Game

You stand in a dark room. There is a shadow before you wearing a black mask and a serious frown. You know him well...

You have been called upon to be the Judge's eyes and ears tonight.

The Lord of the estate is holding a masquerade for the noble elite. It is a pit of vipers in there, all of them scheming to use the evening to advance their own position.

Your job will be to nudge events as you see fit, but discretly, just, let us not repeat the events from the last party, the blood was a pain to remove from the rugs.

Also, take this, you will need it in there.

You received a Mask

Wear the mask as your armour tonight, in there it will be your only protection. Good luck.

The doors open into the great hall.

For the next couple of hours, the party is in disarray.

Whispers and murmurs are like the humming of an angry beehive, mixed with the pitch cries of those pretending to be distraught.

The Host's son is locked away to be trialed in the morning, and it is much later when you finally manage to corner the Lady for questions, the Professor joining in as well.

It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady. How are you?

A pleasure, Lady. I'm afraid I don't have much time to speak. I haven't greeted the host yet, you see.

That does indeed sound intriquing. Where did you come across such interresting news, Lady?

That is indeed interesing, if true. Do you have any proof of such a bold accusation?

Greetings M'lord, lovely evening isn't it?

I believe you may have turned you mask upside down, M'lord. Such a scowl is more fit for the theater, than a party such as this.

You give yourself too little credit, M'lord. I simply wish to enjoy your company.

I saw you standing isolated. It made me curious.

Indeed it is, Professor. I take it you are enjoying yourself?

A lovely evening indeed, Professor. Perfect for a bit of gossip, wouldn't you agree?

I'm afraid my patience for courtly games are limited.

I was wondering whether you had heard the rumor Lady seems so intend on spreading, about the Host's son?

You don't believe her?

The Host's son seems to be rather reluctant to enjoy the evening. I wonder what made him so withdrawn?

Indeed it is...

I need to speak with you, is there somewhere we can talk in private?

This! This is the worst champagne I have ever tasted! Who chose this?! I demand to speak with the chef!

No need for that! I'll go down and meet him myself. You, girl, lead the way.

I need to talk with you.

I hear you and the young lord has gotten well acquaintanced.

I apologize for dragging you out of there like that. However, I simply wanted to inform you that you look absolutely dazzling tonight.

I apologize for dragging you out of there like that. However, I wished to speak with you in private.

There are some rather distasteful rumors surrounding you. I wished to see if you were coping alright?

They would probably disagree.

This is indeed interesting news. Thank you for sharing them with me, Lady.

I suppose it is. Was there something you needed? Surely there's much more pleasant company tonight, than my own?

No, believe me, a scowl is the only proper way to greet an evening like this. I tire of this endless masquerade. Would it be too much to ask for a single person to actually speak with honesty? Why are you even here? Surely there's much more pleasant company tonight, than my own?

So you say... I'm sorry, but I don't think I will be able to live up to your expectations. I'm leaving before I insult anyone else... I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening, young Scion.

I'm sorry, that was rude, and, well... Who can really blame you? You're just playing the game like everyone else, but I've had enough, I'm leaving. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening, young Scion.

Ah, young Scion! Such a long time, what a pleasant surprise.

Oh, I am most wonderful, dearly, thank you for asking!

I've got the most exciting gossip to discuss with you. So much has happened since we last saw each other!

Oh, I'm sure the Lord of the house won't mind me stealing you away for a moment. You see, I have the most interesting news, I have to share with you!

They say our Host's son has fallen in disgrace with a servant, a maid in the manor, no less.

A true player of the Game doesn't show their hand so obviously, dear. Do with this information as you see fit, yes?

Proof? What is this, a criminal investigation? Gossip is called gossip for a reason, my dear. Do with this information as you like.

But I must be off. I have other matters to attend to as well. People to greet, agreements to be made. Don't get into too much trouble now, young Scion.

Any time, dear. Do with this information as you see fit, yes?

Hello, young Scion, splendid that you join us this fine evening!

I do. It's always such fun to attend events, such as these. So much youthful drama brings life back to these old bones.

That was a rather bold suggestion.

Hmm, a pity, I so do love games, but very well, I'll humor you. What is it you wish to discuss?

Hmm, yes, that woman has always held a fondness for such tales. Whether she speaks the truth or not is anyone's guess ,however.

Hah! Believing is so much easier than proving, and proof is so very different from truth. Excuse the poetry. But what you ask me, is if I believe a young man could fall for a beautiful young woman, and engage in an affair? Well, it's hardly a question, is it?

Now, the real question would be whether the young woman would return such feelings? And what would she gain? Yes, that are interesting questions, are they not?

Well, if we are to believe the tales the Lady seems fond of spreading tonight, he suffers from great heartache, due to his father having forbidden him from seeing a young woman close to his heart.

