></div>' 'prologue3'>><</link>> /*[[continue|prologue3]]*/ </div>

Though the Blue Quarters are barely a stone's throw away from the Alabaster District, it's still worlds apart. <p>Located at the southwest end of the Enameled City, the Blue Quarters cannot boast anything even half as grand as the Royal Palace or the Temple of the Nine. No <i>decent</i> human would ever willingly step foot in the Blue, indeed not any of the nobility or senate. <p>Named after its largely moonless population - as if all moonless have blue-toned skin - the Blue Quarters is the poorest district still within the city walls. Even before the storm, it was never the busiest of districts, primarily home to the poor and moonless. With no historical landmarks and few shops, only residents ever seem to have a reason to venture to the Blue. <p>But right now, as you take in the streets from above, you have only caught sight of a handful of poor wanderers over the last hour, slowly making their way down the streets, the mud and water slowing their progress to their destinations.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You’ve seen graveyards more alive than this.</p></div>' 'prologue4'>><</link>> /*[[continue|prologue4]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

You are moonless. <p>To some, you are an accursed one. A remnant of the wrath and vengeance that the Goddess Prima once brought down upon mortals. Others simply pity you and the life you will be forced to lead, no matter if the circumstances of your birth are a result of a divine curse or merely bad luck. <p>But no matter what humans believe about the origins of your people, they all share a common belief; the fear of your lack of magic and how terrible it would be for them if they ever lost their own abilities. <p>Although you don't have their magic, the moonless people still have their own abilities. A fact which most humans seem to forget until the night arrives.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>But when did that ever matter?</p></div>' 'prologue5'>><</link>> /*[[continue.|prologue5]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

For most of your young life, it has been a certainty that you would amount to nothing. Or next to nothing, if you worked hard enough. <p>Most of your prospects would have you working in the fields or mines outside the city. Tolling your life away for the noble lords of the Enameled City, sweating and breaking your back to earn just enough coin to keep your belly full and a roof over your head. <p>Or they would have you in the shadows, creeping in the catacombs underneath the city, out of the way of prying eyes and curious ears, working for the other lords of Amelare. The ones who do their business in the dark, the ones who make their coin off illegal goods. The ones who make their living off of secrets and death. <p>You chose the latter, although calling it a choice might have been a stretch.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>It was never your choice.</p></div>' 'prologue6'>><</link>> /*[[continue|prologue6]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

Growing up at The Starlight Orphanage for Moonless Children was far less glamorous than the name deserves. With so many of you unwanted and abandoned, the orphanage would never be a place for moonless adolescents to flourish. Over-crowded and run by humans that had long since grown apathetic to the children in their care, any moonless not left slipping through the cracks was a rare and practically miraculous sight. <p>Once you grew taller than the custodians in charge of the orphanage in your early teenage years, you were promptly invited to leave. <p>Did you ever really stand a chance of having a life on the right side of the law?</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue7'>><</link>> /*[[continue|prologue7]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

“Are you just going to stand there brooding all night?” a voice calls out from behind you, and you can practically hear the grin in their voice. “We have things to go over, you know?” <p>Barely holding back a sigh, you turn from the view of Amelare, instead now facing the inside of your apartment room. Almost immediately, your gaze falls upon the prone form of your companion lying sprawled out across your shared bed.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Looking as content as ever.</p></div>' 'prologue8'>><</link>> /*[[continue|prologue8]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

Rainn. <p>Best friend, partner in crime, hogger of beds. You've known them for most of your life, having both been abandoned and raised at the Starlight Orphanage, if a few years apart. You, when you were barely old enough to walk. Rainn, a couple of years later. <p>They're lying in the middle of the bed, with one leg crossed over the other at the knee, hands behind their head as they're staring up at the ceiling, humming a quiet tune under their breath that you don't recognize. <p>Their lean, indigo-blue form stands out in stark contrast against the colorless bedsheets, even in the dim evening light that barely lights up the room. Pale lavender hair spills down over their hands, interlocked as a pillow under their head. As they turn to face you, their mismatched eyes catch the last rays of the sun, their irises briefly shining like two full moons - their right eye a warm golden color and their left a deep red - before shifting to their usual black and white.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>They grin at you.</p></div>' 'prologue9'>><</link>> /*[[continue|prologue9]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

You think they’re older than you, or at least they have always claimed that they are. But even if Rainn really is the older of the two of you, it can’t be more than by a year or so. <p>However, you sometimes feel like their claim to have reached maturity isn’t an entirely truthful one. <p>Maybe Rainn just always got away with being the older one because they had always been the tall one back at the orphanage. Not only were they taller than any kid at the Starlight Orphanage, for the past decade, they had never been able to stand fully upright without hitting their head against the ceiling - any ceiling.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>They’re not the only tall one anymore though! Hah! <i>[Very tall, over 2,45m]</i></p></div>' 'prologue10a'>><<set $height to "very tall">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You never quite managed to catch up to their height, much to their smug pleasure. <i>[Tall - 2.3-2.45]</i></p></div>' 'prologue10b'>><<set $height to "tall">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You’re still a head shorter than them, but you can at least stand upright in most buildings. <i>[Average - 2.1m-2.3m]</i></p></div>' 'prologue10c'>><<set $height to "average">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Sure, you may not be as tall as them, but at least you’re still taller than humans! Most of them at least... <i>[Short - 2-2.1m]</i></p></div>' 'prologue10d'>><<set $height to "short">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Who are you kidding? You’re barely taller than most humans. <i>[Very short, under 2m]</i></p></div>' 'prologue10e'>><<set $height to "very short">><</link>> /*[[very tall|prologue10a]] [[tall|prologue10b]] [[average|prologue10c]] [[short|prologue10d]] [[very short|prologue10e]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

The only place you can ever stand up straight is outside. Even right now, inside your own home, both you and Rainn are forced to bend your heads to avoid hitting it against the ceiling whenever you stand up. Over the last two years since you moved into your house, you have ended up with more bumps and bruises on your head than you care to remember. <p>Rainn gives you a flash of white teeth as they grin from the bed, their eyes briefly catching yours before closing once more, clearly making no effort to prepare or even to get out of the bed.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding,” you growl.</p></div>' 'prologue11a'>><<set $charismatic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding, I’m enjoying the sunset," you say with a smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11b'>><<set $charismatic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Yeah, sorry. I know,” you murmur with a soft smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11c'>><<set $sarcastic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Sorry, didn’t realize my brooding was getting in the way of your lazing-around-in-bed time,” you say, rolling your eyes.</p></div>' 'prologue11d'>><<set $sarcastic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“It can wait until I’m done brooding! This is peak brooding hours, I’ll have you know!” you jokingly exclaim.</p></div>' 'prologue11e'>><<set $stoic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You level them with a blank stare, not dignifying their remark with a response.</p></div>' 'prologue11f'>><<set $stoic +=5>><</link>> /*[[cont|prologue11a]] [[cont|prologue11b]] [[cont|prologue11c]] [[cont|prologue11d]] [[cont|prologue11e]] [[cont|prologue11f]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

At least you can stand up without needing to bend your head inside your own home to avoid hitting the ceiling. Even now, two years after you moved in, Rainn occasionally ends up with a bump on their head from standing up too fast and without thinking. Door frames and buildings not made for moonless if another story entirely for you, however. <p>Rainn gives you a flash of white teeth as they grin from the bed, their eyes briefly catching yours before closing once more, clearly making no effort to prepare or even to get out of the bed.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding,” you growl.</p></div>' 'prologue11a'>><<set $charismatic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding, I’m enjoying the sunset," you say with a smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11b'>><<set $charismatic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Yeah, sorry. I know,” you murmur with a soft smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11c'>><<set $sarcastic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Sorry, didn’t realize my brooding was getting in the way of your lazing-around-in-bed time,” you say, rolling your eyes.</p></div>' 'prologue11d'>><<set $sarcastic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“It can wait until I’m done brooding! This is peak brooding hours, I’ll have you know!” you jokingly exclaim.</p></div>' 'prologue11e'>><<set $stoic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You level them with a blank stare, not dignifying their remark with a response.</p></div>' 'prologue11f'>><<set $stoic +=5>><</link>> /*[[cont|prologue11a]] [[cont|prologue11b]] [[cont|prologue11c]] [[cont|prologue11d]] [[cont|prologue11e]] [[cont|prologue11f]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

You may not have ever managed to catch up to Rainn in height, but at least your head is safe. Even now, two years after you moved in, Rainn occasionally ends up with a bump on their head from standing up too fast and without thinking, while you can fairly easily enter most buildings without worrying about any ceilings being low enough to risk a concussion if you stand upright too fast. Door frames are still very much an issue, though. <p>Rainn gives you a flash of white teeth as they grin from the bed, their eyes briefly catching yours before closing once more, clearly making no effort to prepare or even to get out of the bed.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding,” you growl.</p></div>' 'prologue11a'>><<set $charismatic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding, I’m enjoying the sunset," you say with a smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11b'>><<set $charismatic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Yeah, sorry. I know,” you murmur with a soft smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11c'>><<set $sarcastic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Sorry, didn’t realize my brooding was getting in the way of your lazing-around-in-bed time,” you say, rolling your eyes.</p></div>' 'prologue11d'>><<set $sarcastic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“It can wait until I’m done brooding! This is peak brooding hours, I’ll have you know!” you jokingly exclaim.</p></div>' 'prologue11e'>><<set $stoic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You level them with a blank stare, not dignifying their remark with a response.</p></div>' 'prologue11f'>><<set $stoic +=5>><</link>> /*[[cont|prologue11a]] [[cont|prologue11b]] [[cont|prologue11c]] [[cont|prologue11d]] [[cont|prologue11e]] [[cont|prologue11f]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

You'll never be as tall as Rainn or even be considered tall by moonless standards, but at least you don't have to worry about hitting your head against most ceilings. You can even make it through most doors with just a slight tilt of your head, while Rainn still now, two years after you moved into your house, occasionally ends up with a bump on their head from standing up too fast and without thinking. <p>Rainn gives you a flash of white teeth as they grin from the bed, their eyes briefly catching yours before closing once more, clearly making no effort to prepare or even to get out of the bed.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding,” you growl.</p></div>' 'prologue11a'>><<set $charismatic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding, I’m enjoying the sunset," you say with a smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11b'>><<set $charismatic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Yeah, sorry. I know,” you murmur with a soft smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11c'>><<set $sarcastic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Sorry, didn’t realize my brooding was getting in the way of your lazing-around-in-bed time,” you say, rolling your eyes.</p></div>' 'prologue11d'>><<set $sarcastic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“It can wait until I’m done brooding! This is peak brooding hours, I’ll have you know!” you jokingly exclaim.</p></div>' 'prologue11e'>><<set $stoic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You level them with a blank stare, not dignifying their remark with a response.</p></div>' 'prologue11f'>><<set $stoic +=5>><</link>> /*[[cont|prologue11a]] [[cont|prologue11b]] [[cont|prologue11c]] [[cont|prologue11d]] [[cont|prologue11e]] [[cont|prologue11f]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

As if it's not bad enough that you're short by moonless standards, you're barely taller than a human. In fact, if you could afford to glamour yourself to hide at least your skin, you would easily be able to pass as one. There are perks to being this short, though; you can easily walk inside almost every kind of building found within the city without knocking your head into door frames. <p>Rainn gives you a flash of white teeth as they grin from the bed, their eyes briefly catching yours before closing once more, clearly making no effort to prepare or even to get out of the bed.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding,” you growl.</p></div>' 'prologue11a'>><<set $charismatic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“I’m not brooding, I’m enjoying the sunset," you say with a smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11b'>><<set $charismatic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Yeah, sorry. I know,” you murmur with a soft smile.</p></div>' 'prologue11c'>><<set $sarcastic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“Sorry, didn’t realize my brooding was getting in the way of your lazing-around-in-bed time,” you say, rolling your eyes.</p></div>' 'prologue11d'>><<set $sarcastic +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>“It can wait until I’m done brooding! This is peak brooding hours, I’ll have you know!” you jokingly exclaim.</p></div>' 'prologue11e'>><<set $stoic -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You level them with a blank stare, not dignifying their remark with a response.</p></div>' 'prologue11f'>><<set $stoic +=5>><</link>> /*[[cont|prologue11a]] [[cont|prologue11b]] [[cont|prologue11c]] [[cont|prologue11d]] [[cont|prologue11e]] [[cont|prologue11f]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

<<set $rainn_nickname to "Thistle">> Jaw tensing immediately at their words, you level them with a glare. <p>“I’m not brooding,” you growl through clenched teeth, rising to your full height. <p><<if $height is "tall">>Momentarily blinded by your rage, however, you fail to remember taking into account that the ceiling isn’t high enough for you to stand upright, and you knock the top of your head against the ceiling. Trying to ignore the heat rushing to your cheeks, you do your best to keep your expression impassive, but the ever-growing grin across Rainn’s full lips lets you know how miserably you’ve failed to stop them from teasing you more in the future. <<elseif $height is "very tall">>Momentarily blinded by your rage, however, you fail to remember taking into account that the ceiling isn’t high enough for you to stand upright, and you knock the top of your head against the ceiling. Trying to ignore the heat rushing to your cheeks, you do your best to keep your expression impassive, but the ever-growing grin across Rainn’s full lips lets you know how miserably you’ve failed to stop them from teasing you more in the future. <<else>><</if>> <p>Perhaps it’s that they’ve known you for too long to be scared by your anger, or maybe you just don’t look as imposing as you’d like. You’d prefer the former, but you watch as Rainn simply rolls their mismatched eyes. <p>“Of course not,” they say, barely holding back a chuckle before they sit themself up, heaving their long legs over the edge of the bed. <p>You turn away from them, casting your glare back out the window, catching the last rays of golden light before the sun entirely disappears below the horizon. Or maybe you’re just attempting to avoid that smug look on their face and further teasing from them, no matter how fruitless the endeavor. <p>“You’re just admiring our beautiful city, aren’t you?” Rainn continued, their voice tinged with amusement, “$rainn_nickname.” <p>This time it’s your turn to roll your eyes. With a harsh exhale through your nose, you turn your glare back onto them once more. Their hands come up in a display of surrender.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue12'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue12]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

