Five Floors of Torment

[Miraculous]

Prologue: It Was a Dark, Stormy and Eternal Night

Fortune City: The Office
A rugged detective stands in his office beneath a flickering fluorescent bulb. The muffled din of the city beyond the office walls seeps in through the grimy window, the sounds of congested traffic and sirens invading his workplace and home like a particularly ru-

No, no. First things first.

What will the name of this protagonist be?

[whoosh!]

Magnus Greymarle

[Darnmechanic]

Monty Ferguson

[Mirdini]

Farrell McClane

[Miraculous]

Farrell McClane

Magnus Greymarle

Yes, Magnus McClane will suit this man just fine.

As previously stated, this gumshoe is standing in his office on the eleventh floor of the Vista Apartments, located on Crimson Street, which happens to be in Fortune City.

His location established, the detective casts a quick glance around. The office is very cramped, with the desk, cabinet, bookshelf, filing cabinet and desk chair all fighting for room on the floorboards in an eternal struggle for superior positioning. At the moment, the desk is winning, sitting in the centre of the room, near the north wall. The desk chair, however, appears to be planning an attack from the rear. For a moment, Magnus considers cleaning up. After all, his clients would likely prefer a clean office to do business in, rather than one ruled by clutter and metaphorical furniture warfare. However, he decides there are more important matters to attend to. Such as actually finding a client. Besides, one can hardly see the mess in the dim, flickering light.

Magnus' train of thought is brought to a juddering halt however when the metal flap on his office door opens and three envelopes are deposited onto the floor. It has been quite some time since he has received mail not demanding payment of some kind, as evidence by the pile of unpaid bills upon his desk.

The office door to the south leads out to the corridor, and the metal door to the east leads out onto the fire escape. Although, the detective likes to use it more like a balcony for enjoying the view of a dying city.

What will the detective do now?
:> _:

[Mirdini]

> Gaze upon the decadent decay that is Fortune City (from the balustrade that doubles as an emergency exit).

[whoosh!]

Peruse the contents of the three envelopes.

[Miraculous]

> Gaze upon the decadent decay that is Fortune City (from the balustrade that doubles as an emergency exit).

Magnus decides to go take in the views from the fire escape. Grabbing his trench coat, trilby hat and trademark scarf from the coat rack on the way out, he leaves by the east door.

Fortune City: Fire Escape
The metal fire escape creaks ominously under Magnus' footsteps, as always. God forbid the day more than one person needs to use the damn thing. He pulls on his trenchcoat, pushes his hat down onto his head and wraps his black scarf around his neck and lower face before the bitter cold has a chance to seep in. The detective leans his weight on the railing around the fire escape and gazes out across the city, listening to the dull roar of the crowded streets below and the din of rumbling thunder above. The city is indeed decaying. Well, it doesn't look it on the surface. Admiteddly, it isn't a fantastic place to live. The streets are congested with traffic, the city is over-developed, with skyscrapers and half-finished towers polluting the horizon, and the police are barely able to handle the recent sharp incline in crime. But just beneath the surface, Gehenna is approaching. Because it is night.

The moon, full and swollen, peeks out from behind the heavy storm clouds every so often. The chill of night begins to stab at Magnus, even through his thick attire. Far below, some people are headed for home, while others are headed for a night out on the town. The lights of the city blaze, advertising food, drink and sex. Yes, it is night.

Yet Magnus' watch, accurate to the second, says that it is ten o'clock in the morning. It is night, because the sun has not risen for a month.

The recent lack of day isn't the only reason Fortune City is such a terrible place. Magnus turns his gaze south to stare at the Dark Keep. Why anyone would build any sort of civilisation around such an oppressive structure is beyond Magnus. It takes up almost nine whole city blocks and is tall enough to pierce the clouds on some days. A massive monolith of black, twisted, scarred metal that dominates the skyline from every angle. No matter where you are in Fortune City, the Dark Keep is always in full view. It's quite impossible to comprehend how such an impossible structure could be builtby human hand. No-one knows when it was built, or who built it. The Dark Keep has simply... Always been.

Magnus shivers, but not from the cold caused by the month of perpetual night. He turns away from the tyrannical view of the Dark Keep, pushing away bad memories. He has better things to do, after all. Something tells Magnus that tonight to going to be a very good ni-. No. The detective glances at his watch. Day. Today is going to be a good day.

The door to the west leads back to the office and the fire escape ladder leads down to the alleyway.

What will the detective do now?
:> _:

[Mirdini]

> Re-enter office in a HARD-BOILED MANNER.

[Miraculous]

Peruse the contents of the three envelopes.

Exposition temporarily finished, Magnus heads back inside, through the west door. The view is too depressing.

Fortune City: The Office
Magnus quickly slams the door shut on his way in, trying to keep the bitter night chill out. The detective leaves his hat and scarf on the coat rack, but keeps the trench coat on. It makes him feel more hard-boiled. He snatches the envelopes up from the floor and looks at the first one on the pile. He recognises the handwriting of the address immediately; the feminine curves, the delicate loops. This letter is obviously from a very special lady friend of Magnus'.

