The Cask of Amantillado

(set: $s to (text-style: "bold")+(colour: red))$s[You, Montresor, have had your family fall from your high seat of privillege due to the unending insults that Fortunato has heaped upon your family name. He has torn you and your legacy down to build himslef up and become wealthy, loved, and powerful. You are tired of his antics and want revenge.] [[Carnival ]]

You arrive at the carnival with a [[plan]] It is high time and everyone is drunk and in extravagent costumes. Fortunato, you notice, is dressed as a jester and his bells jingle annoyingly with his every motion. How fitting that he is dressed as a fool. <img src="https://p1.pxfuel.com/preview/1014/646/481/harlequin-venezia-face-the-mask-royalty-free-thumbnail.jpg" width="500" height="500"> <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/143/143285_8043-lq.mp3" autoplay>

Revenge is a lenghty matter that must be dealt with carefully. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong. You contemplate the path you had chosen. [[private vengeance]]

You walk up to Fortunato and tell him of your precious Amontillado. He seems incredulous that you would own such a fine and expensive wine. (what an insult to your status and taste!) [[demand respect]] [[offer to have Luchresi taste the wine instead]]

"Fortunato! You disrespect my name when you make such assumptions!" "You are right, Montresor. Pardon my imprudent disragard of you little ounce of status!" He mocked. Fuming, you were about to call him a series of obscenities, but stopped yourself at the memory of your plan. "My power may suprise you tonight, then. Now come get some Amantillado before [[offer to have Luchresi taste the wine instead<-I change my mind and bring Luchresi!"]]

He looks at you dumfounded. "Luchresi can't tell Amontillado from Sherry!" [[guide him home]] [[sneak him into the house]]

You [[told your servants to stay in]] but once you arrive, no one is home. [[You lead drunken Fortunato to the catacombs]] telling him you are bringing him to the wine cellar.

[[You lead drunken Fortunato to the catacombs<-link text]] Yesterday you were contemplating how to kill Fortunato without anyone knowing. Your house was full of servants, but the catacombs provided a perfect place to hide Fortunato's body. Not to mention that he would be surrounded by the bodies of your ancestors- surrounded by the wrath and legacy of House Montresor! Your ancestor's would provide him with eternal torment as they surrounded his spirit for what he has done to the family name. You decided to tell your servants that you will be away during carnival and that they (text-style: "italic")[MUST] stay home and take care of business. You knew that they would do exactly the opposite! [[You lead drunken Fortunato to the catacombs<-you snap back to the present and lead Fortunato to the catacombs]]

Manipulation is an art learned young among the lesser nobles of society. It is the only way to leach onto men like Fortunato, and get your way when, you are virtually powerless; a figurehead at best. You point out the nitre, "The wine is far off. But observe the white web-work which gleams from these cavern walls." He turned towards you with two filmhy orbs distilled by the rheum of intoxication. "Nitre?" he asked, at length. "Nitre," you replied, "How long have you had that cough?" Fortunato launches into a coughing fit and found it impossible to respons ofr many minutes. "Come," you said; "we will go back; your health precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchresi-" Your plan worked, and your offer [[spirred him to keep forward with vigor]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/336/336529_1738686-lq.mp3" autoplay>

You forgot to give your servants instructions about what to do during the carnival! Unsure if there would be any lingering in your home,[[You try to lead him into the family catacombs unnoticed]]

You look around you to ensure no stray servant has followed you, for what will unfold is quite sinister; some would claim it diabolacle! But they do not understand the wrongs Fortunato has done to the Montresors. The wretched state of affairs calls for extreme measure. While looking about, you notice the nitre on the walls and the grotesque coughing fit of drunken Fortunato. An idea forms in your mind. [[point out nitre]] or [[dismiss the idea]]?

