Chricstmas

Emblazoned on the cover of the matchbook is the logo of the Goomstar Lounge. You slip it into your pocket. (set: $inv_Matches to 1) [[(back)|blackness 2]]

...Who is this? {(set:$curr_Item to "nothing") (set:$inv_CabLock to 1) (set:$inv_NeonDots to 1) (set:$inv_BlackTape to 1) (set:$inv_GlowTape to 1) (set:$inv_InvisMarker to 1) (set:$inv_GiantCards to 1) } (input: bind $name) {<ul> <li>[[Enter]]</li> </ul>}

(set:$name to (lowercase:$name)) (if:$name is "ric")[(go-to: "Ric")] (else-if:$name is "elvis")[(go-to: "Elvis")] (else-if:$name is "david")[(go-to: "David")] (else-if:$name is "sungwon")[(go-to: "SungWon")] (else-if:$name is "anne marie")[(go-to: "Anne Marie")] (else-if:$name is "wilco")[(go-to: "Wilco")] (else-if:$name is "koopook")[(go-to: "Koopook")] (else-if:$name is "hellvis")[(go-to: "Hellvis")] (else-if:$name is "souha")[(go-to: "Souha")] (else:)[(go-to: "nobody")]

Invalid entry. Please provide your name. Don't worry about your password. We know your password. [[(back to the beginning)|beginning]]

You hold the roll of tape out into the darkness, hoping that the brief exposure to the Los Angeles sun was enough to charge the phosphors within. Los Angeles… it feels so far away. Thankfully, there’s still a dim incandescence yet trapped in the filaments of your roll of tape. Normally, it would be imperceptible, but the oppressive, ink-like blackness of this room are forced to yield to the slightest ray of light. Lucifric is gone, his [[chair]] empty. All that remains of his presence is the ashy wicks of the [[candles]]. {<ul><li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li></ul>}

The candles are cold and clammy, and exude neither heat nor smoke. They seem to have not been used in a very long time. {<ul> (if:$curr_Item is "Matchbook")[<li>[[(light candles with matches)]]</li>] <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(back)|blackness 2]]</li> </ul>}

This old wooden chair looks like it was made by hand. It creaks and rocks beneath your push. (if:$inv_Matches is 0)[It looks like a small book of [[matches]] fell out of Lucifric's pocket.] {<ul><li>[[(back)|blackness 2]]</li></ul>}

Your eyes have adjusted, but the cellar is still only desperately lit by the waning glimmer of your glow-in-the-dark tape. There is a small, rickety [[chair]] in front of you, along with an array of [[candles]]. Beyond lies unfathomable darkness. {<ul><li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li></ul>}

Emblazoned on the cover of the matchbook is the logo of the Goomstar Lounge. You slip it into your pocket. (set: $inv_Matches to 1) {<ul><li>[[(back)|blackness 2]]</li></ul>}

You strike a match and light the candles, finally illuminating the stale cellar. (display:"lit cellar")

You open your bag and check the contents. (Select one to use.) Currently in hand: $curr_Item {<ul> (if:$inv_BlackTape is 1)[<li>[[Black masking tape|iBlackTape]]</li>] (if:$inv_CabLock is 1)[<li>[[Cabinet door lock|iCabLock]]</li>] (if:$inv_GiantCards is 1)[<li>[[Giant playing cards|iGiantCards]]</li>] (if:$inv_Flashlight is 1)[<li>[[Flashlight|iFlashlight]]</li>] (if:$inv_GlowTape is 1)[<li>[[Glow in the dark tape|iGlowTape]]</li>] (if:$inv_InvisMarker is 1)[<li>[[Invisible ink marker|iInvisMarker]]</li>] (if:$inv_NeonDots is 1)[<li>[[Neon dot stickers|iNeonDots]]</li>] (if:$inv_Note1 is 1)[<li>[[Note #1|iNote1]]</li>] (if:$inv_Note2 is 1)[<li>[[Note #2|iNote2]]</li>] (if:$inv_Note3 is 1)[<li>[[Note #3|iNote3]]</li>] (if:$inv_Note4 is 1)[<li>[[Note #4|iNote4]]</li>] (if:$inv_Matches is 1)[<li>[[Matchbook|iMatches]]</li>] </ul>} (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s last)