The detective then glances at the second letter in the pile. The handwriting on this one is just as familiar, if not more so. Blocky and masculine, there is only one man this letter could be from, a man Magnus knows very well.

A little surprised at receiving two letters from two of his closest friends, Magnus looks at the third envelope. He doesn't recognise this handwriting; in fact, the address on the front of this letter is typed. The envelope feels a little bulky as well. Perhaps there is more than a letter inside? Magnus begins to tear open the fi-

No, no. We're getting ahead of ourselves again.

What will be the name of Magnus' lady friend? What will his male ally be named?
:> _:

[Mirdini]

> Classy Dame: Isabella Calabrese
> Dapper Gentleman: Edward Brown

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Regarding the third letter:

[momatoes]

> Lady Friend: Selicia Marone
> Gentleman Friend: Frederick Taylor

[Miraculous]

> Classy Dame: Isabella Calabrese

> Gentleman Friend: Frederick Taylor

Isabella? A fitting name for such a wonderful lady. Frederick? Charming and perfectly suited to this gentleman.

Formalities out of the way, Magnus tears open the letter from Isabella. The two of them met almost five years ago. In fact, Isabella was one of Magnus' first clients. She was concerned that her husband, who was staying out late and coming back home even later, was seeing another woman. Magnus took on the case immediately, not just because of the money, but also because he couldn't stand to see such a fine lady being mistreated. Unfortunately, the detective never found any evidence of a mistress and the case was closed. A month later, Isabella's husband up and left without a word. She turned to Magnus in her time of need and a close friendship was soon born.

Magnus,

I know you'll think me to be foolish, but I think I have come across something impossible. I was in the hair sallon on Rose Street, you know the one owned by those two nice gentlemen? I really think you would benefit from a nice wash and cut there. In any case, I overheard something. About Edward. I know it has been almost five years, but with everything that is happening to the city... It is important to me that I find out where he has gone. I know it is dangerous, but I must go. I know that you, as a gentleman, would never let me go on my own. If you wish to join me, I will wait for you in the Gloomy Hall on Lucifer Avenue. I'll keep a scotch waiting for you.

With much love,
Isabella


Magnus frowns deeply at his letter. While he can understand Isabella's need to find her lost husband, something has him uneasy. Something about that street, Lucifer Avenue. Shaking it off, he opens the second letter. He and Frederick used to be work colleagues, back when Magnus worked on the police force. Unlike most of the other senior officers, Frederick was patient with Magnus, who was struggling to learn the ropes. Thus, within just a few days, the two of them became close friends. They have remained friends, even after Magnus was kicked off the force five years ago. There has always been a slight bitterness there however, lurking just beneath the surface; why was Magnus fired, but not Frederick?

Magnus,
I need your assistance. The son of some high-and-mighty has run away, and I'm being forced to track the brat down. Normally, I wouldn't go asking for your help. It's unproffessional, after all. But this is different. You know how dangerous this is going to be, surely. All I know is, I'll feel better with you watching my back. Especially with the world ending like this. Meet me at the Gloomy Hall on Lucifer Avenue as soon as you get this letter.
Your friend,
Frederick.

Magnus' frown of concern deepens. The both of them are waiting for him at he Gloomy Hall, apparently. Why does that name ring a rather alarming bell for him? His dread growing with every passing second, Magnus opens the third and final letter.

Mr. McClane,
I am in need of your services.
A terrible crime has been committed.
If you can bring the villian responsible to justice, you will be adequatly compensated.
You will travel to the Gloomy Hall bar on Lucifer Avenue. The bartender there will give you the information you require once you supply him with the enclosed password. The cipher should test your skill.
Please note that this letter is less of a request and more of a demmand.
Regards,
The Brutal Judge
P.S, In case you've forgotten; ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Also in this envelope is a brochure titled 'How to be a Detective!' in loud red text, which Magnus slips into one of his his surpisingly deep coat pockets, and a smaller note. On this note is written;

3 Right/forward.
GVPQFZB

This is all very confusing. His two closest friends have travelled to a bar that fills Magnus with dread for some reason. Then, yet another letter invites him along, promising a case. Magnus suspects it to be a set-up. But can he afford to take that risk? Isabella and Frederick could be in terrible danger.

Today is going to be a bad day.

The door to the south leads out to the corridor, the door to the east leads to the fire escape.

What will the detective do now?
:> _:

[momatoes]

> Arm yourself, and go out south to the corridor.

show spoiler

hide spoiler

Oh god, that took me a while to figure the code out.

[Isoraqathedh]

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I remember quite distinctively that there was once a Seven Floors of Woe (or similar) deep in the past when the forums are still running PHPBB3. Any relations?

[Miraculous]

> Arm yourself, and go out south to the corridor.

Urgently, Magnus stuffs the letters, the brochure and the note into his pocket. He dons his hat and scarf once more, then checks his gun holster; his six chamber revolver is there, as always. The detective has a dozen extra rounds in his pockets, just in case diplomacy fails. Racking his brains trying to work out why Lucifer Street is so important to him, Magnus leaves through the south door...