<<set $rainn_nickname to "Buttercup">> Your lips curl into a small smile of your own. <p>“Not yet,” you say in a soft tone, but your voice carries a hint of playful teasing in it as if you were chiding a child to be patient. “Nothing we can do before the sun sets, remember?” <p>A small groan escapes Rainn as they roll their mismatched eyes. “You’re no fun,” they grumble under their breath, heaving their long legs over the edge of that couch. <p>You straighten yourself, pleased that you hadn’t crumbled under their prodding. <p>“You’re not supposed to just ignore my teasing you,” they continue, brows slightly furrowed, “it’s no fun when you do that.” <p>“I know,” you offer, your smile turning into the same kind of teasing grin that had been across their lips just moments before. <p>“You’re the worst, $rainn_nickname,” they return, but any animosity in their words is dampened by their smile widening once more and the short laugh that follows as they shake their head, lavender hair dancing around their shoulders. </p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue12'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue12]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

<<set $rainn_nickname to "Daisy">> “Yeah, sorry,” you murmur, offering Rainn a small smile, tinged with the embarrassment at having been caught off guard, watching the sun setting slowly over the city when the two of you have more important things to be concerned about. But however embarrassed you feel, the smile is still a genuine one. “I know.” <p>Rainn, in turn, let their own grin soften into something mirroring your own expression more closely as they sit up, swinging their legs over the side of the bed. <p>“I was teasing you,” they practically coo, “And it’s not as fun when you take me so seriously.” <p>“Oh,” is all you can muster in response for a moment. “Well...” <p>The small room fills with the sound of Rainn’s soft laugh. “We still have time if you want to continue watching the sunset, $rainn_nickname.”</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue12'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue12]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

<<set $rainn_nickname to "Hellebore">> “Sorry,” you answer with a roll of your eyes, “Didn’t realize my <i>brooding</i> was getting in the way of your lazing-around-in-bed-time.” <p>A low chuckle fills the room at your response, and you can barely keep away the grin you already feel tugging at your lips, but you manage to school your expression as you keep your gaze locked on Rainn’s prone form, one of your eyebrows quirked. <p>“Good one, $rainn_nickname!” They’re still chuckling even as they pull themself up, swinging their long legs over to sit at the edge of the bed. <p>No longer able to keep the smirk off your face, you answer, “I thought so.”</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue12'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue12]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

<<set $rainn_nickname to "Larkspur">> “It can wait until I’m done brooding!” you gasp loudly, draping yourself over the window sill, “This is peak brooding hours, I’ll have you know! Why would you ever rob me of this opportunity, you scoundrel?” <p>Out of the corner of your eye, you can see Rainn covering a laugh with a cough as they swing their long legs over the edge of the bed, struggling - and failing - to keep a grin off their face as they sit up. <p>A second, louder gasp escapes you this time. “You would mock my pain?” <p>“Not at all,” they answer, their usually full lips now barely more than a thin line as they fight back their smile. “I just... you don’t think peak brooding hours would have been a few hours ago? When it was raining so hard the city nearly washed away?” <p>For a moment, you aren’t sure how to respond. In the next, you throw your arms up. “And be just like everyone else?” <p>At that, Rainn can’t hold their laughter back any longer. “You’re killing me, $rainn_nickname.”</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue12'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue12]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

<<set $rainn_nickname to "Magnolia">> You level them with a blank stare, not dignifying their remark with a response, and turn your gaze out the window once more. <p>Behind you, you can hear a soft chuckle escape them. <p>“Oh, yes, turn away from me to continue stare silently out the window,” Rainn continues to tease from the bed. “That’s the way to convince me you’re not brooding, $rainn_nickname.” <p>“Who said I’m not brooding?” you ask in a dry tone. <p>The stunned silence that answers your question is enough to have you feel the beginning of a smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. When you cast your eyes over your shoulder to Rainn once more, you see them sitting at the edge of the bed, mouth agape as if they had tried to come up with a response but could think of nothing.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue12'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue12]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

$rainn_nickname… a pet name that is as teasing as it is affectionate, Rainn bestowed it upon you years ago, long before this whole mess with Valeria, back when the two of you were still at the orphanage. <p>It’s a private name - or perhaps more of a private joke - and they rarely ever call you by it, among others. You would never let anyone else use that nickname for you, and Rainn certainly wouldn’t allow it either. <p>They...</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...use it more than your actual name, but you don’t mind that they do.</p></div>' 'prologue13a'>><<set $nickname to "yes">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...use it occasionally, usually to tease you. You would never admit it, but you don’t mind the nickname.</p></div>' 'prologue13b'>><<set $nickname to "rarely">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...rarely use it. You prefer it that way.</p></div>' 'prologue13c'>><<set $nickname to "never">><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue13a]] [[cont.|prologue13b]] [[cont.|prologue13c]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

<<set $gamechapter = "about">>You are one of the <i>Illune</i>, a moonless guard tasked with protecting the minds of the Royal Family of Spala and now with the mysterious disappearances of an increasingly large number of your people. <p>Set in a fantasy world inspired by ancient Mediterranean civilizations, you play as an illune - a moonless mind guard - of the royal family. Unlike humans, moonless have no magical talents but the ability to walk the sleeping minds of others. It is something that historically has made the moonless outcasts of Spala’s society, but since gaining the trust and favor of both the Royal Family and the senate, things are changing for the better for your people. <p>Or they were until moonless started disappearing under mysterious circumstances from the capital city Amelare. <p>Tasked by the Royal Family, with only rumors of the missing moonless suffering from strange dreams leading up to their disappearances, you and a small group of companions set out to find out why this is happening. But what will happen when the very same dreams begin to affect you? And what will you do when you discover a far bigger scheme than you could have ever imagined - and truths about the moonless people that will shake the realms to their cores? <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>view content warnings.</p></div>' 'content warnings'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue to game.</p></div>' 'prologue01'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

If you are perfectly honest, you like it when Rainn calls you $rainn_nickname. You always have. <p>Perhaps it’s less the actual nickname you enjoy and more that it is a name they chose for you. Or maybe it’s the knowledge that Rainn doesn’t give pet names to anyone, that you are the sole exception, that fills your chest with warmth each time they use it. <p>Whatever the reason, you aren’t going to ask them to stop. <p>Of course, it’s not your actual name. Your name is…</p> <ul> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally Spalan name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#spalan" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="spalan" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Cremisius' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Cremisius">><</link>><br> <<link 'Apollyon' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Apollyon">><</link>><br> <<link 'Theano' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Theano">><</link>><br> <<link 'Menodora' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Menodora">><</link>><br> <<link 'Xanthe' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Xanthe">><</link>><br> <<link 'Helia' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Helia">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally al-Makani name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#makani" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="makani" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Altair' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Altair">><</link>><br> <<link 'Husna' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Husna">><</link>><br> <<link 'Kamil' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Kamil">><</link>><br> <<link 'Nassim' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Nassim">><</link>><br> <<link 'Nour' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Nour">><</link>><br> <<link 'Samiya' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Samiya">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally moonless name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#moonless" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="moonless" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Ash' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Ash">><</link>><br> <<link 'River' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "River">><</link>><br> <<link 'Lark' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Lark">><</link>><br> <<link 'Clay' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Clay">><</link>><br> <<link 'Linden' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Linden">><</link>><br> <<link 'Vale' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Vale">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...not any of these.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#none" "hide">> <</link>></li></ul> <span id="none" class="hide"> <label><<textbox "$mcname" "Capitalize first letter">></label> <blockquote><<link 'continue' 'prologue14'>><</link>></blockquote> </span> /*[[cont.|prologue14]]*/ </p>

Typically, you aren’t one for nicknames, especially not ones explicitly meant to tease you. But when it's Rainn who calls you by it... you suppose it's not <i>all</i> bad. <p>You reckon you could attempt to persuade them to use a more fitting nickname for you than $rainn_nickname, but such a request would likely only fall on deaf ears. <p>Though you would never admit it, seeing the corners of Rainn’s mouth tug into a small smile each time they call you by it outweighs any annoyance you feel over the name. <p>Of course, it’s not your actual name. Your name is…</p> <ul> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally Spalan name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#spalan" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="spalan" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Cremisius' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Cremisius">><</link>><br> <<link 'Apollyon' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Apollyon">><</link>><br> <<link 'Theano' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Theano">><</link>><br> <<link 'Menodora' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Menodora">><</link>><br> <<link 'Xanthe' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Xanthe">><</link>><br> <<link 'Helia' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Helia">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally al-Makani name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#makani" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="makani" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Altair' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Altair">><</link>><br> <<link 'Husna' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Husna">><</link>><br> <<link 'Kamil' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Kamil">><</link>><br> <<link 'Nassim' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Nassim">><</link>><br> <<link 'Nour' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Nour">><</link>><br> <<link 'Samiya' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Samiya">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally moonless name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#moonless" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="moonless" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Ash' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Ash">><</link>><br> <<link 'River' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "River">><</link>><br> <<link 'Lark' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Lark">><</link>><br> <<link 'Clay' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Clay">><</link>><br> <<link 'Linden' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Linden">><</link>><br> <<link 'Vale' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Vale">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...not any of these.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#none" "hide">> <</link>></li></ul> <span id="none" class="hide"> <label><<textbox "$mcname" "Capitalize first letter">></label> <blockquote><<link 'continue' 'prologue14'>><</link>></blockquote> </span> /*[[cont.|prologue14]]*/ </p>

You honestly prefer that Rainn uses your actual name, something you have reminded them of on many occasions. Most of the time, they do, just as you wish them to, but occasionally they just can’t seem to help themself. <p>Thankfully, they only ever use it privately, never risking someone overhearing them. You wonder if perhaps Rainn dislikes the idea of anyone else using their pet name for you as much as you do. <p>However, if someone other than Rainn ever tried to call you $rainn_nickname, that person might end up swallowing their own teeth. <p>Of course, it’s not your actual name. Your name is…</p> <ul> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally Spalan name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#spalan" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="spalan" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Cremisius' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Cremisius">><</link>><br> <<link 'Apollyon' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Apollyon">><</link>><br> <<link 'Theano' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Theano">><</link>><br> <<link 'Menodora' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Menodora">><</link>><br> <<link 'Xanthe' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Xanthe">><</link>><br> <<link 'Helia' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Helia">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally al-Makani name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#makani" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="makani" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Altair' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Altair">><</link>><br> <<link 'Husna' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Husna">><</link>><br> <<link 'Kamil' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Kamil">><</link>><br> <<link 'Nassim' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Nassim">><</link>><br> <<link 'Nour' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Nour">><</link>><br> <<link 'Samiya' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Samiya">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally moonless name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#moonless" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="moonless" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Ash' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Ash">><</link>><br> <<link 'River' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "River">><</link>><br> <<link 'Lark' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Lark">><</link>><br> <<link 'Clay' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Clay">><</link>><br> <<link 'Linden' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Linden">><</link>><br> <<link 'Vale' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Vale">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...not any of these.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#none" "hide">> <</link>></li></ul> <span id="none" class="hide"> <label><<textbox "$mcname" "Capitalize first letter">></label> <blockquote><<link 'continue' 'prologue14'>><</link>></blockquote> </span> /*[[cont.|prologue14]]*/ </p>

Stepping away from the window, you head over to sit down on the bed at their side. Rainn’s eyes pass over your face briefly as you do, their expression uncharacteristically soft. <p>Silence hangs in the air over you. The hush before the storm. <p>Neither of you seems to be willing to break it quite yet. As if keeping the quiet will somehow prolong this moment, give you more time to… you don’t know. Maybe the two of you just want to pretend for a second that you aren’t about to risk everything doing something hazardous and stupid beyond words. <p>“We don’t have to go through with it, you know?” Rainn murmurs as if they could hear your thoughts, ending the silence. <p>A small sound escapes you, not quite a scoff, not quite a laugh. “No?” you drawl, “what do you suppose we do instead?” <p>They shrug, lips curling into a lazy grin. “Run away?” <p>“Run away?” <p>You’ve had this conversation before. Talked about packing up what little belongings you have and leaving Amelare. In the end, you never do, too scared of what would happen if you failed. <p>When they laugh, it almost sounds self-conscious. Or as self-conscious as Rainn could ever sound, you suppose. “Yeah. We’ve got some money,” they say, getting up off the bed to take over your earlier spot by the window. “And we don’t have anything keeping us here. We could just leave.” <p>“Nothing keeping us here?” you repeat, eyebrows raised as you stare blankly at them. “You mean besides the enormous debt Valeria is using to keep us on a leash?” <p>“So let’s cut the leash,” they say with such an ease that you almost believe it would be that simple.“We go far away enough that Valeria won’t matter anymore.” <p>You shake your head. “We’d have to leave Amelare. Probably have to leave Spala entirely, and even then, she would probably try to hunt us down.” <p>“She could try.” Rainn straightens to almost their full height. “However much power she has, it ends at Spala’s borders--” <p>“You assume.” <p>“<i>And</i> if we get beyond the borders, we could just disappear,” they continue, ignoring your interruption. “North, south, wherever. If we get passage on a ship, we could be in al-Makani before she even knows we’re gone.” <p>“Rainn…” you start, but this time they interrupt you. <p>“$mcname, this house isn’t worth sticking around for,” they say, voice softening, and move to kneel in front of you. “And it definitely isn’t worth what will happen to us if we get caught trying to pull this heist off.” <p>They're right.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You know they’re right.</p></div>' 'prologue15'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue15]]*/

