Part 15 A Total Change (Arc 1: Save Yourself)
-[X] The Velvet Room: Margaret has been waiting for you, trying to… get you to come back so that you and her, and the Captian can speak.
The Velvet Room's entrance near Crime Alley was fittingly enigmatic—tucked away in a place where darkness lingered, yet transformation thrived. The juxtaposition made sense to you. This strange place, hidden in Gotham's shadows, was where your power could grow. It was where
you could change.
The door creaked open, and the soft strains of ethereal music spilled out, welcoming you like an old friend. Inside, the apartment-like space exuded a surreal calm. Margaret and Adam, the two enigmatic residents of the Velvet Room, were seated at a small round table, engrossed in a card game.
Margaret glanced up from her hand. "Do you really find this necessary?" she asked Adam, a faint trace of bemusement in her tone. She gestured for you to enter as she eyed the cards with a raised brow. "Is this just your way of staving off boredom?"
Adam shrugged, his tone casual but edged with weariness. "You try being connected to a wall for eternity and tell me you wouldn't want something to pass the time. This… makes me feel normal."
You stepped fully inside, allowing the door to close softly behind you. "I'm home," you said with a small smile.
Both Margaret and Adam turned their attention to you. Margaret, ever the composed figure, tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful but stern. "The Velvet Room is not your home, as much as I might wish it could be. The confines of your current reality are... less than ideal."
You couldn't help but let out a short laugh, though it carried a bitter edge. "Believe me, Margaret, I'd
love to get adopted by someone kind, someone who cares. But instead, I'm dealing with people who want to turn me into a martyr—use my death to ignite a gang war. So yeah, 'atrocious' doesn't quite cover it." You turned to Adam, changing the subject. "How about you? How's the eternal card-playing treating you?"
Adam chuckled dryly. "Let's just say your situation makes mine look
pleasant by comparison."
Margaret folded her hands on the table, her eyes meeting yours with an intensity that seemed to pierce through your soul. "How may we assist you, Adam?"
You hesitated for a moment before speaking, your voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "I have a question—something that's been gnawing at me. The shadows I've been seeing around Gotham... Are they real?"
Margaret's expression didn't falter, but there was a weight to her words when she finally replied. "Yes. In a manner of speaking."
"Explain?" you pressed, leaning forward slightly.
Margaret exchanged a glance with Adam before addressing you. "The shadows you've seen are manifestations of despair, malice, and corruption. They are born from the collective unconscious of Gotham's people—an amalgamation of the city's darkest thoughts and fears. Some call them demons, others might see them as reflections of humanity's flaws. Regardless, they are very real to those who perceive them."
Adam added with a smirk, "Think of them as Gotham's... dirty little secrets, given form. And they
really don't like being exposed."
You frowned, letting their words sink in. "So, these shadows—they're dangerous?"
Margaret's voice softened, though her tone was no less firm. "Dangerous, yes, but also an opportunity. They represent the very darkness you must confront—both within Gotham and within yourself. To face them is to take a step toward understanding the truths you seek."
"So… how do I fight them?" you asked, your voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Margaret's gaze was steady, her tone calm but firm. "Normally, we would recommend avoiding such battles unless you are fully prepared. However, considering your unique circumstances, you may not have that luxury. It is imperative that you ready yourself."
"How so? Are you saying I need more than just my fists?" you asked, clenching your hands reflexively.
"A weapon would certainly be useful," Margaret acknowledged, folding her hands neatly in front of her. "You are, after all, facing monsters—creatures born from malice and despair. But you also have Icarus."
Adam leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing at his lips. "He's your other self, your Persona. That's where your real strength lies. You need to trust him, use him, and fight without holding back. Survival means no limits."
You tilted your head, intrigued. "Do I get anything from fighting them?"
Adam shrugged, his tone becoming slightly more playful. "For one, you'll gain experience—literally and figuratively. Fighting will teach you how to strategize, adapt, and sharpen your skills. Oh, and sometimes they drop money. But don't get your hopes up—it's usually not enough for more than a bus fare."
You couldn't help but grin. "What if I fight a
lot of them?"
