Mafia XIV - Mafia Gothica

[Zopperoni]

Originally posted by Jamski
Its Stoker's "Dracula" meets Kafka's "The Castle" with some extra killings

I recognize the Dracula-part, but what inspired you to apply it to the Mafia game? Was it something you'd been thinking of for a while, or was it rather spontaneous?

There is actually a movie "Van Helsing" opening this summer, starring Hugh Jackman.

[Theben]

Excellent writeup again, Jammer.

[General Ludd]

I ask to be a beggar and wind up a general.

Ah well, beggars can't be choosers. I'll just have to accept my poor station in life.

[Zopperoni]

Originally posted by General Ludd
I ask to be a beggar and wind up a general.

You should have made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

[Adagio]

ADG - Cook (fish)

Great writeup

[Theben]

Originally posted by General Ludd
I ask to be a beggar and wind up a general.

Ah well, beggars can't be choosers. I'll just have to accept my poor station in life.

I weep and shall pray for you.

[Guynemer]

Brilliant, Jamski.


Now to make my vegetable medley.

[duke o' york]

The damned skivvies are chattering an awful lot today.
I'll have to get Jonny to give them all a sound thrashing!

[Guynemer]

My abject and most humble apologies, milord.

[Jamski]

I recognize the Dracula-part, but what inspired you to apply it to the Mafia game? Was it something you'd been thinking of for a while, or was it rather spontaneous?

My head (as I'm sure you must have noticed by now) is filled with ideas for games. I just took one and went with it. I didn't really have a plan yet, just the idea of "going gothic"

Anyway, here's the rest of the introduction while we wait for the mafia. (Of course I may have had the orders for hours already, but you know I'll not give anything away so early)

From the Diary of Jamski van Helsing Esq.

The servant who was supposed to carry my bags never appeared, so I remained waiting on the doorstep for some not inconsiderable length of time. I contemplated ringing the bell that hung for that purpose beside the door once more, but refrained so that I could shortly study the building I was about to enter.

When seen close to, the castle showed many signs of its great age. Stones were crumbling, windows were broken or bricked up, and the stems of some type of climbing plant entwined themselves naked over the facade. As my gaze followed these strands upwards it was arrested by the rows of hideous gargoyles that protruded all around the roof. Perhaps they were the reason for the stories that surounded this place, as they were certainly ugly enough to stir my imagination, the effect upon a more impressionable mind, or that of a woman can only be guessed at.

My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a smartly dressed servant, whom I correctly judged to be the butler to his Lordship. He was most helpful in escorting me to my room in the north wing of the building, and after I had bathed and shaved, he arrived again to guide me to the dining room.

Dinner was excellent, as was to be expected in the castle of a Duke, but his Lordship and his sons were absent that evening. I dined with Mr Kassiopeia and Mr Farb, who proved to be interesting company, as both had travelled widely, and with two millitary officers who spoke only to wish me a pleasant evening, and again to excuse themselves when they were finished eating. One of the other two gentlemen, Mr Kassi left me alone to eat with Mr Farb, claiming a small appetite, and soon after him the painter excused himself too, insisting that I visit him after breakfast in the morning in the studio his Lordship was allowing him to use.

I accepted his kind offer, and the hour being late, allowed Zopperoni to guide me to my room, where after writing this diary entry I hope to sleep the sleep of the blessed.

-Jam

[Theben]

n/m

[duke o' york]

That was either a serious misspelling, or a joke with a regionally-affected-hilarity level.

[Tuberski]

Oh Great!!!

I'm dead! I'm not in the write up so I am obviously the mafia.



ACK!

[Jamski]

Letter to Mina Harker

My dearest Mina,
This is a terrible place. The night seemed endless, as I could not sleep, being constantly disturbed by the whispering voices of the servants or the shouting of the Ducal family returning from the hunt, and it was with great difficulty that I arose from my bed just after dawn, having been startled by a man's scream from somewhere outside.

I quickly threw on my dressing gown and hurried down to the front door, which I flung open. There, lying on the ground in the centre of the courtyard was a man, a servant it appeared by his dress, who lay perfectly still.

Naturally I called for assistance, and Vlad was despatched to obtain the village physician, who arrived breathless minutes later. By this time the others in the Castle had ample time to arrive, but noone else seemed to be about. Despite the warm March sun I felt a cold shiver, standing as I was alone in the courtyard with a corpse, a doctor and the errand boy, I had a feeling that someone else was watching me.

I looked up to the first floor windows, and I swear I saw a face pressed against the glass like a pale moon. Then there was a twitch of the curtains and I blinked. The face, if it had ever been there, was gone.

Three men entered the courtyard from the direction of the stables at this point. At the time I did not know that I was meeting my host, the Duke, for the first time, or I would have addressed his Lordship with rather more respect.

"Come quickly, sir" I called "One of the servants here appears to have had an accident."

The younger of the three spoke,
"Father," he said "Who is this man?"

The one he addressed as his father approached me.
"You must be the famous Professor Jamski van Helsing," he said "Welcome to my mansion."

I thought it most strange of him to act so calmly in the face of the situation, but, remembering my manners, I introduced myself, and informed the Duke of my interest in the history of his house and his family. He in turn made me aquainted with his sons Flipside and Jonny and was pleased to offer me the hospitality of his house.

The doctor approched us.
"Begging your pardon, sirs," he interrupted "But Mr MattH, your doorman, is dead."

The doctor did not elaborate further, but I noticed that the poor doorman appeared to have been stabbed twice in the neck with some kind of small dart or stiletto. I said nothing of it, for the Duke was already issuing orders to his butler to gather the whole valley together.

The Duke apologised for the incident, and said he was pleased that he could demonstrate for a visitor one of the small pieces that made up the history of Apolytown Mansion.

Mina, its all true. The horrors that your father wrote of are indeed based on reality. When anyone in the valley dies, and the causes are judged not to be clear, that is to say, whenever foul play is suspected, then the village performs the "Ritual of Voting" just as your father described it.

I shall write more later, my dear, but now I must observe this ceremony for myself.

Yours in all Faithfullness,

Jamski van Helsing Esq.

From "Customs of the Apolytown Valley" by Dr P. D. Harker

...and that a man being found dead, and no sign from illness, nor from the infimities of old age be found upon his body, then they take that man and burn his body, having first obtained a stake of oak or ash and driven it though his heart. The men of the valley then gather into a place together and observe the "Ritual of Voting", in which barbaric practise each man has a choice, or "vote" as the tool for condemming another to death upon who falls the greatest number of these "votes". All the men, from Duke to beggar may choose thier man, while the priest calls for the holy blessing of the Lord to sanctify thier ritual. The one who is chosen in this process is put to death in the same manner as the body of the one already dead, in this way they hope both to catch the murderer and to deter future murders from occouring.

Its is time for the Ritual of Voting.

(wait for the clues, why don't you )

-Jam

[Theben]

n/m