A black wind blows, extinguishing the candles. You're left in a damp, dank chamber. It is pitch black. {<ul> (if:$curr_Item is "Glow in the dark tape")[<li>[[(hold out the roll of glow-in-the-dark tape)|blackness]]</li>] <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> </ul>}

(set:$curr_Item to "Black masking tape")This is a plain black roll of masking tape. It beckons you toward unspeakable evil deeds. The roll of tape is now in your hand. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

(set:$curr_Item to "Cabinet door lock")The cabinet door lock is fancy and probably requires power of some kind, which this game did not take into consideration, so just play along. The lock is now in your hand. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

(set:$curr_Item to "Matchbook")Emblazoned on the cover of the matchbook is the logo of the Goomstar Lounge. You hold the matchbook in your hand. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

(set:$curr_Item to "Glow in the dark tape")This incredible invention stores light and continues to glow, even after the light is extinguished. Wow! You hold the roll of glow-in-the-dark tape in your hand. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

(set:$curr_Item to "Jumbo playing cards")These cards are humongous. I'd say you wonder what you could possibly do with cards this size, but you know... oh, <i>you know.</i> You hold the big-ass playing cards in your hand. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

(set:$curr_Item to "Invisible ink marker")An invisible ink marker: for when you absolutely, positively, inarguably and inexorably need to leave a hidden message on a wall that can only be revealed with a black light. You hold the invisible ink marker in your hand. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

(set:$curr_Item to "Neon dot stickers")A page of dots, a whole page of dots, in a wild array of bright neon colors. Stick them on your forehead! Stick them on your parents' walls! Stick them on your parents' foreheads! You take the sheet of neon dot stickers into your hand. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

Invalid entry. Please try again. A doctor first I seem to be, But I’ve no training medically. Abandon hope when you’re empty Of what I take… enthusiastically. Who am I? (input: bind $dracula) [[Enter|dracula check]] [[That Lucifric video was just swell, I want to see it again.|Hellvis]]

(set:$dracula to (lowercase:$dracula)) (if:$dracula is "dracula")[(go-to: "start")] (else:)[(go-to: "drac again")]

A note written on a filthy scrap of newspaper, still slick with traces of blood. It reads: 1. E0BF No need to take it back out; just having the note in your pocket is enough to feel a warm, fuzzy sense of accomplishment. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

This place has definitely seen better days. An old furnace periodically hums to life. Something squelches within the walls. Next to the chair is an old [[sink]]. (if:$inv_Note1 is 0)[A tepid, shallow pool of blood has settled just above the drain.] Past Lucifric's chair, you see a [[staircase]]. {<ul><li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li></ul>}

The sink is (if:$inv_Note1 is 1)[empty, save for the foul remnants of somebody's blood. {<ul><li>[[(go back)|lit cellar]]</li></ul>}](else:)[filled with standing water. And by standing water, I mean blood. It's disgusting. It looks like something might be blocking the drain. {<ul> <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(reach in to unclog the drain)]]</li> <li>[[(go back)|lit cellar]]</li> </ul>}]

(if:(history:)'s last is "kitchen")[On second thought, that was a pretty sick setup that Lucifric had down there. You decide to head back downstairs... <ul><li>[[(continue)|lit cellar]]</li></ul>](else:)[You ascend the staircase, leaving the dank, musty cellar behind... <ul><li>[[(continue)|kitchen]]</li></ul>]

(set:$inv_Note1 to 1)Look. You've played a survival horror game before. (At the very least, you've watched Scaring Often.) You know that this is one of those gross-out moments that the developers think they can use to get a rise out of you. Fortunately for you, this is a classy text adventure, and the author isn't really interested in looking up synonyms for "viscera" on thesaurus.com. You reach into the drain and pull out a note. After wiping the blood away, you read it by the candlelight. "1: E0BF" Interesting. You stick it in your bag. Also, gross. {<ul><li>[[(back)|lit cellar]]</li></ul>}

(go-to:"bedroom")

You are standing in a large kitchen, lit only by the moon peering through an eerie skylight. There's a portrait of [[Lucifric|kitchen portrait]] hanging on the wall. It is incredibly out-of-place here. The sink here is, mercifully, in much better condition than the one downstairs. Above it are a row of (if:$burnedCabinets is 1)[torched] [[cupboards]]. There are two doors here: one looks to lead to a [[bedroom]], and the other to a [[living room]]. In the corner of the room is a staircase leading [[down|staircase]]. {<ul> <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> </ul>}