That earned a chuckle from Margaret, a rare break from her composed demeanor. "At least he's not a loot goblin-like some of the others we've dealt with."
You raised an eyebrow, confused. "What's a loot goblin?"
Margaret waved a hand dismissively, her smile softening. "Believe me, it's better if you don't know."
Adam snorted, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Let's just say, some people get
very enthusiastic about shiny things and forget there's a fight going on. You? You're better off focusing on staying alive."
"So, get a weapon, trust Icarus, and keep my eyes on the goal," you summarized.
"Exactly," Margaret said, nodding approvingly. "The shadows are not mere obstacles—they are a test. Each victory will bring you closer to understanding the power you wield and the purpose you must fulfill."
Adam grinned. "And hey, if you happen to pick up some loose change along the way, I won't judge."
You laughed, the weight of the situation momentarily lightened by their banter. "Guess it's time to get started, then."
Margaret's expression turned serious once more. "Remember, Adam—each battle will require both strength and wisdom. The Velvet Room will always be here if you need guidance. Use it wisely."
Reward: Gain new actions: Fighting the Shadows Of Gotham.
Will now gain money that can be used during the time skip to upgrade… lodgings, equipment, and general wellbeing.
---------------------------------------------------------
-[X]
Investigate the Orphanage Money: You want to see if you can trace how Maroni has so much influence over the orphanage's finances—and why the city hasn't noticed.
Sneaking into the accounting room of the orphanage was, admittedly, a daunting task.
For anyone else, it might have seemed impossible, but you were more determined than most. After all, this wasn't just curiosity driving you—it was survival. Your life depended on uncovering the truth, no matter how dark it might be.
The timing had to be perfect. You waited for the Matron to finish locking up the room and head out for her nightly cigarette break, watching her shuffle down the dimly lit hallway. Once the coast was clear, you slipped in, heart pounding, every creak of the floorboards making your breath hitch.
The door clicked shut behind you, and for a moment, silence enveloped the small, cramped office. Stacks of papers, ledgers, and filing cabinets loomed around you like silent sentinels. The faint scent of stale tobacco lingered in the air—a reminder of the Matron's frequent presence.
You knew this was risky. Bullock had warned you not to overreach, to prepare before making any bold moves. But you were here now, and there was no turning back.
As you rifled through the drawers, your eyes scanned pages and pages of neatly kept records, their contents unraveling the horrifying truth.
Names of children.
Dates of adoptions.
And payments. Always payments.
Each "adoption" was tied to a crime family. These weren't new homes—they were sentences. The children were used as pawns: traffickers, drug mules, and worse. Most of them didn't last a year. Runaways and fatalities were marked in cold, clinical language, as they were returned to the morgue, or just disappeared entirely.
The orphanage was profiting off their misery, collecting payments for every child sold into Gotham's underbelly. The names of buyers and families were all there, laid out in black and white, the paper trail damning enough to bring down powerful people.
Your stomach churned as the weight of it all hit you. This wasn't just about you anymore. It was so much bigger—so much worse than you had imagined.
But then came the sinking realization: you couldn't take the files. Not yet. If anyone noticed they were gone, you'd tip your hand, and they'd bury the evidence faster than you could blink.
Your hands trembled as you carefully placed the papers back where you found them, committing as much as you could to memory. You'd have to return for them when the time was right—when you had a plan.
For now, all you could do was leave the evidence hidden and hope you'd survive long enough to use it.
Reward:
You uncovered evidence tying the Gotham Orphanage to human trafficking, along with the names of those responsible. But for now, it remains out of your reach, and you'll need more than just the truth to bring them down.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-[X]
Visit the Police Archives: The GCPD's old records might contain clues about Maroni, Falcone, or other major players in Gotham's underworld. But getting in won't be easy.
You didn't think it could get any worse than uncovering the horrors of the Gotham Orphanage.
But you were wrong.
Sitting in the dimly lit archives of the GCPD, you stared at five case files spread out before you. The department's massive database held over ten million files, and you'd managed to claw through the chaos to find these specific ones.