Now, the real question would be whether the young woman would return such feelings? And what would she gain? Yes, that are interesting questions, are they not?

I'm sorry, Scion, I- I'll go and get the chef right away.

Please, not so loud! Come on, we can talk outside...

Okay, here we may speak more freely, what is it you wish of me, Scion?

Nothing but mean spirited rumors, Scion. And if I may be blunt, who I may or may not have gotten acquaintanced with is hardly your buisness, is it?

Thank you, Scion. However, I'm afraid I am already spoken for, so if that was all?

You wished to speak with me? But Scion, whatever for?

Oh.

Their whispers doesn't bother me. To whom I choose to share my affection is none of their business.

Perhaps, but what they think and what they can influence is thankfully very different things, wouldn't you agree?

The party continues way into the night, with nothing too dramatic happening, except for one of the barons sneaking off with his brother's wife, and that time someone locked a chicken into the restroom...

You have just started to think this might prove to be a peaceful night for once, when the Lady comes charging into the ballroom, redfaced and out of breath.

The Host! The Host has been murdered by his own son!

This is horrifying! For such a tragedy to befall the manor this night! The SCANDAL!

So you say, yet we both know there's nothing like a murder to liven up the party.....

PROFESSOR!

Sorry, sorry, of cause I am horrified by the news. The old Host was a good man, if not a little old-fashioned. Tell me, Lady, how did you come across the poor man's grim fate?

That is... I shudder to even think of it! I went to his private office to check on him. He had been so distraught by the bird incident, but by the time I got there... it was already too late!

And the boy? How did he get involved in this sad affair?

He was found, trying to escape the scene of the crime with the murder weapon still on him. As soon as he was caught he confessed everything. All of this pain for a simple servant girl.

Where is that girl now, anyway?

She probably ran off. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I had been the cause of such tragedy.

You excuse yourself from the conversation and leave the ballroom.

The servants' quarters are in a different part of the building and it is eerie quiet at the moment, with everybody in the manor, swarming around the crime scene.

You find the Maid's room and enters, finding it empty, safe for a single note on the table.

To whoever finds this, I am sorry. It was never meant to end this way, our love was meant to set us free, but now I no longer recognize the man whom I gave my heart. I cannot go on like this. I'm sorry.

You storm towards the room in which the Son is being held.

There are several servants standing guard before the door, and while you approach you overhear them speaking.

So much trouble for one woman. Seems a bit much.

I don't get it either. I didn't think the Son was her type, you know?

Wait, what are you saying?

I'm saying, the Maid does have a lover among the nobles, but it's not a man.

Really?! Who is it?

Well, as rumor has it... It's the Lady herself.

You want to approach, to ask more questions, but the Professor comes charging into the hall just then, face set in a grim frown.

That's enough talking from you. Don't you have work to do?

The guards quickly straighten, all prim and proper before the old man turns to you.

The servants are all huddled together in the kitchen, whispering and tittering about the death of their employer.

When you ask, none of them has noticed that the Maid has disappeared, and they are too occupied with the murder to care of one girl missing.

However, as you are about to leave, one of the young women steps up to you.

You know, she's probably off meeting that lover of hers.

She couldn't, even if she wanted to. The Son has been locked away.

The Son? Oh, no, she wouldn't fall for that guy. He's not her type, so to speak..

What do you mean?

Well, I'm just saying she does have a noble lover. But the lover is not a man, in fact, she is the Lady herself.

The servant winks and returns to her duties. You return to the hall where the Professor is waiting, a grim expression on his face.

You go and look for the Maid. The kitchen is filled with gossiping servants, too busy discussing the death of the Host to notice someone missing, and the halls and corridors of the manor are eerie empty.

You stumble upon a closet, from which a strange sound is coming. Deciding to investigate, you open the closet and find one of the nobles with a servant.

Well, this is! Don't you know how to knock?!

I wasn't aware you had to knock on broom closets.

In this hallway you do, everyone knows that! It is after all quite common to retreat to a more private place, as the evening proceeds. At one party they were even making resevations!

So, the Maid and the Son would do the same?

What, the Maid? No way, the Son's not her type.

What do you mean by that?

I'm just saying that sure she's got a lover, but it's not the Son. It's the Lady...

You leave the couple alone and return back to the hall where you meet the Professor. The elder man looks at you grimly from under his mask.

There you are. It was good I found you, young Scion, I'm afraid I have more bad news to share.

It would seem our lovestruck maid has taken poison to end her own life.

That's a tragedy. That poor woman.

Indeed, but the young woman knew the risk, she was a player of this game as well, and quite frankly a brilliant one.

Another life to be added to the Son's conscience.

So it would seem.

I wouldn't quite write off the young lady's part in this, though.

She was a player of this game as well, and quite frankly a brilliant one.