Manipulation is an art learned young among the lesser nobles of society. It is the only way to leach onto men like Fortunato, and get your way, when you are virtually powerless; a figurehead at best. You point out the nitre, "The wine is far off. But observe the white web-work which gleams from these cavern walls." He turned towards you with two filmy orbs distilled by the rheum of intoxication. "Nitre?" he asked, at length. "Nitre," you replied. Fortunato launches into a coughing fit and found it impossible to speak many minutes. "How long have you had that cough? Come," you said; "we will go back; your health precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchresi-" Your plan worked. [["I will not die of cough"]], he responded. <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/336/336529_1738686-lq.mp3" autoplay>

You decide not to point out the nitre on the walls. Fortunato fell into a coughing fit, "Why am I coughing so much?" he asked. "I am unsure," you respond, "perhaps a draugh of Medoc will help cure your cough." [["I will not die of cough"]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/336/336529_1738686-lq.mp3" autoplay>

"I will not die of cough", he responded. "True," you replied, "and, indeed, I had not intention of alarming you unnecessarily- but you should use all proper caution." Do you [[offer him Medoc]] or [[offer him water]]?

"True," you replied, "and, indeed, I had not intention of alarming you unnecessarily- but you should use all proper caution. A draugh of Medoc will defend us from the damps." [[offer him a bottle of Medoc]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/69/69245_8043-lq.mp3" autoplay>

You knocked off the neck of a bottle, "Drink," you said, presenting the wine. He raised it to his lips with a leer. He paused and nodded to you familiarily, while his bells jingled. "I drink," he said, "the the burried that repose around us." [[tell him about catacombs<-"And I to your long life."]] (set: $path to "A") <img src="https://p0.pikrepo.com/preview/373/407/person-holding-clear-wine-glass-with-red-wine-thumbnail.jpg" width="500" height="300"> <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/69/69245_8043-lq.mp3" autoplay>

You hand him a glass of water, of which he gulps down and spills all over himself. "Luchresi does not know Amantillado from Sherry! No more mention of him! How far from the wine are we?" Fortunato stumbles a bit and you catch him. "It is still a bit aways, my friend. I cannot keep such a wine where it can be easily stolen." [[tell him about catacombs]] or [[stay silent]] (set: $path to "B")

"These vaults are extensive," you say as you point out the long walls of piled skeletons with casks and puncheons intermingled. "The Montresors were a great and numerous family." "I forget your arms." "A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel." "And the motto?" "(text-style: "italic")[Nemo me impune lacessit.]" "Good!" he said, the wine sparkling in his eyes. After passing through long walls of piled skelletons, you enter the inmost recesses of the catacombs. [[sieze Fortunato by an arm]]

You think for a little while. How do I make Fortuanto know why I am angry at him without giving my plan away? You decide to tell him your [[tell him about catacombs<-family motto]]

The wine sparkled in his eyes and the bells jingled. Your own fancy grew warm with the Medoc. After passing through long walls of piled skelletons, you entered the inmost recesses of the catacombs. [[sieze Fortunato by an arm above the elbow]]

"The niter!" you cried, "it increases! It hangs like moss upon the vaults. Moisture trickles among the bones. Let us go back, your cough-" "It is nothing," he interrupted, "let us go on, but first another draught of the Medoc." You broke a flagon of (text-style: "italic")[De Grave] and he emptied it in one breath. His eyes flashed with a fierce light. Your plan was going swimmingly. [[You heared a rustle but ignored it.]]

"The niter!" you cried, "It increases!It hangs like moss upon the vaults. Moisture trickles among the bones. Let us go back, your cough-" "it is nothing," he interrupted, (if: $path is "A")[But first, another draugh of Medoc. You broke a flagon of De Grave. His eyes flashed with a fierce light. He laughed and threw the bottle upwards with a gesticulation you did not understand. You looked at him in suprise. He repeated the movement- a grotesque one.[["You are not a mason?"]]]\ (else:)[But is the Amontillado truly all the way down there? [[he began to sober up]]]

"But I am," you responded. "You? Impossible! A mason? A sign," he said, "a sign" "It is this," you produced from beneath the folds of your (text-style: "italic")[roqueltaire] a [[trowel]].