(if:$saw_kitchenPortrait is 1)[You pick up the frame again and flip it around. (display:"(check the back of the portrait)")](else:)[You examine the portrait of Lucifric and realize that it's 1) an oil painting, and 2) a meme. One of the old ones, when everybody thought that the funniest thing would be subtitling their pictures in Impact, white font, black border. This prick commissioned a meme of himself and hung it in his kitchen. The top reads, "Who has two thumbs and loves puzzles?" In the center, Lucifric has two thumbs extended toward himself, with a big, shit-eating grin on his face. The bottom reads, "THIS GUY!" Classy. {<ul> <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(check the back of the portrait)]]</li> <li>[[(back)|kitchen]]</li> </ul>}]

(if:$burnedCabinets is 1)[Smoke and cinders are all that remain of the once-proud empty cupboard. You really did a number on it, didn't you?](if:$inv_CabLock is 1 and $inv_GiantCards is 0 and $burnedCabinets is 0)[You check the cupboard doors, and all but one are locked. The only one that's open is currently home to a deck of jumbo playing cards.](if:$inv_CabLock is 0 and $inv_GiantCards is 1 and $burnedCabinets is 0)[You check the cupboard doors, and all but one are locked. The only door that's open is also empty, but it is outfitted with a swanky RFID lock. (You did a great job installing it, too.)](if:$inv_CabLock is 0 and $inv_GiantCards is 0 and $burnedCabinets is 0)[You check the cupboard doors, and they're all locked now. One of them contains a deck of large-boi playing cards.](if:$inv_CabLock is 1 and $inv_GiantCards is 1 and $burnedCabinets is 0)[You check the cabinet doors, and all but one is locked. The only one that's open is currently empty.] {<ul> (if:$curr_Item is "Matchbook" and $burnedCabinets is 0)[<li>[[(light the cupboards on fire)]]</li>] (if:$curr_Item is "Jumbo playing cards")[<li>[[(put the playing cards in the cabinet)]]</li>] (if:$curr_Item is "Cabinet door lock")[<li>[[(install the cabinet door lock on the cabinet door)]]</li>] <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(go back)|kitchen]]</li> </ul>}

This bedroom is small, tidy, and quaint, furnished with rustic decorations. The air smells of sandalwood and contempt. The bed is king-sized, of course, with a little [[nightstand]] beside it. On the wall hangs another [[portrait|bedroom portrait]] of Lucifric, this time striking a heroic pose beside a river. It reminds you of that painting of the George Washington crossing the Delaware. The only door in the room leads back out to the [[kitchen]]. {<ul><li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li></ul>}

The first thing you see in this ramshackle living room is an [[enormous door]], protected with an embarrassment of locks and gears and deadbolts. The second thing you notice is (if:$wordyWall is 0)[the suspiciously blank [[wall]] beside it.](if:$wordyWall is 1 and $inv_Note4 is 0)[the [[wall|wordy wall]] containing the hidden message.](if:$wordyWall is 1 and $inv_Note4 is 1)[the wall containing the hidden message.] The furniture in here is serviceable, if not a bit worse for wear. There's also another [[portrait|living room portrait]] of Lucifric here. A doorway leads back to the [[kitchen]]. {<ul> <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> </ul>}

There's something written on the back of the portrait. <i>They always say that home's where the heart is, But don't worry, Hellvis - we're just getting started. The only way that you'll ever escape it, Is first by destroying what you've created...</i> {<ul><li>[[(back)|kitchen]]</li></ul>} (set:$saw_kitchenPortrait to 1)

(if:$fireOK is 0)[You really shouldn't play with fire, you know... unless you have to, of course.](else:)[Reluctantly, you strike a match and hold the little flame to the wooden cabinet. It catches fire with surprising speed. Equally surprising is the fact that the fire doesn't spread: it's almost like this piece was designed to burn and nothing else. The raging fire is mesmerizing. When it dies down, you find a metal plate in the ashes. Carefully cooling it in the sink before handling it, you read the inscription: "2. GHC3" You tuck the plate away in your pocket to reference later.(set:$burnedCabinets to 1) (set:$inv_Note2 to 1)] {<ul> <li>[[(back)|cupboards]]</li> </ul>}

