Start of a transcript of EARL GREY An Interactive Fiction by Rob Dubbin and Adam Parrish Release 1 / Serial number 090930 / Inform v6.31 Library 6/11 Interpreter version 0.4.3 / VM 3.1.0 / Library serial number 040227 >*Start at 8:20 PM 10/5/2009 [Comment recorded.] >restart Do you really want to restart? y Adjusting your Sunday finest, you make your way down the garden path at the appointed hour. It's going to be a lovely day! EARL GREY An Interactive Fiction by Rob Dubbin and Adam Parrish Release 1 / Serial number 090930 / Inform v6.31 Library 6/11 Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. "Welcome," says Eaves, warmly. [First time playing? Feeling stuck? Consider typing help.] >*Cool, it uses the add-on for supporting "comment recorded" instead of "not recognized." [Comment recorded.] >restart Do you really want to restart? y Adjusting your Sunday finest, you make your way down the garden path at the appointed hour. It's going to be a lovely day! EARL GREY An Interactive Fiction by Rob Dubbin and Adam Parrish Release 1 / Serial number 090930 / Inform v6.31 Library 6/11 Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. "Welcome," says Eaves, warmly. [First time playing? Feeling stuck? Consider typing help.] >s It would be rude to do anything before thanking your host. >thank eaves You begin to respond, but Eaves stops you with a raised hand. "No need to say it so specifically," he explains. "All you have to do to express yourself is talk to me." >x eaves It would be rude to do anything before thanking your host. >*even look at him [Comment recorded.] >? That's not a verb I recognize. >nod That's not a verb I recognize. >talk to eaves "Thank you so much for having me today," you gush, electrified by the impending conversation. "It's my pleasure," Eaves demurs. "But you can't just dive in, oh no. There's going to have to be some preparation. This is the biggest tea party of the year!" >*Why's the prompt above the text below? [Comment recorded.] >*Is it a child's tea party? [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >x eaves Monastic in appearance, with the air of a crafty grandfather. He wears close-cropped brown hair and a well-tailored brown robe. >*A gimmick? Always interesting to see new things gone! [Comment recorded.] >talk to eaves You incline your head. "What kind of preparation?" Eaves gets to the point. "Well. After you've crossed into town," and here he gestures down the roadway behind him, "your task is to go from house to house, knocking on doors and gathering as many different kinds of tea as possible." >restart Do you really want to restart? y Adjusting your Sunday finest, you make your way down the garden path at the appointed hour. It's going to be a lovely day! EARL GREY An Interactive Fiction by Rob Dubbin and Adam Parrish Release 1 / Serial number 090930 / Inform v6.31 Library 6/11 Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. "Welcome," says Eaves, warmly. [First time playing? Feeling stuck? Consider typing help.] >talk to eaves "Thank you so much for having me today," you gush, electrified by the impending conversation. "It's my pleasure," Eaves demurs. "But you can't just dive in, oh no. There's going to have to be some preparation. This is the biggest tea party of the year!" >g You incline your head. "What kind of preparation?" Eaves gets to the point. "Well. After you've crossed into town," and here he gestures down the roadway behind him, "your task is to go from house to house, knocking on doors and gathering as many different kinds of tea as possible." >*Is that an internal monologue? [Comment recorded.] >x eaves Monastic in appearance, with the air of a crafty grandfather. He wears close-cropped brown hair and a well-tailored brown robe. >*Okay, I think I get it. Very clever. [Comment recorded.] >x me This is no time for self-examination. >i You are carrying nothing. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >get tea Grabby, grabby. >n Eaves prevents you from descending, with a brusque "Not until you've finished your lessons." >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >n Eaves prevents you from descending, with a brusque "Not until you've finished your lessons." >talk (to Eaves) "That sounds like a marvelous way to meet new friends!" "Oh, but it is." Eaves looks pleased, then watches the sky for a moment. "Let's get right to it. Every house in town is of course guarded by a donor." >*Surreal? [Comment recorded.] >g (to Eaves) "I'm... not familiar," you manage to stutter. "Well, doors are easily broken into, and these lands do have a mild ogre problem, so the king's soldiers volunteer their time guarding residential neighborhoods." Eaves clears his throat. "But you're not an ogre, and donors aren't so threatening if you know how to handle them." At this, he produces a small fur bag. >x bag A soft fur bag with a thin leather drawstring. It is the color of early night. Eaves regards you regarding the bag. "Take some time to look at your surroundings and examine what you find, then talk to me when you're ready to get started." >i You are carrying nothing. >get bag Grabby, grabby. >x bag A soft fur bag with a thin leather drawstring. It is the color of early night. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >get tea Grabby, grabby. >x it They fill the air with a multitude of exotic, inspiring scents. >smell tea That's not a verb I recognize. >sniff That's not a verb I recognize. >jump That's not a verb I recognize. >*And the prompt never reaches the bottom. Odd effect. [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >*Windows? with one preserved at the bottom? [Comment recorded.] >n Eaves prevents you from descending, with a brusque "Not until you've finished your lessons." >s Not before the party begins. >s Not before the party begins. >s Not before the party begins. >n Eaves prevents you from descending, with a brusque "Not until you've finished your lessons." >x eaves Monastic in appearance, with the air of a crafty grandfather. He wears close-cropped brown hair and a well-tailored brown robe. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >e You can't go that way. >talk (to Eaves) "Okay, I'm ready. Teach me how to get past a donor." Eaves rubs his palms together. "It's quite simple - all comes down to the old runebag, really. Here you are." Eaves hands you the runebag. >x runebag A soft fur bag with a thin leather drawstring. It is the color of early night. >open it That's not a verb I recognize. >i You carry: a runebag >open bag That's not a verb I recognize. >*Wow, open isn't a verb? [Comment recorded.] >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >ask him about bag That's right! Express yourself! Using talk to. >talk to (Eaves) "Now what?" you ask, holding the runebag somewhat lamely in your left hand. "Now, we practice!" Eaves exclaims, raising his arm in a sweeping gesture as a donor marches up the path from town and towards you. "Look out!" >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing donor looms before you. >x donor He wields a worn nunchaku with unsurpassed pleasure. >n Eaves prevents you from descending, with a brusque "Not until you've finished your lessons." >x donor He wields a worn nunchaku with unsurpassed pleasure. >talk to donor You attempt conversation. "Er, come to this garden often?" In response, the donor merely glowers at you. >i You carry: a runebag >give bag to donor Nobody wants your charity. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing donor looms before you. >kill donor It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >about Earl Grey An Interactive Fiction by Rob Dubbin and Adam Parrish, submitted to the 2009 Interactive Fiction Competition. Special thanks to our Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta Testers: Sabrina Banes, Sean Boyland, Josh Brandt-Young, Sam Cecala, Mike Dory, Andy Dubbin, Jeff Dubbin, Cailin Goldberg-Meehan, Francis Gulotta, Peter Gwinn, Jay Katsir, Casey Kolderup, Frank Lesser, Dave Parker, Leonard Richardson, and Nick Sylvester. Glittering thanks to those for whom we were patience testers: Cailin Goldberg-Meehan and Sabrina Banes. dubbin@gmail.com adam@decontextualize.com For more information, type help. >*16 testers? That's an all-time record. [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing donor looms before you. >save Ok. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing donor looms before you. >talk to eaves "Eaves," you say with a calm you do not feel, "I don't care for the look that donor is giving its weapon, nor for the look it's giving me." Eaves seems delighted. "Yes, they're quite intimidating. Why, I once saw a mere two donors hamstring a full-grown ogre, then use the tendon-" The donor steps closer and you lose your composure. "Eaves!" "Oh fine, jellyspine." Eaves takes an eternal breath. "You want the donor to become a harmless door, yes? Well, then just do the same thing you'd do to a door - knock it!" >hit donor It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >knock donor As soon as the thought pops into your head the runebag leaps forward in your hands, almost of its own accord, and seems to draw energy from the donor as it opens. Knock! [Press a key.] Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing door looms before you. "Brilliant!" Eaves exclaims. "Feels good, doesn't it? This would be a marvelous time to check the contents of your runebag, by taking inventory. Of course, as I see it, there's never a bad time to take inventory." >*Did I remove the "n" from "donor" ? That's clever... but how did "knock" work? [Comment recorded.] >*Somebody a while back was thinking about doing a game like this. [Comment recorded.] >i You carry: a runebag >x runebag A soft fur bag with a thin leather drawstring. It is the color of early night. >look in bag I only understood you as far as wanting to look in. >look inside bag I only understood you as far as wanting to look in. >search bag That's not a verb I recognize. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing door looms before you. >x door It is of sturdy but unremarkable construction. >open door That's not a verb I recognize. >knock door The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing door looms before you. >talk to him "So that's it?" you ask Eaves, suddenly possessive of the contents of your runebag. "Oh no," Eaves admonishes, "that isn't the half of it. After you've gathered someone's tea you'll want to use the runebag to secure their premises. Just cast what you've taken into where you want it to go. Try it now!" >*Typo below: "I can't can't think of..." [Comment recorded.] >*Two can'ts.... [Comment recorded.] >cast n into me "Now now," says Eaves, "you'll have your time in the sandbox. Try to stay focused on the task at hand." >cast n into door The runebag leaps into your hands, and opens as it locks onto the door. You feel a small transfer of energy outward. Cast! [Press a key.] Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing donor looms before you. "Wonderful!" Eaves applauds. "You're dismissed," he says to the donor, who with a baffled look wanders down the roadway back to town. >*A word puzzle integrated into the game! Just what I was saying the last game needed. [Comment recorded.] >i You carry: a runebag >talk (to Eaves) "Doesn't that bother the donors?" you ask, quickly adding, "Not that they've done anything to earn my compassion." "Ah, that's the trick," he says. "Unless you've been taught the secrets of the runebag, you don't realize anything's happened. Shall we give it another go?" Eaves again raises his arm in a sweeping gesture, and cries "Look alive!" as another somber donor ascends into the garden. >x donor She wields a curving flail with grim pleasure. >talk to donor You attempt conversation. "Er, come to this garden often?" In response, the donor merely glowers at you. >*Would be nice to see what they look like. [Comment recorded.] >knock donor Eaves tilts his head at the scene before you. "Perhaps I wasn't clear enough in implying that your task is to look at what I've done." >x donor She wields a curving flail with grim pleasure. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing donor looms before you. "What a fright!" says Eaves. "Now how do we change the donor?" >knock donor Again, the runebag leaps forward. Again, you feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing door looms before you. "Good!" exclaims Eaves. "You're a natural, and your runebag is ripe with potential. I trust you know what to do next?" >i You carry: a runebag >cast n into donor The runebag remains inert. >*what's the syntax again? [Comment recorded.] >i You carry: a runebag >talk What do you want to talk to? >eaves Eaves stamps his foot. "Do you need me to hold your hand through everything? This beautiful garden's perfect floral symmetry has been defiled by a large, honking door! Cast this blight from my presence!" >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing door looms before you. >cast n into donor The runebag remains inert. >cast n into door Again your runebag leaps open, and you feel it become a touch lighter. Cast! [Press a key.] Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. An imposing donor looms before you. With a flourish, Eaves dismisses the donor. "Congratulations! You've grasped the basics of the runebag, and have a bright future of knocking and casting many things, donors and otherwise, ahead of you." He leans in close with an urgent whisper. "But remember: it is a power that carries great responsibilities. You must resist the siren's call of the frivolous knock." >knock eaves Eaves stops you. "Where's the rush? Look around you, soak in the pastoral beauty of nature." >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. "Ah, garden," sighs Eaves, jogging from bloom to bloom as he holds out his arms like a bird, "I love you just the way you are." >knock garden The runebag remains inert. >*So you remove letters from some words and put them into other words? That's cool. [Comment recorded.] >knock bird The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >i You carry: a runebag >knock me The runebag remains inert. >knock runebag The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >e You can't go that way. >s Not before the party begins. >x party That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x tea The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >xyzzy That's not a verb I recognize. >knock tea The runebag remains inert. >knock man The runebag remains inert. >x man Monastic in appearance, with the air of a crafty grandfather. He wears close-cropped brown hair and a well-tailored brown robe. >talk (to Eaves) "Eaves," you begin, eyeing the lush foliage that surrounds you, "what if something were to happen to your garden?" The question catches him by surprise. "You mean, what if someone purposefully disrupted the delicate balance of sight, sound, and scent whose perfection alone holds at bay the tides of chaos and madness that threaten my mind?" He pauses, and emits a contented chuckle. "Oh, I'd probably go berserk." >knock garden The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >talk (to Eaves) "Eaves," you begin, eyeing the lush foliage that surrounds you, "what if something were to happen to your garden?" The question catches him by surprise. "You mean, what if someone purposefully disrupted the delicate balance of sight, sound, and scent whose perfection alone holds at bay the tides of chaos and madness that threaten my mind?" He pauses, and emits a contented chuckle. "Oh, I'd probably go berserk." >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >n Eaves prevents you from descending, with a brusque "Not until you've finished your lessons." >talk (to Eaves) "Eaves," you begin, eyeing the lush foliage that surrounds you, "what if something were to happen to your garden?" The question catches him by surprise. "You mean, what if someone purposefully disrupted the delicate balance of sight, sound, and scent whose perfection alone holds at bay the tides of chaos and madness that threaten my mind?" He pauses, and emits a contented chuckle. "Oh, I'd probably go berserk." >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >knock table The runebag remains inert. >knock light The runebag remains inert. >knock flowers The runebag remains inert. >knock leads The runebag remains inert. >knock canopy The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >talk to eaves "Eaves," you begin, eyeing the lush foliage that surrounds you, "what if something were to happen to your garden?" The question catches him by surprise. "You mean, what if someone purposefully disrupted the delicate balance of sight, sound, and scent whose perfection alone holds at bay the tides of chaos and madness that threaten my mind?" He pauses, and emits a contented chuckle. "Oh, I'd probably go berserk." >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >knock light The runebag remains inert. >x light It is the color of flax, filtered through a dream. >x me This is no time for self-examination. >*Why not? [Comment recorded.] >knock me The runebag remains inert. >knock game The runebag remains inert. >knock xyzzy The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >knock eaves The runebag remains inert. >*I bet I need to add a letter to eaves. Leaves? [Comment recorded.] >knock eaves The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >n Eaves prevents you from descending, with a brusque "Not until you've finished your lessons." >*what lesson now? [Comment recorded.] >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >d You can't go that way. >knock canopy The runebag remains inert. >knock flowers The runebag remains inert. >knock plants The runebag gleans your intentions before Eaves does, leaping into your hands with the joy of newfound autonomy. Knock! [Press a key.] Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. At first, a slight tilt of Eaves' head is the only sign of something awry. Then his head whips from the pants to where you stand, and his finger jabs the air in your direction. "Traitor!" comes the shrill cry. "You... you..." he struggles, looking for a word. "Plantagonist!" Eaves closes the gap between you with one leap and snatches the runebag from your hands. "What a delightful prank," he whispers in a pallid monotone. "Now that nothing seems to mean anything anymore, I'd like try one of my own, if you'd be so kind as to examine that tea service." >cast l into eaves Eaves has the runebag at the moment. >x service The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. Eaves lowers the runebag. "Knock painted!" >x painted That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x tea The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" >*Ha ha. [Comment recorded.] >get bag Grabby, grabby. >talk What do you want to talk to? >eaves You muster your courage. "All right Eaves, you've made your point. Hand me the runebag." Eaves whirls to face you and narrows his eyes. "I'll do no such thing! I was foolish to entrust anyone else with such power as can change the world." He squares his shoulders and points the bag heavenward. "Knock!" As the runebag opens, the hairs on your neck prickle and you feel that you are being watched. >x sky You see nothing unexpected in that direction. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >talk to eaves "Eaves, what did you just do?" Eaves twirls your runebag. "There is another who shares your contempt for runebag etiquette," he says, "and I have taken the liberty of summoning him in your name. He should say hello any minute now." You follow Eaves' gaze, just in time to see what looks like an enormous fireball slam into the town below. "Behold the work of your new nemesis," says Eaves, gesturing at the ruined town, "the dread Earl Gry." >cry That's not a verb I recognize. >get bag Grabby, grabby. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and standing beside it is a monastic man named Eaves. >n Something holds you back. >talk What do you want to talk to? >eaves "Nemesis? What exactly does that mean?" you ask, though you've started to have an inkling of what it means. "It means," Eaves says, flipping you the runebag, "Good luck!" At this, Eaves snaps his fingers and disappears into a glowing blue portal that appears to the east. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. Nearby, the teapot weeps silently. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >knock chaos The runebag remains inert. >knock portal The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >cast e into chaos The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >cast e into town The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >*Too bad the letter list goes away when you do other things... [Comment recorded.] >knock town The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >n Something holds you back. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >cast e into din The runebag remains inert. >cast t into din The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >knock portal The runebag remains inert. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >knock total The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >knock service The runebag remains inert. >*I could probably do this by just brute force? [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >knock tea The runebag remains inert. >knock blue The runebag remains inert. >knock portal The runebag remains inert. >s You're no coward. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >listen That's not a verb I recognize. >knock din The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >cast e into din The runebag remains inert. >cast t into din The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >cast l into me The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >knock table The runebag remains inert. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >cast t into table The runebag remains inert. >cast l into table The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >case e into table That's not a verb I recognize. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock glowing The runebag remains inert. >knock town The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >n Something holds you back. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >e Something holds you back. >*Oh -- the teapot is no longer being described in the room description. [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >i You carry: a runebag >cast t into pained The runebag jumps into your hands, settles into a comfortable position, points toward the teapot and locks on. It loses a tiny amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. >get teapot Grabby, grabby. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >e Something holds you back. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >get pants Grabby, grabby. >wear pants Don't be shallow. What you have on is fine. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >n Something holds you back. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >e Something holds you back. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock teapot The runebag remains inert. >knock painted The runebag leaps into your hands, and you feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >cast t into pained The runebag jumps into your hands, settles into a comfortable position, points toward the teapot and locks on. It loses a tiny amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. >e Something holds you back. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >cast l into east The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >cast e into din The runebag remains inert. >knock chaos The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >get painted Grabby, grabby. >x painted Looking at it won't do anything. >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >knock flowers The runebag remains inert. >knock pants The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >cast l into pants With a perky buzz, the runebag leaps into your hands. You feel it expel a small bit of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock plants Impressed by your sartorial determination, the runebag leaps into your hands. You feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >e Something holds you back. >n Something holds you back. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >knock painted The runebag leaps into your hands, and you feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" >e Something holds you back. >e Something holds you back. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >cast e into pained The runebag remains inert. >cast l into pained The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock pained The runebag remains inert. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >knock service The runebag remains inert. >knock tea The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >cast l into tea The runebag remains inert. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x portal A tall field of blue energy that crackles as you approach. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >knock tall The runebag remains inert. >knock field The runebag remains inert. >knock blue The runebag remains inert. >knock energy The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >s You're no coward. >knock north The runebag remains inert. >knock south The runebag remains inert. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >knock total The runebag remains inert. >cast e into total The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x pants They fill the air with a multitude of exotic, inspiring scents. >x canopy The trees seem to have been here forever. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >knock trees The runebag remains inert. >knock canopy The runebag remains inert. >knock reaches The runebag remains inert. >knock din The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x runebag A soft fur bag with a thin leather drawstring. It is the color of early night. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >knock fur The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >cast e into fur The runebag remains inert. >case l into fur That's not a verb I recognize. >cast t into fur The runebag remains inert. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock fragrant The runebag remains inert. >knock lending The runebag remains inert. >knock overhead The runebag remains inert. >knock light The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >cast e into path The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >cast t into pained The runebag jumps into your hands, settles into a comfortable position, points toward the teapot and locks on. It loses a tiny amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. >knock steam The runebag remains inert. >knock spout The runebag remains inert. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >save Ok. >*9:55 Pausing for now. [Comment recorded.] >*Continue at 9:50 PM [Comment recorded.] >*Played 35 minutes previously, so 1 hour 25 minutes remain before having to vote. [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >x service The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >knock spout The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >*The bad thing is, there are a lot of things that could be done if the game supported it. [Comment recorded.] >*I could knock spout and take the "u" so I'm left with "spot". [Comment recorded.] >knock steam The runebag remains inert. >x service The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >knock steam The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >knock teapot The runebag remains inert. The din of total chaos reaches you from town. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost father. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost father. >listen That's not a verb I recognize. >i You carry: a runebag >cast e into father You point your runebag in the general direction of town, and it thrums with approval as it opens. There is a small outward transfer of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock feather The runebag remains inert. >knock feather The runebag remains inert. >knock cry The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >knock beige The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >cast l into beige The runebag remains inert. >knock glass The runebag remains inert. >knock flaes The runebag remains inert. >knock beige The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >knock lost The runebag remains inert. >get feather Grabby, grabby. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >knock partial The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >x village Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x flames Glowing an angry red, they have become the town's defining characteristic. >knock defining The runebag remains inert. >x boy His plight transcends the distance between you. >x feather The feather isn't here. >find feather That's not a verb I recognize. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >look up You see nothing unexpected in that direction. >x portal A tall field of blue energy that crackles as you approach. >enter portal Something holds you back. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >e Something holds you back. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >*I need to keep the l for turn eaves into leaves.... right? [Comment recorded.] >knock lost The runebag remains inert. >knock village The runebag remains inert. >knock town The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock glass The runebag remains inert. >knock burning The runebag remains inert. >knock countless The runebag remains inert. >knock fragments The runebag remains inert. >knock beige The runebag remains inert. >knock stonework The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >knock feather The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >x glass Large convex shards stick out from ruined streets, buildings, and townspeople. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x stonework All of it is on fire. >knock fire The runebag remains inert. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >x buildings The vast majority are on fire. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x townspeople They roam the streets in terror. >x glass Large convex shards stick out from ruined streets, buildings, and townspeople. >knock terror The runebag remains inert. >*See, I could change that to "They roam the streets in error." [Comment recorded.] >*And since it's in error, they all decide to go home... [Comment recorded.] >* :) [Comment recorded.] >knock roam The runebag remains inert. >x streets They lead only from one disaster to the next. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x streets They lead only from one disaster to the next. >cast l into tea The runebag remains inert. >score That's not a verb I recognize. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >s You're no coward. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x din That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x chaos That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >x claderas That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock calderas The runebag remains inert. >knock countless The runebag remains inert. >*Hmmm.... not sure that would have made a PG-13 word. [Comment recorded.] >knock flames The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >cast l into town The runebag remains inert. >cast z into me Your runebag shakes with what feels like disapproval. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x roadway The road meanders down to town, taking its time. >knock roadway The runebag remains inert. >x flowers A riot of color with dozens of varieties you have never seen before. >knock flowers The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x service The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. >get steam Grabby, grabby. >knock steam The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock spout The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock table The runebag remains inert. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x calderas That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock townspeople The runebag remains inert. >knock savaged The runebag remains inert. >knock fragments The runebag remains inert. >knock beige The runebag remains inert. >knock stonework The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >x stonework All of it is on fire. >knock fire The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock young The runebag remains inert. >x cry That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock boy The runebag remains inert. >x boy His plight transcends the distance between you. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x service The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock painted The runebag leaps into your hands, and you feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >get teapot Grabby, grabby. >x service The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" >io That's not a verb I recognize. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >cast t into tea The runebag remains inert. >cast t into teapot The runebag remains inert. >e Something holds you back. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >knock pained The runebag remains inert. >knock service The runebag remains inert. >knock teapot The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >cast l into plants The runebag remains inert. >cast l into pants With a perky buzz, the runebag leaps into your hands. You feel it expel a small bit of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant plants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock plants Impressed by your sartorial determination, the runebag leaps into your hands. You feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >wear pants Don't be shallow. What you have on is fine. >i You carry: a runebag >x service The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" >knock boiling The runebag remains inert. >knock gods The runebag remains inert. >knock teapot The runebag remains inert. >pout rea That's not a verb I recognize. >pour tea That's not a verb I recognize. >get tea Grabby, grabby. >x tea The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock four You can't use multiple objects with that verb. >x service The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" >knock pained The runebag remains inert. >cast l into pained The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >knock spout The runebag remains inert. >cast t into pained The runebag jumps into your hands, settles into a comfortable position, points toward the teapot and locks on. It loses a tiny amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. >x painted Looking at it won't do anything. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >get painted Grabby, grabby. >touch painted That's not a verb I recognize. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock space The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >cast l into overhead The runebag remains inert. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >x townspeople They roam the streets in terror. >x fragments All of it is on fire. >knock terror The runebag remains inert. >knock roam The runebag remains inert. >knock they The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock din The runebag remains inert. >knock chaos The runebag remains inert. >knock partial' The runebag remains inert. >oops partial The runebag remains inert. >knock you The runebag remains inert. >knock reaches The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock town The runebag remains inert. >knock winding The runebag remains inert. >x roadway The road meanders down to town, taking its time. >x winding That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock flowers The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x flowers A riot of color with dozens of varieties you have never seen before. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x path That way lies your past. >knock path The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >s You're no coward. >n Something holds you back. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >knock broken The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock glass The runebag remains inert. >knock burning The runebag remains inert. >knock fire The runebag remains inert. >knock rage The runebag remains inert. >knock boy The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock father The runebag remains inert. >knock feather The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >knock beige The runebag remains inert. >knock countless The runebag remains inert. >knock engulf The runebag remains inert. >help Welcome to Earl Gry, an entry for the 2009 Interactive Fiction Competition. If you're reading this, you are 1) just starting the game, 2) stuck, or 3) an obsessive completist who thirsts for content like a simile thirsts for a fitting analogy. Whatever your situation, you've come to the right place. Our game uses only a handful of commands: look You can always look to get a general sense of your surroundings, and learn which objects, characters, and scenery can be examined or interacted with further. examine Examining an object or character - really, any noun - will yield a more thorough description of that object or character. You can also examine nouns within an object's description to see further detail. talk to You can and should talk to anyone or anything in the game that comes across as sentient. Don't worry about formulating what to say, as we have taken the liberty of quashing your right to free speech. n, e, s, w, ne, sw, se, nw Walls permitting, the compass directions will move you from one place to another. inventory A quick and easy way to check the contents of your runebag, and the items on your person. wait Allows a turn to pass. Not for the antsy. about Provides general information and game credits, as well as tax preparation advice. help The exact function of the help command remains a mystery. Transformation Commands By now, you've figured out that Earl Gry is played by transforming words into other words, with the following commands: knock Transforms a word by removing one of its letters and placing that letter into your runebag. cast into Transforms a word by inserting a letter from your runebag into that word. Remember: A transformation is only valid when both the original and new sentences make grammatical sense. So if your runebag had an extra 'd', you could change "the brown bear ate a trout" into "the brown beard ate a trout" (cast d into bear), but not "the brown bear date a trout" (cast d into ate), no matter how you yearn to experience the forbidden passion of bear-trout romance. Good luck! >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock painted The runebag leaps into your hands, and you feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" >talk to painted That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >talk to teapot "Hi, I'm here to help," you offer, unsure of teapot social protocol. The teapot screams an awful scream. "Break off my handle," it cries. "Break off my handle, and then the pain will stop." The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >break handle It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >break handle It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >x handle That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock handle The runebag remains inert. >*How do I break it off. [Comment recorded.] >talk to boy His plight transcends the distance between you. >talk to boy His plight transcends the distance between you. >talk to teapot "Hi, I'm here to help," you offer, unsure of teapot social protocol. The teapot screams an awful scream. "Break off my handle," it cries. "Break off my handle, and then the pain will stop." >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock canal The runebag remains inert. >knock handle The runebag remains inert. >turn handle That's not a verb I recognize. >x handle That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >knock teapot The runebag remains inert. >break teapot It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >throw teapot Take your empty consumerism elsewhere. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >cast t into handle The runebag remains inert. >cast l into teapot The runebag remains inert. >cast l into pained The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >cast t into lie The runebag remains inert. >cast t into hear The runebag remains inert. >knock feather The runebag remains inert. >x fragments All of it is on fire. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x beige That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >help Welcome to Earl Gry, an entry for the 2009 Interactive Fiction Competition. If you're reading this, you are 1) just starting the game, 2) stuck, or 3) an obsessive completist who thirsts for content like a simile thirsts for a fitting analogy. Whatever your situation, you've come to the right place. Our game uses only a handful of commands: look You can always look to get a general sense of your surroundings, and learn which objects, characters, and scenery can be examined or interacted with further. examine Examining an object or character - really, any noun - will yield a more thorough description of that object or character. You can also examine nouns within an object's description to see further detail. talk to You can and should talk to anyone or anything in the game that comes across as sentient. Don't worry about formulating what to say, as we have taken the liberty of quashing your right to free speech. n, e, s, w, ne, sw, se, nw Walls permitting, the compass directions will move you from one place to another. inventory A quick and easy way to check the contents of your runebag, and the items on your person. wait Allows a turn to pass. Not for the antsy. about Provides general information and game credits, as well as an enticing selection of Thai-inspired recipes. help The exact function of the help command remains a mystery. Transformation Commands By now, you've figured out that Earl Gry is played by transforming words into other words, with the following commands: knock Transforms a word by removing one of its letters and placing that letter into your runebag. cast into Transforms a word by inserting a letter from your runebag into that word. Remember: A transformation is only valid when both the original and new sentences make grammatical sense. So if your runebag had an extra 'd', you could change "the brown bear ate a trout" into "the brown beard ate a trout" (cast d into bear), but not "the brown bear date a trout" (cast d into ate), no matter how you yearn to experience the forbidden passion of bear-trout romance. Good luck! > look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >xyzzy That's not a verb I recognize. >cast xyzzy I didn't understand that sentence. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x up You see nothing unexpected in that direction. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >cast t into fire The runebag remains inert. >cast l into fire The runebag remains inert. >cast t into flames The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >cast l into flames The runebag remains inert. >*Feels like a whole lot of trial and error.... [Comment recorded.] >save Ok. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x tea The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" >talk to teapot "Hi, I'm here to help," you offer, unsure of teapot social protocol. The teapot screams an awful scream. "Break off my handle," it cries. "Break off my handle, and then the pain will stop." The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >hit teapot It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >knock teapot The runebag remains inert. >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >x canal That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x urchin That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock urchi The runebag remains inert. >knock urchin The runebag remains inert. >knock cheeky The runebag remains inert. >knock blue The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >s You're no coward. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >n Something holds you back. >e Something holds you back. >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >talk to town No response. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >talk to fire No response. >talk to flames No response. >talk to eaves That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >talk to teapot "Hi, I'm here to help," you offer, unsure of teapot social protocol. The teapot screams an awful scream. "Break off my handle," it cries. "Break off my handle, and then the pain will stop." >break off handle It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >break off its handle It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >break handle from teapot It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >x handle That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >kick teapot That's not a verb I recognize. >i You carry: a runebag >cast t into handle The runebag remains inert. >cast l into handle The runebag remains inert. >*What's the trick? [Comment recorded.] >*Kinda stuck here... for a very long time... [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >*No idea [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >e Something holds you back. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >talk to town No response. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >enter portal Something holds you back. >help teapot I only understood you as far as wanting to help. >x spout Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >get spout Grabby, grabby. >i You carry: a runebag >knock spout The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x pants They fill the air with a multitude of exotic, inspiring scents. >n Something holds you back. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x air That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >i You carry: a runebag >cast l into air The runebag remains inert. >cast t into air The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >talk to boy His plight transcends the distance between you. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >talk to feather The feather isn't here. >talk to calderas That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >talk to townspeople No response. >talk to flames No response. >x flams That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >talk to canopy No response. >talk to flowers No response. >talk to pants No response. >talk to monkey That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >*I'm sitting here drawing a blank ... hate to check the walkthrough, but not sure what else I can do. [Comment recorded.] >*About to nod off though... might should continue tomorrow. [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >cast l and t into me The runebag remains inert. >x me This is no time for self-examination. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x din That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x chaos That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >listen That's not a verb I recognize. >z Time marches on. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x time That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >*10:30 PM... calling it quits for now. [Comment recorded.] >save Ok. >quit Do you really want to quit? y Start of a transcript of EARL GREY An Interactive Fiction by Rob Dubbin and Adam Parrish Release 1 / Serial number 090930 / Inform v6.31 Library 6/11 Interpreter version 0.4.4 / VM 3.1.1 / Library serial number 040227 >*Resume at 11:30 AM 10/6 [Comment recorded.] >restore Ok. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >i You carry: a runebag >knock calderas The runebag remains inert. >*I played for 1:15 yesterday, so :45 to go before stopping to decide on a vote. [Comment recorded.] >cry That's not a verb I recognize. >knock cry The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >knock countless The runebag remains inert. >knock beige The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >knock lost The runebag remains inert. >x feather The feather isn't here. >x boy His plight transcends the distance between you. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock plight The runebag remains inert. >*That could have become "light" and might have been useful... [Comment recorded.] >knock between The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x north You see nothing unexpected in that direction. >x pants They fill the air with a multitude of exotic, inspiring scents. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock table The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >knock earl He isn't here. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock gry He isn't here. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock garden The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >*Do I need the walkthrough? :( [Comment recorded.] >cast l into table The runebag remains inert. >cast t into table The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >*tablet.... [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >cast l into fragrant The runebag remains inert. >knock fragrant The runebag remains inert. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >n Something holds you back. >e Something holds you back. >n Something holds you back. >talk to teapot "Hi, I'm here to help," you offer, unsure of teapot social protocol. The teapot screams an awful scream. "Break off my handle," it cries. "Break off my handle, and then the pain will stop." The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >cast t into pain The runebag remains inert. >knock stop The runebag remains inert. >knock handle The runebag remains inert. >knock break The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >talk to tea No response. >talk to pot That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >talk to teapot "Hi, I'm here to help," you offer, unsure of teapot social protocol. The teapot screams an awful scream. "Break off my handle," it cries. "Break off my handle, and then the pain will stop." The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock teapot The runebag remains inert. >cast l into teapot The runebag remains inert. >*How do you break off its handle? [Comment recorded.] >hit handle It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >x handle That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x spout Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >dance Good is not the word. >x me This is no time for self-examination. >i You carry: a runebag >cast l into me The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock self The runebag remains inert. >knock me The runebag remains inert. >cast l into self The runebag remains inert. >cast t into self The runebag remains inert. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >i You carry: a runebag >x din That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock chaos The runebag remains inert. >cast t into chaos The runebag remains inert. >cast l into chaos The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >knock lending The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >*With as many testers, there must be a solution -- something I've overlooked... [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >cast t into painted The runebag remains inert. >cast t into pined The runebag remains inert. >cast t into pained The runebag jumps into your hands, settles into a comfortable position, points toward the teapot and locks on. It loses a tiny amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. >break teapot It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >get handle Grabby, grabby. >x handle That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >break handle It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >get teapot Grabby, grabby. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >knock white The runebag remains inert. >knock blue The runebag remains inert. >knock urchin The runebag remains inert. >knock cheeky The runebag remains inert. >knock canal The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x tea The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >knock steam The runebag remains inert. >knock rises The runebag remains inert. >knock spout The runebag remains inert. >knock handle The runebag remains inert. >x teapot Blue and white, it depicts a cheeky urchin urinating into a canal. >turn teapot That's not a verb I recognize. >jump That's not a verb I recognize. >scream That's not a verb I recognize. >cry That's not a verb I recognize. >i You carry: a runebag The din of partial chaos reaches you from town. >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >*I guess I will have to look at the wt, else I'll stay stuck. Already almost 11:45 so just around 30 mins left to play. [Comment recorded.] >*argh [Comment recorded.] >*okay. [Comment recorded.] >*and it looks like I have a lot more to do after this too. [Comment recorded.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >x town Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath savaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >cast l into savaged You point your runebag in the general direction of town, and it thrums with approval as it opens. There is a small outward transfer of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] Flames engulf a village that has become a mosaic of broken glass and burning calderas. Countless townspeople lie beneath salvaged fragments of beige stonework, and you hear a young boy cry for his lost feather. >n Something holds you back. >e Steeling yourself, you enter the portal. [Press a key.] Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wary guardsman stands before the door. >undo Secret Garden [Previous turn undone.] >look Secret Garden Pale light filters through the overhead canopy, lending the flowers and fragrant pants a certain ethereal quality. To the south is the path you took to get here and to your north, a winding cobblestone roadway leads to the town below. On the table before you is an exquisite porcelain tea service, and to your east is a glowing blue portal. >i You carry: a runebag >i You carry: a runebag >knock painted The runebag leaps into your hands, and you feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a pained teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. "Gods, it hurts!" exclaims the teapot. "Get this boiling torture out of me!" >e Something holds you back. >e Something holds you back. >cast t into pained The runebag jumps into your hands, settles into a comfortable position, points toward the teapot and locks on. It loses a tiny amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] The spread consists of a painted teapot, a delicate sugar dish and four teacups. Steam rises from the teapot's spout. > Okay, you win the silent game. >e Steeling yourself, you enter the portal. [Press a key.] Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wary guardsman stands before the door. >save Ok. >i You carry: a runebag >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wary guardsman stands before the door. >cast whitespace into ogreling You can't cast like that! >s You take one step toward the door, and in the same amount of time the guardsman takes two toward you, whipping his arm forward to deliver a painful THWACK on your shoulder with his nightstick. "Cut it out or the next one's in your jaw," he says. "I take this work seriously." >knock guard You discreetly open your runebag and point it in the direction of the wary guardsman and for a second it seems to come alive in your hands, but in the end nothing happens. >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wary guardsman stands before the door. >knock wary The second you open the runebag, it thrums with energy and seems to focus on the air around the wary guardsman. You feel a pull and abruptly, the bag closes. Knock! [Press a key.] Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >x guardsman Tall and thin, he regards you over a hooked nose and shows the slightest hint of a smile. Nodding at the ogreling, he remarks, "Nice day to get your 'ed chopped off, ain't it?" >*Ha ha. [Comment recorded.] >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >i You carry: a runebag >s "Think I might be able to sneak by you and see what's behind the door?" "Headquarters wouldn't like it," says the guardsman. "But then last performance review they didn't much like the idea of giving me a raise, either." He stands aside. "Guess my performance is slipping a bit this time around. Ah well, you get what you pay for." Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >get paper Grabby, grabby. >knock paper You point your runebag at the paper, but it remains closed and inert. >i You carry: a runebag >cast a into paper The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >x paper It reads: "For the Insect's Appendage" >get paper Grabby, grabby. >get paper Grabby, grabby. >knock appendage The runebag remains inert. >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >s You can't go that way. >x painting The painting depicts a giant cave mouth, rendered in such detail that it seems to stare back at you. >knock framed That would be counterproductive. >*Why? I could take the "r" and make it a "famed" painting [Comment recorded.] >*oh ha ha, right. At least it's explained. [Comment recorded.] >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >knock gray The runebag remains inert. >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >knock rotunda The runebag remains inert. >n Rotunda >verbose That's not a verb I recognize. >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >s Annex A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >n Rotunda >verbose That's not a verb I recognize. >long That's not a verb I recognize. >*Hmm [Comment recorded.] >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >i You carry: a runebag >*why sometimes gray and sometimes grey? [Comment recorded.] >knock gray The runebag remains inert. >cast a into gray The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >i You carry: a runebag >knock door The runebag remains inert. >s Annex A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >x paper It reads: "For the Insect's Appendage" >read paper That's not a verb I recognize. >take paper Grabby, grabby. >move paper That's not a verb I recognize. >stand on paper That's not a verb I recognize. >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >*I guess the length of this game depends on how long you're willing to stay stuck. [Comment recorded.] >x painting The painting depicts a giant cave mouth, rendered in such detail that it seems to stare back at you. >enter painting That's not something you can enter. >knock cave Your runebag is as drawn to the cave as you are, but after five seconds of excited thrumming it shuts down cold. >knock mouth The moment you focus on the void of the cave mouth, your rune bag opens wide and you feel a now familiar pull. After a moment, it shuts again. Knock! [Press a key.] The painting depicts a giant cave moth, rendered in such detail that it seems to stare back at you. >x moth The painting depicts a giant cave moth, rendered in such detail that it seems to stare back at you. >*ha ha [Comment recorded.] >i You carry: a runebag >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A paper lies haphazardly on the floor. >cast u into paper As soon as the idea enters your head your runebag throws itself open, and you feel it become the slightest bit lighter. Cast! [Press a key.] Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >x pauper Dressed in a shabby coat and covered in stubble, he has seen better days. You notice the air smells of alcohol. The pauper speaks in a slow yell: "Aw, get a good look!" >i You carry: a runebag >cast a into pauper The runebag remains inert. >get pauper Grabby, grabby. >x papuer That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x pauper Dressed in a shabby coat and covered in stubble, he has seen better days. You notice the air smells of alcohol. The pauper speaks in a slow yell: "Aw, get a good look!" >knock pauper Something holds you back. >x pauper Dressed in a shabby coat and covered in stubble, he has seen better days. You notice the air smells of alcohol. The pauper speaks in a slow yell: "Aw, get a good look!" >get coat Grabby, grabby. >knock coat The runebag remains inert. >knock stubble The runebag remains inert. >x air That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x pauper Dressed in a shabby coat and covered in stubble, he has seen better days. You notice the air smells of alcohol. The pauper speaks in a slow yell: "Aw, get a good look!" >n Rotunda >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >s Annex A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >x painting The painting depicts a giant cave moth, rendered in such detail that it seems to stare back at you. >pick up pauper Grabby, grabby. >i You carry: a runebag >cast a into moth The painting is realistic, but not that realistic. >knock moth The runebag remains inert. >knock cave The runebag remains inert. >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >x painting The painting depicts a giant cave moth, rendered in such detail that it seems to stare back at you. >knock framed That would be counterproductive. >talk to pauper "Are you all right?" you ask, starting to extend your hand and then thinking better of it. "Oh, I'm fine. I'm great. About as great as you could be if you started out a prince, only to get conned by some smooth-talking grifter." >g "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. "Perhaps when you have a need for such a weapon, we might negotiate." >get dagger Grabby, grabby. >i You carry: a runebag >talk (to the pauper) "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. "Perhaps when you have a need for such a weapon, we might negotiate." >ask him about dagger That's right! Express yourself! Using talk to. >talk to (the pauper) "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. "Perhaps when you have a need for such a weapon, we might negotiate." >x dagger The hilt is curved and encrusted in emeralds. The blade is nondescript. >knock curved The runebag remains inert. >cast a into curved The runebag remains inert. >knock blade The runebag remains inert. >cast a into blade The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >cast a into pauper The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >lock lies That's not a verb I recognize. >knock floor The runebag remains inert. >cast a into floor The runebag remains inert. >x pauper Dressed in a shabby coat and covered in stubble, he has seen better days. You notice the air smells of alcohol. The pauper speaks in a slow yell: "Aw, get a good look!" >talk to papuer That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >talk to pauper "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. "Perhaps when you have a need for such a weapon, we might negotiate." >tell pauper about ogre That's right! Express yourself! Using talk to. >talk (to the pauper) "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. "Perhaps when you have a need for such a weapon, we might negotiate." >time That's not a verb I recognize. >date That's not a verb I recognize. >knock coat The runebag remains inert. >n Rotunda >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >i You carry: a runebag >cast a into wry The runebag leaps into your hands and as it opens, you feel it expel a small amount of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wary guardsman stands before the door. >s You take one step toward the door, and in the same amount of time the guardsman takes two toward you, whipping his arm forward to deliver a painful THWACK on your shoulder with his nightstick. "Cut it out or the next one's in your jaw," he says. "I take this work seriously." >x guardsman Tall and thin, he stares you down over a hooked nose and twirls his nightstick with casual menace. >knock wary The second you open the runebag, it thrums with energy and seems to focus on the air around the wary guardsman. You feel a pull and abruptly, the bag closes. Knock! [Press a key.] Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >talk What do you want to talk to? >guardsman Nodding at the ogreling, he remarks, "Nice day to get your 'ed chopped off, ain't it?" >talk to ogre That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >talk to ogreling Feeling bold, you step closer. "You almost look friendly for an ogre," you manage to say. The ogreling responds with a booming snarl. "And you almost look brave for a human." >s Annex A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >talk to pauper "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. "Perhaps when you have a need for such a weapon, we might negotiate." >knock small The runebag remains inert. >knock dagger The runebag remains inert. >cast a into dagger The runebag remains inert. >cast a into beggar The runebag remains inert. >cast a into pauper The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >knock pauper Something holds you back. >knock floor The runebag remains inert. >cast a into floor The runebag remains inert. >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >*12:00 PM - pausing for lunch. 15 more minutes before having to vote. [Comment recorded.] >save Ok. >*back at 12:40 PM. 15 minutes left before voting -- 12:55 PM. [Comment recorded.] >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >*so... think think think. [Comment recorded.] >n Rotunda >verbose That's not a verb I recognize. >*wish I could turn verbose on. [Comment recorded.] >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >cast a into domed The runebag remains inert. >cast a into smell The runebag remains inert. >cast a into brick The runebag remains inert. >cast a into cupola The runebag remains inert. >*Just trying random things. I don't see where an "a" fits or where a word could be knocked. [Comment recorded.] >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >knock guardsman You discreetly open your runebag and point it in the direction of the wry guardsman and for a second it seems to come alive in your hands, but in the end nothing happens. >*I aleady knocked the adjective. [Comment recorded.] >knock looms The runebag remains inert. >knock door The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >s Annex A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >x pauper Dressed in a shabby coat and covered in stubble, he has seen better days. You notice the air smells of alcohol. The pauper speaks in a slow yell: "Aw, get a good look!" >talk to pauper "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. "Perhaps when you have a need for such a weapon, we might negotiate." >x weapon That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >i You carry: a runebag >cast a on me I didn't understand that sentence. >cast a on gry I didn't understand that sentence. >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >x pauper Dressed in a shabby coat and covered in stubble, he has seen better days. You notice the air smells of alcohol. The pauper speaks in a slow yell: "Aw, get a good look!" >talk (to the pauper) "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. "Perhaps when you have a need for such a weapon, we might negotiate." >knock prince The runebag remains inert. >knock ogresbane The runebag remains inert. >cast a into ogresbane The runebag remains inert. >negotiate That's not a verb I recognize. >knock negotiate The runebag remains inert. >cast a into negotiate The runebag remains inert. >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >score That's not a verb I recognize. >knock gray The runebag remains inert. >knock framed That would be counterproductive. >x pauper Dressed in a shabby coat and covered in stubble, he has seen better days. You notice the air smells of alcohol. The pauper speaks in a slow yell: "Aw, get a good look!" >talk to pauper "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. "Perhaps when you have a need for such a weapon, we might negotiate." >*I don't know. [Comment recorded.] >*maybe I need the wt again. Seems like giving up though.... and I sense there would be some satisfacting in solving it on my own... [Comment recorded.] >look Annex The gray stone walls on all four sides of this room would be featureless, but for the framed painting that hangs to your left. A door to the north leads back to the Rotunda. A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >x door Beyond it lies the rotunda. >open door That's not a verb I recognize. >x pauper Dressed in a shabby coat and covered in stubble, he has seen better days. You notice the air smells of alcohol. The pauper speaks in a slow yell: "Aw, get a good look!" >s You can't go that way. >e You can't go that way. >w You can't go that way. >exits That's not a verb I recognize. >n Rotunda >n You can't go that way. >n You can't go that way. >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >knock gray-skinned The runebag remains inert. >knock gray The runebag remains inert. >knock ogreling The runebag remains inert. >x ogreling The ogreling has bloodshot eyes, sharp tusks extending from its lower jaw, and a deep brow that gives it a permanent angry countenance. In one hand it holds a ten-foot halberd with a razor-sharp blade. In the other hand it holds a fist. >knock halberd The runebag remains inert. >knock fist The runebag remains inert. >x ogre That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock eyes The runebag remains inert. >x ogre That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x ogreling The ogreling has bloodshot eyes, sharp tusks extending from its lower jaw, and a deep brow that gives it a permanent angry countenance. In one hand it holds a ten-foot halberd with a razor-sharp blade. In the other hand it holds a fist. >i You carry: a runebag >cast a into jawa The runebag remains inert. >cast a into jaw The runebag remains inert. >*ha ha it could have a Jawa.... [Comment recorded.] >x ogreling The ogreling has bloodshot eyes, sharp tusks extending from its lower jaw, and a deep brow that gives it a permanent angry countenance. In one hand it holds a ten-foot halberd with a razor-sharp blade. In the other hand it holds a fist. >knock angry The runebag remains inert. >knock brow The runebag remains inert. >knock countenance The runebag remains inert. >knock jaw The runebag remains inert. >knock hand The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >x ogreling The ogreling has bloodshot eyes, sharp tusks extending from its lower jaw, and a deep brow that gives it a permanent angry countenance. In one hand it holds a ten-foot halberd with a razor-sharp blade. In the other hand it holds a fist. >n You can't go that way. >e You can't go that way. >w You can't go that way. >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >knock cupola The runebag remains inert. >s Annex A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >n Rotunda >talk to guard Nodding at the ogreling, he remarks, "Nice day to get your 'ed chopped off, ain't it?" >s Annex A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >n Rotunda >i You carry: a runebag >cast a into wry The runebag leaps into your hands and as it opens, you feel it expel a small amount of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wary guardsman stands before the door. >talk to guard Narrowing his eyes, he snarls, "Let's cut to it: nobody's going through this door, not you, not me, not that ogreling, 'course he could do me in if he wanted to but getting through'd be another matter entirely." >talk to guard "Are you sure I couldn't just sneak past you for a second?" "Oh sure, you could try, but you'd better hope there are some teeth on the other side of that door because your mouth's gonna need 'em." >talk to guard "Are you sure I couldn't just sneak past you for a second?" "Oh sure, you could try, but you'd better hope there are some teeth on the other side of that door because your mouth's gonna need 'em." >s You take one step toward the door, and in the same amount of time the guardsman takes two toward you, whipping his arm forward to deliver a painful THWACK on your shoulder with his nightstick. "Cut it out or the next one's in your jaw," he says. "I take this work seriously." >s You take one step toward the door, and in the same amount of time the guardsman takes two toward you, whipping his arm forward to deliver a painful THWACK on your shoulder with his nightstick. "Cut it out or the next one's in your jaw," he says. "I take this work seriously." >i You carry: a runebag >i You carry: a runebag >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wary guardsman stands before the door. >knock wary The second you open the runebag, it thrums with energy and seems to focus on the air around the wary guardsman. You feel a pull and abruptly, the bag closes. Knock! [Press a key.] Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >talk to guard Nodding at the ogreling, he remarks, "Nice day to get your 'ed chopped off, ain't it?" >x guard Tall and thin, he regards you over a hooked nose and shows the slightest hint of a smile. Nodding at the ogreling, he remarks, "Nice day to get your 'ed chopped off, ain't it?" >knock smile The runebag remains inert. >knock hooked The runebag remains inert. >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >knock ceiling The runebag remains inert. >knock smell The runebag remains inert. >*shoot [Comment recorded.] >*I guess it's off to the wt again.... [Comment recorded.] >talk to ogreling You cut to the chase. "Forgive me if I'm being over-forward, but why am I still alive?" "Well, I'm not physically mature yet," comes the rumbling response. "In two hundred years or so my territory protection instincts will have kicked in, I'll be twice this size and yes, by now I'd probably have you diced up into worm feed." >talk to ogreling "So you don't want to fight me?" you ask, allowing an edge of hope to creep into your voice. "Oh don't get me wrong, I'd love to carve you into steak tips and braise you in a brown sauce," replies the ogreling, "but this is hardly a fair fight and I'm going through an ethical phase." >*Okay, so I have to talk a bunch. Didn't see what to knock or cast though, so I guess it's a small spoiler. [Comment recorded.] >talk to ogreling "Ethical phase? I didn't know ogre-kin went through ethical phases." "They're generally very short, you have excellent timing. But to be clear: I am one hundred percent going to fight you, but not until you have a weapon that can compete with this." And here, the ogreling swings his halberd in an arc over your head, its blade cutting the air above you with a hiss. >talk to ogreling You begin to speak, but the ogreling cuts you off - "Let's talk when you've got a weapon." >talk to ogreling You begin to speak, but the ogreling cuts you off - "Let's talk when you've got a weapon." >*Well that didn't really help. [Comment recorded.] >x ogreling The ogreling has bloodshot eyes, sharp tusks extending from its lower jaw, and a deep brow that gives it a permanent angry countenance. In one hand it holds a ten-foot halberd with a razor-sharp blade. In the other hand it holds a fist. >talk to ogreling You begin to speak, but the ogreling cuts you off - "Let's talk when you've got a weapon." >s Annex A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >talk to pauper "A prince?" "Oh yes. Or do you think street beggars just come into possession of an Ogresbane Dagger?" He reaches into his shabby coat and pulls out a small, jewel-encrusted blade. >talk to pauper You choose to be direct. "Think I could borrow that dagger for a while?" So does the pauper. "Will you help me return to my seat of power?" "Sure thing. Of course. Long live the homeless prince." "Very funny," he says. "I suppose you think ruling a kingdom is some trifle." >g You shrug. "What exactly would this heroic effort on my part entail?" The pauper stumbles to his feet and puts his hand on your shoulder. He stares into your eyes. "Friend, I have no idea. First thing I remember is waking up outside the castle wall in these rags. The second thing I remember is fetching this dagger from my hiding place, then stumbling into The Aquatic Mammal and demanding a barrel of River Gin." >g "That's really all you remember?" The pauper squints at his murky past and hiccups. "Well, there was the part where I came to long enough to see the kingdom's reignlog - that's the legal document specifying my royal bloodline - vaporized in a bright blue flash." He laughs. "Think you could scare up another one of those for me?" >g "Very well," you say, trying to sound intrepid. "I'll do what I can." "Good enough for me," says the pauper, handing you the dagger. "Just don't let the town watch see you with it or they'll arrest you in connection with the tavern robbery." You don't have the heart to tell him what happened to town. "They'll never take me alive." The pauper grimaces. "You've got that right." >g You attempt to say goodbye, but he cuts you off. "Get out of here, I've got a lot of passing out to do." >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >save Ok. >n Rotunda The ogreling sniffs the air. "Something's different about you," it says, eyes narrowing. "Something I don't like." >fight ogreling It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >show dagger to ogreling That's not a verb I recognize. >kill ogreling It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >fight ogreling It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >talk to ogreling You take a bold step forward and reveal the dagger's hilt. "You're going to like it even less when -" With speed belying its size, the ogreling lets out a hellish snarl and whips his halberd downward to cleave you in two. Sparks fly - not from the ground under your bisected body, but from an invisible barrier that winks into existence just above your head. >talk to ogreling "Game ogre!" you blurt out before you can stop yourself. The ogreling stomps closer, lowering its face to glower at you. Its breath stinks of old cheese and anger. "We need to talk about that dagger." >talk to ogreling "Oh, now you want to talk. I'm sorry, did trying to cut me in half get boring?" "Listen," intones the ogreling, "one stab from that thing and I'm done. Dead. With no chance ever to waylay my first traveler or pillage my first hamlet." >stab ogreling It's times like these I'm glad we're not in a room together. >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. The only way out is to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >talk to ogreling "And that would be a bad thing? You're not exactly selling this." The ogreling stiffens, and narrows its eyes. "I ask that you remember the courtesy you were extended when I had a halberd, and you had a loud face that needed more holes in it." Now the ogreling smiles, a horrible sight. "Plus, you could kill me easy," he says, "but that does raise the question of how you would get out of here." The guardsman chimes in: "Don't forget the part about his corpse stinkin' up the joint." >talk to ogreling "All right, you've got yourself a deal. I spare you, you get me out of here." "One last condition," growls the ogreling. "When you've got a different weapon, I want a fair fight." >*heh [Comment recorded.] >talk to ogreling You hesitate before agreeing, "Deal." The ogreling rears up and slams the butt of his halberd into the rotunda's northern wall with a roar. The stone cracks open, revealing a blue portal. >x portal A tall field of blue energy that crackles as you approach. >s Annex A pauper lies haphazardly on the floor. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >give dagger to pauper Nobody wants your charity. >talk to pauper You attempt to say goodbye, but he cuts you off. "Get out of here, I've got a lot of passing out to do." >n Rotunda >look Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. There is a hole in the wall to your north, through which you see a blue portal, as well as an exit to the south, where a wry guardsman stands before the door. >e You can't go that way. >n Something holds you back. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast a into wry The runebag leaps into your hands and as it opens, you feel it expel a small amount of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] Rotunda You are in a round room with a high domed ceiling. The smell of old brick hangs in the air. Beneath the cupola, twice your size in all directions, looms a fearsome gray-skinned ogreling. There is a hole in the wall to your north, through which you see a blue portal, as well as an exit to the south, where a wary guardsman stands before the door. > Okay, you win the silent game. >n Gathering your wits and spittle, you venture forth. [Press a key.] Eaves - Sunrise An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a clock. The rising sun ushers in a new day. Eaves is here. >*I don't have my L! :( [Comment recorded.] >talk to eaves You stride toward Eaves and adopt a withering tone. "I'm not sure I ever properly thanked you for getting me into this mess." Eaves does not respond. You notice his appearance, which stops you cold. >x eaves A brown robe covers skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he scratches at himself. >talk to eaves You attempt again to get his attention. "Didn't anyone teach you not to scratch at it?" Eaves ignores you, pausing only to scratch through his robe at his hips. >*Okay, time's up. 12:55... argh. Okay, let me consult my scale of scores... [Comment recorded.] >*Looks like it's an 8, mostly for innovation. Fits the definition of an 8 perfectly. [Comment recorded.] >*Could be a 9 if it had been smoother. Although I'm not sure how to make it any smoother... [Comment recorded.] >*So, continuing on. [Comment recorded.] >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a clock. Above you, the sun ascends steadily skyward. Eaves is here. >knock clock You feel the runebag come to life, and jump into your hands as it opens and pulls a small amount of something from nothing. Knock! [Press a key.] Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sun ascends steadily skyward. Eaves is here. >knock seated There is a faint vibration from the runebag, but nothing happens. >knock statue There is a faint vibration from the runebag, but nothing happens. >*seated could become sated [Comment recorded.] >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The sun begins its descent into the afternoon. Eaves is here. >x lock A central keyhole governs the mechanism, whose purpose eludes you. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. A dimming of the sun's light marks early evening. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast c into eaves The runebag remains inert. >x dagger The hilt is curved and encrusted in emeralds. The blade is nondescript. As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >x ocean The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >*I need to make them lions? [Comment recorded.] >x ions The light from the water intensifies as sea ions dart about the ocean's surface. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night continues to deepen. The light from the water intensifies as sea ions dart about the ocean's surface. Eaves is here. >knock glass The runebag remains inert. >knock lock The runebag remains inert. >cast c into eaves The runebag remains inert. >knock eaves You feel the faintest thrumming, but you might have imagined it. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The first hint of light appears on the horizon. The water's inner light fades to darkness as sea ions slip below the surface, and do not re-emerge. Eaves is here. >knock large The runebag remains inert. >knock seated There is a faint vibration from the runebag, but nothing happens. As the sun rises, you feel a sense of emptiness. >knkock statue That's not a verb I recognize. >look Eaves - Sunrise An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The rising sun ushers in a new day. Eaves is here. >knock statue There is a faint vibration from the runebag, but nothing happens. >knock base There is a faint vibration from the runebag, but nothing happens. >knock platform The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sun ascends steadily skyward. Eaves is here. >cast c into clock The runebag remains inert. >cast c into lock The runebag jumps into your hands and opens as it targets the lock. There is a connection followed by a small transfer of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a clock. Above you, noon sunlight beats down from the sky. Eaves is here. >*don't think gets... should be "don't think it gets" ? [Comment recorded.] >x seconds That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >*ha ha clever [Comment recorded.] >loko That's not a verb I recognize. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a clock. The sun begins its descent into the afternoon. Eaves is here. >knock clock You feel the runebag come to life, and jump into your hands as it opens and pulls a small amount of something from nothing. Knock! [Press a key.] Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The sun begins its descent into the afternoon. Eaves is here. >cast c into left The runebag remains inert. >cast c into aloft The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. A dimming of the sun's light marks early evening. Eaves is here. >knock early The runebag remains inert. >x eaves A brown robe covers skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he scratches at himself. >knock welts The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sky glows red-ochre at sunset. Eaves is here. As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >look Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. Eaves is here. >x ocean The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. >cast c into russet The runebag remains inert. >cast c into sea The runebag remains inert. >cast c into ions That would be counterproductive. >*Ha ha. [Comment recorded.] >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. It is midnight. The light below the waves reaches its peak, and the sea ions move with a more frantic energy. Eaves is here. >x lock A central keyhole governs the mechanism, whose purpose eludes you. >talk to ions No response. >talk to eaves You attempt again to get his attention. "Didn't anyone teach you not to scratch at it?" Eaves ignores you, pausing only to scratch through his robe at his hips. >cast c into hips The runebag remains inert. >talk to eaves You attempt again to get his attention. "Didn't anyone teach you not to scratch at it?" Eaves ignores you, pausing only to scratch through his robe at his hips. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The first hint of light appears on the horizon. The water's inner light fades to darkness as sea ions slip below the surface, and do not re-emerge. Eaves is here. As the sun rises, you feel a sense of emptiness. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >knock large The runebag remains inert. >cast c into large The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the morning sun climbs up the sky. Eaves is here. >w You can't go that way. >e You can't go that way. >n You can't go that way. >s You can't go that way. >u You can't go that way. >d The fall would kill you. >d The fall would kill you. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. A dimming of the sun's light marks early evening. Eaves is here. >knock platform The runebag remains inert. >x statue It is a statue of the king, with a crown atop its head. >knock crown Your runebag locks on to the crown as the thought enters your mind, and takes on the slightest bit of weight. Knock! [Press a key.] It is a statue of the king, with a crow atop its head. As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x king There is intricate detail in this likeness, of a man you have never met. >knock king That would be counterproductive. >knock likeness The runebag remains inert. >knock detail The runebag remains inert. >x statue It is a statue of the king, with a crow atop its head. >x crow The crow fixes you with a baleful stare. >talk to crow "Here, crow!" You attempt, waving your arms in what you think of as a crowlike motion. The crow does not move. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >talk to statue No response. >talk to crow "Hey crow," you say with a casual tone, "I'm just here above the ocean solving mysteries, and it so happens I have an opening for an avian sidekick." In response, the crow clicks its feet against the statue and regards you with malice. >talk to crow You attempt remorse. "Crow, I've been rude. I apologize for presuming a relationship between us, a relationship that like any bond between equals must be forged with patience. Please accept my sincerest regrets." The crow flies toward you, prompting a gleeful "Well how do you do" - but before you can finish, it stabs you in the shoulder with its beak and wings back to its perch. As the sun rises, you feel a sense of emptiness. >talk to crow "The time for diplomacy has passed," you mumble to yourself, resisting the urge to communicate. >talk to crow "The time for diplomacy has passed," you mumble to yourself, resisting the urge to communicate. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the morning sun climbs up the sky. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sky glows red-ochre at sunset. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >cast n into eaves The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. Eaves is here. >cast n into ions The runebag remains inert. >x ocean The light from the water intensifies as sea ions dart about the ocean's surface. >cast n into sea The runebag remains inert. >x light The light below the waves reaches its peak, and the sea ions move with a more frantic energy. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night's darkest hour looms black and cold. The waves begin to dim and the sea ions grow fatigued, slowing the pace of their interplay. Eaves is here. >knock black The runebag remains inert. >knock cold The runebag remains inert. >talk to ions No response. >talk to crow "The time for diplomacy has passed," you mumble to yourself, resisting the urge to communicate. >talk to statue No response. As the sun rises, you feel a sense of emptiness. >talk to eaves You attempt again to get his attention. "Didn't anyone teach you not to scratch at it?" Eaves ignores you, pausing only to scratch through his robe at his hips. >knock robe The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast c into crobe The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the morning sun climbs up the sky. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x statue It is a statue of the king, with a crow atop its head. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast c into head The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, noon sunlight beats down from the sky. Eaves is here. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. A dimming of the sun's light marks early evening. Eaves is here. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sky glows red-ochre at sunset. Eaves is here. As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >x ocean The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. >knock churning The runebag remains inert. >knock light The runebag remains inert. >cast c into russet The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast n into emerge The runebag remains inert. >cast c into emerge The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night continues to deepen. The light from the water intensifies as sea ions dart about the ocean's surface. Eaves is here. >knock dart The runebag remains inert. >x ions The light below the waves reaches its peak, and the sea ions move with a more frantic energy. >x ions The light below the waves reaches its peak, and the sea ions move with a more frantic energy. >x sea The waves begin to dim and the sea ions grow fatigued, slowing the pace of their interplay. >cast n into ions The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast c into ion The runebag remains inert. >cast n into ion The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The first hint of light appears on the horizon. The water's inner light fades to darkness as sea ions slip below the surface, and do not re-emerge. Eaves is here. As the sun rises, you feel a sense of emptiness. >x eaves A brown robe covers skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he scratches at himself. >talk to eaves You attempt again to get his attention. "Didn't anyone teach you not to scratch at it?" Eaves ignores you, pausing only to scratch through his robe at his hips. >x rrobe That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x robe On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of lice. >*OH. ha ha. there's my errant l. [Comment recorded.] >knock lice Your runebag almost jumps into your hands, and you feel it lock onto Eaves' verminous stowaways. Knock! [Press a key.] On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of ice. >cast n into ice The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast l into eaves The runebag remains inert. >*that would work. He'd be leaves. [Comment recorded.] >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, noon sunlight beats down from the sky. Eaves is here. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >look Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. Eaves is here. >cast l into ions As the runebag jumps into your hands and points in the direction of the ions, you feel a small outward transfer of energy. There is a slight quivering from the runebag as it sheds the tiniest amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea lions emerge from the water. Eaves is here. >knock lions That would be counterproductive. >*Oliver? [Comment recorded.] >x lions The light from the water intensifies as sea lions dart about the ocean's surface. >talk to lions No response. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast c into lions The runebag remains inert. >cat n into lions That's not a verb I recognize. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night's darkest hour looms black and cold. The waves begin to dim and the sea lions grow fatigued, slowing the pace of their interplay. Eaves is here. >*Oliver? I must have missed something. [Comment recorded.] >x lions The water's inner light fades to darkness as sea lions slip below the surface, and do not re-emerge. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag As the sun rises over a lifeless ocean, you feel a sense of emptiness at having seen the sea lions look to the sky as they drowned. Eaves begins to scratch himself again. >x eaves A brown robe covers skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he scratches at himself. >*Why's he scratching the ice? [Comment recorded.] >talk to eaves You attempt again to get his attention. "Didn't anyone teach you not to scratch at it?" Eaves ignores you, pausing only to scratch through his robe at his hips. >x hips That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >cast c into hips The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the morning sun climbs up the sky. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x ice That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x eaves A brown robe covers skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he scratches at himself. >x welts On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of lice. >*Wait... the lice came back? [Comment recorded.] >knock lice Your runebag almost jumps into your hands, and you feel it lock onto Eaves' verminous stowaways. Knock! [Press a key.] On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of ice. >talk to eaves "Bad news, Eaves," you intone with a serious expression. "The bank called, and all of your assets have been frozen." You collapse in a fit of laughter. >talk to eaves "Bad news, Eaves," you intone with a serious expression. "The bank called, and all of your assets have been frozen." You collapse in a fit of laughter. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast l into ice The runebag remains inert. >cast n into ice The runebag remains inert. >x eaves Under the same brown robe is skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he stands frozen in place. As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >x ocean The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. >cast l into ions As the runebag jumps into your hands and points in the direction of the ions, you feel a small outward transfer of energy. There is a slight quivering from the runebag as it sheds the tiniest amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea lions emerge from the water. Eaves is here. >talk to eaves "Bad news, Eaves," you intone with a serious expression. "The bank called, and all of your assets have been frozen." You collapse in a fit of laughter. >knock lions That would be counterproductive. >x eaves Under the same brown robe is skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he stands frozen in place. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >talk to eavs That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x lions The waves begin to dim and the sea lions grow fatigued, slowing the pace of their interplay. >talk to lions No response. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The first hint of light appears on the horizon. The water's inner light fades to darkness as sea lions slip below the surface, and do not re-emerge. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag As the sun rises over a lifeless ocean, you feel a sense of emptiness at having seen another generation of sea lions look to the sky as they drowned. Eaves begins to scratch himself again. >x eaves A brown robe covers skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he scratches at himself. >x robe On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of lice. >*hmmm..... it's not clear that it happens again. [Comment recorded.] >knock lice Your runebag almost jumps into your hands, and you feel it lock onto Eaves' verminous stowaways. Knock! [Press a key.] On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of ice. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. > Okay, you win the silent game. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, noon sunlight beats down from the sky. Eaves is here. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, noon sunlight beats down from the sky. Eaves is here. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The sun begins its descent into the afternoon. Eaves is here. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sky glows red-ochre at sunset. Eaves is here. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sky glows red-ochre at sunset. Eaves is here. As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >cast l into ions As the runebag jumps into your hands and points in the direction of the ions, you feel a small outward transfer of energy. There is a slight quivering from the runebag as it sheds the tiniest amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea lions emerge from the water. Eaves is here. >save Ok. >x lions The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea lions emerge from the water. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x lions The light from the water intensifies as sea lions dart about the ocean's surface. >knock lions That would be counterproductive. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >knock light The runebag remains inert. >knock sea The runebag remains inert. >knock dart The runebag remains inert. >hint That's not a verb I recognize. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The first hint of light appears on the horizon. The water's inner light fades to darkness as sea lions slip below the surface, and do not re-emerge. Eaves is here. >x eaves Under the same brown robe is skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he stands frozen in place. As the sun rises over a lifeless ocean, you feel a sense of emptiness at having seen another generation of sea lions look to the sky as they drowned. Eaves begins to scratch himself again. >x robe On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of lice. >restore Ok. >x sea The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea lions emerge from the water. >x skin On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of ice. >x lions The light from the water intensifies as sea lions dart about the ocean's surface. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast c into lions The runebag remains inert. >cast n into lions The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x lions The water's inner light fades to darkness as sea lions slip below the surface, and do not re-emerge. >restore Ok. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night continues to deepen. The light from the water intensifies as sea lions dart about the ocean's surface. Eaves is here. >x ocean The light from the water intensifies as sea lions dart about the ocean's surface. >talk to eaves "Bad news, Eaves," you intone with a serious expression. "The bank called, and all of your assets have been frozen." You collapse in a fit of laughter. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. It is midnight. The light below the waves reaches its peak, and the sea lions move with a more frantic energy. Eaves is here. >x king There is intricate detail in this likeness, of a man you have never met. >*wt time [Comment recorded.] >knock crow Your runebag has never seemed quite so pleased to lock onto something and open. There is a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] It is a statue of the king, with a cow atop its head. >x cow The jet-black cow regards its surroundings with moon-eyed concern. >talk to cow "Hey, cow. What did the farmer say to the traveling salesman?" The cow does not answer. As the sun rises over a lifeless ocean, you feel a sense of emptiness at having seen another generation of sea lions look to the sky as they drowned. Eaves begins to scratch himself again. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >knock lice Your runebag almost jumps into your hands, and you feel it lock onto Eaves' verminous stowaways. Knock! [Press a key.] On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of ice. With a plaintive "mooo," the king's bovine mortarboard loses its balance and tumbles to the platform with a thud. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x cow The jet-black cow, now lying on its side, regards its situation with admirable dignity. >talk to cow Inspiration strikes. "Hey cow, what did the cow say to gravity?" The cow fixes you with a baleful stare. >talk to cow Inspiration strikes. "Hey cow, what did the cow say to gravity?" The cow fixes you with a baleful stare. >x cow The jet-black cow, now lying on its side, regards its situation with admirable dignity. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >save Ok. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sky glows red-ochre at sunset. A supine cow stews with quiet resignation. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >save Ok. >cast l into ions As the runebag jumps into your hands and points in the direction of the ions, you feel a small outward transfer of energy. There is a slight quivering from the runebag as it sheds the tiniest amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea lions emerge from the water. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moo hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. >x lions The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea lions emerge from the water. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast r into sea The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. It is midnight. The light below the waves reaches its peak, and the sea lions move with a more frantic energy. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moo hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast r into eaves The runebag remains inert. >cast r into ice That would be counterproductive. >x cow The jet-black cow, now lying on its side, regards its situation with admirable dignity. >talk to cow Inspiration strikes. "Hey cow, what did the cow say to gravity?" The cow fixes you with a baleful stare. As the sun rises over a lifeless ocean, you feel a sense of emptiness at having seen another generation of sea lions look to the sky as they drowned. Eaves begins to scratch himself again. >restore Ok. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moo hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. >cast l into ions As the runebag jumps into your hands and points in the direction of the ions, you feel a small outward transfer of energy. There is a slight quivering from the runebag as it sheds the tiniest amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night continues to deepen. The light from the water intensifies as sea lions dart about the ocean's surface. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moo hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. >cast r into cow The runebag jumps up from your side and opens as it locks onto the cow. It becomes the slightest bit lighter. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night continues to deepen. The light from the water intensifies as sea lions dart about the ocean's surface. A supine crow voices its concern, and a lazy moo hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. The crow sends a bitter squawk in your direction, then regains its perch in three graceless flaps. >*wt again.... [Comment recorded.] >cast n into moon The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast n into moo The runebag remains inert. >restore Ok. >cast n into moo There is a small thrum of pleasure from the runebag as it jumps into your hands and locks onto the sky. You feel the bag lose a small bit of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. >knock moon That would be counterproductive. >cast l into ions As the runebag jumps into your hands and points in the direction of the ions, you feel a small outward transfer of energy. There is a slight quivering from the runebag as it sheds the tiniest amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night continues to deepen. The light from the water intensifies as sea lions dart about the ocean's surface. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. >save Ok. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x moon The moon further illuminates the ocean, which breaks amid the steady white luster of shiny rock. >x rock The only rock you can see comprises the moon. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >talk to eaves "Bad news, Eaves," you intone with a serious expression. "The bank called, and all of your assets have been frozen." You collapse in a fit of laughter. >x moon The moon further illuminates the ocean, which breaks amid the steady white luster of shiny rock. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The first hint of light appears on the horizon. The water's inner light fades to darkness as sea lions slip below the surface, and do not re-emerge. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. As the sun rises over a lifeless ocean, you feel a sense of emptiness at having seen another generation of sea lions look to the sky as they drowned. Eaves begins to scratch himself again. >knock lice Your runebag almost jumps into your hands, and you feel it lock onto Eaves' verminous stowaways. Knock! [Press a key.] On closer examination, you observe that Eaves' mottled skin is also covered by a thin layer of ice. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast r into cow The runebag jumps up from your side and opens as it locks onto the cow. It becomes the slightest bit lighter. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the morning sun climbs up the sky. A supine crow stews with quiet resignation. Eaves is here. The crow sends a bitter squawk in your direction, then regains its perch in three graceless flaps. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast l into crow The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sun ascends steadily skyward. Eaves is here. >knock moon The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, noon sunlight beats down from the sky. Eaves is here. >x moon That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The sun begins its descent into the afternoon. Eaves is here. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. A dimming of the sun's light marks early evening. Eaves is here. >x moon That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sky glows red-ochre at sunset. Eaves is here. >z Time marches on. As night falls, you notice a change in the ocean. >look Eaves - Sunset A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, darkness signals the arrival of night. The waves fill with churning light as colonies of russet sea ions emerge from the water. A lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. >x moon The moon further illuminates the ocean, which breaks amid the steady white luster of shiny rock. >knock moon That would be counterproductive. >x ocean The light from the water intensifies as sea ions dart about the ocean's surface. >cast l into ions As the runebag jumps into your hands and points in the direction of the ions, you feel a small outward transfer of energy. There is a slight quivering from the runebag as it sheds the tiniest amount of weight. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. It is midnight. The light below the waves reaches its peak, and the sea lions move with a more frantic energy. A lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast c into lazy The runebag remains inert. >*wt again... wow, I just can't do this. [Comment recorded.] >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night's darkest hour looms black and cold. The waves begin to dim and the sea lions grow fatigued, slowing the pace of their interplay. A lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here. >x moon The moon further illuminates the ocean, which breaks amid the steady white luster of shiny rock. >case c into luster That's not a verb I recognize. >cast c into luster The runebag vibrates with fervor this time, locking immediately onto the luster. You feel a sharp zip of energy outward. Cast! [Press a key.] The moon further illuminates the ocean, which breaks amid the steady white cluster of shiny rock. The sea lions clamber onto the rock formation, braying with excitement and gratitude. >x eaves Under the same brown robe is skin stippled with angry red welts. His eyes see past you as he stands frozen in place. The sea lions greet their first sunrise with a lusty round of communal barking. The noise builds to a deafening crescendo, there is a pause, and then the sea lions woof in unison, as the ice surrounding Eaves transforms into a glowing blue nimbus. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x eaves The blue nimbus envelops Eaves with the snug certainty of a gaseous, elastic cocoon. >talk to eaves "Eaves!" You have trouble containing your excitement at being able to speak to someone. "Eaves, are you there? It's me, from the garden! Look, I forgive you for everything. Let's reunite and have adventures again!" The nimbus releases one of Eaves' hands, which waggles in response. >talk What do you want to talk to? >eaves "Let me tell you, I've had some adventures of my own. You wouldn't believe how messed up this kingdom is! Ever hear of something called a reignlog?" The nimbus retreats to Eaves' shoulder, and his arm swings to point in your direction. Then it rises upward in what looks like half of a shrug. >talk to eaves "Eaves, the blue cloud thing is past your hips now, I think you'll be out of there soon!" Memories come flooding back. "Remember that story you told about the ogre tendons? Maybe it's how much I care about my own tendons, but I want you to know that it really stuck with me." In response, a hopping Eaves twists his right hand into a sardonic thumbs-up. >talk to eaves "Eaves, it's just your head now!" you exclaim. "I have to say, I'm not really sure where to go from here but I'm sure we can figure it out together!" Eaves, still struggling with a nimbus that clings gamely to his head, pulls at his elusive hoodlike captor in lieu of a response. >x eaves What remains of the nimbus clings to Eaves' head like a gossamer knight's helmet, as his arms flail with abandon and his legs jump in frustration. >talk to eaves You embrace Eaves as the last of the nimbus disappears from his head. "Welcome back to consciousness!" Eaves, for his part, looks surprised but pleased to see you. "I must say, this is somewhat unexpected." >talk to eaves "You're welcome," you tell Eaves, in your best explorer voice. "On to more important business. Snap your fingers and make a portal and let's skip like you did when that town was on fire." Eaves shifts his weight. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. Earl Gry has infiltrated the portal system, which is how we both ended up here in the first place. If I make one he'll just re-route us somewhere worse, like a volcano or an island where the native people don't use vowels. No," says Eaves, "we have to find Earl Gry's personal portal, the one he uses to get here. That'll take us right to him, which is probably why he's hidden it," and here Eaves taps the lock, "behind a lock." >x lock A central keyhole governs the mechanism, whose purpose eludes you. >talk to eaves "Something else is bothering me. How did rescuing the sea lions unfreeze you? I don't see the connection." Eaves looks down at the sea lions with gratitude. "Not a lot of people know this, but a big enough group of sea lions can knock things if they all put their mind to it. That's why we use their fur to make runebags." >x bag A soft fur bag with a thin leather drawstring. It is the color of early night. >talk to eaves You pick up your jaw and stammer, "What?! I didn't sign off on that. I don't think anyone would sign off on that. Seriously?" Eaves shrugs. "Better than wasting it after you eat the sea lion." >talk to eaves Swallowing your nausea, you change the subject. "So then what did they knock to set you free?" "Well," says Eaves, "I don't speak sea lion so I'm just guessing, but I'd bet with all the spray down there on the rocks it looked like I was surrounded by a frozen mist, which they knocked into a froen mist." You place a hand on your hip. "Eaves, this might surprise you, but I don't know what a froen mist is." For the first time, Eaves looks at you like you are crazy. "What? Everyone knows that, it's one of the first things they teach in school. A froen is a gaseous blue creature that eats louse nits." >talk to eaves "Okay, one last thing and I'm done. What was with all those lice, anyway? You were in pretty bad shape." Again, Eaves shifts his weight. "I don't want to talk about it." >talk to eaves "So," you say, "you're the mysterious genius. Any idea how to unlock this thing?" Eaves scrutinizes your surroundings, and squints. "I do have one idea... in the form of THIS ANCIENT AND POWERFUL SWORD!" In a sudden, fluid motion he pulls an impressive steel blade from the folds of his robe, and with a primal shout to deliver a fearsome overhead cut at the lock. Sparks fly - and when they clear, the lock remains, undamaged. >talk to eaves You try not to grin. "Well." Eaves does not meet your glance. "Well." >talk to eaves "That was really your plan?" you ask, "Hack your way out of here with a sword? Or were you planning to use it to paddle?" Eaves stamps his foot. "First of all, let's not just go assuming that I intended to end up here, which in fact was the handiwork of a certain Earl Gry, who may I remind you is a bad, bad person and still at large." You incline your head. "You really don't like him, do you?" Eaves narrows his eyes. "No, I don't, and hence the sword." He taps the blade. "Though I'm not sure what use it is to us now." >talk to eaves "That was really your plan?" you ask, "Hack your way out of here with a sword? Or were you planning to use it to paddle?" Eaves stamps his foot. "First of all, let's not just go assuming that I intended to end up here, which in fact was the handiwork of a certain Earl Gry, who may I remind you is a bad, bad person and still at large." You incline your head. "You really don't like him, do you?" Eaves narrows his eyes. "No, I don't, and hence the sword." He taps the blade. "Though I'm not sure what use it is to us now." >talk to eaves "That was really your plan?" you ask, "Hack your way out of here with a sword? Or were you planning to use it to paddle?" Eaves stamps his foot. "First of all, let's not just go assuming that I intended to end up here, which in fact was the handiwork of a certain Earl Gry, who may I remind you is a bad, bad person and still at large." You incline your head. "You really don't like him, do you?" Eaves narrows his eyes. "No, I don't, and hence the sword." He taps the blade. "Though I'm not sure what use it is to us now." >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night's darkest hour looms black and cold. The sea lions continue to play as the ocean dims, splashing with grateful exuberance. A lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here, holding an impressive sword. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x froen That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x mist That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock moon That would be counterproductive. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The first hint of light appears on the horizon. As the water fades to darkness, the sea lions huddle on the rocks to greet the sunrise. A lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here, holding an impressive sword. >x sword About five times the size of your ogresbane dagger, with a wicked, red-tinged blade. >knock sword Your runebag bounds into your hands and locks onto Eaves' weapon with a pacifist's delight. You feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] His skin affliction appears to have been healed, and his dignified, monastic bearing restored. He is holding an impressive word. Eaves looks down at his hand and blurts, "Hey! That was expensive!" >x word You move to get a closer look at the impressive word. Eaves is having none of it. "I don't feel like sharing with you right now." >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sun ascends steadily skyward. A contented raft of sea lions sleeps upon the clustered rocks. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >cast s into eaves The runebag remains inert. >cast s into lock The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, noon sunlight beats down from the sky. A contented raft of sea lions sleeps upon the clustered rocks. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >x lock A central keyhole governs the mechanism, whose purpose eludes you. >cast s into keyhole The runebag remains inert. >x sword That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock word The runebag remains inert. >x word You move to get a closer look at the impressive word. Eaves is having none of it. "I don't feel like sharing with you right now." >cast s into word The runebag remains inert. >cast s into word The runebag remains inert. >x word You move to get a closer look at the impressive word. Eaves is having none of it. "I don't feel like sharing with you right now." >talk to eaves You attempt reconciliation. "Any chance an impressive word might scare Earl Gry into exile?" Eaves peeks at the word in his hands, and thinks for a moment. "It could help." Intrigued, you press Eaves further. "Well aren't you going to tell me what it is?" Eaves demurs. "No I am not." >talk to eaves You opt for a more tactful approach. "Come on, we're stuck in a globe above the ocean. Tell me what the word is!" Eaves sneaks another peek at the word, and smiles. "If you find a way to get us out of here, I might consider it." >talk to eaves You have just about had it. "Eaves, I've checked every nook, cranny, and rivulet of this place, and if there was a key I would have found it. Let's just get this over with and start tenderizing my arm on the statue base." Eaves snaps his fingers, and stands with newfound energy. "That's it! There is no key." >talk to eaves You sag. "No key? That's supposed to make me feel better? If it's okay by you, I think I'll just jump off this platform, crash through the globe, land on a sea lion, and ride it to the bottom of the ocean." Eaves continues, "No - no. That's it exactly. If I were in charge of hiding a key here, I'd hide it inside something, then hide the container somewhere else." You narrow your eyes. "So we're looking for a handbag?" Eaves shrugs. "I guess I just believe in the power of positive thinking." >talk to eaves You sag. "No key? That's supposed to make me feel better? If it's okay by you, I think I'll just jump off this platform, crash through the globe, land on a sea lion, and ride it to the bottom of the ocean." Eaves continues, "No - no. That's it exactly. If I were in charge of hiding a key here, I'd hide it inside something, then hide the container somewhere else." You narrow your eyes. "So we're looking for a handbag?" Eaves shrugs. "I guess I just believe in the power of positive thinking." >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night's darkest hour looms black and cold. The sea lions continue to play as the ocean dims, splashing with grateful exuberance. A lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >knock sky The runebag remains inert. >cast s into lock The runebag remains inert. >knock lock The runebag remains inert. >talk to eaves You sag. "No key? That's supposed to make me feel better? If it's okay by you, I think I'll just jump off this platform, crash through the globe, land on a sea lion, and ride it to the bottom of the ocean." Eaves continues, "No - no. That's it exactly. If I were in charge of hiding a key here, I'd hide it inside something, then hide the container somewhere else." You narrow your eyes. "So we're looking for a handbag?" Eaves shrugs. "I guess I just believe in the power of positive thinking." >look Eaves - Sunrise An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The rising sun ushers in a new day. A contented raft of sea lions sleeps upon the clustered rocks. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the morning sun climbs up the sky. A contented raft of sea lions sleeps upon the clustered rocks. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >x eaves His skin affliction appears to have been healed, and his dignified, monastic bearing restored. He is holding an impressive word. >knock raft The runebag remains inert. >knock statue There is a faint vibration from the runebag, but nothing happens. >x statue It is a statue of the king, with a crow atop its head. >knock crow Your runebag has never seemed quite so pleased to lock onto something and open. There is a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] It is a statue of the king, with a cow atop its head. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, noon sunlight beats down from the sky. A contented raft of sea lions sleeps upon the clustered rocks. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >knock lock The runebag remains inert. >cast r into lock The runebag remains inert. With a plaintive "mooo," the king's bovine mortarboard loses its balance and tumbles to the platform with a thud. >x cow The jet-black cow, now lying on its side, regards its situation with admirable dignity. >talk to cow Inspiration strikes. "Hey cow, what did the cow say to gravity?" The cow fixes you with a baleful stare. >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the sky glows red-ochre at sunset. A contented raft of sea lions sleeps upon the clustered rocks. A supine cow stews with quiet resignation. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast s into cow That would be counterproductive. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, the night continues to deepen. The light from the water intensifies as sea lions dart about the ocean's surface. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >knock moon That would be counterproductive. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. It is midnight. The light below the waves reaches its peak, and the sea lions move with a more frantic energy. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >knock dagger The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast s into dagger The runebag remains inert. >look Eaves - Night A bright ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The first hint of light appears on the horizon. As the water fades to darkness, the sea lions huddle on the rocks to greet the sunrise. A supine cow voices its concern, and a lazy moon hangs in the sky. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >talk to eaves You sag. "No key? That's supposed to make me feel better? If it's okay by you, I think I'll just jump off this platform, crash through the globe, land on a sea lion, and ride it to the bottom of the ocean." Eaves continues, "No - no. That's it exactly. If I were in charge of hiding a key here, I'd hide it inside something, then hide the container somewhere else." You narrow your eyes. "So we're looking for a handbag?" Eaves shrugs. "I guess I just believe in the power of positive thinking." >look Eaves - Sunrise An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. The rising sun ushers in a new day. A contented raft of sea lions sleeps upon the clustered rocks. A supine cow stews with quiet resignation. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >knock stews That would be counterproductive. >knock quiet The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >x sun The sun hangs high in the sky, suffusing the air and water below with heat and energy. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >*What now? [Comment recorded.] >look Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. Above you, noon sunlight beats down from the sky. A contented raft of sea lions sleeps upon the clustered rocks. A supine cow stews with quiet resignation. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. >knock noon The runebag remains inert. >x cow The jet-black cow, now lying on its side, regards its situation with admirable dignity. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >cast r into cow The runebag jumps up from your side and opens as it locks onto the cow. It becomes the slightest bit lighter. Cast! [Press a key.] Eaves - Day An ocean stretches in every direction below the glass sphere that surrounds you and holds you aloft. To your right, the granite surface of your observation platform ends at the base of a large seated statue. To your left is what appears to be a lock. A dimming of the sun's light marks early evening. A contented raft of sea lions sleeps upon the clustered rocks. A supine crow stews with quiet resignation. Eaves is here, holding an impressive word. The crow sends a bitter squawk in your direction, then regains its perch in three graceless flaps. >*wt time [Comment recorded.] >x platform Your shadow obscures a pure and otherwise nondescript granite surface. >case s into pure That's not a verb I recognize. >cast s into pure With what amounts to a somersault, the runebag bounds up from your side and locks on with pleasure. A small amount of energy escapes. Cast! [Press a key.] Your shadow obscures a purse and otherwise nondescript granite surface. "Well," says Eaves, "I knew I packed that sword for a reason." >get purse Grabby, grabby. >open it That's not a verb I recognize. >open purse That's not a verb I recognize. >x purse About twice the size of your runebag and rhomboid, in the latest fashion. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >knock purse The runebag remains inert. >x purse About twice the size of your runebag and rhomboid, in the latest fashion. >talk to eaves You gesture with magnanimity at the purse on the platform. "Go for it," you tell Eaves. "Couldn't have done it without you." With a sidelong glance, he bends over to pick up the purse, opens it, and withdraws a white bone key. "That's more true than you know," he says, turning the key in the lock. To the south, a glowing blue portal appears. >s With an apprehensive breath, you usher Eaves through the portal and follow suit. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. >knock lance The runebag remains inert. >knock donor With your last ounce of strength, you raise the runebag, which almost seems to pity you as it opens. You feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the door that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. The queen looks pleased. "Loath as I am to admit it, darling, you were right - these new security doors have proven delightfully effective." The king guffaws. "Well, there's a first time for everything!" As you expire, they share the hearty laugh of people who feel lucky to have found each other. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: blue light, a lost feather, a malevolent crow, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >knock lance The runebag remains inert. >x lance Unforgiving. >x donor That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. With a final, wrenching pain, you expire. Given the severity of your lance wound, it's a wonder you made it this long. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: old cheese, salvaged stonework, a malevolent crow, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. >knock you The runebag remains inert. >knock unforgiving The runebag remains inert. >knock through The runebag remains inert. >knock run The runebag remains inert. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. >talk to eaves With labored effort, you turn to Eaves. "Eaggh," you manage to croak. Eaves looks from your wound to the dais with a meaningful expression. >x dais It is half again your height, cut from a familiar rough-hewn material. >knock dais The runebag remains inert. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. With a final, wrenching pain, you expire. Given the severity of your lance wound, it's a wonder you made it this long. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: the ocean, a burlap robe, a two-toed foot, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. >knock king The runebag remains inert. >knock dais The runebag remains inert. >knock king The runebag remains inert. >knock earl The runebag remains inert. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. >e You can't go that way. With a final, wrenching pain, you expire. Given the severity of your lance wound, it's a wonder you made it this long. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: blue light, a lost feather, a malevolent crow, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. >*I need a g..... [Comment recorded.] >x dais It is half again your height, cut from a familiar rough-hewn material. >knock height The runebag remains inert. >knock again The runebag remains inert. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. >knock unforgivning The runebag remains inert. >x king He cuts a statuesque figure, his silhouette festooned with rows of black plumage atop an ermine robe. >knock robe The runebag remains inert. >knock ermine The runebag remains inert. >knock rows The runebag remains inert. >knock figure The runebag remains inert. >knock cuts The runebag remains inert. >x queen Tall and graceful, with pale skin and striking red hair. She lends a tart dose of regal vinegar to the proceedings. With a final, wrenching pain, you expire. Given the severity of your lance wound, it's a wonder you made it this long. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: a bottle of vodka, a lost feather, a two-toed foot, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving lance. Eaves is here. >x queen Tall and graceful, with pale skin and striking red hair. She lends a tart dose of regal vinegar to the proceedings. >knock regal A wild thought enters your head, causing the runebag to jump into your hands with strength you no longer possess. You feel it take on a small amount of weight. Knock! [Press a key.] Tall and graceful, with pale skin and striking red hair. She lends a tart dose of real vinegar to the proceedings. A bright, tangy smell fills the air. "Just a splash of the old tonic," says the queen, sprinkling a clear liquid down the dais. >cast g into lance This time, the impulse comes from your stomach. With what feels like a comforting thrum, the runebag leaps along your arm into your hands. As it locks onto the lance you feel a familiar passage of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the donor that has run you through with an unforgiving glance. Eaves is here. The sharp, wrenching pain disappears. The next voice you hear belongs to the king. "Come now, soldier. It isn't polite to stare." The queen adds, "Why, you'll scare our guest!" >save Ok. >talk to queen "Be careful," Eaves whispers when he notices you preparing to speak. "I get the feeling the king and queen have been... compromised." "Your majesties," you intone, making gender-appropriate signs of respect and fealty, "we are humbled to be in your presence. My... friend Eaves and I have come, to, er, honor you in person, and from a great distance." Your statement hangs in the air. The king and queen do not respond. >talk to king "But it seems," you continue, improvising, "that the tales we had heard of your court's splendor failed to do it justice. Eaves and I -" The king's upraised hand stops you. "Eaves and this kingdom go years back," he expounds with a smile. "Why, Eaves is the man who -" You hear a cold, malevolent voice utter a word from behind the dais. >x king He cuts a statuesque figure, his silhouette festooned with rows of black plumage atop an ermine robe. The king's hand remains upraised. "Eaves and this kingdom go years back," he expounds with a simile. "Why, Eaves is the man who betrayed our kingdom like the arrow wasp betrays the noble hummingbird!" His figure of speech is lost on you, but the meaning is clear as the king cries, "Guards! Seize the robed menace!" >knock menace The runebag remains inert. >i The donor steps forward, grabbing Eaves by the shoulders with barbaric glee. More soldiers join him and as Eaves is pushed behind the dais he turns to look you in the eye. "Steep," he says, clearly meaning it. "That secret I wouldn't tell you before. It's steep." You move to ask just what is so steep about this secret when you feel a tremulous, exultant thrum from your runebag. >knock steep The runebag remains inert. >get word Grabby, grabby. >x word That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >talk to eaves That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. >x amelid That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock camelid The runebag remains inert. >knock path The runebag remains inert. >e It would be impolite to leave without permission from the king and queen. >talk to king You err on the side of deference. "Your highness, how did Eaves betray the kingdom, if the subject is not too painful?" The king fields the question. "Ah, it was painful once, but as we have now resolved the issue I see no harm in sharing the lessons we learned." >talk to king You push further. "I would be honored to gain from your accrued wisdom." This time, the queen responds. "Such a sad story," she says, sprinkling vinegar absently from side to side, "for you see, his majesty and I were unable to conceive an heir." >talk to king "I am sorry to hear that," you say, holding your tongue. "Thank you," says the king, continuing, "As you can see from this chamber's remarkable furnishings, our kingdom is a storied one, with many military, diplomatic, and cultural victories to its credit." The queen quails. "And it all nearly disappeared in the blink of an eye." >talk to king "If you don't mind my asking, what did your majesties do?" "Why," says the king, "the same thing any desperate monarch does in such a situation. We appointed a regent, a qualified noble from the outer lands. Perhaps you'd like to meet him?" The queen perks up. "Oh, the Earl will be delighted!" She leans behind the dais and calls, "Come out and meet our guest, Earl Gry!" You feel a cold presence enter the room. >talk to king There are more urgent matters. >x gry Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here. >talk to gry "Pleased to meet you," you say, attempting nonchalance and landing somewhere between bravado and stridency. "Yes, I'm sure you are," the Earl says, already turning to leave. "Are we done here? I have business." "Oh ho, I'm sure you do," guffaws the king, turning to you with a conspiratorial wink. "He's always so busy, it's no wonder we've tripled our yield of sea ions this year." >i You carry: a dagger a runebag >knock earl The runebag remains inert. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here. >x earl Tall and reed-thin, he lurks beneath his diadem of office. There is a black fur bag at his side and his chin is crooked. >knock steep The runebag remains inert. >knock chin The runebag remains inert. >knock crooked The runebag remains inert. >knock gry The runebag remains inert. >knock ear The runebag remains inert. >x earl Tall and reed-thin, he lurks beneath his diadem of office. There is a black fur bag at his side and his chin is crooked. >talk to earl "Your majesties," you begin with an innocent lilt. "Before the Earl leaves, if you don't mind indulging my curiosity... how exactly did Eaves betray the kingdom?" Before either monarch can stir, Earl Gry whirls around to respond in a voice like wet sleet. "Why, he opposed my regency, of course." The queen waves her hand dismissively, spilling vinegar to and fro. "Yes, some nonsense about a lost heir. Utterly offensive. I think I would know!" >x queen Tall and graceful, with pale skin and striking red hair. She lends a tart dose of real vinegar to the proceedings. >*ha ha. Real Vinegar. Now i get it. [Comment recorded.] >talk to king "You know," you say to no one in particular, "I've actually visited one of your sea ion operations. Quite impressive." The camelid creature scratches its underside as the Earl regards you with brittle interest. "Oh?" >x camelid Owing to its camelid nature, it has two-toed feet, large dewy eyes, and a humped back. Every few minutes, the creature scratches at its side. >knock sie The runebag remains inert. >knock side The runebag remains inert. >knock camelid The runebag remains inert. >talk to gry "Yes," you respond, for everyone's benefit. "Though I found the observation platform a bit frustrating. It's no fun just to sit there and watch the ocean, in fact it felt rather like a prison." "Oh this is just splendid!" exclaims the king, clapping his hands together. "Earl Gry, do tell our guest about the experiments you've been doing to move the globes." "It's been lovely," says the queen. "On festival evenings the Earl has them shoot about the sky, like fireballs." >talk to gry Before you can continue this line of inquiry, Earl Gry addresses the king. "Your majesty, let us appoint our guest with the sartorial favor of the royal court." The king looks delighted. "Yes, one of our proudest traditions!" He turns and calls, "Send in the royal garbsmiths!" At the king's command, a coterie of garbsmiths enters the throne room. >talk to gry "Hey, I like the look of that one," you say, "the yellow one with the cape attached." "Yes, stand right in front of the garbsmiths, won't you?" mutters the Earl. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Earl Gry's runebag jump quickly into his hands. The garbsmiths' cargo changes, and you feel a sharp, painful impact. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here, along with a coterie of garbsmiths flinging rocks at you. Your health depletes as the assault continues. >knock garbsmiths The runebag remains inert. Your health depletes as the assault continues. >knock rocks That would be counterproductive. Your health depletes as the assault continues. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag A large and particularly sharp rock strikes you in the neck with a wet impact, and you expire. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: the ocean, a glass sphere, a two-toed foot, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here. >talk to gry Before you can continue this line of inquiry, Earl Gry addresses the king. "Your majesty, let us appoint our guest with the sartorial favor of the royal court." The king looks delighted. "Yes, one of our proudest traditions!" He turns and calls, "Send in the royal garbsmiths!" At the king's command, a coterie of garbsmiths enters the throne room. >knock garbsmiths The runebag remains inert. >z Time marches on. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here, along with a coterie of garbsmiths flinging frocks at you. >knock frocks That would be counterproductive. >*I wonder if "knock rocks" was a bug, thinking it was still "frocks." [Comment recorded.] >save Ok. >talk to king "Hey, I like the look of that one," you say, "the yellow one with the cape attached." "Yes, stand right in front of the garbsmiths, won't you?" mutters the Earl. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Earl Gry's runebag jump quickly into his hands. The garbsmiths' cargo changes, and you feel a sharp, painful impact. >e It would be impolite to leave without permission from the king and queen. Your health depletes as the assault continues. >x rocks They look sharp. Your health depletes as the assault continues. >x garbsmiths They fling an array of sharp-looking rocks in your direction with alarming speed. Your health depletes as the assault continues. >knock speed The runebag remains inert. >knock sharp The runebag remains inert. >knock fling The runebag remains inert. >knock rocks That would be counterproductive. A medium-sized yet particularly sharp rock strikes you in the neck with a wet impact, and you expire. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: a burning building, a burlap robe, a red marble path, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here. >x camelid Owing to its camelid nature, it has two-toed feet, large dewy eyes, and a hump on its back. Every few minutes, the creature scratches at its side. >knock arl The runebag remains inert. >knock earl The runebag remains inert. >talk to gry Before you can continue this line of inquiry, Earl Gry addresses the king. "Your majesty, let us appoint our guest with the sartorial favor of the royal court." The king looks delighted. "Yes, one of our proudest traditions!" He turns and calls, "Send in the royal garbsmiths!" At the king's command, a coterie of garbsmiths enters the throne room. >talk to gry "Hey, I like the look of that one," you say, "the yellow one with the cape attached." "Yes, stand right in front of the garbsmiths, won't you?" mutters the Earl. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Earl Gry's runebag jump quickly into his hands. The garbsmiths' cargo changes, and you feel a sharp, painful impact. >x cargo That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >x rocks They look sharp. Your health depletes as the assault continues. >x garbsmiths They fling an array of sharp-looking rocks in your direction with alarming speed. Your health depletes as the assault continues. >i You carry: a dagger a runebag Your health depletes as the assault continues. >knock fling The runebag remains inert. >talk to gry "Some tradition!" you manage to shout, dodging one projectile only to have another deal you a glancing blow to the knee. Earl Gry regards you with a cold, knowing smile. The queen, for her part, gives you an incongruous musical laugh. "Oh, but rock wounds are the latest fashion at court!" A small but particularly sharp rock strikes you upside the head with a wet impact, and you expire. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: old cheese, a lost feather, a malevolent crow, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here. >*wt time. :( [Comment recorded.] >*What? it's a casting word? [Comment recorded.] >talk to gry Before you can continue this line of inquiry, Earl Gry addresses the king. "Your majesty, let us appoint our guest with the sartorial favor of the royal court." The king looks delighted. "Yes, one of our proudest traditions!" He turns and calls, "Send in the royal garbsmiths!" At the king's command, a coterie of garbsmiths enters the throne room. >talk to gry "Hey, I like the look of that one," you say, "the yellow one with the cape attached." "Yes, stand right in front of the garbsmiths, won't you?" mutters the Earl. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Earl Gry's runebag jump quickly into his hands. The garbsmiths' cargo changes, and you feel a sharp, painful impact. >steep rocks Just as you begin to figure that it's worth a try, the runebag leaps into your hands, opening wider than you thought possible, like a snake's mouth, temporarily enveloping the rocks. There is a blinding flash of blue that lasts but a moment. Steep! [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here, along with a coterie of garbsmiths flinging corks at you. >*Okay -- but would I have known to use it as an action? I thought it was something to "knock". [Comment recorded.] >*I wonder if most players will think the same? [Comment recorded.] >steep corks That would be counterproductive. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here, along with a coterie of garbsmiths flinging corks at you. >steep earl The runebag remains inert. >steep me The runebag remains inert. A cork hits you on the side of the face, and with a final, dizzying swoon, you sink to your knees as your many wounds get the better of you. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: blue light, salvaged stonework, an opaque disk, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here. >talk to gry Before you can continue this line of inquiry, Earl Gry addresses the king. "Your majesty, let us appoint our guest with the sartorial favor of the royal court." The king looks delighted. "Yes, one of our proudest traditions!" He turns and calls, "Send in the royal garbsmiths!" At the king's command, a coterie of garbsmiths enters the throne room. >steep frocks The runebag remains inert. >talk to king "Hey, I like the look of that one," you say, "the yellow one with the cape attached." "Yes, stand right in front of the garbsmiths, won't you?" mutters the Earl. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Earl Gry's runebag jump quickly into his hands. The garbsmiths' cargo changes, and you feel a sharp, painful impact. >steep rocks Just as you begin to figure that it's worth a try, the runebag leaps into your hands, opening wider than you thought possible, like a snake's mouth, temporarily enveloping the rocks. There is a blinding flash of blue that lasts but a moment. Steep! [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty camelid creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here, along with a coterie of garbsmiths flinging corks at you. >steep corcks The runebag remains inert. >steep coterie The runebag remains inert. >x me This is no time for self-examination. >steep camelid It might be your injuries going septic, but a desperate thought occurs to you. Your runebag responds with fervid enthusiasm, somersaulting into your shaky hands as its aperture opens, wider and wider, to encompass the air around the camelid creature. There is a stunning flash of blue. Steep! [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here, along with a coterie of garbsmiths flinging corks at you. The creature notices your injuries and glides over to where you hunch. Its appendages move from wound to wound with gentle swiftness, its light touches a soothing balm against your skin. You are healed. Satisfied with their output, the garbsmiths retreat behind the dais. >steep dais The runebag remains inert. >save Ok. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here. You catch the Earl's runebag making a furtive jump into his sticklike fingers. In your peripheral vision, a sluglike beast expels a caustic substance that engulfs you with a hissing "splat." >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the beast. Earl Gry is here. You are covered to the neck in sour, acidic slime. The beast expels another caustic volley, weakening you further. >steep caustic The runebag remains inert. >steep beast The runebag remains inert. The beast expels another caustic volley, weakening you further. >*Would be cool if you have to knock then steep. [Comment recorded.] >knock caustin The runebag remains inert. >knock caustic The runebag remains inert. >knock volley The runebag remains inert. >knock beast Your runebag dutifully locks onto the beast, before shrinking back to your side and quivering with fear. At last, the slime penetrates your clothing to your skin, which it makes short work of dissolving into a goopy, unrecognizable mess. *** You have died. *** A confusing mess of images surrounds you: red light, a lost feather, a red marble path, a winking sea lion. Your maladies ease as your vision clears, and you find yourself thinking about the choices you've made. [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the east. Earl Gry is here. >talk to gry "How's it going? Escape death lately?" you ask the Earl, in your most hale and healthy voice. "Oh wait," you say, "that was me." "Yes, you're quite resourceful, whatever it is you're doing," oozes the Earl. "Unfortunately, you're far more useful to me dead." >talk to king You motion toward the creature that saved your life. "That's a lovely medical creature you have." The king smiles as the queen answers, "Oh yes, it's quite a joy to us. We like to keep it around for when we don't have guests, and his majesty and I engage in substantial horseplay." You catch the Earl's runebag making a furtive jump into his sticklike fingers. In your peripheral vision, a sluglike beast expels a caustic substance that engulfs you with a hissing "splat." >knock sluglike The runebag remains inert. >knock splat The runebag remains inert. >knock expels The runebag remains inert. >steep expels The runebag remains inert. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the beast. Earl Gry is here. You are covered to the neck in sour, acidic slime. The beast expels another caustic volley, weakening you further. >knock caustic The runebag remains inert. >knock volley The runebag remains inert. >steep volley The runebag remains inert. >steep slime Your runebag bursts through the caustic liquid and opens, wider and wider, until it surrounds the acidic slime. There is a momentary flash of blue. Steep! [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the beast. Earl Gry is here. You are covered to the neck in sour, acidic limes. >knock limes The runebag remains inert. The king regards you. "Meanwhile, I must thank you for your kind gift. Tonight we shall have enough lime stew to fill this throne room." The king's footmen appear and gather the fruit into baskets, quickly disappearing thereafter. >save Ok. >talk to gry You attempt to get the Earl's attention, but for the time being he seems focused on killing you. You see the Earl's runebag slip into his fingers. >x king He cuts a statuesque figure, his silhouette festooned with crows of black plumage atop an ermine robe. An angry black cloud flaps towards you from the king's shoulders, pecking with wild abandon as you flail to defend yourself. When the attackers retreat, you feel you have lost something. >i You carry: a runebag >steep crows The runebag remains inert. Earl Gry lifts his hands, but no runebag appears. Instead he brings two fingers to his mouth in a piercing whistle. There is a tremendous crash, and where the slimy beast once lurked you now see a tremendous, gray-skinned foot. "Well, well. It seems we have a fair fight now," booms the unmistakable voice of the ogreling. >steep ogreling With a rapturous vibration, the runebag somersaults into your waiting hands, seeming to wag in the direction of the dais as it does so. It opens, wider and wider, until its aperture circumscribes even the ogreling. There is a brighter than usual flash of blue. Steep! [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here. >*ha ha... nice. [Comment recorded.] >save Ok. >talk to gry "Well, Earl Gry," you say, an edge of triumph creeping into your voice, "it looks as though you're foiled." The Earl's voice comes back like ice. "I wouldn't quite say that just yet." The queen gasps as she parses the reignlog. "Where is our son?" At a signal from Earl Gry, the black cloud of crows lifts from the king's shoulders and flocks around him before escaping through the ogre-shaped hole in the chamber wall. >talk to queen Both the king and queen seem to be in a vengeful frame of mind, and better left alone. Earl Gry backs away, dagger at the ready, and addresses the dais. "Thank you for what has been an edifying and profitable experience," he says, "but alas I must move on. Preferably to a realm with fewer adventurers." You see the Earl back toward the hole in the chamber wall as he glares at you with enduring malice, and leaves. >*an extra blank line between "both the king..." and "Earl Gry backs..." [Comment recorded.] >knock leaves As though created for this very moment, the runebag leaps into your hands and locks onto the throne room's impromptu exit. You feel a stronger-than-usual vibration as energy transfers inward. Knock! [Press a key.] You see the Earl back toward the hole in the chamber wall as he glares at you with enduring malice, and Eaves. "Hello Eaves," says Earl Gry. "Earl," says Eaves. >talk to eaves "Eaves!" you exclaim. "You're back!" Eaves regards his surroundings with a sigh. "I suppose I am." The queen flings vinegar in a wild arc, losing patience. "I repeat, where is our son?" Earl Gry responds with smooth assurance as he brushes off his cloak. "You'll have to ask Eaves." >talk to eaves "Eaves, what is the Earl talking about? Why should you be the one to explain where the prince has gone?" Eaves mumbles something, the tail end of which sounds a lot like the word "bait." Eaves gives you a long look before speaking to the king and queen. "Let me begin by assuring your majesties that everything I did, I did to protect this kingdom." This does not placate the king. "There's a simple enough way to get to the bottom of this nonsense. Guards!" >talk to eaves "Eaves," you hiss in a sharp whisper while the royals are distracted, "I'm not kidding this time. I went on a long, perilous and what I thought was noble journey, but I'm starting to get the impression those blue portals I traipsed through were mostly there for the benefit of Eaves." Eaves narrows his eyes. "That isn't fair. No, I didn't tell you the whole story. But I could hardly have expected you just to come along." The threat of violence hangs in the room as the assembled donors surround Eaves, whose belt now boasts a runebag to match Earl Gry's. Both men stand poised to draw. >knock donors Your runebag thrums with familiar excitement, as it leaps into your hands and locks onto the donors. You feel a small transfer of energy. Knock! [Press a key.] Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, and a queen who looks familiar for a reason you can't place. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. Earl Gry and Eaves continue their standoff, eyeing each other warily. >steep eaves The runebag remains inert. Earl Gry and Eaves continue their standoff, daring the other to make a move. >steep earl The runebag remains inert. Earl Gry flinches and Eaves' hand goes to his runebag. >knock eaves The runebag remains inert. In an instant, both Eaves and Earl Gry's runebags leap upward -- and make whiplash turns toward the far end of the throne room, coming to rest in the businesslike hands of an elegant woman. "Boys," she says in greeting. The king exhales with relief. "How nice to see you, Caleanor!" >x caleanor She wears a businesslike expression and a green pair of businesslike pants. Caleanor interrupts the proceedings to usher a washed and groomed prince into the presence of his parents. "You don't want to know how I found him," she says, as the royal family embraces. Eaves shifts from foot to foot. "Hooray! The prince is back. All the loose ends are tied up, so I guess we should all just go home." Caleanor clears her throat. "You broke the rules," she says to Eaves, then to Earl Gry, "and you followed them in what was perhaps the most vile way I've seen in some time." The Earl blushes. "Thank you." >steep caleanor The runebag remains inert. Caleanor smiles. "Fortunately for the both of you, neither of your transgressions are my primary concern." >talk to caleanor Best not to call attention to yourself. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >talk to eaves You have more questions, but the focus of the room has shifted. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, the prince, and a queen who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. You also see a businesslike woman named Caleanor. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >x prince Cleaned up, he verges on handsome. >knock doors The runebag remains inert. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >knock caleanor The runebag remains inert. >knock eaves The runebag remains inert. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >i You carry: a runebag >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, the prince, and a queen who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. You also see a businesslike woman named Caleanor. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >cast l into eaves The runebag remains inert. >cast l into prince The runebag remains inert. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >knock caleanor The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, the prince, and a queen who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. You also see a businesslike woman named Caleanor. >talk to gry You have more questions, but the focus of the room has shifted. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >z Time marches on. >z Time marches on. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >z Time marches on. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, the prince, and a queen who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. You also see a businesslike woman named Caleanor. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >get reignlog Grabby, grabby. >talk to price That isn't here. If it is here, it isn't relevant. >knock prince The runebag remains inert. >knock pauper The runebag remains inert. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, the prince, and a queen who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. You also see a businesslike woman named Caleanor. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >knock son The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag >*???? must be about over though. [Comment recorded.] >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, the prince, and a queen who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. You also see a businesslike woman named Caleanor. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >x caleanor She wears a businesslike expression and a green pair of businesslike pants. >i You carry: a runebag Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >cast l into pants Your runebag vibrates, as though with the same thought. With a thrum, it jumps into a somersault, slips into your hands, and locks onto the pants. Earl Gry and Eaves turn sharply to face you. "Oh no, you can't -" stutters Eaves. "That was probably a mistake," agrees Earl Gry. You feel a small transfer of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] She wears a businesslike expression and a green pair of businesslike plants. Caleanor regards her unconventional wardrobe with what almost seems like amusement. [Press a key.] "As a matter of fact," she says, turning in your direction as your runebag flies from your side into her open palm, "I came here for you." [Press a key.] There is a bright blue flash. [Press a key.] *** You have won *** Congratulations! You have completed Earl Gry, in 1240 turns. Thanks for playing! THE NED > steep ned THE END. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT? > undo Throne Room [Previous turn undone.] >undo Throne Room [Previous turn undone.] >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, the prince, and a queen who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. You also see a businesslike woman named Caleanor. Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >cast l into pants Your runebag vibrates, as though with the same thought. With a thrum, it jumps into a somersault, slips into your hands, and locks onto the pants. Earl Gry and Eaves turn sharply to face you. "Oh no, you can't -" stutters Eaves. "That was probably a mistake," agrees Earl Gry. You feel a small transfer of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] She wears a businesslike expression and a green pair of businesslike plants. Caleanor regards her unconventional wardrobe with what almost seems like amusement. [Press a key.] "As a matter of fact," she says, turning in your direction as your runebag flies from your side into her open palm, "I came here for you." [Press a key.] There is a bright blue flash. [Press a key.] *** You have won *** Congratulations! You have completed Earl Gry, in 1240 turns. Thanks for playing! THE NED > steep ned THE END. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT? > *Is it really the end? Or what? Please give one of the answers above. > *earl gry is still out there.... Please give one of the answers above. > steep ned Please give one of the answers above. > undo Throne Room [Previous turn undone.] >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, the prince, and a queen who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. You also see a businesslike woman named Caleanor. >steep end The runebag remains inert. >i You carry: a runebag Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >*wt [Comment recorded.] >*Yeah, that would be the end -- last command in the walkthrough. [Comment recorded.] >*but I don't get it....? [Comment recorded.] >cast l into pants Your runebag vibrates, as though with the same thought. With a thrum, it jumps into a somersault, slips into your hands, and locks onto the pants. Earl Gry and Eaves turn sharply to face you. "Oh no, you can't -" stutters Eaves. "That was probably a mistake," agrees Earl Gry. You feel a small transfer of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] She wears a businesslike expression and a green pair of businesslike plants. Caleanor regards her unconventional wardrobe with what almost seems like amusement. [Press a key.] "As a matter of fact," she says, turning in your direction as your runebag flies from your side into her open palm, "I came here for you." [Press a key.] There is a bright blue flash. [Press a key.] *** You have won *** Congratulations! You have completed Earl Gry, in 1242 turns. Thanks for playing! THE NED > steep ned THE END. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT? > *that's it? Please give one of the answers above. > *I don't get it. Please give one of the answers above. > look Please give one of the answers above. > about Please give one of the answers above. > undo Throne Room [Previous turn undone.] >about Earl Gry An Interactive Fiction by Rob Dubbin and Adam Parrish, submitted to the 2009 Interactive Fiction Competition. Special thanks to our Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta Testers: Sabrina Banes, Sean Boyland, Josh Brandt-Young, Sam Cecala, Mike Dory, Andy Dubbin, Jeff Dubbin, Cailin Goldberg-Meehan, Francis Gulotta, Peter Gwinn, Jay Katsir, Casey Kolderup, Frank Lesser, Dave Parker, Leonard Richardson, and Nick Sylvester. Glittering thanks to those for whom we were patience testers: Cailin Goldberg-Meehan and Sabrina Banes. dubbin@gmail.com adam@decontextualize.com For more information, type help. >credits That's not a verb I recognize. >look Throne Room On thrones atop a high dais sit a king whose features you recognize, the prince, and a queen who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. The chamber has many remarkable furnishings, the most arresting of which is the jaunty medical creature visible on the red marble path to the reignlog. Earl Gry is here, as is Eaves, both of them surrounded by doors. You also see a businesslike woman named Caleanor. >i You carry: a runebag Caleanor appears to be waiting for something. >cast l into pants Your runebag vibrates, as though with the same thought. With a thrum, it jumps into a somersault, slips into your hands, and locks onto the pants. Earl Gry and Eaves turn sharply to face you. "Oh no, you can't -" stutters Eaves. "That was probably a mistake," agrees Earl Gry. You feel a small transfer of energy. Cast! [Press a key.] She wears a businesslike expression and a green pair of businesslike plants. Caleanor regards her unconventional wardrobe with what almost seems like amusement. [Press a key.] "As a matter of fact," she says, turning in your direction as your runebag flies from your side into her open palm, "I came here for you." [Press a key.] There is a bright blue flash. [Press a key.] *** You have won *** Congratulations! You have completed Earl Gry, in 1244 turns. Thanks for playing! THE NED > steep ned THE END. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT? > amusing Please give one of the answers above. > *2:40 PM done.... I guess? Please give one of the answers above. > quit