If there was one truth to anything Rainn had said, that would be it. This house wasn’t worth the risk the two of you would be putting yourself in with this heist. At best, you would end up in a dungeon cell to live out the rest of your lives. At worst, you and Rainn would find eternal rest, buried in unmarked graves. <p>And while your current living conditions are better than the Starlight Orphanage or living on the streets of Amelare, it’s just barely more than a step up. <p>Wedged between two significantly larger buildings, your house is scarcely more than a single room situated on top of a shop, hardly anything to brag about. Sparsely decorated, with only the barest of necessities, you could easily account for each item and feature within its four walls. <p>The list would not be very long, as your home doesn't have much to offer. <p>A small stove is located in one corner of the room and in another, a washbasin. Only the bathroom is in a room separate from the rest of your home, and unfortunately, it has come to serve as something of a communal bathroom, with the shop owner downstairs using it as his own. <p>During the summers, the building gets almost unbearably hot. In the wintertime, it is freezing. <p>When it comes to furniture, your home is very… minimal. One bed, which you and Rainn share. A pair of chests to contain what few clothes and trinkets you own. A small table and a couple of chairs, where most of your time is spent. <p>Though you have stayed in this house for nearly two years, nothing much has been done to personalize the space. The only evidence that someone is actually living here is the dirty bowls and utensils left out from earlier in the day. <p>The only decent thing about your apartment is the view. Maybe the tiny herbal plants kept in the window - if only they didn’t come with such a smart-ass caretaker. <p>As for what you have done to make the house more your own, you have...</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...a couple of more plants of your own, though these are purely for aesthetic reasons.</p></div>' 'prologue16 plants'>><<set $hobby to "plants">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...a few charcoal sketches to cover the otherwise bare walls.</p></div>' 'prologue16 sketches'>><<set $hobby to "drawing">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...a small collection containing a handful of books and scrolls.</p></div>' 'prologue16 books'>><<set $hobby to "books">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...a musical instrument.</p></div>' 'prologue16 instruments'>><<set $hobby to "music">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...a small collection of various items you’ve procured in a… less than lawful manner.</p></div>' 'prologue16 mixed'>><<set $hobby to "mixed">><</link>> /*[[plants|prologue16 plants]] [[sketches|prologue16 sketches]] [[books|prologue16 books]] [[mixed|prologue16 mixed]] [[instruments|prologue16 instruments]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

It's a small collection of plants. Most of them have been picked on excursions outside the city walls and put in whatever cups you had to spare, while others are hanging from the ceiling to dry. <p>Sometimes you wonder how much thought Rainn really put into buying this house before they went through with it, considering <<if $height is "very tall">>neither of you are <<elseif $height is "tall" or "average" or "short" or "very short">>they're not <</if>> able to stand or move comfortably inside it. Was it the only house they were able to find? Or was everything else somehow worse than this? Or were they just desperate enough to get away from Valeria that anything would do? <p>You certainly were. <p>And now you’re in this mess because of it. <p>This house has somehow become both your path away from a life of crime - and why you can’t seem to escape it. <p>Most of the time you spend here, you find yourself wondering if it was worth having this if it meant indebting yourself to one of the most powerful women in Amelare’s underworld. <p>It probably wasn’t. <p>If you take into account the very dangerous and massively stupid heist you’ve got planned for the night to pay off that debt, it definitely wasn’t. <p>But it’s home. More importantly, it is your home. No matter how small or atrocious, you and Rainn own this house, and without Valeria’s money, you would have never been able to afford even half as crummy as this.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue17'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue17]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

It's a small collection of your favorite drawings. Most of them are made with coal, some with added pigments when you've been able to afford them - or been able to steal them. <p>Sometimes you wonder how much thought Rainn really put into buying this house before they went through with it, considering <<if $height is "very tall">>neither of you are <<elseif $height is "tall" or "average" or "short" or "very short">>they're not <</if>> able to stand or move comfortably inside it. Was it the only house they were able to find? Or was everything else somehow worse than this? Or were they just desperate enough to get away from Valeria that anything would do? <p>You certainly were. <p>And now you’re in this mess because of it. <p>This house has somehow become both your path away from a life of crime - and why you can’t seem to escape it. <p>Most of the time you spend here, you find yourself wondering if it was worth having this if it meant indebting yourself to one of the most powerful women in Amelare’s underworld. <p>It probably wasn’t. <p>If you take into account the very dangerous and massively stupid heist you’ve got planned for the night to pay off that debt, it definitely wasn’t. <p>But it’s home. More importantly, it is your home. No matter how small or atrocious, you and Rainn own this house, and without Valeria’s money, you would have never been able to afford even half as crummy as this.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue17'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue17]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

It's a small assortment of books and scrolls that you've managed to collect over the years. Some you've bought, some you've been given, a few you've stolen. All of them you've read more than once, to the point where a few of the books are starting to fall apart. <p>Sometimes you wonder how much thought Rainn really put into buying this house before they went through with it, considering <<if $height is "very tall">>neither of you are <<elseif $height is "tall" or "average" or "short" or "very short">>they're not <</if>> able to stand or move comfortably inside it. Was it the only house they were able to find? Or was everything else somehow worse than this? Or were they just desperate enough to get away from Valeria that anything would do? <p>You certainly were. <p>And now you’re in this mess because of it. <p>This house has somehow become both your path away from a life of crime - and why you can’t seem to escape it. <p>Most of the time you spend here, you find yourself wondering if it was worth having this if it meant indebting yourself to one of the most powerful women in Amelare’s underworld. <p>It probably wasn’t. <p>If you take into account the very dangerous and massively stupid heist you’ve got planned for the night to pay off that debt, it definitely wasn’t. <p>But it’s home. More importantly, it is your home. No matter how small or atrocious, you and Rainn own this house, and without Valeria’s money, you would have never been able to afford even half as crummy as this.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue17'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue17]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

It’s an odd collection of mismatched items, things you’ve found and brought home because you thought you could find a use for it, because you liked it or even at times because you thought the original owner could stand to lose it. <p>Sometimes you wonder how much thought Rainn really put into buying this house before they went through with it, considering <<if $height is "very tall">>neither of you are <<elseif $height is "tall" or "average" or "short" or "very short">>they're not <</if>> able to stand or move comfortably inside it. Was it the only house they were able to find? Or was everything else somehow worse than this? Or were they just desperate enough to get away from Valeria that anything would do? <p>You certainly were. <p>And now you’re in this mess because of it. <p>This house has somehow become both your path away from a life of crime - and why you can’t seem to escape it. <p>Most of the time you spend here, you find yourself wondering if it was worth having this if it meant indebting yourself to one of the most powerful women in Amelare’s underworld. <p>It probably wasn’t. <p>If you take into account the very dangerous and massively stupid heist you’ve got planned for the night to pay off that debt, it definitely wasn’t. <p>But it’s home. More importantly, it is your home. No matter how small or atrocious, you and Rainn own this house, and without Valeria’s money, you would have never been able to afford even half as crummy as this.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue17'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue17]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

It’s just the one instrument, <<cycle "$instrument">> <<option "a lute" "lute">> <<option "a lyre" "lyre">> <<option "a flute" "flute">> <<option "a cithara" "cithara">> <<option "a sistrum" "sistrum">> <</cycle>>, old and probably out of tune. It was already old when you got your hands on it, but you couldn’t justify spending the amount of coin a brand new one would cost, even after the purchase turned out to have been more than a whim. <p>Sometimes you wonder how much thought Rainn really put into buying this house before they went through with it, considering <<if $height is "very tall">>neither of you are <<elseif $height is "tall" or "average" or "short" or "very short">>they're not <</if>> able to stand or move comfortably inside it. Was it the only house they were able to find? Or was everything else somehow worse than this? Or were they just desperate enough to get away from Valeria that anything would do? <p>You certainly were. <p>And now you’re in this mess because of it. <p>This house has somehow become both your path away from a life of crime - and why you can’t seem to escape it. <p>Most of the time you spend here, you find yourself wondering if it was worth having this if it meant indebting yourself to one of the most powerful women in Amelare’s underworld. <p>It probably wasn’t. <p>If you take into account the very dangerous and massively stupid heist you’ve got planned for the night to pay off that debt, it definitely wasn’t. <p>But it’s home. More importantly, it is your home. No matter how small or atrocious, you and Rainn own this house, and without Valeria’s money, you would have never been able to afford even half as crummy as this.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue17'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue17]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

Valeria Laevina. <p>You feel your face twist into a scowl at the mere thought of her name. <p>She is moonless, like yourself, with a story much like every other in the Enameled City. She grew up poor and unwanted, but despite her lack of magic, familial connections, and money, she eventually made a name for herself, which is now known even amongst humans. <p>As intimidating as she is beautiful, you have never met someone as cold as Valeria. <p>The de facto leader of the criminal underworld in Amelare, Valeria, is undoubtedly among the most notorious women in the Enameled City, if not all of Spala, and quite possibly the most influential moonless the city has ever seen. She claimed her power over a decade ago, and since then, no one has come close to taking it away from her. If it’s because no one is brave enough to stand against her or just smart enough to stay on her good side, you aren’t sure. <p>At the time, two years ago, borrowing the money from her hadn’t seemed like such a bad idea. But then again, Valeria Laevina had always been good at hiding her intentions and making people trust her until they were fully ensnared in her web. <p>While borrowing the money to buy a house didn’t technically land you in hot water with Valeria, it put you at her beck and call. Technically, you didn't even borrow the money. Rainn did, but... how are you supposed to let the whole burden fall on the shoulders of your best friend when they did it so that you would be able to have a home? <p>An actual home. Not the orphanage, not Valeria's villa, but your house. No matter how small, no matter the issues, it was yours. <p>Even she couldn't take that away from you. <p>Not that Valeria was interested in your Blue Quarters' dwelling. No, if you didn’t pay her back, and soon, she had made it very clear that it was not the house she would be after as a return of her investment.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>It would be Rainn.</p></div>' 'prologue18'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue18]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

“The thing is, though…” you say, twisting your hands together, “it’s not about the house, Rainn.” <p>You watch their face twist into a slight frown, head tilting to the side. “It’s not?” <p>A breathy laugh escapes you as you shake your head, turning your gaze to your lap. “If it was just about the house, I would say yes, fuck the heist, fuck Valeria, let’s run away.” <p>Rising to their feet once more, they cross their arms over their chest as they take a step away from you. “But?” <p>“But we both know it’s not really the money she’s after.” You look up again, your gaze finding Rainn’s. “It’s you.” <p>“Us,” they correct you. <p>“You. Us.” Shrugging, you gesture between the two of you. “Because she already has you on the hook for all the money you borrowed to get this house, and she knows I’m not gonna let you take the whole fall for that.” Running a hand down your face, a small sigh escapes you. “She came up with this insane heist to steal one of the most priceless artefacts in Spala because she knows only an idiot would try to go through with it. Valeria doesn’t want us to steal the artefact; she wants us to give up and work for her. Hell, I’m not even sure she’ll just let us go even if we manage to get the artefact for her.” <p>“I know,” they sigh, mirroring your actions, running a hand down their own face. “I know, okay.” <p>“She’s not just going to let us run away.” <p>“I know,” Rainn repeats, their voice barely above a whisper as they return to the spot next to you on the bed. “Forget I said anything. I know the best way to get Valeria off our backs is to just get her that fucking relic.”</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p><i>’That fucking relic.’</i></p></div>' 'prologue19'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue19]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

You almost laugh at their choice of words. <p>The Oathbreaker is hardly just any “fucking relic”. <p>It is said to be a weapon of the Divine, wielded by one of the Deceiver Gods - the Deity of Plenty, in the rebellion against the Goddess Prima, the revolt for which She cast them out. The legends are as many as there are people in Amelare, each recounting the weapon's immense power. <p>Of course, not just anybody could own this sacred relic, and Valeria, despite her money and power, had been denied each time she attempted to persuade the priests serving at the Temple of Nine to sell it to her. <p>Their refusals would ultimately mean nothing to Valeria, who had no qualms about procuring the Oathbreaker through less than legal means if she could not obtain it with her coin alone. <p>Now Valeria had given you a choice: either you take the easy route and work for her until Rainn’s debt had been paid off, or you could do this one job for her, <i>steal</i> the Oathbreaker for her and Rainn’s debt would be cleared.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>One big robbery, Valeria is happy, and you and Rainn walk away as two free moonless, owing nothing to anyone. Easy!</p></div>' 'prologue20 reckless'>><<set $reckless +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>This was your last chance. You and Rainn had tried to work smaller jobs, safer, more legal work, but you weren’t even close to having enough to pay off the debt.</p></div>' 'prologue20 cautious'>><<set $reckless -=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Fuck Valeria, and fuck her plans. You were getting that relic, and then you’d cut her out of both your lives, literally if you had to.</p></div>' 'prologue20 ruthless'>><<set $ruthless +=5>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Rainn might’ve been the one to get themself, get the both of you, into this mess, but that didn’t mean you were going to make them solve it on their own.</p></div>' 'prologue20 compassionate'>><<set $ruthless -=5>><</link>> /*[[reckless|prologue20 reckless]] [[cautious|prologue20 cautious]] [[ruthless|prologue20 ruthless]] [[compassionate|prologue20 compassionate]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