A most unfortunate event, I agree.

Yes, the young woman was quite talented.

I don't know if you ever realized, but she was a player of the game as well, a quite brilliant one, in fact.

As it is now, you should go speak with the young man before you draw any conclusions.

He is in the most awkward position at the moment. He has nothing to lose. People rarely make the right decisions when they have nothing to lose.

The Professor motions for you to go on. You enter the Son's chamber.

The manor does not have an actual room with a cell, so instead the Son has been locked inside an office.

He is sitting by the desk, head in his hands. When you close the door he looks up, eyes narrowing beneath the mask, yet there is a tremble in his voice as he speak.

What do you want? I've got nothing to say to you.

I am afraid I bring bad news, young lord. The Maid has regretfully been found dead a short while ago. She took her own life.

No!

The Son's careful posture crumbles and he bursts into tears.

No, why would she do that?! I told her to go, to go before anyone found out. You are lying, you have to be!

The Professor was the one who relied the news to me, he would not lie about such a thing.

I also found a letter in the young woman's room, explaining matters further.

You hand over the letter and the Son reads through it, eyes wide and confused.

This is... this is not right at all.

This is all your fault! Your despicable actions has caused the poor girl to take her own life!

I know this is hard for you, but I need you to focus and tell me what happened?

No, no, that's not it at all! This letter... The Maid can---, could not read that well, let alone write with such fine penmanship.

What's more important is... I recognize the handwriting...

The Son reach into his jacket and pulls out a crumbled note, which he hands to you.

It's a fine print paper, scented with a sickly sweet parfume.

My Love,

At last it seems our plan is coming along perfectly. I know this is hard for you, but I asure you, soon you and I shall finally be together.

Yours Always, Lady

The Maid had an affair behind your back?

I have come to ask you something. I have been informed that the Maid, whom everyone assumed your lover, has instead been having a relationship with the Lady?

You thought I'd be surprised? I knew the Maid had a relationship with Lady.

But it was only a physical thing. She didn't---, she loves me. I'm sure of it, why else would she ask me to kill my own father? If not for us to be together forever!

The Maid asked you to kill him?

Can you please explain what happened?

She was... impatient.

I told her I would be able to talk with him. To convince him that ours were a love so strong, he had to let us have each other.

But she wouldn't listen. She begged me to end him, and then... then.

It was never meant to end this way, but at least... at least she got away. That's all that matters.

I'm afraid the Maid is dead, young Lord. She took her own life with poison.

The Son lets out a pained sound and buries his face in his hands.

How did it come to this? What is going to happen to me now?

Soon the Judge will be here, and you will be put on trial for the despicable crimes you have comitted!

A Judge will come, and you will be put on trial for your father's murder.

A Judge will come, and you will be put on trial for your crime. He might be merciful, if you tell him why you killed your father.

But I didn't kill him, that's the thing! With all my boasting, all those declarations of love, and I couldn't---, I just couldn't!!

And then she... She had to do it, do it for me. He was just lying there, passed out from wine and exhaustion.

Who thought to put that stupid bird in the restroom, anyway? Don't they know he gets absolutely hysteric?

But I digress, it doesn't matter anymore... He's dead... The Maid, my love, is dead... And here I am, alone in this court of madness, waiting for the final blow...

Leave me... please?

You leave the Son and step back into the hall.

The Professor is waiting for you outside the room.

So, what did he say?

Nothing of interest.

I see. Well, can't say I don't pity him. The poor fool's going to face the punishment for this whole affair.

He said something that's got me thinking, there might be much more to this than what we know so far.

I see... Unfotunately your thinking is not going to help the boy a lot, is it? He's going to face the punishment for this whole affair.

He explained that he didn't kill his father, but rather the Maid did it.

I see... Well, that is certainly a possibility.

Unfotunately such a claim is not going to help the boy a lot, is it? Certainly not if the supposed true criminal is dead.

I wonder what Lady is going to do with the place, once he is gone?

What do you mean?

Well, I thought you knew? With the Host dead, and the Son soon facing trial, the next in line to the estate would be his dear aunt Lady.

Funny, how the game evolves, no?

I was wondering where the Lady had gone off to? It would seem there are some questions I need to ask her.

Yes, funny indeed. I'm sorry but you will have to excuse me. It would seem I still have some investigation to do.

Oh, I see. I am afraid, though, that this is the end of the party, young Scion.

You have found your truth. The only question is what you are gonna do with it?

The Judge has arrived, and we are all to go and meet him in the ballroom. However, I have one final thing to say before we enter.

The Maid, I looked in the room we found her in again, hoping to find the remains of the poison she used, but came back empty handed.

However, it would seem she took the deadly dose in a glass of wine, which stood on the table, but there was missing liquid enough for a least two glasses, not just one.