Okay! You take the pack of cards from your bag and toss them into the cupboard. Now what? (set:$curr_Item to "nothing")(set:$inv_GiantCards to 0) {<ul> <li>[[(back)|cupboards check]]</li> </ul>}

You remove the cabinet door lock from your bag and attach it to the cupboard. You now have a fancy electronic RFID lock on (if:$inv_GiantCards is 0)[a set of giant playing cards](else:)[an empty cabinet]. Score!(set:$inv_CabLock to 0)(set:$curr_Item to "nothing") {<ul> <li>[[(back)|cupboards check]]</li> </ul>}

(if:$inv_CabLock is 0 and $inv_GiantCards is 0)[The voice of Lucifric echoes in your ears.(set:$fireOK to 1) "Ooh, so close! Did you hear the satisfying 'snap' as the latch clasped shut? Nice and secure! Now, what do you say we do away with those playing cards once and for all, eh? Go ahead! Set yourself free!" {<ul><li>[[(continue)|cupboards]]</li></ul>}](else:)[(go-to: "cupboards")]

A note embossed on a metal plate, which still smells of smouldering wood. It reads: 2. GHC3 No need to take it back out; just having the note in your pocket is enough to feel a sharp, steely sense of determination. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

A little oak nightstand sits unassumingly beside the bed. There is a single drawer set below the empty surface. {<ul> <li>[[(open drawer)]]</li> <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(back)|bedroom]]</li> </ul>}

(if:$drawerOpen is 0)[You examine the portrait up-close, and something catches your attention in the dim light. There appears to be some kind of adhesive residue around Lucifric's eyes. And... is he... watching you?](if:$drawerOpen is 1 and $decoratedTape is 1)[Lucifric no longer looks nearly as mean. The neon stickers you added give him a certain... <i>je ne sais quoi</i>.](if:$drawerOpen is 1 and $decoratedTape is 0)[Lucifric looks far more sinister since you obscured his eyes with the tape. Without the expression of his eyes to color his facial features, he appears to be... sneering.] {<ul> (if:$curr_Item is "Black masking tape" and $drawerOpen is 0)[<li>[[(put a strip of tape over his eyes)|taped eyes]]</li>] (if:$curr_Item is "Neon dot stickers" and $drawerOpen is 1 and $decoratedTape is 0)[<li>[[(decorate the tape with the stickers)|sticker eyes]]</li>] <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(back)|bedroom]]</li> </ul>}

You tear a strip of black masking tape off of the roll and place it across Lucifric's eyes. A mechanism clicks near the bed. (set:$drawerOpen to 1) [[(back)|bedroom]]

(if:$drawerOpen is 1 and $inv_Note3 is 1)[You check the drawer one more time, but there's nothing else inside.](if:$drawerOpen is 0)[You attempt to open the drawer, but find it locked.](if:$drawerOpen is 1 and $inv_Note3 is 0)[It looks like the locking mechanism is now open. You slide the drawer out and look inside. There's a cheap plastic flashlight here, and next to it is a tough, old strip of white duct tape. The adhesive is weak and looks to be covered in ancient cat hair. Written on the top, in black permanent marker: 3. 82V6 You liberate the note and flashlight from the drawer and place them in your bag.(set:$inv_Note3 to 1)(set:$inv_Flashlight to 1)] {<ul><li>[[(back)|bedroom]]</li></ul>}

A note written in marker on an old strip of duct tape, covered with hair and junk. It reads: 3. 82V6 No need to take it back out; just having the note in your pocket is enough to feel a tentative sense that you're barely keeping it together. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

You take several of the neon stickers off of the sheet and give Lucifric some snazzy new eyes. There are still more left over, so you bedazzle his beard. And that - what is that, some kind of off-brand pentagram on his lapel? You cover it up with a smiley face. It didn't accomplish anything in particular, but you sure do feel better now.(set:$decoratedTape to 1) {<ul> <li>[[(back)|bedroom]]</li> </ul>}

