Chapter (Series) 1: Curse in Thebes
The first chapter of the tale Song of the Crimson Nile unfolds in the game Romantic Club, guiding players through the outcomes of each choice and how they reshape the plot.
Dark days have fallen on Egypt. The protagonist is Eva, also called Evtida, a shezmu — a shadowy magician who was hunted for her abilities. Shezmu can step into others’ dreams and speak with the dead, powers that local law forbids. The opening moment presents a nightmare of Anubis, typically a sign of danger and upheaval.
Remark: The honest heroine is straightforward and confident, often using irony. The cunning heroine is shrewd, ready to leverage any situation.
Eva awakens to a sharp slap from her partner, Dia. When she regains clarity, her mentor enters and scolds her for not finishing the assigned task.
She experiences a moment of reflection about her nightly dreams, pondering their meaning and whether they should stay private. She questions the purpose of her sleepless night and what it might reveal about her own honesty and cunning.
Classes take place indoors at the Thoth temple, a sanctuary of knowledge. There Eva and two fellow students, Dia and Reims, study directions deemed forbidden in Egypt, including oneiromancy and necromancy. The mentor ends the lesson early, deeming the day done.
As the lesson ends, Eva contemplates her evolving role. She considers stepping up, taking charge, and pursuing self-training that could deepen her abilities and self-reliance.
The group heads to the dining room to refresh themselves and catch their breath. Speaking aloud about dark magic is dangerous, so Dia and Reims quietly discuss world events and the tension they feel.
Choice: Hunters…
- Let them watch so they don’t get sick themselves. – (+1 Cunning );
- What do they need there? – (+1 Honesty );
- Headache. – (+1 Honesty ).
During a tense moment, Reims provokes a verbal contest, clinging to every word to tilt the conversation in his favor.
- I like you too much Reims is glad you don’t take your skirmishes seriously;
- Fear the gods Reims can become your rival.
Interest surges as everyone wonders about Eva’s dream. Shezmu typically does not dream, making this curiosity unusual and inviting questions about what happened.
Choice: Reim…
- Tell me everything you know about the illness – 22 diamonds, you gain more insight into the disease. In Chapter 4 you will receive (+1 Recognition );
- You give me a headache – there is no effect.
After dinner, Dia gently leads Eva toward Isman, an old friend who studies medicine in the temple. It turns out that Isman also seeks a meeting, so the encounter happens naturally.
- Why would you want to go there? – (+1 Cunning );
- And who is waiting for you there? – (+1 Cunning );
- Collected a little far away – (+1 Honesty ), in ancient times the Egyptians called the desert the red land.
During their conversation, it becomes clear that a notorious mage hunter has arrived in town. Isman worries about Eva, yet he recognizes he cannot offer real help.
Remark: The tense exchange continues as Eva wrestles with the threat posed by the hunter, who tracks more than a dozen captive shezmu.
Diya and Isman tease Eva, but the joke only fuels her resolve to face the hunter prepared for whatever he might throw at her.
Choice: …
- I bet things will be different? — 27 diamonds, Eva bets with friends. You must confront the epistat if a dispute arises. In Chapter 4, if you refuse to grant Amen the cloak, you will gain (+1 recognition). );
- OK, no effect.
Path scene: Isman shares news about a woman who was attacked.
- Path of honesty: You offer help. If the victim remains unconscious, the assailants can escape or erase clues of their involvement;
- Path of cunning: Acknowledge the parents’ grief for their child and frame the dialogue to emphasize your service needs.
Remark: Some choices boost Necromancy or Oneiromancy values. These paths can be used to fulfill orders. Mastery of Oneiromancy helps solve problems by entering other people’s dreams, while Necromancy draws Eva closer to the afterlife and communication with the dead.
After a heated argument, the group disperses. Eva walks along the coast to watch the sunset and feel the evening breeze, but the turmoil clings to her thoughts.
Choice: The bush in front of them shakes and a head peaks out. This choice does not affect stats but determines which pet Eva can tame in Episode 2.
- Dog;
- Falcon;
- Wild cat.
Returning to the temple after sunset, a mentor invites Eva to take a walk and complete one assignment.
Choice: It’s because…
The sound of horses carries from the city as the Pharaoh’s retinue arrives. Eva’s curiosity leads her to greet the newcomers, and the mentor introduces a white-haired fighter named Amen, a skilled warrior with keen intuition and a penetrating gaze.
- Pretend to be stupid – (+1 Cunning );
- And I didn’t mean to – (+1 fairness ).
Choice: I will…
- I will, I promise22 diamonds, (+1 recognition ). Remmao believes he can rely on you;
- I’ll try – there is no effect;
You travel to the city to complete the task. You move through dark alleys to avoid drawing attention. As you consider the visitors, it seems they are here to hire healers and may seek to journey with you to Thebes to improve their magical abilities.
- Yes… You are clever – (+1 Cunning );
- Don’t cut everyone the same size – (+1 Honesty ).
Remark: Assisting an animal can earn the favor of a god in the future.
Choice: Eva… (The man will threaten the animal you chose earlier in the series)
- Assisted… 27 diamonds, (+1 recognition ). You helped an animal. This affects the plot;
- Ignored – no effect.
Amen appears, patrolling the area with questions and a sharp eye. Eva has nothing to reveal, and Amen suspects something is amiss.
- I’m not selling the body – (+1 Honesty );
- Wrong – (+1 Honesty );
- Because they don’t act, I’m not who you told me – (+1 Cunning ).
Choice: And further…
- They met 22 diamonds, Amen will remember Eva’s cheeky look;
- Eva stepped back – no effect.
Questions keep piling up, raising suspicion. Remmao, who came to the rescue, acts quickly and ensures Eva’s safety. Then he begins asking questions in a calm, purposeful way.
- I wanted to stand up for the animal.[+1 slyness, +1 slyness, +1 slyness];
- It literally appeared from behind. – (+1 Honesty );
- She didn’t understand. – (+1 Cunning ).
With no one watching, Eva changes clothes and enters the client’s house, where an elderly priest asks for help.
Choice: And you live long, sir.
- Nod to him – (+1 Confession );
- Stand up – (-1 Recognition );
- Bowl your head – no effect.
- Inactivity? – (+1 Cunning );
- This is none of my business – (+1 Honesty ).
Maximum stat points available in the first series:
- +11 Honesty or cunning ;
- +1 Necromancy or Oneiromancy ;
- +4 Recognition.