“Okay!” you exclaim and push yourself to your feet. A wide grin stretches your lips as you bounce on the spot, trying to get your blood pumping. “One last robbery, and we’re done! Valeria is happy, and we get to walk away as two free moonless, owing nothing to anyone. Easy!” <p>Rainn struggles to keep from laughing at your outburst. “Easy?” <p>Pausing momentarily, you cock your head to the side before your grin widens even further. You shrug. “Alright, so maybe it won’t be <i>that</i> easy. But considering it’s the options, it’s the only one that will definitely keep us out of Valeria’s hands. Probably.” <p>“Probably.” Their full lips thin into a barely visible line, their shoulders shaking with held-back laughter. <p>“On the other hand,” you continue, unbothered by Rainn’s obvious amusement. “If we fail, we have other - possibly worse - things to worry about other than Valeria making us work for her for the rest of our shitty lives.” Now you’re pacing in front of them. “Or at least, I don’t imagine the priests at the Temple will take lightly on someone attempting to steal their most priceless relic.” <p>Rainn startles out of their barely contained laughter as you screech to a halt in front of them. “Best not to think about what might happen if we get caught, huh?”</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You run a hand down your face.</p></div>' 'prologue21'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue21]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

“This is our last chance,” you murmur quietly, your voice barely louder than a breath. “We tried safer, legal jobs. We even tried smaller jobs for Valeria, but we didn’t even get close to having enough to pay off the debt.” <p>A soft sigh escapes Rainn, the only acknowledgment of your words. <p>“We’ve spent <i>years</i> trying to earn enough to pay Valeria back what we owe, but--” <p>“What I owe,” Rainn interrupts you, gently bumping their shoulder against yours. <p>A soft smile curves your lips at the gesture before disappearing again when you continue. “<i>But</i>... we still haven’t been able to come up with enough coin, whether we stuck to the law or not.” You fill your lungs with a deep breath, holding it for a few moments before letting yourself deflate as you exhale. <p>“This isn’t just the last option we have left, Rainn,” you whisper, “it’s the only realistic one. Anything less than stealing the Oathbreaker is never going to be enough for Valeria.” <p>Rainn doesn’t say anything in return, but you can hear them suck a breath in through their teeth. <p>“The only thing we can do now is to be safe about this.” <p>You’ve planned out every single detail of this heist as best as you could, tried to think of all the ways that this could go wrong, and figured out how to avoid it happening. <p>“Failing that...” you continue, clasping your hands together in your lap, “We can only pray to the Gods that they are kind to us. At least for tonight.” <p>An indigo hand reaches over to grasp both of your own, and you look up to meet Rainn’s mismatched eyes. “You know I’m not really the praying type,” they say with a slight curl to their lips. “But for you, I’ll try.”</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You run a hand down your face.</p></div>' 'prologue21'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue21]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

“Fuck Valeria,” you practically hiss through your gritted teeth, “and fuck her plans. We’re getting that relic, and then we’re cutting her out of our lives, literally if we have to.” <p>You wish you and Rainn had never met that damned woman. You wish you had never been taken in by how amazing she had seemed when you first met her, how impressed you had been by this moonless woman that had managed to rise above the muck and dirt to make something of herself, that had created a small kingdom for herself. <p>Now you know better, and fuck, you wish it hadn’t taken you - or Rainn - so long to see her true colors. <p>“We’ll steal that godly relic,” you continue in a growl, turning to face Rainn, “and you’ll use it to get her off your fucking back.” <p>Despite the tone of your voice and threatening words, there’s a smile on your companion’s face, something like pride glinting in their mismatched eyes. “And if that’s not enough for her?” <p>“Then we have a divine weapon to use on her.”</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You run a hand down your face.</p></div>' 'prologue21'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue21]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

Rainn might have been the one who made a deal with Valeria and got themself - got the both of you - into this mess, but that doesn’t mean you are about to abandon them and make them solve it on their own. <p>“It was stupid to get yourself into the debt of Valeria,” you chastise, but there’s a gentle smile curving your lips when you meet their mismatched eyes. “And for such a shitty house like this one.” <p>A dry chuckle escapes them. “I know.” <p>“But you gave me a home, Rainn," you continue, voice a low rasp now. Reaching out, you grasp one of their hands in your own, lacing your fingers together. “You got us away from her once, and you’ll do it again. And this time, I’m not going to let you do it on your own.” <p>They don’t say anything in return, but you don’t need them to. The way their fingers tighten their hold on yours expresses everything Rainn is unable - or unwilling - to put to words. <p>“We’ll get through it. Together.” <p>No matter what it might cost you, you will not abandon them now.</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You run a hand down your face.</p></div>' 'prologue21'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue21]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

The sun has set. The night has come. You have waited long enough. You need to prepare for what the night might have in store for you. <p>There is no backing out of this heist now. <p>It is either this or a lifetime of servitude under Valeria’s iron fist, and you have already spent too long under her rule. <p>Pushing yourself up off the bed once more, you…</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...say nothing. Rainn has seen you undressed plenty of times in the past and this is no different.</p></div>' 'prologue22 rainn_stay1'>><<set $prologue_rainnstay to "yes">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...ask Rainn to leave. They know you well enough without having to watch you get undressed as well.</p></div>' 'prologue22 rainn_leave1'>><<set $prologue_rainnstay to "no">><</link>> /*[[Rainn leaves|prologue22 rainn_leave1]] [[Rainn stays|prologue22 rainn_stay1]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

<<if $charismatic >= 55>> “Would you mind waiting outside?” You toss a glance and a smile at them over your shoulder as you crouch down by the chest containing your clothes and belongings. “I’d like some privacy while I get changed.” <p>Rainn responds with a slight nod and rises from the bed, careful not to knock their head against the ceiling as they do. <p>You turn back to the chest, only half-listening to the floorboards creaking under their weight, to the door opening and closing as they leave you alone in the room to get ready. Opening the chest, you retrieve the attire you have prepared for the heist.</p> <<elseif $sarcastic >= 55>> “You mind?” Eyebrows raised, arms crossed over your chest, you nod towards the door, the rest of your question remaining unsaid. <p>Despite the roll of their mismatched eyes and the shake of their head, there’s still a hint of a smirk on Rainn’s lips when they stand up, careful to avoid hitting their head against the ceiling. <p>“I guess I’ll wait outside then.” <p>You’ve already turned your back on them, opening the chest where you keep your clothes and belongings to take out the attire you’ve prepared for the night.</p> <<elseif $stoic >=55>> “Leave.” <p>Rainn lets out a quiet chuckle at your lackluster command. “I guess I’ll wait outside, then.” <p>The only acknowledgment you give them is a short nod as you bend down to open the chest where your clothes and belongings are kept. Listening to the floorboards creaking under their weight, you wait for the sound of the door being opened and closed behind them before you open the chest to take out your attire for the heist.</p> <<elseif $charismatic < 50>> “Get out.” <p>Though your words might have come off harshly to anyone else, Rainn just grins and gets up off the bed, making sure not to smack their head against the ceiling as they do. <p>“Try not to take all night getting ready like you usually do,” they grin, hand resting on the door handle. “I know you want to make yourself look pretty, but to me, you already--” <p>“Get the fuck out.” <p>Laughing, Rainn disappears out the door, and you open the chest containing your clothes and belongings, taking out the attire you have prepared for the heist.</p> <<elseif $sarcastic < 50>> “Could I get some privacy?” A soft smile curves your lips, your eyes darting from Rainn to the chest where your clothes and belongings are kept. “Please?” <p>“Sure.” Rainn rise to their feet, careful not to knock their head against the ceiling as they do. Before they disappear through the door, they offer you a smile of their own. <p>The door closes behind them, and you bend down over the chest, taking out the attire you have prepared for the night.</p> <<else>> “While I usually love the idea of you watching me get naked,” you tell Rainn with a wink, “do you mind waiting outside just this once?” <p>Rainn just shakes their head in return, but they can’t keep the grin off their face as they rise to their feet, careful not to knock their head against the ceiling. <p>“Thank you,” you coo, already turning your back on them and leaning down to open the chest where your clothes and belongings are kept, taking out the attire you’ve prepared for the heist.</p> <</if>> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Alone in the room now...</p></div>' 'prologue23'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue23]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

You and Rainn have lived together for your whole lives, they've seen you in all states of dressed and undressed. One more time of being in the same room as you get changed won't change you, them or your relationship. <p>And if they stay, you've got an extra pair of hands to help you, should you need it.</p> /*[[cont.|prologue23]]*/ <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You turn back to the chest, retrieving the attire you have prepared for the heist.</p></div>' 'prologue23'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

Once you decided that the best option for blending into the streets of the Alabaster district was to dress up as a wealthy resident of the Alabaster District, Rainn had procured a suitable outfit for you. You aren't sure exactly how and where they got it, but it still somehow fits you perfectly<<if $height is "average" or "tall" or "very tall">>, despite your height.<<elseif $height is "short" or "very short">>.<</if>> <p><<if $height is "short">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But g<<elseif $height is "very short">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But g<<elseif $height is "average">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But you are just tall enough that your height could still possibly give you away, and even if it wouldn't... G<<else>>Unfortunately, you are far too tall to be able to use a glamour to pass as a human, and even if you weren't, you couldn't afford one in the first place. G<</if>>lamours are expensive. Expensive enough that if you could afford to buy one to alter your entire appearance to look human, then you probably wouldn't need to steal the Oathbreaker to clear your debt with Valeria. </p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You’ll have to make do without one.</p></div>' 'prologue24'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue24]]*/

Once you decided that the best option for getting around inconspicuously in the Alabaster District at night would be to disguise yourself as a city guard, Rainn had procured a uniform for you. You know they probably stole it, but even so, even though most guards are human, the uniform still fits you nearly perfectly<<if $height is "average" or "tall" or "very tall">>, despite your height.<<elseif $height is "short" or "very short">>.<</if>> <p><<if $height is "short">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But g<<elseif $height is "very short">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But g<<elseif $height is "average">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But you are just tall enough that your height could still possibly give you away, and even if it wouldn't... G<<else>>Unfortunately, you are far too tall to be able to use a glamour to pass as a human, and even if you weren't, you couldn't afford one in the first place. G<</if>>lamours are expensive. Expensive enough that if you could afford to buy one to alter your entire appearance to look human, then you probably wouldn't need to steal the Oathbreaker to clear your debt with Valeria. </p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You’ll have to make do without one.</p></div>' 'prologue24'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue24]]*/

Once you decided that the best option for slipping into the Temple of Nine unnoticed was to disguise yourself as an acolyte of the Nine, Rainn had procured suitable garments for you. You know they probably stole it, but even so, the uniform still fits you nearly perfectly<<if $height is "average" or "tall" or "very tall">>, despite your height.<<elseif $height is "short" or "very short">>.<</if>> <p><<if $height is "short">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But g<<elseif $height is "very short">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But g<<elseif $height is "average">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But you are just tall enough that your height could still possibly give you away, and even if it wouldn't... G<<else>>Unfortunately, you are far too tall to be able to use a glamour to pass as a human, and even if you weren't, you couldn't afford one in the first place. G<</if>>lamours are expensive. Expensive enough that if you could afford to buy one to alter your entire appearance to look human, then you probably wouldn't need to steal the Oathbreaker to clear your debt with Valeria. </p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You’ll have to make do without one.</p></div>' 'prologue24'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue24]]*/

You decided that you would rather wear your armor rather than a disguise in case things go south, even if your armor is hardly the best there is. It might not allow you to blend in as well in the Alabaster District, but it will protect you far more than being dressed as a wealthy resident or wearing the robes of an acolyte would. <p><<if $height is "short">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But g<<elseif $height is "very short">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But g<<elseif $height is "average">>If you could afford it, glamouring yourself to pass as a human would make this all considerably easier. But you are just tall enough that your height could still possibly give you away, and even if it wouldn't... G<<else>>Unfortunately, you are far too tall to be able to use a glamour to pass as a human, and even if you weren't, you couldn't afford one in the first place. G<</if>>lamours are expensive. Expensive enough that if you could afford to buy one to alter your entire appearance to look human, then you probably wouldn't need to steal the Oathbreaker to clear your debt with Valeria. </p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You’ll have to make do without one.</p></div>' 'prologue24'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue24]]*/

As you get undressed, you catch a brief glance of yourself in the small, cracked mirror hanging over the washbasin. The reflection that stares back at you is that of an exhausted… <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...woman. I identify as female.</p></div>' 'prologue25'>><<set $mcgender to "female"; $person to "woman">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...man. I identify as male.</p></div>' 'prologue25'>><<set $mcgender to "male"; $person to "man">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...person. I exist outside the binary. </p></div>' 'prologue25'>><<set $mcgender to "nonbinary"; $person to "person">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>I want to input my own gender identity.</p></div>' 'customGender'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue25]] [[cont.|customGender]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

And what are your pronouns? <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>She / Her</p></div>' 'CheckPronouns'>><<set $they = "she"; $them = "her"; $their = "her"; $theirs = "hers"; $themself = "herself"; $person = "woman"; $plural to false>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>He / Him</p></div>' 'CheckPronouns'>><<set $they = "he"; $them = "him"; $their = "his"; $theirs = "his"; $themself = "himself"; $person = "man"; $plural to false>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>They / Them</p></div>' 'CheckPronouns'>><<set $they = "they"; $them = "them"; $their = "their"; $theirs = "theirs"; $themself = "themself"; $person = "person"; $plural to true>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Xe / Xem</p></div>' 'CheckPronouns'>><<set $they = "xe"; $them = "xem"; $their = "xyr"; $theirs = "xyrs"; $themself = "xemself"; $person = "person"; $plural to false>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>I want to pick my own pronouns.</p></div>' 'customisePronouns'>><</link>> /*[[cont.|prologue26]] [[own pronouns|customisePronouns]]*/ </div><</nobr>>