The film in his eyes had begun to clear and he was regaining his senses. "You don't even (text-style: "italic") [have] Amantillado!" Fortunato sneered, "(text-style: "italic"[Of course not]! You are not at all wealthy or powerful enough! Would have brought Luchresi- pfft! You inconsiderate piddling indigent simply trying to spoil my evening at the carnival. Jealous bastard! I must say, you had me for a moment Montresor!" You're eyes flashed with rage and you felt as if you were going to implode. How did your plan for retribution allow him to add another injury to the infinite list of wrongs he had done? Fortunato jeered at you and started to walk away. Will you [[lunge at him]] or [[wail in defeat]]

"You jest," he exclaimed, recoiling back a few paces. "But let us proceed to the Amontillado." "Be it so," you said, replacing the tool beneath your cloak. Do you [[offer him your arm]] or [[let him stumble behind you]]?

Without thinking, whithout hesitation, without sense, you lunged at Fortunato and attempted to strike his head with a bottle. He swiftly avoided it and siezed you in a grasp so strong, you could not move. Dragged back up the catacombs you were brought to the other nobles at the carnival. Their smiles faded and the madness left their eyes as they saw the sorry state of you. Months later you found yourself in jail for assult and attempt of murder. Your desire for retribution had been your undoing. The ultimate disgrace of the Montresor name, you lost all of your wealth and status. Your name has become synoymous with the devil. Your estate, auctioned off. Your servants, unemployed. Retribution had overtaken the redressor. [[Fortunato had won]].

You crumpled to the ground in defeat as you saw your retribution vanish with every echoing step of Fortunato leaving you behind. You grabbed a flask of (text-style: "italic")[De Grave] from the walls and began to drink unceremoniously. The Montresor name will forever be transgressed by Fortunato, you thought. You have failed your family. With no longer the will to live, you washed down any thoughts of Fortunato, your family, and vengeance. The next evening a servant found your body dead in the catacombs. You had drank yourself to death. Retribution may overtake the redresser in many ways, and it had overtaken you in the most [[unexpected manner]].

The end. Go back and try out other options to have a different ending! [[credits]]

The end. Replay the game and try different choices to get a different ending! [[credits]]

That sound must have been a rat... you double checked to be sure no servant followed you! You decided to focus all of your energies on the task at hand, for it was a sensitive matter that could be spoiled by any misstep. Your thoughts were interrupted by Fortunato making a crude gesticultion. You looked at him in suprised. "You do not comprehend?" he asked. "Not I," you replied. "Then you are not of the brotherhood." "Yes, yes I am." "You? Impossible! A mason? A sighn," he said, "a sign." [["It is this"]]

You pulled out a trowel from your (text-style: "italic")[rolequetier]. Inside, you laughed at the jest. He looked at you appalled. You thought you heard a stiffled laugh; not coming from Fortuanto. [[Do you go investigate]] or [[ignore it]]?

(set: $path to "c") You looked around you, eyes big with fright. Did a servant follow you? Fortunato looked at you, his face questioning. "What is wrong Montresor?" You realized that you were dangerously close to ruining your plan. "I thought I heard a mouse sqeak, Fortunato. I am terribly affraid of those dreadful creatures." He noded with a smirk, [["Let us proceed to the Amontillado."]]

(set: $path to "d") You decided to ignore it as a phantom of your growing nerves. Your plan has been working swimmingly, but it is quite extreme (as it should). Despite the absolute certainty that Fortunato's death would be the only way to settle the score, murder is not a light matter and the discovery of such by another mortal would bring upon you your own demise. "You jest," Fotunato exclaimed, [["Let us proceed to the Amontillado."]]

You put the tool back beneath your cloak and again offered him your arm. At this point in the catacombs, the air had become quite foul and the flambeaux glowed rather than flamed. You led Fortunato into a deep crypt, and at the most remote end there appeared another less spacious. About four feet, in width three, in height six or seven. It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use within itself, but formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and was backed by one of their circumscribing walls of solid granite. "Proceed," you said; "herien is the Amontillado. As for Luchresi-" "He is an ignoramus," interrupted your friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward, whith you at his heels. (if: $path is "c")[You swore you heard steps behind you. Looking back, you saw a dim figure in the distance. [[You pretended not to notice him.]]]\ (else:)[Was that footsteps you heard behind you? It could not have been, you knew none of your servants followed you. You had double checked at the entry of the catacombs. [[You focused on the task at hand once more.]]]

