Ascendants

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Purgatory: First Circle of Hell]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO IV.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/3-41.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Lust: Second Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO V.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/4-7.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(bg:(gradient: 0, 0, #ffffff, 0.5, #000000, 1, #ffffff))[(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[INFERNO]] Could YOU SURVIVE HELL and ESCAPE ETERNAL DAMNATION? Be the AUTHOR of your own SALVATION! (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO I.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/3-29.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe></p>

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Heresy: Sixth Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO IX.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/4-30.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Violence: Seventh Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO XII.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/3-15.gif" width="600" height="600" style="" frameBorder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(bg:(gradient: 0, 0, #ffffff, 0.5, #000000, 1, #ffffff))[(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[PURGATORIO]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/1-3.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))[[Retrace your steps and ascend to the Noble Court above->I]] [[Continue to descend towards the Abyss->Abyss]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))You receive a summons from the Prince of the Royal Court. The royal summons instructs you to come to the Great Hall for an important announcement. [[Answer royal summons->II]] [[Refuse to answer royal summons->Abandon]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))[[Follow the caves to your death->Death]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/1-30.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/flicker-patternbase-reverie-tBOpF46yMbIZRJGcuw">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))Death greets you: "Break the cycle, or the cycle breaks you..." (bg:(gradient: 0, 0, #ffffff, 0.5, #000000, 1, #ffffff))[(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[[Inferno]]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/1-50.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/flicker-patternbase-reverie-tBOpF46yMbIZRJGcuw">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Gluttony: Third Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO VI.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/4-52.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Greed: Fourth Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO VII.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/4-32.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Wrath: Fifth Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO VIII.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/3-58.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Wrath: Fifth Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO VIII.|CANTO VIII.-1]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/3-58.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))[[Abandon your post as Necromance->Death]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/3-39.gif" width="600" height="600" style="" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe></p>

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Heresy: Sixth Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO IX.|CANTO IX.-1]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/4-30.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Violence: Seventh Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO XII.|CANTO XII.-1]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/3-15.gif" width="600" height="600" style="" frameBorder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Treachery: Ninth Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO XXXI.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/3-55.gif" width="480" height="480" style="" frameBorder="0">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))The path to the Royal Court is the only road from the Noble Court. You are placed at the head of the royal carriage, conducting the wheels lined with bones forward with your powers. Having never before traveled to the Royal Court, you are glad of the clear path. The carriage is spacious enough to contain the Prince's bethrothed, Lilith, and three companions in her entourage; an entertainer, Nico, and the twins, Nora and Toven. Two others will be escorting you, the one known to you is Vex, and the stranger is Cain. There is space next to you on the front seat and on the footboard at the rear. They will alternate places to watch for dangers. You feel uneasy with Cain sitting beside you and set off on your journey. [[III]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888))) (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0.0173,#000000,0.4889,#1919e6,1,#000000))[CANTO I.]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[//In the mid-journey of our mortal life, // //I wandered far into a darksome wood, // //Where the true road no longer might be seen.// (Chaplin, 1913) //For I had missed the oath and gone astray.// (Pike, 1881)] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO II.]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888))) (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0.0173,#000000,0.4889,#1919e6,1,#000000))[CANTO IV.]] [[Noble Court]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[//Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here//] <img src="https://i0.wp.com/bookishbrews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/dark-academia-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" width="480" height="480" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;" alt="Dark Academia Image">