Catching the gaze of your reflection through the cracked mirror, the deep crease between $their brows catch you off guard. <<print $their.toUpperFirst()>> eyes are the same as your own; <<cycle "$mceyes">> <<option "heterochromatic, the mismatched eyes" "heterochromia">> <<option "partially heterochromatic, like two half-moons, the eyes" "sectoral">> <<option "like two full moons, the eyes" "homochromia">> <</cycle>> briefly reflecting what little light is in the room before returning to their regular... <ul> <li><<link "<i>...brightly colored eyes a...</i>">> <<toggleclass "#brighteyes" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="brighteyes" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'blue' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "bright blue">><</link>><br> <<link 'purple' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "bright purple">><</link>><br> <<link 'pink' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "bright pink">><</link>><br> <<link 'yellow' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "bright yellow">><</link>><br> <<link 'orange' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "bright orange">><</link>><br> <<link 'red' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "bright red">><</link>><br> <<link 'silver' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "bright silver">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...pale-colored eyes a...</i>">> <<toggleclass "#paleeyes" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="paleeyes" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'blue' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "pale blue">><</link>><br> <<link 'purple' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "pale purple">><</link>><br> <<link 'pink' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "pale pink">><</link>><br> <<link 'gold' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "pale gold">><</link>><br> <<link 'silver' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "pale silver">><</link>><br> <<link 'white' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "white">><</link>><br> <<link 'green' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "pale green">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...dark-colored eyes a...</i>">> <<toggleclass "#darkeyes" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="darkeyes" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'blue' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "dark blue">><</link>><br> <<link 'purple' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "dark purple">><</link>><br> <<link 'red' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "dark red">><</link>><br> <<link 'orange' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "dark orange">><</link>><br> <<link 'gold' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "dark gold">><</link>><br> <<link 'silver' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "dark silver">><</link>><br> <<link 'black' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><<set $eyecolor to "black">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...not any of these.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#none" "hide">> <</link>></li></ul> <span id="none" class="hide"> <label><<textbox "$eyecolor" "Input eye color">></label> <blockquote><<link 'continue' 'prologue26 eyecolor'>><</link>></blockquote> </span> /*[[cont.|prologue26 eyecolor]]*/

Though the garbs of an acolyte to the Nine look simple enough, there are still many elements to the attire that you need to make sure are just right if you want to be able to pass unnoticed. <p>Rainn did an excellent job of finding a set that would fit you<<if $height is "very tall" or "tall">> despite your size,<<else>>,<</if>> the woolen tunic sliding on easily, fitting you neither too tightly nor too loosely. The robe drapes effortlessly over and around you. <p>If not for the colors, this might have actually been something you would wear ordinarily. Though, the long sleeves would take some getting used to. <p>The final flourish to complete the disguise is the veil, but you figure that can wait until you've given yourself a final once-over in the mirror. <p>"Need any help?" you hear Rainn murmur half-heartedly from where they lay on the bed, and you can barely keep yourself from rolling your eyes. <p>"You realize I've already finished getting dressed, right?" <p>"Yeah," they return, and you can practically hear the grin in their voice. "But it's the thought that counts, isn't it?" <p>With an exasperated shake of your head, you can't stop the laugh that builds in your throat from escaping. Rainn might be an asshole, but they're <i>your</i> asshole.</p> /*[[cont.|prologue28]]*/ <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue28'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

Pulling the tunic over your head is the easy bit. What comes next is not. <p>With all the armor pieces and the buckles and straps to hold them together, you find yourself struggling to get ready. Somehow, you find it difficult to imagine the guards doing this on their own every day without complaints, without deciding that they'd instead go without armor, without leaving the guard force. <p>Rather than wasting time struggling on your own, you turn to Rainn for help getting into the garbs. <p>"This is impossible," you groan, turning to face Rainn, who has returned to their earlier spot on the bed, arms under their head once more. <p>They turn to you with a half-smirk. "Impossible, huh?" <p>Returning their smirk with a dead-eyed stare. "Yes. Impossible," you respond, "and now you're making me wonder if you picked something impossible on purpose." When their only answer is their smirk widening even further, you let out a long breath. <p>"Could you just help me get this on?" you ask, holding up the segmented cuirass in front of yourself, "<i>Please?</i>" <p>Rainn chuckles as they push themself off the bed once more, heading over to you, taking the armor piece from you. "Sure." <p>With Rainn's help, making sure every strap is fastened and that the armor fits you neither too tightly nor sitting too loosely, the task of getting into your disguise is made far more manageable. <p>"There." Rainn takes a step away from you after ensuring every piece of your attire is secure. Their usual grin stretches their lips into a teasing curve. "You look like a real prick." <p>Unable to resist rolling your eyes at them, you turn back to the mirror once more. "Thanks." <p>Rainn might be an asshole, but they're <i>your</i> asshole.</p> /*[[cont.|prologue28]]*/ <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue28'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

Pulling the tunic over your head is the easy bit. What comes next is not. <p>With several layers of soft silk fabric and clasps of your attire, you find yourself struggling to get ready. It is no wonder you have heard so many stories of the wealthy having to have servants dress them is this is what they wear. Just deciding what is up and what is down on this robe was difficult enough. <p>Rather than wasting time struggling on your own, you turn to Rainn for help getting into the garbs. <p>"This is impossible," you groan, turning to face Rainn, who has returned to their earlier spot on the bed, arms under their head once more. <p>They turn to you with a half-smirk. "Impossible, huh?" <p>Returning their smirk with a dead-eyed stare. "Yes. Impossible," you respond, "and now you're making me wonder if you picked something impossible on purpose." When their only answer is their smirk widening even further, you let out a long breath. <p>"Could you just help me get this on?" you ask, holding up the draped robe in front of yourself, "<i>Please?</i>" <p>Rainn chuckles as they push themself off the bed once more, heading over to you, taking the bundle of cloth from you. "Sure." <p>With Rainn's help, making sure every clasp is secured and that the fabric drapes just so, the task of getting into your disguise is made far more manageable. <p>"There." Rainn takes a step away from you after ensuring every piece of your attire is secure. Their usual grin stretches their lips into a teasing curve. "You look like a real prick." <p>Unable to resist rolling your eyes at them, you turn back to the mirror once more. "Thanks." <p>Rainn might be an asshole, but they're <i>your</i> asshole.</p> /*[[cont.|prologue28]]*/ <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue28'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

Though your own armor might not let you blend in with the typical citizen in the Alabaster District or give you as much protection as that of a city guard, it gives you the comfort, the security, and the freedom that only your armor could provide you with. <p>Without worrying about the fit or trying to figure out how all the pieces go together, you quickly get into your armor in no time. <p>The leather fits snugly against your body, but not uncomfortably so. It allows you the movement that only comes with lighter armor, and it has been dyed as close to black as possible, enabling you to more easily blend into the darkness of the night. <p>Turning to the mirror once again to give yourself a final once-over, you can't help but feel ready for whatever the night might throw in your path. <p>You can't help but feel <i>strong</i>. <p>"Need any help?" you hear Rainn murmur half-heartedly from where they lay on the bed, and you can barely keep yourself from rolling your eyes. <p>"You realize I've already finished getting dressed, right?" <p>"Yeah," they return, and you can practically hear the grin in their voice. "But it's the thought that counts, isn't it?" <p>With an exasperated shake of your head, you can't stop the laugh that builds in your throat from escaping. Rainn might be an asshole, but they're <i>your</i> asshole.</p> /*[[cont.|prologue28]]*/ <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue28'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

Pulling the tunic over your head is the easy bit. What comes next is not. <p>With all the armor pieces and the buckles and straps to hold them together, you find yourself struggling to get ready. Somehow, you find it difficult to imagine the guards doing this on their own every day without complaints, without deciding that they'd instead go without armor, without leaving the guard force. <p>Briefly, you consider asking Rainn back inside the room to help you get into this, but even just the idea of the teasing you would have to endure if you did is enough for you to keep your mouth firmly shut. <p>You really doubt that listening to them call you a helpless child will speed things along. <p>Continuing to struggle on your own, it takes you far longer than you would like to remember how the uniform is meant to be put together and then outfitted. The tunic was the easy part, a no-brainer, but when it came to adorning your armor, you almost wish you had chosen a different disguise. <p>At first, you struggle to tie together the leather straps holding the segmented armor together at the back. Realizing that this task would prove to be infinitely more manageable if you connected the straps together <i>before</i> putting the armor pieces on took you far longer than it should have. <p>You can only be thankful that Rainn isn't in the room to witness that particular embarrassment. The rest of the armor is far easier to equip, and you successfully put all the pieces together correctly. <p>You hope.</p> /*[[cont.|prologue28]]*/ <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue28'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

Pulling the tunic over your head is the easy bit. What comes next is not. <p>With several layers of soft silk fabric and clasps of your attire, you find yourself struggling to get ready. It is no wonder you have heard so many stories of the wealthy having to have servants dress them is this is what they wear. Just deciding what is up and what is down on this robe was difficult enough. <p>Briefly, you consider asking Rainn back inside the room to help you get into this, but even just the idea of the teasing you would have to endure if you did is enough for you to keep your mouth firmly shut. <p>You really doubt that listening to them call you a helpless child will speed things along. <p>Continuing to struggle on your own, it seems like an endless task to figure out the ups and downs of the silk robes. The tunic was the easy part, a no-brainer, but when it came to the silken robe that you were supposed to drape around yourself, you almost wish you had chosen a different disguise. <p>The cloth itself is large enough that it might very well take up the entire floor of your house if you spread it out, and though this style of robe isn't uncommon in Amelare in any way, you have never worn one before - especially not one as elaborate as this. <p>You can only be thankful that Rainn isn't in the room to witness the particular embarrassment of you trying to wrap yourself up in this robe. Still, you successfully put all the pieces together correctly after some trial and error. <p>You hope.</p> /*[[cont.|prologue28]]*/ <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue28'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

Though you can't fully hide your <<cycle "$skinpattern">> <<option "starfreckled" "starfreckled">> <<option "cloud-streaked" "streaked">> <<option "cloud-spotted" "cloudy">> <<option "color-shifting" "gradient">> <<option "single toned" "one-toned">> <</cycle>> skin under your disguise, the color is far less obvious now, at least in your eyes. What little skin you still can see is... <ul> <li><<link "<i>...a bright...</i>">> <<toggleclass "#brightskin" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="brightskin" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'blue' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "bright blue">><</link>><br> <<link 'purple' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "bright purple">><</link>><br> <<link 'pink' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "bright pink">><</link>><br> <<link 'yellow' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "bright yellow">><</link>><br> <<link 'orange' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "bright orange">><</link>><br> <<link 'red' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "bright red">><</link>><br> <<link 'silver' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "bright silver">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a pale...</i>">> <<toggleclass "#paleskin" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="paleskin" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'blue' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "pale blue">><</link>><br> <<link 'pink' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "pale pink">><</link>><br> <<link 'yellow' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "pale yellow">><</link>><br> <<link 'purple' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "pale purple">><</link>><br> <<link 'silver' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "pale silver">><</link>><br> <<link 'orange' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "pale orange">><</link>><br> <<link 'white' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "white">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a dark...</i>">> <<toggleclass "#darkskin" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="darkskin" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'blue' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "dark blue">><</link>><br> <<link 'purple' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "dark purple">><</link>><br> <<link 'red' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "dark red">><</link>><br> <<link 'orange' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "dark orange">><</link>><br> <<link 'gold' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "dark gold">><</link>><br> <<link 'green' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "dark green">><</link>><br> <<link 'black' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><<set $skincolor to "black">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...not any of these.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#none" "hide">> <</link>></li></ul> <span id="none" class="hide"> <label><<textbox "$skincolor" "Input skin color">></label> <blockquote><<link 'continue' 'prologue28 haircolor'>><</link>></blockquote> </span> /*[[cont.|prologue28 haircolor]]*/

Your $hairlength hair is the color of <<cycle "$primary_hair">> <<option "the midnight black sky" "black">> <<option "the deep silver of a storm" "silver">> <<option "a flash of white lightning" "white">> <<option "a comet’s icy blue tail" "light blue">> <<option "the deep blue of a darkening sky" "dark blue">> <<option "a lavender-purple sunrise" "lavender">> <<option "the glowing pink of aurora borealis" "pink">> <<option "the blazing red of a setting sun" "red">> <<option "a burning orange of a desert storm" "orange">> <<option "a bright copper sun reflecting in the sea" "copper">> <<option "the sun-kissed golden hours" "gold">> <<option "the pale yellow rays of the first sunlight" "yellow">> <<option "the otherworldly green of aurora borealis" "green">> <</cycle>> and <<cycle "$secondary_hair">> <<option "the deep silver of a storm" "silver">> <<option "a flash of white lightning" "white">> <<option "a comet’s icy blue tail" "light blue">> <<option "the deep blue of a darkening sky" "dark blue">> <<option "a lavender-purple sunrise" "lavender">> <<option "the glowing pink of aurora borealis" "pink">> <<option "the blazing red of a setting sun" "red">> <<option "a burning orange of a desert storm" "orange">> <<option "a bright copper sun reflecting in the sea" "copper">> <<option "the sun-kissed golden hours" "gold">> <<option "the pale yellow rays of the first sunlight" "yellow">> <<option "the otherworldly green of aurora borealis" "green">> <<option "the midnight black sky" "black">> <</cycle>>. /*[[cont.|prologue29 two-color2]] [[cont.|prologue30]]*/ <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Yes, these are the colors of my hair.</p></div>' 'prologue30'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>No, my hair is not any of these colors.</p></div>' 'prologue29 two-color2'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