Fortunato reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered. A moment more and you had him fettered to the granite. In its surface were two iron staples, distant from each other about two feet, horizontally. From one of these depended a short chain, from another a padlock. You threw the links about his waist, and secured it in an instant. Withdrawing the key, you stepped back from the recess. You felt as if eyes were watching you from behind. Pehaps from the bigger crypt that led to the small niche you were in. Again, it was an illusion of your nerves. You shook away the chill that went up your spine, "Pass your hand over the wall; you cannot help but feel the nitre. Indeed it is very damp. Once more let me (text-style: "italic")[implore] you to return. No? Then I must (text-style: "italic")[positively] leave you. But first let me render you all the little attentions in (text-style: "italic")[[my power]]."

To your suprise, it was your head servant Leonard who had spied on your affairs. "What are your plans with Fortunato?" spat Leonard. You commanded Fortunato's attention with a demanding gaze, "To entomb and murder him." You replied cooly, maintaining eye contact. The filmy orbs on Fortunato's face cleared and grew wide. He began to shake and convulse with a frenzy unbecoming of any man. Like a captured beast he tugged and pulled and nawed at the chains. Leonard sat stoically beside him. Silently staring at the ground, you could see the cinema of a thousand memories and a thousand possiblities playing in his eyes. A single tear fell down Leonard's cheak and cobined with Fortunato's puddle in the dirt. You almost felt bad. [[Almost...]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/481/481741_2524442-lq.mp3" autoplay>

"The Amontillado!" ejaculated your friend, not yet recovered from his astonishment. "The Amontillado," you replied. As you said these words you busied yourself with a pile of bones that were within the cript. Throwing them aside, you uncovered a quanitity of building stone and mortar. With these materials and with the aid of your trowel, you began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche. You had scarecly laid the first tier of masonry when you felt two strong hands push you away from your equipment. With a loud thud from the back of your head, you [[had fallen unconscious]].

You awoke with the glowering eyes of a very sober Fortunato about an inch away form your face. You tried to get up but found your motion stopped by a chain. You looked around the crypt to find that a group of angry nobles had formed about you, with Fortunato and one of your male servants at the head. Fortunato drew away the key, "The Amontillado!" he scoffed. "You tried to entomb Fortunato!" the male servant accused, his finger condeming you, "I am ashamed to have ever served you!" "Murderer!" a shrill voice assaulted. Fortunato's eyes suddenly shown with a madness not aquired by drink. He moved toward the pile of brick and mortar and handed the trowel to my servant. [[Together, they began to build the wall desighned for Fortunato.]]

With that, he resumed his building. A succession of loud shrills and screams, bursting suddenly and uncontrollably from your throat, violently assulted the niche. Fortunato began to reply to your desperation. He re-echoed, he aided, he surpassed the volume and strength of your cries. You grew silent as the realization that your panic fanned the flames of delight within your agressor. As Fortunato sealed the last brick meant for him, a wicked maniacle laughter escaped his lips, "Ha! Ha! Ha!- he! he! he!- a very good joke, Montresor. An excellent jest! We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo- he! he! he!- over our wine- he! he! he!" With that, you heard the procession walk away, mumbling amongst themselves about the spectacle that had just occured. "Justice," you overheard Luchresi repeat, as if trying to convince himself, "justice, justice, justice." Your plan for retribution had horribly failed. It had so overtaken you that you had failed to notice the onlooking servant. Fortunato's death sentence was turned against you. The redressor got what he wanted. [[The wrong redressor, that is.]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/79/79769_1230147-lq.mp3" autoplay>

The End. Replay the game and try different choices to get a different ending! [[credits]]

Once through the series of low arches, you arrived at a deep cript. The foulness of the air caused your flambeaux to glow rather than flame. At the most remote end of the crypt appeared another less spacious. It walls were lined with human remains, in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris. On one of the walls, the remains had been thrown down, and laid promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size. Within the wall that was exposed by the displacing of the bones, you percieved a still interior crypt or recess, about four feet deep and six feet high. It seemed to have been contructed for no especial use within itself, but formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs. In vain, Fortuanto attempted to pry out the depth of the recess with his dull torch. [["Proceed," you said, "Herien lies the Amantillado. As for Luchresi-"]]