Fortune City: Corridor
And slams the door behind him, hurridly locking it with a key. He now stands out on the eleventh floor corridor, which stretches to his left and right. While doors line the walls, only two are relavent to Magnus; the door to the north, which leads back to his office, and the elevator doors to the west, which can take him down to the car park, where Magnus' beloved car awaits.

What will the detective do now?
:> _:

[Mirdini]

> Quickly peruse the 'How to be a Detective!' pamphlet to see if there is a deeper meaning to it or if it was merely sent as an insult.

[Miraculous]

> Quickly peruse the 'How to be a Detective!' pamphlet to see if there is a deeper meaning to it or if it was merely sent as an insult.

With some reluctance, Magnus digs the brochure out of his coat pocket. It looks to be more suited on a rack in a hotel for tourists than in the hands of a veteran detective. Nonetheless, Magnus folds it open and reads.

To be a successful detective, one needs only to catch the culprit to a crime.

To catch the culprit, one needs only three things.

The first is 'The Means'. In other words, one must have evidence of how the crime was committed, such as the murder weapon, or a crowbar used to break and enter.

The second is 'The Motive'. In other words, one must have evidence of the reason the crime was committed by the culprit, such as a hefty debt or blackmail material.

The third is 'The Proof'. In other words, one must have evidence that the culprit was present at the scene of the crime, such as a key to a locked door or a treasured possession left behind.

With these three pieces of evidence, a culprit can be confronted, cornered, arrested, trialed, sentenced and executed. In no particular order.

These are the words of the Brutal Judge.

This is quite possibly the most ridiculous thing Magnus has ever read. No court would ever convict a suspect with such flimsy evidence. He is quickly beginning to think that this 'client' is quite insane.

What will the detective do now?
:> _:

[momatoes]

> Go down west to the carpark, then. Also, expositionate on neighbours in a hard-boiled manner.

[Miraculous]

> Go down west to the carpark, then. Also, expositionate on neighbours in a hard-boiled manner.

Magnus presses the call button for the elevator and leans on the wall in a brooding manner. His neighbours are of little importance; accountants, lawyers, psychiatrists. Nothing quite as hard-boiled as a PI. When the elevator arrives, Magnus steps inside and descends.

Fortune City: Car Park
Magnus paces through the small, cramped carpark slowly, still brooding. As much as he hates to admit it, he seems to have no choice but to walk into this trap. Isabella and Frederick could be in peril, for whatever reason. While Frederick might be able to handle himself just fine, Isabella is another story. Thankfully, Magnus will be on the scene in no time at all, thanks to his sleek black roads- Godamnit he left the window open again.

With a sigh, Magnus opens the car door with his key and slumps down in the driver's seat. Sitting next to him, on the leather covered passenger seat, is a black cat. The same black cat who seems to be content to hang around the apartment buildings as if they own the place; climbing up and down the fire escape, meowing from the rooftop and scratching at windows to be let in. And every time Magnus forgets to wind the window up, the cat jumps into his car and makes themselves comfortable. If he didn't want to keep the car clean and if he didn't need to conserve ammunition, that cat would be out of here so fast its ears would swivel three-sixty.

What will the name of this feline be?
:> _:

[Mirdini]

> Felix

[momatoes]

> Albert

[Miraculous]

> Felix

Felix is a suitably stereotypical name for this cat.

Magnus glares at Felix.

Felix stares nonchalantly at Magnus.

"Get out of my car, you flea-ridden, fish-sucking mongrel." Magnus growls, putting on his most intimidating tone of voice.

The cat mewls and settles itself down to go back to sleep. Magnus sighs heavily and starts the car. Goddamn cats.

Fortune City: Lucifer Street

Feeling a little sick to his stomach, Magnus parks the car on the side of the road. Not that there's any trouble finding a park. The street is deserted, the buildings on the south side of the street are abandoned. Not that Magnus can blame them, given what occupies the north side of the street. After all, who in their right minds would want to live across the road from the base of the Dark Keep?

Magnus now remembers why this street name fills him with such dread. He remembers reading it on numerous reports back when he was on the police force; missing person reports. Last seen entering the Gloomy Hall bar on Lucifer Street. Barkeeper says they took the elevator up. Of course, they've never seen again. No-one but daredevil fools and people with nothing left to live for dare ascend the Dark Keep. The oppressive atmosphere of the bar on the ground floor is terrifying enough, let alone the thought of stepping into that elevator and ascending into the ancient unknown.

A detective and his cat stand before the Dark Keep. Behind them, a dying city. To their left and right, empty streets. Before them, an opportunity to find the detective's only two friends in this dark, dark world.

The small metal door to the north, adorned with a swinging metal sign advertising 'The Gloomy Hall' leads into the Dark Keep. Magnus' car is on the south side of the street, but there is no turning back now.

Felix peers around the street, ears swivelling.

What will the detective do now?
:> _:

[Mirdini]

> Enter bar with a defiant smile on your face.

[momatoes]

^ This