My hair is primarily [<i> blue / black / light pink / pastel green </i>]. <p><<textbox "$primary_hair" "">></p> <p>...with hints of [<i> blue / black / light pink / pastel green </i>]. <p><<textbox "$secondary_hair" "">></p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue30'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue30]]*/

Usually, you tend to... <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..wear a head-scarf.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "head-scarf">><</link>> <<if $hairlength is "shaved">> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...do nothing.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "nothing">><</link>> <<elseif $hairlength is "short">> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair loose and natural.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "natural">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..wear a head-scarf.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "head-scarf">><</link>> <<if $hairlength is "short" and $hairtexture is "afro">> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...keep your hair in short twists.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "twists">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...keep your hair in short locs.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "locs">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...keep your hair natural, in a short afro.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "afrostyle">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...keep your hair in cornrows.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "cornrows">><</link>> <</if>> <<elseif $hairtexture is "afro">> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...keep your hair in cornrows.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "cornrows">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...keep your hair in twists.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "twists">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...keep your hair in box braids.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "box braids">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...keep your hair in locs.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "locs">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...keep your hair natural, in an afro.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "afrostyle">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair braided.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "braided">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair in a ponytail.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "ponytail">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair in a bun.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "bun">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair in a half-bun.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "half-bun">><</link>> <<else>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair braided.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "braided">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair in a ponytail.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "ponytail">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair in a bun.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "bun">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair in a half-bun.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "half-bun">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>..keep your hair loose and natural.</p></div>' 'prologue31'>><<set $hairstyle to "natural">><</link>> <</if>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue31]]*/

You keep your hair the same as <<if $hairstyle == "head-scarf">> always, keeping your head-scarf on <<else>> always<</if>> <<if $disguise == "acolyte">> under the veil which is part of your disguise. <<elseif $disguise == "guard">> under the helmet that is part of your disguise. <<elseif $diguise == "wealthy">>, but replacing your regular one with the silk scarf that Rainn had picked out for your disguise, matching the rest of your outfit. <<else>>.<</if>> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue32'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>I want to redo the customisation.</p></div>' 'prologue24'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue32]] [[cont.|prologue24]]*/

You're ready. <p><<if $diguise == "guard">>Looking the part of a city guard,<<elseif $disguise == "acolyte">>Looking the part of an acolyte of the Nine,<<elseif $disguise == "wealthy">>Looking the part of the upper echelon of Amelare,<<else>>Wearing your simple leather armor,<</if>> there is nothing more you can do to stall the inevitable. Either you go through with this heist, or you might as well just head over to Valeria right now and give up. <p>"I'm doing this," you whisper to your reflection, frowning as you notice the look of apprehension in your eyes. <p>It shouldn't be there. You've planned for this, prepared for this for <i>weeks</i>. You've made sure you know the lay of the Temple, the guards' routes, how many there will be at any given place and time. You know the quickest way to and from the relic's display, and you know the best way to get there unnoticed. <p>You're ready, you and Rainn both, you know you are. <p>So why are you so nervous?</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<if $prologue_rainnstay is "yes">> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue33 rainn_stay'>><</link>> <<else>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue33 rainn_leave'>><</link>> <</if>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue33 rainn_stay]] [[cont.|prologue33 rainn_leave]]*/

Holding your gaze through the mirror, you watch the $person blink their $eyecolor eyes slowly, chest rising with long, deep breaths. <p>Over your shoulder, you can barely make out Rainn still on the bed. Their hands and once again under their head and their eyes closed, as if they haven’t moved in the past hour. If you didn’t know better, you would think they’d fallen asleep - you’ve seen them do even faster than this. <p>It’s the way that they hold their breath after each intake and exhale that gives them away. The pause is barely noticeable, just a moment longer than normal, but you’ve known them all your life. You might even know them better than you know yourself and you know that right now, while appearing calm and on the brink of sleep, they must be as nervous about this as you are if they’re this quiet. <p>Wanting to give them a moment- wanting to give yourself a moment- you let your gaze drift away. <p>Instead, you let your eyes wander across the room. Not because there is much to admire about your home, a far cry from the most beautiful building in the city or even the most well built one, but… What else does a home need but a roof, four walls and a solid foundation? You and Rainn have lived worse places than this. <p>Your eyes catch on <<if $hobby is "music">>the $instrument on your chest. <p>Stepping towards the chest, you pick it up. <p>A thin layer of dust has gathered on top. It’s been a while since you played it last. Not since Valeria made her ultimatum. <p>You can’t help but to think that if you don’t succeed tonight, you might never play on it again.</p> <<elseif $hobby is "mixed">>the various items strewn across your chest. <p>Stepping towards the chest, you pick up one such stolen item, an ornate amulet. Though it's pretty to look at, steel with a green gemstone, it is apparently worthless, or so you were told when you tried to fence it. <p>So you kept it for yourself, and it became the start of your assortment of, well, junk, if you're being honest. <p>You can't help but to think that if you don't succeed tonight, you might never see it again.</p> <<elseif $hobby is "plants">>the dried flowers hanging above your window. <p>Stepping over to the window again, you can't help but to reach up to touch the petals of the drying flowers. <p>Periwinkle. You picked these the last time you and Rainn went outside the city borders, along a small stream running through the shady forests surrounding the south of Amelare. <p>You can't help but to think that if you don't succeed tonight, you'll never get another opportunity to pick flowers along a stream.</p> <<elseif $hobby is "drawing">>the collection of sketches nailed to the walls. <p>Stepping towards the wall, you stand in front of your favorite of the pictures you've drawn over the years. <p>The drawing is of nothing special, of the building across the street from yours. You drew it on a particularly slow day, when you had nothing else to do but stare out your bedroom window. In the end, you were so pleased with how it turned out that you nailed it to the wall, beginning the assortment of art that now fills your home. <p>You can't help but to think that if you don't succeed tonight, you might never draw again.</p> <<else>>the books and scrolls filling up the lone shelf. <p>Stepping toward the shelf where you keept them, you pick up your favorite. <p>The book is one of romance and magic, of a moonless girl who is cursed with an old body and the human man which is her only chance for breaking the spell. You've read it more times than you remember by now, and could probably recite it by heart. <p>You can't help but to think that if you don't succeed tonight, you might have to, if you want to hear the story told again.</p> <</if>> <p>With a shake of your head and a quiet chuckle, you remind yourself that you will come back and that, as it turns out, the building‘s construction is solid enough to last through the storm and resulting flood with only minor amounts of damage; a feat not even the homes in the Alabaster District managed, and certainly not the homes of your neighbours. <p>Your house survived the storm, and you <i>will</i> survive the heist. Between you and Rainn, you can pull this heist off. You <i>have to</i>. <p>Noticing movement out of the corner of your eye, you turn to see Rainn stirring on the bed, cracking an eye open to meet your gaze. They say nothing, at first, but you can see the question forming in the quirk of their eyebrow. <p>"Almost done?" <p>"Yeah," you nod, "almost done." <p>There's no point in dragging this out any longer; it won't keep you from ending up in the city dungeons, or worse, should anything go wrong. <p><<if $hobby is "music">>Putting the $instrument back down and<<elseif $hobby is "mixed">>Putting the amulet back down and<<elseif $hobby is "books">>Putting the book back on the shelf and<<else>>Turning around,<</if>> <<if $disguise is "guard", "nothing">>tugging at your bracer, making sure that it's not hugging your forearms too tightly,<<else>>brushing down your robes and shaking out any weird folds,<</if>> you tell yourself that you're ready. <p>"I'm ready," you say, repeating the statement to Rainn. "Let's go." <p>This time when they look at you, it's through more than just one eye cracked open. And while there's a grin curving their lips, they're not moving from their spot on the bed and you can see that look of apprehension in their eyes, the same one that you saw through the mirror. <p>A small crease forms between your brows. "Are <i>you</i> ready?" <p>Pushing themself up and off the bed, angled forward to keep from hitting the ceiling, Rainn forces their grin to grow even bigger. <p>"Of course I am," they return, somehow managing to come off as over-confident despite their hunched posture and that uneasy look in their eye. "It's everyone else being ready you should worry about." <p>You can't stop the laugh that escapes you. <p>Their chuckle with you, but it quickly fades and their grin dims. "It's not too late to change your mind on this yet." <p>Shaking your head slowly, your smile disappears as well. "Yes, it is."</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'theEnd'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

Holding your gaze through the mirror, you watch the $person blink their $eyecolor eyes slowly, chest rising with long, deep breaths. You turn away. <p>Instead, you let your eyes wander across the room. Not because there is much to admire about your home, a far cry from the most beautiful building in the city or even the most well built one, but… What else does a home need but a roof, four walls and a solid foundation? You and Rainn have lived worse places than this. <p>Your eyes catch on <<if $hobby is "music">>the $instrument on your chest. <p>Stepping towards the chest, you pick it up. <p>A thin layer of dust has gathered on top. It’s been a while since you played it last. Not since Valeria made her ultimatum. <p>You can’t help but to think that if you don’t succeed tonight, you might never play on it again.</p> <<elseif $hobby is "mixed">>the various items strewn across your chest. <p>Stepping towards the chest, you pick up one such stolen item, an ornate amulet. Though it's pretty to look at, steel with a green gemstone, it is apparently worthless, or so you were told when you tried to fence it. <p>So you kept it for yourself, and it became the start of your assortment of, well, junk, if you're being honest. <p>You can't help but to think that if you don't succeed tonight, you might never see it again.</p> <<elseif $hobby is "plants">>the dried flowers hanging above your window. <p>Stepping over to the window again, you can't help but to reach up to touch the petals of the drying flowers. <p>Periwinkle. You picked these the last time you and Rainn went outside the city borders, along a small stream running through the shady forests surrounding the south of Amelare. <p>You can't help but to think that if you don't succeed tonight, you'll never get another opportunity to pick flowers along a stream.</p> <<elseif $hobby is "drawing">>the collection of sketches nailed to the walls. <p>Stepping towards the wall, you stand in front of your favorite of the pictures you've drawn over the years. <p>The drawing is of nothing special, of the building across the street from yours. You drew it on a particularly slow day, when you had nothing else to do but stare out your bedroom window. In the end, you were so pleased with how it turned out that you nailed it to the wall, beginning the assortment of art that now fills your home. <p>You can't help but to think that if you don't succeed tonight, you might never draw again.</p> <<else>>the books and scrolls filling up the lone shelf. <p>Stepping toward the shelf where you keept them, you pick up your favorite. <p>The book is one of romance and magic, of a moonless girl who is cursed with an old body and the human man which is her only chance for breaking the spell. You've read it more times than you remember by now, and could probably recite it by heart. <p>You can't help but to think that if you don't succeed tonight, you might have to, if you want to hear the story told again.</p> <</if>> <p>With a shake of your head and a quiet chuckle, you remind yourself that you will come back and that, as it turns out, the building‘s construction is solid enough to last through the storm and resulting flood with only minor amounts of damage; a feat not even the homes in the Alabaster District managed, and certainly not the homes of your neighbours. <p>Your house survived the storm, and you <i>will</i> survive the heist. Between you and Rainn, you can pull this heist off. You <i>have to</i>. <p>There's no point in dragging this out any longer; it won't keep you from ending up in the city dungeons, or worse, should anything go wrong. <p><<if $hobby is "music">>Putting the $instrument back down and<<elseif $hobby is "mixed">>Putting the amulet back down and<<elseif $hobby is "books">>Putting the book back on the shelf and<<else>>Turning around,<</if>> <<if $disguise is "guard", "nothing">>tugging at your bracer, making sure that it's not hugging your forearms too tightly,<<else>>brushing down your robes and shaking out any weird folds,<</if>> you tell yourself that you're ready. <p>You've barely opened the door to join Rainn where they're waiting outside before they're groaning out a <i>'finally'</i>, pushing themself off the wall. <p>"I was starting to wonder if you jumped out the window, <<if $nickname is "yes">>$rainn_nickname."<<else>>.<</if>> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>"Never. How would I ever get by without you?"</p></div>' 'prologue35 rainn_leave charming'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>"Perhaps I should have. It would have saved me having to listen to your jokes all the time."</p></div>' 'prologue35 rainn_leave imposing'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>"Sorry. If only the disguise that you got for me had not consisted of a million pieces."</p></div>' 'prologue35 rainn_leave sarcastic'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>"Sorry. I guess I got a little wistful."</p></div>' 'prologue35 rainn_leave genuine'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>"I was going to, but I could not fit through the window."</p></div>' 'prologue35 rainn_leave playful'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>You say nothing, simply rolling your eyes at them.</p></div>' 'prologue35 rainn_leave stoic'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue35 rainn_leave charming]] [[cont.|prologue35 rainn_leave imposing]] [[cont.|prologue35 rainn_leave sarcastic]] [[cont.|prologue35 rainn_leave genuine]] [[cont.|prologue35 rainn_leave playful]] [[cont.|prologue35 rainn_leave stoic]]*/