You bade Fortunato to follow you down through a range of low arches. To drunk to avoid an especially low arch, he hit his head and fell. "Fortunato, are you alright?" you bent over him as he clutched his head. "Bring me the Amontillado, I am in no condition to keep walking, Montresor." [[offer him your arm<- "But it is only a small ways away!" you exclaimed as you offered him your arm.]]

"He is an ignoramus," interuppted your friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward. You followed at his heels. In an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and found his progress arrested by a stone wall. He stood there stupidly bewildered and in a moment you had him fettered to the granite. In its surface were two iron staples, distant from each other about two feet, horizontally. From one of these depended a short chain, from the other a padlock. Throwing the links about his waist, you had secured him within a few seconds. You withdrew the key and [[stepped back from the recess.]]

The earliest indication of such was the low moaning cry from the depth of the recess. It was not the cry of a drunken man. Do you [[begin to feel qualms]] or [[sense pleasure from the sound]]? <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/200/200428_71257-lq.mp3"autoplay>

"Pass your hand," you said, "over the wall; you cannot help feeling the nitre. Indeed, it is very damp. Once more let me (text-style: "italic")[implore you] to return. No? Then I must (text-style: "italic")[positively] leave you. But I must first render you all the little attentions in my power." "The Amontillado!" ejaculated your friend, not yet recovered from his astonishment. "True," you replied, "the Amontillado." As you said these words you busied yourself to the pile of bones mentioned before. Throwing them aside, you soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar. With these and the aid of your trowel, you began to vigorously wall up the entrance of the niche. You had scarcely laid the first tier of masonry when you discovered that [[the intoxication of Fortunato had in a great measure worn off.]]

(set: $path to "e") The sensation of a skittering spider crawled up your back to the nape of your neck. Perhaps you are allowing retribution to overtake you and this is going to far. A tightness in your chest made you almost believe this rediculous absurdity. Fortunato's dreadful groan subsided and a long obstinant silence filled your ears. Heat within you began to replace the chilling dampness that had strangled you a moment before. You felt bubbles within your chest and a warm tingle spread through your arms and fingertips. [[Euphoria, you realized, was what you were feeling.]]

(set: $path to "f") Euphoric, you kept working the wall. You were dissapointed when a long and obstinate silence followed Fortunato's [[Euphoria, you realized, was what you were feeling.<-anguished lementation]].

You laid the second tier, then the third, then the fourth; and then you heard the furious vibration of the chain. The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that you may hearken to it with the more satisfaction, you ceased your labors and sat down upon the bones. When at last the clanking subsided, you resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier. The wall had now nearly reached the level of your chest. You paused, and holding the flambeaux over the mason-work, you threw a few feeble rays upon the figure within. A succession of loud shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust you violently back. (if: $path is "f")[For a brief moment you hesitated. You trembled. Unsheathing your rapier, you began to grope with it about the recess;[[but the thought of an instant reassured you.]]]\ (else:)[You hesitated. You trembled. The dampness within threatened to suffocate you. [[Unsheathing your rapier, you began to grope with it about the recess.]]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/201/201169_401348-lq.mp3"autoplay>

You placed your hand upon the solid fabric of the catacombs, and felt satisfied. You re-approached the wall; replied to the yells of him who clamoured.You re-echoed, you aided, you suprassed them in volume and strength. You did this, and the [[clamourer grew still.]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/481/481741_2524442-lq.mp3" autoplay>

Insanity seemed to grip you. The screams from the chained human echoed and assulted the very depth of your soul. Your mind hazed and scrambled. You tried to get back to buidling, but your hands betrayed you. Grabbing the rapier you dropped in your craze, you struck at the wall. Shifting all your weight forward, you broke down the tiers after numerous blows. Quaking fingers reaveled the golden key, and moments later Fortunato was set free. Do you [[crumple to the ground]] or do you [[throw yourself on Fortunato]]?

