The opening chapter of the story Love, Sin and Evil in the game Romantic Club follows the journey of Mina as she faces the consequences of choices that shape the fate of her companions and the world around them.
Chapter (episode) 1: That’s how it starts
A student stumbles into the clutches of an ancient malevolence and must risk her own soul in a bloody struggle to protect and save her friends.
A girl named Mina, though the player can select another name, dozes on a bus that lurches over a bump and wakes her as the vehicle slows to a stop. Mr Collins announces that they have arrived at their destination.
Character appearance can be chosen:
- European type;
- Indian kind;
- Asian type;
- African species.
Then the outfit is decided:
And her personal style:
The scene shifts as the group tries to understand their surroundings. The driver refuses to continue and halts in a forested area. The students debate the current predicament, while one girl keeps to the sidelines.
Eastern Europe. Belowakia.
Mr. Collins speaks about carsonite, a mineral of great significance in this universe.
With reserves exhausted, a government export ban is imposed. The heroes survey an empty city and notice a fountain with red water.
Three problem-solving approaches appear: athletic action, mysticism, and a rational, scientific viewpoint.
Mina must decide how to handle the fountain:
- Check herself. +1 Sport;
- Something ominous is happening here. +1 Mystic;
- It can be understood scientifically. +1 Gnostic.
Students discuss vampires briefly, but attention turns to the rock that forms the fountain. This is carsonite. Mr. Collins heads off to find an inn.
The heroine already has a relationship with the character she has chosen.
Choice:
- Chad [Catches you in his arms, but a cat startles you both and you fall to the ground];
- Sue [Kisses your hand, and you talk about the relationship];
- Mr Collins [You discuss keeping the relationship a secret and almost kiss, interrupted by the cat];
- Show [You sit on his lap and discuss your relationship];
- A [You sit on a bench and relax].
After the girl is left alone, she can choose where to go. Mina encounters strange events wherever she goes and seeks a quick escape. Choosing the light path helps solve problems, while the dark path creates them.
Market. +1 Gnostic.
What should she do?
- (Talk carefully.) +1 Light;
- (Ask directly.) +1 Dark.
To the church. +1 Mystic.
What should she do?
- (Succumb.) +1 Light;
- (Resist.) +1 Dark.
To the backyard. +1 Sport.
What should she do?
- (Run.) +1 Light;
- (Fight back.) +1 Dark.
Note: If a pair is chosen, the selected partner will try to comfort the player.
Note: Dating Chad yields a photo.
The girl returns to the fountain and shares her observations:
- Control yourself. +1 Light;
- Be careful. +1 Dark.
The heroes move to a hostel where garlic sits on the table:
- I like garlic. +1 Light;
- Not funny. +1 Dark.
Concierge Eugen appears and offers a room choice:
- Suite (22 diamonds). +1 Sports, +1 Gnostic, +1 Mystic;
- Economy (free). No effect.
Inside the room a character with whom Mina has a relationship can be encountered.
If dating Chad:
- Continue… (45 diamonds) [Scene with Chad];
- Stop. (Free) [End of scene].
If dating Sue:
- I know. (45 diamonds) [Scene with Sue];
- I’m busy. (Free) [End of scene].
If dating Mr. Collins:
- It won’t be embarrassing. (45 diamonds) [Scene with Mr. Collins];
- I’m not in the mood. (Free) [End of scene].
If dating Tony:
- Continue… (45 diamonds) [Scene with Tony];
- Stop. (Free) [End of scene].
The girl dreams of mountains and a shadowy castle before being awakened by distant cultists.
Fight back against the sectarians! +1 Dark.
- You scream – I will suffocate! +1 Sport;
- Your gods will not hear you! +1 Mystic;
- What did you think?! +1 Gnostic.
Keep the defense. +1 Light.
- Don’t let them in. +1 Sport;
- Find an emergency exit. +1 Gnostic;
- Something to distract them. +1 Mystic.
The mayor explains they are on vacation. Mina answers accordingly:
- Sorry. +1 Light;
- Justify yourself. +1 Dark.
The crowd disperses to their rooms. In the morning, Mina prepares to head into town.
Choose an outfit:
Choose a hat:
The group leaves the hotel and heads to the square to discuss the night’s events.
An unknown woman steps forward and offers to choose a decorative gift for Mina.
The woman advises never removing the jewelry. Mina hurries to catch up with the group.
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