I'm not saying this has to mean anything

The Maid could obviously have consumed more than one glass of wine, before poisoning herself. Yet... I still felt I had to share it with you.

Now, shall we go inside?

You step back into the ballroom where the guests have all gathered before the stage.

A familiar figure is facing them, though this time he has stepped out of the shadows to reveal an impatient scowl, the Judge, your master, has joined the party.

Court is now in session!

You all know the procedure.

I go through the evidence.

I gauge their value,

And I make the final judgement!

I am the law, you are the suspects, so let us begin.

You step up to take your place at the Judge's side. Court is now in session.

First, the Host is dead, murdered in his office to which he retreated after a party game, involving a bird, got out of hand.

The Son was found, fleeing the scene of the crime with the murder weapon in his posession.

The Son had motive due to a disagrement with his father over whether he should be allowed to marry a woman of lower standing.

This all suggest that it was indeed the Son who killed the Host, and if there is no additional evidence we may close this matter?

You remain silent and the Judge nods.

You whisper in the Judge's ear, and hand him the note.

I see... So the Maid, whom which the Son was enamoured, chose to end her own life, due to shame and guilt?

You nod and remain silent.

You whisper to the Judge, and he frowns beneath his mask.

You whisper and hand the Judge the Lady's letter, and he frowns beneath his mask.

So the Son claims that it was in fact the Maid, and not himself, who killed the Host?

That is a convenient story, given that the woman is now dead, but perhaps this explains the guilt which ended up driving her to her tragic end.

You remain silent.

You whisper and hand the Judge the Lady's letter, and he frowns beneath his mask.

You whisper to the Judge and he frowns beneath his mask.

So the Son claims that it was the Maid, and not himself, who killed the Host?

Well, that certainly changes things. Are you suggesting that the Lady had the Maid kill the Host?

You whisper in the Judge's ears and his eyes narrows.

You whisper to the Judge and he nods grimly in agreement.

You are right, it does seem like a rather farfetched accusation, doesn't it?

This is curious indeed.

This handwriting does have a striking resemblance to the one of the Maid's note, however, this letter is signed by the Lady.

Why would she write a letter of such grim nature, for another person?

You whisper to the Judge and his brow rises in surprise.

So the Maid was, in fact, not enamoured with the Son at all, but instead had an affair with the Lady?

That is certainly interesting.

You see, I spoke briefly with the Professor before we entered here, and he suggested the Maid might have been poisoned.

One might be tempted to believe the Lady killed her lover to get rid of a witness? But why? What did she have to gain from all this?

You whisper in the Judge's ears and his eyes narrows.

You whisper to the Judge and he nods grimly in agreement.

You are right, it does seem like a rather farfetched, accusation doesn't it?

So there is evidence suggesting that the Lady poisoned the Maid?

That is certainly interesting.

You see, I spoke briefly with the Professor before we entered here.

He told me that it is widely known that the Maid and Lady were having an affair.

One might be tempted to believe the Lady killed her lover to get rid of a witness? But why? What did she have to gain from all this?

You whisper in the Judge's ears and his eyes narrows.

You whisper to the Judge and he nods grimly in agreement.

You are right, it does seem like a rather farfetched accusation, doesn't it?

I see, so the Lady stands to inheirent the manor if the Son is convicted?

That is interesting information indeed.

I see.

The Judge nods.

I have seen all the evidence I need to make a verdict. The Son, the heir of this estate killed his father in cold blood and is therefore to be taken to jail, all of his rights to his father's wealth forfeited! That is my verdict.

There is a gasp among the crowd as the Son is dragged away, the Lady is smirking in the back. She gives you a discreet nod.

You got the ending: Survival of the Fittest

I see.

The Judge nods.

I have seen all evidence I need to make a verdict. The Maid, whatever her intentions, was the one who led the knife and murdered her employer and afterwards ended her own life, out of guilt and shame.

This is all a very tragic situation, but as it stands, the Maid will face here judgement elsewhere.

For now the Son will be released, and shall inheiret his father's wealth regardless of what has transpired tonight. That is my Judgement.

There are low murmurs in the crowd, the masses obviously disapointed that they wouldn't be seeing someone sentenced, the Son, however, looks relieved, if not a bit solemn, and he gives you a small grateful nod.

You got the ending: The Truth

I see.

The Judge nods.

I have seen all the evidence I need to make a verdict. The Lady, whom is next in line to inheirent the Manor, had the Host killed through clever manipulation.

Whoever lead the knife does not matter. The Lady will be sentenced to prison and the Son will be released, and shall inheiret his father's wealth. That is my Judgement.

The Lady, even as she is being escorted away, holds her head high.

She sends you an indifferent huff and the door closes after her

The the Son smiles gratefully, bowing his head in thanks.

You got the ending: Justice