After a few emotionally charged moments, Fortunato got up and towered over you. "You tried to entombe me alive! You fiend from the pits of hell!" You were no longer a man, but a monster. You bowed your head down in shame and accepted whatever was to follow. Retribution had overtaken you and had caused you to almost murder, in a cruel and sadistic way, the man before you. He dragged you back up the catacombs and brought your wilting body to a group of higher nobles. The madness left the eyes of his friends when they saw the sorry state of you and the seething anger on Fortunato's face. Hours later you found yourself in chains behind the bars of a monastic prison. The hope was that being surrounded by holy men would help you turn from your wickedness and become a lover of Christ. Oh how you wished to have been [[entomed instead]].

Clinging onto Fortunato, you begged for his forgiveness between sobs. His costume became drenched with your tears. A violent sense of shame overcame you as Fortunato embraced you. Once your weeping ceased to convulsing doube breaths, Fortunato began to speak, "(text-style: "italic")[Why] Montresor?" You wanted to look at Fortunato in the eye, and tell him everything. How he had wronged you so many times, how that made you feel, how your vandetta overcame you, how terribly monsterous you felt, how pathetic you were; but you could not lift your head nor form the words. You bleated a soft tearless cry in response. Many hours passed with you, weary and trembling, in the arms of Fortunato. Finally, you were able to speak. You told him everything with a fire in your eyes so bright, you could have set the room ablaze. Fortunato listened quietly, though there were a few moments where his lips tightened and you could tell he wanted to object to your descriptions of his malice. Do they [[forgive eachother]], does [[the hatred come back]], or does[[Montresor forgive]]?

The end. Replay the game and try different choices to get a different ending! [[credits]]

"Brother, forgive me for taking advantage of you and your family!" Fortunato cried, "Let me make it up to you and wed my daughter to your son!" That idea had never occured to you before. Of all the remedies to your vendetta, you never once saw this as a possibilty. But this opportunity could bring the Montresors great status and wealth. You looked at Fortunato, then closed your eyes and pictured your beautiful little girl. Her sweet smile, her dark curls, her big brown eyes, her dimples... then you pictured Fortunato's son. Three years her senior, he was 11 years old and already showing great signs of strength, leadership, and bravery. He had a fair complextion and his eyes shown with power and pride. Yes, that would do. "Fortunato, let us go up at once and write the papers. The betrothel ceremony should be held after the festivities." You rose to your feet and offered him a firm hand. He grasped it and gave you a weak smile. "Montresor, retribution had almost taken over you, yet a glimmer of humanity broke through and overcame your diabolical bloodlust. Let this matrimony be the beginning of a new era between the Fortunatos and the Montresors." [[A wrong had been redressed.]]

As you listed off ever wrong Fortunato had done to your and your family name, anger began to throb within you once again. You clenched your fists and began to yell. As the aggression within you surged and swelled, Fortunato began to cower. By the time you finished your list, you were towering over him, and he was the one clinging onto you, begging for forgiveness. In a feverish fire of pure hatred, you grabed your rapier. "(text-style: "Italic")[Nemo me impune lacessit.]" You growled and thrust the sword through his chest. He ghasped out his last breath as you twisted the rapier in his heart. An unearthly giggle errupted from your lips as you watched the blood squirt out of his chest. Soaked in his blood and satisfied with the limp and mangled form laying before you, you grabbed Fortunato's body and placed it in the niche. You rebuilt the wall, stripped yourself, and walked out of the catacombs finally free. [[A wrong had been redressed.]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/528/528690_6546996-lq.mp3"autoplay>

The claims of your chagrain tumbled breathlessly out of your mouth, one after another; until finally, you were able to forgive him. You hugged him tight and told him that the score was settled and asked to be brothers agains. Fortunato patted you on the back and whispered, "Dear Montresor, I hear your cries. Brother, let me put your mind to rest!" In a moment you felt something sharp thrust through you from behind with much force. You ghasped and immediatly clutched your pierced chest. Whilst you were distracted by your teary case, he had grabbed your rapier and stabbed you in the back! Blood pooled into your cusped hands and oozed down you chest and back. Fortunato stood up and exclaimed, "For what you have accused me off, for tainting my honor in your mind, and for what you have attempted to do to me, I must show you what is within(text-style: "italic")[ my power.]" With that, he sauntered off. [[A wrong had been redressed.]]