"I could never leave you behind," you say, a slightly crooked smile across your lips as you nudge them with your elbow. "You know that. I mean, how would I ever get by without you?" <p>"That's true," they return with a teasing lilt to their voice, one eyebrow raised as they glance at you. "You would do terrible without me.” <p>Your smile widens, and you shake your head at their teasing but say nothing in return. <p>“So…" Rainn drawls after a short silence, their usual smirk dimming for a moment before it widens even further than before. "Are you ready?" For a brief moment, you had caught that same look of apprehension in their eyes that you had seen in the mirror moments ago. "It’s not too late to change your mind yet.” <p>Unlike theirs, once your smile disappears from your face, it's gone. You turn, glancing away from them and out across the view of the city. Breathing out a slow breath through your nose, you say, “Yes, it is.”</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'theEnd'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

"Perhaps I should have," you grunt, crossing your arms over your chest, as you stare down your nose at them, "would've saved me having to listen to your jokes all the time." <p>"Maybe," Rainn returns, their usual grin once again stretching out across their lips, one of their eyebrows cocked, "but I know you would miss me if you did." <p>A scoff escapes you, and you shake your head in disagreement with their words, but you also cannot help the smile that tugs at the corner of your mouth. "Keep telling yourself that." <p>They only give you a wink in return. <p>"So," they say, after a short silence. Their smirk disappears for a moment before they seem to catch themself and it returns, brighter and even more prominent than before. "Are you ready?" For a brief moment, you had noticed that same look of apprehension in their eyes that you had seen in the mirror moments ago. "It's not too late to change your mind yet." <p>Slowly shaking your head, you turn your gaze from them and out across the city's rooftops instead. You catch a brief glimpse of the Temple of Nine in the far distance. "Yes, it is."</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'theEnd'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

"I'm <i>sorry</i>," you drawl, giving them a blank stare, "if only the disguise that you got for me hadn't consisted of a million pieces. Next time I'll make sure to do it twice as fast." <p>Rainn returns your blank stare with a grin, head cocked to the side. "Good. That's all I ask for." <p>Though you groan in displeasure and roll your eyes, you also can't stop the smile that tugs at the corners of your mouth. "Ass." <p>"Right back at you,<<if $nickname is "yes">> $rainn_nickname,"<<else>>"<</if>> they chuckle, a soft rumble at the back of their throat. <p>Their grin dimms, for just long enough for you to notice, before it widens and brightens even further. "Are you ready?" Rainn asks, raising an eyebrow in question. For a brief moment, you had caught that same look of apprehension in their eyes that you had seen in the mirror moments ago. "It's not too late to change your mind yet." <p>Unlike theirs, once your smile disappears from your face, it stays gone. You turn away from Rainn, staring out across the distance, across the rooftops of the city. "Yes, it is."</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'theEnd'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

"Sorry," you murmur, offering them an apologetic smile as you glance over at them, "I guess I got a little wistful… and distracted." <p>Rainn's stance grows slack, and they step out in front of you, one of their hands coming to rest at your elbow. "You alright?" they ask you, their tone far softer than it had been a moment ago, their usual smirk disappearing. <p>Nodding slowly, you let your smile widen so as not to worry them. "Yeah, it's nothing. I'll be fine, Rainn. I <i>am</i> fine." <p>"Yeah?" Their mismatched eyes seem to narrow for a moment. You see that same look of apprehension in their eyes that you had seen in the mirror moments ago. "It's not too late to change your mind." <p>With a slight tilt of your head, you place your hand over the one they keep on your arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Yes, it is."</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'theEnd'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

"I was going to," you say, flashing them a bright smile for a moment before dramatically letting your head fall, a heavy breath escaping you, "but I couldn't fit through the window." <p>Rainn snorts and desperately tries to cover their laughter with a cough. You, on the other hand, feel a grin curving your lips until your cheeks practically hurt from the strain. <p>"Thanks for that image," they say, straining to sound serious, but even from just the corner of your eye, you can see their lips quivering as they still try not to laugh. "Maybe I should rethink letting you come along on the heist." <p>"Excuse you, '<i>let me come along</i>'?" <p>Rainn doesn't try to hold their chuckle back as you slap their shoulder this time. <p>"So…" they drawl after a short silence, their usual smirk dimming for a moment and then widening even further than before. For a brief moment, you had caught that same look of apprehension in Rainn's eyes that you had seen in the mirror moments ago. "Are you ready? It's not too late to change your mind yet." <p>Letting out a small breath through your nose, you turn your gaze away from them, your own smile dimming just as theirs had. Shaking your head slowly, you murmur, "Yes, it is."</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'theEnd'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

You respond non-verbally, simply rolling your eyes at their teasing, and you can hear them chuckle at your side. <p>"I know you love me," Rainn drawls with a teasing lilt to their voice, one eyebrow raised as they turn their head to face you. <p>Still saying nothing in return, you nudge their side with your elbow. They bump you right back. <p>"So…" Rainn continues after a short silence, their usual smirk dimming for but a moment before it widens even further than before. For a brief moment, you had caught that same look of apprehension in their eyes that you had seen in the mirror moments ago. "Are you ready? It's not too late to change your mind yet." <p>You turn away from them, glancing out across the view of the city from your front door. "Yes, it is."</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'theEnd'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

The Temple of Nine, centered in the Alabaster District, is restricted to the general public during the day. Not all areas are open to the public, and the ones that are, are crowded with worshippers nearly from dawn to dusk. <p>While a crowd would be ideal for blending in with and getting lost in, it also meant more guards on higher alert. It means unnecessary obstacles and people blocking your path if this heist goes south. Which meant that you were doing this under cover of the night. <p>However, nighttime presented a different set of complications. <p>Not everyone was welcome around the temple after nightfall, which meant that you would have to wear a disguise or hope you're stealthy enough to pass by unnoticed in the wealthiest district of the city. <p>Rainn has decided that they'd rather wear their simple armor and stick to the shadows than dress up in disguise. <i>"I will never be able to blend in with the rich and noble,"</i> they had told you with a laugh. <p>As for you, Rainn had helped you prepare a couple of different disguises for the night. You decide to go as...</p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...someone wealthy enough to walk the streets of the Alabaster District.</p></div>' 'prologue23 wealthy'>><<set $disguise to "wealthy">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...a city guard.</p></div>' 'prologue23 guard'>><<set $disguise to "guard">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...an acolyte of the Temple of Nine.</p></div>' 'prologue23 acolyte'>><<set $disguise to "acolyte">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...nothing. You’d rather wear your shitty leather armor than no armor at all.</p></div>' 'prologue23 nothing'>><<set $disguise to "nothing">><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue23 wealthy]] [[cont.|prologue23 guard]] [[cont.|prologue23 acolyte]] [[cont.|prologue23 nothing]]*/

I want to be addressed as a [<i> man / woman / person </i>]. <p><<textbox "$person" "">> <p>Please type in your pronouns for [<i> he / she / they </i>]. <p><<textbox "$they" "">> <p>Please type in your pronouns for [<i> him / her / them </i>]. <p><<textbox "$them" "">> <p>Please type in your pronouns for [<i> his / her / their </i>]. <p><<textbox "$their" "">> <p>Please type in your pronouns for [<i> his / hers / theirs </i>]. <p><<textbox "$theirs" "">> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Pluralise verbs. Check your pronouns.</p></div>' 'CheckPronouns'>><<set $plural to true>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Don’t pluralise verbs. Check your pronouns.</p></div>' 'CheckPronouns'>><<set $plural to false>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[Check your pronouns.|CheckPronouns]]*/

You identify as $mcgender and want to be addressed as a $person. Your pronouns are $they/$them/$their. <<if $plural is true>>You want verbs to be pluralised.<<else>>You want verbs in singular.<</if>> Is that correct? <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>Yes, this is correct.</p></div>' 'prologue26'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>No, I want to redo the pronouns.</p></div>' 'prologue25'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>No, I want to redo both pronouns and gender.</p></div>' 'prologue24'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[Yes, this is correct.|prologue26]] [[No, I'd like to redo that.|prologue25]] [[No, I'd like to redo pronouns and gender|prologue24]]*/

I identify as [<i> male / female / nonbinary / etc. </i>]. <p><<textbox "$mcgender" "">></p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue25'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue25]]*/

My hair is [<i> blue / black / light pink / pastel green </i>]. <p><<textbox "$primary_hair" "">></p> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue30'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> /*[[cont.|prologue30]]*/

<<include "codex-style" "div">> <<if $gamechapter is "prologue">><p>This chapter contains harsh language, violence and blood.</p><</if>>

You run a hand <<cycle "$hairlength">> <<option "through your waist-long" "waist-length">> <<option "through your mid-length" "mid-length">> <<option "through your shoulder-length" "shoulder-length">> <<option "through your chin-length" "chin-length">> <<option "over your short" "short">> <<option "over your shaved" "shaved">> <</cycle>> and <<cycle "$hairtexture">> <<option "wavy" "wavy">> <<option "curly" "curly">> <<option "straight" "straight">> <<option "afro-textured" "afro">> <</cycle>> hair. It's the last thing you need to deal with before you can leave - before you <i>have to</i> leave. <p>Your hair…</p> /*[[cont.|prologue29 one-color]] [[cont.|prologue29 two-color1]]*/ <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...is just the one color...</p></div>' 'prologue29 one-color'>><<set $haircolor to "monotone">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...shifts in a gradient...</p></div>' 'prologue29 two-color1'>><<set $haircolor to "gradient">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...is streaked...</p></div>' 'prologue29 two-color1'>><<set $haircolor to "streaked">><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>...half and half colored...</p></div>' 'prologue29 two-color1'>><<set $haircolor to "half-half">><</link>> </div><</nobr>>

The $eyecolor eyes look tired, peering at you like $they can't believe that you are really going to go through with this insane plan of yours. That you're really expecting to get away with breaking into the holiest place in Spala and steal one of their relics. <p>You suppose that it's you who cannot believe it. <p>Shaking your head, you straighten yourself<<if $height is "very tall">> as much as you can.<<else>>.<</if>> Maybe if you see yourself looking confident, it will be easier to believe that you could pull this off. <p>It isn't. <p>Tearing your gaze away from your reflection, you focus on getting dressed. <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<if $prologue_rainnstay is "yes">> <<if $disguise is "acolyte">><<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue27 rainn_stay acolyte'>><</link>> <<elseif $disguise is "guard">><<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue27 rainn_stay guard'>><</link>> <<elseif $disguise is "wealthy">><<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue27 rainn_stay wealthy'>><</link>> <<elseif $disguise is "nothing">><<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue27 rainn_stay nothing'>><</link>><</if>> <<elseif $prologue_rainnstay is "no">> <<if $disguise is "acolyte">><<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue27 rainn_leave acolyte'>><</link>> <<elseif $disguise is "guard">><<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue27 rainn_leave guard'>><</link>> <<elseif $disguise is "wealthy">><<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue27 rainn_leave wealthy'>><</link>> <<elseif $disguise is "nothing">><<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue27 rainn_leave nothing'>><</link>><</if>> <</if>> </div><</nobr>> /*if $rainnstay to yes [[cont.|prologue27 rainn_stay acolyte]] [[cont.|prologue27 rainn_stay guard]] [[cont.|prologue27 rainn_stay wealthy]] [[cont.|prologue27 rainn_stay nothing]] if $rainnstay to yes [[cont.|prologue27 rainn_leave acolyte]] [[cont.|prologue27 rainn_leave guard]] [[cont.|prologue27 rainn_leave wealthy]] [[cont.|prologue27 rainn_leave nothing]]*/

<center><h1>profile</h1></center> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>profile</p></div>' 'profile'>><</link>><</nobr>> <center><h1>characters & factions</h1></center> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>major characters</p></div>' 'main characters-codex'>><</link>> <<if $sidecharcodex is true>><<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>minor characters</p></div>' 'side characters-codex'>><</link>><<else>><</if>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>factions & groups</p></div>' 'factions-codex'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> <center><h1>moonless</h1></center> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>anatomy & appearance</p></div>' 'moonapp-codex'>><</link>> /*<<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>abilities</p></div>' 'moonability-codex'>><</link>>*/ <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>history</p></div>' 'moonhis-codex'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>culture</p></div>' 'mooncult-codex'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> <center><h1>the world</h1></center> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>myos</p></div>' 'myos-codex'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>religion</p></div>' 'religion-codex'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>magic</p></div>' 'magic-codex'>><</link>> </div><</nobr>> <center><h1>other</h1></center> <<nobr>><div class="choices"> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>content warnings</p></div>' 'content warnings popup'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>return to game</p></div>' $return>><</link>> </div> <</nobr>> /* <<notify 3s>><b>Achievement unlocked!</b><br><i>Character creation done</i><</notify>> <<link '<div class="choice-item"><p>continue.</p></div>' 'prologue2'>><</link>> */

