proceed to new world (do not ask questions, do not collect delightful prizes)

[space_between]

Here is a young woman curled up on a bed, shivering, having thrown off her blankets when she woke earlier.

She is asleep. For now.

Comments

[shadopolis]

"They are those that are available to choose from.

Honored families are highly respected: if you are a member, you will be asked to significant social functions on a regular basis. Your family will encourage you to learn, and you will receive a 500 credit stipend per week.

Dignified families are known for modesty and politeness. They will expect the same from you, and provide you with decorum training which will improve your social skills and allow you to interact more easily with the lower classes. They will provide a 250 credit stipend.

Dark families are shrouded in occult rumor, as they carrier stronger demonic blood. They will teach you how to properly use your demonic lineage, providing a 250 credit stipend.

Criminal families are the heads of the underworld: as a member, you will be more heavily protected, with two bodyguards rather than one. Even among the demons, the criminal families are rich: you will receive a stipend of 1000 credits per week."

[space_between]

"Why are only those available to chose from? What do honoured families encourage their members to learn? --Do the skills taught apply despite not remembering the retroactive history?"

...bodyguard, powers, age...

[shadopolis]

"As I have said, because they are. I do not know the reason why. Honored families encourage their children to be elegant and diplomatic. And no."

[space_between]

"...would the retroactive history result in being expected to know those things?"

[shadopolis]

"Yes."

[space_between]

"Is there any way to know the things -- or even some of the things -- I would know if the retroactive history was real?"

[shadopolis]

"No."

[space_between]

The worst part is that this is probably still the best available option.

"Is it possible to--" Pause. "What are the most successful ways previous abductees have dealt with this problem? --And what is the significant of dark family's stronger demonic blood?"

[shadopolis]

"I have no significant knowledge about these things."

[space_between]

That's unhelpful. Okay, she needs another question-- "What kind of criminal activities is the criminal family involved in?"

"--Are there any positive effects of the expected areas of learning?" she adds, as that occurs to her.

[shadopolis]

"To the first question: I do not know. To the second question: yes, as your new history will likely leave behind materials from their life in the areas you were trained in: and tutors for the relevant subjects will no doubt be available."

[space_between]

She sighs slightly. "And that's not something that can be chosen?"

The second answer rebalances things, though. Ultimately-- "What, in more detail, does the dark family provide training in?"

[shadopolis]

"No. Magic and the occult."

[space_between]

"What is the value of a credit?" she dredges out of her memory, before spending a few moments to think.

If she's considering the criminal family, it has to be with her focus on being able to overthrow them from the inside if that proves necessary. Which will consume a lot of her resources, such as they are, here, but if she can pull it off...

The dark family, on the other hand, has areas of education that sound interesting, but given demons...

...she needs to actually listen to the Shadow's answer.

[shadopolis]

"About as much as a dollar."

[space_between]

The shadow was not kidding about the families being rich.

It takes her a moment to recover and remember her question.

"What is the magic system of this world?" she asks rapidly.

[shadopolis]

"It is complex and intertwined with technology. I cannot easily summarize it."

[space_between]

"Does the dark family practice and teach all of it, or a -- ideally more easily described -- subset? If not, what is their focus?"

[shadopolis]

"Yes, though they are likely to focus on demonic magic that can be drawn from the power in your blood. Grimories of forbidden knowledge containing rituals that grant additional personal power would be the usual style."

[space_between]

"Why is the knowledge forbidden?"

[shadopolis]

"Likely because the Creator drove it underground."

[space_between]

...she should probably have seen that one coming.

"What are the properties of this forbidden knowledge, and of demonic magic in general?"

[shadopolis]

"Generally demonic magic requires some form of token sacrifice in exchange for power. I don't know what you mean by the properties of the forbidden knowledge."

[space_between]

She could work with that.

...she needs another question quickly "Why is the dark family called that?"

[shadopolis]

"I've already answered this question. Stalling."