The officers had scoffed at your presence, dismissing you as a snot-nosed kid with no business poking around their cases. They muttered under their breath, eyeing you with irritation and suspicion. To them, you were either wasting their time or trying to humiliate them by finding patterns they had missed—or worse, ignored.
Because this was the GCPD, and even in your short time investigating, you weren't naïve enough to think they were above negligence.
The names on the files stared back at you, each one accompanied by a grim photo and a tragic tale.
- Sarah Philips
- Jose Rodriguez
- Jasper Williker
- Henrietta Graves
- Duke Graves
Five children. Five lives were stolen.
All had been adopted from the orphanage into the clutches of Gotham's criminal underbelly. And all five had wound up dead, their bodies dumped in the river like garbage and found half eaten when they washed ashore. The reports and newspapers painted them as delinquents, casualties of their own poor choices. Mental health struggles, drug abuse, failed attempts to get clean—the same tired narratives used to explain away their untimely ends.
But the deeper you dug, the more inconsistencies you found. Esspscially with their unsealed medical records being in the files, somehow not being returned to the hospital when they were done.
None of them had a history of drug use or mental illness before their adoptions. In fact, their records painted them as ordinary kids: bright, hopeful, even talented. But within months of entering their new homes, their lives unraveled in horrifyingly similar ways. Delinquency, drug use, hallucinations… anger… The reports never asked why.
The police never connected the dots.
To them, it was a tragic coincidence—unfortunate, but unremarkable. No one cared enough to look deeper.
But you did.
You saw the pattern emerging, the sinister thread tying them together. They weren't random victims. They were pawns in a much larger game, discarded when they were no longer useful.
You saw them mentioned at nightclubs where drugs were sold. At places where runners were used. Being at the scene of crimes, traumatized, with bruises and other wounds.
The realization hit you like a punch to the gut. The orphanage wasn't just failing these kids—it was feeding them to the wolves. And the GCPD either couldn't or wouldn't do a damn thing about it.
The files felt heavy in your hands, the weight of their stories pressing down on you. For a moment, you wondered if you were in over your head. This wasn't just about surviving anymore. It was about justice—justice for Sarah, Jose, Jasper, Henrietta, and Duke. And all the others who died… wo will die if you don't stop this.
But to get it, you'd need more than just these files. You'd need proof, allies, and a way to expose the rot festering at the heart of Gotham.
For now, you carefully closed the folders, your mind racing with possibilities. You weren't sure what your next move would be, but one thing was certain: you wouldn't let their stories be forgotten.
Reward: You have circumstantial evidence. But it's evidence of neglect, and abuse…
It might not be enough for a conviction… but it might be enough for some search warrants.
---------------------------------
-[X]
Train with Bullock: The detective doesn't make it easy, but his no-nonsense lessons in tailing suspects and thinking like a cop could save your life.
Harvey smirked, glancing at you as he took another bite of his sandwich. The smell of mustard and cheap deli meat filled the air inside the parked car.
"A lot of this crap is just… sitting in a car and waiting?" you asked, staring out the window at the dimly lit street.
"Yep," he replied, crumbs falling onto his lap.
"This is boring."
"Yep."
You frowned. "Does the Comish know you're out here trying to teach me how to do this?"
"Yep," he said with a chuckle. "This ride-along is totally unsanctioned by the GCPD. I mean, I doubt the Comish would sign off on this even if I asked."
Great. You slouched in the seat. "So… what are we doing, anyway?"
"Watching who goes into that building," he replied casually, gesturing toward a crumbling brick structure across the street. The neon glow of a flickering sign above the door painted the sidewalk in garish reds and blues.
You squinted, focusing on the entrance. "Looks like a lot of adults, and, uh… a lot of women dressed like they're not planning to stay in for the night."
Harvey chuckled, his eyes still on the building. "Look again, kid. See the man by the door? Look at his hands."
Your gaze shifted. The man leaned against the wall, casually surveying the street. "He's armed. Probably has a baton or a pistol," you replied after a moment.
"Nope," Harvey said, shaking his head. "He's a cop. Look how his hand keeps drifting toward his side, like he's checking for his badge, even though it's not there. Old habits die hard."
You raised an eyebrow. "Okay, but how does that help me?"