The end. Go back to the beginning and choose different options to get a different ending! [[credits]]

You began to build the first tier, then the second, then the third. All the while the sobs of Fortunato ovepowered the deadening silence of Leonard. Then there was a long and obstinate silence. You built the fourth, then the fifth, then the sixth tier. By the seventh tier the wall had reached up to your breasts. Two wrethced wailes emerged from the recess and harmonized in an anguished duet. It lasted for several minutes. You paused, and holding the flambeaux over the mason-work, threw a few feeble rays upon the figures within. A succession of loud shrills and screams, bursting suddenly from the shadowy figure with jingling bells, threw you violently back.à Do you [[hesitate]] or [[revel in the screams]]?

For a brief moment you hesitated. You trembled. Then the thought of an instant reassured you. Placing your hand against the silken wall of the catacombs, you were satisfied. You peered once more. The stillness of Leonard, as the light illuminated his expressionless face, sent a chill down your spine. Your heart felt sick. It must have been the dampness. As you sealed the last block, a crude laughter errupted from behind the walls, "For the love of God Montresor!" "Yes Fortunato," you replied, "For the love of God!" You went to bed haunted by the silence of Leonard. For many years he tormented you dreams and gave birth to your nightmares. Sometimes you could swear that you felt invisible glowering eyes burning holes in your back and hear the jingle of little bells. [[Then, deafening quiet.]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/79/79769_1230147-lq.mp3" autoplay>

The wild torments of the mortally trapped being bathed your ears and lit up you insides. With glee you re-approached the wall and you replied to the yells of him who clamoured. You re-echoed, you aided, you surpassed them in volume and in strength. You did this, and the clamour grew still. You peered once more. The stillness of Leonard, as the light illuminated his expressionless face, sent a chill down your spine. Your heart felt sick. It must have been the dampness. As you sealed the last block, a crude laughter errupted from behind the walls, (text-style: "italic")["For the love of God Montresor!"] "Yes Fortunato," you replied, "For the love of God!" You went to bed haunted by the silence of Leonard. For many years he tormented you dreams and gave birth to your nightmares. Sometimes you could swear that you felt invisible glowering eyes burning holes in your back and hear the jingle of little bells. [[Then, deafening quiet.]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/79/79769_1230147-lq.mp3" autoplay>

The end. Start over and try other choices to get a different ending! [[credits]]

One of the nobles with a more sensative conscious, a pious lady who's husband had died the year before, spoke up. "Fortunato, I do not believe that this is the proper way to deal with the issue. Let us bring him to court and have him tried. Once found guilty, he will have to live in a monastic prison. Then he will have time to repent and learn the love of Christ! We do not want to damn a soul, even if they have attempted such a wicked deed as murder!" Fortunato grew red and yelled, (text-style: "rumble")["A SOUL SUCH AS HIS DOES NOT DESERVE MERCY, BUT JUSTICE!"] [[not?<-"Justice," echoed the crowd in murderous fervor.]]

It was now midnight, and your task was drawing to a close. You completed the eigth, the ninth, and the tenth tier. You had finished a portion of the last tier; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in. Struggling with the weight, you placed it partially in its destined position. But now there came from out the niche a low laughter that errected the hairs upon your head. It was succeeded by a sad voice, which you had difficulty in recognizing as that of the noble Fortunato. The voice said- "Ha! Ha1 Ha!- he! he ! he!- a very good joke, indeed- an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo- he! he! he! over our wine- he! he! he!" "The Amontillado!" you said. "He! he! he!- he! he! he!- yes, the Amontillado. But is it not getting late? Will not they be awaiting us at the palazzo, the Lady Fortunato and the rest? Let us be gone." "Yes," you said, [["let us be gone."]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/79/79769_1230147-lq.mp3" autoplay>