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888))) (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0.0173,#000000,0.4889,#1919e6,1,#000000))[CANTO IX.]] The road has turned to sand. Finally, your carriage arrives at the City of Dis with the Palace, like a shard of obsidian, looming behind its mighty iron walls. You will have to enter the city in order to deliver your charge to the Prince. An escort sent by the Prince opens the gates to the city across from a moat of flames. As you look over the drawbridge, you see bodies burning in the fire. The escort exclaims that the Harpies--guards patrolling the battlements above--will not allow you to remain stationary on the drawbridge. [[Enter the City of Dis->CANTO X.]] [[Refuse to enter the City of Dis->Abandon]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888))) (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0.0173,#000000,0.4889,#1919e6,1,#000000))[CANTO XVII.]] The Prince refuses you. Nora laughs darkly. You see in her hand a fistful of gold coins. You realize Nora must have betrayed you for a reward, sharing information she has overheard. Lena could have given her an ear while inside the city. Has she always known what awaited us at the end of this road? Did she know Lilith was doomed to die? As the Necromance, you have researched whether it is in your power to not only animate bones but even resurrect a body. After your charge was almost killed by the river Styx, you shared your thoughts with Cain. The Prince knows your intention to resurrect her with black ritualistic sorcery and sentences you to death for this. [[Guillotine]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888))) (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0.0173,#000000,0.4889,#1919e6,1,#000000))[CANTO XX.]] A strip of the Palace floor is hinged before you as you reach its open jaw. You do not even consider obeying the Prince and discarding her body over its edge. Slowly and gently, you and Toven lower her to the floor. Uncovering the head in Cain's arms, you align it with the neck of her body and twist. It will take black sorcerery to bring her life back. You concentrate your power, focusing on the bones still encased in her flesh. She does not move. Toven speaks into the silence, eerily calm, that Cain must surrender the monster inside him to bind her. He kneels next to her, holding his hands over the cleave across her throat. As his fingers elongate into black, oozing claws, droplets fall from the nails and coat the juncture. Your focus on the vertebrae in her spine, praying that whatever transforms Cain can transform Lilith. (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO XXI.]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888))) (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0.0173,#000000,0.4889,#1919e6,1,#000000))[CANTO XXI.]] The black ooze coagulates around Lilith's neck. She hasn't yet regained consciousness, but Cain can sense the liquid has entered her bloodstream because her heart has begun to beat slowly. Something in the substance that helped Cain survive is working inside Lilith to revive her. While Cain watches over her breathing, you and Toven make a plan. You must investigate whether the entire Royal Court is corrupt. The sister of the Prince sits on the throne, and she has a council of advisors. Perhaps they can bring the Prince to justice for his perverse cruelty. Cain will remain with Lilith while you and Toven seek out a council member. You take the stairs with Toven close behind you. [[Stop on the ground level->Ground]] [[Go up another level->CANTO XXII.]] [[Go up to the highest level of the Palace->Top]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888))) (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0.0173,#000000,0.4889,#1919e6,1,#000000))[CANTO XXXI.]] You ask the guard on the ground floor where the Crown resides. The guard replies that only the highest level of the Palace is suitable for her most Exhalted Majesty. Cain, Toven and yourself ascend up the stairs to the final floor. When you come upon the girl with dark skin and long braids in the wheelchair, you realize that she must be the Crown. You bow, and emplore her to hear your plea. You recount the tale of your journey from the Noble Court and the command of the Prince under which you served. You tell of his treachery in violating the trust of his betrothed and what remains of her in the dungeon. Betrayal flashes in her eyes. She will bring him to justice. (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO XXXII.]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888))) (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0.0173,#000000,0.4889,#1919e6,1,#000000))[CANTO XI.]] The carriage passes by decaying structures. Lena explains the city is segregated, with higher classes of people living closer to the Palace. Rising above the dilapidated tarps of the city dwellings, the black stone of the Palace gleams. You bring the carriage to rest in its shadow, with another gate standing between you and your destination. A crowd is congregating at the base of the wall around a platform erected at the end of the road. Fabric is completely covering some tall frame, and you wonder what could be underneath. The Prince takes to the stage and calls for his betrothed to join him. Lena escorts her from the carriage up the few steps to one side of the platform. They stand together in front of the audience. You breathe out, knowing you have delivered her safely. The Prince gestures for an attendant to remove the covering on the frame. To your horror, between you and your charge, on the stage is a guillotine. [[VII]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888))) (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0.0173,#000000,0.4889,#1919e6,1,#000000))[CANTO XI.]] The carriage passes by decaying structures. Lena explains the city is segregated, with higher classes of people living closer to the Palace. Rising above the dilapidated tarps of the city dwellings, the black stone of the Palace gleams. You bring the carriage to rest in its shadow, with another gate standing between you and your destination. A crowd is congregating at the base of the wall around a platform erected at the end of the road. Fabric is completely covering some tall frame, and you wonder what could be underneath. The Prince takes to the stage and calls for his betrothed to join him. Lena escorts her from the carriage up the few steps to one side of the platform. They stand together in front of the audience. You breathe out, knowing you have delivered her safely. The Prince gestures for an attendant to remove the covering on the frame. To your horror, between you and your charge, on the stage is a guillotine. [[VII|VII-1]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#000000,1,#ffffff))[Fraud: Eighth Circle]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[CANTO XVIII.]] <iframe src="https://www.kiddiepunk.com/zacshauntedhouse/images/3-2.gif" width="600" height="600" style="" frameBorder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))You encounter the same guard. You ask him where the council meets and he directs you to a large room with a semi-circle table. All the seats are vaccant. [[Go up another level->CANTO XXII.]] [[Go up to the highest level of the Palace->Top]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0,#1919e6,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,0.5,#888888,1,#000000,1,#888888)))The corridors have walls of flowers, so saturated that the black stone is almost completely obscured. It is quiet. Then, you hear a small screech like from a wheel. Upon investigating you meet a girl with dark skin and long braids, sitting in a wheelchair. She smiles sweetly and says that she's never seen you before. She is not alarmed but rather curious. You respond that you seek the council. Her head tilts as she thinks. She tells you she doesn't know when they congregate. Toven remarks that the Palace seems quite empty. The girl responds that there are more people on the floor below. You thank her. [[Go down a level->CANTO XXII.]]

You are apprehended by attendants and dragged onto the stage where the guillotine looms. [[Death->Death]]