Harvey turned to you, his expression more serious now. "You've gotta know who's who at a single glance, without second-guessing. That instinct can mean the difference between staying alive or blowing your cover. Or worse, losing a lead."
He gestured toward the building again. "Take another look. See that woman in the red dress, by the car? What do you notice?"
You observed her for a moment. "She's not as flashy as the others. Her heels are low, she keeps looking around. Probably security or someone important."
"Good catch," Harvey said, nodding. "That's Leona Callas. She's a runner for the Maronis. Low profile, big connections. If she's here, it means something's going down. Probably some drug trade, money laundering or gun running. She isn't there to look pretty, she's here for results."
The pieces started clicking into place. "So we're not just watching the building… we're watching the players."
"Bingo," Harvey said, polishing off his sandwich. "You learn to spot the tells, the routines, and the mistakes. That's how you stay ahead of this city's scumbags. And kid, if you wanna survive Gotham, you're gonna need every edge you can get."
You leaned back, your eyes returning to the building, a new determination settling in. "Got it. No more second-guessing."
Harvey grinned. "That's the spirit. Now keep your eyes peeled. The night's just getting started."
Reward: You begin learning how to be a detective.
And you might be a good one. Eventually.
----------------------------------------------------------------
You have 9 turns to save your own life and bring down Maroni's conspiracy.
You have 4 actions.
Special Actions:
[]Fighting the Shadows Of Gotham: You are going to wander the streets of Gotham, and fight the Shadows that prowl it.
[]Reveal the Truth: You have something to show the world, maybe it will be enough to save you. (Warning, you have enough evidence, but do not think for a second, it will stop Maroni… you may need more)
-----------------------------------------------------
[] Shadow the Matron: If confronting her is too risky, watching her from the shadows might reveal her alliances and hidden dealings.
[] Examine Crime Scenes: With Bullock's guidance—or on your own—revisit old cases to see what others missed. Fresh perspectives often uncover new leads.
[] Tail Maroni's Men: They're careful, but not perfect. Following them discreetly could reveal key locations and plans.
[] Break into Gotham PD Evidence Room: The police might be hiding crucial pieces of the puzzle. If you're stealthy, you might find something they've buried.
[] Find an Ally in the Media: A good journalist might expose truths you can't. Finding someone willing to listen and act could be the boost you need.
[]
Talk to John: John seems different now—calmer, more centered. Maybe it's time to check in and see what's changed.
[]
Investigate the Library: The recent break-in remains a mystery. With fresh eyes, maybe you'll uncover something everyone else missed.
[]
Visit Wayne Tower: Rumors swirl about Bruce Wayne and his secretive dealings. Perhaps someone at the tower knows more about his parents' legacy—and its ties to Gotham's darkness.
[]
Follow Detective Bullock: He has his doubts, but he's willing to listen. You just might have the spark of an idea to help him crack the case.
[]
Explore Gotham's Underground: The city's tunnels and sewers are more than hiding places—they're a hub of rumors and forgotten truths. If you dare, you might find someone who knows more.
[]
Try to Make a Friend: Having someone besides John to rely on could make all the difference. Gotham is a lonely place, but there's always hope for connection.
[]
Explore Crime Alley: Dangerous as it is, whispers claim that the key to Gotham's deepest mysteries lies in its darkest streets.
[]
Visit the Clocktower: Recently, lights have been seen in the supposedly abandoned tower. What could be happening there after dark?
[]
Scout the Docks: The port is bustling with shady activity—smuggling, bribery, and worse. Following the right lead might expose how Maroni operates.
[]
Train with Bullock: The detective doesn't make it easy, but his no-nonsense lessons in tailing suspects and thinking like a cop could save your life.
[]
Research Gotham's History: There's power in knowledge. By digging through the city's archives, you might uncover forgotten truths—or warnings.
[]
Confront the Matron: She knows more than she lets on. Confronting her directly could be risky but might force her to reveal something valuable.
[]
Do Nothing: The chaos can wait. Take a moment to breathe, process, and gather your strength. Sometimes the best action is rest.
AN: Enjoy and please vote in plan format please.