This door is indescribably thick and sturdy. It would be easier to cut a new door into the wall than to open this one without the proper keys. Upon the door are four panels, and each panel contains an alphabetical combination lock: __ __ __ __ | __ __ __ __ | __ __ __ __ | __ __ __ __ This password will be impossible to brute force. You're going to need to find the codes. It will be best if you enter them once you have all four. {<ul> (if:$inv_Note1 is 1 and $inv_Note2 is 1 and $inv_Note3 is 1 and $inv_Note4 is 1)[<li>[[(enter the four codes from the notes into the door)|the end]]</li>] <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(back)|living room]]</li> </ul>}

A bare wall? Here? Is this even a puzzle? {<ul> (if:$curr_Item is "Flashlight")[<li>[[(shine flashlight on wall)|wordy wall]]</li>] <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(back)|living room]]</li> </ul>}

(set:$curr_Item to "Flashlight")This plastic flashlight is pretty beat up. It looks like it's been modified. The lens is unusually dark. Sure enough, when you flick it on, you find that it's fitted with a black light. You turn it off to conserve precious battery life. You take the flashlight into your hand. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

Once again, that jackass Lucifric has put his own face into a picture frame. This time, he's illustrated in a white tuxedo and top hat next to a blushing blonde bride. They stand overlooking an ocean, clinking mugs and making disgusting puppy-love faces at one another. {<ul> <li>[[(look at back of portrait)]]</li> <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(back)|living room]]</li> </ul>}

The back of the portrait is plain and uninteresting, but the brown paper does appear to be peeling. You pull it away and find words written in a flourishing hand toward the bottom of the picture: <i>October 2017. Has it really been that long, Princess?</i> {<ul> <li>[[(back)|living room]]</li> </ul>}

(set:$inv_Flashlight to 0)(if:$curr_Item is "Flashlight")[(set:$curr_Item to "nothing")](if:$wordyWall is 1)[You take another look at the message on the wall.](if:$wordyWall is 0)[A hidden message! Of course. You set the flashlight on a nearby surface and study the words on the wall.](set:$wordyWall to 1) <i>The first is black or earl gray. The next, on beaches, makes a wave. My third and fourth, in harmony, The day that launched an Odyssey. (ya see?)</i> __ __ __ __ {<ul> (if:$curr_Item is "Invisible ink marker")[<li>[[(fill in the blanks with the marker)]]</li>] <li>[[(check inventory)|inventory]]</li> <li>[[(back)|living room]]</li> </ul>}

The blanks beneath the message beckon. What will you write? <i>The first is black or earl gray. The next, on beaches, makes a wave. My third and fourth, in harmony, The day that launched an Odyssey. (ya see?)</i> (input: bind $lastcode) {<ul> <li>[[(write code)|check code]]</li> <li>[[(back)|living room]]</li> </ul>}

(set:$lastcode to (lowercase:$lastcode)) (if:$lastcode is "tc27")[(go-to: "Get Last Code")] (else:)[Hmm. You pull off the marker's cap and lean into the wall, but change your mind at the last moment and recap it. That doesn't feel like the right code. {<ul> <li>[[(try again)|(fill in the blanks with the marker)]]</li> <li>[[(go back)|living room]]</li> </ul>}]

You scrawl the code onto the wall in the spaces provided: T... C... 2... 7. When the last digit is in place, the plaster vibrates, and cracks form around the letters you've written. You peel your handiwork off of the wall and admire it for a moment, then gingerly place it in your bag.(set:$inv_Note4 to 1) <ul><li>[[(continue)|living room]]</li></ul>

A note written in invisible ink on a strip of plaster. It reads: 4. TC27 No need to take it back out; just having the note in your pocket is enough to feel a zen sensation that everything is temporary, even secrets. (link-goto: "(Back)", (history:)'s 2ndlast)

When all four codes are entered into the door, you hear a mechanism drop inside. You pull the handle. Like clockwork, the various locking devices spin, slide, and clatter into place, and then the door is open, and you're free. A bright light washes over you. Its intensity stings after being stuck in this dim prison for any amount of time. You raise a forearm to block the pain, and... [[And?]]

...and you wake up in the grass. It's warm here. Sunny. Comfortable. You gaze up into the sky, and at the buildings around you. The Warner Bros. logo looms overhead. You're home. You've escaped. Somewhere in the distance, Lucifric laughs. Oh. And there seems to be something in your [[pocket]].