<<include "codex-style" "div">> <p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam sed ligula nec est eleifend pharetra in at ex. Aenean blandit lacus sit amet arcu lacinia malesuada. Integer vulputate blandit urna quis malesuada. In ornare varius dolor a tincidunt. Duis quis ligula auctor, congue odio ac, convallis purus. Fusce id semper tellus. Sed imperdiet non tellus vel euismod. Nullam fringilla luctus ex ut sollicitudin. Donec sagittis mi imperdiet tellus facilisis auctor. Nam vitae nisi molestie, condimentum sem sit amet, rhoncus mauris. Nulla egestas ac ante a molestie. <p>Phasellus in feugiat ante. Vivamus eget pellentesque justo. Maecenas ac odio eu ex cursus vulputate. Nulla quis risus quis magna placerat dictum in eu quam. Donec posuere lectus at libero rutrum dapibus. Nulla eu est et nunc vulputate mattis ut vel lectus. Praesent nec elementum dui, id convallis tellus. Phasellus in pharetra massa. Sed erat mi, euismod vitae varius eu, tristique sed purus. Nunc gravida dapibus dui, eget volutpat justo tristique dignissim. Suspendisse vestibulum diam ac mi finibus sagittis at sit amet lectus. Donec congue mi eu leo interdum maximus nec id arcu. Vestibulum ex arcu, hendrerit sed libero sit amet, finibus vulputate augue. <p>Mauris id mauris a lacus hendrerit faucibus. Pellentesque pulvinar eleifend augue, eget suscipit est dapibus venenatis. Aliquam gravida purus sed purus fermentum lacinia. Cras ut nisi a augue tempor iaculis. Fusce magna diam, eleifend ac massa vel, interdum faucibus massa. Quisque semper in urna vel condimentum. Integer lobortis nunc at hendrerit gravida. Fusce elementum condimentum ligula. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. <p>Curabitur sollicitudin sem nec mi pretium lacinia. Quisque odio nulla, gravida id porttitor sit amet, suscipit id nunc. Nam sit amet dapibus nisl. Mauris ut mattis erat. Sed vehicula bibendum tellus. Sed varius turpis ut lorem sollicitudin porta quis ut arcu. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Suspendisse quam justo, egestas elementum nisl nec, fermentum aliquam lacus. <p>Nulla bibendum, elit vel rutrum eleifend, felis neque ornare magna, vel sodales leo magna sit amet est. Nullam sed euismod eros. Vestibulum posuere metus sed nisi molestie, ac fermentum justo hendrerit. Integer vitae mattis est. Ut facilisis lorem in nunc tincidunt cursus. Integer a pretium mauris. Aliquam dapibus nibh turpis.</p>

<<include "codex-style" "div">> <p><blockquote><h1>THE MOONLESS SPECIES</h1></blockquote> <p>[img[/Users/spacedfoxes/Documents/Documents - Amanda’s MacBook Air/The Moonless/Game Art/00_start_screen.png]]At first glance, Moonless seem to be as alien as they can possibly be, with their distinct non-human colouring and giant builds, but the differences in appearance are, in large part, only skin deep. If need be, a Moonless could hide their skin and hair under clothes or with a glamour. Their large sizes are far more challenging to conceal, as most rise more than a foot above a human crowd, but a creative Moonless who is particularly intent on disguising their true nature might be able to mask even their heights. <p>Discounting colouring and size, Moonless are humanoid beings of human heritage and thus largely resemble humans regarding the number of limbs, skeletal structure, internal organs, and overall anatomy - if enlarged compared to a human. In fact, most aspects closely resemble human physiology, and they even inherit a certain likeness to their parents, no matter the parents' genetic heritage. <p>Characteristics such as facial features, body build, hair thickness and texture, etcetera, are passed down through genetics, whether the parents are Moonless, human, or a combination of both. However, the colours and markings of a Moonless have a far less logical explanation; the colour of their skin and hair, for example, is seemingly inherited from the colours of the skies at the time they are born.</p> <hr> <p><blockquote><h2><<link "ANATOMY">> <<toggleclass "#readmore1" "hide">> <</link>></h2></blockquote> <span id="readmore1" class="hide"> <p>Anatomically, Moonless share a striking similarity to humans with only a few known differences.</p> <p>Though larger in build, Moonless has much the same internal organs as humans and similar skeletal and muscular structures. The main differences lie in the higher bone density, the slower metabolic rate, and in their eyes - both aesthetically and functionally.</p> <blockquote><h3>BONE DENSITY.</h3></blockquote> <p>Moonless tend to have a slightly higher bone density than humans, a natural result of high bone mineral content. </p> <p>The higher bone density of the Moonless skeleton likely evolved to be able to support their larger size. It also means that Moonless have naturally stronger bones, less prone to breaking, for example, making them capable of jumping - or falling - from greater heights than a human would without risking a fracture.</p> <blockquote><h3>SLOW METABOLISM.</h3></blockquote> <p>The theories concerning a Moonless' slower metabolism are divided into two ideas.</p> <p>The first hypothesis proposes that they have a slower basal metabolic rate due to their size, much like other larger species, as it means they radiate and lose less energy than humans daily.</p> <p>This varies with activity level, leading more active individuals to have a higher metabolism than average.</p> <p>The second theory suggests that the slower metabolism is due to the lack of magic in Moonless; they expend far less energy than humans and thus need less rest and sustenance to replenish their energy again.</p> <p>Both theories likely contain a modicum of truth.</p> <blockquote><h3>EYES.</h3></blockquote> <p>The perhaps biggest mystery of moonless anatomy is the inner workings of their eyes.</p> <p>Without any pupils, the moonless eye should be unable to see, as the function of the pupil is to regulate the amount of light entering the eye. In a human eye, the iris expands the pupil to allow more light or retracts to limit the amount of light into the eye, creating an image in the retina. If there is no pupil for the light to enter through, no image should be formed on the retina, meaning every Moonless should be blind.</p> <p>Instead, not only can they see, but they have better sight than humans, particularly in the dark.</p> <p>A distinct characteristic related to their night vision is that Moonless have the same reflective structure as many nocturnal animals, such as cats, which makes the eyes glow in the dark.</p> <blockquote><h3>PUBERTY & REPRODUCTION.</h3></blockquote> <p>Though reproduction works much the same for Moonless as it does for humans, some aspects vary from their parent species, humans.</p> <p>Generally, Moonless are a little "late" compared to humans, reaching and going through puberty around ages 14-17 and reaching full maturity usually after the age of 20.</p> <p>What is unusual is how a Moonless child is born. They can have two human parents, two Moonless parents, or a combination of both, but the child is only one or the other, Moonless or human. The only sure way of knowing if a child will be Moonless is if both parents are Moonless; in any other case, it seems left up to the Divine if a child is born human or Moonless.</p> <p>Why two human parents, without even a drop of Moonless blood in their veins, can have a Moonless child is unknown, though plenty of theories exist. The most well-known, though with little evidence to support it, is perhaps the story of the Goddess Prima cursing humanity with magicless children.</p> <p>Other hypotheses similarly theorise that there must be some arcane phenomena, a shift in the magical energies either in the parent during the pregnancy or at the time of the child's birth, that caused the lack of magical abilities in them as well as the difference in appearance and anatomy.</p> <p style="text-align:right;"><<link "x CLOSE">> <<toggleclass "#readmore1" "hide">> <</link>></p></span> <hr> <blockquote><h2><<link "PHYSICAL TRAITS">> <<toggleclass "#readmore2" "hide">> <</link>></h2></blockquote> <span id="readmore2" class="hide"> <p>An overwhelming majority of Moonless are far larger than most humans in height and general size. Their height usually varies between 7'-8'4 (213-254cm), though a few outliers are even taller or shorter, with the average height of a Moonless person being around 7'4 (224cm).</p> <p>Genetics might come into play for heights - while a Moonless person will never be considered short by human standards, short parents, especially human parents, could parent a Moonless child regarded as short by the Moonless norm.</p> <p>When it comes to body types among the Moonless, it is as varied and diverse as it is among humans. Factors such as social standing and economy matter, with the unequal access to wealth and resources playing their part in the general health and a Moonless person's build. However, their low metabolic rate means they are generally more solidly built, with even the leanest of Moonless having a healthy layer of body fat.</p> <p>Due to this, as well as other factors, like high bone density and low metabolism, Moonless tend to be very heavy. The average Moonless of average height (7'4", or 224cm) would weigh around 320lbs (145kg).</p> <p>Another vast difference between humans and Moonless is the difference in lifespans. The average lifespan for a Moonless has generally been relatively low due to their historically more physically taxing and sometimes even dangerous professions, 59 years compared to the human average of 73 years, though recently there has been a steady rise.</p> <p>And while the average lifespan has been relatively low, there has been significant evidence that Moonless generally far outlive humans when they live to die of natural causes. The oldest known Moonless died at the age of 154, while the oldest human lived to be 110 years.</p> <p>Lastly, these traits do not seem to have a noticeable difference between genders.</p> <blockquote><h3>BODY TINT, COLOURING & MARKINGS.</h3></blockquote> <p>The perhaps most noticeable difference in appearance between humans and Moonless is the colouration of skin, hair and eyes. Why Moonless are born with such unique body tint and colouring is currently unknown. However, plenty of theories attempt to explain the connection between individual Moonless and the sky - or heavenly phenomena, such as lightning or aurora borealis - at the time of birth.</p> <p>In general, a Moonless' skin takes on the same hues as the sky itself during the moment of their birth. To which extent, however, varies. Some Moonless seem to shift entirely in colour, like a sunset, their whole body changing from one colour to another. Others may only show a slight change in body tint, their hands or even just their fingertips taking on a different hue. Then there are some individuals who show no difference in skin colouration, despite being born under a multi-coloured sky.</p> <p>Markings or skin patterns are common as well among Moonless. Most typical are cloud-like streaks or spots, reminiscent of vitiligo in humans. Another distinct marking is the freckle-like marks of being born under a starry night sky. Less standard is the thin lines of being born during a lightning strike or the luminous green or pink gradients of aurora borealis, which are more commonly seen in the colouring of Moonless hair.</p> <p>When it comes to their hair, there are some Moonless whose hair is identical to their skin in colour. Others seem to take the hue of nearly any occurring natural phenomena at the time of their birth; lightning, volcanic eruptions, or even passing comets.</p> <p>Like their skin, Moonless hair can naturally take on more than one colour. Generally, this means they have one or two-toned hair, but occasionally a Moonless can have hair in all the colours of a rainbow - literally.</p> <p>Multi-toned hair can take on a plethora of different appearances for a Moonless, as well. A streak like a bolt of lightning, the soft gradient of a sunset. Half and half like a sky cut in two by an approaching storm, or perhaps even shifting between all the colours of a rainbow.</p> <p>The least colourful aspect of a Moonless' appearance is their eyes, as they mimic the moon at the time they were born - or, more commonly, are entirely black in colour to reflect the absence of a moon during their birth.</p> <p>Though almost colourless compared to the skin or hair, the eyes of Moonless no less set them apart from humans. While they have the same white sclera as humans and a similar enough iris, Moonless eyes are void of pupils.</p> <p>Heterochromia also seems more common among the Moonless population, both sectoral (partial) and complete heterochromia. It is theorised that, much like the rest of Moonless appearance, heterochromia in the individual is based on the skies and celestial bodies, the eyes specifically reflecting the different phases of the moon. Of course, these are simply theories, as individuals born under the full moon have been known to have either complete heterochromia - one eye black, one eye a reflection of the moon - or both eyes mirroring the full moon.</p> <p style="text-align:right;"><<link "x CLOSE">> <<toggleclass "#readmore2" "hide">> <</link>></p> </span>

<<include "codex-style" "div">> <p>Though Spala is a multi-cultural hub which contains a myriad of different religions, most Spalans would profess to follow the Pantheon of Nine. The Pantheon has many temples throughout the country, most devoted to a specific deity of the Nine, with a few temples devoted to the whole of the Pantheon, with the center of the worship and the largest temple situated in Amelare. <p>There are many minor religions within Spala’s borders, most of which has been imported from surrounding nations. Most notably might be the King of Spala, who follows the religious traditions and teachings of his homeland in the south. </p>

<<include "codex-style" "div">>

<<include "codex-style" "div">> <ul> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally Spalan name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#spalan" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="spalan" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Cremisius' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Cremisius">><</link>><br> <<link 'Apollyon' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Apollyon">><</link>><br> <<link 'Theano' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Theano">><</link>><br> <<link 'Menodora' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Menodora">><</link>><br> <<link 'Xanthe' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Xanthe">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally al-Makani name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#makani" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="makani" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Altair' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Altair">><</link>><br> <<link 'Husna' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Husna">><</link>><br> <<link 'Kamil' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Kamil">><</link>><br> <<link 'Nasim' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Nasim">><</link>><br> <<link 'Samia' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Samia">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...a traditionally moonless name.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#moonless" "hide">> <</link>></li> <span id="moonless" class="hide"> <blockquote><<link 'Ash' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Ash">><</link>><br> <<link 'River' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "River">><</link>><br> <<link 'Lark' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Lark">><</link>><br> <<link 'Clay' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Clay">><</link>><br> <<link 'Asher' 'prologue14'>><<set $mcname to "Asher">><</link>><br> </blockquote></span> <li><<link "<i>...not any of these.</i>">> <<toggleclass "#none" "hide">> <</link>></li></ul>

<<include "codex-style" "div">>

<div class="navbar"> <<if $profilecodex is true>><<link 'profile' 'profile'>><</link>><<else>><</if>> <div class="dropdown"> <button class="dropbtn">characters & factions <i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i> </button> <div class="dropdown-content"> <<link 'major characters' 'main characters-codex'>><</link>> <<if $sidecharcodex is true>><<link 'minor characters' 'side characters-codex'>><</link>><<else>><</if>> <<link 'factions' 'factions-codex'>><</link>> </div> </div> <div class="dropdown"> <button class="dropbtn">moonless <i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i> </button> <div class="dropdown-content"> <<link 'appearance & appearance' 'moonapp-codex'>><</link>> /*<<link 'abilities' 'moonability-codex'>><</link>>*/ <<link 'history' 'moonhis-codex'>><</link>> <<link 'culture' 'mooncult-codex'>><</link>> </div> </div> <div class="dropdown"> <button class="dropbtn">the world <i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i> </button> <div class="dropdown-content"> <<link 'myos' 'myos-codex'>><</link>> <<link 'religion' 'religion-codex'>><</link>> <<link 'magic' 'magic-codex'>><</link>> </div> </div> <<link 'content warnings' 'content warnings popup'>><</link>> <<link 'return to game' $return>><</link>> </div>

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