(text-style: "italic")["For the love of God, Montresor!"] "Yes," you said, "for the love of God!" But to these words you hearkened a vain reply. You grew impatient. You called aloud- "Fortunato!" No answer. You called again- "Fortunato!" No answer still. You thrust a torch through the remaining aperature and let it fall within. There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells. Your heart grew sick. Do you [[brush the feeling aside]] or [[let it grow]]? <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/85/85917_1275448-lq.mp3"autoplay>

It was the dampness of the catacombs that made your heart feel so. You hastened to make an end of your labour and forced the last stone into its position. You plastered it up. Against the new masonry you re-erected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal disturbed them. (text-style: "italic")[[A wrong was redressed<-In pace requiescat!]]

The feeling threatened to suffocate you. You let the brick fall to the ground and peered within the niche. The pathetic figure of Fortunato lay curled in a despairing ball, silent tears soaking the ground. The torch was dangerously close to his costume and its flame threatend to consume his hat. Your anger subsided as you watched the shell of a man succumb to such utterly complete defeat. He was already dead in spirit. "Lady Fortunato would miss you, wouldn't she?" Fortunato did not move. "I will let you go if you promise me this..." You demanded a lengthy list of reparations in exchange for his life. The next day documents were signed and a major transfer of wealth and power was conducted. To save his precious measly life, Fortunato gave his manor, his lands, and everything within it to Montresor; save one acre of land and a small mud cottage to accomodate him and his family. [[A wrong was redressed]]

The end. Start over and try different choices to get another ending! [[credits]]

This Narrative was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's, (text-style: "italic")[The Cask Of Amontillado] (Text-style: "underline")[Soundtrack and Sound Effects:] "Moonlight Sonata" by Snowflake. 2010 - Licensed under Creative Commons. Attribution (3.0) Man Crying and Whimmering.flac by Iwan Gabovitch under CC-BY 3.0 License Condescending Evil Man Laughing Crazy and Madly by nicksta18 CC-BY 3.0 License CrazyLaugh.wav by engreitz Sampling License 1.0 People drink outdoor and talk, no music by dobroide under CC-BY 3.0 License 200903.pouring.01.wav by dobroide under CC-BY 3.0 License Human Noises-Cough Public Domain Sukhapha anchor chain.wav by phonoflora CC-BY 3.0 License Vintage Voices - Men 1 (Red Lib) by craigsmith CC-BY 3.0 License jingle bell small.aiff by mwmarsh Sampling License 1.0 (text-style: "underline")[Images:] Cry Pain Horror Depression Human Fear Despair- Licensed under Creative Commons Zero- CC0 Dark Skull Background -Bing Public Domain Person Wearing Black, White, and Gold Jester Suit- Royalty Free License Person Holding Clear Wine Glass with Red Wine- Royalty Free License [[The Cask of Amontillado Intro<-replay]]

"My friends! What are you doing?" you yelled out in panic. One of the bystanders responded, "Justice." "It was all a joke! Fortunato, tell them! You cannot honestly believe that I would try to murder you? Remember all the times I offered for us to go back?" "You are a manipulative serpant," he growled, "Possesed by the Devil himself!" he looked you in they eye and slammed down a brick into the mortar. He laid the second tier, then the third, then the fourth; all the while you struggled against the chains and screamed out reasons for your innocence. As he closed in the fifth tear, you let out a wail. It lasted for several minutes. <img src="https://www.maxpixel.net/static/photo/1x/Fear-Human-Despair-Horror-Pain-Depression-Cry-1675277.jpg" width="500" height="500"> Fortunato stopped and told your servant to rest. You could here the nobles nervously asking if they should continue. "Dear friends, do you want such a hateful, homocidal, demonic man roaming free among us? He tried to end my life because I am more wealthy and powerful than him! If we let him go, he will not stop there. He will kill you and your heirs in his unssatiable desire for money and status. He is a fallen Montresor." Do [[one of the nobles argue with him]] or[[not?]] <audio src="https://freesound.org/data/previews/481/481741_2524442-lq.mp3" autoplay>